An empty Penthouse, the Kardashians and a jacuzzi

Some of this might have actually happened.

My phone has been buzzing off the hook.  Paris is at the Nell.  Antonio and Melanie are in town. Kurt & Goldie are wearing new furs.  Mariah is keeping it hot in her red bikini while her dog drinks from the pool.  Elle Macpherson looks pretty good with no make-up. I don't make this sh*t up...I just document it.

After 8 years of skiing every day and partying every night I'm tired.  So I figured I would make up a good story which actually could be true.

My friend owns a big-daddy penthouse on the Hyman Street Mall. The luxury apartment sits empty 335 days a year. The other 30 days...it's da shizzle.  Mariah rented it one year for $25,000 per night...but the elevator was too slow...so she found a new pad.  Last year some Russians stayed there for 10 days and trashed the place.  This year the penthouse was still "unspoken for" for New Years.  My friend was getting nervous and I am a licensed real estate broker...so I started making a few calls.  "It's only $25K a night" I would start off my pitch... trying to make it sound cheap. "The place is siiiiick, best view in town...right near all the clubs".  A friend from L.A. said..." Is it close to Bootsy Bellows? I know a guy who might want it...text you later".

4 days later I got a call from a blocked number.  The caller identified himself simply as "Bobo, I'm interested in the penthouse".   He started grilling me about "security issues" in the building.   "Privacy is of the utmost importance here" he said.  Bobo proceeded to tell me that he represented a "very A-list celebrity family" and that I would be required  to sign an air tight NDA.  "O.K. Bobo you're not scaring me...but the price for 6 nights is $250,000 payable in advance and it's non-refundable".  Bobo indicated that the price was acceptable and e-mailed me the NDA.  I did a few numbers in my head ...let's see...250,000 x 10% = $25,000... my commish.   I signed and faxed the NDA back within minutes along with the standard rental contract for "the penthouse"  that ties the tenant up every which way but loose and includes a security bond of $100,000.   Bada bing..bada bang...we had a deal.

Bobo never identified his client...but the $250,000 wire hit Alpine Bank before noon the next day.  The leasee was an entity controlled by the #1 reality T.V. family in Calabasses, Ca.

After seeing the Wolf of Wall Street, I was laying on the couch last night fantasising about my $25k commish.  Just like the old days...I was patting myself on the back.  Of course I deserved the $25K... after all, I did make a few calls. The tenants were due to check in today.   Just then Bobo called from L.A. and he sounded upset.  Apparently his clients were under the impression that their luxury rental had "everything".  "Where's the indoor pool ?" he shouted at me.  I hesitated before I spoke..."there's no pool Bobo...but there is a jacuzzi on the roof with complete privacy and a fantastic view".  That calmed him down immediately.  "A jacuzzi on the roof" he repeated very slowly."I think I can work with that" he said trying to convince himself.   "It has a sick view?"  he asked.  "Yup...best in Aspen" I said with confidence. "O.K. let's go with it" he said. Let's go with it?  The wire had already cleared.  I thanked him and told him how disappointed I was when I learned  that Lamar and Khloe has split up and were not coming to Aspen with the rest of the gang.  Bobo had already hung up.

TIA.  This is Aspen.

Happy Holidays from AspenSpin.

First tracks on Perry's Prowl.A.Party schralping. Photo by Jeremy SwansonCarmelo getting some in Wagner Park.

Hibernation in the Aspen Core

The bears have already gone to sleep for the Winter.  The social vampires are just starting to arrive.  25 ski days into the ski season and I already need a rest.   The storm known as Christmas in Aspen is on the horizon.  The billionaires are about to descend upon our little town in their fleet of private jets bringing big city problems and their entourages and hanger's on with them.   It's cougar season in Aspen.

It's a fact of life in Fat City. 

"No Construction".rules in effect.The S & P is at all time highs.  Bonuses on Wall St. are looking fat and phat.  Real Estate is back.  Business is good. Let's splurge this year...we deserve it.

Aspen has many faces.  The Christmas holidays is one of them.  Aspen is wearing it's best party dress, but it doesn't always look good at the end of the night. The town is fully merchandised.  The pop-up shops are finally ready to go.  The "no construction" rule is in effect.  I met a guy in a plush fur coat and asked him " you here for the holidays?"  he replied, "hell no, ho, you know i'm here fo snow polo".

