Not the Tennessee whiskey.

The man.

The myth.

The legend.

I awoke today with messages from the other side of the world that one of my life mentors, Jack Daniel, had left his role as program director (PD) at 1065 The End.

He wasn’t just the PD to me. He was my mentor and he was a dear friend.

Jack encouraged me to apply for the full time role as assistant promotions director when the job came open. I remember the day as if it were yesterday. I was part time in promotions and currently answering the phones at the front desk. He walked up and said, “I hope you’re applying for the role. You’re going to be good at it.” I applied and landed the role. Later when the promotions director role became open, he once again was vocal, this time saying, “I’ve got one vote and it’s yours and I have your back.” It was words he kept. In the 11 years I worked with Jack from part time to full time he always had my back. He encouraged me to stretch my wings and through that I became his right hand gal when he needed something covered and couldn’t attend an event himself.

We shared a lot of great rock-n-roll moments from sold out events to intimate studio performances with artists who are now larger than life. We’ve done crazy radio station promotions from shoving 8 listeners into a vehicle for a month, having listeners sit on motorbikes in the bitter cold for 3 days, dropping pumpkins from cherry pickers, having strippers in the studio and so many more!

No matter who the band was, Jack always treated them like they were family. He was never insensitive to the struggle, rumors, and addictions of the artists. If a topic was deemed inappropriate by band management or a record label, he never pressed the issue but because of his openness, kind soul, and loving heart I watched as many just spilled their souls out to him.

Looking back in my career with Jack, he never raised his voice nor spoke ill of anyone. He did his job because he loved music, he loved his job and he was wonderful at it. His temperament of calm, cool, and collected made my job a lot easier.

When I left 1065 The End, he was one of the first people to reach out and offer love and support. Whenever I returned home for a visit, the same love and support was there as we shared “food of my people” (Thai) and when I told him I was jumping ship to Australia he had nothing but words of encouragement and was more excited for me than most.

Part of my work ethic and work loyalty is because of Jack Daniel. He showed me how to treat others and how respect is earned. I became a good leader because of him and I can’t thank him enough.

I am writing this for him out of the respect I have for him, his leadership, and his soul. I spent 11 of my best years working with him raising hell and pornstar dirty martinis. Those memories will always be a favorite part of my life that I will always hold near and dear to my heart. Writing this is just a way for me to say thank you to a man who made a difference in my career.

Thank you Jack for being a wonderful mentor and friend. I can’t wait to see what your future brings you!