Google Alert, Don Reid, and the internet

Statler Brother Don Reid has a humorous blog post about his attempt to use Google Alert at the urging of his son Langdon who encouraged him to set up a Google Alert for himself to keep up with what's being said about him on the internet. Don wrote:

Having been in the entertainment business for forty (40) years, there are little tricks and treats of the trade that you tend to make good use of for the betterment of your business.  And any entrepreneur will tell you the most important part of their business, besides their product, is their name.  A good name must be nurtured and protected above all else and at all times.

Good intentions ... and so it was done and what did he get? A hilarious account detailing his Google Alert results makes for light-hearted reading from this Staunton resident as he noted:

Within the hour I was inundated with coverage from all over the United States.  Don Reid mentions were dinging my email bell all through the night and into the next morning.  Don Reid did this and he did that and they just wouldn’t stop.  What a magic and wondrous accommodation this was.  And so immediate and responsive and detailed.

The only problem was ... none of the stacks of emails had anything to do with me.

He won't receive a Google Alert of this post because the volume of "Don Reid" alerts unrelated to him proved to be more of a hindrance than a help. He unsubscribed from the service, lamenting:

I am content with not knowing what is being said about me in that loftier space called the Internet.  So if you come across a besmirching statement or even an occasional praise, don’t bother to send it.  It probably ain’t me anyway.

I saw Don at last Saturday's Boots and Bandana Grace Christian Auction. He and his wife, Debbie, are there most years as faithful supporters of the school and its mission.

An accomplished author as well as musician, Don is a popular sight in the Staunton area along with brother Harold and friends Phil Balsley and Jimmy Fortune ... the Statler Brothers. Pillars in the community, together they all live here in the Shenandoah Valley, one of the most beautiful places to call "home."