Photos by Mike Severson
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- Praying for the people impacted by the devastating tornadoes in my home state of Oklahoma. It feels close to home. 5 hours ago
- @ellamaebowen It felt good didn't it? Great group. 6 hours ago
- @elenowen Great meeting you both. Looking forward to the adventure. 6 hours ago
- Hey @elenowen @russelled @_melissafuller @ellamaebowen @mollyhunt14 @LukeLaird @mattwertz @therealtoofpick THANKS for the time. Enjoyed! 6 hours ago
- RT @ellamaebowen Dinner with all the companions for the @WorldVisionUSA trip. Room full of heart and soul. So excited. 7 hours ago
- @ShannonSteele People actually say that? Where else are we to get the right amount of patience from? 12 hours ago
- Tornado in OKC area is big and really bad. Prayers to all of you there. 13 hours ago
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Category Archives: Personal
From Old Dreams To New Dreams
I wasn’t in a good place as I went to pick up my nine year old daughter from school the other day. My professional life has been tumultuous over the past few years as I have been transitioning out of … Continue reading
Posted in Life, Personal
Tagged Artists, business, career, dreams, Life, World Vision
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Project 365
On New Year’s Day I decided to start a Photo A Day in 2012, otherwise known as a Project 365. Whatever title it gets, I’ve thought about doing it for years and it plays into many things I want to … Continue reading
Slow Down And Smile
Over the past six months or so, a reoccurring theme has been generating in front of me. Maybe you’ve had a similar thing happen, where you receive a series of messages that have to do with a related idea or … Continue reading
On Being Thankful
We are annually reminded to be thankful during the Thanksgiving holiday and contemplate what we are grateful for. It’s a good and noble thing to do, but it shouldn’t be a once a year event; we should be practicing being … Continue reading
Posted in Life, Personal
Tagged chairty, giving, holiday, Soles4Souls, Thanksgiving, Visiting Orphans, World Vision
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50,000…..Does that mean my warrantly has expired?
I just noticed that the number of views on my blog has surpassed 50,000! I realized that in comparison with other blogs that number isn’t hugely impressive, but I wouldn’t have thought it possible in just under three years. Actually … Continue reading
Real Refreshment in 2010
I posted the following article this time last year. I believe it is relevant as we approach yet another new year and I always have the need to review these words periodically as a reminder to be intentional about doing … Continue reading
Posted in Life, Personal
Tagged 2010, C.S. Lewis, Christian, enjoyment, God, how to, joy, Life, New Year, refreshment, resolutions, Screwtape Letters, self help, time
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Favorite Music of 2009 – For The Record
My own little “Best Of” for 2009. In no particular order……..Happy New Year! Best Musical Groups of 2009: MuteMath, Sam & Ruby, Chickenfoot, Lady Antebellum, Needtobreathe, Kings of Leon, Zac Brown Band, The Fray, Fiction Family, Shinedown, Paramore Best Female Musical … Continue reading
Don’t Be That Guy
I work out in the mornings now, much to my chagrin. I always enjoyed going after work which helped reduce the stress built up over the course of the day. Plus it was just easier than getting up so early … Continue reading
Posted in Gentlemen's Conclave, Life, Personal, Video
Tagged authentic, brian regan, confidence, gentlemen's conclave, man, me monster, men, real, respect, Video
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Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1863
Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1863 The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source … Continue reading
Posted in Life, Personal
Tagged Abraham Lincoln, God, president, thankful, Thanksgiving
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The Fan I Was Before, Again.
I got into the music business because I was passionate about artists and music. I had a heart for it and wanted it to be all around me. That dream came true and has moved me into places I could … Continue reading
Posted in Business/Marketing, Music, Music Business, Personal
Tagged business, concert, fan, industry, Music, MuteMath, Radio, show
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Home Improvement
Having an instant 5 year old has obviously been a major adjustment to our lives at home. It can be very easy to get distracted by all of the frustrations that come attached with it, but along the way I … Continue reading
Posted in Life, Personal
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What Real Hope Looks Like
Tired of hearing the fear, doom and gloom that’s filling the airwaves? Join Dave Ramsey for an intimate, nationwide town hall meeting and discover what’s happening with the economy, how we got here, and where we’re going. Plus, Dave will … Continue reading
Posted in Business/Marketing, Personal
Tagged Dave Ramsey, debt, economy, finances, financial, Life, town hall
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Magazine Dump for 2009
I’ve become so disappointed in magazines. There are so many reasons not to subscribe to them, but I get lured in by an incredibly low introductory price for a year’s subscription. After the first couple of issues I regret ordering … Continue reading
Posted in Personal
Tagged celebrity, journalism, magazines, pop culture, publications
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Returning to Ethiopia
Amy and I are leaving tomorrow (1/24) to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to meet our 5 year old adopted daughter and bring her to her new home in Nashville. It’s been a whirlwind six months and an amazing journey to get to this … Continue reading
Posted in Adoption, Music Business, Personal
Tagged Ethiopia, music industry, Nashville, record labels
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My Own “Best Of 2008″ List…..
