I entered the competition, wasting $10, probably, and writing one of the sappiest songs of my songwriting life.
EXTREMELY ROUGH DEMO: Only Just The Start
Lyrics:
It's always been my passion, it's always been my life
It's time to take action, I just want to get it right
Will they see just who I am, will their words cut me like a knife
Can I give my everything so my star can shine so bright
I have waited all my life to sing a song for you
I have battled through the tough times and worked to see it through
And now I stand before you, and open up my heart
This is not an ending, it's only just the start
You've shared with me your courage, you've given me such hope
Don't want to be discouraged, I just want you all to know
That it's taken me so far, all the love and all you do
That I'll give my everything, and I'll give it all to you
I have waited all my life to sing a song for you
I have battled through the tough times and worked to see it through
And now I stand before you, and open up my heart
This is not an ending, it's only just the start
All the times I will cherish, memories of you and me
And our love will not perish, you know it will forever be
And as I walk uncertain, to a future where we part
This is not an ending, it's only just the start
This is not an ending, it's only just the start
This is not an ending, it's only just the start
Schmaltzy almost to the point of being disgusting, but I think it's appropriate for the "I just won American Idol" song.
But who knows? Maybe by some freak act of chance I'll be a finalist. It took me 20 minutes to throw it together, so not too much time wasted on the effort.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Monday, March 17, 2008
Nice visit
As I mentioned in my last post, my "little brother" Caleb came down for South By Southwest and I got to spend some time with him on Saturday.
It just reminded me how sad I am that I don't live closer to him, because I think that more than just about anyone I've actually written songs with, Caleb and I could really come up with some amazing music together. He hears the same things I hear, he notices the little things/chord progressions that I use that no one else pays attention to. He has that same level of care about the little things that make simple sound great.
I guess if it's meant to happen, it'll happen. Anyway, Caleb - thanks for making time for hanging out with me. Next time we'll take more time...
Also, much love to my cousin Ryan who came up to visit from Houston. You've grown up into a pretty kick-ass guy, and I enjoyed wandering aimlessly around downtown Austin with you on Friday night.
And this (the Roman Holiday demo video - it's all we've got for now):
It just reminded me how sad I am that I don't live closer to him, because I think that more than just about anyone I've actually written songs with, Caleb and I could really come up with some amazing music together. He hears the same things I hear, he notices the little things/chord progressions that I use that no one else pays attention to. He has that same level of care about the little things that make simple sound great.
I guess if it's meant to happen, it'll happen. Anyway, Caleb - thanks for making time for hanging out with me. Next time we'll take more time...
Also, much love to my cousin Ryan who came up to visit from Houston. You've grown up into a pretty kick-ass guy, and I enjoyed wandering aimlessly around downtown Austin with you on Friday night.
And this (the Roman Holiday demo video - it's all we've got for now):
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Video, Narcissism, SXSW
So my throat performed reasonably well at the gig on March 1st. I've even got video proof of it that I'll be cutting together pretty soon for a brand-spankin' new Roman Holiday video promo reel!
I already made a live DVD (warts and all) for family and friends of the band. As much as we appreciated David's work with the camera, there were starts and stops in weird places (endings and beginnings cut off, etc.) and it was just super-sloppy, partially because the way we have to set the lighting up in that particular club just doesn't lend itself well to videotaping.
The bizarre part about it for me was that it was the first time I've ever really seen myself perform. I've been doing this for the better part of 10 years, and I never had the occasion, save a couple of brief shots on Channel 4 in Jacksonville in the background of a news report, to see myself singing and playing on stage.
Shockingly, it wasn't horrifying. I think I do need to learn how to sing without closing my eyes, and I think that I could stand to lose a few pounds, but overall, I was relatively pleased.
It was funny to me that I screwed up Super Freak, and funny to see me take bass solos and groove with Rob - I actually look like I know how to play the damn thing. It kind of weirded me out, to be honest.
The best part? It made me want to do it again, and to do a whole show this time with a good board recording as well instead of the on-board camcorder mic.
Anyway, hopefully I'll be able to cut that thing together in the next couple of days and post it here.
