End of the Year

Hello there,

More of my thank you list for 2008!

Eric Tice. This young man played twice solo at our Open Mic night, appeared once with Dan Gunyan and then twice again with his band Boherald. What a trooper!

Boherald, see above, our thanks to one of the most popular youth bands around.

Raw Deal. Formerly Lucky Seven, performed at Open Mic then came back and played brilliantly at the Insights Halloween party, then headlined the Ecumenical show in Pinckney back in November.

Mr. Hyde. Have known two thirds of this band for over 15 years, extremely talented and a pleasure to be around. As one of their members resurects Flannel Nation Records, I see them being a part of what we're doing here for the young musicians for some time.

Jon Curtis Photography. Jon has been instrumental for us here. In putting together a program for struggling, up and coming artists...a photographer is a must! Jon will come to Open Mic, quietly sit at his table in the front, casually taking pictures of the performers on stage. He'll share the proofs with us and the performers and allow them to purchase prints from his web site or schedule a photo session with him at a later date. Jon's efforts are key because he has developed a package for the performers that we can offer artists when they show up at Open Mic nights. The 8x10 glossy is still a must for any performer to have in their marketing portfolio and due to Jon's efforts, the services we offer here have been enhanced.

End of the year! Part One

Well I apologize for being so lax in my installments here. Promise things will get better in 2009. But man what a 2008! If you knew where I was and where Lamocu Productions was just six months ago your head would be spinning as much as mine. So many contacts, so many opportunities awaiting!


In my next installment I will be giving out kudos to all those who helped make this year a special one. But here are very special people that I must mention now.

Sandi Maki and Al Curtis of The Insights Group. If you don't know these two people and what they do at The Insights Group, you are depriving yourself. Check these two and The Insights Group out, you and your business will be better off I guarantee it.

Trevor Smith for hosting our first Open Mic night months ago. As you have read in recent installments, Trevor is about to hit it big and we're very proud and thankful of the time we spent together.

Lauren Alm, like Trevor, a true local talent about to make it big and we appreciate the time she has spent with us. NOTE: Lauren is headlining our 2009 Open Mic kickoff on Jan. 10th!

Linda Strang, who has believed in me from the beginning. Enough said. Every successful business needs a Linda Strang behind them!

Dan Burkholder, who has been more than a boss, he's become a friend. I know many times he has wondered about me. Many times he has walked away shaking his head and laughing at one of my ideas, but through it all has been one of my biggest supporters and sources of courage.

Pastor Don Weatherup, my friend, confidant and biggest supporter! Where would I be without his guidance and shoulder to cry on? EVERY time I have been down, Don has picked me up and made me believe in myself again. No matter what you're demomination, the place would be a better world with more Don Weatherups around.

Finally, on this short list, Mike Clark and Dave Gibbons. Friends for decades, seen me in practically every situation imaginable and were the first "followers" of the Lamocu blog. Even before there was anything interesting on this blog, they signed up---on the same day even. They did it because they are friends---or they're incredibly bored. Either way I've always been able to count on them to be there for me. Thanks to two of the original Hosers!

This is just a start, but accolades for these nine are long overdue. More to come after the holiday when I have time to reflect. New Years Day is coming fast and promises to be hectic one for me since my Spartans are on the SAME time as the Red Wings. I thought I'd never say this, but I wish I had Tivo. More later, enjoy the holiday and be safe.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas to all...and to all a good night!

Many things to cover, will be back to the grindstone tomorrow. Enjoy the day to the MAX for now. And get ready because 2009 is going to be the best year yet!

See you later now.

NEWSFLASH!

The next day after the entry you just read, Trevor received a call from Mr. Ridley. Again the subject of a dvd was brought up and when Trevor said he didn't have any performance documented that he felt comfortable with...Mr. Ridley invited Trevor back, possibly as soon as Jan. 7th and THEY will shoot the dvd that night at the Comedy Castle. After a night to sleep it over and think about it, Mr. Ridley told Trevor he wants a dvd to send to his "friends" at Comedy Central as soon as possible! If this date in January solidifies we will let you all know asap so you can make plans. Highly encourage you to see this young man one more time before his makes the big time.

