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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.

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

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.

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?

Click here to “like” Hearthstone Coffee House & Pub on Facebook.

Click here to follow Hearthstone Coffee House & Pub on Twitter.

Anyone that is friends with Brad Real is a friend of mine. Brad has been tearing up the Indianapolis rap scene for quite some time, and just continues to grow. He has even started to collaborate with some local singer/songwriters. The guy that I am sitting with today knows Brad… and has worked with Brad on several occasions. He is a producer that understands grass roots and what it takes to produce a good album. He actually has a new album coming out in January. Not only is he easy to get along with, but he’s an incredible talent just loaded with potential. This guy is a producer… I wonder if he has ever produced any beats… you know, electronic dance music stuff. Maybe I will ask him! It is my pleasure to introduce you to Indy’s very own… Nick J.

What’s the J stand for?

My last name is Justice. It’s a memorable last name, but I’d like people who listen to my music to focus more on the catchiness of “Nick J” than the criminal justice system.

You have a song titled Boiler Up. Does that mean you went to Purdue? That’s where I graduated from, so I’m glad you don’t have a song about the Hoosiers!

“Boiler Up!” I did not go to Purdue University, but one of the groups I produce a lot for, Lux & P, are all about it. (I went to Ball State University – Cardinals!) It was meant as a hype song for anyone who likes the Boilermakers.

Some call it rap… others call it R&B. I might even call it rap. What do you call it?

I feel like rap is a more modern version of hip-hop. Rap is the dance, pop, or even hardcore cousin of hip-hop. R&B is the slower, almost all-singing genre that expresses more emotion. That’s just the way I look at it.

Where are you originally from?

Born and raised in Indianapolis! Pike Township to be exact. I am very proud to be from this city and even more proud to be a musician in this local music scene.

You have a new album coming out. That has to be exciting. Tell me a little bit more about the album, the process, and what your overall expectations are for the new release.

Yes, my album “The Nicest” comes out January 24, 2012. The album started out being a collective work of the “greatest hits” from the artists I produce for. Then, I decided to have these artists (and some new ones) record a few brand new tracks to add to the album. It turned out really well. Since most of the songs I am using were already recorded, I did not end up spending a ton of time in the studio. However, I spent more than a few hours getting the best versions of the old songs and recording the new ones. I had the whole album mastered, copyrighted the new songs, and put the whole thing up on iTunes. I expect it will be popular. Hosting so many different artists and sub-genres within hip-hop… there really is something here for everyone.

You are friends with Brad Real. He is killing it here in the Circle City. You guys are in the same scene… is there a lot of competition or do you all play nice and share successes with one another?

Brad is awesome. There is no competition; we help each other. When he started out, I did almost 100% of his production. We worked together on songs and I even rapped on a couple of them. (Laughs.) Now that he is expanding here in Indy, he helps me through publicity, shout-outs, and the continued use of my music. Not to mention, we are both on his label, 8729 Records. It’s a great relationship.

Speaking of Brad, you worked on the song Mumble. I LOVE that track.

Thanks! One day he gave me a few clips from a song by Mr. Kinetik and asked, “Hey, can you make a beat and chop these samples into the hook and bridge?” And what came out was the best that I could do with it. Brad’s verses just came together and made the whole thing complete.

“The Nicest” has a ton of names associated with it… including Brad, Lux and P and many others. Where do you find these artists? How do you decide if you want to work with them or not?

Brad Real and Lux & P had been my friends long before we started working on music together. Making songs with them was easy once we realized that we all had some kind of talent. A few other artists on the album, such as Ephect and P. Hardy, I met through Brad and Lux & P. When I hear an artist’s work, I ask myself if I think I could create anything that would sound good with their style. Besides that, professionalism and lyrical content are big factors in deciding whether or not I work with an artist.

96.3 seems to be the only hip-hop and R&B station in the city. Do you do a lot of work with them? Has your work ever been featured on the air?

I don’t do a ton of work with 96.3 on a personal level. However, I have had songs I’ve produced featured on this station. Stop, Drop, & Roll by Lux & P was my first produced single on 96.3. Also That’s Me by Lux & P, and Nowhere by Brad Real have both been on air. Other Indianapolis stations that have played our music are 100.9 and X103.

Who is MVL?

MVL is a female singer in the Indianapolis music scene. My connection with her was her feature on Brad Real’s song Married to the Music. I have also produced a few songs for her and she has performed them at a few of the same show Brad has performed at.

Christmas is right around the corner. What’s on your wish list?

(Laughs.) Movies (of course), maybe some clothes, and the music lover’s essentials… iTunes gift card and blank CDs.

Do you have a job outside of music?

I do. I have a degree in criminal justice (I know my last name makes it appropriate) from Ball State. It has been very hard to jump into the perfect career right out of college. I am working for a private security company right now. It pays the bills for now until I decide what I’m doing next.

When you produce a track, do you work from home or do you have a studio?

For the most part, I work on production at home. I have a nice little set up where I can concentrate and get things done. But I also collaborate with other producers including Majestic of Bad Boy Ent. and Michael Miller of M Productions. This gives me the opportunity to get in the studio and give my input to other producer’s tracks.

If someone wanted to get into producing, where should he or she start? What does it take to produce a track?

Producing is a form of creativity. In order to even think about getting into creating music, you need to have some sort of talent. In my personal opinion, anyone these days can use loops and samples on the production software to create an instrumental. But to actually make an original, harmonically legit piece of music, someone needs to learn the notes, chords and keys of music. Besides the melodic part of the beat, rhythm is very important. You have to be able to not only create an interesting drum pattern, but to know what sounds good with the melodies. Lastly, mixing the beat is important. All the sounds need to be well blended in the headphones, speakers, your car and whatever else. Those are the main components of instrumental production.

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

The Internet has made listening, creating, distributing, and buying music easier. It’s that simple. It is easier for both the buyer and the artist. Local artists have it easier as well. The internet has made finding their name and music much more convenient than in the old days.

Tell me about your affiliation with 8729 Records.

I was working with Brad Real before 8729 was even created. Once he and his dad created the label and made it official, I signed on and have been an in-house producer ever since. I work with Brad and Big Tid and I’m sure there will be more artists joining us eventually.

I have talked to Brad about this before… but he doesn’t use a lot of profanity. He might not use any. How does that affect being surrounded by a scene that pretty much demands you swear to fit in?

