So, Sarah and I have the blessing to be able to take a little vacation. Finally. I've been saying since I got voted off that we were going to take a vacation, and we finally get to take it. And I'm excited.
A few weeks ago, we were contacted by a lady who owns a house in beautiful beachy location who was a huge fan of the show. She and her husband go to the same church (in a different location) as we do, and they offered us the use of their house for a vacation for free. We just had to pay for plane tickets. So, we of course took them up on it and Friday we'll fly down for a nice trip away. We'll be down there for about 9 days, hopefully recharging my batteries for the tour.
We had a huge tour meeting and I'm even more excited now about the tour than I was before. Obviously I can't give you guys specifics quite yet, but know that the tour is going to have some really, really great moments. I can't wait for everyone to see what Simon, the tour producer, has put together...it really is a freaking great show. And the stage set up is bad to the bone. And this year will feature something that has never been done on the idol tour before. Yes, I'm giving you a teaser. You need to get tickets to this...it is going to be awesome.
Anyway, back to my vacation.
Sarah and I are going to take some much-needed time away to recharge our batteries and spend some time alone. We need that. I've been sharing my life with the world for a few months - we understand that it comes with the territory, and we're both excited that we get to share my life with the world, but at the same time, Sarah and I need some time to recharge. The next few months will not be easy. The tour is going to be awesome, but we will have to be apart most of the time, once again, so that will be tough. She is going to travel to several shows here and there, but she'll be at home most of the time I'm on tour. So, this is our little fling before being apart.
I can't wait.
I'm in Laguna Beach now till Friday. We get a little vacation here, too, so that's nice.
Anyway, I'll try to keep up the blog as best I can, but I apologize in advance if I don't get to comments quickly. This is my time away, after all. Hope you all understand.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Friday, May 25, 2007
Finale Night
Finale night was incredible. It was an incredible, incredible show to be a part of. I didn't get to see it because of press and stuff after the show, but it was awesome to see from backstage and the group performances had an energy to them that they never had during the regular season...might've been that there so many more people at the Kodak than at CBS.
All the celebs were incredible. I love Kelly Clarkson and her band - in fact the keys player used to be in the original version of Sonicflood (one of the first rock worship bands to be popular). I hung out with those guys for most of our wait time (it was a long day). Her bass player Einar (I think is how it's spell) was the bass player for the Dan band I saw on Saturday night...he was really cool, too. Kelly was really, really nice, too - always taking the time to stop for the Idols and talk when she could.
Carrie's band was really cool, too. The guitar player's name was Ed and he was freaking awesome. We talked for a while about me moving to Nashville and writing songs, etc. I find myself having more fun hanging out with bands than I do with singers...don't get me wrong, I love singers, but my heart is with the band. I love bands.
Anyway, all the celebs were cool. The show ran really smooth. The group numbers were really fun. We all gave Sanjaya a hard time for forgetting some dance steps in the Smokey Robinson number....it was hilarious, Chris Rich and I were doing out little dance routine and we look up and Sanji is just standing there smiling. I almost broke out laughing but remembered the rest of my dance steps, thankfully, then we all died laughing off-stage. Sanjaya was a great sport about it - and we all laughed about different moves that we forgot. As a side note: I just watched the performance over at rickey.org and you can barely tell (unless you're looking for it) that anyone missed the steps, so the gaffes happened at the perfect times with camera angles.
I guess that's the cool thing about being in something like that is that you know all the little things that happen that no one else even notices or cares about. Missing dance steps was funny to us...most people wouldn't even notice it.
I have to say that, honestly, I was a little jealous of Sanjaya to be able to perform with Joe Perry. I have been a huge Aerosmith fan since I discovered rock and roll. But as Phil and I watched Sanjaya, I turned to Phil and said, "Dude, that guy has turned into the best performer on the show." It was a really cool moment to be able to realize that you've seen someone grow from a kid to a great performer. He's not Blake yet, but man he knows how to work a crowd.
The dressing room was a lot of fun. We got some cool clothes to hang onto, and we all had fun hanging out. Phil, Chris, Blake and I all bought PSP's and several games each so our 19 rep was making fun of us all sitting and playing video games every chance we got.
We pretty much watched the whole show from backstage. It was interesting watching Blake and Jordin running around back stage to change clothes.
My favorite moment of the night (outside of the group numbers) was watching Blake and Doug E. Fresh beatboxing off each other. I thought Blake outdid the legend, but I guess I can't admit that. He was incredible though.
The Beatles number was a lot of fun and I was so thankful to have gotten some solo parts...the vocal coaches were very kind to me. The Beatles are in my top 5 favorite bands of all time, so British Invasion was tough without them. But it was really cool to be able to do the medley, especialy some of my favorite songs from the Sgt. Pepper record. Anyway, it was great.
Anyway, the next few days are busy, so I don't know how much I can write, but know this: all is well and it's been great. I am having the time of my life. Thanks so much to all the fans who got me to the top 10. I am so thankful to you all for voting.
All the celebs were incredible. I love Kelly Clarkson and her band - in fact the keys player used to be in the original version of Sonicflood (one of the first rock worship bands to be popular). I hung out with those guys for most of our wait time (it was a long day). Her bass player Einar (I think is how it's spell) was the bass player for the Dan band I saw on Saturday night...he was really cool, too. Kelly was really, really nice, too - always taking the time to stop for the Idols and talk when she could.
Carrie's band was really cool, too. The guitar player's name was Ed and he was freaking awesome. We talked for a while about me moving to Nashville and writing songs, etc. I find myself having more fun hanging out with bands than I do with singers...don't get me wrong, I love singers, but my heart is with the band. I love bands.
Anyway, all the celebs were cool. The show ran really smooth. The group numbers were really fun. We all gave Sanjaya a hard time for forgetting some dance steps in the Smokey Robinson number....it was hilarious, Chris Rich and I were doing out little dance routine and we look up and Sanji is just standing there smiling. I almost broke out laughing but remembered the rest of my dance steps, thankfully, then we all died laughing off-stage. Sanjaya was a great sport about it - and we all laughed about different moves that we forgot. As a side note: I just watched the performance over at rickey.org and you can barely tell (unless you're looking for it) that anyone missed the steps, so the gaffes happened at the perfect times with camera angles.
I guess that's the cool thing about being in something like that is that you know all the little things that happen that no one else even notices or cares about. Missing dance steps was funny to us...most people wouldn't even notice it.
I have to say that, honestly, I was a little jealous of Sanjaya to be able to perform with Joe Perry. I have been a huge Aerosmith fan since I discovered rock and roll. But as Phil and I watched Sanjaya, I turned to Phil and said, "Dude, that guy has turned into the best performer on the show." It was a really cool moment to be able to realize that you've seen someone grow from a kid to a great performer. He's not Blake yet, but man he knows how to work a crowd.
The dressing room was a lot of fun. We got some cool clothes to hang onto, and we all had fun hanging out. Phil, Chris, Blake and I all bought PSP's and several games each so our 19 rep was making fun of us all sitting and playing video games every chance we got.
We pretty much watched the whole show from backstage. It was interesting watching Blake and Jordin running around back stage to change clothes.
My favorite moment of the night (outside of the group numbers) was watching Blake and Doug E. Fresh beatboxing off each other. I thought Blake outdid the legend, but I guess I can't admit that. He was incredible though.
The Beatles number was a lot of fun and I was so thankful to have gotten some solo parts...the vocal coaches were very kind to me. The Beatles are in my top 5 favorite bands of all time, so British Invasion was tough without them. But it was really cool to be able to do the medley, especialy some of my favorite songs from the Sgt. Pepper record. Anyway, it was great.
Anyway, the next few days are busy, so I don't know how much I can write, but know this: all is well and it's been great. I am having the time of my life. Thanks so much to all the fans who got me to the top 10. I am so thankful to you all for voting.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Okay, so I'm a fan
Before I talk about last night, I have to admit something. No matter how famous I ever get, if I ever get any more famous than now, I will always be a fan. I have people that I respect and love and I've gotten to meet some of them. When I meet people I still am a fan. What's crazy is when famous people know my name.
Last night was really, really cool because I was able to meet some really really cool people of whom I am huge fans.
After rehearsals were over yesterday, I rushed back to the hotel, took a shower and got dressed for a night on the town. Gina, Haley, Phil, Rich, Brandon and I had the chance to go see the Dan band, which is an awesome comedy band. Basically they do a bunch of cover songs (and a few originals) and do them with cheesy choreography and a really tight live band...it really is incredible. Anyway, we saw them at the Avalon.
As we were walking into the Avalon to get to our seats, Gina, Haley and I got asked by some fans for photos, so we stopped. One lady didn't have her camera ready, so as we waited, I see Kyle Gass (KG from Tenacious D) walking in. He stopped and called me by name! I was blown away! Then the lady with the camera turns to KG and says, "Can you take our picture?" I just about laughed, but held it in - I mean, she's asking KG to take our picture. The lady got her picture then Gina, Haley and I got our picture with KG. More on KG later.
We walked to our table and talked to several people in our area...we took a lot of pictures and then the show started. It was freaking hilarious. The band was super tight and Dan can really sing. The background dancer/singers were dressed like nerdy businessmen, but the dance routines and bgv's were awesome. It really was a great show. Gina is a huge fan of the band, so it was cool watching her get excited about stuff she had seen before (she's seen the band 4 times).
After the show, we were all able to go hang out backstage with the band, so that was a ton of fun. While up there, celebrities started to pour in. I got to meet Anthony LaPaglia (one of my favorite actors - you might know him from Without a Trace) - he was really cool. Dan is married to Kathy Najjimi (you might know her as the cute chubby nun from Sister Act or from Hocus Pocus), so we talked with her a good bit. Helen Hunt came up and knew our names! It was crazy. Gina went nuts because What Women Want is her favorite movie. Then KG came up and we hung out with him, just talking and hanging out while the Dan Band met everyone. KG suggested jokingly that I should form a Tenacious D tribute band and he'll come and be the guitar player. I thought it was hilarious to think of a tribute band with 1/2 of the original band. Then I told him he should break up his band and then hire me as his lead singer. He said he could probably do that. It was awesome just to joke around with KG. I am huge fan, so that was really freaking cool.
We left the Avalon and we were all invited to go to Ryan Cabrera's house for a party. Gina, Haley and I took a taxi to Brandon's house because Brandon took the guys to go pick up Blake. We met Brandon's roommate Steve, who apparently is a fantastic standup comedian. We hung out at the house, then Blake and the guys arrived. They proceeded to play several rounds of guitar hero as we all sang along to the songs as loud as we could. It was awesome! Then we loaded up the cars and headed to the party.
I'm not a big party person - I love to hang out in small groups of close friends and with low enough noise to hear each other talk. This party was not that. It was like 200 people with music blaring. Ryan's house is awesome. You walk up his very steep driveway to the house and you walk up these steps at the top to reach the back yard. The back yard is simply one huge pool and jacuzzi area, complete with a huge tile paved bar. He has a ping pong table and a pool table out there, as well as a lounge area. The pool, by the way is heated and the jacuzzi waterfalls down into the pool. Seriously, I was in awe of the house.
I'm not a huge fan of Ryan's but I always thought he was a really good songwriter with a great voice...his music just isn't my cup of tea. I remember thinking, though, while he was on the Ashlee Simpson show, what a cool guy he seemed to be. He didn't disappoint. He was awesome. And hilarious. Brandon and he are really good friends, so there was connection there that superceded any awkward stuff.
I got to meet the bass player (Bryce) and guitar player (Ben) from Lifehouse. That was awesome - they were really freaking cool guys. I hung out talking with them for like 30 minutes. Phil and I then met the lead singer of Yellowcard. That was awesome, too. He was a really cool guy and super nice. Side note here: it's so freaking cool to meet really famous people who are actually freaking cool people....you always wonder if someone's gonna be a butthole, but they're just normal people like you and me....they just happen to be more famous than you and I. Tony Romo was there and I got to meet him - he actually knew my name (that is freaking crazy!). He at one point was actually bartending...that was hilarious. Jesse McCartney was there, too...we said hello. He seems cool....I didn't get to talk to him much.
The best moment of the night, though, was meeting Gavin DeGraw. I'm a huge fan so meeting him was awesome! I think he is seriously the best songwriter to come out in the last 5 years. He's amazing. I can't wait for his next album - I know it's going to be great. He was super nice, too, so it was nice to see him in that light.
One of the things that was really cool to watch was how people reacted to Chris and Blake especially and even Phil. Those guys are stars and people love them. And you know what I can't wait to hear records by all 3 of those guys. I am a huge fan of all 3 and all 3 of them do different things and I can't wait to cheer them on. It's a weird thing to have friends who are stars and knowing that very soon they are going to be the hugest stars in music. It's a really cool feeling.
Anyway, the night was incredible. It just solidified in my mind, though, how much of a fan I still am.
Last night was really, really cool because I was able to meet some really really cool people of whom I am huge fans.
After rehearsals were over yesterday, I rushed back to the hotel, took a shower and got dressed for a night on the town. Gina, Haley, Phil, Rich, Brandon and I had the chance to go see the Dan band, which is an awesome comedy band. Basically they do a bunch of cover songs (and a few originals) and do them with cheesy choreography and a really tight live band...it really is incredible. Anyway, we saw them at the Avalon.
As we were walking into the Avalon to get to our seats, Gina, Haley and I got asked by some fans for photos, so we stopped. One lady didn't have her camera ready, so as we waited, I see Kyle Gass (KG from Tenacious D) walking in. He stopped and called me by name! I was blown away! Then the lady with the camera turns to KG and says, "Can you take our picture?" I just about laughed, but held it in - I mean, she's asking KG to take our picture. The lady got her picture then Gina, Haley and I got our picture with KG. More on KG later.
We walked to our table and talked to several people in our area...we took a lot of pictures and then the show started. It was freaking hilarious. The band was super tight and Dan can really sing. The background dancer/singers were dressed like nerdy businessmen, but the dance routines and bgv's were awesome. It really was a great show. Gina is a huge fan of the band, so it was cool watching her get excited about stuff she had seen before (she's seen the band 4 times).
After the show, we were all able to go hang out backstage with the band, so that was a ton of fun. While up there, celebrities started to pour in. I got to meet Anthony LaPaglia (one of my favorite actors - you might know him from Without a Trace) - he was really cool. Dan is married to Kathy Najjimi (you might know her as the cute chubby nun from Sister Act or from Hocus Pocus), so we talked with her a good bit. Helen Hunt came up and knew our names! It was crazy. Gina went nuts because What Women Want is her favorite movie. Then KG came up and we hung out with him, just talking and hanging out while the Dan Band met everyone. KG suggested jokingly that I should form a Tenacious D tribute band and he'll come and be the guitar player. I thought it was hilarious to think of a tribute band with 1/2 of the original band. Then I told him he should break up his band and then hire me as his lead singer. He said he could probably do that. It was awesome just to joke around with KG. I am huge fan, so that was really freaking cool.
We left the Avalon and we were all invited to go to Ryan Cabrera's house for a party. Gina, Haley and I took a taxi to Brandon's house because Brandon took the guys to go pick up Blake. We met Brandon's roommate Steve, who apparently is a fantastic standup comedian. We hung out at the house, then Blake and the guys arrived. They proceeded to play several rounds of guitar hero as we all sang along to the songs as loud as we could. It was awesome! Then we loaded up the cars and headed to the party.
