Starting My 10th Year - A Review

Starting My 10th Year - A Review

Current mood:accomplished

Well, this week marks 10th year as a full time karaoke host and DJ. I started at Finnegan's and Mothers back then, working 2 nights a week. I quit my full time sales position at that time, and switched to the warehouse. As I picked up more nights, I had to cut my hours during the day back more and more, until I eventually had to give up my day job. I have not looked back since then!

I had given thought to becoming a host at the encouragement of my coworkers. We used to go visit the Stormin Norman show at the Ocean Deck and had befriended Norman. Norman was going thru some exceptional life circumstances, and I offered to host his show for him if he needed to take some days off. He didn't take me up on my offer, but, this planted the seed to my friends that I should be doing this for a living anyway. I looked into the cost of start up, and the high cost of startup, combined with the inability to clearly comprehend how to make money at karaoke to pay for the upstart, dissuaded me from perusing the venture. It always seemed to me to be a part time venture that would have to be associated with a day job. I informed my co workers that this venture was too cost prohibitive, and the very same day I opened the paper and the universe placed a classified ad under my nose...karaoke show for sale. The call put me in touch with Beth and Oliver, who were doing shows in Flagler. I knew nothing about the biz, so I absorbed every word they offered, and watched Beth at work, and then began a study of visiting every karaoke show I could get to as a customer...making note of what I liked and what I did not like, to hone my eventual show style and policies. I was soooo naive back then. I talked to Beth about buying the show in March of 99 and told her if she would hold it for me , I would pay her in cash, no haggling, in May, after I made my Mothers Day money (I was in the flower business then). She reluctantly agreed, on good faith, with frequent nervous calls to me to make sure we were still good. Beth then realized that her good friend and neighbor was a VERY close friend of mine, Anna, who assured her that I was trustworthy and a man of my word. Anna was having a party in May, so we made the plan...I would do Anna's party for free, in exchange she would not bitch about me not being professional, LOL...and Beth and Oliver would accompany me to the party...across the street. They would bring the gear, I would set it up and they would train me at the party, and after the party, if everything worked, after all was packed, I would pay them cash. That is how it went down, and 5 hours later I was a professional host, LOL. My final day as a full time sales person at FCI was May 14, 1999. I worked part time at FCI until around August of 2000 I think.

I started out as CenterStage Entertainment. I then realized that John was doing karaoke as Center Stage Karaoke in the Flagler/Ormond area, so I started billing myself as Harry's CenterStage Karaoke. This naturally shortened to Harryoke. As everyone enthusiastically began using this name, I added the exclamation point to become Harryoke! LOL.

A lot of my progress and success at the start involved a lot of serendipity. After getting all the KJ gear, it never dawned on me to DJ as well, even though I had a good CD collection, but when my horse trading neighbor came over with a complete DJ set in binders and asked if I could use it, I assured him I could, and my DJ life was born. I would literally go borrow it from him each time I got a job. He said he would sell it to me but never gave me a price. Then he just told me to hang onto it since I used it more than he looked at it... He then passed away in an untimely manner. I still think of him when I pull that binder out. He would be proud to see me today, he was a big cheerleader for me at the start.

Looking over the dates, it is incredible to think of all the people I have met, the business alliances I have made and the friends I have made. I could write a book about all of the characters I have met, and experiences I have had...I should have kept a journal, LOL.

Milestone Dates:

May 17 1999 - First Show at Mothers

May 18 1999 - First Show at Finnegan's

June 6 1999 - First Orlando show at Red Baron. Was thinking I wanted to work in Orlando, so I was learning in Flagler, but looking for venues in Orlando. Just played there for the month of June, they changed management, and the building was eventually sold and torn down in the name of progress.

June 12 1999 - Started at Holly Hill Eagles. Was a twice a month show, which does not catch on, so it did not last long.

June 18 1999 - Started working for Jack Vedder at Glen Abbey in DeBary. Never really picked up there, and that is where I met Ed who owned Peggy's Place, soo.....

July 9 1999 - Started at Peggy's Place. Some of the best memories there ever. Reluctant to start, but hated to leave...stayed until it closed. It is now JTs Seafood in the Hammock.

Nov 18 1999 - Started working for George at what was then the Damn Yankee (Now Fisherman's Net). When it was just the bar and restaurant, they used to stay open till 2 with entertainment, and I played there on Thursdays. After the remodeling in May of 2000, they stopped having entertainment. I still work for George doing his employee and private parties.

Dec 30 1999 - My first wedding!

August 3 2000 - Finnegan's Ladies Night Thursday is Born!

Jan 30, 2000 - Took Super Bowl Sunday off...driving my 66 Galaxie blew a tire on the Broadway bridge and wiped it out, and put my head thru the windshield. First example of other KJs coming out to help me until I got better...but I did not miss a day of work, although I did come to work with my head wrapped for a few days!

