Rock Star Business Series is Live For Less Than a Burrito

This morning we opened the door to the new Rock Star Business Series. Essentially it is a training platform for young entrepreneurs to learn online tools and how to apply them to their brand and their business. It costs less than a burrito to get started.

Here is a video I shot with Ryan Browne, a student in the first round of the Rock Star Series

So, this is not the sales pitch, if you want that, head on over to the Sales Page.

I did want to say that I am extremely happy with the effort and the value we have been able to provide to this next group of young entrepreneurs. We have lowered the cost and improved the value. There is no better feeling than getting an email that says your training has helped them do something cool.

If you are a young entrepreneur and want to join this group of young entrepreneurs, go check out the sales page. I think you are going to love it.

Other Notes and Tidbits
I'll be in Atlanta this weekend for those that want to catch up. Looking forward to another marketing conference, the SEC Championship and seeing some old friends.

This Thanksgiving we spent the better half of the morning with our homeless friends in Orlando. The event was moving and really brings out the best in people. Check out the full wrap up on the Rock For Hunger Blog.

Have a great week.

-Greg

Make the Most of Your 30 Seconds of Fame

(Greg, Patrick and Chris on the set of the Daily Buzz)

Last Friday I had the pleasure of hanging out in the Daily Buzz studios on the Full Sail campus at 6am. I was up early with Chris and Patrick getting ready to talk about Rock For Hunger and some of our initiatives including Talk 4 Hunger and my personal RFH project the "Homeless Lifestyle Design" course.

Over the last few weeks I have been fortunate to be on a bunch of live news stations talking about everything from Personal Branding to Advanced Online Job Seeking to Digital Dirt and Rock For Hunger across a bevy of networks including the CW (Daily Buzz), ABC and FOX. On these live-on-air opportunities I have learned some very valuable lessons that have increased my confidence and appearance on the networks and helped to spread the message that I want to connect with the audience. These tv segments are quick yet can be very powerful to collect new leads, get sales or increase exposure about you or your company (and it looks great on the resume). Here is a list of my 6 biggest takeaways from being live on the news.

Match your style to location. When getting dressed make sure you look at yourself in the mirror while sitting down, or outside or in a crowd or whatever environment you will be in. Knowing your settings is crucial to looking natural and authentic. In one interview on FOX I had a suit on and the jacket was a little large...and you could totally notice. Had I knew it would have risen so high I would have stuck with just a shirt and a tie. Knowing where you are going to be for the interview is key to looking great on camera.

Guide the interviewer. Most quick tv interviews throw softball questions at you and they know little to nothing about you or what you are going to say. Generally we hear:

• Tell us about your organization
• How did you get started?
• Where did the idea come from?
• Tell me about those programs
• How can we get involved or more information
  

The key is to guide them to get to the main point that you want to portray. With Rock For Hunger, we have been doing a brief explanation of how we started and go right into the program we are trying to promote, getting the interviewer to lead into questions about the program.

Rehearse your points. This is one that should be common sense, but you need to have a game plan and know your stuff. When the lights are in your face and the teleprompter is distracting you, the more you have rehearsed and played it out in your head the better off you will be. I have my personal branding and Rock For Hunger elevator pitches down so well that I can deliver them with any distraction in my way because I deliver them often and I practice them before every big speaking gig.

Know your timing. News stations are on top of things and know to the second how long segments are going to last. If you know how long you are given for your segment you can begin to tailor your message to fit the allotted time. Trust me when I say that you have way less time than you think. The FOX News segments I did lasted close to 2:30, then you look at the Daily Buzz where Chris and I split less than 2 minutes.

Ask for drops (or plugs). Drops are what the news anchors say coming into and going out of commercials. For the job fair we promoted in April we were on the news Monday - Thursday for a total of 10 minutes. However from 6am - 9am before every commercial break the news plugged the event and told the audience about the story / interview coming up. This is vital as it helps to brand what it is that you came on the show to talk about. If you have the opportunity, ask the anchors or producers to say your name, your company and what you are talking about. For instance on the Daily Buzz before commercial break we had the anchor say,

"Get ready to rock...for hunger with Greg and Chris who are going to be talking about how they use music to help the local community. Check out Rock For Hunger after the break."

This is very effective for brand awareness and keeps butts in the seat waiting for you to come on their screen (or at least hit the DVR), but you need to help guide them if at all possible.

