Check out this event: Jeremy’s Birthday Soiree
Current mood: animated
Category: Parties and Nightlife

Hosted By: Jeremy Westby
When: Monday Apr 28, 2008
at 7:00 PM
Where: Agave then The Stage then Paradise Park
Nashville, TN 37203
United States
Description:
Jeremy Westby

Click Here To View Event

It's my birthday! Come down to Agave at 7pm... or The Stage around 10pm... We'll be doing dinner at Agave - and no I didn't invite my entire friends list - but if you did get one just know I was thinking about you!! It's a chore going through 2800 to find the ones you truly love :-)

1:00 PM - 89 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

The Winds Of Change
Current mood: sleepy
Category: Jobs, Work, Careers

I wanted to post something as a big ’thank-you’ to all of you - my really good friends, family, coworkers - basically everyone that has believed in me, taught me, mentored me and even criticized me over the years.

It seems like opportunities are honestly throwing themselves at me, to the point where I’m amazed at the ability to really choose what I want to do with my career.

As many of you may already know, I’m moving on from my full-time position with 12th and Porter / Autumn Addict and will be moving back into the freelance production world. However that won’t be all. I’m really good friends with the head of a large PR/publicity firm based out of Nashville, and he wants me to come on board. They have music and corporate clients, and need help. The business is growing exponentially and doors are opening wide for them as well. He’s helping me create a business plan and figure out the best application for my skill set.

For those of you that know me - you can skip this paragraph. For those that don’t, it’ll be a brief summary of my experience:
* 1992-1995 - On Air radio in Minnesota
* 1992-2006 - Club/mobile/radio DJing
* 1995-1998 - Oklahoma City University majoring in broadcasting and entertainment business
* 1998-1999 - The Halsey Company (artist management) - road manager and sound guy for The Clark Brothers a.k.a. The Clark Family Experience (Next Great American Band Winner)
* 1999-2002 - New Media Coordinator for Provident Label Group (Sony/BMG)
* 2003 - Mercy Ministries (non-profit org) - donor development / network admin
* 2004 - Graham Entertainment (talent agency) - local/regional talent agent
- Placed talent in "Elizabethtown" and "Walk The Line"
* 2004-2005 - W274 (a.k.a. the ’W’) Franklin, TN - production manager / sound engineer
* 2005-2007 - Avalon (EMI/Sparrow recording artist) - tour manager / sound engineer
* 2005-2008 - Autumn Addict / 12th and Porter - production manager / sound
... not including the freelance work I’ve done locally and regionally for various clients

So I’ve been around the block a few times - met a ton of people, received a lot of real-world experience but never really knowing where it all would lead to. I believe (not to be cliche) that life truly is about the journey and not the destination. I don’t think I need real solid answers to exactly what it is I’ll be doing now. But the direction that is most likely will involve producing EPK’s, photo shoots, press kit development, artist relations, talent scouting, publicity, public relations, LOTS of travel to NYC, LA, Atlanta and other markets... and more arena and stadium touring.

I was joking with the SixWire guys Saturday about something and we were discussing the ’magic 8 ball’. ’Sources say yes’ seems to be the answer when I talk with people and ask myself, "Is it time to step out and ’do this’?".

I love running sound. I love it when people come up after a great show, concert, showcase, etc... and say "It sounded really good!" "You guys did a great job!" "The lights were amazing!" That stuff doesn’t go to my head and I’ve managed to stay humble. You have to if you’re actually good. However, I don’t view myself as being the ’sound guy’ or ’the photographer’ or ’the anything’ for the rest of my life. I guess that goes with my self-described ADD condition. I get bored easily. I love to shift gears. Life’s pointless for me if it’s not fast-paced and exciting.

