A few weeks ago, I told you about one person who inspires me. Terry Lickona, the long-time executive producer of Austin City Limits (the 37-year old show, not the decade-old festival), is definitely in this group as well.
Niraj, Terry (right) and I just before the start of the Grammys
How I met Terry: In the process of starting work on my book Indisputable: A Fan's Guide to the Live Music Capital, I made a dream list of people I wanted to sit down with and learn from. Not so much interview, as learn from. Terry was pretty much the top guy on that list and lo' and beholden we became friends immediately thereafter.
What Terry does better than anyone: For a guy who's had the best job in Austin's music business for nearly three decades, you don't get the impression that Terry is slowing down, aging himself out of the music business and putting on blinders to up-and-coming talents the way some people in town have (there names will go unmentioned). Empires and corporations have fallen because they didn't have leaders like Terry stewarding the ship and keeping an open mind about new developments and ideas. Music has continually changed and evolved over his tenure as the executive producer of ACL, but the show remains relevant today with artists like Florence and the Machine just as it was 30+ years ago when Willie Nelson helped debut the show.
Where I've improved because of Terry: He's a very good listener and very generous and who couldn't learn from someone like that! The friendships he fosters aren't just for industry purposes. He's a real guy with genuine interest in what you're doing without being judgmental or preachy as many older industry types, or older people in general, tend to skew. I'm hopeful to pick up a thing or two via osmosis.
Why I'm thankful for Terry: No, not just for the invitation to the Grammys. I'm thankful for Terry's friendship because of the above and also because I seldom find someone who represents the type of person fully grounded in success while constantly striving to learn something new, develop new friendships and do the atypical. It's special to meet someone who's influential and successful at his age who isn't completely set with who their friends and associates are and someone who is willing to be open minded even though they're in a position to dictate from previous success. My friendship with Terry is a testament to him being that special type of person.
you're so lucky. they're such good guys.
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Posted by: max | August 03, 2011 at 03:28 AM