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Topic: So Long for now, its been good to know ya |
Bill McCloskey
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Posted 24 Jun 2013 10:26 am |
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To all my Steel Guitar friends,
For the last 20 years of my life or so, I've been what is often called a "visionary".
About every 5 years or so I am taken with a vision of the future that I can only describe as "a vision". An idea that comes into my head, usually for a business idea, that comes fully formed in my brain without any warning.
10 years ago, I had a vision for a product that didn't exist and I developed the first tool of its kind for digital marketers. Based on that vision, I was able to create something that had not existed before, I raised about 5 million dollars to implement the idea, and today that company is still the leader in its space and the vision I had grew into an established market with many competitors and provides good incomes for dozens and dozens of families.
So...I take these visions seriously.
I can never force them to come, and I never know if I'll get another vision again, but this weekend I had another one. I had a vision for a business that doesn't exist anywhere but which I think is a world changing idea that can help thousands of people.
Because I respect these visions when i get them, I'm about to pursue this idea to make it a reality. But unfortunately, it will require my complete and utter focus 24/7.
And that means, no more music for me for a while. Launching a new enterprise is a 24/7 feat of endurance.
So, I just want to say, I'll be leaving the forum for a while, probably a couple of years at least. I want to tell you all how much I enjoy all of your company and the joy of steel guitar. But I can't do both music and a business and succeed at either the way I want so, knowing myself, I need to get rid of all outside distractions.
I'm sure I'll be back at some time, but I did want to wish you all ado and I wanted to let you know I'm not leaving for any reason related to the forum. This place continues to be a wonder place for musicians to gather and I hope b0b continues this wonderful service for many decades to come.
I'll be selling some equipment over the next few weeks but for the most part will discontinue to participate in the threads (which I'm sure will come as a relief to many of you.) 
Adios Amigos. |
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Jeff Au Hoy
From:
Honolulu, Hawai'i
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Posted 24 Jun 2013 10:46 am
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I will definitely miss your posts, Bill.
You're the guy with vision that all my college courses celebrated.
When you come back to music, I think you will have new perspective and your playing will be even better than when you left off. Aloha and best of luck! |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 24 Jun 2013 10:53 am
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Bill, good luck with your latest endeavor and peek in to say hi once in a while and let us know how it's going. Most of us will still be here.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Joachim Kettner
From:
Germany
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Posted 24 Jun 2013 11:02 am
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I've been around here for a few years now. There were many posters that I liked and suddenly (or gradually) left this forum. I think it's nice of you to say goodbye. But you can always return here. Good luck Bill!
_________________
Fender Kingman, Sierra Crown D-10, Evans Amplifier, Soup Cube. |
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Brad Bechtel
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 24 Jun 2013 11:58 am
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Good luck with the new endeavor, Bill. We'll be here when you get back!
_________________
Brad’s Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars |
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Jerome Hawkes
From:
Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 24 Jun 2013 12:42 pm
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wow - thats dedication - thats the difference between those that do and us that fumble around bouncing off life. i'm finding as i get a little older that passion is what sustains life.
Good Luck - dont forget about your old pals!
_________________
'65 Sho-Bud D-10 Permanent • '54 Fender Dual-8 • Clinesmith T-8 • '38 Ric Bakelite • '92 Emmons D-10 Legrande II |
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Jim Cohen
From:
Philadelphia, PA
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Posted 24 Jun 2013 1:19 pm
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I don't think I can afford to let you leave, Bill. You once posted that I was your official, favorite jazz steel player. As far as I know, you're the only one in that category so you're too important to my ego to let you just drop out of sight... 
But good luck and godspeed with your new venture, anyway.
Jimbeaux
_________________
www.JimCohen.com
www.RonstadtRevue.com
www.BeatsWalkin.com |
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Stephen Abruzzo
From:
Philly, PA
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Posted 24 Jun 2013 1:51 pm
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| Best wishes to you Bill on your new "journey". |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 24 Jun 2013 2:22 pm
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Well, that sux for us.
All the best to you, Bill, please send us some of your music now and then, OK? |
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Andy Volk
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 24 Jun 2013 2:58 pm
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| Bill, best of luck with your new road to the future. Your thoughtful posts were appreciated by many of us. See you whenever you want to return! |
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Dom Franco
From:
Beaverton, OR, 97007
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Posted 24 Jun 2013 6:36 pm
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Sorry to be negative... But Bill I don't think any amount of money is worth giving up the steel guitar!
If I had to, I'd give up a meal, or some sleep, or TV or almost anything for a little time with my steel guitar.
We all must choose how to live our lives, but I must just say I can't imagine taking 2 years off!
God bless you in all your decisions.
Sincerely;
Dom Franco
_________________
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYG9cvwCPKuXpGofziPNieA/feed?activity_view=3 |
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CrowBear Schmitt
From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
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Posted 25 Jun 2013 4:37 am
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well there goes the hood...
Good Luck to ya Bill
Do pop in every once & while...... |
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Mitch Druckman
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 25 Jun 2013 7:40 am
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| Best of luck. |
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Mitch Druckman
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 25 Jun 2013 7:40 am
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Last edited by Mitch Druckman on 27 Jun 2013 3:30 pm; edited 5 times in total |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 25 Jun 2013 8:33 am
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BTW, Bill, I want in!
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Bill McCloskey
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Posted 25 Jun 2013 8:52 am
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Ha.
And there is a place for you Mike in my vision. Thank you all for the well wishes. I'll definitely be stopping in from time to time to tell you my progress.
Bill |
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Brandin
From:
Newport Beach CA. USA
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Posted 25 Jun 2013 9:10 am
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Bill, you will be missed.
All the best to you.
GB |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 25 Jun 2013 9:25 am
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what was the product you created with the $5 million?
i realize you can't talk about the new vision, but what was the old one? it obviously made you a rich man. |
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Bill McCloskey
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Posted 25 Jun 2013 10:05 am
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Well, it might eventually make the investors rich one day. I don't expect to see much of it.
The company I started is called eDataSource.com. I created it in my garage in 2003 and took the first round of investment in 2005. I left there two years ago to launch a new start up (www.OnlyInfluencers.com). The Onlyinfluencers.com site was the inspiration for the new vision I had. |
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Ulrich Sinn
From:
California, USA
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Doug Beaumier
From:
Northampton, MA
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Bob Watson
From:
Champaign, Illinois, U.S.
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Posted 25 Jun 2013 8:02 pm
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| Bill, I always enjoy your posts and will miss your input on the forum. Best of luck, I'll look forward to your return. |
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Paul Honeycutt
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 26 Jun 2013 9:07 am
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My vision always brings me back to music. It doesn't seem to generate much cash flow, but that probably has more to do with me then the vision. 
Good luck and best wishes with your new adventure. Remember to have fun with it and don't let it overwhelm you. Check in from time to time, hear? |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Mat Rhodes
From:
Lexington, KY, USA
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Posted 27 Jun 2013 7:22 pm
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My favorite McCloskey quote: "Go piss on someone else's tree." Priceless! 
I've always enjoyed your posts, Bill! Hope we hear from you soon. I thought of you when I co-hosted this drum jam in Galveston last weekend. I brought my steel and my bassist, but didn't include the steel in these clips. Our little battery-powered amps were WAY overpowered by the drums and the nearby generator for the snowcone trailer. I think you would have been in your element here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlMkrGaj87A |
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