For all of my life I've been a professional musician. For most of that time I've been what I call a "journeyman." What I mean by that is that I am a professional, which entails a lot of different things, including the ability to play in a lot of different styles, in a lot of different situations, some of which require specific clothing, and attention to myriads of other details.
In recent years, I have finally found my own voice, and have been writing, recording, playing, and promoting my own material. I'm doing my best, like so many other independent musicians, to get a handle on this challenging, ever-changing business. As a result, I occasionally run across an article or opinion that talks about increasing your exposure by affiliating with a "cause." It always seems to me that using a non-profit organization and their network of affiliates to further my own cause is a pretty cold-hearted way of building my career.
At the same time, I've actually been searching for a "cause" for a long time. I've always been happy to assist just about any cause and am usually the first one to say yes when someone is putting on a fundraiser or raising awareness about their own cause. I've done shows for innumerable individuals, and I don't know how many non-profit agencies. Although I'm always happy to help, none of those causes have ever been personal to me. I had yet to find something that I felt could change the world and affect people's lives in a positvie way.
Well, in May of last year, my life changed. I became very sick and entered into a fight for my life. So far, I'm winning. I'm currently active on the liver transplant waiting list, but have become healthy enough to begin to work a little, to work out, to travel, and to pursue my career again. In the process, I've found a cause. I wouldn't recommend this as a way to find a cause, but all of a sudden I have something that affects me and tens of thousands of other people in a very real, life-dependent way.
Since February of 2010, I've become involved in organ donation education and registration. I believe in it, and one day my very life may depend upon the success of our efforts.
And, as the "experts" have written, my career trajectory is already changing because of it. The change is mainly a result of my commitment to the cause. I've been representing Donate Life California at community events as we talk to people and help them make the decision to register as organ donors. I've been attending their meetings every month. I've gone through their training for classroom teachers, and will be teaching my first high school science class about organ donation next week. I've helped to make 1" buttons for different events. I've stuffed packages for conferences. I've helped input donor information into the digital database. I've volunteered as chairman of a committee. And there's a lot more to come.
So, how does that fit into my career as a musician? Well, my music is a product of my life. In the same way that I can't affiliate with a cause just because it has the biggest chance of helping my personal career, I can only write what I know. I don't try to contrive scenarios about which to write, I have way too much stuff going on in my own life to need to make things up. As a result, I've begun to write about what I've gone through over the past sixteen months.
Because of my commitment to the cause, I was asked to speak at a conference for doctors and nurses, along with a group of eight transplant recipients. We each shared briefly about our dreams, and all of the others spoke about dreams that they've been able to experience as a result of their transplants. As the only pre-transplant patient, I could only speak about what a transplant will mean to me. The invitation to speak came in the form of an e-mail, and I immediately responded yes, and attached a song to my reply. In my reply, I offered to do whatever I can to help, including playing at the conference, providing back-up music for some of the creative elements of the event, or whatever they might need.
Well, they took me up on the offer, and I was able to perform a song during that small segment, plus I played during their lunch break. They offered me marketing space, so I was able to sell some CD's, plus they voluntarily paid me a small honorarium, and I've now entered their radar because the national chairwoman of the organization was the emcee and she really liked what I did, and so now I'm being considered (and now I'm actually being recommended by the organization) for some national-level events. (You can view the simple video of it at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u2nYWWjZZI )
So, to finally get to my point . . . yes, it's good to read as much as you can regarding this crazy business that we love. Yes, it's good to be affiliated with a worthy cause. However, know that the large organizations have been approached by a lot of people trying to use them for their connections, and they're often very leery of being used. You must be aware that you need to give a satisfactory answer to the one question in their minds: What can YOU do for US?
We so frequently get wrapped up in our own stuff that we get that question backwards, and we only want to play for people or at places that can do something for US. If they have a big event, suddenly we want to be listed on the bill. If there's a concert coming to town, we want to get in front of that band's fans. If there's a local music venue, we want them to pay us to play. Many independent bands are coming to grips with scratching each other's backs, but they expect so much more from the local club or from the non-profit organization that they get involved with. We expect to get paid more. We expect them to do more promotion and advertising. We give off the vibe that we're only looking to take, take, take.
