Thanks to Jason at The Glitch Podcast for featuring my music in tonight's show (episode #24).
Check out his site.
News, quotes and random thoughts on my musical journey.
Jul 31, 2005
PMC Top 10
Thanks to C-Dogg at the PMC Top 10 (Pod Music Countdown) for featuring the top artists of the Podsafe Music Network. I was very excited to find out that my song "I Do" was #3. Today was the very first countdown. Very cool to be a part of this historical new media event.
Check out the site. There is some truly great music.
Check out the site. There is some truly great music.
Jul 29, 2005
Enjoy the Weekend
"Give a man a fish and he has food for a day; teach him how to fish and you can get rid of him of the entire weekend."
~ Zenna Schaffer
~ Zenna Schaffer
Interview with the Pod Chick
I was recently interviewed by "Ms. Positive" the Pod Chick. She is a truly down to earth nice person and one heck of a skydiving fanatic. Download her shows here.
Check out her site.
Check out her site.
Jul 28, 2005
Music
What is music to you? Personally it is my complete outlet, my emotion unleased, my thoughts unfolded, and my life experiences exposed.
"Music is the shorthand of emotion."
~ Leo Tolstoy
"Without music life would be a mistake."
~ Friedrich Nietzsche
~ T.S. Eliot
"Music is the vernacular of the human soul."
~ Geoffrey Latham
"Such sweet compulsion doth in music lie."
~ John Milton
"Music is the art of thinking with sounds."
~ Jules Combarieu
"After silence that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music."
~ Aldous Huxley
Jul 26, 2005
Support
"Support your friends — even in their mistakes. But be clear, however, that it is the friend and not the mistake you are supporting."
~ Hugh Prather
"People will turn to you, follow you, support you only as long as they are confident that you are doing your best."
~ Raymond Loewy
"Support the strong, give courage to the timid, remind the indifferent, and warn the opposed."
~ Whitney M. Young
"Young people at universities study to achieve knowledge and not to learn a trade. We must all learn how to support ourselves, but we must also learn how to live. We need a lot of engineers in the modern world, but we do not want a world of modern engineers."
~ Winston Churchill
~ Hugh Prather
"People will turn to you, follow you, support you only as long as they are confident that you are doing your best."
~ Raymond Loewy
"Support the strong, give courage to the timid, remind the indifferent, and warn the opposed."
~ Whitney M. Young
"Young people at universities study to achieve knowledge and not to learn a trade. We must all learn how to support ourselves, but we must also learn how to live. We need a lot of engineers in the modern world, but we do not want a world of modern engineers."
~ Winston Churchill
The Jenny and Lee Show
Thanks to Jenny and Lee at The Jenny and Lee Show Podcast for featuring my music in last night's episode.
Check out their site.
Check out their site.
Jul 25, 2005
The Trip
As you can see below from other blog entires I've selected a few photos from my trip last week to share. Wow, a very interesting time.
The weather was hot hot hot, didn't matter where we were. We did had a great time, however, I will never take a cruise again. I like freedom, open areas to hang out, and doing my own thing when I feel. Our best day was in Cozumel, where there was no electricity or running water due to Hurricane Emily. Plus, it was the month of many bugs. We hung out on a beach for several hours providing business for an almost empty beach bar that just reopened. I enjoy people watching and it was just a great relaxing day, even under odd conditions and without my every day amenities. Even with power lines and tons of trees down, Cozumel is still a beautiful island. A very impressive community of people (who were extremely nice) habitat the island. All of them were volunteering their time helping to clean up from the storm. It was nice to see so many people pull together. It would be nice to see more of that in America. Even the cruise ship employees spent their free time helping out.
