Pulling back the curtain on charity concert production isn't always glamorous, but it's always fascinating. Today, I'm taking you along for a day that could swing toward triumph or disappointment – the unpredictable reality of running Joey's Song.
My mission lately has been expanding our footprint beyond local recognition to a national stage, which means navigating the complex world of professional publicity. The morning kicks off with genuine anticipation as I prepare for a Zoom meeting with executives from RCPMK – the prestigious firm handling publicity for the Grammys, Hollywood A-listers, and music icons. This conversation represents a potential turning point in how we present Joey's Song to wider audiences.
As the day unfolds, I candidly share our biggest communication challenge: clearly defining what Joey's Song actually is. We're not simply a concert. We're not just a charity event. We're a unique fusion of both, and articulating this unique identity requires expertise and strategy. Following the promising RCPMK meeting, I hit the road to Rockford, Illinois, for lunch with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick fame. These one-on-one connections with music industry legends form the backbone of our work – casual conversations over meals that strengthen relationships and open doors to new possibilities.
By day's end, I'm pleased to report it was "one of those good days" – the kind that reminds me why all the behind-the-scenes work matters. The relationships built, strategies developed, and challenges tackled represent just a single day in the life of Joey's Song. Now imagine what happens in the other 364 days each year! Subscribe to hear more insider stories as we continue growing our mission to harness the power of music for meaningful change.
Visit www.joeyssong.org to learn more about Joey's Song and the work we do and get details on our next set of shows. Also be sure to follow us on all popular social media platforms with our handle @joeyssong
Joey's Song is a federally registered 501(c)3 charity that raises money to fund research into treatments and cures for epilepsy. Joey's Song is 100% volunteer with no paid staff, so we are able to convert more dollars into life saving research.
Our Joey's Song family of artists include Rock N Roll Hall of Famers, Grammy and Emmy winners and Top 40 hitmakers.
- (00:00) - Introduction to the day ahead
- (01:26) - Meeting with RCPMK publicists
- (02:28) - Journey to meet Rick Nielsen
- (03:15) - Lunch with Rock Hall legend
- (03:56) - Reflecting on a successful day
Episode Transcript
Hey everybody, it's Mike Kamal with Joey's Song
another one of these mic drops.
When we started doing these, Ipromised you I'd show you behind
the scenes what goes on intoputting on Joey's Song.
The good, the bad, highs andlows.
Today's one of these days thatcould be full of a couple highs
or maybe a couple lows, younever know.
I think it's going to be a goodday, but I wanted to let you
(00:22):
know we've got some big meetingsplanned.
One of the things that we'vereally wanted to focus on is
growing our presence morenationally, and that means using
publicists and those types ofthings, and I have a big meeting
today with a company calledRCPMK, and they're one of the
oldest publicists in New Yorkand Hollywood.
(00:42):
They do movies and actors andmusicians and the whole bit.
Most importantly, they also arethe publicists for the Grammys,
and one of their seniorexecutives and I are having a
Zoom call in a couple hours asI'm recording this, and then
later on today I am having lunchwith Rock and Roll Hall of
Famer, rick Nielsen, so some funstuff could happen Now.
(01:03):
Rick has helped us in the past.
It's not a new meeting, but itnever hurts to spend a little
one-on-one time with somebody ofRick's status.
You never know where that couldlead.
So, following this video, Iwill add on clips from the rest
of today to let you know whathappened.
So it's another mic drop and Iam Mike Gamal.
Hey everyone.
(01:25):
So halfway through the day,good meetings this morning,
specifically with our friends atRCPMK, kmp I'm sure I'll know
it soon the folks that Imentioned earlier that do the
Grammys and a bunch of othervery cool events.
So you know, as I mentioned inthe episode I did a few weeks
(01:47):
ago around marketing, you know,one of our challenges is
explaining exactly what our JoeySong concert is.
It's just not here.
Are the artists please come,because it's not a festival.
And I have to tell you I metwith a couple other firms this
morning as well.
Everybody understands thechallenge of that.
So I'm very optimistic thatwe're going to be able to work
together and figure out a way toquickly and easily explain what
(02:11):
Joey's Song is, because it'snot just a concert, it's not
just a charity event.
It is both of those things, butit's all wrapped up into one.
So I'm going to head up now andoff to Rockford Illinois to
meet with Rock and Roll Hall ofFamer Rick Nielsen, and I will
be back shortly to tell you howthat went.
So see you everybody.
All right, kids Took a shower,cleaned up a little bit, and
(02:37):
this is not the same Freedyshirt I was wearing earlier in
the day.
It's my Beatles rubber sole.
Maybe I'm in a yellow day today, I don't know.
Anyway, hitting the road nowfrom Madison, wisconsin, to
Rockford, illinois, to havelunch with the rock and roll
meister, rick Nielsen from CheapTrick.
We'll let you know how it goes.
Maybe Rick and I can record alittle something real quick.
(02:58):
I don't know, we'll see.
Anyway, talk to you on theother side.
All right, folks just arrivedin Rockford Looking forward to
having lunch with Rick.
So we'll let you all knowexactly how it turns out.
More Joey Song, mic Drop comingup.
Well, folks just came back frommy lunch with Mr Nielsen.
(03:21):
An hour and a half we spenttalking about this, that and the
other thing, and I came awaywith a whole bunch of take-home
food.
We ate at a restaurant thatRick is a part owner of, so they
fed us.
Well, it was great.
He's a great man, he's a reallynice fella, and today was one
of those good days.
I know I wrote or recordedsomething.
(03:42):
Wrote or recorded somethingthis morning saying it was a big
day and I hope it turned outwell.
Well, it turned out fantastic.
It really did.
Hanging with Rick was great andwe traded a lot of stories and
it was a good day.
So there you go Inside.
One day of Joey's song.
One day of Joey's song.
Imagine what the other 364 arelike.
Talk to y'all soon.
(04:02):
Mic drop Bye.
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.