Hey, guys! I want to point out, once again, that the CD's that are being sold at shows are copies of the first EP. If you already have a CD of mine, chances are pretty good it's the same one. All the sales of this CD will go towards developing the full-length disc, as well as the rest of the merchandise table for touring purposes. Hope this clears up any confusion. See y'all soon!
Reply
Hmmm....let's see. A quick recap of the past 24 hours: I finished my dealings with a gentleman who handles the bookings for a local club, after being told several times they would get me in on the calendar and when I needed to call, the man possessed neither the decency nor integrity to be good for his word and do what he said. Lesson learned. I ran a good distance in some very cold, wet weather and that didn't settle well with me later on. I got a flat tire last night, and my ATM card wouldn't work on the store's machine when I needed an instant transaction.
Now, it would be easy to focus on the more pejorative attributes of the evening if it weren't for the fact that I realized that a man who is not honest at the outset, is not a man with whom you should want to do business. I had AAA to come and fix the tire, I found the money to buy some Zicam, I just signed up with BMI, and my CD's and business cards finally arrived.
The message is simple: "Shut up, Jon. Life is good."
Reply
Hey guys! Man, the good news just keeps on rolling in. Here's a primer: I should have 100 hard copies of the original three song promo CD within the week. My goal is to sell 200 copies of this thing to family, friends, at shows, and really to any interested parties, in general. All proceeds will go to the completion of the final full-length album.
Also, I've been shooting emails back and forth with Ira, from A&R Select. They really act as a liaison between artists and industry insiders. They've represented acts like Britney Spears, (those of you who are familiar with my cover of 'Toxic' should get a kick out of that) and they have brokered artist placement on C.S.I. and Verizon, as well as several other forums.
Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers! Keep them comin' cause we're gonna go to a whole other level!
Reply
As I trudged down the corridors of my hallway in a quasi somnambulistic state, I realized that I had money to cash in from last night's show. For those of you who have never had the privilege of visiting Huntsville, it is a very charming city. It is a veritable amalgamation of physicists, engineers and rocket scientists. It is also one of the last places you want to be when a major snow storm hits. Get someone who has spent his or her days behind a steering wheel who has never ventured north of the Mason/Dixon line in these conditions, and negotiating traffic becomes a losing proposition. And yet, the pale luminescent atmosphere draws me back to times when I was in Kindergarten in West Virginia. This is the first white Christmas that I personally remember in my lifetime, although I've been assured there were others. I remember thinking it was the only thing that I wanted this year. I will affectionately remember that moment in my mind, as a kiss from God. Perhaps, it's a sign of what's to come. New undertakings, new places, new strengths revealed, new passions to embrace. These are a few of my favorite things. The winter landscape reminds me of this: Life calls me, beckons me to live in an eternal state of newness, to live like a child and still be able to make adult decisions. It's a new year and a new season is just around the bend. My hope and prayer is that each of us grabs the fruits that each day has to offer so that we can say we laid hold of every opportunity and seized them by force. Then we may be living embodiments of these immortal words from Harold Thurman: “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people that have come alive.”
Reply
Wow! What a day! Not everyone gets to experience something as cool as this, but I went to The Tracking Room studio in Nashville. For the two of my friends online who know what that is, you'll be impressed. For the rest, let me start by giving you the web page at www.thetrackingroomstudio.com. You can check out the client roster from there. It's pretty cool to know that I got to sing on the same mic that Shania used to record the number one selling country album of all time. As if that weren't enough, I met writers for Alabama, Miley Cyrus and George Strait while I was there with my dear friend and co-writer Lee Pinson. Incidentally, we were recording one of his originals entitled "Fall Apart." It should be posted soon, but for now, enjoy his other goodies at www.leelovesyou.com. The players and engineers were all top notch at their jobs and quality people on top of that. Can't wait to head back up for next Wednesday's session!
See ya soon with more updates!
Jon
Reply
Discipline. It's a four letter word to most people. It strikes terror in the hearts of those who hear it. The consequences of pondering its meaning are unspeakable. The reality is, through the exercise of discipline, there is an unsettling truth. The one who chooses its path, cannot remain unchanged. That scares us. Many of us are complacent by nature. We love routine. Many live by and for routine, and why not? Routine is comfortable. It streamlines the habitual lifestyle. You always know what the outcome is going to be, so it's safe and secure. For the dreamers, it could be the bane of their existence. The man who is at home with his writer's block, nurtures it and takes it on as a veritable pet. The woman who finds herself becoming a slave to her day-to-day to do list, may have convinced herself that any ambitions beyond that station in life, are nothing but pipe dreams. Discipline spurs me on toward the completion of my goal, because in the end, each and every one of you deserve the best out of me that I have to give. Thank you all for always being there. Now go out and become who you were born to be. It all begins with a fundamental question: Who do I want to be today?
