Farewell to my Little Friend!

This week was a very difficult week. Our beloved cat Patch had a stroke and we had to put him to sleep. many folks say well, he was a cat what is the big deal? I have to sit back and think about what  they mean before I reply. I then say, he was more than just a cat. Patch was in many ways like a son, a best friend and a buddy. He was originally my wife's cat for 7 years before I came into the picture. He was A's protector, friend and warming blanket :) When I came into the picture, he basically chose me to be A's man. From the moment I first laid eyes on him I fell in love with this little guy. He had one eye, he was skittish around strangers and he would hide under the couch until he got to know you. Not long after A and I were dating I had to have surgery on my elbow. Well, as I was recovering at A's place old Patch would climb up on the couch and ever so gently lay down with me so as not to disturb me or hurt me. If I was feeling pain he would give me little kisses and a sweet meow to let me know he was trying to make me feel better. There are so many memories I have with him that I could write a book. I just feel very blessed to have been a part of his life and to have been loved by this sweet little guy. We were with him to the very end at the Vet's. It was such a painful thing yet it was beautiful for him to have us with him knowing we were there as he slipped on to a better place. He knew he was loved and will be sorely missed. So to my little guy , Patch, we miss you and love you. You made us all better cats! The world is a little colder with out you here my little Patchie boy!
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Challenges of Trans-Atlantic Recording

I have to admit, I am very blessed to have my own studio in which I can write and record just about anything that I want. Two friends of mine are in Belfast Ireland in a fantastic band called Buckfast at Tiffany's and I am working with them recording a song called  "All Along Alone". I am recording a bass line for them and then sending it back across the Atlantic to them. One of the issues that we have run into is the nut on my Bass cracking and me having to make a new one. Now, that has put our recording schedule back a few days. Then add to this the delay in knowing if the bass line is good or not...LOL can make for some interesting times ahead. I won't post the finished product here because it would not be fair to my friends Kevin and Sean who wrote the song. However, once it is on iTunes I will let everyone know.
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New Addition to the Guitar Family

Well, as all of you know I am very lucky to be married to my wonderful wife A. She has been not only my wife,lover, buddy and best friend. A, has been my biggest supporter in any and everything that I do. For our 6th Anniversary A bought me a beautiful 2010 Gretsch G5120 Electromatic Hollow body Guitar! Being a dyed in the wool Fender guy, I didn't feel guilty because Gretsch is under the FMIC family. Let me tell you this guitar is tonal heaven. It plays like butter! The action is so very easy and the neck is fast and silky smooth! I must say, I am having a fantastic time playing her. The sound of a Gretsch is amazing. The lows are sweet and resonant and the highs are bell like almost angelic. When I plug her in...wow!!! Even sweeter! I am so very lucky to have a wife who loves me so much and encourages me to pursue my music in the way I wish. Thank you A. I so love you!!
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Six Years of Wedded Bliss

It is amazing how fast time goes by. Six years ago on the 23rd of April my gorgeous wife said I do. I am such a lucky man to be married to a woman who is always there and encourages me in everything that I do. I just want to thank you A, for being the most wonderful friend, wife and soul mate that a man could ever hope for! You are my dream come true and I adore you now and forever! I love you!
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You Have Got to Love Fender Amps!

As many of you know A spoils me all the time. Well, today I was talking with my sales engineer at Sweetwater and he told me that the Fender Champion 600 is on back order until July. He recommended doing a pre-order to ensure I get one and not have to wait. Well, A was like Oh yes, this is your Anniversary present (Our Anniversary is this Friday April 23rd) So now I am  totally excited for this amp. I am a dedicated Fender guy and I love their amps as much as their guitars! This little gem is the perfect recording amp! Several of my friends in the music business have them and are using them exclusively in the studio! I can't wait to get her and fire her up! This will be the amp I record on and my Super Champ XD will be the gigging amp. Nothing in the world like Fender Tube Tone! Thank you A!! You are an incredible wife and the last 6 years of marriage have been the best years of my life because of you!
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A new tool in the musical tool box

Well, today my Boss ME 20 arrived. I must say, I am really happy with this unit. Boss pedals have always been one of my favorite brands. I still have a lot to learn about this unit but so far I really love the different tones I am able to get from it! As always this is a gift from my awesome wife A! I was having fun setting up my own user preset chain effects. I was able to set up a really nice chain of blues overdrive with chorus and a slight bit of delay. Wow, what a sweet tone I got from that!! I will give a more detailed report this weekend after I have had a chance to really dig in!
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A day in the studio with the Politician

Well, it has been a while since I have been able to go into the studio and record. Yesterday I was able to get into Indian River Studios south and lay down the drums, Rhythm guitar and bass tracks to a new song I wrote called "Politician". I must admit, I was a little nervous getting plugged in and set to record. Once the red light went on it was purely magical. I have never had such a flawless and fun time in the studio. It is one thing when you are in a band and have a producer to coax you along. When you are doing it totally solo and have to be the whole band and producer it tends add some pressure. I have found that I am able to control the whole process of recording this album and also it is really nice to not have the drama of being in a band! I am not against being in a band by any-means, I do enjoy the ability to have the songs I think they should be with out having to argue about it. Well, enough of that. I am just really happy with the results. More to follow!
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