Holiday Season

Well, it is official the holiday season is here. We are done shopping for our families and only have to finish up our shopping for each other. I am amazed at how this year we are done so early in the season. I was up in Detroit this week for work and could not help but feel the sadness of the once great Motor City. I thought of the great music that came from up there...everything from the Four Tops to Bob Seger. I felt this sense of sadness for people who live there and remember a once great city which is now but a shadow of its former self. It made me realize just how lucky I am to have the life I have with security and more important a wonderful loving wife and home. I hope that this season finds us thankful for what really matters in this life...our family.....the ones who we love and love us in turn. A, I am so thankful that you married me and that you are my home!
E

Veteran's Day

Tomorrow is a day that finds its origins from the Armistice of World War I. Many people see it as just a day off from work and do not truly reflect in what the day is about. I would like to take the time to Thank all the veterans from past wars and present. As a two war veteran tomorrow will be a day of reflection and rememberance of men who fought before me, the men I have lead in combat and the men who never made it back. God Bless our Soldiers! To my wife A, I humbly thank God for you everyday for your gentle way and for your grace to accept all the difficult times which come with being an army wife! I love you!

E

Album Name

Well, I have 15 songs..the majority of the guitar and bass tracks done, now is drum tracking for the album. I do have a name..."Ring Bell for Service" I have to give credit to my incredible wife A. She came up with the name the other night when we were talking about album names. So, hopefully within the next few months all the tracks/overdubs and mastering will be done and the album will be up on iTunes. Hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend!
E

Simple Gretsch Guitar maintenance stuff

The two guitar companies that I play and really love are Fender and Gretsch. Both have an incredible history for quality instruments that in my opinion defined popular music in a distinctive way by not only their sound but by their style. I have a Grestch 5120 Electromatic Hollowbody guitar that A got me for our 6th Anniversary. This guitar is an amazing instrument. I never had a hollowbody before so at first I was not sure about the set ups and maintenance so I was a little concerned. Well, as with all FMIC companies Gretsch has a fantastic web page with loads of information on it. So here it is for anyone who would like some top knotch help on how to maintain and set up your guitar!
E
www.gretschguitars.com/resources/techtips.html

Computers, Software and upgrades

I will be the first to admit that I really love modern technology, be it online banking to recording on my laptop. I am amazed at what can be done in this digital age. I will also be the first to admit that computers and software updates or hardware transfers/upgrades etc baffle me. I spent the majority of today transfering files to an external hard drive and the remainder installing Windows 7 and MS office 2010. It took all and I mean all day....kind of made me realize how impatient we all have become with the technology. What would be several file cabinets full of paper is now a few files on the old hard drive....imagine how long it would take to copy that stuff...LOL So, I guess I will be more patient and really TRY to learn the mysteries of computers one of these days! Have a safe and wonderful weekend!
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Bell Tone

Last night I was down in my studio just rehearsing on my favorite Tele Brooklyn when I came to a realization. With the pick up selector in the middle position my Tele gives the most clear Bell like tone. I was able to go from a really great clean to a smooth overdrive tone. It could be that this was my first Tele and there is a special emotional attachment to it or maybe it is just that awesome. I also was just marveling at how clear the bridge pickup cuts through the mix. I have Strats too and they are sweet sounding, but nothing in the world sounds like a Tele. There is just something about a Tele which just gets into you and never lets you go! I equate it to my wife...I knew the minute I saw here she was the one for me! Thanks heavens I found both of my number ones!!!:)
I love you A

Recording Studio Frustration

Yesterday I spent the majority of the day in Indian River Studios South. I was recording a song I wrote for my wonderful wife A. I was a little frustrated because I just couldn't seem to get the lead guitar right where I wanted it. I had all the rhythm guitar parts down cold on the first take. The same with the bass guitar parts. But for some reason the leads were not coming out as I wanted them to. I would do one take and then add another track and another until I had somewhere in the neighbor hood of 12 different takes. That is the one joy of digital recording...you can add unlimited tracks and never lose a take. Hopefully on Thursday evening when I am back in the studio I will get this song finally done. On a high note the Trans Atlantic recording I have been doing with Buckfast at Tiffany's is done and on the way to Belfast for Kevin and Sean to finish up.
E