Cox
From page 7
an evening dinner meeting had
to be scheduled for the same day.
That should carry the day until
about 10 p.m.--a protracted end-
ing to an even longer day.
Does this sound like a day
in the life of a record company
executive, an artist relations direc-
tor at a management firm, or a
marketing VP?
It very well could be, but it
is not. It is a day in the life of
entrepreneur and Kick Tommy
drummer/co-founder Larry Cox.
It is just a mere glimpse into
his multifaceted business regi-
men that takes him away from
his home on Catalina Island, and
the two most important women in
his life--wife Ana and Rapunzel
their Portuguese Water Dog.
I catch up with Larry about 45
minutes prior to the band's show
rehearsal for their upcoming CD
release concert event. The second
of only two 45 minute breaks in
his day, of which I will take up
approximately twenty to thirty of
with my interview that he agreed
to--regardless of the fact that he
has more on his plate than a hun-
gry power lifter.
As I walk into the band's
rehearsal studio I find him sitting
on a red leather couch speedily
typing away on his laptop com-
puter.
"Give me one sec please, I'm
just finishing up an important
email reply to one of our sponsors
for the CD release show."
No problem. If Ana and
Rapunzel have to wait for daddy to
come home later in the week, how
can I possibly feel inconvenienced
'We have a bunch of nice prizes, but the
grand prize is an all-expense paid, three-day
two-night getaway for two to the Island.'
--Larry Cox of Kick Tommy
by the tapping out of a couple
harmless sentences?
Then the laptop lid closes and
I receive a hearty handshake and
man hug before I get down to busi-
ness-which as I found out, hap-
pens to be Larry's favorite topic.
Lyle Kennedy: So I am a little
jealous (actually a lot jealous),
what's it like living on Catalina
Island?
Larry Cox: Well Lyle, it
doesn't suck (laughter). It's peace-
ful, tranquil, and provides a feel-
ing of safety that you don't get in
too many places. And if you are
getting ready for dinner and real-
ize that you don't have any toma-
toes for the salad, you can jump on
your golf cart, run tO the grocery
store, and be back home in about
eight minutes before the lettuce
even has a chance to get soggy.
LK" Yeah, that's not possible in
most places.
LC: Correct, and all with-
out having someone flip you off
because you're not driving fast
enough. But, you have to put your
blinders on if you are in a hurry,
because when you live in the city
of Avalon it's like walking into
Cheers at any given moment--
everybody knows your name and
it's difficult not to stop and chat
with six friendly folks during your
travels. It's a beautiful thing.
LK: Well it's clear that you love
the place and I am already dread-
ing my commute home from this
interview--so not fair! (laughter)
LC: Heyyyy, don't hate
because I built a better mouse
trap! (Laughter.)
LK: And so I understand that
Kick Tommy is a new project
for you and you are promoting
the Island at your upcoming CD
release concert event.
LC: That is correct. This is
a big event. We are affiliated
with Wounded Warrior Project,
NoMore.org and Miller Light, so
a lot of planning and expense has
gone into this show. Collectively
the band members have a lot of
followers already from our past
endeavors.
However, I needed to add as
much incentive as possible to get
folks to come to the show that
are unfamiliar with the band. So,
I came up with the idea to raffle
off some great prizes at the con-
clusion of our concert. We have a
bunch of nice prizes, but the grand
prize is an all-expense paid, three-
day two-night getaway for two to
the Island.
LK: Wow, great promotion-
al idea and fantastic prize. That
couldn't have been cheap. And
what exactly is included in that
grand prize?
LC: Well, it didn't cost the
band a thing. Wonderful and gen-
erous business owners from the
Island, that I am proud to also
call my friends, made this hap-
pen by donating toward the prize
package.
All I did was walk in and ask
them if they would be willing to
participate with a donation that
they were comfortable with. Not
one turned me down. Can I give
you the breakdown?
LK: Absolutely, go for it.
LC: (he takes a deep breath)
Round-trip boat tickets for two on
the Catalina Express, two night's
hotel accommodations at the St.
Lauren Hotel, breakfast for two
at both Original Jack's Country
Kitchen and Pancake Cottage,
lunch for two at both Maggies's
Blue Rose and Antonio's Pizzeria
and Cabaret, dinner for two at
both Steve's Steakhouse and the
Seaport Bistro, his and hers mas-
sage package at the Island Breeze
Spa and Salon, underwater sea
'1 will promote the
Island every chancel
get. As for a concert
on the Island, l am
still trying to hook
that up.'
adventure for two with Catalina
Adventure Tours, and parasail-
ing for two with Island Water
Charters.
LK: Wow, that's fantastic.
So, aside" from running your
Las Vegas-based company, your
product lines and pouring your
heart and soul into Kick Tommy,
you felt that you needed another
challenge in putting together these
prize giveaways.
When exactly do you sleep?
LC: I usually have the ringer
on my cell phone off between
midnight and 6 a.m. (Laughter.)
LK: Well it's great that you
were able to coordinate Publicity
for the Island into your event. Do
you plan to ever do a concert on
the Island?
LC: I will promote the Island
every chance I get. As for a con-
cert on the Island, I am still trying
to hook that up.
The band is willing to do a
free concert to benefit the City of
Avalon, its residents and of course
any tourists that would be there at
the time.
I've had a couple of meetings,
however, beyond the band mem-
bers, our crew, and getting our
personal equipment over to the
Island, we don't seem to be get-
ting any cooperation yet regarding
anyone else donating, or provid-
ing for, the additional resources
needed to make the show happen.
But, I'll keep working on it, as I
would love for all my friends on
the Island to see what I do.
LK: You look tired, when will
you be heading back to the Island
for a little R and R?
LC: Uhmmm, thanks a lot
Lyle! (Laughter). Yeah, I'm defi-
nitely due for some rest, but most-
ly I am just very anxious to get
home to my girls. It won't be much
longer--three days, 11 hours and
26 miles left, but who's counting!
(Laughter.)
You can see the promotional
video ad for the upcoming Kick
Tommy CD Release Concert that
promotes the Catalina prize give-
away by going to kicktommy.com.
You may also learn more about
Larry by visiting LarryCoxDrums.
com.
12 Friday, June 19, 2015 THE CATALINA ISLANDER
