Merry Christmas to all my friends!
I hope this holiday season is full of the love of family and friends.
I look forward to all 2010 has in store for us.
Country Bessings
Friday, December 25, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Want to be a Successful Writer?
Yes you heard me right. I'm talking writing today. After all, if the words were never put onto paper, how did we come about some of the great songs of our time?
Aside from being a talented musician and songwriter, W.C. Jameson (http://www.wcjameson.com/) is an award-winning author. With over sixty books to his credit and a vast amount of magazine articles and essays marking his career, W. C. knows what it takes to see your name on a book jacket or byline. And like most authors I've met, he's happy to share his tips and tricks with you.
In his book - Want to be a Successful Writer? Do This Stuff - (www.rockinsrpublishing.com) W.C doesn't talk about grammar, punctuation, plotting, or any of the technical stuff. What he does talk about are the qualities every successful writer must have to make it in this business. Those same qualities apply to other aspects of your artistic life. Whether you are a musician, a painter or a paper artists, if you want to rise above 'hobby status', you need to adopt these basic characteristics.
If your goal is to be published or have a recording contract in the new year, I recommend you read this book. And when you're through, drop a comment here and let me know how it helps you live your dream.
Angel's Blessings!
Aside from being a talented musician and songwriter, W.C. Jameson (http://www.wcjameson.com/) is an award-winning author. With over sixty books to his credit and a vast amount of magazine articles and essays marking his career, W. C. knows what it takes to see your name on a book jacket or byline. And like most authors I've met, he's happy to share his tips and tricks with you.
In his book - Want to be a Successful Writer? Do This Stuff - (www.rockinsrpublishing.com) W.C doesn't talk about grammar, punctuation, plotting, or any of the technical stuff. What he does talk about are the qualities every successful writer must have to make it in this business. Those same qualities apply to other aspects of your artistic life. Whether you are a musician, a painter or a paper artists, if you want to rise above 'hobby status', you need to adopt these basic characteristics.If your goal is to be published or have a recording contract in the new year, I recommend you read this book. And when you're through, drop a comment here and let me know how it helps you live your dream.
Angel's Blessings!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Buddy Case
Nothing beats an evening with good friends and great music and last Friday night was no exception. I was attending the Ozark Creative Writers conference in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Buddy Case http://www.buddycase.com/bionew.html
was our featured entertainment for Friday evening. Man, if you’ve never heard this man perform you are missing out on life.
Whether he is solely picking an instrumental on his guitar or singing along, his music is pure magic. Not only is he one of the most accomplished pickers of his time but he writes songs about the everyday things, turning them into a special event you want to experience.
His most recent CD, Citizen of the World http://www.buddycase.com/musicnew.html is a showcase of some of the best music I’ve ever heard Buddy perform. Whether he’s singing Ghost of Gettysburg or a remake of Georgia On My Mind, there isn’t a tune on this album to disappoint you. If you’re getting in the holiday spirit, check out his Christmas album while you’re on his music site. White Christmas is beautifully done as only Buddy can pick it.
And when it comes to performing, Buddy knows how to do it right. He and his wife, Karen, have built their home around their passion for sharing his talent as well as that of musical friends they’ve made along the way. The Loft concerts bring in some of the best mix of true country and blues players for a weekend of picking and performing. With plenty of food and good times to share and any monies raised go to the Big Creek Ranch where he teaches guitar lessons for a new generation of musicians.
Stop by Buddy’s website and say hi, or next time you’re down Enola, AR way look him up. It will be the best musical time you’ve ever experienced.
Country Blessings
was our featured entertainment for Friday evening. Man, if you’ve never heard this man perform you are missing out on life.
Whether he is solely picking an instrumental on his guitar or singing along, his music is pure magic. Not only is he one of the most accomplished pickers of his time but he writes songs about the everyday things, turning them into a special event you want to experience.
His most recent CD, Citizen of the World http://www.buddycase.com/musicnew.html is a showcase of some of the best music I’ve ever heard Buddy perform. Whether he’s singing Ghost of Gettysburg or a remake of Georgia On My Mind, there isn’t a tune on this album to disappoint you. If you’re getting in the holiday spirit, check out his Christmas album while you’re on his music site. White Christmas is beautifully done as only Buddy can pick it.
And when it comes to performing, Buddy knows how to do it right. He and his wife, Karen, have built their home around their passion for sharing his talent as well as that of musical friends they’ve made along the way. The Loft concerts bring in some of the best mix of true country and blues players for a weekend of picking and performing. With plenty of food and good times to share and any monies raised go to the Big Creek Ranch where he teaches guitar lessons for a new generation of musicians.
