Highlights from 2010
The year started out with a sense of change coming in 2010. And change did come.
I flew to New Hampshire to surprise my Dad for his 60th birthday.
All things LOST. The sixth and final season premiered on my 32nd birthday. An episode featured someone I know as an extra. Our Dharma themed finale party.
Sara took me to my first Vanderbilt men's basketball game.
Sara and I took our first road trip to Chattanooga and hit up places like Terminal Brewhouse, Greyfriars, and Clumpies which have now become some favorites.
I signed up for the Mellow Mushroom Beer Club. I would need to drink 70 of their 80 beers to become part of the club. I finished my 70th beer and joined the Mellow Mushroom Beer Club AND got my name on the wall.
In March I took a self imposed challenge of trying 1 new beer a day for 30 days. After the challenge I kept trying new beers (but not at 1 a day). In all I have tried over 160 new beers this year.
Went to the Franklin Main Street Brew Fest, the 9th annual Music City Brewers Festival and enjoyed a fall beer tasting at Flying Saucer and a winter beer tasting at Stogies.
Road trip to Murray, KY to see tobyMac and House of Heroes but not without a stop in Paris first. Paris, TN that is.
Finally purchased my own record player and got serious about vinyl. Probably a bad thing but it's a lot of fun.
First visit to Martin's BBQ was when they we were doing a taping for Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
Took a mini-vaca in Cali in April. Sara had flown out earlier to help her family with the Festival of Life. The Coachella music festival took place while I was there but instead of going to that we enjoyed the pool, the Palm Springs Tramway, and the Beer Hunter.
Went to my first Predators playoff game…they lost.
Finally had my wisdom teeth taken out.
Spent 2 days volunteering to help those that lost everything in the Nashville flood. It was a very humbling and rewarding experience.
Sara and I spent her birthday in New Hampshire with my folks. We had amazing day trips to: Perkin's Cove in Ogunquit, ME (where I enjoyed fresh lobster rolls at Footbridge Lobster and Barnacle Billy's), Portsmouth (where I tried the 10 beer sampler at Portsmouth Brewery), Lake Winnipesaukee in Meredith and of course BOSTON. I even tried deep fried French Toast for the first time at Parker's Maple Barn.
Participated in my 2nd Cow Appreciation Day.
Road trip with Sara and the Powers to Louisville, KY to see Louis of Gasoline Heart perform. But not before we stopped at the Zappos outlet, had brunch at Lynn's Paradise Cafe, checked out the 21c Museum Hotel, and had some killer brews and amazing apps at Cumberland Brewery.
Flew to PA to surprise my fam for my niece Eva's 1st birthday. We had a blast together.
The hardest album I have ever worked on (House of Heroes "Suburba") as A&R and Marketing Manager debuted at #48 on Billboard's Top 200 after it's release on August 3.
I finally got to see Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers when the MOJO Tour hit Nashville. And with some of my favorite people...Sara and the McNeelys.
Another trip to PA for Purple Door and hang time with Eva.
Sara and I got to see the Chihuly Nights exhibit at Cheekwood.
Sara, Tobin, and I "made the paper" after attending the Thompson Station First Annual Sweet Tea Festival at the Homestead Manor Plantation.
Started watching Penn State games with Nashville Penn Staters. Chatted it up with local weather man Dan Thomas.
Sara and I joined the McNeely family of friends for a few days in Las Vegas. I won $80 the first night in a rock/paper/scissors tournament but that was my only win. We had a blast staying at the Encore, catching a FREE showing of Le Reve, walking the strip, and placing a few bets on some horses.
Went to the Titans 2010 season home opener.
Road trip with Sara, Beth, and Frank to ATL to see Jimmy Eat World.
Saw FREE advance screenings of The Town, Due Date, and True Grit courtesy of GoFoBo.com.
I moved into a new place in downtown Franklin. I even got a bike to ride to work.
Met Jim Breuer.
Found out I'm gonna be an uncle for the 2nd time.
Spent Thanksgiving in Omaha, NE visiting Sara's extended family. Had a blast playing "pass the ace". Loved Beertopia and the Element.
Ending the year with Sara in California.
Top 10 Albums of 2010
Well, it's that time of the year again. I have to say that earlier in the year I was a bit worried about the state of new music. But as the year went on I found myself loving some artists' newest albums as well as finding some artists I never listened to before including one artists' debut album.
Also my friend Josh recently started a website called my TopList for all of us "Top 10" people so I highly recommend posting your lists there.
PS - I have never included albums I work on. But if I had, House of Heroes SUBURBA would have made my Top 10. It's one of those albums, that when I'm no longer an A&R, I will always remember and count as lucky to have been a part of such great art.
Wish List
I wish:
I could see my family more.
I could do more for the artists I work with.
people would reach out more.
there was more loyalty in the world.
I liked to do sit ups.
kids wouldn't illegally download music.
I could finish a book before I start another.
people didn't bitch about something after they already agreed to do it.
that someday I could own a small bar or coffee shop.
people could see what I see.
I was slower to speak at times.
there was an even faster way to import all my CDs.
the truth would reveal itself.
people would refrain from texting or taking calls during meetings.
the house would sell.
(I really wish) my ex would just pay what she owes me.
But I think Eddie's list is better.
Eva, Suburba, Beer Club and Vegas
Well, a lot has happened the past 2 months and because of that the time has flown by. As I mentioned earlier, my site was hacked causing it to be offline for about a month so thus no updates. But anyways, here's a quick run down of what's happened.
