Been awhile since I last updated this blog.What can I say I have been busy.... And for us busy is good. My wife is healing we got a small set back at the Doctors the other day but things are still progressing.
I have been talking to a lot of people about out project and have been getting some great support from local musicians and local business. We are a few weeks away from the Kickstarter campaign starting up and things are moving along.
Construction on our studio is coming along should be able to finish by the end of August. We are down to Drop ceiling, floors and paint. Since I build almost all of it with some help from friends it is amazing to me that we have come so far so fast. I am pretty proud of what we were able to build.
As I mentioned earlier I have been reaching out to local musicians in the area and I have yet to find one that is not excited about this project. The response has been overwhelming. We shot the video for our campaign a few weeks back and are in the process of putting the finishing touches on it. My friend Josh (who is an amazing videographer) donated his services to the cause. I can't wait to share it with you.
So needless to say this has been a busy time for me and my family and I will continue to post updates as we go along.
Terry
here is a link to what we are trying to do
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Being inspired
Over the last several months I have been blessed to meet some really great people in the local music scene in Columbus. I have met an engineer/producer that i have shared ideas with and he has shared some with me. I have met a very humble guitar player that I was all wrong about. I have another friend that never said anything good about this guy and we started talking and I realized that my other friend was wrong. I have met several people that support and encourage me to follow my dreams and move forward and forget about the past.
Before last night I had some uncertainty about the studio, my ability to run it and was really doubting myself. Then my friend came over for a live tutorial on Cakewalk Sonar X1. As I sat there and proceeded to show him how to use it and how to get the most out of it I began to realize that all those years of reading and practicing my craft are starting to pay off. I felt confident behind the board for the first time in a long time.
As I prepare to launch my studio, I have been on a knowledge quest. Reading every book, manual,listening to every podcast that I can on recording, mixing and operations of a studio. As of last night I realized that I can move forward with confidence knowing that I will be successful and for the first time in a long time I can dream again. So with that I am laying out my 5 year plan.
What I will accomplish over the next 5 year.(In no particular order)
Open my studio 1 by August 31st 2012
Engineer and Produce 2 high profile projects in 2013
Transition to a full time producer/engineer by January 1 2013
Start up Record Label February 2013
Sign first artists to label February 2013
Raise funds for the music complex that I want to open to help bring music education back to the inner city. 2012-2014
Locate and construct a permanent location for the Music Studio and Music Program February 2014
Open Music complex and make a positive impact on the community around the site April 2014
Locate and construct a second location in Columbus 2015
Expand the music program to other cities (Cleveland 2016)
Expand the music program to another state ( North Carolina 2017)
Develop a national reputation for mixing and recording ( ongoing)
Open a Artist Hub ( Mastering House, Graphic Design Shop, Video Production)
Open an Artist Management Hub ( Brand Management, multi-media/social media management)
As I look at this list I know that is is an aggressive one but I know how when I get focused how tenacious I can be.
As I wrap up this post I have to thank my new friends, old friend and my family for all the love and support they have shown me along the way. Its time to do things a little different.
ARE YOU READY???
I AM!!
Before last night I had some uncertainty about the studio, my ability to run it and was really doubting myself. Then my friend came over for a live tutorial on Cakewalk Sonar X1. As I sat there and proceeded to show him how to use it and how to get the most out of it I began to realize that all those years of reading and practicing my craft are starting to pay off. I felt confident behind the board for the first time in a long time.
As I prepare to launch my studio, I have been on a knowledge quest. Reading every book, manual,listening to every podcast that I can on recording, mixing and operations of a studio. As of last night I realized that I can move forward with confidence knowing that I will be successful and for the first time in a long time I can dream again. So with that I am laying out my 5 year plan.
What I will accomplish over the next 5 year.(In no particular order)
Open my studio 1 by August 31st 2012
Engineer and Produce 2 high profile projects in 2013
Transition to a full time producer/engineer by January 1 2013
Start up Record Label February 2013
Sign first artists to label February 2013
Raise funds for the music complex that I want to open to help bring music education back to the inner city. 2012-2014
Locate and construct a permanent location for the Music Studio and Music Program February 2014
Open Music complex and make a positive impact on the community around the site April 2014
Locate and construct a second location in Columbus 2015
Expand the music program to other cities (Cleveland 2016)
Expand the music program to another state ( North Carolina 2017)
Develop a national reputation for mixing and recording ( ongoing)
Open a Artist Hub ( Mastering House, Graphic Design Shop, Video Production)
Open an Artist Management Hub ( Brand Management, multi-media/social media management)
As I look at this list I know that is is an aggressive one but I know how when I get focused how tenacious I can be.
As I wrap up this post I have to thank my new friends, old friend and my family for all the love and support they have shown me along the way. Its time to do things a little different.
