Archive for March, 2009
Music can be a useful tool for educating people about things that matter, and that’s why I want to start a project that uses music to deliver the message about a variety of issues that affect all of us. By partnering with socially and environmentally conscious industries and associations, the entertainment value of musical artists can entice an audience to be more proactive and involved in the behavioral, systematic and financial solutions to problems that challenge our communities - from local to global. We are going through a paradigm shift on many fronts, and the changes to our lives will force us to deal with every aspect of our existence in fundamentally different ways, but - and I want to stress this - much of this is a GOOD thing. We have been living from bubble to bubble, bailout to bailout, credit crisis to debt default, and the methods to fix these problems have not been used with responsibility and integrity. If there are insights offered to receptive individuals to create a better environment for themselves and their communities we will all be better off for it, and the power of music is a very persuasive tool.
Session date: 03/20/09
Publisher: Melrose Music Publishing
Musicians: Greg Morrow, Jimmy Carter, John Jarvis, JT Corenflos, Biff Watson
Engineer: Mel, with Tim assisting
Studio: Westwood
Nice day in the studio with a small ensemble of excellent players recording really good songs with some great singers. Sherrie Austin is about as cute as she can be, and always has songs that have a cool twist. Will Rambeaux was a co-writer, and Micky Cones had a song with Kenny as well. It was fun doing this session with just five guys - Kenny understands that if the producers can’t hear the song that way, then…well, they shouldn’t be producing records!
I bought a Peterson flip strobe tuner and really love what it does with temperamental tuning - I highly recommend it. I’ve been using my Gibson SJ a bit these days, along with the Collings and occasionally my sweet Gibson LG-2.
TGIF!!!
I’m going to say it one more time because it bears repeating - Lauren Lucas is one of the most talented singers in Nashville, a great writer, musician, performer - a beautiful woman and a sweetheart, married to Nick Buda - who has played drums on all of Taylor Swift’s records and is also just a fine person. Lauren and I wrote today, and although we talked for hours we still got a bit done on our tune - one I’m very excited about. So check this woman out whenever you see that she’s playing around town - you will be impressed.
Paul Jefferson has a new album, “Dive Right In”. Click the pic and give it a listen…
Paul Jefferson
Session date: 03/10/09
Artist: Easton Corbin
Producer: Carson Chamberlain
Label: Universal
Studio: Soundstage
Musicians: Eddie Bayers, Glenn Worf, Gary Prim, Brent Mason, Paul Franklin, Larry Franklin, Biff Watson
Engineer: John Kelton, Matt assisting
Easton is a talented young singer from Florida - graduated with honors from college and is now chasing that dream, writing, singing and working on his first album for Luke Lewis at Universal. There’s not a more seasoned group of players than this assembly, and with Carson and John we have had a very relaxing, yet productive two days of recording. With this group of guys there is no end to the story-telling, so a new artist is going to get an earful of humorous - if not outrageous - tales from behind the scenes. Of course, I’m not spilling the beans here. You’ll have to hire us to get the grit.
I’m using my Santa Cruz baritone acoustic more and more, though I still go to the Collings often. And today I brought my Gibson SJ from home and had a great time playing that ‘62 beauty…
03/08/09
I just want to wrap up the weekend by saying how fun KT Oslin is to work with, and what a talented singer and songwriter she is. We need the melodies and lyrics that K.T. creates to resonate in people’s souls, and give them something memorable to sing to themselves, or along with others. I have been blessed to be associated with KT, Hugh Prestwood, Richard Leigh and a number of other superlative writers and singers who can write a song on their own, then pick up an instrument and deliver an emotional vocal performance. They don’t need anyone else to create, shape or make the music - so when I am asked to contribute to their artistry it is a supreme compliment.
Check these writer/singer artists out when you want to hear true talent!
Session date: 03/02/09
Artist: Richie McDonald
Producer: James Stroud
Label: Stroudavarious
Studio: Starstruck
Musicians: Shannon Forrest, Mike Brignardello, Steve Nathan, Brent Mason, Paul Franklin, Biff Watson
Engineer: Julian King (David Bryant assisting)
Richie is a great guy, and we got to meet his son today (sorry Richie, I don’t remember his name!). We had two sessions and recorded three of his songs, a nice pace. I like starting at noon and playing through - gives you the morning and the evening. I was one of the first to record in Starstruck. Reba did an album while they were still putting the finishing touches on the building. It was so elegant that it wasn’t comfortable, but now it is one of my favorite rooms to track. And Julian makes it sound fantastic. Plus, the headphone system really works… I used my trusty Collings on the first song, then had the pleasure of playing Brent’s strat through his rig to double the bass part on the choruses. Played my Martin 00-18 on the next two, plus some gut-string work with my A.A. Jones on the Latin-flavored second song.
This was the same band that I was with last Friday. Like I said - some of my favorite musicians on Earth. And speaking of Earth, Richie McDonald and his road manager Kevin will be travelling to China - the other side of Earth - in May, with Mike Brignardello, James Stroud, Doug Rich and your’s truly.