I'm not a big party person - I love to hang out in small groups of close friends and with low enough noise to hear each other talk. This party was not that. It was like 200 people with music blaring. Ryan's house is awesome. You walk up his very steep driveway to the house and you walk up these steps at the top to reach the back yard. The back yard is simply one huge pool and jacuzzi area, complete with a huge tile paved bar. He has a ping pong table and a pool table out there, as well as a lounge area. The pool, by the way is heated and the jacuzzi waterfalls down into the pool. Seriously, I was in awe of the house.
I'm not a huge fan of Ryan's but I always thought he was a really good songwriter with a great voice...his music just isn't my cup of tea. I remember thinking, though, while he was on the Ashlee Simpson show, what a cool guy he seemed to be. He didn't disappoint. He was awesome. And hilarious. Brandon and he are really good friends, so there was connection there that superceded any awkward stuff.
I got to meet the bass player (Bryce) and guitar player (Ben) from Lifehouse. That was awesome - they were really freaking cool guys. I hung out talking with them for like 30 minutes. Phil and I then met the lead singer of Yellowcard. That was awesome, too. He was a really cool guy and super nice. Side note here: it's so freaking cool to meet really famous people who are actually freaking cool people....you always wonder if someone's gonna be a butthole, but they're just normal people like you and me....they just happen to be more famous than you and I. Tony Romo was there and I got to meet him - he actually knew my name (that is freaking crazy!). He at one point was actually bartending...that was hilarious. Jesse McCartney was there, too...we said hello. He seems cool....I didn't get to talk to him much.
The best moment of the night, though, was meeting Gavin DeGraw. I'm a huge fan so meeting him was awesome! I think he is seriously the best songwriter to come out in the last 5 years. He's amazing. I can't wait for his next album - I know it's going to be great. He was super nice, too, so it was nice to see him in that light.
One of the things that was really cool to watch was how people reacted to Chris and Blake especially and even Phil. Those guys are stars and people love them. And you know what I can't wait to hear records by all 3 of those guys. I am a huge fan of all 3 and all 3 of them do different things and I can't wait to cheer them on. It's a weird thing to have friends who are stars and knowing that very soon they are going to be the hugest stars in music. It's a really cool feeling.
Anyway, the night was incredible. It just solidified in my mind, though, how much of a fan I still am.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Dinner with friends
So, we rehearsed most of the day yesterday. It was exciting and fun. It was new again, so that was great.
After we got back home, Phil, Gina, Haley, Stephanie and I decided to go grab something to eat. We started to walk up to Sunset when one of the AI cars screeched to a halt next to us. We looked up and in the car Sanjaya mashed his face up against the back seat window. We all chuckled. That kid is crazy. Anyway, the driver offered to drive us up to a restaurant, so we took her up on it since we're all lazy. We piled into the car and we start driving and I notice that Sanjaya is holding his mouth. I asked him what was wrong and he said that when he pressed his face against the window, he bit his lip. We all laughed really hard.
Anyway, we decided on a restaurant called Merabelles. It's this quaint little restaurant that has been there for like 40 years and the food was really good. We all piled into a table and ordered drinks. The group that hung out last night hadn't gotten to see Sanjaya and Jill, so we caught up with what was going on in their lives...obviously big things are coming to Sanjaya.
The food was really good and we all talked about the upcoming tour and how great it was to be back together. It is unbelievable how great it is to hang out with contestants when we are no longer contestants...stuff doesn't get read into and it's just cool because you can be just friends. That's the best part about being back - just hanging out and doing music with friends. Phil bought two entrees because he wanted to try both of them. So, naturally, I helped him eat his 2nd dish....it was this pasta dumpling stuff that was freaking incredible.
Apparently, the restaurant's owner's wife was a big fan, so they let us know they were giving us some free desserts, so that was really cool. Stephanie was tired, so she decided to walk back. Sanjaya being the gentleman that he is offered to walk her back to the hotel, so when the desserts came, Jill packed up one to take back to him. Sanji really is a great kid, as I've said about a hundred times - but for real, he really cares about other people.
After we finished eating, it was a nice little jaunt back to the hotel. I had eaten too much, so it was good to walk some of that off. We came back to the hotel said goodnight and I promptly went to bed.
After we got back home, Phil, Gina, Haley, Stephanie and I decided to go grab something to eat. We started to walk up to Sunset when one of the AI cars screeched to a halt next to us. We looked up and in the car Sanjaya mashed his face up against the back seat window. We all chuckled. That kid is crazy. Anyway, the driver offered to drive us up to a restaurant, so we took her up on it since we're all lazy. We piled into the car and we start driving and I notice that Sanjaya is holding his mouth. I asked him what was wrong and he said that when he pressed his face against the window, he bit his lip. We all laughed really hard.
Anyway, we decided on a restaurant called Merabelles. It's this quaint little restaurant that has been there for like 40 years and the food was really good. We all piled into a table and ordered drinks. The group that hung out last night hadn't gotten to see Sanjaya and Jill, so we caught up with what was going on in their lives...obviously big things are coming to Sanjaya.
The food was really good and we all talked about the upcoming tour and how great it was to be back together. It is unbelievable how great it is to hang out with contestants when we are no longer contestants...stuff doesn't get read into and it's just cool because you can be just friends. That's the best part about being back - just hanging out and doing music with friends. Phil bought two entrees because he wanted to try both of them. So, naturally, I helped him eat his 2nd dish....it was this pasta dumpling stuff that was freaking incredible.
Apparently, the restaurant's owner's wife was a big fan, so they let us know they were giving us some free desserts, so that was really cool. Stephanie was tired, so she decided to walk back. Sanjaya being the gentleman that he is offered to walk her back to the hotel, so when the desserts came, Jill packed up one to take back to him. Sanji really is a great kid, as I've said about a hundred times - but for real, he really cares about other people.
After we finished eating, it was a nice little jaunt back to the hotel. I had eaten too much, so it was good to walk some of that off. We came back to the hotel said goodnight and I promptly went to bed.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
In Rehearsal
So, I'm in rehearsal today. We're actually on a small break as I write this. Obviously I can't tell you guys details of what's going on, but it has been awesome to get together with everyone.
I got in last night and actually got to the hotel about the same time as Phil, Richardson, Gina and Haley. So, we all got settled into our rooms, then watched the show. Melinda went home. I don't know that I would be any happier for anyone going home than the other two...but it was awesome to watch how she has handled it - she seems really okay with not having the pressure on anymore.
Phil, Richardson, Gina, Haley and I went out last night and saw Storm Large at the Viper Room (our hotel is near Sunset, so we walked a little). Then we decided to go with Richardson to a club. Well, one club turned into 4 clubs. That was interesting. I've literally never been into a club and we were at 4 of them last night. It's a very interesting scene. I doubt I will ever do it again, but it was great to get in to a bunch of places for free.
Anyway, rehearsals are going great...we're doing some really, really cool stuff that I think people are gonna dig. It's really different for me in some places and really close to what I do in others...and all of it is great! It's fun to go a little outside my comfort zone on some stuff.
All I can say is this: getting back with all of my friends has been incredible. Everyone is excited to be back and excited to see what everyone else has been up to. Blake and Jordin are doing great - Blake is still as hilarious as ever and Jordin is just awesome. Whichever of them wins - well, they both are incredibly deserving and awesome. Anyway, off that rabbit trail...it's kind of nice because with the pressure of competition off, everyone can just be themselves and hang out and have fun.
It is great to be back.
I got in last night and actually got to the hotel about the same time as Phil, Richardson, Gina and Haley. So, we all got settled into our rooms, then watched the show. Melinda went home. I don't know that I would be any happier for anyone going home than the other two...but it was awesome to watch how she has handled it - she seems really okay with not having the pressure on anymore.
Phil, Richardson, Gina, Haley and I went out last night and saw Storm Large at the Viper Room (our hotel is near Sunset, so we walked a little). Then we decided to go with Richardson to a club. Well, one club turned into 4 clubs. That was interesting. I've literally never been into a club and we were at 4 of them last night. It's a very interesting scene. I doubt I will ever do it again, but it was great to get in to a bunch of places for free.
Anyway, rehearsals are going great...we're doing some really, really cool stuff that I think people are gonna dig. It's really different for me in some places and really close to what I do in others...and all of it is great! It's fun to go a little outside my comfort zone on some stuff.
All I can say is this: getting back with all of my friends has been incredible. Everyone is excited to be back and excited to see what everyone else has been up to. Blake and Jordin are doing great - Blake is still as hilarious as ever and Jordin is just awesome. Whichever of them wins - well, they both are incredibly deserving and awesome. Anyway, off that rabbit trail...it's kind of nice because with the pressure of competition off, everyone can just be themselves and hang out and have fun.
It is great to be back.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
The next phase of this blog
So, there were more posts here that I have decided to remove just for my own peace of mind. No, the producers of the show did not ask me to take anything down. I have taken stuff down of my own volition.
Over the last week or so as I've taken some time off from blogging (I had someone else administer the blog for a while) I have tried to figure out what the next phase of the blog is. Here are some thoughts.
When I started this blog, I was a nobody who no one knew. My blog was just a place for me to write and express myself and be stupid and attempt to be funny for my friends and family. I love writing, and am admittedly not incredible at it, but I love to simply write about life. As I came back from the show, I took the same attitude I did before, not realizing how many people were actually coming to the blog every day. So, I was writing for family and friends and instead ended up writing for a bunch of strangers who don't know me and don't know where I am coming from. It was naive and a little stupid on my part to write the same way I did before. So, over the last week it's been impressed upon me that I really must deal differently with my blog than I have thus far. I know, I can't win for losing - fans are gonna be upset that it won't be the same, and I'm really sorry for that, but I'm trying to make the best decision for me that I can.
The blog will still happen, mind you, but the content will be very different than it has been.
One thing, too, that has been impressed on me is this: I am writing about life. The contestants on the show and the show are a huge part of my life right now. However, as I talk about my friends, I have been accused of name-dropping and fame-whoring. To most people, they assume that the world has ended for me because I came in tenth place of American Idol. I want to laugh at those people because they don't know what's going on behind the scenes and they don't know me and the determination with which I lead my life and career. But at the same time, I have to stop and think.
A wise man once told me that perception is reality to the person who is perceiving it. I think it's hilarious that people think I'm name-dropping when I mention Phil or Gina because they are some of my closest friends in the world...but then I realize that they are famous, more famous than I, so if a person is trying to read into something it would be easy to read into that. However, in regards to this decision, I will not stop talking about life because of some people's screwed up misconceptions. Truth to those people is sad, but untrue. If I wanted to name drop I'd talk about the celebrities by name who freaked out when they met me. But those stories are not for the blog, they are for close friends, because they understand who I am in real life....not on blog life.
Another thing I've thought about is this: negative things that friends and family understand will not be understood by thousands of people reading it. It was my bad to assume that people would get my heart, but then I stopped and realized this - most people who are reading my blog have never met me and never will. They've never gotten to sit down and talk about life and love and people and just hang out. They don't get that bitterness is something that I overcame 7 years ago when I dealt through some stuff that had happened in my life. They don't know that my heart beats for friendships and relationships and connecting with people. And it is arrogant, in a way, for me to assume that people get that. So, this will change - I don't dwell on a lot of negativity, but I have been negative and it has been taken in a way that I didn't desire...but I realize that that is my fault not anyone else's.
Finally, I realize this about myself. For a long time, I could care less what people thought about me, except for fans. In fact, my whole life has pretty much been one long "I don't care" to a lot of people. Before the show, if you came to a HPF show, after the show, I would hang out for hours talking and hanging with fans. The fans are the most important thing...if I can connect in some way, then those fans are going to make it to the next show possible and they'll buy the next record and they'll tell friends about me. So, on a very small level, I worked hard to please every fan I could - I realize fully that fans are who make a difference...they are the difference to making dreams come true and me working at BMW. So, I've always gone out of my way to do what I could to win over people.
What I didn't realize as I went into the show is that I was taking the same attitude with now millions of fans that I took with hundreds (and I use the term fan loosely to define anyone who came across my blog or commented on me anywhere). I took the attitude of trying to win everyone over. It has been impressed upon me lately to simply go back to being myself and people can simply choose whether to support me or not. But me trying to win people over does nothing except waste my time and theirs. They will make their choice, hopefully, based on the music. Hopefully the music will be great. At shows, I will still work my tail off to hang out with fans afterwards and make them know that they are the difference.
But chasing down every bad comment about me is stupid, arrogant and just plan dumb. Thankfully, I haven't commented on every one, but I've commented on too many.
So, there will be some changes, but the next phase of this blog will be better and exciting.
Once again, thank you to the real fans for the support and love. I am undeserving.
Over the last week or so as I've taken some time off from blogging (I had someone else administer the blog for a while) I have tried to figure out what the next phase of the blog is. Here are some thoughts.
When I started this blog, I was a nobody who no one knew. My blog was just a place for me to write and express myself and be stupid and attempt to be funny for my friends and family. I love writing, and am admittedly not incredible at it, but I love to simply write about life. As I came back from the show, I took the same attitude I did before, not realizing how many people were actually coming to the blog every day. So, I was writing for family and friends and instead ended up writing for a bunch of strangers who don't know me and don't know where I am coming from. It was naive and a little stupid on my part to write the same way I did before. So, over the last week it's been impressed upon me that I really must deal differently with my blog than I have thus far. I know, I can't win for losing - fans are gonna be upset that it won't be the same, and I'm really sorry for that, but I'm trying to make the best decision for me that I can.
The blog will still happen, mind you, but the content will be very different than it has been.
One thing, too, that has been impressed on me is this: I am writing about life. The contestants on the show and the show are a huge part of my life right now. However, as I talk about my friends, I have been accused of name-dropping and fame-whoring. To most people, they assume that the world has ended for me because I came in tenth place of American Idol. I want to laugh at those people because they don't know what's going on behind the scenes and they don't know me and the determination with which I lead my life and career. But at the same time, I have to stop and think.
A wise man once told me that perception is reality to the person who is perceiving it. I think it's hilarious that people think I'm name-dropping when I mention Phil or Gina because they are some of my closest friends in the world...but then I realize that they are famous, more famous than I, so if a person is trying to read into something it would be easy to read into that. However, in regards to this decision, I will not stop talking about life because of some people's screwed up misconceptions. Truth to those people is sad, but untrue. If I wanted to name drop I'd talk about the celebrities by name who freaked out when they met me. But those stories are not for the blog, they are for close friends, because they understand who I am in real life....not on blog life.
Another thing I've thought about is this: negative things that friends and family understand will not be understood by thousands of people reading it. It was my bad to assume that people would get my heart, but then I stopped and realized this - most people who are reading my blog have never met me and never will. They've never gotten to sit down and talk about life and love and people and just hang out. They don't get that bitterness is something that I overcame 7 years ago when I dealt through some stuff that had happened in my life. They don't know that my heart beats for friendships and relationships and connecting with people. And it is arrogant, in a way, for me to assume that people get that. So, this will change - I don't dwell on a lot of negativity, but I have been negative and it has been taken in a way that I didn't desire...but I realize that that is my fault not anyone else's.
