Welcome to Re-Writing!

Okay, so this is a little about how things work sometimes.

I gave myself an hour to come with something new in a song lyric already well on it's way, then I would move on to some other musical task.  In exactly an hour and a half the last missing word-piece of the songwriting puzzle fell into place!

The song title is "Farmer's Tan".  I was working on what I call "Part A" of Verse 1.  The electronic scribblings and non-sensical notes look like this:

And this is the outcome so far:

Now hopefully, in the final draft,  the verse sets up the chorus in a strongly comprehensive way.

Welcome to Re-Writing!

Vlog #6 - Song Preview: A Girl and Her Dog

Harking back to a previous post about some song titles being working on, well - we're making progress!  Here's an example of one of them that I'm laying the tracks down to now; like right now - over to my left!
Imagine, if you will...a warm Summer scene in a breezy New Jersey park. An idea for a song.  A lone songwriter's need for expression.  The outcome is hopefully listenable.  See you in the studio!  By all means leave a comment!!  Let your voice be heard.

Vlog #6 - Song Preview: A Girl and Her Dog

Alive - Frampton Is!

Got a last-minute chance recently to see Peter Frampton on his "Frampton Comes Alive 35th Anniversary Tour".  How could I resist?  It took place a mere 5 miles from my house!

In case you haven't heard, Peter has been touring and revisiting/playing his entire blockbuster 70's album for the first half of the evening's performance.  Why do I feel compelled write?  Well, "Frampton Comes Alive" was a HUGE guitar influence for me.  I remember going over some of his songs as a youngster with my guitar teacher back home in Downey and talking about the scales PF was using.  And I sang all the ballads, too.  I wore my record (vinyl!) out!!

And how could I not buy the CD recording of the very show that I attended?!  Especially when he makes sure to reference "Riverside" in his songs...

By the way...
Did you see the photo I took with Peter at the NAMM Show in 2010?

Bad phone-camera shot, but there I am with one of my guitar heroes!

And further, a video from that very show...

Unfortunately I did NOT sit this close.  Not having ever seen him live, I was real glad I got the chance.  And I had no idea how cool the material from his latest instrumental CD was!

Fun!

Alive - Frampton Is!

Reflections on New York City - Part 2

Had a nice, though brief, recharging at home and now I'm at the midway point to my final destination of Des Moines, IA.  The nice lady at George Bush International has ever-so-thoughtfully picked up my lunch trash, so here I sit and ponder until flight #2.
Had some time nice family time as well as some writing time this past week.  Even started a new song.  In addition, added 61 keys (ie "keyboard") to my modest studio arsenal.
(Ed. Note: This post was eventually completed en route to Amarillo, TX after a successful engagement in Riverside IA)

And now for "Reflections....blah, blah, blah..." ;)

"Starry Night" by Vincent Van Gogh

It's slightly riveting seeing these works of art all your life and then actually seeing them in person.  Expect a crowd of people waiting, as I, for the chance to get up close.

I spent as much time looking out the windows of the Museum of Modern Art as much as looking at what was inside! (Okay, an exaggeration, but I did love gazing out the window from many a perch above the city streets.).  Snapped a photo of this apartment just after I saw someone come out onto the balcony to water plants or something.  Wondered what it's like living in the heart of Manahattan.

Photo on left:  Without actually seeing Marcel's creation, I was intrigued just by the medium description alone.  Guess eggshells are less costly than say, matching shoes and purse?  And did Maria have these?  To see the actual work CLICK HERE

Yes, it's "Kichka's Breakfast I" by Daniel Spoerri.

Just to be absolutely clear, the woman taking the picture is on the floor - the "wood chair hung on wall with board across seat, coffeepot, tumbler, china, eggcups, eggshells, cigarette butts, spoons, tins cans, and other materials"  are on the wall. ;)

I wonder how far "out of the box" in songwriting I will go after experiencing the MoMA in NYC?

UP NEXT TIME: In part 3, we finally leave the Museum!

Reflections on New York City - Part 2

Reflections on New York City - Part 1

Looking out the window to my right, I see the corn fields, suburban movie theatres, and other swiftly moving scenes fly by as we bus up and through Illinois to our final stop in Minneapolis before a flight home. Farther and farther west we go from what may be my all-time favorite place to visit, New York City!
Please allow me from time to time on this blog (and probably expect it!) to share with you, as I'm about to do (whether anyone reads this or not) some photos and accompanying poetically drippy thoughts.  If it made me think, or inspired me in some way, that made it worth while enough for me to wait on my...."smart" phone until it was good and ready take the shot.

