Thanks Westone
Hey, so I forgot to mention this while I was on the road and I’ve been meaning to bring this up on here. Most of you music people already know about the folks over at Westone, but if you don’t, you need to.
I have had a pair of ears made by Westone for a while now. I don’t know the details of them. I just know they sound amazing and I’ve used them forever. I know that when I’m listening to music with them, music sounds like it’s supposed to. You hear all the stuff that you should. The stuff the bands hear in the studio, and wish that you could hear. I’m blown away every time I use them. And they didn’t even pay me to say that.
I forget what show it was, but Westone came out to talk to the bands during The Roadshow. I had noticed that earlier that week my left ear had been sounding weird and then just stopped working. I walked by Dale Douglass and asked if he’d take a look. He took my ears and said he’d let me know. About an hour later I walked by him again and he let me know that they were, in fact, jacked. I knew it. I asked if he could repair them and he said he’d keep them and take care of it.
Now, here’s the cool part. About a week later, in another city, I was told that there was a package for me. A brand new set. What? You know that feeling of completely not expecting someone to do something super nice for you and then they go way past what you think would be awesome. That’s what Dale did. There’s no reason for him to “hook me up”. I’m no musician. I’m not a huge voice in the “Industry”. Surely not as important as the artists he was there to actually talk to and take care of. Pretty sweet eh?
So now, I’ve got this brand new pair of in-ears. I still have no idea the details of them, but I know they sound even more amazing than my old ones. So, thanks Westone. You didn’t have to go the extra mile for an internet nerd, but this internet nerd appreciates you.
And for you music folks, if you’re not using Westone stuff, you need to start. You’ll hear more than you ever have.
But I Like Brie Cheese…
I had Brie Cheese and crackers for lunch today. That doesn’t matter to you, but I did. It was a late lunch. Something like two o’clock. Yesterday I was only able to grab dinner. It wasn’t Brie Cheese though. Burritos. That Kristin made.
The Roadshow officially came to a close earlier this week. For the most part a success in my book. The bands were great to tour with, the crowds sang loud and collectively the SkörInc sites that were on the tour racked up well over a million visitors checking out what was going on there. And you know what I say to that? “I’ll take it”. Over a million people.
I hit the ground running this week with preparation for MercyMe’s ‘Lovewell’ release, planning for Addison Road’s release, a launch of a site I can talk about in a few days, the re-design of a couple new sites, helping figure out a mess to clean up, and the organization of day to day operations. Not to mention, the family that I love, and want to share Brie Cheese with. It’s no wonder this post is primarily about cheese.
I’ve had coffee today too.
And water out of a cool, new stainless steel bottle.
I’ve got a white board that’s full of things that I’ve added, erased, then added again in different colors. It looks good. I was able to erase one thing on there for good though. Getting my license plate for the car. I got that yesterday. Two months late, but it’s because they had the wrong phone number and address for me so they couldn’t tell me it was ready. I’ve got it now. And it’s erased from my white board. Forever.
That and I’ve got an Apple appointment tomorrow to repair a year of throwing my computer in a backpack and driving all over the country. You Apple users should really consider Apple Care when you buy stuff from them.
I’m not even joking. David Crowder’s ‘Church Music’ is amazing. I’m still not sure it takes ‘A Collision’, but it’s dang close. Is “dang” a Southern thing to say? I think I’m saying that a lot. I blame the MercyMe boys… and Texas.
Seth Godin Is Smart
So, I completely stole this post from Seth Godin. I was going to Re-Tweet it or whatever, but this seemed to carry a little more weight thank just a ‘Hey check this out’. Absolutely brilliant. What do you think?
Who judges your work?
Here’s the mistake we make in high school:
We let anyone, just anyone, judge our work (and by extension, judge us.)
Sue, the airheaded but long-legged girl in Spanish class gets the right to judge our appearance.
Bill, the bitter former-poet English teacher gets the power to tell us if we’re good at writing.
And on and on.
The cheerleaders are deputized as the Supreme Court of social popularity, and the gym teacher forever has dibs on whether or not we’re macho enough to make it in the world. These are patterns we sign up for, and they last forever (or until we tell them to go away).
In high school, some people learn to ship, they learn to do work that matters and most of all, they learn to ignore the critics they can never possibly please. The ability to choose who judges your work–the people who will make it better, use it and reward you–is the key building block in becoming an artist in whatever you do.
If you haven’t already check out more from Seth Godin. He’ll blow your mind.