Finally, I realize this about myself. For a long time, I could care less what people thought about me, except for fans. In fact, my whole life has pretty much been one long "I don't care" to a lot of people. Before the show, if you came to a HPF show, after the show, I would hang out for hours talking and hanging with fans. The fans are the most important thing...if I can connect in some way, then those fans are going to make it to the next show possible and they'll buy the next record and they'll tell friends about me. So, on a very small level, I worked hard to please every fan I could - I realize fully that fans are who make a difference...they are the difference to making dreams come true and me working at BMW. So, I've always gone out of my way to do what I could to win over people.
What I didn't realize as I went into the show is that I was taking the same attitude with now millions of fans that I took with hundreds (and I use the term fan loosely to define anyone who came across my blog or commented on me anywhere). I took the attitude of trying to win everyone over. It has been impressed upon me lately to simply go back to being myself and people can simply choose whether to support me or not. But me trying to win people over does nothing except waste my time and theirs. They will make their choice, hopefully, based on the music. Hopefully the music will be great. At shows, I will still work my tail off to hang out with fans afterwards and make them know that they are the difference.
But chasing down every bad comment about me is stupid, arrogant and just plan dumb. Thankfully, I haven't commented on every one, but I've commented on too many.
So, there will be some changes, but the next phase of this blog will be better and exciting.
Once again, thank you to the real fans for the support and love. I am undeserving.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
I Felt Kinda Bad. But I Felt Kinda Good. (i.e., I'm Back)
Well, I weathered a great week and a tough week at the same time.
BEFORE I MOVE ON: IF YOU ARE NOT A FAN, PLEASE STOP READING THIS POST NOW. THIS IS A MESSAGE TO MY FANS TO LET THEM KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN MY LIFE. I WRITE THIS TO LET MY FANS KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BELIEVE IT OR YOU WILL TRY TO TAKE IT AS ME BRAGGING, THEN STOP READING NOW AND SIMPLY GO TO A DIFFERENT PAGE.
PLEASE. I BEG YOU. STOP READING NOW AND MOVE ON.
Now to our regularly scheduled programming:
The last coupla days were tough for reasons I can't share...but trust me, I'm wasted emotionally. Lots of stuff got cleared up over the last couple of days with business type stuff, but it wasn't without some hard emotional toiling. Thank God things are finally taken care of. Not much more I can say about that - it's a little vague, but know this: I had a rough coupla days.
On to better things:
Nashville was great and a lot of doors are opening very quickly. Without sounding weird, God has opened up more doors for me than I ever thought possible.
Here's a couple of stories: the other day I was meeting with a guy from a major label, eating breakfast at Cracker Barrel. Usually, no matter where I am I get at least 10-15 people who ask for autographs (please don't take this as me bragging, I'm just trying to tell a story), but that day I had a little respite. Until I finished eating. Suddenly, I had about 20 people all at once. I was thankful they waited till I was done eating, but a little overwhelmed. As the crowd started to thin, a lady walked up and said that she didn't know who I was but her boyfriend was crazy about me, but the boyfriend was emberrassed to come over, so she came over to get my autograph. I laughed because I thought it was hilarious. Then, after I signed the autograph, she slides me a card and says, "I work for x label as an A&R coordinator and we have a pop side to our label...I'm on the country side, but I called the pop a&r guy and we want for you to come in and talk with us."
As I'm sitting with an A&R guy from another label. I felt kinda bad. But I felt kinda good, too.
I went to a party for the Grammy's in Nashville (check out this website: http://wkrn.com/nashville/news/american-idol-contestant-stirs-buzz-at-grammy-block-party/94168.htm) that happens every year and met the president of a label group. I wasn't talking to his label group just because no one had contacted me yet. When he found out no one had contacted me yet, he freaked out, and actually called his a&r guy, had the guy come down to the party to set up a meeting with me, then leave to go back home.
I felt kinda bad. But I felt kinda good, too.
Finally, at the same party, a certain president of a label not based in Nashville happened to be in town. At first he didn't give me the time of day, and I was okay with that...he was kind of a big deal. He had heard my song "Know" somehow and thought it was pretty good, but apparently not good enough to really blink at. No biggie. Well, then he noticed me taking pictures with some big stars and the big stars were the ones coming up to me to take pictures - I had no idea they were big stars because I know nothing about country music, but people were telling me they were - you know, I'm an idiot. So, he comes over and gives me his card. Then he sees label heads coming up and giving me cards, so he comes back over and tells me to call him next week. Then I take more pictures, and he comes over and writes down his cell phone # for me and tells me to call him the next day. More pictures, then he brings over his a&r person and tells me to meet with them the next day.
I felt like I was the unwanted toy that got some attention and then the kid who owns the toy decides he really wants it after all. The label guy is the kid who doesn't give a crap about the toy till other people want it, then he decides it must be worth something, so he snatches it back up. Anyway, I felt kinda bad. But I felt kinda good, too.
I'm looking forward to spilling all the beans, but I am, at this moment, being pursued by 9 labels - literally 9 labels have contacted me now, some more serious than others, obviously, but all very interested. Some mainstream, some Christian, some indie, some major. I mean, it's incredible. Honestly, I never thought it would be like this. I mean, it honestly has to be a God thing...and I say that very, very rarely...I mean, this kind of stuff is just out of my hands and it's turning out better than I ever imagined.
So, basically, I'm putting together the dream lineup of label, publisher, manager, booking agent, etc....now all I have to do is make a great record. Will people buy it? Well, that remains to be seen. But the way I see it is this: with as many doors as are coming open at this point, if I can't make a career out of it, I'm an idiot. By August 23, when my contract with the show is over, I will have a dream team around me...it's crazy. Literally crazy.
Crap. I might be in trouble...since I'm an idiot.
Anyway, discuss away...I won't give you topics, since apparently in my topics I name-dropped (I found a blog that claimed as much). So, you can discuss what you want.
P.S. I will take this down later today, just because I do want this specific post to be simply for the fans, so by lunch today this will be down. I do this to simply re-iterate that this is for the fans.
BEFORE I MOVE ON: IF YOU ARE NOT A FAN, PLEASE STOP READING THIS POST NOW. THIS IS A MESSAGE TO MY FANS TO LET THEM KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN MY LIFE. I WRITE THIS TO LET MY FANS KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BELIEVE IT OR YOU WILL TRY TO TAKE IT AS ME BRAGGING, THEN STOP READING NOW AND SIMPLY GO TO A DIFFERENT PAGE.
PLEASE. I BEG YOU. STOP READING NOW AND MOVE ON.
Now to our regularly scheduled programming:
The last coupla days were tough for reasons I can't share...but trust me, I'm wasted emotionally. Lots of stuff got cleared up over the last couple of days with business type stuff, but it wasn't without some hard emotional toiling. Thank God things are finally taken care of. Not much more I can say about that - it's a little vague, but know this: I had a rough coupla days.
On to better things:
Nashville was great and a lot of doors are opening very quickly. Without sounding weird, God has opened up more doors for me than I ever thought possible.
Here's a couple of stories: the other day I was meeting with a guy from a major label, eating breakfast at Cracker Barrel. Usually, no matter where I am I get at least 10-15 people who ask for autographs (please don't take this as me bragging, I'm just trying to tell a story), but that day I had a little respite. Until I finished eating. Suddenly, I had about 20 people all at once. I was thankful they waited till I was done eating, but a little overwhelmed. As the crowd started to thin, a lady walked up and said that she didn't know who I was but her boyfriend was crazy about me, but the boyfriend was emberrassed to come over, so she came over to get my autograph. I laughed because I thought it was hilarious. Then, after I signed the autograph, she slides me a card and says, "I work for x label as an A&R coordinator and we have a pop side to our label...I'm on the country side, but I called the pop a&r guy and we want for you to come in and talk with us."
As I'm sitting with an A&R guy from another label. I felt kinda bad. But I felt kinda good, too.
I went to a party for the Grammy's in Nashville (check out this website: http://wkrn.com/nashville/news/american-idol-contestant-stirs-buzz-at-grammy-block-party/94168.htm) that happens every year and met the president of a label group. I wasn't talking to his label group just because no one had contacted me yet. When he found out no one had contacted me yet, he freaked out, and actually called his a&r guy, had the guy come down to the party to set up a meeting with me, then leave to go back home.
I felt kinda bad. But I felt kinda good, too.
Finally, at the same party, a certain president of a label not based in Nashville happened to be in town. At first he didn't give me the time of day, and I was okay with that...he was kind of a big deal. He had heard my song "Know" somehow and thought it was pretty good, but apparently not good enough to really blink at. No biggie. Well, then he noticed me taking pictures with some big stars and the big stars were the ones coming up to me to take pictures - I had no idea they were big stars because I know nothing about country music, but people were telling me they were - you know, I'm an idiot. So, he comes over and gives me his card. Then he sees label heads coming up and giving me cards, so he comes back over and tells me to call him next week. Then I take more pictures, and he comes over and writes down his cell phone # for me and tells me to call him the next day. More pictures, then he brings over his a&r person and tells me to meet with them the next day.
I felt like I was the unwanted toy that got some attention and then the kid who owns the toy decides he really wants it after all. The label guy is the kid who doesn't give a crap about the toy till other people want it, then he decides it must be worth something, so he snatches it back up. Anyway, I felt kinda bad. But I felt kinda good, too.
I'm looking forward to spilling all the beans, but I am, at this moment, being pursued by 9 labels - literally 9 labels have contacted me now, some more serious than others, obviously, but all very interested. Some mainstream, some Christian, some indie, some major. I mean, it's incredible. Honestly, I never thought it would be like this. I mean, it honestly has to be a God thing...and I say that very, very rarely...I mean, this kind of stuff is just out of my hands and it's turning out better than I ever imagined.
So, basically, I'm putting together the dream lineup of label, publisher, manager, booking agent, etc....now all I have to do is make a great record. Will people buy it? Well, that remains to be seen. But the way I see it is this: with as many doors as are coming open at this point, if I can't make a career out of it, I'm an idiot. By August 23, when my contract with the show is over, I will have a dream team around me...it's crazy. Literally crazy.
Crap. I might be in trouble...since I'm an idiot.
Anyway, discuss away...I won't give you topics, since apparently in my topics I name-dropped (I found a blog that claimed as much). So, you can discuss what you want.
P.S. I will take this down later today, just because I do want this specific post to be simply for the fans, so by lunch today this will be down. I do this to simply re-iterate that this is for the fans.
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Bigger and better things
While things in my personal career are going incredibly better than I could've planned, it's time to focus on what will happen between now and when I get to be on my own outside of American Idol again.
The American Idol Tour!!!
I know, I know - I've caught a lot of flack from certain segments of the population for actually wanting to be a part of this. I've been told it's cheesy. I've been told it's humiliating. Look, the way I look at it is this: anything can be cheesy if you allow it to be. I know nothing about the American Idol tour. I've never been to a tour date, I've never seen video except of Chris Daughtry singing "Wanted Dead or Alive" on last year's tour. I'm literally walking in with a blank slate for the tour. So, in my mind, this year's tour will not be cheesy. It's all in the mindset.
Plus, I happen to know a little bit of how production will be. And it's going to be really cool.
Will I do things that I normally wouldn't do (i.e., choreography)? Yes. But I actually enjoyed the choreography (not much, but a little) on the show. The only reason I didn't enjoy the choreography is simply because of time constraints. I'm chubby, so I'm not a natural dancer, so only have a couple of hours to work out a dance routine was a little scary for me. A lot of poeple thought I was hating on the dancing while I was on the show, but actually when I watch back the tapes I wasn't angry or pissed about doing choreography, I was just thinking really hard of what came next...it's hard to smile when you're thinking hard about "dance moves". Hopefully the several days of rehearsal we'll have before the tour will solidify any choreography in my mind. And it will be as fun as choreography for a non-dancer can be.
Honestly, from what I've heard from the production staff, this tour is going to be so different than past tours and the changes that are being made are going to make for a really great show.
Plus, you won't be able to see Blake or Chris, Cake fans, except for the tour.
So, c'mon out, people!
Tour dates are on americanidol.com
The American Idol Tour!!!
I know, I know - I've caught a lot of flack from certain segments of the population for actually wanting to be a part of this. I've been told it's cheesy. I've been told it's humiliating. Look, the way I look at it is this: anything can be cheesy if you allow it to be. I know nothing about the American Idol tour. I've never been to a tour date, I've never seen video except of Chris Daughtry singing "Wanted Dead or Alive" on last year's tour. I'm literally walking in with a blank slate for the tour. So, in my mind, this year's tour will not be cheesy. It's all in the mindset.
Plus, I happen to know a little bit of how production will be. And it's going to be really cool.
Will I do things that I normally wouldn't do (i.e., choreography)? Yes. But I actually enjoyed the choreography (not much, but a little) on the show. The only reason I didn't enjoy the choreography is simply because of time constraints. I'm chubby, so I'm not a natural dancer, so only have a couple of hours to work out a dance routine was a little scary for me. A lot of poeple thought I was hating on the dancing while I was on the show, but actually when I watch back the tapes I wasn't angry or pissed about doing choreography, I was just thinking really hard of what came next...it's hard to smile when you're thinking hard about "dance moves". Hopefully the several days of rehearsal we'll have before the tour will solidify any choreography in my mind. And it will be as fun as choreography for a non-dancer can be.
Honestly, from what I've heard from the production staff, this tour is going to be so different than past tours and the changes that are being made are going to make for a really great show.
Plus, you won't be able to see Blake or Chris, Cake fans, except for the tour.
So, c'mon out, people!
Tour dates are on americanidol.com
Thursday, May 03, 2007
How to deal with celebrities
All right, so as a semi-F-list celebrity, I get recognized and mobbed a lot by people. Here in Greenville I can't really go anywhere without getting mobbed. Because of my experience as the "celebrity", I have come up with some rules that you should put to good use, are you to ever actually meet a celebrity. Like for instance, when/if I meet Dustin Diamond (Screech), I will put these rules into action.
(I decided to not focus on the negative btw, so the wall of shame is no longer)
#1 - Do NOT ask for an autograph while the celebrity is eating the following items: Baby Back Ribs, Buffalo Wings, Fried Chicken, Pizza, or anything where they use their hands to eat. Seriously, it's tough to have to wipe your hands 10 times during a meal to sign autographs. I'm really anal about my hands being messy so restaurants never give me enough napkins anyway. If I have to sign autographs, I make sure not to leave a rib juice mark underneath my sig. If you must ask for an autograph, how about bringing over a bunch of napkins for the celebrity? Actually...go ahead and ask for the autograph but bring napkins. Well...no, wait till they're done eating. Crap. Never mind....just do what you want.
#2 - If you want to take a picture with a celebrity, and they are eating something messy, make sure to let the celebrity know if they have something in their teeth or buffalo hot sauce ringing their mouth. Believe me, the celebrity doesn't want a picture on your myspace page that makes him look like a crappy eater. Crap. Hey, I like messy foods. What can I say?
#3 - If you ask a celebrity for an autograph, please at least know their name. If you don't know their name, then they probably aren't famous enough to deserve you asking them for an autograph. For instance, I have people all the time walk up to me and say, "Aren't you the American Idol guy?" To which I usually reply, "Yes I am the team mascot! Do you want to rub my belly for good luck? Go team!!!" And then I run off. If you don't know my name, don't ask for my autograph, because my autograph is unreadable and you'll never know how to prove you met me to your friends if you don't even know my name.