To many a brave soul  a sign like this may mean drudgery + paycheck, but to the eye of a tourist-ically inclined fellow such as I, it means adventure. Let's take the bus into the city, shall we?

"Interior with a Girl Drawing"


Made it over to the Museum of Modern Art. I stared at this portion of a Picasso painting for a good long time...close up, than far, close, than far...Thought, "What inspires a painter to put the colors where they do?"  It made me think, so I took a picture of it to remember my...thinking.
Think he was thinking outside the box (or...face) with this one?

Ya, think? (Okay, enough!)

"Bicycle Wheel" by Marcel Duchamp

I quote from the MoMA website: "...Duchamp’s first readymade, a class of objects he invented to challenge assumptions about what constitutes a work of art...By simply selecting prefabricated items and calling them art, he subverted established notions of the artist’s craft and the viewer’s aesthetic experience."


I walked around this, chuckling to myself, lest I be booted out of the exhibiit.  But then again, maybe that's the reaction good 'ol Marcel wanted.  The audio tour said he wanted people to "ask questions".  Mission accomplished!




BONUS READING! (for those with more time):
"The 1913 Bicycle Wheel was lost, but nearly four decades later Duchamp assembled a replacement from newly found prefabricated parts and affirmed that the later version is as valid as the original.


Sure would have.....,liked to have seen.....,the.....,"original" one...


Stay tuned for Part 2 and beyond!

Reflections on New York City - Part 1

Huntington, WV & (We Are) Marshall University

And now a quick look back at the site of our show at the Huntington Rib & Music Fest in Huntington, West Virginia along with my day trip meandering around the town in search of Marshall University and the accompanying filming locations of the 2006 film, "We Are Marshall".  Thanks Huntington!

 

Huntington, WV & (We Are) Marshall University

Video From the Road: Will Break For Food & Planes

While stopping for food somewhere in Ohio...

Video From the Road: Will Break For Food & Planes

Heck of a Homecoming, Dearborn!

What a great time at the 2011 Dearborn Homecoming (Michigan)!

The day started with a police escort into Ford Field Park.

Big stage! Big fun!

Wish I had a shot of the crowd looking out from the stage during the last tune.  It was a cool site, the sea of people and all those glow-in-the-dark, throw-away flexible light sticks twirling in the dark.

This gig has the distinction for me as being the closest I've ever been to a constant, explosive ear-drum-splitting impact of fireworks being set off!

Heck of a Homecoming, Dearborn!

Little Blessings On The Road

Last week in the local Quality Inn I was feeling a little under-the-weather, medically speaking, managing to do a little bit of music work when I had the energy (Every little bit helps), but there was no way I was walking outside the hotel in the 100+ degree heat. But as my most helpful wife lovingly quipped, "You're not going to stay in that room, are you?!", I was reminded that getting out for a while does make one feel a little better.

Zeno's Menu

Lo and behold the Southern Florida skies brought a full wash of clouds, so venturing out was actually doable. And now looking back, was so very rewarding.

Hidden amongst the sea of medical buildings around the hotel was Zeno's Pizza. However it wasn't pizza I wanted so I ordered spaghetti with meat sauce. I was impressed! It VERY closely resembled our family recipe that I, my sister, mom, grandma, (on down the line) make. And the tag line on the menu, well, that got me thinking!

And to think I strongly resisted even leaving my room! 

Chalk one up for the first posting under "Little Blessings on the Road"!

Life is full of'em. Bon appetit!

Further reading for those who have time: Oh, as things would serendipitously (I like using this word a lot) transpire, the minute I walked in the door of the restaurant, the very first words I heard were: "Don Henley". No lie! So weird. And my first reaction was to look at them like they were talking about me as though they'd seen me perform with the band somewhere. I soon found that was not the case and silently laughed at my pompous self (as I'm sure you are right now) for thinking this. But it was meant to be. That sauce.....yum!

Little Blessings On The Road

Waiting Out The Rain - Kingsport, TN - Video

"Exciting" short video in which Hotel California A Salute To The Eagles (myself included) wait out a storm, sequestered on the bus in the middle of downtown Kingsport, TN on June 9, 2011

Waiting Out The Rain - Kingsport, TN - Video

Track Preview - "Mama Gonna Whoop You!"

