rickyleepotts…an opinionated realist

I recently came across an article that discussed friend requests on Facebook.  The author of this article had received a friend request from someone that he knew when he was in elementary school.  When a friend request goes out, no harm is done, and the hope of rekindling a long lost friend is set into motion.  That is of course until the person on the other end of the friend request; the one who apparently thinks that he knows how to use social media in the “right” way, realized who this request was from.

In the request there was a personal message stating that they had not talked in a long time and also a phone number hoping to reconnect on the phone if possible.  The person sending the request was being completely innocent, using the software of Facebook for the reason it was built, to connect and to communicate.  The “victim” on the other end of this friend request got upset.  “We have not talked in thirty years, what could you possibly want to say to me now,” he says.

I bring this up, and I could bring up multiple stories like this to you every single day, because I recently came across a very similar situation in my life.  I was sitting at work one day when I received an email from a name that I did not know with a [No Title] in the subject line.  These are messages that I normally delete, but the name looked legitimate so I decided to open it in hopes it was an actual person.  It was from an actual person, someone that had found me through the powers of Google.

This individual asked if I knew a Rick Potts who had graduated from Terre Haute South, had went to Vincennes University, and used to play baseball.  That was it, nothing more.  It was a simple question of someone trying to find who would end up being my father.  Yes, he did graduate from Terre Haute South High School.  He did play baseball at Vincennes University, and Indiana State University.  The person this individual was looking for was my dad.  So, before I gave out my dad’s email address or phone number I called my father to see if he knew this individual.

Sure enough not only did my dad know this man he was his best friend growing up.  He and my father had lost touch over time, and through a few emails they had reconnected.  My dad drove down to Evansville, where this man lived, to reconnect in person.  My dad had not seen this man in over thirty years. (There was an instance where they saw each other at a mall perhaps ten years back but it was brief and nothing came of it.)

So what does that have to do with the article of the man refusing to accept a friend request from thirty years in the past?  The point is you never know who that person could be.  What if that person is a billionaire and wanted to reconnect by flying you out in his or her private jet for the weekend to catch up?  Or what if that person has a terminal illness and wanted to simply say hello to all of those they remember from their past?

The argument that there is no right or wrong way to use social media is simply false.  There is a right way to use Facebook.  There is also a wrong way to use Facebook.  An example of a wrong way to use Facebook is case in point.  If someone you do not know or someone from your past for that matter tries to reconnect, do not get upset about it and yell at your readers for not accepting this friend request.  Rather send that person a message directly asking them how they are, what has happened in their lives, and why they feel that you should reconnect.

Without the powers of social media my father would have never been reconnected with one of his bet friend from his childhood.  That story is enough in my eyes to accept nearly every friend request that comes my way. My dad could not have been happier, nor the individual that reached out to me through my blog, and I am glad that I could be that bridge. So shame on you sir for declining that friend request when you have no idea the reason that individual even wanted to reconnect with you.

About a month ago, my buddy Brent Perkins invited me to the grand opening of a new restaurant and bar located just off the circle in downtown Indianapolis. (It is actually located inside of Union Station.) I am always up for checking out new places and seeing what this city has to offer. Even better, he said the tickets were VIP and that there would be food, drinks, and a packed house of folks getting to know this new establishment before the general public. I was unable to attend the event but wished Brent a good time nonetheless.

About a week later, after they had in fact opened for the public, I heard a co-worker talking about their Thursday night drink specials. He said they were featuring $1 domestic drafts, which is almost impossible to find here in this city. I asked if he had been before and he said that he had been there a couple of weeks in a row and had experienced nothing but a great time. Even that night, on my way home from work, I heard my good friend the Deuce on X103.3 talking about this joint. He said they were there broadcasting every Thursday night for Buck Em’ Thursday featuring those same drink specials my co-worker had made mention to as well as sexy bull riding (I will explain more about that in a moment) and even prizes like concert tickets to all the upcoming rock shows in the city.

I decided that it was time for me to give this place a shot. So, I called Cadillac Ranch, made reservations for Saturday night (note that they normally do not take reservations for parties less than eight people) and asked my girlfriend to join me for a night of food and drinks. So when Saturday finally came around, we headed downtown for a night out, starting with the Cadillac Ranch.

We arrived just before 7:00 PM when I realized that it was, in fact, a Saturday night in downtown Indianapolis. I dropped Sheryl off at the door and began to look for parking. Not only was there an Indiana Pacers game that night but it was also the night before the Indianapolis Colts would take on the New York Jets in the AFC Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium. All of the parking meters were full, every parking lot was packed, and even some of the parking garages were full. I eventually, nearly a half an hour later, found a spot at the top of a parking garage on the other side of the city. A few blocks later and I would walk into the Cadillac Ranch for the first time.

I was, upon entering, already excited about this place. I had heard so many good things about it I just had to see for myself what all the fuss was about. Based on the name alone I was thinking this was going to be similar to that of a Texas Roadhouse where you can toss peanut shells on the ground. However, when I entered the front door all I could hear was a rowdy and energetic crowd and some Owl City playing on the speakers. It definitely did not make me feel like I was in Texas Roadhouse by any means.

In the time that it took me to find a parking space Sheryl had entered to make sure they were aware we were running a few moments behind. The hostess at the door had never heard of me and had said that I did not actually have a reservation on the books. When asking to speak to a manager, Sheryl was told that they were all in a managers meeting. However, by the time that I had parked and walked all the way over a manager had come out and had straightened everything out. The hostess walked us to our table and our server, Chet, immediately greeted us.

Chet was energetic and tossed down some cocktail napkins as soon as he greeted us. We had not even had a chance to get comfortable and he was asking us for our drink order. Sheryl would have a Pink Cadillac Cosmopolitan while I went with a Fleetwood Long Island Iced Tea. The Cadillac Cosmopolitan is actually a drink served in honor of the late great Elvis Presley. It is served chilled in a martini glass and topped with an orange and cherry flag. The presentation was just about as good as it tasted. I am not keen on that style of drink but it packed a punch in terms of the alcohol content. As did the long island iced tea. It was served with a lime and lemon wedge that added to the acidity of the beverage. All in all, it was a great way to jump-start our night as the appetizers started to make their way to the table.

Starting off with Appetizers

The first dish to arrive was a tower of sweet deep fried onion rings served on top of a pile of onion straws. On each side sat a vat of ranch dressing for dipping. I had never had ranch dressing with onion rings before, so I was a little nervous as to the flavor of the batter that sat on this mile high pile of rings. However, the batter was quite sweet and the ranch actually complimented it quite nicely. The onion straws, on the other hand, had very little flavor but I felt served a greater purpose than flavor and just simply added to the presentation of the dish.

