Spring! A Time for Change & New Opportunity

As many folks reminded me prior to last weekend, March 31-April 1 marked what would have been the 20th edition of TDawg’s Back Porch Hootenanny had I decided to continue producing the Hoots. I could not have asked for a better way to complete that chapter of my life than last year’s finale that featured some of my closest friends of the last 19 years who have been involved in concerts and festivals in Atlanta and around the Southeast with me.

Instead of a Hootenanny, I flew to Houston for the week to attend my 30th high school reunion and to help tend to my father, who broke his hip and had surgery to repair. Complicated by Alzheimer’s, recovery is no small feat, but after a week in the hospital Dad is recovering nicely and steadily in a physical rehab facility. He’s a strong man with a happy perspective on life. It’s tough to see your parents go through anything like this, and I’m certainly glad I can be there for him in much the same way he has always been there for me over the years. I look forward to returning much sooner than later! As for the reunion, social network has softened the surprise effect of a reunion these days, although still to physically see some of my classmates for the first time since we graduated in May of 1987 was something else. It’s good to know we’re still kicking it hard! It was great to catch up with old friends, meet their spouses, and gain a nice introspective into oneself, too.

A major point that last week reemphasized for me was that I really am in a state of transition professionally. A mid-life crisis? No. A time for change? Yes. Over the last 24 years, I have gained some great experiences that both came my way and were created by me. I worked on the Super Bowl XXVIII Halftime Show, World Cup’94 (European Broadcast Union), the Atlanta Olympics (Atlanta Olympic Broadcasting), Aids Walk Atlanta, and many free lance production jobs from 1993-2004. I created HarvestFest and the TDawg’s Back Porch Hootenanny series, Atlanta’s Holiday Hootenanny, and several smaller festivals. I have also been actively involved in some wonderful non-profits as a volunteer, including Atlanta Dogwood Festival and the Frank Hamilton School. These experiences have emboldened me to take on just about anything that is thrown my way, to have the confidence to step into the fire if necessary. I am looking for any opportunities that can utilize my vast skill set as a special event manager or coordinator and can utilize my knowledge and network of contacts in the event industry, catering industry, and production. For the right non-profit, event management company or for-profit corporation, I know that I can be an asset immediately. I am putting this energy out to the universe now in hopes that I can stir the pot a bit.

I have been actively looking since the beginning the of the year as I continue as a board member for the Frank Hamilton School and act as Director of Concerts & Community Outreach. FHS is a passion for me, and I believe now more than ever that we need non-profit institutions like Frank Hamilton School in our communities to teach music, community, and the arts to our children and adults alike. As we transition to fully utilizing Oakhurst Baptist Church as our school and a music venue, the ongoing Frank Hamilton School Concert Series will slow down to accommodate the opportunities we create at the church, as the sanctuary has proven to be an excellent music venue, too. I also plan to continue producing my annual Holiday Hootenanny for Atlanta Habitat for Humanity as well as the annual JerryDay ATL event at Terminal West, and you might see an occasional TDawg Presents concert pop up on the radar. Pay attention when that happens 😉

If you have read this far, thank you. I’m grateful to continue bringing live music performances and music educational opportunities into the greater Atlanta community – I KNOW it makes a difference. I realize that the same passion I have for producing these events will be a great resource for the right organization. Please feel free to contact me with any ideas 😉

Peace, love & cheers,

TDawg

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Tags: atlanta habitat for humanity, Atlanta jobs, Atlanta Music Scene, City of Decatur, entertainment, Events, Frank Hamilton School, Music, non-profit jobs, Philanthropy, special event coordinator, special event management