Episode 52: Media, Hockey & Wine with Fox 8 Sales Director Andy DeLaporte

Alright, good afternoon everybody and welcome to the Overruled podcast, brought to you by the Scott Vicknair Law firm. This is David Vicknair, and I am in the podcast studio with a very incredible guest, but also a close friend. Basically, a family member to me now, Mr. Andy Dellaport. Andy, welcome to the Overruled podcast!

Cheers! And if you’re listening and you can’t see Andy, he’s got the distinction, he’s getting miles drunk back there. He’s got the distinction of the first guest. I’m gonna take a sip here. Here we go.

It is delicious. Andy brought an Italian. Tell us what you got here, Andy. It’s an Italian Brunello. You’re the first wine gifter to the podcast. So, congrats. Episode 52 and you’re the first.

I’m honored at that. We’re drinking a 2017 Lucaze. Brunello di Montalcino. Lucaze. And, how many times have you been to that vineyard? Twice. And I’ve actually been there with you. Yes. In Italy. That was actually, I think the best wine tasting day I’ve ever had. That one.

Well, I think I had a bit, I was over-served the night before for that wine tasting day. And so my stomach was not on good terms with me. And so, it was a great day. I think wine was the first thing that hit our stomachs that day, wasn’t it?

For sure. But, it’s just incredible to have you here, Andy, to talk a little bit about your career. The first thing I want to jump into, obviously, is as we drink this delicious Italian Brunello. On a Friday afternoon, here in New Orleans, how you guys started in the media business. Currently, you’re the, for those of our listeners who don’t know, you are the Director of Sales for the local Fox affiliate, WVUE, Local First. And I want you to take us back a little bit. How’d you get started in the media business? Like, how did you land in this particular position? Take us all from the beginning.

Well, it’s funny, it’s kind of an accident. I got out of college and looking for a job. My grandfather, I lived in New York. Out on Long Island. My grandfather used to ride the train in with a guy named Phil Kirk, who was in the media business. And he got me an interview at an ad agency, and I got my first job as an assistant media buyer. Little outfit called Backer Spielvogel Bates. And so, you know, learned about media, buying radio and television. And then at some point, my darling wife Pam and I decided, let’s get the hell out of New York before we get sucked in forever. So we threw everything we owned in the back of the car, drove out to Portland, Oregon. Sight unseen. And the one experience I had as an assistant media buyer was that there’s more money on the sales side. So when I moved out to Oregon, I got a job selling at a radio station. Which led to, I actually sold radio for probably 10, 12 years.

In Portland. Yeah, in Portland. And then that led to my first job in television in Portland.

Did you, why did you go from TV to radio? Did you just prefer TV over radio? Or the things about radio you didn’t care for?

You know, it’s interesting. I’m a radio guy at heart. But TV is definitely much more powerful, more impactful. You know, sexier. With pictures. And then what was your first job in TV in Portland? Were you in that same position the entire time or? I actually did the, the full run of management positions that you can do at a TV station. I started as National Sales Manager. Then was Local Sales Manager for a little while. Then I was the General Sales Manager. Then the Director of Sales. And then my last job there was the Vice President General Manager of, of KPTV. So, Fox affiliate in Portland.

So, you go from New York, to Portland. Pretty big swing. And then you’re like, if that’s not a big enough swing, I’m gonna end up down in New Orleans. How did that happen?

Well, so as, as happens in the media business and especially the company that I worked for in Portland. You know, when I became the General Manager, it just seemed like a matter of time ’til you, you get clipped in that position. So, on one Friday morning, unceremoniously got shot in the back of the head. Was out of a job. And I had a non-compete. Figuratively speaking, of course. You otherwise wouldn’t be talking to us. Had a non-compete, so I couldn’t work in Portland. So that left me, to try to find somewhere else to work. And ended up in New Orleans based on that.

And I know, I think it’s a good point to ask you this question. I’ve kind of glased over this over this point with you a bit in the past and discussions about that transition of you moving from Portland to New Orleans. But would you agree that maybe, you know, for our listeners, like, you know, people get fired, people leave a job, isn’t happy anymore, or they have negative things happen in their life. Maybe not necessarily just in their job. But it’s like, I’m a big believer in like, not everything is happening to you, like it’s happening for a reason. If you try to be more conscious of that and cognizant of that, you can kind of turn it into a more positive thing. So, like, looking back, do you feel like that was a very good thing, yes or no, or and or why?

