It’s hard to believe that 2011 has come and gone. This year brought us a lot of great music. Before I get to my list of favorites here is a quick recap of a few of the things that happened in music this year…(some of these facts & figures borrowed from my friends at SPIN)….

February

-The White Stripes broke up. Let’s hope it isn’t for good….

March

-Nate Dog dies at the age of 41 years old.

April

-LCD Soundsystem play for the final time at MSG

-Flav’s place – Flav’s Fried Chicken closes after being open for 4 months.

June

-Clarence Clemons dies and the sound of the E-Street band is forever changed

July

-Converse Rubber Tracks opens its doors to its first artist. Thanks to all of the people who poured their heart & soul into making the dream a reality. To date, we’ve hosted more than 120 artists in the studio. 2012 promises to be an even better year.

-Rilo Kiley, one of my favorite bands, broke up for good.

-Amy Winehouse dies of alcohol poisoning at age 27

August

-Riots in London

-Stages collapse at festivals in Indiana & Belgium, killing 10 people.

September

-R.E.M. announces their breakup after being together for 31 years (we’re getting older folks).

October

-The world is sad to learn that Steve Jobs has died at the age of 56. Plenty has been written about the man and his legacy. It’s true – there will never be another who will have as big an impact on the world of music & technology. RIP.

-Thurston Moore & Kim Gordon announce their separation after 27 years of marriage

November

-Heavy D dies at the age of 44

-Death Cab front man Ben Gibbard & Zoey Deschannel announce their separation after two years of marriage. Who knew they were married, and did anyone care?

While these things were happening, people occupied Wall Street, Portland, Boston, and virtually every other major city – demanding that the 99% be heard.

There was also a heck of a lot of great music released this year. Here is a list of my favorites in no particular order:

RADIOHEAD – The King of Limbs

My favorite record of the year, from my favorite band in the world. Surprised?

I’ll admit the first four times I listened to it, I didn’t love it. But, as with any great Radiohead record, its not until the 6th or 7th spin that it grabs you around the neck and never lets go.

The tracks Codex & Separator are not to be missed.

The video for Lotus Flower is great as is the song.

The Decemberists – The King Is Dead

One of my favorite bands these days. Portland’s finest, in my opinion. I had the opportunity to attend a show in NYC as they were releasing the record, followed by drinks in the bar at the Ace. These folks are the nicest (and funniest) people I’ve met in a long time. We sat there for an hour & a half and no one recognized them. Classic.

Wilco – The Whole Love

When these guys get it right, they are hard to beat. This is a rock solid record.

The Black Keys – El Camino

Perhaps the best two man rock band I have ever heard (note: The White Stripes don’t qualify as a two man band). These guys bring it. They are outstanding live. This is a solid effort.

The Head And The Heart (self-titled)

Another new artist coming out of the Pacific Northwest. These guys come from Seattle. No doubt, one of my favorite records in a long time. It almost makes me miss living in Seattle…..almost. Very mellow record. Great driving music. Lost In My Mind is perhaps my favorite song of the year.

Foster The People – Torches

It was impossible not to hear “pumped up kicks” three times a day for a period of about 6 months. Even after that happened, I still like the track. The rest of the record is also great. They should enjoy themselves at the Grammy Awards this February.

Bon Iver (self-titled)

Alt-folk/country at its finest. We’re going to hear a lot about this guy in the next two years. No doubt about it.

My Morning Jacket – Circuital

Two words: Southern Rock.

Enough said.

Dawes – Nothing Is Wrong

Mid 70’s, Laurel Canyon alt-rock at its finest. Reminiscent of Jackson Brown, Eagles, CS&N

Gary Clark, Jr. – The Bright Lights – EP

We’re going to hear a lot about this guy in the coming year. I had the opportunity to see him live at an event for MyMusicRx. He was amazing. Sometimes bands without talent get a lot of buzz at the expense of one who have talent. This guy has massive talent and my hope is that people notice him….because he deserves it.

Fleet Foxes – Helplessness Blues

These guys come from Seattle. They’ve been kicking around there for a few years and outstanding. They represent the best of what’s going on in the beautiful Pacific Northwest these days. A revival of 70’s style folk-rock. Their music fully captures the essence of Seattle for me.

Gillian Welch – The Harrow & The Harvest

Simple, beautiful, haunting. She could sing the phone book and I’d buy it. Nice record.

Laura Marling – A Creature I Don’t Know

21 years old, from the UK. This is her third record. This record is not to be missed. Great songwriter. She appears to be the real deal.

PJ Harvey – Let England Shake

She is back in a big way. MOJO’s “Album of the Year” described as “she still fizzes with originality and brilliance”.  Enough said. This chick simply rocks. Always has. Check out her old track with Thom Yorke called “The Mess We’re In”. One of my all time favorite songs.

Honorable Mentions – other artists to check out and keep an eye on in the coming year…

Lana Del Ray’s single “video games” is amazing.

Jonathan Wilson, M83, Girls, The Joy Formidable, EMA, Beast Make Bomb, Tennis.

And don’t miss the Converse “Three Artists, One Song” track – I’m a Goner by Matt & Kim, Soulja Boy, and Andrew WK. A strange mix of artists and styles that comes together to create a song that rocks.

Reissues of the Year:

Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On

Rolling Stones – Some Girls

The Smiths – Complete

REM – Life’s Rich Pageant

Ok, so there you have it. People say that the music business is in trouble. Maybe it is BUT music isn’t. It was a very good year. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that 2012 gives us as much as ’11 did.

