rickyleepotts.com | a voice of rhythm, reason, & reality

Dave Smiley likes to party. Dave is the host of the Smiley Morning Show on 99.5 WZPL here in Indianapolis, and I have run in to him several times at various events. We have become buddies over the years and we talk on Twitter quite a bit. Anyway, every fall Smiley throws a party. I told you he likes to party. This year he had some pretty big bands play including The Fray and Simple Plan. I have seen those guys before… but it was the band that opened that got me excited. Their name sounded SO familiar to me, but I just couldn’t place it. That was until they came on stage. I knew I had heard them before! I was actually working that show, and got the chance to see them up close and personal. The band was LoveSick Radio. I was so impressed I reached out to them for an artist interview. So… here we are. It is my absolute pleasure to introduce you to LoveSick Radio.

I am sick of radio! But not lovesick… where did the name come from?

The name came from our drummer. He was going through a break up at the time and was complaining that all the songs he was hearing were sad songs. He said it was like the radio was lovesick. We all kind of looked at each other and said, “Write that down.”

Where did you guys all meet?

The Josh, Josh and Justin went to high school together. One night, depending who you ask, Josh Masters literally ran into David at a bar and spilled his drink on him. They got to talking about music and the next week we decided to try playing some music. The songs we came up with sucked. But they were good enough to realize we were on to something.

There are two of you… is one Josh #1 and the other Josh #2?

For some reason people think they are brothers because they have the same first name. I don’t get that one.

The name is pretty long. Can I just call you LSR?

(Laughs.) Please do.

Some call it pop. Some might call it rock. I would call it alternative. What do YOU call it?

We call in all three… rock/pop/alternative. We listen to everything so it only fair those would come through when people listen to us.

I just saw you guys with Simple Plan and The Fray. Was that a one-night stand, or was there a tour involved?

We just did that one show. We have played with Simple Plan before so it was cool seeing them again. The Fray guys were great to us. We look forward to playing with them again soon.

Since the word “radio” is in your name… I bet you guys get a lot of airplay. Do you remember the first time you heard your work on the radio? What was that experience like?

I remember every time. Every city you go to and your song comes on the radio is rad. We have it on film when they played us for the first time in Chicago. That’s a pretty cool clip that I’m glad we captured.

So I am in LOVE with Spotify. Do you guys use that? It’s WAY better than Pandora in my opinion.

Spotify is great! I’m a music junkie so I love having access to most CDs at any moment I want.

You guys have a street team. What do they do for you?

They spread the word about us online, help with flyers and help out at shows. We love the people that enjoy this band. They make every moment worth it.

Back to the Internet for a second… in your opinion, how has the Internet changed the way people absorb music?

You have easy access to anything you want. Sometimes you have to dig through some not great music, but at least if you do you can find somethings you won’t hear on the radio.

January is almost over… but did you guys have a good NYE?

We played. Anytime we are on stage I’m very happy. So yes.

What are you listening to these days? What’s on your iPod?

That’s a tough question. I know Justin is digging Drake’s new CD. I’m listening to Aerosmith, Richie Kotzen, Bowie, Radiohead , INXS & the Stones. I’m trying to add some old school rock into the mix for our new CD. People need to hear some good guitar music on the radio.

Do you have any rituals before a show? You know… like chanting or hugging?

We put our hands together and Justin will say some crazy thing. It brings it back to the four of us before we head out to win people over.

Yes, I want you! Who writes all of the lyrics? 

We collaborate on everything. So it just depends.

I have seen it both ways… is it Lovesick Radio or LoveSick Radio?

We cap the “S”. We are very creative. Just kidding.

What is your connection to Z99.5? You guys know Smiley?

Z99.5 played my old band at a lot. We have some history there. We love those guys. Smiley and his whole crew are great.

What are you drinking on stage?

Probably vodka. Sometimes water.

What’s the biggest crowd you have ever played for? The smallest?

We played Meadowlands Stadium with Bon jovi and Kid Rock. That was 80,000! So that’s the biggest so far. As for the smallest, I would say when we played just for the staff and a few drunk people because no one we were playing somewhere in northern Illinois.

I see some tattoos there. Who has the most? Don’t they hurt?

I think I have the most. Justin is a close second. Not too bad. You should get one.

What’s the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on stage?

One time when we where playing oversea Masters hand locked up right before a bass solo. For me, my strap has broken a few times from me throwing my guitar around. Now I check the strap before we play and sometimes during.

When you sit down to write a song, where does the inspiration come from?

Life or something you see or hear about. Sometimes you are just playing and inspiration hits you.

What’s next… is there an album in the works?

We are making the second album now. It’s about time. I can’t wait to have people hear the new music and for us to start touring again.

Who runs the Twitter account? What about Facebook?

That’s me. I’m the online guy. So if you like what you see, it’s my fault. If you don’t… that’s my fault too. Our tour manger Noah helps sometimes.

When it’s all said and done, and the band is no more… what’s the LoveSick Radio legacy?

That’s the great thing about music. Our songs will live on forever.

In all of the interviews that I do, I always give the artist the last word. Go.

We just want to say thank you for asking us to do this. We also want to thank anyone that listens to us. Come see us play and tells people about us. We owe you everything. See you on the road this year.

Click here to “like” LoveSick Radio on Facebook.

Click here to follow LoveSick Radio on Twitter.

I’m on my way home from the 2012 PGA Merchandise Show, and I just had to write down some thoughts on my week in Orlando. For those of you unfamiliar with the PGA Show, it’s the biggest collection of golf course professionals, equipment representatives, and basically golf industry people in the world. I mean EVERYONE in the world of golf is there. I have been going to this show for four years now, and this one was the best yet. It just seems to get better year after year.

Working for IMAVEX has given me access to some of the biggest names in the world of golf. To give you an idea, while in Orlando I met with Martin Hall, Henry Brunton, Mike Bender, Jason Sutton, Mark Sweeney, Jeff Ritter, Peter Kessler, Dylan Ross, Lorin Anderson, and many more. We got in Monday and were in meetings from the time we got there until we left for the airport. We literally left a meeting and grabbed a cab.

Golf Business Network

We work closely with the Golf Business Network, and not only manage their website but also several of their members. GBN has a room during the show, and we set up in there. It also allows us a place to call home for meetings and also schedule meet-and-greets. There is a cocktail party in the room (known as the GBN Clubhouse) every night allowing for networking. I try to take full advantage of that by passing out and collecting business cards left and right.

Other vendors set up in the GBN Clubhouse too. Brands like the Greg Norman Collection and Fairway & Greene have booths to showcase their offerings to GBN members. IMAVEX also has a pretty sweet discount for members. Anyway, they hold several meetings and round table discussions in the room, and we love being able to out our booth up there.

We have a great relationship with GBN, and without guys like Lorin Anderson, Bob Mulcahy, and Grant Way, we wouldn’t be where we are today.

Networking Events

One of my favorite things about the show are the networking events. From cocktail parties to meet-and-greets, the PGA Show is a great place to meet the movers and shakers in the game of golf. On Wednesday night, I went to the Brick House Tavern + Tap (they have a great beer selection) for the Junior League meet-and-greet. My close friend Jackie Cannizzo is affiliated with the Junior League, and they had a huge announcement the Friday of the Show. I ended up running into several people I knew including Dennis Sales, Sara Dickson, and Kate Temptesta. I actually hadn’t met Kate until this week but we ran into each other several times.

