Doug Cheek

What animal you'd like to be

Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris)

Most interesting place visited

Ischia, Italy

Favorite movie quote

"Who's in charge here soldier?"..."I thought you were sir!" ... Apocalypse Now (1979)

Worst advice you've received

Don't rock the boat

First car

1963 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Sedan (Rear Engine / 3 speed)

About Me

Doug is founder of RingSide Creative. He is a true Detroiter, a radical optimist, and an advocate of change. Doug is walking proof that these things are not mutually exclusive. Hence his motto: Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise, risking more than others think is safe, dreaming more than others think is practical, and expecting more than others think is possible. Doug has a taste for adaptation: the one constant at the nexus of productivity and creativity. Yet Doug really just wants to talk music of any kind. From the modern electric guitar to the Baroque foundations of Bach and Vivaldi, music is his passion. And he’s heard a lot of it, whether from the audience, from a set of stereo speakers, his IPod, or from a half-stack while on stage. Doug credits his love of music to his parents and their eclectic record collection. He is lucky enough to have watched The Beatles perform at the Old Red Barn in Detroit on August 16th, 1966—yes, he’s that young. His all-time favorite rock song is the 1967 hit A Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum and his favorite artists include, but are certainly not limited to Eric Clapton, Alvin Lee, Jimmy Paige, David Knowles, Jack White, Jim Morrison, BB King, and John Lee Hooker. Like his musical influences, Doug surrounds himself with true, wildly creative talent, demands ultimate quality, and embraces the necessary change that leads to success. While he freely admits his ringtone is pretty boring—it actually sounds like a phone, he’s working on it...