Looking back at some of my earliest attempts at songwriting is somewhat hilarious. I just found a bunch of 4-track recordings and it's a treasure trove of chuckles. I actually found a song I titled "Silent Wind"(!) The connotation of that title was completely lost on me at the time. I've always liked catchy title, though. A case in point is one of the first songs I ever wrote. It was on a cassette demo I made back in 1993. It was so bad. They say you should "write what you know", but as a novice songwriter I didn't know anything. Besides, I wanted to write about a cooler topic: Drugs. Yeah, dirty, rotten addiction. Never mind I had never even smoked a cigarette. I don't even know where these lyrics came from, but they rhymed. There are a couple lines that don't completely suck, but for the most part, it's indulgent trash. BUT, it had a catchy title. People often asked for it, just because it was so over the top. I copped it from a line in a Prince song, so I can't even really claim it as entirely my own. Sorry I don't have the audio for you, but the lyrics are presented here in all their glory. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you....
Pills, Thrills, and Daffodils
There's so many things these days that try to bring me down,
But I'm doing my best, in my own way, trying not to drown
Just trying to keep my head above this rising water,
But nowadays I'm led, like a lamb to the slaughter
Back to you
Back to you
Just give me a shot of that medicine, and I'll try to ease my pain
Physically, I have no ills, but I'm sick in the brain
A magical elixir, I'm sure would do the trick
Tonight I'll feel like dancin', but tomorrow I'll be sick
You know it's true
I'm coming back to you
Pills Thrills and Daffodils
I have had my fill
of Pills, thrills, and daffodils
Pills Thrills and Daffodils
Time and time again I try to make it on my own,
But every time I find, I end up all alone
No matter what I do to cure my affliction
Every day is nothing new, when you've got an addiction.
93.7 WSTW's Hometown Heroes aired their annual "Homey Awards" show for the best in local music this past Sunday night. For the second year in a row (!) I was honored to receive an award in one of their "special" categories.
My song "Feelin' Good Again" pulled in Feel-Good Song-of-the-Year. Imagine that! Thank, You, thank you Mark Rogers and WSTW. And thank you to God and all the little people. You like me, you really like me, blah, blah , balah.
But seriously, the real question is, "When will I be able to hear more NEW songs?" Well, plans are inching forward, and a full-length all-studio recorded CD is promised sometime in 2008. It will include "Feelin'" and lots more all-new material. I have plans to resume recording in earnest soon. Look for the first one of the new batch to be posted here in about a month. Plan is to record the next few tracks with producer Steve Butler from the band Smash Palace. Then, to get back recording a few more tracks with Brett Talley again in the Spring. Both Steve and Brett are masters of the pop sound I'm going for. If all goes according to plan there will be an album's worth of songs by August/September. Stay tuned.
I decided to give this video a place here in the blog where it belongs. Its one little burst of creativity that I saved at the moment of its inception. Sometimes it's crucial to do that while there's a feeling of new inspiration. It's just me singing a song in my front room, a rough snapshot of something brand-spankin' new that I felt the need to save here. Written between 7-8pm yesterday, I threw this vid up on youtube by 9:00 same day.
Friday night at the Tin Angel was what it's all about. Playing a real top-notch joint is righteous enough, but playing with three of my favorite acts and best musical friends made it adream (thanks David Wannop!) I am also deeply indebted to Brett, Sue, Jay, Steve and Sara (the band) for rocking out with me and making me look good.
We packed the place! What a joy to see some 70-75 people turn out for the big show!
Susie Steen was a superstar.
Tim Butler literally rocked off my socks.
And Outset kicked ass and took names.
It was a night to remember and I couldn't have been happier to be a part of it. To all of the friends who came out in support, A BIG THANK YOU.
