Welcome to the Murphy-Goode Life!

Aug. 4: Dirty talks...

Hardy Wallace took a little time from his frantic pre-WCLC preparations to share some thoughts. All we can say is, think Van Morrison, singing Domino... roll me over, Romeo:

"I'm in a blur
... tying up loose ends (the glamour of doctor and dentist appointments, packing and shipping gear, getting a rock star hair cut, etc), trying to spend time with my girlfriend, Tracy, and also making sure I have some time to celebrate with the people who supported me and got me here. The pace is nuts and I could use a nap."

Checking things thrice:
"I'm part absent-minded professor, and part obsessive list maker. My checklists have checklists, and I really want to make sure that I bring everything with me that I need. Microphones, cables, lenses, mixing boards, all sorts of weird junk that I may never use, but I'll be happy to have, and will make Healdsburg feel like home."

Feelings Now:
"I'm still in disbelief. I really haven't taken a breath yet. I would really like an hour or two by the pool with my iPod, some roots reggae, and a drink with an umbrella. Then things may hit me. I really am thrilled about this opportunity -- getting here is an achievement, but that's just the end of the beginning -- making it work, and being successful, and showing the ROI of social media, is the real task. I can't wait to really get started."

Ditto, Dirty!

July 21 Update: Hardy Wallace is Murphy-Goode's Wine Country LIfestyle Correspondent

Hardy Wallace is our man. Let's all join in for a goode, hardy round of applause for this super wine bloggin', drum banging, bacon and chicken fryin', certified sommelier, social media machine, hailing from Atlanta, GA.

From our hearts, here's a sincere thanks and well-done to all our reallygoodejob entrants. As we've always said, though, the fun has only just begun. On August 15 Hardy will start his work for us as our Wine Country Lifestyle Correspondent. It's about our life here in Sonoma, and it's all about the love.

... or as Hardy always says, "Murphy-Goooooode."


July 12: Profile of finalist Jennifer Weber

Our tenth reallygoode finalist: Jenna Weber of Tampa FL, a compelling blogger (eatliverun.com) if there ever was one, what with her BA in English/Creative Writing, and degree from Orlando's Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Academy (Patisserie & Baking... although her creativity goes far beyond that)...


July 11: Profile of finalist Hardy Wallace

Shades of fryin' bacon, Smoky & the Bandits and marshmallow yams, it's Atlanta, GA's own finalist, Hardy Wallace: founder of dirtysouthwine.com; former sales/marketing manager of Eastman Kodak, Acrosoft & Whitehill Technologies; an Integrative Studies BA; and an International Sommelier Guild certified, professional solo percussion playin', all-around reallygoodeguy...

Wink wink nudge nudge, from the MG winery crew: would be cool if the musically inclined reallygoodecandidates would bring their respective instruments to jam with grand poopa D. Ready Jr. after the poker games...


June 11: Profile of finalist Rocky Slaughter

anothergoode finalist: really, how can you not like a dude named Rocky (not Sue) Slaughter. So laid back, he waited to last 12 hours to submit his ap? All of 21 (student at Northeastern U, Boston), yet owns his own photo studio & creates, designs, publishes websites (like rockyslaughter.com); has studied Chinese in Beijing (that should help), and also tends bar (now that helps)... Ro-KEE, Ro-KEE!


July 11: Profile of finalist, Rachel Reenstra

Rachel Reenstra, areallygoodejob finalist: so she's an actor, and former host of Ms. Adventure (Animal Planet) & Design to Sell (HGTV)... but she also plays a mean guitar & banjo, is an incorrigible blogger & stand-up comedian, a double BA (Spiritual Psychology & Theater), and ultimately, a proven multi-media editor and producer!


July 10: Profile of finalist Kamary Phillips

Finalist Kamary Phillips (LA) wants to take us on a "Journey"... as manager/producer of Underground Television Network, startup entrepreneur, video producer (MTV, Sony/BMG, Media Plaza, etc.) & songwriter (wrote an MG song!), he has goods... don't-stop-believing!


July 10: Profile of finalist Nicholas Pandolfi

Finalist of serious passions: Nicholas Pandolfi of Brooklyn, NY; experienced cooking in uber-fine NY restaurants, Chanterelle & Gramercy Tavern before shifting gears to become Digital Media guru for Spin mag; took BA in economics, minor in art history; avid biker, into squash, piano, travel, and entertaining... always, there must be entertaining...


July 9: Profile of finalist, Annie Lee

Annie ("Hurricane") Katrina Lee from Seattle, WA is an inveterate blogger & vlogger (re socialpotatochips.com); advertising professional (MSNBC specialist for Microsoft), armed with Communication Master's (UW, Digital Media), former Seattle Mariners intern, a marathoner, and winner ('09 Seattle Wine Awards/digital media team & Hawai`i Junior Miss finalist) on top of finisher...


July 9: Profile of finalist, Eric Hwang

Is there anything Eric Hwang can't do? Professional web designer, developer, consultant (for companies like AG Interactive/Photoworks, The Regence Group, Marketfitz and AT&T Wireless); avid traveler, prolific blogger (bricksofwine.com), accomplished photographer, and apparent bon vivant, not to mention a proven winner (Grand Prize in Wine Enthusiast's 2009 Decanter Design Contest)... welcome to the final circle, Eric!


July 8: Profile of finalist, Todd Havens

From L.A. Todd Haven is a professional blogger and "regular guy" who also happens to have a BA in Linguistics and French (studied in France and Spain); Director of Marketing for The Visionaire Group; Casting Producer/Project manager for MTV reality shows; currently pursuing an MFA Film production at USC, and carries a lo-o-ng straw...


July 8: Profile of finalist, Adam Beaugh:

From Austin, Texas, Adam Beaugh is a Texas A&M alumni; creative designer/developer/photographer; web & mulitmedia director for Office of Governor, Austin, TX; owner of his own web consulting service working with small companies and nonprofits; into kayaking, hiking, hammocking, DJing and groovin' on the dance floor... get down, Adam!


July 7 Update: COUNTDOWN REACHES 10!

Congratulations, first of all, to the hundreds more of you who threw caution to the wind, bared your soul, licked your social media chops, and stood at a public precipice while entertaining thousands more of us with your fantastic videos. And then secondly: to our incredibly talented “top 50,” who we made sit for another week ‘til today... thanks for bearing with us through the process! Here at MG we’re thrilled to announce our top 10 finalists:

Adam Beaugh (Austin, TX)
Todd Havens (LA)
Eric Hwang (Edmonds, WA)
Annie Lee (Seattle, WA)
Nicholas Pandolfi (Brooklyn, NY)
Kamary Phillips (LA)
Rachel Reenstra (LA)
Rocky Slaughter (Boston, MA)
Hardy Wallace (Atlanta, GA)
Jennifer Weber (Tampa, FL)

As you know, these candidates will be flown in by us for a little stay in the wine country, and for final interviews on July 17-21. Over the next ten days we’ll post short/sweet bios of our last 10 standing. Please hang with us, but remember: the real fun begins Aug. 15 when our final-finalist begins his/her goode work!