#4 - If you want to take a picture with a celebrity, please have your camera ready. We all roll our eyes when our mothers try to take our picture and can't get the digital camera to work. It's no different for celebrities. We don't want to sit uncomfortably with our arms around someone we don't know personally while the photo taker takes 7 minutes to figure out he's taking video of you and the celebrity with their arms uncomfortably around each other. And for goodness sake, save the freaking picture to your phone if you take it on your phone! Just hit save! I know you're excited, but rational thinking saves lives!
#5 - Finally, don't feel as though you have to tell a celebrity your life story. It's not that they don't care, but they don't care. I meet hundreds of people, literally, a week. I'm sure that most celebrities meet even more than I do. We are glad to meet our fans. We love to sign an autograph. We love to sign 5 autographs. We love to hear that why you love us. It boosts our ego. However, when I'm walking through the mall or trying to have dinner with friends or my wife, I honestly don't have time to hear you story of what you've always dreamed of and how I can help you get there. Now, I should note, that I have set up this blog to have a little different vibe than real life...here I have time to sit and think. In fact I've gotten to meet some of the posters and it's nice to have a connection. But honestly, when I'm walking through a mall, it's not the time to give me your life story. I promise I won't remember. I'm a reader. I memorize and remember by reading. So, save your breath and save the celebrity's time: tell them what you like about the music or the movie then let them go on.
NOTE: In case you didn't get it, there's a bit of sarcasm mixed in here...maybe a lot of sarcasm.
(I decided to not focus on the negative btw, so the wall of shame is no longer)
#1 - Do NOT ask for an autograph while the celebrity is eating the following items: Baby Back Ribs, Buffalo Wings, Fried Chicken, Pizza, or anything where they use their hands to eat. Seriously, it's tough to have to wipe your hands 10 times during a meal to sign autographs. I'm really anal about my hands being messy so restaurants never give me enough napkins anyway. If I have to sign autographs, I make sure not to leave a rib juice mark underneath my sig. If you must ask for an autograph, how about bringing over a bunch of napkins for the celebrity? Actually...go ahead and ask for the autograph but bring napkins. Well...no, wait till they're done eating. Crap. Never mind....just do what you want.
#2 - If you want to take a picture with a celebrity, and they are eating something messy, make sure to let the celebrity know if they have something in their teeth or buffalo hot sauce ringing their mouth. Believe me, the celebrity doesn't want a picture on your myspace page that makes him look like a crappy eater. Crap. Hey, I like messy foods. What can I say?
#3 - If you ask a celebrity for an autograph, please at least know their name. If you don't know their name, then they probably aren't famous enough to deserve you asking them for an autograph. For instance, I have people all the time walk up to me and say, "Aren't you the American Idol guy?" To which I usually reply, "Yes I am the team mascot! Do you want to rub my belly for good luck? Go team!!!" And then I run off. If you don't know my name, don't ask for my autograph, because my autograph is unreadable and you'll never know how to prove you met me to your friends if you don't even know my name.
#4 - If you want to take a picture with a celebrity, please have your camera ready. We all roll our eyes when our mothers try to take our picture and can't get the digital camera to work. It's no different for celebrities. We don't want to sit uncomfortably with our arms around someone we don't know personally while the photo taker takes 7 minutes to figure out he's taking video of you and the celebrity with their arms uncomfortably around each other. And for goodness sake, save the freaking picture to your phone if you take it on your phone! Just hit save! I know you're excited, but rational thinking saves lives!
#5 - Finally, don't feel as though you have to tell a celebrity your life story. It's not that they don't care, but they don't care. I meet hundreds of people, literally, a week. I'm sure that most celebrities meet even more than I do. We are glad to meet our fans. We love to sign an autograph. We love to sign 5 autographs. We love to hear that why you love us. It boosts our ego. However, when I'm walking through the mall or trying to have dinner with friends or my wife, I honestly don't have time to hear you story of what you've always dreamed of and how I can help you get there. Now, I should note, that I have set up this blog to have a little different vibe than real life...here I have time to sit and think. In fact I've gotten to meet some of the posters and it's nice to have a connection. But honestly, when I'm walking through a mall, it's not the time to give me your life story. I promise I won't remember. I'm a reader. I memorize and remember by reading. So, save your breath and save the celebrity's time: tell them what you like about the music or the movie then let them go on.
NOTE: In case you didn't get it, there's a bit of sarcasm mixed in here...maybe a lot of sarcasm.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Let's talk music
Over at youtube, a "fan" calling himself JohnnieFab left this nice comment under Half Past Forever's "Know" video:
"This is exactly the kind of generic, effortless, meaningless faux-rock that keeps talented musicians, performers, and composers from getting main stream exposure. As long as this kind of music is being played by mtv and radio stations, kids will be robbed of the opportunity to hear music with artistic integrity. It makes me cringe."
This one actually made me kind of laugh. But then it made me kind of think.
What music will still be around thirty years from now? What is it about this music that made JohnnieFab have such a strong reaction to it? Is my music really robbing people of the opportunity to hear music with artistic integrity? Well, it's an age-old debate. Do you have to make music that sounds like crap in order to have artistic credibility and intergrity? Or do you simply try to write great songs? I would contend for the latter.
Radiohead is in my top favorite bands - admittedly I don't listen to them all the time because that can get boring very quickly. But, across the board, Radiohead is one of the most inventive, chance-taking and experimental bands of our time, maybe of all time. But as their albums have gotten weirder and weirder, fewer and fewer people listen to them. Some bands seem to brandish this about as a badge of honor, but is it really something to be proud of?
The very nature of music is that it is a language to be enjoyed by others. From the very beginning, composers wrote music to be enjoyed by the people they wrote it for. From the dark ages on really through the twentieth century, the whole art of composition was a wholly commercial endeavor. Composers worked for rich people and wrote music for their parties. Rich people were the original publishers and record companies - the rich people owned every song their composer wrote. The composer was, in return, paid handsomely for his efforts, but if he didn't play the political system, many times great composers would end up penniless and dying young (i.e., Mozart).
Now, jazz music was where things started to change. Jazz was a free form of music where, originally, African-Americans would get together and simply play. It grew from the Spirituals that were sung during the slavery days, and from "tribal" beats. Jazz is and was a free form - there were no barring rules as there was in classical music. In jazz, whatever comes and happens and feels good IS good. Suddenly instrumentalists were actually straying away from written music and "riffing" - of course classical musicians thrashed against this new form of music because it went against everything they had been taught. But jazz stayed and stayed and became more and more popular.
Soon, pop music (short for popular music) was jazz and off-shoots of jazz, and the revolutionaries like Miles Davis then became more and more experimental in response to jazz now being the pop music of the day. Then rock and roll came in. Elvis, Cliff Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, and many more took pop jazz one step further and mixed in a little blues and a whole lot of backbeat. Then along came the Beatles and their incredible ability to write a pop ditty. But with the Beatles a lot of things changed, aside from the sugary sweet sounds of "I Want to Hold Your Hand".
The Beatles were one of the first artists to write their own songs. In the early 1960's an artist writing their own songs was relatively unheard of - everyone did covers of each other while Tin Pan Alley writers (like, surprisingly, Neil Diamond and Carole King) churned out cheesy hits for bands to sing ("I'm a Believer" anyone?). Not only did the Beatles write their own songs, but soon even they became bored with their success at writing hooks, so they became experimental.
And this is where I think the rub lies. If you listen to the "experimental" Beatles, and break the songs down to just the song themselves, they are simply pop songs. "A Day in the Life" or "Strawberry Fields Forever", though surrounded by interesting elements, they are simple pop songs.
The Beatles gave life to a whole lineage of bands that seem to lose the song and focus on the experiment - Pink Floyd (though I love a lot of their stuff, it sometimes is hard to find the song) on down to Radiohead. And somehow, this music is considered artful while a band who writes hooks is not artful.
Now, don't get me wrong, I love experimental music: I listen to Radiohead on a regular basis, I listen to Sigur Ros a lot, bands like Muse and Mutemath and Starsailor have littered my CD player for years. I love the experimental and off-the-wall, not-so-marketable stuff. It whets my appetite and makes me long to be a better musician, and to understand how the experiments were put together.
But as I kind of moved from being a simple songwriter to what I feel like is a genuine musician (no, I don't put myself in the class of some of these people I am speaking of), I started to wonder - do I want to make experimental stuff that wil never sell, but will make me very happy? Or do I want to make a living doing music and still create great art? And when I looked at the example of especially the Beatles, I understood that great art and marketability are not mutually exclusive.
So, here is the process of how I write songs.
#1 - I find a great tune. Usually, I'll sit around with an acoustic guitar (sometimes electric, if Sarah's not around) and just play around until I find a cool chord progression that I like. I try to challenge myself to use different chord progressions and, as my guitar playing skills have bettered, I try to mess around with riffs. Once I've found a great chord progression I will then begin to fashion a melody around it. I'm odd, I think, in that I usually write words at the same time as the music - many times it's just jibberish that I'm singing over the chords...sometimes the jibberish ends up in the song, sometimes I completely re-write the lyric.
#2 - I find a great subject matter. Wierdly enough, usually, the subject matter is decided by how the tune is coming together. I'd say over half the time, the jibberish that I sing while I'm riffing or jamming ends up being the lyric of the song, or at least the general idea of the song. I try hard to paint word pictures with my music, so the music and lyrics work very tightly with me...or at least I try to make them work very tightly together.
#3 - I then find the right setting. I am somewhat odd as a songwriter (at least the songwriters I know) in that as I'm writing a song, in my head I can hear how the production will be put together. With the album that is out now, I knew how nearly every song was going to be produced before I got into the studio...I just heard it in my head. This makes it easy for me, but tough sometimes for my band - but I think it worked out great. Some songs are just simple pop songs that don't need anything more - "Tunnel Vision", "Waiting", "Rise" and others are the kinds of songs that just need a simple arrangement (with flourishes I'll talk about later). Songs like "Convenience", "Naive", "Gone" and others needed complex arrangements. I always try to go where the song takes me - I do not like to force something on a song that it doesn't need.
#4 - Finally, I add as many layers as possible. All of my songs are pretty basic pop songs - verse-chorus-verse-chorus-solo or bridge-chorus-out. What I do to try and make it more interesting is adding in interesting elements that get stacked. For instance on "Know" the song that JohnnieFab had such a violent reaction to, we started off with a pop song, but added in a keyboard line on the verses and the bridge that fleshes out the chord progression (which is actually not a normal pop chord progression - 1 to minor 5 to 4 to 1). We added a contrapuntal string line that takes up a lot of space. And in the background, there is a tinkly pad that we surrounded with reverb to create space in the back of the mix. All of these things took what could've been a boring production to what we felt like was an interesting production.
Now, do most of my songs take risks from a songwriting standpoint? No...I'm not writing "Bohemian Rhapsody" here. I write pop songs. I usually have a general rule that if I sat down and played these songs to a crowd with just an acoustic guitar and vocal that I could pull them off. Is it as interesting with just an acoustic? No. But the songs have the ability to stand on their own.
Are most of my songs commercial? Yes. But my process in writing commercial songs is no different than my process of writing more experimental songs. The day I sell out is when I "sit down to write a hit". Up until now, I've just written the best I could and what comes to my heart and mind. Hopefully that will never change.
So, to conclude, I'll say this: I don't think that my music is robbing kids of the opportunity to hear real music with artistic integrity. I hope, if anything else, my music is a gateway drug to bands like Muse, MuteMath, Sigur Ros and Radiohead - cause, man, they're great, too.
"This is exactly the kind of generic, effortless, meaningless faux-rock that keeps talented musicians, performers, and composers from getting main stream exposure. As long as this kind of music is being played by mtv and radio stations, kids will be robbed of the opportunity to hear music with artistic integrity. It makes me cringe."
This one actually made me kind of laugh. But then it made me kind of think.
What music will still be around thirty years from now? What is it about this music that made JohnnieFab have such a strong reaction to it? Is my music really robbing people of the opportunity to hear music with artistic integrity? Well, it's an age-old debate. Do you have to make music that sounds like crap in order to have artistic credibility and intergrity? Or do you simply try to write great songs? I would contend for the latter.
Radiohead is in my top favorite bands - admittedly I don't listen to them all the time because that can get boring very quickly. But, across the board, Radiohead is one of the most inventive, chance-taking and experimental bands of our time, maybe of all time. But as their albums have gotten weirder and weirder, fewer and fewer people listen to them. Some bands seem to brandish this about as a badge of honor, but is it really something to be proud of?
The very nature of music is that it is a language to be enjoyed by others. From the very beginning, composers wrote music to be enjoyed by the people they wrote it for. From the dark ages on really through the twentieth century, the whole art of composition was a wholly commercial endeavor. Composers worked for rich people and wrote music for their parties. Rich people were the original publishers and record companies - the rich people owned every song their composer wrote. The composer was, in return, paid handsomely for his efforts, but if he didn't play the political system, many times great composers would end up penniless and dying young (i.e., Mozart).
Now, jazz music was where things started to change. Jazz was a free form of music where, originally, African-Americans would get together and simply play. It grew from the Spirituals that were sung during the slavery days, and from "tribal" beats. Jazz is and was a free form - there were no barring rules as there was in classical music. In jazz, whatever comes and happens and feels good IS good. Suddenly instrumentalists were actually straying away from written music and "riffing" - of course classical musicians thrashed against this new form of music because it went against everything they had been taught. But jazz stayed and stayed and became more and more popular.
Soon, pop music (short for popular music) was jazz and off-shoots of jazz, and the revolutionaries like Miles Davis then became more and more experimental in response to jazz now being the pop music of the day. Then rock and roll came in. Elvis, Cliff Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, and many more took pop jazz one step further and mixed in a little blues and a whole lot of backbeat. Then along came the Beatles and their incredible ability to write a pop ditty. But with the Beatles a lot of things changed, aside from the sugary sweet sounds of "I Want to Hold Your Hand".
The Beatles were one of the first artists to write their own songs. In the early 1960's an artist writing their own songs was relatively unheard of - everyone did covers of each other while Tin Pan Alley writers (like, surprisingly, Neil Diamond and Carole King) churned out cheesy hits for bands to sing ("I'm a Believer" anyone?). Not only did the Beatles write their own songs, but soon even they became bored with their success at writing hooks, so they became experimental.
And this is where I think the rub lies. If you listen to the "experimental" Beatles, and break the songs down to just the song themselves, they are simply pop songs. "A Day in the Life" or "Strawberry Fields Forever", though surrounded by interesting elements, they are simple pop songs.
The Beatles gave life to a whole lineage of bands that seem to lose the song and focus on the experiment - Pink Floyd (though I love a lot of their stuff, it sometimes is hard to find the song) on down to Radiohead. And somehow, this music is considered artful while a band who writes hooks is not artful.
Now, don't get me wrong, I love experimental music: I listen to Radiohead on a regular basis, I listen to Sigur Ros a lot, bands like Muse and Mutemath and Starsailor have littered my CD player for years. I love the experimental and off-the-wall, not-so-marketable stuff. It whets my appetite and makes me long to be a better musician, and to understand how the experiments were put together.
But as I kind of moved from being a simple songwriter to what I feel like is a genuine musician (no, I don't put myself in the class of some of these people I am speaking of), I started to wonder - do I want to make experimental stuff that wil never sell, but will make me very happy? Or do I want to make a living doing music and still create great art? And when I looked at the example of especially the Beatles, I understood that great art and marketability are not mutually exclusive.
So, here is the process of how I write songs.
