I am lucky to know quite of few people in the film, documentary, news, design and art worlds. I decided to round up a few of these surly characters and meet at one of my favorite NYC bars, The Scratcher. Over a few pints of Guinness, we candidly discussed and brainstormed what this journey encapsulates.  I am trying to find the voice of Popp Over America. Is it a travel show? Is it a music show? Is it a food show? So many of these approaches have been done, but I am looking to combine all of them.

Some ideas that came out of this meeting are as follows:

• The journey should be an uninterrupted one, meaning I should leave on the tour and not return home until I have completed all 48 states.
• I should involve the local communities by asking questions of the places I visit. For instance: “What is the best BBQ in Austin?” or “What is the best singer songwriter venue in Chicago?” and let the locals have online battles and vote where I should go.
• I cannot generate support of a television network without content. I need to produce a trailer/teaser and perhaps even do a test show.

We had a great time and a lot of laughs discussing the project. Nothing beats old friends. beers, and ideas…