For most locals, it's time to make bank.

In prep for the next two weeks I needed to touch base with reality, to see how the real people live.

This morning  my body ached and my head ached. When I get like that...in a funk...I know what to do. I need to balance my chi.   I need to vape.  That's right, I drove 40 miles straight down to Glenwood Springs and the real world.   I passed Wal-Mart, McDonalds and Taco Bell.   I didn't stop until I got to the Yampah Vapor Caves.  The Vapor Caves are pretty grungy.  The locker room is smaller than the Gondola.   The stairs that lead deep down into the earth are slippery and well worn.  The caves themselves are dark and smelly with marble slab benches.  Natural mineral hot springs run through the caves with the water at 125 degrees. The temperature in the caves themselves tops out at 112 degrees. White men have been imbibing the goodness of the Vapor Caves for 120 years.  The Indians took vapors for generations before that.  I'm not sure if it's the science (34 minerals) or magic or all up in my head...but a session in the vapor caves always make me feel good.  Pouring the scorching hot water on my knees always loosens me up.  Crazy.  Today was perfect...I had the place to myself.  A little schvitz and everything always seems OK again.  

A trip quick to Target and lunch at Restaurant Nepal, a stop in El Jebel just in time for Anchorman 2....and I was back to my fun-loving, lap-skiing self.  A day off is good for the head.

120 years of Vapors can't be wrong.So bring on Snow Polo...bring on AAM's Freestyle fur fest. Park your Ferarri on the sidewalk?  See what I care?  Stare at your screen, buy-out the bar,  take my skis by mistake, wear your fur hat and fur coat and fur boots and LuLu pants. Act like you own the place. It's all good.  I can handle any drama that the Christmas crowd has to offer.  I'm gonna rip a few laps, take a few pix,  go to a few parties...what ev's? bro.

This may sound funny coming from AspenSpin...but I'm trying to go low key this holiday season.  If you see me out there...gimme a hug.

A dog (not my dog) runs free on the turf of Snow Polo Stadium (which includes a big screen) at Wagner park.

 It's grungy... and hot as f*#K...but it feels so good in the Vapor Caves. Highly recommended.
Namaste...please pull with force. Kind of ironic. Nepal Restaurant.

Miller Sports Grand Opening.

Bill Miller and Miller Sports celebrated their official Grand Opening in Aspen last night.   Miller Sports is latest and greatest upscale ski shop in Aspen featuring top flight ski gear and the hottest ski fashions from Europe.   Bill Miller has expanded his retailing empire to include his name-sake shop, Miller Sports.   Mr. Miller also owns the ubiquitous Aspen ski shop, Hamilton Sports (est 1996) which has been leading the way for stylish skiers in Aspen for 17 years.  Bill and General Manager Ted Davenport welcomed family, friends and customers into the store for a beautiful grand opening celebration for Miller Sports.  

Click 4 pix:   Miller Sports 

Miller Sports is located at 408 S. Hunter, steps from the Gondola and carries some of the finest brands in skiing. Miller features one of the hottest new premium brands in the ski world, TONI SAILER.  Toni Sailer was known as one of the top ski racers of all-time.  In 1956, The Blitz from Kitz (Kitzbuhel, Austria) as Sailer was known was the first ski racer to win Olympic Gold in all 3 disciplines downhill, giant slalom and slalom.  The Toni Sailer line is both super-stylish and highly technical.  Miller Sports carries the full assortment of sizes and colors.

Miller Sports also has a great selection of GOLDWIN another exceptional brand.  Goldwin, a Japanese company uses the finest materials and technology to produce "kigokochi" or ...the best ski gear known to man.   Miller stocks the full compliment of the finest accessories too.  OAKLEY, SMITH, HESTRA and EISBAR to name a few.

The Ski Wall is where Miller Sports is poised for world domination.  KASTLE, BLIZZARD, K2 and ROSSIGNOL are offered in the Miller Sports lineup.   Miller will have one of the largest selections of Kastle Skis in the U.S.   Anyone who has skied with Andy Party of AspenSpin has heard his dissertation on Kastle skis...I love 'em.   As far as I'm concerned...and this is my blog, KASTLE is the best ski you can buy.  Professional big mountain skier and Aspen local Chris Davenport is part of the ownership team at Kastle Skis.  He brings his passion for skiing, his attention to detail and precision and a pure love of the sport to the full Kastle quiver.  A few short years ago, Kastle (from Austria) was a dormant name in the ski world...now it's the best ski on the market...according to me.   Stop into Miller Sports to see which model is perfect for you.  Demo the Kastle MX 83 ( on a non-POW day)...trust me, you will love it.  Stable at speed and quick turning, the MX 83 is like a Porsche on the snow.