Something else I wanted to touch on was on American behavior. Now, I’m not always the best example, but this trip really made it clear that many of us have a lot of work to do on not being so self-serving and in the instant gratification mindset. There were several people that were truly an embarrassment to America… from cutting in the food line to the lady in Cozumel who instantly complained (loudly) that is was ridiculous the escalator was not working in town (lady, they just had a category four hurricane three days ago – get back on the boat). :)
"Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose." ~ Helen Keller
The weather was hot hot hot, didn't matter where we were. We did had a great time, however, I will never take a cruise again. I like freedom, open areas to hang out, and doing my own thing when I feel. Our best day was in Cozumel, where there was no electricity or running water due to Hurricane Emily. Plus, it was the month of many bugs. We hung out on a beach for several hours providing business for an almost empty beach bar that just reopened. I enjoy people watching and it was just a great relaxing day, even under odd conditions and without my every day amenities. Even with power lines and tons of trees down, Cozumel is still a beautiful island. A very impressive community of people (who were extremely nice) habitat the island. All of them were volunteering their time helping to clean up from the storm. It was nice to see so many people pull together. It would be nice to see more of that in America. Even the cruise ship employees spent their free time helping out.
Something else I wanted to touch on was on American behavior. Now, I’m not always the best example, but this trip really made it clear that many of us have a lot of work to do on not being so self-serving and in the instant gratification mindset. There were several people that were truly an embarrassment to America… from cutting in the food line to the lady in Cozumel who instantly complained (loudly) that is was ridiculous the escalator was not working in town (lady, they just had a category four hurricane three days ago – get back on the boat). :)
"Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose." ~ Helen Keller
Birmingham
The view from the top of Vulcan. I was still a bit "rocky" from the cruise and had a bit of acrophobia let loose.
The Vulcan
The history of Vulcan is deeply tied to Birmingham's roots and its growth. Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and forge, was originally built in 1904 and has stood as a symbol of Birmingham (Alabama) for over 100 years.
Smooth-Sailing
I've never seen the Ocean so smooth. This photo was taken on the way back from Mexico in the middle of the Gulf.
Costa-Maya
Costa Maya, Mexico - We almost made it but the water was to choppy to dock (as you can see).
Lifejackets
My wife Melissa, and our friends Nikki and Damian show how much they enjoy wearing their lifejackets during the lifeboat emergency test.
Podcast Paul
Thank you to Podcast Paul for featuring my music in episode #65 (...an Inspirational Podcast).
Check out his site.
Check out his site.
Fist Radio
Thanks to the Fist Radio Podcast for featuring my music this past Saturday. I appreciate them taking a chance on some new music. This was the first time they featured instrumental music.
Check out their site.
Check out their site.
Etch-a-Sketch
Thanks to Johnny at Send Me Back My Etch-a-Sketch Podcast for featuring my music this past Saturday.
Check out his site.
Check out his site.
Michigan Cycling
Thank you to the Michigan Cycling Podcast for featuring my music in their latest episode.
Check out the site.
Check out the site.
PodSonix
Thanks to Andi at Indie Airstream Radio for featuring me in episode #4 last week.
Check out the site and all the great resources it offers.
Check out the site and all the great resources it offers.
Jul 16, 2005
Vacation
"Vacation used to be a luxury, however, in today's world, it has become a necessity."
~ unknown
On that note, I'm heading out for a week. I'll do my best to get online if possible. Going to the Gulf and hopefully avoiding Hurricane Emily. I shall return with many pictures and stories (and inspiration to compose new music).
~ unknown
On that note, I'm heading out for a week. I'll do my best to get online if possible. Going to the Gulf and hopefully avoiding Hurricane Emily. I shall return with many pictures and stories (and inspiration to compose new music).
Jul 15, 2005
Down with Pessimism
I came across this great quote from Mark Twain today:
"There is no sadder sight than a young pessimist."
~ Mark Twain
Airstream Indie Radio
Thanks to Andi at Airstream Indie Radio for interviewing me last night. The interview will be airing soon.
Jul 14, 2005
Podsafe Music Network
Now hear my music on the Podsafe Music Network. Check out the site.
For some reason all artist's songs are defaulted to a rating of three stars. This is the beta version. I actually don't see a way to rate a song yet.