I’m exhausted - physically and emotionally - from long hours mixing and working at the club. We’ve been busting our collective a$$ getting 12th and Porter back open (12th And Porter on MySpace). It was a long 3-month ordeal, and was a total do-or-die situation. Now that it’s back open we’ve got great shows coming in, more networking opportunities, lots of artists to help gain exposure on the local scene here. Even though I love being at that particular epicenter, I’ve been encouraged by my friends to step out and really become who I’m destined to be and walk in that role.

It’s exciting, unnerving, and amazing all at the same time. I worked all weekend with some great talent finders, A&R folks from Atlanta, and got a BIG job offer if I were to move to Atlanta. I don’t feel led to up and move just yet. The fact that spending two days with people would give them enough confidence in me that they’d want to extend such an offer was such a huge confirmation to ignore the thoughts of self-doubt I’d been having.

All that said - thank you! For believing in me - supporting me - encouraging me and kicking my a$$ when I need it.

Obviously there’s a gap to fill with Autumn Addict / 12th and Porter. If you know of somebody overqualified to mix sound there and help with other A/V production needs for them - please have them contact me. I’ll still be working with them on many levels, so it’s not like we’re completely parting company. You can never part company with your real friends. if you do, you’re not wise.

For now my contact information isn’t changing - but when it does I’ll make sure to let everybody know. My gmail address is still the one to use, Paris Ave still the home address, and -4954 still the same mobile number. Look me up on Plaxo and LinkedIn - I keep both updated with my currents.

11:04 PM - 89 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

February, Knight Rider, death of a great man, and further introspection
Current mood: calm
Category: Life

Well I just finished watching the new K.I.T.T. star of NBC's new Knight Rider series. I was a big fan of the original, being that it was on when I was 5-9 years old. Michael Knight ('The Hoff') was like an idol to me. Oh wait, he still is ;-) Haha

I thought it was pretty good. Mixes action and terrorism-type plots with fast chase scenes, a few gorgeous ladies and comedic banter. Not bad. Even had some spiritual references. Not bad.

February weather in Tennessee for those who don't live here - you just don't understand. OTHER places have that 'just wait five minutes' mantra. It's law here. And nobody can REALLY accurately predict it. Earlier this week, when I was actually in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, it was SNOWING, albeit briefly, back in Nashville. Today it was a partly cloudy/sunny mid-upper sixties. Bizarre. Back to a high of 42 tomorrow. I guess I'll have to put my shorts back in the drawer and sandals back under the bed.

So this week wasn't too fun. I left for Minnesota on Monday to pay my final respects to grandpa Westby Tuesday and Wednesday. I was already at peace, having really said goodbye, I knew for the last time in person, over Christmas. His health rapidly declined January/February, and he went home last Saturday. Ironically, one day before their next anniversary. My uncle joked and said he didn't want to be late for a date. I just think he was ready to get out of that shell of a body he's been in for a while. Wondering what my new one will be like once I get there...

I was rather emotionless about it all until we were actually at the cemetery. Because they wouldn't let him donate his body to science (something about the particular Pneumonia) he was able to be honored with a proper 21-gun salute by the local VFW. You're never prepared for it. You feel the gunfire in your spine. I didn't lose my composure, but the tears didn't even have a chance to fall since they froze halfway down my cheek. He was a great man, with a warrior's spirit and a great father's heart.

I think he'll be most missed by my aunt Cindy who was very close to him and grandma Ruth, and my cousin Bridget (Cindy's eldest) who suffered major hearing loss in her youth. As grandpa also lost most of his hearing in the war, he was ecstatic to discover Bridget was having surgery to implant a device that would allow her to hear digitally reproduced sound directly to her aural nerves. He died within a day or so of her telling him that she could hear his voice again. She told us that his was the only voice that sounded normal to her. Everybody else sounds somewhat computerized. I found that to be more than a coincidence.

Unaware that he was a Bronze Star recipient in World War II, I dug deeper and discovered more details about the service of his battalion division in that time. He was active during the whole war: 1941 to 1944, with the majority of his service in Kodiak, Alaska (guns pointed westward) and the Battle of the Bulge pushing into Germany through France. He was a S/Sgt for company "E" of the 134th Infantry Regiment of the 35th Army Division.