Stop by Buddy’s website and say hi, or next time you’re down Enola, AR way look him up. It will be the best musical time you’ve ever experienced.
Country Blessings
Saturday, August 29, 2009
7th Annual Fandango at Luckenbach
Pack your bags! I can't think of a better way to wind down the summer than with a trip to Luckenbach Texas!
During the weekend of Sept. 11-13th you'll find awesome entertainment, a little partying (okay, maybe a lot) and good friends.
Here's what Mike Blakely and friends have in store for the 7th Annual Fandango at Luckenbach:
FRIDAY:
6:00 - Jimmy Adams and Friends
7:00 - Jeff Posey http://www.jeffposey.com/
8:00 - Kim Carson www.kimcarson.com
9:00 - Davin James www.davinjames.com
10:00 - Debbie Walton http://myspace.com/debbiewalton
11:00 - John Arthur Martinez www.johnarthurmartinez.com
SATURDAY:
1:00- Duke Davis & Buckshot www.rockindd.com/html/home.htm
2:00- Steven Fromholz, Bob Livingston, & Mike Blakely
www.stevenfromholz.com http://www.texasmusic.org/bob_livingston.php
3:00 - Pauline Reese www.paulinereese.com
4:00 - The Hudsons www.thehudsons.music.com
5:00 - Shotgun Party
6:00 - W.C. Jameson & Buddy Case
www.wcjameson.com www.buddycase.com/indexnew.html
7:00 - Tina Mitchell Wilkins www.myspace.com/tinamitchellwilkins
8:00 - Randy Brown http://www.randybrownmusic.com/Randy_Brown/Home.html
9:00 - Walt Wilkins & The Mystiqueros www.myspace.com/mystiqueros
10:00 - Tommy Alverson www.tommyalverson.com
11:00 - Mike Blakely & The Whiskey Traders www.mikeblakely.com
SUNDAY:
12:00 - 3:00 Book signing featuring a dozen Texas authors & music with some of those authors
1:00- Cowboy Church with TMR
2:00 - W.C. Jameson & Mike Blakely
3:00 - Bobby Bridger www.bobbybridger.com
4:00 - Buzz Carson - hit songwriter from Nashville
During the weekend of Sept. 11-13th you'll find awesome entertainment, a little partying (okay, maybe a lot) and good friends.
Here's what Mike Blakely and friends have in store for the 7th Annual Fandango at Luckenbach:
FRIDAY:
6:00 - Jimmy Adams and Friends
7:00 - Jeff Posey http://www.jeffposey.com/
8:00 - Kim Carson www.kimcarson.com
9:00 - Davin James www.davinjames.com
10:00 - Debbie Walton http://myspace.com/debbiewalton
11:00 - John Arthur Martinez www.johnarthurmartinez.com
SATURDAY:
1:00- Duke Davis & Buckshot www.rockindd.com/html/home.htm
2:00- Steven Fromholz, Bob Livingston, & Mike Blakely
www.stevenfromholz.com http://www.texasmusic.org/bob_livingston.php
3:00 - Pauline Reese www.paulinereese.com
4:00 - The Hudsons www.thehudsons.music.com
5:00 - Shotgun Party
6:00 - W.C. Jameson & Buddy Case
www.wcjameson.com www.buddycase.com/indexnew.html
7:00 - Tina Mitchell Wilkins www.myspace.com/tinamitchellwilkins
8:00 - Randy Brown http://www.randybrownmusic.com/Randy_Brown/Home.html
9:00 - Walt Wilkins & The Mystiqueros www.myspace.com/mystiqueros
10:00 - Tommy Alverson www.tommyalverson.com
11:00 - Mike Blakely & The Whiskey Traders www.mikeblakely.com
SUNDAY:
12:00 - 3:00 Book signing featuring a dozen Texas authors & music with some of those authors
1:00- Cowboy Church with TMR
2:00 - W.C. Jameson & Mike Blakely
3:00 - Bobby Bridger www.bobbybridger.com
4:00 - Buzz Carson - hit songwriter from Nashville
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Remembering Les Paul
Sad news reached my mail box over the weekend. The legendary Les Paul had passed away. In doing some digging in my personal research sources, I was surprised to find Les Paul was not mentioned in either of my Country Music Encyclopedias.
I know when many think of Les Paul, they think the outstanding Les Paul guitars artists longed to have. If a man wanted to play guitar, you can bet he hungered to own an honest to goodness Les Paul. Not cheap by any means. And I think to some, if they could afford one they thought they were on their way to great things.
