Author: Jody Whitesides

  • Apple Watch

    Apple Watch

    apple watchApple introduces an Apple Watch. Earlier today, like many people, I took a little time off to sit and watch the Apple Event. Yes, I’m still an Apple nut. Hell all the new singles I’m stockpiling for imminent release were recorded on a multitude of Apple computers. So yeah, I pay attention. Of course if you’ve been listening to the rumor mill then you’d heard the iWatch was sure to unveil and sure to be like all other tech companies who rushed their watches out to market to “beat” Apple. Instead they got the Apple Watch.

    As a disclaimer, I don’t wear watches. It’s not my schtick to do so. There’s so many clocks around, on the phone, in the car, everywhere you look, there’s a clock. Thus, I don’t have a strong desire for a watch. That being said, I can very much appreciate the detail and fine design that has gone into the Apple Watch. Do I really want one? No. Would I get one? Maybe. Would I wear it? I haven’t a clue, but I did end up buying one – I’d make sure to wear it.

    I wonder if it will be like an iPad? Actually, I kinda wanted an iPad when they were announced. I could see the usefulness of it immediately. I’ve started reading a lot of books since I’ve had the thing. I used it constantly. I just don’t see why I’d want a watch that requires me to have my phone with me in order to use it. Why look at pictures on a tiny Apple Watch face when I could whip out my iPad or my iPhone and see it there on a bigger screen? Same can be said for music? It’s got an iTunes app. However, they don’t show where you listen – again, I think it’s tied to the iPhone, or other iDevices.

    I suppose it will come down to whether or not I think it’s worthwhile to get an Apple Watch as a health tracker. Then again, the iPhone already does all this and more. *sigh*

    The real cool/frightening thing that was announced was Apple Pay. In my own efforts to reduce the clutter in my pockets I’ve stopped carrying credit cards or a wallet. I have to remember when I need them. However, it would be extremely cool to have it tied to my phone. As Apple has now done with the upcoming iPhone 6 and iOS 8. Their feature is super cool. The consumer version of their security features sound great, but the reality is something we know nothing about yet. Hopefully we don’t start hearing stories of Apply Pay horror like the recent Apple ID hacks of naked celebrity photos that everyone thought was a direct issue with iCloud. Mind you, I went and deleted questionable photos of myself off my iCloud when it was announced

  • Making A Hit Song

    Making A Hit Song

    making a hit songWhat goes into the making of a hit song? This is a curious question. If there was one true answer, everyone would be doing it, and nothing would actually end up being a hit. Right? Conspiracy theorists like to believe that the major labels have some sort of computer algorithm that can predict if a song is a hit or not. As the British say: Bullocks. They don’t know any better than any one else, the different is, they’re in a position of power to sell something.

    While recording Till We Meet Again, George, Jesse, and I get into a quick discussion about things that can help make a song a hit song. In this case, we’re talking about a little trick that Jesse and I did with a particular transition of a song from one part to another. We changed something about the song structure in such a way that it makes people take notice. Watch the video about making a hit song and find out what we did.

    Making A Hit Song

    YouTube player

    Did you catch what we were talking about? Think you can go write a hit song now?

  • I Wanna Rock N Roll All Night By KISS

    I Wanna Rock N Roll All Night By KISS

    Rock N RollThere’s one band in the world that taught us all to rock n roll all night and party every day. That would be the legendary band known as KISS. As it turns out I have in my possession a piece of artwork that was commissioned for their original drummer Peter Chris. As it’s told, their management wanted to give each member a very special gift. That gift was a custom piece of airbrushed art that was their face without the makeup and a miniature of their character in front of it. One of them was unhappy with the result and returned it. That was the drummer Peter Chris. I have no idea if Gene, Paul and Ace still have theirs, but…

    How did I come to obtain or own the one of Peter Chris? Simple, my father was the one who was commissioned to do the artwork. When it was rejected it passed back to my father. In turn when I grew up a bit it was then given to me. So now I have it. It’s quite a conversation piece that’s for sure. Mostly because people always want to know how I came to have it. Plus it’s a tie to wanting to rock n roll with a legend.

    Rock N Roll

    YouTube player

    You show us everything you’ve got 
    You keep on dancin’ and the room gets hot
    You drive us wild, we’ll drive you crazy 
    You say you wanna go for a spin 
    The party’s just begun, we’ll let you in 
    You drive us wild, we’ll drive you crazy 
    You keep on shoutin’, you keep on shoutin’ 

    (chorus)
    I wanna rock n roll all nite and party every day
    I wanna rock n roll all nite and party every day
    I wanna rock n roll all nite and party every day 
    I wanna rock n roll all nite and party every day 

    You keep on saying you’ll be mine for a while 
    You’re lookin’ fancy and I like your style 
    You drive us wild, we’ll drive you crazy 
    You show us everything you’ve got 
    Baby, baby that’s quite a lot 
    And you drive us wild, we’ll drive you crazy 


    (chorus)
    You keep on shoutin’, you keep on shoutin’ 
    I wanna rock n roll all nite and party every day 
    I wanna rock n roll all nite and party every day 
    I wanna rock n roll all nite and party every day 
    I wanna rock n roll all nite and party every day 
    I wanna rock n roll all nite and party every day 
    I wanna rock n roll all nite and party every day 
    I wanna rock n roll all nite and party every day 
    I wanna rock n roll all nite and party every day
    I wanna rock n roll!

    Enjoy your Party Day!