Thanks for allowing the big nerd to play with the cool kids. What a gas! And Cheers to all of you other late-bloomers J
Tin Angel show Friday, January 4th **get details here**
Sure, you've got the holidays on your mind right now, but you really ought to remember what's coming up on the horizon. The first can't-miss-it show of 2008. it's happening Friday, January 4th at 8:30pm With 4 great acts playing on a Friday night at the TIN ANGEL, the $8.00 ticket price is a bargain! get yours now!! at TICKET WEB by clicking HERE http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=230563
I'm even more stoked about this show as the date gets closer. The Tin Angel is one of the premiere venue's in Philadelphia, featuring the best of local and national talent, so it's very exciting to play there, and on a Friday night it's sure to be a party. This bill of January 4th features a bunch of my favorite artists in the world (who also happen to be some of my best friends in the biz). And get this... I'll be playing with a full-band featuring Jay V on keyboards, Steve Goldstein on elec. guitar, Brett Talley on DRUMS, and... pulling triple-duty for the evening will be Susie Steen, on bass. Susie Steen will charm you with her sweet voice and intricate guitar tunings Tim Butler will get your foot tapping with his amazingly catchy tunes Outset will rock you and invade your brain with melodies And oh yes, JS will be in-da-house and I plan to raise the roof off it!
So get your tickets at ticketweb while you can. And don't forget if you dine at Serrano's restaurant before the show they will save you a reserved table upstairs for the show.
This past week was a pretty good one for JS in the press. A photo and blurb in the last issue of South Jersey's Impulse magazine helped make Saturday's Coffee Works show a success. I also appeared on local TV talk show, "The Tim Qualls Show", as well. And to cap it off, my song "Feelin' Good Again" led off this week's Hometown Heroes radio show on 93.7 WSTW.
Impulse mag is available in local coffee shops and night spots. This week's issue is still on the stands for a couple days, if you wanna grab it. The Tim Qualls appearance is available for viewing online on youtube. It airs again this Saturday 11/3, at 11:30pm on cable channel 21 in CamdenCounty, channel 15 in Gloucester CountyYou can also download the podcast of Hometown Heroes at http://www.wstw.com/heroes . (the 10/28 broadcast is available there for the next two weeks.) Keep requesting me on 93.7. Send your requests by email to mrogers@wstw.com or call 800-544-9370 (during the Sunday night local show.) Thanks again to everyone for their support. I really appreciate it.
Next show: A mid-week singer songwriter night in Philadelphia at Fergie's Pub!
Wednesday November 7th at 9:00pm. Featuring JS, Matt Woodall, and Blue Frances.
The Musicians on Call program is something unique. The group's mission is to "bring live music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities...to promote and complement the healing process for patients, families and caregivers." It's a pretty simple idea. And it works like this: a musician and a guide, paired together at hospital, basically travel from room to room and see who'd like a song. Say hello, share some music, hopefully leave with a smile.It's not the standard fare. It's a part of a holistic approach to health and healing.
The MOC Program, originally based in New York, has expanded to several other cities now. I first heard of it a few years ago when it came to Philadelphia and partnered with local public radio station WXPN. More recently, it expanded its outreach to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden, NJ. That's when I took my first steps and got involved.
The concept is simple, but also unconventional and even a bit daunting. From the musician's side, it's almost like being a door-to-door salesman. You never know, when you knock on that door, whether you might be catching somebody in the middle of a favorite TV program or something more important. Plus, a hospital stay is often an intense time for a patient. The last thing you want to do is impose yourself, when there are priorities at hand. Well, that's exactly why the guide is there. She "breaks the ice" politely introduces herself first and feels out the prospective "audience" at each room. Sometimes you get a "no thank you", and that's fine. But very often the patient will welcome you graciously, and often with piqued curiousity. Introductions are usually brief for me, and then I make a snap decision for a song selection. To be honest, after the initial chat I do a quick (politically-incorrect) profile of the listener and play something "appropriate". I'll choose from those original songs or some sure-fire popular covers. Basically, I aims to please.
Of course this job is something different from a normal performance, it's more an interaction, which is something else. You have to remind yourself of your purpose being there, and the goal is different - to bring some joy, some happiness, a diversion, or maybe if you're really good some personal insight and even, yes, healing.
It's a challenge, and that's part of why I like it. You only spend a short time in each room, and all the cylinders have to fire together in order to make a connection in a few precious minutes. I'm still working at it, and looking forward to getting better at the job. But so far there have been a few priceless moments that have made me feel like it's all worthwhile. From the very ill, to the recovering and rehabilitating. you meet all kinds of folks, albeit briefly. I don't hang around long enough to get their whole stories, but still there have been some faces I won't forget. Lots of smiles and spirits raised. I've seen some folks so happy for the gift of a song that they couldn't contain tears. I've also seen patients in too much pain to even enjoy the music. I have seen a family that spoke no English stare in confusion while I sang them Puff the Magic Dragon (whew, I sweated that one!) And this is all just in my first few monthly visits. You can imagine the possibilities to come. Musicians on Call is definitely a unique idea. And my experience has shown it also has something to offer for quality-of-life on both ends of the room.
