Got up around 6.45 this morning! Whoa! It was necessary to catch a ride to Healdsburg from San Francisco with a colleague who makes the drive every day. I wanted to visit the Murphy-Goode offices where I was able to get a little work done today, unofficial-like.
Today gave me an opportunity to see behind the scenes and to meet some new and interesting peeps who are part of the backbone of the Jess Jackson empire.
Behind my ‘loaner’ office is one of the many Jackson Vineyards. Next to the building is a wonderful park with a gorgeous fountain. A great escape only seconds away from anyone’s desk, should the need to get away from the fluorescent lighting arise. It certainly did for me.
All in all a great experience and a chance to see how the others do their thing around here. Looking very forward to learning more and ultimately implementing my ideas with the projects currently in discussion involving me. Don’t worry, I can keep a secret. 🙂
As you know, we’re here in Healdsburg at the Murphy Goode camp having our Top Ten Finals, as I call them at least.
Well, my day began with missing the most important flight of the last years of my life I must say. It’s a tight schedule as it is and that happening only made it unreal.
No time to comment beyond that but I’ll be back to this page to fill you all in on the gory details at my earliest convenience. Got to get back to the MG flow as we’re all off to the vineyards in a matter minutes.
This is my response to an awesome old-school wine cat named Steve Heimoff. His recent post “Musing: How the invasion of social media players is changing the rules for wineries” just took me for the right ride, reinforcing much of what I bitch about the industry of ancient past and even depicts some stereotypes related to young folks. All which can be found through his great post and the excellent commenting. Was a pleasure chiming in. So, whether my comment gets moderated or not, EGAL! Here it is;
Cheers Steve!
Let me first say this is one of the best posts I’ve ever encountered in my short lived ‘wine career’ exploits. The history, tonality of your thoughts and subsequent comments truly encompass an angle of the wine industry which is generally of little interest to that of people like me, the absolute normal consumer in today’s wine market. Heck, I might be less than a normal consumer frankly, due to economic constraints.
As an actual part of the Murphy-Goode experiment (as it was so-called above), my personal focus and goals at present (should I be blessed with a position) is exactly to translate all that this post and comments mean to you folks in a language tomorrows wine enthusiasts can get with. However, just as I’ve blogged about and truly believe, the next generation wine drinkers are not age contingent by any means. Rather, ANYONE who engages in wine culture for the first time or beyond social events. It’s never too late nor too ‘early’, with proper supervision of course to find a love and understanding for wine. Just as in Europe (I’m a German/American citizen) pre-teen folks learn about and drink wine in family settings and associate wine with such experiences growing up. It’s a wonderful introduction to what they will likely continue doing responsibly the rest of their lives, passing it down along the way. I’ve seen it numerable times first hand.
In general, I’m much more aligned with Dylan’s comment “This 23 year old would care to hear about those stories as long as they were told by a good story-teller. ” I myself felt a tad alienated by your post to some degree, if for no other reason than being black and clearly having no direct history with which I might relate with as a modern consumer. Nonetheless, it was how it was back then and it is now how it is. Introducing Wine 2.0.
Wineries clearly need to broaden their markets in order to remain competitive and the all important consumer is more important now than ever. That’s where guys like me come into the picture. We shouldn’t have to do it alone, that’s for sure. We’re Pop, Rock & Hip Hop and you guys are Classical, if that makes any sense to you. If not, there’s your first hurdle, ha! Personally, I welcome all of your insights and would be honored having any of you contribute to my social ramblings should I be fortunate enough to find a job offering them. I hope and pray so. Don’t hesitate contacting me. Mine is a positive world meant to Edu-tain.
Again, brilliant perspectives and thanks for a great post. I learned a lot and will certainly borrow some of your knowledge and words to share with Generation “G”.
Despite all the back and forth chatter I’ve encountered where some keep calling A REALLY GOODE JOB campaign from Murphy Goode Winery a contest, it isn’t. Heck, I’ve heard it direct from the upper echelons of the company which confirms it.
Don’t let the scheduled group and individual events ending with a panel of 5 fool ya’. This is no talent contest and none of us are out to win it. We all just want A REALLY GOODE JOB is all. Even those who already have one .
