What I Do

A lot of people ask me, "what do you do?" Technically, I'm an Associate Editor / Video Editor at Premier Guitar magazine (and expansive website). But that is definitely a shorthand answer to 'what do I do?'.

me and Alice in Chains' Jerry Cantrell

If I feel like putting myself out there for either a prolonged "ME" conversation (which if you know anything about me, that's one of least favorite topics) or get sucked into an exchange that ultimately culminates with someone saying "you need to check out my XXX's band (insert any family member's name/relation), you could cover them in Premier Guitar. I don't want there to be a misconception to friend's and family who are really interested in what I do (but there are times I cringe when I hear those words ooze out of someone's mouth).

But anyhow, here is a snippet in the life of an Associate/Video Editor of a guitar magazine.

One of my biggest roles is shooting/editing video (and sometimes working as talent) for PG's website. This role has taken me to some great destinations on any gearhead's bucket list (like Mesa Boogie, Ernie Ball Music Man, 65 Amps, EMG Pickups, Diamond Amplification, NAMM Shows, Santa Cruz, Premier Builders Guild, and others). In addition, with the advent of our Rig Rundown segment (where we go to concerts and have the artist and/or their tech walk us through their current live setup and gear) I've met some great musicians (Alice in Chains Jerry Cantrell, John Mayer, Mastodon, Stephen Carpenter of Deftones, Reverend Horton Heat, Hank Williams III, Tim Mahoney of 311, John 5, Tim Reynolds, Social Distortion, Testament's Alex Skolnick/Eric Peterson, Exodus, Baroness, and Clutch). Initially I came on to PG as just as an editor, but the role of the magazine and our importance of the website dictated me to adapt to a multimedia journalist. (I joke that I got my degree in Journalism at Iowa, but I got my masters degree in video editing and photography at PG-U making me a 'multimedia editor'.) I've learned all my video editing and photography on the fly while working full-time. On top of these things, I do video reviews, video demos at shows like NAMM, Summer NAMM, NY and LA Amp Shows, and the highly-intensive factory tours at the aforementioned facilities.

Here are two of my best video-editing examples showcasing what I've learned thus far on staff at PG -- Factory Tour: Premier Builders Guild & Factory Tour: Ernie Ball Music Man Guitars & Basses.

As mentioned above, I've taken on some additional duties as a photographer--mainly because I often go to concerts and just thought it made sense to shoot artist gear and photograph the show to possibly have some "Opening Notes" photography within the PG mag. On top of of having shots of Dave Matthews, Jerry Cantrell, James Valentine, Mike Ness, Dave Mustaine, my photography of guitarists' pedalboards recently were used to great a PG online photo gallery is now the highest clicked article of all-time on PG.com! In addition to all of this, I've even had my photography featured on my very first cover (Crossroads 2010 feature, September 2010)!!

And lastly, my first role at PG--a writer/editor. Even as an intern, I wrote clips and even a feature on Travel-sized guitars (not because of my phenomenal chops, but mainly because that is the nature of small, upstart company). But now, with my responsibilities spread across three different areas, my current print duties include writing monthly print sections (Modern Builder Vault, Guitar of the Month, New Products, occasional Media Review, and the semi-regular feature either online or in the magazine like interviews with Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy, James Valentine of Maroon 5, John Butler, and 311's Tim Mahoney). After three years at the magazine, I've even had the chance to co-write two cover stories (Experience Hendrix and Crossroads 2010).

With the assistance and guidance of current editorial PG leaders Joe and Shawn, I've really sharpened and honed my skills in all three areas. In addition, I've learned a lot from colleagues on being hard-working, having an unrelenting dedication, and the realization that today's media setup and outlook requires not only more than a 40 hr. work week, but an unconventional and very Flubber-ish schedule.

While I started this post by saying I don't like talking much about me (which is the direct opposition of not only this post, but blogging in general), I at least now have a portal I can send people when they ask me the obligatory first-meeting question "what do you do?"

(I'd like to take this time to not only thank my family for their unwavering support, but also the love, compassion, and mostly-understanding perspective from my fiance Candice.)