Next came a fresh margherita grilled flatbread. This dish was huge and looked more like a large pizza from any of your classic pizza joints. But the flavors packed inside this sucker were enough to knock you off your feet. First off, the entire thing was literally covered in some of the thinnest sliced tomatoes that I have ever seen. Then, more cheese was sprinkled on top and the dish was finished off with some fresh basil. The dish was very light in terms of the impact it left on my stomach and is something that I not only would order again but I am craving as I type this.

Just when I was thinking of taking a break to wait for our entrees is when they delivered a sample of their cowboy bites. These little guys are something you can get anywhere. They are little cheeseburgers. No big deal, right? Well, Cadillac Ranch goes a little above and beyond with this dish. They start with a sesame seed bun, that actually packed a lot of flavors itself, and then toss some more of those onion straws on the bottom. Then comes the fire grilled burger that was grilled to perfection, keeping all of the juices deep inside the patty, and a slice of American cheese. Next come a tomato and the top of the bun. They slam a toothpick through the whole thing to keep it together and place a thick sliced pickle through that. The presentation is quite nice as well, as they look almost too pretty to eat. These tasty treats also came with some shoestring fries that would put Steak ‘n’ Shake to shame.

Time for the Main Course

After we had the chance to taste all of these delicious appetizers, the main course arrived. First we were served their Chicken Diablo Pasta. This dish was your typical chicken pasta presentation with a tomato cream base and chopped chicken. There were two slices of garlic bread to garnish the dish and a duo of spoons to help you work your way through it. The pasta actually had a little bit of a kick to it. The server stated that it was not too hot, but just right in terms of heat. The noodles, however, were under cooked in my opinion. They had a chewy texture and were harder than I would like to have seen them. The chicken as well was incredibly dry. But, while those two things could use some major improvement, the sauce was enough to pull the dish back to the top. The sauce was incredible with its spice and creaminess making its way into each of the noodles and all around the diced chicken.

The next dish barely had room to fit on the table. All of the appetizer plates were still there and we were working our way through the pasta. But that is when a full slab of barbeque ribs showed up. This dish was huge with two half slabs of ribs (your can order these either half or full slab off the menu) stacked perfectly leaning up against a bowl of their famous seasoned steak fries. I did not enjoy the fries as much as the shoestring ones that was served with our appetizers, but I can see why they come next to the ribs. They are thick, heavy, and make for a perfect combination to the Jack Daniel’s BBQ that is smothered on the ribs. I managed to kill half a slab.

Satisfy Your Thirst

When we were about halfway through the entrees Chet came back to check on drinks. The two cocktails from the appetizer portion were gone and we required additional libation. So, based on Chet’s recommendation, Sheryl had a Blue Moon (they offer beers such as Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller Light, and Blue Moon on draft) and I was served a Johnny Vegas.

The Johnny Vegas is a shot but could be treated as a drink with their portion sizes. It was served with a lime on the rim of the glass and had an overwhelming melon nose to it. I would later learn that there is in fact melon liquor in the drink as well as Jose Cuervo tequila. They top that off with a little Red Bull energy drink and you have a shot that can go with just about any meal.

Time for a Restroom Break

While we were rapping up and getting ready for dessert, I needed a restroom break. On my way back to the restroom I had the chance to see the mechanical bull up close and personal. While I did not ride the bull myself (I am sure some of you would pay to see that), I did witness numerous people jump on and fly off as they gave it a shot. Now, I am not a much of a mechanical bull connoisseur, but I have seen a few in my time. This one, however, was the most realistic mechanical bull I had ever seen. I mean, the thing actually looked like a real bull. If I didn’t know better, while riding it I am sure it feels like one as well. The bull, unfortunately, is not free to ride. It costs $3. However, Chet did make mention that the servers carry a handful of free passes that they give out throughout the night.

Just past the mechanical bull is where you will find the restrooms. But that is not all you find back there. You are then hit with yet another room at the back of the restaurant. This room has a third bar, another huge plasma screen showing sports all night long, and a look and feel like a martini lounge straight out of New York City. There are white leather couches surrounding the room and they offer bottle service for the VIP guests that visit. Seeing this room, it shows that the owners of Cadillac Ranch really are trying to hit a lot of markets here. They have great food, a great drink selection, and a mechanical bull. They play top 40 music and have a VIP lounge for the more swank of Indianapolis. They also show sports on nearly every TV (one of the televisions by the front bar was actually showing Titanic). I am not sure if this will benefit them in the future but it truly is a melting pot of patrons.

Always Room for the Sweet Stuff

Right as I got back to the table we were served our final round of drinks to compliment the dessert. Sheryl, still sipping on her Blue Moon, passed up the final drink as she was more concerned about the spoon cake that hit the table shortly there after. This was a huge slice of chocolate cake topped with a dollop of whipped cream and a cherry. This is actually the only dessert on their menu. Sure, you could say that you don’t come to a place like this for dessert, but at least provide some options. The cake was just mediocre at best in my eyes as it looked and tasted as if it was pulled from a box. I am not saying that Sarah Lee made this cake but I have definitively had better cake in my life. And what makes it a sponge cake? It was served with two forks for Pete’s sake.

Just when I was ready to explode from all of this incredible food, the bartender brought over a top shelf margarita. This thing was packed with alcohol. It was so much that I actually had to ask him what all was in it. He said the drink included tequila, a little Patron Citronge, some Grand Marnier, a splash of OJ, and some homemade sweet and sour. There were too many flavors in that glass to keep my head straight.

Bidding a Fond Farewell

After the dishes were all removed from the table and we had a few moments to let everything digest, Chet came back over to see if there was anything else that he could do for us. As we throw in the white towel on a meal well done, Chet proceeds to say, “Hey, couple more shots coming up. Let’s do it.” Then came Vegas Bombs. In this little guy you have some Crown Royal, Butterscotch Liqueur, and again more Red Bull. This little drink was sweet and was the perfect way to end our evening.

There really is no one way to describe the evening that I had at Cadillac Ranch. The place is new to Indianapolis and based on the crowd you would have never guessed it. We got there at seven and by nine there was not an empty seat in the house. They even began to bring out tables and chairs to be able to stuff a handful more people through their door. Take note, though, if you are planning on going there after nine on a weekend expect to pay a cover. They do, however, continue to serve a full menu until 10:00 PM and then a late night menu from 11:00 to 1:00 AM. So if you get hungry there is still a chance to chow down. The cover is $7.

By the time we left I had been impressed on multiple levels. I had heard good things about this place and not only were they all true, Cadillac Ranch went above and beyond. Being so new there are some kinks that need to be worked out (they do not have a carry out menu for instance) but you can expect that from a place like this. They are a huge facility that can seat a few hundred people and have space for your private event or parties. Brandon Slate, the General Manager, is actually an old classmate of mine. He and I had a chance to chat before I left. He said they have a lot of potential in this space and he is excited to be a part of it. I, myself, am excited to have been a part of this place as well. I will definitely be back to Cadillac Ranch.