ARE YOU READY???
I AM!!
Friday, May 25, 2012
And here it comes..
So I came back to work this week and it hit me like a ton of bricks.. I don't want to be here. Then about 3 hrs in I get an email from my Boss that would really make me want to get the hell out of here.
Now today... I have a weekly meeting with my boss and I am basically told that she is struggling with the amount of time that I have taken off. she wants to be sensitive to mu situation but need to be sensitive to the company also. WHATEVER!!
After that she says I am quickly approaching the point where I wont have any time off.. I TOOK FMLA!!!!
We have an open PTO policy. take as much as you want as long as your work is done.. MINE IS...
So after that talk I am even more motivated to get out of here and get my own thing going!!!
Now today... I have a weekly meeting with my boss and I am basically told that she is struggling with the amount of time that I have taken off. she wants to be sensitive to mu situation but need to be sensitive to the company also. WHATEVER!!
After that she says I am quickly approaching the point where I wont have any time off.. I TOOK FMLA!!!!
We have an open PTO policy. take as much as you want as long as your work is done.. MINE IS...
So after that talk I am even more motivated to get out of here and get my own thing going!!!
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Time Wasted
The past few weeks have brought on a slew of emotions in me. Facing the possibility of losing my better half, issues at work a studio project that has grounded to a halt.
Everything went well with surgery. My wife is on the mend. We had hired a babysitter/nanny for our kids so I could return to work. At work I have that funny feeling that something is not right.
I feel like I am wasting time. Don't get me wrong I continue to do my job and do it well. But I keep thinking about how I can get my studio done. I have clients that are waiting on me. I feel like if I cant get this started I am gonna explode.
I was home with my kids last week and when i returned to work I cant stop thinking that if I worked for myself we would have a much better lifestyle as far as quality of life.
We are very humble people that live below our means so we don't take much to get by. An exciting time for our family is eating a home cooked dinner and playing out in the yard with the kids.
I need to do this. I need to do this now. I need to be with my family and my kids. I need to be on my own. I don't want to have the fear that someone can take away my income just because of there own reasons. If I am gonna do this NOW IS THE TIME!!!
Either way the SUCCESS or FAILURE will be on me...
Everything went well with surgery. My wife is on the mend. We had hired a babysitter/nanny for our kids so I could return to work. At work I have that funny feeling that something is not right.
I feel like I am wasting time. Don't get me wrong I continue to do my job and do it well. But I keep thinking about how I can get my studio done. I have clients that are waiting on me. I feel like if I cant get this started I am gonna explode.
I was home with my kids last week and when i returned to work I cant stop thinking that if I worked for myself we would have a much better lifestyle as far as quality of life.
We are very humble people that live below our means so we don't take much to get by. An exciting time for our family is eating a home cooked dinner and playing out in the yard with the kids.
I need to do this. I need to do this now. I need to be with my family and my kids. I need to be on my own. I don't want to have the fear that someone can take away my income just because of there own reasons. If I am gonna do this NOW IS THE TIME!!!
Either way the SUCCESS or FAILURE will be on me...
Monday, May 14, 2012
Can I really do it all?
These past two weeks have been crazy. My son had surgery, my wife had surgery,we are working on our video for our campaign for the studio. Oh yeah I think I have officially lost my mind.
I agreed to work from home this week so I would not loose any pay because that is one thing that we can not afford to go without.
So I am playing Mr Mom to 3 very needy kids. I am really starting to feel the pressure and it is only Monday. I have two little kids that don't want to sleep, I have 2 major projects that need to be done for work and my wife need a ton of assistance after surgery.
I feel like it is going to be a LONG week. I managed to squeeze a few hours of work in today but still need to log 6 more to get credit for the day. It looks like I will be keeping the coffee pot a going until the wee hours of the morning.
My friend that does video creation for a living is coming over to shoot this week.I still have a few details to review with our bank about our home loan.
Gonna be a busy week. But I feel like if I can concur this week I can do just about anything..
I agreed to work from home this week so I would not loose any pay because that is one thing that we can not afford to go without.
So I am playing Mr Mom to 3 very needy kids. I am really starting to feel the pressure and it is only Monday. I have two little kids that don't want to sleep, I have 2 major projects that need to be done for work and my wife need a ton of assistance after surgery.
I feel like it is going to be a LONG week. I managed to squeeze a few hours of work in today but still need to log 6 more to get credit for the day. It looks like I will be keeping the coffee pot a going until the wee hours of the morning.
My friend that does video creation for a living is coming over to shoot this week.I still have a few details to review with our bank about our home loan.
Gonna be a busy week. But I feel like if I can concur this week I can do just about anything..