South by Southwest is this coming week, and I'm thrilled that I'll have a chance to spend some time with my "little brother" (from another mother) Caleb. He's coming down for the festival from his current home in Arkansas. He's become quite the songwriter and guitarist, and I'm so happy to have been able to know him since he was just a little kid, trying to convince me that his GTX guitar was actually something a lot nicer, and listening to the progression of his music and songwriting from its Pollen Dance beginnings through all the great stuff he writes today. Not to mention the leaps and bounds he's taken as a guitarist. He impresses me endlessly, and I figured I'd give him a little tribute here on the blog. I really wish he lived closer so we could make some seriously funky-ass music together. Or whatever. I just love the guy, and I'm happy to have him coming to my town, even if only for a few days.
Look out for the video, and enjoy yourselves. Life is short even when it's long.
In closing, much love to my dear departed Grandma V. - we loved you and we will miss you. I hope I'm wrong about the afterlife, so you can have a wonderful time in Heaven with Grandpa and Uncle Peter and all your friends.
I already made a live DVD (warts and all) for family and friends of the band. As much as we appreciated David's work with the camera, there were starts and stops in weird places (endings and beginnings cut off, etc.) and it was just super-sloppy, partially because the way we have to set the lighting up in that particular club just doesn't lend itself well to videotaping.
The bizarre part about it for me was that it was the first time I've ever really seen myself perform. I've been doing this for the better part of 10 years, and I never had the occasion, save a couple of brief shots on Channel 4 in Jacksonville in the background of a news report, to see myself singing and playing on stage.
Shockingly, it wasn't horrifying. I think I do need to learn how to sing without closing my eyes, and I think that I could stand to lose a few pounds, but overall, I was relatively pleased.
It was funny to me that I screwed up Super Freak, and funny to see me take bass solos and groove with Rob - I actually look like I know how to play the damn thing. It kind of weirded me out, to be honest.
The best part? It made me want to do it again, and to do a whole show this time with a good board recording as well instead of the on-board camcorder mic.
Anyway, hopefully I'll be able to cut that thing together in the next couple of days and post it here.
South by Southwest is this coming week, and I'm thrilled that I'll have a chance to spend some time with my "little brother" (from another mother) Caleb. He's coming down for the festival from his current home in Arkansas. He's become quite the songwriter and guitarist, and I'm so happy to have been able to know him since he was just a little kid, trying to convince me that his GTX guitar was actually something a lot nicer, and listening to the progression of his music and songwriting from its Pollen Dance beginnings through all the great stuff he writes today. Not to mention the leaps and bounds he's taken as a guitarist. He impresses me endlessly, and I figured I'd give him a little tribute here on the blog. I really wish he lived closer so we could make some seriously funky-ass music together. Or whatever. I just love the guy, and I'm happy to have him coming to my town, even if only for a few days.
Look out for the video, and enjoy yourselves. Life is short even when it's long.
In closing, much love to my dear departed Grandma V. - we loved you and we will miss you. I hope I'm wrong about the afterlife, so you can have a wonderful time in Heaven with Grandpa and Uncle Peter and all your friends.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Vocal problems
I just can't control my voice, because there's so much phlegm and crap down deep in my throat - it's like I can't clear it. The break in my voice used to be easy to manage, and now I have no idea what it's going to do. It's like my voice is changing all over again.
I don't know if it's allergies or what, but it's annoying. I need to see the doctor.
Grit never hurt before, now it does.
Anyway, I'm sure there's a scientific explanation for my vocal maladies...and if I have time, I'll be sure to have it checked out. It is getting a little better, so hopefully I'll be back to normal soon. I just hate sounding like this - it makes me feel like I've taken a 10-year step backward in my vocal abilities.
Sorry, had to vent. :)
Next show is in Killeen, Texas - The Duckhorn with Roman Holiday (not that anyone actually reads my blog...)
I don't know if it's allergies or what, but it's annoying. I need to see the doctor.
Grit never hurt before, now it does.
Anyway, I'm sure there's a scientific explanation for my vocal maladies...and if I have time, I'll be sure to have it checked out. It is getting a little better, so hopefully I'll be back to normal soon. I just hate sounding like this - it makes me feel like I've taken a 10-year step backward in my vocal abilities.
Sorry, had to vent. :)
Next show is in Killeen, Texas - The Duckhorn with Roman Holiday (not that anyone actually reads my blog...)
Monday, January 21, 2008
New Project?