The mixer was fun, and I’m glad I went. Junior golf is a huge part of the game and tomorrow’s lesson and private club member is a junior. The sooner pros realize that the better. I couldn’t be more proud of Jackie for her attention to the project.

On Thursday night, I was back at the Brick House for another meeting. John Graham, a Twitter superstar, holds one of these every year, and I wasn’t missing this for the world. I ended up meeting tons of people I had only communicated with online. I ended up meeting and chatting with Jason Helman, Rob McGill (love that dude), Brandon Stooksbury, Megan Padua, Aaron Olson, Andrew Marr, Kirk Oguri, and many more. It was fun putting a face to a tweet. I must admit I knew more Twitter handles than I did names!

Show Floor

Last year I didn’t even make it to the show floor. This year I walked around a little bit to see what’s new in the industry. From golf balls to gloves, you can find a little bit of everything here. You can even buy stuff like shafts, balls, towels, and more. If you’re lucky, you will get some free stuff from some of the vendors. Some of the booths, like the Callaway, Taylor Made, Puma and Titleist booths were massive. I’m talking ridiculous setups that you could get lost in. A lot of them have open bars so you can grab a drink while walking around the floor.

On Wednesday, I was walking around and ran into Butch Harmon. I had never met Butch, only in passing, but stopped to say hello. I also ran into Yani Tseng, Alexis (Lexi) Thompson, Natalie Gulbis, Kristina Kim, Brad Faxon and several other pros. It’s neat to be walking around and see Dave Stockton or Scotty Cameron just hanging out on the show floor.

Eating Out & Lodging

When we travel like this, we eat out a lot. When we got in on Monday, we went to The Crab House. Steve loves this place, and while it’s not the best seafood I’ve ever had, it’s solid, and I highly recommend the macadamia nut crusted Mahi Mahi.

On Tuesday, my good friend Greg came to visit me. He recently moved down to Florida and was only a couple of hours away. He drove up, and we had lunch. It was good to see him. I miss hanging out with him.

Wednesday we met Grant at Hooters and ended the night at Miller’s Ale House. Miller’s is sweet, and has a very open and inviting atmosphere. Every time I am in Orlando I try to swing by there. The place is always busy, regardless of what’s going on at the convention center.

For lodging this year, we stayed at the Hampton Inn. Last year we stayed at the Holiday Inn Castle, but this year we were much closer to the Orange County Convention Center. It was close enough to walk, and we got a GBN discount for staying there. The room was nice, and the hotel had free Wi-Fi. They also had a sweet breakfast every morning. I didn’t get to enjoy it, but the guys did and were impressed. The hotel lobby also allowed for a place to meet people.

The PGA Show is just a ton of fun and a great place to meet new people, to network with everyone, and to see the latest and greatest in the world of golf. The older I get, the more I get dragged in to this industry… and I couldn’t see myself working in any industry but this one. As they always say… FORE!!!

Have you ever been to the PGA Merchandise Show?

Earlier today, my buddy Jake sent me this video… and I didn’t watch it at first. I was busy, and didn’t have the time. But as soon as I got home, I checked my email to find this video waiting for me… and I love it. I have never been to Founders Brewing Company, but we are headed up there in April. Jake, Sheryl, Eric and I are headed to Michigan to see this brewery, among others, and to drink beer. I might just drink all their beer! I am a BIG fan of Founders; it was neat to learn more about them. I had no idea they made 15 different beers.

Their beers are big. Most of them are pretty high in alcohol, but they all taste great. I like the Double Trouble and the Founders Breakfast Stout the best. I haven’t had the Canadian Breakfast Stout, but I hear it’s even better!

Speaking of beer, Jake and I recently made some. We haven’t even tried it yet, but from what Jake says it smells amazing. We made it at his place, and I think he is holding it hostage. We call it our “baby”. It’s weird, but the beer will be amazing when it’s ready. It was fun to brew with him, and before we brewed it we decided to make a rye. We are actually copying the Founders Red’s Rye recipe, but we added our own little touch. We named the beer The Hop Sandwich on Rye IPA. Get it?

Anyway, this video was cool, and I can’t wait to get up there and see this brewery in action. I might just try all 15! A flight… not a pint.

Until my friend Anton mentioned this band to me, I had never heard of them. I loved the name, and when he told me they won the 2011 Battle of Birdy’s, I knew they had to be good. Battle of Birdy’s is an event that happens every year that features some of the best talent in the Circle City. The Battle gets a lot of attention too, and tends to pack Birdy’s year after year. When these guys are on stage, the stage is packed too… there are nine of them. Needless to say, they make a lot of noise. What’s weird is that when you listen to them, you would never know there are so many guys in the band. They are very polished. It’s my pleasure to be sitting with and to introduce you to Phoenix On The Fault Line.

I love the name. Mainly because I love Arizona! Where did you guys come up with that band name?

When I joined the group they were trying to call themselves Kung-Fu Grip. I hated that name. I talked them into changing it and we underwent two weeks of tossing ideas on our white boards. When I got to practice one day Phoenix On The Fault Line was on the board. I knew that was it. A week later we voted, and here we are today. We all have different ideas of what it means. To me it means… brotherhood.

I also like the logo. Who designed that?

We currently have two logos floating around. One designed by Liegh Miller and the other by Dan Mecca at Bleeding Media.

You guys have some pretty mature lyrics. Who writes all of the lyrics?

Thank you! I write all of the lyrics. Sometimes the guys come up with the song titles though. On this last album I would say 80% of the titles were the original working titles for the songs. I just make it fit in with the mythology.

Your sound is very polished. It seems you have a pretty professional setup. Do you guys practice a lot to nail that down?

Yes we do. I am also very fortunate to be in the room with eight other extremely talented musicians. Separate we would have all taken different paths through this musical odyssey but together we form something much bigger than ourselves.

Where did you all meet?

Johann and I met playing in the band REBUILT several years ago. The rest of the guys have known each other for years. Some since childhood. When they first began this project, a mutual friend of ours put us together. I loved the sound and camaraderie so I stuck around.

There are a LOT of guys up there on stage… As you said, nine of you. Does it ever seem crowded up there?

Hell yes. Our combined weight is a little over a metric ton. It is kinda like a mosh pit, but on the stage. I collide with people and instruments nightly. I know better than to spill Jon Ball’s beer though. And if I do, I promptly get him another.

What’s with the nicknames… The Prospect and “Big” Andy?

Well sir, thats a long story. The name Johann 51 aka “Nate Gray” had to do with an incident involving an android on one of our adventures. The details of that incident are currently being scribed by our guitarist, Chip Strohs. He is our resident historian/journalist. Ocho was the eighth member. Big Andy and The Prospect are giants (and really brothers). Hence the “big” in Big Andy. The Prospect was our prospective final guy. Once he earned his way into the fraternal order that is POTFL he decided to keep that name. It’s a right of passage really. Once you are reborn into our brotherhood you choose your name and your numbers. Darby is just Darby. I don’t know if that is his first or last name. His wife calls him Darby so that’s good enough for us.