Tired of reading critics favorites, so I’m listing my own personal Best Of 2008 just for kicks. In no particular order randomness ensues…..and I know I’m forgetting a few. Best Musical Groups of 2008: Chasen, MuteMath, Lady Antebellum, Emerson Drive, Daughtry, Whiskey Falls, … Continue reading
Posted in Artists, Music, Personal
Tagged 2008, 2009, Artists, best of 2008, Bethany Dillon, Brandon Heath, Chasen, Dan Tyminski, Francesca Battistelli, Gloriana, Here Come the Mummies, Jack Johnson, Joey and Rory, John Mayer, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Leigh Nash, live, Massacoustics, Music, MuteMath, Nickel Creek, Paramore, Steeldrivers, vocalists
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20,000!
When I started this blog I didn’t believe I would have that much traffic, so imagine my surprise to see 20,000 hits surpassed today. In comparison to other popular blogs, that number is nothing exciting, but it is more than I … Continue reading
On Being Thankful….
We are always reminded to be thankful on Thanksgiving and what we are to be grateful for. It’s a good thing to do, but this should not be a once a year event; we should be practicing being thankful every single day … Continue reading
It took scientists to figure this out?
What is wrong with us if scientists have to release studies on how to be happy and stay sane? Read this article from the UK based Times Online. In it you will find 5 simple things you can do to protect … Continue reading
Why I Don’t Twitter
I’ve had a bounty of friends ask me “Do you Twitter?” or “Why don’t you Twitter?”. As it stands right now, I don’t ever plan to partake in the twittering experience. Here are my reasons: Between two blogs, MySpace, and … Continue reading
We interrupt this program for breaking news…..
My wife and I are adopting. YES. A beautiful 5 year old girl from Ethiopia! Amy and I have literally spent the last 2 months in a whirlwind of a paper chase, gathering our life stories on paper, notarizing this and … Continue reading
Shame On You, Nashville
It was embarrassing to be from Nashville this weekend. Yes Vanderbilt won, the Titans won, and the weather was amazing. All that good news aside, I was a little ashamed and concerned for our community over the last week. Before hurricane Ike … Continue reading
The Next Adventure
I’m now doing my thing at 1720 Entertainment. I’m thrilled to work with Bill Macky and his solid promotion team. I have worked with all but one of the crew at some point in my career and have the utmost personal and professional … Continue reading
I’ll have a flavored carbonated beverage, please!
I called it pop when I was in Iowa (sometimes soda) and pop when I lived in Oklahoma. When I moved to Nashville I heard everyone order a Coke even when they wanted a Sprite or Dr. Pepper. It’s an excellent clue to tell … Continue reading
New Adventures
Sometimes it becomes necessary to make self inflicted changes or allow fate to intervene and shake things up. It is the only way you can regain a vision of the larger story, allow your dormant ideas to take actually take shape, and tackle fresh challenges … Continue reading
Such is the Music Business
Thanks to all of you who have reached out today: Jesse, Jim, Beverlee, Carol, Luke, Kevin, Chris, Patches, Andy, Chad, Tim, Stephanie, Tony, Denise, Nathan, John, Mary, Frank, Rosey, Jim, Bill, Andrew, Jackie, Greg, Randy, Clayton, Tom, Jeff, Elizabeth, Brian, … Continue reading
Does Posting a Sign Make it So?