Stay tuned……

December 22, 2011

Well, well…..its been a while since I last sat down to write anything. Life flies by pretty fast these days and in a blink of an eye months & months seem to come and go. Another year older, one more inch on the waist, and a few new lines on my face. Time marches on.

A lot has happened in my life during the past year. Thanks to the work of some dedicated friends & co-workers we opened a recording studio in Brooklyn. There were multiple trips to NYC, visits to China, London, LA, Atlanta, Austin, Amherst, Portland, Tampa, Nashville, and seemingly every other city Delta flies to from Boston. It’s been the busiest year of my life. Along the way I became so busy that I actually lost a bit of myself, and I lost focus on what’s important to me. So focused was I on bringing a vision to life that I sometimes missed the simple, and important things in my life.

Tonight I was reminded. And, once again it was through the power of music.

My daughter Claire had her weekly guitar lesson and since I was in town, I jumped at the opportunity to take her. She’s been taking lessons for a few months and, although she dreads going every week, she really enjoys it. On the way to her lesson she plugs in her iPhone and takes over the music in the car. Inevitably she puts on some young rap star that I have never heard of and I endure the drive trying to fake it, acting as if I am cool enough to know the artist (its been well documented that I am NOT cool enough to know). She raps along, never missing a beat or a lyric. Admittedly I usually have no earthly idea what she is saying. My daughter Abby does the same thing, educating me on the likes of Justin Bieber (yep, he is still hanging around), Drake, and many others….

After Claire’s lesson she jumped into the car with a huge smile on her face. She immediately reached for the music and I dreaded what was about to come out of the speakers. She looked at me and said, “guess what song I am learning?”. Obviously I had no idea what to say at this point, in fear that she was going to tell me it was a T-Pain version of something by Coldplay. Much to my surprise (& delight) it wasn’t.

She played the song “Over My Head” by The Fray. Now, this isn’t my favorite song or band and when she started to play it I thought to myself, “well, thank God it isn’t Yellow”. As the song started to play she started to sing along, and so did i. (I have to admit, I really like the song but I didn’t realize that I actually knew the lyrics). As we drove down the same dark road where a year before we sang “Let It Be” together at the top of our lungs, we both just let go and sang. I looked over at her, smile on her face, spark in her eye, and my heart once again melted.

The song ended and then she hits the play button on “How To Save A Life”. Again, I wouldn’t say this is in my top 100 favorite songs of all time but as I sat there and listened to this little angel sing it I began to smile (and, OK….i also shed a few tears). The lyrics say, “where did I go wrong, I lost a friend somewhere along in the bitterness”. I thought about my year, my life, and wondered just how many friends I have lost along the way to my own bitterness. Probably more than I’d like to admit or face. I know that while I have made some new friends this past year, I have lost a few good ones along the way. As the song played on I thought about this for a few minutes.  I was reminded that there are more important things in life than recording studios, advertising campaigns, and meetings. More important than that, I was reminded that I need to let go of the bitterness that is inside of me. I don’t know why it’s there or where it came from but in the coming year I am going to try to fight it and let it go somehow.

So, to my friends (you know who you are) who I have lost along the way, alone in the bitterness, I want to say that I am sorry.

It’s funny how a simple song, shared with a love one, can offer a moment of perspective and clarity.

Thanks Claire-bear. Thanks for singing the way you do, with so much joy in your voice. Thanks for reminding me what is important in this crazy life – my family, my friends, balance, and my life. Thanks for helping me save it.

Peace.

One of my favorite songs starts with the lyrics:

I know somewhere there is a party going down,

Interesting people, conversation to be found

I’ve lived in cities where there is no solitude

I’ve made some friends there that I hope I’ll never lose

But for now, I want to stay in this quiet town.

(Quiet Town – by Josh Rouse).

Today as I fly back to Mass from the most wonderful vacation of my life, beautiful wife seated next to me, both daughters with their heads down typing on their Macs and rocking out to some music I simply can’t understand, I find myself thinking about how great it will be to get home.

I want to let you in on a little secret. You see, I love Carlisle. There’s no doubt that there will be five feet of snow on the ground when I get there. It won’t be as sunny and warm as Islamorada was this past week. The driveway will be covered with ice, the front yard buried until Spring. It will be colder than I’d like it to be.

But, I love Carlisle.

My town has no red light. It has no high-rise buildings. It has no shopping mall. It does however have everything a person could ever dream of having. It has soul. It has a sense of itself and its history. It knows its role in the area as the little brother of the far more popular and famous Concord, home of the birth of the American Revolutionary War. We have a small rotary in the center of town. We have two churches, a school, a country store, a beautiful library, and an ATM machine (that must have been quite a public debate when that was put in!). Somehow this historic little rural farming community is at peace with our place in this busy, complicated world.

But, we love Carlisle. I have never felt more at home since actually leaving home all those years ago. I have only been there three years but it feels like I have been all my life. It feels like I finally belong somewhere.

You know by now that we have two beautiful daughters. Carlisle has given us the gift of having our daughters hang on to their youth, their precious childhood, for a year or two longer than in some other, more “progressive” and busy places. In this day and age, I count this as one of my greatest blessings.

There is a sense of innocence in Carlisle yet the people who live here are not naïve about the world around us. We’re engaged in the world, its just that we’ve chosen to live in a world that is running at a slightly slower pace than the rest.

