@sam-houston
<p>Uploaded a new song called "Broken Guitar String". Actually, it's not that new. Me, Kooder, and others are working on a collab but it's not done yet. But, I thought I would go ahead and upload this version for now.</p><p>You can find it <a href="http://www2.mixposure.com/Full_Blood_Country/song_focus_24700.php">here</a>.</p><p>Please check it out if you get a chance.</p>
<p>I uploaded a new song called "ShadowWolf". Please check it out if you get a chance.</p>
<p>It's tough sometimes to remember four or so hours of music and lyrics. It's even harder when you just can't stop laughing. During one particular sound check, some old guy that had obviously been drinking for the better part of that day, was sitting up relatively close to the stage and was so drunk that you couldn't understand him. During sound check, when we would stop, he would go "uuuuhhh aaaaaaaaaa Xjkjkasdg v"....or something between a loud moan, yell, and words of some sort. But he would do it every time we would play or even talk through the PA. I started laughing at him because it was just too damn funny.</p><p>So, we finished sound check, and waited until it was time to play. We did the first song and you could here a muffled "uuuuhhh aaaaaaaaaa Xjkjkasdg v". We played the second song and....."uuuuhhh aaaaaaaaaa Xjkjkasdg v", but now he was doing it while we were playing too. So I started laughing again....while trying to sing and play. And the more he "uuuuhhh aaaaaaaaaa Xjkjkasdg v", the harder I laughed. I somehow managed to make it through the first set. He did it a little during the second set but I guess he passed out or they made him leave or something because I didn't here it anymore. But it was REALLY funny but REALLY difficult to get through songs while that was going on.</p><p><span style="color: #00ff00;">That pisses me the **** off!!</span></p>
<p>Uploaded a new song called "She Wont Drive Me To Drink". Check it out if you get a chance.</p>
<p> Hi folks. I’ve been thinking again. I know I know, it’s a scary thing for me too. I’m sort of reluctant to continue this because I’m not really sure how to approach it. I’m relatively sure it will offend somebody somehow but my interest in this subject is strong enough to pursue it. So, when all else fails, just say it.</p> <p> I will say this though, try to remain civilized, mature, and respectful and I will too. There’s no reason we can’t discuss this reasonably.</p> <p> I’ve always been very curious as to what draws one person to another, in particular an audience to a performer. What is it about a performer that can cause a person, or group of people, to be so enthralled and infatuated? They will even go so far as to fight about it. When I was playing full time I had many fans, as I’m sure most of you have too. Even now that I’m not on stage all the time, I still have many fans. And again, I’m sure most of you do too. And these are people I don’t even know and have never met in person. But, why? What has any performer ever done to deserve such admiration and accolades? Is it just the act itself of being brave enough to get up in front of many people and expose a little of your inner self in a song? Is it that we can do that and they can’t? It certainly isn’t because we are the greatest that ever was at singing or playing the guitar or whatever. Many times, just the song itself can provoke deep emotion. But, when that type song is coupled with great musicians and a from-the-heart singer, it can be life-altering for some people. But that’s just one song and is not what I’m getting at. People attach themselves to performers. They believe in that performer like no other and will believe just about anything they say, sing, or play. Why?</p> <p> Now that I’ve posed that question, I want to go deeper. I did a blog a few days ago regarding home recordings and got some good feedback and advice that I intend to implement and try. But, since then I’ve had conversations and read Mix forum topics on that subject and also on emotional vocalization in a song. That got me thinking and eventually brought me to this subject.</p> <p> Although my main theme here will be mainstream music and performers, it has to do with everybody that has anything to do with music. The root of all this is that I want to understand why some mainstream performers get awards of every sort, sell millions of albums, have sold-out shows, make millions of dollars, and have screaming, half crazed fans all clamoring for even a brief glimpse of their favorite performer, while other performers who are obviously MUCH more talented get very little airplay and are relegated to relative obscurity in what amounts to a musical “Death Valley”. It seems to me that if a performer is contributing positively to the collective good of his/her genre, they should be allowed to continue and receive the same airtime and awards as anyone else. Why should they be cut from the mix? It makes no sense. It seems in the music industry these days, performers of legendary status are forced down and denied their rightful place in the spotlight. If they are still able to perform then they should be allowed to and be billed right up there with the top sellers, but they aren’t. They have to play places that hold maybe 1/100th of the quantity of people they once performed for. It’s sickening.