Tag: road trip

  • Let’s Just Go Hits The Road

    Let’s Just Go Hits The Road

    Let’s Just Go Starts Streaming Today

    My new single titled Let’s Just Go went live early this morning on all the major streaming and digital services. Think of being in a Tesla launching into ludicrous speed while having Gal Gadot riding shotgun as you go into the wild blue yonder. A whole lot of fun for the blacktop adventure that awaits for the summer.

    Listen Now

    TL;DR: For those who want to know more…

    A Little History

    A few years back I got invited to perform at a songwriter’s in the round event. I was placed on stage with some heavyweight songwriters who have written for acts you’ve heard of.

    Was I intimidated? No. Well… No.

    I had already met several of them before. But there was one guy who I hadn’t met and he had the biggest cred list of the bunch.

    Singing Songwriter meeting Let's Just Go co-writer
    Singing “All The Things” at a songwriter’s in the round. James Grey, Warren Sellars, and Keven Fisher to my left (picture right).

    Pre show I had asked the two I did know, James Grey and Warren Sellars, if they would play rhythm on one of my songs so I could go and kick into a solo. They agreed. Yippee!

    Soloing Songwriter before Let's Just Go was written
    Soloing over James, Warren and Kevin playing rhythm during “All The Things”

    Fortunately during the song the guy you see in the background Kevin Fisher also jumped in.

    After the set I was greeted by Kevin who came up and said “We need to do some writing together.” You have no idea how cool that made me feel in that moment.

    Forward A Few Years

    Kevin is a busy guy. We kept touching base but had a hard time finding time to connect to sit and write. Thanks to technology, we used FaceTime when I finally found an idea and we both had time to flesh out a song.

    Over the course of a couple of FaceTime sessions we cobbled Let’s Just Go into a full acoustic guitar and vocal tune that we both enjoyed. From there I took on the task of producing it into the sonic vision that would be released with me at the helm.

    Originally my girlfriend at the time sang the female backing vocals. Unfortunately things didn’t work out as planned, we split up and even more unfortunate – she’s not on speaking terms. Of course I made the mistake of not getting written permission to use her vocal. Mostly due to thinking I’d have permanent permission via marriage. You live and learn, right?

    That version of the song had Kevin’s publisher thinking we’d be able to get a car commercial. Exciting to envision.

    New Female Singer

    Rather than attempting to get someone with no desire to speak with me to agree to sign off on her voice, I opted to hire another vocalist and remove the ex’s voice altogether. Off I went to the local musician’s hang to ask around for quality female singers. This led me to Amy Lynn Whitcomb.

    There is the possibility you’ve heard of her. Provided you’re a fan of The Voice, or have seen the a cappella group JANE.

    I listened to the tracks she sent me as examples, in return sent Let’s Just Go over to her to see if she was up for it. Bingo, she loved it.

    We found a time for her to come over to the studio and replace the previous female vocals.

    Amy did an awesome job. She took direction and was even able to hit notes that seemed near impossible, you can hear a seriously high octave harmony in the chorus. That’s Amy, not a pitch shifter, I’m impressed. NAILED IT – would be the catch phrase I’d use.

    I sent the revised version to Kevin and he loved it. With two thumbs up from Amy and Kevin it was time to get it out to you.

    I’m excited to see the journey this song takes from here on out. Hit me back when you add it to your road trip playlists, I’d love to know.

  • Road Trip To LA For Recording Touch

    Road Trip To LA For Recording Touch

    A couple of months ago I forged ahead with getting a slew of new music recorded. Instead of doing it all at once in an album format, I’ve shifted gears and opted to go single by single. This way I’m able to concentrate on a steady stream of new music, plus do videos for each one.

    Join me in this video as I hop in the car and head to Los Angeles through Utah, Arizona, Nevada and finally California.

    Getting To LA For Recording Touch

    http://youtu.be/lGXF6q1FS2k

    Transcript:

    “I am in the process of finishing up a first single called Touch. Today, I am on my way to Los Angeles to work with George Leger my co-producer to finish up that song. So it’s road trip time people. See ya in LA.
    So I’m winding down one of the major arteries of America, interstate 15, about to pass Nephi Utah. Eighty mile an hour speed limit, gotta love it.
    Off goes the trucker. Probably going to the flying J right there. I used to drive my bus there. There’s Nephi one direction. Nephi the other direction.
    Taste Beaver. Lovely.
    One thing that a traveler must have, as they’re traveling in their car, Juanita chips. These are the best corn chips in the world. Bar none. In addition to that, you also need to have fresh homemade guacamole. Chips and guacamole in the car and some awesome lemonade. You’ve got a good road trip way ahead.
    And the most odd thing I think I’ve ever seen in my life, is that the driver in front of me is from California and driving really slow.
    I’m about to cross over into Nevada and that point I’m going to make a rest stop. Stay with my father. Play some golf tomorrow and go on to LA the next day. Have a good one!
    Zzyzx road right there, exit 239. Right off I-15. Heading in to LA, almost there.
    This is your captain Jody Whitesides speaking. We’ve just made it across the high desert and we are now about to descend into the Los Angeles valley. LA, here we come.
    Dropping down into the Los Angeles valley on the long descent down. Big windy road. One of my favorite places. Easy to coast. Just got to watch the downhill speed with the brakes.
    Just landed right down in the Los Angeles valley and wholly cow look at the traffic heading out of town. It looks like they’re doing a bunch of construction to widen the freeway.
    Excited to be back! Ready to record baby! Ready to record.
    Two helicopters chasing people down the street next to the party I’m at in Hollywood!”