Michael Dorf - Raging Pages
by Lisa Torem
published: 8 / 11 / 2019

intro
In 'Raging Pages' Lisa Torem finds that 'Indulge Your Senses: Scaling Intimacy in a Digital World', a new book by City Winery CEO Michael Dorf goes behind-the-scenes, revealing the highs and lows of being an entrepreneur in the music business arena as it relates to technology.
“My hangover from the dot.com party of the 90s had made me crave something real, something I could touch and feel, unlike the digital world with its seductive illusions,” Michael Dorf discloses in his new book, 'Indulge Your Senses: Scaling Intimacy in a Digital World'. Like most entrepreneurs, Michael Dorf’s trajectory began with a dream, but at its inception, some considered it more of a long shot. The Wisconsin-born executive describes in great detail the challenges he faced as the founder of New York’s Knitting Factory, where the likes of Lou Reed held court, and ultimately as CEO of the City Winery, “a national network of clubs,” each featuring trademark wines, a diverse menu and live performances. Dorf’s approach as an author seems multi-fold. He not only takes the reader into the inner circle of the hospitality industry as well as into the perceived mindset of the live performer, but he also reflects back on the beginning stages of the digital world and how its glitzy accessibility caused him to temporarily compromise his core values. What makes this quick read distinctive is Dorf’s willingness to evaluate his setbacks and failings, his resolve to move forward despite seemingly impossible odds and his performer-friendly attitude. As for the latter point, his anecdotes about famous musician friends are relayed with good taste and affection. To keep his head above water, Dorf’s ambitious business plans have theoretically required constant fiscal scrutiny, extensive team-building and a leap of faith, but nevertheless in practice these very factors often spin out of one’s control. That said, Dorf spells out situations that sadly went south: local, construction crews miss deadlines which affect the scheduling of acts; trusted partnerships splinter and power deceptively shifts. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Dorf’s career, however, has to do with his decision to learn the art of wine-making and how that sharp turn influenced his client-base and the rhythm of his family life. James Taylor, Norah Jones, Allen Touissant, Shawn Colvin… this is just the short list of entertainers who have called Dorf’s City Winery home. The big takeaway of this memoir is, at the end of the day, relationships matter much more than proceeds. Photograph by Philamonjaro www.philamonjaro.com
Also In Raging Pages
Alice Cooper (2015)
Beatles (2022)
Benjamin Orr (2018)
Bernard Purdie (2015)
Billy Bragg (2017)
Billy J. Kramer (2016)
Bob Boilen (2016)
Bob Dylan (2018)
Bob Marley (2019)
Brian Wilson (2017)
Byrds (2024)
Cher (2025)
Clive Davis (2015)
Common (2020)
Damned (2021)
Don Short (2020)
Donovan (2022)
Elliott Murphy (2019)
Elvis Costello (2015)
Felix Cavaliere (2022)
Frank Sinatra (2023)
Frank Zappa (2017)
Gary Wright (2014)
Gene Simmons (2015)
Geoff Emerick (2018)
George Harrison (2022)
George Martin (2019)
Green Day (2019)
Ian Mclagan (2016)
Iron Maiden (2014)
Jann Wenner (2019)
Jerry Lee Lewis (2015)
Jerry Nolan (2018)
Jim Summaria and Mark Plotnick (2019)
Jimmy Webb (2022)
Joe Perry (Aerosmith) (2014)
John Lennon (2017)
Kinks (2014)
Lani Hall Alpert (2019)
Laurence Juber (2014)
Liberty DeVitto (2021)
Lisa Robinson (2021)
Lita Ford (2021)
Little Anthony (2014)
Louise Harrison (2015)
Luke Haines (2024)
Manic Street Preachers (2017)
Mary Wilson (2021)
Michael Bloomfield (2020)
Miscellaneous (2014)
Ozzy Osbourne (2014)
Pamela Des Barres (2017)
Paul McCartney (2020)
Peter Doherty (2014)
Renee Rosen (2018)
Richard Balls (2018)
Rick Wakeman (2023)
Ringo Starr (2015)
Robby Krieger Band (2022)
Roger Daltrey (2020)
Rolling Stones (2016)
Ronnie Wood (2015)
Roy Bond (2023)
Sam Phillips (2018)
Sean Madigan Hoen (2014)
Silas House (2020)
Spencer Vignes (2017)
Spirit (2023)
Suzi Quatro (2023)
Sylvain Sylvain (2018)
Thin Lizzy (2016)
Tommy James (2021)
Tommy Mottola (2025)
Tori Amos (2020)
U2 (2021)
Who (2014)
Will Romano (2015)
Woody Woodmansey (2018)
Zz Top (2014)
Band Links:-
https://www.michaeldorf.com/https://www.facebook.com/michael.dorf
https://twitter.com/Michaeldor
interviews |
Interview (2019) |
![]() |
Lisa Torem speaks with American music entrepreneur and venue owner Michael Dorf about operating the City Winery, and his new memoir, 'Indulge Your Senses'. |
most viewed articles
current edition
Pennyblackmusic - Writers and Photographers' Albums of the Year 2024Peter Perrett - In Dreams Begin Responsibilities Interview Part One
Man From Delmonte - Interview
Clive Langer - Interview
Pennyblackmusic - Book of the Year Award 2024
Johnnie Johnstone - Interview
Marianne Faithfull - Reflections
Laura Nyro - Profile
Johny Brown - Corpse Flower
Vinyl Stories - Vinyl 2024
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPMichael Stuart Ware - Pegasus Epitaph: The Story of the Legendary Rock Group Love
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Marianne Faithfull - Interview
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Henry McCullough - Interview
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Peter Paul and Mary - Interview with Peter Yarrow
Marianne Faithfull - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Dorie Jackson - Stupid Says RunRingo Starr - Look Up
Beabadoobee - This is How The World Moves
Pixie Lott - Encino
Dusty Springfield - The BBC Sessions
Unthanks - In Winter
Joan Armatrading - How Did This Happen and What Does It Mean?
Rosie Lowe - Lover, Other
Oïmiakon - Comptoir Des Vanites
Emily Burns - Die Happy
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart