Fun with Lyrics - Red House

There's a red house over yonder

And the creamer's in the fridge

I said, there's a red house over yonder, baby

And the creamer's in the fridge

Fun with Lyrics - Red House

Book Quotes - Edith Wharton

A paragraph about my favorite park in NYC:

“The sense of weariness returned with accumulated force, and for a moment she felt that she could walk no farther. She had reached the corner of Forty-first Street and Fifth Avenue, and she remembered that in Bryant Park there were seats where she might rest.

That melancholy pleasure-ground was almost deserted when she entered it, and she sank down on an empty bench in the glare of an electric street-lamp”

–---------------------

“Lily, lingering for a moment on the corner, looked out on the afternoon spectacle of Fifth Avenue. It was a day in late April, and the sweetness of spring was in the air. It mitigated the ugliness of the long crowded thoroughfare, blurred the gaunt roof-lines, threw a mauve veil over the discouraging perspective of the side streets, and gave a touch of poetry to the delicate haze of green that marked the entrance to the Park.”

----------------------

“She spoke with the noble directness which she could command on such occasions, and which was like a large steady light thrown across the tortuous darkness of the situation. In its inconvenient brightness Rosedale seemed to waver a moment, as though conscious that every avenue of escape was unpleasantly illuminated.”

Excerpt From: Wharton, Edith. “House of Mirth.” iBooks. 

This material may be protected by copyright.

Check out this book on the iBooks Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/house-of-mirth/id498716749?mt=11

Book Quotes - Edith Wharton

Book Quotes - Nathaniel Hawthorne

“Life is made up of marble and mud. And, without all the deeper trust in a comprehensive sympathy above us, we might hence be led to suspect the insult of a sneer, as well as an immitigable frown, on the iron countenance of fate”  

“People in difficulty and distress, or in any manner at odds with the world, can endure a vast amount of harsh treatment, and perhaps be only the stronger for it; whereas they give way at once before the simplest expression of what they perceive to be genuine sympathy.”

“I find nothing so singular in life, as that everything appears to lose its substance the instant one actually grapples with it. So it will be with what you think so terrible.”

“As a general rule, Providence seldom vouchsafes to mortals any more than just that degree of encouragement which suffices to keep them at a reasonably full exertion of their powers”

Excerpt From: Hawthorne, Nathaniel. “House of the Seven Gables.” iBooks. 

This material may be protected by copyright.

Check out this book on the iBooks Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/house-of-the-seven-gables/id395546423?mt=11

Book Quotes - Nathaniel Hawthorne

Personal Milestones

I have arrived! In my very own mailbox! And I was recently spotted on my very own refrigerator. Sort of a home-town gig for me at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.

Personal Milestones

Steve's Sings an Original Song at the Coach House!

With fear and trepidation I decided, instead of singing a cover song (such as a barn-stormer/screamer like "Roxanne" to guaranteed applause), to sing one of my original songs.  And a ballad, at that.

I was asked by my good friend, Jay Nixon, to back him up on guitar and vocals for his set that opened up the Ambrosia show at the Coach House last Friday.  And because it was close to my birthday, he offered me a solo slot during HIS solo slot to sing whatever I chose.  I thought it was about time to do one of my own tunes!

I just never get around to doing one of them. I simply write the songs and move on to the next in my never-ending quest to write that great song that will get me through some music biz doors.  I'm usually busy playing with Hotel California - I don't do my own shows.  Takes a lot of work and time to put them together.  So I just write and record and forget. (Except for the future releases on iTunes)

Photo by Donald McMullen

Let me say for the record, I was very blessed by the response from some audience members about the original song I sang! Nothing like really connecting with the crowd with a song of your own that YOU connect with because you wrote it.  I had know idea - rehearsing it at home, no one's hearing it (except God of course, but He's biased! ;) ) - but sing and COMMUNICATE in front of an audience on a crystal-clear sound system?  It was a great feeling!

Of course I've heard said, you can take a so-so song, and if you've got a voice people like, you can make a good song be a GREAT song.  This song was written around 2006 or so; so, to me, there are "weaker spots" in it lyrically.