Hoping to have 12th and Porter reopened this week. It's more of a 'soft open' - getting the computer systems installed, wrapping up the audio and video installations and re-installations, minor cosmetic and constructive repairs and more cleaning.

Did I mention we have brand new bathrooms? They're much nicer than before.

OH and Avalon wants me back for a few shows. Texas in a week, Phoenix right after that and Orlando for a couple days mid-March. It'll be nice to see them and work with them again. Nice folks and incredibly talented vocalists.

Well that's it for now. Still doing the photography stuff on the side - and a new business venture I can't quite divulge just yet, but should help bring in some fun work!

Oh and I'm watching Castaway for the 3rd or 4th time. WILSON!!! ;-)

8:21 PM - 89 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Christmas, New Year’s and family health
Current mood: blessed
Category: Travel and Places

Some of you've been asking about my grandparents and other family stuff so here goes.

Found out a few weeks ago that both grandfathers are in poor health. One of them is 90+ so he's pretty up there anyway. His mind and body are failing - and he can't walk anymore, and can barely support his weight. They moved him from assisted living to the nursing home, and he hates being that cramped up but what do you do? It was good seeing him yesterday but he's not looking well at all.

The other granddad is sitting in front of me here in Oklahoma City (it's really pretty / beautiful snow and ice covered trees here). He's got level D-2 prostate cancer, and we get his bone scan results in a week or so. Started treatment already, and seeing how far it's progressed. Don't really know much beyond that yet. He's too young to go though - got a lot of good years left.

So that's it for now. Flying back to TN on the 28th - Friday? Looking forward to New Year's eve then taking it from there. Reopening 12th and Porter so that'll take up most of my time through January. Would love to start booking some photo shoots (both paid and TFCD) for late January through March :-)

7:41 PM - 89 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Hrmph... Murphy's Law in effect today
Current mood: blah
Category: Life

Not that my life isn't crazy enough as-is, but let's recap the goings-on over the last 24-48 hours:

- Project I'd been working on for 12-15+ hours gets trumped for an admittedly better one
(money lost, along with a little bit of pride - which might not be a bad thing)

- Band member resigns, causes schedule to be turned upside-down, making everything run later... (see point 3) and I basically lose my Saturday to logistics and scheduling issues.

- Replacement singer flight lands in Nashville Sunday morning 9am, instead of Atlanta, which would have made things much easier, thus putting us 2-3 hours behind the 8-ball, not getting to leave Saturday night for the ATL

- 2:30pm Arrival in Atlanta - hotel books us one room short, confused on the billing, etc... (actually, that's normal. Gotta love the 'hospitality' folks. I could cuss. I won't.)

- Directions to the loading dock (in Atlanta, downtown, near CNN/Phillips Arena) are screwed up. And these were the ones FROM the producer / venue. Go figure. Another 30 minutes down the drain.

- No bus parking at the dock as promised. Must return bus to another waiting area (over 1000m away). w/o ground transportation. Walking back. Oh yea. Now I'm really excited. Another 15-20 minutes lost.

- 3:30pm Load-in (finally!). "What load-in? We didn't need your gear. All the mics and ears are in place already - just plug and play." Me: And where are the stage hands? To take my gear back to the bus. In the dock - oh wait - it's not in the dock because our dock space was taken. Over 30+ dock spaces, and they're all taken up by FREEMAN decorating 53' trailers. Mostly empty. Oh yea. Fun times.

- 4pm Sound check (surprisingly only 30 minutes behind!). Production is irked with me because we're late. If I were a woman, I'd be crying by now. I'm not a woman, thus I'm just steamed. Sound check is fine, house PA EQ sounds like junk - not about to start pointing fingers and such b/c it looks like it's all my fault we're behind anyway.