Sept 16 2000 - Working for Jack Vedder again at the hotel on Old Kings and 95 across from Plantation Bay...called the Duffers Lounge. Bar closed in Dec.

March 11 2001 - Last show at Peggys..closed.

April 13 2001 - Started long run at Ocean Deck Café, now known as Iron Boot. Went thru 3 or 4 owners and numerous remodels, and infinite personnel changes, but I was there every Fri at 8, rain or shine, LOL. I quit on Jan 16 2004.

June 14 2003 - First ballroom show at Halifax Plantation. Got into the habit of working there about every other month, selling advance tickets and serving appetizers the first hour...did this until the bar was built.

Jan 27 2004 - Started working Finnegan's Daytona.

Sept 9 2004 - Started at Harborside - Henrys at Palm Coast Golf Resort

Sept 23/24 2004 - Life changing accident...broke my neck and unable to work for the rest of the year. Lucky to be alive

July 22 2005 - Harborside closes to begin it's new future as a construction site. LOL.

Sept 11 2005 - Started at Smiles...nuff said...only stayed till Jan 29.

Dec 23 2005 - Halifax Plantation converts the pro shop into sports bar, and I begin my Friday nights there!

Jan 5 2006 - New owners of Finnegan's wonder why Ladies Nights have been sucking, attendees say because I am not there, and I return to reawaken my creation, LOL.

Feb 12 2006 - Hello Shark House Sundays!!

Dec 11 2006 - Shark House Burns to ground

Feb 2007 - Black Cloud - First show Super Bowl Sunday.

Proud to say I was never fired from a job...either left because the business closed, or changed direction or sold. I have been at Finney's and Mothers since day one! So off I go to start the 10th year...tonight will be show 2507! Thanks to you all for the years of support, and friendship. Here's to all of you...and here's to the new friends I will meet in the next 10 years!

ALL THE BEST, and keep getting your sing on!

Rex In Effect

Rex in Effect

Sunday morning, I was dragging myself out of bed, getting ready to take the dogs for a walk. Lori had been babysitting Ashton overnight, so she was loading him into the van to take him home. She called me from the cell and told me not to let the dogs out as there was a stray dog in the front yard. I went out in the yard to see a wonderful tan colored dog at the van. He was friendly and personable, OBVIOUSLY someone's dog, but obviously not being taken care up...very skinny and skeletal. He was jumping in the van and sitting down with Ash, much to his delight, and very happy to be seeing us. Not being able to do anything about it at the time, and not sure if the pound was open on a Sunday, I suggested we go about our business and see if he finds his way back home. Tying him up or taking him away may defeat that.

Well, he found his way to my neighbor, who cannot have dogs. I came home late that night and heard him bark, so I knew he was around, but he did not approach. Next morning I looked and found him still around, so I figured, given the chance to leave he did not, so I began befriending him. He is the sweetest dog, but very undernourished. I gave him food which he devoured. He is so very obedient, and understands territory really well. He needs to get some meat on his bones.

I checked with my brothers, and neither could take him...checked with Lori's sister and she did not seem interested. I could not figure his breed out, then it dawned on me that he may be a Catahoula, just like Foster, only a different variety. He has the same lines, and some crazy beautiful eyes. His age I am unsure of, but his pink gums and nose and balls high and tight show his youth. I actually considered keeping him, but reality is, my house is full enough and I don't know if I am up to committing to a third child.

Thankfully, Jacky, Lori's daughter, and her boyfriend Steve came by and fell in love with him. They went and got Steve's kids and when they loved him, he found a new home. This makes me very happy. Jacky was walking him and someone commented that she got herself a Catahoula, so that confirms my suspicions were on target. They are naming him Rex, and if he is half the dog Foster is, they are going to be just fine. Found dogs are the best, especially when they find you.

Beatles Fans...In Case You Missed This

Beatles Fans - In Case You Missed This...

Current mood:happy

This week marked the first anniversary of the Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil show "Love" which is based on the body of work of the Beatles. In honor of the event, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Olivia Harrison and Yoko Ono Lennon appeared on TV with that irrelevant ass Larry King.

The interview appears in 7 parts on YouTube. It is worth watching, even with the stumbling and bumbling Larry King at the helm. I dont know why Larry is still working, let alone trusted with an event of this type of magnitude. I dont expect anyone to gush such as the satirical interview of Paul by Chris Farley conveyed, LOL, BUT, Larry barely seems to have cognizance of their work or history, and at one point actually calls Ringo "George".

Start here at this link to view, then follow subsequent links to each of the 7 parts. Be aware to click on the part 4 marked complete, as there is a link that leads to an incomplete 2 minute version of part 4.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9vV-m_J-Bo&feature=related

...and to see how Larry King SHOULD have conducted the interview (LOL), here is a link to Chris Farleys version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx6waUN3NkQ

Enjoy!

