Sparks from the Fire

I read these truths yesterday morning.  This morning I woke up very early from an end-of-the-world dream where I was stuck in LA after a massive world earthquake and a resulting war with deranged people.  I couldn’t get home.  I couldn’t find anyone I knew.

I woke up in a sweat.  Disturbed deeply.  Frightened by the seeming reality that had just engulfed my life.  Wondering immediately what that was all about.  Carrying forward the feelings of the dream into my waking consciousness.  As I crawled out of bed, the Missus moaned and thrashed about lost in the throes of her own nightmare… (more…)

Well, the Oscars are over, the Grammys are over and it’s already started.  We put ‘em up there.  Now it’s time to knock ‘em off.  Just watch.  It happens every year.

What is it with our country this penchant to lift these people up onto the world pedestal, usually because of their good work, and then as soon as they’re up there, we do everything we can to pull ‘em back down?

It’s an American tradition – and not a very pleasant one.  Is it jealousy on our parts?  Is it that once up there most people don’t know how to handle it and so they sabotage themselves?  Is it the press and their ever-growing need for drama whether it’s truthful or not?  Or is it just that once up there, you get your 15 minutes and then it’s time to get off?

Probably all of the above.

(more…)

Picture of Peter Link???

Yesterday I contemplated the bone head of a skeleton.  I thought to myself, “Is that what I look like inside?”  Pretty weird.  Then I thought of my pancreas.  I don’t think of my pancreas very often.  In fact, I don’t even know where it is.

It’s mine.  I’ve carried it around for over 5 decades and I don’t even know where it is.  I mean, I know where my shoes are and I’ve only had them for about 3 months now.  But my pancreas!  Come to think of it, I don’t even know why I have it!  I mean I guess I’m glad I do, but why?  What’s it for?

(more…)

Why do we resist change – especially as we get older?  Admit it.  It seems to be the way of the world.

But the other way of the world is that a change is gonna come.  It’s inevitable.  Today, in this next hour, things will change in your and my life.  My day will not go as planned.  This year will not shake out the way I now want it to.  Our company, Watchfire Music, will, of necessity, change its direction or fail.  Yours will too.

(more…)

I’m a much better singer in my head than in actuality.  Most of us are.  I guess I’m beyond being a shower singer, but not too far beyond it.  And working with the people that I have the chance to work with nearly every day is an experience that would make just about anyone who can carry a tune clam up and keep silent.

I guess you might say I have the passion for singing and the ability to carry a song as an actor, but just don’t have the instrument.  Also I don’t exercise my voice on a daily level.

So I have such a deep respect for anyone who can sing consistently on pitch, with great rhythm, emotion and control.  Also the ability to control one’s vibrato is a mystery to me.  My studio singer friends can sing with a straight tone, a wide vibrato, a narrow one (or fast vibrato) or a note that starts with a straight tone and emerges into the vibrato of choice. (more…)

As I sit here this morning high up on the 38^th floor, I look out my window at New York City, 5:30 AM, just barely coming awake – the city that never sleeps.  From my perch here high up over the city I have a spectacular view all the way south from 42^nd street to the Statue of Liberty and beyond New York Harbor to Staten Island.  If you’re gonna live in NYC, live above it all if at all possible.

I’ve been fortunate.  I’ve watched the city grow and change from this perch for over 25 years.  I love NY.  It’s been a lifetime sittin’ on top of the world watchin’ 10 million people go by, but I’d leave now if I could.  40 years of concrete and glass can wear you out on certain levels and sometimes the Missus and I just want to take a walk in the woods.

But I can’t leave this wondrous city – at least not yet.  Most of it I’ve seen now and certainly experienced, but there’s one thing that still keeps me here. (more…)

Lately I’ve been feeling an inordinate amount of stress before vocal sessions in the recording studio.  As a music producer, I have spent years in the NY studios producing thousands of sessions and producing vocal sessions is one of my fortes, so why this would now happen after all these years of experience was a mystery to me. (more…)

Part 3 – As an artist:

Perhaps this sub-heading needs further explanation before we start.  On the Watchfire Music website an artist is someone or some group that makes records (CDs, songs).  In this case I’m using the larger meaning of the word.  In my case I am an artist with several hats.  Stick around while I try them on. (more…)