Links

Check the "Links" section on the right side of this page for not only other areas of the web I've infiltrated, but also some organizations and friends who I support.

I promise (thank you, GGD) to be more diligent about keeping this list up to date :)

In Memorium: Rick Roy

We've lost one of the greatest musicians I've ever had the pleasure of performing with.

Rick, you'll be missed and never forgotten.

Heaven just got a piano player.

Back to Central Illinois

I had a great time this past weekend running around in the middle of the state making some music. Got to reconnect with some old friends and make a couple of new ones.

I was also reminded just how much talent this state has. There are some amazing country artists in Illinois...young, old, and in-between.

In a couple of weeks I'm going back down there for some shows in Taylorville and Decatur. Check my Myspace for details.

Also, because I'm an electronics junkie, I picked up a GPS system for the car. I don't know how I was a travelling musician without it....I love it.

I'm such a geek.

Renovation

So it seems that the Batcave will be renovated, waterproof, and ready to use by Thursday. That's good, because I have quite a bit of work to do.

I'm trying to maintain some songwriting momentum so I can keep pumping out new material, I need to chart Colleen Wild's songs as I'm now her "official" accompanyist, and I also have my own gigs coming up.

On a side note, if you live in Illinois and are a country music fan/artist, please check out the ICMA. Membership is cheap and the benefits are great. The crappy economy is hurting this great organization that has given so many opportunities to myself and others. Most of the action happens in Central IL, but there is a Southern IL chapter and I'd love to see more activity up here in the Northern third of the state. Let's take country back!

NACMAI Music Week

I'm not making the trip to Pigeon Forge this year for the NACMAI competition in March, but I'd like to take a moment to wish the best of luck to my friends in the ICMA who are.

I went down there a couple of years ago and had an incredible time. I'm not the world's biggest fan of "competitive music," but the opportunity to get up and sing in front of talented people from all over the country is entirely worth it. Not to mention the fact that you've got countless country artists crammed in a hotel for a week, which leads to nothing but shenanigans.

Illinois generally brings home quite a few NACMAI awards, and I'm sure this year will be no exception.

Remember my fellow ICMAers, don't do anything I wouldn't do...and if you do, take pictures.

Illinois Country Music Association

Illinois is loaded with talented country artists and die-hard country fans, and one of the best resources for artists and fans is the Illinois Country Music Association. The ICMA gives artists, both new and established, a chance to get out and get themselves heard. Also, it gives fans a chance to find new artists that they otherwise may have never heard.

If you live in or near Illinois and are interested, go to their website and download the application form. For a ridiculously reasonable annual fee, you get access to discounted prices at ICMA events, a newsletter with show listings, and a chance to vote for their annual People's Choice awards.

The ICMA brings artists and fans together. Instead of waiting around for the next big Nashville act to make a stop in your town, you can find a great local band playing just down the street and have an amazing night out listening to some awesome music.

Please get out and support local country music, whether you live in Illinois or not. Country music has always been the people's music, so let's keep it that way.