Why do you guys say 3317 A.D.?

I believe it has some sort of numerological value that has not been determined yet. The date itself was an accident. I was only trying to push us ahead by three days and well… I am not the mathematician of the group. Poof! We had gone too far. Time travel is an exact science with many coordinated factors. I, however, believe that everything happens the way it was destined to, so sometimes we just spit whiskey and go, go, go! It took us about a year to get back home but it was an awesome adventure that brought us all closer together.

Original rock in the city of Indianapolis is rare. How do you guys raise the bar night after night?

We tell our stories with the conviction of a dictator leading his troops to war! People seem to like the escape from reality that we provide them. Yes, we are talking about spaceships, zombie robots, and time machines but like in any good sci-fi experience, sometimes those things are just metaphors. Today’s music is a sad state of affairs indeed. Too much carbon-copied, mainstream media manipulation and over-processed corporate consumer nonsense. We don’t wear our sisters jeans, and we don’t use auto tune.

What’s your favorite venue to play in Indy?

I personally love The Melody Inn. We don’t quite fit in there anymore, but I love that place. There is a nostalgia that is thick in the air of that bar. Lots of blood, sweat, and whiskey tears have pushed through that place over the decades. I am glad we have gotten to be a part of it.

What’s the biggest crowd you have ever played for? The smallest?

The biggest show we have played so far was when we opened for Clutch last year. It was a sold-out show and an amazing opportunity and experience. I’d say the smallest show was when we traveled to a festival in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I think there were five people in the bar. The promoters messed that whole experience up. We still had a good time though.

The horns are so unique. What made you want to add horns to the band?

I don’t think we have ever had an intention of adding any instrument. We all just came together like the gravity of a collapsing star. Jon Ball was already part of the show when I walked through the doors. He was the reason I felt that we were on to something special. What he was doing with that baritone sax was not something I have ever heard being done. It was like the band Morphine had a bastard child. It made the sound they were creating unique. We added Darby about a year in and The Prospect jumped in last year. It’s not my lyrics that give us that sci-fi sound. It’s them.

I see you are whiskey drinkers. What’s your favorite whiskey?

I am a Kentucky bourbon man myself. James and Chip seem to like the Irish stuff. Darby is fond of Canadian sipping whiskey but I can’t speak for the rest of the gentlemen. With nine guys, favorites are never a cohesive thing. The consensus, however, is that whiskey is a good thing.

I want that logo on a shirt. What kind of merchandise do you guys have?

We have shirts, hats, hoodies and more. We are currently working on making a LOT more of a variety too. We are a DIY kinda group.

Really digging your website… what content management system do you use for that?

Thank you again! If you asked any of the guys what content management system is used they will tell you it’s called Tony Ferreira. I think they are under the impression that I manage the site with the power of my mind.  It is just bits and pieces of code I have collected and modified to meet our current needs.

P.O.T.F.L. is being featured on the X103 tribute to Nirvana. What does being a part of that project mean to you guys?

It was an honor to have the opportunity to cover one of the greats. Like them or not, Nirvana changed the game. With that respect in mind we tried to make the song our own.

You don’t play a ton of shows in Indy. Are you branching out of the Circle City and playing in other Midwest markets?

We traveled a lot at first but for the last year we have been at home building an army and finishing our new album, “Basement Of The Coliseum”. We will be branching out a bit in 2012 and even more in 2013.

Tell me a little bit more about your relationship with Shoot The Hostage Records.

Shoot The Hostage Records aka STH Media & Publishing is our label/company. We own and operate it. Our mission is to create a legacy of entertainment for the masses of this new interconnected society. Back ten to fifteen years ago you needed to sign with a label to get advertisement and distribution. Now the business model is totally different. I can make quality products and distribute them electronically to all points on the globe. Harnessing social media for advertisement purposes cuts out the millions I would have had to spend getting us out there into the eyes and ears of the world. Social media is the game changer. If you can overthrow governments with it, then you can build empires too.

Where do you guys practice?

We built a bunker in an undisclosed location. I could tell you where, but the Men in Black would undoubtedly show up at your door. I assure you they are not as fun or as witty as Will Smith portrays them to be. The bunker is pretty awesome actually. There are lots of fun electronics, a lab, music room, and of coarse a Jon Ball custom bar. There are NO time travel devices allowed at the bunker though. We learned that the hard way. I keep that stuff locked away safely out of Ocho’s idle hands.

You have a couple of albums under your belt. What have you learned along the way from one album to the next?

We have three now and a fourth one under construction. Through the process of making them we have learned how to work as a unit. We have also learned to check your ego at the door. We don’t hold each others hands through the writing process. I can make a suggestion, but ultimately if it’s your part, you make the decision of what to do there.  Newton’s first law of motion also applies. We keep charging forward with writing new songs. We have to keep that fire alive.

Do you guys have jobs outside of music?

Yes. We are swords for hire. We are basically like a time-traveling A-Team. If you can find us…. you can hire us.

I haven’t seen you live… yet. What can someone who hasn’t seen you perform expect from a show?

Exhilarating adventure! We take the listener on a journey. I expect to see you in the front row soon, sir!

You are getting a lot of radio play. You have been featured on stations here in the United States as well as overseas. What was it like the first time you heard your work on the radio?

Words can’t describe it really. We had not even released our first album yet and it was being played on the air. The best is when I am driving and I randomly catch us being played. It’s an awesome moment. Makes me proud of what we have accomplished and it never gets old.

I have to thank Anton Swartz for introducing me to you. How do you guys know him?

Anton and I used to work together at a tech company here in the Indianapolis/Carmel area. I have not been able to prove it, but I am pretty sure he is an extraterrestrial alien. I think he may be a little touchy about that subject, though, so I don’t push it. I will say this, though… if I am in a jam with my website, I call him.

I LOVE the “Basement of the Coliseum” album cover. Who designed that? What’s the meaning behind that image? It’s pretty powerful.

The original art work for the album was done by Faith Mullins. She also happens to be the sister of Jon Ball. She read the lyrics to a song off our album (SteamPig) and that is what she saw. Josh Smith (who also did the graphic design work on our first album) did the design work around Faith’s art. My favorite part of the picture is the two old men in the corner with their ale glasses held high in salute to the ship. The name of the ship is Parsifal. That is our salute to three extraordinary inventors. Hammond Van Ocher, Thomas Birks, and Joachim Jensen. They designed and built the first steam-powered flying pig and named it Parsifal. It is an amazing feat of engineering, truly. It is an even more amazing feat that Birks and Jensen have convinced people that it is just a  piece of art when really it is one of the most powerful airships in the galaxy. You can read more about them at steampig.com.

Are you familiar with rickyleepotts.com presents six bands for six bucks? I would love to chat with you guys about getting you on a bill.

I am indeed familiar with that idea, and we are totally down to rock out with you.

What’s 2012 look like for you guys? Got anything big planned this year?

We plan to release another album, hopefully in October. It’s a concept album tentatively titled “Dethiachi”. We are also hoping to work with a local film company doing a short film of the same name. I can’t tell you much about the concept behind the album but I’ll tell you this much. If Danny Trejo had thirty minutes of zombie killing to do this is what he would want to be listening to while he did it. We also have the novel that Chip is writing about our ridiculous adventures through space and time. If I get my way, there will be graphic novels too. Other than all that, we just plan to rock as much as we can all over Indiana and the Midwest.