Well, other people might notice that you don’t use profanity, but it is not going to affect their opinion of you. If you make good music, you make good music and it shouldn’t matter if you cuss or not. I think Brad and my other artists have been very virtuous in not going crazy with profanity. Being a producer, I don’t have to worry about that, but I would prefer that a rapper doesn’t dirty up my track too much with their language.

You did some work on Rise Above. Jason Firebaugh was on that track. They both have appeared on a rickyleepotts.com presents six bands for six bucks. Have you been to one of those yet?

I think I might have a couple years ago when it first started, but I’m not sure. I have been to so many shows that they kind of all blur together. (Laughs.) I have heard great things about six4six and I will definitely try to get out to the next one.

I listen to a lot of electronic dance music. Have you ever produced a dance track?

My definition of dance music varies a lot. I can make dance rap, dance pop, dance R&B, and other forms. But I do not think I have ever tried an electronic dance techno type beat. It sounds like a lot of fun though.

The single Stop, Drop & Roll had a ton of success. That was early on in your career. Has anything else you produced since had as much success?

Yes, Stop, Drop, & Roll by Lux & P featuring the Hoosya Boyz was on 96.3 and performed at many college parties. It was my first produced song on the radio. Brad Real’s Nowhere and Rise Above have both had as much success if not more. They have both been featured on Indianapolis and out-of-state radio stations. Nowhere features Jon Young and J. Cash of Orlando, Florida and they have promoted the song on their albums as well. Rise Above, as you know, has a music video in rotation on IMC and is very popular in the rock scene, as well as the hip-hop crowd. I am very proud of those songs.

Do you ever write lyrics for the tracks you produce?

(Laughs.) Not anymore. When Brad was still a young pup coming up in the music scene, he featured me on at least three songs. I rapped on a few verses and the hooks. More recently, I helped Brad write the hook for a song called That’s Sketch. I even have a part on the chorus. That song is on my album.

What’s next for you… what does 2012 have in store?

This next year will see the release of my album and hopefully the expansion and blossoming of my producer skills and the artists I produce for. I think it’s going to be a good year.

Surely you have been to some shows… what’s the best concert you have ever been to?

Well, it’s a tie for two completely different shows. One was a fraternity party Lux & P had at Purdue. It was in the giant basement of this frat house and there was a DJ booth and decorations and even a “back stage” area. There were, of course, lots of college kids and lots of drinking. It was fun. Lux & P had a pretty large audience and everyone was dancing and getting into it. They even had a special appearance from one of their featured artists. That show was cool. Second was when Brad Real opened up for Cypress Hill at The Vogue in Broad Ripple. That show was incredible. The Vogue is already prestigious to begin with, but to see Brad up on stage and hear my music coming out of the speakers was awesome. He did an excellent job for a crowd that big. Those are my two favorite shows.

Let’s say someone approached you about producing a country song… would you laugh and turn your head, or give it a shot and see what you could come up with?

I should give it a shot! I am ALWAYS open to trying new things, especially when it comes to a new producing style. You never know if it could work until you try it. And, if it sounds good, then that’s the beginning of something great.

Since you are producing all this music, The Nicest could have a TON of tracks on it. How many songs are you looking at?

I have produced many many songs. Many will never be heard past my computer or the artist’s stereo. But there are also many that need to be heard by everyone. I have fifteen tracks on “The Nicest”. Ten of them are the “greatest hits” I have chosen and the other five are brand new just for this album.

The album comes out at the end of January. How will you be promoting the new release?

I will be promoting the release first through social media, like Facebook and Twitter. I will also have my own producer website set up very soon. This will make it easier for people to access links to my music and information. I’m in the process of creating a video commercial to put online that will be promoting it, too. I have many small ways that I think will get it publicized.

Thanks for taking the time to sit with me today. In all of the interviews that I do, I always give the artist the last word. Go.

I appreciate you interviewing me! It’s been great expressing all these thoughts that I have been taking for granted. I appreciate all the support everyone has given me and the artists I produce for. I am excited to pay everyone back with good music. “The Nicest” coming January 24, 2012!

Click here to follow Nick J on Twitter.

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My friend Kayla Chaffee introduced me to this band. A few months ago I saw that she was booking shows at The Elbo Room up in Chicago, Illinois. Talk about a cool job… I love that space, and they get some big bands through there. It’s sort of like the Birdy’s Bar & Grill of Chicago. Anyway, I approached her with an idea. Since she was booking bands, and I like interviewing bands here on the blog, why not work together? She liked the idea, and the first band she introduced me to was excited for an interview. I had a lot of fun getting to know them, and learning their music. With songs like She Moves Like Rain and Sunshine, these guys are sure to please no matter what style of music you like. They mix a little blues in there… a touch of classic rock. But they call themselves “vintage”. Ever wonder what a vintage band sounds like? Check these guys out… because it makes sense. I can’t explain it, but the music screams vintage. They are from Iowa (not sure I have met anyone from Iowa before) and were kind enough to sit down for an interview. It’s my pleasure to introduce you to the hard working band that is Item 9 & the Mad Hatters.

The name… that’s not a typical band name. I love it though! Where did the name come from? Does the 9 mean anything?

A few years ago we used to be a cover band called Old Style. After making a few original songs we decided to try our shot at being an original band. We figured we’d need a name change being our old one wasn’t very original (just our favorite kind of beer!)  After a bit of deliberation, while sitting around in the band room, we decided on Item 9 & the Mad Hatters, a combo of movie references from two popular movies at the time. We felt it’d be best to have the most random/weird name we could think of that also rolls off the tongue easy. Although Item 9 does come straight from a movie, the number 9 does have different meanings to each member individual… Revolution 9, trifecta of 3, triforce, backwards “p”, John Lennon’s favorite number…

Your logo has a hat in it… that makes sense! Who designed the logo?

We use 3 different logos primarily, and yes they all have top hats in them. You can’t be a Mad Hatter without one. Our first logo was designed by Miranda Buckner, a co-worker of mine at The University of Iowa web development department. Our second logo was made by my lovely girlfriend Kelsey Huebner. It’s also the design for the cover of our album “Old Style”. We like using this one on flyers; it’s easy to pick out and see from a distance.

Our third logo was designed by my cousin Joe Lower. It’s pretty awesome, but we haven’t had a chance to use it yet.

Where are you guys originally from?

Originally the band came out of Riverside, Iowa. The 3 founding members are from there. While in college, I met Matt Bryks, one of the guitar players, who lived across the hall from me in my dorm.  He’s from Chicago. Our singer is from North Liberty, Iowa and was found on craigslist. Our current drummer is from Richmond, Indiana. We met him one night while playing at an open jam at the Yacht Club in Iowa City. Our original drummer (who still plays with us on occasion), my brother Henri, is still in high school and decided he needed time off to play sports and finish school.