Okay, as promised, here's a song preview of "Mama Gonna Whoop You" only available to those of you on my email list. (I figure you hopefully like me enough already to accept this piece of work in it's unfinished state and won't flee at the click of a mouse if you don't like it!)

It's a rough mix.  There's still things to add to it like background vocals, but I think it's still fun to hear and I wanted to share.  Once you click "play" it should ask you to confirm that you're on the email list before you're allowed to hear more than 30 seconds of it.  (Now, if 30 seconds is enough for you, then maybe I haven't done my job in hooking your ear into hearing more!!)  Hope that's not the case!

Track Preview - "Mama Gonna Whoop You!"

Taxi Forward - Urgent Entertainment News! - Sounds Like?

It's always good to get a bit of good news when you're not feeling up to snuff from the flu.

Got the results of another Taxi Music pitch of mine that was forwarded.  In short, the listing called for:

ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION-type INSTRUMENTAL CUES a la shows similar to Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight, Extra, etc., needed by a Full Service Music Publishing Company with a great working relationship at a Major Network for use in multiple shows! They're looking for short cues of 60 seconds or less - think "bumpers" and transition music! They said, and we quote: "The key word often used for the music we want is 'urgent entertainment news'."


Click on the music player to hear my....creation "Celebrity D&B"



We'll see what happens"!

What is Taxi?  What is a "Forward"  Click HERE.

Taxi Forward - Urgent Entertainment News! - Sounds Like?

A Dream That Won't Come True

Today is the day after Osama bin Laden's death. I suppose I don't need to go into detail for you who he is, and actually, he's not the subject of this post. Let's change our focus, shall we?

This morning as I had iTunes DJ playing while preparing for a hotel departure, the Carpenters came on. The song (not one of their well-known hits) was called "Now".

You know, it's guaranteed that every time I hear Karen Carpenter's voice, I will melt...chills! What a voice! Simple and pure.

Here's something you may not know about me:

It's always been a secret dream of mine ever since I can remember since Karen, Richard, and their parents, were fellow Downey, California residents like I was, to sing with Karen someday. Of course that will never happen because she sadly died in 1983 of anorexia complications. So while I was living my childhood life and spending hours on end hunkered down playing my guitar in my bedroom on the west side of town, Karen and Richard Carpenter lived and we're rising to the heights of worldwide musical fame on the northeast side of town!

Kind of cool to think about!

But now Karen's no longer with us. There a plenty of singers who I greatly admire, but she remains to this day my all-time favorite female singer. I enjoy her not only for simply the heart-warming entertainment she brings but also as a fellow performer. Of course, you'll probably read this a lot in my posts, but I'm so blessed and grateful to be singing for a living and always learning something from admiring the talents of the best!

I can't but help but think there's a little "bit of Karen" I've absorbed into whatever performance skills I may have acquired along the way from watching and listening to her.



A quote that went along with this posted video from NedNickerson2010 for the song "Now":
"Following Karen's death, Richard returned to the studio and worked on his and Karen's last recordings, including two of the songs she recorded in 1982 as well as other songs from previous recording sessions over the years before. "Now" was a work lead, recorded in one take, and was intended to familiarize the musicians with the song as well as Richard's arrangement. After a complete music track had been recorded, Karen would have returned to the studio and recorded new vocals for the song. But as it was, the work lead turned out to be the last song Karen ever recorded."

A Dream That Won't Come True

Lola Versus...? - New Video

Cute small dog in a scary situation. Trouble ensues. Or does it? Watch and find out! 

Lola Versus...? - New Video

I Reflect Therefore I Am and Therefore I Shall Continue The Journey

Yours truly pondering in a meadow somewhere in Missouri.
Photo: Kevin Lovelady

I'm a very reflective guy. That's why I try not to look in the mirror too much.

Ha, ha - funny!

Seriously, I HAVE been reflective (Of the most meditative kind minus the "transendental" aspect) of late. I believe I'm on my 6th year with Hotel California A Salute To The Eagles. Goal #1 was to take part in some really cool musical situation where I didn't have to play in bars 5-nights-a-week for a buck, but where people were actually paying attention to the music. I found H-Cal. and Holy-Divine-timely-intervention! - it was a perfect match!

