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Drew Yarkosky Interview – Midwest Whitetail Producer

July 13, 2011

Drew Yarkosky Interview – Midwest Whitetail

Today, we have a wonderful interview from Midwest Whitetail Producer Drew Yarkosky. Drew has worked with Midwest Whitetail for awhile, and is a huge part of their team. Drew stopped by and chatted about Scott Prucha, lady friends, and his first bow kill. Mr. Yarkosky is an outdoor freak that has a very bright future in the hunting industry, thanks for your time man!

Personal


OF – You recently graduated from Simpson College in Iowa, you also played baseball. How would you describe juggling hunting, baseball, and Midwest Whitetail at the same time?
It was very busy to be an hour away from Albia at school and trying to film, hunt and produce shows, but I believe it was a great opportunity for me and something that was worth the trip week to week. Really became familiar with radio stations as well

OF – Mac or PC?
PC

OF – What are your future plans? Will Midwest Whitetail be your full time employment?
I am currently working full time at Midwest Whitetail. We have 2 other full time employees, Jared Mills and Greg Clements, currently and have a great production business going here. A lot of very creative minds and hard working individuals are in the office. It is a great atmosphere and I enjoy it.

OF – Beverage of choice?
Water. Like to stay healthy.

OF – Do you have a lady friend?
I do have a lady friend. She has another year and a half of school left at Simpson. I drag her out into the woods whenever we both have time as well!

OF – What kind of music do you listen to?
I like music such as DMB, Jack Johnson, that kind of stuff. Also some country.

OF – What sports did you play growing up? Was it just baseball?
I have always had a busy life because I played not only baseball, but football, track, basketball, golf, and cross country growing up. Baseball obvious was my favorite though.

OF – Who do you root for in college, or professionally? Hawkeye fan?
Love the Hawks. Long time Atlanta Braves fan as well. Going to watch them play at Wrigley in a couple months.

OF – What your favorite meal? Are you a grillmaster?
Steaks! Nothing is better.

OF – Tommy Boy or Old School?
Both are classics but I’m going to go with Tommy Boy.

Hunting / Outdoors

OF – Tell us a little bit about your first bow kill, how did that go down?
My first bow kill was one of the most exciting hunts I’ve been on to this day. I was 16 years old and was fortunate enough to keep it together and shoot a 135 inch 9 at about ten yards. I have been hooked ever since!

OF – Where will you be hunting this year? Does your family own any ground?
I will be doing a lot of hunting this fall hopefully when I’m free. My parents own a 100 acre farm outside of Albia.

OF – I know it’s early, but any Hit List bucks spotted yet?
I haven’t had a chance to get out and take inventory yet but I should know in about a month. There are a few from last year that could be great deer this Fall.

OF – Do you enjoy hunting anything else? Fishing?
I generally get the chance to hunt geese with my brother Joe and I absolutely love taking my father out for turkey season. Always an adventure.

OF – What was the most memorable deer hunting moment for you, last season?
My most memorable deer hunting moment is one I wish I could forget. It was the first time I had ever filmed Bill (Winke) and we had been in the stand for approximately 10 minutes tops. I hear Bill say, “Big buck, big buck, down to the left, down to the left!” 170 inch buck was cruising towards us and in the mix of all the chaos, I pushed off Bill’s stand as he was pulling the trigger. I remember it like it was yesterday and it makes me sick to my stomach. Lot of other good ones but that one was a heart breaker!

OF – What is one thing you’d like to achieve in the outdoors, that you haven’t yet?
I would like for Midwest Whitetail to become the most popular and watched hunting show in the business. Plain and simple. I think we have the pro staff, bucks and talent in the production room to do that. We’re still learning and have a ways to go but I believe it is possible.

Midwest Whitetail


OF – How did you get started with Midwest Whitetail?
I grew up in Albia and knew Bill. I was interested in the hunting industry and decided to email him asking how to get my foot in the door. He said he was starting a hunting show and the rest was history from there!

OF – What are your day to day duties at Midwest Whitetail?
Currently, we are producing the 2011 season of Midwest Whitetail TV. We all put in a lot of time and effort making these shows so that’s basically the gist of it. The occasional 15 minute break usually involves a few heated games of ping pong as well!

OF – What is your video camera setup? Do you do any photography?
We have a few different set ups for video cameras in the office.