For some reason all artist's songs are defaulted to a rating of three stars. This is the beta version. I actually don't see a way to rate a song yet.
Imagination
In simple terms, I believe imagination is what keeps us moving forward. We learn what we can, then choose to use our knowledge or let it stay motionless.
Imagine. Create. Build.
"Worry is an abuse of God's gift of imagination."
~ Corrine Lajeunesse
"He who has imagination without learning has wings but no feet. Imagination is the eye of the soul."
~ Joseph Joubert
"An idea is salvation by imagination."
~ Frank Lloyd Wright
"I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."
~ Albert Einstein
"Today the function of the artist is to bring imagination to science and science to imagination, where they meet, in the myth."
~ Cyril Connolly
"Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence."
~ H.L. Mencken
"LIBERTY, n. One of Imagination's most precious possessions."
~ Ambrose Bierce
"Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions."
~ Albert Einstein
Imagine. Create. Build.
"Worry is an abuse of God's gift of imagination."
~ Corrine Lajeunesse
"He who has imagination without learning has wings but no feet. Imagination is the eye of the soul."
~ Joseph Joubert
"An idea is salvation by imagination."
~ Frank Lloyd Wright
"I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."
~ Albert Einstein
"Today the function of the artist is to bring imagination to science and science to imagination, where they meet, in the myth."
~ Cyril Connolly
"Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence."
~ H.L. Mencken
"LIBERTY, n. One of Imagination's most precious possessions."
~ Ambrose Bierce
"Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions."
~ Albert Einstein
World of Anime
Thank you to Agent 760 at the World of Anime Podcast for featuring my music today (Coming at you from the Anime Expo in Anaheim, California).
Check out their site.
Check out their site.
Jul 13, 2005
Hospital Radio Chelmsford
The fine people at Hospital Radio Chelmsford (UK) recently contacted me to donate my albums to their station.
Hospital Radio Chelmsford is a registered charity providing a wide range of radio programmes to patients in St. Johns and Broomfield hospitals in Chelmsford and St. Peters hospital in Maldon. Read more here.
The hospital provides music to relax patients and help them think of something else apart from their illness. I think this is a fantastic service and I'll happily send off my albums.
"Without music life would be a mistake."
~ Friedrich Nietzsche
"Music is the universal language of mankind."
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
"Music is the fourth great material want of our natures, — first food, then raiment, then shelter, then music."
~ Christian Bovee
Hospital Radio Chelmsford is a registered charity providing a wide range of radio programmes to patients in St. Johns and Broomfield hospitals in Chelmsford and St. Peters hospital in Maldon. Read more here.
The hospital provides music to relax patients and help them think of something else apart from their illness. I think this is a fantastic service and I'll happily send off my albums.
"Without music life would be a mistake."
~ Friedrich Nietzsche
"Music is the universal language of mankind."
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
"Music is the fourth great material want of our natures, — first food, then raiment, then shelter, then music."
~ Christian Bovee
Orange Music Releases 'Woods of Chaos'
My Asian label, Orange Music, has just released my second album, Woods of Chaos, to six territories in Asia.
Thank you to Keith and the gang in Singapore. I'm looking forward to getting over there in the near future to perform and meet my fans on the other side of the world.
Thank you to Keith and the gang in Singapore. I'm looking forward to getting over there in the near future to perform and meet my fans on the other side of the world.
The Next Best Thing
Thank you to Martin and Russ at the Next Best Thing Podcast (coming at you from South Africa!) for featuring my music in his latest show.
Check out his site.
Check out his site.
Jul 12, 2005
To Think
"To think is to differ."
~ Clarence Darrow
"To live is to think."
~ Cicero
"Think? Why think! We have computers to do that for us."
~ Jean Rostand
"It isn't what people think that's important, but the reason they think what they think."
~ Eugene Ionesco
~ Clarence Darrow
"To live is to think."
~ Cicero
"Think? Why think! We have computers to do that for us."