Styles aside...the personality of a ski shop is crucial to it's success.  It's already crystal clear that Miller Sports is all about the customer.  Manager, Ted Davenport and the experienced staff at Miller Sports is poised to "knock your socks off" with first class service.   Shop dog, Lauti will be there to greet everyone with a wildly wagging tail.   Miller Sports offers a full service ski rental and ski tuning operation and all the ski services you could ever need.  

Bill Miller has proven himself to be an exceptional retailer.  His eye for fashion and attention to the details has enabled his operation to excel in a very competitive marketplace.  It's already clear that Miller Sports will be a force on the premium retail scene in Aspen. 

The Grand Opening party was pretty sick too.  Click 4 Pix.  MILLER SPORTS

The crew at Miller Sports offer exceptional knowledge and the best customer service.Bill Miller and his sister Mary Ernst celebrate family ties at Miller Sports.Meet the Fockers? Nope, it's the Ernst and Burke families in town for the grand opening of Miller Sports. Click 4 pix.

Aspen Live: For the Love of Music

Aspen Live 2013: Click 4 Pix.Aspen Live, the entertainment think tank,  in it's 18th incarnation, took place this past weekend in Aspen.  Music industry veterans from all over North America made their annual pilgrimage to A-Town for Aspen Live.  The Aspen Live "family" is comprised of  managers, agents, promoters, ticket-ers, venue owners, marketers and really anyone interested in the business aspects of the music biz.  Aspen Live is the brain-child of Jim Lewi, a music industry vet who spent 14 years living in Aspen.  This year, A. Party of AspenSpin, a music biz outsider, was able to get inside Aspen Live and learn the real meaning of " it's all about the hang". Interesting seminars as well as parties sponsored by Voice Media, Access Pass & Design and Belly Up Aspen contributed to the experience.

Click 4 Pix:  For the LOVE of MUSIC

Dan Steinberg and industry icon Alex Hodges. Click 4 pix.Thursday's highlight was Steinymania as Dan Steinberg of Square Peg Concerts hosted cocktails with industry icon, Alex Hodges.   Mr. Hodges, currently the CEO of Nederlander Concerts has used his Southern charm to navigate the music world for more than 5 decades. The first concert he attended was Elvis at the Fox in Atlanta in 1956.  Alex wove stories about promoting frat parties in the 50's and eventually  "breaking" Otis Redding, Sam & Dave and others in and around Macon, Georgia.  He briefly took a real job in Atlanta after college...but when his partner Phil Walden passed him an acetate recording of The Allman Brothers first album... before it was released...he bolted back into the music biz without a second thought.  He told a great story about the rivalry between The Allman's and Lynyrd Skynyrd and how he signed Skynyrd by telling them they would never be billed 2nd to ABB. That deal was eventually renegotiated.   Hodges worked with Atlanta Rhythm Section, Charlie Daniels Band, Stevie Ray Vaughn and many others.   Steiny asked the provocative questions to get the real stories from Hodges.  It's clear why he is one of the most widly loved guys in Music.  A true gentleman.

Day one included an interesting discussion of "Content" led by David Rubin of Rabbi Where and Jeff White from Ticketfly.   The word content was used "317 times"during their slide deck...which did not seem to bother anybody in the room except industry poobah Bob Lefsetz.   Goldstar Events CEO Jim McCarty spoke about mobile.  His presentation entitled "how not to suck at mobile" made several salient observations for the mostly old school crowd.   For me...the take home points were obvious, the incredible rise in the use of smart phones and tablets will continue and that 50% of Goldstar's ticket sales are via mobile.

Day 2 was all about business.  Many Aspen family members skied or rode our mountains.  Several people went on a snowmobile excursion to the Maroon Bells and others took a gourmet cooking class.

