I guess if you've come to this page you must had heard something on the CD you were
sent that either you liked,or interested you in some way.
Well, here's the breakdown my friends! You get to a point in your life when you realize
that the only person you can count on is yourself. And if you play music and have a basic understanding of how the business works, you'll know that sitting around and waiting for
something to happen ain't gonna cut it. The other thing is, once you've reached a certain
age (44) no matter how good you think you are, there will always be a bias toward you.
Even though there are some exceptions to this rule! So what dose one do?
Well I just say "screw IT" and move myself forward.
First you'll need songs, so you better buckle down and start putting together all those ideas floating around in that head of yours. Music, Lyrics, Arrangements, whatever!
No time for second-guessing or being self-conscious about what people will think, it's only what you think that really matters.
Then, since you don't have a band you'll need to work out all the different parts for the songs without driving yourself nuts, setting up sequences for the drums, bass, keys, whatever the song may need. Trying not to get carried away with the programming and loose the essence of the song by making it too busy. (A common criticism from honest- friends at times) But for me keeping perspective is one of the hardest things to do when working on 10-15 songs at a time, alone!
Also, learn to use that expensive piece of gear called the Rolland VS-1680 digital recorder, to some level of proficiency.  Remember to have your guitar tuned so you don't loose the take that you know will never be as good the next time you try to play it!
Then, after a few months of playing the parts over and over, laying down the tracks and mixing it to a point where the songs can be heard with some level of clarity, at least to your ears, you'll burn a master CD to see how the songs sound as a complete collection.
(You guys still with me?) ok!
That done, what do you do with your little project? Hand it out to family and friends who'll end up saying things like "can't you do something with this?" or "this is as good as anything on the radio" Ah! If only it were that easy!
So now what? Get on the net and dig up as many radio stations as you can find.
Check their play lists to see if you have even the most remote chance of fitting in with the format they have.  For me I think it comes down to AAA or College radio.
Then I'll start a database with contact info etc... This can be a tedious process but you do get a good feel for a station and what it's all about that way.
There are ways to purchase this info but it costs way too much money for the average musician. Then I'll do the same for the nice folks in the print media.
Here comes the real fun, since funds are extremely tight,I'll start burning CD-R's one at a time off the computer. I'll need at least a few hundred!
After quite a few trips to STAPLES for mailers, blank CD-R's, CD labels, address labels,paper, computer ink, my little DIY project has reached the point where at least I've given myself a slight chance of catching an ear or two.
After stuffing those mailers with a CD and a bit of info on myself, I'm off to the post office carrying 30-40 packages at a time.
When I get home I can start e-mailing all those music directors at radio and those writers in the press, to let them know that my music is on it's way to them.
They only see a few hundred a week so; I'd better do whatever I can to put my name in their heads!
Some would ask! Why don't you just go out and play live to build an audience like most musicians do? To those I say, hey, I'm a Daddy, a stay at home one at that!
As much as I love music, I wouldn't have traded picking up my daughter from school for any 6 hour drive from one gig to another. My kid will always come first! If that makes me look less dedicated to some, well thats just the way it is for me-babe!(at least for now)
I'd spent enough time in the clubs when I was younger and, while it's great playing in front of an audience it got to a point where keeping a band together, arranging rehearsals, stroking ego's, and dealing with booking the gigs, all wore thin after a while.
Some can do it forever, and it seemed at the time like I had.
Now enough time has passed and I'm ready to give it another go. That's why I've made this effort!  I wanted to get out there again especially since I have a project to push - if for no other reason.(If your gonna do it - might as well do it right!)
It might even generate some interest from a label or distributor, you never know but should be ready in any case. At the same time I've learned to keep a tight grip on my expectations and could be quite content building a base on my own, using the tools available to me such as the internet.
Seems to be where the future of the music biz is going anyway! And I plan on playing out regardless.
It'll be a keyboard player and myself at first. We'll bring in other musicians as we go along and only if it becomes affordable. A few years in the music industry have taught me to TRY to keep costs under as much control as possible. (At least thats the concept!)
All this effort and more have gone into that little DIY CD.                                               I do it because I love it and I need to. The kids can have their rock star dreams, thats the way it should be!  (Thank you!! -  We love you!!)
Some who play this game, take all kinds of shots and still have passion that wont burn out, realize in the end, it just comes down to making music! RIGHT!
                                               Your Pal, Chris 

   March
      2004
    THE   STORY
   Yep, It's been a while!