...this is how you do a RU-vid channel...no flash, no goofy gimmicks/bits....just great information, experiences and stories. I have never had any interest in the oil business...but somehow I got onto these videos, and been here ever since. Keep up the good work man! Cheers.
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Haha, me too. I like old school stuff and mechanical stuff which drew me to this guy's channel. I'm here watching what he does and interested in the oil field stuff now
Great video. I am one of those "mailbox check" people you mentioned. Due to the fact that my grandfather bought land with mineral rights in 1924, I get a check every month or so. The well that I get the check from makes 5 barrels per day which is about $10,000 per month at today's oil prices. Of course, the operator gets their portion and the state gets their portion, and there are operating costs, and there are other royalty owners(family members and heirs of people who my grandfather sold some royalty to in the 1930s just to get by). After all that, I get about $25 per month. I can get a fast food lunch each month. Just because someone owns royalties doesn't mean they get a lot of oil money!
Your hands tell the story Zach. You are a working man, nothing was "given' to you. You, your Dad and your Grand and Great Grand Dads worked and earned what you have acquired. Super videos, keep 'em coming.
If you ask someone that has never been here (I don't live far from Zach) all Texans are either rich oil men, cowboys, or country hicks. The truth is that the rich oil men have huge investments in their business that is very volatile and the only guarantee they have is that it will have some spells that their holdings are almost worthless. The cowboys mostly have a day job that supports their family and the cows are a second full time job that can be slightly profitable or a big loss. The hicks don't have oil or cows they just embrace a simpler lifestyle that small town living can provide. The actual majority of Texans live in the big cities and aren't much different than other big city people. Its the people like Zach that gives our state its unique flavor, kind of like a little salt & pepper makes your eggs better.
I was born and raised in Texas. In the late 40s through the mid 80s my Father worked in just about all phases of oil field production. Growing up in West Texas, he taught me a lot about the mechanics of it all. I learned all my practical mechanical knowledge from him. Although I did not chose to follow his exact path, my job is associated with supplying automation to the oil field. It has been very good to me. Thank you for your videos. I enjoy them all. They represent what this country was all about and what made it so great. Work hard and enjoy life.
Zach…, from the very first video I watched, involving the oil side of your life, I thought to myself, you are “rich”…, in 4 generations of knowledge, life experiences in general, and who knows what else (that most people) your age will never have… I am green with envy. I have loved every one of these videos involving your history and your family’s. I look forward to the next video, “your video”. I hope you don’t feel guilty that it is about “you”. I don’t see or detect anything but hard working, commitment, and humble person.., you should feel very proud. Great video, Thank you sir,
Nice tour, thanks. Sadly, we are probably the last generation that even cares about all that old stuff you've collected. My collection is old millwright and machine shop tools and machinery. Love hearing your family history.
@@TheZachLife yes, I have to say that your office is cleaner than your work shop. But one day at a time and shit gets done. I always try to get at least one chore out of the way each day even if it burns my ass to do it.
I hope you cover the late 70s when the oil boom was on and things were wild then the bust in the 80s when Penn Square Bank went down and took some major banks with it. We had bumper stickers saying will the last person leaving town please turn out the lights. Independent operators have a lot in common with farmers and prices paid beyond their control.
your family sounds like you had an awesome time as a youngster learning the business with your family. You sound very honorable and your family sounds awesome love your videos thanks take care
My family is out of Midland. I worked in the oil fields with M.F. Machen, Tom Brown Drilling and other companies. It was a good living and there was plenty of work. I like the smell of an oil refinery and I also like the smell of Diesel. I remember when it was all lit up with drilling rigs between Midland and Odessa. That was a long time ago. Now that I have been retired for sometime, I still remember the work and the friends that were made. I miss those days.
Thank you for the time you take to explain a crucial service you and others like you provide for the rest of us! I’m damn near 60 and I’m just now learning what it takes to be in the production side of the oil field. When the EV / “Green” thing turns out to be a fad… let’s hope the oil side of energy is still strong and thriving! Mahalo for your time and information! NEVER apologize or acknowledge the naysayers for your family’s instincts, those naysayers are like crabs-in-a-bucket!
