Cosmopolitan : The Illustrated Man by Sophy Holland
Grateful to be a part of this. Read more HERE.
Rio Grande Studios - The best in the Southwest...
Alabama has Muscle Shoals and New Mexico now has Rio Grande Studios... This studio is new but the location is over 200 years old and you can definitely feel the magic right when you show up. What owners Drew Newman and Kenny Riley have done with this place is nothing short of amazing. Aesthetically speaking, every inch of the property tells a story and is what makes this place so special. I truly was honored with the opportunity to lay down a few tracks (which will be available soon) with them and get to spend a week here and definitely am looking forward to returning. This hidden gem will soon be the "go to" spot when looking to capture that true sound that is missing from a lot of music these days...
"Return to your roots and you will find yourself there..."
Kenny Riley is the mastermind, or what I called him was "The Wizard", behind the sound engineering. Kenny has been deeply rooted in the music scene for a long time and is one of those guys that will take you to the next level. In just 5 days I learned so much more than I ever thought I would, getting to see my project grow from acoustic songs I would play when I had a minute at home, into this a larger than life sound. Rio Grande Studios instrument and amp selections are unlike any I have ever seen... Some of the amplifiers and mics date back to the 1940s & 50s to capture those sounds you cannot imitate or fake. Rio Grande Studios is the real deal so be looking for the projects that are going to start coming from here...
Photography by : Drew Newman & Tommy Riley
"Easyrider" with COACH & GQ
I recently partnered with GQ and COACH recently to pay honor to the cult classic movie Easyrider with a modern twist. These are the looks from spring line by COACH...
THE MINIMALIST
I am a minimalist when it comes to the things I carry daily which is why I love my Go Comb. When traveling or riding on the motorcycle you can only take so many things with you so whenever I find something that combines these items I am always on board...
Get it here http://www.go-comb.com/
Interview with The Simple Cool
Be sure to checkout the latest interview I did with The Simple Cool where we take an inside look at the business. Read the full story HERE...
Photo by Mariusz Jeglinski
THE BOURBON TRAIL
If you call yourself a whiskey drinker and have yet to tour the Bourbon Trail in Louisville Kentucky be sure to add it to your bucket list of things to see. When we hear Louisville, Kentucky we usually think of the home of Muhammed Ali, Louisville slugger baseball bats or the Kentucky Derby which are all amazing attractions to look into as well. However, once you arrive you learn very quickly this town is passionate and has been built on one thing... BOURBON. In the restaurants you will find Bourbon Whiskey in almost everything whether it be their soup, sauces, spreads or meats, it literally is everywhere. Bourbon is the true American Spirit and the only one native to us. Evan Williams, the first Distiller, rolled his first barrel of Bourbon out of his distillery in Louisville Kentucky in 1783 becoming the first commercial distiller. I went to tour the history of how prohibition effected their process, how they overcame their obstacles to keep these very old businesses alive and how they became the household names they are today. One amazing thing to mention is that 95% of all Bourbon Whiskey is distilled right in Kentucky. I enjoyed my trip and would highly suggest anyone traveling to Kentucky to check out the Bourbon Trail for yourself. Here are some of the sites to see.
JIM BEAM was the first distillery on the list I went too. This place was absolutely beautiful from the moment you pull up. Got here a little late but still got to do the tasting room.
The next day we were able to tour Woodford Reserve which was my personal favorite.
The last distillery to tour on my trip was the Maker's Mark distillery.
There are 10 distilleries on the Bourbon a Trail. I was only able to make it to 3 due to time constraints but I will be back soon to see the rest.
"In Kentucky, there are more barrels of Bourbon than there are people."
TIMEX - REMEMBER TO TAKE TIME...
In the light of the holidays, finding peace can be difficult needless to say, but we must find it. Some escape into sports, hobbies, books, yoga etc., but for me, it has always been my motorcycle and the outdoors. Since I was 8 years old I have always found my peace when I am on two wheels and all my burdens and troubles all go away for a moment... These are the times that TIMEX, who has been around for 160 years, encourages us to find because they are gone before you know it. “Style” and “built to last” are two things I take pride in when it comes to my lifestyle, and that will never change... #TAKETIME
(Continued..)
Style also has a huge part to play in what I choose to wear and what becomes my favorite pieces for all occasions. The two factors that "make or break" my interest for me are as I mentioned before, quality and lastly it has to be fashionable. You don't come across many products that share both of these attributes, but when I think of @TIMEX I find them both to be very relevant in their watches. There is definitely something to be said for the ones who created the first watch for the soldiers in WWII... #TIMEX
Enjoy yourself... No Exceptions.
FINE GOODS & THE BOND...
There are a few material items I believe in a person's life that can give you a pretty solid idea of who they are and what they are about. For me it is boots and leather jackets... I enjoy timeless pieces that can be worn everyday and will be worn still when I am old. Everyday I make new memories while wearing these jackets and find that it creates a bond more and more while they become a part of me. These boots pictured above are a great example. I purchased these boots years and years ago right when I really kicked off my career and now they have been all around the world with me. I remember walking the streets of London and standing in front of the Tower Of London on "Remembrance Day" looking at the red poppies representing the Blood Swept Lands. I remember when my Grandfather asked me to be an honorary pallbearer for my Great Grandmothers funeral I wore these boots. I remember walking beside and touching the remains of the Berlin Wall in Germany all while wearing these exact boots and the list really goes on... To become attached to something materialistic which is usually referred to as a derogatory term, actually can symbolize deep emotional moments and feelings. Life is short. Invest in quality things. Make memories and find what defines you and remember you can't put a price on things that will last...
Checkout my spot in the PORSCHE PANAMERA 2017 (full length)
Since I was a young boy my dream car has always been a Porsche 911 996. This past year I was finally able to get one and make that dream a reality. It was a crazy experience to get booked on this commercial within the year I got mine and have been so thankful that I was a part of this project. Hard work really does pay off and you have all the power in you to obtain your dreams just keep the right attitude and don't let yourself settle for anything short of what you know you're worth. Always move forward...
Cheers,
HONORING ROCK N' ROLL...
"You win some, lose some, all the same to me. The pleasure is to play..."
- LEMMY
TULUM: a hidden paradise quickly changing...
If you haven't heard of Tulum, Mexico then first I would like to recommend that you check it out and soon. Here is why... I first went to Tulum last year around this same time and it was just starting to catch the eye of fellow bloggers and social media influencers which at that time things were very different. I just got back last week and I cannot believe how much it has changed. The scenery and the views are hands down some of the most beautiful I have ever scene around the world and aesthetically every location is amazing with its own unique vibe but big establishment is ruining the beauty. Right now you can still get a feel for the way it started and experience the "Mom & Pop shops" ran by the locals. Two hotels I recommend are "Mi Amor" and if you are into the eco-friendly thing than it would have to be "Azulik".
Cheers,