How does “vintage” rock differ from… from rock?

Vintage means “characterized by excellence, maturity, and enduring appeal; classic.” We grew up listening to classic rock; we love classic rock. We’re trying to bring it back while still using influences and techniques from newer artists.

The band just released the debut album. Tell me a little bit more about the album, the production of the album, and the expectations of the new release.

The album took a little more than a year to produce, start to finish. We had won a day of recording time at Flat Black Studios by placing 2nd in the 2010 Yacht Club Battle of the Bands, so we decided we’d buy 3 more days and record an entire album. Recording at Flat Black was great; the owner/operator Luke Tweedy is one hell of a sound engineer and a great guy. He gave us a lot of good advice and was a big part in making the album turn out as well as it did. We had the album mastered by Carl Saff of Saff Mastering and the duplication was done by Sooper Dooper. We really liked working with both of these companies, they gave us a great deal and made everything easy. Kelsey Huebner designed the album and created the album artwork; we’re very thankful for this because it looks awesome and had it not been for her we’d probably have ripped of the Beatles and released a white.

Our expectations for the release party were totally blown away by the actual turnout. We enlisted 5 of our favorite local bands to come rock with us, we had a local radio DJ Jason Larson MC the night, we had an art show by Kelsey Huebner and our photographer Kodi McQuillen, we had a free raffle with prizes, and to top it all off we had a killer light/fog show. The night was epic, to say the least.  Many people saying it had been the best rock show they had seen in Iowa City in years, if not ever. Out of the 100 copies we got initially we’re down to our last 20 and are in the process of ordering more.

It looks like you guys are on the road a lot. Do you ever get sick of traveling around so much?

No, we just get a little tired of driving. We know what we’re trying to accomplish and being on the road is a big part of it. We’re just happy to be able to be on the road entertaining people with our music.

I am a good friends with the lady that books The Elbo Room in Chicago. I love that venue, by the way. Did you enjoy the show? How was the turnout up there in the Windy City?

We love the venue too; best place we’ve played in Chicago so far. We really had a great time at the show. The crowd and other bands were great. I’d estimate there were 40-50 people there; not bad for a black Friday far from home.

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

We’ve played for 300+ people during a dubstep festival in Cedar Falls called GlowStock, put on by the University of Northern Iowa. Initially the crowd was hesitant because we were a rock band in between sets of dubstep DJs, but we had them raging by the end of the show. We got pretty close to this number at our CD release party and 2011 Yacht Club Battle of the bands.

You guys won the 2011 AMA Battle of the Bands. How many bands were in that?

That’s an interesting story. There were supposed to be 7 or 8 other bands… but all except us and another dropped out on the day of the event. It wasn’t the most organized show we’ve played, but it was still fun to be a part of. We’re pretty proud of having won the 2011 Yacht Club Battle of the Bands by a landslide in October. Also, we’ve been nominated as finalists in a local newspaper (Iowa City Press Citizen) as Iowa City’s “Best Band”. We’re pretty excited and honored about this and can’t wait to hear the final results.

They do a battle here in Indianapolis every year. It’s pretty popular. What was the prize?

Because of low turnout, they weren’t able to give us a prize… so I guess the prize was publicity. As for the other battle, we won a week of studio time at Minstrel Recording Studios in Iowa City. I’ll have to check out that venue in Indianapolis and try to get us on.

Who writes all of your lyrics?

Pete has written most of the lyrics followed by Adam Maxwell, although it’s a joint effort with other band members and friends giving their suggestions and input.

Do you guys play all originals, or do you work in a cover song here and there?

We’ll usually throw in a cover or two at every show. We feel this is very important in helping us win over new fans and coming up with ideas for new songs.

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

The Internet has liberated the music industry and the world. We love it.

What would you be doing if you were not performing?

Practicing.

I have not seen you guys live yet, but what can someone expect from a live show?

A wall of modern classic rock sound. High energy vocals and instrumental solos by all members. I guarantee we’ll have you cheering at some point, saying, “Where has this band been my whole life?”

Do you guys have jobs outside of music?

Yes, but they’re nothing to brag about.

Let me guess… Pete and Henri are related.

You are correct. If you’re trying to start a band and your little brother won’t stop following you around, you might as well have him be the drummer. Recently Henri has handed over drum responsibilities to Rob Abrams. Henri is still in high school and decided to focus on his studies until he graduates. During our CD release party we did the double drummer thing, it was awesome and we’ll be surely doing it more often in the future.

What’s next for you guys… what does 2012 have in store for the band?

We’ll be recording our second album, hopefully having it released by the end of the world or at least by the end of 2012 if the Mayans were wrong. We’ll also keep on gigging around Iowa and the Midwest hopefully coming to a city near you soon.

How are you promoting the new album? I see you are on Facebook and Twitter… anything else up your sleeve?

Primarily word of mouth. We’re happy to see the album has been promoting itself as well; a lot of people have been saying good things about it and burning it for their friends. Hopefully we can start getting it circulated on the interwebs…

When this is all said and done, and you are no longer playing, what do you want to be remembered for? What’ the Mad Hatter legacy?

Bringing back the solo, the band, and rock n’ roll in general baby..

Thanks for taking the time to answer these. I know you guys are busy. In all of the interviews that I do, I always give the artist the last word. Go.

First of all we’d like to thank you for showing interest in us and making the interview possible. Also we’d like to thank anyone who read this far! Please check out some of our stuff online and come to a show.

Click here to follow Item 9 & the Mad Hatters on Twitter.

Click here to “like” Item 9 & the Mad Hatters on Facebook.

Listen to Item 9 & the Mad Hatters on SoundCloud.

Where do I even begin… sitting with me today is not only an incredible golfer, but an award winning and highly respected golf coach. From being a recent Illinois PGA teacher of the year to having honorable mention as a Top Kids Teacher by U.S. Kids Golf, this guy just continues to learn and grow as a golf instructor. If you are familiar with CORE Golf, then you are familiar with his work. He is also associated with Mizuno, and has worked with endless high school kids getting them all prepared for college golf. Oh yeah, and he is a pretty solid player himself having played in over 600 tournaments. He is a 4 time qualifier of the PGA Professional National Champion. I could talk about his accomplishments all day. This is a new concept for me here, interviewing PGA teaching professionals… I figured no better place to start than with my good friend Brett Packee.

