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February 28, 2006
The Joke’s On Me
I’m not feeling particularly profound today, so here are a few jokes about music and musicians:
Q: What does a trombone player do first thing every morning?
A: Get up and go to his day job.
(You could actually substitute many other instruments in the place of “trombone.” It’s just that the word “trombone” sounds funny to me.)
Q: How many musicians does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A: 17. One to screw the light bulb in, and the other 16 to stand around saying, “I could do that.”
Do you ever get the feeling that a great many musicians in the audience at the Grammy Awards are thinking that?
Q: How many lead singers does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A: One. She holds the bulb while the world revolves around her.
If you found that joke offensive because the lead singer was depicted as female, then here, in the interest of fairness, is another version:
Q: How many lead singers does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A: One. He holds the bulb while the world revolves around him.
I don’t think this version is any funnier.
Q: What is the difference between an accordion and an onion?
A: No one cries when you chop up an accordion.
Lest you think that I am being insensitive, I actually possess, and occasionally play, my own accordion.
“On behalf of the band, thank you, ladies and gentlemen! You know, we’ve had a lot of requests, but we’re going to keep on playing anyway.”
Posted by leon at 01:27 PM | Comments (1)
February 27, 2006
Bryan Rivers at the Majestic
We were back at the Majestic Restaurant in Titusville last weekend to hear an artist we’d never heard before: Bryan Rivers.
Bryan hails from Lakeland, Florida, and is an English teacher as well as a singer / songwriter. His education shows up in his insightful, and often witty lyrics.
Since he often performs cover tunes as well as his original material, his left-handed guitar playing and singing skills are finely honed and he puts himself across with confidence.
On this evening he only did a few covers, including a touching version of “Golden Slumbers” by the Beatles. Most of his two sets consisted of originals, featuring songs from his two CDs.
There were many highlights, including a song with lyrics made up entirely of oxymorons (“he was eating jumbo shrimp…”), and a song that details the trials of a Florida based cover-tune singer who is often asked to “play some Buffett.”
“Now Jimmy and I have an arrangement
And up ‘till now it’s worked just fine
I don’t play any of his songs
And he don’t play any of mine.”
- from “Escape from Margaritaville”
(My apologies to Bryan if I got any of the words wrong.)
The concert was put on by FM Odyssey (http://www.fmodyssey.com) and Musical Kottage (http://www.musicalkottage.com) so in additional to Bryan, several members of the Musical Kottage performed, including Asli Walker, Spike and Sandy, Sheryl Paige, Mary and Sue Perry, Austin Church, and the newest Musical Kottage member, Chris Kahl.
All in all, it was another great evening of live music. To me it always beats sitting and home and watching TV.
The food at the Majestic is quite tasty, too!
Check out Bryan’s web site: http://www.bryanrivers.com
Bryan Rivers
Posted by leon at 03:55 PM | Comments (0)
February 24, 2006
I Remember When
Yesterday we had Kevin Browne and his wife Debbie in the studio to put some finishing touches on Kevin’s new CD.
This will be Kevin’s third project with us, making him one of the most prolific artists we have worked with.
Our task for this session was to re-do a cello part that Debbie has done earlier.
Kevin is, of course, a singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Debbie sings and plays cello. One of their sons, Griffin, is also a classically trained cellist, and he wrote and played some parts on his father’s latest recordings. Quite a musical family!
Debbie followed her husband’s example of consummate preparation, and so we were done in a short time.
While recording Debbie’s cello, I remembered how it used to be…
When we first opened the studio in 1990, it was strictly a MIDI studio. Everything was done with keyboards, sound modules, samplers, and sequencing software, all run on an ancient Atari 1040ST computer. This computer was so old that it didn’t even have a hard drive; everything had to be done off of floppy disks.
We couldn’t really record vocals or live instruments in those days, so all I did was performance tracks and MIDI files.
In early 1996, we brought in one of the early ADAT recorders (8-track digital!), along with a new sound board and some good microphones, and we were finally able to do an entire project in-house. I had produced some albums before then, but we had to go to another studio to record vocals and live instruments.
Now we could do everything, from initial tracking to final mixes, in the comfort of our own place.
In 2000, we changed to the ProTools system, giving us editing and mixing capabilities we had only dreamed of previously.
Sometime this year we hope to upgrade again to a more powerful ProTools system, but I realize that to many members of our musical family, this means little.