2010 Dove Awards
Well, it was a long night for sure, but I had a great time. Bart and Natalie did a great job hosting, the performances were great, the ‘comedian’ was…. well… the rest of it was good. My job was to basically hang out with Bart and Natalie and take pictures with my phone or camera. So that’s what I did. I like to call it documenting. All in all it was a great night. I’m glad Kristin was able to be there and come back afterward and hang out with some of the folks I work with. I still am taken back a little when I think about what I do for a living, but it’s a fun ride and as long as things keep popping up, I’ll keep saying yes.
San Antonio
Well, it’s been a while. It’s not that I haven’t had things to say, or really even time to say them. It’s more of a mental thing. I’ve had a tricky time wrapping my head around anything of any value for the past few weeks. Again, maybe it’s just being too tired or being away from home. Or maybe it’s just me taking a few weeks to whine like a baby on this thing because I can’t think of anything else to say. Normally I try to be a pretty positive person, but I’d be off base if I didn’t say that this tour has been a struggle for me. It’s been weird for sure. Not because of the tour, but more because of my own brain I think.
But today I’m working on making things a little different. I don’t know how, but it started with Mike and I taking a little scooter ride to a mall just to get out. I picked up some “ninja sock Vans” and Mike got an iPod player. Then we stopped by a ghetto pawn shop on the way back. It looks like a pretty rough part of town, but at least we had manly looking scooters.
I’m headed home tomorrow for a day or two, but during those days I’ll be at the Dove Awards, involved in something that I haven’t really heard about yet, and trying to spend as much time with Kristin and the boys as I can. Then we’ve got one more run after this, then it’s home sweet home for an uncertain amount of time.
Well, that’s it’s for now. I’m sure there’s something important that needs to be done, so I’m going to track that down.
The New ShaneAndShane.com
Alright folks. It’s time to check out the brand, spanking new ShaneAndShane.com. A little cleaner. A little more aesthetically pleasing. You know stuff like that. Once again Jordan & Randy knocked this one out of the park. These guys are amazing to work with for sure. I’m continually blown away by the level of their work.
There’s still lots more coming from SkörInc so be on the lookout for that. But for now check out ShaneAndShane.com, click around, let me know what you think or if you see anything weird.
What Happens In Vegas…
What happens in Vegas… is completely foreign to the rest of the world. What a weird, messed up place. A spectacle for sure, but a crazy, tragic spectacle in my opinion. Every time I’m here, there’s a moment where I think it’s fun and exciting or whatever, then I walk out onto ‘The Strip’ and remember why I can’t really handle much of this place. And what’s crazy about it, is that it’s not just the obvious sex, drugs and unhealthy gambling that weirds me out, but the complete jacked up balance of wealth and poverty. Last night walking back from getting some food it hit me that this entire place was built on the bad decisions of other people. Millions and millions of dollars are blown here in an attempt to be ‘fulfilled’. That blows me away.
I talked to a guy last night who came here for a job at a printing company and then was laid off because the company closed. Now he walks up and down the street playing harmonica for people for tips. Sure he was probably a little crazy, and probably has made some bad choices but a sweet, older guy and he could rock some Richard Marx on the harmonica. Then across the street is some massive mall filled with stores I’ve only heard Oprah talk about surrounded by ice sculptures. Impressive sure, but I’m thinking the harmonica guy could have used a burger.
Now, I don’t mean for this to come across as all ‘preachy’ or whatever, but it’s a pretty sobering feeling when you’re in a place like this and can separate from the lights just enough to realize how sad of a place this really is.
Anyone been to Vegas? Thoughts? Am I way off?
Phoenix, AZ
It’s been a good six months to a year since I’ve played solid physical game of basketball. Today a handful of us on the tour found ourselves in the Phoenix Suns practice court playing some pretty intense games. I can’t even explain how tired I am right now. After five games, and a good two hours I can barely feel my feet. One thing I did find out though is a one Mr. Steve Fee is quite the baller.
So now the challenge is to find a court at every venue for the rest of the tour. I could literally do that every day. And my knee didn’t even break.
What’s your sport?
The New skorinc.us/brodyharper.com
Hey so check it out. Welcome to the new skorinc.us/brodyharper.com. Doesn’t it look professional? Randy and Jordan worked a long time on this one. Mostly because I was procrastinating on things, but I think they knocked it out of the park.
A couple things I really like about this new site is the photos section. I love the gallery thing with the popup windows. Can you tell I’m super technical when it comes to those things.
Anyway, take a look around, let me know what you think. Let me know if there are any errors you find. Have a great weekend.