Call the viewer to action. Stay on topic, stay focused and deliver a call to action. The news is going to direct the viewer to their website so you may need to throw in your own call to action to get people to your site and skip the middleman. Be respectful and thankful, but by being on tv you have the opportunity to speak to the very market that can buy your stuff, support your cause or come to your event. Don't forget the mission and purpose of the press opportunity.

Now that I have had some great press opps I hope to share some really valuable stuff with you guys including:

• How to get on tv
• The responses and affect of being on tv
• Direct response marketing of tv advertisements

If you have any questions about live tv interviews, please ask and share in the comments.

-Greg Rollett

Finding a Soundtrack For Your Life

(image by Justin Sulivan / Getty)

Music has a special power over the human mind, body and soul. It creates a mood, or environment that can change attitudes, outlooks and emotions with a needle on a record. It can motivate people to join revolutions, relive memories and stand up for a fight worth fighting for.

Fighting for your life's soundtrack
There is a major homeless problem for children in America. A report from The National Center on Family Homelessness estimates that 1 in every 50 American kids were homeless in 2005-2006. To put that into perspective: It's about the number of records sold by the top selling rock artist last year.

Pairing music with the mission of homelessness bridges the communication gap for students, teenagers and young adults who may feel embarrassed, shy or too full of themselves to talk about the subject. At a Rock For Hunger concert last year the loudest ovation of the night came between bands, when we told the crowd that their contributions would help feed those in need for weeks. The community spirit that comes forth at these shows is something that makes me believe that we are a generation that is willing to improve the conditions that we live in.

I asked a few folks on Twitter their thoughts on Music affecting youth, homelessness and community.

A Gift For Teaching shared that:


There are 2 elements that go into music. Those playing and partaking in the creation of music and those that listen to and become fans of the music.

The players
The self-confidence, mental toughness and fortitude that goes into creating music is something that I believe is of utmost important to everyone. Much like sports and team building helps stimulate growth and learning, music offers a similar release, and gives them a product they can call their own.

Val Stevenson from London shared with us a homeless choir from London, The Choir With No Name. Their about page reveals the true power of music in their lives:

We sing pop, rock, soul, gospel, reggae, musicals.. you name it, we'll give it a go.. although we've yet to try any thrash metal or grime. We rehearse once a week (with a decent dinner at the end of rehearsal!) and we perform in London regularly. We were founded on the premise that singing makes you feel good; it distracts you from all the nonsense in life and helps you to build up your confidence and abilities.

We aim to...

• have a brilliant time at rehearsals
  
• give performances that leave the audience gagging for more!
  
• support each other in our musical (and other!) dreams and ambitions

Locally here in Orlando, A Gift For Teaching is giving students in our community the chance to learn the art of music and the feelings that instruction, followed by live performance can bring into the lives of those playing.

Tomorrow night at the Rock For Hunger Spring Show, I am bringing in a homeless drummer to rock the crowd, feel the energy and relive the spirit that ran through his body when times were better. It is something that I can do to give back, give hope and rebuild dreams. Not to mention that he is one of the best street drummers in the city and will help to electrify my set.

Rock Star Lifestyle
Those of us that are fortunate enough to have music in their life have every chance in the world to share it with others. If you play, teach. If you listen, share. Uplift the spirits of someone in a less fortunate position by providing them with an opportunity to forget, even for 3 minutes and 30 seconds, or a free street concert, a recital or a benefit shows.

Take Action
If you live in Orlando, come to the Rock For Hunger Spring Show tomorrow. Your $10 donation gets you exciting music from There For Tomorrow, an opportunity to meet new friends all aligned with the goal of helping those less fortunate through the power of music and provide meals for 40 people in our community. Bring 3 friends and feed 160 people or an entire Monday night food sharing.


If you live outside of Orlando you can still make a difference. Bands, give back to your community with benefit shows. Invite homeless musicians into your band for jam sessions and give them your tips for the night. Teachers, reach out to organizations like A Gift for Teaching and find new and exciting ways to teach an amazing skill.

If you wish to donate to RFH, do so here. It will help our community through Music and Peace.

-Greg

Social Media Giving Thanks

It's Thanksgiving Eve and while the kids are ready for a 4 day vacation, many organizations are using the power of the internet to make change for people this holiday season.

Epic Change
I first started chatting with Stacey Monk a few weeks back while working on Creating Magic. She helped share the story of a volunteer, Zoe Flanagan, a student at Lewis & Clark in Portland, Oregon. Yesterday I saw a flurry of Tweets about Tweetsgiving. Honestly I thought it was another Chris Brogan move, but come to find out its powered by Epic Change. The premise of Tweetsgiving is to to

demonstrate the power of the social web by raising $10,000 in 48 hours to build a classroom in Tanzania.

