What good writers do

With this columnist Philip Martin-bashing of late, I feel the need to jump on the bandwagon to offer my “two cents’” worth. In June of 1997, Martin wrote a review of the 30th anniversary of The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” reissue in his column.

Being a lifelong Beatles fan, I felt it necessary to respond to his opinion regarding his review. I flat-out didn’t agree with what he wrote, and sent a letter stating that, and it was published by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. I was surprised, to say the least, that the paper would publish a letter disagreeing with one of their own. Just shows how wrong I was. I applaud the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for allowing people’s differing opinions with their employees.

Many years later I met Philip at some venue/bar. I was introduced to him by a mutual friend. With some trepidation and remembering my “letter” that was published rebuking his review years earlier, I suddenly felt horrified, and hopeful he didn’t remember what I wrote. When I shook his hand, he said, “Oh, I remember you, you wrote that letter to the editor disagreeing with me.” He then laughed, and then I did too. That broke the ice.

We’ve since became good friends and I have never missed a column by him since. Do I always agree with him? Of course not, but he is a great and insightful writer, which I surmise elicits the responses the Voices page receives regarding his columns. That’s what a good writer does: makes you think and respond to what the writer postulates. Keep it up, Philip!

RANDAL BERRY

Little Rock