The first time I came to Carlisle I actually drove through it without even knowing it. I was looking for a place to live, driving through the beautiful Mass countryside. My wife Allie and I were on the phone as I drove. She was giving me directions to various homes she found on line in places like Concord, Lexington, and Bedford. As I drove past the beautiful Middlesex School Allie told me I would soon be in Carlisle. Ten minutes later I was in the middle of Bedford, after having driven right through Carlisle. I remember thinking there was no way I was ever going to live in a place that I could drive through without knowing it. I was moving here from Seattle with a certain sense of entitlement and arrogance that can only be acquired from spending your life living in big cities like Atlanta and Seattle. I had certain expectations, I guess, that I would live in a typical suburb surrounded by McMansions. I had no intention of living in a small town with no red light. Well, things didn’t end up as originally planned and I consider myself to be pretty lucky that they didn’t. We found more than a house in Carlisle.

I drove over to Carlisle early one Saturday morning to meet the builder and inspect this little town a little closer. The first place I found was a small country store called Ferns. I pulled up in my car, with license plates from the state of Washington, walked in and grabbed a Diet Coke from the cooler. I looked around the place and wondered what the heck we were doing moving to this place that is seemingly in the middle of nowhere. As I approached the counter I couldn’t help but to feel that purchasing this house was likely to be the single biggest mistake of my life. The voice inside my head was casting major doubt. I wasn’t really paying attention when the man behind the counter said something to me. He said, “well, that’s an awful long way to drive for a Diet Coke (delivered in an unfamiliar Mass accent to boot!). I paid no attention to it but then realized he was talking to me. I looked at him and said, “excuse me?” – thinking that people in stores no longer speak to each other or engage in any sort of interaction beyond the typical, “that’ll be $1.79”. But this was something different. He looked me in the eye and said, “I see that you’re from Washington state. And, that’s a long way to have driven for a Diet Coke”. After a minute I realized that someone was actually talking TO me and not AT me. After gathering myself off the floor I said, “Oh yeah. I’m sorry, I wasn’t really paying attention. I am from Seattle. My family and I are moving here”. He then continued, “Well, you must be Allie’s husband. My name is Larry. Welcome to Carlisle”.

OK, so this is one of those moments in one’s life that only comes along a few times. I fear that some people never have one of these moments. A perfect moment of clarity.

This world is a busy place. We’re all in a hurry. No matter if its getting to work, rushing to a meeting, keeping up with the neighbors, or catching a flight to somewhere you don’t want to go, this world comes at us pretty fast. The old saying of taking a moment to smell the roses seems more like an abstract idea sometimes instead of something real. At least, it’s been that way for me.

So, I love Carlisle. I stood there on that early Saturday morning and suddenly everything made perfect sense. Never before in my life had everything made so much sense. I belonged here. I realized that I had found something I didn’t know I was searching for. I had longed for a place where I belonged. I found it in Carlisle.

Three years have passed. There has been more snow than I would like. There have been many summer evenings at Kimball’s Farm enjoying ice cream with my wife and daughters, saying hello to neighbors and friends. There have been walks in the woods, learning how to cross country ski, Old Home Day, school concerts, soap box derby races, Halloween school parades, bike rides through the country, walks at the cranberry bog, barn parties, new friendships, holiday parties, kayak rides on the Concord River, Christmas carols on the town green in the freezing cold, enjoying our small town newspaper the Mosquito, walks at Foss Farm, wandering through the trails of Carlisle, walking the path that the troops marched on their way to begin a war that started this country we live in, the loss of a trusted friend and dog named Piedmont, the addition of a new friend and dog named Tucker. There has been laughter and joy in the eyes of our beautiful daughters.

I do not tell you all of this to imply my little town is any better or worse than anywhere else. I simply tell you this as my hope is that all of us will someday find that place where we belong. We all need that place.

I may not live in Carlisle forever but somehow I think it will always feel like home.

Abby has Bieber-Fever

OK, I admit it.

I am a snob.

To be more specific, I am a music snob.

I believe that my music tastes are superior to others around me. Even though I worked at Starbucks on their entertainment team (all self-proclaimed music snobs and purveyors of fine compilation CDs and strong coffee – that makes me qualified, right?), I really have no right to be such a snob.

But, I am a music snob. I love Radiohead and can’t understand when others don’t. I wonder how a band like Coldplay can even exist in today’s world, so bland and lame.

I grew up in the 70’s with the likes of Led Zep, the Stones, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, and so many other now over-the-hill bands. These artists, all still solid, yet old and no longer as meaningful to the world as they once were. I stood on the field of Tampa Stadium (before it was actually a big sombrero) with a tray of Coca-Cola that weighed more than i did, looking up at the giant pink pig floating above my head. I saw Led Zep play in the rain at that same stadium. I stood in the rain for hours to watch the Eagles on their “The Long Run” tour. (this doesn’t make me cool, just old). I am the all knowing music snob….at least in my own mind.

Today’s music world is dominated by people like Lady Gaga, The Black Eyed Peas, Usher, Ke$sa (seriously, we’re now spelling our names with $ signs in them?), Katy Perry, and one Mr. Justin Bieber. I do not understand any of them. They sell hundreds of records (ok, cheap shot…sorry), sell out music venues, and appear on all the right tv shows. (I still don’t get them. It’s not because i am cool – it’s because i am old).

A little over a year ago my 14 year old daughter Abby told me about Justin Bieber. She walked into the kitchen one day and said, “I love Justin Bieber”. I had no idea who he was or where he was coming from. Was he a new boyfriend? Was he a new crush at school? No – he was a new artist that seemingly came out of the digital abyss.

Abby played a song for me, with a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye. She sang along, not missing a word.

As you can imagine, I immediately rejected Justin Bieber as a flash in the pan. Someone who, like most overnight sensations, would be gone in a week. After all, he came from YouTube for crying out loud. I explained to Abby that this wasn’t music. This was disposable noise (are you kidding me? How freaking old am i?…….i sound like I am 60).