I think this is awesome. As of 10:30am on Wednesday, the site had already generated over $5,000 in donations. The Tweetsgiving fundraising is powered by ChipIn, a simple Flash application that allows you to keep people up-to-date on ChipIn events you organize to collect money. The power of this is that anyone who feels passionately about the cause can grab the embed code and put the widget up anywhere they want from Mysapce to their Blogs or websites.

Rock For Hunger
Using the power of some blog posts and the new Ning community, Rock For Hunger was able to organize an amazing Thanksgiving Breakfast for the homeless. They have organized over 60 local volunteers, oatmeal, eggs, fruit, OJ, plates, cups, utensils, socks, clothing and many other items via a forum post, a blog post and some email exchanges.

In fact, the SEO and search engine traffic to the post was so successful, they had to make 2 new volunteer opportunities to include all the volunteers.

Change.org + Myspace
Obama is not one to miss out on volunteers and an opportunity to get feedback from his fellow Americans. Change.org/ideas is a site where you can add your ideas to improve America and they can be voted on Digg style. The idea has also been replicated on Myspace to get teens and young adults involved in the new administration. Obama is really using this Social Media power to stay in touch with every American that wants to have a voice.

Do you know of any other organizations that are getting involved with Social Media this Thanksgiving to give back? Please let me know and I will be sure to add them to the post.

Happy Thanksgiving, be safe and keep rocking!

-Greg Rollett

Rock For Hunger Fest 3 Thoughts

I am tired. Almost 18 hours at the Plaza yesterday and 25 bands, 30 vendors, 10 big sponsors, hundreds of t-shirts, raffles, auctions, drama, running around and one hell of a good time, it's all over.

While the show might be, Rock For Hunger's work is not. This show was another demonstration that the youth, Gen-Y, care about issues that have a direct impact on their life. I saw it in their faces, in their excitement and in conversations. They care.

I'll get into that some more later in the week, but for now, here's some highlights from my day:

• Michele Wright is an awesome person, personality and co-host. Last year I was a one-man show host running around with way too much on my plate. Being able to trust her to jump in and do the job that she did was amazing. I'll post a link here to all the interviews and photos she grabbed including one with Chris, Michele, Kardinal Offishall and myself.
• The future of Orlando music is its indie singer songwriter scene and true musicians. Not so surprisingly, the Whole Foods Stage (ironically the smallest stage in the atrium and completely acoustic) was the place to be all day. From Kaleigh Baker to Peter Baldwin to Chris Burns to Emily Sessoms to Ranyai to, well, myself. Everyone on the stage had the place in a frenzy. Maybe it was the passion, maybe it was that the other stages were too loud or maybe the energy and talent was just too powerful to ignore. Anyway you look at it, the kids on this stage have a very bright future.
• Talk 4 Hunger is a success. The 1st issue of Talk 4 Hunger, our new monthly newspaper program to give the homeless jobs and create a steady income for Rock For Hunger debuted at the Festival, doubling as the official program. I will post an online version as soon as I get my hands on the files (cough, Logan) and you can see some inspiration articles from Logan, Chris, Ben and myself as well as learning about the bands and the festival.
• People care about where their money is going. Knowing that every dollar feeds 4 people is powerful. Now you know, so please contribute accordingly.
• Raffles with 3 stages is difficult. After calling 10 tickets and no peeps from the crowd I had to improvise (note: to the lady I pissed off, the money is feeding the homeless, not me or my bar tab!)
• Stage managers are live-savers. Thanks to Adam Purdy, Logan Lenz and Dustin Owens for keeping the egomaniacs in check.
• Lisa and Ana ran the merch like pros! Thanks girls.
• Chris needs to sleep for a week. You might say I am a work-a-holic, but you sir are just crazy. Thanks for all your hard work and dedication. It's taking longer than we want it to but everyday we are rocking for hunger!
• I have that fire to get back on the mic. It's itching, we'll see how life lets me react to it.

That's it for now. If you have pics or videos, please, please throw them up on Rock For Hunger's new site or email them to me. Now is the time to get involved, not tomorrow or next week. Make a difference today.

