A Jam Session With Josh Rogan

By Mike Michalowicz (Google+)

Josh Rogan playing his Fender guitar.

“If you live out one dream, it gives you the confidence to live out another one. Then you just kinda start living your dreams. All of a sudden it’s easier than you think. You’ve just gotta go do it.”
- Josh Rogan, singer, songwriter and bad ass guitarist

 

I’m Alive by Josh Rogan

I talk to a lot of business owners and entrepreneurs all over the country, so I shouldn’t be surprised when I find yet another amazing business or entrepreneur, or more importantly where I find them, but I am always blown away every time it happens. Last week I gave a keynote in Virginia and my friend mentioned that since I was in the area that I ought to check out this guy named Josh Rogan, an aspiring southern blues rock star who might just let me jam out with him. Jam with him?!?! I AM IN!

Josh Rogan's Airstream for travelling the country

Josh was so far out in the woods he had to meet me in his pickup truck at the bottom of this winding, narrow, gravel road. I followed him until the driveway opened into this huge field with a couple of dogs running around, a house, an old wooden shed, and an old Airstream Trailer parked next to the shed. There was a pumpkin on the front of the Airstream, which was cool, but what was even cooler was the inside of the Airstream. Who knew an unexpected, unscheduled meeting would hold the moment where I’d meet the guy who wrote and sang the song that holds the entrepreneurial spirit. But I did. And here it is. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Hallelujah

I have a favorite song that I like to play on my guitar, and when no one is watching, sing too. Josh wasn’t familiar with the tune, but nailed it nonetheless. Hallelujah!

 

If you liked Josh jamming out to I’m Alive, I think you will love his album At The End Of The Day. I listened to the album ten times over on my drive home and fell in love with the tunes. My favorites are Canoe, Heart Beat, Useless and At The End Of The Day.  I had an amazing visit, and once again was steeped in the spirit of the entrepreneur.

Josh Rogan, Eliza Rogan & Mike Michalowicz

And if you really want to dig in with me, then check out this “Postcards From The Road – A Visit With Josh Rogan” article about my experience with Josh.  Cools pics, the full story and some lessons learned!

I can’t wait to say, “I knew him when. . . ”

 

 

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  • Becky Blanton

    Love, love, love this song….both actually. Thanks for posting this Mike!

    • http://www.MikeMichalowicz.com/ Mike Michalowicz

      Thanks Becky. It was an amazing visit. Thank you so much for making it happen. What was your favorite moment from the visit?

      • http://twitter.com/beckyblanton beckyblanton

        Had to be listening to you and Josh jam, and on singing Halleujah…I still can’t get “I’m Alive!” out of my head…He is so amazing….makes me happy to be part of the buzz team and Airstream Life Magazine too!

  • Thomas Hukahu

    Mike, this is a top article. Life is so simple and yet we make it complex. Ah, good on you and good on Josh! – Thomas

    • http://www.MikeMichalowicz.com/ Mike Michalowicz

      Thanks Thomas. Life is paradoxical like that.

  • DebtCoachCanada

    Thanks Mike for posting both these songs. Great way to start my day! Happy Thanksgiving to all Americans from Canada.

    • http://www.MikeMichalowicz.com/ Mike Michalowicz

      And a HUGE hug to all our Canadian brothers and sisters.

  • Annette Rise

    Thank you Mike, I greatly enjoyed both performances!

    • http://www.MikeMichalowicz.com/ Mike Michalowicz

      Thanks! Hope you made it to Miami safe and sound.

  • Floyd Billy

    wow thank you mike I really loved the video so much

    • http://www.MikeMichalowicz.com/ Mike Michalowicz

      Isn’t it an amazing song. I have played I’m Alive over and over and over. He is coming out with the song on a single at some point soon!

  • http://www.MikeMichalowicz.com/ Mike Michalowicz

    Just play I’M ALIVE over and over until you feel it. The song speaks to all of us.

    • Elisa Goodman

      Hi Mike– Happy Thanksgiving! What a wild tale…and finding the Pumpkin on the path…..truly a heavenly sign from! Very inspirational….I just got the “ELLEN” drawing back from the framer and it looks AMAZING…I’m sending you a picture of it! It SO ROCKS!

  • nolimits111

    Great vid Mike, didn’t know you had guitar chops, very cool.
    Josh was awesome!

    Hallelujah is an exclamation of worship or a call to praise transliterated from two Hebrew words meaning “Praise ye the Lord.” Some Bible versions render the phrase “Praise the Lord.”

    Happy Thanksgiving All !

    Peace
    Denny

    • http://www.MikeMichalowicz.com/ Mike Michalowicz

      Thanks Denny. I jam out on my axe every so often. I have about 8 chords that I can play. My singing has a lot to desire… but I felt confidence because I was jamming with Josh and knew he would cover me. It was a blast.

      Thanks for the backstory on Hallelujah. I just love the tune.

  • Giovanni

    Wow what a great time. I love the music that happens when a couple people get together and play. Thank you for sharing Mike, hope your apple pie rocks and have a happy Thanksgiving-

  • Tracey L Sanchez

    WOW!

    I love it.

    Hallelujah to ALL the entrepreneurs!

  • http://www.lisarobbinyoung.com Lisa Robbin Young

    Leonard Cohen is an interesting artist entrepreneur. He spent a few years in a monastery of some sort, where he was told to sing even sadder songs. Essentially his guide was telling him that he wasn’t going all in with his art. Everytime I hear this song, it’s a reminder to me that good enough isn’t when you’re doing your great work. “Halleluiah” is one of the songs on my new album. So cool to see you singing it, Mike. :-)

  • http://www.facebook.com/lawrence.polsky Lawrence Polsky

    very cool! love it!

  • kim lacroix

    Hallelujah is one of my favs too! Loved it. Looked like fun. That is living the dream my friend . Thanks for sharing:)

  • http://www.facebook.com/RavensworthStudios Elizabeth Schoenborn

    Kudos on a well-written blog and a well-performed video! I can tell you, first-hand, that Josh is a creative visionary; as well as, a very talented musician. He was also the designer and lead contractor for Ravensworth Studios, the professional recording studio my husband and I decided to build about three years ago, near Scottsville, Virginia. Josh, Eliza, and Harley were living here at the time. We couldn’t think of a better plan than to custom craft a studio for musicians, built by musicians…so, Josh went to work for us. Fast forward to a few weeks ago when we received a phone call from Becky Blanton, who saw a recent article in our local newspaper about the studio’s first anniversary. Our wonderful conversation led to Becky’s serendipitous question, “Do you know anyone in the area who has an Airstream?” So happy that it all worked out for you and Becky to meet Josh! A cool story indeed…many thanks!

  • Ellen Goldman

    Fabulous Mike! What a very cool experience. So glad you had the opportunity to play and sing; thanks for sharing it with us.

    • http://www.MikeMichalowicz.com/ Mike Michalowicz

      Thanks for checking it out Ellen. My wife saw Josh and said “You two could be brothers, you look so similar.” and I said “I knew he was good looking.”

  • Dr Sabrina

    Hi Mike,

    Thanks for sharing taking time away from your baking to share this! Josh’s song is quite an inspiration. Love the pumpkin on the airstream and your Campfire Marketing Tip, too.

    Sabrina