Jeff

Good Day Sunshine, Working with a Different Kind of Artist

May 21, 2011 by Jeff Leave a Comment

Here at Dark Horse early on a Saturday. Not to do my usual job of booking speaking dates and working on outreach for USA TODAY Best-Selling author and speaker Robin Crow, but to work with Head Engineer at Dark Horse, Colin Heldt. Colin, who typically is not at “the horse” on a weekend except for when big name session are going on, is helping me out for 2 or 3 full day sessions, to clean up my songs November Again, Strong Like Abraham, and With Open Doors. These 3 songs in many ways are the meat and potatoes (sorry vegetarians) of my upcoming CD, 7 Days.

Watching Colin work his magic on all of this high-tech gear, in the confident, concise way of an artist who knows what tools and colors he has at his/her disposal – AND how to use them, is really a joy. A few of our audio interns are flanking Colin on the left and right, watching him do his thing and learning as they go, soaking up the knowledge and that is always great to watch. We’ve got donuts, coffee and cough drops…staples in the studio. Dogs are tired after running around all morning and we’re getting stuff done. Love it.

So I Was Thinking

May 12, 2011 by Jeff Leave a Comment

Last Friday, with about 10 minutes notice I had to step in for my boss and friend Robin Crow to address 3 consecutive classes of High School Junior and Senior Guitar and Media students regarding their careers and Dark Horse Institute. Of course, when he came up to me in the kitchen, and said “Jeff, Jeff, Jeff…buddy ole’ pal”, I knew I was in trouble. I was also sporting a weeks worth of beard, and not such nice clothes. But, luckily I keep extra clothes here at Dark Horse and was able to spruce up and get out the door in about 15 minutes. These type of situations always make you wonder…who am I speaking to today? Are they going to be receptive? Are they going to ask questions? Each class had anywhere from 30-60 people in it, and I knew the best I could hope for was a few, truly engaged, sharp students. But WHO…WHICH ones?

Anyway, in the front row of the second class, was a guy who was a bit short in height, but a bit long in the wisecrack department. We developed a nice relationship though once he told me what his knick-name was in front of the class, and I made sure to use it each and every time he made a crack. But here’s the interesting part.

A few days later I was showing some folks around the honky tonks in downtown Nashville, doing the tourist thing….when a few blocks away, up walks this wise-crack from the guitar class several days before. Guitar slung over his back. The school at which I had spoken in front of him, was an hour outside of town so I was a little surprised. I was even more surprised when I poked my head into Tootsies, the MOST famous of all the bars on Lower Broad to see who was just shredding, playing amazing guitar leads with this band. Since there is so much good music in Nashville, it takes a lot to get my attention, but this music sounded so good!

Up on stage….there he was. The wisecrack from the front row. Tearing it up and making the much older guys on stage with him a bit envious I would venture. He was doing what you are supposed to in this town of dreams. He was going for it, rather than goofing off at the mall with his buddies. He found his voice, and that takes courage. Peace.

Helping Others Can Be Fun – What’s Not to Like?

March 14, 2011 by Jeff Leave a Comment

This Saturday, Robin Crow’s Dark Horse Institute will host an Open House from noon to 3pm. We’ve been planning this for awhile, and there will be BBQ,hotdogs, Hamburgers, refreshments etc. It should be fun as always, and you can tour the place, ask any questions etc. BUT, this Saturday we all get to help out a worthy cause as well, and THAT’s what makes me truly tick. We’re super happy to be teaming up with Souls4soles.org in collecting gently used, and new shoes for the victims of the Japanese Tsunami/Earthquake disaster. Covering ones feet is nearly always a pressing need for those in disaster recovery areas. It helps cut down on injuries and prevents diseases and infection from spreading. Souls4soles does this (providing footwear) better than anyone out there, and we’ll be a drop off point from March 19-29 kicking off AT our Open House this Saturday. Please dig around in your closets for those 1 or 2 pairs that you rarely wear, and bring them along.

Meanwhile, Wolfhaven is in studio working on their album with our students at the Institute manning the board for their final project! It’s sounding GREAT so far.

Thanks and peace from Dark Horse.

www.darkhorseinstitute.com

www.souls4soles.org

Playing In the Creek

March 4, 2011 by Jeff Leave a Comment

Well, after a week full of rain and storms, the small gully meandering through the back part of Dark Horse Campus became a really nice, healthy creek for the better part of a week. Robin being out of town for several days, I had my dog “pack” on-site helping me watch over the place, and I’ve got to tell you, that creek may as well have been Space Mountain at Disney World as far as the dogs were concerned. How many times they turned into a game, the process of trying to jump over the creek, only to land 2/3’s of the way through it with a big, muddy splash…well I lost count. Tongues hanging out, smiles on their faces…you could see that they achieved their desired results of not quite making it to the other side. That sheer joy is something dogs understand how to acquire. Pick something simple to revel in, the now.

