… I think I got it fixed. I think I figured it out and been messing with it. Been playing guitar and singing at the same time, and I don’t seem to be getting zapped at all. So I’m all good. I wasn’t grounded properly!
From this point on when I do live home performances for youtube, I’ll plug in my guitar amp and p.a. for a better sound.
I may even videotape my Bowie cover of “Rebel, Rebel” today. When I finish it, I’ll post it here.
Kev
What is the difference between a rock star wannabe and a true local musician? A rock star wannabe is a band or a musician who pretends to be a rock star when in reality they are a local musician like all of us. A true local musician is someone who acts like one.
I can think of 10 ways how you can tell bands & solo artists can be a true local musician, read on:
This is a post that a lot of bands & musicians out there, don’t want to read. They’ll think I’m crazy, but all the above is the truth. Enjoy!
Kev
For my home live performances in my youtube videos, I would like to plug in my amp and sing through the P.A., so it can sound a little better on video, but the only problem is, it’s not safe. It’s not properly grounded and I usually get an electric shock with a guitar and mic being used at the same time. I was doing a little research on this today with google, and I think I found the solution to the problem.
I would need a microphone with an XLR connector, which I do have. I would also need to use the XLR cable for the guitar, which I don’t have yet, but I plan to go buy one soon. The reason is, it wants three prong plugs for both equipment. It’ll help make it have less power and you won’t get shocked. I’m pretty sure this is what it is.
I would like to plug in and play on my videos, so I can sound better for you all. It’s still okay to play acoustic without being plugged in on video, but I would like to have a better sound. I’ll work on it.
Edit to add: Or I might have to change the outlets to three prong plugs instead of two, ’cause the outlets in this room are pretty old. I’ll figure something out. I would like to play guitar and sing through the P.A. without getting fried.
Kev
… and most of them don’t even want to admit it either.
I understand that bands want to get their music heard and get their stuff out there. I do too, but you really need to get rid of this, “My music is great, listen to it” attitude. The way a lot of bands put themselves out there is crazy, not naming names. A lot of them have to be careful of how they put themselves out there. They’re putting their music out there for the world to hear. If they advertise themselves wrong, they could get themselves screwed down the road. They’re probably already are getting themselves screwed, when they’re not even realizing it.
They need to let the music do the talking. Put it out there and see what happens. Leave your ego out the door and let the people decide if they want to like it or not. That’s how I always did it.
Too many bands strive for publicity and for a bigger fan base.They all want as much local coverage with the press as much as possible, they obsess with interviews and getting on the covers of newspapers. They try to get as much publicity of their music on the internet as much as possible.
They all want to feel like rock stars… the professional interviews, music videos, they call themselves going on “tour”, etc.
Honestly, I don’t need to do all that with my music. I just put it out there and see what happens. I’m proud of the music that I did in the past and I plan on releasing more new songs later this year, hopefully. I never acted like a rock star, over the years. I acted like a local musician enjoying the love of music, that’s all that should matter.
Bands live in this fantasy world that they want to be big. That’s my point that I’m trying to get at. I don’t need to get more publicity as a musician, when all the publicity I can get is right here on my site. I would like more publicity, but if I don’t get it, I’m cool with it. I’ll just continue to do my thing, make music for myself and my true fans who actually support it.
Kev
Musician Birthdays: J. Geils (singer, guitarist for the J. Geils Band, famous for the hit, “Centerfold”, born in 1946), Kurt Cobain (singer, guitarist for Nirvana, famous for hits, “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, “Come As You Are”, “Heart Shaped Box”, “All Apologies”, and more, born in 1967), Rihanna (R&B soul, pop singer, famous for hit “Umbrella”, born in 1988)
– In 1958: Billed as ‘The Big Gold Record Stars’ Bill Haley and his Comets, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly & The Crickets, Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmie Rodgers all appeared on the first date of a six day tour of Florida.
– In 1960: Jimi Hendrix made his stage debut when he played a show at a High School in Seattle.
– In 1963: The Beatles drove through the night from Liverpool to London to appear on the live lunchtime BBC radio program “Parade of the Pops.” Performing ‘Love Me Do’ and ‘Please Please Me’, the appearance lasted just over 4 minutes. They then drove another 180 mile trip back north for their performance that night at the Swimming Baths, Doncaster, Yorkshire.
