guitar VS vox

Everybody has their own method of songwriting.  99% of the time I tend to start with the music.  Maybe because it's that I am more of a guitarist than a singer.  In fact - I don't really even think of myself as a singer.  When I say it out loud - it even sounds weird to me to this day even though in my first 2 bands I WAS the lead singer.  I think I saw myself more like a Richie Sambora wanna-be - I thought he was the "cool" in Bon Jovi.  I was a vocalist more out of necessity.   When I was in my last band - I occasionally sang live but I was more comfy in my groove as the guitarist.   Reality sets in though and it comes down to the control of one's own destiny.   I don't like to have to rely on anyone else and as I have found out time and time again - something happens to change the situation and usually for the worse.  When that band ended - I really labored over the thought of "what do I do next?"   I wasn't sure if I was just going to find another band to be the guitarist or would I try and do something even completely out of character.  Then, it hit me.  Songs were pouring out of my guitar and right behind them were lyrics and melody lines that not only fit my voice but they were saying things that "I" wanted to say.   In the last band - I wrote a lot of music but stayed out of the lyrical side for the most part because I felt that the singer should be singing about things that meant something to them -so the lead singer in that band wrote the lyrics to my particular compositions.  Didn't bother me at all.  I just got used to that idea.  Well, as we know, life can get topsy-turvy and when it happened to mine - lyrics and melodies started to flow.  At the end of any relationship - there is no better way to express and deal with your feelings that through art and those emotional events certainly jump started my own music again.  It was the best healing process in the world for me.  In song - I was able to deal with the emotions & the heartbreak but also with other demons like betrayal and trust issues from hell.   Some of it I dealt with head-on with songs that are clearly about those feelings from a very heartfelt way but I am also a smart ass & some of it surfaced in very tongue-in-cheek ways that brought a smile to my face while at the same time was expressing emotions based upon those experiences.  My new CD will certainly have some of these songs on it as well as new compositions that still keep coming every week and on that note.......I'm outtahere

gotta start somewhere....

Had a first rehearsal yesterday with a new band for some local gigs here in Nashville that was a good first get together. Now to hone down to a setlist and then we get out and have some fun soon.   Have some studio stuff to keep me quite busy this week and then a road trip this coming weekend.  Can't believe it's almost March already - didn't we just celebrate New Year's Eve????  ......and on that note - I'm outta here!

on a roll....

The Second night in the series of Singer/Songwriter nights that I am now hosting in Nashville was another success.  Great talent is coming out of the woodwork for these performances.   Nashville has been named the greatest music scene in North America and let's face it - that means its the greatest music scene in the world. Forget about New York or LA - Nashville is da bomb!  I am so lucky and fortunate to be a part of this event, too.  I get to see and play amongst the most talented people in the world and I am having the time of my life.  We had a few small tech issues tonight but we powered through and the nights are going over very well!   LOVE LIVING IN NASHVEGAS!!!  .....and on that note - I'm outta here!

Got your hammer & nails ready?

Busy day in the studio.   Working on finishing up some of the Production on "Send Her My Love".   The bed tracks are all complete with the exception of perhaps an acoustic guitar to layer into the mix.  That will leave only the guitar solo to record and then the monster of the task - The vocals.   I admit wholeheartedly that I am NO Steve Perry.  I never have claimed to be nor will I ever feel that I am anywhere near the man's talent.  I know that on some levels - I will probably get crucified by some of those people on the internet that are just looking for something to hate on.   I've seen much better singers than myself get verbally raped by music fans for treading on their favorite songs.  Hopefully some of the people out there will get that I am not trying to outdo the original nor am I trying to recreate it.  I am simply just doing my own interpretation of a song that I have loved for years.  Hopefully when it's done some people will be able to appreciate that concept.  To those that do - God love ya for being open minded and supportive!   I have often said the great thing about the internet is that it gives everyone a voice but the bad thing is that it gives everyone a voice.......


and on that note - I'm outta here!!