Ed Shearing
Nepotism. There's some story I heard about how he coach surfed in California until he got a contract, and I figured he must have SOME talent, then found out he was staying on Jamie Foxx's couch, so clearly some he knew someone...
Except unfortunately my 30 second Wikipedia fact check shows he didn't. He met Foxx because he was invited to be a guess on Foxx's show and must have made a good impression. He did make seemingly the hardway; he started out as a working musician working with other musicians and worked his way up. Didn't hurt that he got a positive review from Elton John early on, but the guy apparently has something.
Damn. I thought I figured it out...
Hate the idea of the former in a private setting, would like in a business setting. Absolutely adore the idea of directions (drove a car with a "heads up" display but it only integrated with the dreadful in-car navigation system and yet it was still awesome)... But player stats dangling over people's heads? That maybe my kid without AR glasses wouldn't be able to see and I could be the cool parent again? Awesome.