I love to travel! I love getting in the car and just driving!
My mom used to tell me that I needed to find something I love and make money doing it. Well, I love music and I love to travel. I am very blessed to be able to do what I do. While I am very serious about each performance and I'm a perfectionist, I still can't call this a job because I love it so much.
In the next few weeks, I will have been in West Virginia, French Lick, IN and Memphis. While this may not be your dream of a grand vacation, it is so fun to meet people and see...things.
When I tell people where I'm performing, they sometimes say, "that's really far away." However, I want to live each day to it's fullest and enjoy the opportunities I get. Although I've never been to French Lick, IN, I can't wait to see it and to spend time with my wife.
Watch for another post. I'll let you know what it's like!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
It's Presidents Day!
Happy Presidents Day!
Sometimes we forget the idea behind federal holidays. I know, the temptation to just enjoy a day off work is sometimes too much. Of course, as a full time musician, I don't have paid holidays and I'm home during the day. I'm almost always off on Mondays. So it may be a little easier for me to find time to reflect.
Presidents Day was originally celebrated on Washington's birthday - February 22. However, Congress eventually changed the date to the third Monday in February. It now falls between Lincoln's birthday on February 12 and Washington's.
I don't think those that know me will be surprised that Lincoln is my favorite president. It's probably because I love studying the American Civil War. I just know more about him (Although, I will admit, my wife, who loves presidential history, has been teaching me about the others!)
If I'm not careful, this could become a long essay on everything I admire about Lincoln. Instead, I want to mention something about my nephew, who is 10 years old.
Last year for his spring break, we took him to Gettysburg. He talked us in taking him again on his last day of school. Before he returned to school, we took him to Springfield to see the Lincoln sites. He had so much fun, but more importantly, we had a blast with him.
Just a few weeks ago, he called to tell us there is an essay contest in his local newspaper. Kids are to write about their favorite President. He chose Lincoln!
So, on this Presidents Day, I hope you will share your love of history (what ever type of history you like) with someone else. When I was young, my uncle inspired my interest in the Civil War. I feel so honored to spark a similar interest in my nephew.
Again, Happy Presidents Day!
Sometimes we forget the idea behind federal holidays. I know, the temptation to just enjoy a day off work is sometimes too much. Of course, as a full time musician, I don't have paid holidays and I'm home during the day. I'm almost always off on Mondays. So it may be a little easier for me to find time to reflect.
Presidents Day was originally celebrated on Washington's birthday - February 22. However, Congress eventually changed the date to the third Monday in February. It now falls between Lincoln's birthday on February 12 and Washington's.
I don't think those that know me will be surprised that Lincoln is my favorite president. It's probably because I love studying the American Civil War. I just know more about him (Although, I will admit, my wife, who loves presidential history, has been teaching me about the others!)
If I'm not careful, this could become a long essay on everything I admire about Lincoln. Instead, I want to mention something about my nephew, who is 10 years old.
Last year for his spring break, we took him to Gettysburg. He talked us in taking him again on his last day of school. Before he returned to school, we took him to Springfield to see the Lincoln sites. He had so much fun, but more importantly, we had a blast with him.
Just a few weeks ago, he called to tell us there is an essay contest in his local newspaper. Kids are to write about their favorite President. He chose Lincoln!
So, on this Presidents Day, I hope you will share your love of history (what ever type of history you like) with someone else. When I was young, my uncle inspired my interest in the Civil War. I feel so honored to spark a similar interest in my nephew.
Again, Happy Presidents Day!
Love Songs, Nothing But Love Songs
Happy Valentine's Day!
There are so many "old" songs that are just great love songs. This is probably why all of the Valentine's Day cards with sound are using old songs. I was amazed when I went card shopping. I even found myself saying, "Oh My God, I Love That Song!"
Some many come to mind today. I think one of the best is "At Last" by Etta James. Of course, "Crazy" by Patsy Cline is just amazing.
Here are some of my other favorites:
"Something in the Way She Moves" by James Taylor
"When You Say Nothing At All" by Allison Krause
"We Belong Together" by Ritchie Valens
"Best of My Love" by the Eagles
"Follow Me" by John Denver
"If I Were A Carpenter" by Bobby Darin
Well, I have a few errands to run and then I'm off to play a private country club with my band tonight...where we can play our favorite love songs, nothing but love songs!