#1 - I find a great tune. Usually, I'll sit around with an acoustic guitar (sometimes electric, if Sarah's not around) and just play around until I find a cool chord progression that I like. I try to challenge myself to use different chord progressions and, as my guitar playing skills have bettered, I try to mess around with riffs. Once I've found a great chord progression I will then begin to fashion a melody around it. I'm odd, I think, in that I usually write words at the same time as the music - many times it's just jibberish that I'm singing over the chords...sometimes the jibberish ends up in the song, sometimes I completely re-write the lyric.
#2 - I find a great subject matter. Wierdly enough, usually, the subject matter is decided by how the tune is coming together. I'd say over half the time, the jibberish that I sing while I'm riffing or jamming ends up being the lyric of the song, or at least the general idea of the song. I try hard to paint word pictures with my music, so the music and lyrics work very tightly with me...or at least I try to make them work very tightly together.
#3 - I then find the right setting. I am somewhat odd as a songwriter (at least the songwriters I know) in that as I'm writing a song, in my head I can hear how the production will be put together. With the album that is out now, I knew how nearly every song was going to be produced before I got into the studio...I just heard it in my head. This makes it easy for me, but tough sometimes for my band - but I think it worked out great. Some songs are just simple pop songs that don't need anything more - "Tunnel Vision", "Waiting", "Rise" and others are the kinds of songs that just need a simple arrangement (with flourishes I'll talk about later). Songs like "Convenience", "Naive", "Gone" and others needed complex arrangements. I always try to go where the song takes me - I do not like to force something on a song that it doesn't need.
#4 - Finally, I add as many layers as possible. All of my songs are pretty basic pop songs - verse-chorus-verse-chorus-solo or bridge-chorus-out. What I do to try and make it more interesting is adding in interesting elements that get stacked. For instance on "Know" the song that JohnnieFab had such a violent reaction to, we started off with a pop song, but added in a keyboard line on the verses and the bridge that fleshes out the chord progression (which is actually not a normal pop chord progression - 1 to minor 5 to 4 to 1). We added a contrapuntal string line that takes up a lot of space. And in the background, there is a tinkly pad that we surrounded with reverb to create space in the back of the mix. All of these things took what could've been a boring production to what we felt like was an interesting production.
Now, do most of my songs take risks from a songwriting standpoint? No...I'm not writing "Bohemian Rhapsody" here. I write pop songs. I usually have a general rule that if I sat down and played these songs to a crowd with just an acoustic guitar and vocal that I could pull them off. Is it as interesting with just an acoustic? No. But the songs have the ability to stand on their own.
Are most of my songs commercial? Yes. But my process in writing commercial songs is no different than my process of writing more experimental songs. The day I sell out is when I "sit down to write a hit". Up until now, I've just written the best I could and what comes to my heart and mind. Hopefully that will never change.
So, to conclude, I'll say this: I don't think that my music is robbing kids of the opportunity to hear real music with artistic integrity. I hope, if anything else, my music is a gateway drug to bands like Muse, MuteMath, Sigur Ros and Radiohead - cause, man, they're great, too.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Traveling Wilbury's
This next week is going to be crazy busy. I literally have something every night this week. I do have the days off so I may be able to spend some time blogging, but I am not sure. Usually, blogging is my end of the day ritual. Usually I don't post it till the next morning, but I love to come back at the end of the day and relax myself to sleep by blogging a little bit. A lot of people give me a hard time about it, but you know my whole life I've always spent time writing as much as possible - I think it's important.
My wife says that I like to be in trouble. Maybe that's the case. I don't think I actively do stuff that I think will get me in trouble, but I do a lot of things that get me in trouble, so maybe it's a subconscious thing. I took psychology in college, but I'm no psychoanalyst. I'll leave that up to the professionals.
I sang at a close friend of mine's wedding on Saturday night down in Aiken, SC. We drove down on Friday night and we went to the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner. I got to play guitar for someone else, so that was kind of cool. A lot of people at the wedding gave me and the soloist a hard time - Chris Sligh from American Idol is playing guitar for someone else singing?!! I just thought it was hilarious. I really love playing guitar, so it was a ton of fun. I also sang an original song of mine called "Vessel" from my very first album 7 years ago, and I sang "The Prayer" (Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion) with my friend's brother's wife. It's always fun to go back and sing a little classically, so "The Prayer" was a nice reminder of what I used to do.
After the wedding, we went to the reception, of course, and it was super nice...they had a full buffet with prime rib! I love me some prime rib, yo. I ate too much, then the program started. They had me sing a couple of songs for everyone, so I sang "Trouble" by Ray LaMontagne (it was their favorite performance of mine from the show) and a song I wrote and sang for my own wedding called "Beautiful". It was really cool to sing for one of my best friend from college and it was a touching wedding.
I should say, however, that I am not a big fan of weddings. But this wedding was pretty nice.
After the reception we drove from Aiken up to Spartanburg where I went to a show at Wild Wings. The band played really really well, though the lead singer of the band was a little under the weather. But the band was really, really tight. The band didn't get done playing till like 1:30am, so it was 3 before Sarah and I got home. I was a bad boy and slept through church...but I've got a lot of stuff this week and I am still trying to get my voice completely back. So, sleeping was the only option. I felt bad for Sarah though. She had to be at church at 8:30am. That kinda sucked. But we did get a pretty good nap yesterday afternoon.
Anyway, I'll try to keep up with stuff as best as possible.
Oh, yeah - you can still buy the album online at Amazon. We've sold a lot of copies so far, so we're very happy! A lot of people really, really love the record - we'd love you to love the record, too.
Peace and love
My wife says that I like to be in trouble. Maybe that's the case. I don't think I actively do stuff that I think will get me in trouble, but I do a lot of things that get me in trouble, so maybe it's a subconscious thing. I took psychology in college, but I'm no psychoanalyst. I'll leave that up to the professionals.
I sang at a close friend of mine's wedding on Saturday night down in Aiken, SC. We drove down on Friday night and we went to the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner. I got to play guitar for someone else, so that was kind of cool. A lot of people at the wedding gave me and the soloist a hard time - Chris Sligh from American Idol is playing guitar for someone else singing?!! I just thought it was hilarious. I really love playing guitar, so it was a ton of fun. I also sang an original song of mine called "Vessel" from my very first album 7 years ago, and I sang "The Prayer" (Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion) with my friend's brother's wife. It's always fun to go back and sing a little classically, so "The Prayer" was a nice reminder of what I used to do.
After the wedding, we went to the reception, of course, and it was super nice...they had a full buffet with prime rib! I love me some prime rib, yo. I ate too much, then the program started. They had me sing a couple of songs for everyone, so I sang "Trouble" by Ray LaMontagne (it was their favorite performance of mine from the show) and a song I wrote and sang for my own wedding called "Beautiful". It was really cool to sing for one of my best friend from college and it was a touching wedding.
I should say, however, that I am not a big fan of weddings. But this wedding was pretty nice.
After the reception we drove from Aiken up to Spartanburg where I went to a show at Wild Wings. The band played really really well, though the lead singer of the band was a little under the weather. But the band was really, really tight. The band didn't get done playing till like 1:30am, so it was 3 before Sarah and I got home. I was a bad boy and slept through church...but I've got a lot of stuff this week and I am still trying to get my voice completely back. So, sleeping was the only option. I felt bad for Sarah though. She had to be at church at 8:30am. That kinda sucked. But we did get a pretty good nap yesterday afternoon.
Anyway, I'll try to keep up with stuff as best as possible.
Oh, yeah - you can still buy the album online at Amazon. We've sold a lot of copies so far, so we're very happy! A lot of people really, really love the record - we'd love you to love the record, too.
Peace and love
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Friends are friends forever...
Well, sometimes. But I do think that the great thing about my involvement in the show has been the fact that I made a lot of really, really great friends. Someone asked me about my friendships, so I thought I'd delve into them a little more. Now, I should say that of the top 10, really the top 12, I was and am friends with all of them. But, as with every other situation, you are naturally drawn to certain individuals. Those certain ones became some of my best friends:
Phil - Phil is probably my closest friend on the show. He and I met in my audition in Memphis - we both made it through the cattle call round about the same time of night and he made it through with a guy from his band back home...it turns out it was a Christian band and I heard him talking about it so I asked him where he was from and he told me Jacksonville. Then I showed up in Hollywood and he was my roommate. Really wierd, right? The first night in Hollywood, he came up and said, "I'm probably going home tomorrow and I need you to do well so I can say my roommate was the American Idol." Little did either one of us know, we'd both make the top 10. We worked through some tough stuff at the beginning of the top 24, but after a few days, we were back to being tight. We just come from the same kind of background, and we have a lot in common, including who we have worked with and been around in the music industry - it's really wierd how many parellels our lives have. I, of course, bet him $50 I was going home, and I won. He is so humble in that he never thought he would make it further than me. The whole time I've thought he had one of the best voices I've ever heard, so I wasn't surprised at all that he made it further than me. Anyway, upcoming, I hope to write songs for him and with him as he moves into what I think will be a very successful career - especially if makes a country record...man, he's sounded so good the last coupla weeks, hasn't he? And, if/when he gets voted off, we're going to take a nice vacation with him and his family.
Gina - I was actually a fan of Gina last year on the show, and was disappointed to see her cut in Hollywood last year. Then this year I saw her in Hollywood again and was actually a little starstruck. She sang "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman" and so I went up to her at lunch and asked her, "So, have you every really loved a woman?" She was kind of dumbstruck and was like, "No, not like that...I mean, I don't have a problem with that, but no, I haven't. I have a boyfriend." I was like, "Well you sing it like you have." It wasn't that I was trying to be risque - she just sang the song well and intepreted the lyric like she had really loved a woman. She sang an incredible version of that song, and I went up and congratulated her, and for some reason from that point on, we were really great friends. Sure, like every friend, we had our moments, but it was like big brother-sister rivalry - and that really describes our relationship the best: we're like siblings - we both are in committed relationships that we both plan on being in forever, so it frees us up to be platonic friends. And Joe, her boyfriend, is amazingly cool - he's a guitar player, too, so that makes him awesome. I love to just hang out with Gina and Joe, and I'd love to write songs with her and for her...I think of all the contestants, she's one of the most marketable right now....she just needs to figure out what she wants to do and it's going to be great.
Blake - Blake and I met through Rudy, who I was very close to. Blake and I met the first night of Hollywood, and Rudy, Blake and I were virtually inseperable the rest of the week. When we got to the top 24, Jared Cotter and I were originally roommates, but he couldn't take my snoring, so he moved out and switched with Blake. It was great being roommates with Blake - he really was the coolest roommate in the world. The thing about Blake is that the way you see him on tv is exactly how he is in real life...he is just smooth. He rarely gets mad, rarely raises his voice...he's just smooth. What people don't realize with him is that he was raised with a great work ethic and has had to work hard for everything that has ever happened to him. American Idol isn't just an overnight success for him - he's worked his tail off to get where he's at. I'd love to write with him in the future, but let's be honest, his style is a little different than mine - it'll be cool to see what we could come up with for him. Btw, he is a good songwriter, and a good guitar player...he really is a great musician. I can't wait to hear what his record sounds like.
Chris Rich - Chris is honestly one of the nicest people I have ever met in my life. There is not a pretentious bone in his body. He is comfortable with who he is and doesn't have an ego to throw around to get his way. He and I met in Hollywood but it was during the top 24 that we got really close. He and Blake are really tight, so the 3 of us would hang out in Blake and my room, just goofing off, acting stupid, writing songs. Chris Rich is seriously one of the best songwriters I have heard. There were a couple of times when we would have a bunch of people in our room and the songwriters would pass a guitar around and sing our songs. Chris sang like 3 that will be HUGE hits when they come out...they're that good. I would love to write with Chris - our minds seem to think alike songwriting wise. I think the top 10 tour is going to be great to see what kinds of music comes out of writing with all these guys. Chris is going to make a fantastic record, I think. And it won't sound anything like J.T.
Now, there were several in the top 24 that I loved and have friendships with: Rudy Cardenes - he and I met in my 2nd audition and became close friends; and Sundance Head - we got real tight...it was really tough to see him go.
Anyway, those are my closest friends from the top 12 and 24. I said several times in interviews that the best part of the show was forming relationships. Fame and fortune, if I'm ever afforded those things, will pass away. But a great friendship can last forever.
Phil - Phil is probably my closest friend on the show. He and I met in my audition in Memphis - we both made it through the cattle call round about the same time of night and he made it through with a guy from his band back home...it turns out it was a Christian band and I heard him talking about it so I asked him where he was from and he told me Jacksonville. Then I showed up in Hollywood and he was my roommate. Really wierd, right? The first night in Hollywood, he came up and said, "I'm probably going home tomorrow and I need you to do well so I can say my roommate was the American Idol." Little did either one of us know, we'd both make the top 10. We worked through some tough stuff at the beginning of the top 24, but after a few days, we were back to being tight. We just come from the same kind of background, and we have a lot in common, including who we have worked with and been around in the music industry - it's really wierd how many parellels our lives have. I, of course, bet him $50 I was going home, and I won. He is so humble in that he never thought he would make it further than me. The whole time I've thought he had one of the best voices I've ever heard, so I wasn't surprised at all that he made it further than me. Anyway, upcoming, I hope to write songs for him and with him as he moves into what I think will be a very successful career - especially if makes a country record...man, he's sounded so good the last coupla weeks, hasn't he? And, if/when he gets voted off, we're going to take a nice vacation with him and his family.
Gina - I was actually a fan of Gina last year on the show, and was disappointed to see her cut in Hollywood last year. Then this year I saw her in Hollywood again and was actually a little starstruck. She sang "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman" and so I went up to her at lunch and asked her, "So, have you every really loved a woman?" She was kind of dumbstruck and was like, "No, not like that...I mean, I don't have a problem with that, but no, I haven't. I have a boyfriend." I was like, "Well you sing it like you have." It wasn't that I was trying to be risque - she just sang the song well and intepreted the lyric like she had really loved a woman. She sang an incredible version of that song, and I went up and congratulated her, and for some reason from that point on, we were really great friends. Sure, like every friend, we had our moments, but it was like big brother-sister rivalry - and that really describes our relationship the best: we're like siblings - we both are in committed relationships that we both plan on being in forever, so it frees us up to be platonic friends. And Joe, her boyfriend, is amazingly cool - he's a guitar player, too, so that makes him awesome. I love to just hang out with Gina and Joe, and I'd love to write songs with her and for her...I think of all the contestants, she's one of the most marketable right now....she just needs to figure out what she wants to do and it's going to be great.
Blake - Blake and I met through Rudy, who I was very close to. Blake and I met the first night of Hollywood, and Rudy, Blake and I were virtually inseperable the rest of the week. When we got to the top 24, Jared Cotter and I were originally roommates, but he couldn't take my snoring, so he moved out and switched with Blake. It was great being roommates with Blake - he really was the coolest roommate in the world. The thing about Blake is that the way you see him on tv is exactly how he is in real life...he is just smooth. He rarely gets mad, rarely raises his voice...he's just smooth. What people don't realize with him is that he was raised with a great work ethic and has had to work hard for everything that has ever happened to him. American Idol isn't just an overnight success for him - he's worked his tail off to get where he's at. I'd love to write with him in the future, but let's be honest, his style is a little different than mine - it'll be cool to see what we could come up with for him. Btw, he is a good songwriter, and a good guitar player...he really is a great musician. I can't wait to hear what his record sounds like.
