Author: Jody Whitesides

Happy New Year!

I don’t know about you but 2008 is a year I’m happy to say goodbye to. So let’s move on to what’s already starting to cook for 2009…

I’m branching into some new musical territory. First I’ve co-written my first couple of tunes for a commercial. My buddy Robert Navarro and I did the music for two new Butterfinger spots. In addition, I was asked to do the voice over. I suppose some voice over work is also in my future.

Next, I’ve gotten hooked into a company that does film trailers. What does that mean? Well, some of my musical talent will be creating music for trailers of movies that you’ll see at coming attractions. In fact I’m already working on a little clip for a movie coming out later this year. Exciting.

Cooking up more tracks/cues for Fox Sports.

Already did my first co-write of the year, thinking way ahead to next Christmas. Yeah, I said it. Another Christmas song. This one has a lot of raw rock and a lot of humor.

Robert & I are also creating some more tracks for some other peeps. Lots and lots of music. But don’t fear, I’m still crafting the songs that I’ve been talking about. Along with doing more co-writing with Femke Weidema and a few other friends.

I’ve started to play out in Los Angeles again after a pretty sizeable stay away. This time around it’s strictly for fun until I Maurice and I get the tour thing happening.

Until next time, enjoy yourself!

Looks like Do You Want To Play is beginning to make sales at iTunes. I haven’t gotten any reports about fans hearing it at games, but it must be getting played. Go pick up the version for your favorite team now!

Co-writing has taken a new turn for me. Recently I pulled together a couple of peeps I was writing with and we creating a writing group. It consists of Brandon James, Femke Weidema, April Matson and myself. We’ve written three songs amongst the four of us, and also one additional song between three of us. We’re calling ourselves Alive & Loud. The consensus on the three songs by outside listeners is that it’s retarded how good the songs are. There’s a couple of really great opportunities that seem to be appearing on the horizon for Alive & Loud. So stay tuned on that matter.

I know most of the world seems to be getting the smack down on the financial front. Despite all the turmoil, it appears that a target date has finally been set for me in late November. For the tour support funding. I’ll obviously be ready to scream from the rooftop if this is correct. Keep good thoughts out for that to happen. I really want to take the music on the road and bring it to people.

While October is still around, I’ve been watching a lot of horror style movies. Kinda getting me in the mood to write something dark. May have to attempt an album of Halloween music or something now that I’ve done Christmas a while back.

Have a spooky month and I’ll check in again soon!

Writing, recording, writing, recording. It’s an ever going process. A stockpiling of songs I tell you. Recently in case you weren’t aware, I befriended the main peep at Fox Sports Music. Well that led to getting hooked up with the main marketing peep over at the NBA. Which then led to new versions of the song Do You Want To Play. I was asked to do a version for the WNBA and the D-League. Mind you I’m a small basketball fan, but I had never heard of the D-League.

I decided that since the song was being pulled out and done for two new versions, why not go ahead and do a version for every team in each league. The label was cool with it, so I spent the extra time knocking out versions for every single team. Yikes! It was a hefty undertaking to get it done in the short time that was request. Aside from one little snafu on the CD of the WNBA versions it all went pretty smoothly. As of now, you’ll find all three as new releases up on iTunes. Do You Want To Play – NBA Mixes, Do You Want To Play – WNBA Mixes and Do You Want To Play – D-League Mixes.

If you’re a fan of a particular basketball team, chances are there is a version of the song specifically for you! That’s right all three of these collections are now available on iTunes as songs and as ringtones for your iPhone. Actually all of my songs are now available as ringtones for iPhones on iTunes. You should very well hear this song played at live basketball games starting this season! ** Interestingly the D-League versions are already selling out of Norway. Who knew they liked minor league basketball so much?

Next year I’ll tackle major league baseball, all of the NHL, all of the NFL and major league soccer.

The touring deal is thru the next step, sitting on pins and needles awaiting word of what’s coming for the next step. I hope to have news on it within days if not a week. Keep up a good thought for me.

In the meantime, spread the basketball love on iTunes!

Stay Tuned.