This video is for "Maybe Tomorrow" by The Stereophonics. It is a great song that is featured in the end credits for the film "Crash".
I sing this song when I go to karaoke sometimes, and I seem to have developed a fan club at one particular place that requests I do this song every time I am there. :) It's nice to be able to do SOMETHING that's appreciated....
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Monday, September 14, 2009
Could This Be It?
Though I have not written much of it, as I have a MySpace page for it, I have been working on recording original songs that I composed for the past few years. I put the finishing touches on some demo tracks late 2008.
In early 2009, I put out about 50 promo CDs of this demo as a test bed to see if anyone liked it. Almost 8 months have gone by and perhaps 15 people have actually taken the time to listen. Quite disheartening, and it has made me wonder if I am where I need to be.
Early to mid-2009, I learned that a friend in my line of work had a customer with connections in the music industry both here and in Europe. My friend told his customer about my recording efforts, in the spirit of trying to help my discovery, to which the customer said to send him a disc and he'd see what he could do. I pulled an all-nighter re-mixing the entire demo to make it sound the best I could. However, I heard nothing, and assumed no joy a month or two ago.
However, I received some interesting information yesterday. My friend walked up to me rather purposefully and handed me a slip of paper with a name of a person, a record company, and a time-frame of 12-14 weeks.
I was floored. My friend told me that the producer that contacted him gets about 1000 demo CDs per week, and just got to listen to mine last week. He liked at least four tracks on my demo, was going to listen to it some more, then send it to another producer and get together with them, at which point they would be calling me in 12-14 weeks, as noted on the paper.
I can't help but be excited and wonder if this is going to be my big break, but at the same time, I'm trying really hard not to get ahead of myself.
In early 2009, I put out about 50 promo CDs of this demo as a test bed to see if anyone liked it. Almost 8 months have gone by and perhaps 15 people have actually taken the time to listen. Quite disheartening, and it has made me wonder if I am where I need to be.
Early to mid-2009, I learned that a friend in my line of work had a customer with connections in the music industry both here and in Europe. My friend told his customer about my recording efforts, in the spirit of trying to help my discovery, to which the customer said to send him a disc and he'd see what he could do. I pulled an all-nighter re-mixing the entire demo to make it sound the best I could. However, I heard nothing, and assumed no joy a month or two ago.
However, I received some interesting information yesterday. My friend walked up to me rather purposefully and handed me a slip of paper with a name of a person, a record company, and a time-frame of 12-14 weeks.
I was floored. My friend told me that the producer that contacted him gets about 1000 demo CDs per week, and just got to listen to mine last week. He liked at least four tracks on my demo, was going to listen to it some more, then send it to another producer and get together with them, at which point they would be calling me in 12-14 weeks, as noted on the paper.
I can't help but be excited and wonder if this is going to be my big break, but at the same time, I'm trying really hard not to get ahead of myself.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Interesting Run-In With The Inhabitants Of A Tour Bus.....
Charlottesville, having not one, but two concert arenas, is now beginning to attract some pretty big names in entertainment. Jay-Z, Elton John, George Jones, Rascall Flatts, and Eric Clapton have all played shows in Charlottesville in the past 18 months.
A tour bus showed up in town this past Thursday. Not an uncommon sighting in this day and age. The name "Kid Rock" was on the side of this one, with a huge Jim Beam logo. A very nice airbrushed graphic reading "American Bad-Ass" across the nose. It quite obviously was THE tour bus that carried the entertainer himself. It was parked at this particular time on West Main Street, in the midtown area.
Several local cab drivers, including myself, use the parking lot across the street as a standby point, so naturally we looked at the bus from time to time. However, being an aspiring musician myself, I understand the extreme pressure of being in the public eye non-stop as an entertainer, so none of us approached the bus.
I left to pick up a customer, and when I got back, the bus had moved across the street into the parking lot, with two men standing outside it. They seemed to be trying to find a way around a bridge that the bus was too tall for.
After being told the bus was simply for advertising purposes, (yeah, right) I offered to help with re-routing them, which was met with some disdain and general attitude of "we don't need your help." Okay. Whatever. Five minutes later, the same guy asks two of us to pick up some people from a restaurant for them. Sure, no problem there.