What they really want is to be comfortable, and record something that sounds great!
Fortunately the technological advances in recording equipment made over the last 15 years or so enable us to help our clients do those very things.
By the way, Kevin’s new CD will be released sometime in March. (I’ve got to hurry and re-mix that final song!)
Check out his Website at http://www.kevin-browne.com.
Debbie Browne
Posted by leon at 12:34 PM | Comments (0)
February 23, 2006
Boy Dad, That Song Sounds Dated
A few years ago I was driving somewhere with my daughter, and we were listening to the radio.
Occasionally I will listen to the Praise and Worship music on the local Contemporary Christian music station, since I have written, recorded and had several songs published in that genre, and I like to hear what’s being done nowadays.
On this day, my daughter and I heard a song that started out with a heavy, synthesized drumbeat that screamed “80’s!!! It’s the 80’s and we’re trying really hard to be hip and cutting edge!”
The drums were joined by the swirling sounds of a bank of vintage synthesizers that now sounded rather cheesy.
My daughter commented, “Boy Dad, that song sounds dated!”
We kept listening, and I began to notice that the song was disturbingly familiar. Suddenly it hit me: this song, with its oh-so-trendy 80’s vibe had been written by ME! Not only that, but the stiff, programmed drums, and cheesy keyboards? Played by ME!
Naturally, I had to confess to my daughter that I was responsible for this slice of the 80’s. She was greatly amused.
The moral? If you are a performer and a songwriter, don’t try to court popularity by following the current musical trends. It could come back to haunt you, and embarrass you in front of your children.
Drawing by Rose Olguin
Posted by leon at 02:21 PM | Comments (0)
February 22, 2006
Coffee Achievers
I remember an ad from the 80’s that touted the benefits of drinking coffee. Those who imbibed regularly were labeled “the coffee achievers.” Somehow, the benefits of regular coffee drinking enabled these chosen ones to achieve untold success in their various endeavors.
The famous rock group Heart were portrayed as “coffee achievers” in one ad, as Ann and Nancy Wilson were shown drinking coffee while recording a hit song in a Hollywood portrayal of a recording studio (huge sound board, a tremendous amount of gear, lots of musician types sitting around listening intently, but oddly enough, no one smoking or drinking anything but coffee).
Interestingly enough, while we always have coffee available in our studio during recording sessions, we have very few takers. Most of the members of our musical family prefer tea.
Sheryl drinks mostly tea, with an occasional cup of decaf coffee (which, as it was once described on David Letterman’s show, is nothing more than “useless brown water.”)
I, however, cling stubbornly to the “coffee achiever” ideal, but I must admit, I have cut down on my coffee consumption. I used to drink a pot a day, but now I’m down to two cups.
There are still hazards to face as a coffee drinker: is the caffeine harmful to you? Will coffee drinking cause your bones to become brittle? Will excessive coffee consumption adversely affect your songwriting? These are significant concerns, but today I encountered a new coffee hazard.
In our refrigerator are two cartons of identical size and shape: one contains the half and half for my coffee, and the other contains egg white.
While preparing my coffee, without looking I reached into the refrigerator for what I thought was half and half…
Need I go on?
While I enjoy Chinese food as much as the next guy, I don’t think that egg-drop coffee is ever going to catch on.
You know, Sheryl does make really good tea.
Posted by leon at 12:38 PM | Comments (2)
February 21, 2006
Around the World With Jim
I spent some time on the phone today with Jim McDonald, a man who has been to more places, sung to more people, and produced more songs with me than anyone else we’ve had the privilege of working with.
He was one of our first clients, dating back to 1991.
I just sent off to him some rough mixes of the tracks for his newest CD, for him to work with while he travels throughout Europe and China for the next month and a half.
When he returns in mid-April, he’ll go into the studio and record his vocals in San Diego.
About a year ago, I arranged, recorded and produced for him a group of backing tracks for some children’s songs.
These tracks have been used by Jim to produce children’s albums in several different countries, including Bosnia, Macedonia, Croatia, and Romania.
The next CD, using the same tracks, will possibly be done with a group of children in China.
These children’s groups are part of the churches where Jim and his wife Katie go to minister. The sales of these CDs are used as fund-raisers for the various churches and ministries involved.
Jim is not paid for these efforts. He makes a large part of his living through the sales of his own CDs back here in the United States.
His concerts and CD sales in the US help fund his ministry overseas.