This love affair continued for a few more months until “Bieber Fever” (as they say) completely consumed my daughter. There were concerts to attend, backstage meet & greets, photos for Facebook, hearts drawn on the back of her hand with his initials and hers surrounded by a heart. The screen saver on our upstairs computer now featured a shot of this kid. There was no escape. Bieber fever was everywhere in my house. Posters, blankets, t-shirts, wrist bands, buttons, notebooks, magazines, and so on.

At this point Abby declares, “Justin is going to win a Grammy this year”.  Because I am a music snob (see above comments about working for the tastemaker of compilation CDs – Starbucks) I rejected my daughter’s comments as foolish. I said to her that there was no way he was even going to be nominated for a Grammy, much less win one. I jokingly said he wouldn’t even be invited to the Grammy’s. (I did this because I know everything).

After about 6 months of this nonsense Abby once again walked into the kitchen and proclaimed, “I am going to marry Justin Bieber”. Ok, so now things are starting to get serious. I decided that if my first-born daughter was going to marry this guy that I better explore him, make sure he is going to take care of her once the ceremony has concluded.

I listened to a few of his songs. I listened to them again. I tried a third time. I could find no reason whatsoever why my little girl would be in love with this kid. But, it didn’t matter – she did. The love affair has now gone on for more than a year. Abby has more than 1,000 Bieber photos on her phone and there was nothing I could do to stop it. MY wife Allie understood from the minute this love affair began. (she still not-so-secretly loves Donny Osmond for crying out loud).

As hard as a music snob like me tries to fight it (and I do fight hard because I am never wrong…how could I possibly be wrong?). As much as I have tried to expose my daughters to the classics like the Beatles, Stones, and the many other now over the hill artists I still cling to, I’ve realized that I have lost the battle.  It really makes no difference what I like. As I look at Abby I realize that her love for Bieber is real. I see how it makes her feel. I see her smile, possibly in the same way my parents used to see me smile when I was rocking out to Tom Petty or Kiss in my bedroom all those years ago wondering why I didn’t love Blood, Sweat, & Tears or “old BS&T” as my Dad once said…..yes Dad, I will always remember that moment!).

Not only am I a snob – I am also an idiot not to realize sooner that just because I don’t like someone’s music that it can still bring joy, happiness, and memories to the ones around me. I see the joy in my daughter’s eyes, her hope filled heart, and her beautiful smile and I realize that this kid is the one responsible for giving this to her. Bieber brings a joy to her that her father simply can’t deliver and it warms my heart while at the same time breaking it. The beat of music marches on, changing and evolving with each step it takes. It brings some along with it and it leaves many behind. If you want to keep up you need to stay on your toes.

So, while I will likely (ok, I am pretty sure about this – you know, because I used to work at the place that sells strong java, plays jazz overhead, and makes cute Valentine’s Day compilation CDs) not ever like Justin Bieber, I now understand his power and his potential. I see a daughter growing up in front of my eyes, singing, and fully stricken with Bieber fever.

I am still a snob. And, now i realize that I am also an idiot. I am not the all knowing, all powerful music expert. I am just a fan. I love the way music makes me feel. I love the fact that songs, artists, and concerts have served as mile markers in my life.  Just like my beautiful little girl Abby.

But now I have a slightly different perspective on the world. I sit here, typing these words to you as a confession that I was wrong. I was wrong – with the exception of Coldplay. My views on them stand. They remain unnecessary.

A year later, Abby was right – Justin Bieber was nominated for a Grammy and will perform for the crowd this Sunday night. I will sit in the darkness of the Staples Center watching this spectacle unfold in front of my eyes, knowing that Abby is sitting in front of the tv, smiling and singing along.

I leave you with two things.

Abby – you were right.

Justin – Take good care of Abby. If you break my daughter’s heart I will kick your ass.

Peace.

G

By Geoff Cottrill

January 2010

Being a parent is a great thing. It’s not an easy job by any means. There are days, sometimes weeks, when you feel like everything you do is wrong. You worry about whether or not you’re making the right choices, giving enough love, affection, advice, and attention. You wonder what kind of people your kids are going to grow up to be.

One of the wonders of being a parent is watching your children grow, discover, and experience things for the first time. It’s magic. Sometimes however they discover things before you’re ready for it.

Recently my 12 year-old daughter Claire discovered something.

Boys.

Yes, I had hoped that maybe we would make it until college graduation before I had to start worrying about boys chasing my girls. Well, a lot like turning 40, it comes before you’re really ready for it.

So, I decided to go with it. I bit my lip as I heard Claire talk non-stop about the various boys in her class. She came home from a dance a month ago, proudly announcing that she danced with three boys. It was the first time she had ever danced with a boy. And she had to dance with three of them? In just one night? NO!!!

After a few weeks she walked in to the room and proudly announced, “Daddy, guess what? I have a boyfriend”. After considering quickly putting the house up for sale and moving to somewhere in Alaska, I took a deep breath and asked her, “A boyfriend, huh? What’s his name?”. She smiled and said his name was John. Now, I immediately think to myself, “John, huh? Where does this little monster live? Does he know that I am looking for him?……”. She then goes on to tell me that they have been texting to each other for a few weeks and have just decided to become boyfriend and girlfriend.

I live in a very small town. We have no red light. There is a church, a school, a small country store, and an ice cream stand that’s only open in the summer. We’re a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of any big city. Ok, maybe not a million miles, but at least 20 miles. Living here has been a wonderful experience. Sometimes I feel like because its so small that people are a bit more innocent and unaffected here, especially our children. (It’s not always the case but it is a lovely place, filled with lots of wonderful people).