Chris Rich - Chris is honestly one of the nicest people I have ever met in my life. There is not a pretentious bone in his body. He is comfortable with who he is and doesn't have an ego to throw around to get his way. He and I met in Hollywood but it was during the top 24 that we got really close. He and Blake are really tight, so the 3 of us would hang out in Blake and my room, just goofing off, acting stupid, writing songs. Chris Rich is seriously one of the best songwriters I have heard. There were a couple of times when we would have a bunch of people in our room and the songwriters would pass a guitar around and sing our songs. Chris sang like 3 that will be HUGE hits when they come out...they're that good. I would love to write with Chris - our minds seem to think alike songwriting wise. I think the top 10 tour is going to be great to see what kinds of music comes out of writing with all these guys. Chris is going to make a fantastic record, I think. And it won't sound anything like J.T.
Now, there were several in the top 24 that I loved and have friendships with: Rudy Cardenes - he and I met in my 2nd audition and became close friends; and Sundance Head - we got real tight...it was really tough to see him go.
Anyway, those are my closest friends from the top 12 and 24. I said several times in interviews that the best part of the show was forming relationships. Fame and fortune, if I'm ever afforded those things, will pass away. But a great friendship can last forever.
New Song lyric
Hey guys, this is a new song I wrote. I'd love to see what you guys think and see if you can get what I'm trying to talk about.
Check it out:
SO EASY
words and music by Chris Sligh
(c) 2007 kindacrazy music
She's got a way about her
There's no way to ever doubt her
And nothing breaks my heart
Nothing breaks me heart like her, oh...
She's got a way about her
There's no way to live without her
Like a drug your system needs
She'll never give release
Until you've given in
To all the lies she's living in
Oh...
chorus:
And it's oh...oh...so easy
To let her in and never let her go
Oh...so easy
Still giving in is harder than you know
She's got a way that kills me
But something about it thrills me
Like forbidden love exchanged
It’s enchanting and it’s strange,
But it feels so good
Just like I thought it would
Oh...
Chorus
bridge: You know I’ve fallen back and forth:
She’s pretty and obscene
She’s everything I’m running from
Then she’s everything I think I need
She’s the all I’ve turned my back on
But she’s most of what I’ve done
She’s the pleasure I run back to
But she leaves me lifeless and alone
Chorus
Check it out:
SO EASY
words and music by Chris Sligh
(c) 2007 kindacrazy music
She's got a way about her
There's no way to ever doubt her
And nothing breaks my heart
Nothing breaks me heart like her, oh...
She's got a way about her
There's no way to live without her
Like a drug your system needs
She'll never give release
Until you've given in
To all the lies she's living in
Oh...
chorus:
And it's oh...oh...so easy
To let her in and never let her go
Oh...so easy
Still giving in is harder than you know
She's got a way that kills me
But something about it thrills me
Like forbidden love exchanged
It’s enchanting and it’s strange,
But it feels so good
Just like I thought it would
Oh...
Chorus
bridge: You know I’ve fallen back and forth:
She’s pretty and obscene
She’s everything I’m running from
Then she’s everything I think I need
She’s the all I’ve turned my back on
But she’s most of what I’ve done
She’s the pleasure I run back to
But she leaves me lifeless and alone
Chorus
Friday, April 13, 2007
Today (Thursday edition)
Well, today I woke up very, very early to get on a plane in L.A. to come back home. My friend Don and I had worked out him picking me up in Charlotte. Why, you might ask. Well, a couple of reasons, my children. 1) The flight from Charlotte to Greenville is in a propellor plane. 2) Chris Sligh doesn't like flying. 3) Chris Sligh certainly doesn't like flying in prop planes. 4) Unless he is dusting crops. 5) I had a 2 hour layover in Charlotte, and didn't want to wait around for 2 hours. 6) I wanted to eat Pizzeria Uno and the only one around is in Charlotte. 7) Chris Sligh doesn't like flying in prop planes.
So, Don picked me up at Charlotte airport.
We decided to go look at recording and keyboard stuff at Sam Ash in Charlotte. While there, I purchased Pro Tools and Reason, as well as a cheap microphone. This will be my demo making stuff while I am on the road with the American Idol tour.
Speaking of the American Idol tour...I don't know much yet, and what I do know I can't tell you yet. But I can't wait for you guys to find out...seriously, I think it'll be the coolest tour yet. And here's one clue to pique your interest: I will be playing guitar almost every time or every time I'm on stage during the show.
Anyway, while at Sam Ash, a bunch of people wanted their picture with me. One of the guys that worked there asked us if we were going to see Daughtry, since he was playing in Charlotte tonight. I didn't even know the band was there tonight, but I was interested. Then the dude said the show had sold out in 16 minutes, and there weren't any tickets. Now, this is where I am going to show that I am a bad person: but I decided I wanted to see how big a celebrity I was by going and seeing if I could get me and Don in for free to a sold out show.
Short answer: Yes. I am. Free tickets, baby!!
And I got to talk with Chris for about 10 minutes before the show.
Chris was pretty sick (he had to cancel a show in Tallahassee, FL recently) so I didn't bother him too long...I know how it is to meet new people when you feel like crap. Anyway, we came back for the show. And here is my short review....
Chris was definitely sick. He didn't have any of his trademark high notes. He also had pitch problems throughout, obviously because he was sick. But the band rocked the hiz-house! Wow. That band is really great. And the bass player is incredible, as is the drummer. I mean the guitar players were great, too, don't get me wrong, but the rhythm section was tight, yo.
Anyway, I can't really give the show a grade, per se, because Chris was sick, but the band really did play incredibly well.
Then Don and I headed home.
And today (Friday - I mean it is morning time 2:30 as I write) is my birthday.
So happy 29th to me.
Love you all for everything. Thanks for helping make the CD a success. Thanks for voting me to number 10. Thanks for the best year of my life. Thanks in advance for coming to see me on tour.
So, Don picked me up at Charlotte airport.
We decided to go look at recording and keyboard stuff at Sam Ash in Charlotte. While there, I purchased Pro Tools and Reason, as well as a cheap microphone. This will be my demo making stuff while I am on the road with the American Idol tour.
Speaking of the American Idol tour...I don't know much yet, and what I do know I can't tell you yet. But I can't wait for you guys to find out...seriously, I think it'll be the coolest tour yet. And here's one clue to pique your interest: I will be playing guitar almost every time or every time I'm on stage during the show.
Anyway, while at Sam Ash, a bunch of people wanted their picture with me. One of the guys that worked there asked us if we were going to see Daughtry, since he was playing in Charlotte tonight. I didn't even know the band was there tonight, but I was interested. Then the dude said the show had sold out in 16 minutes, and there weren't any tickets. Now, this is where I am going to show that I am a bad person: but I decided I wanted to see how big a celebrity I was by going and seeing if I could get me and Don in for free to a sold out show.
Short answer: Yes. I am. Free tickets, baby!!
And I got to talk with Chris for about 10 minutes before the show.
Chris was pretty sick (he had to cancel a show in Tallahassee, FL recently) so I didn't bother him too long...I know how it is to meet new people when you feel like crap. Anyway, we came back for the show. And here is my short review....
Chris was definitely sick. He didn't have any of his trademark high notes. He also had pitch problems throughout, obviously because he was sick. But the band rocked the hiz-house! Wow. That band is really great. And the bass player is incredible, as is the drummer. I mean the guitar players were great, too, don't get me wrong, but the rhythm section was tight, yo.
Anyway, I can't really give the show a grade, per se, because Chris was sick, but the band really did play incredibly well.
Then Don and I headed home.
And today (Friday - I mean it is morning time 2:30 as I write) is my birthday.
So happy 29th to me.
Love you all for everything. Thanks for helping make the CD a success. Thanks for voting me to number 10. Thanks for the best year of my life. Thanks in advance for coming to see me on tour.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Today
Well, I had a great day.
I woke up early, but decided to rest and stay in bed...that was nice for a change.
I went over to Universal City Walk and ate at the Sausage Kingdom. It was worth the nice walk.
I taped Ellen. It was a great inteview that shows on Wednesday so watch out for it. It was a lot of fun.
Then I ran over to see AI. I got to see a lot of the behind the scenes people on the show, so that was great. Then I got to meet Neal Patrick Harris (Doogie Howser). That was cool. I also got to see Tom Lowe for the first time since top 40, so that was great. And with him was BJ, one of the Hippies from Amazing Race like 2 years ago. It was really cool meeting him...he actually chased me down to make sure I saw Tom, so that was really freaking cool.
After the show, I hung out with Phil and Kendra and Phil's brother and sister-in-law Keith and Amanda.
Then I came back to answer Q&A questions.
Now I'm going to bed.
I woke up early, but decided to rest and stay in bed...that was nice for a change.
I went over to Universal City Walk and ate at the Sausage Kingdom. It was worth the nice walk.
I taped Ellen. It was a great inteview that shows on Wednesday so watch out for it. It was a lot of fun.
Then I ran over to see AI. I got to see a lot of the behind the scenes people on the show, so that was great. Then I got to meet Neal Patrick Harris (Doogie Howser). That was cool. I also got to see Tom Lowe for the first time since top 40, so that was great. And with him was BJ, one of the Hippies from Amazing Race like 2 years ago. It was really cool meeting him...he actually chased me down to make sure I saw Tom, so that was really freaking cool.
After the show, I hung out with Phil and Kendra and Phil's brother and sister-in-law Keith and Amanda.
Then I came back to answer Q&A questions.
Now I'm going to bed.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Q & A
All righty. Let's give this a try.
Someone suggested doing a Q & A, so let's give it a try.
You give a question, I'll give you an answer.
Ground rules: do not try to get me to say something negative about fellow contestants or the show. Don't ask me about vftw. Don't ask me about conspiracy theories with the show, or any conspiracy theories at all. If you are not a fan of me (or any other contestant for that matter), please still be respectful in your question.
Here is an example of a disrespectful question: "So why are you so fat?" Though you might think it's funny, chances are I won't. Yes, I have a weight problem, but I'm working hard to lose the weight, and have lost 35 pounds and counting. Anyway, disrepectful stupid questions won't get published.
So, ask away. Give me time with each question. I'll try to get to them all.
Someone suggested doing a Q & A, so let's give it a try.
You give a question, I'll give you an answer.
Ground rules: do not try to get me to say something negative about fellow contestants or the show. Don't ask me about vftw. Don't ask me about conspiracy theories with the show, or any conspiracy theories at all. If you are not a fan of me (or any other contestant for that matter), please still be respectful in your question.
Here is an example of a disrespectful question: "So why are you so fat?" Though you might think it's funny, chances are I won't. Yes, I have a weight problem, but I'm working hard to lose the weight, and have lost 35 pounds and counting. Anyway, disrepectful stupid questions won't get published.
So, ask away. Give me time with each question. I'll try to get to them all.
Friday, April 06, 2007
Originality and respect
I feel I have to comment on this because I have seen quite a few comments about this subject.
I think it's important to realize that one person's idea of original is not everyone's idea of original. And while I am thankful that you would think of me as original - I'm flattered actually - I should point out that several contestants still left on the show are extremely original, by conventional definitions.
Sure, there are artists like Blake, but chances are they've never been mainstream, and even if they have, Blake brings his own twist to what he does. Also, there are singers like Melinda, but Melinda is incredible at putting her own spin on the songs she chooses to sing, and I have a feeling that, though I don't think that her CD will be the most marketable CD musically, it will do very well because she can sell (figuratively) any song she sings....same thing with Jordin...there are singers like her, but she is special. Chris may sing somewhat nasally and have a shaved head, but his originality comes in his songwriting (which is fantastic, btw) and his performance style, which to me are far different than JT. Phil literally does things with his voice that I have never heard anyone else do, and I've been around a lot of singers.
I mean, I could go on to why I think each of the singers left are original, but I think the point has been made.
But let's be honest, there is nothing truly original any more. What originality is now is being able to take collective influences and combine them into something that feels fresh.
One instance in my personal life was when I first heard MuteMath, which is and has been for a while my favorite band. I thought, holy cow, this sounds so original. And yes, compared to a lot of pop/rock stuff today, it sounds very original, but when I let Blake listen to it, he then allowed me to listen to some of his influences that are obviously influences for MuteMath...I had just never heard it before, so MuteMath "felt" original to me.
Some people have told me that I was an original, and that my songwriting is very original. As I said before, I am extremely flattered...but when I listen to my songs, I know how much I owe to my influences. But perhaps what people see as originality is just me combining so many influences into one place that it "feels fresh". Or maybe they aren't as familiar with my influences as others may be.
Gina is extremely original, but I'm sure when she makes a record that people will be able to pull it apart and find her influences. Same with anyone else on the show...no one is completely original, and I don't think any artist I know would claim to be.
However, I do believe that some artists do a better job than others to feel fresh.
I guess what I'm getting at with all this: I just don't want my friends still left on the show to read comments here and feel as though they are being attacked or called unoriginal by my fans or people finding my blog...and maybe they are or aren't, I don't think I'm the official judge of originality. I just don't want a lot of comments saying who is original and who isn't...I'm sorry if it seems like I'm being too dimplomatic, but these are my friends and though some comments slip through the cracks, I'd ask you to be respectful on here to them as I ask you to be to me.
You can say something negative, sure, but make sure it is respectful. And please don't post the same comment in different places...state your opinion once, respectfully, then let it go...not everyone has to agree with you on American Idol. That's the beauty of it is that there is a show that encourages people to learn more about music and with that knowledge form better opinions of the singers. You are allowed to have a negative opinoin, as I am, but please make sure that if you post that you post with respect to whomever it is you speak of.
Thanks so much for continuing to read the blog. I really hope you enjoy it. Peace and love....
I think it's important to realize that one person's idea of original is not everyone's idea of original. And while I am thankful that you would think of me as original - I'm flattered actually - I should point out that several contestants still left on the show are extremely original, by conventional definitions.
Sure, there are artists like Blake, but chances are they've never been mainstream, and even if they have, Blake brings his own twist to what he does. Also, there are singers like Melinda, but Melinda is incredible at putting her own spin on the songs she chooses to sing, and I have a feeling that, though I don't think that her CD will be the most marketable CD musically, it will do very well because she can sell (figuratively) any song she sings....same thing with Jordin...there are singers like her, but she is special. Chris may sing somewhat nasally and have a shaved head, but his originality comes in his songwriting (which is fantastic, btw) and his performance style, which to me are far different than JT. Phil literally does things with his voice that I have never heard anyone else do, and I've been around a lot of singers.
I mean, I could go on to why I think each of the singers left are original, but I think the point has been made.
But let's be honest, there is nothing truly original any more. What originality is now is being able to take collective influences and combine them into something that feels fresh.
One instance in my personal life was when I first heard MuteMath, which is and has been for a while my favorite band. I thought, holy cow, this sounds so original. And yes, compared to a lot of pop/rock stuff today, it sounds very original, but when I let Blake listen to it, he then allowed me to listen to some of his influences that are obviously influences for MuteMath...I had just never heard it before, so MuteMath "felt" original to me.
Some people have told me that I was an original, and that my songwriting is very original. As I said before, I am extremely flattered...but when I listen to my songs, I know how much I owe to my influences. But perhaps what people see as originality is just me combining so many influences into one place that it "feels fresh". Or maybe they aren't as familiar with my influences as others may be.
