Simply put: Virgil Dickerson makes Denver a more fun place to be. The head of the Greater Than Collective – the record label that put out my record, is putting out my new record, and reps a shit-ton of Denver bands – Virgil is never not embarking on some new endeavor. It’s hard to even describe what it is he does: record label head, producer, event coordinator, concert promoter, marketer, all those titles seem to apply. Perhaps it’s best to let his business card do the talking.
“Virgil Dickerson, Illegal Pete’s Marketing Director, All Around Good Dude.”
That seems about right, but then on the back of his card he writes, “Food/Music/Comedy/Booze/Nerd/Adventure Seeker/Fun Finder/Storyteller.”
The picture becomes more complete.
I met Virgil a few years back and since that time two things have happened: my life has become more fun, my comedy output has become more organized. No wonder I love the dude.
But Virgil didn’t just stumble into his position as Denver’s foremost purveyor of fun; he’s had has sleeves rolled up in this scene since the mid-90’s when he started helping put on shows just because. From there he started a label, a record store, printed vinyl for some of my favorite bands, had some pitfalls, learned from that, hooked up with Illegal Pete’s and has pretty much kicked ass ever since. And all because he was never afraid to simply learn by doing.
When we approached Virgil about getting Illegal Pete’s help with the High Plains Comedy Festival he simply said that he had never done something like that so why not? And the festival has been nothing but a success ever since. I think that’s probably a story a number of people could tell about Virgil. I approached him with an idea and he helped me make it successful. The world needs more people like that.
So listen up to this episode, world. And try to figure out how to be more like Virgil. Step one: eat more kimchi.
Virgil wanted you to watch this video because he and his super-cool son Logan love it.
Check out the episode on iTunes here.