Oh, absolutely. You know, the timing was as good for a move as it could be. My youngest daughter was a senior in high school, so when she was going off to college, we were going to be the proverbial empty nesters. So that afforded us the opportunity to go somewhere else. And, you know, for me, at that point in my life and career, it was about good company, good people, good culture. And then obviously a good market that Pam would move to. So, I had somebody, begging me to go to Lubbock, Texas. And there’s no way, Pam, well, you know Pam, see Pam in Lubbock, Texas? No. I don’t think, I don’t think Pam would live in Lubbock, Texas. Yes. As I told them, I said, there’s, you can’t pay me enough money to go to Lubbock, Texas. And if you could, I’d be going as a divorced man. So, it’s not gonna happen. Or be flying out every weekend. So, the opportunity came up in New Orleans and, you know, it’s, it’s such a great vibrant city. It’s been fantastic. Love it. I can honestly say that I’ve been doing this for 30 years. And the eight plus years that I’ve been in New Orleans have been the most fulfilling of my career.

Awesome. Hands down. So, you’ve been in New Orleans since 2017. Did you immediately start as the sales director, the Director of Sales at Fox 8? And have you been in that role the entire time? Yes. Yes. So I was hired on as the Director of Sales and have been doing it for eight plus years now.

Tell our listeners a bit, like, what does that entail? It’s like, okay, you’re the Director of Sales for a TV station. But as I understand it, you’re managing a bunch of sales people, and a lot of other stuff. So like, what is that role, what are some of the challenges, what are some of the things you enjoy?

So, I have a, I manage a team of 22, in my department. And that includes about 10, 11 sellers, support staff, other managers. And our job is to generate revenue for, for the TV station and, and the parent company, Gray Media. And obviously, our businesses have evolved a lot over the past several years, where in addition to the broadcast, we do a lot of digital elements. And then got a new thing this year where, those of the, your Pelican fans are watching the games on the Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network. So that’s falling under my jurisdiction from a revenue perspective as well. So, always changing and evolving.

Yeah. And it’s not just TV, right? It’s like, and I know this from speaking to some, not only you, but some of the other, sales people and executives at Fox and just the nature of, and Gray, and just the nature of what we do because we advertise with y’all. That there’s a lot of digital elements that maybe people don’t understand also fall under your team’s umbrella. Like, the stuff that you sell related to all the apps. You have a total digital division. Like, how much has that developed since you’ve been there?

Oh, it’s, it’s, it’s huge. That’s the part of our business that’s exponentially growing. You know, double digits every year. And, yeah, we do a lot. I mean, in addition to our own properties, which would be our apps and our website and, and our live stream of the news for, you know, people who watch on smart TVs through the, the Fox 8 app. And then in addition to that, there’s a lot of external products that we can do. Targeted email, connected TV advertising. But the, the gamut of digital products in our portfolio is just outstanding.

And you mentioned that you manage this team of 11 sellers who primarily function, their job is to generate revenue for the TV station and the parent company, right? How do you effectively manage a team of that many sales people?

You know, that’s, that’s a great question. You know, one, I think you, you need to be kind of compassionate and understanding, gotta listen to them. Take feedback well. And, you know, most importantly, kind of set a clear vision and communicate it well to the team. I mean, I, I find that if people understand where we’re going and, and why we’re doing it, they’re much more apt to buy in and have some skin in the game as well, versus just being told, do this.

Yeah. Explaining the why. I, I think that’s just so important and like, they want to know why, right? But besides all that, I always struggle with this thing where it’s like, you think, you say something one time and like, the point has been received that they’ve heard it. But like, in our brains, it’s like, we have to remind ourselves. Like, that person could have been thinking about like, what’s going on at home tonight. Like this issue that they need to make sure they make it for their haircut that’s scheduled. And they missed what you said. And so it becomes this thing of like, you know, communication is so important because like, how many times you feel frustrated, probably sometimes you’re like, why do I have to repeat myself? Repeating yourself and communicating well is sometimes necessary. Don’t you agree? Did you read the email?