I had this idea a few weeks ago… to interview PGA teaching professionals. I have worked with tons of bands, but never a teaching pro. Funny thing is… you are all artists in my book. Brett, you are the first person I have interviewed in this space. Are you excited for the interview?

I am very excited and honored to be your first PGA teaching professional interview. My website, social media accounts and contacts have made great strides in the last 12 months, and you personally are a huge part of it all.  As you said, we are all artists… that is for sure. Just don’t ask me to sing or play an instrument as I have zero, and I do mean ZERO musical talent.

How long have you been teaching?

I turned professional in 1989, so I am entering my 23d year as a golf professional. I have been teaching since my very first days as a pro. I received my PGA membership in 1997 and founded CORE Golf, Inc. in 2000 which is when teaching became my full time focus. Golf professionals wear many hats and I chose to make teaching (and coaching) my passion.

What made you decide to get into teaching the game?

I have always loved teaching and helping others. I shared the following story during my speech upon winning the 2008 Illinois PGA Teacher of the Year award:

“I have always loved teaching, and I guess it runs in my blood… my sister is a school teacher, my aunt and uncle were school teachers and once in college, my dad got schooled by Jack Nicklaus.”

Serious – true story, my dad once played against Jack Nicklaus and got smoked. Anyway, in high school my dad was always on my case to worry about my own game rather than my teammates but I always wanted to help them play better. This was still the same in college so I guess it was foreshadowing of things to come.

Someone surely had to teach you… and after what I saw of you at the last Golf Business Network summit in Orlando, you are still being taught and are always learning. Who was your first and your most inspirational instructor?

I had many teachers growing up. Times were different back then and I bounced around many professionals. My dad certainly was the mainstay during my career – he is still involved in my game today, and still plays a ton of golf. I would say he helped me the most by providing opportunities to work on my game and other professionals. As for other professionals, my first lessons were with a PGA professional named Shelby Futch who later went on to start the John Jacobs Golf Schools. During high school, I took lessons with Earl Puckett (former head pro at Twin Orchard Country Club) stand out and are still in my memory today. That is the amazing thing about great teachers, I can still remember lessons (where I was standing, what the information was, and drills I was given) from 20-25 years ago! What an impact those professionals made on me, and I hope I have the same on my students today.

Being a golfer, I bet you watch a lot of golf on TV. Who are you rooting for? Who are some of your favorite players?

Ironically, I do not watch a lot of golf on TV. Being in the service industry I work most Saturdays and Sundays. I block off time Masters Sunday of course and I love the British Open when it comes on at 5:00 AM local time. I am a huge Ryder Cup fan as well but that is about it for golf on TV for me. As for players, I coached at Northwestern University when Luke Donald was there and spent a lot of time with him. He is a great player and even a better person; I am a huge fan. I am also a fan of the new bread, guys like Fowler, Woodland, Mahan, and Watson. They bring a lot of charisma and color to the game and the game needs that.

You do a lot of work with high school students. Any reason you focused in on that niche?

Best question yet. Coaching in golf is basically non-existent. In high school most coaches are teachers or administrators who “coach golf” for some extra income. They don’t really know the game, maybe they play on occasion. Even at the college level, a lot of coaches are not full time. My college coach was nothing more than a chaperon who could not break 100… that was at a top Division 1 university. Basically, I never had a coach in my entire golf career – just a few teachers along the way. When I started coaching at Northwestern, and saw first hand the impact great golf professionals who coached could have on players, I was hooked. While at NU, I saw the team continue to get better and consistently ranked as a top 20 golf program. Pretty good for one of the top academic schools and being from the north. College coaching was not for me and I realized junior golfers needed more than a teacher, they needed a coach. Someone who watched them play and compete, run practice, maintaining their focus on goals, and so much more. In life, you learn more from adversity than accomplishments and I feel my lack of coaching at the junior golf, high school, and college levels lead me to what I do today.

Tell me a little bit more about CORE Golf.

Well, I founded CORE Golf – an acronym for “creating opportunities for reaching excellence” while coaching at Northwestern. I wanted junior golfers to have more opportunities and more than just a teacher. Originally CORE was year round coaching, teaching, junior golf tour(s), and camps. As more junior golf tours and camps developed, I switched my focus to teaching and coaching. Now instruction falls under Brett Packee Golf and coaching is under the CORE umbrella. I cannot stress enough the differences between teaching and coaching and this branding helps identify all that I do.

I don’t play enough to justify lessons… I bet I play 5 times a year, if that. How many rounds a year do you get in?

Well I play around 20 tournament rounds per year through our Illinois PGA plus a few national events if I can qualify. I play a lot of 9 hole rounds with students either teaching or coaching and that is about it. I play less than 4 social rounds a year and don’t have much time for practice rounds.

Starting with your driver, what’s in your bag? I want to know all the clubs… the golf ball too!

Ball is PRO V1X right now but I played the Callaway ball for 10 years. Golf balls are all about the same; I have demoed the Srixon ball and liked it a lot. 2012 is up in the air right now.

I am an equipment junkie, that’s for sure. I try everything but it must be great to get “in the bag”. I am a huge fan of Mizuno irons and wedges. I just feel they are the best. As for woods I don’t like to change much; it takes a lot of time to get used to something and in my opinion if it makes my bag it must be good, why change?  I am also a fan of Titleist and Ping, I like their product and the way they do business.

In the Bag right now:

• Driver – Titleist 910 D3 with Aldila RIP shaft 60x. Standard length. Love this club!
• 3 wood – Titleist 907 f2 from about 4 years ago. Nothing can beat it!
• Hybrids – Mizuno from about 3 years ago 17 and 20 with white Fubuki shafts. These are great and I switch between the two depending on course and wind.
• Irons – 4-pw Mizuno MP 63 plus ½” 2 upright Dynamic Gold x100 soft stepped / 3 iron – MP 53 same specs as rest of irons.
• Wedges – Mizuno T11 53 and 59 same specs as other irons
• Putter – Taylor Made Rossa Ghost bent to 1 loft and 2 flat.

What’s the best course you have ever played? What did you shoot?