This gig I knew would support my songwriting "habit" (Goal #2), which consists of learning the songwriting craft, writing, and recording the best songs and instrumental tracks I could possibly write and continue improving with the passage of time.

Lo and behold, I found out how much I enjoyed performing on the big stage and how much I enjoyed learning THAT whole thing. Connecting with the audience, hitting those necessary high-notes on certain songs, playing my parts correctly (ha ha!), etc. This as well is a never-ending, though rewardingly exciting, path of continued learning.

So this is where I am. Double-edged sword, double-whammy, however you want put it. I was formerly just a guy wanting to write songs and play some cool gigs. Now I'm a guy who I think has grown to love the stage as well. From the feedback I get, wow! - I'm touched.

Putting out a CD in the future? I don't know. Not a very focused...umm,...focus... to get somewhere in the music biz. I've just reached my 50th year on this planet. Guess this late bloomer/dreamer is just re-evaluating. I'm very blessed to do what I do. In the words of California PBS Television host, Huell Howser, "The Adventure Continues"!

Thanks for reading. God bless you in your endeavours!

I Reflect Therefore I Am and Therefore I Shall Continue The Journey

Added another track as a Free Download

Got a photo with Imogen at a listening event in Hollywood for her latest CD

I've added another track to the free downloads section. "The Song That Never Was"

Singer, Imogen Heap donated these vocals to an online charity project and hundreds of songwriters like myself added their own tracks to them.

So what you hear are her vocals just as they were mixed and uploaded. And then I added my own chord structure, rhythm arrangement, etc. on my Mac, mostly on the road somewhere in Florida.

I didn't spend a whole lot of time on it, but it was a whole lot of fun to do!  It would not be proper for me to sell this track so I put it up for a free download. Hope you enjoy it.

If you're already on email list, it should be automatically available to you.

Click on the "3 Free Downloads" box on the top right of this site or CLICK HERE.

Added another track as a Free Download

Song Title Summary - Real Exciting Post Title, I Know!

With 2 hours to go till we reach are Florida destination, allow me to share some titles of song projects I'm working on all at the same time.  Most of these are in the process of being recorded.

The Interesting:

"Flirty In Flannel"
"Mama Gonna Whoop You"
"She Keeps Bees"
"A Girl and Her Dog"

I would call these titles the "Not-So-Interesting" because on first reading without hearing the songs they're just....plain, but hopefully made more interesting with the lyric and melody:

"Waiting On The Rain"
"Opened My Heart"


I think I've got Country (Blues, Contemporary), Alternative Pop, and Adult Contenporary covered here.

Honorable Mention goes to:

"Farmer's Tan" (country)
"Something Summer" (alternative pop)

I've grown partial to these two of late and they're real close to finished (of course that could mean days or even months of rewrites!)

Have any that you think I should work on?

Song Title Summary - Real Exciting Post Title, I Know!

Walking on a Sunday Afternoon with Lola

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Walking on a Sunday Afternoon with Lola

Saw Burt Bacharach at the Fox Theatre!

I was very thrilled and blessed to see Burt Bacharach live and in person with the Corona Symphony Pops at the Fox Theatre the other night! (4th row behind the small VIP section!)

I was surprised I guess at how frail he seemed. But after all he's turning 83 in May.  I think his seasoned age made him that much more more endearing to the audience though.  You just wanted to go and gave him a big, but gentle, hug of thanks.  Kind of like your grandpa.

Though well advanced in years, man, he still had "it".  It was very passionate performance.  He was very humble and relational, joking about his Ricola cough drops, forgetting words a little, and losing his voice only to get it back some by the time his singing parts came along.

He had a very talented trio of pro singers with him, Josie James, Donna Taylor, and John Pagano.  The orchestra did a great job and it was so cool hearing some of those signature string and horn lines live.  The songs never stopped. Medley after medley.  The "first four hits" medley.  The "songs written for film" medley.  On and on it goes!

Thanks, Burt!

Did you know there are a couple of songs I've written in the past that were purposely both a pastiche (a fancy word I learned in a Stephen Schwartz bioraphy!) of those classic Bacharach/David tunes?  Take a listen below!

Window Seat

free music download from Steve Probst

Yes, Love

free music download from Steve Probst

The concert looked something like this:

Saw Burt Bacharach at the Fox Theatre!

