December 2008

Thank You 2008. Enter 2009 As We Grow Strong!
Fourteen years... and now over 100 shows with 40 writers and counting.
Article By Steven R. Rochlin
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  Am taking a break from my Humble Abode updates as December closes out another great year for Enjoy the Music.com. While you may hear this from other magazines and consider it hype, for us 2008 brought in two new magazines, ten new writers and so much more! It is right now 6:46am and have been hard at work since 5am updating the site and looking at a few of my past WCES show coverage reports. Calendar year 2008 has seen the addition of our DIY Magazine plus the excellent Hi-Fi+ publication coming aboard. Add to that, many new reviewers are beginning to chime in with their writings; two of them making their first appearance within this issue! If you are a talented writer with a great system and excellent set of ears please let me know, am still hiring new reviewers (Enjoy the Music.com promptly pays writers for their hard work too!).

Reading my first WCES show report, the first virtually live CES show coverage anywhere in the world for the Internet way back in 1996, this was when the 'net was a young a newfangled toy. And yes, those who knew me from back then also will remember my (eh hem) creative dress code, various body piercings, long hair and dude-like ways. It was the Wild West of sorts as i sk8boarded through life and (in)formally into this industry (both literally and figuratively). Then in 1997 came a timeline tie between myself and Tyll Henderson of Headroom for the first WCES  live coverage with images. Looking back at the photos from the 'early web daze' brought a huge smile to my face.

Since i 'embarrassed' myself in the photo above, below are a few photographs from past shows. Anyone recognize these faces? Apologies for the lack of image quality in their first few, digital camera back then were $900 and took lousy photos... but it was newly-developed technology at 'consumer' prices. A modern-day breakthrough! And now some memories from past CES', nyNOISE and other shows/events:

Hey Doc Bottlehead, so you were in bed with your wife and she said...

Woodstock 1999, just me and 450,000 of my friends enjoying the music.

Show reports powered by hot Krispy Kreme donuts.

My deepest and most sincere thank you to everyone for the great times... and for the memories yet to unfold. And with that said i have decided to take a year off from personal show reporting. With nearly 100 shows under my belt, it is time for me to take a breath and rejuvenate my soul. No worries as with the many writers on the Enjoy the Music.com staff, with more hiring planning during 2009, am sure they will do a great job in my absence. Of note is that i have already begun the CES / THE Show 2009 pre-show coverage!

It Is You
Of course it is you, our loyal readers, that matter most!!!!!!! Your support over the years, e-mails to myself and our writers, our discussions at various shows around the world... and yes your support towards our advertisers. There is simply no way for me to truly show how deep my appreciation is to everyone involved within high-end audio and how much you are appreciated. For it is the people that make this industry a joy to be a part of. It is of course the music that makes it all happen. Each day well over ten hours of music fills my humble abode, as does a wonderful acoustic drum set that provides over 10 hours of delight each week. From classic rock to alternative, classical and opera, techno and smooth jazz... There is so very much to be grateful for! Well, soon it will be time for me to take a break and drum for a few hours to my favorite music.

And on that note thanks once again to... everyone! Have a great winter holiday (summer for my friends in Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi). To my Asian friends, a most humble thanks and may luck always be yours plus the power and wisdom of the Dragon continuously be with you. Of course in the end what really matters is that we all...

Enjoy the Music (Red Hot Chili Peppers "Around The World" right now),

Steven R. Rochlin

 "All around the world
We could make time
Rompin' and a-stompin'
'Cause I'm in my prime

Born in the North
And sworn to entertain more
'Cause I'm down for
The island of Singapore...

I know, I know for sure
That life is beautiful around the world
I know I know it's you
You say, "Hello" and then I say, "I do"

Come back, baby
'Cause I'd like to say
I've been around the world
Back from Bombay

Fox hole love
Pie in your face
Livin' in and out
Of a big fat suitcase

Bona fide ride
Step aside my Johnson
Yes I could
In the train to the Paris sun

Wake up the cake
It's Lake Como she's kissin' me
As they do
When they do in Milano city

I know, I know for sure
That life is beautiful around the world
I know I know it's you
You say, "Hello" and then I say, "I do"

Where you want to go
Who you want to be
What you want to do
Just come with me

I saw G-d
And I saw the fountains
You and me girl
Sittin' in the Swiss mountains...

Around the world
I feel dutiful
Take a wife
'Cause life is beautiful

I know I know for sure
Ding, dang, dong, dong, deng, deng, dong, dong, ding, dang.
I know I know it's you
Ding, dang, dong, dong, deng, deng, dong, dong, ding, dang.

Mother Russia, do not suffer
I know you're bold enough
I've been around the world
And I have seen your love
I know I know it's you
You say, "Hello" and then I say, "I do""