Well...I'm just beginning to feel like a normal person again today after the last couple weeks of preparations and of course the big event Sunday. Yesterday (day after party) I could not even bring myself to look at the forum, e-mail, archive...anything. I just took the day off and did a whole lot of absolutely nothing (after The Jamil Show of course!). Now that I am alive once again, I'll give you my take on the whole event...
First, Bub's post was brilliant. A very good recap of the events that unfolded immediately folliwing the Anniversary show. The pics that will be posted of us playing drunk Jenga with Oz and taping him to our living room window while he was passed out will live in infamy...trust me.
Overall, the party/show was a huge success in my eyes. Although, I will never do two big shows like that again in one day (Anniversary and FreeFM). That was just insane. I am realizing now as I edit the archives for you folks (will be up shortly) that there were some pretty serious audio quality problems (other than the ones I already new about). So sorry about that. But otherwise, things worked surprisingly well.
Our weekend chronologically:
We finalized all the last prep we had to do for both shows to air on Sunday by about 4AM Saturday night. Daniela and Oz deserve so much more thanks than anyone knows for that. Neither show would have aired without them. Both, and Daniela does this all the time, but Oz is here on vacation, would just not stop working until everything was just perfect. They helped create, organize and complete all the activities, content, giveaways and plans for the Anniversary Show so that I could also focus on the FM show and the technical side of doing a remote broadcast. So many thank you's and heatfelt thanks be to them!
Sunday morning (well...4 hours later anyway) arrives and it's time to begin the day that, in my mind, will be a culmination of everything that The BN stands for and all of our growth, and even future, rolled into one big bash of a show. I am a nervous fucking wreck of a big fat pussy. There will be no eating for me today. I think my stomach is the size of Oz' brain at this point (which I don't have to tell you is infinitely small).
Gucci arrives at BN Land (uh...my house) in military fashion prmptly on schedule donning much needed coffee for Daniela and I and the vehicle that will transport BN Land and the Brewcasters to the 21A. Thank you so much for that Gooch!!! Another show saver.
We (myself, Jon, Daniela, Oz and the Gooch) arrive at the 21A on time at 11AM to begin setup of the loft and mobile studio (which turned out to be even more equipment than the normal studio). Bub also arrives and we meet him for the first time. He, like Doc, proves to be about the same size as my penis. So not very tall you can imagine. But Oz tells me he's all man. I take his word for it. Setup continues for the next 3 hours, the fellas drink TBN Bock and jollines insues. I stick with water and neurotically stew over every detail.
A little insight into me which should finally be explained after a year of getting to know us on the air:
I'm no fuckin party to be around until the mics turn on at 5pm. It's not that I am not enjoying myself. I just tend to be serious as a heart attack about broadcasting until we are on the air. I'm also moderately obsessive compulsive so the details keep me almost entirely pre-occupied and a bit nervous before most shows. And this one is particularly so. However, once the mutes go off the mics and the show begins, you know, the time I should actually be freaking out, I feel right at home and and just love to be in that zone with all of you. Party time!
Anyway, setup is mostly complete by 2PM and Gucci drives Vinnie and I over to the FREE FM studios for the 3pm show. Not a big party there either as I'm nervous about that one as well. I've got Captain Belgian as far as I'm concerned, with me and I want this show to be brilliant. I want the gospel of good beer to infect San Francisco. I want to make sure Vinnie's infor tranlates to great beer education and great radio at the same time. The show goes on and Vinnie is great, as usual, the info is spot on, and I had a great time doing the show. Thanks be to Vinnie!
After the show we meet with Secret Handshake (my executive producer) who loved the show again (whew!) and he heads over to 21A with us.
When we get there I am greeted by a packed house that proceeds to cheer me on as I make the walk up stairs to the party loft. I'm overwhelmed and it's the first time of many that night that my sissy gay ass almost turns on the old fag faucet and has a good cry. What an amazing listener base we have and a great network of supporters. No tears. But Secret Handshake is now even more impressed than I, and for the first time, realizes that The BN may actually be even bigger than FREE FM. Fuckin SWEEEETTTT!!!!
At this point I have about 40 minutes to show time. Give many hello's and thank you's to more people than I know, pour over every last detail, am assured that everything has been made ready in my absence and grab my first TBN Bock of the day. Thanks be to Shaun!
5pm, zero hour, show time. No....party time. We intro...I fuck it up with some other music also playing in th background, but really don't care. It felt awesome that all the prep was done, the mics were on, the crowd was well lubricated and cheering the start, TheBN, the party...and of course to Daniela!
The next 3 hours can be heard in the archive. Lots of grabassing and love giving going on. I have a great time doing the show. It's work containing 8 microphones, 2 audiences and countless inebriated attendees....but it's fantastic fun and so worth all the effort. The beer flows. Thanks be to Shaun...again!
When the mics go off at about (??? hhmmm 8:15ish) I crash at the bar, order a plate of food and drink...and drink...and uh...well you get the point.
I think Bub picks it up pretty well from that point. More stories will come during Lunch Meet this week and certainly at the beginning of The Dan Gordon Sunday Show.
My final take on the experience is this:
You guys are incredible! What a community we have built here. I wish I could have met every one of you at the party/show. I was so overwhelmed at so many times during the show, not only by all the thank you's that I recieved, but much more so by all the thank you's I had to give. So many people have done so many things to get this thing off the ground. I will say in particular that during Daniela and my thank you's to Doc and Jamil during the show, in all gay seriousness, it was everything I could do not to cry. I don't really have the words for it. Those guys and their help...everyone's help and support... Shaun O...everyone. I don;t even know where it came from, but I am so thankful.
It has been an incredible first year. I am more encouraged and motivated than ever. I have new ideas for you guys too. Next year's party may be even bigger, and I know the network will better.
All the thanks I can give...
Justin