OF – Tell us something about the 3 P’s? 
The 3 P’s became a very funny joke to a lot of the guys here. It was the day before a show was due and I had nothing, zip, nada. So I went out and filmed a segment over late season hunting (3 P’s were Proximity, Paths and Perserverance). Pretty corny show and Scott Prucha ate it up. Still makes me laugh watching that show!

OF – How many people work at the Midwest Whitetail office on a daily basis?
We have 3 full time employees and 2 interns right now. 3 more interns will start in August so that’ll be a total of 8 people working out of the office.

OF – What are two things you’ve learned about producing a TV show, that you didn’t know before you got involved with Midwest Whitetail?
I really learned that it always takes more time to do stuff than you think. It is a lot of work compared to the web shows we also produce. I enjoy TV though because of the freedom you have with each episode.

OF – TrailCam Pro is a new sponsor for Midwest Whitetail, what neat ways are you going to incorporate them into the shows?
I know Bill is going to run cameras a lot more than he has in the past. It’s a great advantage I believe and something crazy always shows up so what we get on camera will help provide a way to incorporate trail cameras into the shows more.

OF – How long does it normally take to edit one show for MidwestWhitetail.Com?
It varies obviously depending on content but I would say an average show last fall would take 6 hours to sit down from start to finish.

OF – Do you having any tips for people trying to film hunts? What exactly is a video producer looking for?
I think that the best advice is to keep learning and be creative with your shots. With so many people filming hunts now, it’s tough to stand out but the more practice you have the better you’ll get.

OF – If you got to pick – who would you rather film for – Bill Winke, or Scott Prucha? Why?
That’s a tough question! Don’t want to get fired for this one! Ha they both have giant bucks on their farms. Kind of cool how some hit list bucks roam on both their properties. Prucha seems to cause my footage to always be shaking from laughing yet Bill does have some pretty legendary locations that I love being in.

Thanks a lot Drew for your time, we look forward to hopefully catching up with you during your whitetail season!

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Jim Ryser Midwest Whitetail Interview Part 2

June 22, 2011

Today, we continue our in-depth interview with Jim Ryser of MidwestWhitetail.Com and Midwest Whitetail TV. Yesterday,  Jim answered questions regarding his outdoor life, and his other passion – music Click here to read Part 1. Today he talks and goes more in-depth with his personal story, and working with the great folks at MidwestWhitetail.Com.

Personal

OF – I understand from reading Bill Winke’s Blog  that you have spina bifida. Can you tell us a little bit about it, and what kind of adjustments you’ve had to make personally because of it?

JR – I actually have Spina bifida myelomeningocele.  Long words for “open spine” and my spinal cord grew on the outside of my body at the L5/S1 area – they had to repair it at 9 days old and led to most of the surgeries (55 total) that I have had.  Hunting is my best pain medicine; yet another reason I am so impassioned with MW. Most of my adjustments came early, so I don’t know anything I can’t do because of it.  I wear a bag to pee; my bladder did not work when I was a kid so I got that very early.  It has its advantages when you pee in the woods! (OF NOTE: How’s that for optimism, Freaks?!)

OF – Tell us a little bit about your family?

JR – I have a wonderful bride and two step daughters that I consider “my own” and three grandkids.  Linda, my wife, was married 23 years and lost her husband to a medical error.  He died very quickly and when she and I met I figured she would shine me on due to my medical issues.  God had other plans, and I just follow her lead.  We have been married 8 years and I would not trade my family for anything.

OF – What do you do for a living, and how did you get started start?

JR – I run a pain rehabilitation program and am the Manager of Pain Services for our hospital system.  I came by it honestly.  You would not believe the number of people who get addicted to pain medicine or lose their lives being dependent on them.  I have been opiate free for 12 years, was on opiates for 18, and there is NOTHING about the past twelve years worth trading a moment of the prior 18 for, and thaqt includes the 7 million dollar record deal I had with Arista   I lost that due to both my pain and addictive diseases.  Had I not lost that I would not have what I have today, and I suspect you can figure out that there is nowhere I would rather be!.

OF – What other hobbies do you enjoy – outdoors or otherwise?

JR – Between music and hunting and my family and job, not much else.  I used to do a fair amount of flying both big planes and radio control, but that fell by the wayside when I got into the wonderful financial world of hunting!  I have had my pilot’s license for a long time, and I even got to fly a B17 with Chuck Yeager flying a P51 wing!  I am a staunch WWII buff as you can probably tell.  As for hunting, I am WAY into my Hoyts, and all of the fun stuff from my Realtree clothes to anything Cabela’s has (my son in law told me, “Hey Jim, Cabela’s called and needs some of your stuff to restock their shelves…”  Darned kids…)  Really, you can spend a bunch or a little, I get teased that I always have to have the best by my wife, but I have killed a lot of deer with my rag clothes, my first bow, and a ladder stand.

