Another Level

I have always felt lucky that the majority of the musicians I have either met or worked with have been respectful, kind and have extended themselves even if they weren't having their best day.  I guess it is to be expected though, right?  Marketing yourself to your fans, to radio, to retail (I know, what retail?!), the press, through social media and even to those who are promoting or working on your behalf should be part of building a career.  - not much different than what any business professional needs to do to continue to learn, grow and get to the next level.  But the process (and in some cases the constant spotlight) has to be tiring.  There have got to be days where any musician just wants to hide and blow it all off.  But there are definitely exceptions - musicians that seem to always be "on."  They have a personality that thrives on other people - on their energy and their presence.  What is even more remarkable though is to encounter a musician that makes everyone around them feel like they are a part of their success.  Leadership books will tell you that strong leaders have strong teams around them. Behind the scenes some musicians may be more demanding than others, some a bit more calculating or protective, but each situation is going to be different and the reasons for each musician will vary.  But at the end of the day, besides talent, the qualities I have seen that keep musicians relevant over time include a mind for marketing, respect in how they treat the people around them, listening skills, common sense and an insatiable appetite for their day (or night) job.

I decided to write about this after someone recently asked me who I most enjoyed working with in the entertainment industry.  I have had a blast working with a lot of good people but the criteria above came to mind because it said more about who they were as a person - not just as a musician and public figure to a (sometimes) massive fan base.  Keith Urban, Andrew McMahon (Jack's Mannequin), Semisonic and Blink 182 come to mind as being near the top of that list, but one person always seems to jump front-of-mind for me.  Sammy Hagar.

The Red Rocker.  Montrose, Van Halen, Chickenfoot, "Where Eagles Fly," "I Can't Drive 55," "Heavy Metal," "Dreams," "Right Now."  The list goes on.  Sammy Hagar - (as I would soon experience) the guy who holds up banners on stage or puts on customized t-shirts that fans bring to the show all while belting out hit after hit.  For the night - it is the biggest rock party in town - and he has invited everyone to come and join in.  If you have ever been to a Sammy Hagar show, you know what I am talking about.  But outside of Van Halen, I had not yet seen Sammy solo.

The week before I joined MCA Records back in August of 1997, my (new) boss asked if I would go to see Sammy Hagar at The Rosemont Theater here outside Chicago.  He was out on the "Marching to Mars" Tour.  And boy did they tour.  As Sammy writes in his book My Uncensored Life in Rock, "I played three thousand-seat theaters and did every city in the country, 142 shows that year and 138 the next year.  We went door-to-door.  Everywhere we went, I was saying, 'I am back.  I am back.'"  I stood around in the hallway back stage before the show.  Having not yet started for MCA, not knowing anyone involved in this production and watching the MCA rep I was replacing pass me by carrying autographed posters and merch, I felt a bit out of place.  After a good 20 minutes, I hooked up the tour manager and he immediately brought me in to meet Sammy.  Even though he was scheduled to be on stage on 20 minutes, he told me to come in, sit down and grab a drink.

Sammy was full of energy and seemed to be moving non-stop.  He dove right in.  Sammy started peppering me with question…about me.  But not like an inquisition, but like he wanted to get a crash course on the new guy.  Where I was from, if I brought anyone to the show and when I was officially starting with MCA Records.  He wanted my opinion on what single I thought should be released next to radio, if I liked the album and which sunglasses he should wear on stage.  He then called in Vic (his lead guitarist) and Mona (his bass player) and introduced me to them.  Vic suggested I watch from side stage and went to find the tour manager to make sure I had a pass.  I was sold.  I had not even worked a day yet for MCA but it made me want get on the phone that evening and call anyone who would listen and tell them that they needed to play "Marching to Mars" more - just…just because.

Early in 1999, MCA was getting ready to release Red Voodoo - the follow-up to Marching to Mars.  The lead single was a track called "Mas Tequila."  Sammy was also getting ready to launch his new brand of tequila, Cabo Wabo, and rock radio was playing "Mas Tequila" all the way to #1 on the rock charts.  MCA scheduled a 14 city promotional tour for the album - which also served as a jumping point for the introduction of Cabo Wabo.  Hard Rock was the partner venue nationally and Chicago was on the schedule.  I set up radio interviews with The Loop (WLUP radio) here in Chicago (they even did a billboard campaign around it) and on the day of the show, Sammy was (as usual) in a great mood.  While he sat in the hotel room doing phone interviews to other stations around the country, I set up bottles of tequila for him to autograph, guitars to sign and CDs to personalize.  After signing all of the items, he asked if there was anyone else I needed him to call.  Believe me, I thought about having him call my mom - because I know he would have - but he already knew she and my dad were coming to the show and I felt like I still needed to keep a line between personal and professional.  Some may argue that is a very blurred line with Sammy - especially after a few shots of Cabo Wabo - but I think that is also what has added to his success.

I went to every Sammy Hagar show I could when he toured through my territory.  I always felt welcome, the band and tour management did everything they could to help me out with last minute requests, and frankly - Sammy made my job easy.  Everyone loved Sammy.  What I didn't realize, was that was still another level with Sammy.  In a business of egos, thin skin and a general feeling of self-entitlement, there are moments that can leave a person dumbfounded and humbled.

On September 9, 1999 Sammy had a show in Indianapolis at the Murat Theater.  Why list the show date?  Because it was my daughter's first birthday.  After discussing it with my wife, I decided to head down to the show.  We decided that my daughter wouldn't remember that I wasn't there and since we were having a big family party in a few days - that she wouldn’t hold it against me.  I also had Q95 presenting the show, the Music Director, Ace Cosby, introducing Sammy and Marie McCallister from WTTS driving in from Bloomington - and she loved Sammy!  Before the show, Marie and I were talking about my daughter's birthday when Sammy came in to do his meet n' greet.  I introduced them and took off to make sure that all the radio winners were set.  30 minutes later, Ace took the stage, Sammy played a killer show and Marie got to watch from the front row - courtesy of Sammy who swapped out her tickets. 

At the end of the night, the band was sitting in a back room when I popped my head in to thank them and tell them I was heading out.  Sammy whispered something to his tour manager and gave me a high five as he headed out the door.  I grabbed some snacks and a water from what was left from the food rider, put on my coat, said goodbye to the band and was walking out when the tour manager stopped me. 

"Sammy wanted to thank you for all of your hard work and for covering this show.  Family is important and he wants you to know this didn't go unnoticed."

He shook my hand and in the same motion slipped something into my hand - three crisply folded $100 bills. 

"No, no, no.  This is totally unnecessary" I told him as I tried to give it back to him.

"That's from Sammy.  Go home and buy your daughter something for her birthday.  We will see you in a few weeks."

Another level.