Made me want to do it again. :)

Oh! The song I sang?

"All It Takes"

Photo by Donald McMullen

Thanks Jay!

Steve's Sings an Original Song at the Coach House!

Steve, Martin, and Stuff

Random "what's happening" thoughts....

Well, the band is off for 3 weeks or so, so getting back to some focused writing and recording back at the homestead. Almost finished with the first book of Pat Pattison's writing excercises. (You know, the strange examples from previous posts.  Should I post more?) lol

Speaking of Pat Patison, signed up for a free online songwriting course he teaches at Berklee College of Music.  It's very basic, but will help me keep on task.
(I found it, by the way, while watching live Twitter feeds of up-to-the-second updates from the "Jurupa Fire" that was close to our house.  On another #songwriting Twitter stream were all these people tweeting, "I just signed up for a free songwriting class...!")

1991 Martin HD-28

My favorite guitar is back from a total rehab. It actually sounds better than my Taylor when recording through my particular setup!  Awesome work done by expert Taylor lutherie, Timothy Luranc.

Steve, Martin, and Stuff

Barry De Vorzon: The Songwriter's Friend

Many career-inspiring things to experience at the Taxi Music Road Rally I attended last November.  Here's a highlight for me.  Got a photo with composer, songwriter, former record company exec, AND the creator of the songwriting computer program I absolutely love and recommend for any songwriter, MASTERWRITER. 

Yours truly with Mr. Barry De Vorzon

Barry De Vorzon was responsible for classic cuts like "Nadia's Theme" (Young and the Restless), the theme from S.W.A.T. and one of my favorite Carpenters songs, the Acadamey Award nominated, "Bless the Beasts and the Children".  He even co-wrote the Eagles hit "In The City" with Joe Walsh.

Barry De Vorzon: The Songwriter's Friend

Moving-Forward Monday

Acoustic guitars become 1's and 0's in the mysterious digital recording world!

Looking back on the last week or two...I've started two new songs this past week and I think another the week before. (I get some idea or inspiration from an artist who's song is featured on a TV show and off I go).  I've added in writing exercises as well.

On the recording end of things, started guitars and drums on one song, background vocals on another, and I'm ready to add "backgrounds" on still another.

Oh! Went to a songwriter get-together this past week and received some great feedback on a song I started TWO YEARS AGO! I knew it could still be better and I was right. The question is, do I want to continue with this one or just move on and write something new and fresh, and hopefully better with the new things I'm learning.

There's plenty to keep me busy while the band's on break.

Moving-Forward Monday

I Needed This! Wait - I Needed This?

After a weekend of almost constant travel, sleep on the moving bus, and less-than-stellar busy-diet, I spent a nice stretchy morning in torturous, feel-good poses from P90X Yoga X.

Something like this one >>>>>> (which only lasts 3-5 seconds before my wrists can't take it anymore).

WARNING: Don't try this at home.......just because I did!

I figure whoever reads this will be amused by this photo so I post!  Laugh with me, why don't ya!

I Needed This! Wait - I Needed This?

Catholic Church Becomes Performing Arts Center

Under the category "Interesting Performance Venues", here's the Campanile Center for the Arts, Minocqua, Wisconsin.  

Once a former Catholic Church, it was converted into...a place of employment for the boys and I.  

Beer, wine, soda...sins of omission....comission?

Where the priestly preparations were made. Had to take a shot before show time.

Bus parked in the back.

Stained glass only seen from the outside. Covered up inside.

Catholic Church Becomes Performing Arts Center

Hats Off To ...Me!

Sharing with you a gift I received from an enthusiastic audience member during the Thunder Valley Rally we performed at in Cottonwood Arizona.  During "Desperado", a standing, front-row, gray-bearded reveler with sleeveless denim vest and tattoos motioned for me to take his hat and put it on during "Desperado"

I proceeded to wear it for the remainder of the show.  And later I was informed that to refuse such a gesture was a form of disrespect in the biker world.  oh  (Thank you! Thank you very much!)
Actually, it was pretty cool!

Hats Off To ...Me!