It is an honor to be associated with such an important work, and with such a dedicated man.
Go to http://www.jimmcdonald.org to find out more.
I get tired just looking at his schedule!
Jim McDonald
Posted by leon at 03:47 PM | Comments (0)
February 19, 2006
Espresso Plus
Saturday, February 18 was a beautiful Florida “winter” day (about 75 degrees and sunny). I wanted to be taking a walk by the river, or maybe even working in the yard (a never-ending chore, as our house sits on over acre of land).
Instead, I was cooped up in the studio all day, working feverishly on a set of tracks for Jim McDonald, who is leaving for Europe in less than a week, and will be taking these tracks along so that he can work with them.
I would have stayed in the studio all day and all evening, but for the fact that Sheryl and I were scheduled to play a concert at Espresso Plus, a coffee house located just north of us in Titusville Florida.
Frankly, I was tired, and did not feel like going. I was only half finished with Jim’s tracks, and I had a deadline.
On the other hand, it was a chance to play live music with my wife, so after packing up our stuff, off we went.
We had never played at this place. It’s a small coffee house; rather new to the Central Florida live music scene.
We ended up playing for about 10 people.
Sounds like a recipe for a rather dismal evening, doesn’t it?
It turned out to be great fun, and one of those nights Sheryl and I will look back on fondly as we think about the various gigs and venues we have played.
We knew just about everyone in the audience, and the place was small and intimate, so it was very much like playing in someone’s living room.
To our surprise and delight, out friends and fellow musicians Spike and Sandy showed up, and they came prepared, having brought their instruments (there was to be an open mic following our show).
Since they knew Sheryl’s music well, they came up to play and sing along with us on a few tunes, and then I had a chance to play with them as they did some of their own material.
For a while there, I forgot that I was tired.
Playing music for an appreciative audience (no matter what size) can be a tremendously therapeutic experience. It gets into your blood.
Once you learn how to give a good performance, experience the positive reaction of an audience, and realize that you have communicated something of value to them, you’re hooked.
Sheryl even made a few dollars from ticket sales, and sold a few CDs.
It’s a good thing she likes to perform (and is good at it!), since we’re going to be playing somewhere for the next several weekends.
Check out http://www.sherylpaige.com to see the schedule.
Hope to see you there!
My next post will be Tuesday, if all goes well.
On Monday, I gotta finish Jim’s tracks!
Sheryl Paige and the Project Studio Guy at Espresso Plus
Sandy Ferris at Espresso Plus
Spike is on Fire at Espresso Plus
(Its a lame joke, but I couldn't resist!)
Posted by leon at 09:58 PM | Comments (2)
February 16, 2006
Make it Right
Naturally I try my best to make every client happy. I usually succeed. Sometimes, however, it may take a try or two.
Recently I worked with a client who at first was not completely happy with what I did. I won’t go into all the details, nor will I tell you who the client was, but suffice it to say that this person was somewhat vocal in their dissatisfaction.
Now, I could have gone on the defensive (and indeed, in my younger days that would have been my course of action) but with age comes a modicum of wisdom (at least I hope).
I could have tried to explain that the direction I received from them was not at all clear, and at times contradictory, so I took my best guess at what was wanted, and guessed wrong. But I didn’t say any of that (although I was tempted).
My response was simple: Tell me what I can do to make it right. I will not let you go away unhappy. I have never failed to give a client what they wanted.
I had the artist listen while I created a new track, and at several points I asked, “Will this work? Is this what you need?”
Fortunately, I found what they were looking for.
The bottom line: When you work with me on your music, tell me what you want. If you don’t know, I’ll help you find out. If you do know, I will listen. If you “kind of” know, but aren’t sure how to put it into words, don’t worry, we’ll look for it, and find it together.
Posted by leon at 11:12 AM | Comments (0)
February 15, 2006
Ripping and Burning
I must confess: I read the comics every day on line. Of course, I have my favorites. I always read “Peanuts” even though they are re-running strips from 1959, and I like “9 Chickweed Lane” just for the beautiful artwork.
I usually go to http://www.comics.com for my daily comics fix.
Occasionally I come across a music-themed strip, and today I found an amusing one in “Arlo and Janis.” (Another of my favorites).
This one got me to thinking about when I first started doing studio work, and how much things have changed. A partial list of changes:
1. We used tape. No one recorded to a hard-drive! No one even had a computer in their house in those days.
2. Editing a recording meant getting out the razor blade and cutting the actual tape. (A task which always made me a bit nervous).
