Adding Liner Notes
Moving forward with the digital age a vital part of the recording process got lost along the way. The part was the whole thing with who did what. Sadly it’s likely the easiest thing to add and it got left behind. There is now a strong push by NARAS a.k.a. Grammys to bring this into the future. Yes, adding liner notes is getting a nice lift to go digital.
I took some time yesterday to go through all my music and lyric pages to update them with some simple liner note information. Thus now you can learn who wrote what, who played what, who mixed what, and who mastered what on all my released recordings.
Beyond the simple liner notes I added a couple of extra bits of information for fun. The extra bits are also to answer some of the questions I’ve been asked about particular songs.
As the actual standard for liner note information gets finalized, I’ll likely add additional bits of information to keep it current. Right now there is no standard, thus it’s what I currently imagine it to be.
Why?
For future recordings my liner notes will get much more detailed. Detailed to the point of geekdom. Which means I will include things like what guitar I used. What kind of strings, pickups, etc. Same with vocal mics, DAW, drums, bass, synths, etc. Essentially I may include the whole darn shebang into the liner notes. Plus I’ll add thank you’s and other acknowledgements. Much like you would see on printed materials that used to accompany Vinyl and CDs. Of course they’ll likely get split between liner notes that are specific to a song, and those that are general to the release. Details, details, details. All to satisfy the ubër fan and of course myself. I love to read about the who, the what, the where and the when of recordings.
Head on over to the music pages and delve a little further if you dare!
– Jody
Organic Homemade Pizza
Besides being known for music, I’m also considered amongst friends to be a foodie. Mostly because I cook awesome meals. One of my favorite things to make is pizza. Could be because I worked a bunch of years in a semi-famous pizza joint while growing up. Nowadays I’m prone to making organic homemade pizza before I call for delivery.
In the video below, I show a method to making of my infamous organic homemade pizza. Plus I share a song called Clouds by Zach Sobiech.
Zach Sobiech Clouds
If you’re not aware, Zach is a young man who was diagnosed with a type of cancer. Sure a lot of people are having issues with cancer these days, however Zach has written a touching song about it called Clouds. The song gained a bit of notoriety online and went viral. His friends contacted other famous people and put together a touching video for Zach and that’s what prompted me to spend a little time learning the song.
If you’re coming here from YouTube looking for the recipe for the dough and the sauce, you’re in luck, it’s here:
Dough:
1 ⅓ cups of warm water
2 tblsp organic sugar
2 ¼ tsp of organic yeast
1 ¼ tsp of Real Salt (by Redmond)
2 tblsp olive oil
3 ½ cups of organic flour
Watch the video for the directions on it.
Sauce:
1 – 6 ounce can of organic tomato paste
6 ounces of filter water
2 ½ tsp of organic sugar
1 ½ tsp of Real Salt
2 to 3 cloves of fresh crushed garlic
add some fresh dried thyme, basil, and oregano
Watch the video for blending it.
That’s all there is to it. Pick your own toppings and above all else, don’t forget to use a pizza stone in your oven! Enjoy the organic homemade pizza and the song Clouds re-imagined by myself and Dave originally by Zach Sobiech.
– Jody
Successful Crowdfunding
I got hooked up with a new PR firm a couple of weeks ago. One of the things we talked about is getting funds together to break through the stratosphere for music promotion. Part of that goal includes making use of a style of funding that I had been loath to attempt – crowd funding. They helped me to see to some light on the subject and now I’m gearing up to go for a campaign for successful crowdfunding with you and me. New territory.
Hesitations
What I’ve seen from a vast majority of bands/musicians that have attempted this route is utter failure. Mostly because they’re underestimating what they need to get something done right. Then they’re not pushing it correctly with enough help and without a compelling reason. All that = a recipe for disaster.
Getting It Together
Mind you, I’ve done my budget. I’ve got it all figured out. While the amount I know I need isn’t realistic from a crowd funding situation, I do believe that I can achieve the goal if it’s done in stages and with help. Thankfully I’ve got the initial step of help. All the people who are going to be involved with the recording have stated they’re up for helping out too. First step is the recording of 18 songs.
Currently I’m in the midst of researching all sorts of things involved with doing a successful crowdfunding situation and started putting together the initial information for a site called PledgeMusic (they’re the peeps I’m going to use for this adventure). I’ve got one more book to devour about how to do it right. Then it will be off to the races.
