A Business Endeavor

I like playing guitars.  They're fun.  But while traveling around on a bus with a bunch of dudes that play notes is fun, it was always a means to an end for me.  My ultimate goal has always been to be a music producer.  So I basically wanted to go on the road so I could get off the road.  And then I wanted to be a session player so that I could quit to be a producer.  In all of my planning it never dawned on me to just skip ahead to what I want to do....

So here I am.  Music producer.  Awesome.  What does that mean?  I don't know.  Ask 100 producers what they do and you'll get 100 different answers.  Here's my best answer.  I work closely with an artist to create a product that fully retains his or her musical and artistic vision.  Whoa.  How'd that sound?  Hopefully good.  I spend at least 7 minutes thinking it up.

Here are the facts.  I work from home.  I am not rich and, therefore,  I don't have a $50,000 gear collection.  So it is pointless for me to say I can create a product that is sonically comparable to records on the radio.  But what I do have is musical talent and vision.  My focus is ALWAYS on helping an artist develop the songs.  I spend lots of time arranging and writing parts that enhance the message or story of the song.  That way, when they decide it's time to drop the bucks on a "pro" studio or pitch their songs to publishers, nothing will be lost in translation.

Listen to this...

Creation

When's the last time you listened to a song because of how much money it made?  When's the last time you listened to a song because of how you felt other people would react to it?  When's the last time you liked a movie because of how much it grossed on opening weekend?  What's that?  These have never happened to you?

That's because you're human.

I live in Nashville.  Music City.  There is music everywhere and most of it is less than awesome.  There is SO MUCH talent here, yet the music that Nashville produces leaves a lot to be desired.  Why, you ask?  It's created for you, the listener.  It's created as the product of a business.  From the moment a popular Country or CCM song is conceived, there begins the question process: "how will this be received by the public?"  "Is this radio friendly?"  "Should we add a keytar?"  (Answer to the last one = ALWAYS add a keytar)

What would happen if songwriters and artists created music for the sake of creating music?  What if people made music for themselves and just shared it with people for the sake of sharing it with people?  I'll tell you what would happen.  We would get timeless music that could impact people for generations. 

200 years ago, Beethoven wrote his fifth symphony.  Still awesome.  40 years ago Led Zeppelin released their 4th album.  Still awesome.  In 30 years, people will hear about big trucks, loose women, and beer.  Not awesome. 

If you are a musician, create music for the sake of creation and just go where your art takes you. 

Word To Yo Moms

Hello person.  I have been away from music...well, lucrative music...for a short while but a project recently fell into my lap.  A cool project with fresh hip to the hopness.  A Christian Rap project.  I wasn't sure what to expect when I first learned that those files would be sent my way but... I was amazed.  There is an AWESOME movement in the Christian Rap industry right now and I HIGHLY encourage you to check it out.  Some of the most passionate delivery of the truth of the gospel that I have heard in a VERY long time.

Some Geetar News

Anyone there?  No?  Well I like talking to myself anyway. 

Some news from the guitar world if you all are interested.  There is a young artist in town named Jesse Keith Whitley.  He's a pretty cool guy.  I've known Jesse for over a year now but I just recently started playing with him.  We played the National Cornhole Tournament at Gaylord Opryland on Saturday.  That is what's up.  I think I foresee a 2013 tour of above average not so competitive drinking game competitions..... 

Let there be Vocals

I'm nearing the end of a pretty cool recording project involving a friend of mine.  It's one of the few times I get to work on music that involves vocals so it's been very fun and challenging to record and produce an artist.  I usually just produce my own material and I think all of my ideas are awesome.  There is very little conflict.

Play Ball

Well a few days ago something cool happened.  A commercial that my friends at Rhino Media Productions created was shown on national television during a White Sox game.  That's pretty cool.  Another cool fact about that commercial is that I produced the music for it.  So my music was heard by a national audience.  A national audience of people watching the commercials during a White Sox game during the afternoon on a weekday, but a national audience none the less.

Audition

Hello friends

Well...I have an audition next week.  Out of NOWHERE.  Seriously.  A friend of my girlfriend's friend's boyfriend (Got that?  There will be a quiz later.)  plays for Randy Houser and Randy is on the hunt for a guitar player.  Well....that trickled all the way down to me.  I have an audition set up for next Wednesday.  I'll be honest...I'm a little nervous.  This would be my first legit gig.  It's very daunting.  But equally as exciting.  Thank you for reading.  Goodbye for now.

