Just a little background
I really don’t want to bore you with too much background of the past 5 years, however there are things you need to know!
We didn’t know anything, at 57 years old and sheltered by corporate America, we didn’t know squat about running a business. We didn’t have a vision we would be here today; we didn’t plot out this step-by-step outline of how to get from point A to B. What we did know was we wanted to work together, we loved food and coffee and we knew how to problem solve.
So, we overpaid for a failing business and in fact our lawyer advised against the purchase. He said and I quote “You’re not buying a business you are buying a job” He was right!
With a few principals to guide us and a ton of project management skills we jumped in both feet, as employees. By the time we figured out what was wrong with this business we were in over our head, the proverbial water was way deeper than we could have imagined. There was no “quit” option, “find another job” option, “lay down” or “cut n run” option.
Guess what we did.
Once we had a solid handle on our coffee and food side of the business, we took on the music side. The community was looking for something and they were not certain what that was, however, suggestions for a “Open Mic” was the most common. Okay we will try “open mic”! We developed a structure of auditions and line-ups, sign-up sheets etc. Then came the first show. WHOA! Hold the phone, wait, this hurts and is not the image we wanted to promote let alone brand. That first show should have been the Gong Show!
We re-structured! Now knowing what we didn’t want we set out to do what we did want. Our generation had great songwriters with the likes of James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Joni Michell, and the list is so long that becomes another blog. One thing these artists had in common was where they began …. Coffee houses, small bars, venues that attracted artist to gather and practice their craft. Tiny stages that allowed them to feel safe and their songs were listened to by the patrons or other artist. So, we knew we wanted a vibe of the retro coffee house, I mean we are a coffee house. The second element was to incorporate the model I grew up with, the Variety Show. There were several, Glen Campbell Goodtime Show, Johnny Cash had one The johnny Cash Show, Tom Jones, Ed Sullivan, Jim Nabors, and the list went on and on. The last element was to create a showcase and not the overpopulated “puppy mill” writer rounds you would find in Nashville. No we wanted a listening room!
GH Daily Grind
We all know the daily grind, much like the movie Ground Hog Day, it starts the same way every morning. Wake-up, hit the restroom brew your first cup, get a heart beat and the routine begins.
The experience is real and universal, foremost because us humans are creatures of habit, and we like that predictable routine. Something safe about routine. Change on the other hand not so much. However, when routine becomes a grind then the wheels start wobbling and the cart is now in danger, most cases we persevere ignore the wobble and grind on. Only thing is the wobble didn’t get fixed and now it is getting worst for the ware.
GH Blog ‘The Daily Grind’ is here to help to find a moment to change the grind, to inject something different, something uplifting, even if just for a moment of a good cup of joe.
Over the past 5 years, after leaving corporate America (daily grind) for 40 years, one thing has percolated to the surface, a lost passion, a joy that once occupied a good portion of my time. It was magical then and now it is medicine. The medicine of Music!
While the days of vinyl records and album cover art has receded and now reemerged, some of you will remember the ritual of the hunt at a record store, the unveiling of the disc from the sleeve and the ceremonial process of placing that magical grooved disc on the turntable, 3 drops of vinyl cleaner on the velvet covered 2”x6” brush, then the carefully placed stylist. Finding the best audio convergence in the room and cross legged, discovering every inch and nuance of the album jacket.
Reading the lyrics, pawing over the juicy tidbits of who else worked on the recording, who played what instrument, who wrote the songs, the producer, the engineer, and the art of the song.
The Daily Grind is here to bring some of this back with stories, pictures, sound bites and interviews with the artist gracing the GH stage. The influences that brought the song to life. Maybe some news about where they are going, who they are working with next or just something personal. We hope to give you that cross legged experience of pawing over the album and the art of the song. Sit back and take the medicine we have stored away on the back shelf of the medicine cabinet.
Our Daily Grind is over if just for that moment we look at the jacket of a new album, song and artist. Join us and everyone looking for that music experience you can only get when you stop the daily grind and tune-in.