By the way, when you go in ask for Chet. He was an incredible server. Also, if you pay close attention you might see a little resemblance to Robin Williams in him. He, and the rest of the Cadillac Ranch staff, made my experience one to remember.

The band that I am sitting with today brings a rare quality to the stage. Not only do they look like they can melt your face as soon as they begin playing, but they look like they are from the wrong side of the tracks, so to speak. But that could not be further from the truth. I have gotten to know these guys over the last six months or so and they are some of the nicest guys I have ever met. One of them has even started to write guest posts for my blog. Not to mention their addiction to Scotty’s Brewhouse and Twitter. I hope that you take the time to get to know these guys as the rocking band with the most unique name I have heard in along time, the Tug Fork River Band.

How long have you guys all been together?

We have been together for a little over three years now I believe. It’s hard for me to keep track.

Where did you guys come up with that name?

The Tug Fork River is actually the name of the river that separated the Hatfield and McCoy families during that huge feud. We liked it cause it was pretty southern sounding.

Describe your genre in one word.

Metal.

Where did you guys all meet?

We have all been playing in bands together since high school. I met Brian and David (bassist and drummer respectively) when their band at the time was trying out for our school’s annual concert. I met Aaron (vocalist) through my brother, who he was in a class with.

Who is the ringleader in the band?

That would probably be me if you’re talking about behind the scenes stuff. I usually take care of all booking as well as running the MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, etc. and updating all of our info in regards to upcoming shows. As far as on stage and at shows that would be our vocalist Aaron. He does very well with interacting with the fans.

How long have you all been performing?

Pretty much the whole time we have been a band. We did take a little time off in the early stages because my brother, who used to play guitar with us, left for the Air Force. We redefined our sound and took about three months off just to practice and get everything solid, which was probably the smartest thing we have ever done.

Who is doing all of that screaming?

(Laughs) That would be our vocalist Aaron.

Does his voice ever get sore after a show?

He has actually trained his voice in that way, so I think his voice is rarely sore after a show. The singing parts actually take more of a toll on his voice than all of that screaming.

Where do you guys practice?

We practice at our drummer’s house in Carmel. His parents are kind enough to open their house to us every week so that we can make a bunch of noise. His dogs are annoying though.

What are your thoughts on MySpace?

I keep trying to figure out my thoughts on MySpace. It used to be like THE place to go, but it seems like Facebook has taken over. It seems like anymore the only people on MySpace are other bands. I still believe it’s pretty essential for a band to have a presence on MySpace though, at least for now.

Are you on Twitter?

Yes. The band’s user name is @tugfork. My personal one is @justinfoxworth, and Brian’s is @bmdukes. David doesn’t have one and Aaron thinks Twitter is stupid. He says the only thing he would ever put is ‘sitting at my computer on the Internet’.

Do you guys have a favorite venue?

My personal favorite would either be Rhino’s in Bloomington or The Emerson Theater in Indianapolis.

Do you guys have jobs outside of music?

Unfortunately yes. Aaron works at an autobody repair shop, Brian is a cook at a pub, David works at a retirement home, and I work during the day at McAlister’s Deli and in the evenings at J.D. Byrider making phone calls and wasting time on the Internet.

How do you all know Johnny Teater?

Johnny was the vocalist in the band that Brian and David were in when I met them. I ended up joining that band a little later and we played a bunch of shows as well as releasing a couple demos and a full length album. He’s one of my best friends for sure. I also have a man crush on him.

Who designed your logo? (I love it by the way!)

Thanks! I actually designed it. I’m currently going to school for a degree in Visual Communications. Almost done!

Tell me a little more about Wounded Records.

Well they are an independent label based out of Evansville, Indiana. They’ve been around for about 10 years now I believe and have released about twenty or so albums. We came in contact with them through a band called Neviah Nevi, who is also on their roster. We played a show with them here in Indianapolis and became good friends with them. They pushed us pretty hard to Wounded and they ended up picking us up.

Let’s say that I have never seen you live before.  What should I expect coming to a show?

Total ear drum destruction.

Where are all of you guys from originally?

We all hail from the glorious city of Indianapolis and it’s suburbs.

Who are some of your inspirations?

Metallica, Pantera, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster, The Showdown, Lamb of God, Ace of Base.

If you could be any cartoon character who would you be and why?

Great question. I think I would have to go with Homer Simpson. No matter what stupid thing he does or says everything ends up working out well for him for the most part. There’s some severe bodily harm on occaision, but he always pulls through. Plus he’s hilarious.

What are you drinking on stage?

Always water. Sometimes the occaisional energy drink. One time we tried to look cool by all of us having IBC Root Beer bottles. We didn’t have any water, just the rootbeer, and after a couple songs worth of intense playing we were dehyrated with nothing but sugar to drink basically. We all felt completely awful after the set.

Tell me what is like being on the same sampler as the guys in Devil Wears Prada?

It’s pretty cool to get on a sampler with a huge band like that, especially with it being based out of France I believe. I love getting international exposure. Cool side note: the band that Brian, David, and I were in with Johnny had The Devil Wears Prada open for us when they were first starting out. No joke.

How do you come up titles for your songs?

Basically we’re a bunch of idiots and it’s just random junk we come up with. We keep a dry erase board in our practice room with all of our stupid song title ideas.

Who writes all of the lyrics?

Our vocalist Aaron takes care of all of the lyric writing.

If you could live anywhere else in the world where would you go?

Anywhere warm. I can’t really describe how much I hate the cold, so anywhere south really. I love Nashville, Tennessee and could definitely see myself living there.

Pepsi or Coke?

Diet Coke FTW.

You guys have played Cornerstone?  How was that?

Cornerstone is amazing. It combines two of my all time favorite things, camping and music. The first year we went we basically had no idea what we were doing, but were able to hop on some generator stages there. The last two years we played on one of the encore stages, which are the biggest stages you can play besides Main Stage, so that has been just awesome. Also, the people you meet there are some of the nicest and most genuine people ever.

Do you guys have any merchandise?

Yes. We have a full length album that is out now on Wounded Records called Catch For Us The Metal. It is available on most online music distributors such as iTunes, Amazon, etc. We also have a five song self realeased EP and a variety of shirts.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Hopefully on tour promoting a new album on a bigger label.

What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?

We consider ourselves a ministry band first and foremost. I hope we are remembered for showing everyone we come in contact with the love that God has for them. We would much rather be remembered for that than for our music.

I always let the artist get the last word. Go!