~ Jean Rostand
"It isn't what people think that's important, but the reason they think what they think."
~ Eugene Ionesco
My First Book
OK, well, it's not my book, but I'm being interviewed tonight by two authors (one in France, one in Australia). This is for a book about Podcasting and Internet Audio. It will be published by O'Reilly in the fall. They are writing a side-bar interview about me and my music that will be included in the book.
I'm very excited to talk about the Internet and music to help others get the most use out of the resources available to us in this day and age.
I'm very excited to talk about the Internet and music to help others get the most use out of the resources available to us in this day and age.
Jul 11, 2005
What's in my iTunes and CD Player!?
I'm getting really into Arcade Fire, Interpol, and love Paul Oakenfold's recent release, The Club. Go check them out. I read Paul Oakenfold is working on a new solo album. I'm sure it will be just as good as Bunkka.
Monday Morning
Thank you to Michael at the Monday Morning Commute Podcast for playing my music this morning.
Check out his site.
Check out his site.
The Weekend
What a great weekend it was here in Indianapolis. I went out to the driving range and a 3 par course with my buddy John to practice up on my golf skills. I'm getting there. Much better than last summer. However, I did came away with one blister. My hands are intenese. I tend to grip the club too strong at times. It's all the time on the piano and computer. I'll keep practicing. Perhaps I'll be as good as Kenny G someday.
"Golf is a spiritual game. It's like Zen. You have to let your mind take over."
~ Amy Strum Alcott
"As if we don't have enough violence on television." (After President Bush accidentally hit two spectators with golf balls during a celebrity golf tournament.)
~ Barbara Bush
"Golf is a good walk spoiled."
~ Mark Twain
"The income tax has made more liars out of the American people than golf has."
~ Will Rogers
"If you are caught on a golf course during a storm and are afraid of lightning, hold up a 1-iron. Not even God can hit a 1-iron."
~ Lee Trevino
"Golf is a spiritual game. It's like Zen. You have to let your mind take over."
~ Amy Strum Alcott
"As if we don't have enough violence on television." (After President Bush accidentally hit two spectators with golf balls during a celebrity golf tournament.)
~ Barbara Bush
"Golf is a good walk spoiled."
~ Mark Twain
"The income tax has made more liars out of the American people than golf has."
~ Will Rogers
"If you are caught on a golf course during a storm and are afraid of lightning, hold up a 1-iron. Not even God can hit a 1-iron."
~ Lee Trevino
Jul 8, 2005
Travel: When's Your Next Trip?
Get out there. Go far. Go near. Go somewhere. Discover.
"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go."
~ Robert L. Stevenson
"NOT I—NOT ANYONE else, can travel that road for you, You must travel it for yourself."
~ Walt Whitman
"Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel from coast to coast without seeing anything."
~ Charles Kuralt
"My purposes are the geography that marks out my line of travel toward the person I want to be."
~ Alice Koller
"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go."
~ Robert L. Stevenson
"NOT I—NOT ANYONE else, can travel that road for you, You must travel it for yourself."
~ Walt Whitman
"Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel from coast to coast without seeing anything."
~ Charles Kuralt
"My purposes are the geography that marks out my line of travel toward the person I want to be."
~ Alice Koller
"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Jul 7, 2005
My Buddy
Thanks to Darren at the Buddy Culver Show Podcast for featuring my music in today's episode (#16).
Check out his site (coming at you from Detroit, Michigan).
Check out his site (coming at you from Detroit, Michigan).
London
May our prayers and thoughts be with the city of London.
I’m so fed up and sick of this nonsense. Love, not hate, is the answer.
"Hate is a product of the unfulfilled life."
~ Erich Fromm
"Folks never understand the folks they hate."
~ James Lowell
"Hate and mistrust are the children of blindness."
~ William Watson
"People think love is an emotion. Love is good sense."
~ Ken Kesey
"The deepest expression of spirituality is love."
~ Robert L. Simpson
"All you need is love."