A New Beginning

It's a dawn of a new year (a time for new starts, hopeful beginnings, and positive intentions), and I have realized I haven't blogged since my time at the University of Iowa. A lot has definitely happened since then. I've found the love of my life in my fiance Candice, I've been brought on full-time as an Associate Editor at Premier Guitar magazine where I write/edit articles, videos, and photograph concerts and guitarists' equipment (I interned there for over a year), I've moved in the with aforementioned fiancee in Cedar Rapids, and I've done plenty of great things and experienced stuff I never dreamed possible (meeting dozens of rock stars and music industry folks). I've gotten a lot more tattoos since my last blog a few years ago... yeah, so many now that I forget having certain ones and occasionally remember one tucked under a sock or near an armpit.

On a personal level, I've met some new people that have forever changed my life, including but not limited to, Craig and his wife Ang who are now great friends and worthy foes in games and meaningless trivia (but definitely not bowling), Rebecca and her husband Aaron who although are great people (even if they initiated our friendship by needing to fill in a void for their pizza double-date deal at the Airliner in IC) will never attain the status of the greatest fantasy football GM as the Mother Truckers (that's my team--I'm 12-1 and in the Super Bowl of the league), Jason and his wife Cindy--a sarcastic duo that Candice and I have shared some hard laughs and great times with, Candice's parents Toye and Jerry who have welcomed me into their lives with great acceptance (even if I'm not a Steelers or Hawkeyes fan) and love, Joey and Kelly--both who are great dudes and will be bridesmaids at our wedding (yeah, we're a pretty odd couple), Shawn Hammond and Joe Coffey who as a friends (Editor in Chief and Editorial Director at PG, respectively) have really pushed me to become a better writer/editor (besides that stuff, Shawn loves the Misfits and zombies, and like me, Joe takes eating very seriously!), and last but definitely not least, my best friend Seth and his larger-than-life wife Meghan have come back to Iowa after they attempted to shun the corn state by living in Phoenix and then Jacksonville--I'm glad they're back and within an hour drive of me again... yigah!

And thankfully my family (especially my mom, step-dad Joe, my aunt Lora, and uncle Chuck) has been super supportive of not only my personal life and the relationship and love that has been cultivated with my future-wife Candice, but also in my professional career (now that I am deemed successful it seems like a no-brainer, but about 6-7 years ago I was a lost 20-something who was complacent and sad at a dead-end factory job... I knew nothing except I liked writing--and could do it fairly well--and music, so I just went for it... and here I am!!). But most importantly, cancer tried taking my #1 fan grandma Bublitz, but realized she was like taking on Ali in the Jungle! She took it on the chin and laughed at cancer--heck, she's going back to work next month!

All of the above words were a round-about way to announce (I know, you were hoping for this like a Zeppelin US reunion show) that I'll be blogging on the reg again. Whether it's about my work-trips, concerts I attend, cool shows/books/music I'm into, some new poetry/songs created by yours truly, or just some ranting, it'll be posted hopefully more regular than every other year! So bookmark this sucker and check back semi-often!

Walk the Line....my version

Its a song I wrote about a situation people, including myself, have found themselves in, so this is my way of venting and dealing, because you can't fight the cops or authority.

Its already closing time
Not even one more so-co lime

Make your way off the stool
Stumbling across the floor like a fool

You push through the door
Just before puking on the floor

But your okay
Just don't turn down a one-way

The car starts and you're ready
Your head is foggy, but hands seems steady

(chorus) You've been drinking all night
and still feeling alright
You should walk, but it's time to drive
With the roar of the engine, you feel alive
White knuckled grip upon the wheel
Just one last time Bob, its our little deal

Flying through the red light
Everything is out of sight

Guided by the darkness of night
The neighbors awaken with fright

Your destination is unclear
But it's surely for another beer

You pass Captain Mary's
Out of nowhere, a set of cherries

(Chorus)

He says your eyes are red
You say you just got out of bed

He doesn't believe your fiction
And asks for you registration

Now you have to get out and perform
Remember, act sober with perfect form

Stand on one leg and follow the flashlight
Its over, your wobbling left and right

Just your luck, one more chance
Now prove sobriety to Officer Nance

And he asks you to walk the line

(Chorus)

The rest of the night was a blur
You awake the next morning still unsure

You are finally released, but your head still throbs
Later, that call to mom is full of her sobs

In trouble again, you contemplate your liquid friendship
but rejection is not an option, once it hits the lips

Political Perogatives

I find myself both inspired and bored during some class discussions. I mean, you can only take some much blabber and reinforced, repeated statements. Some professors, just have the skill of putting one discussion into two by the simple tool of duplicity, so in between taking notes in my Cuban Revolution class, I wrote this...