Blog Follow Up - Rat Bastards

Blog Follow Up - Rat Bastards

Current mood:satisfied

This is a follow up to my Dec 20, 2007 blog entry about our local mail thieves who were stealing our Christmas cards.

The postal service would have been more than happy to investigate our problem and prosecute those responsible, but, that would not have solved the inherent security problem of having mail delivered to a box on the curb. I managed to solve the problem by contacting all of my neighbors and having them agree to have their mailboxes replaced with a central station on the block. Now, all residents have secure drop off and pick up, as well as 2 big boxes for parcels!

This was done at no cost to the residents, just the cost of the stamps to mail them a request! About a month and a half after taking up the cause, we have our station, and no more worries. I have already pulled my mailboxes away from the road! To say the least, the neighbors are all pretty happy about this. Yay me. LOL.

I’m Burning I’m Burning I’m Burning For You

I’m Burning I’m Burning I’m Burning For You

Current mood:accomplished

So I am a pyromaniac, sue me, LOL! But seriously folks, when I bought my house, I was not aware that you could burn your waste rather than bundle it by the roadside. When I did some major clearing here after purchasing the property, and the garbage men would not take the waste because there was too much of it, my neighbor at the time suggested burning it. Alas, a new hobby was born.

I burn all of my yard waste with an occasional fire...usually me and Lori in the back yard...or me, the dogs and a 12 pack, LOL. When I was burning my stumps in the front yard, it got a little more social as neighbors and passersby would stop to enjoy the fire. I really liked that social aspect, and to some degree was a little sad when the front yard no longer demanded to be burned.

I have been collecting a little debris, so I decided to burn last week...BUT Lori had work obligations, so I thought I would invite a few people over. Well, I second thought that because of Loris schedule and decided to put it off a week, and invite more people...and ended up turning it into more of a party. I think this is just what the doctor ordered. So many people enjoy a nice fire, but cant have them where they live. You cannot burn in the city limits here, but you can in the county. I am fortunate that my house is the first house on the line...walk out my front door into the city, and to the stop sign in the city, but my house physically sits in the county, so I have all the benefits of city living with all the perks of country living.

We got a plethora of food and drink together...I supplied the beer, soft drinks and mixers, as well as eggplant parm, lasagna , raviolis and Italian sausage and peppers. The guest brought fantastic foods...meatballs, dips, chips, jalapeno poppers, slaw, PIZZELLES and much more, as well as plenty more to drink.

What was kind of neat about this soiree was that it was the first time my worlds had collided in one place...my Flagler people never really come to the house because it is so far away, my old friends dont know my Flagler people and my neighbors just know me, so this was great that my neighbors, old friends and Flagler friends were all in attendance. I dont think anyone got a picture of me without a smile on my face.

I started the fire at 5:00 with a handful of people there. The staging area was an old futon we had. This was the first piece of furniture that Lori bought brand new. Right after she bought it, it became damaged and the repair was difficult, so we kept putting it off. Finally, I decided that it had brought too much strife to life and it needed to be sacrificed. I find it very very cathartic to burn the things that give me grief, because then they cease to exist any longer.

After the futon ignited, I had construction debris, yard waste, felled tree limbs, sheets of 1/2 inch and 3/4 plywood and all manner of burnables. I was not sure if I had too much or not enough, but it was more important to me to have a BONFIRE not a CAMPFIRE, LOL.

We got a really nice OOH AAH factor from the queen palm fronds. I would fold them in quarters and throw them on the fire and the flames would go as high as my roof! That would make the surrounding areas as bright as day, LOL. Great time to take natural light pics. Kim and I both threw our old bills in the fire to be consumed and lost to existance. Good riddance.

(Surveying the flame height, LOL!)

I

I was really concerned with how the dogs were going to handle things as we have never entertained at the house before on this level. It was wonderful to see them stay right near the crowd and not run off or be a pain. Foster was happy to have people to fawn over him and play ball, and Tiny was inclined to come out and survey the crowd, then go lay on the couch, LOL!

Later in the evening, Randy suggested jumping over the fire..and did so several times, as well as walking over the fire. I ended up leaping the flames a few times, and at one point, Randy and I jumped over hand in hand. He asked me my plan, which was merely " I'll stay right, you stay left", LOL.

Jay and Gustavo were driving up from Miami so we talked them into swinging by...still plenty of food and fire, but the fire could have been waning, so I got the truck and made a 30 second wood run...at the end of my street I have a endless stack of seasoned cut oak. We ended up making 2 runs before the night was over.

They brought their dog, Bif, and it was fun watching Foster and Tiny assimilate to another male canine in the house...and Bif was asserting dominance. It was cool...they ultimately work it out and were all playing together nicely.