~ John Lennon
I’m so fed up and sick of this nonsense. Love, not hate, is the answer.
"Hate is a product of the unfulfilled life."
~ Erich Fromm
"Folks never understand the folks they hate."
~ James Lowell
"Hate and mistrust are the children of blindness."
~ William Watson
"People think love is an emotion. Love is good sense."
~ Ken Kesey
"The deepest expression of spirituality is love."
~ Robert L. Simpson
"All you need is love."
~ John Lennon
Student Financial Aid Podcast
Wow. Am I contributing to financial planning now? Um, yah, I had financial aid as well in graduate school. Don't worry students, you'll get it paid off. Study hard. Work hard. Play hard. Most importantly, follow your passion.
Thanks to Christopher at the Student Financial Aid Podcast for playing my music. He heard about me through PodcastNYC.
Thanks to Christopher at the Student Financial Aid Podcast for playing my music. He heard about me through PodcastNYC.
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
The Jay Pritzker Pavilion. Perhaps I'll play here in the future. I love Chicago.
Cloud Gate
Can you find Melissa and me? We're in the reflection of the "Cloud Gate" sculpture (downtown Chicago).
Jul 6, 2005
What Are You Up to Today?
"One today is worth two tomorrows."
~ Benjamin Franklin
"Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one."
~ Doctor Seuss
"The beginning is always today."
~ Mary Wollstonecraft
"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And today? Today is a gift. That's why we call it 'The Present.'"
~ Babatunde Olatunji
"Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today."
~ Abraham Lincoln
You have a choice. Make the best of today, or don't make use of the opportunites today provides. So, what are you up to today? Meet somebody new, do something special for someone, take your spouse to dinner, read your child a book, read yourself a good book, turn off the TV and go swing in the park, start dance lessons, learn an instrument. Whatever...try something new.
~ Benjamin Franklin
"Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one."
~ Doctor Seuss
"The beginning is always today."
~ Mary Wollstonecraft
"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And today? Today is a gift. That's why we call it 'The Present.'"
~ Babatunde Olatunji
"Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today."
~ Abraham Lincoln
You have a choice. Make the best of today, or don't make use of the opportunites today provides. So, what are you up to today? Meet somebody new, do something special for someone, take your spouse to dinner, read your child a book, read yourself a good book, turn off the TV and go swing in the park, start dance lessons, learn an instrument. Whatever...try something new.
Jul 5, 2005
Signed with INgrooves
I just signed a distribution and marketing deal with INgrooves, the world's largest digital record label. My music will be distributed to all the major digital networks (already is, but I'll get a lot of marketing, and finally get listed in the browse areas), including ring tone services, as well as TV and film licensing opportunities.
I'm totally a "left field" artist for this company, which I'm happy about. I'll stick out like a sore thumb in hopes that other artists in my genre will receive similar opportunities.
I'm pumped. Podcasting is one major reason why I got this deal. A big THANKS to Adam Curry and all the other great Podcast advocates.
I'm totally a "left field" artist for this company, which I'm happy about. I'll stick out like a sore thumb in hopes that other artists in my genre will receive similar opportunities.
I'm pumped. Podcasting is one major reason why I got this deal. A big THANKS to Adam Curry and all the other great Podcast advocates.
FirstPersonShow
Thank you to Kevin over at the FirstPersonShow Podcast for using my song "Family" in the intro and outros of all his Podcasts.
Hurry Up and Wait
I'm back from my short break and wanted to share an interesting experience.
My wife and I came upon quit a bit of traffic on a heavily used highway. It was a holiday weekend here in the U.S., so this was expected. However, the traffic was not due to the abundant amount of holiday travelers, but a major accident. The right lane was merging into the left lane to allow emergency vehicles to tend to the people involved in the accident as well as clean up debris. My wife and I happened to be in the right lane. As we started merging over to the left lane, there was a car that did not want to let us in. We thought, what the ???? There are three ambulances to our right, people are hurt (maybe even worse) and some guy is in such a hurry, that he can’t even take this accident into perspective and let a car over to get out of the way of the accident. The car finally let us over after I glanced out the window and put my hands in the air in a helpless manner.