Greg Rollett

Living Like a Rock Star

I always love the weeks leading up to Rock For Hunger Fest. I mean, who wouldn't love no sleep, constant stress over paying the bands, the venue, raising money for the cause, unrolling new technology, selling tickets, organizing 100 volunteers, getting photographers, videographers, setting the band times, t-shirt designs, badges, oh crap no money and keeping Chris focused.

These things might make you go crazy considering this is something I volunteer for in addition to the 2 jobs that sometimes pay the rent.

But there is one thing that keeps me going. Bringing my Rock Star life into the lives of others.

(Me, Chris and Jessie McGuire at WPRK Studios)

Late last night before our interview with Rollins Radio, Chris and I were sitting in my office talking about the future. The future of everything from Endagon to a a venture of our own to going back to school. After making a mess on the table to where you wouldn't know it was a glass desk, I blurted out,

"I want to make everyone around me live a Rock Star Life."

That's when things got interesting.

Rock For Hunger
Every Monday when we feed the homeless we have the opportunity to make every person there FEEL like a rock star that night. WE have that power, the volunteers, teh board members, the staff and everyone else there. The food is the headliner for these individuals, but everyone has a hell of a lot of fun at concerts that has nothing to do with the music.

Think about it. Warped Tour brings you more activities than you can go through if you were there for a week. Trust me Chris and Logan know first hand. They have games, giveaways, listening stations, autograph sessions and so much more.

Look at every concert that you go to. Think about the conversations that you have waiting in line. The energy that you have while dancing, throwing your hands in the air, the laughter and the stress free environment.

(photo by: notorious d.a.v.)

Making every Monday night an experience for everyone involved will help create a brand around Rock For Hunger. A brand that people will want to be a part of. Where volunteers will never leave without thinking, holy shit, I changed someone's life, had a good time, heard great music and will remember this event for the rest of my life.

Clients
Making all of my clients feel like Rock Stars is another goal I have for myself. It may not be a stage with thousands of sweating fans, but a blog post that gets 20 comments and 5 sales is Rock Star status for small businesses. Having them feel the appreciation, the strength and reach that is possible with a little technique and planning, will instill not only confidence in that individual but for that team as a whole.

It's kinda like hip-hop. 50 Cent blows up and takes his crew with him. Now Llyod Bands, Tony Yayo and company are starts in their own right and their magic spreads far beyond that of just 50. Companies can feel this same power as one person lands a monster sale and passes their excitement on to the rest of the office. Rock Star status is contageous.

Rock Star status is a feeling
The feeling you get when you are so proud of your accomplishments that others recognize it for you. Being the voice in a PodCast. Meeting new colleagues, business associates or prospects on a Social Network and having the power to control the conversation. Recognition in your local community.

"Hey that's Jim the Realtor."
"Heck yea, I'm Jim the Realtor, I know this community and I can help you know it too!"

I have had some great moments being in the spotlight and I know just how amazing that feeling is. Giving that feeling to someone else is one of the most powerful things I have to offer!

My Rock Star Life
So as I roll on with the Rock For Hunger promotions in this stretch run, look at how much fun and excitement is in my voice as we roll through XL 106.7, Real Rock 101.1, Podcasts, Video Interviews, blog posts, interviews and other "Rock Star" like experiences.

I'll be thinking about you the whole time and how by being in my position, I can help you too. That's what I have to offer. Come and take it from me.

How big of a Rock Star do you want to be?

-Greg Rollett

My Freestyle Over Living on a Prayer - Rock For Hunger Show

Last night I put on my hip-hop shoes and put together a short performance for Rock For Hunger at 10,000 Villages in Winter Park, FL. It was a great night with performances from Emily Sessoms (I will get her video up on the R4H Blog asap, she was amazing) and Leo from Urbe Prima as well as some great food provided by volunteers that included some delicious meatballs, veggie ziti, a honey baked ham and a handful of Halloween cookies.

After our set was done we had a few regulars that wanted to hear some hip-hop Bon Jovi. I decided to spice it up and get the crowd involved in a little freestyle. You didn't think I still had it in me, did you?

Anyway, here is what came out.

Oh and we raised a ton of money, sold some tickets to Rock For Hunger Fest 3 and I even sold some CD's. Happy Halloween peeps.

-Greg Rollett

Passafire Rocking For Hunger

Last night I was fortunate enough to get backstage at the House of Blues to chat with Rock For Hunger Fest 3 co-headliner Passafire. They were in town rocking out with Law Records labelmates Pepper and Orlando hometown heroes the Supervillians.