In regards to clubs, concert promoters, and non-profits alike, to be successful in the long run and over the long haul, it MUST be a win-win situation. Yes, affiliate with a cause (or a club or promoter), but be wary of wanting to start at the top. Learn about them (or their clientele). It's especially important with non-profits to learn the issues that matter to them. Learn to speak clearly about those issues. Get to know them. Volunteer to help with whatever they need at that next big event. Show up, on time, appropriately dressed, and participate with them. Let them get to know you.
You'll find that what happens is that all of a sudden you'll start to be in the know. When they start planning that next big event, you'll know about it well in advance, and when it comes time to decide on an opening act for that big benefit concert, they'll listen to you when you say that you'd like a chance to be part of the bill.
When you get the chance to be on that bill, you'll get the chance to REALLY make a difference for that cause. You'll be fully prepared, ready to speak out, able to make a positive contribution to the world.
In return, your career will reap the benefits, just like the "experts" say you will. I've just seen it first-hand.
Before I close this entry . . . I hope you're an organ donor. If you have questions about it and/or want to connect with your state's (or country's) donor registry, go to: http://www.donatelife.net/
Talk soon --
Brother Dan
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Thoughts about the recording process
I recently received the following note on my FaceBook page:
"Dear Dan:
I heard your concert was amazing and that you feel a lot better now. I’m really happy for you. And I also heard that you recorded a new album… Congratulations! How long did it take you? My band and I have been trying to record something for ages, but we just can’t seem to get things right when we start recording. Basically, I usually catch a cold and my voice sounds all weird. Maybe the universe is trying to tell me something."
************
I thought this note warranted a response, and have copied my response below. I'd love to hear what you think . . .
Dear ____:
Yes, the concert was great, and it really feels good to be playing again.
The new album turned out good. The arrangements are simple and straightforward acoustic arrangements, and I'm pretty happy how they turned out. Because I get tired easily, I did the project in a series of sessions. The studio is about 2 1/2 hours from where I live, so I would usually go up the day before the session and get a good night's rest, then spend 5 to 8 hours in the studio followed by a couple of more hours mixing and fixing little things the following day, before returning home. I got all of the instruments and vocals done in about four sessions like that, and then mixing and mastering took another session. It was complete in a couple of months.
As for recording with your own band, there are a lot of things we could talk about. To start, I would recommend simply recording yourselves on a regular basis, then listening to it the next day. It doesn't have to be in a studio or done with any sophisticated equipment. Just start recording your rehearsals and get used to hearing yourselves. You'll find things you like musically, things you don't like, plus you'll get used to knowing that you're being recorded.
When it comes times to go into a studio, there are different ways to do it. You can all play at the same time, or you can take turns playing your parts. Both ways have advantages, disadvantages, and challenges. For me, since the band revolves around my songwriting, I start with a click track, then play my guitar and sing simultaneously while recording "scratch" tracks. That simply means I'm going to re-record those parts. Then, I go back and play my guitar parts until I get them right. Next, I begin to bring in the players, usually the drummer and/or bass player, followed by percussion, then lead instruments (guitar, sax, etc.), and finally re-record my vocals ("final" vocals) followed by backup vocals. Each player is recorded one at a time.
There are reasons why I do things like that, and as you experiment you'll find your own way to do it.
The biggest challenge is overcoming perfectionism. You simply need to record yourself. It's hard to listen to yourself at first, because what you hear in your own head is different than what your audience hears. We think we sound as good as or better than what we hear on the radio, but much of what we hear on the radio is produced in top-notch studios by players and engineers with a lot of experience, plus they've spent a LOT of money.
Finally, it's really exciting when we get the chance to record, and a lot of times, I have a hard time sleeping and getting the rest I need before a session. For scratch vocals and guitar parts, I can get away with it, but when it's time for the final vocals, I need to be in the best possible condition and frame of mind.
On my most recent project, I was not in optimal condition because of the health challenges I've had over the past year, but I haven't told anyone that I feel that way. In fact, it's not that I'm not in optimal condition as much as my voice is different, after having my vocal cords bruised when I died and was subsequently revived. I've made no excuses, and still I'm proud of my work because it's the best I could do. Most of my fans say that my voice sounds better than ever. I simply know it's a bit different. The point is: it's not my job to be critical of my work. I have things to say that I believe people need (and want) to hear. It's my job to express those thoughts as clearly as I can. Some people will like it, some people won't. If I don't record those thoughts, they won't have the chance to consider what I have to say. Once they do hear what I have to say, they can accept it or reject it, and I try to make sure that they must do one or the other.