Out With A Bang

So how have you been?  I've been alright, thanks for asking.  It's been a busy couple of weeks.  Here is a picture.

Isn't that cool?!?  I honestly never thought I'd get to say that I played the Riverfront stage at the annual CMA fest in Nashville.  But I did.  And it was awesome.  It was by far the coolest gig I've ever been a part of.  They had M&M's in the green room so you know it was legit. 

The CMA fest marked the end of the road for me with ELB.  I am extremely grateful for what this past year has brought me and I am nothing but excited to see what the following years have to offer.    

The Devil Went Down To Arkansas

What's big, has a beard, wears a huge hat, and plays a mean fiddle?  Ok besides your grandma...

Mr. Charlie Daniels.  Hopefully there isn't too strong of a resemblance.  There is a stage in Newport, Arkansas that he will be headlining tonight and I'll be in the opening act juggling flaming chainsaws.  Blindfolded.  In a space suit.  Oh wait no that's tomorrow night.   

Change Up

So there has been a slight change of direction in my musical career as of late.  My time with ELB is coming to an end.  We will be parting ways, on good terms, after we play the CMA festival in Nashville.  (Pretty cool, eh?)  The long, grueling van trips on the weekends were starting to impact my health.  As much as I enjoy playing with that band, it's time to be done.

The next chapter in the book of Steve's life: starting a business.  I have been producing production music for a video production company that produces videos.  I also eat produce that produces nutrients....productions.  But seriously, I make custom production music and it's time to take that seriously.  So here we go.  A new adventure.  Hopefully it's as exciting as my early days as a Native American fur trader.

Florida

This picture has nothing to do with music.  Neither did last weekend.  It was a weekend of Me, Keisha, beaches, and relaxation.  That is all.  And all is good. 

A View From The Top

Hello again.  Isn't that a cool picture?  Yeah.  I know.  That was taken from the stage on Saturday night in Hermann, MO.  We played a party at a vineyard and it was off the chain.  (That phrase may or may not be applicable to vineyards)

It was a good show.  Eric gets a ton of radio spins in that area so to them we're like rockstars.  There were people in the crowd that knew the words to every single song.  I don't even know the words to most of the songs.  That was cool.  It's weird to travel across the country and play in markets like this, and then the following weekend play for people that just want us to play Hank Jr. songs and/or get off the stage.  It's all about radio play.

Well that's all for now.  I hope you, who are probably among a group of about 4 people, enjoyed reading this.



 

The Other Guys....

One of my clients....my only client....is Rhino Media Productions.  I make custom music tracks for some of their videos.  Wanna hear something cool?  One of the videos we collaborated on was entered into a contest judged by the Chicago White Sox.  And Rhino won.  I told you it was cool.  The video will be used by the White Sox for something.  I don't know what.  Keep your eye on the "Producing" page of this blog, hopefully I'll be able to upload the video soon.

Don't tell anyone I've been a Cubs fan since I was 7...

Rebel Blood

Our 2nd and final weekend of 2012 playing frat parties.  Thank.  God.  As a laid back yankee surrounded by rebel fanatics, I felt about as out of place as a gay guy at a baptist convention.

Mississippi State did, however, come close to a dash of class in their drunken festivities... 

Apparently the guys dress up as old confederate soldiers and the girls dress up in big fancy dresses.  I have NO idea why.  No one seemed to know.  Then they rent out the plantation shown above and trash the backyard with beer cans and provocative dance moves.  

Weekend's Festivities

Tuscaloosa, Alabama.  April 14th was a day of firsts for this guy.  First game day at an SEC school.  First SEC experience.  I still feel cool while saying things like "SEC" because it sounds like I know what that stands for.

It was also my first experience playing a frat party.   ELB had a one off gig down there last Saturday and quite the time was had.  The term "paying my dues" definitely crept its way into my head more than once....  Overall it was a pretty good time.  The crowd of drunk college kids thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment that was provided and that's what it's all about.

Feels Like the First Time

Welcome to my blog site.  Apparently blogging is what cool people like Kevin Romeo do, and I want to be cool.  So I decided to start a blog.  Just kidding.  But seriously.

On a serious note, G#.  

This is here for people who want to keep up with me.  Like I said, I'm trying to be cool, so it might be worth following after a while.  I will be posting on an array of subjects.  What I've been up to personally, musically, and other stuff.  That's cool.  Thank you for taking the time to read this less than serious post.  Get used to that.

Goodbye