|
|
| |
Writing Stuff
- Freelance articles have previously appeared in/on CNN.com, AssociatedContent.com, eHow.com, Trails.com, GolfLink.com, TripAdvisor.com,
Examiner.com and many more.
- Former Music Columnist and Art Director for Go For a Ride Magazine.
- Article Moderator for eHow.com. Responsible for personally reviewing nearly 20,000 articles for format and quality.
- Notable interviews / events: Doug Gray of The Marshall Tucker Band, David Muse of Firefall, Mitch Easter, The Bangles.
Travel Stuff
- Number of cities visited: more than 300 spanning the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Ireland, Northern Ireland, England, France, The
Bahamas and Italy.
- In excess of 200 travel-related articles published in print and on websites such as TripAdvisor.com, eHow.com, Trails.com, and
JeffOkelley.com.
Culinary Stuff
- Approximately 10 years experience in the restaurant business working as a cook, waiter, dishwasher, kitchen manager, restaurant
manager and trainer. Experience ranges from fast food to formal nouvelle French cuisine.
- Culinary Travel Examiner for Examiner.com
- Attended class at the New Orleans School of Cooking in May 2002.
- Attended various cooking classes at La Masion Gourmet in Dunedin, Florida.
- Fun Fact - During a visit to New Orleans in May of 2002, Jeff was invited to cook alongside Chef Tory McPhail at Commander's
Palace.
Music Stuff
- Released four CD's, had songs included on several compilation CD's and written songs for other artists.
- Performed with or opened for numerous national artists such as David Muse of Firefall, Tommy Cash, James Brown, Little Feat, Mark Wills, Don Dixon, Erin Gill and Meatloaf.
- Lost Again, which appeared on Jeff's studio CD Just Passing Through, was licensed for use on the DVD release of The Fall Guy
television series.
- Wrote music for the stage musical Perception.
- Fun Fact - Jeff's 2005 release Just Passing Through appeared on several European Americana Radio charts.
- Fun Fact - During filming for an NBC television interview about the stage show Perception, Jeff was filmed filling in on drums
when cast member/drummer Lorna Bracewell had to leave early.
- Fun Fact - Producers for the movie The Assasination of Jesse James (Starring Brad Pitt) returned Jeff's soundtrack submission
with a nice email and inadvertantly included Brad's email address. Wonder what that's worth?"
Personal Stuff
- When people ask about my career, I often don't know how to answer. After "retiring" in 2002, from from a 10-year career
in the telecommunications industry, I found myself with a little money, no job and no idea of what I wanted to do. My wife,
who is somewhat of a saint, suggested that I use the money from my severance package to take some time and try a few different
things. It seemed like a good idea, so I took her up on the offer. Seven years later, the money is all gone and I'm still looking.
Although she still occasionally asks if I've found anything that I like, she seems to understand that I have developed a "jack of all trades" career path.
These days, I spend my time writing songs, promoting my music, designing websites, editing articles for a freelance
publisher, writing for various outlets, traveling, cooking and trying to make some sense of it all. And then on
Tuesday.......
Really, it sounds more complicated than it really is and it seems to be working for now. Unless I get a show on the
Travel Channel or can snag a gig with Conde Nast Traveler, I don't see things changing anytime soon.
If you're interested in contacting me about website design, headlining a world tour or writing for your publication,
drop me an email at jeffok714@yahoo.com. I look
forward to hearing from you.
|
|
|