</p> <p> It’s also sickening to think about the fact that music of today is just not what it once was or what it should be. With technology comes laziness. People are always figuring out how to do more and more with less and less but never seem to care about the costs involved. We can synthetically reproduce practically any sound imaginable, but do we really want to? You lose all the intricate nuances of live performance by a human being when artificially reproduced. I’m not referring to home recordings or small studio recordings. I’m talking about the supposed “upper echelon” of the music industry. They have multitudes of musicians at their disposal but readily utilize synthetic sources when possible. That has a lot to do with what we hear, or don’t hear, these days. Rather than paying a musician to participate in a recording, they can just as easily use sampling or other means to attain the required part. I’m not saying they always do that, but it happens. And for me, that degrades the quality rather than improve it.</p> <p> Hang in there, this will come full circle momentarily. So, what is it that drives people to be fanatics? By the way, that’s where the term “fan” came from. It’s short for fanatic. Merriam-Webster defines fanatic as “marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion”. So, there you go, “uncritical devotion”. That’s what I was saying before. Essentially this means that when someone is a “fan” of a performer, they are unconditionally devoted to them, regardless of whether that devotion is rational or not. However, we all know there are varying degrees of fanaticism. But, I often wonder what motivates some people.</p> <p> If we are honest with ourselves, we know that there are plenty of high level mainstream performers that honestly just don’t have it and should not be in the lime light they are in. There are even others that shouldn’t even be in the music business at all. At this point, I will refrain from referring to specific performers because I don’t want this to turn into an argument over who is the better no-talent. You will note however, that throughout this blog I have continually referred to them as “performers” rather than artists or entertainers. These people are performers….period. They simply appear on stage, similar to a dancing chicken with a hot plate under it. So, with that being said, what causes “fans” to be attracted to these type people when some of these performers these days blatantly get on stage and play the wrong notes, sing off key, play out of time, etc etc.? If somebody continually gets on stage and cranks out amazing guitar solos or just has an amazing voice, then I can see why people would like that and be attracted to it. But, when that isn’t the case…..why? Is it that the performer has been marketed in such a way that it draws in lots of people? Is it that people are so gullible that if television and radio says it’s good then it must be? Are people tone deaf? I would agree that a lot of the songs are good songs but then get butchered by the performer. But, maybe it’s the message in the song. But, don’t people realize that a lot of performers don’t write their own songs? What is going on? There used to be an unspoken “code of ethics” in music that said if you can’t play, don’t. If you can’t sing, don’t. That doesn’t seem to be the case many times in mainstream music these days.</p> <p> I just don’t understand this type of strange behavior. I just don’t get why somebody would gravitate to a performer who is obviously significantly musically challenged. I also don’t understand how these performers get to the levels they are. It just makes no sense.</p> <p> That’s why independent music and musicians are taking over! But, the mainstreamers are “supposed” to be the best of the best. But, obviously that isn’t true in a lot of cases. This seems to hold true no matter what genre or age group. So, what goes through peoples minds when they select these people to idolize?</p>
<p>I just thought I would let you guys know that I am working on a new album called "Red Guitar". My goal is for these songs to be true country. In the last album I seem to have strayed somewhat but I hope to remedy that on this one.</p><p>This album will also include a couple of songs that I would say are more of a patriotic theme, although the whole album won't be. I am not at all happy about the current state of what is going on right now with the United States and some of that will come through on a couple of songs, but without being political. I hate politics.</p><p>On other songs, I hope to get back to real country music that I love. But, again, there won't be any fancy studios or full band on most of them. Just 'lil 'ol me.</p>
<p>I remixed "Pair Of Dice". It's not perfect but it's a hell of a lot better than it was. Please check it out.</p>
<p>I just wanted to let anyone that listens to my songs know that I realize that some of my recordings are less than good. I've talked with a few folks here about it and have been given some good advice and hints.</p><p>The problem is that I don't really have any recording/mixing experience to speak of, especially when dealing with multiple tracks.....and with dealing with recording digitally on a computer.....and with not having fancy equipment or software.....and with dealing with it just being me without a band.....and with.... Well, you get the idea. Recording this way is all new to me. I'm used to just showing up with a guitar, stepping up to the mic, and having somebody else deal with all the recording issues. I was always the one saying "this mix sucks" or "what are you getting paid for" or "are you freakin' deaf". But, as with most things, it's not always as simple when you're on the other side of the fence. (i didn't really say all those things.....I thought them.....but didn't say them....that i remember....probably....)</p><p>Anyway, I'm just saying that as soon as I can I will be re-recording some of my songs and hopefully they will turn out better.</p>
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