The interview is about 10 minutes long and in typical G-Ro fashion it is uncut and very entertaining. I got to chat with the guys about the importance of every fan and building something with grassroots ethos. Then we got into hunger and poverty and how community stretches beyond your hometown and backyard and that is the reason they are super stoked to be rocking at the Plaza Theatre for Rock For Hunger 3.

Check it out!

We were also pretty stoked to see Adam Willis on keys rocking the Rocksophagus T on stage, thanks man!


Orlando people come say hi to Ted, Adam, Nick and Will when they make it back to Orlando on Saturday, November 15th for Rock For Hunger 3 at the Plaza Theatre.

Get your tickets here for only $10 before November 1st! Every $10 ticket will feed 40 people in need in the Orlando area!

-Greg Rollett

Rock For Hunger VIP Passes (Early Bird Pricing)

(*Update, each VIP ticket sold will feed 80 PEOPLE in the Orlando community*)

Orlando peeps, Rock For Hunger is having a super special to get you the best seats and benefits in the house for Rock For Hunger Fest 3! The event is going down on Saturday, November 15th at the Plaza Theatre on Bumby in Downtown Orlando.

To get everyone excited, we are practically giving away 100 VIP tickets from today till Sunday at 11:55pm! For only $20 you get:
-Admission to the show
-Reserved Balcony seats

-Free Festival T-Shirt
-Private Bar (not free booze, but a bar with no lines)
-Free food (yummy)
-Exclusive schwag and other great prizes!

Head on over to the EventBrite Page and order your tix now! I check ed my email this morning and they were already about 20 tickets gone. This special ends Sunday night!!

To get a taste of what is going to happen at Rock For Hunger 3, here are some of the bands:
(super secret headliner - think "Dangerous')
The Audition
G-Ro and the Skateboard Sneakers
Passafire
Ambertone
Afterglow Radio
Union Made
Jah Roots
Chris Burns
Laura Reed and Deep Pocket
Mumpsy
Social Ghost
Junkie Rush
and more...

Order your VIP tix now. On Monday these tix will be $40, so buy one for you and your friend!

-Greg

Our Community Coming Together

Getting an organization started is a royal pain in the ass. Getting one started solely with volunteers takes that up a notch. I am currently in the middle of starting my 2nd nonprofit company aimed at bringing our community together. The first is of course, Rock For Hunger, which is going strong with weekly feedings for those less fortunate in Orlando, job trainings and Rock For Hunger Fest 3 coming in November.

The 2nd is called doterati.
My 2-3 months being involved with the group has been great. There are so many talented people, awesome companies and passionate creatives right here in our backyard. What makes it even better s bringing everyone together to make the org tick. In our board meetings we have representatives from small companies like Atlantic Dominion Solutions and One Step Solutions to innovative design firms like NFi Studios to large Interactive firms like Mindcomet and Social Media Innovators IZEA to one man shops to corporations like Darden to schools like Rasmussen to employment solutions to user groups and beyond.

We have come together to not just build another networking group, but a community that is really out to help each other, teach each other and grow together.

Christmas All Year Long
One of the biggest joys that I have is making people come together and create something that is bigger and on a more grand stage than by them self, alone. With both organizations, I feel that the whole is bigger than the pieces, but the pieces are vital to the whole. The best part is that the people involved all give their time to make these orgs tick. No money involved, at least on the personal level. Rather it is the personalities and the hearts that they can take with them.

Gotta love community.
To get involved with either Rock For Hunger or doterati, please shoot an email to greg.rollett@endagon.com. Let's build this city together and see what we can accomplish!

-Greg

Help the Community from the Bottom Up

You are only as strong as your weakest link, right?

Well if that's the case, you need to look at your community and find the people on the bottom and gt them to be top performers.

This morning I had the privilege of attending the Community Service Center's Breakfast Club in Orlando. The event was great and I met a ton of motivated people all looking to make Orlando a better community by working from the bottom on up.

Orlando Blueprint Initiative
Orlando has some great, albeit controversial initiatives. Blueprint is one of them. Blueprint is essentially the project to make the new Orlando Magic arena, renovate the Citrus Bowl and build the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center. Whether you like the idea of the $1.1 billion project is up to you. What I liked and wanted to share was how they were going about this construction. Through a partnership with Workforce Central Florida, they are looking to help the homeless and those below the poverty line get work in not just the construction, but in the longterm running of the facilities.