Thanks so much for the interview and God bless!

As I knock on wood, I try to remember the last time I was pulled over. It seems to me that I was pulled over a lot during the first few years that I had a driver’s license, but the number has steadily decreased the older I get. I have been pulled over for a wide variety of things including running a stop sign, running a red light, following too close, and the dreaded speeding ticket. I have had my own fair share of speeding tickets. I even had one in Kentucky, for going so fast that I was required to participate in a defensive driving course, along with the massive fine.

How do you get out a speeding ticket if you are caught? Is there a way out? I have heard the old wives tale that girls can get out a speeding ticket easily. All they have to do is start crying and blabbing about something that is causing them to have a bad day and the police officer will then take pity on her. I am not sure if this works, but I have a feeling that if I tried crying during a traffic violation I would be laughed at just before the officer writes the ticket.

Below is a list of some ways you can try to get out of your next speeding ticket. Please note that I do not condone any of these methods, nor do I suggest you go out and get a speeding ticket just to try them. That being said, from the research that I have done, matched with good old-fashioned honesty and good will to man kind, you might find yourself not having to pay these fines.

1. Don’t lie to the police officer.

This is a pretty simple concept, don’t you think? When the police officer pulls you over, you can almost bet the first words to come out of his or her mouth will be, “Do you know why I pulled you over?” Chances are you know what you were doing to get pulled over in the first place, so just admit it. (Also, when you first get pulled over, make a safe move to the right side of the road. From there, turn your car off, activate the emergency flashers on the vehicle, and place your hands on the wheel. This will show the officer that you are not trying for a quick escape, and when he or she arrives at the car will show that you are in fact not a threat.)

2. Do not draw attention to yourself.

This is a no brainer. While driving, try to stay off your cell phone. This is actually becoming a law in some states and will eventually force massive fines if caught on your cell phone while driving. Also, do not have inappropriate things in your car if you can avoid it. For instance, do not carry around cases of alcohol or open containers of booze from last night’s party. If you must carry open containers, try to keep them in the trunk and out of sight to the officer.

Another way you can keep attention away from you is by not driving with the interior light on. I know a lot of people who drive with that on at night, and even people who will have their passenger reading a map or even a book while the other person drives. At night it is very easy to spot these individuals, so try to keep that off as much as possible. Again, anything that you keep attention away from you is a start to not even being noticed in the first place, speeding or not.

3. Know when you keep your mouth shut.

This is an easy one as well. The officer will come to your car with the mentality of speak when spoken to. Do not initiate the conversation and do not try to create small talk with the officer. He or she does not want to know anything about you but rather try to find an excuse to give you a citation. (Police really do live by a monthly quota of how many tickets they must write that month.)

If you are asked a question, look the officer in the eyes and give a short, honest, and brief statement. The more you talk the guiltier you look to the officer. If you do find yourself getting into a conversation with the officer, try to slowly back yourself out of it and apologize for speaking too much and taking their precious time. You might not want to say precious, but you get the picture.

4. Admit guilt to your actions.

When an officer pulls you over know they are trying to either give you a citation or provide feedback to help you not get into this situation in the future. Police will give out warnings, both verbal and written, and at times with just sheer honesty and acceptance of guilt, move you from a ticket to a warning. This is especially certain if you are pulled over at night, in the rain, or if it is cold outside. No police officer wants to stand there and write you a ticket or give you a speech on better driving habits in any o these situations. So, when the police officer asks you what you did wrong, admit to your crime and carry on.

5. Be nice, for the love of God.

No officer wants your attitude. If you had a bad day, forget it for the time being. If you did in fact have a bad day, getting pulled over will obviously not help.  When you are faced with this situation, leave the bad mood behind and try to smile. Try to be gentle and speak to the officer as if they are in charge. In reality, he or she is in charge of whether you pay a fine or not and in some cases, whether you go to jail or not.

Regardless of the excuses that you could give to an officer as to why not to write you a ticket, chances are that he or she will be giving you some sort of violation. If you are lucky enough to get a warning, count your blessings and carry on with your day. If you do get a ticket, know that you deserved it. If you do get a ticket, and feel that you do not in fact deserve it, you can go to court and fight for your wallet to not having to pay for the citation. I have a good friend who actually has gotten out of numerous tickets because of this. The general rule of thumb is that if the police officer does not show up to the court hearing your ticket is simply thrown out. That is what happened with my friend. He has fought numerous tickets and has gotten out of all of them due to that exact reason. So if you get pulled over, suck it up, be nice to the officer, and learn your lesson for the next time you get behind the wheel. Be nice, if might just save you some money!

Where are you right now? Are you at work? Are you at the grocery store? Maybe you are at home for a night on the couch watching movies and eating pizza. Wherever you are, make sure you tell foursquare so that all of your friends know where you are as well.

When I say foursquare, I do not mean the game that children used to play in the schoolyard. (Not sure, but according to a few friends of mine it is still a popular game for our youth. I myself have never heard of it.) Foursquare is a social networking service that allows you to check in to places that you go. You can follow people, as they can follow you, and you can always keep tabs on where you and your friends are.

With the service you are able to not only check in to places that you visit but you can track stats and earn badges for your accomplishments. You can earn badges, for instance, by checking in somewhere after 3:00 AM. Or you can earn a badge for visiting the gym three times in one week. That badge is called Gym Rat. On top of the ongoing and ever changing badges that you can earn, you can also become the mayor of individual locations. To become a mayor of a location, you have to have visited the place at least twice on two different days and have been there more than anyone else on foursquare. I am currently the mayor of over 25 locations!

The idea of foursquare is incredible for allowing people to stay connected. Especially for a person like me, that is always out in public and trying to network themselves around town. For instance, I went to Scotty’s Brewhouse a few weeks ago. I checking in once I sat down at the table. My girlfriend, who is also on foursquare, checked in when she got into the parking lot. I was given a notification that she was also at Scotty’s Brewhouse. The key to this is that foursquare also links to Twitter. I get updates from her sent to my phone as a text message as well. So, as I am sitting in the booth I get a push notification from foursquare saying she was there and then a tweet from Twitter saying that both she and I were in the same location. Imagine the possibilities when a location has multiple people who all follow each other on foursquare and Twitter.

Just this week foursquare has made some major changes across the board to not only their badges and the way you can edit locations, but they have also made several other platform changes. I wanted to take the time to not only introduce you to the service of foursquare if you were not already familiar with it, but also to show the people have been addicted to this service the changes that he and she can expect to see in the future.

(Note that you must have a smart phone such as a Blackberry, iPhone, or Droid to be able to use this service. You must be able to download an application that utilizes the phones GPS to track locations and allow you to check in to the desired space.)

