It seems to me that Couch is making a different argument than what some people are perceiving. He is arguing from a standpoint that he has already learned something from Jason Blume, having read his works and looking at some of his lyrics.

He is suggesting there is a secondary level of measurement he thinks is worth applying to his evaluation of Jason's work, that being one should consider the works of his students. For several people here, the argument seems to be do I read his works at all, or pre-emptively disregard.

While I think Couch's tone gives away his thoughts in some regards, I think what he is stating is a reasonable approach to evaluating another's work. Music will always come down to personal taste, so what is a treasure to some of us will be a bag of trash to others. If you read him or attend a seminar and find value in his approach because of similar taste or target goals, then you have learned something. If you read his works and find that his direction is not one you wish to take, then you have also learned something. Both lessons are valuable, however, the student of former will value the lesson more than the student of the latter.

Jack
http://www.myspace.com/jackswainsongs