Jamie Rio: Since the very first edition of Anklebiters, I have attempted to answer your questions and share my real-life, seat-of-my-pants experience of the sound biz with all of you. And with the help of some very capable fellow sound techs and anklebiters, I think I have done a good job of it. Well, after seven years of working my own small niche company, I am graduating to the next level. That means I have grown from a local guy to a more regional organization. This will be my last installment of Anklebiters and I would like to share some of my experiences of taking "the next step." The first thing is: I didn't just wake up one morning and decide I wanted to grow into a bigger company and make more money and hire more people and have more headaches. I actually have been planning my next step for the last two years. And before I took the plunge, I had a very fat contract for a major corporation in my back pocket and another one in the works. But all the planning and contracts aside, there still comes that moment when I had to put down some real cash for the hardware. For me, the next step cost roughly $55,000. I know some of you guys drop that much on a weekend in Vegas, but for an anklebiter, it represented a significant change. And for those of you who follow my writing, you know that I am opposed to financing anything. So, I laid down the cash. Actually, I put the various purchases on my AmEx for the miles, and then paid off the balance ASAP.
But I digress. The thing is, I didn't put myself in debt in order to progress. Now, mind you, I had at least that much invested in gear prior to my current purchases, but I accumulated the earlier stuff in smaller bites. So, here I am with a pile of new gear and I realize my two-car garage won't hold it all. I just moved some of the gear to the garage of one of my employees while I look for a suitable and affordable warehouse. I knew this was coming, friends; I just didn't think the subs were going to take up so much room. And of course, I need a new, larger truck. But I also anticipated this and will soon purchase an appropriate vehicle.
Some of the things I didn't plan are the fact that I need to incorporate my business. I am currently a sole proprietor, but I have a good attorney. And then there are my own personal feelings and growing megalomania. If I can supply superior sound for 5,000 people, why not 10,000, 100,000, 1,000,000 or more? The hardest thing right now, however, is to find an FOH guy who is a good as me. Please don't think that I am also an egomaniac. But I mix every show I do (except for the rental stuff ), and I am very good at it. In fact, that is how I have managed to build a successful and profitable business. So, how can I do two shows in two locations on the same day? I have to hire a guy who is good and responsible. Someone who can manage a show and bands and a crew. A person who can work with the acts and promoters and managers and jerks. Somebody who can think on his or her feet, who is faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive etc. In other words, I need a clone of myself who will work for less money.
This predicament has led me to the realization that growing a sound company (or any business for that matter) is not just buying more gear and getting more clients. You certainly can't grow without gear and clients, but you and I and anyone else who wants to achieve more must grow personally.
So, my greatest challenge is really to become a better person. I know I will find the right FOH guy. And hopefully he will be better and sharper than I am. You see, my friends, my real goal is to mix from my cell phone or laptop while I enjoy the beach in Cabo San Lucas. Oh, by the way, I have a show there on Feb. 19.
Anyway, thank you all so much for reading this column. I have really enjoyed writing it. I am sure that Paul and the new guy will be at least as informative and entertaining as I have been. For those of you who will miss me, please don't worry. I will be popping up on other pages of this magazine in the near future. For now, good luck. Jamie Rio
Paul H. Overson: Jamie, we will miss you very much! You have shown us the way to change our circumstances by planning and trying to do other types of gigs. It takes courage.
In January of last year, I tried my hand at doing sound for a full-length movie. We hired a boom operator and I mixed and recorded the sound. It was a new experience for us, and we were not sure what types of experiences we would have. I had been an extra for several movies, but I couldn't remember what the sound crew was doing. Since this movie was filmed indoors and outdoors, we ran into many scenarios, including water several inches deep in an old abandoned jail complex. We experienced blizzards, ice covering everything, car crashes and anything else that you can imagine. I have a newly-found respect for movie sound crews and will do my homework much more thoroughly next time.
The point that I am trying to make is to try new gigs and change the way you are doing your work. We have done sound for rodeos, skiing and snowboarding events, plays, concerts, festivals, parties, weddings, etc. Change is the only constant in our business, so we must adapt to keep fresh and hopefully make a living. Sometimes, a new type of gig will open doors that you had never considered. Keep smiling and enjoy what work comes your way! Jamie, I'll be happy to help you on Feb. 19 in Cabo San Lucas!
Jamie's move upward leaves a hole in our Anklebiter team. Think you can fill it? We are looking for small- to mid-sized local soundcos and would prefer one east of the Mississippi just to keep things better balanced. If you are interested, send an email to bevans@fohonline.com. –Ed.
