Posted on by Rugged Troubador

Back In The “Groove”

As the days unfold, and the time to go back down South approaches, time speeds up. And all at once, I find I am to be gone on Friday, not Saturday as planned, and my time in West Virginia has already come to an end.

Back in early June, when a debilitating accident brought me home for the summer, I remember dreading the long days, the simpler small town life, the humility I knew that I would inevitably have to experience. And, as I expected, life became much different for nine weeks. But, through the space, I got back in a groove that I had been missing in Nashville – having no other choice.

That groove was Songwriting. Often in Nashville, I’d been so caught up in how to make just enough to get through one more day, that I would have no room for writing songs. I wasn’t doing it right. The stress that came with this struggle brought about outside issues: I was distracted.

I knew that things weren’t right and that I was approaching a break in the tracks, and when that break came, it wouldn’t be pretty. Something had to give. And what gave was my foot.

Here, at the foot of the Allegheny mountains, I was forced to sit with myself (and my swollen foot) and face the situation. I had really no choice but to continue writing, so that’s just what I did. I even recorded some, too. I just sent off some work tapes to good friend and drummer Aaron Latos to have some drum tracks added.

Don’t get me wrong. There were days when I did Nothing, too. But those days were just as important and just as necessary. They say everything happens for a reason, and I believe this summer’s “accident” was no exception. Here’s to another return to Nashville, another great round of music-making and collaborating, and to some fantastic adventures ahead.

Don’t forget to catch me Sunday night at the Commodore, at Holiday Inn Select, 2613 West End Ave, Nashville, TN, 37203, playing a few NEW original songs with some other great songwriters! Here’s the schedule.

 

IMG Source:Gramophone record – Wikipedia http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d4/Vinyl_groove_macro.jpg

Posted on by Rugged Troubador

Where I Belong

Wow, this is my first blog in, like, over a week. Inexcusable.

I’m sure if you’ve followed my goings-on via Facebook, you’ve learned of the recent unfortunate event that has left me temporarily not able to walk, and also back in the old West Virginia hometown house to recoup. And so it is.

I do not, however, anticipate my stay to be long, as I am all too familiar with Nashville’s magnet-like ability to pull me back after some strange circumstances force me away – again, only temporarily.

Actually, I see this time here, back in my stomping grounds, as time that I will use well to my advantage, to grow, write, and – well, mostly write. Oh, and record. As it turns out, my little brother, Thomas, happens to be something of a producer in his own write, and as long as I delegate to him, seems to be able to hold my hand through the process of home recording, one that I’ve up until now avoided like the plague.

But, as Nashville producer and engineer Chad Fowler (who actually got it from one his past attorneys) told me, “He who has the content, has the power.” So it’s a deed that has to be done. I’ve made it a goal: create 30-60 work tapes by Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2014.

I hope you can all hold me accountable for this goal that I’ve set for myself. And if you can’t, don’t worry, I’m sure my wallet will. Feel free to shoot me a motivational and/or tough love message: “Get on yo shit!” or something of the sort.

I’m thinking of posting each work tape up on a new page on this website, to be offered for your listening pleasure or as an actual place where it can be. As always, comments, suggestions, critiques, outbursts, and other kinds of remarks are welcome, and encouraged.

In the meantime, here’s a song. Thanks to Robert LaSalle, my cowrite on this one. He made me sound good.

Until next time… Happy Sunday.

 

Image source: allposters.com, http://imgc.allpostersimages.com/images/P-473-488-90/26/2695/PCOUD00Z/posters/alfred-eisenstaedt-hat-belonging-to-painter-andrew-wyeth-on-top-of-bed-at-home.jpg [Accessed June 22, 2014]