When I look at “best courses” there are so many I enjoy for various reasons. I like uniqueness, something that identifies the course (walking only, tee boxes, cool trees, bunkers, etc.) My top five are Spyglass (shot 70 last spring) because where else can you journey down to the ocean and end up in the Pines of North Carolina? I like Old Elm (68 is my low) in Chicago because it is 6,300 yards par 73, old school Donald Ross where all the greens run off to the next tee box; so cool and extremely fun to play which is something lost in golf course design today. Others would be Riviera in LA (never played but caddied in LA Open there.) Best trees in the world! I also got to play Olympic Club in San Fran last spring (host of the US Open this year.) It is a very special place. Lastly would be Whistling Straights in Sheboygen, Wisconsin. Just a great place on the banks of Lake Michigan and being from the midwest, I think it is pretty cool. Never broken 80 because it’s 7,500 yards of terror and wind!

You are killing it with all of the social media stuff. Do you prefer any one social network to another?

I am really into Twitter and my blog… they are tops. Facebook confuses me as I don’t like to mix business, business news, new ideas with friends and vice versa. That is exactly what has happened. I don’t think my friends want to be bothered with what is new in golf or see a lesson tip when they don’t play golf, and I certainly don’t want to hear about someone’s dog being sick on my business page. I do like the golf groups I follow on Facebook, so that is a plus.

You went to the University of Miami. Now you live in Chicago. Why did you move back to the Midwest?

Well I love the Midwest and all it stands for. I was not really a fan of the south and year round golf. I played a couple of tournaments over Christmas growing up and I just could not get used to seeing a Christmas tree up when it was 80 out! I really like the seasons and winter, although I would love to see it end a little earlier than it does. Our first tournament of the year (April 13th) was snowed out this year. That gets old.

I bet the winters in the Windy City get rough… how do you teach in the winter?

I have an indoor studio where we use a lot of video to make the changes necessary. We also work on putting and shortgame. My teaching plan really follows the seasons as well. Winter we make huge changes with a lot of video, in the spring we work on short game and putting, in the summer we focus on maintaining our swing positions and address any issues, and in the fall we assess the year and plan for winter training. Teaching and playing year round has some benefit but I like my plan better. When every day you can play or compete, when do you take a break and make changes?

You were the 2008 Illinois PGA Teacher of the Year. What was that like? Is that something you apply for or is that something they just hand out every year?

Winning the award was a great honor as you are selected and nominated by your peers. You then submit a portfolio of information of which the board then votes. It is a great honor to be nominated by your peers and that your accomplishments and work do not go unnoticed. The first time I was nominated, I had never met the pro before which just shows people pay attention. The process of winning any PGA award is very difficult. When I won the IPGA Assistant Player of the Year, that was based on points earned in each tournament. I had a great year playing. Both awards hold special meanings and I am most proud of being the first Illinois PGA Professional to win both a playing and a teaching award.

I know you are a beer drinker… what’s your favorite beer?

Boy that is a tough one. In the winter it is hard to beat a Guinness. In the fall the Leinenkugel’s Oktoberfest (from Wisconsin) or Sam Adams… but if I had to pick one beer year round it would have to be Chimay, Red or Blue. The trappist monks do it right!

What does the future hold for Brett Packee? What techniques are you using to grow your business and to increase your number of students?

Last year I changed the focus of what I do by creating two different brands – Teaching by Brett Packee Golf and Coaching by CORE Golf.  These are very separate but related businesses and will help people find me and identify all my programs.  I will be looking to hire a full time coach to run all my CORE programs such as a travel team, camps, youth golf, and more. This will be a huge step for me and will take some time to get the ball rolling. My new website (designed team at IMAVEX) has been great and just recently the addition of my blog and video has had a huge impact on visibility. I learn more about social media every day and I am sure the time and energy spent on it will pay off down the line. I would like to have my own teaching facility someday, so that is always part of the plan.

Will I see you at the 2012 PGA Merchandise Show this January?

I will not be attending the show. I have not gone in years.It would be a great networking week but the expense of travel and the cost of giving up a week a lessons is not something I can justify at this time. Should be a great show though; tons of product and great professionals.

Tell me about your recent relationship with Swing Fix and the Golf Channel.

Well this could be the future in golf instruction. This is a very new concept of ELITE golf instructors giving golf lessons online with students all over the world. I feel very confident that this business will succeed simply because the consumer wins by being able to “take a lesson” on their own time at a very reasonable cost, while the professional wins by reaching students they never would have met and conducting online lessons at off peak hours. It is a win-win and that usually spells business success. It is also amazing to think with the quality of video cameras available in smart phones, students can film themselves hitting golf balls, upload the swings, and pick an instructor across the country to analyze their swing. The quality is great, turn around time is 24 hours, and the amount of interaction is endless. You will love it… just make sure to select me as your instructor!  You can go to www.swingpal.com for more information.

Let’s go back to GBN for a second. You are a GBN member. The guys over there have done a great job with continued education and hosting some events at some of the nicest clubs in the country. How did you hear about GBN? What are some of the highlights being a GBN member?

GBN is a great concept where elite golf professionals and teaching professionals can continue lifelong learning (a personal key in life for me) and share ideas and concepts with each other. I first heard about GBN from another pro who thought they could help me with putting together a better focus and business plan. The last teaching summit I got to spend some quality time with some of the best teachers in the world and you can’t put a price on that.

What would you be doing if you were not teaching golf?

Well if I did not love teaching so much I would be on the PGA tour!  Just kidding; I was never into traveling that much – of course if I owned my own jet I would look at the travel thing differently. What I think you meant was if I was not in the golf business what would I have done? Most likely sales, or I would have owned a restaurant. I enjoy cooking and taking “lessons” and classes. I am really addicted to good food… is there really anything better? My grandparents owned a restaurant for 30 years. It was good old comfort food and the best cinnamon muffins-warm all day. Mom still makes them for the holidays; they are the best!

Are you into any other sports?

Baseball was my number one sport until high school. I was a pitcher and shortstop. In hind site, I should have played another year or two. I love the team concept, the practices, and I was pretty good, which helped. In the long run, golf won out and things turned out fine.

Let’s say I book a lesson with you. As a student, what’s that process like? What does that first lesson look like? What are you looking for in my swing?

Well first lesson is so important, and we usually do not hit a lot of golf shots. We spend time talking about past instruction or flaws, and more time discussing what they are trying to achieve – what their goals are, why are they here. We then hit a few shots with high speed video followed by a lot of analysis and what I my take on the golf swing is. What should we do to hit consistent golf shots.  I love the first lesson with new clients; it sets the table for what we hope becomes a lifelong friendship and road to better golf.  It’s like sitting down at a new restaurant and being handed the menu. Big moment.

Man, I could ask you questions all day. Thanks for taking the time to sit with me and for being the first golf interview I have done! I hope there are many more where that came from. Now maybe you’ll read my blog! Anyway, in all of the interviews that I do, I always give the artist the last word. Go.

