El Jet named top Private Jet Charter at World Travel Awards

El Jet 2013 World Travel Award WinnerHuge congratulations are in order for our friends at private jet charter operator; EL JET.   El Jet was recently named the winner in the category,  Leading Private Charter in North America by the prestigious World Travel Awards.

In its 20th year, The World Travel Awards (WTA) were created to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.  Known worldwide, WTA is the ultimate hallmark of quality.   Now El Jet is #1, winning the category for leading private charter in North America knocking Net Jets off the top spot for 2013.  Over 650,000 tourism professionals in 191 countries voted for the World Travel Awards this year.

Book a flight:  EL JET

El Jet took home  the distinguished WTA trophy because it offers the BEST PRICING, the lowest industry markup and the largest network of empty legs to match its distinguished clients with the best possible aircraft.   El Jet does it all and can usually get you a quote in 60 seconds.   No wonder they're #1.   El Jet adds the World Travel Award to its growing list of accolades.  El Jet has twice been named to the INC. 500 fastest growing companies in America.  El Jet is very proud of their success and prides itself on safety, reliability, honesty, ethics and fair pricing.

Flying private is the ultimate luxury, and consequently everyone knows that Aspen is a hot bed of private air travel.  The Aspen airport is only 4 miles from the slopes and El Jet can get you in an out of Aspen on your time schedule and at an affordable price.  El Jet has access to over 4000 aircraft and 15,000 airports domestically and internationally.  El Jet caters to everyone and tries to make private jet travel more accessible.  Of cource they have plenty of cleints who are celebrities, athletes, business titans and international royalty, but no one is more important than you and your family.  Whether its a family vacation, a business trip, a boys trip or girls night out... treat your self to the ultimate in travel comfort...treat yourself to El Jet.

Call or Click:  EL JET  /  888 355 3538   Winner of the 2013 World Travel Award.  

 World's fastest private jet. Cessna Citation X. Over 700 MPH.

San Diego Music Thing

Lol Tolhurst of The Cure at SDMTAs a music town, San Diego is clearly a city that wants to be heard.  America's Finest City is quickly climbing the ranks as an independent hot bed of local music.  San Diego is still in recovery mode after the recent resignation of former Mayor Bob Filner who lost his job due to "serial groping".  Irregardless of that The San Diego Music Thing just keeps getting bigger and better.

Click for Pix:  SAN DIEGO MUSIC THING

The 6th Annual San Diego Music Thing (SDMT) took place this past weekend with 150 bands, 90 speakers, 15 venues and 1 ticket.  It's part music festival, part business conference and 100% jamming. SDMT is educational as well as entertaining and the networking is off the hizzzzzzzay.  SDMT was an awesome experience and is a "must attend" event for anyone looking to get their foot in the door of the music business.  The speakers were all music industry vets (many from L.A.) with solid experience in the biz.  The artists were everywhere at SDMT...on-stage and off.  For the most part the panelists and talent were friendly and very accessible.

Despite a scheduling conflict with Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year for Jews, AspenSpin managed to pack in about 20 shows in a 24 hour period. Are there Jews in music?  Maybe not in San diego. The performances were mostly local, up and coming bands...but their passion and desire was evident.  SDMT is a great way to break out as an artist.  Plenty of promotors, venue owners, publicists,  managers and A & R folks  and journo's were in the house.

Mike Hererra of MxPx at San Diego Music ThingClick for Pix:  SAN DIEGO MUSIC THING

A few take home points from SDMT (according to AspenSpin).

* The music business has changed drastically in the past 5 years, but talent is still the key.

* There is a HUGE disconnect between the business side and the creative side...especially at the "breaking in" stage of an artists career.   This is not a new revelation...just an observation.  Artist's who are not interested in the business aspects need to find good people they can really trust to represent them.  Finding those trustworthy types, waaaaay easier said than done.   

