Week eight of the Networking series. This week I’m writing about a Northwest Indiana general contractor. A lot of people probably don’t think that social media is of much use to a builder, construction company, or an architect.  Jeff Eriks, on the other hand, thinks differently.  He believes in and practices the art of social media.  By using Twitter and Facebook along with the companies multiple websites, he is able to let people know what they’re doing as a company.  This also allows customers and potential clients to give feedback …

Indie rock band As Tall as Lions have a solid release on their hands with “You can’t Take it With You”, their fifth album to date (if you don’t count their self-released EP, “Blood and Aphorisms).  The band at the core is made up of the New York quartet (that has been together since high school, nonetheless) and have seen some rough times in the last few years, as is evidenced in their dynamic and versatile work on this album.  This album was a somewhat stressful experience for singer Dan Nigro. …

I recently did a review of The Civil Wars “Live at Eddie’s Attic” release.  The Civil Wars are made up of Joy Williams and John Paul White.  Their music is raw and real.  I enjoyed it enough that I was compelled to learn more about them.  Here you’ll get to check out be talk with them.  They are currently working on a full-length album, but you can get their EP and live album in the mean time.  If you’ve never heard this group, give the singe “Poison and Wine” a …

As I’m getting close to wrapping up my networking series, I’ll be writing about yet another individual in the Indiana mortgage loan industry.  Steve Dalton is a Northwest Indiana mortgage banker that knows the first time home buyer market.  He is also an expert on first time home buyer and VA loans as well.
My wife and I just bought a house a few months ago, so it’s somewhat funny that after moving back to northern Indiana I’ve gotten to know a few of the best Northwest Indiana mortgage lenders in the area.  They would have …

I’m happy to say that I had the pleasure of reviewing The Civil Wars thanks to a recommendation by a good friend.  This group was a stark contrast to the dynamic and full band sound of Lydia (whom I reviewed in the first week of this series).  It was a good contrast, though.  Very stripped down and “naked” sounding.
To start off, this particular album is titled “Live at Eddie’s Attic”, where the album was recorded during a live performance.  The Civil Wars consist of Joy Williams and John Paul White, …

In continuing with my weekly Networking series (detailing people I’ve come to know in recent months in northern Indiana), I’m writing about another useful resource that just about anyone in northern Indiana could use.  If you or someone you know is looking to move to a subdivision in or around Elkhart, Indiana, this is a great place to start.   This weeks post is about a great resource to help assist in finding a new home in an Elkhart subdivision. That resource is Elkhart real estate agent Evelyn Johnston.
It seems fewer and fewer people …

I’ve introduced you all to a number of different people and local businesses in this networking series.  For instance, I’ve written about a local legal blog, an FHA mortgage broker, an insurance quote blog, and a social media coach.  This week I’m writing about an inbound marketing expert.  And this guy really knows what’s going on regarding social media of Indiana.
If you’re online and have any sort of web prescence, you need to understand the importance of search engine optimization, or as it’s also known, SEO.  You don’t necessarily need …

Thirty years ago, music was huge.  There were groups that were larger than life.  Mysterious.  And they sold albums.  Moved units.  Made money.  Gained lifelong fans.
And all of that was done without the aid of digital technology.  Without computers, external hard discs, or A/D converters.  Their music was created using the same kind of recording studios using the same guitars, drums, and microphones as today.  But when it was recorded, it was done so using analog 2″ tape (if it was 24 tracks, that is).  It was done so using …

And so it begins. This is the first of many weekly music reviews.  I have been taking submissions from all you you for some time now. To kick it off, I’ve been checking out a band called Lydia based in Gilbert, Arizona.  I am actually very partial to this part of the country as it’s where I began my professional journey in the music industry. At first listen, their tracks are diverse in dynamics, tempo, and overall feel.  I appreciated the sound of lead vocalist Leighton Antelman’s voice. …

As some of you may have heard, I am in the process of opening a new recording studio in Northern Indiana.  I’ve been able to network and connect with multiple studios in Chicago, northwest Indiana, Indianapolis, and southwest Michigan, but I still needed a space that I could use for my projects in the area with local artists and groups that can’t make the drive to Chicago or Michigan.  There are plenty of studios within 100 miles, but with rates and quality varying, it’s always nice to have options in …