G. 101 (by Liz)

I am inserting myself as a guest blogger today because I would like to clarify a few things about this man that I have gotten to know over the past three years.

Most of you who have ever met G. probably knew within the first five minutes of talking with him that he is not like other people. He is very passionate and can be very opinionated, but regardless, he is 100% present in every situation--a skill that I wish I could have mastered after ten years of practicing yoga.

His greatest passion, as many of you know, is music. That's what brought us together, and I have had the opportunity to meet and perform with some of the best and most inspiring musicians in the world--musicians that G. is deeply proud to call his friends. Some musicians that get G.'s praise don't really understand what it means to have his ear. If you are an artist or band that G. supports, please know:

•    Your music takes him to another place. He will play your songs at full volume around the house and will work to them, cook to them, go into a trance to them, etc.
•    He believes in your music and wants the whole world to hear it. That's why he has poured his heart, soul and wallet into perfecting live music broadcasts on Dirty South TV.
•    He is a visionary and sees the best version of you, whether you choose to see it or not. He will lovingly communicate his praise as well as constructive criticism because he fervently wants you to realize your full potential as a musician.
•    He will literally give you the shirt off his back if you need it. He loves you that much.
•    He will defend you against any naysayers, any gossip or any other force that will ever go against you.

G. is not and never has been a casual music enthusiast. Music keeps him alive. Music has been there for him when parents, friends and lovers have not. So if you are a vessel or channel for great music, G. honors and respects you to the extent that you respect 1) yourself as a musician and 2) his love and undying support for you.

One thing I have noticed about G. is that he does not always communicate his expectations to people, because he believes that everyone should "know how to act right." Understanding that one person's expectations do not necessarily match another's, I feel it is necessary to communicate his expectations as I understand them and have observed them in action. If you think they are reasonable, then G. is the man to have in your corner. If you can't stomach them, move on. To each his own.

•    If G. books you for one of his live broadcast shows, he wants to see you live and wants the whole entire world to see you as well. The honorable and respectful thing to do is show up to your gig and do everything on your end to make it a success. Don't book other shows around it to the extent that your musical abilities or crowd are diluted (this is common courtesy in the local music scene). If you happen to have a situation of loss of life or limb, call G. and talk to him personally. Make an effort to fill your slot with a band you know that can represent what you would have brought. Texting, email and Facebook messages about cancellations are disrespectful and not very effective, especially if G. is busy preparing for a show and is not in his mail (and a message in a bottle will get to him sooner than a Facebook message). By now, I think it is very safe to say that G. cannot stand Facebook.
•    If you have a problem with G. about something he says or does, man up and call him at 404-759-0046. You don't have to agree with him, just give him the respect you would want, and take it up with him personally. If you are spreading your frustration about G. around the Atlanta Music Community, then shame on you. Stop gossiping and get back to making music. Otherwise, take your talents to one of the "Real Housewives" shows.
•    G. is a connector of people and has brought together many artists, bands, managers, booking agents, etc. If you want him to introduce you to someone, simply ask him. Don't be sly or sneaky about it. (And believe me, I have seen people do this.) Just be straightforward. One of G.'s favorite guitar players asked him outright if he would introduce him to a well known guitarist who happened to walk into a venue one night. These two ended up jamming a few nights later at a packed show, much to our delight.

The flip side of his love and support is his extreme disappointment with those who take it for granted. G. is not a glutton for punishment and will walk away and never look back at someone who has shown disrespect to him. You may have broken his heart once, but be assured that you will never have the opportunity to break it again. If you think I am exaggerating, then you obviously don't know G.

I think we all learn to accept that we can't please all the people all the time, and G. knows that some people will take to him and others simply will not. Whatever you think you know about him, please remember that at the end of the day, he is ALL heart. To me, that's what matters and it is what I love most about him.