Finding out that these people were indeed with the tour, I let them listen to one of my own songs, which they liked. I told them that if they could help with exposure or getting signed, the cab ride was on me. Yes, I know that it might have been all bullshit, but what's five dollars compared to a chance at getting discovered? They insisted on paying me anyway, however.
After they left the cab to go to the bus, however, the same guy that asked us to go pick these people up steps up and gets in my face, accusing me of double-billing them by charging a credit card and then taking cash. I don't even TAKE credit cards, so I simply told him that A) I didn't take credit cards, B) I didn't do business that way, C) if he had a problem with me, he didn't need to get in my face, D) he was outnumbered five-to-one, and didn't even have a reason to get in my face in the first place, and E) I tried to comp the ride and they insisted on paying.
I have one thing to say. If everyone in the entertainment business is THAT much of an asshole, I guess I should be glad I haven't made it yet!
A tour bus showed up in town this past Thursday. Not an uncommon sighting in this day and age. The name "Kid Rock" was on the side of this one, with a huge Jim Beam logo. A very nice airbrushed graphic reading "American Bad-Ass" across the nose. It quite obviously was THE tour bus that carried the entertainer himself. It was parked at this particular time on West Main Street, in the midtown area.
Several local cab drivers, including myself, use the parking lot across the street as a standby point, so naturally we looked at the bus from time to time. However, being an aspiring musician myself, I understand the extreme pressure of being in the public eye non-stop as an entertainer, so none of us approached the bus.
I left to pick up a customer, and when I got back, the bus had moved across the street into the parking lot, with two men standing outside it. They seemed to be trying to find a way around a bridge that the bus was too tall for.
After being told the bus was simply for advertising purposes, (yeah, right) I offered to help with re-routing them, which was met with some disdain and general attitude of "we don't need your help." Okay. Whatever. Five minutes later, the same guy asks two of us to pick up some people from a restaurant for them. Sure, no problem there.
Finding out that these people were indeed with the tour, I let them listen to one of my own songs, which they liked. I told them that if they could help with exposure or getting signed, the cab ride was on me. Yes, I know that it might have been all bullshit, but what's five dollars compared to a chance at getting discovered? They insisted on paying me anyway, however.
After they left the cab to go to the bus, however, the same guy that asked us to go pick these people up steps up and gets in my face, accusing me of double-billing them by charging a credit card and then taking cash. I don't even TAKE credit cards, so I simply told him that A) I didn't take credit cards, B) I didn't do business that way, C) if he had a problem with me, he didn't need to get in my face, D) he was outnumbered five-to-one, and didn't even have a reason to get in my face in the first place, and E) I tried to comp the ride and they insisted on paying.
I have one thing to say. If everyone in the entertainment business is THAT much of an asshole, I guess I should be glad I haven't made it yet!
Friday, September 4, 2009
More Thoughts On Moving On........
New song I heard recently, "No Surprise" by Daughtry, also #2 on my MySpace profile playlist. I don't usually listen to radio. However, I am driving my van a bit to test it before I make it a taxi and it only has an AM-FM radio. I've been hearing this song on the radio the last few weeks and thought it was Nickleback (sorry Chris!).
I like this song for a lot of different reasons than the song was written, one being that I wish I had written it. It sounds a little like something I might have written on one of my better days..... LOL.
Listening to it, it really speaks to me and my state of mind lately, especially the second chorus lyrics:
It's no surprise I won't be here tomorrow
I can't believe that I stayed 'til today
There's nothing here in this heart left to borrow
There's nothing here in this soul left to say
Don't be surprised when we hate this tomorrow
God knows we tried to find an easier way
Yeah, you and I will be a tough act to follow
But I know in time we will find this was no surprise......
There is so much in this song that speaks to me, about things both from my past and my present. I know everything happens for a reason, but I had at least two golden opportunities to leave this town over 10 years ago. The official video for this song and others are in a newer post entitled "Vids For Three Of My Favorite Songs".
Unfortunately, I saw a lot of dumb-ass reasons to stay, and I let this influence my decisions. I've come to find most of those "reasons" not only WEREN'T really reasons to stay, but most of them betrayed me at some point, which has ultimately influenced and affected my happiness.