- I flew home to PA at the end of July to surprise my family for my niece Eva's 1st birthday.
I hadn't seen her since January. On my last day there she really warmed up to me...
...and we had a blast together.
- The 9th annual Music City Brewer's Festival was a blast. The rain held off long enough for me to try a few new beers including some from Good People Brewing Company in Birmingham, AL.
- Work kept me really busy. Gotee's one "new" album of our four releases this year was House of Heroes latest called "Suburba". I have never worked as hard as I did as A&R and Marketing as I did for this release. And the result of the band delivering a great album and our hard work was that after it's first week of sales we saw it debut at #48 on Billboard's 200. I've jotted down some thoughts for a blog called "Marketing 'Suburba'" so we'll see if I ever post it. If you haven't seen their music video for the song "God Save The Foolish Kings" please do so below.
House of Heroes "God Save The Foolish Kings" from Gotee Records on Vimeo.
- I finally got to see Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers along with Sara and JR & Lori McNeely. When "I Won't Back Down" and "Free Fallin'" are third and fourth in the set you know it's gonna be a great night. I was smiling and singing along the whole time. It was an incredible show from Tom despite the long opening set by Crosby, Stills & Nash.
- The very next day Sara and I flew up to PA for the annual Purple Door Festival. It's always a great trip because I get to see my family and get to see some of the bands we work with.
- Sara and I went to the Chihuly Nights exhibit at Cheekwood. Definitely one of the coolest things I have seen.
- After signing up for the Mellow Mushroom Beer Club on February 25th I became an official member on September 3rd.
- Sara, Tobin and I had our picture in The Tennessean.
- Sara and I joined a group of friends for a trip to Las Vegas for a few days.
I won $80 the first night in a $5 buy in rock paper scissors tournament but that was my only win. But that didn't stop us from having a blast! We were even given free tickets to see Le Reve, which was great, and had In-N-Out twice. I can't wait to go back!
- I signed a lease on a new place in downtown Franklin. I'll be moving in less than 2 weeks. It's hard to believe I've been in my apartment for just over 2 years so I know there'll be an adjustment with the new place. I'm excited the most about the location of the new place. It's less than 1/2 mile from Gotee so there's now the ability to walk or bike to work and to the spots I like to eat and hang out. There's also a great patio which means I can finally fire up my grill. I just hope that since its last use over 3 years ago that it still works.
Anyways, that's the latest.
Road Trip to Louisville
I love taking one day road trips. So does Sara. And so we hit the road last Sunday with Bill and Ronee Power...destination Louisville, KY. The reason...a punk rock show. Ronee really wanted to see The Ataris and also on the tour was our friend Louis Defabrizio of Gasoline Heart performing solo. I wouldn't drive 3 hours for any 'ol small show in a punk rock club but a day trip with friends to see friends was more than enough reason.
Along the way we stopped at the Zappos Fulfillment Center/Outlet. I only wish it had been a weekday so we could have taken the tour. This company cares about their employee's working environment. A putting green was centered in their outside picnic table break area. And after a few conversations with the staff I heard about the Wii, Guitar Hero, karaoke machine, and computers for gaming in the inside break area. I follow the CEO Tony Hsieh on Twitter but I really need to read his book.
The next stop was Lynn's Paradise Cafe for a late brunch.
It had been 5 years since my last visit and the interior was just as fun and quirky as I remembered.
It was perfect for all the iPhone camera apps and all 4 of us were taking pictures constantly.
The 21c Museum Hotel was next. Sara had been before and we were really glad she took us here. I don't want to spoil it, but if you're a guy, be sure to check out the men's bathroom. Not sure I can describe this hotel with a museum the best so I'll let the pictures do the talking.
We grabbed a drink at their bar, Proof on Main, and then headed for Bardstown Road to hit up the mighty Ear X-Tacy and a few other shops. I randomly came across Cumberland Brewery and walked in for a a couple pints. The rest of the group soon followed for some pre-show food. I wasn't expecting much from the food but I was extremely surprised and satisfied. I can't wait to go back. We left Bardstown after grabbing some coffee at Highland. It wasn't till later I found out that a friend of my late friend Aaron Marrs owns his own coffee shop called Quills Coffee. Had I known, it would have been there where I got my java fix. Even their logo honors Aaron. So yet another reason to go back.
The show was cool. It was great to see Louis and catch up. He's one of my favorite songwriters and I count it a privilege that I got to A&R his debut album. Not to mention I got to see so many friends of my late friend and co-worker Aaron Marrs at the show. Nathan Quillo, Lachlan Coffey, Bryan Todd, and Josh Inzer. The latter 2 were in Aaron's band Forever Texas and Bryan is now playing in a band called Frontiers fronted by Chris of Elliott fame. I hadn't seen those guys in 5 years and it really closed out the trip on an even higher note.
I love hanging with Bill & Ronee and for many reasons. One reason that surfaced on the trip was that they are one of few friends that we can spend time with that don't have kids. And it's not that I don't like kids. I love my friends kids. It's just that many of our friends that do have kids mostly end up hanging out with others that have kids. And I get it. It's easier to hang with those people because the kids can play together. So I feel lucky to have the Powers as friends. We had left Nashville at 9:15am on Sunday and returned at 2:30am on Monday. In all it was simply a great road trip was great friends.
Who wants to be next?