High Profile Business Meeting (?)
Five thirty is early to wake up and be in the car. I got up that early so I would have enough time to grab some coffee and have plenty of time to drive to Chattanooga to meet up with the band. For most of the two and a half hour drive the sun was down, but near the end my eyes were reminding me that I forgot my sunglasses.
Now here’s a quick side story, and I’m not entirely sure I should be telling anyone this. I have a really sensitive gag reflex. One time in fourth grade someone put a piece of green construction paper into my cup of water. I took a drink and threw up all over my desk. When something is even remotely stuck in the back of my throat all my senses panic and I can’t help but to just throw up.
So yesterday morning about an hour into my drive, something happened. I took a drink of my Iced Caramel Macchiato with an extra shot, and something was in my throat. I repeatedly tried to cough, but the “something” was slowly moving my senses toward the panic stage. Then all of the sudden there it was. I was throwing up the small coffee that I had already consumed, and I’m still driving on the freeway. Gross huh? Luckily there wasn’t much there and I could grab a towel that we had in the back seat, and a major crisis was averted.
Back to the story of the day. I got to the venue about 9:15, after driving in to Eastern Time, and found where the busses were parked. I had forgotten that the tour that MercyMe is doing is Winter Jam with a million other people, so there were about ten busses parked behind the arena. I recognized a couple of them so I went inside, walked around and said hi to a few people. The band was still at their hotel, so I hung out with a some other folks I knew and waited for them.
Around noon, I met up with the band for lunch and we talked about everything that was planned. We talked about blogging, web presence and what they are doing right and more about what they are doing wrong. I’ll be honest, it was a little intimidating sitting at a table with just the band and me and having to tell them that I think they are doing things wrong, but they were super receptive and excited to get going.
After lunch we went back to the hotel to have another “high profile business meeting” [pictured above]. On the left is Bart (MercyMe’ singer) the middle is Mike (MercyMe’s booking guy), and Scott Brickell (MercyMe’s manager). We talked for about five minutes then I got kicked out, so they could have a real meeting. I went back to the venue to hang out with a few of the other guys and get some more pictures.
During dinner I met with another guy from a band called Connersvine. The band is two guys, one of which is playing a few songs right before MercyMe plays on the tour, and the other who is playing in the NFL Playoffs for the Indianapolis Colts. Weird huh? I talked to him about setting them up with a better online presence and started talking about what to do next. So look for something from them real soon.
I was able to catch Skillet play, which by the way, if you haven’t seen Skillet live, you should. They are captivating. I watched portions of the other bands, then watched MercyMe close out the night. Then got ready for the drive home. It was good to see everyone again, good to hang out, and really productive. I will keep you all posted on what’s coming up. Wednesday I head to Texas to meet with another guy, and we will see how that goes.
I feel like I should have left the throw-up part out of the story…
It kinda makes me glad I didnt talk to you until later that day.
Kick some butt and wip these guys into shape.
Very cool! Sounds like everything went great and I bet you’re opening their eyes to a whole new world. I Can Only Imagine how far this will spread throughout the music community. HA! Get it…??
I’m lame.
Our baby has that same gag reflex. I hope she out grows it unlike you.
Brody, this whole idea is very exciting. You are in a position to really change things for people, and it’s great that you have the passion, know-how, and connections to be effective. I’m very interested to see where this leads! Good job.
(auburn) annie
I’m glad you left the throw up part in the story, it teaches us all the value of having a towel close at hand. They can be so useful!
I’m a lurker on your blog Brody but what you are doing with these bands is great! I agree they need to be more personal with “fans” and that blogging is a great way to do it. Its awesome God’s given you the intiative to get this going. I work in the music business in radio and in concert production. I know all 3 of the guys in that pic which is why I decided to comment. I like how Scott has the tv remote in his hand during a “business meeting”. nice touch.
I’ll pray God blesses your efforts and the artists efforts.
BTW, Skillet does play one rockin’ live gig. The first time I saw them was in Massachusetts with about 150 other people and it was awesome.
When Mercyme realize what your are telling them about web presence & blogging to be correct then start to try convince them to wake up & come to Ireland or UK to do some shows!
an embarrassing throw-up moment makes you seem real..we all have similar stories, and it was a fun anecdote
Nope, the throw up part was very important and should, as you did, be left in.
Hannah. Thanks for stopping in. Yeah, it was a pretty casual meeting… I think Brickell was actually flipping channels the whole time.
Gag reflex, huh? Might would have been a nice piece of information before we took all those xrays of your teeth!
Also glad you left the throw up part in because preparation in case of emergency is essential. Kudos to your God-given ideas.
hey brody… i think its pretty awesome that you are talking to different artist about bloging…great way to interatct with fans. i dont know if you know about this but sanctus real just kicked off their own blogging thing… http://www.sanctusreality.com and steven curtis has a blog community thing…his manager…him…his wife…their assiastant and the three older kids… http://www.stevencurtischapman.com yea its kool to see artist out there starting to get into the blogging world…. i love connersvine (to bad the colts lost today:() be really cool to see them start blogging! anyways sorry for the long comment.
Brody, Do you know Kevin Max? He spends ALOT of time on sites like facebook, myspace, etc. blogging and writes some really great thoughts but I don’t feel many people read them. If you know him you should talk to him about this….if you don’t know him I might just mention blogging whenever I see him again (GMA week?). I don’t know him very well but I’m on a first name basis. (He’s a friend of a friend) On the Kevin Max note if you haven’t already heard it I really recommend it. Its kind of Johnny Cash-esque in a very good way.
Actually I’m sitting in the Miami airport and laughed outloud at the throw up story! Thanks for bringing some laughter to my 7 hour lay over!
[...] to be selling this idea to my number one choice of employers to work for. The weird part is it is one of these guys Brody wrote about here. I’m not saying which…but if you are a praying person please [...]