In the words of Wayne and Garth, "EXCELLENT!"

Trevor Smith's success @ Mark Ridley's Comdey Castle!

Great news! Award winning stand up comic Trevor Smith (who opened our Open Mic nights back in June) performed at THE Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle last night in Royal Oak. As expected he was excellent, but the best part is what happened afterward in the Green Room. Mr. Ridley himself came backstage to congratulate Trevor! Mr. Ridley loved his performance, said he hoped to see more of him and encouraged him to get a dvd done soon. Trevor is welcome back to the Comedy Castle anytime, Mr. Ridley found his perspective on life and his delivery very refreshing.

Soon Trevor will begin putting together his marketing package because next summer, Trevor plans on fine tuning his craft in the Big Apple. We are all very proud of Trevor and grateful that he graced our stage back in June when Open Mic Night began. Thanks for the laughs, we look forward to more in the future!

New Stuff

Hello again. We have added some new features to our site. Most notably, I figured out how to do a slide show of Open Mic nights. We're still not totally satisfied with the site but we're getting there. Just wanted to drop everything and show off our site with the slide show addition up and running. Have a good day now, more later.

This Saturday! Last Open Mic of 2008

This Saturday we have two returning performers to grace our stage at Open Mic night. First, leading off the festivities on this special night at the special time of 7:30 is David Haslem. David will be doing the next installment in his Apollo space series with the story of Apollo 8. In addition to celebrating the 4oth anniversary of this historic mission, David will be discussing 1968 in general and the great changes that took place nationally and internationally that year. Lots of material to cover but David is one of the most entertaining and up beat speakers I have ever met. He is a joy for the entire family!

Next on the dockett will be Lauren Alm. Lots has happened since Lauren made her debut on our stage a little over a month ago. Just last Friday Lauren did her first paid gig at an art show in Northville. Most recently Lauren performed for the Insights holiday mixer this past Tuesday. She is getting lots of exposure and people are beginning to take notice.

Please come and join us this Saturday and experience David and Lauren before they become famous, you'll be glad you did.

Again, this week the show will begin at 7:30, not the usual 8pm. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, bring a can of food and get $5 off----so students "could" be free with a food donation! Thanks for reading along, more later.

Special Thanks Scott Runyon

Now that the dust has settled with our Ecumenical show there is so much to tell you! But before I go any further, I have to say thanks Scott Runyon of The Healing Hands Company. Scott was performing chair massages in the lobby of Country Elementary during the show and donated over $20 towards the cause!

For more information on Scott and what he can do for you, check out www.heaLinghandscompany.com .

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

XEROX IS DOING SOMETHING COOL If you go to this web site, www.letssaythanks.com you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq . You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services.How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! It is FREE and it only takes a second.Thanks for taking to time to support our military!

Open Mic 11/22

Alyson Muir, 15 year old sophomore from Pinckney High School dazzled the crowd this evening. Next time she is booked, make a point to see this local phenom---she is something special. Here is a shot of her performance that night, once again taken by Jon Curtis Photography. For more pictures of Alyson and the other performers at Open Mic, check out Jon's website.

Jon Curtis Photography

Hello, been slacking in my responsibilities so will catch up today on some entries.

One oversight that is LONG overdue is our endorsement of Jon Curtis Photography! Over the past few weeks I feel Jon has not only become a friend but a valuable asset to our company. Giving of his own time, Jon has been coming to Open Mic nights and taking pictures of the performances. So the artists, their family, friends and fans see a professional photographer willing to work with them on one of their most vital marketing tools..."the 8x10 glossy"! The feedback we have received has been incredible!

With our overall goal to help up and coming talent get rolling, Jon's services give us immense credibility and send the message that we are for real. I speak for everyone here at Lamocu Productions when I say we are thankful for having met Jon and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with his firm.

To see more of Jon's work please go to JonCurtisPhotography.com