A good portion of the US would do well tooling around small town USA for some time and realize what it takes for people to make a living and how much of what people see on the 'news' isn't real life. Tooling around your town in street view gives the distinct sense that there's a whole lot of people like you that just want to live their lives in their homes with their families and don't give a crap what the rest of the world thinks. More places like that and less places with Karens complaining about the ice cream machine at McDonalds please........ Great channel, keep up the good work!
I understand exactly what you mean by people think because you have something your rich. I have a bit of an odd hobby, I collect pinball machines and arcade games. I have been collecting for over 25 years now. Anyone that has seen my collection thinks I'm some sort of millionaire, but if it were not for finding them broken/cheap and my abilities in being able to repair them, I would never have the collection I have. Some people ask why I hang on to them since to prices exploded in that hobby. The fact is, I never bought them as an investment. I bought them because I have awesome memories wasting my youth in a mall arcade, and the fact I get to share that with my 9yr old and 12yr old son is more valuable to me making memories with them than any amount of money.
This is really fascinating stuff, how the company formed and was handed down through the family. You should be proud, its a family business. Nothing to have to explain to any keyboard cowboy... but I certainly love the history, generational family business is American at its core.
it's great to keep things going ,from pumper to roustabout,to rig operator, to rod tailer .having worked on a pulling unit to running a hot oiler to hauling crude you work for your money I've seen that be proud of your life it's honest money I'm from perryton tx.
Absolutely love hearing the history of the family,the wells, the buildings everything!love your videos can’t wait for the next one! Thanks for sharing!
I just wanna say I have a lot of respect for you your family. You come from a line of hard working and responsible folks that you really can be proud of. These knuckleheads on YT have no idea about how much it takes to keep a lease profitable, so forget them. Keep on keepin on, good sir.
Going through and watching all your vids again, I like the straight talk and watching you deal with your business in a timely, safe and legal way. Your work ethic and talent are inspiring. Cheers Zach.
Your videos are always interesting and i look forward to each new one,,,,, i did like your statement on window money,,,, ive never heard that term in my life so i guess i dont get any of that, ha ha ha!! Work safe buddy .
Cool family history of hard working folks! You have a fine collection of signs and such too! I enjoy collecting that stuff too, especially signs. That’s what I like about pumping in an old waterflood, you never know what you might come across! Keep ‘em coming Zach
I've seen thousands upon thousands of dollars of damage from rotted out connections with air leaks. Some leases I even pulled the head out and replaced the casing nipple to stop the air leaks. Always ran a new joint on top to see if we stopped it. Always used heavy nipples they last a long time. I can still see an air leak when I show up at a well.
I love these kinds of videos! I'm in my 70s, and it's interesting to look at 'old stuff' that was new when I was a young man full of spit & vinegar... And even older stuff that was around when I was a youngster. You're doin' it right. You got a good head on your shoulders and you know where you're going. I was always productive person, bordering on workaholic, but I was a wild child back in the 60s, 70s and some of the 80s. Now in my closing years, I find your family history is curiously nostalgic for me... Keep 'em comin' young man!
... a life's story and you're telling it well!! ... keep recording and we'll all hang around on this side ... and, of course, keep pump'n that crude!! ...
On the subject of wealth and inherited businesses: Yes, there's an idea that coming into family business that there's more of a safety net built in that many of us don't have - there's probably a tinge of jealousy into it. At the same time, I'm guessing whatever pie-in-the-sky number someone heard on the internet doesn't tell the whole story. Labor, parts, maintenance, incidentals, utilities, permits and the lease cut percentage all comes out ahead of whatever the price of a barrel is - not to mention the cut out of that barrel for transportation and grade discounts at the head (if you see that as a well operator).
