I had the idea for RSWC in April 2016
I was working on speaking, presentation, and leadership skills in my Toastmasters club. One manual was the “Communicating on Video” manual. I had 5 projects: be interviewed in a talk show format, interview someone in a talk show format, do a press conference, do an editorial video, make an educational video.
It hit me that I could do a show like Carpool Karaoke or Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, and apply it to the gun community. Since there was already a term called ‘riding shotgun’ this kind of fit really well.
I have a goal to film a show in every state
I’ve been sharing with my mentor and my mastermind group that my goal is to do a show in every state in the United States. And yes, that includes Hawaii and Alaska, too! As of 8.2021, I’ve done shows in 30 states. I need to get west of the Mississippi River.
I shared the stage with comedian Adam Carolla!
It really was a highlight to have that opportunity! He was looking for people to pull ping pong balls from a hopper so we could read him words and he would rant about it.
I sent in a video telling him why I’d be a good choice. And I sent a GunGram of Hall & Oates’s song, Maneater, which Adam hates. He had me on this podcast and I was picked along with a pregnant woman who was bringing her husband and one of his friends.
I got to speak on the steps of the Supreme Court
I went to DC for Heller10 on June 26, 2018. I was in the front row watching and listening to the speakers. I was excited to see many people in the firearm community, but I was looking forward to hearing Ted Cruz. A friend/speaker came up, tapped me on the shoulder, and said Ted wasn’t coming. And I was going to take his place. Oh, you’re on in 2 minutes.
I am not rich and I don’t have “YouTube money”
Not at all. Not even close. I think at one point, I had $6.12 in YouTube money. I have earned money from someone buying the licensing for a couple GunGrams. In a 3 month period, I make just over $5. But the videos were watching in 108 different counties during that time. THANK YOU for subscribing to the channel.
I did have someone ask if I was independently wealthy. I have to admit, anytime I have to travel someplace, I do some homework and ask friends who is in the area and who can I get on the stagecoach.
My old gigging days
I spent about 10 years as a gigging musician. I played trombone in a Motown/disco/funk band in Boston. We had some cool gigs! We played for the Governor of New Hampshire, the Mayor of Boston, and we played after a post Presidential debate party for Al Gore in 2000. We also opened for Ray Charles, Earth, Wind, & Fire, and The Trammps. When I was much younger, I was playing with a band in Nashville and we went to Dollywood and opened for Dolly Parton.
I’ve been an instrumental music teacher for 25 years
I’ve taught in public and private school for a very long time. I used to teach 5 days a week and gig 4 nights a week. That was tiring. After some life changes, I got out of gigging and just taught.
I’m a certified instructor with:
The NRA. The Massachusetts State Police. The Utah Bureau of Criminal Investigation. SABRE Pepper Spray.
The longest trip…
I’ve done some great and fun trips. In 2020, I drove from Massachusetts to Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia, to film some shows. I did 7 shows in 3 states in 7 days.
I also flew to Florida for 2 days and filmed 5 shows. Then got back to New England and flew to Seattle to film 5 more shows.
Are you YouTube rich?
No. Not at all. Not even close. I think at one point, I had $6.12 in YouTube money. I have earned money from someone buying the licensing for a couple GunGrams. In a 3 month period, I make just over $5. But the videos were watching in 108 different counties during that time.