Dear Diary...billboard sighting

...saw my huge self on a billboard on the side of the road as we were driving to the venue. I had seen a picture of it on Facebook (see below), but there I/we was/were! The sun must be pretty bright along the Oregon coast! lol

Photo by Sandy & Dennis Dunsmore

Dear Diary...billboard sighting

First Year at Disney World 2006 - Photo Slideshow

This may be slightly boring to everyone but me and my immediate family. ;)
Collected all the photos of my 2006 working (www.HotelCal.com) vacation at Disney World and put them in a (15 minute!) musical slide show. There are some blurry photos, but I don't care, I used every one - my kids took'em okay! Great memories. Less hair (Less gray!). I get a little teary-eyed every time I watch this.

First Year at Disney World 2006 - Photo Slideshow

Show Report: Sandestin, Florida

Every show has a characteristic all it's own.  Let me introduce you to Baytown Wharf of the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.

#1 Note: If there is dancing to be done at one of our shows, it's usually guaranteed to be commenced by a female unable to contain the "Wooo" as in the chorus of "All She Wants To Do Is Dance"  Not so, at this sunshine-induced (with a splash of wine or beer), euphoric rock show!  Bless his suntan, Florida soul - yes, a gentleman, hands raised in the air, started the whole dancing ball rolling. (Crowd shot and caption below by Rich Turner)

#2 No words needed really. See photo below.  I don't looked pleased, do I?  Yeah, it was a little unnerving seeing this gyrating girlie in green complete in her Brittany or...Lindsay.... shades dancing by my side. Okay, I played along. But she really wasn't interested in dancing with anyone but herself, I think. lol

Photo and charming caption by Rich Turner

#3 Let's cap this show report off with some potty humor.  Of a different kind, sure to get a laugh from you the reader.  It wasn't so funny for me though at the time I discovered it.

It was an outdoor show, sun was still out.  I decided for a jacket-less performance, so I laid my black jacket over on my side of the stage on some road cases.  When I returned to retrieve it, I discovered not one, but three little blessings from God's little creatures-that-sit-in-trees-over-stuff-you-put-under-them in the form of bird excrement!  Lovely.  I will be in search shortly of a dry cleaner somewhere in North Carolina.  Yes, Floridians, this happened in YOUR state!  Shame!

Had to get #3 off my chest, but I hope you enjoyed reading #'s 1 and 2 as well.

Unitl next time, I remain...

jacket-less  :-/

Show Report: Sandestin, Florida

Travel Highlight: American Pickers, Nobel Prize - Something In Common?

Seen the cable show "American Pickers"? I've watched it a couple times, but I'm not much of a fan of reality TV shows.  As is the case when traveling "had some time to kill" between checkout and load-in (Newberry Opera House) this past February, so I ambled around the town of Newberry, SC to see what I could..see.

As suggested by the Visitor Center desk-lady in a much expected southern drawl, I paid a visit to C.T. Summer Hardware Store, which was indeed featured on an episode ("Possom Trot") of "American Pickers" on the History Channel.

With Bill Shull, grandson of Clarence Summer, store founder

Meet Bill Shull, proprietor and character-extraordinaire. During our nice and hugeley humorous chat, not only did I hear about the visit by the "Pickers" Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, I learned that his dad, Clifford Shull, was a historical recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics, 1994!

He gets a lot of visitors in his store due to his Reality TV celebrity-hood, so he was ready to share his articles and photos about his dad.

Established in 1928, C.T Summer is no Home Depot, but it's dripping (or, spilling over) with character.  This is what you see when you first walk in.  Where's Bill!?

Newberry Opera House, Newberry, SC (Why I was in town in the first place)

That's all, folks!

Travel Highlight: American Pickers, Nobel Prize - Something In Common?

My Audition for the "The Voice"

Let me start with the end of the story. 

No, I didn't a call back.  Nevertheless I was amazed I even had a voice at all to do the Sunday audition!  We (Hotel California) did two nights of shows Friday and Saturday at the very smoky Ak-Chin Casino in Maricopa, AZ.  On top of the bad inside air quality, the desert climate is very dry.  I usually come away from this weekend with a very ragged voice.  But I went crazy with the water drinking and Throat-Coat tea and was able to do some sort of vocalizing for one of the "The Voice" show producers.  (Kudos to those keeping me in your prayers!)