Your Ideas
I’ve put together most of the levels of funding/donations for the campaign. Since it’s still in flux, I’m happy to accept input as to what you would want from me as a gift and what it’s worth. I’ve got some good ones, but I can always use more.
Once my new PR partners feel comfortable, we’ll launch it. It’s bold. It’s exciting. Being that I’m taking a leap of faith to attempt something I’ve poo-pooed in the past. I’m understanding why lots of them have failed and I don’t wish to make that same mistake. It also helps that I just came from a meeting about angel investors and they were talking the glories of crowd funding as well. Didn’t hurt that I also met a couple of angel investors whom may want to jump in on the situation.
Here’s my early desire from you
I’m going to need your help when I get this campaign going. Thus, if you’re not on my email list – please fill out the Unity 42 list by clicking on the link in the upper right (I know you see it). I’ll keep you informed as to what day it will launch and how you can help. I’ve got some great things that will happen if I happen to overshoot my goal. Be a part of the magic and a successful crowdfunding campaign with me and a great batch of music.
Millions of Listeners
What’s it like to have millions of listeners of your music and yet a vast majority of them have no idea who you are? Well, find out if you’re one of the many. If so, now you’re aware of who I am and that’s a good thing.
Getting further and further with the reach of the recorded note. It’s the kind of thing that can make a musician smile, but at the same time wonder, how the hell can people find out who is the mastermind behind the sonic goodness that is filling your ear-hole when watching your favorite TV shows. I know it’s awesome to think of the fact that I’ve got millions of listeners via TV.
In no particular order, here’s where I’ve been getting heard on your favorite visual video box:
NASCAR on Fox
OH Sit!
The Late Show with Craig Ferguson
Design Squad Nation
American Digger
American Ninja Warrior
Angel’s baseball
Atlanta Braves baseball
Auction Hunters
All My Children
Bang For Your Buck
Brave’s Live
Big 12 Live
Beverly Hills 90210
Brothers & Sisters
Cardinal’s Live
Cowboys Game Night (NFL)
Detroit Tigers Live
Dodger’s Live
E! News
High School Scoreboard
High School Spotlight
How I Made Millions
Lonestar Conference Showcase
MLB Tonight
NASCAR Raceday
On The Fly
One Life To Live
One Tree Hill
Rangers Insider
Rangers Live
Samsung Mobile 500 Preview Show
Selection Sunday 12
Sportsday NFL Draft Special
Sportsday On Air
The Rundown
Tigers Live
Veronica Mars
Worlds Strictest Parents
Not bad. Not bad. The idea is for me to get more placements next quarter. I’m betting the news will be even better at that point. Meanwhile, I’ll be putting my brain into some new ventures that I’ll be sharing soon. Stay tuned. Same bat channel, Future bat time.
p.s. – if you’re finding this page due to being a fan of one of the shows, I implore you to join my email list, browse around the music page, and share amongst your friends!
Baltimore Ravens Fans
If you’re a Baltimore Ravens fan, then there is a good chance you’re aware of a little ditty I penned. Earlier today I wrote how I’ve never visited your fair city or state, but that doesn’t mean I love you any less. Especially when you’re snatching up that ditty for your favorite team. If you haven’t heard it, you can hear it by following this link to iTunes. Or by visiting the music page here on my site.
As it turns out, I’d love to walk out on to the field and lend my coin flipping abilities to determine the kickoff. I’d even give a command performance of the song Do You Want To Play for half time too for the same game. It would be a great opportunity to see the Ravens lay down some pigskin law and visit one of the places in the U.S. that I’ve yet to see. If you’re part of the Baltimore Ravens marketing offices, let’s chat and make this a reality. I do believe you’ll gain bonus points from your fans and of course it’ll make fun news bringing in a musician who isn’t any good at football. What do ya say?
Thank You
A big thanks to every Ravens fan who has purchased the song. I appreciate your team’s fandom and I ask that you introduce all your friends to Do You Want To Play – Baltimore Ravens and encourage them to get on the bandwagon.
Please leave a comment in the section below letting me know how you came across the Baltimore Ravens version of Do You Want To Play, and how you use it to get amped up about your favorite team in the NFL. Or maybe you’d like to put in your local expertise as to what things I should see when I make it your fair city.
Baltimore Orioles Fans Get It
I don’t know if this is really something I need to admit to Baltimore Orioles fans right now, but… I’m pretty sure I’ve never been to Maryland. I suppose I could ask my parents if they ever took me through the state as a wee little toddler. Somehow I’m going to figure the answer is no. Mostly because they were from Utah and brought me into the world via New York.