So, I encourage you to record as much as you can. Hear yourself as others hear you. Share your music with the world.
Talk soon . . .
Brother Dan
http://www.brotherdanpalmer.com/
http://www.donatelife.net/
"Dear Dan:
I heard your concert was amazing and that you feel a lot better now. I’m really happy for you. And I also heard that you recorded a new album… Congratulations! How long did it take you? My band and I have been trying to record something for ages, but we just can’t seem to get things right when we start recording. Basically, I usually catch a cold and my voice sounds all weird. Maybe the universe is trying to tell me something."
************
I thought this note warranted a response, and have copied my response below. I'd love to hear what you think . . .
Dear ____:
Yes, the concert was great, and it really feels good to be playing again.
The new album turned out good. The arrangements are simple and straightforward acoustic arrangements, and I'm pretty happy how they turned out. Because I get tired easily, I did the project in a series of sessions. The studio is about 2 1/2 hours from where I live, so I would usually go up the day before the session and get a good night's rest, then spend 5 to 8 hours in the studio followed by a couple of more hours mixing and fixing little things the following day, before returning home. I got all of the instruments and vocals done in about four sessions like that, and then mixing and mastering took another session. It was complete in a couple of months.
As for recording with your own band, there are a lot of things we could talk about. To start, I would recommend simply recording yourselves on a regular basis, then listening to it the next day. It doesn't have to be in a studio or done with any sophisticated equipment. Just start recording your rehearsals and get used to hearing yourselves. You'll find things you like musically, things you don't like, plus you'll get used to knowing that you're being recorded.
When it comes times to go into a studio, there are different ways to do it. You can all play at the same time, or you can take turns playing your parts. Both ways have advantages, disadvantages, and challenges. For me, since the band revolves around my songwriting, I start with a click track, then play my guitar and sing simultaneously while recording "scratch" tracks. That simply means I'm going to re-record those parts. Then, I go back and play my guitar parts until I get them right. Next, I begin to bring in the players, usually the drummer and/or bass player, followed by percussion, then lead instruments (guitar, sax, etc.), and finally re-record my vocals ("final" vocals) followed by backup vocals. Each player is recorded one at a time.
There are reasons why I do things like that, and as you experiment you'll find your own way to do it.
The biggest challenge is overcoming perfectionism. You simply need to record yourself. It's hard to listen to yourself at first, because what you hear in your own head is different than what your audience hears. We think we sound as good as or better than what we hear on the radio, but much of what we hear on the radio is produced in top-notch studios by players and engineers with a lot of experience, plus they've spent a LOT of money.
Finally, it's really exciting when we get the chance to record, and a lot of times, I have a hard time sleeping and getting the rest I need before a session. For scratch vocals and guitar parts, I can get away with it, but when it's time for the final vocals, I need to be in the best possible condition and frame of mind.
On my most recent project, I was not in optimal condition because of the health challenges I've had over the past year, but I haven't told anyone that I feel that way. In fact, it's not that I'm not in optimal condition as much as my voice is different, after having my vocal cords bruised when I died and was subsequently revived. I've made no excuses, and still I'm proud of my work because it's the best I could do. Most of my fans say that my voice sounds better than ever. I simply know it's a bit different. The point is: it's not my job to be critical of my work. I have things to say that I believe people need (and want) to hear. It's my job to express those thoughts as clearly as I can. Some people will like it, some people won't. If I don't record those thoughts, they won't have the chance to consider what I have to say. Once they do hear what I have to say, they can accept it or reject it, and I try to make sure that they must do one or the other.
So, I encourage you to record as much as you can. Hear yourself as others hear you. Share your music with the world.
Talk soon . . .
Brother Dan
http://www.brotherdanpalmer.com/
http://www.donatelife.net/
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Next stop: Black Rock City!
Well, I get to go to my favorite city in the world, leaving tomorrow morning. What city is that, you ask? Well, I'm glad you asked . . .
Black Rock City, NV, USA. I've gotten mixed reports, but it's either the 5th or 7th largest city in Nevada. However, you won't find it on a map (unless you look for it at Google World). The amazing part is that it only exists for one week every year. It has its own zip code and post office, its own public works department, and all of the accompanying infrastructure. It's patrolled by law enforcement officers, federal wardens, and private security. Fire fighting agencies and emergency facilities and personnel are on-site and available to all citizens 24/7.
