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 :)

Rock Academy Gig

The concert that marks the culmination of the most recent session of Rock Academy is coming up this weekend. Our 13 year-old, Alayne, is singing for two of the bands this time around.

Place and time:

Ballydoyle Irish Pub
Downers Grove, IL
Sunday, November 1st
3:00 pm

In a world where the words "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band" make people think of video games before they think of actual musicians, Rock Academy gives teenagers a chance to learn what it's like to play in a band and gig for real. They rehearse for 8 weeks, then do at least one gig at the end of the session.

Usually about 6 or 7 bands play, so if you're in the neighborhood stop by and support these kids. They always put on a great show.

Building an Underground

Rock fans have long been attracted to bands that they think are the "next big thing." They love going to dingy clubs and listening to local, "underground" bands. They go so far as to form street teams and fan clubs for bands that don't even have a record deal.

So why doesn't country work like that? Is it that the country fans are less loyal?

I don't believe so. I think it's the overall culture of what most venues are looking for in a country act. If you want to get a gig at most music venues in my area, they absolutely positively do not want original music. They want songs that everybody knows, and they don't care how prolific or talented you are as a writer.

That, my friends, is crap.

Country fans don't follow original acts around, form street teams, put up posters, etc because they don't get exposure to the people performing the original music. Outside of coffeehouses and open mic nights, most bars are featuring cover bands every Friday and Saturday.

Originality, artistry, and any attempt at all to break out of the mold is frowned upon.

I'm not even sure it's the fault of the bars and clubs, frankly. I believe the structure of Nashville is feeding this mindset. Nashville believes they hold the patent on country music. They take in artists, trim the rough edges with their cookie cutter, hand them the songs they're going to sing, and send them on their way.

Country songwriters, unless they're working for a Music Row record label, are stifled and silenced at every turn. We're caged up and muzzled by the system and not given the opportunity to get ourselves heard for who we really are as artists...not just as the lead singers of cover bands forced to rehash Chesney songs every night.

Nashville's doing their very best to ensure this poisonous attitude trickles down from the record labels to the radio stations to the venues to you. Don't take it. Don't let Nashville tell you what you should and shouldn't be listening to. Support your local original artists. Demand bookings. Demand airplay. Spread the word.

Build the underground.

Random Thought

The problem with the music industry, from the local level to the international, is that artists take themselves far too seriously and don't take their music seriously enough.

That's all. Could have probably tweeted that.

The Weekend That Wasn't

Those of you following the action on Twitter, Myspace, or Facebook know that my Dad had emergency surgery over the weekend to remove his gall bladder, which was seriously infected. We waited, literally, all day on Saturday for them to perform the surgery, expecting it to happen first thing in the morning but having it put off until 9:00 pm. The surgery was a success and he's doing well. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

Now here I am with a nasty case of the Mondays amplified by a weekend cut in half by a hospital visit. It's really hard to get up and moving on days like this.

I'm getting some things in order, hoping to get out and make some music soon. I've had flashes of songs in my head that haven't materialized into much of anything, but the flashes themselves are encouraging.

On a side note, I highly recommend the new Chickenfoot record. It's incredible. Sammy sounds as good, if not better, now than he ever has. Great stuff.

Anyway, stay with me and stay tuned. Rome wasn't burned in a day.

Quick Shout Out

I've met my share of performers over the years. Many of them, regardless of genre or celebrity status, have egos that encourage them to take themselves way too seriously and, subsequently, are petty, competitive jerks.

That kind of attitude permeates even Gospel music...sometimes, unfortunately, even more so.

However, a couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting Jonathan Martin (of the Martin Trio) at our church's Hymn Sing. He was the special guest and was one of the coolest, most genuine artists I've ever met.

If you're into Gospel, or even if you're not, check the guy out and show him some love. He's incredibly talented and has a great heart. He deserves all the success that comes his way.

Great to meet you, man.

Quiet on the Home Front

Haven't really been posting here much lately, mainly because I haven't been doing much in the way of music stuff.

I don't know when I'll be out gigging again, but in the meantime I'm still leading music at the First Baptist Church of Wood Dale every Sunday. Anyone is more than welcome to stop by.

If you'd like to have me lower the class of your establishment by bringing my circus act, give me a holler. I'd be glad to dust off the old guitar and give it a go.

I'll be around.