Don’t kill me. I do intend to visit sometime in the future. It’s part of my life list to visit all 50 states, I’ve been to and through many states, but Maryland has somehow still escaped me. This doesn’t mean it’s not in my heart as I’m well aware that Fans of the Orioles are snatching up their version of Do You Want To Play for the Orioles. This gives me added incentive to get there. Believe me it does. Hell, I’ll even put it out there that the peeps in the Baltimore Orioles front office should consider bringing me in for a first pitch situation and a possible 7th inning stretch song performance. That would be something Orioles fans would dig right? Seeing a musician attempt to toss a strike and then sing their team’s song, yes?
What would give me an added and more urgent sense of making that visit is to be invited to toss out the opening pitch, especially if it’s tied to performing the song for their awesome fans. It would be a special treat for everyone involved, plus I’d get the added bonus of seeing their lovely state.
Until then I’ll hold a little bit of warmth knowing that Oriole fans are diggin the song and showing it off to their friends when they buy Do You Want To Play – Baltimore Orioles. Enjoy their season.
Go ahead and comment below to let me know where you first heard Do You Want To Play – Baltimore Orioles. Then go on to tell me where in your great state I ought to visit to get a true taste of the culture that defines Maryland. Even better if you tell people how much you love the song. If you’ve not heard your team’s song, do it here via iTunes or here on my music page.
Bear with me my friends. I’m gonna embark on a little sports journey here over the next several days. I’m wanting to give a shout out to all the fans of different teams that are picking up their favorite team’s version of my song. This installment features none other than the Atlanta Thrashers of the NHL and their version of Do You Want To Play.
It’s been over a year since I’ve had the chance to get out to live hockey game. Sad but true. I do intend to get to one in this next season – not in the cards for me to do it now.
I’m not sure if the Thrashers or any NHL team has an opening ceremony type of thing they do, but if they do, I’m putting it out to the Thrashers that I’d like to open a game for them and even sing Do You Want To Play. Let’s make it happen.
Thanks to the Atlanta Thrasher fans for picking up the song – may you enjoy it for a very long time.
It’s been a little while since I have personally walked the streets of Atlanta. But right now I’m a carrying a little smile on my face. Seems that the Atlanta Braves version of Do You Want To Play is gaining some traction there. That’s an exciting thing.
What would be super cool is if I suddenly got a call from the Braves office, where they invite me out to the field to throw out the first pitch and perform the song for all the amazing Atlanta fans.
If you’re a Braves fan and you haven’t picked up your copy of Do You Want To Play, what are you waiting for? Your friends have – it’s your turn.
It’s always fun to start seeing reports trickle in as to where people are buying up the music. Maybe more so now that I’ve seen Searching For Sugar Man. I don’t have the cult following that Rodriguez has, though at some point I believe I will. Until that day occurs, I will settle upon the new places I see each month for where my music is being purchased.
This past month I’ve seen the following countries taking in music by me:
Taiwan
U.K.
Canada
Switzerland
Japan
Mexico
South America
Australia
Finland
France
in the most general of terms: Europe
and of course: U.S.
No matter where you’re at, if you’re purchasing music I’ve created I’ll be grateful if you’re telling 3 friends to do the same. Your purchase of music is the type of thing that makes a musician happy they’re creating something of value.
Thank you!
Doling out the news… That’s what’s happening. Since the last post about song seventeen, I’m now on the final leg of the preproduction stage. That’s the word finally song eighteen is “I Miss”.
The song underwent a bit of a transformation. I changed the rhythm of the piano part. In a way it’s a bit more simplified. It also changes it from feeling too much like a song from the 80’s in it’s rhythmic value on the piano.
Lyrically it has stayed the same. I’m positive they were right the first time.
Vocally is where the most change happened. I’ve added an insane amount of vocal harmony. Think Queen, if you’re familiar with them. It’s going to be vocally HUGE. It will be interesting to see how it vibes out in the studio with extra singers on it. I’m thinking it will have somewhere in the neighborhood of 160 tracks of vocal harmonies. Big big big.
There it is. The last song on the list for the new CD/release. Song eighteen is called “I Miss”. Now it’s a matter of hunting down that investor money. Once that happens, I’ll be heading into the studio and pumping out these tracks with pure awesomeness.
Stay tuned for another update in a few days.