​For some musicians, inspiration plays a big factor in their songwriting. But you can’t count on inspiration with content creation. Develop a system or hire someone with a system for creating (and editing) quality content on a regular basis. 

​In 2011 I interviewed Huey Lewis over the phone. At the end of the call, I pointed out that the band was not doing much with social media. I said I could help with that. Huey said, “I like what you’re saying.” He suggested we talk about it more in person at their upcoming concert.

I never showed them a pitch deck. There were no charts and graphs. I never used the terms “optimizing,” “incentivize,” or “projecting authenticity.” I did not promise viral videos. My specialties were and still are interviews and text content. 

We talked about music. 

Almost 13 years later I am still working with the band. And because of them, I am helping to promote a Broadway musical. 

With clients Johnny Colla (left) and Sean Hopper of Huey Lewis & The News. They have won Grammys and been nominated for an Academy Award. My pub trivia team placed second last night. So we have a lot in common. 

With drummer Bill Gibson of clients Huey Lewis & The News. I do not recall what I was saying at the time. But based on Bill's laughter, it was probably, "I play drums too."

​For a brief moment I was in line for the red carpet. Then the event staff realized that I was not red-carpet material. In fact, I am pretty sure in their minds I did not qualify for carpeting of any color. At best I was worthy of pavement or an inexpensive mulch. 
--
At the Broadway premiere of "The Heart of Rock and Roll"

Michele and I with Huey of clients Huey Lewis & The News. This was on Friday at the pre-show party before the premiere of Heart of Rock and Roll on Broadway. I guess it is a sign that you are really in sync with a client when you unintentionally coordinate your outfits.

I interviewed Troy Luccketta and Rizz of Rizz & The Believerz. We discussed:
- How Troy, a rock drummer best known for his work with Tesla, met and created a band with Rizz, whose style is a mix of rock, reggae, and hip hop
- Recording in Jamaica in Bob Marley's studio
- The unique vocal effect Rizz can do 
- Their debut single, “Don’t Stop Tryin”
- And more

Rizz & The Believerz website: https://rizzandthebelieverz.com/ 

"Don't Stop Tryin" video

Kim Wilson of clients the Fabulous Thunderbirds: This band is amazing. Drummer Rudy Albin played with Brother Jack McDuff for six years. He plays with James Hunter and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. The guy is a monster musician. Steve Kirsty is an incredible bass player who's played so many incredible jazz gigs in New York. Guitarist Johnny Moeller's got his own take on Blues and R&B. Then you've got the secret weapon, Bob Welsh, who plays incredible keyboards and incredible guitar. Knows it all backwards and forwards. His accompanying is incredible. 

They are all fantastic musicians who appreciate the fact that I like to improvise every second.

Colin Devlin of clients The Devlins: If a song has a great keyboard part, a great bass line, or a great vocal melody, you want to get the other stuff out of the way sometimes. I think it's about simplicity. The space in between the notes is just as important.

​I spotted a friend in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. One wall on the first level features this old promo photo from radio station KROQ in Los Angeles. The lady in the middle with the blonde hair is Dusty Street, who passed away in October of last year.

This was not her favorite look, but the 80s were a rough decade for Dusty. Proudly clean and sober in the 90s, she laughed about the occasional run-in with people who suggested they used to hang out together. She would say, “Did we meet in the 80s? Oh. I’m sorry. There is a lot I do not remember from that time.”

And although this may not have been her first choice for a photo, it is great that she adorns the Rock Hall. She was never inducted. Although, as I discovered, the museum doesn’t really acknowledge most of the people who were inducted. (More on that another time.) So, she is one step ahead of them. But she definitely deserves to be there.

She was a rock radio pioneer, a friend and champion of many musicians, and a lover of music.