When it’s all said and done, what’s the P.O.T.F.L. legacy? What do you want people to remember you for?

There is a lot of irony in asking a time traveler what he wants to be remembered for, don’t you think? We want to be remembered as game changers and adventurers. We take a lot of risks just being us. I want to always look back on what we have created and smile.

Thank you so much for taking the time to sit and chat today. I appreciate it guys. In all of the interviews I do, I always give the artist the last word. Go.

Thank you so much for the interview, Ricky! I only have a few things to say and I’ll be on my way. Please support local art and music. We have a ton of exceptionally talented people in this town. With your support, we can make Indianapolis an epicenter for creativity in the years to come.

I would also like to tell any would be time travelers out there one extremely important bit of information… avoid 2217. That is all.

Click here to “like” Phoenix On The Fault Line on Facebook.

Click here to follow Phoenix On The Fault Line on Twitter.

Header photo compliments of Liz Nicol of 110db.

Beer… man I love beer. From drinking a Bud Light to sipping on a B.O.R.I.S., I love it. (You can thank Jake Long for introducing me to B.O.R.I.S. We had it at his place for the first time… and I have a bottle in my fridge right now!) I have also brewed a few batches of beer (two to be exact) and the process, while long and tedious, is fun. It’s just neat to see how much work goes into making a 5-gallon batch when even good beer, that takes time to perfect, is so readily accessible. Like the Kentucky Breakfast Stout (KBS). That beer takes a few weeks to make… but then it is cave aged for a year. CAVE aged!

Anyway, moving on. I read an article on Yahoo! Health the other day about health benefits of beer. They listed 10 health benefits.

1. Stronger Bones
2. A Stronger Heart
3. Healthier Kidneys
4. Boosting Brain Health
5. Reduced Cancer Risk
6. Boosting vitamin Levels
7. Guarding Against Stroke
8. Reduced Risk for Diabetes
9. Lower Blood Pressure
10. Longer Life

If any of those are true, cheers to that! I knew that beer, in moderation of course, will help with certain things… but I had no idea it would do all that. Wine is also said to have similar health benefits. I just thought this list was interesting. I didn’t read through them all, but if drinking a beer or two is going to help me stay healthy and live longer… bottoms up!

What is your favorite beer?

Source: http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/10-surprising-health-benefits-beer

The other night I went to see my first burlesque show. I had no idea what to expect, past the photos and videos I had seen online, and was excited to see what a burlesque show was all about. I have been trying to get an interview with Katie, the founder of Angel Burlesque, and she said I needed to see a show before we could do the interview. So Sheryl and I got tickets, and headed downtown to the Old National Centre for Angel Burlesque at Deluxe. Deluxe is in the basement of the Old National Centre, and was the perfect room for a show like this.

We got downtown a little early, so we decided to grab a drink at Old Point Tavern. Since I work for Live Nation part-time, we parked at the Old National Centre and walked over to OPT. The parking lot was empty at 8:30, and with doors opening at 9 I was a little surprised. But when we got back shortly after doors had opened, I quickly realized it was nearly sold out. The room was packed with people. There were so many tables down there I could barely get out to use the restroom.

My tickets were at will call, so I walked across the lobby and grabbed our tickets. Since I work so many shows in that building, I had to stop and talk to a few people I knew. When we got downstairs, I ran into another friend that I hadn’t seen in a long time. It was great catching up, and we ended up sitting with him.

Introducing Angel Burlesque

At 9:30, the lights went down and Jeff Angel took the stage. Jeff is married to Katie. Belle Breeze joined him and they started introducing the evening and telling jokes. They would tell jokes all night long… some not safe for work. But they were hilarious. Jeff was a riot, and I loved watching his facial expressions as she talked. After they welcomed everyone, Jeff went over the rules. They had a few rules for the evening, to protect the audience as well as the dancers on stage.

The first rule was in regards to photography. There was to be absolutely no flash photography. Jeff explained that some of the dancers wore high heels, and that the flash would throw off the rhythm. Makes sense. But then he started talking about regular photography… and that was okay. It was actually encouraged.

Then Jeff talked about “hooting and hollering”. It was allowed… it was mandatory. He said that the “more you yell, the better they dance”. And he was right. Throughout the evening, the louder people yelled the more entertaining the performance got. After the rules presentation, they introduced the first performer.

Penguin’s Lament with Jada Bella

Like I said, I had no idea what to expect. But this number was awesome. Out of the gate, the entire troupe was on stage dancing around like… like penguins. It was cute, and before I knew it Jada was taking her clothes off!

Before you get excited, this is not a strip club or anything. It is VERY tasteful. There were a few dancers that showed more than others, but it was never uncomfortable. The focus of Angel Burlesque is on the art, not the nudity. It is never about the nudity. The hosts would joke about it from time to time, but that was more to keep the audience at ease.

Speaking of the audience, it was a packed house. The show was at Deluxe, and the room isn’t very big. It’s a perfect setting for a show like this, but they crammed a ton of tables and chairs in there, and if you wanted to use the restroom or grab another drink you had to fight your way out. But the room was full.

Other Acts Include

After Jada came Patsyy Blue Ribbon. I just love their names. From Patsy Blue Ribbon to Red Hot Annie, all of these performers had names that pretty much fit the performance. There is one guy in the group… his name is Rod Tollhouse. It’s a long story, and I know Rod personally… but it’s not safe for work for me to tell you where the name came from. Needless to say, his part of the evening was entertaining.

Some of the other performers included:

• Desda Mae Q Mona
• Bastet
• Pepper Mills
• Tessa Von Twinkle
• Dominique de Beaute
• *Cristian Riquelme (he is actually dating Pepper Mills)
• Layla Seduisant
• Red Hot Annie (from Chicago)
• Sugar Lee
• Belle Breeze (performed and hosted)
• Rod Tollhouse
• Desda Moana
• Katie Angel (founding member of Angel Burlesque)

The music was fun too. Some of the songs were pop songs, with a twist. But most of them seemed to have been created for the individual performances. Some of my favorite songs included Some Night in Alaska, Rumor Has It, Puttin’ On The Ritz, Funky Fans, Sooner or Later, Pink and Art-Tease-T.

Speaking of Red Hot Annie

Red Hot Annie is not from Indianapolis. She is actually from Chicago. She came down for this performance. She is actually one of the top 50 burlesque dancers in the country, and does live events, teaches belly dance classes, and even emcees and hosts corporate events. She’s a tall drink of water, and has some red hair… I guess that’s where the “red hot” comes from!

I actually had the chance to talk to Red Hot Annie after the performance. When all was said and done, all of the dancers came out and were shaking hands and dishing out hugs left and right. Annie walked by, and I introduced myself to her before we left. She was very nice, and it seemed like she has found her fit in this space. I was glad I got the chance to meet her.

Curtain Call

The show didn’t start until 9:30, and it was late by the time things wrapped up. But it didn’t seem like the show went on too long. Having a break in the middle was nice. When it was all over, Jeff came back on stage and talked about their SuperBra XLVI. SuperBra is an Open-Bra Event held at Crackers Comedy Club and will take place on January 30^th, 2012 at 8:30.

Not familiar with the open-bra format? It’s sort of like an open mic night where the audience can get involved. Imagine that… coming to a burlesque show and getting your chance to show the world what you’re made of. Some of the girls in the current Angel Burlesque lineup were discovered during an open-bra night. If you think you have what it takes, give it a try. You might be surprised with how well you can shake it!

Tell Us What You Think!

Before the show was over, Jeff and Belle told us about a comment card that was on the table. I grabbed one, and while I didn’t fill it out, I wanted to look at it when I got home. They asked for input, including:

• How was the performance?
• How was the sound and lighting?
• How were your seats?
• How was the service?
• How did you hear about this event?
• Any recommendations?

I am sure they use this for data collection, but if I was a performer, I would want to know what the audience thought of the production. That’s the only way you are going to get better.

The show was incredible. I didn’t have any expectations when I went in… and I left energetic and excited to have seen my first show. It won’t be my last. I had a chance after the show to chat with Katie Angel, and we will be scheduling an interview very soon. I can’t wait to learn more about the show, the dancers, and more!

Have you ever been to a burlesque show? If so, what did you think?

Click here to “like” Angel Burlesque on Facebook.

Click here to follow Angel Burlesque on Twitter.

Click here to watch Angel Burlesque on YouTube.

*Cristian Riquelme is actually in a band. They performed Swamp Rock for the crowd. Live music didn’t really fit the theme of the evening, but it was a nice chance to use the restroom and grab another drink. They played two songs, so I was still able to catch most of their energetic performance.

My good friend Mary Baker introduced me to this band. I hadn’t heard the name, and was confused with the name at first. Then I met the band, and it all made sense. I bet you would never guess where the name comes from. I was immediately impressed with their personalities, and how professional they handled themselves both on and off stage. The first time I saw them perform was at the Chatham Tap in Fishers, Indiana and even though the sound wasn’t that great (blame the venue, not the band) I was still pumped to see a performance. I liked them so much I asked them to play on the next rickyleepotts.com presents six bands for six bucks. We are still a few months out from that, and I can already tell you I made a good decision by asking them to be on that show. Anyway, the band is fairly new but is serous about making things happen. They have a ton of talent and before long they will be a household name. It is my absolute pleasure to introduce you to BellJar.

Let’s start with the name… bells and jars don’t really go together. Is there a meaning behind that? Where did the name come from?

BellJar is actually a Sylvia Plath reference. We had to read it as an English AP project. I don’t know if you know much about her, but it was released under a pseudonym. It talked about struggles and depression that a lot of novelists hadn’t dealt with. Her novel changed the landscape of literature. I hated that novel. I hated reading it. It was very depressing; it was hard for me to stick with.

What I walked away with, years later, was what she accomplished and what she was doing. It was our expression of our struggles and us succeeding and failing… what we have been through. We are just trying to connect with people just like she did with her readers. We want people to relate to that and understand that they are not alone. BellJar just seemed like a fitting title.

Did you need her permission to use that name?

The book is The Bell Jar; they are separate. I just took bell and jar and put them together. From what I have seen, bands have used song titles and sections for years. Godsmack stole Alice in Chains. It wasn’t trying to be infringement.

I haven’t seen you guys live before… really looking forward to it. For those out there who have yet to see a show, what can fans (or potential fans) expect from a live performance?

I think they should expect a lively show with sound that drives people to dance. We have a similar sound in all our songs, but they are all in a different style. It’s very upbeat. It’s not real heavy, but it’s not soft either.

We take a lot of pride picking our setlist. We don’t just pick a song to do it. We like to give it some flavor and not take away from the original writer, but try to give our interpretation of what it means to us. We put our own spin on it. We took Dansik’s song Mother and turned it into a guitar piece with a fiddle behind it. That’s one of the covers that we have done that people have raved about. It makes our originals stand out; we take a lot of pride in what we are putting forth. We want to be playing songs for ourselves, but for the people.

So do you need permission when you cover a song?

You are ASCAP certified as musicians. They cover that. Most places cover that too. Playing out and doing a cover song, you pay forth a certain amount and that gives you the right to use their music. There is protection for the artist.

What is your favorite cover song to play?

Can’t You See is a great jam. It sounds great with the drums and the fiddle. It’s a fun song that a lot of people do know. It’s a great jam song you can progress eight measures easily and not know where time goes.

We also like doing Billie Jean, the Chris Cornell track. It’s a great cover. We love Far Behind too. We like it because it’s old school. It makes me nostalgic and a state of euphoria kicks in. We really do spend a lot of time picking our covers. We figure it out and what we can do with it as the artist. They are fun, but our favorite songs are the originals.

SOPA is a big issue in Washington right now. What are your thoughts on all that? Should we #killSOPA?

Speaking as one who has material out there, I think the idea of the act is valid and good. My concern is having them force it without creating a freedom of speech and a freedom on information. There needs to be a way that we can search for information that we need, yet those of us who have a collection of material are protected.

I think the enforcement will be a problem.

Your name is Brandon Cannon. There is a Benjamin Cannon in Indy too. Are you guys related? (He’s also in a band.)

I do have a brother. My full name is Brandon Benjamin Cannon. BBC! My brother is Nathan. I started Facebook in college. I don’t know what year, but I was in college. Everyone was doing it! I did it the wrong way. I added everyone as a friend… half the people I didn’t know. Most I didn’t talk to. Then I had all these friends, but it never added up to anything. I got to a point where it was easier for me to just delete the FB page and go about my own life. I really didn’t need to.

I was required over a year ago, from a job, to open a FB page. I liked the way the company used FB to market their brand and their name to reach out to a community to make themselves known. I found a new way to use it. It allowed me to stay friends with the friends I do see and do talk to. It provides the ability to promote my music and my band. I wanted to strengthen what seems to be an ever-shifting platform. So my Facebook page is more of a business.

Do you have a job outside of music?

Yes, I do.

I dig your logo… who designed that?

Justin Foxworth. He did our logo, and our shirts. He is doing the album cover too. I can’t speak more highly of him. None of this happens without him and his support. To be a staple in a community, we can’t do it without his talents. He is helping our image and is helping get us out there.

We talked a little bit about Facebook… and I see you are also using Twitter to promote the band. What others ways do you promote BellJar?

Right now, Facebook and Twitter. We are using our friends, family, and other musicians to help spread the word. We are building a website and getting into other areas of networking. They take more time and a lot of effort. I know a lot of bands see a positive thing on MySpace. I don’t think there is anything wrong there, but now there is the ability to put music on Facebook. I would rather build a website more than anything. That’s the goal.

Our focus is our EP due out early in 2012. Our focus is on that, and everything that we have going into that. We could have a nice website and a great FB page… but without a good EP that doesn’t help me push my music and book shows. The strength is putting out a quality album. The best marketing tool is word of mouth… and it’s free.

Are you originally from the Circle City?

He’s from Kokomo. Holly is from Fortville. Hancock County boys… represent!

(Brandon) I’m from Bloomington. My folks went to IU.

Where do you guys practice?

