General Music Chat

Someone just asked me "What did I do this weekend?"
I worked about 24 hours in the last 2 days.
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I remixed several songs. I recorded 1 new song, added a bass track to another, added a drum track to another . . .
I cut several short demo versions of songs. I uploaded music to BMI, Song Placements, MySpace, and here.
I placed ads for a singer, and perused other ads; still looking.
I updated a couple song lists and song-developement records.
I emailed 2 songs to 2 singers to learn, so I can record them on CD.
I took about 3 hours worth of music-related phone calls, accepted 5-6 MS friend requests, answered 5-6 MS comments (left about 10-12 comments of my own) talked with some folks about the music industry, read a few articles on the music business, answered a dozen MySpace messages, and answered a couple dozen music-related Emails.
I didn't get paid a penny for it, but it was all a worthy investment of time. . . . paying some of my dues.
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I also practiced, but only for about 1 hour . . .
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Lately I'm working more - and playing guitar less. I want to succeed, I also want to play . . .
This week I will spend less time talking, and more time recording . . .
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Anyway - that's what I did this weekend . . .

I played an open mic Fri nite...charted out a cpl tunes for TFRB on Sat...went to practice Sun only to discover the new guitarist hasn't done a frikken thing. I got kinda pissed off, & let him know it in no uncertain terms, cuz that's just how I roll...the prick was worse than last week, & I won't have it! He had an excuse up until last week, when we gave him a recording of our practice, with 25 songs I guarantee any one of us could learn in a week's time. But NNNNNNNNNNOOoooo! He got WORSER! I coulda shoulda bitch-slapped him with a real bitch! Um...I guess I'll stop griping now...it just kinda tweaked me...sorry...

Back to your regularly scheduled program...

lol You only get what you pay for and bargains can be costly in the long run..

Nothing in Life is Free

Well, almost nothing.

I been so busy with all life's little distractions I think Phil needs to make a drive out here to bitch slap me.
Ahhh, but the weather has changed some, for the better, fall is in the air early in East Texas.
I feel many long afternoons of guitar practice in the shop / studio comming my way.

You mean to tell me I gotta PAY for a guitar player?!?!?!??

Nobody paid for me...does that make me a slut?

You've gotta remember that we don't buy everything with money . . .

Ah...well, if it's tight, rockin', high-energy stuff, there's three of us that have it covered! All we need is that 4th...the all-important high-energy guitarist that can switch from country to rock seamlessly...am I asking for too much?

Philbymon, in all honesty - no, you are not asking for too much.
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Always ask for what you need or want.
And keep knocking on doors . . .

It's funny, RM, but with this new drummer, we have an "in" with some very high-paying gigs, due to his biz sense, good rep, & contacts. Still, we can't seem to fill that hole with anyone worthy of our collective talents.

This guy we keep giving chances to is a flop, imho, & if he hasn't shown me REAL improvement this week, I'm not wasting another second of time on him...that means if he ain't got the 1st 5 songs down flat, either he or me is outta there! (I'll even choose easy ones, to be fair!)

Alan Ive been writting a lot on acoustice lately. I get my kids off to school around 6am and then spend a good hr and a half playing acoustic writting songs. The other morning I went to wash my hands and my fingers looked like your profile shot. I thought that was funny. I need to get a picture of that to post.

Then I go to work til 4-5, Ive been going home and playing electric.

Last night was monday night and i did my deal from 6:30 til 11:30, playing in front of people. I was scheduled for a recording session tonight but the guy didnt finish his last project so I have to wait til next week. Ive got an invitation to go play tonight. If I do, Im going to show up later so I dont have to play for 4 hrs, then these gals I know do Karoake, which I have started to enjoy. Actually its good vocal practice for me, I dont know why everyone is down on Karoake.

Friday night I have another sit in deal that kinda fell in my lap. Then next monday again. Sometime this weekend Im sure I will get out and try to check out a couple of bands. Last friday I went and checked out a country group, one of the guys is selling a lap steel and Ive thought of acquiring one. Last sat I took my son to a motorcycle race and wound up announcing.

Hell Im ready for a night off but when I get one Im bored to death and ussually wind up playing for a couple of hours.

I've been told that talking/commentating is harder on the voice than singing, JW.

I think it's mostly us old-schoolers that are so down on karaoke, partially cuz it seems like it takes work away from us, & partially due to the fact that "anyone can do it," & that offends those of us who have spent years on our craft. Then there's always that "lousy factor." LOL

It's always good to see someone getting back to the acoustic. Far too many rockers demean the instrument, cuz they cant find a feel without effects, I guess...

I've often thought of pedal steel, but it looks like a real hassle to learn, & even a bigger hassle to keep in tune & in strings, sometimes...

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Philbymon,
I've got a recommendation for you, OK?
(0h, God - unsolicited advice. We all know the value of that, eh?)

Try knocking on doors in better neighborhoods.
Start asking people who you think are way 'out of your league' to work with you.
You might be pleasantly surprised.
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I remember playing with a keyboard player years ago. I thought she was 10 times better than me.
But she was telling her friends that I was a whole lot better than her.
Think about that . . .
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And, always dump the trash, my friend.
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Otherwise, someone who might be willing to buy your house may take a quick look, -see all the trash - and just keep on driving by . . .
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. . . all said in the spirit of friendship.
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Jw123, sounds like you're busy with what you want to be doing. That means you're successful . . .

Good advice, RM. I'd have said much the same to anyone else, & HAVE said it to my bandmates. The drummer is still actively looking, & so am I. Could I should I be doing more? Probably, I'm ashamed to say, but funds aren't available tio me at the moment to go out much & look, in bars & such. I HAVE tried the music stores, & repair shops I know of in the area, but going out right now isn't an option.