DantheMusicman

This Christmas season has put me in some unlikely places and I've been running into old musician friends. Most of them I've known for more that 20 years and played gigs with them in my younger days. It?s been great to catch up and hear their stories. In many ways I'm jealous and that I didn't continue to pursue my passion of playing music as they have. But when I was younger, I was blest to be surrounded by some incredibly talented people. Musicians that had more God given musical gift in their little finger than I had in my whole body, and it made me aware of my level of musical talent.  I came to the conclusion that I would never be the same caliber of player, nor did I have the focus or drive to become a great musician. These guys always made it look so easy!

Now that I'm older and wiser I know I made the right decisions. Developing a good occupation, raising my family, and playing music part time was the better road for me. I'm still excited about every gig I play...I've never suffered from burn out, and it?s still my favorite pastime!

Last week I had a Pastor ask me what would make this Christmas season extra special for me. I think I've found the answer, it's pretty simple. Just visiting with old friends and realizing, I've been extremely blest. That the roads I've followed were the right one's for me and to find solace, knowing I'm doing just fine according to God's plan.

This Christmas season has put me in some unlikely places and I've been running into old musician friends. Most of them I've known for more that 20 years and played gigs with them in my younger days. It?s been great to catch up and hear their stories. In many ways I'm jealous and that I didn't continue to pursue my passion of playing music as they have. But when I was younger, I was blest to be surrounded by some incredibly talented people. Musicians that had more God given musical gift in their little finger than I had in my whole body, and it made me aware of my level of musical talent.  I came to the conclusion that I would never be the same caliber of player, nor did I have the focus or drive to become a great musician. These guys always made it look so easy!

Now that I'm older and wiser I know I made the right decisions. Developing a good occupation, raising my family, and playing music part time was the better road for me. I'm still excited about every gig I play...I've never suffered from burn out, and it?s still my favorite pastime!

Last week I had a Pastor ask me what would make this Christmas season extra special for me. I think I've found the answer, it's pretty simple. Just visiting with old friends and realizing, I've been extremely blest. That the roads I've followed were the right one's for me and to find solace, knowing I'm doing just fine according to God's plan.

Well I'm getting excited about playing music this fall. Lots of different musical groups to play with, I just hope they don't over lap to much.

I'm going in a different direction this year with my solo act. Seems everyone wants something different. They're tired of the same old guitar guys playing the same old tunes. I've noticed the world music, ethnic stuff is very popular. So I've put together a great set list of tropical, beach tunes and will market myself as a Jimmy Buffet wannabe. Heck who knows...I enjoy playing the music... its happy, upbeat... it could work?

Ukulele Ray and the Kokonutz are now settling into a slow simmer. We were busy coming out of the chute doing a few low pay gigs, but its quickly fading. The act is there, but this is Ray's baby. We'll see what gigs he comes up with.

Timeless Melodies could be busy this year. Dave plans on a full marketing campaign when he gets back into town, and we have 8 or so gigs already on the books. We have the variety show and the gospel show - completely different from one and other. The variety show uses primarily back up tracks and is all about entertaining and energy. The Gospel show is all live instrumentation and is focused on vocal harmony and giving glory to God. I really like working with this group. We're all mature people, played a lot of music in our lives, so there is a lot of mutual respect, and no ego's or weird personality stuff. I feel like everyone is on the same page. Rehearsals are efficient and challenging.

Here's hoping for a great season!!!

Summer is here in all its glory and heat.  My body has a natural cooling system and it works quite well...so I sweat a lot!

Looks like Ukulele Ray and Kokonutz could take off and provide more work for the fall. I'm still getting to know the guys...so its one day at a time. I'm excited about getting a group together that can play tropical music, I've always loved playing calypso, reggae style, and beleive there is a large market for the music, so I've got my fingers crossed.

The Open Mic is doing well...very unpredictable, but I like the variety..."life is like a bowl of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get." I have maybe 2 or 3 regulars, but there are always different people coming in. I love meeting and chatting with everyone.

What a great season I've had this year. The Timeless Melodies group has been a blast, I've learned a ton of new music and really stretched myself, doing real shows where people sit and expect to be entertained. I haven't done this stuff in a long long time. I'm hoping it will build for even more work next year.

I recently aquired an upright bass, and what a great instrument to tackle. I use tackle because it requires  strengh and power to make it work. I've played  electric bass for years and knew the transition to upright would take some time, and it's coming along well..Doing the Gospel shows with the Timeless Melodies group was my main motivation for getting an upright. The southern style gospel music  just sceams for the upright. I may join another group to jump start my upright playing. If I can find some steady summer work, I'd be a real upright player by  fall.

Entered 1/27/08

Hoping to spend more time in the next month getting back to my solo act. Lately I'm spending all my musical persuits rehersing and performing with either Timeless Melodies, doing my church thing or hosting the Open Mic.On the other hand trying to find solo gigs that pay is not easy. It all in who you know, and being at the right place at the right time. The challenge is meeting the right people, and getting out to be in the right place at the right time.

Speaking of Open Mic. WOW is this thing starting to take off! I'm getting 6 or 7 acts to perform every week. The place is packed, the mangement is happy and hopefully I'm developing some regular open mikers that will continue to come every week.Its been fun meeting all the new folks coming in. I feel like my sound engineer skills are definitly being challenged, and its an area I need to work on.