Music Monday, WFMZ 69News at Sunrise Appearance

January 02, 2017 / Bryan Tuk

When they say "69News at Sunrise", they really do mean at sunrise. A 4:30AM wakeup is damn early, especially for someone like me who kicks into gear around 10AM. That, however, is what's required to get the gear to the TV station in Allentown from Chester County and get set up and sound checked by 7:30AM.

Eve Russo, one of the WFMZ news anchors was a gracious host as always, and it was great to see Jaciel Cordoba and Steve Mittman in the studio as well.

To go to the video, please click here:

BD and Jim really delivered on this performance as the performers really go live almost stone cold. For an instrumental band that is solo driven, you want to be as warmed up as possible before you play for people.

We had about 5 minutes of playing time total before our live segments aired, as the performance space is in the news studio about 5 feet away from the anchor desk. BD and Jim handled it like pros. Just another day at the office....

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Resolutions vs. Goals

December 31, 2016 / BLANK Creative

Somehow the idea of New Year's resolutions and career goals became conflated on social media, particularly so this year. You don't have to look far to see people posting their 2017 marketing plan on FB in the guise of being reflective.

Separating the two concepts is important, because they are distinct. You can't be a brand all the time, and you can't sell to your friends/audience all the time either. I think the idea of personal branding can easily be taken too far and have the opposite of the intended effect. If you post a constant stream of your professional achievements, goals, advertisements, pep talks, elevator pitches and the like, then you inadvertently cause people to tune out. Some intentional scarcity is a good thing.

On a personal note, my New Year's resolution is simple: be more present and focused in the moment. I have a great family situation now and am ever aware of that, and I'm going to do everything I can to continue to take care of my people: Jenny, Sarah, Connor, Olivia, Ella and Colin.

As tumultuous as 2016 was, then hopefully 2017 is a year of peace on many fronts.

As for my career goals, I'll keep to myself without public declaration and just DO them. You'll know when they happen. Believe me, you'll know.

Build the future.

To all, a safe, happy and prosperous 2017.

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tags / career, music, writing, essays

Creative Life in Interesting Times

December 28, 2016 / BLANK Creative

There is a saying “may you live in interesting times.” It is erroneously attributed to being an ancient Chinese proverb. However, a little bit of research will quickly reveal that the purported Chinese origin of this saying is totally apocryphal.

With that said, this phrase has gained a place inAmerican culture. Whether this saying is intended to be a blessing or a curse is up to you.

I’m a big believer in the idea that your attitude determines your reality. I’ve known people who were materially wealthy and professionally successful and absolutely miserable people to be around because they hated their lives. There are people in precisely the opposite circumstance – flat broke by modern society’s standards – who are engaging and happy, fully realized people.

Earlier this week, I had an interesting time that could have been catastrophic.

Social Entrepreneurship In Days of Avarice

December 28, 2016 / BLANK Creative

Social entrepreneurs can and should change the world.

A friend of mine, when he found out I was teaching a college course on entrepreneurship, asked how I defined the term "entrepreneur".

My answer? One who takes risk to create a pathway to value.

That sentence can launch many questions.

What do you value? Money? Time? The well being of others?

There is an old saying in the legal profession: Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered. The subtext of this little gem of wisdom is that it's ok to be a little greedy, but don't go nuts. Moderate greed is acceptable, beneficial even, but excessive greed kills. (I don't ascribe to this, incidentally).