But there are a lot of things that it doesn't have, plus many things that you won't find in any other city in the world. There are no advertisements. There are no banks. There is a very noticeable lack of commercial and money-making ventures.
You can walk into a restaurant (although they're not on every corner) during their open hours, have a meal, and there's no tab, no tip. You can walk into incredible night clubs, some with live bands, many with djs, all with great sound systems, and there's no cover charge and no tipping the door man. You can go to the local coffee shop and order a cappuccino, or latte, or your favorite tea, all at no charge. There are even bars (quite a few of them, actually), again, without a charge, although they're subject to the same laws that every bar is, including the fact that you must be 21 to consume alcohol (and please bring your own cup).
You are free to dress (or not) any way you'd like. You must know, though, that regardless of how you're dressed, you ARE part of the show, and part of the radical experiment in self-expression, freedom, and co-reliance that is Burning Man.
If you ever get the chance to go, please remember that you are required to register your camera, and must have permission from people to take their picture. If your camera's not properly tagged, or you start filming indiscriminately, someone WILL say something. Further, you can't sell pictures, with the exception of a few official, pre-registered, professional photographers.
All that's expected of participants is respect of yourself and of others, respect of the environment, and peaceful co-existence. Participants must bring everything necessary for survival, although the city does provide bathroom facilities. If you don't bring it, or didn't bring enough, you become dependent upon the citizens around you, and vice versa. That in itself is a cool part of it as you meet your neighbors, who may have traveled there from any given place in the world.
And, when you leave, you are to LEAVE NO TRACE of your having been there. This community takes the "pack it in, pack it out" mantra that started with hikers and backcountry enthusiasts to a whole new level.
After hosting somewhere around 40,000 people in the middle of a desert that's devoid of vegetation, last year there was less than a 3ft by 3ft area covered by the collected detritus left behind, after the final raking and painstaking inch-by-inch inspection of the approximately 25 square mile area.
On top of all that, add some of the most incredible art installations you can imagine, and you have a recipe for an amazing few days. Music, dance, painting, sculpture, even massage, yoga, recreation, healing, and virtually every other art form you can imagine is represented.
I will be sharing something with the community, as every participant does in one way or another. For me, I get to share the gift of music with an as-yet-undetermined number of my fellow citizens, among other things. I get to play a set in Center Camp, the hub of the city, on Friday morning. I've produced a very limited edition EP that will be free to whoever is there that wants one, while supplies last. I will get to love my fellow citizens for a little while, and that love will be multiplied exponentially and returned to me a hundred fold.
The two days and nights I spend in the city will be all that I get to enjoy my hometown this year. Fortunately, those two days will get me through the rest of the year, and the love I receive there will sustain me for a year, plus I'll have enough love left over to pass on to the world around me.
There's a live video stream from the playa this year. Check it out at: http://www.ustream.tv/burningman Look for me, I'll be the guy with the big smile on his face.
Thanks for dropping by. I'll check in next week.
I'm going home.
Love,
Brother Dan
http://www.brotherdanpalmer.com/
Black Rock City, NV, USA. I've gotten mixed reports, but it's either the 5th or 7th largest city in Nevada. However, you won't find it on a map (unless you look for it at Google World). The amazing part is that it only exists for one week every year. It has its own zip code and post office, its own public works department, and all of the accompanying infrastructure. It's patrolled by law enforcement officers, federal wardens, and private security. Fire fighting agencies and emergency facilities and personnel are on-site and available to all citizens 24/7.
But there are a lot of things that it doesn't have, plus many things that you won't find in any other city in the world. There are no advertisements. There are no banks. There is a very noticeable lack of commercial and money-making ventures.
You can walk into a restaurant (although they're not on every corner) during their open hours, have a meal, and there's no tab, no tip. You can walk into incredible night clubs, some with live bands, many with djs, all with great sound systems, and there's no cover charge and no tipping the door man. You can go to the local coffee shop and order a cappuccino, or latte, or your favorite tea, all at no charge. There are even bars (quite a few of them, actually), again, without a charge, although they're subject to the same laws that every bar is, including the fact that you must be 21 to consume alcohol (and please bring your own cup).
You are free to dress (or not) any way you'd like. You must know, though, that regardless of how you're dressed, you ARE part of the show, and part of the radical experiment in self-expression, freedom, and co-reliance that is Burning Man.