What do you believe in that vein, Andy, because you’ve been around a ton of people in sales. I’m sure there’s people listening to this who are in sales or want to go into sales or are watching this. What are two or three of the main characteristics that you think, embody somebody who’s going to be effective at selling and a good salesperson?

That’s a great question. And that’s one that I’m going to go. Okay, we got notes. We got notes. I don’t only do we have wine. We got notes. I’m going to go to the notes on that one. Are they typed or handwritten? What are they? They’re typed. Oh, shit. That’s all. That’s a serious preparation here. Well, you know, I gave it a couple minutes to live before I came down. You know, I think to be a good salesperson, you, you need to have a strong desire to win. It’s also important for a salesperson to not be afraid to fail. I mean, it’s, you’re going to ask people to spend money with you and you’re going to get a lot of no’s. So, you know, when you get a no, that means you did something right. You asked. You asked for the order. Don’t be afraid to fail. But then also, right, learn from your mistakes. Don’t repeat them. Take everything as a, a kind of a teaching opportunity to better yourself and, and do a little self analysis afterwards, like, what could I have done differently? How important do you believe, because I have a strong belief that the most important thing, even though I’m not really in sales, but Scott Vicknair Law, I, I guess you say, that’s probably a stupid thing to say. I am in sales.

That relationships are the center of all sales and all marketing. For us, at least, the firm, it’s like, I don’t think maybe sometimes people won’t think it that way, because they see like, the TV commercials or the stuff we put on social media or things of that nature. However, like, the things that I find that are most impactful that drive our growth as far as like new clients and additional revenue and grow in the firm is the relationships and the hospitality that we provide to each single client and former client who’s blessed us with their trust to be their attorneys. So, for me, externally, telling you as a client, it’s like, I have such great relationships with your whole team, and that it’s almost like when you’re talking to me about doing something, it’s not like you’re selling me. It’s just a discussion. I feel in my heart like you have my best interests at heart because we’ve developed a relationship before you sold anything to me. How do you agree with that? And how deep do you get into that with your team?

Can you repeat that? I was thinking of something else the whole time. How big would you? I’m gonna start over. I’m a freaking lawyer. I get to run through the whole damn thing again. I got it. I got it. I was just going back on that communicating thing we were talking about.

Touche. Yeah. Touche. Right. Well, here’s the thing. Right, I think all transactions are based on trust. And you want to feel good about the people that you’re doing business with. And so yes, relationship is very important because people aren’t gonna do business with you if they don’t believe you’re gonna deliver on your end of the equation. And trust you. Yeah. And in many ways, I think I look at you and, and what we’ve done with, with your account and your advertising, right? Your message is all about trust, right? You come off as a very trustworthy, worthy attorney. In a very crowded space too, from an advertising and marketing perspective. So, that, I mean, what are you selling? You’re selling, hey, trust me because I’m going to fight for the win for you.

Well, I appreciate that. And we’re just trying to be ourselves. I think that the things that y’all do really well is, y’all aren’t, I’ve dealt with sales people before who are really bad at it. And from my perspective, as the person they’re trying to sell something to. And the ones who are really bad at it are hard selling and pushing. And I find that with y’all and with other people that we work with as vendors who are really good, it’s always relationships first, not pushy. Like, not pressure. They’re not like, it’s like, hey man, like, I don’t, your quota is not my problem. I’m running my business. And so like good sales people I find, work and put the time in to develop the relationship and kind of have the perspective or the mindset that like, if something comes of this, great. If it doesn’t, I’m met an interesting person. I didn’t lose, right? So, I just think your team’s really good. Yeah, I mean, it’s, it is interesting in that, you know, a lot of, I would say, you know, the poorer sales people will try to sell you what they want to sell you versus listening to what you need and then trying to find a solution that meets your need. Right. So, it’s, it’s, it’s about, you know, selling is, is a consultative type approach, right? What, what do you need, what are you trying to accomplish? Once we understand that, then it’s just a matter of finding the right tools and, and mix of, of assets to use to help you achieve your objectives, versus me coming in and saying, hey, buy this package, you know.