Find out who the finalist is first at Murphy Goode’s site on Tuesday, or right here second.
This latest post is particularly fun for me to share with you all. The title may be a bit misleading, however not from the sentiment. First, no I have not become rich suddenly, unless of course my Lottery ticket has hit and I don’t know it yet! However, I’m feeling rich in spirit and quite frankly, quite Goode about myself. Murphy Goode is certainly doing a lot to contribute to this.
Take for example, the reality of my current surroundings. Since coming back to the good old US of A 6 weeks ago or so, I’ve had the pleasure of staying in Los Alamitos. A very sunny and funny place compared to Amsterdam, Netherlands where I was just before arriving here in LosAl (as they call it).
As you can see, it’s really quite near the ocean, just as Amsterdam, being a Harbor City, also borders a great body of water. However, there’s where the similarities end I must admit. 🙂
Before coming here I had made arrangements with my flat-mate to stay here 3 months, essentially June-August. I had no idea upon starting this journey, which I affectionalely call “The Couch Tour To Prosperity”, that I would actually be a serious candidate for Murphy Goode’s A Really Goode Job campaign. Had I not made the Top 50 cut, I’d have simply continued looking for work elsewhere knowing I would leave this flat by August’s end.
Given the current reality of my surroundings, I’m sure any of you that have ever been on a couch tour will certainly understand my exceptionally grateful attitude towards all that’s happening to me as of late, regardless of the final result. In my humble opinion, I’m already a big winner here and thank Goddess everyday. This is my life;
Here is where I live and this is the infamous lumpy couch for which I need to give great thanks and appreciation for, as without it I most certainly would not be in the Top 10 running for a job position which I genuinely believe was made for me and my artistic endeavors. If having had any modest choice in the matter, I’d have made it 1 foot longer.
Here to the left of the infamous lumpy couch you’ll see my makeshift Murphy Goode TV studio. It is against that wall that I’ve created a lot of content bits and bobs which can be found on MGtv and much I’ve yet to publish.
Ok, I know what you’re thinking. Sure, that’s where you sleep and that’s where you shoot but how ever do you produce the show? Well, that’s simple. When I left Europe I had to decide what was more important to me. Some reliable gear to get some work done or clothing. I chose the gear. Which is quite simple why I’m always wearing the same clothes, ha! If you know me, you know it’s true. Below is the heart of the production. A fairly simple Mac workstation with everything I need to produce Indie TV, Music, Websites, Live Streaming Broadcasts, DVDs and Recording Sessions. Pretty much all modern media anyone online maniac might need these days. It ain’t much but gets the job done. YES I AM FOR HIRE!
The number one thing I want from my position at Murphy Goode Winery as the first Wine Country Lifestyle Correspondent is more and better gear. That’s how my business here in America can grow as I see it. Build it and the clients will come.
So, why am I so tickled about leaving tomorrow. Well, tomorrow though clearly work oriented, will be for me a holiday. Yes, it’s true. I’ll have a very welcomed 3 nights having some physical space and privacy and best of all… A BED! Ah, my back is having a spinal orgasm (whatever that is) as I type. The thought alone is pure bliss. Have a look for yourself.
It suffices to say, while the other 9 talented candidates are potentially nervous and stressing about the rather full schedule planned for us, I for one will be at ease doing what I do best and all the while longing for days end and and the chance that a wonderful Queen or King sized bed can join in holy bliss with my achy-breaky back. Ahhhh…
I’m not saying that I’ll be good at it but I’ll definitely be Goode. And the *FREE* bit? No worries! No small or fine print here folks. Just tell them Kamary from Murphy Goode TV sent you and Murphy Goode Winery will wave the tasting fee. It’s true!
Would I lie to you? Well, maybe. But NOT right now. This is all part of the Murphy Goode A REALLY GOOD JOB campaign and on the up and up. Have a look at the other hot pour-folks waiting to serve you!
And when you’re ripe and if you’re feeling in the mood, I’m going to put you on TV.Murphy Goode TV that is. I’ll make you famous. 🙂
This is my response to an awesome old-school wine cat named Steve Heimoff. His recent post “
Murphy Goode TV's Blog 