16 Year Anniversary

16 years ago today

CAL started

dark side of the moon was our first show

dez and steve butler played that show

and are still with me today

in fact

many of the musicians from the phoenix years

are still with me

i don’t think we’ve changed

but when i look back at the photographs

i see little kids

we’ve done so much

shared this music with so many

it’s a life

what we do feels true

there’s so much noise and misinformation out there

i don’t get caught up in it

i look back at all the bad advice people have tried to impart on me

unnecessary steps

i’ve stopped going to meetings

we know what we’re doing

i don’t need to hear about how should capitalize on social media

or target demographics

or build a brand

i hate that term

brand

it just sounds like a buzz word used to remove people from their money

it rings false with me

we’re a band

an orchestra

actually 

we’re more of a family

never before has a generation been this passionate about music

never!

my parents generation liked music

but it faded and fleeting

today’s pop is fine

but it’s here today and gone later today

just look at the charts from 5 years ago

time has passed and things have changed

CAL represents music that endures

and will continue to accompany us all through and around this mortal coil

after 16 years

i’ve learned a few things

this past weekend 

we had 37 musicians on the road

that takes a lot of planning

my sister handles most of that kind of thing

i love her so 

15 years ago she asked me if i wanted some help

i said okay

and with that she helped grow CAL

and grow we did

it’s getting big

and i’m giving more musicians work

here’s a copy of the email i send out to new musicians

i’m sure i shouldn’t be sharing it

but i’m a doors are open kind of guy:

WELCOME TO CAL

listen to the album

learn the album

play the album

love the album

that’s it

note for note

cut for cut

tone for tone

groove onstage

but never grandstand

avoid tired old rock cliches

govern yourself like you are in an orchestra

don’t be frightened by alex’s snorts

wear black

and look as cool as possible

put comfort before style

don’t let fashion inhibit your show

shine your shoes

no colours

no logos

dress like a pro 

and make sure boge gets you a CAL water bottle for stage

no plastic baby

we don’t talk to the audience during the album performance

and during the 2nd set - the outro set - only sparingly

we never talk about anything that relates to the outside world

no politics / sports / new events / 

never anything like ‘hello cleveland’ or ‘are you ready to rawk chicago!’

that’s not our style

the core members know how to relate to the audience 

if you’re new to CAL - just stand back and smile

always compliment nick walsh on his hair

keep an eye on your booze intake

and be ready to hang out post gig

we like to hang out

we maintain a family vibe

if you’re having a problem with a part

seek help

start with rob phillips

he’ll point you in the right direction

we’ve all been there

and ask to have that part run at soundcheck

we want you to be great

never talk politics with nicky

if you start to incur expenses in order to make the show

let us know

we can help

we’re very pro-active in making sure your experience is a happy one

and if you need an advance - just ask

we’ve all been there too

don’t let mia confuse you

try and get each other gigs outside of CAL

i really like this part of our tribe

everyone getting each other work

that’s the good stuff

and if you have a better paying or a more important gig

let us know with as much time as possible

and we’ll work around it

we’ve all been there too

the doors are always open

we don’t carry grudges

we just want you to make money and be happy

ask nicole to make you a hat

if you have a bad guitar cable

throw it away

you’ll never fix it

just get a new one

you’ll sleep better

try hard not to start your own version of CAL

it upsets me when this happens

and it makes me rumble 

feel free to kick rick vatour out of your room at 2:00am

take care of each other

after 16 years we’ve all grown quite fond of each other

the toxic traders have been weeded out and replaced with givers 

CAL is a nice place for social interaction

and always take a moment to enjoy the moment

what we do is the stuff of greatness

we have something special

take it in

and reflect on your career and how far you’ve come

boge can fix anything 

make sure we get your family on the guest list

and bring them backstage so we can say hi 

and then rush away to tear down your gear quick

remind your guests that you are at work

never share a monitor mix with mark

make sure to eat well

it’s probably chicken for dinner

but we’re working through that

and learn to love the stones

as i don’t like people who don’t like stones

i’m looking forward to working with you

welcome to CAL

you’re at the top of your game now

craig

.

that’s how we live

that’s our vibe

go ahead and steal the above blueprint

and start your own version of CAL

but you’ve got to have heart 

if you don’t feel it in your heart

and just want to make money

you’ll fail

and the audiences will know

our audience can smell a phoney a million miles away

that’s true with most things in life

back in the day i skipped an important exam

just to hear ‘don’t fear the reaper’ on the radio

i have always been that passionate about music

i still hang onto the hippie credo of the 60s

and think that music can change the world

it took a long time to figure this all out

i’m not sure how we did it

i think it had something to do with blind faith

once i had the idea for CAL

i was like a zombie

i maxed credit cards

cashed in savings and inheritance

exhausted lines of credit

i never left the house without a bundle of flyers

i worked and worked 

i had two sons

i never stopping to pause

somehow it worked out

i think because i cared so much

it’s funny - because i still feel like we’re just starting

when i do interviews

i often get asked 

what advice i have for anyone starting a new business

two things i have not been very good at: relationships and business

so i tell them

run your company on a high point rewards credit card

pay off that card every month

then use the points to upgrade to business class

and pursue love at all costs

16 years gone

a tattoo of truth on our invested careers

a life shared with our version of the holy trinity

the musicians

the venues

the crowd

we all care about this music

we all care about each other

so please join me 

in wishing CAL

a happy anniversary

craig

april 10, 2019

jack daniels and ritz crackers