There were times I wanted to say, "No way, impossible - not going to have a voice after this!(gig)"  This was indeed a journey of faith and courage for me. The slight bit of rejection, getting a "no", still stung a little, but "live (or, sing) and learn"!

Slept on the bus on the way back from Arizona.  In the
morning, while waiting to be picked up, here I am warming (buzzing)
up what voice I had left.  Silly photo for your enjoyment.

The Rest of the Story

Okay, the "process"!  My audition time was 2 PM.  Got in a line that was, I don't know - half a mile long(?) - snaking around the building. It was huge.  Got into the LA Convention Center (see photo below) after 2 hours of waiting outside in this line.

Up the stairs, ID check, bag check, scanned by hand for any weapons (or bombs?)...then I was sent to a large holding room with scores of other hopefuls.  I was impressed that every member of the casting staff was positive, energetic, and did there respective cattle-call jobs with a sense of encouraging humor.

Up the stairs to the "no photos" zone.

Next, sent to another room!  This is where everyone is broken up into groups of ten and informed that these are people you were going to an audition with.  I was called along with 9 others, and we all stood in front of one of two "The Voice" banners in the front of the room and waited once again.  This is where I was quietly starting to get the pitch pipe, my first note of "Heart of the Matter", ingrained in my head.

Then...escorted for more waiting in the hall outside where the audition would take place.  I saw a few singers with the coveted "red paper" call back award walk by being personally escorted by a head-set wearing crew member.  More waiting meant time for a bathroom break.  I belted out the first few notes of my song in the reverberating tile "warm-up room".

Then in we ten audition-ees went to our doom into the room!  It was a large room, good for singing.  We discovered one table in front of the room with a producer from the show and an assistant.  She was positive, had a great attitude, put me at ease for sure.  The producer explained the rigorousness of the whole process from first audition to getting on the show.  All ten of us sat in chairs and listened to each other sing a verse and a chorus from our chosen numbers.  The producer kept her head down so as to focus on our voices.  THAT made it easier!  We all applauded for each other after our respective turns.  After all of us had our turns we were informed that she wasn't advancing any of us through to the call backs.

NOW, read above!

In cathartic summation:

Yes, I was nervous; but relaxed at the same time.  Yeah, my voice maybe could have been better had I not had the high-energy, second-hand smoke-filled "workout" of the previous two nights in Arizona.  (Specifically, I remember, the notes "Even if, Even if" at the end of the chorus of "Heart of the Matter" being quite a challenge as my audition came to a close).  I really wanted to experience the live audition and, I'm thankful I DID! :)

My Audition for the "The Voice"

Song Craft - You Are My Hero!

Here's a peak at some writing activity from yesterday. 

I've read (and have been reading-but that's another post) that if you want to be a serious writer - a pro - as opposed to an amateur, you don't sit around and wait till inspiration magically appears.  You show up "at your desk" (even if it IS somewhere outside in the Florida panhandle in late February-I know, hate me) and you do your work!

This is one way that works for me.  Take a title idea, break down the words of it, and write word associations. A large legal pad works best.  Even if at the end of the day I've written nothing usable in lyric form (Definition: Cr*p), at least I showed up (and felt good after the fact!).

AND there was no laptop in site. It was back to basics and NO smartphone.

Okay, back to the palm trees, sunshine, a coolish-warm Gulf breeze. (sorry!)  

Song Craft - You Are My Hero!

Plazas de la Ciudad más Antigua de la Nación!

St Augustine Lighthouse

Or..."Touring the Nation's Oldest City"

A couple days in between shows. Hmmm, what to do?

Found myself in Saint Augustine, Florida. What a cool find!  Lots of history there and I went crazy (sort of) with the camera.  I have been told before that photos are more interesting when there's a familiar person in them, so you'll see lots me! lol

Click HERE to be transported to my very brief pictorial of 2 days in the "Nations Oldest City".

Plazas de la Ciudad más Antigua de la Nación!

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!

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