Five Points – 51


Logging Off In One Week –

I mentioned last week that I will be ending the writing of my blog in this format next week, rounding out a year / 52 posts.

I will also be logging off of social media indefinitely.  It’s not good for me…the way I’ve been using it: as an escape…a distraction from that which is important…the easy path.

At the end of a long day, it has been so easy to lay around and scroll with no purpose in mind at the firehose of drivel.  No learning.  Very few kernels that make actually feel better.  The echo is deafening.  Holy smokes, it’s 11:37pm…where did the night go?

I then started to watch the actual amount of time I spent on my phone (via the iPhone’s new update – Screen Time) and found myself horrified.

So, I’m giving it a break.

All that to say, one can find me via email or text…or better, a call or FaceTime…and best, in person.

In between more meaningful conversations and visits, I will be diligently working on a number of projects, some new and some old, that deserve more of my focused attention.


Where The Wild Things Are Secret Forest Camp –

I mentioned that I built an Airbnb on my property out of a vintage Airstream camper a few months ago.

I’m proud that I’ve just been awarded ‘Super Host’ status as a result of receiving 4.8 out of 5 stars after hosting 50+ guests.  I really enjoy being able to enjoy this magical property with interesting travelers.  I consider myself more of a guardian of this forest, than I do the owner, as it most certainly be around longer than I.  So, I feel it is my obligation to care for it and protect it and most importantly, share it.

Please consider visiting if you find yourself in and around Nashville.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/21641468


Amazon –

I’ve been saying that I believed Amazon was coming to Nashville since they announced that a second headquarters or HQ2 was being selected somewhere in the United States 14 months ago.

I thought Nashville was an good choice for several reasons:

  • Tennessee has no income tax, like Washington State.
  • Nashville is situated nearly equidistant to Memphis and Atlanta, which are the global headquarters for FedEx and UPS, respectfully.  Fun fact:  One of the reasons these shipping and logistics headquarters are here is that Middle Tennessee/North Western Georgia experience the lowest number of days per year that the airports are closed due to weather and are in the center of the country weighted for population. Plus, 80% of the population of the US is with a day’s drive.  The shipping logistics support in this region can not be understated.
  • They need to be a place that young people = employees want to be.
  • They need to be in a place that is interested in and has the ability to support growth.

Amazon announced this week that they have chosen not one, but two additional headquarters and a logistics hub.  Washington DC and New York city will get the larger offices, and Nashville will get the smaller third outfit.

It will be the largest single infusion of jobs in the Tennessee’s history and will make a serious impact.  1 million+ square feet of new office space downtown will provide room for 5,000 high skilled employees averaging $150,000+ per year.  That will equal approximately 1 out of every 200 people working downtown.  This a MUCH larger impact than what NYC and DC will experience and from that perspective, it would not have been possible to have the larger offices headquartered here.  Bezoz is smart by running three races instead of one…folks are protesting in the streets in NYC over the announcement, so having alternate opportunities makes a lot of sense.  Real estate prices have already begun to move northward and this trend will rapidly increase as hiring starts next year.  Having such a successful firm headquartered here will further insulate the region from the inevitable recession that most certainly will follow our national boom.

Read the full announcement here – https://blog.aboutamazon.com/company-news/amazon-selects-new-york-city-and-northern-virginia-for-new-headquarters


Quote I’m Pondering –

“What is success?

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate the beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!”~ Ralph Waldo Emerson


Exploration – Control Your Data.  Collect Your Money.

​My primary job is as the CEO of Exploration.  We help media companies compile the data needed to get paid.

Our weekly newsletter is one of the most widely read in the music business.

The newsletter this week highlights the American Music Licensing Collective, a contender to fill in the board seats for the MMA’s Music Licensing Collective. The newly formed group was founded by several music industry professionals to help rights holders get paid. Many more contenders are to be announced as the US Register of Copyrights begins the implementation process of the licensing collective. Secondly, UMG is showing solid Q3 earnings, and its parent company Vivendi is planning to launch a bank selection process to find potential partners to earn a 50% stake in UMG. Liberty Media is highly interested, it appears. And Sony Corp is now the sole owner of EMI Music Publishing, as the deal was officially finalized this week for $2.3 billion.  Now, the details…

Exploration Weekly – First MLC Contender Emerges / Vivendi to Select Banks for UMG Sale / Sony Finalizes EMI Takeover