Singer, Songwriter, and Recording Musician. Throughout the years I've played out live with several bands I either joined or formed myself. My band heyday began back in the late 70's and continued into the late 90's. Today I get great joy from writing and recording music. I began recording and engineering back in the mid 80's recording my music, and the music of others. Local solo artists and bands in my area. Back then everything was pretty much Analog. Now with the digital age I'm finding you can never know enough. Always a new trick or technique one can learn almost daily. I believe my strengths are in songwriting, composing and arranging. My main instrument is Guitar and Vocals. (Acoustic & Electric) I also play some Keyboards and Bass. I consider myself sort of a hybrid musician ... a blend of real world instruments and electronic. Softsynths, MIDI programming of Drums, Strings and the Kitchen Sink etc. My roots are in Rock, but I also love new and old Country, Gospel, Blues, Pop, Indie, and Christian music. With the Internet making this world smaller, I'm open to a writing and recording collaboration from time to time. Check out my YouTube channel if you have time and please subscribe. Thank You! Copy and Paste link ... https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd7pjEpCxrSe5o-L29Bv01Q
Music is my life and has been all my life. Even though I'm older now I have to believe I will take music to my grave when that day comes. Music is the universal language that just about everyone can understand. No matter where you're from, or what language you speak just about everyone can relate to the power of music. Music keeps me sane in an insane world ...
Honestly, when I was younger it was to be a Rock Star baby! Now, not so much. Now my dreams are in writing, composing, and recording the best music I can. Maybe get some songs out to established artists to cover, or in film, television etc. But if that doesn't happen I'm still content in creating music period.
I would start by telling people about Jesus. I would hope most people knew who He was, and what He did for us. For through Him all things are possible. Without Him I'm afraid anything one does in this lifetime and beyond will be short lived and temporary. With Him it will be everlasting. The next thing I would do is try to take politics and religion out of the equation. Both those things seem to be a great pitfall for all of us. They truly divide us!
Oh man, there are so many I really couldn't name one. But they would have to be songs by artists like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Grand Funk, Robbin Trower, STYX, and the list goes on.
Currently I like most of the Contemporary Christian artists out there like Big Daddy Weave, Jesus Culture, Elevation Worship, Chris Tomlin, Hillsong United etc. For secular music artists and bands I'm a fan of groups like Nickelback, Alice In Chains, Jude Cole, Collective Soul, Bedlam, Dio, Stone Temple Pilots, Toy Matinee, Candlebox, Chris Cornell, Tony Carey and many more.
When I hear good music on the radio, television, YouTube, it motivates me to sit down and start noodling on the guitar. Usually that will lead into the creation of a song. Also, everyday life can inspire me. The things I see, the things I read. People I talk to will often give me an idea. Movies I watch will sometimes lead me to an idea. Last but not least thinking on Jesus and God inspires me a great deal these days. You can never run out of ideas creating music for or about God and Jesus! You just can't ... it's infinite.
I would like to try and always send an uplifting message. But sometimes you have to tell about the evils in this world. Sometimes I think it's good to expose those evils in hopes of getting people to shy away from them. If only one person gets the message than maybe you've helped in some way.
That's simple ... I've always felt fantastic! On top of the world!
Well, back in my day when I was younger we didn't have much to draw from in the way of learning things, new skills etc. If we had to learn a cover song we resorted to slowing down a record or tape ... LOL! These days there is so much knowledge out there it's incredible. You can learn just about anything you want and with greater speed. So I think that's a good thing for most musicians up and coming, and even seasoned players. Hey, we can never know enough. And when we think we know a lot there is plenty more to learn. I'm not sure what can be improved? The music business has always been a crap shoot. Some get to where they want to be, and others don't. How hard one wants to work at it is really the determining factor I guess. In most cases it don't happen over night. Years and years of dedication to the craft is needed. Maybe some luck and who you know also can play a factor. My advise to anyone is just be true to your heart and never quit. If you do that you are a success no matter what.
Well I'm new to Drooble so I don't know yet. I like the format that's for sure. I could probably answer the question better in 6 months or so.
What frustrates me the most is time. I wish I could devote all my time to writing, creating, and recording music. unfortunately for myself it doesn't pay the bills. Maybe someday I'll break through and it will. So yeah, time frustrates me. So much to do and learn still.
Yes, as much as time allows me too. That old time thing again ... LOL!
Hmmm, not sure on that one. The obvious would be to practice, practice, practice so you're damn good and create a demand. If you're a live band there's a lot of work involved. Someone needs to be in charge of PR, others in the group need to be creative as well with artwork, or get someone to do it. Websites, merchandise, beating the streets for gigs, making good contacts etc. For strictly Internet audiences I'm still working on that one or I wouldn't be here and various other sites.
Well, many people I meet have never heard of Jude Cole (Warner Bros/Island Records) Recording Artist. I met him back in 1993 when he lived here in Colorado for awhile. He's originally from Illinois and moved to L.A. in his youth. If I recall correctly he played with Moon Martin, a band in England called The Records, and he also played bass for Del Shannon. I was honored to have been able to do some live on location recording for him. He currently owns and operates a recording studio in L.A. with Kiefer Sutherland called Iron Works. He also manages the platinum selling group Lifehouse. Aside from all his accomplishments he has got to be one of the best damn lyricists I have had the privilege to meet or know. He's truly a wordsmith, great singer and multi instrumentalist.