City Buckets

When you first signed up for foursquare before these changes went into place, you were forced to sign up for the city nearest you. For example, while I live in Fishers, Indiana I was forced to sign up for Indianapolis, Indiana; that would place me in one of the said City Buckets and always be forced to add locations to that city. So, when I added Tan Co in Fishers, Indiana it would default back to the city of Indianapolis. That is no longer the case.

To get up to date with this issue all of the applications for all of the smart phones will be getting an update very soon, if they have not already forced the download. For the City Bucket issue to take effect everyone will have to update his or her software. I like that, actually. This is not the most exciting update of that will be taking place but it does force progress.

City Badges

As I said earlier, foursquare has what are called badges that you can earn by checking into certain locations. There are also offer badges for checking into places that have been tagged certain things. For instance, I earned a badge recently for checking into a three different locations that had been tagged with karaoke.

With the new city badges, certain cities will have their own badges. So, if you go to San Francisco you can earn a different set of badges than if you were in New York City. There were some issues initially with getting the Newbie Badge in multiple cities for people who travel a lot, but if that happens they are now rolled into one badge. This means that if you get the Newbie Badge in your hometown and travel to New York you will not be able to unlock that badge again. But, with that being said you will be able to access new badges that are specific to the city that you are in.

Adding New Venues

I love adding new venues to foursquare. I like walking around the mall and checking into every store I visit. Although, foursquare recently has been accusing me of cheating for checking into too many stores when I am at the mall, but that issue is known and is being looked at. But, let us say I walk into Victoria’s Secret (not for myself, of course) and try to check in. The location has not been added yet so I go to the application and add the venue. This is where the process gets a little out of hand. From here I have to put the store name in, the address, the city, state, and zip code as well as their phone number and Twitter handle. This is a lot of data to remember, as there is not a map function on the application itself.

With the changes for adding new venues you do not have to have the address with you to ad the venue and to receive points for adding said venue. So while at the mall I add Victoria’s Secret I can then go home, open foursquare on my computer, and then edit that data since I was the one who added it. (I am actually a Super User Level 1 so I am able to edit all locations. You can get that status by adding content to the website.) This will make things easier for all foursquare users as we try to add new venues while on the go.

City Leaderboards

Currently the way the leaderboards are set up are based on the city in which you live in and the people who you are following. Now it will be based on where you are located and in a twenty-five mile radius. So, if you live in Fishers, Indiana and your friends, even who you follow on foursquare, live in Greenwood they will not be listed on my leaderboard. Also, the leaderboards reset on Sunday night at midnight so the next week you have an open slate to make your way to the top of the leaderboard!

There are a lot of other changes coming to foursquare that have not been released. They are working on new location fixe to help with the GPS in the phones, a better Blackberry application to compete with the extremely successful iPhone application, a complete design and branding overhauled for the website and the applications, and even tweaks to the point system. It is exciting to see a service that Mashable has said is the net big thing in social media putting some effort into their progress. So, the next time you walk into your local grocery story, make sure you check in so I can know exactly where you are!

The guy that I am sitting with today has been making some noise lately with a recent blog post that he wrote on posting the same content to both Twitter and Facebook. It was something that I had wanted to say for months now and did not know the proper way to get the word out. (Go figure since I write a blog where I post content every day!) But he took his thoughts, which I agree with 100%, and posted them to his blog instead. I have been by his side since he wrote that. This interview took place before the blog was written, so do not expect to see any comments about that in here, but none the less he deserves to be noticed. Ladies and gentlemen allow me to introduce you to the one and only Chad Richards. (Note that Chad has a lot of great qualities outside of that blog post!)

(For those of you that do not know how Twitter works, messages that start with @chadrichards are messages from me to the guest.  Messages that start with @rickyleepotts are her responses.  I have set a limit to 140 characters for this interview and all questions and answers must fit in a single tweet.  All of the messages you see have not been edited and are exactly as I received them.)

So, @chadrichards, you work for @firebelly huh? How do you like it over there?

@rickyleepotts I do. i like it. we’ve got a good team

@chadrichards Even that Duncan character? (It’s OK, he is a friend of mine so you can say what you want!)

@rickyleepotts Yep. He’s a good guy. Looks great in a mullet wig.

@chadrichards I won’t ask. So, what do you do at @firebelly?

@rickyleepotts Im the Digital Marketing Manager or Social Media Manager We’re in a bit of a transition right now and working on titles

@rickyleepotts I help clients create, monitor and analyze conversations with their customers and potential customers

@chadrichards Must be nice having a title. My firm does not give out titles. Although I have a title. Weird? How long have you been there?

@rickyleepotts I don’t really like being constricted by titles. I started as an intern in February 07 and came on full-time in June 07.

@chadrichards Nice. An intern huh? Where did you graduate from?

@rickyleepotts IUPUI. Go Jags!

@chadrichards Heck yeah GO JAGS! I went there as well.  What did you study while at IUPUI?

@rickyleepotts Originally journalism, then dropped out, created a film fest, did a TV show, that failed, came back to New Media

@chadrichards You have been all over the board. So I might as well get it out there. What are your thoughts on Tiger’s recent situation?

@rickyleepotts To be honest I haven’t really followed it. I was more interested in the Adam Lambert AMA controversy a while back

@chadrichards We can talk about that too. What were your thoughts there? And BTW the album is amazing. One of the best albums of the year.

@rickyleepotts I love the album. He’s a great performer and that performance was exciting. Break down barriers. He’s not a babysitter

@chadrichards Did we just become best friends? YEP! Did you know he is from #indiana?

@rickyleepotts Oh, wow, I did not know that. I know the creator of Glee is originally from Indy. I like that show too

@chadrichards I just have to know. Are we friends on @foursquare yet?

@rickyleepotts hmmm….lemme check

@rickyleepotts Affirmative! We are indeed friends on @foursquare

@chadrichards You cheated. Maybe I should introduce you to @paulpottet. So please tell me you are not a #colts fan.

@rickyleepotts Just met @paulpoteet at his Gotta Eat event last week. Will see him again tom. Not a sports guy, but their streak is exciting

@chadrichards Shut the front door! You are going to be at his event tomorrow night?

@rickyleepotts I am. You going?

@chadrichards Heck yeah I am going to be there. I will actually be writing on the event in my blog. Do you read my blog?

@rickyleepotts Um…not gonna lie. This afternoon was my first time looking at it! I’m confident I’ll be spending more time there however.

@rickyleepotts Lemme guess…the interview is now over?

@chadrichards Oh stop it.  You are going to make me blush! So I only have a couple of more questions. Is this your first TwitterView?

@rickyleepotts It is my first Twitterview. I’m excited!

@chadrichards Well you did well. Like all of my interviews, I always let the artist get the last word. You are an artist you know!  GO!