Midwest Whitetail

OF – How’d you get started with Midwest Whitetail?

JR – I sent Bill Winke a CD of mine as appreciation for his work in the magazines.  I love his philosophy, his love of family first, and his vibe.  He emailed me and asked if MW could use some of my stuff – I was so excited that I offered to write specifically for him – and he loved the idea.  The rest is MW history!  Each prostaff member inspires me in their own way and I often write for each one of them.  Scott Prucha and I wrote a really cool tune together and that was a blast!

OF – Does Midwest Whitetail ask for a certain type of music, or do you just send them what you create?

JR – Both.  They still use “canned” stuff on occasion because it both fits the needs of the moment and some of it is really terrific, so I will emulate some of that from time to time.  Greg Clements will ask for a vibe and I will send it.  Other times I will get hit while on stand, throw it into my iPhone, and record it that night and send it. Semi Live Music!

OF – Does Midwest Whitetail pay you for your services?

JR – When I first started writing, I asked Bill never to pay me.  My payment comes from the mutual joy we all get.  If it was a job it would not be fun; besides I have everything I will ever need, and money is not a motivator for me anyway, so it feels good to give back.  You could not put a price on the wonderful friendships I have made with those guys.

OF – What has it meant to you personally, to be involved with such a neat project like Midwest Whitetail?

JR – The best thing I have ever done musically.  And it is a continually growing process; there is no “done” so that makes it challenging and fun.

OF – What do you see in the future for Midwest Whitetail?

JR – More magic!

OF – How is it working with Bill Winke? He’s obviously one of the most respected deer hunting journalists in the industry. What have you learned from him?

JR – I still find it great to be able to text him or call him on stand and ask a question or two…but Bill is a lot like me in that he likes people but he also likes his alone time.  We are both quirky that way, but it makes for great fun when we click both as friends and musically.  I have learned SO much it is hard to know where to begin – and EVERYONE on prostaff has something to teach.  I spend a lot of time listening around those guys.  It is fun to have them to my home and show them my musical stuff!

OF – Bill also seems very down to earth and fun loving. Is he really that easy and fun to be around? Does he have any weird traits you’d like to call him out on? (Much love to you, Bill!)

JR – Yes.  See above!  We all like to joke about how cheap he can be – and THAT is really why I get to write for him!  Not really, he is extremely giving.  He calls MW his idea, but the staff’s creation – and he believes that to his core.  I think that is a key to his success – he gets great people around him, leads in a way that makes you want to go wherever he goes, and lets you do your job!  Can’t get much better than that!

OF – Jim – thanks so much for your time with this interview – we hope to catch with you again during the hunting season! Best of luck.

JR – You are WELCOME!!!  Thank YOU!

To read Part 1 of this great interview with Jim – click here.

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Jim Ryser Midwest Whitetail Interview Part 1

June 21, 2011

Jim Ryser Interview – Music Composer for MidwestWhitetail TV and MidwestWhitetail.com

For those of you that follow Midwest Whitetail TV and MidwestWhitetail.com – you probably are aware that Jim Ryser has been creating music for them, the last couple of years. In this blog Bill Winke says “I’m guessing Jim inspires everyone he meets”. From my recent dealings with him – I can certainly agree. Jim seems like a fun loving and caring dude who just loves the outdoors. This guy has an interesting life story, and seems to fit right in with deer hunters across the country. We caught up with Jim and asked him a few questions about his personal life, hunting, his music career, and working with the great folks at MidwestWhitetail.com. In Part One of this Two Part Series, Jim will address the Hunting and Musical Parts of his life with us! Tune in tomorrow for Part Two – his personal life and MidwestWhitetail.Com.

Hunting

OF – How long have you been hunting and enjoying the outdoors? How’d you get started?

JR – I actually got started when I was 14 years old.  My dad’s buddy Arnie was a WWII hero and he was also a gun nut.  He had a Browning Sweet Sixteen (as do I now), and he got me with the hunting bug when he took my dad and I hunting  for grouse in upstate New York.  He gave me my first .22 and I killed a woodchuck with it.  I took pictures and felt pretty manly but when I went to bury it I cried.  I still have that type of respect for the animals I hunt.  If I lose that I will quit hunting.  Arnie also had an Ithaca Deerslayer (I also own one!) that I killed my first deer with.