3. As a studio musician, you had to play it right, all the way through. There were few things worse than recording as part of the rhythm section, laying down a basic track, getting all the way to the end of the song, hitting a wrong note, and forcing the entire band to go back to the beginning and try it again.
4. If someone sang out of tune, they had to sing it again until they got it in tune. No pitch correction software (no computers, remember?).
5. There were very few, if any, full-service, professional studios contained in someone’s home.
6. Musicians played music; engineers recorded and mixed it. The two roles were almost never combined.
So, here I am today, a musician who is also an engineer, recording to a hard-drive on my computer, in a studio built into my house.
I must admit, though, my 18-year old daughter does most of the ripping and burning.
Posted by leon at 01:30 PM | Comments (0)
February 09, 2006
Black Hole Week
This has been one of those weeks where I feel as though I have fallen into a black hole of sorts: time seems to have accelerated, everything seems to be happening at once.
I look at the calendar, and I can’t believe it’s Thursday already. I haven’t had time to catch my breath, let alone play the piano for fun, write a new piece of music, or update this blog.
I feel like I’m behind on every project, and I find myself wishing I were temporarily an android so that I could work 24 hours a day and not need any sleep. Then I might be able to get caught up in a few months and return to human form.
It seems I spend so much time doing things that have nothing to do with music, that by the time I get into the studio I feel as though I’ve already worked a full day.
Well, before this starts to sound whiny, I need to remind myself of a few things:
1. I may fret about the work piling up, but the alternative (i.e. no work at all) makes the current situation more bearable.
2. That’s the way it is in this business, periods of relative inactivity (which are used to “plant the seeds” for future projects),
alternating with periods of frenzied activity and not enough sleep.
3. I’ve been through countless “black hole” weeks, and I’ve always made it through with the help of my family and friends, and by the grace of God.
4. The music is always there. My abilities don’t go away, and the desire to make music never wanes. I will get back to it, even if the time is limited some days. I will find the time.
Maybe you’re in the same boat as I am. You want to spend more time on your music, but “life” just seems to get in the way.
Take heart. The music will always be there. Any efforts you make to find time for your music will be worth it.
Posted by leon at 04:55 PM | Comments (1)
February 06, 2006
Do You Need the Music Industry?
Here's an article that Sheryl wrote for the Muse's Muse web site http://www.musesmuse.com a few years back. Her advice is still timely!
Do You Need the Music Industry? (By Sheryl Paige)
(http://www.sherylpaige.com)
Let me say right from the start that this is not a music industry-bashing article. On the contrary, this article is intended to help you think through for yourself whether or not you really need a record deal to have a great music career.
First of all, how do you "make it" in the industry? Here are some comments I've heard directly from record company executives.
One exec said that if you were out performing enough that you could sell 10,000 of your self-produced CD's, that would grab his attention enough to sign you. [That begs the question…if you're selling 10K CD's each year plus revenues from your shows and t-shirt/product sales, and you own the entire profit margin, do you need to get signed?]
Another record exec described the process like this…"I'm a weasel," he said, "If I hear you're drawing a big crowd I might go and see your show…then if I like your show and it looks like the crowd does too, I might tell another weasel…and he'll come to your show, and bring another weasel… and those weasels will tell their weasel friends.
"Eventually you'll have a bunch of weasels at your show, and if enough of us weasels agree we should sign you, we will."
While the thought of record company executives as weasels personified might be humorous, it took a lot of guts for the guy to stand up in front of a bunch of aspiring artists and poke fun of himself in that way. He was hardly a "weasel."
The most remarkable comment I recall came from a panel of record company execs talking about what they look for in an artist they'd be interested in signing.
There were the comments I expected, like "great voice," "incredible songs," "willingness to work hard" and "great live performance."
Then came a comment from an exec that completely caught me off guard and changed my thinking forever:
"I'm looking for people who are so passionate about their message and their music, that if the music industry were to fold tomorrow, they'd still be out there doing their music."
So what if the music industry was to fold tomorrow?
That one thought got me to explore a whole realm of possibilities.
Here are my "top 5 do-it-without-the-music-industry" career building strategies:
1. Develop your own identifiable style. No music industry? No problem! That means no artificial categories to shove your music into.
