Can you enjoy the music if you don't respect the artist? Is it possible to appreciate the music if some experience has tainted you against the one who performs it? Can you be objective about the quality of the recordings when you think you know the artist and don't like what you perceive him to be? Is it possible to pay money for a CD or a concert ticket if you don't agree with the singer's politics?
For me it's always been pretty simple: yes. None of those things affect my enjoyment of the music. If they did, I'm sure I could find something wrong with almost every musician I have listened to. Barbra Streisand is a vocal democrat that speaks strongly against all conservatives. Frank Sinatra had strong ties to the Mafia. Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison were drug addicts and alcoholics.
I've found that the music can speak for itself. I can listen with complete objectivity and enjoyment. For some, it's impossible. They base all their musical taste on the "perceived" personality of the person performing. When in reality that performer most likely has an image that he/she portrays in the media and has another image he maintains in private. For me, the two just simply don't affect my music listening pleasure.
Enjoying the music,
Texas Fan
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