(FYI - this initiative is supposed to bring in 7,500 jobs annually to the Central Florida area)

How does this compare to online communities or network groups?
It gets the people involved and makes the community tighter, cleaner and friendlier to outsiders. By taking your bottom line users and giving them power in shaping your community, you are giving them a reason to believe in your product or service.

It took a lot of high powered people to make the Blueprint project go through legislation and that that government mombo-jambo. It has to start with the top and realizing that getting everyone involved is the key to future success. By allowing the less fortunate not only the dollars today to build the facilities, we can give them a better future by providing long term jobs and use.

The bottom line
We are all concerned with our bottom line in these economic times. We would be lying if we weren't. The companies that are going to come out ahead are the ones that are making the most of everyone in their community, promoting their strength and togetherness and looking to make everyone in their company better today.

How to lose
The companies that are failing are the ones that are looking for the quick dollar, the flashy headline and the current trend. They are looking to fatten their pockets at their users and clients expense. When the tide turns, other businesses will be leagues ahead and ready to catapult on the businesses falling into the toilet.

What to do

• Find your weakest link
• Find a way to get them involved at any level
• Create long term impact for all of your users - why should I come back tomorrow?
• Stay away from the quick buck if you are going to turn people off
• Start with your leaders and influential personnel and get them involved - it is their pockets that are going to suffer in the long run when the company flops
• Remember the word community and what it means - then make your community the definition

How do you get everyone in your community involved? What can you do to help the lower bracket of your community?

Please leave your feedback, so that we can begin to understand the needs of communities and build stronger relations with those that matter.

-Greg Rollett

(Here is a Guide to the Blueprint Project for people in the Orlando area looking for more information)

Office Space

Today was a historic day for Rollett Marketing, Rock For Hunger and Endagon Entertainment. We embarked on a journey through downtown Orlando and checked out an office!

How cool you ask? Very. The office in all of its glorious uncut and poorly edited visuals can be seen in the video below.

What is even more exciting is the prospect of Rollett Marketing grow into a company large enough to need office space. We have been building our client list and preparing for a marketing and sales surge and are now seeing the possibilities of what full time attention can do for our lil ol start-up.

Wish us luck and enjoy this special edition of MTV (er G-Ro's) Cribs (Office building edition).

Click To Play

And it seems like I have been talking about these guys a lot lately, but I did want to show off my new copy of New Day Revolution, the new book from the cool kids at Cool People Care. There's a rumor circulating that these are available in all Barnes and Nobles, so go pick one up!

Cool People Do Care – The Next Move

I have been doing a lot of work with not-for-profits in the last few months. Most noticeably with an Orlando start-up, Rock For Hunger. I started as a musician playing their shows over a year ago now and have shifted gears and become the head of their Marketing and Communications as well as the Employment and End Homeless Director.

Through working with Chris at Rock For Hunger, I have started to dream bigger than I ever thought I could. We are now embarking on a new journey; writing a book. We are collecting stories that will paint a picture of the poverty situation in this nation and how Generation-Y, aka the Millennials, can get involved. It gets better with a soundtrack I am producing that will highlight the chapters and bring life to the stories told. To top it off, we plan on taking the show on the road with a book and music tour next fall, going though the South and East coasts playing in coffee shops, book stores, universities, churches and street corners until the words of Rock For Hunger have been thoroughly spread. The goal date: August 2008.

I can’t personally say that I came up with this idea on my own though. The great vision of some stellar Gen-Yers have jumped through this hoop before. I have to take my hat off to the bands that come through Orlando, in their vans eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, which ironically enough was the first menu item on Rock For Hunger feedings. Last night saw the Crazy Anglos, an Atlanta based rap-rock band that takes a nomination for hardest working band in the underground. Almost 2 years ago they started hitting the road and have had little more than a week off since. I think that it is finally starting to pay off.

Next up is Drew Petrone. He has been busting his tail at a Sign-A-Rama Start-Up franchise, freelance designing (which needs to be a full time career of his), assisting and volunteering for Rock For Hunger and taking his band, Orlando based Union Made, to the top of the local funk-rock scene. He does all of this with total concern for his clients, colleagues, friends and band mates. Drew has never asked for anything in return.

Last in my list today is the cool kids from the Cool People Care crew. I have been following Sam and Stephen since Sam posted an interview on Rebecca’s Modite blog a few months back. Since then, we have made contact and even featured them as a partner for the Rock For Hunger Festival this past November. These Cool People that care have been passing along a message, that Gen-Y, the entitlement Generation, is ready to help where help is needed. Their mission is simple enough, CoolPeopleCare exists to show you how to change the world in whatever time you have. One minute? Five minutes? An entire day? Whatever you have, we'll help you spend it wisely. Sam and Stephen have come together to write the ever impressive, New Day Revolution, a guide to saving the world in 24 hours. They have taken their passion for the better of the world and made a full time business out of it.