@rickyleepotts I will shamelessly self-promote the services we provide. Check out http://firebellymarketing.com C’mon I’m in marketing

Allow me to paint a picture for you. You arrive at your destination, get out of your car, and enter a building in which you have never been before. You see people gathered around a series of tables in the back and decide to see what all the fuss is about. Before you know it you see a handful of people you recognize, a few more you later learn that you follow on Twitter yet have never had the chance to meet in person, and even manage to share some face time with guys like Dave Smiley and Paul Poteet. Not to mention that you get the opportunity to enjoy delicious food, a wide range of drinks, and timeless conversation. You might think something like this only happens once in a blue moon when in all actuality it happens more than you might think.

Enter the world of Paul Poteet’s Gotta Eat. Paul started this concept a few months back as a way to get himself more in the public eye and even better a chance to eat at some of the Circle City’s best restaurants. Having worked with places such as the Skyline Club Paul has built an invaluable reputation in a short amount of time. The events are getting larger week by week and based on some conversation that I shared in last night he is actually planning on moving from having one of these every two weeks to having one event a week.

Last night’s event took place at the Brickhouse Burger Company just south of downtown Indianapolis off of Kentucky Avenue. Sitting inside what used to be a Damon’s Grill you find a new concept for Indianapolis dining. With huge projector screens on one wall, tables and booths wrapped all around, and a bar that seemed to get crowded as the night went on, you have a place that might be confused for a modern day Cheers where everyone truly knows your name. That is when they started to bring out the food.

First came some deep fried onion rings with a spicy dipping sauce. Then came sweet potato fries that were served with dried cranberries and an almost cream sauce. There were even some walnuts floating around some of the plates to give you that authentic Thanksgiving feel. Next came some of what appeared to be mile high nachos and a few appetizer sampler plates that were loaded with everything from cheese sticks to hot wings. (Don’t forget the dipping sauces.) Just when you thought they were done serving up the good stuff came a wedge salad smothered in bleu cheese dressing and a toasted club sandwich with some seasoned French fries. The madness just wouldn’t end.

By the time I had started to consider myself full came a plate of BBQ ribs. I did not even get the chance to bite into the ribs, as right next to it was the biggest cheeseburger I have ever seen. I did not catch the name of this sucker but from what they were saying it is a seven-pound sandwich. This thing looked like meatloaf with two buns and some pickles. The thing was almost too pretty to eat but that didn’t stop me from digging in. (I am sure there are some images of this thing floating around as it felt like the sandwich went through a photo shoot before we were allowed to dig in.) The fun thing about being able to enjoy this burger was due to the guy cutting it into manageable pieces. At last night’s event we were in the presence of the man behind the Great Hoosier Burger Quest, Mr. Dick Davis. He was nice enough to share the burger with the rest of us but not so much with the BBQ ribs!

By the time the night was starting to wind down they brought out some carrot cake. I have never been a huge fan of carrot cake, and I did not try it last night either, but from what I picked up from the folks who did it was some of the best carrot cake they had ever eaten. It looked good and was gone in a matter of seconds so I believe it. Even though last night seemed to be all about the food I met some incredibly nice individuals throughout the evening. I met a personal banker from Old National Bank, a team building and leadership development coach who recognized me from Twitter, and even a pair of guys who were at their first Paul Poteet event.

The more of these events I attend the better they seem to get. The crowd gets bigger, the food gets better, and the conversation becomes more genuine. Paul actually has already scheduled an event for next week at The Pub in downtown Indianapolis right next to Howl at the Moon and across the street from Conseco Fieldhouse. You can bet that I will be there, as well as Paul and all his friends as we spend another night enjoying the best this city has to offer. After all, Paul Poteet’s gotta eat.

When I sat down to write the summary of what Zohar Lazar called the top 10 films of 2009, I had no idea the reaction that it was going to get from my readers. I knew as soon as I saw the headline of “Top 10 Films of 2009” that I was going to personally disagree with that list, but I had no idea that my audience would agree as much as you all did. You seemed to drool over such films as District 9 and Up in the Air. You also seemed to think that the Coen brothers had talent and that movies like Inglorious Basterds deserved an A+ rating. You couldn’t have been further from the truth.

So I have set out to dispel some of those rumors. I am going to show you now what I feel the best ten movies of 2009 were. There were some epic films last year but some of those did not even make the list. I judge more from a movie than the actors and the script. I look for things such as character development, highs and lows in the script as well as how realistic the story line is and if these characters could really suffer these types of things. If it cannot happen, I tend to not like it.  So, what follows is my attempt at the top 10 films of 2009. I don’t expect you to agree, but to do me the simple favor of watching these films. Do so with an open mind and a closed conscience. You will see that films that I have listed have a little more staying power than the trash that something like District 9 dishes out.

10. Adventureland

This film scores on multiple levels. First this film is relatable. Any teenager who has held a summer job and has had a summer lust can relate to this film. Granted, the characters playing these teenagers on a mission are a little older than we like to believe in this film, but it does justice to what we experienced in our years growing up. Love might not even truly exist when we are that young, but lust sure as hell does. These characters know how to show that. The pain, the suffering, and the utter confusion that is suffered by these individuals throughout a single summer puts this movie in my top 10. Granted, it falls at the bottom of the barrel, but the way this film forced you to fall in love with the characters forced it into the list. (Does anyone else find it ironic that Jesse Eisenberg, who plays the same role in every film anyway, was in two films last year taking part in an amusement park? He was in Adventureland and Zombieland.)

9. Up

I will agree with the previous list, and while I will not place this as close to the top as he did, this film was incredible. Outside of the spectacular graphics that we have come to expect from the guys over at Pixar, this movie has more of a message than anything. An old man left to fend for himself and his home after losing his wife goes on a journey when his house is picked up by a slew of balloons. Granted, I told you before that I enjoy films that are realistic and while this one might be a little far fetched, the relationship he builds with the budding Boy Scout is enough to make your heart break. Note that this film is not meant for the children in the audience. This animation is for the parents.

8. I Love You, Man

I had to throw one slap stick comedy on the list. The film has a ton of good one liners, sure, but there is more to it than that. I too find myself in search of a best friend. I have a lot of friends, sure, but not a single one that stands out above all the rest. I will, until I find him, look for that one true man that I can look in the eyes and say, “I love you.” While these characters make their time pass by slapping the bass and planning weddings left and right, the true meaning lies in the sheer love that these characters build on a deeper level. This is a film with great intentions and it hits the ball out of the park with making me feel for these characters.

7. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

This film is just darn right cute. The concept is great with a boy who is obsessed with inventing things that never work. On his last try, he decides to try his hand at a machine that makes the sky rain with food. It is a great concept for those who are suffering from starvation and and even more of a relief when the machine actually works! There is a lot of drama thrown into the mix and, as with every story that comes out of Hollywood, a love story between the two main characters. It has a lot of wit, humor, and a monkey wearing a headband. How can you not love a film with a monkey in a headband? Outside of all that, you have a father who is doing his best to keep his family-owned business afloat. The drama that he and his boy go through is enough to make you want to pick up the phone and call your dad as soon as the film is over.

6. The Soloist

This film not only has two of the biggest actors in Hollywood in it, but also is based on a true story. A man who is down on his luck yet has some of the most incredible talent in the world is stuck playing music for strangers. A journalist on the look out for a news story finds him, but becomes immediately immersed in his life and can think of only ways to help. By the time the characters are halfway through the film, you not only want to reach out and help him too, but you cannot help but cry when things do not go as planned. The film has a strong sense of accomplishment on one side of the fence and a side of depression and betrayal for every time you looked down upon a homeless individual. These people know no other way and are happy with what they have. That is not something that you can replace, even with the financial stability to do so. This film takes you into the heart of the L.A. homeless.

5. Star Trek

This film was set up to fail. Having a cast of no name actors with a script that has been told time and time again, there was no way this flick would survive a week in the box office. The critics were wrong. This film was incredible. The acting was not only some of the best in any film I had seen all year, but the story line was not as boring as the previews had made it seem. Sure, there were some parts that you know could not happen in real life (pretty much all of them actually), but you see a man go from being down on his luck to being the success of his crew. A true story of valor as a boy lives in his father’s footsteps trying to make a name for himself and carry on his father’s legacy.

4. My Sister’s Keeper

OK, so I am not one to talk about my habits when watching a sad movie, but the first time I saw this film I cried for hours. The story features a few key name actors that you would not expect to see in a film like this, and they pull it off without too much distraction. This story has been told time and time again but it begins with a daughter who was diagnosed with cancer. Outside of showing her struggles with trying to live yet another day, it shows the story of her sister who was theoretically born to help save her sister’s life. The second daughter does not want to have anything to do with it, hires a pro bono lawyer to try her case, and ends up upsetting her parents more and more as the story goes along. Keep an extra box of Kleenex, as this film will bring you to your knees in tears.

3. Last Chance Harvey

I might only be twenty-six years old but I am having a hard time dealing with the process of getting older.  I do not want to get older, even though I have no control over that. I try to protect my body and my relationships as much as I can as I know they could all be gone in the blink of an eye. Enter Last Chance Harvey. This is the story of an older man who has lost his way with love. He meets a woman, similar in age, and begins to spark what promises to be a dead end relationship. They have their struggles and while the entire film is mostly dialog, you literally cannot help but feel for these characters. You want them to kiss. You want them to stop fighting. You want them to be happy yet together. The story shows that there is truly no age to loving someone, and that you can fall in love at the drop of a hat. This film was epic in the eyes of someone who wants a story filled with honest and believable dialog.

2. Watchmen

I rarely see the same movie twice, let alone in the theater. I did this film, as it was truly an epic showcase of incredible acting and a truly original script. The story had been told before only in graphic novel form. But it has now been transformed into a three hour major motion picture. If you can see past the male full frontal nudity and begin to understand the lives that these super heroes lived, you can then begin to appreciate the lives of the super heroes we all have come to know and love. They are people too, but they have a responsibility. They are put on this earth to do well while trying to fit in outside their costumes. The film has some incredible graphics as well and will take you on a ride like you have never been. Be careful the first time you watch it as you might want to run out and get the book as soon as you are finished. I know I did.

1. Avatar

Allow me to be the first to say that this film was not that great. The storyline was one of the most racist and over told stories that I have ever seen in a major motion picture. The acting was just OK considering almost all of it was shot on a green screen. Even the choice in actors, in my opinion, could have been a little bit better. But what makes this film deserve the top spot (it came in late as this film was released late December) is for the sheer genius in James Cameron’s mind when he came up with this world. You literally get lost in the creativity that spills onto the screen as the film progresses and instead of hating these creatures as the humans in the film tell you to, you begin to not only feel sorry for them, but wish for their utter survival. You see these creatures killed at various parts of the script and you literally hold onto the edge of your seat in hopes that they are OK. This film was graphically perfect. You have never seen graphics like this and the story behind Cameron’s thought process for this film is worth listening to. (You can find it on an NPR interview done just after the film’s release.) Avatar will go down as one of the most well-crafted and graphic films of your and my generations. This film was not as good as some I have seen based on storyline alone, but the graphic power in this film makes up for it.

So, as you read through this list, look at some of my key points. Look at why I chose the films that I did and note that I did not chose the films like Terminator: Salvation or Transformers 2. Those were decent movies, sure, but they did not make me fall in love. They were forgettable. These films listed above you are not. I know that not all of you have seen these films, not all will agree with me on this list, but I just had to get it out. I watch too many movies not to write about them. So, to you people out there who are looking for something to do this weekend, head to the local video store and grab a couple of these. I promise that even if you don’t like them, you will respect what these films were meant to do. These, ladies and gentlemen, are the top 10 films of 2009.

I read a lot of magazines. I read anything from Nintendo Power to Details all the way to Maxim and GQ. Each one has a unique set of writers that as time goes by you learn to love. You laugh with your favorites as they tell a funny joke or you scream at the haters who make negative remarks on your favorite video game. Regardless, magazines are just another form of visual entertainment for a generation that cannot seem to sit still.

Movies are also another form of visual entertainment. I am not sure how many films I watch a week but I would venture to say that the number climbs close to ten or so. I am obsessed with how filmmakers tell a story. Part of that is probably because I want to write my own script one day.

In the most recent issue of GQ Magazine Zohar Lazar breaks down the top ten films of the year. Being the movie buff that I am I wanted to share those with you here and give you a brief summary of why I disagree on almost everything he says. So, what follows are the top 10 movies of 2009 according to GQ Magazine and the reason that Zohar Lazar is full of shit.

10. Bad Lieutenant: Port Call of New Orleans

Yeah, I have never heard of this film either. Next film please.

9. A Prophet

This film was decent at best. It is the story of a French Muslim convict who makes his way from bottom of the barrel to the cream of the crop. It has some twists but is packed with that nostalgic European humor that I just can’t stand.

8. The Hangover

This is nothing more than a good weekend in Las Vegas. Some guys get drunk, sample some illegal narcotics, wake up with a bunch of strippers on their floor half naked, and find a baby in their closet. Who has not experienced all of that in Las Vegas at one time or another?

7. Up

This deserves to be a lot higher on this list. (Too bad this is not MY list.) This film was yet another masterpiece by the folks at Pixar and had a story line meant for the parents in the audience. I have to admit that this film made me cry.