I really enjoy the video series about the history of your family and your oil business (in fact I so far enjoyed all your videos), thank you for making them! 🙂For me the "process" of getting oil out of the ground was like "drilling a hole and putting a pump jack on top of it and it rocks back and forth for the rest of the life" (simplified a little bit maybe 😀) before I stumbled across your channel and I find the technical and business aspects around an oil business very interesting. Greetings from Germany, Jan
Absolutely riveting family history, Zach. I was hanging on your every word. I always say if you’ve got a family business-go for it. Some people I know look down on 7/11 owners for always employing kin. You’d do the same though! “Hey your 16-year old wanna make some extra cash this summer? Send him on over!” I’ve always lamented the fact I don’t come from some sort of generational something-just having that knowledge of what you’re doing with your life after high school would’ve been worth so much “figuring it out” time wasted during college.
Hey Zachlife, great videos, and interesting history, similar to mine, grandparents moved from W Va to Breckenridge, Tx about 1920, my dad attended 1st grade there, my grandfather was a "cementer", later he cemented wells in the late 20s in East Texas field, I retired from oilfield in 2012, loved all of it. Best wishes to you and your family, and thank you for the videos.
Great video! You are mostly correct in that you are not a 'Trust Fund' baby in the oil business - but you are the Trust Fund of knowledge that was very fortunately passed on to you. The continuation of the knowledge is priceless for not only you, but whoever may come along after you decide to stop doing what you are doing. You may need to consider passing along your imense knowledge with notes, books, or whatever (such as videos) about the business that you are doing. (Living history). Thanks for your work on the videos!
I really enjoyed this video. I don’t know how I came across your channel. But from what you do for a living and for fun is good material for us to see. I appreciate you having the time to upload videos for us in your busy day. From day one I knew stuff wasn’t handed to you. Some people may be dumb enough to say that. Only thing that was handed down was the wealth of knowledge your family had to give you.
This is a good video on generational wealth. The great names from the 1800’s like Vanderbilt Morgan, and Rockefeller are well know. It took 3 or 4 generations to lose the money. Each generation got weaker. Especially today, where you send your kid to college for indoctrination into socialism. Your situation is the best where you are brought up in the business and taught the work ethic. This is the best way to keep it in the family.
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It's amazing to hear your story I worked in the oil field for 20 years in Canada. I've seen many of places like that there's still some that exist. I have one in my shed just with the c*** that I picked up.
Great story Zach ! Your are correct that you don't need a college degree or be a genius to become wealthy. You are very luck that you had family that took care of their own and passed down the business through the generations. You mentioned people (not family) that helped you through the years and I agree that they are a great way to learn about the way things work. My father died when I was three years old and I really didn't have any family that lived near me to help teach me a lot. Mom remarried when I was ten years old and my step dad was a great guy, however he was not a person that did a lot of work on his own stuff. Mom gave me my dads (very small) tool box when I guess I was about five or six and that quickly captured my imagination because I always had a burning desire to know how things worked (mom always told me that his brothers were mechanics, millwrights, welders etc. and they were). To make a long story short I became a mechanic straight of High School in 1973 and never looked back. I learned form a lot of different people about mechanical things, electricity, instrumentation, computers and investing in stocks (mutual funds) etc. I never had a job making a lot of money but I worked from the time I was 15 and a half until I retired in late 2021. I always saved and invested my money and have been very blessed to have a good wife and three great kids with great spouses. Best wishes Zach 😄.
Great video Zach! I really appreciated hearing how the oil business was worked and passed down over several generations. I could tell in the first video that i watched of yours (years ago) that you were a diligent worker and stayed after your business to keep it successful!! I have owned a small business for over 25 years. And some of my friends say similar things like you don't do anything but collect money in the mail. I love my business and it's not super hard, but I do have to stay at it pretty much every day or it will go down.
Your generational blessing is the wisdom imparted and the grace to receive it into your heart (ie you put into practice). Dennis Praeger says, in a sense, that wealth can lead to boredom and that leads to so much of the elitism that is throttling us and the USA’s exceptionalism into extinction.