In the pink room. We started practicing in a room that was ALL pink. Now we have evolved. Now we practice downstairs at Keith’s house. A lot of coffee and a lot of good music is what it is. And a lot of laughter. We laugh a lot.

In your opinion, how has the Internet changed the way people absorb music?

In the beginning, it became so much more accessible… all of it was at the tip of your fingers. It’s gotten back to where bands are playing more shows; go see the live atmosphere. Maybe on some level we got tired of being able to download so fast, we forgot the originality of a live show.

(Keith) I think it’s amazing. When you had to buy a CD, you couldn’t just run out and buy a CD from some local band. You can just jump online and check them out. That makes me want to see the bands more than anything. I want to hear them before we see them.

(Holly) I love the ability to connect with people and make more songs accessible. There is something to be said with sharing an experience, and if you can share it with music… it makes it even better.

Your friend Mary Baker first introduced us. From the start I was impressed. How do you know Mary? Is she your biggest fan?

She is most definitely one of our biggest fans. She is an inspiration to some of our songs. I met Mary a few years ago. I was doing some DJ spot at the Fox and Hound, and her and her friends go to the one on 82^nd street all the time. We became good friends, and I ended up hanging out with her group of friends. We became close, had similar tastes, and inspirations. We felt like we both looked through a similar set of glasses.

There are a lot of bands out there. Who are you listening to these days? What is your favorite genre of music?

(Brandon) Wow… I grew up listening to the band Cream… Neil Young and today I find myself unable to put down a Ray Lamontagne. I am impressed with bands like 30 Seconds To Mars and Chevelle… they impress me with every album. I just really enjoy music that I can relate to, no matter the style.

(Keith) I don’t know who any of those bands are. Literally… I know one. But I think that’s what plays into our sound. I have Sevendust in my car.

(Holly) Bruce Cobern, Marty Jones, Joni Mitchell… I love 80’s alternative and 80’s pop. How can you not? I love Megadeth… Aretha Franklin. My spectrum is very broad as far as music goes.

What’s the biggest crowd you have ever played for?

Birdy’s Bar & Grill… 300+. We opened for Parabelle. The majority of the crowd was our first big outing as a band.

The smallest?

Locals Only… we did a pickup gig. I feel so bad but this band had a show at Locals Only. It was 9 hours before the show and we went and did it anyway. We had our immediate family there to support us. There were no more than 20 people there, if that. It was a fun night, nonetheless. It was a good stage experience. We got a chance to work on our set!

Who writes all of the lyrics?

We share that responsibility. I came in with a few songs; stuff I had been working on. It was the original concept I was working on. Now that I have the musicians to work with, we had three or four of mine. Keith added a few of his. We pretty much write our songs together now. Holly, when she comes to our practice, she adds as well. She helps us stand out. We are really trying to reach our full potential.

What’s the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on stage?

Holly has played on stage more than me. But at Locals Only, my guitar didn’t work. I left my tuner on. That was pretty embarrassing. I plugged in, and wasn’t getting sound. They setup a microphone for me to play into. It was pretty embarrassing.

I bet you are a beer guy. What’s your favorite beer?

Smithwicks. But I’m actually a scotch man. Glenlivet 18 years is my favorite scotch. I can afford the 10-year Laphroaig, but the nicer stuff I can’t afford. The 18 is about as high as I can go.

You went to IU? I went to Purdue. Can we still be friends?

No.

Well… it’s a New Year. What does 2012 have in store for you?

We have our EP coming out. We are finishing up with the recordings, and early next year we are going to release it. We have a few shows already booked. We are doing the USO event on April 18^th downtown. We have some shows down in Bloomington… and we can’t forget about six4six. It’s going to be a big year for us. I see us playing out a lot, and playing to a bigger fan base with that EP.

When it’s all said and done, what do you want to be remembered for? What’s the legacy of BellJar?

That’s a good question. We have come so far… I want to know that the day we walk away that we connected with someone. We want to make a difference, and that everything we put into these lyrics… these lyrics, these shows… that it was built into something bigger for someone else. That’s what it should be about on any level.

What’s a typical Friday night look like for you?

Holly, what do you do on Friday night?

(Holly) May through October I am usually playing music. Right now is a slow season.

(Keith) Putting my kids to bed. Drinking. That’s what I do.

(Brandon) I like to spend my Friday nights with friends and family. Whether dinner or game night, even having a couple of cocktails I want to surround myself with the people that I love. They are the reason I am here today and the weekend is a good time for that.

I feel like I could ask you questions all day long. Thank you so much for doing this. I should stop… you have a show to play! In all of the interviews I do, I always give the artist the last word. Go.

My mom told me something years ago that has stuck with me, and I think the best way that I can live my life. We are here for one reason. It is to be loved and to love. This band is founded on that. Our music is inspired by it… and it’s definitely what we would like to leave behind. We want everyone to know that they were loved, and that’s the most important thing.

Click here to “like” BellJar on Facebook.

Click here to follow BellJar on Twitter.

The pro I am with today is originally from Palm City, Florida and is the Director of Instruction at the at Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club. Come to think of it… Harbour Ridge is also in Palm City. Anyway, he has been in the sun his whole life down there in the Sunshine State. I actually met Mike for the first time at a Golf Business Network summit… in Florida! It was in Orlando, actually, and we have stayed in contact via email and phone tag. We have become close over the last couple years, and I just knew when I started doing these PGA professional interviews I had to work with him. That… and he plays Titleist. Can’t go wrong with a guy that plays the best equipment in the world! It’s been a long time coming, but today I am sitting down with a man that truly understands golf performance. It’s my pleasure to introduce you to Mike Malizia.

This is the third PGA teaching professional interview that I have done. Are you excited to be a part of the growing list of interviews?

Ricky, I am honored.

You are currently teaching down at Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club. How long have you been down there?

This is my sixth year at Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club.

Do you have a yacht?

(Laughs.) No, but I do have a 24 ft. Sea Ray bowrider.

How does being the Director of Instruction differ from being the head golf professional?

A DOI specializes on golf instruction only, where as a head golf professional specializes in the entire golf operation.

You are TPI Certified. How many levels of certification are there?

The highest level is three. I take my level three in January.

You work with a ton of players. My favorite is Hugo Leon. When these players are in a tournament, do you travel with them or are you just teaching at Harbour Ridge?

I travel to about eleven or twelve events a year.

When working with players like this, do they pay you by the hour or do you work with them on a case by case basis?

I would say it’s half and half… some pay by the hour; some have me on a retainer.

Do you work with any PGA and / or LPGA players?

I have been a pretty big staple of Nationwide and Future Tour players (eleven). Derek Fathauer and Kevin Johnson had their tour cards last year.

What’s a TPI body assessment?

It’s a  test to evaluate a person’s limitations by assessing their stability and mobility. This tells me what their body can or can’t do. I need to know this if I want them to make a specific move.

Do you do playing lessons with your students?

If I had it my way all my lessons would be on the course. Golf is the only sport that is practiced on a different field than you play on.

To you, is it coaching or teaching? Is there a difference?

COACHING… to me teaching is showing a student how to make a specific move where as coaching is teaching a student how to make that move while teaching him to play the game.

You are a member of the Golf Business Network. What does being a member of an organization like that do for you?

