We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mike Carbone a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mike, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Many people seek happiness which is a fleeting emotion. I think it is better to seek meaning and life becomes fulfilling because a person has purpose and value. When working towards meaningful goals a person feels a certain urgency looking forward to efforts to be made while feeling a level of contentment looking back at what has been accomplished. To me, this state of balance is very motivating.

I try to focus on projects that are meaningful to me on a personal level, but that also have meaning for others or society in general. In my former career as a nonprofit director I focused on homelessness providing planning and coordination between providers to help create a cohesive system. I have worked with organizations to develop best practices, and with policy makers at the state and federal levels to create sound housing policy backed by vital resources. Very enjoyable for me was combining both my worlds to organize musical events to benefit homeless causes.

In my life as a drummer and drum shop owner I dedicate myself to serving customers to help them reach their goals, to serving the songs and musicians I work with so they can be their best and to supporting music education. One ongoing project I am working on allows me to combine my drumming, business and nonprofit experience to help some of the poorest people on earth.

Four or five years ago I began consulting with an NGO called African Initiative Project and Development which does work in Guinea Africa. Their projects include water, food and medical care. Most recently, they opened a 30 bed clinic in Conakry. Their work requires ongoing funding. Guinea is the birthplace if the djembe and I am working with AFRIPD to import high quality instruments providing them with an additional source of funding and serving the American market with authentic, high quality instruments. This project is in its infancy. Emmanuelle Dore, their director, is a Guinean transplant to the US and is remarkably well connected in both countries.. As a token of appreciation, Emmanuelle had a djembe made for me with my logo carved on the shell by a master djembe carver in the rainforest. Shortly after receiving the djembe I was asked to play djembe to accompany a men’s chorus in thier opening spot for Foreigner at the Alerus Center. The song I was asked to perform? Africa, by Toto. It was a very meaningful and full circle moment for me. We have many obstacles to overcome but the opportunity to impact so many with music, health care and basic needs is very motivating.

Mike, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a musician, entrepreneur and former nonprofit director who still does a little consulting.

As a musician I am a drummer who has the pleasure of playing Blues with the Blue Wailers. As one of the founding members I have seen an evolution in the band over the last 25 years or so from an acoustic trio to an electric Blues band specializing in Chicago Blues but mixing in some British Blues, hill country Blues and more. We have performed with many of the world’s top Blues acts. And yes, I am one of those drummers who occasionally writes a song. It hasn’t gotten me kicked out yet. My favorite song I’ve written is called The Bet and honors my brother. It has a reggae feel. We have not yet recorded it for release but eventually we will . I have also done fill in work touring with Shawn Holt (Magic Slim’s son) and the Teardrops, Little Bobby, and the Fatcats.

As an entrepreneur, I own a drum shop, Drummer’s Journey, which in the five years since it opened has become a premier store our region. We strive to serve drummers on their musical journey. We serve students, working professionals, church drummers, educators and even hippies who want to play hand drums in the park. We provide lessons in store and host top drummers to provide master classes and clinics. We have had Todd Sucherman from Styx, Kenny Aronoff from John Mellencamp and others, and Rich Redmond from Jason Aldean in store and will soon host Mike Mangini from Dream Theatre. I have an incredible team of professional drummers manning the store. They make the store hum.

As a nonprofit director I was responsible for coordinating service providers on a state level, as well as, administering some direct service programs within my agency. We collected homeless data and used it for planning future services and participating in ten plans to end homelessness. After leaving the nonprofit world I continue to consult and serve on some boards.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

People need to realize that quality art, music, literature etc. can come from anywhere. Many people associate urban centers with creative hubs and there is an element of truth there, but creative people are all around us no matter where we live. Support them by coming to their performances, buying their art, reading their poetry etc. Tell them you appreciate them with your attendance, words, and dollars. Tell your friends. Use the internet to spread the word, but most of all, show up.

People also need to broaden their view of creativity. Creativity exists in contexts other than the arts. Creative ideas in business often win the day. But anytime a person can envision a better way to perform a task, an unexplored idea, or a new approach to problems creativity rules. Open minds grow.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Blue Ocean Strategy written by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne is a great book explaining their theory of marketing in a way that sets one apart from your competitors. In large part it is the concept of removing aspects of your goods or services that have limited value but are ingrained in the product, and adding unique values that enhance your product. An example the authors use is Cirque du Soleil where they changed the nature and marketing of circuses to create an uncontested place in the market.

And that is the point. If you can offer a product that is different from the rest of the market and/or offer it in a different way, you will be swimming in a clear blue ocean. But when we do what we have always done in the same way as everyone else, the water will be red with the blood of sharks and their victims. This requires creative thinking on an ongoing basis because blue oceans can turn red with time and complacency

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thebluewailers.com www.drummersjourney.com
• Facebook: facebook@thebluewailers facebook@drummersjourney facebook@michaelcarbone
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/michael-carbone-37a4573b
• Other: 218-512-0484 Drummer’s Journey 3242 Hwy 10 E Moorhead MN 56560