Here is Jay and Foster with Bif in the background having a snack.

We ended up staying in the yard enjoying the fire until about 3:45. Cleaned up and slept, then got up the next morning to clean up. Pleasantly, there was NO garbage or mess in the backyard at all...just one beer can and a fork...other than that, everyone either burned their mess or found the cans/bins.

Amazingly, after burning ALL of that debris and all that firewood, there was absolutely nothing left to show for it...not even that much ash. Fire is a simply amazing thing when you study it. Cathartic, entertaining, relaxing and thought provoking. Everyone seemed to have a good time, and even Lori suggested we should do this more often.

Looking forward to the next bonfire already! Thank you to all of you who were a part of the fun this time. More pics are available at my MySpace photo album.

I Had Forgotten How Fun This Is To Hear...

I Had Forgotten How Fun This Is To Hear...

Current mood:cooky/wacky

I think the Nixon administration made it publicly clear that the president's phone calls from the White House were all tape recorded for posterity, LOL. What is not often thought of are the HOURS of arcane conversations that must be on file.

Years ago, I got a sound file recorded in August 1964. This always makes me laugh out loud. A buddy of mine brought it up to me today and asked me if I still had it, so I found it online and thought I would write a blog to share with all of you who had never heard it before...

The link I will provide will take you to a file of Lyndon Johnson calling the Haggar pants company directly to order pants. When listening, keep in mind a couple of things...first, most of us go to the store and buy Haggar slacks without dealing with the company, let alone "Joe Haggar, Mr Haggar's boy" directly...and secondly, listening to President Johnsons needs in slacks...keep in mind he is the leader of the free world in 1964, LOL! It is truly bizarre, and gets more surreal when he discusses adding shirts to the order. Add this to his belching and crude language, and you get a portrait from a different time, LOL!

The link will play in Real Player...if you do not have it, I suggest googling "Lyndon Johnson Haggar" to read a transcript or find the file elsewhere...you have to hear it.

http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/prestapes/lbj_haggar.html

BE SURE to click the LISTEN tab under the title...reading it just wont be as funny an impact!

Get your laugh on!

Support Your Local Crack Dealer

Support Your Local Crack Dealer

Current mood:argumentative

Let me start off by reiterating, I am not a prude or an angel. I understand that many people have a "past". Some people can rise above things they have done in their past, and learn from the mistakes. It is another attitude altogether to celebrate your mistakes. This attitude is the genesis of this post.

I subscribe to many music related publications. This assists in my business by keeping me up to date on music trends and other info. One magazine I subscribe to is Blender, which I consider to be a mainstream musical media publication. It is not fringey like say a Rolling Stone or other heavily editorialized magazine.

Now what got my goat growling was an article about rapper and mogul Jay-Z. Jay Z is a former(?) crack dealer, like many current rap stars, who is unabashed in his admitting to his past. Jay-Z has parlayed his talents, his business acumen and music to create a 268 million dollar fortune and enterprise encompassing clothing, and many other various business ventures.

This all may sound like an American success story, and to some extent it probably is. One would think the responsible thing to do would be to talk down the aspect that this success was all funded by crack sales. One would think so, but alas, in article after article about rapper after rapper in mag after mag, the drug sales aspect is glorified proudly by author and subject. This recent Jay-Z article was no different.

Jay-Z recently saw an advance copy of American Gangster, and wrote an album inspired by the movie, because the subject of the movie, Frank Lucas, had such parallel experiences in his life. The new Jay-Z album, American Gangster, is a celebration and a waxing nostalgic of the crack slangin' days. I am not suggesting that rappers or celebrities should be held as role models for the public, and youth. What I am curious about is when it became socially acceptable to admit to being a crack dealer, or a thug or murderer, and be so widely accepted socially without any penalty. We are showing our youth that selling dope IS a socially accepted gateway to the business world. Why would a ghetto youth want to work a 9-5 when he can easily earn exponentially more in a criminal fashion...like his famous heroes have done?

The hip hop community is rife with celebrity who got their start in crime...not allegedly, but admittedly. Many dont leave the life and use their legit avenues of earning as a means to justify what they make in the criminal enterprise. My point is not to do something about THAT per se, I am just ponderous about when all this criminal activity became so socially acceptable that a mainstream publication such as Blender would choose to glorify the lifestyle with no fear of repercussion.

I watch Cribs, MTV, or BET now and again, and I listen to the themes of some of the music in my world, and I just wonder if, where and when it went wrong. Just pick up any publication with an in depth interview with a hip hop hero, and see how long it takes for the article to get to the criminal aspect...

Here is a link to the Blender article where Jay Z is interviewed for his crack selling prowess:

http://www.blender.com/DamnItFeelsGoodtobeaGangster/articles/9590.aspx