– In 1967: Gary Lewis and the Playboys started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘This Diamond Ring.’ Lewis is the son of actor Jerry Lewis.
– In 1971: The soundtrack to ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ went to No.1 on the US album chart. The album peaked at No.6 on the UK chart.
– In 1972: During a tour of Australia Led Zeppelin appeared at the Kooyong Tennis Courts, Melbourne in Australia.
– In 1976: All four members of Kiss had their footprints implanted on the pavement outside Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
– In 1977: Winners at this years Grammy Awards included Stevie Wonder for Best album with ‘Songs In The Key Of Life’, and Best Vocal performance for ‘I Wish.’ Best album went to Chicago for ‘Chicago X’ and Best new artist went to the Starland Vocal Band.
– In 1980: Bon Scott, singer from AC/DC was pronounced dead on arrival at a London hospital after a heavy night’s drinking. Scott was found in the passenger seat of a friend’s parked car. The official coroner’s report stated that he had “drunk himself to death”, after suffocating on his own vomit.
– In 1991: Bob Dylan was awarded a lifetime achievement award at the 33rd annual Grammy’ Awards.
– In 2003: 100 people died after pyrotechnics ignited a club during a gig by Great White in West Warwick, Rhode Island. Great White singer Ty Longley was also killed in the accident. Two brothers who owned the club were charged, along with the former tour manager with involuntary manslaughter. Foam soundproofing material at the edge of the stage set alight and the blaze spread quickly in the one-storey wooden building as fans all tried to escape through the same exit. Great White began a tour in July 2003 to raise money for the survivors and families of victims.
If she gets cleaned up with the drugs and sober up on the alcohol, then maybe she gets her career back on track for once. I’ll probably watch, and I’m sure a lot of you will too. Even though she’s the most hated celebrity, you won’t resist this. Yes, she’s done SNL before, but I’m sure you’re all wondering what she’s going to do for the upcoming episode. This episode will indeed get big ratings.
I don’t watch SNL much anymore as I used to. I used to watch it all the time when Adam Sandler and Chris Farley used to be around. I don’t really care for any of the new guys. I don’t even like Andy Samberg, Seth Myers or Bill Hader.
I only watch SNL if there is a good host or a musical guest is on.
Deadline, reports.
Kev
Loren Weisman said:
How to make it in entertainment quips & tips – Its ok to say no. Would you rather be known as the liar or the honest one? Don’t promise you are going to a show that you arent going to. Don’t tell someone you are going to do something you have no intention to do. Don’t tell some one you will call or be in touch if you have no desire to. Just be honest. I have been told I am harsh and brash for telling someone I will not listen to their demo or I am not going to stay for their set. I am giving the respect of the truth, which in my book is much better than lying and pretending to be nice by making a promise that will never happen. Be real. Be Honest. it will put you a step up in this industry.
This blogger is right on the money again!
There is nothing wrong with being honest in music. As some of you know, I’ve been brutally honest in music over the years. Maybe a little bit too much, lol. Some hate me of my honesty and some love me for it. It’s all good.
Over the years, I wasn’t afraid to call out people that acted unprofessional and I wasn’t afraid to say which bands are crap that I had no interest in. I’ve also been honest with my own talent as well.
There are too many people in the music industry who pretend to be nice when in reality they don’t even like you. Pathetic. I don’t want to be that kind of person. I want to be the real and honest one.
If you don’t like a band’s music and think they suck, don’t be afraid to say it. If they’re acting like ego-maniacs or being assholes, don’t be afraid to say it. If you want to turn down a gig that you don’t agree with, don’t be afraid to turn it down. I’ve turned down gigs, you don’t have to say yes to everything like a lot of bands seemed to be doing out there.
You don’t have to be nice, all the time. Do what’s best for your music and that’s where I come from.
I just found out that Loren Weisman is a guy by the way, not a woman, my bad. It’s just that the name Loren is most popular with women, lol. Keep up the good work, man. Love the blog! A lot of truth on it!
Kev
Enough talk about drugs & death, lets talk about positive things about the iconic pop star.
What will the music industry have in store us in the future? I’m sure Whitney has plenty of unreleased songs and rarities that were thrown out over the years and I’m pretty sure the industry are going to release some of them. Maybe Whitney even recorded a new album before her passing, who knows?