Anita Ellberse & Vince Bannon debated Blockbuster Theory.at Aspen Live 2013. Click 4 pix.At 4pm, the school bell rang.   Harvard Business School  Professor,  Anita Elberse presented her findings on the blockbuster theory.  Ms. Elberse has the distinction of being the youngest tenured prof. in the history of HBS.  Her book, Blockbusters...hit-making, risk-taking and the big business of entertainment served as a template for her discussion.  Anita is an empirical modelist who does academic research using vast pools of data in an effort to predict future results.  Her theory in a nutshell...bet most heavily on the most likely winners.  She suggested that our world is quickly moving towards a "winner take all" marketplace.  She put this into perspective for the music people...by sharing her research.  Using a sample size of 8 million songs... 94% of them sold fewer than 10 copies.  A full 1/3 of the songs sold only one and the top 102 songs accounted for 50% of the market.   Basically the odds of an unknown making a huge hit record are very low.  The winners are almost always controlled by the major record companies.  It's a "grab for scale" she added.  "So you're pissing on their dreams"? asked Vince Bannon referring to the huge number of aspiring musicians.  To paraphrase Anita...basically...yes.   Her book sold very well at the merch table.

Jay Sider from Band Page spoke about monetization and engagement.  The concept of "moment of intent" has a 25X greater chance of a conversion on-line.  Band Page is a company that gathers content, commerce and data all in one place for Performers. Nic Adler owner of The Roxy in L.A. and a social-media jaugernaught  shared his thoughts on Curation vs Content and gave an up-to-date overview about what's hot in social media.  

By Saturday everyone was in the chill zone.  The entire vibe of the conference had changed.  It appeared as if a special bonding had occurred.  Maybe it was the altitude?   The Old guard has finally realized that technology has taken over the music business.  Some of the "young guns" of the Aspen Live family found their voices.   The rules of passion for their livelihood, which has thrived for decades on relationships and mutually beneficial goals, has changed drastically in the past several years.  There was a flash bomb toast when the poobah of music, (Bob) interrupted the main speaker to prickly opine. It resulted in an unexpected belly laugh on stage-right.  Everyone seemed more relaxed...or maybe it was just me who was more relaxed.  Plenty of good natured burning was going on throughout the meeting room.  When Jim Lewi suggested that the group have "1 meeting instead of 100" attention was turned to Kristina Wallender.

Founder Jim Lewi calming Kristin Wallender 10 seconds before her presentation at Aspen Live. Click 4 pix.Introduced as "the marketing lady from Ticketfly"  Kristina is a music industry neophyte and she seemed a little nervous, but she actually killed.   Her previous position with an extremely large on-line reseller who is attempting to rule the world.  Hint: it starts with A and ends with mazon allowed her to drill deep into e-commerce.  She shared 5 simple points that everyone can learn from A-Zon.

* Obsess about customers

* Create a loyalty program

* Invest for the long term

* Never stop experimenting

* Use technology (and data) to your advantage.

Kristina compared the statement "I think"  to the concept of "the data says".  Think about that for a second.  The data is usually pretty reliable...right?   She said companies should identify, encourage and do anything in their power to engage "super customers".   The top 5% of customers at Ticketfly account for 20% of sales.

The final presentation raised a few eye-brows.  Stubhub the ticket re-seller owned by E-Bay gave their spiel.  By this point the crowd was chomping at the bit to get to the open bar.  StubHub has "legitimized the ticket scalping business" but you will never hear that come out of the mouths of the Stubhub guys. To summarize...one comment from the peanut gallery..."we are just ahead of the Amish when it comes to adopting technology".

The Aspen Live Family Dinner and a late night after party closed out the weekend.  Old friendships were renewed and new ones formed.  The older generation struggled to find an app for that...while the young guns geeked up.   This year it seemed like the generations were closer to a merger...with the old guys listening a little bit more and the young guys speaking up.

It's still a relationship business.  In Aspen...it's clear that everyone had a blast, made a few new contacts, learned a couple of things...but in Aspen, really...it's all about the hang.

Thanks to Jim Lewi and everyone who participated in Aspen Live 2013, the entertainment think tank.

Click 4 Pix:  For the LOVE of MUSIC

Going social...off-line is a big part of Aspen Live. "It's all about the hang. Click 4 pix.Nic Adler from The Roxy, The Goldberg Bros from Belly Up and Rob Bordan a local real estate pro joining forces at Aspen Live. The Kids Table at the Aspen Live Family Dinner. Click 4 pix.Late Night party sesh with the crew from Aspen Live 2013. Click 4 pix.