HalloweenCast

I haven't done a Podcast show in a very long time. I just don't have the time right now. :( However, my HalloweenCast from last year is still good to go. The show features 10 songs you may have never heard from new trance, techno and electronica artists. Go enjoy at http://newartistpodcast.blogspot.com/2005/10/new-artist-podcast-7-halloweencast.html

Happy Halloween! Be smart and safe.

"Woods of Chaos" makes compilation CD

River Rock Music and Conrad Hotels are releasing a relaxation compilation CD in about a month. They selected my song "Woods of Chaos" to be on the album. I'm very excited about this opportunity. This is something (getting on a major compilation CD) I've been trying to accomplish for some time. Conrad is Hilton's high-end luxury hotel chain. This is going to be great for exposure. There is a Conrad in downtown Indianapolis, so I'm going to try and do a CD release party at the hotel.

THANK YOU to Treavor and Jeff at INgrooves (my digital record label in San Fran)! You guys rock.

Ahh... San Diego food

I go out to San Diego quite often. I was out there last week and dined at The Poseidon Restaurant in Del Mar. The food was fantastic (I had the scallops...mmm). I recommend trying it out if you're ever in San Diego. Check out that view from the back deck (which has plenty of seating).

My wife and I are heading to the East Coast this week for a friend's wedding in Annapolis. Looking forward to experiencing some new cuisine. I'm so into food right now. Must be that my wife and I are cooking more at home. Trying to get our skills together to impress our upcoming child when she can start eating real food. We should be ready by that time. :)

Meeting My Mentor

Last night I went to the George Winston concert in Indianapolis. He did a great show (and performed my favorite pieces, "Moon" and "Thanksgiving") and has definitely developed and changed his style a bit over the years. I hung out after the show and finally met my mentor. George Winston is to me as Henry Butler is to George Winston. I've seen George in concert four times, but did not want to meet him until I could give him professional recordings of my work. I introduced myself and thanked him for being such an inspiration. He sparked my creativity and is the reason I started composing when I was a kid. George is a sincerely nice human being and very down to earth. He loves to joke and has some fantastic stories. If you didn't know, he started on his piano career path after falling in love with The Doors in 1967. He said he had to get himself and organ and head out on the road. Before he took off last night he started giving music lessons to my baby girl (still in the womb) by playing his harmonica and talking loudly of which note he was playing. :)

C3NME

Thanks to the C3NME Podcast for featuring my music is show #19.

Check out the site.

"Meant to Be" Music Video

Please give it a minute to download.



Thanks to Norman at MusicPodVision (from Germany) for helping to create and showcase my first music video.

An artist from Brazil (Henrique Roscoe) created the video, which makes apparent how my music interpreted in this region of the world. Very interesting.

Bring back the smiles

I wish I took a picture on Monday when I flew out to California (I'm on business :P). I was sitting in the Denver airport. Man, what a sight. Not a smirk on anyone's face. What's going on? Is there that much to be distressed and depressed about? Yes, if you're focused on the negative, but what are you doing about it!? Overpower it with positive thoughts and gratefulness. Most people (in the airport) were on business or vacation. Both very rewarding in their own right.

I know I sound cheesy, but seriously, we have it all here in the US. Let's do something positive with it and be grateful for our privileges. Referring to a recent post of mine, we’re lacking a common mission and passion that previously exisited. Let’s keep it above ground and remember and fight for who we are and those who seek freedom and equality. I truly believe we all have the same potential. The hard part is making it happen. You have to find your passion. Discover what's rewarding to you. What makes you smile? What makes you feel you accomplished something positive? Music, technology, cleaning, business development, selling, driving, baby sitting, talking to people, crafts, construction, numbers... Whatever it is, go after it with open arms.

Go for it

"Inspirations never go in for long engagements; they demand immediate marriage to action."

~ Brendan Behan, Irish poet, short story writer, novelist and playwright, (1923-1964)

Inspired recently? What are you going to do about it!?

Creativity

"Creativity comes from trust. Trust your instincts. And never hope more than you work."

~ Rita Mae Brown, contemporary American writer and social activist.

Work hard and produce results. Be mediocre and distrustful with yourself, expect little.

La ti da (more like goo goo ga)

OK, so it's been a week since I've posted. I've been busy (like all of us). This entry will be full of my oh so lovely parenthesis.

I've been spending a lot of time preparing to have a child (which I hear you can never be prepared enough or at all for, but it's all glorious nonetheless). The nursery is almost done (sneak peak above...had to get done, it’s getting cold out and paint fumes are not good for mom and baby), my house has been completely rearranged (to create a more comfortable environment for the future never sleeping mom and dad), my bad knee (yes, it's my left one) hurts and I'm missing part of one of my favorite shows (The Office) to type this message. With all this, I'm growing more and more excited for my upcoming child (only 3 more months). The time will go quickly. Piano lessons start when she's one month old. :)

Dave's Lounge

Thanks to Dave at the Dave's Lounge Podcast for featuring my music in show #61.

Check out his site.

KatsCast

Thanks to Katja at the KatsCast PodShow (from the Netherlands) for featuring my music in show #9.

Check our her site.

A simple thanks

"If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, 'thank you,' that would suffice."
~ Meister Eckhart, German theologian, philosopher and mystic, (1260-1328)

The Way

"I think that God means that we shall do more than we have yet done in furtherance of his plans and he will open the way for our doing it."
~ Abraham Lincoln (16th President of the United States)

The U.S. has detoured away from this concept quite a bit. Our roots and values need to be cared for, so that they may once grow and nourish again. The "way" Lincoln mentioned has been mostly blocked by our actions. We need structure and mostly, passion. Passion for this country and a common belief. As a country, what do we believe in? We are all over the place in our thoughts and values. It's very frustrating. So much complaining, ungratefulness, selfishness, ignorance and power seeking has immensely hurt America. For example, taking pride in your work (and being grateful for the job) and supporting the country that provides it to you would be one place to start.

I've been thinking about this the past couple days. There are a lot of packed away issues that need attention and a resolution. Bringing a child into this crazy world can be discomforting. We need to find and seek the way.

What a sunset

Wow. What a sunset. I took this in Tampa the weekend before last (after eating a fantastic meal at my favorite Tampa restaurant, Frenchy's... just left of where I took this photo). Food is on my mind today, likely because there is nothing to eat in the house. Must go grocery shopping.

Still full

If you're ever in northern Indiana (specifically Middlebury, IN), you must go to the Das Dutchman Essenhaus restaurant. It's fantastic Amish style food. I was up there last weekend and I'm still full. I'm not a big dessert fan, but I was Saturday. :) The surrounding lanscape (the county) is beautiful.

Indiana is surprising to many new visitors. There is much more to it than most people imagine. Much of my music is influenced by my experiences here in Indiana.