I've thought for a long time that I'm not where I need to be, and the past few years have only compounded that feeling. I also know that at the tender age of 33, there are things that I want to get out and see before I am too old to.
I like this song for a lot of different reasons than the song was written, one being that I wish I had written it. It sounds a little like something I might have written on one of my better days..... LOL.
Listening to it, it really speaks to me and my state of mind lately, especially the second chorus lyrics:
It's no surprise I won't be here tomorrow
I can't believe that I stayed 'til today
There's nothing here in this heart left to borrow
There's nothing here in this soul left to say
Don't be surprised when we hate this tomorrow
God knows we tried to find an easier way
Yeah, you and I will be a tough act to follow
But I know in time we will find this was no surprise......
There is so much in this song that speaks to me, about things both from my past and my present. I know everything happens for a reason, but I had at least two golden opportunities to leave this town over 10 years ago. The official video for this song and others are in a newer post entitled "Vids For Three Of My Favorite Songs".
Unfortunately, I saw a lot of dumb-ass reasons to stay, and I let this influence my decisions. I've come to find most of those "reasons" not only WEREN'T really reasons to stay, but most of them betrayed me at some point, which has ultimately influenced and affected my happiness.
I've thought for a long time that I'm not where I need to be, and the past few years have only compounded that feeling. I also know that at the tender age of 33, there are things that I want to get out and see before I am too old to.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Rest In Peace, Michael Jackson
People can say what they want about Michael Jackson. I believe he was horrendously misunderstood in life. Unfortunately, many ignorant people who can't form their own opinions and depend on the media to make up their mind for them will always misunderstand. The man never really had a childhood, pushed into stardom before he was a teenager. And stars have NO privacy.
Let's face it, ANYONE who gets THAT famous will always be a target. I like to think that his music will live on to show who he REALLY was. To be blunt, those who make accusations, at the end of the day, will never have the courage or ambition to have a legacy as big as Michael Jackson's. RIP Michael. Those that mattered, didn't mind. And those who DID mind, didn't matter. And I think your legacy, combined with record sales, go a long way to prove that.
Let's face it, ANYONE who gets THAT famous will always be a target. I like to think that his music will live on to show who he REALLY was. To be blunt, those who make accusations, at the end of the day, will never have the courage or ambition to have a legacy as big as Michael Jackson's. RIP Michael. Those that mattered, didn't mind. And those who DID mind, didn't matter. And I think your legacy, combined with record sales, go a long way to prove that.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
The Origins Of "Cheese Wagon"....
It hadn't really occurred to me, but some might be wondering just how I came to be in possession of a bus. It's really quite simple. It's part of a barter deal I made in 2006 to pay for my studio time in recording my debut musical effort. Quite simply, I bought it to house computer equipment and surveillance cameras monitoring property belonging to the studio owner and that of his family. Basically, an hour of my time monitoring the video is an hour of studio time.
The studio owner didn't want to go through all the hassle of getting a building permit for a shed to house this equipment, for many reasons. It was just easier to house it in a vehicle. And safer for the equipment, as it has turned out. I thought this was a joke at first, but the surveillance has actually led to a few arrests and at least one conviction.
I didn't really plan on getting this big of a vehicle. Vans were fairly expensive, and I was actually looking for one of the van-based buses, such as a Ford E350 van-based bus. However, when I went to Fishersville to answer an ad for a "1989 Ford Bus", I had no idea how big it was. Stepping around the corner to look at it, I was greeted by a 35-foot yellow monster. But the price was right, and so I bought it.
Fittingly, I dubbed it "Cheese Wagon". Fast forwarding to 2009, it looks as though I may be converting this thing into a motorhome. I have finally come to terms that I need to make some changes in my life, and one of them is to start actually living my life instead of wasting it away with all work and no play.
The studio owner didn't want to go through all the hassle of getting a building permit for a shed to house this equipment, for many reasons. It was just easier to house it in a vehicle. And safer for the equipment, as it has turned out. I thought this was a joke at first, but the surveillance has actually led to a few arrests and at least one conviction.