Being a GBN member is great for understanding your industry. It also establishes you as an expert in your profession.

Tell me about your relationship with Dr. Bob Rotella.

I started working with Doc my rookie year on Tour. We became good friends and I see Doc out on Tour quite a bit. I still consult with him when I have a mental issue with one of my players. We play golf about once or twice a year together (the big match)…

Hugo is on the Nationwide. What typically keeps players from making the jump to the PGA Tour?

They need to get to a point where they understand THEIR SWING (not the swing) and understand THEIR MIND. It’s my job to help the as a COACH; to help them understand what works.

Do you play very much golf?

Not really. I would say about five times a year.

What’s your favorite golf course? Think hard here… you aren’t allowed to say Harbour Ridge!

(Laughs.) Well I would have to say Pebble Beach. I played the 2000 U.S. Open there and fell in love with the place. But the River Ridge course at Harbour Ridge is still one of my favorites…

Your student Richard Donegan just won the Florida State High Championship. I bet that feels good. When players win events like this, how do you celebrate?

It’s “Miller Time”… I don’t do too much; maybe go out with my wife Judy and have a few adult beverages. It feels great to know you’re making a difference in someone’s goals and dreams.

Starting with your driver, and working your way all the way through the bag… golf ball included, what’s in your bag?

Well hell I don’t even know where my bag is, let alone what’s in it… Not all Titleist equipment. I have a D2 Driver, AP2 irons, Vokey 56 and 60 wedges, Scotty Cameron prototype putter and Titleist Pro V 1x ball… wow, OK I won’t lie. I had to actually find my bag and look to see what I had in it!

You have a new website. It turned out great! I see you have some videos coming soon there… what sort of videos are you wanting to produce for your students?

I want them to understand the game, not just the swing. The game is driving, irons, chipping, pitching, bunker play, putting and course management. What I am trying to do is help them improve one shot on each aspect of the game, instead of all of it on their swing. – http://www.mikemaliziagolfperformance.com/

Let’s say I want to get a lesson with you… what’s the first lesson like? How do you get comfortable with your students?

The first thing I do is listen to them… (the first key to communication); this will tell me what type of person they are and how they learn. My goal is to make each lesson fun and educational.

Are you able to work with folks who are not members at Harbour Ridge? (I assume you can, since you work with so many players.)

Yes, I am very fortunate to be at a place like Harbour Ridge.

You have a profile page on the PGA Tour website. You were on the Tour?

If you want to call it that! (Laughs.) For a little while, let’s put it this way… I have played every tour except the LPGA. I never really cared about playing that much. I was more intrigued on why things happen from a physical and mental aspect.

There are a lot of good instructors out there… but in your opinion, which is the best?

The one who can adapt to any student, mentally and physically. If I don’t know what his or her body can do and how they learn, then they’re just guessing when they want you to do something.

What’s it take to make the top 100? Do those pros get any benefits for being in the top 100? (The top 100 DJ list is something I pay a lot of attention to as well.)

The benefits are great. It’s something I don’t think about much. My goal is to keep improving and getting better everyday, learning more about the body, the mind, and biomechanics. Like I tell my students, “Focus on the process and let the outcome happen.” It is a goal of mine and I would be honored to be nominated as a top 100 instructor, but right now I need to pay attention to the process.

Speaking of music, what are you into? Who are some of your favorite bands?

Well this usually freaks people out, but my two favorite bands are Rush and Motley Crue. I listen to everything from Zac Brown to Marilyn Manson to Pantera. When I was on Tour, Doc Rotella said I needed to listen to something soothing. One day he rode with me to the course and I put on Motley Crue Wild Side for him… he just looked at me and said, “I can see now why you can’t cut.”

Let’s say I hit my driver 270 yards off the tee with a slight draw. I don’t want to buy a new driver, but I need to pick up 10 more yards. What tips would you give me for increasing my distance off the tee?

I would tell you to take 10 steps backward and you just picked up your added yardages… and you want to know why I get paid the big bucks! (Laughs.) No, I would test your body, mobility, and stability and see if we could improve your body to increase distance.

What’s next for you… any big plans for 2012?

Just to keep learning; that’s why I love what I do. No matter how old or how educated you get, you can still always learn.

You are still young, but what do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done? What is the Mike Malizia legacy?

Is 41 really considered young? I want to be remembered as a good person… someone who went the extra step to make a difference and someone who enjoyed life.

Mike, thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule for this. It means the world. In all of the interviews I do, bands and golf pros alike, I always give the artist the last word. Go.

I think I have to ask my wife before I answer this question because she said she always has the last word… hold on, I’ll be right back. She said it would be okay! (Laughs.) She said the last word would be (I love these lyrics, by the way), “Each day’s a gift and not a given right.” Thanks Ricky… now name the band!

Hearthstone Coffee House & Pub just opened up here in Fishers, Indiana. The idea is simple… coffee, beer, food, and supporting the local community. This place has a solid foundation, and money isn’t their incentive. I have heard the general manager say, “We aren’t in this to make money.” Of course making money would be nice… but they have bigger goals here. To prove that, they are donating 10 cents from every drink to charity. That adds up fast, so drink up! I just find it so unique that a place would open, and start off by donating so much to charity. I will soon be sitting down with the general manager, and we will discuss more about that when the time is right.

The general manager is Devin Rose. I first met Devin a few weeks ago (we actually talked on the phone first) and will be writing a series of blogs about the place. I will be talking about the food, the drinks, and more. First off, I wanted to talk about the menu. As I said, in future blogs I will look at their impressive beer list, their wine list, coffee drinks, and more. I am impressed with this place after having only been here a few times. I told Devin that Hearthstone would soon become my new hangout… and I am already scheduling meetings there!

Breakfast

Not sure the hours here… it’s not on the menu. But they do offer a pretty good breakfast menu. I guess it makes sense that a place offering your morning cup of coffee would offer a decent selection in the morning.

Muffins – $2.49
Banana Nut, Blueberry Streusel, Cherry Cheese, Double Chocolate-Chip, or Lemon Poppy Seed.

Breakfast Ciabatta Sandwich – $2.99
Maple Sausage, Egg, and Cheddar or Bacon, Egg and Cheddar or Egg White with Spinach, Tomato and Swiss.

Scones – $2.49
Cinnamon or Blueberry.

Yogurt Parfait – $2.99
Vanilla Yogurt, Berries, and Granola.

Bagels – $2.49
Plain, Everything, Blueberry, or Cinnamon-Raisin.

Oatmeal – $2.49
Add your choice of Butter, Brown Sugar, Dried Cranberries, Pecans, Walnuts, or Granola.

Coffee Cake (Indy Desserts) – $2.49
Lemon Cranberry or Sour Cream

Fruit Cup – $1.99
Seasonal.

Kids Fare – $2.49
Cereal and Milk, Fruit Cup, Peanut Butter and Jelly (or honey), or Mac & Cheese (Includes Entrée + Milk or Juice + Apple Slices or Applesauce + Teddy Grahams.)

As you can see, there are a lot of items on the breakfast menu. You can’t help but compare a coffee house to Starbucks… but their prices are a lot lower than Starbucks. Let’s take a look at the lunch menu.

Lunch

Pick 2 – $6.99
Select two of the following: cup of soup, ½ a salad, or ½ a sandwich.

