Pit bull music video unintentional hit (Video)

John Shipe

To know a pit bull is to love a pit bull.  For musician John Shipe, befriending his fiance's pit bull Zoe, was all it took for him to lose his childhood fear of dogs and gain a deep appreciation for this bully breed.

In fact, Shipe was so inspired by his affection for Zoe, he wrote a song titled "Pit Bull Blues."  The lyrics of the song come from the point of view of a pit bull dog trying to explain why she is misunderstood, and why instead she just wants to be your friend.  

Excerpted from Pit Bull Blues by John Shipe:

People see me walking down the street they all run and hide.
I used to take it personally now I take it in strides.
I got nothing against no one I wouldn't hurt a fly."

"I got these pitbull blues all I want to do is sniff your shoes. I aint no killer hound though I'm the friendliest dog in town.

Not surprisingly, pit bull advocates have shared the song worldwide, praising its charm, simplicity and truth.  Michelle Webs of A Better Place, was one of the first pit bull advocates to discover the song, posting the music video to her Facebook page.  Since then, the song has received over a million hits.

Everyday, Shipe receives dozens of e-mails asking for permission to use the song which he gladly agrees to.  Calling himself an accidental activist or a reluctant advocate, Shipe says, "The neat thing for me is I can easily help from my own music career."

While writing the song, he never intended to inject himself into a cause on behalf of pit bulls.  Shipe says, "At the time I wrote the song, I didn't know how notoriously mistreated the breed was.  I wasn't trying to make a political statement.   I didn't have an axe to grind when I wrote the song. I was just having fun.  That's probably why it's a good song."

Then the opportunity to make a music video was presented to him by producer Jeff Fleiss.  Fleiss, an animal welfare activist, impressed Shipe with his passion and commitment to dogs and animals.

"I got such a positive vibe from Jeff.  He quickly got the video organized with 40 dogs which could have easily gone haywire."

The video was shot guerilla style.  Even Shipe's wife Amy Wray was recruited as a videographer.  Shipe's only regret was that he didn't get to hang out longer with the cast of volunteers and their dogs.

Pit Bull Blues is often requested at Shipe's performances, and he never disappoints. "Writing this song was a big wake up call that I need to write more (about  dogs).  There seems to be a direct connection to the canine character in the story.  People really respond to it."

For more information please visit A Better Place and find out about their upcoming celebrity auction benefiting local rescue.

Subscribe to Jeff Fleiss's  DoggyTV by clicking here.

Find out more about John Shipe and his music by visiting his website.  You can find his record label Involushun Records, by clicking here.
 

A lifelong dog and animal advocate, Shelley Frost wrote Your Adopted Dog: Everything You Need to Know about Rescuing and Caring for a Best Friend in Need (The Lyons Press, 2007) with coauthor Katerina Makris.