What is it that makes us impatient? What’s the hurry? Seriously, in this day and age, why do we rush to hurry up and wait?
I too often struggle with impatience. I like immediate results. However, if I’m more patient, think about things more, and take one step at a time, wouldn’t I still end up with result, perhaps an even better one? Below are some quotes that are helping me keep things in perspective.
"Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day."
~ Alan Alexander Milne
"A man of sense may be in haste, but can never be in a hurry."
~ Lord Chesterfield Stanhope
"Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet."
~ Aristotle
"With love and patience, nothing is impossible."
~ Daisaku Ikeda
"Rapidity does not always mean progress, and hurry is akin to waste. The old fable of the hare and the tortoise is just as good now, and just as true, as when it was first written."
~ C. A. Stoddard
My wife and I came upon quit a bit of traffic on a heavily used highway. It was a holiday weekend here in the U.S., so this was expected. However, the traffic was not due to the abundant amount of holiday travelers, but a major accident. The right lane was merging into the left lane to allow emergency vehicles to tend to the people involved in the accident as well as clean up debris. My wife and I happened to be in the right lane. As we started merging over to the left lane, there was a car that did not want to let us in. We thought, what the ???? There are three ambulances to our right, people are hurt (maybe even worse) and some guy is in such a hurry, that he can’t even take this accident into perspective and let a car over to get out of the way of the accident. The car finally let us over after I glanced out the window and put my hands in the air in a helpless manner.
What is it that makes us impatient? What’s the hurry? Seriously, in this day and age, why do we rush to hurry up and wait?
I too often struggle with impatience. I like immediate results. However, if I’m more patient, think about things more, and take one step at a time, wouldn’t I still end up with result, perhaps an even better one? Below are some quotes that are helping me keep things in perspective.
"Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day."
~ Alan Alexander Milne
"A man of sense may be in haste, but can never be in a hurry."
~ Lord Chesterfield Stanhope
"Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet."
~ Aristotle
"With love and patience, nothing is impossible."
~ Daisaku Ikeda
"Rapidity does not always mean progress, and hurry is akin to waste. The old fable of the hare and the tortoise is just as good now, and just as true, as when it was first written."
~ C. A. Stoddard
Jul 2, 2005
Jul 1, 2005
Happy Fourth of July!
Hey everyone! I wish you a great weekend. I'm getting away from my computer and piano and heading out to relax for a few days in the country.
Here are some quotes to last until next Tuesday.
"It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment,—Independence now and Independence forever."
~ Daniel Webster
"If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a man can have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience and ability."
~ Henry Ford
"Freedom of speech and freedom of action are meaningless without freedom to think. And there is no freedom of thought without doubt."
~ Bergen Evans
"The secret of Happiness is Freedom, and the secret of Freedom, Courage."
~ Thucydides
"Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better."
~ Albert Camus
"What is the essence of America? Finding and maintaining that perfect, delicate balance between freedom "to" and freedom "from.""
~ Marilyn vos Savant
"Liberty, Humanity, Justice, Equality"
~ Susan B. Anthony
Here are some quotes to last until next Tuesday.
"It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God it shall be my dying sentiment,—Independence now and Independence forever."
~ Daniel Webster
"If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a man can have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience and ability."
~ Henry Ford
"Freedom of speech and freedom of action are meaningless without freedom to think. And there is no freedom of thought without doubt."
~ Bergen Evans
"The secret of Happiness is Freedom, and the secret of Freedom, Courage."
~ Thucydides
"Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better."
~ Albert Camus
"What is the essence of America? Finding and maintaining that perfect, delicate balance between freedom "to" and freedom "from.""
~ Marilyn vos Savant
"Liberty, Humanity, Justice, Equality"
~ Susan B. Anthony
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