Robin Crow is immersed currently in a string of dates that has him speaking in various parts of the country approximately 20 x over the next 6 weeks. In the past, we’ve always tried to book his travel as tight and close to the vest as possible. Robin likes to use time wisely and waiting around for that next flight, or spending a lot of time at the event site after he has spoken, doesn’t always make sense. BUT, in recent times he has enjoyed spending a bit more time with the clients, getting to know their conference attendees so that he can hear their concerns, get a feel for what ALL of them are going through and let them know that here at Crow Company and Dark Horse, we’re going through it too.

More than ever, We have to work as a team. With a only half-dozen of us on staff, we’re a mom and pop operation, wearing the hats of 25…or so it seems. We have to support each other, argue with each other, stretch each others ideas, thoughts, goals and dreams into practical and actionable items. Constant Empathy is what I like to call it…every time we pass through the doorway, that portal needs to be our trigger device to being ultra-aware of the NOW..especially what that means to our teammates. They may have had a bad night last night, worse perhaps than ours. And conversely, the opposite may be true as well. If we take the time to celebrate the good times with each other, and be intensely empathetic of the tough times, we will all be amazed at how much more productive and enjoyable our workplaces and homes will become. Remember, here at Dark Horse and Crow Company we really and truly believe in the concept of a Triple Bottom Line Business Philosophy. Robin talks on this subject a great deal in the 2nd half of his book “Evolve or Die.” Step 6 of this portion of the book is all about Triple Bottom Line People, Planet, Profit. In that order…People..People..People…is what I’m talking about today. Have a great weekend.

A GREAT Team at Indiana University, KNOWS How to Get Things Done

January 20, 2011 by Jeff Leave a Comment

After watching the Public Affairs Department at I.U. run this conference, all that comes to mind is the phrase “well-oiled machine.” From the way they took care of Robin Crow during his brilliantly received keynote yesterday, to the way they accomplished all of my quirky needs and requests for my team-building workshops…it all ran without a hitch. The team-building workshops were intimate, so much fun, and productive that I can’t wait to do it again. We’ll be editing the video footage soon and putting up a website. A few notes about I.U. They were such gracious hosts and I now consider myself an honorary Hoosier. Had a GREAT steak dinner of Filet Mignon and Merlot with Nancy and Kelly at historic St. Elmos Steak House last night AND I.U. served Dunkin Donut’s coffee all conference long! Also, to quote Steven S. Little.. I had a Milkshake Moment at the hotel bar at the IUPUI Conference Center hotel two nights ago. Incredible Chocolate shake. If you’d actually like to know what a “milkshake moment” is, I suggest you read Steven S. Little’s book of the same name. Meanwhile, Robin Crow’s book, “Evolve or Die” continues to be ULTRA popular as a keynote topic and conversation focal point at many, many conferences and we’re just trying to keep the ball rolling. The audio book is slated to release late spring. Now that I’ve thrown in these team-building workshops I’m hoping we can collaborate on more events from time to time with a wider variety of clients. Looking forward to seeing more snow in Nashville tonight. Miss the dogs.

CONSTANT Empathy

January 14, 2011 by Jeff Leave a Comment

Without this, we’re up a creek, a tree what have you without a paddle. We won’t succeed as a business, as an organization, as a family, a couple etc..etc.. The other person has nearly always got similar dreams and challenges at home and at work as we do. So why do we so often not think of the other person when we enter through the front door at work, or at home? Early on in the relationships that Paul McCartney shared with John Lennon, and Mick Jagger shared with Keith Richards they all agreed that no matter who wrote what, or how much or when they would split the credit for ALL the songs they wrote 50/50. They figured this was best for the team,and for that matter would all come out in the wash at the “end of the day..” Can you imagine how much better our work and personal relationships if we did things without any expectation of credit, but just because we wanted to do good, and do what was right? Now don’t get me wrong, just because there is no expectation of credit does NOT mean that we should not give credit where credit is due. Most of us need that sense of appreciation, it’s healthy and necessary to give it as much as possible, and to receive it. And that will all come, if we work and live in a state of CONSTANT Empathy.