6. District 9

Are you really going to make me explain to you why this is quite possibly one of the worst films ever made? The acting was terrible, the story line has been told time and time again, and the visual effects were just mediocre. The film lacked from the moment it started and I almost think it was meant to be a satire film. I mean, was that Murray from Flight of the Concords in the lead role. How can you take a film like this serious?

5. In the Loop

I must admit that I have not seen this film. I was really hoping that when I sat down to look through this list that I had seen almost, if not all of these films. Perhaps I should visit my Netflix queue.

4. A Serious Man

This is a film from the Coen brothers. I have not enjoyed a single film that those two men have made and this one is no different. I am not even sure why I continue to watch films that come out of these two. I just wish they would throw in the towel and stop making films.

3. The Hurt Locker

This was a great film but not one that I would put in the top ten. Political films like this always get a rise out of me anyway. The film, however, based on all that you have heard is in fact not about what you have heard. (Did you follow that?) There is a lot more underlying principles in this film than what is truly on the surface.

2. Up in the Air

Isn’t George Clooney a doctor from the hit TV show ER? Or wait; maybe that is Uncle Jesse from Full House. Regardless, this film, as much as some like to say the best of George Clooney’s career, is not worth your time. To have someone rate this as the second best film of the year sends chills down my spine. We are better than this Hollywood. Prove it!

1. Inglorious Basterds

Note how the word “bastards” is misspelled? That was on purpose. That does not make sense nor does this film. It was an excuse for Quentin Tarantino, who is usually pretty good at making captive movies, to put his two cents on the world wars. I mean, sure Brad Pitt made it tolerable, but the film is too long and wastes too many good one-liners.

In all of this I hope you see that I do not agree with hardly anything that our published movie critique has to say. If there is a reason that I am not being published for speaking the truth I have yet to find it. But I will be damned the day I turn on a Coen film and enjoy it enough to simply have my name on the inside of a magazine.

The band that I am hanging out with today is one that you need to listen to. Whether you buy their album, see them perform live, or just listen to their tunes on MySpace, these boys know how to not only get you out of your seat but how to get you swaying in your chair. These guys also spend a lot of time traveling the globe trying to play for as many sets of ears that they can. They have a good direction as to where they want to go and they are doing it the “right way” if you will. Their lyrics are what I would call epic when compared to other local Indianapolis based acts, and they follow those up with piano and a stellar set of drums to match. I have even seen these boys perform with a string section. Sit with me today as we take some time to get to know the boys in Wolfy.

Where did you come up with the name Wolfy?

It is a nickname of the lead singer.  He has had since middle school.

How long have you guys been playing?

About six years.

Where did you all meet?

The lead singer and Bass player (Josh) met at University and decided to form the group Wolfy.  Matt, the drummer, auditioned several years later. The rest is history.

Tell me about your new album.

Its very orchestral and string driven.  We wanted to recreate the magic of travel in Europe that we experienced.  Plus we wanted our record to sound a bit more epic than our first EP.

Where can I get a copy of the album?

You can pick it up on iTunes, Indy CD and Vinyl, Luna music, CD baby, and at any of our shows.

Where can I get some Wolfy merchandise?

Right now we only sell merchandise at shows.  A online store is in the works.

I hear you guys have a Wolfy Moleskin.

That is true.  Josh’s sister came up with the idea.  I actually wish I could have one but I am told its lame for a band member to buy his/her bands merchandise.

What are your thoughts on MySpace?

It’s a great easy tool for a band to promote their music.  I like how simple it is to get a basic idea and feel for what a bands sound is.  However, it seems like MySpace is a bit, well, vacant these days (compared to years ago).  Still, it’s a great tool.

Are you guys on Twitter?

Yes we are.  Matt signed us up.  I won’t lie when I say I am still figuring out how to use it.

Describe your genre in one word.

Pop Rock (does that count as one – if not Pop will work).

You have shared the stage with some big names. Who is the most fun you have played with?

I think Company of Thieves would be at the top.  They have a brilliant live show.  So much fun.  I have enjoyed watching them.

What is the biggest crowd that you have ever played for?

Probably the opening slot for the Goo Goo Dolls.

The smallest?

2.  It was a show in Fort Wayne and it was during a blizzard.  Being from Wisconsin I was not going to let a little snow hamper our show.  Fans thought otherwise.

What is your favorite venue to play?

Radio Radio is our favorite club.  Great sound, great owner.  Top notch in my opinion.

Who are some of your biggest influences?

Classical music (J.S. Bach, Beethoven, Chopin), Most Motown music (Ottis Redding in particular), Radio Head, The Catherine Wheel, Kashmir (a band from Denmark that is brilliant).

Is Wolfymusic an actual label?

It functions like one it seems, so to a degree yes.  Its actually an LLC.

Where did you guys record your latest album?

At Gaither Studios and Penny Lane Productions.

Who writes all the lyrics?

Wolfy and Josh do.

Is there a ringleader in the band?

I don’t think so.  Its more like the three musketeers without sabers.

I have seen you with and without strings. Which do you prefer?

Strings definitely!

Do you guys have any thoughts on a nation wide tour this year?

I don’t think we will tour nationwide this year.  We are in the studio working on a new record actually.  Perhaps next year!

Do you guys have jobs outside of music?

Yes we do.

When did you know that you wanted to make a run out of this thing they call music?

At university.  I can’t speak for Josh and Matt but I was inspired by a retired music exec who said I should give it a shot while I was younger.  Its been quite fun.

Tell me about all the other guys in the band.

Well, Josh plays bass and sings.  He really loves spreadsheets and is a whiz with the stock market.  Seriously, he is good. Matt plays drums and sings (when I twist his arm real hard).  Matt is the only sane one in the group and spends most of his time shaking his head at Josh and Wolfy.  Patient would be a good word to describe him.

Tell me about all your world travels.

Well, I studied in Ireland and Mexico.  Josh studied in London.  We have traveled to Europe many times (about once every other year).  Bordeaux, France, Parma, Italy, Venice, Italy would be at the top of my list of travels.

Where is your favorite place that you have been?

I think France would be my favorite.  Amazing food and wine plus the culture is, well, different.  I like the slower pace of life, truth be told.  Plus I love all the old cities.  I will have to wait another 300 years in the country for the same effect.

If you could only play one song for the rest of your career what song would you pick?

Wolfy song…Vienna Underground.

Where do you see yourselves in five years?

Hopefully at Madison Square Garden.  If not there then, tending a vineyard.

What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?

Creating great art. Period.

I always let the artist get the last word. Go.

I believe everyone should at some point in their life pursue there dreams and passions.  Its hard but, wow, is it fun and life changing.