I wish I was like most of my friends
Blind to our world's destiny until the end

It consumes and attacks me everywhere
From crooked politicians, unjust wars, and problematic health care

Vote for me they declare
I was once a good mayor

Now its time to run the free world
Its election time, what a hectic swirl

The candidates are for a new revolution
I question their holey propaganda as a proper solution

Quality of life in America is sadly decreasing
But the pockets and accounts of a few are increasing

The middle class needs some assistance
but we can't sit back, let's initiate a resistance

If we join together in arms
From city to city and farms to farms

We can't be refused to be heard
Mr. President, we demand action, not fluff word

This is our country
Not your personal oligarchy

The Cubs in 2008

To me, the Chicago Cubs are part of my family and make up who I am. Ever since I can remember I've made the holy pilgrimage to Wrigley Field, the Mecca of Cubs fans. The Cubs sadly or I should say, I sadly parallel their disastrous history. Everyone seems to pull for me, just like the Cubs (The lovable losers) but when things starting rolling good: girls, school, relationships and life in general - enter a black cat, billy goat or Steve Bartman! I consider myself an optimist, but at the same time I'm a realist, so I don't know how much that cancels each other out.

After a 1-2 start against the hated Brewers, I hope the Cubs can put a roll on. There is a 159 games left, but a good start could do wonders for the rest of the season.

To me, the Cubs are like that mildly, mentally challenged little brother who is independent and attempts to have a normal life, but always seems to screw up at the last possible second to ruin his good intentions. I pull for him, but hold myself to stay in the shadows in the hopes he can figure it out on his own.

Come on Cubbies!!

Native Brother

Something I wrote while studying for a Native American History and US policy exam...I have no idea my motive or purpose for this because I'm not pro-Indian or Anti-white (i'm as white as Bill Gates) but it just hit me while studying and took like 5 minutes during a break...

I'm sorry for what they did Native brothers
it wasn't me, but all the others

they used their deals, superiority claims and treaties
you wanted your land, but they wanted big cities

peace at first, soon after it was time to depart
they came with prayers and muskets, they claimed to be smart

but why couldn't they trade and share the land
Obviously, this wasn't a part of the plan

Initially it was conquest, then they used the slogan Manifest Destiny
Eventually the time came for the bitter march to Indian Territory

with your dignified leaders and matrilineal society
its not a mystery to me

why the white man took the land and its resources
now I'm in college and reading about it in my courses

Its a patronage to your fleeting legacy
We learn about you in required classes of history

I'm sorry for what they did Native Brothers
I swear it wasn't me, it was all the others

but, I've regretfully become him

I'm sorry Native Brother

Something I wrote...

At the bar...kinda lame, but kinda creative...either way I was drinking and it just hit me so I put it all down on napkins

"Iowa City Girls"

In and out of all the bars
but it don't matter, daddy bought the car
Look at all my clothes
Dont tell anyone, nobody knows
that mom and dad pay for it all
don't worry, its non-stop at the mall
sales and sales, shoppings my passion
its ok, because its all about fashion
with these tops, I'm a celebrity
trust me honey, its a necessity

(Chorus)

Iowa City girls
its all about the diamonds and pearls
Daddy's got the tab
oh well, I skipped the lab
My major is in lying
I have no clue, but my soul is crying

They're all the same
just with different names
all from different places
but IC makes them into all the same faces
It doesn't matter black or white
even thin or slight
they still play the same games
all that differs are the names

~(Chorus)~

Some are beautiful ladies
but hopefully the don't have babies
don't worry about your degree honey
daddy's got all the money
its true, nobody really knows you
but just remember, the rent's past due

(Chorus 2x)

Drunken ramblings turned out all right for a napkin song....