What happens when five life-changing albums lead to a conversation with a man who helped create the soundtrack of rock history? Grammy-nominated recording engineer Jay Messina joins host Chris Keaton for a fascinating journey through music, connection, and the power of living in the present moment.

The episode begins with Chris reflecting on records that shaped his musical journey - from witnessing The Beatles on Ed Sullivan to how Rod Stewart inspired him to form a new band at 69. This perfectly sets the stage for Messina, whose engineering wizardry crafted the sound of Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, John Lennon, and even jazz legend Miles Davis.

Messina's remarkable career began with a friend's simple offer: quit his electronics job to become a studio engineer for just $25 a week. That leap of faith placed him behind one of only five 8-track recording machines in existence in 1965, launching a storied career spanning rock, jazz, and beyond. His hilarious account of winning over the notoriously difficult Miles Davis with a pair of Japanese sneakers reveals how authentic connections transcend music industry hierarchies.

The conversation takes a profound turn when Messina shares his philosophy on success: while many engineers complained about jingle work while dreaming of album projects, Messina fully embraced each moment, perfecting skills that would later make him invaluable to producers like Jack Douglas (who had once been his assistant). "If you're not present, you're going to miss it," he explains, a mantra that guided his work from Tokyo to New York throughout decades of innovation.

For aspiring music professionals, Messina offers wisdom that extends beyond the studio: forget distant goals and focus instead on what you want to be doing today. His current projects, including work with Zebra and Cheap Trick's Robin Zander, prove his philosophy continues to generate extraordinary work across musical boundaries.

Whether you're passionate about classic rock, fascinated by recording technology, or simply searching for inspiration to live more fully in each moment, this conversation bridges the gap between technical mastery and timeless human connection. Subscribe now and tell your friends about Random Acts with Chris Keaton!

What does it take to see the future of digital marketing before anyone else? In this fascinating conversation, Chris Keaton reconnects with his longtime friend James Lucente, who pioneered social media marketing strategies when most people still viewed platforms like YouTube and MySpace as mere distractions.

James shares his remarkable journey from Connecticut recording studio owner working with legends like Nile Rodgers to becoming a digital marketing innovator who saw monetization opportunities that traditional music executives completely missed. Through colorful anecdotes about pitching viral YouTube stars to confused record labels and turning his infant son into a brand partnership magnet, James reveals the core principles that have guided his success: finding authentic voices, connecting them with receptive audiences, and creating content that resonates.

The conversation takes listeners through the early days of social media when James and Chris collaborated on artist development projects, including Preston Leatherman, whose Christmas dance video generated millions of views before TikTok existed. Their shared history provides a fascinating glimpse into how drastically the digital landscape has transformed while illuminating principles that remain relevant today.

Perhaps most valuable is James's insight into building sustainable business models in the digital age. His advice to artists—"For every dollar you spend on development, you should have $2 for marketing"—challenges creators to think strategically about resource allocation. As James explains, the modern brand landscape demands personality and authenticity, regardless of industry.

Whether you're a content creator, artist, entrepreneur, or marketer, this episode offers both historical perspective and practical wisdom from someone who saw the digital revolution coming before most people understood what hit them. Visit LucenteSocialMedia.com to learn how James continues to help brands find their voices in an increasingly crowded digital world.

What gives your creativity purpose? In this deeply personal conversation, host Chris Keaton welcomes acclaimed Nashville hit songwriter Tommy Lee James to share wisdom from his decades-long career crafting songs for major artists.

The two forge an immediate connection over their shared Roanoke Valley roots before diving into Tommy's fascinating journey from middle school songwriter to Nashville success story. With refreshing candor, Tommy reveals how four years playing piano bars in DC taught him the bones of songwriting, mastering hundreds of songs before making the leap to Music City with dreams of becoming a professional songwriter.

Tommy doesn't sugarcoat the Nashville experience, describing his humbling first years where, despite thinking he was "good enough," he quickly realized how much he had to learn. His persistence eventually paid off with a publishing deal at Reba McEntire's company, though at just $75 weekly, it was passion rather than paycheck driving him forward.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn as Tommy illuminates the dramatic evolution of the songwriting industry. From the days when writers could comfortably make a living crafting album cuts to today's streaming-dominated landscape where "pure songwriters are a dying breed," his perspective offers rare insight into how dramatically the business has transformed.

Most poignantly, Tommy shares about his recent foray into releasing solo music for the first time, inspired by his wife's encouragement during a challenging personal period. Rather than following Nashville formulas, these songs represent his true musical influences and allow him to explore more personal themes.

The most powerful moment comes when Tommy recounts his elderly father's aircraft building hobby, continuing to put "one rivet in a wing every day" despite declining health, because without this purpose, "why would I want to get up?" It's a philosophy that's shaped Tommy's approach to creativity and serves as inspiration for anyone pursuing their passion at any age.

What small, daily creative action keeps your purpose alive? Listen now and discover why Tommy believes he's a better songwriter today than ever before.