If you ever get the chance to go, please remember that you are required to register your camera, and must have permission from people to take their picture. If your camera's not properly tagged, or you start filming indiscriminately, someone WILL say something. Further, you can't sell pictures, with the exception of a few official, pre-registered, professional photographers.
All that's expected of participants is respect of yourself and of others, respect of the environment, and peaceful co-existence. Participants must bring everything necessary for survival, although the city does provide bathroom facilities. If you don't bring it, or didn't bring enough, you become dependent upon the citizens around you, and vice versa. That in itself is a cool part of it as you meet your neighbors, who may have traveled there from any given place in the world.
And, when you leave, you are to LEAVE NO TRACE of your having been there. This community takes the "pack it in, pack it out" mantra that started with hikers and backcountry enthusiasts to a whole new level.
After hosting somewhere around 40,000 people in the middle of a desert that's devoid of vegetation, last year there was less than a 3ft by 3ft area covered by the collected detritus left behind, after the final raking and painstaking inch-by-inch inspection of the approximately 25 square mile area.
On top of all that, add some of the most incredible art installations you can imagine, and you have a recipe for an amazing few days. Music, dance, painting, sculpture, even massage, yoga, recreation, healing, and virtually every other art form you can imagine is represented.
I will be sharing something with the community, as every participant does in one way or another. For me, I get to share the gift of music with an as-yet-undetermined number of my fellow citizens, among other things. I get to play a set in Center Camp, the hub of the city, on Friday morning. I've produced a very limited edition EP that will be free to whoever is there that wants one, while supplies last. I will get to love my fellow citizens for a little while, and that love will be multiplied exponentially and returned to me a hundred fold.
The two days and nights I spend in the city will be all that I get to enjoy my hometown this year. Fortunately, those two days will get me through the rest of the year, and the love I receive there will sustain me for a year, plus I'll have enough love left over to pass on to the world around me.
There's a live video stream from the playa this year. Check it out at: http://www.ustream.tv/burningman Look for me, I'll be the guy with the big smile on his face.
Thanks for dropping by. I'll check in next week.
I'm going home.
Love,
Brother Dan
http://www.brotherdanpalmer.com/
Monday, August 30, 2010
Did you say "Superstar"??!!
Have you seen this week's latest "superstar"? Or last week's? Or the week's before that?
Me either.
But, all you have to do is take a look at your local Craigslist entries under the musician category, and you're sure to be introduced to them. Introduced to them, by them. Sometimes even before they've written a song, let alone played an instrument or produced a CD. If they have spent the time, effort, and money to actually produce something worth listening to, before they've sold even 20 copies of it they proclaim themselves the latest and greatest thing since sliced bread.
Who do they think they're fooling? Sure, artists of all sorts need to have self-confidence and a belief in themselves, but this has all gone too far. When the only person that calls them a superstar is their manager, or themselves, they're obviously not one.
Personally, even when I see an artist break through and achieve success for the first time, they are still a long way from being a superstar. When I say break through and achieve success, I mean to reach gold record status (defined as selling 500,000 copies) at least. I'll say it again, even at that level they're still a long way from being a superstar. Show me an artist that has three or four platinum (defined as selling 1,000,000 copies) records over a period of years, and now I'll start to consider them worthy of the "superstar" label.
The "superstar" phenomena started with the advent of digital recording equipment. It's amazing technology, and as prices of both equipment and high performance recording software have steadily dropped, it's now affordable for almost anyone to produce a CD. With the widespread availability of that technology, it seems that because they CAN, everyone DOES produce a CD. Because they've produced a CD, they consider themselves the afore-mentioned "best thing since sliced bread."
So, the world is now awash with "artists" and their attendant "art."
Most of these people have no musical knowledge, experience, training, skill, or ability. I understand that we all have our own ideas of what's good and what's bad, what's art, what's freedom of expression, etc, but some of us are taking ourselves way too seriously. Browse any on-line source of independent music, and you'll find plenty of examples of poor musicianship, poor production, and a poor choice of investment dollars, mainly because it IS cheap to produce.
You see, the hardware and software are affordable, but they are no substitute for knowledge, well-honed skills (both musical and operational), and the skillful application of that knowledge and skill. Even a highly talented, skilled, gifted and well-practiced artist has a very slim chance of ever becoming a "superstar."