- Take gear back downstairs, hoping to run it to the bus. No dice. No time. No hands around to help. Lovely. Shower and change of clothes now would be wonderful. No luck there. Forgot laptop/camera on bus - walk 1000m there, 1000m back.

- 6pm Show. Great. As always. I never miss a show call / show time, no matter what. If they don't go on and sound good at the time they're supposed to, it's somebody ELSE's fault. Sub sings splendidly.

- Load out. Again - no hands - to take back my gear that I didn't need to the bus that's in the d... oh wait, no dock space. That's right, I had to walk back to the bus - another 1000+ meters, and drive it to the dock - leave it running - run up 5 flights of stairs (the elevator would never come) and try and find some stagehands to help bring the gear back down to the bus.

- Bus loaded - artists on their way back to their cozy rooms and a nice dinner at a nice restaurant. No, dinner for them, not me. I had to eat backstage leftovers.

- Bus back to it's resting place. I walk back to the dock (another 1000+ meters). Back up to the hall. Stairs again - elevator's still not responding. Grab suitcase, camera and production bag. Off to my room (time approx. 9pm now)

- Get into 'my' room at around 9:30. Lo and behold, somebody else's stuff strewn around the room. Call the front desk "Oh I'm sorry, blah blah blah..."

- 10pm - finally get into my new/final room. This time fruits and drinks and a nice note waiting for the guy that was supposed to get my new room - no nice fruit for me. Luckily desk manager was with me, and promptly removed the items and said "This room is yours." I swear, Nick Neely at the ATL Omni Hotel had the voice of an angelic chorus at that moment. "This room is yours." Hmmmm. :-)

- 10:50pm EST - showered, clean, sitting at the computer, writing a reflective blog on Murphy's Law.

Ta-ta.

7:40 PM - 89 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Corvettes in Floridia
Category: Life

A Florida senior citizen drove his brand new Corvette convertible out of the dealership. Taking off down the road, he floored it to 80 mph, enjoying the wind blowing through what little hair he had left.

"Amazing," he thought as he flew down I-75, pushing the pedal even more. Looking in his rear view mirror, he saw the highway patrol behind him, blue lights flashing and siren blaring.

He floored it to 100 mph, then 110, then 120.

Suddenly he thought, "What am I doing? I'm too old for this," and pulled over to await the Trooper's arrival. Pulling in behind him, the Trooper walked up to the Corvette, looked at his watch and said, "Sir, my shift ends in 30 minutes. Today is Friday. If you can give me a reason for speeding that I've never heard before, I'll let you go."

The old gentleman paused. Then said, "Years ago, my wife ran off with a Florida State Trooper. ...... I thought you were bringing her back."

"Have a good day, Sir," replied the Trooper.

2:03 PM - 89 Comments - 3 Kudos - Add Comment

6 reasons not to mess with children
Category: Life

(1) A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales.

The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small.

The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.

Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible.

The little girl said, "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah".

The teacher asked, "What if Jonah went to hell?"

The little girl replied, "Then you ask him".

(2) A Kindergarten teacher: was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work.

As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.

The girl replied, "I'm drawing God."

The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."

Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, "They will in a minute."

(3) A Sunday school teacher: was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds.

After explaining the commandment to "honor" thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?"

Without missing a beat one little boy: (the oldest of a family) answered, "Thou shall not kill."

(4) One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head.

She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, "Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?"

Her mother replied, "Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white."

The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, "Momma, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?"


(5) The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture.

"Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael, He's a doctor.'

A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher, she's dead."


(6) The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray:

"Take only ONE. God is watching"

Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.

A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples.

9:29 AM - 89 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

George Carlin rocks my world...
Category: News and Politics

Bush wants us to cut the amount of gas we use. The best way to stop using so much gas is to deport 11 million illegal immigrants! That would be 11 million less people using our gas. The price of gas would come down. Bring our troops home from Iraq to guard the border. When they catch an illegal immigrant crossing the border, hand him a canteen, rifle and some ammo and ship him to Iraq.