Les Paul wasn't just about guitars. He was a magician and a pioneer in using multi-tracks in the recording studio. What he couldn't do with a guitar, he did in the studio. His talents spread across genres and generations.
I have to wonder who will ever contribute so much to music and leave such a lasting impression on the industry the way he did.
But then it's impossible to replace a legend.
Play on Les Paul!
Country Blessings!
I know when many think of Les Paul, they think the outstanding Les Paul guitars artists longed to have. If a man wanted to play guitar, you can bet he hungered to own an honest to goodness Les Paul. Not cheap by any means. And I think to some, if they could afford one they thought they were on their way to great things.
Les Paul wasn't just about guitars. He was a magician and a pioneer in using multi-tracks in the recording studio. What he couldn't do with a guitar, he did in the studio. His talents spread across genres and generations.
I have to wonder who will ever contribute so much to music and leave such a lasting impression on the industry the way he did.
But then it's impossible to replace a legend.
Play on Les Paul!
Country Blessings!
Monday, June 1, 2009
NEVER GOING BACK
That's the title of the new Collin Raye CD.
This man never ceases to amaze me. I have to cover my you-know-what by admitting I'll be the first to say Collin Raye isn't country - at least not the basic country I want to promote here. So you might ask why I'm showcasing him this week. I have enjoyed his music since the early days of his career and am honored to have the opportunity to review his new CD. It has been almost four years since Collin released an album and in my estimation, too long. Welcome back, Collin!
NEVER GOING BACK has Collin's mark on every note. Even the remakes of WITHOUT YOU and STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU are reminiscent of the sounds of his earlier CDs. SHE'S ALL THAT (from his TRACKS CD) would be just as much at home on this album as it's original release.
I have to admit when I first heard him perform his first single from the CD - MIDLIFE CHRYSLER -(performed on Huckabee's show), I was petrified of doing this review. I've always loved Collin's music and frankly, his live performance didn't make me anxious to purchase the CD. I've seen him in concert many times but this performance wasn't the style I remember. I was trying to figure out how I was going to say something positive about a CD from a man who's career I've never been able to give anything but praise. It was like he was screaming or trying too hard. But being the Collin Raye fan I've always been, I had to buy the CD and give it an honest listen. I was AMAZED at the difference between the TV performance and the recorded version.
I can't give this album a Cowboy Hat rating because it isn't country. But if you like a good ballad or were ever a Collin Raye fan, you want this album! If you buy it at Walmart, you get two bonus tracks - HELPING HANDS and FAITHFULLY.
If you want to find out where to catch Collin on tour or read about HALEY'S HELPERS - an organization founded for children with an undiagnosed disease like his 8-year-old granddaughter - check out his website... www.collinraye.com
This man never ceases to amaze me. I have to cover my you-know-what by admitting I'll be the first to say Collin Raye isn't country - at least not the basic country I want to promote here. So you might ask why I'm showcasing him this week. I have enjoyed his music since the early days of his career and am honored to have the opportunity to review his new CD. It has been almost four years since Collin released an album and in my estimation, too long. Welcome back, Collin!
NEVER GOING BACK has Collin's mark on every note. Even the remakes of WITHOUT YOU and STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU are reminiscent of the sounds of his earlier CDs. SHE'S ALL THAT (from his TRACKS CD) would be just as much at home on this album as it's original release.
I have to admit when I first heard him perform his first single from the CD - MIDLIFE CHRYSLER -(performed on Huckabee's show), I was petrified of doing this review. I've always loved Collin's music and frankly, his live performance didn't make me anxious to purchase the CD. I've seen him in concert many times but this performance wasn't the style I remember. I was trying to figure out how I was going to say something positive about a CD from a man who's career I've never been able to give anything but praise. It was like he was screaming or trying too hard. But being the Collin Raye fan I've always been, I had to buy the CD and give it an honest listen. I was AMAZED at the difference between the TV performance and the recorded version.
I can't give this album a Cowboy Hat rating because it isn't country. But if you like a good ballad or were ever a Collin Raye fan, you want this album! If you buy it at Walmart, you get two bonus tracks - HELPING HANDS and FAITHFULLY.
If you want to find out where to catch Collin on tour or read about HALEY'S HELPERS - an organization founded for children with an undiagnosed disease like his 8-year-old granddaughter - check out his website... www.collinraye.com
Gearing up!
Just a note of thanks to all of you for your patience during my brief stint of MIA. My daughter and granddaughter moved in with us back in March and a new routine in the household has been an adjustment. I'm use to having the house to myself 3 weeks at a shot, with only the animals for company. But I'm back and ready to further the journey with all of you.
Country Blessings!
Country Blessings!
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