I didn't really plan on getting this big of a vehicle. Vans were fairly expensive, and I was actually looking for one of the van-based buses, such as a Ford E350 van-based bus. However, when I went to Fishersville to answer an ad for a "1989 Ford Bus", I had no idea how big it was. Stepping around the corner to look at it, I was greeted by a 35-foot yellow monster. But the price was right, and so I bought it.
Fittingly, I dubbed it "Cheese Wagon". Fast forwarding to 2009, it looks as though I may be converting this thing into a motorhome. I have finally come to terms that I need to make some changes in my life, and one of them is to start actually living my life instead of wasting it away with all work and no play.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Will The REAL Guns 'N' Roses Please Stand Up?
Just listened to some snippets from the new "17 years in the making" GNR album... sorry to say.... Nope. It's just not the same. Guns 'N' Roses was a truly great band in the 90s. But the only even somewhat original member is Axl Rose. This smacks of DaimlerChrysler reviving the Charger name on a car that just ISN'T a Charger. Just because it has a Hemi, doesn't make it a Charger....
I have to say I was a bit disappointed in 1991 when after a long series of put-offs and on-again-off-again release dates, the Use Your Illusion album set was finally released. It was by no means a crappy album, it really was good. But considering that G'N'R had kept their fans waiting for over three years to get their hands on it, expecting something truly epic, it was a slight letdown even though the music was good. And besides, just how long are you supposed to wait for music to be released that is played on-stage every night?
The only thing that really saved G'N'R Lies was "Patience", in my book. Live tracks generally just don't sound that good, no matter how they're mixed and mastered.
I have to give Axl Rose respect for having the guts to get back in the ring, but I think it's wrong to attempt to backbuild on a name made famous by musicians that aren't even in the band anymore.....especially when a different mix of musicians will never truly match the band's original sound.
I'm not saying that any one of Slash, Izzy, Duff, Steven Adler, or Matt Sorum singlehandedly made that band. It was a combination of all their talents. Now we have a whole new mix of musicians. I know Guns 'N' Roses. You, sirs, are not Guns 'N' Roses!
I may be wrong, but I think a lot of people old enough to remember this band, probably don't care anymore after the Use Your Illusion snafu, followed by the disaster "The Spaghetti Incident?".... c'mon guys....
Sorry to say, this is one album I won't be buying. Flame away..... Metallica may have altered their style a bit over the years, but sometimes you just change with the times. The only original band member not still with Metallica is dead..... pretty good reason, I'd say.
Personally, I think the original musicians let G'N'R die because it wasn't getting any better, and they probably felt the way I do... Better to burn out, than to fade away.
I have to say I was a bit disappointed in 1991 when after a long series of put-offs and on-again-off-again release dates, the Use Your Illusion album set was finally released. It was by no means a crappy album, it really was good. But considering that G'N'R had kept their fans waiting for over three years to get their hands on it, expecting something truly epic, it was a slight letdown even though the music was good. And besides, just how long are you supposed to wait for music to be released that is played on-stage every night?
The only thing that really saved G'N'R Lies was "Patience", in my book. Live tracks generally just don't sound that good, no matter how they're mixed and mastered.
I have to give Axl Rose respect for having the guts to get back in the ring, but I think it's wrong to attempt to backbuild on a name made famous by musicians that aren't even in the band anymore.....especially when a different mix of musicians will never truly match the band's original sound.
I'm not saying that any one of Slash, Izzy, Duff, Steven Adler, or Matt Sorum singlehandedly made that band. It was a combination of all their talents. Now we have a whole new mix of musicians. I know Guns 'N' Roses. You, sirs, are not Guns 'N' Roses!
I may be wrong, but I think a lot of people old enough to remember this band, probably don't care anymore after the Use Your Illusion snafu, followed by the disaster "The Spaghetti Incident?".... c'mon guys....
Sorry to say, this is one album I won't be buying. Flame away..... Metallica may have altered their style a bit over the years, but sometimes you just change with the times. The only original band member not still with Metallica is dead..... pretty good reason, I'd say.
Personally, I think the original musicians let G'N'R die because it wasn't getting any better, and they probably felt the way I do... Better to burn out, than to fade away.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