It is the drive of Gen-Yers like this that I come to work everyday inspired. It is why I work the 9-5 hard to get noticed, then go home and put on more hats than the Village People. It is why I have dreams, and why our generation has the hope to do bigger things than any other generation before us. The communication gap is non-existent; you can get in touch with anyone in our generation faster than ever before and more efficiently. Bands can have fans before a record deal and before their busted van stops in front of a whole in the wall bar. And companies can be made with friends who have a passion to make a change in the world. Amen.

Dreams and Dremaing Big

With goal setting past me at this point, seeing that I don’t keep them very well I have moved on to making sure I at the very least attempt my dreams. Keeping up with my personal life lately has been a roller coaster that even my wife cannot figure out. One day I am saving the world with Rock For Hunger, another I am leading a revolt for job seekers and Gen-Y. Tomorrow I am running a Marketing Company that has serious dollar implications involved. Then comes the studio work and the music. Oh and did I mention that I also pull a 9-5 to survive?

Wearing so many hats, it is hard to keep focus and determine what hat to wear at one given time. I was even called an over-promiser and under-deliver this week. Damn. In taking a look back now, maybe I have, maybe I haven’t. In certain aspects, yes I have under produced. This being in my own personal company and my musical aspirations. I think that I have over-performed in pulling weight in Rock For Hunger and the 9-5.

So to get back to dreams. What do I want to accomplish when push comes to shove? Where is all this hard work taking me to? Am I happy with where it is going?

I’m pretty happy. Great wife and family. Bills paid, no more debt. Good (not great) 9-5. What is missing? I think what is missing is that fire, that desire to push harder everyday to get what it is that I want out of life in the end. That is to be happy, travel and have quality time for myself and my family.

Chris and I have decided this week that we are going to start realizing our dreams. We have committed to a new project that will encompass our lives in the coming months and hopefully years to come. Details on the project won’t be revealed until this weekend when we make it official. I can say that it involves all the ingredients that are encompassed in my dreams. Travel, family and changing the world.

It takes a lot to change your mentality from the traditional 9-5, dinner, tv and sleep to pursuing something that you believe in so much that you are willing to sacrifice and make a commitment to something that is bigger than you and will have a great impact on your future, your career, the lives of others and your life in general. And hey, if it has to do with Gen-Y entitlement and me wanting to be the boss of my life, then so be it. I am ready to accept the responsibility of my life in my own hands.

Dreams. This is the power of life. Dreams make for marketing plans, big studio movies, comeback albums, open social, new job opportunities, new homes and other endeavors. It’s time for you to dream, get that new idea and make it happen. Even if it means going out of your comfort zone.

Now back to your regularly scheduled program.

-g-ro

The Newest Member of the Rock For Hunger Team

Mylie Rollett.

Get tix for the big event at Rock For Hunger.org.

To see the extensive list of publicity surrounding this monumental Orlando community event check out the R4H Blog.

See you Saturday!

G-Ro

Create Magazine Kick Off Party This Friday -Rockin 4 Hunger

Create Magazine and Rock For Hunger are bringing you the official Rock For Hunger Fest II Kick-Off Party and Award Ceremony this Friday at Backbooth in Downtown Orlando. We will be giving out the 1st annual Rock For Hunger Awards that include:

Band of the Year
Future Stars of Rock For Hunger
Hustler of the Year
Ambassador of the Year

Look for live performances from:
Caveman Theory
Union Made
Sugarfree

This is going to be a giant meet and greet for all bands, media, press, volunteers and the general public before the magic of Saturday happens.

See you there. I will be presenting some of the awards and will be speaking on behalf of Rock For Hunger, Rollett Marketing and the Orlando Employment Guide.

Greg Rollett on ADCast Speaking on Behalf of Rock For Hunger

About 2 weeks ago I had the great pleasure of making an afternoon trip over to Tampa to do a taping of AdCast for AD2 Tampa Bay. Holly Clark played an amazing host and made me fell right at home. I was happy to be speaking on behalf of Rock For Hunger, an organization that I am proud to be on the board of Directors and serve as their Director of Marketing and Communications. During the interview I had the chance to talk about our upcoming concert, Rock For Hunger II, some of our sponsors including Create Magazine and the Orlando Employment Guide, as well as our Monday night feeding the homeless project. Check it out:

Create Magazine Teams Up With Rock For Hunger to Make Good Art and A Better Commnity

Create Magazine recently did a whole lotta good for the Orlando community! Not to say that they don't always do good though!!! Recently their Assistant publisher, Katrina Priore, presented Rock For Hunger with a great little, cost effective way to cross promote both their magazine, their new "Create Network" and the Rock For Hunger II Festival.