Ok, back to this new discovery by my daughter.

Boys.

A month ago Claire came home from school and announced she was trying out for the school’s basketball team. We have a hoop on our driveway, and we shoot baskets with the dog (when it’s not snowing). Claire has become pretty good at shooting the rock.

After trying out and making the JV team (she is in 6^th grade), she started taking a greater interest in the game and the Celtics. I thought to myself, “this is great! Claire likes basketball!”.

Once I started digging in to this boy named John, I learned that he plays basketball too. He’s on the boys team and is evidently pretty good (probably a lot better than me). I learned about John’s basketball passion from the 157 page report I received from the private investigator I hired to dig into the background of this 12 year old boy John. (Not really, but I sure did think about it). I will never watch this young man play basketball, I think to myself. How dare he date my daughter!

So, a few weeks go by. I casually check in from time to time with Claire-bear to find out how things are going with young John. She says things are fine. (She has no idea that I have had a private eye trailing him since the news broke….and I know every move he’s made for the past two weeks!).

Back to basketball. Claire’s team plays their first game two weeks ago. The Carlisle Huskies lost the game 38-0. Claire, the most competitive 12 year old I know, was pretty upset after the thrashing they took from the private all girls school with the 6’ tall center (she’s 12? Really?).

This past Thursday they played their second game. At the end of a hard fought game the scoreboard read; Huskies 6, Visitor 48. (Another close game for the mighty Huskies….maybe b’ball isn’t our game…).

Claire came walking into the kitchen after the game with a few tears in her eyes. I figured that she was upset that they were once again on the short end of a big score. I said, “don’t worry Claire-bear, at least you guys scored 6 points (Claire scored exactly zero of them).

Claire looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, “no Daddy, its not about the game. I don’t really care that much that we lost………I am upset about John…….we’re breaking up”.

I quickly turned away, tried to contain my pure elation, and almost blurted out, “YES!”.

After biting my lip till it practically started bleeding I gave Claire a hug. I told her not to worry, that things always have a way of working themselves out. We sit down and have a chat about what she’s going through…..

Claire pulls out her phone and shows me the text she has spent an hour writing, ready to hit the send button. It is literally a “Dear John” letter. (I am not kidding, here!!). She wrote him a long note letting him know that it just wasn’t working out. I don’t read it for fear that I will learn that he has kissed her or held her hand!

She hits the send button. Into the G3 network goes this breakup letter. The mailman isn’t necessary. No need to send a note via one of your friends. Instantly delivered. See ya later.

I decided that maybe Claire-bear and I needed a little time together so the two of us jumped in the car and headed over to our favorite pizza place in the next town, a few miles away. We walked in and immediately ran into 3 of Claire’s friends. When they invited us to join them, Claire shot me a quick glance and smile, and then told her friends she needed a few minutes with her Dad. I had to turn away and wipe a tear from my eye. My 12 year-old chose me over her friends. She needed me, and I needed her.

We sat and we talked. She asked me about my first girlfriend. How old was I? What was her name? Did she like you? Did you like her? Why didn’t you guys work out?.

These were the questions Claire had for me. I was careful not to ask about John. I waited for her to start talking. And, she did.

“Daddy, I was thinking about it. I want to be able to go to Fern’s (our country store) after school with my friends. If I have a boyfriend I will have to go with him. I don’t want to be tied down. I am too young to be tied down to one guy. I want to be with my friends after school, not some boy. If I have a boyfriend then I will have to stand with him at the dance and only dance with him. I don’t want to be tied down like I am married or anything”.

She is 12.

I sit there for a minute, trying to make sure that the tape recorder inside my head is remembering every single word. This is a moment I want to last forever. I sit there, with a warm feeling in my heart, telling myself that I haven’t lost her just yet.

I try to give Claire some advice about boys, telling her that we’re not that smart. I remind her that girls mature faster than boys do and that she has nothing but time in front of her. There will never be another first boyfriend, but there will be other boyfriends. We talk about the fact that being married isn’t necessarily being “tied down”. She says, “Well, I guess it depends who you are married to”. I tell her not to worry. Everything will be OK. I can tell by the way she looks at me. She believes me.

We finish our pizza and climb in the car to drive home. As we drive through the beautiful Massachusetts country, past old horse barns, a frozen pond, giant trees with arms that look like they are going to reach down and grab us, I decide to turn on the radio. She looks at me and says that she’s recently been listening to the band Paramore. She says, “I love their singer Hayley. The reason I like her is because she really sings. They don’t mess with her voice (no T-Pain action here!). She is in the room, with her band, when they record their songs”.  She likes the fact that they are real, imperfect, raw, & pure. She likes the same things deep within music that I do. The simple song. One that comes from the heart.

I switch from the radio to a CD I have been listening to lately. It’s a Beatles record. She and I share a bond over the four guys from Liverpool. A year ago she texted me while I was on the west coast, telling me her new favorite song was Hey Jude. It melted my heart.

I hit the forward button a few times and the song starts. After the second note from the piano Claire looks over to me and says, “Let It Be. I love this song”. I look back at her with a smile, feeling like the king of the world. As the song starts, I decide to turn it up nice and loud. Without a word to each other we both start singing at the top of our lungs, “whisper words of wisdom, let it be…..let it be”. As I look away, out the window, I stop singing. All I can hear is the sweet, sweet voice of my daughter. After the sounds of the first cry of both Abby and Claire the minute they were born, I have never heard a sweeter sound.

I realize that she is an angel.

As the song ends, Claire looks over at me. She sees the tears in my eyes and says, “I guess this song is telling me something, huh Daddy…….let it be”.

One of the moments in my life I will never, ever forget.