On Saturday October 13th, I'll be returning to the Tree House in Collingswood, NJ (690 Haddon Avenue.) The Tree House was my first local "hometown venue" when I moved back to New Jersey in 2001, after spending several years living in Philadelphia. As a hub for music and artists, the Tree House was very welcoming and gave me a shot in the arm, after a couple very quiet years for my musical aspirations just prior. For that, I owe the place a great debt. Long-time owners, Randy and Tina, are now selling the coffee shop, so that represents a kind of end of an era. I hear-tell that the prospective new owners will keep the live music around, but in what manner remains to be seen.
In any case, this Tree House show on the 13th should be a special one. I'll be joined again by my usual cohort Jay V on keys and also by percussionist Robert DesJardins. Robert is bringing along his cajon, which is is a kind of box drum played by slapping the front plywood face with the hands. It's an interesting instrument that is surprisingly versatile.
This evening is also special because I'm sharing the bill with one of my long time local music heroes. John Faye of the band Ike headlines ( www.myspace.com/ike ) John is one of the most talented and well-respected musical figures in the Philly-area scene. If you know me well, you probably already know John and Ike. If you don't, then check him out. His melodic songwriting and powerful vocal delivery are elements I've tried to emulate over the years. It will be very cool to welcome him back again to the Tree House. Catch JS at 7:30 sharp. John Faye at 8:30.
Ralph Nader must feel a burden of guilt beyond most ordinary men. And I don't mean guilt, as in the moral conscience that may be the source that spurred him to champion consumer, environmental, and human rights for a lifetime. I'm talking about, yes, the 2000 presidential election. Would that he had only had the luxury of foresight. What a different world this might be. I think it's no stretch to declare that Nader's candidacy indeed was the difference in 2000. Even if you only assume that a small majority of his votes would go to Gore, he could have easily tipped one swing-state. At the time, Ralph argued that it wasn't right to pick "the lesser of two evils", i.e. Bush or Gore. Well, time passes and we reconsider. Hello Ralph! It's 2007 now. They don't get much "greener" than the former Vice Prez.! Ralph really discounted their common ground at the time, and how could he not regret it?! I don't know. I won't deny Nader his due, but if I were Ralph, I think it would take a lot of therapy to allow me to forgive myself for playing such a role in the course of human events.
Here's my prediction for '08. (This is only a scenario I imagine very possible): (Not to discount the other hopefuls, but..) Giuliani and Clinton win the noms. Everybody says Clinton can't win because she's a woman. But Everbody says Giuliani's too moderate for the Reps. So.. Enter the 3rd party candidate, (???). This time it's a right-winger, takes votes away from Giuliani. The Repubs. get a taste of their own medicine, and feel the "Nader sting". President Hillary.
I often have extremely vivid dreams of flying. They seem so real because I actually feel effects on my body like I'm really soaring through the air and sweeping through the sky, in and out of the stratosphere. It's not astral-projection so much as honest-to-goodness bodily flight. And it's not just a little wind-in-the-hair, arms stretched out like a silly TV superhero filmed on a blue screen. Instead, this always comes with real heart-pounding exhilaration. Imagine it. You know the feeling you get from a big roller coaster when you take a plunge down a hill? Well that's only gravity, right? Now combine that with free motion in any direction, acceleration, and changes in air pressure from altitude. It would have to be a feeling beyond any thrill ride. That's what I feel. Isn't it amazing how in dreams there is absolutely no limit but your own imagination? When I wake up and realize I've been dreaming, I rarely go right back to sleep. I have to de-brief my mind and recount it all. It's almost like it really happened and I have to wind down when I get back to my bed. Then I wonder if, in some way, it did happen. ..OK, I'm getting a bit out-there, I know. And there's probably some Freudian interpretation, I guess. I did write a song with this as a basis awhile ago. The actual feeling is hard to capture, though. It's definitely a challenge to present something like that in an artistic medium with only words and music .............. still working on it.
creative
electric