Something as simple as a poster contest has got the creative community buzzing about the concert. Through Create Magazine's Network, Trina was able to e-mail blast the zine's subscribers and network in order to get contestants for this poster contest. The winner was to be showcased at the festival as well as a written piece in the magazine.

Here's quick background of the magazine:

Create Magazine provides creative professionals with an insider's perspective on the people, news, trends and events that influence the local advertising and creative production industries. Articles and features, written by local creative leaders and influencers, keep Create readers well-informed about the changing climate of business and competition. The magazine prides itself on not only its content, but also by the way that it is displayed. Create is published bi-monthly and gives creative professionals a great medium for sharing information that facilitates strategic partnerships and career growth within their respective communities.

So after many great entries, there is a winner. I will find out the details on whom it is, but I can say that the "Concert to End Poverty just got a whole lot cooler with the addition of the winning poster! Check it out and send me some feedback!!


Thanks again for Create Magazine looking into alternative ways to create some great press and for lending a hand to help make the community a better place. With free thinking like this there is much hope for the Myspace Generation after all.

Hip-Hop 4 Hunger Hits Orlando August 2nd at the AKA Lounge with The AB's, X-144 and SPS, Greyscalemusic, Caveman Theory and Minstrel's Company

Join Endagon Entertainment, Rock for Hunger and G-Ro as they present the biggest hip-hop event to hit Orlando this year! Hip-Hop 4 Hunger is a charity concert that will benefit the 2nd Harvest Food Bank and the Monday night feedings at the Post Office in Downtown Orlando. The goal of this event is to provide awareness and access to our community.

Hip-Hop4 Hunger will take place August 2nd at AkA Lounge on Pine Street in Downtown Orlando, Florida.

This event will draw upwards of 300 socially aware urban cultured individuals that want to play a part in our community. We interest these people with music and a message. If you would like to sponsor this event please contact Rock For Hunger.

The line-up for this event is as follows:

9pm Doors and Rock for Hunger Slide Show and Video
930 pm-Minstrels Company hits the stage
10:20-Caveman Theory
11:00-X-144 and SPS
12-Headliners the AB's (formerly known as Asamov) rock AKA Lounge
1:15-Greyscalemusic closes the night out

In between sets and bands you will be treated to the best in local and indie hip-hop with DJ's Dolo and SPS with your host G-Ro from Rollett Marketing and Rock For Hunger. There will be prizes, giveaways and live tapings for knowledge of our community, poverty and your awareness.

You can buy advance tickets by clicking the flyer below for only $7.00. All bands also have tickets available for you! Please help support a great cause and let's sell out the AKA Lounge for a great music and an even greater cause!

-g-ro

Exclusive Interview With Swamburger from Epitaph/Anti artists Sol.Illaquists of Sound

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Swamburger from Sol.Illaquists of Sound at his shop the Culture Mart of Magnolia Downtown Orlando, Florida. I also had the pleasure of being at their sold out concert at the Social in downtown Orlando Saturday night. Swam is a man of many words and has done great things for his band and this community. He has been a part of our skate, hip-hop and art scenes in Orlando and has been a big reason for our growth and development. We had a great discussion on our community, Rock For Hunger, the impact of his music and art and where he sees our community now and where he thinks its going and what it needs to survive and become the city we all know it can.

Musicians of all kinds should take notes of what he has to say. Sol.Illaquists of Sound has toured the country numerous times and continues to build and amazing reputation from their live show to their marketing to their message. Please take a watch and be sure to catch S.o.S. in a city near you real soon!

Be sure to hit up the Sol.Illaquists of Sound myspace page and say what up and keep up to date on what they are doing.

Also check out Rock For Hunger for updates on all of our shows, events and news on our 2nd Annual Rock For Hunger Festival November 9-11th at the Backbooth. Be ready for Hip-Hop 4 Hunger presented by G-RO next Thursday Aug. 2nd with the AB's (formerly Asamov) at the AKA Lounge. Get advance tix at the top of this page!