*Artist's have a vast array of new channels with which to control their own careers.  Production, recording , video, distribution are all easier and more affordable then ever before.   In my opinion, the DIY (do it yourself) model is the best way to get started.  But it a'int easy...and again, talent rises to the top, on paper (writing), in the studio and on stage.

*If you're doing it for the money (artists)...don't do it.  For most artists the odds of true commercial success are truly formidable.  The passion must be the driving force. Persistence, hard work and stamina are required.  Good looks won't hurt you...and an incredible voice or sick musical skills will make you.   For music business people...again, don't do it for the money...do it for the love.  I'm under the impression that high paying jobs in music are hard to come by and that music is a tough business.   So you better love it...and you better like to go out.

*You Tube is the #1 place for music...in the entire universe.

*Social Media is an incredible tool for the music industry...if done correctly using truth and authenticity. The analytics are a gold mine.  Bands need to control their own e-mail lists...because thats the only thing they can control.  Facebook fans & twitter & instagram followers do not belong to them.   Yup, it's old fashioned...but keep collecting those e-mails and phone #'s if fans are willing to give'em up. Mobile is huge...but be careful with that, not everyone wants you on their phone.

*Touring and playing gigs is still  and will remain the absolute best way to build your audience.  Also,  know your audience.  Do stuff that appeals to them.   Meet them at the shows...tell'em to bring their friends.  Word of mouth is still the best way to get your message out.

*There are a lot of hipsters in San Diego.

*Live music is still the best.  Seeing 9 bands in 8 venues in 3 hours.  Not bad.

CLICK 4 PIX :  SDMT

The Silent Comedy gets my vote for best San Diego Band. Click 4 pix.

Jessica Rabbit and her band Gram Rabbit rocked The Casbah at San Diego Music Thing. Click 4 pix.

 The Earful brought the funk to Seven Grand at San Diego Music Thing. Click 4 pix.

My Feet are KILLING Me. Full Tilt Boots

Skiing every day and partying every night in Aspen for the past 10 years has taken its toll on my feet.  As you can see in the photo below...my feet are f#*ked up.

That's why I need to win the Show Us Your Boots contest from Full Tilt Boots.   Using the original 3-Piece boot design, Full Tilt has developed a boot that is comfortable and performs at the highest level.  I entered FTB's contest to win a free pair of Full Tilt Boots....and I need your help to win.

PLEASE CLICK ON MY ENTRY.  View it.   Like it, share it, comment on it...do your thing.  Andy Party needs a new pair of boots, ASAP.  Help me to help you.

Click the link:  Show Us Your Boots

My feet hurt.. Help me win a new pair of Full Tilt Boots. Click to see my entry.

Legend of Aahhh's by Greg Stump

Everybody in skiing remembers The Blizzard of Aahhh's,  the seminal ski flick from 1988.  Perhaps the most influential ski flick of all time.  Scot Schmidt, Glen Plake and Mike Hattrup brought thier A-Game to the Alps.   Greg Stump the triple threat ski filmer (writer, director, producer) is at it again with LEGEND of AAhhh's.

Legend  of Aahhh's traces the history of the ski film genre. It's basically the evolution of ski porn.  We know Stumpy has been working on this one for a while, so we're excited to see it in its completed form.   Local Aspen legends Geoff Stump, Kim Reichelm and Chris Davenport and many other all-time greats make appearances in the new film.   Can't wait to get a copy.

Get your copy today.  Tell 'em AspenSpin sent you.

Own it now, Click : LEGEND of AAHHH's

9 /11: Remember the Day.

a clear blue day a dozen years ago

the world will never be the same

the death and terror forever ingrained 

the day the towers dropped

a vulnerable target, the USA

our politics suspect, our power at risk

we no longer are the alpha dog

the day the buildings burned

Zealots are willing to die 

aboard our planes they rode

what really happened, speculation abounds

the day the city cried.

12 years later, what has transpired?

our country is askew

no longer are we fighting as one

the day the people died

America is great, America is good

 we still stand proud for that

The Freedom Tower soon replaces the old

the day we can never forget.