This has been a great experience and the questions you asked really got me thinking on so many levels. From a golf standpoint, take a lesson whether you are a pro, a beginner, recreational golfer, or are serious about learning. The engangement with a top professional, the relationship, and the learning is priceless. Golf is a lifelong sport, that’s for sure. Taking golf lessons and playing the game of golf is kinda like philosophy, at first glance you kinda get it, and its ok, but the more you look at it, think about it, experience it, breath it, the deeper you go…

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Earlier this year, Sheryl and I started writing a blog together. We had tried to find a subject for ages, and went back and forth with a travel blog for the longest time. I travel a ton for work, and she has been traveling a lot with school and with me on various weekend getaways and vacations. From the time we leave to for the airport, we are always together. We are on the same flights, and staying in the same hotels… eating and drinking at the same places. But the blog went nowhere. One day, while surfing the web I found a book called 1001 Beers You Must Try Before You Die. Challenge accepted and the blog was born! We titled it 1001 Bottles of Beer on the Wall. You know… take one down, pass it around.

We have still not looked through the entire book. We don’t want to. We want to make our way through the book one bottle (some of the beers are only available in cans) and learn about each beer as we proceed through the book. The blog is teaching us SO much about beer, and the beer making process. We have even made our own beer since we started this project. We are well aware that it will take years to get through this, but we are not sure anyone else has even tried. We just hope that we can finish before these beers become obsolete. That… or before our livers give out!

There is one beer that has eluded us. It’s actually made here in the state of Indiana, and is one of the world’s most famous beers. It’s called Dark Lord and is a Russian imperial stout. Three Floyds Brewing makes this beer, and they only sell one day a year on Dark Lord Day. People travel from all over the world for Dark Lord Day, and if you are lucky enough to get a ticket to buy the beer, you can only buy a couple of bottles. We have not purchased our bottle yet, but we have been able to connect with a guy here in the Hoosier state that has a bottle. He is willing to sell it to us for $50. Considering the chances of us ever going to Dark Lord Day, and the price of the beer… that’s a great deal. We just need to pull the trigger because he is not here in the Circle City, but lives in Muncie.

“A demonic Russian Style Imperial Stout, brewed with Intelligensia coffee Mexican vanilla, and Indian sugar this beer defies description, available one day a year in April at the brewery, Dark Lord Day.”

Sheryl and I have been to the brewery before. It’s pretty cool. It’s in Munster, Indiana and sits back in an industrial park. It’s actually in a really weird place, but once you are there you are like family. The people that work there are nice, and the atmosphere is incredible. They are always pumping out random beers, and I have had quite a few. I am not sure I have ever had a bad beer from them. You can get their beer in pretty much any liquor store, especially in the Midwest. If you ever get the chance to visit the brewery, they are always doing brewery tours too. It’s a small operation, so chances of catching a tour are good. You can also request a tour online if you know when you will be in the area. We are usually passing through on our way home from Chicago. Trust me… it’s worth the trip.

Since I have not tried this beer, yet, I can’t really tell you what it tastes like. Some have said it’s the “best beer in the world”. I’m not sure about that, but I bet it’s good. They make such a limited supply, that I would be hard pressed to find this beer anything but amazing. Folks on BeerAdvocate seem to be pretty happy with it giving it an “A” rating among user reviews. But the taste of the beer isn’t the only thing that draws me to this brew. It’s the history of the beer. I mean, how many other beers have an entire day… a holiday really, dedicated to it? That’s just sick!

There is more to the bottle than just a good glass of beer. Each year they dip the bottles in a different color wax. Over the years, they have dipped in red, yellow, even olive green. Below is a list of the years and the corresponding wax colors:

• 2004 – Red
• 2005 – Orange
• 2006 – Gold
• 2007 – Silver
• 2008 – Black
• 2009 – White
• 2010 – Olive Green
• 2011 – Yellow

I have a feeling this is a “love it or hate it” sort of thing. I hope that when we finally get our hands on a bottle we can enjoy it together and find this beer to be everything we want it to be. I won’t be going to Dark Lord Day anytime soon, so I hope my buddy in Muncie can pull through. As I always say on the 1001 Bottles blog… bottoms up people!

Dark Lord Beer Stats

The book that we are basing our blog on is really cool. Each beer is pictured and offers an expert’s insight on the beer and the style of beer. They even offer tasting notes for the beer to give the reader an idea of what the beer is going to taste like. I personally like the beer facts that discuss the ABV (alcohol by volume), the year first brewed, even the suggested serving temperature. This can make or break your beer drinking experience. Some of the beer stats for the Dark Lord are below.

• First Brewed – 2002
• Style – Russian Imperial Stout
• City & State – Munster, Indiana
• ABV – 15.oo%

Tasting Notes

These tasting notes are found in the book 1001 Bottles of Beer You Must Try Before You Die. Each beer has a brief history and description of the beer all from an expert in that style of beer. There were nearly fifty people brought together to formulate this massive and impressive list of bottled beer.

“Dark and foreboding with the aroma of sweet, boozy dried fruits. A tentative sip fills the mouth with an explosion of roasted malt flavors: coffee, burned toast, raisin, and chocolate. Its strong alcohol is somewhat tempered by vanilla, light honey, and a surprising tart finish.”

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As most of you know, we love to travel. We are always going somewhere, whether it’s just for the weekend or on a longer vacation to some remote island somewhere. We love traveling, seeing the world, and experiencing different cultures. One of those trips we recently made was to Louisville, Kentucky. It’s not far, maybe two hours from our place, and offered us a nice getaway before winter. While we were there, we danced in some clubs, sipped craft brew at some local pubs, took in a tour of the baseball stadium, and visited some local breweries. But the highlight of our trip came when we discovered Derby City Espresso. (We actually found it on foursquare.) When you walk in, you are just surrounded by unique decor… the walls are covered in nothing specific and there are beer bottles everywhere. That’s when you meet Matt, the bartender. He is also the barista. He also owns the place. Oh yeah, and he lives there! Did I mention he is the ONLY employee? Anyway, we talked for hours, became quick friends, and have since been back to visit him on a lazy Saturday afternoon. After meeting Matt, I just knew I had to learn more about him. So I scheduled an interview with him during our second trip south. It’s my absolute pleasure to introduce you to one of the most well rounded and most traveled persons I know… Matt Landan, the owner and operator of Derby City Espresso.

