New album and life in general update

I've been asked several times the last few days on when a new album is coming. In between my other work, family (my baby is a little over 3 months old now... unbelievable), immediate and extended family birthday parties, staying connected with close friends, trying to take care of myself, church (yes, I need to get my butt back to church), lawn work, spring cleaning and other house projects, I'm finally starting to get to some songs for a new album. I currently plan to record in the fall for a early winter release.

I also plan to start performing at some new venues and events. I'm working with a local management company and being patient. Lots of ideas floating around. We'll see what turns out. It's going to be an interesting year.

Life wouldn't be life without all its prerequisites. Every culture has them in one form or another. We need fundamentals to spice things up to help create value and meaning.

Warm it up

"One kind word can warm three winter months."
~ Chinese Proverb

It gets chilly in the spring, parts of summer and the fall as well. It's always a good time to spread kindness.

Since we're on the topic of noggins

Thanks to Arvid at the Braincast Podcast (from Germany) for featuring my show in show #72.

Check out his site.

Don't misuse your noggin

"Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen."
~ Albert Einstein, Nobel prize winning physicist best known for his theory of relativity. (1879-1955)

Ahh... spring

"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt."
~ Margaret Atwood

Yes, the warm weather is finally here to stay in the Midwest. I welcome it with open arms. It's time to spend a lot of time outside and make the most of it... rain or shine.

Yah baby, The Police

I'm so stoked. I just grabbed up front turf track tickets to see The Police at Churchill Downs in July. I can't wait. It has been a dream of mine since I was 7 to see them perform live. Yes, a little sad, but no band has influenced me more than The Police.

Andy Summers (guitarist) recently stated the band has been working on some new songs which will be performed at their summer shows. Nice. I think they need a pianist to spice things up and join them on tour. I know just the guy. :)

What is music to you?

"It (music) can turn a bad attitude upside down, create a stress free study session, make the party, marry two lovers, and be the soundtrack to your workout or the accompaniment of your life."
~ Rob Costlow

"Great art is as irrational as great music. It is mad with its own loveliness."
~ George Jean Nathan (1882 - 1958)

"Without music life would be a mistake."
~ Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 - 1900)

"Still, there is a calm, pure harmony, and music inside of me."
~ Vincent van Gogh (1853 - 1890)

"Music is the universal language of mankind."
~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807 - 1882)

"Such sweet compulsion doth in music lie."
~ John Milton (1608 - 1674)

"Music - The one incorporeal entrance into the higher world of knowledge which comprehends mankind but which mankind cannot comprehend."
~ Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827)

"You don't need any brains to listen to music."
~ Luciano Pavarotti (born 1935)

Have Patience

"Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish."
~ John Quincy Adams, diplomat, politician, writer and 6th president of the U.S. (1767-1848)

I'm definitely in no hurry to see my daughter grow up. I just hope I can teach her the two hardest values I've learned in life (didn't quite set in when I was a kid), which are patience and perseverance. My grandmother used to make me sing that old song "Have patience... don't be in such a hurry."

Happy Easter!

More than just Easter eggs...

I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.
~ From the book of John, chapter 11, verse 25

"Christ is risen! There is life, therefore, after death! His resurrection is the symbol and pledge of universal resurrection!"
~ Henry Ward Beecher (1813 - 1887)

"Christ lives in his saints. We know his life in them. St. Paul prayed to know the power of the Resurrection, though he knew the fact.
~ Edward King (1829 - 1910)

Attitude check

"The last of the human freedoms is the ability to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances or situations - to choose one's own way."

~ Victor Frankl, was an Austrian psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, best known for his book Man's Search for Meaning which describes his method of finding meaning in all forms of existence, even the most sordid ones, (1905-1997)

Get some culture

Thanks to Chris at the Culture-Cast for featuring my music in his April 6th show.

Check out his site.

Be Grateful

"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things he has not, but rejoices for those he has."

~ Epictetus, Greek Stoic philosopher. (55-135 AD)