Claire has discovered boys.

Live. Love. Laugh.

Enjoy life. Every simple moment of it.

Thanks for listening….

G

So it’s safe to say the crazy idea is working.

Beyond the money that flows to the fund, the idea has also worked for our business. First and foremost, it has given great meaning to what we do every day. Our employees are engaged and motivated by the fact that their work is contributing to something much bigger.

To mark World AIDS Day, Converse is releasing the Damien Hirst for Converse (PRODUCT) RED Chuck Taylor All Star shoe. The company is contributing 100% of the net profit of this shoe to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
It has also worked because there is so much synergy between our brands. It results in great things for our company and, ultimately, the cause. Creativity is at the core of Creativity is at the core of both brands, Converse and (RED). The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star shoe is one of pop culture’s great blank canvases and has inspired generations of artists who have been scribbling on the Chuck Taylor shoe for decades.
Ever since people started writing on their Chuck Taylors, turning our shoes into their personal expression, creativity has driven this company. (RED) brings another layer to that for us. With (RED), we’ve brought more than 110 artist-, designer- and musician-collaboration projects to life—from The Edge to Lupe Fiasco to Terence Koh to Vena Cava to Damien Hirst—and held artist events around the world to raise awareness for the mission.

Today, as we mark our fifth World AIDS Day involved in this issue, I’m looking ahead and excited about the five-year plan. I’m not talking about the five-year “strategic” plan for Converse (although that is, of course, great), but about the five-year plan in the fight against AIDS.

Within five years, we are on track to achieve one of the most important goals in this historic battle: the possibility of delivering the first generation of babies born without HIV in nearly three decades.

That is an incredible thing to say—that, given that this disease has claimed the lives of more than 25 million people and, today, we still see more than 1,000 children born every day with the disease (90% of whom are in Africa, the region hit hardest by the disease), we can stop it in its tracks and start an entire generation on the path to living HIV-free.

With (RED), we’re launching a new initiative called “The AIDS Free Generation Is Due in 2015″ to raise awareness of this milestone and to get people involved to ensure that the focus and funding needed to achieve this goal are delivered.

At Converse, we’re proud to be one part of this massive effort. While we’re working on our five-year plan of making shoes you love and building an irresistible brand, we find great joy in knowing that it has much more meaning as it gives the kids of 2015, and all generations to follow, a healthy chance to be born HIV-free.

Learn more at www.joinred.com.

I do a fair bit of moving around these days. It seems that most of my time lately has been spent between places. Rarely settled. I find myself on a plane today, a Saturday, flying over the Atlantic Ocean heading back to beautiful New England from the even more beautiful original one. Between there and home, 30,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean, craving the sweet smell of my wife Allie’s neck.

Home. That’s where I want to be right now. The place where my two little girls, getting bigger and bigger everyday, are growing up while I spend my time in between where i have been and where i need to be. I want to see their bright smiles, hear their laughter as they chase our dog Tucker around the house. These are the things i miss when i am stuck in the in-between places. These empty places.

Home. That’s where i need to be right now. The place where i feel safe, loved, and grounded. The place where i remind myself whats important in life. Things like laughter, connection, touch, family, and most of all love.

Home. The place where my three favorite people in the world always are while I’m in between here and there.

Home. I’m almost there.

I was just doing the math. I graduated from college 25 years ago. I always said that I was never going to be one of those guys who talked about how long ago I graduated from college. So, I won’t do it here.

If you’ve read any of my previous pieces you know that I hate voicemail, don’t drink coffee anymore, and have the love affair with music (excluding Coldplay).

You’ll also know that I consider myself to be pretty lucky. I have a great life, a fun job, and lots of friends around the world. Some would define my career as a success.

I have gotten to where I am today for a few reasons. A positive attitude (I try anyway), working hard, the support of my wife and daughters, a little luck, and a number of people who have all had a profound impact on my life – my bosses.

I have had a few bosses along the way. I liked some of them better than others. A few of them were not very nice people. But, all of them taught me something. The things they taught me about life, work, leadership, teamwork, and friendship have all contributed to the person I am today – the husband, the father, the friend, the marketer, the writer.

Jim Dinkins – my first boss out of college, at Procter & Gamble. Jim and I have been friends for 25 years now. He stood at the alter with me when I married my wife Allie.

Jim taught me how to work and play hard. He also taught me how to sell, something I find myself doing every single day of my life. Whether its creating a TV commercial or getting a budget approved you have to know how to sell. Jim is the master at this. Jim also taught me that I wasn’t in college anymore and that work started at 7.30am. That was one of the tougher lessons I had to learn. I’d like to think that maybe I taught Jim a thing or two along the way as well but it isn’t anywhere close to the things he’s given me.

