Leaving on a jet plane....

I'm heading to San Diego for the weekend to see one of my old roommates get married. He's the second of the 3 roommates to get married.. I guess that means I'm next.

I'm stoked about getting out there and seeing the West Coast again. It's been a while since I've been there. So I will just leave you with this video to ponder the meaning of the American Society as a whole.. or just to laugh until you pee yourself.

Life and the Freight Train

I have been a fairly terrible blogger these past couple of days. I have not posted as regularly as I have been. I apologize, the Freight Train seems to have run through my life in the past couple of days. Not in a bad way, but in an incredibly good way. My perspective is changing and I like the new view.

I think I'll keep it cryptic for right now, but I have a question or two for you:

What's your next artistic undertaking?

Where are you at in your preparation for it?

Self Admonishment

I am seeing some obvious gaps in what I am currently doing and where I want to be in the future. I have hopes and aspirations to be successful in the music industry, but what exactly am I doing today to prepare for that tomorrow? .. not as much as I should be. There are a lot of little small things that I need to become disciplined in doing in order to move towards these ultimate goals.

There is no point in getting frustrated that you can't get anywhere in whatever it is that you are passionate about if you are not taking the small steps necessary to move towards those goals. It's like a person sitting in a parked car yelling at it because it won't take them to the store.

You have use the keys to start the ignition, put the car in drive, push the gas, use the brakes and turn the steering wheel in order to make it to the store. The car won't move by itself.

So what are the little things that you should (I should) be doing to get there?

My new babies

Boys and Girls.. do you know what these are?

That's right! They are Par64 cans! I am so excited and I don't really even know why. Perhaps it's just the incredible potential that these lights have.

I got them from a guy who was upgrading his light system in a bar. Can you say God was smiling on me?

I think I might name them all. Or is that a little too personal?

I love Lamp.

Question to think about...

I have been going out to a lot of live shows lately and have enjoyed watching the way bands and crowds interact. The interplay that happens is indescribable. You watch a fan get pumped up when they hear their favorite song, and you see the performer step up their performance at the hint of that enthusiasm. The exchange is intoxicating to say the least.

I have noticed an overwhelming response to bands when they play older, more recognizable tunes. So here is my question to you:

What older, recognizable songs get your adrenaline pumping, feet moving, and creates an atmosphere that goes beyond enjoyable to almost.. electrifying?

Across the Universe and into Obscure

I am kinda excited about this post. You see.. I have several things that I am passionate about besides music. Film is one of those several things.

I have been anticipating the release of the film "Across the Universe". I remember seeing a trailer for it over the holiday season with my brother and sister, and we all just kind of turned to each other, mouths gaping and eyes wide as planets... "Oh I've got to see this" was about the only thing that I could get out.

The movie is sort of a Beatle-centric acid trip. It seems like a love story at the beginning, but then the world bends in on itself and you see things that you wonder if you really just saw. And top the head-trip off with this little dandy fact: it's a musical. (I think I just heard my conscience sob for recommending a musical)

I am listening to the soundtrack for the movie, which is a bunch of remakes of the Beatles original tunes. Some of the more notable/unusual ones are the Joe Cocker's take on "Come Together", Dana Fuchs' and Martin Luther McCoy's version of "Oh Darling!", and Joe Anderson's take/interpretation of "Hey Jude".

I know that there will be many die hard Beatles fans that will be appalled by the dismantling of the Beatles classic cuts, but my hope is that it will introduce a new generation of people to one of popular music's most innovative and influential bands.

Questions for you

I have been thinking about the things that make me fall in love with certain bands. A lot of times it is just the great music. Sometimes it is watching how much fun they're having while performing live. Other times it's just the way that they treat the people around them. And on occassion it is just the outrageousness of their personality(insert the band, Man Man, here). Yes this is for real. My brother and I saw them in Athens. Probably one of the most entertaining bands I have ever seen.

So what makes you fall in love with certain band?

What do they do at shows that you love?

What are some cool things that they do on their websites?

What makes you feel connected to the bands that you love?

Think about it and let me know.

Got me by the Horns

I have been listening to this new band that someone casually told me to check out. I've been listening to it like it's nobody's business. It J Roddy Walston and the Business. If you haven't heard them, check them out. They rock house like it's supposed to be done.

Their album "Hail Mega Boys", is one of the better albums that I have heard in a long time. I am one of those very picky people that give music about 30 seconds to make an impresssion. I have listened to this album all the way through at least 5 times already. That's what I'm talking about.

Go and check it out on Napster.

Small Details, Big Impressions

So I ran across an article by the guy who started CD Baby, Derek Sivers. If you don't know about CD Baby.. well you have just broken the heart of thousands of independent artists. It is a great place to discover new incredible independent bands, so go check it out. But enough of that...

The article described a musician that he had met in Las Vegas. The thing he mentioned about this artist, that made them memorable, was the simple act of making someone feel special. Attention to little details. She would send a thank you note to the people she would meet at trade shows and industry showcases within days of meeting them, thanking them for their time.

It's a small thought, but it seems like it's always the small things that lead to bigger things. Thanks Derek for getting my head crankin' a little more...

A Big Influence

Ladies and Gentleman.. I would like to introduce you to the man who exposed me to all kinds of incredible music when I was a kid. That's right ... my Dad. He's a pretty good lookin' man if I do say so myself.. I can say that because we look pretty much identical. That way I'm talkin' both of us up. That's what's up Pops.

This man was responsible for introducing me to the like of Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, The Righteous Brothers, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Parliament, America, CCR, Fats Domino, The Temptations, and countless other bands that have all played a part in shaping the music that I love and love to create. This is just a small thank you to him for his introduction to the music world. He is an incredible father, awesome role model, and pretty freakin' sweet drummer too. Thanks Dad.

Sunday Morning

So this is the sunday morning recap of last night. I went down to one of my favorite local joints; Amra's. It was packed last night and the atmosphere was incredible. I like Amra's for the classic feel that it emanates. You always have a good mix of young and old.
There is always live music on the weekends which is my favorite part. I hunker down in the corner and watch these seasoned music veterans for several reasons:

I learn how they communicate with one another without using words.
I also discover what songs seem to be classic hits that get people up and dancing.

Last night's band was no exception. They hit it hard and packed the dance floor with people enjoying themselves; boisterous and slightly intoxicated... it's non-stop entertainment. I picked up a song that seems to be a crowd favorite: Superstitious by Stevie Wonder. Thank you Stevie for helping people around the world shake their booty.

Introduction to blogging

So this is my debut in the blogging world. I know, I know.. it's about time. It seems like I may be the last person on planet earth to have started a blog. This blog is gonna be diary of sorts I suppose. It will unofficially document the startings of a career in music..

My pathetic attempts, joyous successes, embarrasing moments, and triumphant times will be yours in full. Please don't make fun, at least not too loudly. No I take that back. Laugh all you want, because I'll probably be laughing too. I have an unusual gift of being able to get into peculiar circumstances.

Just remember, your thoughts, ideas, criticism and encouragement will all play a part. You will be my inspiration, encouragement, glimmer of hope, and laugh that I need on this road filled with pitfalls, successes, bruises and legendary battle scars.


You're a part of this now. Let's bang it up.