That’s that’s me. I, I want to sell that or my boss wants that sold or something like that. And that might not be what works for you. Yeah. Well, let’s shift gears and talk about something much more important. I’d like to talk about the Grateful Dead. Would you? Ah, sure. Do you care for that band? My favorite band, yes. Alright. How many, how many Dead shows have you been to? Do you know the exact number? Have you counted it? I, I don’t know the exact number. I mean, I know I saw the Grateful Dead the original version, probably about 130 times. And then, yeah, and then I would say with all the iterations and current, bands that the various members have played in, I’m certainly north of 200.

Alright. I’m gonna love it. It’s fantastic. Why do you love? I, I really want to get the, the reasoning and the sales about like, because it’s tough, I guess a tough question because like, you know, I know you know my favorite, live musician to see is Staples, but it’s tough for me to explain. It’s just like the music, the, it’s my thing. Do you, how, what makes it resonate with you so much that it became such a labor of love and passion that you’ve been over 200 shows. I mean, it’s a lot. Yeah.

For me, it’s about the songs. I mean, I, I really, I love the music. I love the songs. And the reason why they’re so good for repeat customers is every time they play a song, it’s different. Yeah. It’s not, you know, it’s not orchestrated and planned out. It’s, it’s improvised and has a different flow. And you can hear a song tonight. And then go see them again in two weeks and hear the same song again, and it’ll be a completely different experience. Right. So every time is new, it’s different. It’s unique. It’s certainly the only ones that do what they do. Yeah. And I think, I have to ask you because you’ve been to so many shows, and it’s tough thing to answer, but how, what would you say is the best show you’ve ever been to?

Oh yeah, that’s a tough one. I mean, I, I would usually answer that one with the last one that I saw. Is usually the best one. But you see them in the sphere, is that not fair? Because it’s like the sphere is Yeah, dead and company at the sphere is totally mind blowing. Just the, the sound, the graphics that they put up. It’s a whole new visual experience on top of it. But it’s kind of comparing apples to oranges, right? Like if you compare that to a live show without being in that, the freaking sphere, like it’s not necessarily fair to the other venues. I think No, no, it’s, it’s definitely different. And I would encourage everyone to go check it out. I mean, it’s, it’s definitely unlike anything you’ve ever seen. I, I could I couldn’t give you one. I mean, I can tell you a couple that stand out. I mean, I remember a show at Nassau Coliseum in 1990, where, Branford Marsalis came out and jammed with them on the saxophone. Probably one of the all-time top shows ever. Nice. I remember my first show, Masson Square Garden, 1982. I mean, I was that’s what hooked me. The first time. So, and then I could run down a list of a whole bunch of other really good ones that I’ve been to.

Well, I know you love hockey. So let’s talk about hockey. Your favorite hockey team is The New York Islanders. The New York Islanders. I mean, that’s not my favorite hockey team, that’s my favorite sports team of all time. And in fact, I’m going to with the prop bag again. Oh, we got a prop bag. If you listen to this and I’m watching this, we have notes. We have wine from Italy. And now we’ve got something. Oh, we got. This is for Miles because I’m going to guess Miles does not have a hockey team. You kidding me? I do not. Miles is. So, what I do is, one of the things I find Louisiana is great for recruiting hockey fans because most people do not have allegiances down here. So I each year buy, you know, 20, 30 Islanders t-shirts and hand them out to people to recruit them as Islanders fans. So That’s the thing. This is your signing bonus. Okay. Is that all I’m getting? This is. Yeah. This is all you get. You got to talk to him for any, any actual cash compensation.

Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered, right? That’s right. That’s right. So. That’s awesome. I really appreciate it. I’ll I’ll take it. Yes. He’s in. You gotta be an Islander fan. So we have a new Islander fan in the room today. Well, that was going to be one of my questions because you just recruited a new fan. How many fans do you think? Because I know you view everybody in Louisiana as a free agent. I was a free agent. I’m in. I’m an Islander fan now. You recruited me. How many people do you think you’ve converted? In Southern Louisiana to become New York Islanders fans? I don’t know. It’s gonna be 40, 50. I mean, probably, right? At least. I’m thinking half my friends that you’ve recruited in my head.

