It is 5:45 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. As the morning sun prepares to bring full daylight upon the quiet beachfront morning, a man ponders the day ahead. Sitting at a table in a Huntington Beach Starbucks, he knows the next 45 minutes will be the last peaceful moments for catching up on some personal business and answering a few timely emails. And yet, an unforeseen phone call from a back-east business associate will eat up approximately 20 of those minutes. It is going to be another busy day for the man. One glance at the day’s to-do list says it all. An early breakfast meeting with a concert promoter. Go over the artwork proofs for promotional materials for the upcoming concert. A video meeting on Skype with some Las Vegas staffers regarding a new product line. A test run with the programming of some new lighting equipment. A meeting with the venue owner for the upcoming concert. Finish some voiceovers for a promotional video ad. Go over a contract for a product sponsorship. A lunch meeting with a manufacturer’s representative. A five-hour afternoon band rehearsal for the upcoming CD release concert. And unavoidably, a late-day appointment and an evening dinner meeting had to be scheduled for the same day. That should carry the day until about 10 p.m.—a protracted ending to an even longer day.
Does this sound like a day in the life of a record company executive, an artist relations director at a management firm, or a marketing VP? It very well could be, but it is not. It is a day in the life of entrepreneur and Kick Tommy drummer/co-founder Larry Cox. It is just a mere glimpse into his multifaceted business regimen that takes him away from his home on Catalina Island, and the two most important women in his life—wife Ana and Rapunzel their Portuguese Water Dog.
I catch up with Larry about 45 minutes prior to the band’s show rehearsal for their upcoming CD release concert event. The second of only two 45 minute breaks in his day, of which I will take up approximately twenty to thirty of with my interview that he agreed to—regardless of the fact that he has more on his plate than a hungry power lifter.
As I walk into the band’s rehearsal studio I find him sitting on a red leather couch speedily typing away on his laptop computer. “Give me one sec please, I’m just finishing up an important email reply to one of our sponsors for the CD release show.” No problem. If Ana and Rapunzel have to wait for daddy to come home later in the week, how can I possibly feel inconvenienced by the tapping out of a couple harmless sentences? Then the laptop lid closes and I receive a hearty handshake and man hug before I get down to business—which as I found out, happens to be Larry’s favorite topic.
Lyle Kennedy: "So I am a little jealous (actually a lot jealous), what’s it like living on Catalina Island?"
Larry Cox: "Well Lyle, it doesn’t suck (laughter). It’s peaceful, tranquil, and provides a feeling of safety that you don’t get in too many places. And if you are getting ready for dinner and realize that you don’t have any tomatoes for the salad, you can jump on your golf cart, run to the grocery store, and be back home in about eight minutes before the lettuce even has a chance to get soggy."
LK: "Yeah, that’s not possible in most places."
LC: "Correct, and all without having someone flip you off because you’re not driving fast enough. But, you have to put your blinders on if you are in a hurry, because when you live in the city of Avalon it’s like walking into Cheers at any given moment ─ everybody knows your name and it’s difficult not to stop and chat with 6 friendly folks during your travels. It’s a beautiful thing."
LK: "Well it’s clear that you love the place and I am already dreading my commute home from this interview—so not fair!" (laughter)
LC: "Heyyyy, don’t hate because I built a better mouse trap!" (Laughter.)
LK: "And so I understand that Kick Tommy is a new project for you and you are promoting the island at your upcoming CD release concert event."
LC: "That is correct. This is a big event. We are affiliated with Wounded Warrior Project, NoMore.org and Miller Light, so a lot of planning and expense has gone into this show. Collectively the band members have a lot of followers already from our past endeavors. However, I needed to add as much incentive as possible to get folks to come to the show that are unfamiliar with the band. So, I came up with the idea to raffle off some great prizes at the conclusion of our concert. We have a bunch of nice prizes, but the grand prize is an all-expense paid, three-day two-night getaway for two to the island."
LK: "Wow, great promotional idea and fantastic prize. That couldn’t have been cheap. And what exactly is included in that grand prize?"
LC: "Well, it didn’t cost the band a thing. Wonderful and generous business owners from the island, that I am proud to also call my friends, made this happen by donating toward the prize package. All I did was walk in and ask them if they would be willing to participate with a donation that they were comfortable with. Not one turned me down. Can I give you the breakdown?"
LK: "Absolutely, go for it."
LC: (He takes a deep breath.) "Round-trip boat tickets for two on the Catalina Express, two night’s hotel accommodations at the St. Lauren Hotel, breakfast for two at both Original Jack’s Country Kitchen and Pancake Cottage, lunch for two at both Maggies’s Blue Rose and Antonio’s Pizzeria and Cabaret, dinner for two at both Steve’s Steakhouse and the Seaport Bistro, his and hers massage package at the Island Breeze Spa and Salon, underwater sea adventure for two with Catalina Adventure Tours, and parasailing for two with Island Water Charters."
LK: "Wow, that’s fantastic. So, aside from running your Las Vegas-based company, your product lines and pouring your heart and soul into Kick Tommy, you felt that you needed another challenge in putting together these prize giveaways. When exactly do you sleep?"
LC: I usually have the ringer on my cell phone off between midnight and 6 a.m. (Laughter.)
LK: "Well it’s great that you were able to coordinate publicity for the island into your event. Do you plan to ever do a concert on the island?"
LC: "I will promote the island every chance I get. As for a concert on the island, I am still trying to hook that up. The band is willing to do a free concert to benefit the City of Avalon, its residents and of course any tourists that would be there at the time. I’ve had a couple of meetings, however, beyond the band members, our crew, and getting our personal equipment over to the island, we don’t seem to be getting any cooperation yet regarding anyone else donating, or providing for, the additional resources needed to make the show happen. But, I’ll keep working on it, as I would love for all my friends on the island to see what I do."
LK: "You look tired, when will you be heading back to the island for a little R and R?"
LC: "Uhmmm, thanks a lot Lyle! (Laughter). Yeah, I’m definitely due for some rest, but mostly I am just very anxious to get home to my girls. It won’t be much longer—three days, 11 hours and 26 miles left, but who’s counting!" (Laughter.)
You can see the promotional video ad for the upcoming Kick Tommy CD Release Concert that promotes the Catalina prize giveaway by going to kicktommy.com. You may also learn more about Larry by visiting LarryCoxDrums.com.