 

OF – Where do you do most of your hunting?

JR – I have a lease here in Indiana.  A very dear friend owns a nice place and I take care of it the best I can, give him some cash, and I have 140 acres to call my own.

 

OF – Do you prefer to deer or turkey hunt?

JR – That depends on when you ask me.  When it is turkey season I cannot fathom liking anything better; when it’s deer season I cannot fathom liking anything better!

OF – Tell us a little about your camera setup – what kind of video equipment are you using?

JR – Like you, I have the Sony AX 2000.  Heaven.  No tape. I think I have a 701 fliud head by Manfrotto, and a very light carbon Manfrotto tripod.  Since I am the music guy and am picky about sound, I use a shotgun mic as well, a Sony ECM-678/9X. I prefer that over wireless so I have less to think about when hunting or filming.    Got it last year and my stuff is not half bad.  I actually used it at my job for videos that have been seen by 15,000 people for dealing with violent and threatening patients.  I work in a large hospital system in Indiana and my licenses to practice are in mental health and addictions.

OF – I’ve seen your Frigid Forage video you made. What will you be planting this for this coming year?

JR – I already have Monster Magnet down.  I will go back to the Autumn Quick plot and beans.  Both work great on keeping them healthy after season’s end.

 

Music

 

OF – I understand that you used to play with John Mellencamp. Can you tell us a little bit about that?

JR – I lived in Indiana for quite some time and as things go, connected with John in the early 80′s.  His dad co-managed me along with Champion Entertainment, and I signed a deal with Arista Records under the legendary Clive Davis in 1988.  The CD produced a minor hit song in 1990 called “Same Old Look” that paid for my education and then some!  I continue to play on John’s stuff only not so much in the past 5 years.  He was very good to me and I have great memories of working with him and his amazing band.  His band plays on a lot of my CDs.

 

OF – On average, how long does it take for you to create a song from start to finish?

JR – Depends.  My latest and best song was written in Scott Prucha’s bathroom after our turkey hunt this year.  Yep, droppin’ a deuce and writing songs!  Scott is on prostate for midwest whitetails as you know!  Anyway, I wrote that very quickly.  Scott inspired it…Others simmer for years and then pop out, like the one I am doing now.  It is a violin “anthem” I am going to put on my next CD.

 

OF – What is your favorite musical instrument to play?

JR – Right now my keyboard/piano. But mostly I love all aspects of guitar – from acoustic to electric to lead.  My favorite all time sound is the Hammond B3, and I have one and love it.

 

OF – What do you consider your greatest musical accomplishment?

JR – Singly, singing the National Anthem at the Brickyard 400 here at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2002.  Right now it is honestly the stuff I do for Bill and the gang, because it has brought me an incredible amount of joy and satisfaction.  Bill and I were working on next year’s TV theme for weeks, emailing mixes back and forth, and when it was done we both knew it…

 

OF – What kind of music to you listen to? Do you have a favorite band?

JR – I like Country, which is relatively new for me.  Contemporary Country mind you – the old stuff is not my style.  Most “Country” folks call what is hip today rock and roll!  But it is very similar to the pop of the late 80′s (not the hair band stuff!).  I also LOVE Pink Floyd.  Always have, always will.  Heaven.

 

OF – What kind of musical equipment do you use in regards to audio, guitar, etc?

JR - Everything you hear is me, albeit the drums are samples from my keyboard.  I have a Yamaha XF Motif, their top of the line workstation, and that has some incredible sounding stuff on it.  I play drums with Kenny Aronoff in mind; he is one of the premier rock and roll drummers in the industry today and a very good friend.  He has always been my drum programming inspiration and when he says, “Yeah baby!” I know I have it.  I love playing new intruments to me – the dobro recently, the mandolin, violin I have always played, and of course the guitars – love to play the bass as well!

 

OF – Do you have a favorite piece that you’ve written?

JR – Probably a song called “Home” that I wrote some of at the tail end of my addiction and finished three months into sobriety.  I finished it 12 years ago, the same length time I have been sober.  I have chronic pain and got hooked on pain pills. (OF Note: Check back tomorrow for more on this stage of Mr. Ryser’s life)

BIG Thank you Jim for taking the time to go into such depth with us! We wish you the best of luck, this Fall!

To read part two of this great interview – click here!

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