A lot of a lot of Islander shirts in Tibbydo. It’s true. My nephew, my brother, all Islanders fans now. Alright, you think they’re the best? I, I’ve had this discussion with you. You, you make the pitch to me. Tell me why the Islanders are the best professional sports team in history. Oh, well, that’s a big statement. I, I wouldn’t, I don’t think I can go that far. What do you believe that the best franchise in hockey? I think you think that. They, they certainly did something that hasn’t been done since they did it, which is win four straight Stanley Cups. Incredibly hard to do. I would say that’s one of the toughest trophies to win in all sports. It’s those guys are true warriors. And not only that, they, they lost in the finals in the fifth round. So, they won 19 consecutive playoff series. And that’s a record that I don’t think will ever fall. I mean, there’s a lot of randomness to hockey. Like much more than other sports. Like you can be super talented but lose to a less talented team because of the way the puck moves or hits or anything like that, right? Like so I think in context, when you think about that span, was it from 81 to 85 they won those four straight? Or 85 to 89? Yeah, it was, 80, 80, 81, 82, 83. And they won four Stanley Cups in a row. I mean, like, has anybody ever come close to that? I mean, maybe the lightning, how many? I don’t think they’ve won more than two since then. In a row. So, it’s a tough accomplishment. I think Edmonton maybe won four in five years. They lost one in between. They won two, lost one, won two more. Gotcha. But yeah, I don’t, I don’t see that as a something that will ever fall. And you’re you’re right. Hockey does have a great deal of randomness to it. And it’s also a sport where, as you said, the most talented team doesn’t win.

You can, a less skilled team can outwork a more skilled team and win. What do you think, what are you feeling about the Islanders this year? Where or where we with what’s going on? Yeah. It’s, we had a good run a couple years ago, went to two, two straight conference finals. And, you know, we’re one game away from, from playing for the cup. But the team hasn’t changed much since then. And I think needs to get a little younger, a little faster. Definitely needs some changes. So. Sounds like a team that we’re both going into. So we’re going to start this new session. Are you okay? We have a new session we call Overruled. And the way this session works, I’m going to make three statements to you. If you say Overruled, you disagree. If you sustain, you agree. Are you ready? I’m ready. I’m gonna start with a layup so we can kind of ease you in. Miles doesn’t like to just throw the guest. Don’t scare the guest with the wild, especially because you’ve been drinking wine. You got the Islanders just flowing. Alright. The New York Rangers are the worst team in pro hockey. I’m gonna say Overruled. And I think that’s a surprise to you. Very big surprise. I’m shocked. You’re, you’re not asking the right question. They are the worst team in all of sports. Okay. That would be sustained if that were the question. Well done. Alright, next one. It’s gonna get harder. New Orleans restaurants are better than restaurants in New York City. Sustained. Whoa. Whoa. I’m pretty happy right now. I thought you were gonna say Overruled. But I think we were number two behind New York City in the last food ranking list I forgot. Who was that list that came out like six months ago, who wrote that? See, I thought we were first. I thought we were one. New York was two. I thought we were two, but I’m excited that we’ve converted a native New Yorker to a New Orleans food scene. Okay, number three, and last. And this is a hard one too. I don’t know what you’re gonna say to this one. The New Orleans Saints. Talk about a team that needs to get younger. Will win 10 games or more in 2025. You know, I’m, I’m gonna for selfish reasons, go with sustained on that one. Because a good Saints team is good for business.

So, yes. Let’s let’s be optimistic and hopeful and get back into the playoffs and, you know, all that stuff. The next question I have for you, Andy, I’m really also excited to hear your answer to because I don’t know. You mentioned you think that the New Orleans food scene is better than New York City’s. Now, what are your top three restaurants, Frank? One, two, three. Your favorite, second favorite and third favorite in New Orleans. Okay. This is, this is a tough question. I’m going to go with, I think Doris, Galitin, number one. It’s a good choice. Le Petite Grocery and Herbsaint. Can’t go wrong with all three of those. And I, can I do two honorable mentions? Yeah, go ahead. Go. GGG. I think Eric Cook does such great stuff. It’s it’s real good local food. And then of course, our go-to place, Dalia. I mean, this is fantastic. Dalia is fantastic. And, also Eric has St. John open by, the office here downtown. And, as, I think we both ran into Eric a couple weeks ago, we’re telling him how. As much as I like GGG, and I think GGG is fantastic. I think I like St. John more just because I have, I prefer the menu. But the same gumbo’s on the menu and I’d always tell Eric this.