I'm starting a new thing with a guy from work who plays with a fun (though ragtag) local band called "The Empire" (at first I thought they were a Queensrÿche tribute band).
It's interesting, because I think he's a talented cat, and I think we're going to have fun, but putting it together will be a process, because I don't think he's ever worked with anyone quite like me. It might scare him off completely, or it might be inspiring.
Either way, look for our little duo out playing guitars and singing sometime before the summer. It might end up as another trio, too, but I hope not, because I want to play guitar.
If we go by the songs he picked from my "I already played this crap" list, it's going to be mostly modern rock stuff. Of course I'll be doing my acoustic show standards, Lionel Richie's "Hello" and Britney Spears' "Baby One More Time" (Fountains of Wayne style). We're probably going to incorporate our original stuff, too, so it might be a really fun project.
I'm sure that it will just inspire the work I'm doing with Roman Holiday, and just make me better as a singer...plus it scratches my guitar itch.
It's interesting, because I think he's a talented cat, and I think we're going to have fun, but putting it together will be a process, because I don't think he's ever worked with anyone quite like me. It might scare him off completely, or it might be inspiring.
Either way, look for our little duo out playing guitars and singing sometime before the summer. It might end up as another trio, too, but I hope not, because I want to play guitar.
If we go by the songs he picked from my "I already played this crap" list, it's going to be mostly modern rock stuff. Of course I'll be doing my acoustic show standards, Lionel Richie's "Hello" and Britney Spears' "Baby One More Time" (Fountains of Wayne style). We're probably going to incorporate our original stuff, too, so it might be a really fun project.
I'm sure that it will just inspire the work I'm doing with Roman Holiday, and just make me better as a singer...plus it scratches my guitar itch.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Switching it up
Sometimes it can be really fun to switch it up some.
Wednesday night, Ned and I rehearsed some of the band's tunes, but Rob (percussionmeister) couldn't make it, so I grabbed the mic and brought it over to the drumkit and rapped/sang the songs (two rap tunes, one funk) while I played the drums. It was borderline scary, performance-wise, but it was a whole lot of fun.
It reminded me that if I ever really wanted to be a decent drummer, I probably could if I just invested the time. Plus it sort of freaked me out that I was able to keep a beat at all while I was singing (rapping).
It really made me want to buy a drum set, actually, but I don't have any room for one. Perhaps when I finally get my garage cleaned out I can do that.
I really want to come up with a tune where we can switch it up during the song, since Rob plays guitar pretty well and I'm sure Ned can figure out the bass. Almost like a chinese fire drill, but with instruments!
Tonight is Killeen - it should be a blast! We love the duck!
(and no, that "u" is not supposed to be an "i")
Wednesday night, Ned and I rehearsed some of the band's tunes, but Rob (percussionmeister) couldn't make it, so I grabbed the mic and brought it over to the drumkit and rapped/sang the songs (two rap tunes, one funk) while I played the drums. It was borderline scary, performance-wise, but it was a whole lot of fun.
It reminded me that if I ever really wanted to be a decent drummer, I probably could if I just invested the time. Plus it sort of freaked me out that I was able to keep a beat at all while I was singing (rapping).
It really made me want to buy a drum set, actually, but I don't have any room for one. Perhaps when I finally get my garage cleaned out I can do that.
I really want to come up with a tune where we can switch it up during the song, since Rob plays guitar pretty well and I'm sure Ned can figure out the bass. Almost like a chinese fire drill, but with instruments!
Tonight is Killeen - it should be a blast! We love the duck!
(and no, that "u" is not supposed to be an "i")
Sunday, January 6, 2008
End of year, Start of year...
Commentary on the the year that was:
I started 2007 playing bass and singing a little bit in Roman Holiday. That was my only job at the time (other than taking care of the kiddos).
In May, two major things happened:
1. I began working at Clear Channel radio, and it's been great, but it's really sapped my energy. I don't play nearly as much as I used to, and rarely have a whole lot of time to concentrate on music stuff, resulting in a lot of "half-assedness" in my performing (forget about my writing and recording...that's been nearly nonexistent).
2. I was all of a sudden thrust into the position of "frontman" for the band (as well as still having to fulfill my bass duties).