Tires and Titles

Car repairs, what a pain!

Still, as songwriters, the world is our office.

As I walked from Firestone to the store for eatables for the wait, I was running a title idea around in my head: "The Best First Date Ever." How to sing this as the "hook"?

Seems those two "st's" (best first) don't make for smooth singability. Say it, better yet, sing to yourself. :( Hmmm....

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Tires and Titles

Update: "I'm Going To Disneyland"

You may remember my past post about a new song, "I'm Going To Disneyland".


Well, I went ahead and pitched it to a country listing, knowing there may be possible challenges with the song.  I recently got some excellent industry feedback that confirmed my misgivings.


Yes, as I suspected, it would definitely have the potential to be a "legal nightmare" for a publisher using a Disney Trademark.


Here's a quote from screener:  "You have two choices, you can recycle the music and write new lyrics or just keep it the same and use it locally and regionally. One way to recycle the music is to pitch the tracks in the instrumental listings (retro pop) for tv, movies, documentaries. Blessings on all you do!"


One reason I made it a free download was for the "locally and regionally" part.  Just leave as it is,  put it out there for others to enjoy, and keep writing other tunes.


Another clarification for me is, well, to this screener's ears, it's not country.  It's retro-pop.  I have to admit, I think my Kenny Loggins roots may have shown through on this one.


It's only one person's (educated) opinion, I know, on this song, but I think I can take some very good things away from it.

Update: "I'm Going To Disneyland"

Video Exclusive! "Post-Christmas Blowout At Grandma's"

Caught on camera during a recent Holiday gathering:

Video Exclusive! "Post-Christmas Blowout At Grandma's"

Did My Best and Forgot The Rest

Now it's time to work the songwriting muscle.

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Did My Best and Forgot The Rest

Second Chance For Happy Circus Time

As you may have read here, when I'm not out playing shows, I'm writing tracks and songs for commercial placements in all sorts of different apllications through a company called Taxi.  They put out listings for needed music in many genres including the following left-of-center request:

UPBEAT, HAPPY, PEPPY CIRCUS CALLIOPE-STYLE INSTRUMENTALS needed by a global Music Publisher servicing ambient spaces (retail, malls, restaurants, theme parks). Aim for the authentic style of old world circus parades, carnivals and riverboats with playful melodic motifs and an upbeat spirit. Songs must be original or public domain covers. Imagine big pink swirls of cotton candy and carnival barkers on the midway and you're on your way. Broadcast Quality is needed (great sounding home recordings are fine).

I decided to give this one a try and came up this little ditty below.  I did what I usually do by getting on iTunes and listening to a few samples of "circus music". I didn't have a true calliope in my arsenal of sound samples so I took an organ patch and "injected" some airiness into it.  (huh?)  Tweaked it.  This is what happened:

CLICK ON MUSIC PLAYER TO HEAR "HAPPY CIRCUS TIME"

free music download from Steve Probst

The first time I pitched it, it was returned and the critique I got back was, "This track would have been perfect for this listing.  The melody to Happy Circus Time is too close to You Are My Sunshine which is under copyright since 1938."  Oooops!

The Punch Line
And so the second chance.  The listing has been put up again for more tracks in the same genre so I get to adjust the melody a little bit and resubmit it!  I have high hopes for "Happy" the second time around since it was "perfect for this listing."

Thanks for reading along in my songwriting journey!  I'll keep you posted.

Second Chance For Happy Circus Time

Vlog #5 - NEW SONG: Mama Gonna Whoop You!

Here's a rough version of a tune I've been working on.

Where did you ever get this song title, Steve?

Well,....traveling down the road on the bus this past year, our FOH (that's Front of House) sound engineer, Kevin, mentioned a line that became the title of this song.  I believe he said his Mom used to say this, "Mama Gonna Whoop You".  So I took up my personal challenge to come up with something using said childhood warning as a title or "hook" as it's called in the songwriting world.  Lyrics came first, then I added the melody later "whilst" tweaking the lyric as I went.

What's your excuse for such silliness? 

If anything, it's a songwriting exercise.  I have no idea who would sing this besides me.  The idea is to just keep writing!.  Hope you enjoy watching my singing head since when I film this I failed to have my guitar in the shot as well.  But there you have it.  I'm not going to record this againnnn!

Vlog #5 - NEW SONG: Mama Gonna Whoop You!