I don’t think there’s another restaurant that I like the gumbo being from like a southern small Louisiana town and eating my grandmother’s gumbos. Eric has a really good gumbo. And it’s a South he calls it a Southwest Louisiana gumbo. So from like the Opelousas, those rural towns outside of Lafayette type recipe, but it tastes similar to the gumbo that I had grown up and my grandmother and grandparents made it. I’m still amazed being an outsider down here. The gumbo discussion is always, interesting to listen to. It’s very heated. Very personal choice on that one. It all starts with the roux and then it ends with the okra. And if you put tomatoes in it, you might as well just go to Canada. Wait, so are you pro okra? I don’t I don’t mind the okra, but I just rather without okra. But people have strong opinions about that. Agreed. Don’t get it. Can you put tomatoes in gumbo? No, but people do it. I’ve seen it. I’ve seen people do it and that’s why I said they should just go to Canada.

That seems wrong. If they put it in gumbo, it’s absurd. Put a terrarium on that one. We don’t talk about politics here. Getting into the wine. How’d you get into the wine, Andy, because you’re an avid wine collector. You have brought us this I think Locuzé was like maybe two, a year or two ago, was it the number one rated their 2016 Brunello, I think was number one on or number five on Wine Spectator’s top wines? Yeah, it was top five, might have been. Was it number two maybe? Yeah. Really just an outstanding. Here you go. Here’s a shirt, man. Thank you. Take the honorable shirt, man. You’re in. Take the bonus. Yep. He’s in. So how’d you get into wine? How’d you, what is it you like about collecting wine? You have an incredible wine collection. So. So, I like wine because, you know, many ways wine are like the Grateful Dead. Every bottle is different. Every vintage, every, winery, every different varietal of grape is unique. So, there’s there’s so much to explore. I got into it, I’d say really got into it when I was back in Portland. There was a great local wine shop, Great Wine Buys, run by, John Kennedy. Really great guy and we would have a kind of like instead of book club, we had wine club. So we would go down there every other month and John would pull six or eight different wines from Australia one night and then we do Brunellos and then we’d have Oregon Pinot Noirs and California. And we’d blind taste, you know, six or eight wines. Group of, you know, 10, 12 guys and spend the night just exploring and talking about the different wines that we liked and, you know, that’s where you really figure out where your palate gravitates to and, that’s that’s where it really got started. So. And over the years, you’ve collected some incredible wines. I’ve tasted a lot of them. I hate to even ask you this question, but I just really want to know the answer. And I will give you honorable mentions. Can you tell me your favorite and our listeners, your favorite three vineyards? Be anywhere in the world. Yeah, that’s, that’s, that’s a tough question, but I would say, well, one. This is Overruled. We ask the hard-hitting questions here, okay? This is serious business, Andy. This isn’t a joke show. There’s no messing around here.

Yeah, basically I’m basically the male version of Christina on Monopoly, if you want to get down to it. So, whoa, those lights are hot. Well, I would say, the one, the one we’re having, Locuzé is a fantastic wine and it’s a beautiful winery. I mean, we’ve been there. It’s just gorgeous and then, Lorenzo, who is the winemaker, such a really unique, interesting man as well and the story of, you see how the wine is made and it’s just super consistent. It’s every time you open a bottle of this and you know it’s going to be more of the finer wines you’re going to taste. What’s interesting too, having been at that vineyard and seeing where the grapes are on that side of the mountain and having him explain the slope and the piece of the mountain that they own, the shade that it gets at pertinent times of the year. The elevation, what that does to the particular dirt and the different grapes that he plants in different areas. It’s amazing. I’ve never seen like attention to like, I felt like that guy knew every piece of dirt in the ground on his family’s vineyard, which has been going back for hundreds of years, maybe, that they’ve their family has had that vineyard in their family and put out wines. But anywho. So, Locuzé’s one. So, Locuzé’s one. I would say the other two, I’m going to go to Oregon. You know, as lived out in Oregon for 25 years and they make some of the finest Pinot Noir in the new world. I think of one, Big Table Farm, as fantastic, really, and cool people. Claire and Brian run it out of, it’s actually a functioning farm. You know, they have goats and cows and horses and chickens running around. And they’re just really good people who make fantastic wine. And then one of my other favorites is also in Oregon. It’s Soter. They’re the ones, I think you’ve had the, it’s a great wine. The they make a wonderful Brut Rosé. Soter Pop. Soter Pop. That’s what Pam’s favorites too. So. Oh, you got any honorable mentions? Any others you want to give a shout out to for listeners who are like, I don’t, I want to check this stuff out. You know, there’s, there’s so many. I mean, you know, I think of just in Oregon, you know, Antica Terra.