I first learned about this place on foursquare. You are also utilizing Twitter and Facebook. How has social media changed the way you operate?

This business has come along with the age of social media. I have used social media since I opened the place nearly five years ago. If anything, I think it’s not that my social media strategy is changing, but… I don’t have a strategy. If anything I am doing less social media than I once did. I used to post a lot more. I now post a lot less.

There is a moment that is happening with social media… people are turning it off. People are saying, “This is the time of day I will do this.” People are coming in here and turning off their social media when they come in. They are having real human interaction. Don’t get me wrong, social media is good… it’s a great way to get your word out. The best media campaign I ran was a sticker campaign with just the logo. I had so many people pointing at my logo, saying, “What is that?” Then they found out what it was and were less impressed.

I have so many things I want to ask you. Let’s just start from the top. You used to work at Whole Foods as a coffee buyer. What does a day in the life of a coffee buyer look like?

I pretty much cut a lot of cheese… I also worked at the cheese counter. The coffee buying is not like being the seafood buyer. It’s a small section of the store. You are responsible for the orders and stocking of the coffee and tea products. You also stock coffee items, including glassware. Working for Whole Foods Market pretty much sucks. It was my second time working with them. In 1994, in their very first store outside of the southwest, in Chicago… it was a fun place to work back then. But it sucked. It was part of the reason that I opened this place. I hated that job. I hated it.

I used to do PR for General Motors three days a week. Then I moved back from Europe to work at Whole Foods… I was a kid who had no college degree making ten bucks an hour. I doubled their coffee sales, and they didn’t compensate me for it at all… and I was still getting paid crap. On top of that, Whole Foods does not recycle. They are a terrible company. They are not what people perceive them to be. They grew at such a rapid pace, and they made so much money on the stock market; they kept buying other grocery store chains.

You sell coffee, tea, and beer here at Derby City Espresso. What’s your favorite coffee? Favorite coffee drink?

I like African for single origins. Kenyan and Tanzania… and Yemenite coffee is very nice. I like mocha from Mocha, Yeman. I like all kinds of origins of coffee. I don’t think much about it since I only serve roasted espresso blends here. That would have been a better question to ask me when I was at Whole Foods. I used to come into a huge variety of coffee working there.

In terms of coffee drinks, I love to drink cappuccino…. If it’s made properly that is. This can be any variety of coffee. As a matter of fact, after this beer I am probably going to make myself a cup of cappuccino before I go on the scooter ride.

Do you prefer coffee, tea, or beer?

At this point in my life, I prefer beer. Definitely beer… I am more of a night guy, and I only drink one or two coffees a day. It’s become the business focus, my beverage of choice. Beer has transformed my life.

You used to live overseas as a translator. First off, how many languages do you speak? Also, I want to hear more about your time in Europe.

I speak three languages. English, fluent Italian, and conversational German. I moved to Europe after graduating from the University of Oregon with a degree in journalism. I went there to become a journalist. I had fallen in love with the idea of being and living in Italy. I lived in Italy for just under two years. I worked first for a newspaper as an intern, then working on the newswire reporting stock market information in Milan.

Then I was very lucky… one of the stories that I did for the newspaper came back, and the company was a technology company. They were the primary technology firm. I did a story on voice synthesis and voice recognition technology. They were pioneers in the field. They hired me to be their translator. I spoke and wrote Italian so I could both speak and write Italian, and write and speak English. I spent a year with them as an intern. I was paid about 24,000 Euro. It was a nice little life in Italy.

The company was then sold, and I had developed a relationship with a woman in Germany. My manager was up for renewal and he didn’t have the authority to hire me again, so I ended up working for Deutsche Telekom as a freelancer. It was the best paid job of my life. I was paid 200 Euro a day… I did that for a few months, and then went to work for a small PR firm in Frankfurt. They used me for a position they had with General Motors in Europe. I worked at GM Europe corporate headquarters as a translator and PR guy. I would take a press kit written for German folk and translate to English.

The decorations make this place so unique. Does every piece have a story? How do you pick a new piece of memorabilia to hang on the wall?

Everything has a story. Most everything… there are a few that I don’t know what their stories are. I don’t really pick the stuff anymore. People give me stuff… all my stuff is up already. I am relying on the world and the universe to bring me stuff. Now, the only new stuff that I hang up are beer neons. I have collected quite a few since I started selling beer. I am really into neon, video games, and pinball machines.

So… parrots? What are their names? Do you have any other pets?

Pebbles and Bam Bam are their names and there is a turtle that lives on the back patio… his name is Dan.

Let me get this straight… You also live here? I bet that keeps overhead low. And you’re the only employee? That can’t hurt!

I had to move into the shop when my girlfriend dumped me. The business was so young I couldn’t really afford an apartment. The first year, after I opened it, I lived with her. Then we broke up, and I moved here. There is a little room above the bathroom. But I don’t really live here anymore.

I am actually quite happy with that. It was a little confining living and working in the same place. It made my life very narrow in some ways. At the same time, I was always the little boy who would retreat to my room. Fine, I am confined to my room? That’s fine… it was the best room in the word. Living and working in the same area is great if you love what you do. And I do…. I can’t love everything all the time. That’s just irrational. But it wasn’t so bad. I lived in here for over two years. 350 nights a year I would sleep in the exact same place I would work. I would wake up, walk downstairs and go to work.

So what happens if you want to leave town or get sick? You just leave town? (I know that businesses in Europe do that, but rarely here in the states do you see that.)

I don’t really get sick. I am fortunate to have my health. If I feel bad, sometimes I just don’t open. If I feel like I don’t really want to see or serve people… I will skip classes and close the show. On my vacations I just close the shop. I am fortunate enough to make enough 11 months of the year, I can afford a month vacation. I like to travel.

What’s your high score on Jungle Lord?

2.8 million. The actual high score on the game was set by my pinball machine repair friend. He comes in, fixes my game, and sets the high scores on them. He competes on another level.

You used to work at Wrigley Field. Are you a Cubs fan?

I am a Cubs fan. I am pretty ambivalent these days. I mean, it’s been 39 seasons in my life that I have seen the Cubs lose. I don’t expect the team to win. There is no better place in the world to see a ballgame. But I liked working there… sitting in the bleachers watching batter practice with no one else in the ballpark. That was the summer of the strike in 1994… I only got to work half the season. I have also worked the new Komiske Park, or Cingular Field, where the White Sox play.

You have traveled all over the world? What made you settle down here, in Louisville?

I don’t know. I really want to leave that one a mystery.