There are so many "old" songs that are just great love songs. This is probably why all of the Valentine's Day cards with sound are using old songs. I was amazed when I went card shopping. I even found myself saying, "Oh My God, I Love That Song!"
Some many come to mind today. I think one of the best is "At Last" by Etta James. Of course, "Crazy" by Patsy Cline is just amazing.
Here are some of my other favorites:
"Something in the Way She Moves" by James Taylor
"When You Say Nothing At All" by Allison Krause
"We Belong Together" by Ritchie Valens
"Best of My Love" by the Eagles
"Follow Me" by John Denver
"If I Were A Carpenter" by Bobby Darin
Well, I have a few errands to run and then I'm off to play a private country club with my band tonight...where we can play our favorite love songs, nothing but love songs!
February 3rd – The Day the Music Died (Began)
February 3 marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Buddy Holly (age 22), JP Richardson (the Big Bopper, age 29) and Ritchie Valens (age 17) in a plane crash in Iowa. This date has been immortalized in the song “American Pie” by Don McLean.
Buddy Holly was an early rock pioneer. His style and technique were new and innovative. I often wonder what he would have created next.
While his death was certainly a tragedy, his legacy certainly lives on. Many of the rock and roll elite are quick to list Buddy Holly as a major influence on their careers and music.
A great example is the Beatles. Their four piece instrumentation is the same as Buddy Holly and the Crickets. The acoustic guitar is up front on early songs. If you listen to these early songs, they almost sound like they could be Buddy Holly songs.
Of course, it doesn’t end there. While I could probably list a limitless amount of famous artists influenced by Buddy, the truth is, he influenced me as well.
I can remember saving my money to buy Buddy Holly records. I would sit for hours in my room listening to them – over and over again. His voice, his phasing and his guitar playing fascinated me and influenced me to learn to play the guitar.
On of the saddest day of my life, my tenth birthday, my dad asked me what I wanted. I was so excited, because I knew exactly what would be the greatest gift – to go see Buddy Holly in concert. I’ll never forget the look on my dad’s face after I revealed my greatest wish. As a parent now, I can completely understand the thoughts in my dad’s head – “how do I tell him?”
My dad gently told me that we couldn’t go see Buddy Holly…because he had died a long time ago. I was shocked and quickly told him it couldn’t be true. I was just listening to him on the radio!
My parents and I never forgot that birthday – not because of the gift I received, but because of the gift I wanted.
Finding out the truth made me even more interested in this guy and his life. I started studying him, learning everything I could.
So, in small and big ways, Buddy Holly came to influence me and my love of music. While his legacy lives on through the Beatles and many other artists, his legacy lives on from his influence on me. His ending is sad, but he made such a difference in the lives of many after his death. Thus, his death did mark the day the music died and the day it began.
Buddy Holly was an early rock pioneer. His style and technique were new and innovative. I often wonder what he would have created next.
While his death was certainly a tragedy, his legacy certainly lives on. Many of the rock and roll elite are quick to list Buddy Holly as a major influence on their careers and music.
A great example is the Beatles. Their four piece instrumentation is the same as Buddy Holly and the Crickets. The acoustic guitar is up front on early songs. If you listen to these early songs, they almost sound like they could be Buddy Holly songs.
Of course, it doesn’t end there. While I could probably list a limitless amount of famous artists influenced by Buddy, the truth is, he influenced me as well.
I can remember saving my money to buy Buddy Holly records. I would sit for hours in my room listening to them – over and over again. His voice, his phasing and his guitar playing fascinated me and influenced me to learn to play the guitar.
On of the saddest day of my life, my tenth birthday, my dad asked me what I wanted. I was so excited, because I knew exactly what would be the greatest gift – to go see Buddy Holly in concert. I’ll never forget the look on my dad’s face after I revealed my greatest wish. As a parent now, I can completely understand the thoughts in my dad’s head – “how do I tell him?”
My dad gently told me that we couldn’t go see Buddy Holly…because he had died a long time ago. I was shocked and quickly told him it couldn’t be true. I was just listening to him on the radio!
My parents and I never forgot that birthday – not because of the gift I received, but because of the gift I wanted.
Finding out the truth made me even more interested in this guy and his life. I started studying him, learning everything I could.
So, in small and big ways, Buddy Holly came to influence me and my love of music. While his legacy lives on through the Beatles and many other artists, his legacy lives on from his influence on me. His ending is sad, but he made such a difference in the lives of many after his death. Thus, his death did mark the day the music died and the day it began.
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