Yeah. Is great. I would have to just think through, but It’s also preference, because some people like a thinner, like a Pinot Noir or a blends. Some people like a heavier wine, a cab or a Zinfandel on the red side and then you get on the white side, it’s different preferences. You know, I love the Baha out of Washington is fantastic. You know, there’s so many good wines being made up in Walla. Yep. A lot of famous, a lot of famous people with vineyards up there too. Like people might not realize that like CJ McCollum has a vineyard. I think it’s C, something 91, Heritage 91 up in Walla. Drew Bledsoe’s wines, Bledsoe, yeah. Bledsoe’s wines. Doubleback. Really good wine. There’s a lot of, I think there’s probably more than that, but for some reason that area is a lot of famous, celebrity, people who have invested in vineyards there. Do you think that’s, I’m curious if you know is it because it’s difficult for them to penetrate the California market and so there’s more opportunity for people to who are first time vineyard proprietors to buy into that up there? Like, you know, that’s that’s a good question. I don’t know the economics of it, but I would suspect that, you know, land is probably less expensive up there. I mean, I know the quality of the wines, I would say there’s wines made in Walla that are $75 that if they had Napa as their address, would be $225. For sure. I mean, that’s the quality is that good.

You know, I think of Kaiusa’s is a really great producer up there. It’s probably the best old world style wine that’s made in the new world. Yeah. I have a ton of that. Now, what I find is as I’ve aged, my palate’s gotten a little lighter. So, some of those big Sirahs and Rhône style wines, they’re, they’re just huge now and then I don’t, I mean, I like them, they’re good, but they’re, they’re just big. That’s why I’ve gravitate towards the Brunellos and the Pinots because they’re a little lighter. It’s amazing you talked about all those places up there in the Northwest. And like we haven’t even hit Domaine Serene, which is typically rated one of the best Pinot Noir producers in the world. And we haven’t even talked about Quail’s Gate Creek, which has routinely been rated one of the best vineyards in Washington State. So there’s a lot of really good places up there. And I think for some reason in the American wine market and in the consumer market, like everybody, especially like a lot of friends that I have who get into the wine and start to like wine, they all start in California and they just think everything’s in California and they don’t until they get educated on the quality of wine up in Oregon and Washington State. It’s not like a first reflex for a lot of people in the states to go to that region. It’s like straight to California. Yes. And in fairness, that’s kind of where I went when I started drinking wine and collecting wine. Yeah. It’s such a huge wine producing area. I mean, they make so much of it and I do know the next place I want to really explore is Burgundy. You know, those old world, Pinot Noir based wines. There’s so many good ones. That’s why I love going to pluck the wine bar. In downtown New Orleans. Yeah, another great place. Because, she has Sky, I believe Sky is the owner. She has amazing knowledge of Burgundy wines. So I love going in there and just, pull me something that I’ll like and she’s hasn’t ever missed. I love pluck. That’s a great place if you’re a wine or want to just try some wine. They’re really nice people too. It’s like they don’t, I find sometimes with wine people, they can be snobby and arrogant and be like, oh, like a, like that kind of person. Snooty. Fair. I should have said that and said snobby. And I don’t find, like pluck is very friendly and welcoming and they’re like very excited to be like, hey, you’re, you’re not really big in the wine, but you want my opinion on what to try. Great. Like they want to give you a good experience with it. That’s what I kind of like about them. So, okay.

