hello

Hello sir!

how are you

Doing good man. Staying busy. Lots happening in a amazing way.

like what?

For The Youth. Getting t-shirts made. Finishing chapter 3 of my book. You?

i think i lost faith

i was thinking about the stuff i wrote the other day about booking and my experience ... maybe inspired to do so by you and i went to my shrink. i think i've discovered that i am sort of lost

Give me a few minutes I'm driving right now. I will message you in just a bit.

So, I feel/felt the same way you do now about things. Salem is at such a standstill right now that it's unfortunately very depressing. Especially for those of us who have a true heart for what we know could be such a beautiful thing here. I started For The Youth based out of that feeling. Because, as a promoter I saw that what I was doing wasn't making a impact as much as it used to. I decided to take my understanding of what I have done the past 13 years and filter that into something else. Something that had similar impact but in a different way. You have always been someone I have looked up to in the professional (aka promoter) world and as a individual. You have made such an impact here in Salem that it should and does spawn others to do the same. Others who know and feel the same way we do. We don't do it for recognition or to make tons of money; but we do it for the love of the business. I think that, especially now, we need to band together with like minded individuals to really set this place on fire again.

the word 'promoter' feels like a bad word to me now

i met with stan keitley the other day and he asked me for some consultation in working on the level b venue at the old salem cinema

i said booking is like a woman

i feel like i am not good at it anymore

booking that is

the path of music production and promotion.. the endeavor makes me anxious

I'm right there with you. Believe me. The past 3 or 4 years were the hardest for me as a "promoter". I too felt that it was such a dirty word. I haven't abandoned the business but I have found a way to mold it to something else; all the while keeping it as tagline for myself. Honestly, it's about using your knowledge of what you have done to mold something new. If it's your passion (like it still is mine), use what you have done to add another branch to your tree. Doing what we do, there are so many avenues we can take. What it comes down to is the passion for it. If a certain aspect is not working in your favor you can do one of two things. 1) Cut it out completely and start new. 2) Branch out from it, using that knowledge and incorporating it into something new but along the same lines.

i dont know if it is my passion anymore. i fell like ive done everthing i could do given myself to command the starship and iguess its not fun anymore to a point the idea of it is fun concocting show schemes is fun but i dont have the time energy or manpower to really execute and i also have messed up, burning bridges. i'm playing with fire and have a scarred mind

the pont of this whole thing is to inspire people to think differently, but the scenes have become so watered down and clicked that i find myself not really having an impact. just adding people to the dreamcrusher list

Well, it's about repositioning your passion but looking back on what made it a passion in the first place. Going back to the basic; the roots. I know that's cliche to say but it's true. Looking back on what made it a dream that became a reality. Sure, it may not be the ideal reality or where you thought it would be but it's reality. What you need to do is go back to that initial reason or reasons for it being a passion. Use that to reconfigure your plan. Adjust to the, often unfortunate, changes that Salem has reached.

so then what

man i just don't know. as soon as i said that previous comment i got this chill like i was going to hurt someone

I look at Alex and The Possum House. They have gone back to the basics. They are and have been dong something really good. I saw Brette and Blake there not too long ago and it showed me what raw energy can be brought to this scene. It's really about reaching down and gripping that raw energy or passion.

i cant tell if im asking you to convince me to do it or if i just am telling you ive reached burnout

i feel like the only place i really do that is behind a drum kit with people i care about

ive lost thousands of dollars and discouraged tens of artists and i dont think people even took anything from the experience

i did

its - well i wont do that again

i feel like its an addiction to heroin

Well, what it comes down to is exactly what you're doing. Reaching out to those who know EXACTLY what you're going through. It's about weeding out those who just want to jump on a band wagon or those who have been in the trenches, dealing with some bullshit, but coming through the fire (sure, slightly charred at times).

no one else understands but you and blanchard

i mean i cant even begin to talk to anyone about it because their all like - well you can't complain, its not REALLY work to do music biz stuff

I will tell you honestly that it's about reaching out to those people, letting others (who have a honest appreciation and passion) help out in any way. Not just those who are looking for their 15 minutes.

In regards to your very last message. Those are the people who have no idea what we go through. If we wanted to make millions we would have sold out long ago. What it boils down to, again, is getting back to basics. Starting with a raw, unfiltered vision and pushing forward. Mapping out every detail down to the very minimal thing. Taking time to sit back and look at it before throwing it out to people outside of the people involved.

im gonna smoke a cigarette

No worries man. I won't say a word. I in recent months have realized that if I am going to go for what I believe in I just have to leap with every fiber of my being. I met with Nate Hagen tonight and he made a good point. He said that we put so much emphasis on society telling us what we should and shouldn't do. We are told to get degrees, good jobs and work the 9 to 5. But, we should look at those who decided that although they had 5 dollars to their name, they would go their own way. If they made it. They made it. If not, they know that at least they did what they wanted and will never take it back.

i believe in that very much

no regrets

i don't regret selling my truck

or putting on tireless pushes for music showcase

i know i'll have great stories when i'm old

I don't believe in a lot of people or things. But, I have believed in the things you do. and in you. Again, it's rare for me to say that because I too have had some negative things happen to me. Both in this business and in life. It's seeing those who have similar ideas, dreams and passions that I cling too. It's not because I see a way to get ahead it's because I see that they are right in line with how I feel deep down.

i do have a family starting and i need to put my finger on whats going to support that and find the right door

Family? Really? Are you and Melissa...?!?

well no

but i mean

she'll follow me to the ends of the earth

and she'll even help, but im sort of lost right now and reeling

i've been all over the baord

go back to school, move away, get a regular job in order to separate music from my work

Ah I see. Well, first off that's an amazing woman you have there to see that in you. Cherish that always.

Second, I Did that. Moved to PA, thought it was right, made plans to drop my true dreams etc. What it comes down to is utilizing and working with true" believers" in your dreams. Looking heavily at each part of the dream and moving forward. If it doesn't work, don't give up, learn and readjust. Its about getting away from this mindset that we can't live out our dreams. Its about fulfilling them how we want them to be.

ill follow

u lead for a while maybe