Welcome to this week's edition of Andrew Hudson's Jobs List.  We have over 40 new jobs posted this week, including some great out-of-town jobs.  Thanks to all those who have posted jobs this week and please remember to let folks know that this website is available for both job-seekers looking for work and for employers to post jobs.

Papa Jack
I received word last Monday from my good friend Steve Weil that his grandfather was probably not going to make it past a few days.  He passed away on Wednesday.  At 107 years old, Papa Jack, the founder of Rockmount Ranchwear had outlived most expectations, natural and otherwise.  He started wearing out just a couple weeks ago.  Steve told me as difficult and sad as it was, overall, he could only feel lucky to have had such a remarkable man as his grandfather for as long as he did.

Even at his age, it was only last month when I saw Jack  greeting customers at the flagship store he created on Wazee between 16th and 17th Streets.  As the world's oldest CEO, he left an amazing legacy.  A successful businessman, he represented a time not too long ago when the shake of a hand was a good enough contract.  He believed in the general goodness of people and his customers were loyal as a result.  He came from a time when ethics was simply a way of life - understood and followed.  His shirts, while fashionable, also proved that practicality was a style.  He designed Rockmount's signature diamond snap as a necessity for cowboys whose shirts might get caught in the horns of an ornery steer. 

There's been a lot written about Papa Jack in the media over the past few days.  I chaperoned Steve to NPR on Friday where he was interviewed for All Things Considered.  One of the things Steve shared with listeners nationwide was advice Papa Jack gave that seems particularly apropos for this site.  "Love your job; and if you don't, change jobs 'cause there's nothing worse than the drudgery of a job you don't like."

At the memorial service on Sunday, Steve's sister reminded the large crowd of one of Papa Jack's other favorite sayings.  Whenever someone complained about why things weren't happening the way they wanted he looked at him with a gleam in his bright blue eyes and simply said, "Was ain't is!"  or in otherwords, don't try to fix the past, deal with what is happening in the moment.

I'll miss Papa Jack and feel lucky to have sat and talked with with him on several occasions.  He was as unique and distinguishable as the Rockmount Ranchwear brand he created over 80 years ago.  I'd also encourage you to click here to read the wonderful tribute that appeared in Friday's New York Times.

Speaking of legacies....
I was in Detroit on business last week.  I had a few hours to kill before my flight back home and visited the Motown Museum.  What an amazing place.  Not only do you learn about the history of Motown and the artists that performed the hundreds of Motown classics, but I couldn't help but be inspired by Motown founder Barry Gordy who, despite the ridiculous level of discrimination he faced in promoting black artists, was able to build an empire that created some of the best music ever.

The biggest treat for me was to sit in Motown's Studio A, the small recording studio where all this remarkable music was recorded.  If you haven't seen the documentary "Standing in the Shadows of Motown," I'd highly recommend it.   It traces the unheralded Detroit jazz musicians known as the Funk Brothers, who provided much of the great accompaniment to the stars of Motown.  They were typically never credited on the albums but were responsible for creating that timeless "Motown sound."  James Jamerson, the bassist for the Funk Brothers, has always remained one of my musical heroes and it was an awesome experience to stand in the same small studio where all that great music was performed.  Go to www.motownmuseum.com to find out more.

That's all for this week. Happy job hunting.


Andrew Hudson