We all know that she just completed a new film before her passing called, “Sparkle”, which I’m sure the movie industry will release that as soon as possible.
It’ll be interesting to see what the music industry will do. She maybe gone, but her music lives on, love her or hate her. I picked up her double “Greatest Hits” album just so I won’t own her regular albums. I’m sure the industry will release another “Greatest Hits” album sometime this year.
The industry will still keep her legacy alive. There’s probably going to be a big tribute concert for her too with all sorts of famous artists covering her songs.
Kev
Musician Birthdays: Smokey Robinson (US singer, songwriter, producer, famous for hits, “Tears of a Clown”, “Being With You”, more, born in 1940), Tony Iommi (guitarist for Black Sabbath, responsible for starting the genre of heavy metal, born in 1948)
– In 1956: Elvis Presley performed three shows at Fort Homer Hesterly Armory in Tampa, Florida, (2 matinee and 1 evening). A full scale riot broke out after the show when Elvis announced to the 14,000 strong crowd, “Girls, I’ll see you backstage.” Fans chased Elvis into the dressing room tearing off his clothes and shoes.
– In 1965: Working at Abbey Road studios in London, The Beatles recorded a new John Lennon song ‘You’re Going To Lose That Girl’ in two takes. The track was released on the Help! album.
– In 1972: Led Zeppelin appeared at the Memorial Drive, Adelaide in Australia. A local paper who reviewed the show printed: Singer Robin Plant (sic) overcame an ‘Australian bug’ in his throat and broke into his own in ‘Black Dog’ and ‘Stairway To The Stars’ (sic).
– In 1977: Manfred Mann’s Earth Band scored a No.1 single in the US with their version of the Bruce Springsteen song ‘Blinded By The Light.’ The track was the first single from Bruce Springsteen’s 1973 debut album Greetings from Asbury Park N.J. The Earth Band’s version features several changed lyrics. The most prominent change is in the chorus, where Springsteen’s “cut loose like a deuce” is replaced with “revved up like a deuce.” Springsteen himself has said that it was not until Manfred Mann rewrote the song to be about a “feminine hygiene product” that it became popular.
– In 1982: Ozzy Osbourne was arrested in San Antonio, Texas for urinating on the Alamo. Osbourne was wearing a dress at the time of his arrest, (due to his wife Sharon hiding all his clothes so he couldn’t go outside). Osbourne who apparently thought he was relieving himself on a pile of rubble was banned from ever playing in San Antonio, Texas again, (a ban which was lifted in 1992).
– In 1995: Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee married Baywatch actress Pamela Anderson on a Cancun beach, Mexico, the bride wore a white bikini. Anderson and Lee who married only four days after meeting had videotaped their sexual activities while on vacation which was later stolen and released on the Internet. After suing the video company who released the tape, the Lees entered into a confidential settlement agreement. The couple divorced in 1998.
– In 1996: Bjork was shown on UK breakfast TV attacking a news reporter as she arrived at Thailand Airport. The footage showed the singer pulling the female reporter to the floor and banging her head on the ground. Bjork later apologised for the attack.
– In 2004: Johnny Cash’s family blocked an attempt by advertisers to use his hit song ‘Ring of Fire’ to promote haemorrhoid-relief products. The idea is said to have been backed by Merle Kilgore, who co-wrote the song with Cash’s wife, June Carter Cash. Cash’s daughter Rosanne said the family “would never allow the song to be demeaned like that.”
While I don’t really care to get huge & popular with my music, I do hope to get some recognition, at least. I believe I’ve been an overlooked musician for years. I would like people to accept me as a musician more, and hopefully recognize the talent that I believe I have. I’m not trying to sound like an ego-maniac or anything. I try my very best.
I’m trying very hard to improve the singing, guitar playing and the songwriting. My goal with singing is to sing a little higher which is what I’m working on, sing with more control and more emotion. I’m also trying to improve guitar playing, working hard at both.
What I’m trying to prove to people that I can be an actual “musician”, and not just a hobbyist/amateur.
The “Rebel, Rebel” cover song is coming along well, I believe I can pull the song off just fine. I’ll upload the video when I’m ready to record, just need to rehearse it more.
Kev
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