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.