Gina is extremely original, but I'm sure when she makes a record that people will be able to pull it apart and find her influences. Same with anyone else on the show...no one is completely original, and I don't think any artist I know would claim to be.
However, I do believe that some artists do a better job than others to feel fresh.
I guess what I'm getting at with all this: I just don't want my friends still left on the show to read comments here and feel as though they are being attacked or called unoriginal by my fans or people finding my blog...and maybe they are or aren't, I don't think I'm the official judge of originality. I just don't want a lot of comments saying who is original and who isn't...I'm sorry if it seems like I'm being too dimplomatic, but these are my friends and though some comments slip through the cracks, I'd ask you to be respectful on here to them as I ask you to be to me.
You can say something negative, sure, but make sure it is respectful. And please don't post the same comment in different places...state your opinion once, respectfully, then let it go...not everyone has to agree with you on American Idol. That's the beauty of it is that there is a show that encourages people to learn more about music and with that knowledge form better opinions of the singers. You are allowed to have a negative opinoin, as I am, but please make sure that if you post that you post with respect to whomever it is you speak of.
Thanks so much for continuing to read the blog. I really hope you enjoy it. Peace and love....
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Someday soon....
The content on my blog will be back up...someday soon. Or maybe not so soon. But someday. Let's hope it's not too soon.
Feel free to leave comments, even if you are not a member of blogspot.
Peace & love,
Chris Sligh
Feel free to leave comments, even if you are not a member of blogspot.
Peace & love,
Chris Sligh
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Sligh-ku
Over at Americanidol.com, they have message boards, and I am noticing that several people are posting haiku poems and calling them Sligh-ku. This is probably one of the highlights of my life to see people writing strange haiku poems about me. Here are some examples of Sligh-ku:
gonna make hoff cry
will bust a move on paula
that cheeky monkey
and...
I bet he likes tots
a foot long coney will do
fro patro wig time
and...
they ain't seen the sligh
rock a chump like a vandal
representin' yo!
and finally...
a big floppy fro
will be going all the way
hollywood, baby
gonna make hoff cry
will bust a move on paula
that cheeky monkey
and...
I bet he likes tots
a foot long coney will do
fro patro wig time
and...
they ain't seen the sligh
rock a chump like a vandal
representin' yo!
and finally...
a big floppy fro
will be going all the way
hollywood, baby
Saturday, January 20, 2007
My 100 Favorite Songs of All Time
EDIT: Hey guys, a lot of people are ragging on me because the songs I've picked...some of them are pretty crappy. However, I should've noted beforehand that these are songs that I love from my whole musical journey. The music that I listen to now on a regular basis is vastly different from what I did 10 years ago. However, many of those songs from years ago still have a place in my heart b/c they brought me to where I am now. If the same songs came out now I probably wouldn't even hear them since I rarely listen to the radio anymore. So, hopefully that explains choices like Celine Dion, BoyzIIMen & Michael Bolton.
- or my favorite recordings of songs
- or songs that you should go buy from iTunes if you don't have them
Runners up:
Why Cry by The Panic Channel
When a Man Loves a Woman by Michael Bolton
100. Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion
99. Knockin' on Heavens Door by Guns & Roses
98. Remix to Ignition by R.Kelly
97. Recipe for Love by Harry Connick, Jr.
96. Open Arms by Mariah Carey
95. No One Love Me Like You by Jars of Clay
94. Rain King by Counting Crows
93. Until the World by the Afters
92. Don't Wanna Miss a Thing by Aerosmith
91. Landed by Ben Folds
90. Like a Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan
89. Dr. Dre Song by Ben Folds
88. Can't Always Get What You Want by the Rolling Stones
87. Hallelujah I Just Love Her So! by Ray Charles
86. Wartime Prayers by Paul Simon
85. Home by Downhere
84. Walk Down This Mountain by Bebo Norman
83. Tennessee by Arrested Development
82. Nothing to Say by Andrew Peterson
81. Can't Stop Loving You by Phil Collins
80. Answering Bell by Ryan Adams
79. Colored People by DCTalk
78. I'm Not Sleeping by Counting Crows
77. And So It Goes by Billy Joel
76. On Bended Knee by BoyzIIMen
75. Sitting, Waiting, Wishing by Jack Johnson
74. Amazed by Desperation Band
73. Tiny Dancer by Elton John
72. Helter Skelter by the Beatles
71. St. Robinson & His Cadillac Dream by Counting Crows
70. Kashmir by Led Zeppelin
69. AM Radio by Everclear
68. Boys of Summer by the Ataris
67. Picture by MuteMath
66. Change the World by Eric Clapton
65. Look After You by the Fray
64. With a Wink and a Smile by Harry Connick, Jr.
63. Only Living Boy In New York by Simon and Garfunkel
62. Your Body Is a Wonderland by John Mayer
61. Let's Get It On by Marvin Gaye
60. Love Song by Five for Fighting
59. Don't Stop Believin' by Journey
58. Show Me How to Live by Audioslave
57. I Think About You by Bryan Adams
56. All Along by Blessed Union of Souls
55. Song for the Asking by Simon & Garfunkel
54. Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder
53. Jolene by Ray LaMontagne
52. Hackensack by Fountains of Wayne
51. I Could Not Ask For More by Edwin McCain
50. Crazy by Aerosmith
49. Don't Lie by the Black Eyed Peas
48. Hard to Handle by the Black Crowes
47. End of the Road by BoyzIIMen
46. Someone Saved My Life Tonight by Elton John
45. Without Me by Eminem
44. Cigarette by the Graham Colton Band
43. Crazy by the Gnarls Barkley
42. Love is Only a Feeling by the Darkness
41. Come Back to Bed by John Mayer
40. Senorita by Justin Timberlake
39. Golddigger by Kanye West
38. This Love by Maroon 5
37. Hey Julie by Fountains of Wayne
36. Some Folks Lives Roll Easy - Paul Simon
35. When You Were Young by the Killers
34. Carrying Cathy by Ben Folds
33. Ophelia by the Band
32. If I Could Give All My Love (Richard Manuel is Dead) by Counting Crows
31. Sweet Emotion by Aerosmith
30. God Only Knows by the Beach Boys
29. Eleanor Rigby by the Beatles
28. Killing Me by the Graham Colton Band
27. Bright Lights by Matchbox20
26. Elevation by U2
25. Gone by Switchfoot
24. Always on Your Side by Sheryl Crow & Sting
23. Somebody to Love by Queen
22. Brick by Ben Folds Five
21. Memory by Sugarcult
20. With Imagination by Harry Connick, Jr.
19. You Are Here by needtobreathe
18. Move Along by the All-American Rejects
17. Save Me by Queen
16. Learning to Breathe by Switchfoot
15. Kiss from a Rose by Seal
14. Trouble by Ray LaMontagne
13. City of Blinding Lights by U2
12. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
11. Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman by Bryan Adams
10. Army by Ben Folds Five
9. Typical by MuteMath
8. Stockholm Syndrome by Muse
7. Yellow by Coldplay
6. Please Forgive Me by Bryan Adams
5. Blackbird by the Beatles
4. Long December by Counting Crows
3. Butterflies & Hurricanes by Muse
2. Control by MuteMath
1. Hysteria by Muse
- or my favorite recordings of songs
- or songs that you should go buy from iTunes if you don't have them
Runners up:
Why Cry by The Panic Channel
When a Man Loves a Woman by Michael Bolton
100. Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion
99. Knockin' on Heavens Door by Guns & Roses
98. Remix to Ignition by R.Kelly
97. Recipe for Love by Harry Connick, Jr.
96. Open Arms by Mariah Carey
95. No One Love Me Like You by Jars of Clay
94. Rain King by Counting Crows
93. Until the World by the Afters
92. Don't Wanna Miss a Thing by Aerosmith
91. Landed by Ben Folds
90. Like a Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan
89. Dr. Dre Song by Ben Folds
88. Can't Always Get What You Want by the Rolling Stones
87. Hallelujah I Just Love Her So! by Ray Charles
86. Wartime Prayers by Paul Simon
85. Home by Downhere
84. Walk Down This Mountain by Bebo Norman
83. Tennessee by Arrested Development
82. Nothing to Say by Andrew Peterson
81. Can't Stop Loving You by Phil Collins
80. Answering Bell by Ryan Adams
79. Colored People by DCTalk
78. I'm Not Sleeping by Counting Crows
77. And So It Goes by Billy Joel
76. On Bended Knee by BoyzIIMen
75. Sitting, Waiting, Wishing by Jack Johnson
74. Amazed by Desperation Band
73. Tiny Dancer by Elton John
72. Helter Skelter by the Beatles
71. St. Robinson & His Cadillac Dream by Counting Crows
70. Kashmir by Led Zeppelin
69. AM Radio by Everclear
68. Boys of Summer by the Ataris
67. Picture by MuteMath
66. Change the World by Eric Clapton
65. Look After You by the Fray
64. With a Wink and a Smile by Harry Connick, Jr.
63. Only Living Boy In New York by Simon and Garfunkel
62. Your Body Is a Wonderland by John Mayer
61. Let's Get It On by Marvin Gaye
60. Love Song by Five for Fighting
59. Don't Stop Believin' by Journey
58. Show Me How to Live by Audioslave
57. I Think About You by Bryan Adams
56. All Along by Blessed Union of Souls
55. Song for the Asking by Simon & Garfunkel
54. Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder
53. Jolene by Ray LaMontagne
52. Hackensack by Fountains of Wayne
51. I Could Not Ask For More by Edwin McCain
50. Crazy by Aerosmith
49. Don't Lie by the Black Eyed Peas
48. Hard to Handle by the Black Crowes
47. End of the Road by BoyzIIMen
46. Someone Saved My Life Tonight by Elton John
45. Without Me by Eminem
44. Cigarette by the Graham Colton Band
43. Crazy by the Gnarls Barkley
42. Love is Only a Feeling by the Darkness
41. Come Back to Bed by John Mayer
40. Senorita by Justin Timberlake
39. Golddigger by Kanye West
38. This Love by Maroon 5
37. Hey Julie by Fountains of Wayne
36. Some Folks Lives Roll Easy - Paul Simon
35. When You Were Young by the Killers
34. Carrying Cathy by Ben Folds
33. Ophelia by the Band
32. If I Could Give All My Love (Richard Manuel is Dead) by Counting Crows
31. Sweet Emotion by Aerosmith
30. God Only Knows by the Beach Boys
29. Eleanor Rigby by the Beatles
28. Killing Me by the Graham Colton Band
27. Bright Lights by Matchbox20
26. Elevation by U2
25. Gone by Switchfoot
24. Always on Your Side by Sheryl Crow & Sting
23. Somebody to Love by Queen
22. Brick by Ben Folds Five
21. Memory by Sugarcult
20. With Imagination by Harry Connick, Jr.
19. You Are Here by needtobreathe
18. Move Along by the All-American Rejects
17. Save Me by Queen
16. Learning to Breathe by Switchfoot
15. Kiss from a Rose by Seal
14. Trouble by Ray LaMontagne
13. City of Blinding Lights by U2
12. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
11. Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman by Bryan Adams
10. Army by Ben Folds Five
9. Typical by MuteMath
8. Stockholm Syndrome by Muse
7. Yellow by Coldplay
6. Please Forgive Me by Bryan Adams
5. Blackbird by the Beatles
4. Long December by Counting Crows
3. Butterflies & Hurricanes by Muse
2. Control by MuteMath
1. Hysteria by Muse
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Kinda bored
I've been kind of lazy and bored lately. I recently got 3 games for my Playstation and it seems any free time I have has been spent playing those games.
I got Madden 2007, Godfather: the Game, and the new Tombraider. I haven't played Tombraider yet because I've been playing Madden since I got it. I beat Godfather, too, but now I'm going to play it again and try to get some new things done in it now that I know what I'm doing.
Anyway, American Idol started Tuesday. I admit that I watched all 4 hours of the double night premiere. I feel like it was such a waste of time...so many bad singers. So few good ones. Hopefully it gets better.
And I have hunch it will.
I got Madden 2007, Godfather: the Game, and the new Tombraider. I haven't played Tombraider yet because I've been playing Madden since I got it. I beat Godfather, too, but now I'm going to play it again and try to get some new things done in it now that I know what I'm doing.
Anyway, American Idol started Tuesday. I admit that I watched all 4 hours of the double night premiere. I feel like it was such a waste of time...so many bad singers. So few good ones. Hopefully it gets better.
And I have hunch it will.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Album Credits
Closer
words and music by Chris Sligh
All this waiting and medicating
Has left me hating my sin
Altogether, let's leave forever
Let's pretend never is here
I'm here...are you here?
Can you pull me closer to you
And love me like I never failed
Can you pull me closer to you
And love me like I never failed your love
And love me like I never failed your love
Shadow boxing with my own conscience
I've lost my friendships to love
Altogether now, let's pretend we know how
Love works itself out again.
I'm here...are you here?
chorus * interlude * chorus
Know
words and music by Chris Sligh
Lost in the windows of time,
You see a time of change
Don't it all feel strange?
Stuck in the reverb of me,
I hear echos of myself
But I can't say what I see.
I'm finding the answers
To my great divide
Someday when the sky is falling I will let you know
Someday when my dreams are caving in I will let you know
I'll let you know
Forget the first verse of life:
There's nothing learned at all -
At least until you fall.
Stratospheres and atmospheres collide,
Worlds come to an end
And there's nowhere left to hide.
pre-chorus * chorus
...when I'm falling
I'll let you know when I'm calling
I'll let you know when I'm breaking
I'll let you know when I'm making it through.
chorus
In a Moment
words and music by Chris Sligh
In a moment, love can pass you by
And in a moment, a heart can come alive
Every moment's getting better
Every moment brings me closer to you
Can I hold you till the morning light
Takes away the dead of night
And sunrise shines on you?
Can love take all these fears away
Till morning comes with brand new day?
It's love that pulls us through
In a moment.
In a moment love can tear you down
And in a moment a heart can come around
pre-chorus * chorus
I feel you in my heart
I feel you in my soul
Oh, you make me whole
In a moment...
chorus
Naive
words and music by Chris Sligh
Let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the strong say, "I am weak"
I pray the Lord this life be long
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
Truth be told, I tell the truth
Still I struggle with it told
Can all these "answers" lead to you
Or some imagined pot of gold
I know...
Oh, yeah I know
I don't wanna be
So naive
Just holding on, Just holding on to...
Whispers in the dark say I'm a fool
And simple fools say I'm unwise
To trust in more than golden rules
Or things beyond seen with these eyes
I know...
chorus
Love...I'm holding on to love
Love that crossed a bridge I'd never go
Love that holds me close enough to know
And faith enough to know
That I can be naive
chorus
Need
words by Chris Sligh
music by Chris Sligh, Chad Boyd, Daniel Peek & Russ Chapman
Don't you ever get so tired
Of feeling like there's no one, there's no one here
When you're so surrounded
You still feel like there's no one around you
Don't it ever feel so wrong
To live your life so totally lonely
You're so stuck in freedom
That friends just never know you need them
But you need them
Don't let go
Don't let go of love
Don't let go:
It's everything that you need
Don't you ever want this love that's been
Handed to you forever, forever
All you've ever wanted
Is in these arms that holds us together
Held together...
chorus * solo * chorus
Rise
words and music by Chris Sligh
Every time you save me
Every time you save me
Every time I fall you pick me up
And when I fail, you right me
And pick up the pieces that might be
The pieces of me I haven't given over yet
Your love digs deeper than the valleys
And I can't hide anymore, anymore
Love is rising up like a spring up from the ground
Redemption comes and turns this heart
Turns this heart around
Love is rising up and I can't make a sound
Redemption comes and turns this heart
Turns this heart around
The sun's on the right horizon
Still I can feel it rising
It's rising just like the love I know is welling up
So, pick up the broken pieces
And I'll give up the broken pieces
The pieces of me I haven't given over yet
pre-chorus * chorus
Redemption falls like rain into the thirsty ground
The thirsty ground that is my soul
Out of nothing rises up,
Except the hands that bore my pain
Redemption comes to fill my broken heart
chorus
Somewhere
words and music by Chris Sligh
What kind of world gives us pain when we're weak?