Friday, May 4, 2012
One day at a time
Since my last post I have been asked by a lot of people.. "How are you doing?" My reply has been more time than not " Taking it one day at a time". That's all I can process right now. When I used to hear one day at a time I thought how can you not plan for the future, how can you not look past what is directly in front of you. Well life has a funny way to teaching you things and I think the lesson that I am supposed to learn is to accept help from others. I have always been the "ill do it myself" type and in light of recent events I cant do it all myself and I am forced to rely on other more than I ever have in my life. This is a very humbling experience for me.
As for updates on my wife's condition. We have surgery scheduled for next week and that's about all I can handle right now.
On to the studio. I have recently come to a decision that has changed my view and scope of business. The original plan was to start small at home and work out of there. But the plan has been accelerated. I have done some research about the state of music programs in our local schools and it is not good. Across the board there are schools cutting music and arts programs at a record pace. Most of the cuts coming to inner city schools. Do they not understand that by cutting these they are punishing the kids that need music and arts the most?
So moving forward I am going to be looking at a model that will allow me to subsidize music lesson for inner city youth. A studio,small music shop along with rehearsal and lesson space are now in the plans.
I am looking at different crowd funding sites and I plan on asking the masses to help with the start up of this venture. The way my business plan sits right now it can be a self sustaining business for a relatively small start up.
I will be reaching out to the City of Columbus, Instrument Manufactures and looking into grants for the business as well. I feel like this route will allow me to give back to the communities that have given so much to me and my family.
Well lots to do.. as i do it one day at a time
As for updates on my wife's condition. We have surgery scheduled for next week and that's about all I can handle right now.
On to the studio. I have recently come to a decision that has changed my view and scope of business. The original plan was to start small at home and work out of there. But the plan has been accelerated. I have done some research about the state of music programs in our local schools and it is not good. Across the board there are schools cutting music and arts programs at a record pace. Most of the cuts coming to inner city schools. Do they not understand that by cutting these they are punishing the kids that need music and arts the most?
So moving forward I am going to be looking at a model that will allow me to subsidize music lesson for inner city youth. A studio,small music shop along with rehearsal and lesson space are now in the plans.
I am looking at different crowd funding sites and I plan on asking the masses to help with the start up of this venture. The way my business plan sits right now it can be a self sustaining business for a relatively small start up.
I will be reaching out to the City of Columbus, Instrument Manufactures and looking into grants for the business as well. I feel like this route will allow me to give back to the communities that have given so much to me and my family.
Well lots to do.. as i do it one day at a time
Monday, April 30, 2012
Tuning my World Upside Down...
So since I last posted... Our family has gotten some devastating news. My wife has Breast Cancer.. This has hit me like a ton of bricks.
I had a friend tell me that "one word changes it all" the couldn't have been more right.
As we work our way through the day to day stuff that this diagnosis brings we can only process so much info at a time. We have friends and family that are trying to be helpful by providing stories and books and links to websites. But to be honest we can only read for about 10 min at a time before we are overwhelmed.
My wife is a young cancer patient at 28 and the type that she has is an aggressive strain. We are going the surgery and Chemo route and the doctors seem confident that it should be successful.
As for the studio her and I both know how important it is to get it up and running ASAP. We have been focusing on completing construction and on putting together out game plan for the future.
The goal is for our family to be working solely for ourselves in the next 24 months.
Some may say why so long ... Well for us it is about planning to do things right and to build a savings for a rainy day. Because in every business there are slow times and I do not want to worry about where our next mortgage payment is coming from.
This is a very turbulent time in our lives and I know that we will get to where we want to go and get to where we need to be.
No matter what for good and bad I am glad that I have such a wonderful wife to share my life with.
I love you Honey!!!
I had a friend tell me that "one word changes it all" the couldn't have been more right.
As we work our way through the day to day stuff that this diagnosis brings we can only process so much info at a time. We have friends and family that are trying to be helpful by providing stories and books and links to websites. But to be honest we can only read for about 10 min at a time before we are overwhelmed.
My wife is a young cancer patient at 28 and the type that she has is an aggressive strain. We are going the surgery and Chemo route and the doctors seem confident that it should be successful.
As for the studio her and I both know how important it is to get it up and running ASAP. We have been focusing on completing construction and on putting together out game plan for the future.
The goal is for our family to be working solely for ourselves in the next 24 months.
Some may say why so long ... Well for us it is about planning to do things right and to build a savings for a rainy day. Because in every business there are slow times and I do not want to worry about where our next mortgage payment is coming from.
This is a very turbulent time in our lives and I know that we will get to where we want to go and get to where we need to be.
No matter what for good and bad I am glad that I have such a wonderful wife to share my life with.
I love you Honey!!!
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