Reply
Hard at work here, guys! It's been a very good week for writing. Almost halfway to the writing goal! They've been pouring out left and right. They're almost ready for the musical production phase. After I work out some kinks, they're gonna be ready for video. Why do these songs stripped down? I'm working with the philosophy that a good song should stand on it's own. With your help, I've got a feeling that this is gonna be a great project, and I'm thrilled have you guys be a part of it. If you're reading this, and don't know what I'm talking about, visit www.jonathanlaird.net for more details. Well, back to work! See ya soon!
Jon
Reply
Hi guys! Here are some updates on the project. I am currently scoping out a Logitech C500 webcam so I can get this podcast series underway. Got a couple of new songs done and some ideas for the next ones rollin around upstairs. I'm looking forward to the challenge and more importantly, getting your feedback on the latest stuff. Feel free to check back often for more updates!
Much love!
Jon
www.jonathanlaird.net
Reply
Back in the saddle again....just completed another song for the album selection process. I'm also planning to start a webcam series as soon as I purchase the webcam I need. Amongst other things, I'll be sharing the new songs, and the best part is that you get to choose what makes the cut! That's right folks. 40 songs on webcam. At the end of the process, be sure to drop me a line to let me know what your favorites are, and I'll get to work! The prize for our participants is a couple of previously unreleased tracks before they hit the CD. Whew...I'd better get back to it.
Thank you everyone!
Jonathan
www.jonathanlaird.net
Reply
Hey everyone! Great news! The webpage is completely restructured and fully functional. Drop on by and let me know of any adjustments you'd like to see made to make the experience better.
Have fun!
Jonathan
Reply
Jonathan Laird / Blog
F.Y.I.
Hey, guys! I want to point out, once again, that the CD's that are being sold at shows are copies of the first EP. If you already have a CD of mine, chances are pretty good it's the same one. All the sales of this CD will go towards developing the full-length disc, as well as the rest of the merchandise table for touring purposes. Hope this clears up any confusion. See y'all soon!
Reply
Sardines and Vienna Sausages or Surf and Turf?
Hmmm....let's see. A quick recap of the past 24 hours: I finished my dealings with a gentleman who handles the bookings for a local club, after being told several times they would get me in on the calendar and when I needed to call, the man possessed neither the decency nor integrity to be good for his word and do what he said. Lesson learned. I ran a good distance in some very cold, wet weather and that didn't settle well with me later on. I got a flat tire last night, and my ATM card wouldn't work on the store's machine when I needed an instant transaction.
Now, it would be easy to focus on the more pejorative attributes of the evening if it weren't for the fact that I realized that a man who is not honest at the outset, is not a man with whom you should want to do business. I had AAA to come and fix the tire, I found the money to buy some Zicam, I just signed up with BMI, and my CD's and business cards finally arrived.
The message is simple: "Shut up, Jon. Life is good."
Reply
CD's baby!
Hey guys! Man, the good news just keeps on rolling in. Here's a primer: I should have 100 hard copies of the original three song promo CD within the week. My goal is to sell 200 copies of this thing to family, friends, at shows, and really to any interested parties, in general. All proceeds will go to the completion of the final full-length album.
Also, I've been shooting emails back and forth with Ira, from A&R Select. They really act as a liaison between artists and industry insiders. They've represented acts like Britney Spears, (those of you who are familiar with my cover of 'Toxic' should get a kick out of that) and they have brokered artist placement on C.S.I. and Verizon, as well as several other forums.
Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers! Keep them comin' cause we're gonna go to a whole other level!
