Tourists: Don’t Accept the Aspiring Big City Music Star’s “Free” CD (Even If They Offer to Autograph It For You)

I played tour guide for several family members who recently visited Los Angeles, where I’ve lived for 24 years and still love. (Well, except for the traffic, crime, homelessness, insane cost of living, and inept local officials.)

They wanted to visit Hollywood and Highland: the famous entertainment district (named after its cross streets) home to Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, Disney’s El Capitan Theatre, Dolby Theatre (home of the Oscars), Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Madame Tussaud’s, and several other spots. I rarely visit Hollywood and Hollywood, except for when I work an award show or movie premiere at one of the big venues. (I do recommend seeing a movie at the Chinese Theatre complex or El Capitan.)

We briefed the younger kids about street performers dressed as Disney, Marvel, DC, and whatever else characters: Don’t talk to them. They’ll want you to take a picture with them, and we’ll be on the hook for $5 or $10.

We were barely a step onto the Hollywood Blvd. sidewalk when a guy holding a fistful of compact discs approached one of my adult family members. (This was before I could intervene. I’ve seen this movie before. Heck, I starred it once about 20 years ago.)

A bunch of these folks stalk Hollywood Blvd. Stay away. Here’s why.

The conversation went like this:

Mr. Fistfull of Compact Discs: “Hey, dude, I’m an up-and-coming recording artist. Want a free CD of my new music?” He’s handing out his demo and hoping to be a big star—what’s more Hollywood than that?!

Family Member: “Yeah, of course. I’d love to hear your music.”

Mr. CDs hands my family member a slipcase containing a compact disc and then says, “Here, let me autograph it for you!”

Mr. CD starts scribbling his name. I make eye contact with the family member and make the “cut it out” gesture, indicating this isn’t good and we need to carry on.

Once the autograph is signed, Mr. CD hands the disc back to my family member and goes for the hard ask.

“Any chance you got a tip?” he says. “I mean, I autographed your CD and all. Whaddya say? Can you help me out?”

“I don’t have any cash on me, just cards,” my family member said.

Well, that didn’t make America’s next music superstar happy. I told my family member to hand back the CD and we were leaving.

I Hate This — for a Few Reasons

People are seduced by the “magic” of actually being in Hollywood.

This same CD trick was pulled on me more than twenty years ago. Unbeknownst to hip-hop’s next generational smash success who tried extorting me for a few bucks, I worked at a talent agency. I worked with people who legitimately booked major concert acts and hung out with some band managers. I knew people who decided which music they wanted in movies and TV shows. (Actually licensing that music is a whole ‘nother story.)

I was on board with accepting a CD and listening to it — until he pulled the cute “Don’t you think you should give me some money for it?” stunt. I told him he said it was free and that I accepted his offer — even with the fee autograph. I didn’t tell him what my job was and gave him back his CD — now in a slipcase ruined because the autograph was personalized to me.

Angering your potential fanbase is not a good idea.

Frankly, this reeks of a scam. These folks have pulled this crap since before YouTube and social media were invented — and still use the same “marketing” model. If they were serious about their music, they’d be on Twitter (or whatever), YouTube, Snapchat, Facebook, and YouTube trying to get exposure. And if they love Hollywood Blvd. so much, why not perform there? (Because they’re also probably real estate agents — selling oceanfront property in Oklahoma.)

I’d be surprised if those CDs contained any original music by the next global sensations handing them out for “free.” The CDs might not even have anything on them.

(I’ve had my car and don’t think I’ve ever used the CD player.)

Why don’t they accept Venmo, Zelle, CashApp, or PayPal? you might ask — and it’s a good question. If you or I wanted tips in this going-cashless world, I’d adapt and have a QR code ready. I’ve heard of Sky Club bartenders accepting tips that way.

But because those transactions can be traced (right?), this opens these would-be entrepreneurs to being identified. Maybe there is music on the CDs that doesn’t belong to them. That’s big trouble if you’re caught selling bootleg music.

And here’s what really gets me mad: this can spoil tourists’ Los Angeles experience.

Look, if everyone knows the game, is on board, willingly participates, and no one else is affected, then why not? If you’re OK with getting your (or your child’s) picture with a knock-off Spider-Man, shelling out $5 or $10, and saying, “Hey, we met Spider-Man in Hollywood!” then rock on. The tourist has a good time and the street actor gets a few bucks.

But pressuring people for tips after you’ve fulfilled your upfront offer isn’t cool.

Final Approach

Music’s next stars aren’t handing out CDs in Hollywood or Times Square. I highly advise accepting their “demo” CDs — even if they promise to autograph them.