Zack, not sure what kind of ideas people are listening to. Ridiculous. People that comment that you were given everything are not worthy of a reply. Yes you were loved and shown a path forward so yes in a way given some things. Concept: keep preparing for success so when it comes your way you will be ready.
Great family stories. Loved the “honey bun” box story. My mom was born in Sulphur OK. My wife is a mailbox money person. Land been in the family since the 20’s.
Love the model Derrick your grandfather made and the steam engine. I applaude you and your families successes over four generations. Good for you for carrying it on.
Another wonderful video, Zach! I so enjoy hearing about your family history. You are "rich" in your heritage and the valuable knowledge and experience that you have gained over all these years. Thank you for taking the time to share this with others like myself. I am so happy for you in that you cherish what you have and take pride in carrying it forward. Keep these videos coming, it is greatly appreciated. PS I love your sign collections, I have several of the same ones you have. I like the way you have them displayed in your office. Nice job! I can't wait for your next video. Best regards from southwest Indiana.
Really well said, and insightful. Thank you for sharing that information. Every one of my friends who has done well financially, have been financially responsible there entire lives. Some of my friends have received substantial wealth from parents, and because of not being responsible , that wealth disappeared quickly. I really appreciate what you said, and I’m working with my young adult sons to ensure that they understand what is required to achieve a solid financial foundation. Have a great day !
I occasionally had a client pick me out about my "call-out" fee as a field tech. One question I may ask was "How'd you get my number?" Ok, how much does that advert cost per week? Usually, they had no clue. Never mind the rolling workshop/store I arrived in and the fact that I arrived on time... I was raised middle class, paid my way through college when my folks divorced, etc. Worked and studied, fixed my own, my friends and neighbours' stuff. Barely watched television for 2 decades. Then to be told about "privilege", makes me sick! So you be you, and DO WELL (pun intended), guys like you are much of what makes 'merica great!
Thanks for sharing your story, I always love learning how folks got where they are and what their back story is! I'm a heavy haul truck driver now, and I've delivered a lot of pipe/fitting and equipment into oil leases. Your videos have really helped me understand how things work, as I had no background in the industry. Thank you!
Very interesting Zach! I like to watch your videos as I've learned a lot from them. I'm the kind that can fix almost anything and you showing how these machinery work keeps me interested. I like knowing how you got into the business too. I'm not in the oil business nor anywhere near it, but I'm interested in how you keep abreast of the operating status of the pumps, such as what technology you use and such. Keep up the videos.
Long time subscriber... First time to comment.... Really liked hearing about you family relating to the history on how the business was passed along.... Thanks for sharing your thoughts... Totally agree with the points you made!
It's been great hearing your history. My great grandpa and grandpa made quite an impact on my home town but times are far different now and not much is left of it. I'm anxious to see more videos from out in the feild
Great stuff Zach. I was in the oil business for 13 years in TX and loved it. Been to Lufkin, Reda and other manufacturers around. Seen lots of wells in TX and OK.
Thanks for sharing Zack. I really enjoy listening to life history.Zack please make another video on this subject line. This is really interesting to me an I’m sure a lot of others.
It's nice to see the history because there isn't much of that old style, still on the family land, kind of thing anymore. Even in farming it mostly lost. The "Super Rich" don't count because they don't know anything about the previous generations. Also, to illustrate that you are not just a 'trust fund kid' or something like that, is if people would simply look at your hands while you are sitting at the desk at the end of this video, they would would see that you actually do stuff, and not only aren't scared to get your hands dirty, but there they are actually dirty. That says a lot right there.👍
Thanks for taking the time to make this vid. I had figured that you came up following in your fathers footsteps, nice to hear your history and the respect and gratefulness you have for the work ethic you learned as a kid. Congrats on growing up in a place that you have these opportunities. Here in Canada we don't have mineral rights so it is not the same system. Keep it up,, love your content.it has taught me lots of great stuff and exposed me to things I would never have learned otherwise. Cheers from Alberta.