Steve Koonin – a truly creative genius. He used to run a department at Coke that to this day is still talked about. He assembled a team of smart, creative people and he let us run. Coming to Coke from P&G was quite an adjustment. P&G is all about structure, process, and method. They are the best at it. Coke is much more image driven and is constantly refreshing itself as it works to maintain relevancy to its consumer base. Steve understood how to creatively connect our brands to consumers. I was often in awe of him and his ability to create things from thin air. He once told me that there were only 8-10 original ideas in marketing and that everything that every single successful program is just some sort of adaptation or combination of those few ideas. I asked him to tell me what they were. He just laughed and shook his head. He let me figure it out for myself. Steve opened a side of my brain that I didn’t realize I had. Eleven years of process and method will convince you you’re not creative. Steve threw that out of the window my first week on the job. I sat in a meeting with about 7 people. They were talking about Coke and the NFL. Ideas were thrown around. I sat there, fresh out of P&G, and didn’t contribute any ideas. I was studying the room, trying to figure out how to survive in the new place. The meeting ended and as I was walking back to my office I said to Steve, “hey, I have an idea about the NFL….”. He turned on his heels, fire in his eyes, and asked me id I was not just in that meeting about the NFL with him. I said, of course I was in there. I sat right next to you. He then started yelling at me – literally yelling – that I wasn’t at P&G anymore and that if I had an idea that I better share it DURING the meeting, not after the fact. He said (and I will never forget these words) – “if you have a f’ing idea Geoff, come to me, tell me. If it’s a good one I will give you the money and you will make it happen…..that’s how we do things here!”  In the end, Steve taught me that I had two sides of my brain….and he really helped to open up the creative side. I wouldn’t be here today had it not been for Steve. That was the only time he ever yelled at me. I could probably fill an entire book on all that Steve taught me. He had a big impact on me and I will never forget him.

Chuck Fruit – I became the head of Coke’s Entertainment Marketing team while working for Chuck. In fact, we created it. He was the ultimate senior statesman. A truly class act, one of a kind. One day I was in his office talking about music and the entertainment business. It was a personal interest of mine as I always wanted to run a record label. After talking to him he asked me to come back to his office after lunch. I walked in at 1pm sharp. He walked me from his office all the way across the Coke campus and up to the 25^th floor executive offices. We walked into the CMO’s office (Steve Jones). Chuck then looked at me and said, “Geoff, talk to Steve about the things you were telling me earlier”. I started, a little confused. After 2 minutes he looked at Steve and smiled. Steve nodded his head. Chuck then said we let Steve get back to his meeting. As I got up Chuck patted me on the back and said “congratulations Geoff, you’re the new head of entertainment marketing at The Coca-Cola Company”.  Chuck did nice things for me. He was a good man. When I heard the news that he passed away I cried. I have a tear in my eye as I type this right now. He gave me a big opportunity and it helped me on my journey. Chuck taught me to treat people with respect, to build relationships with people. He encouraged me along the way. He treated every single person he met exactly the same way – with dignity and respect. I try to live up to his legacy every single day. I miss Chuck.

Darryl Cobbin – DC taught me how to build a brand. Darryl is the guy who is known for building the Sprite brand to the global brand it is today. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work for DC. He always encouraged me no matter what I was doing. He taught me how to market but he also taught me how to be a better man. DC is a natural born leader. People lined up behind him and ran through walls to get the job done. DC cared equally for the “what” and the “how”. He taught me that you don’t need to be mean to people along the way to get what you want. We were surrounded by people who would stab you in the chest (yeah, more direct than in the back) to get what they wanted. DC never carried a knife or a iron fist. He built consensus, enrolled people along the way, and stood back and watched his people do great things. His leadership example is something that I have always tried to live up to. DC is also responsible for the name of my blog – yogmoney. He used to always walk into my office and say, “YO G-MONEY, what’s up?” He always made me smile when he did that. I miss hearing my old friend saying that as he walked down the hall. I recently saw him at an event we put on. He yelled it across the gym. It was a special moment for me.

Katie J. Bayne – KJB, as she is known by many, is one of the smartest marketers I have ever known. She used to be the CMO of Coke North America. She is on her way to even bigger and better things at Coke and will someday probably run it. Katie taught me how to hold my own in a room of people far more senior than I was at the time. She was always prepared. She knew her business well and had a point of view on things. She was actively engaged in every meeting she was in. Although I often fail to be as prepared or detailed oriented as KJB, I strive to be. KJB taught me how to survive and thrive in a major corporation. KJB was the first person I met at Coke when I joined the company. She was always a supporter of mine and helped me move along through the world of Coca-Cola in a productive way while I was there. Katie should be considered a role model to young women everywhere. We need more leaders like KJB.

Ken Lombard – well, this is a tough one for me. I had an unusual relationship with Ken. He was a hard driving boss – always pushing for perfection. Some looked at Ken as a bully. AT 6’6” (I think that is his height, lets just call him tall, ok?) he can be a little bit intimidating. He knew it and used it to his advantage when necessary. When I left Starbucks I was kind of angry; disappointed in the working experience I had while I was there. I never felt like I really fit into the culture there. Ken’s management style was different than mine and we had our battles. One day during my performance review (where I was fully expecting to get my tail handed to me) Ken gave me the highest rating you could get – Exceptional. He said, “I’ve been tough on you because you have talent and I want you to succeed….i’m pushing you because I know you can take it”. I was floored because he had been so tough on me all year. I never really got to thank Ken when I left Starbucks. He was living in LA when I decided to leave Seattle. We exchanged notes but I never got to say goodbye in person. I regret that. As painful as some of those days were – it was the single best professional experience of my life. I grew up. If I had not had Ken pushing me as hard as he did I am sure that I would not have enjoyed the success I have to date at Converse. I have a lot to thank Ken for.

Howard Schultz – while I never reported directly to Howard, I did have the opportunity to spend quite a bit of time with him. Howard is the boss at Starbucks. Never have I met a person who cares as deeply about his business as Howard. He is the most passionate, motivating person I have ever met – bar none. He can walk into a room and spin your head with his inspiring presentation. He has a presence about him that is Obama-like.

Howard taught me about passion, about caring, about having soul.  Howard is a perfectionist when it comes to Starbucks. Everything needs to be right for the consumers. When a store isn’t right he addresses it right away. He lives in the moment and he fixes things. He can get pretty upset when things aren’t right. I think that sometimes he can be a little too hard on folks but I now understand why he is the way he is. He cares, deeply. That’s a pretty special quality to have – to truly care (in your soul) about what you’re doing. I am in a position now where I truly love what I do. I have a lot to thank Howard for. As a result of my time at Starbucks I am a better leader of people. Instead of using fear, I try to inspire people to be the best they can be. I learned that from Howard Schultz.