Being your own boss has to have perks. Also being able to select all your own coffee, tea and beers. Do you try everything you sell first? What’s the process like when you blow a keg? Do you just fill it with whatever you want?

I do try everything first, for the most part. I roast my own coffee, so I don’t know exactly when I buy the beans how its going to come out after I roast it. I am not the best roaster around, I am still teaching myself. But with the beer I pretty much know what I am getting. I am always trying new beers, but I know something about the style… the brewery, I can have a leading expectation about the beer, even if I have never had it before I buy a case or a keg.

The philosophy on the beer is rotation rotation rotation… never buy the same thing twice unless you have a deal with a brewery. You can’t… there’s so much variety and so many breweries. Why would you bring in the same beer case after case year after year when you can have something different? It might be the same style… but why not just collect beers? I collect tap handles solely based on the tap handles I want. And/or the rarity of the beer.

You used to be a Dead Head. That has to have produced some stories. Tell me one… Maybe your most memorable experience as a Dead Head.

Dead Head story… I don’t know. Several years after Jerry Garcia died, I was living in Oregon working as an intern at a public radio station in Eugene… while I was in college. I got to meet Ken Kesey, the author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and hang out with this guy. I saw them for about six years, went to more than 100 shows, did my fair share of psychedelic drugs… actually had my consciousness expanded bit by bit. Many years later, after the whole phenomenon ended, and I had moved on with my life, to meet the guy who was there when it all started, and to get to befriend him… I never did LSD with Ken Kesey… (laughs) I should say that… but I did get to drink red wine with him. That sums up the whole Grateful Dead thing. Your dreams can come true.

Ken was very influential and that led to a lifestyle. It influenced my selection of drugs that I would do. Years after it ends, to have it be the epilogue to that story… sums up the sort of experience. That is what Grateful Dead was about. It was mind over matter. If you want to meet famous, or interesting people… what kind of world do you want to live in? Do you want to live in a magical world where everything you think becomes a reality… or do you want to work for Whole Foods?

You have a lot of local music in here… You’re also an all ages venue. How do you pick what bands to book?

I have a lot of regular musicians that I work wth; Louisville musicians. I know a lot of guys… and it’s a pool I go back to . A lot of people choose me. I get a lot of requests from a lot of out of town bands. It’s a challenge to book what you want to book. It always happens when you have a weekend that you just can’t book. On those prime real estate days… I will book anything. I have the most open booking policy in the city. I am the only person doing all ages shows in the city… besides maybe house parties. When we do underage bands, when I give kids the opportunity, it’s exclusively on the door basis. They need to guarantee me money. If I can’t sell enough beer, I can’t justify it being worth my time. That’s the challenge.

According to your wall, you have been to a ton of shows. Is it possible to pick a favorite show? Maybe the most memorable performance you’ve ever seen.

I have had so many memorable experiences at shows… going to see live music was my way of life even after I was not able to see the Grateful Dead. I have seen a ton of great shows since I came home from Europe… let me think. Seeing Roger Waters in 2006 at Deer Creek. I saw him do Dark Side of the Moon… and it blew my mind. Literally… six months later I opened up this place.

I love the Derby City Espresso logo. Who designed that? It’s just so simple, and clean.

A designer who used to live in Louisville, who now lives in LA, named Bill Green designed the logo. It’s our initials you can see the three initially… the D, the C, and the E. A lot of people like to think it means other things, or like to speculate what it means. He is now the primary designer for the Lebowski Fest. They are celebrating their 10 year anniversary this year, and will be doing a cast reunion. They will all be there… Jeff Bridges and John Goodman. Anyway, Bill Green is the lead designer for that.

I notice you save ALL of your used coffee grounds. What’s the deal with that?

I give them to a few friends who have gardens. We collect all our coffee grounds. We recyle all our cans and bottles. I strive to have the smallest impact I can. If you take all the recycling, and the cardboard, and the coffee grounds… you realize that you are throwing away a bag of garbage once a week.

You are using Square technology to accept credit card payments. That’s such a new concept; I bet a lot of people make comments about it. How has Square worked for you? Do you see any drawbacks or have any complaints on the technology?

One draw back is the tip maximize at 30%. We will get customers here that want to tip at a greater amount. That’s a problem. Sometimes people want to give me a lot of money… and I want to take it. I want the 50% tip. Other than that, it’s pretty excellent. I am so much happier with them than the previous mainstream credit card company. They were a bunch of mobsters… with the advent of more transparent technology.

You have one size… Do people ever come in and order a venti?

I have been criticized for being too harsh with people who try to speak Starbucks lingo to me.

The last time I was in, I tried a cayenne pepper chocolate. One, who made those? And why do you sell candy? Don’t you already have enough going on behind that bar?

I think coffee and chocolate go happy together. Coffee and beer even. There are made by a local chocolatier… but it’s called Cellar Door Chocolate. They are located just down the street. People want to eat chocolate when in here drinking coffee and beer. If nothing else, it provides an excuse to buy something for your lady friend.

Serving beer, I’m sure you get some crazy people coming in. How do you handle it when people get out of control?

Doesn’t really happy that much. We are sort of the early bar… we are not the late bar. People come here before they go to the bar… they will come see some music, drink a few beers. They are not drinking liquor and they go on with their party. We are not that place. We are not the bar where lights are flashing and all. We are the early place. The Louisville bars stay open until 4… and we are almost always closed by 1.

So what do I call you… A bartender? A barista? Or does Matt pretty much cover it?

I think it’s more bartending… I sell nine beers for every coffee I sell.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Not a bartender… or at least not a full time bartender. Honestly, I don’t know. It’s pretty clear that I can keep doing this for as long as I feel like. I can always do this… and I have not made any firm decisions about that. I am more than happy to double down on Louisville. Odds are I will still have some presence here in five years. There are five years left on this lease… so the room will still be here, and it will be my room.

What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done? When it’s all over, what do you want your legacy to be?

By who? My Wikipedia page? I don’t really care what people remember. If they remember me, isn’t that enough? If someone is even thinking of you, regardless of how they remember you. It’s so subjective… for anyone that doesn’t like me, you just want them to know that you are still there. For people that love me, they have their personal reasons anyway. Sadly I have had a couple of friends pass away this summer.. the memory of a person is an important question. All that is left are memories… and there is a giant absence in the everyday real world. It’s funny how people will remember other people.

I always let the artists I interview get the last word. I’d say you are an artist. So take us all home… What do you want my readers to know? Go.

If you have never been to Louisville before, you deserve to come.

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