2. Get out and play everywhere you can for anyone who'll listen. Set up your own tours. You no longer have to worry about being in the "right place" (L.A., Nashville, Austin, New York, Seattle…wherever the "right place" du jour is…)
3. Tell the world. Utilize every available means to tell people about your music, including word of mouth, e-mail lists, web sites, MP3.com, Internet radio, cross promotions with nonprofit organizations you care about, etc.
4. Develop a loyal fan base that will want every CD you ever produce. Sign them up at each performance. Stay in touch with them regularly through those e-mail lists, your web site, and mailings.
5. Record and sell your own music. Set your own budget; hire the best producer, arranger, studio, and musicians you can afford to be a part of your team (so you get the best quality product.) You won't have to worry about a record company loaning you your money (advances on future royalties) and telling you how to spend it to get the job done. Best of all, you'll own everything (rights as well as profits.)
So do you need the music industry? Whether or not you believe you do, just remember what the one exec said: be so passionate about what you do that if the music industry folded tomorrow, it wouldn't make one bit of difference to you…you'd still be out there doing it!
How would you go about pursuing your music career if there were no music industry? Tell us your ideas by commenting on this posting.
Posted by leon at 12:00 PM | Comments (0)
February 03, 2006
Love is in the Studio
Back on January 31, a gentleman came in to the studio to record a love song for his wife of 37 years. It was to be his Valentine’s Day gift to her.
I thought that was an outstanding idea. Maybe I should run a special: “Come record a song for your valentine! Proclaim your undying love in music!”
Flash forward to the morning of February 2. I find a message from a man named Russ who wants to record a song. Naturally I return his call.
It turns out he wants to make a recording of a love song for his wife for their 10th anniversary, which falls on Valentine’s Day.
The problem? He needs to record it immediately, since they are leaving on a cruise within 2 days, and he wants to present the song to her on board the ship.
He does not have a track to sing to. He wants to know if I can help. I tell him I will call him back.
Project Studio Guy to the rescue!
I go online and search for a karaoke track for the song. He wants to do an early hit by Englebert Humperdink, “I’m a Better Man”.
With the help of my internet-savvy daughter and wife, we find a place where the track can be purchased and downloaded. It cost a grand total of 99 cents.
I call Russ and tell him that we have the track. He makes an appointment to come in that afternoon.
It turns out that Russ was at one time a professional singer, as part of a Do-wop group. He has a great voice, and puts everything he has into performing the song. It’s obvious that he truly loves his wife, and wants this recording to be a special gift to her.
It will be!
He was grateful that we were able to help him on such short notice, as he left with his CD.
Ah, ain’t love grand?
Posted by leon at 04:07 PM | Comments (0)
February 01, 2006
Client Limbo
I mentioned yesterday that I had two sessions scheduled, and everyone showed up on time.
It doesn’t always happen that way…
It’s 2:25 PM. I had an appointment scheduled for 2PM, but the client has not shown up.
All I can do is wait.
I can’t start working on another project. He could show up any minute. (For the sake of proper grammar, and to avoid constantly saying “he / she”, I will refer to this client as a “he”.)
I can’t go anywhere or run any errands.
I even called yesterday to confirm (I learned to do this some time ago…)
Now my mind starts to race from thought to thought:
- Did I write this on the wrong day in my master calendar? I have done that once or twice.
- Did I write this in on the correct day, but enter the wrong time? I’ve done that, too.
- Did he decide at the last minute not to come? There have been a few who have done this, and it never occurred to them to tell me.
- Did he just plain forget?
- Is he sick?
- Did I dream the whole thing?
At 2:30PM I call the client and leave a message. I try not to sound too worried. He must be on his way. Now I start thinking like a worried father waiting up for his child:
- Is he OK? Did he have car trouble?
- Why hasn’t anyone called me?
- Was there an accident? This happened to one of my clients. He was on his way here when he was rear-ended not more than 2 miles from my studio. He wound up in the hospital! Fortunately, he made a full recovery, and eventually came in to record.
- Was he suddenly taken ill?
- Was there a family emergency?
At 2:50PM the client arrives. Whew! He’s all right.
So what happened?
He got lost, and did not have a cell phone in the car.
What can I do? I can’t lecture him, and I can’t ground him.
Fortunately, this doesn’t happen too often.
So remember, be on time for all your appointments. You never know what might be going through the mind of the one you’ve kept waiting.
Posted by leon at 04:52 PM | Comments (1)