We’ve got through the wine, but one question I wanted to make sure I asked you before we go today is, I’m curious, do you have a favorite book or two that you would recommend? Like I always like to ask guests. This is just, I’m curious with the answer. Any genre. Yeah, that’s a great one too. I’ve been thinking of that. I think of a book that I think I’ve read three times now. The Stand by Stephen King. Which is, if I haven’t read it, it’s like a thousand pages. It’s it’s a big one, but it’s interesting. The premise is a global pandemic and, you know, wipes out 99.6% of the of the population. Actually released by the Department of Defense. Accidentally. And When was it written? Probably like 1980. It’s just a great story of good versus evil and, you know, triumph and dealing with hard situations and Stephen King’s such a great writer. Yeah, I mean, the first thing I went to was sub in Department of Defense for China and sub in that for COVID. Yeah, right? It’s, it’s, it’s interesting. I’ve probably I haven’t read it in probably 10 or 15 years, so I’ll probably do for a reread on it. All right, well, one, question I have to ask. I love Andy to ask all of our guests. This question is, what would you say is your superpower? So you’ve had, and by that I mean, you’ve had a lot of success. Fox has, I think the majority of the market share of the TV market. In Southern Louisiana. Is considered in the rankings when you look at the metrics in your industry. That it counts. The number one TV station has been for quite some time down here. And all with all of its competitors. And so with all the success you’ve had in managing your sales team and maintaining that between sales in the station, obviously has news and all the other pieces of a station. But, what would you say is your one superpower? That one thing that you have that’s a unique skill that’s kind of helped you achieve some of the success that you’ve had professionally and personally in your life? I, I would say, be my demeanor. I mean, I’m I’m a very easygoing person. I don’t, I don’t let lows drag me down and I don’t let highs get me overly excited, you know, you celebrate your wins, of course, and you learn from your losses, but kind of keeping a really even-keeled demeanor throughout the day, the week, the month, the year. You know, allows people to, to thrive and do what they need to do. To be empowered to make decisions. Yeah, I’m going to give you an honorable mention on one. I think one of yours too is that you’re a great listener. And I find most people don’t listen, they’re like always thinking about what’s the next thing I’m going to say, instead of like actually listening to what the other person is saying. And I just think you’re a really good listener. But I can’t let you go without that one asks. Well, okay. I’m going to say, we should ask Pam that one. She might disagree with you.

Oh, alright. Well, you know what, that segues into my perfectly into my final bonus question before we wrap this episode. So, is Pam the boss? So your wife is Pam. I know Pam well. She’s like another mom to me. Is Pam the boss? Oh, yeah. Of course. Come on. That’s a layup. That was a layup. I had to like end the show on a positive fashion. You knew the answer to that one. You surprised me with the New Orleans restaurant scene over New York City. This one was like, oh, like, yeah. Isn’t isn’t that a good attorney? You know, you don’t, don’t ask a question, you don’t know the answer to. Bingo pops. Bingo. All right, Andy, thank you so much for being here and talking to us about your career and about some of your passions, both the Grateful Dead, and wine and, and the New York Islanders. You’ve recruited an army of Louisianans and then I have to say before we go, I get a good laugh all the time. I was in Tampa one time and wearing an Islander shirt and I kept getting all these looks and people are like, what’s an Islander fan doing in Tampa? And then like, I’ve had so many friends that you’ve recruited into your army who are wearing like an Islander shirt in the French quarter or an Islander shirt uptown. And we have so many visitors in New Orleans and people always like, what the hell is an Islander fan doing in New Orleans? Yeah, well, you know, it lets random, let’s go Isles everywhere. I love it. Everywhere. Well, thank you. Thank you all for listening. This has been a great episode. I hope you all enjoyed it. Once again, this has been the Overruled podcast brought to you by the Scott Vicknair Law firm, with an incredible guest and close family friend and basically family or mine, Mr. Andy DelaPort. Andy, thank you so much for being with us. Thank you for having me. It’s been a great experience. All right. We’ll see you all next time. Thanks again. Scott Vicknair, injury attorneys. We fight for the win. Information is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute tax, investment, or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified investment, legal, or tax professional before taking any action.