Reply
The Newness of Life
As I trudged down the corridors of my hallway in a quasi somnambulistic state, I realized that I had money to cash in from last night's show. For those of you who have never had the privilege of visiting Huntsville, it is a very charming city. It is a veritable amalgamation of physicists, engineers and rocket scientists. It is also one of the last places you want to be when a major snow storm hits. Get someone who has spent his or her days behind a steering wheel who has never ventured north of the Mason/Dixon line in these conditions, and negotiating traffic becomes a losing proposition. And yet, the pale luminescent atmosphere draws me back to times when I was in Kindergarten in West Virginia. This is the first white Christmas that I personally remember in my lifetime, although I've been assured there were others. I remember thinking it was the only thing that I wanted this year. I will affectionately remember that moment in my mind, as a kiss from God. Perhaps, it's a sign of what's to come. New undertakings, new places, new strengths revealed, new passions to embrace. These are a few of my favorite things. The winter landscape reminds me of this: Life calls me, beckons me to live in an eternal state of newness, to live like a child and still be able to make adult decisions. It's a new year and a new season is just around the bend. My hope and prayer is that each of us grabs the fruits that each day has to offer so that we can say we laid hold of every opportunity and seized them by force. Then we may be living embodiments of these immortal words from Harold Thurman: “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people that have come alive.”
Reply
The Tracking Room
Wow! What a day! Not everyone gets to experience something as cool as this, but I went to The Tracking Room studio in Nashville. For the two of my friends online who know what that is, you'll be impressed. For the rest, let me start by giving you the web page at www.thetrackingroomstudio.com. You can check out the client roster from there. It's pretty cool to know that I got to sing on the same mic that Shania used to record the number one selling country album of all time. As if that weren't enough, I met writers for Alabama, Miley Cyrus and George Strait while I was there with my dear friend and co-writer Lee Pinson. Incidentally, we were recording one of his originals entitled "Fall Apart." It should be posted soon, but for now, enjoy his other goodies at www.leelovesyou.com. The players and engineers were all top notch at their jobs and quality people on top of that. Can't wait to head back up for next Wednesday's session!
See ya soon with more updates!
Jon
Reply
Who am I?
Discipline. It's a four letter word to most people. It strikes terror in the hearts of those who hear it. The consequences of pondering its meaning are unspeakable. The reality is, through the exercise of discipline, there is an unsettling truth. The one who chooses its path, cannot remain unchanged. That scares us. Many of us are complacent by nature. We love routine. Many live by and for routine, and why not? Routine is comfortable. It streamlines the habitual lifestyle. You always know what the outcome is going to be, so it's safe and secure. For the dreamers, it could be the bane of their existence. The man who is at home with his writer's block, nurtures it and takes it on as a veritable pet. The woman who finds herself becoming a slave to her day-to-day to do list, may have convinced herself that any ambitions beyond that station in life, are nothing but pipe dreams. Discipline spurs me on toward the completion of my goal, because in the end, each and every one of you deserve the best out of me that I have to give. Thank you all for always being there. Now go out and become who you were born to be. It all begins with a fundamental question: Who do I want to be today?
Reply
Project Update
Hard at work here, guys! It's been a very good week for writing. Almost halfway to the writing goal! They've been pouring out left and right. They're almost ready for the musical production phase. After I work out some kinks, they're gonna be ready for video. Why do these songs stripped down? I'm working with the philosophy that a good song should stand on it's own. With your help, I've got a feeling that this is gonna be a great project, and I'm thrilled have you guys be a part of it. If you're reading this, and don't know what I'm talking about, visit www.jonathanlaird.net for more details. Well, back to work! See ya soon!
Jon
Reply
Updates
Hi guys! Here are some updates on the project. I am currently scoping out a Logitech C500 webcam so I can get this podcast series underway. Got a couple of new songs done and some ideas for the next ones rollin around upstairs. I'm looking forward to the challenge and more importantly, getting your feedback on the latest stuff. Feel free to check back often for more updates!
Much love!
Jon
www.jonathanlaird.net
Reply
Song Selection
Back in the saddle again....just completed another song for the album selection process. I'm also planning to start a webcam series as soon as I purchase the webcam I need. Amongst other things, I'll be sharing the new songs, and the best part is that you get to choose what makes the cut! That's right folks. 40 songs on webcam. At the end of the process, be sure to drop me a line to let me know what your favorites are, and I'll get to work! The prize for our participants is a couple of previously unreleased tracks before they hit the CD. Whew...I'd better get back to it.
Thank you everyone!
Jonathan
www.jonathanlaird.net
Reply
New Webpage Design
Hey everyone! Great news! The webpage is completely restructured and fully functional. Drop on by and let me know of any adjustments you'd like to see made to make the experience better.
Have fun!
Jonathan
Reply