The first part is difficult for me to take, not wanting to suck on a regular basis, but I feel that my idea of "suck" tends to be most people's idea of "not so bad", so I'm fine.
The second part has been nothing but enjoyable, stretching me to the limits of my multi-tasking ability. Who knew that I'd be able to play such "pat head-rub belly" tunes as "Brick House" and "This Love"? Certainly not me.
I'm a very conflicted musician at my core, though, since I want to play guitar as much as I want to play bass, and I can't do both at the same time.
As an "artist" (not a title I generally apply to myself, since I consider my compositional ability at more of a pop garage band level), 2007 was incredibly unstimulating. Just hashing out covers I've been playing for years. But you know what? I had a whole lot of fun.
Thanks go to everyone in the extended Roman Holiday family: Ned, Rob, Mike, Patrick, and Casey, and to Luis for giving it a shot (though we ultimately didn't seem to be on the same page), and to Lee Thompson from The Extractors (my former band) for filling in on one gig and then being able to tolerate me when I finally gave you a call months later (and profusely apologized for not calling after the fill-in show in the first place). As tumultuous as this year has been, it was a fun one, with the exception of the period from July to August when we were auditioning invisible drummers and bassists.
Looking ahead, I'm sure 2008 will be more fun with Roman Holiday - hopefully we can keep this lineup together and keep enjoying ourselves (which seems likely, since we all get along really well). I really want it also to be a year when I'm finally able to get those songs I've got posted on the website re-recorded because there are so many that I can play and sing so much better now than five or six years ago when I recorded them. (I can even record them better now than then...)
So I think it'd be wise, if you give a crap, to keep an eye on this page. I'll be tracking all the progress with songs - re-recording, writing, etc. - and hopefully I'll have a really productive year. It shouldn't be too hard if I can manage a little self-discipline and not watch so much TV. The writers' strike is helping that quite a bit, I must admit.
Have a great '08!
I started 2007 playing bass and singing a little bit in Roman Holiday. That was my only job at the time (other than taking care of the kiddos).
In May, two major things happened:
1. I began working at Clear Channel radio, and it's been great, but it's really sapped my energy. I don't play nearly as much as I used to, and rarely have a whole lot of time to concentrate on music stuff, resulting in a lot of "half-assedness" in my performing (forget about my writing and recording...that's been nearly nonexistent).
2. I was all of a sudden thrust into the position of "frontman" for the band (as well as still having to fulfill my bass duties).
The first part is difficult for me to take, not wanting to suck on a regular basis, but I feel that my idea of "suck" tends to be most people's idea of "not so bad", so I'm fine.
The second part has been nothing but enjoyable, stretching me to the limits of my multi-tasking ability. Who knew that I'd be able to play such "pat head-rub belly" tunes as "Brick House" and "This Love"? Certainly not me.
I'm a very conflicted musician at my core, though, since I want to play guitar as much as I want to play bass, and I can't do both at the same time.
As an "artist" (not a title I generally apply to myself, since I consider my compositional ability at more of a pop garage band level), 2007 was incredibly unstimulating. Just hashing out covers I've been playing for years. But you know what? I had a whole lot of fun.
Thanks go to everyone in the extended Roman Holiday family: Ned, Rob, Mike, Patrick, and Casey, and to Luis for giving it a shot (though we ultimately didn't seem to be on the same page), and to Lee Thompson from The Extractors (my former band) for filling in on one gig and then being able to tolerate me when I finally gave you a call months later (and profusely apologized for not calling after the fill-in show in the first place). As tumultuous as this year has been, it was a fun one, with the exception of the period from July to August when we were auditioning invisible drummers and bassists.
Looking ahead, I'm sure 2008 will be more fun with Roman Holiday - hopefully we can keep this lineup together and keep enjoying ourselves (which seems likely, since we all get along really well). I really want it also to be a year when I'm finally able to get those songs I've got posted on the website re-recorded because there are so many that I can play and sing so much better now than five or six years ago when I recorded them. (I can even record them better now than then...)
So I think it'd be wise, if you give a crap, to keep an eye on this page. I'll be tracking all the progress with songs - re-recording, writing, etc. - and hopefully I'll have a really productive year. It shouldn't be too hard if I can manage a little self-discipline and not watch so much TV. The writers' strike is helping that quite a bit, I must admit.
Have a great '08!
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