Where do we go to make our ends meet?
What kind of world rewards love with the hurt?
Where do we go to make this work?
Where do we go? Where do we go?
Take me down to somewhere
I can know I'm free
Take me down to somewhere;
Just go with me, just go with me
Just go with me!
What kind of world throws our faults in our faces?
Where do we go to fill the empty spaces?
What kind of world trades our answers for doubts?
Where do we go to work this out?
Where do we go? Where do we go?
chorus * solo * chorus
Cry Tonight
words and music by Chris Sligh
You could never understand
Just how scared I am
I've lived and loved and lost a thousand times
Is this a second chance
Just to make it past all this energy?
I don't wanna cry tonight
Don't wanna hang my heart on my sleeve
But you're everything my soul could ever need
Don't wanna cry tonight
It's just a little faith
Gets us further in this race
We all know trust don't come too easily
Is this just romance
Or will we take a chance on something beautiful
chorus
'Cause all I ever need is you All I need is you...
chorus 2
Hero
words and music by Chris Sligh
You got a beautiful name
Don't ever let it get away
'Cause times are changing fast
But don't give up what changed the past
It's a wonderful world
But will it last beyond today
'Cause times are changing quick
We're all hurting, we're all sick
We're all hurting, we're all sick
Looking for a hero
Someone just to come and save the day
Looking for a Savior
Someone just to take our pain away
Someone just to take our pain away
It's a beautiful sound
To find myself just to let me down
'Cause times are changing fast,
But I don't know what will last
You got a beautiful soul
Don't ever jade yourself with hope
'Cause times are changing soon
And love can save us from this room
Come and save us from this room!
chorus * solo * chorus
Convenience
words by Chris Sligh & Jon Sligh
music by Chris Sligh
Ache for life, it's your show
Shallow sure, all we know
Are the masks that we wear.
You find it easy to hide
With your well-crafted smile
You hold the world at bay
Empty spaces in a sea of faces
Still everyone's a smile
Easy come, easy go is all we know
To break these walls down inside becomes too hard
Small talk slowly becomes our consolation prize
Convenience keeps us miles apart
Lost inside me the words
To find me the chance
To open your eyes
Your words are empty, white noise
Without meaning, a mist
That hides who you are
pre-chorus * chorus * solo * chorus
Waiting
words and music by Chris Sligh
It just seems like you're taking your time
I'm just waiting for the sun to shine
I don't wanna go another day
Without you here, without you here to stay
It seems like forever and I'm still waiting for you
I'm still waiting for you
It seems like forever and I'm still waiting for you
I'm still waiting for you
Yeah, I'm waiting
All I want is to see you smile
If a blink lasts forever, this might take a while
I don't wanna go another day
Without you here, I want you here to stay
chorus
It's never gonna be enough to dream of you
It's never gonna be enough to dream of you
I wanna see you...I wanna see you
chorus
Tunnel Vision
words and music by Chris Sligh
Every time I slip away,
I dream a little dream of you
You got me thinking 'bout your love
When I got too much else to do
Is this way it's gonna be?
Is this how I'll just get through?
Is this how I'll get through?
Oh, you know
I've got the tunnel vision
I've got my eyes only for you
I've got the tunnel vision
I've got my heart set up for you
It's been weighing on my mind
How you love me all the time
I've been around a time or two
Wasting time till I met you
Is this the way it's gonna be
Is this how I'll just get through?
Is this how I'll get through?
pre-chorus * chorus
I've got the tunnel vision I've got my eyes only for you... (repeat)
chorus
Gone
words by Chris Sligh
music by Chris Sligh & Adam Fisher
Is this it?
Is this the place we all wanna be?
Or are we blind in our confusion,
Battered by contusions that make us bleed?
Make us bleed?
I'm gone I'm gone
There's nothing left for us to hold onto
There's nothing left to breathe the breath of life into
There's nothing left but hopes and dreams that shoot you through
There's nothing left, there's nothing left
I'm gone.
So, here we are:
Are we beyond what decent people do?
Are we broken in our shadows?
Or can we really know what's beyond you?
pre-chorus * chorus * solo * pre-chorus * chorus * solo
How Long
words and music by Chris Sligh
Shadows fill the places where I used to be
And now I know the pictures I hold on to
Are gone away, they're gone away
And I'm just getting older
Maybe getting older brings me closer to you
All my days are spent away
In daydreams and all I wonder is...
How long, how long
How long till I get to be with you
How long, how long
My heart is longing for you
All my life's been leading to this:
I've been dreaming
I know that life was meant for so much more
All the dreams and hopes to be
Are just dreams of something bigger
Maybe all this dreaming brings me closer to you
pre-chorus * chorus * solo
How long, how long
How long till I see your face again?
chorus
Album Credits:
Produced by Chris Sligh
Engineered by Adam Fisher
Mixed by Chris Sligh & Adam Fisher
Guitars: Chris Sligh & Adam Fisher
Lead guitars: Adam Fisher & Chris Sligh
Bass: Cole Edmonson, Chris Sligh & Adam Fisher
Drums: Pennyworth Hinkleman & Dustin Merryweather
Piano: Chris Sligh
Wurly: Chris Sligh & Adam Fisher
Keys: Chris Sligh
Soundscapes: Chris Sligh
BGV's: Chris Sligh
Gang Vocals: Chris Sligh, Adam Fisher & Jon Sligh
Strings peformed by the Greenville Symphonic Strings of Majesty and Grace
Strings arranged by The Don
words and music by Chris Sligh
All this waiting and medicating
Has left me hating my sin
Altogether, let's leave forever
Let's pretend never is here
I'm here...are you here?
Can you pull me closer to you
And love me like I never failed
Can you pull me closer to you
And love me like I never failed your love
And love me like I never failed your love
Shadow boxing with my own conscience
I've lost my friendships to love
Altogether now, let's pretend we know how
Love works itself out again.
I'm here...are you here?
chorus * interlude * chorus
Know
words and music by Chris Sligh
Lost in the windows of time,
You see a time of change
Don't it all feel strange?
Stuck in the reverb of me,
I hear echos of myself
But I can't say what I see.
I'm finding the answers
To my great divide
Someday when the sky is falling I will let you know
Someday when my dreams are caving in I will let you know
I'll let you know
Forget the first verse of life:
There's nothing learned at all -
At least until you fall.
Stratospheres and atmospheres collide,
Worlds come to an end
And there's nowhere left to hide.
pre-chorus * chorus
...when I'm falling
I'll let you know when I'm calling
I'll let you know when I'm breaking
I'll let you know when I'm making it through.
chorus
In a Moment
words and music by Chris Sligh
In a moment, love can pass you by
And in a moment, a heart can come alive
Every moment's getting better
Every moment brings me closer to you
Can I hold you till the morning light
Takes away the dead of night
And sunrise shines on you?
Can love take all these fears away
Till morning comes with brand new day?
It's love that pulls us through
In a moment.
In a moment love can tear you down
And in a moment a heart can come around
pre-chorus * chorus
I feel you in my heart
I feel you in my soul
Oh, you make me whole
In a moment...
chorus
Naive
words and music by Chris Sligh
Let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the strong say, "I am weak"
I pray the Lord this life be long
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
Truth be told, I tell the truth
Still I struggle with it told
Can all these "answers" lead to you
Or some imagined pot of gold
I know...
Oh, yeah I know
I don't wanna be
So naive
Just holding on, Just holding on to...
Whispers in the dark say I'm a fool
And simple fools say I'm unwise
To trust in more than golden rules
Or things beyond seen with these eyes
I know...
chorus
Love...I'm holding on to love
Love that crossed a bridge I'd never go
Love that holds me close enough to know
And faith enough to know
That I can be naive
chorus
Need
words by Chris Sligh
music by Chris Sligh, Chad Boyd, Daniel Peek & Russ Chapman
Don't you ever get so tired
Of feeling like there's no one, there's no one here
When you're so surrounded
You still feel like there's no one around you
Don't it ever feel so wrong
To live your life so totally lonely
You're so stuck in freedom
That friends just never know you need them
But you need them
Don't let go
Don't let go of love
Don't let go:
It's everything that you need
Don't you ever want this love that's been
Handed to you forever, forever
All you've ever wanted
Is in these arms that holds us together
Held together...
chorus * solo * chorus
Rise
words and music by Chris Sligh
Every time you save me
Every time you save me
Every time I fall you pick me up
And when I fail, you right me
And pick up the pieces that might be
The pieces of me I haven't given over yet
Your love digs deeper than the valleys
And I can't hide anymore, anymore
Love is rising up like a spring up from the ground
Redemption comes and turns this heart
Turns this heart around
Love is rising up and I can't make a sound
Redemption comes and turns this heart
Turns this heart around
The sun's on the right horizon
Still I can feel it rising
It's rising just like the love I know is welling up
So, pick up the broken pieces
And I'll give up the broken pieces
The pieces of me I haven't given over yet
pre-chorus * chorus
Redemption falls like rain into the thirsty ground
The thirsty ground that is my soul
Out of nothing rises up,
Except the hands that bore my pain
Redemption comes to fill my broken heart
chorus
Somewhere
words and music by Chris Sligh
What kind of world gives us pain when we're weak?
Where do we go to make our ends meet?
What kind of world rewards love with the hurt?
Where do we go to make this work?
Where do we go? Where do we go?
Take me down to somewhere
I can know I'm free
Take me down to somewhere;
Just go with me, just go with me
Just go with me!
What kind of world throws our faults in our faces?
Where do we go to fill the empty spaces?
What kind of world trades our answers for doubts?
Where do we go to work this out?
Where do we go? Where do we go?
chorus * solo * chorus
Cry Tonight
words and music by Chris Sligh
You could never understand
Just how scared I am
I've lived and loved and lost a thousand times
Is this a second chance
Just to make it past all this energy?
I don't wanna cry tonight
Don't wanna hang my heart on my sleeve
But you're everything my soul could ever need
Don't wanna cry tonight
It's just a little faith
Gets us further in this race
We all know trust don't come too easily
Is this just romance
Or will we take a chance on something beautiful
chorus
I don't wanna cry tonight
Don't wanna know my heart's broke in two
'Cause all I ever need right here is you
I don't wanna cry tonight
'Cause all I ever need is you All I need is you...
chorus 2
Hero
words and music by Chris Sligh
You got a beautiful name
Don't ever let it get away
'Cause times are changing fast
But don't give up what changed the past
It's a wonderful world
But will it last beyond today
'Cause times are changing quick
We're all hurting, we're all sick
We're all hurting, we're all sick
Looking for a hero
Someone just to come and save the day
Looking for a Savior
Someone just to take our pain away
Someone just to take our pain away
It's a beautiful sound
To find myself just to let me down
'Cause times are changing fast,
But I don't know what will last
You got a beautiful soul
Don't ever jade yourself with hope
'Cause times are changing soon
And love can save us from this room
Come and save us from this room!
chorus * solo * chorus
Convenience
words by Chris Sligh & Jon Sligh
music by Chris Sligh
Ache for life, it's your show
Shallow sure, all we know
Are the masks that we wear.
You find it easy to hide
With your well-crafted smile
You hold the world at bay
Empty spaces in a sea of faces
Still everyone's a smile
Easy come, easy go is all we know
To break these walls down inside becomes too hard
Small talk slowly becomes our consolation prize
Convenience keeps us miles apart
Lost inside me the words
To find me the chance
To open your eyes
Your words are empty, white noise
Without meaning, a mist
That hides who you are
pre-chorus * chorus * solo * chorus
Waiting
words and music by Chris Sligh
It just seems like you're taking your time
I'm just waiting for the sun to shine
I don't wanna go another day
Without you here, without you here to stay
It seems like forever and I'm still waiting for you
I'm still waiting for you
It seems like forever and I'm still waiting for you
I'm still waiting for you
Yeah, I'm waiting
All I want is to see you smile
If a blink lasts forever, this might take a while
I don't wanna go another day
Without you here, I want you here to stay
chorus
It's never gonna be enough to dream of you
It's never gonna be enough to dream of you
I wanna see you...I wanna see you
chorus
Tunnel Vision
words and music by Chris Sligh
Every time I slip away,
I dream a little dream of you
You got me thinking 'bout your love
When I got too much else to do
Is this way it's gonna be?
Is this how I'll just get through?
Is this how I'll get through?
Oh, you know
I've got the tunnel vision
I've got my eyes only for you
I've got the tunnel vision
I've got my heart set up for you
It's been weighing on my mind
How you love me all the time
I've been around a time or two
Wasting time till I met you
Is this the way it's gonna be
Is this how I'll just get through?
Is this how I'll get through?
pre-chorus * chorus
I've got the tunnel vision I've got my eyes only for you... (repeat)
chorus
Gone
words by Chris Sligh
music by Chris Sligh & Adam Fisher
Is this it?
Is this the place we all wanna be?
Or are we blind in our confusion,
Battered by contusions that make us bleed?
Make us bleed?
I'm gone I'm gone
There's nothing left for us to hold onto
There's nothing left to breathe the breath of life into
There's nothing left but hopes and dreams that shoot you through
There's nothing left, there's nothing left
I'm gone.
So, here we are:
Are we beyond what decent people do?
Are we broken in our shadows?
Or can we really know what's beyond you?
pre-chorus * chorus * solo * pre-chorus * chorus * solo
How Long
words and music by Chris Sligh
Shadows fill the places where I used to be
And now I know the pictures I hold on to
Are gone away, they're gone away
And I'm just getting older
Maybe getting older brings me closer to you
All my days are spent away
In daydreams and all I wonder is...
How long, how long
How long till I get to be with you
How long, how long
My heart is longing for you
All my life's been leading to this:
I've been dreaming
I know that life was meant for so much more
All the dreams and hopes to be
Are just dreams of something bigger
Maybe all this dreaming brings me closer to you
pre-chorus * chorus * solo
How long, how long
How long till I see your face again?
chorus
Album Credits:
Produced by Chris Sligh
Engineered by Adam Fisher
Mixed by Chris Sligh & Adam Fisher
Guitars: Chris Sligh & Adam Fisher
Lead guitars: Adam Fisher & Chris Sligh
Bass: Cole Edmonson, Chris Sligh & Adam Fisher
Drums: Pennyworth Hinkleman & Dustin Merryweather
Piano: Chris Sligh
Wurly: Chris Sligh & Adam Fisher
Keys: Chris Sligh
Soundscapes: Chris Sligh
BGV's: Chris Sligh
Gang Vocals: Chris Sligh, Adam Fisher & Jon Sligh
Strings peformed by the Greenville Symphonic Strings of Majesty and Grace
Strings arranged by The Don
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