Only good things...

Plenty to tell since the last post.
In the interest of keeping it short and simple, I'll briefly tell of a serendipitous meeting with a local poet, Chris Lee. Since reacquainting at Unity Center of Life in Chantilly, he's been gracious enough to send his work to me via Facebook. I can't recall being this easily inspired since Laela was a new baby.
Sometimes the stars align, meoldies, rhythms and words come easy. When that happens, it feels kind of like a miracle. Like an idea made real right in front of my eyes. Sometime soon, I will be posting some of these tunes to the site, YouTube or here. Would love to get some feedback.

Superstition

In case you missed it or want to watch it over and over again, here is me and Will playing Superstition on Fox 5 morning news in anticipation of the Stevie Wonder tribute this weekend. (July 28, 2012)

DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG

Hurts so good...

Last night, I had a rare and wonderful and not entirely easy experience...
Got to love those - opportunity to grow (once you figure out what you're supposed to do with it).

A dear friend, who knows and has supported my music for years, broke it down to me. He gave me the fullest, most honest critique I will probably ever receive. It was not all positive.

I'm intentionally being vague here. Suffice it to say, I am aware that I've got some work to do to properly bridge what I see as the new direction for my art and the old - Just Do It style of writing and playing I had that was apparently working for some people.

I'm up to the task. Just figuring out how.

A few words on Promise

It is here! (If you pre-ordered a copy, it is there).
Promise will be available on CDBaby early next week.

Even Tobi, the consummate agnostic, has expressed an interest in what the songs on the new CD have to do with the bible and my religious upbringing. (I think that's a good sign. The connection is meant to be subtle and obvious all at once :)

So, over the next few weeks, I'll post the inspirations behind the tunes and you can let me know what you think.

PROMISE

The title track is actually the third track on the album, but who listens to albums anymore, right? Promise is also the inspiration for the cover of the album.
I've always been a sucker for rainbows. (Sometime when I was in high school, my hyper religious mother pointed out that I wasn't allowed to like them any more because of, well, other affilitations :)

Anyway, I like 'em 'cause they're beautiful.
Also kind of appreciated that the "bow" was set in the sky at the end of the story of Noah and the Ark as a promise that there would be no further destruction of all life on earth by means of a flood. It seems a very interesting omission to me that the book says nothing about other means of mass destruction... 
Not what the song is about. 

The song is about promise. Hope, despite the storm.
"Where there is pain, let love rain down. When the sun is shining (for you), spread it all around.
Love is a seed. Cast it far and wide. In all hearts there is fertile ground."

So the lyrics are dripping (sorry :) with references to the ark story, but the song is about individual and collective struggle.

Perhaps Blues Traveller said it best, "Every struggle could have paradise behind it."

Where the Music Starts

Yesterday was a rare and wonderful treat.
I was able to start the day with my kids down by the Smithsonian. We went over to the Discovery Theater and rocked out with Billy Jonas and his band (Everybody's in the band). Have I told you lately that this guy is my hero?

He plays adult music and kid music with such enthusiasm and integrity that the two worlds blend. The wisdom of children is still ours and that wisdom, my friends, is the only way to see heaven. :)

"Who's gonna make our music?
We're gonna make our music?
What do we do?
Bang and sang
What do we use?
Everythang"

Too awesome to describe.


Then... as if I hadn't already reached my fun quota for a day, I rolled over to the One Common Unity open mic at Busboys and Poets and enjoyed an energetic mix of poetry, uplifting message music and an incredible atmosphere.

I will definitely be back soon.

All There Is

It seems slightly insane to say so, but even before the Promise CDs have arrived, I've started working the on next CD. I'm almost sure what it will be called, who the musicians will be and (drumroll) many of the new songs are already written.

That's write (right). After 3 years of virtual writer's famine and a often asking myself whether I'd need a new line of work - I'm writing again. And not a little bit.

Now, of course, you alone can be the judge as to whether or not it's good stuff, but it's writing and that alone feels good.
There is a little secret to my newfound success, but I'll tell you about that when I see you.

:)

Come As You Are

Funny, whenever I see those words on a church billboard, I think of that Nirvana song.

So, after toying with a few possibilities and listening to some great suggestions, I think we're going to go with a Pay As You Can at the 2nd Saturday showcase.
There'll be a suggested donation of $15 and the music and atmosphere will be much more for those who have to it to spare.

When it came right down to it, I really want anyone to be able to come who feels like that's where they want to be. 'Cause we're going to be having a good time.

See you soon.