September 18, 2008 Issue

When I assumed the Editor’s chair—one of those comfortable leather ones with wheels—my first plan was to put a hot chick and/or a puppy on the cover. That idea did not go over well with The Powers That Be.

My second brilliant idea was to have a music poll, seeing as how I have covered local musicians for five years and knew we would have a plethora of worthy candidates from which to choose. The response to our call for nominations was bigger than I expected, especially from online readers, and the top three in each category appears in this issue’s installment of The Beat.

You will have about a month to go out and see all the nominated musicians before the final ballots are due at 12:01 a.m. Saturday Oct. 18. This gives us, the enthusiastic Beachcomber staff, plenty of time to count the ballots and design ridiculously expensive trophies for the winners prior to the Nov. 8 awards ceremony.

Yes, you read that correctly. A company approached us and offered to produce the show, and the fine folks at Destin’s Cabana CafÈ have volunteered their venue for what is certain to be a remarkable and memorable evening. Details to follow in upcoming issues.

Now, getting back to this whole Editor gig. Based on my admittedly limited knowledge of my job duties, I have gotten more than I bargained for in the last few months. I assumed some of the tasks I would be responsible for would include the following:

- Gathering articles and photos for the paper.
- Spreading the good word about the Beachcomber at local establishments.
- Rewriting lengthy press releases to fit our ever-expanding and very useful Places & Things department.
- Auditioning models and puppies for the cover.

My assumptions have proven to be correct, save for the last one (I haven’t given up hope, though). What I did not realize was that the job of Editor would include these duties:

- Walking the Publisher’s dog thrice daily (and I’m not talking about a brief stroll around the block, either… these babies can haul ass).
- Buying gourmet expensive coffee for the Sales Manager every morning.
- Washing the Publisher and Sales Manager’s vehicles once a week.
- Organizing the Assistant Editor’s iTunes periodically.

Still, I’m not complaining, and the car wash thing gave me an excuse to watch The Karate Kid again. Many are out of work these days, and the fact that I’m able to squeak by is something for which I am grateful.

* * *
We are all exhausted from our summer reading lists, so there is no book review this fortnight. As always, your feedback is encouraged and welcome—drop us an email, send a letter, or drop by my office in the darkest corner of the Beachcomber building on Harbor Blvd./Emerald Coast Parkway/Highway 98. Gourmet expensive coffee is on me.

Hope you enjoy this issue (Our Crowning Achievement), and don’t forget to VOTE in the Beachcomber Music Awards!

- C.M.

More editorials from Christopher Manson