Garden Salad – $4.99
Mixed Greens, Tomatoes, Sliced Peppers, Cheddar Cheese, and Croutons.

Cranberry Walnut Salad – $6.99
Grilled Chicken Breast on Mixed Greens Topped with Cranberries, Walnuts, and Blue Cheese Crumbles.

Smoked Turkey Club Salad – $6.99
Smoked Turkey Breast on Leaf Lettuce with Cheddar Cheese, Bacon, Tomatoes, and Croutons.

Grilled Chicken Salad – $6.99
Grilled Chicken on Leaf Lettuce, with Tomatoes, Bell Peppers, Mild Pepper Rings, Fresh Parmesan Cheese, and Croutons.

Soup (changes daily)

• Cup (8 ounces) – $2.99
• Bowl (12 ounces) – $4.99

Caprese Salad Sandwich – $4.99
Garden Fresh Lettuce, Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella Cheese with Balsamic Vinaigrette on a Ciabatta. Comes with a side of kettle chips and a dill pickle spear.

Cranberry Chicken Salad Sandwich – $6.99
Chicken Salad, Lettuce, Tomato, on Cranberry Walnut Bread. Comes with a side of kettle chips and a dill pickle spear.

Smoked Turkey Club Sandwich – $6.99
Smokey Turkey, Swiss Cheese, Bacon, Tomato, Lettuce, and Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce on Whole Wheat. Comes with kettle chips and a dill pickle spear.

Grilled Chicken Sandwich – $6.99
Grilled Chicken Breast with Lettuce, Tomato, Cheddar Cheese, and Chipotle Honey Mayonnaise on Ciabatta. Comes with a side of kettle chips and a dill pickle spear.

Salad dressings include Ranch, Honey Mustard, Pear Gorgonzola, Raspberry Vinaigrette, Mango Chardonnay, or Tomato Bacon.

The lunch menu is pretty impressive. Nothing on the menu is over $7 and most come with a side of kettle chips and a pickle spear. The Pick 2 reminds me of Panera Bread… but cheaper! Moving on to the dinner menu… They don’t have a dinner menu here at Hearthstone Coffee House & Pub, but they do offer some filling appetizers. I have tried a few of them and this place just opened! Let’s take a closer look at their list of appetizers.

Appetizers

Cellerman’s Plate – $12.99 / Half Order $7.99
Toscana Salami, Prosciutto, Aged Irish Cheddar, Marinated Olives, Bourbon Beer Cheese, Tart Apples, Garlic Sourdough, and Flatbread Crackers.

Blue Cheese & Honey – $6.99
A Wedge of Maytag Blue Cheese drizzled with Sweet Clover Honey topped with Pecans served with Flatbread Crackers.

Sweet Habanera Salsa & Chips – $6.99
A Generous Portion of our very own Sweet Habanera Salsa served with Whole Grain Blue Corn Tortilla Chips.

Fruit & Cheese Plate – $12.99 / Half Order $7.99
Fresh Sliced Apples, Grapes, and Strawberries with “Heavenly Fluff” Fruit Dip and Aged Irish Cheddar served with Flatbread Crackers and Garlic Sourdough Bread.

Veggie & Cheese Plate – $10.99 / Half Order $6.99
Sliced Peppers, Asparagus, Baby Carrots, Aged Irish Cheddar, Veggie Dip, Marinated Olives, Bourbon Beer Cheese, and Flatbread Crackers.

Bourbon Beer Cheese – $6.99
A Hearthstone Classic Spread made with Aged White Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, People’s Amber Ale and Bourbon. Served with Flatbread Crackers.

Hummus & Pita Chips – $6.99
Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Served with Baked Pita Bread. Add a side of fresh veggies $1.99.

The Cellerman’s Plate rocks. It reminds me of a dish I have had at Bella Vita once. The only thing that would make this dish better is a side of asparagus. Nothing beats wrapping fresh prosciutto around a stick of asparagus. The bourbon beer cheese is pretty good too. Oh, and the “fluff” fruit dip rocks! The apps will be a nice touch when they have tastings… like wine and martini tastings. They will be doing those every month.

You can’t have a coffee shop and not have a list of desserts to choose from. Starbucks has cake pops… but Hearthstone has brownies, cakes, and cookies. Let’s take a closer look at their dessert menu.

Desserts

Brownies – $1.99
Brownie and Blondie flavors are available.

Cake – $3.99
Choose from Carrot Cake, German Chocolate Cake, or Amaretto Cheese.

Premium Desserts – $4.99
Choose from Tiramisu, Lemon Sunshine, Chocolate Decadence, Strawberry Surprise, or Mascarpone.

Coffee Cake – $2.49
Choose from Lemon Cranberry or Sour Cream.

Cupcakes (Provided by Flying Cupcakes) – $3.49
3 Flavors available daily.

Cookies (Provided by Flying Cupcake) – $2.49 / Half $1.49
3 Flavors available daily.

Last week, I had the chance to try a few of these desserts. First up was the coffee cake. It was a little dry, but that’s what makes coffee cake so good. It really does taste better with a cup of coffee. The crust is my favorite part. I also tried one of the cupcakes and the tiramisu. I must say, it was the weirdest looking tiramisu I have ever seen… but it was incredible. It was cold, which I usually don’t care for. But the way this one was presented made all the difference. Any one of these would go good with the South American. Imagine this… coffee, chocolate, and Patron XO. Oh man… it’s amazing! It’s the best coffee drink I have ever had. Not sure of the calorie count, but it’s incredible.

If you are hungry, and looking for a new place to hang out on Indy’s north side, stop by Hearthstone Coffee & Pub. They have an impressive beer list, some incredible coffee flavors, and a nice atmosphere. I have a feeling I will be spending a ton of time here.

Have you been to Hearthstone Coffee House & Pub? What is your favorite thing on the menu?

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It’s hard for me to spend more than $100 a night on a hotel room. It doesn’t matter what city I’m in, if the room is over $100 it’s too high! Granted, being in New York City or Chicago, I have been forced to spend a little more. But I would say the most I have paid for a room is still below $200. That’s why I almost fell out of my chair when I read the rate on a night for the most expensive hotel room in the world. For what they are charging, the room better be covered in gold and I better have a servant waiting on me hand and foot. Granted, the room is more than I make in a year… so I will never stay in it. The hotel is the Hotel President Wilson in Geneva and the room is The Royal Penthouse. Yeah… some penthouse!

The suite is 18,000-square-foot… that’s bigger than most homes. My apartment is like 1,400 square-foot. What in the world do you need that much space for? Names of people have stayed there include Bill Clinton and Matt Damon, but according to the hotel staff “all are welcome”. Yeah, I bet they are! In the room (there are actually several rooms as this takes up an entire floor of the hotel) is a pool table, grand piano, and fully stocked cocktail lounge at your disposal. I wonder if you need to ask for a key to the mini bar. The view is pretty sweet too as it overlooks Lake Geneva. Did I forget to mention the 103-inch flat-screen TV?

Oh, I forgot to tell you how much the room is. ONE night at the Hotel President Wilson in The Royal Penthouse will run you… are you ready for this… $65,000.

What’s the most you have ever paid to stay in a room?