A dream came true for me last weekend, during a trip back east to visit my kids. I got to meet my VW Partner, music business mogul and producer extraordinaire Dave Hillis!
The beginning of 2019 was a bit rough for me. I had big dreams of how I wanted to help the independent artists I love so much, on their road to success, but I had no idea if I could actually bring those dreams to fruition. I decided I would send my ideas out into the universe, via social media, and see what kind of response I would get, if any.
So, I posted about my idea for Virtuosity Worldwide – an all encompassing organization to support, promote and educate artists to help them succeed in today’s ever-changing music business. Within just a couple days of that post, Dave Hillis reached out to me.
We talked on the phone for a couple of hours. He said he was excited about my ideas, inspired by my passion to assist emerging artists, wanted to be a part of it and would do whatever he could to help. Before that phone call with Dave, I wasn’t sure if I would move forward with VW. After that phone call with Dave, I knew I had to. It was empowering to me, to have someone be so tuned in to what I wanted to do – and that was before I knew who Dave Hillis is and what he’s accomplished in his stellar career.
In addition to being an accomplished musician himself, Dave Hillis is a producer, engineer, composer, and he also conducts artist development workshops.
Dave has produced and engineered some of the biggest names in music – Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, James Blunt, The Afghan Whigs and Temple Of The Dog, among many others.
Dave will be working with myself, and the other partners and consultants we have lined up, to create a much-needed educational and financial assistance platform – Make Your Band Your Business, we hope to launch in early 2020.
Special thanks to Dave’s amazing wife, Melissa, and precious daughter, Jessica, for being gracious hosts and awesome tour guides.
We enjoyed a delicious meal and breathtaking views of the city, at the Grandview Saloon.
And although the main reason for our meeting was business, we all felt like we were old friends reuniting after a long time apart.
Thanks to Melissa, Zach, Ian and Jessica for putting up with Dave’s and my business talk. We had a most memorable time, and can’t wait to visit again real soon.
I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my friend and business partner, Dave Hillis. Not only does he see and understand my vision, he believes we can make it happen, and I am eternally grateful for that.
BIG things are coming Virtuosos, so stay tuned!!!