There is a sign I often see on the back of dump trucks lumbering down the interstate full of gravel, dirt and rocks. Some of the trucks have top covers and others don’t. The sign is always something like ”Not responsible for vehicle damage” or “Not … Continue reading
Coming Home from the Real World
I am back home in Nashville and still in recovery mode. I appreciate Chris, Elizabeth, and Brian for their contributions to the blog while I was away. It feels like I was out for a month, so forgive me if … Continue reading
Posted in Media & Entertainment, Personal
Tagged Africa, entertainment, Life, media, Travel
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Greetings from Africa
Thank you Chris for your guest blog from Tuesday. You don’t know how timely that was since Amy and I had the fortunate opportunity to visit Sisters of Rwanda on Monday in Kigali. An inspiring place and an amazing group … Continue reading
Guest Blogger: Chris Thomas
Since Mike and Amy are spending some serious quality time in Afrca, I thought it would be fitting to share with you the story of the Sisters of Rwanda, a non-profit organization that is focused on helping the poverty stricken … Continue reading
Know What You’re Good At (part 2)
In a previous post I explained why it is important for an artist to focus on what they are good at and not try to be something they are not. A little honesty, humility, and introspection can go a long way in … Continue reading
While I’m Away
I will be out for two weeks as Amy and I go with a small group to Africa. Access to internet is uncertain, so I have prepared a few blogs which I have pre-schedule and some good friends of mine are going … Continue reading
Getting Shot Up
I am a walking vaccine now. Within the last month Amy and I have received vaccinations in preparation for our trip to Africa. Check out the list that appears on our International Certificate of Vaccination: Polio Typhoid Meningitis Yellow Fever … Continue reading
Yuengling Takes Over Tennessee
You can’t go anywhere in Nashville and not see the huge marketing campaign set in motion by Yuengling sometime late last year. The signs, coasters, banners, ads, and beer is everywhere from grocery stores to bars and restaurants. It is … Continue reading
Radio, Rock & Roll, and MTV
Yeah, this is me in my earliest days of being a part of the music industry. After I graduated high school, my goal was to be on the radio and eventually in the business, and it started in August of the same … Continue reading
Going to Africa
Amy and I will be traveling to Africa on a mission trip coming up on July 7th. We are going with a group from America World Adoption and through the organization Visiting Orphans. And that’s exactly what we are going … Continue reading
To Do: Defrag the Office
Over the weekend I realized I need to seriously get my home office under control. I do a decent job keeping the house clean and organized, but the office is another matter entirely. Things just end up there as a … Continue reading
Know What You’re Good At
I want to expand upon the “Kiss of Death” blog from a couple weeks ago, specifically regarding artists and songwriters. When I was at MCA Records I remember a particular artist who had been successful in the past and was trying … Continue reading
The Need is Great
The back to back disasters in Myanmar and China have created an unprecedented need for emergency supplies including food, water and medical aid. Below are a few wonderful organizations that I highly recommend for helping people in desperate need. Give what … Continue reading
Gospel Tabernacle
http://www.seversonphotography.com The Mother Church of country music, The Ryman Auditorium, in downtown Nashville. Original home of the Grand Ol’ Opry. So many photos of this historical building have been taken, it is difficult to show it in a unique way. … Continue reading
Mixing It Up With David Thoener
Amy and I went to a party for our good friends Mitch and Sarah who are getting married later this month. It was at the home of their friends David Thoener and Tamera Petrash. David is a highly regarded sound engineer, … Continue reading
Posted in Music Business, Personal
Tagged 80's, business, country, Music, Nashville, rock, studio
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To Find Joy
Joel’s guest blog posted on Wednesday got me thinking more about the process of finding Joy. It seems that in order to discover the Joy in life or to notice the good, it takes effort and work. It is EASY to do something bad or … Continue reading
Posted in Personal, Photography
Tagged Christianity, culture, Easter, God, happiness, Life, mike severson, news, Photography, self help
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I May Need Therapy
Brett Favre has decided to retire. I am a little surprised because of his resurgence this past season and the potential that he still has for next season, but he certainly is going out near the top of his game. Dang. … Continue reading
Belated Thank You’s
Has there ever been a person, besides your family, who you have always wanted to thank for making a significant contribution to your life, but lost contact with? Maybe someone as far back as childhood? When we grow older and think … Continue reading
Lower The Noise Floor
The “noise floor” is the measure of the signal created from the sum of all the noise sources and unwanted signals within a measurement system. In other words, it is unwanted or unwelcome noise that interferes with peak performance and … Continue reading
What do you do?
A good majority of people define themselves by what they do for a living. It is even more true in the music industry. We like the business because it is more of a lifestyle than a job. Since it is … Continue reading
Posted in Personal
Tagged career, Life, lifestyle, Midas Records, Music Business, profession, Radio
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10 Questions: 2005
10 Questions with … Mike Severson NAME:Mike Severson POSITION:Director of Promotion LABEL:Rounder BORN:Cedar Rapids, Iowa RAISED:Inola, Oklahoma Brief Career Synopsis: KNGX – Claremore, OK 1984 – 1986 KWPR – Claremore, OK 1985 – 1986 KWEN (K95FM) – Tulsa, OK 1989 … Continue reading
Posted in Music Business, Personal, Radio
Tagged All Access, Artists, country, marketing, mike severson, Music, promotion, Radio, Rounder
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