Tell him if he wants to come to America then he must serve a tour in the military. Give him a soldier's pay while he's there and tax him on it. After his tour, he will be allowed to become a citizen since he defended this country. He will also be registered to be taxed and be a legal patriot. This option will probably deter illegal immigration and provide a solution for the troops in Iraq and the aliens trying to make a better life for themselves.

If they refuse to serve, ship them to Iraq anyway, without the canteen, rifle or ammo. Problem solved.

If you think this is a good solution to both the problems, forward it to your friends.

9:36 AM - 89 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Check out this event: WRITERS AT THE RUTLEDGE
Current mood: cheerful
Category: Music

Ok so seriously this will be one of the best music nights of the week. 1/3 was awesome. Nathan Lee is some of the best piano rock you'll ever hear, and Sharif's been a Nashville mainstay for a while. The crowd will be great and the energy high. Please come show support for three of Nashville's best!

Hosted By: NATHAN LEE
When: Wednesday Jan 10, 2007  at 7:30
THE RUTLEDGE
410 4TH AVE SOUTH
NASHVILLE, TN 37201
Description: NATHAN LEE
http://events.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=events.detail&eventID=164164.26708

11:35 AM - 89 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

'Twas The Night Before Christmas - Production Version...
Category: Music

From my producer friend Betz in Scottsdale...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU ALLl!!!

IT WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS; THE DEADLINE WAS TIGHT. THE TEMPERS WERE FLARING; THERE WAS NO END IN SIGHT. THE GROUND PLANS WERE HUNG ON THE WALLS WITHOUT CARE, WHILE HUNDREDS OF BOX TRUSS WERE FLOWN IN THE AIR.

THE CLIENTS WERE NESTLED ALL SNUG IN THEIR BEDS WHILE US IN PRODUCTION WERE BANGING OUR HEADS. THE SCRIPT HAD REVISIONS; THE COMPUTER HAD CRASHED. THE MESSENGER WAS LATE: THE PA NEEDED CASH.

THE PRODUCER WAS PHONING TO BRING IN MORE TROOPS. WE WERE PUSHED TO THE LIMIT AND JUMPING THROUGH HOOPS. THE CREW WAS ON OT, THE BUDGET WAS TRASH; THAT GOOD OLE' CONTINGENCY HAD COME IN A FLASH!

WHEN OUT ON THE STAGE THERE AROSE SUCH A CLATTER. WE ALL RAN TO SEE WHAT THE HECK WAS THE MATTER! THE STAGE MANAGER SCREAMED THAT THE CUES WERE ALL WRONG. AND REHEARSALS WERE RUNNING SIXTY MINUTES TOO LONG!

THE ACTORS WERE BRAINLESS, WITH NO TALENT AT ALL! THE SET NEEDED ADJUSTING; IT WAS ONE FOOT TOO TALL! THE MOON ON THE BREAST OF THE NEW FALLEN SNOW WAS A PAINFUL REMINDER THAT WE COULD NOT GO.

THE LIGHTS IN THE CITY WERE TWINKLING AND VIVID WHILE SITTING AT HOME, OUR SPOUSES WERE LIVID. THEN WHAT TO OUR WONDERING EYES SHOULD APPEAR BUT A DOZEN LARGE PIZZAS AND FOUR SIX-PACKS OF BEER?

WITH SOME CARBS AND SOME SPIRITS WE MERRILY PUSHED ON. THE JOB FELL IN PLACE AND WE WRAPPED AROUND DAWN. AS WE HANDED OUT PRAISES AND WISHED ALL A GOOD NIGHT, ALAS....A SLEIGH AND REINDEER ABOUT TO TAKE FLIGHT.

THEN A JOLLY OLD MAN GAVE A LAUGH AND ADVICE;

"HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL, WILL YOU ALL PLEASE GET A LIFE!"

11:19 AM - 89 Comments - 5 Kudos - Add Comment