BRONZE BLUES BREWS … AND MORE
Summer had been busy. Enough so that instead of taking a single long motorcycle trip across the west we
settled for a few shorter excursions. With a free weekend ahead, I read about an all day blues festival in
Joseph, Oregon. “The Bronze, Blues and Brews” was in its 12th year. The weather people promised hot
weather. Besides, I had never been to Joseph.
On Friday, we loaded our saddlebags and T-bag for the ride south. Stopping in Lewiston for an average
but costly meal, we continued out of town and soon found ourselves riding on an unexpected “rattlesnake”
highway that would take us over the Blue Mountains. The pavement was dry. Traffic was sparse. Because
of the late start and slow meal we had to keep an eye on the deer that would occasionally jump across the
road.
We rode on.
Coming around a sharp twisty we were, I presumed, close to the summit. The highway momentarily
turned west at the same time the sun started its descent behind the next range, just a few miles away.
The reddish-orange glow changed the color of the mountains to our west and the canyon beneath our feet.
Shadows and colors changed quickly as we watched.
An unexpected surprise in the journey.
Two hours later we were warming ourselves in our rented room; a refurbished artist studio on the banks
of a river. The next morning we explored the region with its lakes and hills and small towns. By noon we
had joined a couple of thousand more to enjoy several hours of live music. The festival delivered what
was promised. Still, even as I tapped my foot (and did the “white man’s shuffle”) to the final number by
Curtis Salgado my mind kept going back to the sunset unexpectedly encountered on a winding highway in
the Blue Mountains.
We had come for the music. We were struck by the view.
For the past several months I’ve been meeting with the owners and successors of two successful family-
owned businesses. In a way, we too have started toward a destination. Not a blues concert in the
mountains, but an agreement and understanding that would eventually bring the talented younger men to
positions of leadership and – in time – ownership of the companies grown by their fathers. We’ve asked
hundreds of questions. We’ve discussed dozens of issues. We’ve been honest and open and are drawing
closer to our goal.
And along the journey we’ve encountered some extraordinary views.
Expressions of trust. Genuine care. Humility. Love. Laughter. Commitment.
I’m sure that when our work is completed we’ll all feel a deep and well-earned sense of achievement.
Succession planning demands a great deal of heavy lifting, creativity and determination to succeed.
I’m also certain we’ll be thankful that at times we slowed down and took a moment to take in the
extraordinary when it appeared.
The work of starting, managing, growing and even transitioning from running a business or owning a
practice is demanding and consuming. It also has an end as one day the business changes hands.
Some may give it to the next generation of family owners. Others will sell it to support a new post-
business adventure. At that time friends will gather to help celebrate the ups and downs, challenges and
successes experienced over the years.
I hope that in the midst of this personal festival, your memory will be filled with the unexpected vistas and
breathtaking views you’ve encountered along the way.
As you’ve learned to enjoy the journey.
--- Paul