Whilst in the midst of trying to finish the tracking portion of my CD project, I received a phone call from Chris Kinder (drummer/producer/friend) from Jon Oliva's Pain. With the kick-off of Jon's Storytellers tour a scant two months away, I was delighted to be asked to join the fellows on this adventure. This has added a boatload of musical responsibilities to an already full menu. That said, if you happen to be fortunate enough as a musician to actually be working, you find a way to get the job done. As a performing artist, you signed on for a rollercoaster ride predicated on uncertainty eons ago--so these are the opportunities that you have sought from the git-go. The problem is, they rarely come into your life in a manner where you can schedule your routine around them. The opposite is more true; they dictate your circumstances.
Time management is a critical resource during this phase...it ultimately determines your sleep patterns!
As I work toward my goal of delivering an A-list performance to Jon's tour, continuing my work on my CD, and performing with two live acts, (plus a part time graphics job that requires a bit of weekly travel) I will post some more data on how efficently (or not) I traipse on through this musical mine field. Maybe some of my suggestions/remedies can help other musicians. I certainly would welcome input/feedback from my friends out there with regard to the same!
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After a long weekend of gigs in two acts playing a combined total of about 80 cover tunes, I'm super-anxious to head back into the recording studio tonight at Sweet Spot in Largo, FL. Recording tracks is the musical equivalent of sculpture--you start out with an idea, build upon that premise, and keep chipping away at it until you (hopefully) have a masterpiece--or at least a work of art. I damn sure couldn't do it without all of my unselfish musical friends and family--credited here:
Jim Fox (engineering/producing) and Tara Jennings (representation/promotions); Jay Bailey, Jon Oliva, Josephine Carter, Angie Campbell, & Pat Buffo (vocals); Jerry Outlaw, Scooter Davis, Jim Fox, & Joe Diaz (guitars); Rick Olson & Tom Zvoncheck (keys); Tom McCowan, Chris Kinder, & John Spinelli (drums); Pat Buffo & Jay Bailey (assorted percussion).
As for me--I just write the words & music, play bass & rhythm guitar, and try to keep things organized since these very talented musicians all have their own agendas. I am so very grateful for their contributions and belief in our project. And when all is said and done--I think we can all agree it's been a helluva lot of fun!
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Summer is notoriously slow for working musicians in Florida; most of us are barely scraping by. If you find you have a spare .99 please purchase a copy of Let It Bang (featuring vocals by Jon Oliva and lead guitar by Matt LaPorte) here at my page. Or support one of the many other artists here at ReverbNation.
In the meanwhile, I'd like to thank Rapunzel Rock Agency for "getting me out there." Let It Bang and a few other songs of mine have enjoyed consistent airplay in the English, Welsh, and Los Angeles markets for the last year. I'm continuing work on my new CD, which features nothing short of the best musicians in the Tampa Bay area--so stay tuned, folks! And I thank each of you sincerely and wholeheartedly for all of your support!
Reply
Jason Jennings / Blog
Winds of Change...
Whilst in the midst of trying to finish the tracking portion of my CD project, I received a phone call from Chris Kinder (drummer/producer/friend) from Jon Oliva's Pain. With the kick-off of Jon's Storytellers tour a scant two months away, I was delighted to be asked to join the fellows on this adventure. This has added a boatload of musical responsibilities to an already full menu. That said, if you happen to be fortunate enough as a musician to actually be working, you find a way to get the job done. As a performing artist, you signed on for a rollercoaster ride predicated on uncertainty eons ago--so these are the opportunities that you have sought from the git-go. The problem is, they rarely come into your life in a manner where you can schedule your routine around them. The opposite is more true; they dictate your circumstances. Time management is a critical resource during this phase...it ultimately determines your sleep patterns! As I work toward my goal of delivering an A-list performance to Jon's tour, continuing my work on my CD, and performing with two live acts, (plus a part time graphics job that requires a bit of weekly travel) I will post some more data on how efficently (or not) I traipse on through this musical mine field. Maybe some of my suggestions/remedies can help other musicians. I certainly would welcome input/feedback from my friends out there with regard to the same!
Reply
Heapin' Helpin's of Gratitude
After a long weekend of gigs in two acts playing a combined total of about 80 cover tunes, I'm super-anxious to head back into the recording studio tonight at Sweet Spot in Largo, FL. Recording tracks is the musical equivalent of sculpture--you start out with an idea, build upon that premise, and keep chipping away at it until you (hopefully) have a masterpiece--or at least a work of art. I damn sure couldn't do it without all of my unselfish musical friends and family--credited here: Jim Fox (engineering/producing) and Tara Jennings (representation/promotions); Jay Bailey, Jon Oliva, Josephine Carter, Angie Campbell, & Pat Buffo (vocals); Jerry Outlaw, Scooter Davis, Jim Fox, & Joe Diaz (guitars); Rick Olson & Tom Zvoncheck (keys); Tom McCowan, Chris Kinder, & John Spinelli (drums); Pat Buffo & Jay Bailey (assorted percussion). As for me--I just write the words & music, play bass & rhythm guitar, and try to keep things organized since these very talented musicians all have their own agendas. I am so very grateful for their contributions and belief in our project. And when all is said and done--I think we can all agree it's been a helluva lot of fun!
Reply
August 2013 Update...
Summer is notoriously slow for working musicians in Florida; most of us are barely scraping by. If you find you have a spare .99 please purchase a copy of Let It Bang (featuring vocals by Jon Oliva and lead guitar by Matt LaPorte) here at my page. Or support one of the many other artists here at ReverbNation. In the meanwhile, I'd like to thank Rapunzel Rock Agency for "getting me out there." Let It Bang and a few other songs of mine have enjoyed consistent airplay in the English, Welsh, and Los Angeles markets for the last year. I'm continuing work on my new CD, which features nothing short of the best musicians in the Tampa Bay area--so stay tuned, folks! And I thank each of you sincerely and wholeheartedly for all of your support!
Reply