So, if someday you find yourself reading another piece like this from some other professional and I am lucky enough to be mentioned as someone who had a positive impact on them you will know why. It is because of these people – Jim Dinkins, Steve Koonin, Chuck Fruit, Darryl Cobbin, Katie Bayne, Ken Lombard, and Howard Schultz. They lifted me up to where I am today. I officially thank each and every one of them for all they taught me along the way.

G

NOTE : I decided it wasn’t appropriate to comment on my boss at Converse. He’s amazing though.

It’s the end of December at the end of 2009. This year few by faster than I’d like to admit. I grew another year older, we lost our old dog Piedmont, we got a new puppy named Tucker, and my oldest daughter became a teenager. All in all it was a great year.

Along the way, I fell in love with some new music. In no particular order, here are 10 of my favorite records of the year.

The Avett Brothers – I and Love and You

These guys from North Carolina delivered a beautiful acoustic album filled with sadness and soul. The title track is my favorite on the record as it chronicles the break up and decision to leave a life behind in the hopes of finding a new one. This isn’t the most upbeat record of the year but it is certainly one of the best.

The XX (self-titled)

These guys get my vote for best new artist of the year. I was turned on to this record three or four months ago just before a trip to the UK. When I got there I found myself wandering through the world’s best record store, Rough Trade. As I walked the aisles I was completely taken by the music over head. It was this record. From that day on, I listened to it non-stop. The song “Crystalised” is magic.

Wilco – Wilco (The Album)

Jeff Tweedy & crew deliver another great record. This one feels a little more upbeat than previous Wilco efforts, but still packs the intelligence you’ve come to expect from them. I have to say, I love the track “You and I” featuring Feist. One of my favorite songs of the year.

Silversun Pickups – Swoon

These guys have been hanging around for a few years, coming out of Silverlake in LA. Their song “Panic Room” knocked me off my feet earlier this year. These guys bring an edge and an energy you’d expect out of a band from Silverlake.

Kings of Leon – Only By The Night

The Kings of Leon’s break out album, according to iTunes, but these guys have been around for a while. This is their 4^th studio record and each one gets better and better. These guys are keeping the flame of good old fashioned southern rock & roll alive and well.

Dead Confederate – Dirty Ammo

This band from Athens, Georgia brings a fresh take on grungy southern rock. This record was recorded live at The Earl in Atlanta (an old hang out of mine – greatest burger in Atlanta). I like this record because it reminds me of my time in the South. There’s nothing like a great southern rock band from Athens. This record is offered as a free download on their site. They are asking for a $1 donation to help raise money for the famous Georgia Theater which burned down in June of this year. This band hasn’t received the attention it deserved. My hope is that they’ll be around a while longer so that people outside of Athens have time to find them.

Them Crooked Vultures (self-titled)

A super-group made up of Dave Grohl, Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age, and John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin can’t be all that bad, now can they? This is exactly what you would expect, a straight up rock and roll record straight out of the garage.

Neko Case – Middle Cyclone

This is Neko Cases’s 5^th album. If you haven’t discovered her yet you need to check out this record. She’s built quite a following in the Northwest where I used to live. She is a rising star. This record is widely considered to be one of the top 10 records of the year.

Kid Cudi – Man on The Moon / End of Day

A solid debut record from the young hip-hop artist from Cleveland, Ohio. I had the opportunity to sit down with Cudi earlier this year. He’s a smart, grounded, intelligent, and talented young artist. Knowing that he was a protégé of Kanye West, I expected him to show up with a certain attitude. He brought none of that. This guy seems to have a bright future ahead of him. If his debut record is any indication, I think we have a lot to look forward to. He’s also set to star in the new Mark Wahlberg HBO show coming later this year.

Visqueen – Message To Garcia

This band calls Seattle, Washington its home. They’ve paid their dues playing in clubs all over town as well as other towns in the PNW. The band features a lead singer named Rachel Flotard, one of the coolest people I met while living in Seattle. The band also features a friend of mine named Tom Cummings. We worked together for a few years. He was the quietest, nicest, hard working guy on our team. You never would have guessed in a hundred years that at night he strapped on a guitar and jammed with the band. I would like to see good things happen in life for my old friend Tom.

Jenny Lewis – Acid Tongue

OK, if you’re paying attention you would know that this record was released in September of 2008. I didn’t really discover it until early in 2009 so I am counting it. Jenny Lewis is an extremely talented artist. Her songs are intelligent and her voice is beautifully haunting and captivating. The title track “Acid Tongue” is my favorite.

“I’ve been down to Dixie and dropped acid on my tongue” pretty much says it all.

Ms. Lewis is my favorite female artist and deserves more attention than she gets.

Grizzly Bear – Veckatimist

This Brooklyn based band’s breakout record is another that will undoubtedly show up on many of the year’s top 10 lists. These guys bring a lot of different things to their music. I don’t’ claim to be able to explain it. All I can say is that it works. Check it out.

Gomez – A New Tide

This isn’t the best Gomez album but the song Airstream Driver is one of my favorite tracks of the year. I’m not sure why but I just like it. I saw them earlier this year at Lollapalooza and was surprised by how good they were live. Check them out if  you get the chance.

OK – yeah, I know. That was 13 picks. Consider the extra three a bonus.

Now its your turn….what are your favorite albums or songs of the year??

Have a great 2010.

Peace.

G