6 Pics: Weekend Optimization with the Wizard / Six picture lessons for making the weekend bigger.
Lesson 1: Don't waste the day. I was up before the sun came up in LA, way before the ALT EGO show. Getting up early is better. I was able to explore the city, get a workout, get some work done, and also watch the Texans destroy Cleveland all before the ALT EGO show.
Lesson 2: Be early to the show. An empty hall has its own vibe, and it is fun to be in that 'calm' before the energy of the show takes over.
It is also cool to have the lay of the land and find out what is going on. By getting in early, I found an opportunity to see the Black Keys Pre-show sound check party. I got invited to a party that I didn't know was happening! Nice score!
Lesson 3: Hang out with important people. I have heard that you are the average of the people you hang out with If that is the case, these people are averaging me way up!
Here is me with my mentor Brad, who runs ALL of the iHeart radio nationwide; Brent from Shinedown; and Alissa, an Executive VP at iHeart who deals with Artist relations. The conversation and face time with these people gave me ideas I will be working on well into 2024.
Lesson 4: Look for the opportunities.
Also, by being early, I made friends with some stagehands at the show who told me Jerry Cantrell from Alice In Chains would be coming down the hall in a few moments. True to that, I waited, and then there he was. I asked for a pic pulled from some other iHeart people I was with, and a moment was made. I was star-struck!
Lesson 5: Reconnect. I have met Mike Shinoda from Linkin Park many times, but I don't really know him.
Still I like to build relationships and it is good to reconnect and keep Houston and the Buzz on his mind. He is still making music, and his legacy is very important to what the Buzz does. I always like to remind him how much we appreciate his music.
Lesson 6: Take Stock. Flying out anywhere, I always sit on the aisle and return home, usually by the window.
This lets me take stock in what happened in the past days and write some notes and ideas down that came from the trip. I do like to journal the important takeaways while they are still fresh. In fact, I am writing this on the plane heading back! Rod would hate it (more than he already does letting me hijack "pic 6") but I could have contributed way more pics and ideas that came from this weekend. Still learning!