I hear so many young artists say that they love music and that they want to spend the rest of their lives performing, entertaining, and inspiring their audience. I hear them pledge their lives to that pursuit. And yet so many of them overlook the hard work that's required. They brag about their "ability" and "talent" and include in their boasts that they have three or four songs written, and just need the right band, or the right manager, or the right agent, or the right someone to give them the money to promote them, and they'll BE the next "superstar." They often can't even differentiate between a promoter, a manager, an agent, or an investor, let alone the role that those people play in an artist's career.
Personally, I have made my living playing music for over 30 years. I have studied music, the music business, promotions, and so much more. I have some CD's I've produced. I have songs I've written. I've rubbed elbows with, opened for, and played with many acts, some of them approaching "superstar" status. I have toured Europe and the US. I've led bands, conducted choirs and horn sections and string sections. I've produced and promoted shows, and more . . . (go to http://www.brotherdanpalmer.com/ for pics and other info about me) . . .
Am I a "superstar"? Not even close. I could make a lot of excuses for not meeting with great critical acclaim. But no excuses are necessary.
I've had good years and bad years. I've had good shows and bad shows. I've produced some good music, and some not so good. But, the good FAR outweighs the bad. Life is good, and music makes my world go 'round.
So, believe me when I say, I WILL be playing music for the rest of my life. I WILL continue to work, learn, and sharpen my skills. I WILL continue to perform, entertain, and inspire my audience.
Music is in my veins, my heart, my soul. How about you? Do you think you're ready to commit your life to your art? (Not to be confused with being committed, LOL!)
This is not something you do because you really want to. It's not for the faint of heart. Only do it if it is what you have to do. For a few of us, it's what we must do.
It that describes you, I wish you all of the best that life has to offer. For me, music IS the best that life has to offer, regardless of the ups and downs, and the joys and sorrows. This road is narrow and long. The further along the road you travel, the fewer travelers you meet. If you have the heart and the endurance it takes, I'll see you out there, because that's where I live.
Me either.
But, all you have to do is take a look at your local Craigslist entries under the musician category, and you're sure to be introduced to them. Introduced to them, by them. Sometimes even before they've written a song, let alone played an instrument or produced a CD. If they have spent the time, effort, and money to actually produce something worth listening to, before they've sold even 20 copies of it they proclaim themselves the latest and greatest thing since sliced bread.
Who do they think they're fooling? Sure, artists of all sorts need to have self-confidence and a belief in themselves, but this has all gone too far. When the only person that calls them a superstar is their manager, or themselves, they're obviously not one.
Personally, even when I see an artist break through and achieve success for the first time, they are still a long way from being a superstar. When I say break through and achieve success, I mean to reach gold record status (defined as selling 500,000 copies) at least. I'll say it again, even at that level they're still a long way from being a superstar. Show me an artist that has three or four platinum (defined as selling 1,000,000 copies) records over a period of years, and now I'll start to consider them worthy of the "superstar" label.
The "superstar" phenomena started with the advent of digital recording equipment. It's amazing technology, and as prices of both equipment and high performance recording software have steadily dropped, it's now affordable for almost anyone to produce a CD. With the widespread availability of that technology, it seems that because they CAN, everyone DOES produce a CD. Because they've produced a CD, they consider themselves the afore-mentioned "best thing since sliced bread."
So, the world is now awash with "artists" and their attendant "art."
Most of these people have no musical knowledge, experience, training, skill, or ability. I understand that we all have our own ideas of what's good and what's bad, what's art, what's freedom of expression, etc, but some of us are taking ourselves way too seriously. Browse any on-line source of independent music, and you'll find plenty of examples of poor musicianship, poor production, and a poor choice of investment dollars, mainly because it IS cheap to produce.
You see, the hardware and software are affordable, but they are no substitute for knowledge, well-honed skills (both musical and operational), and the skillful application of that knowledge and skill. Even a highly talented, skilled, gifted and well-practiced artist has a very slim chance of ever becoming a "superstar."
I hear so many young artists say that they love music and that they want to spend the rest of their lives performing, entertaining, and inspiring their audience. I hear them pledge their lives to that pursuit. And yet so many of them overlook the hard work that's required. They brag about their "ability" and "talent" and include in their boasts that they have three or four songs written, and just need the right band, or the right manager, or the right agent, or the right someone to give them the money to promote them, and they'll BE the next "superstar." They often can't even differentiate between a promoter, a manager, an agent, or an investor, let alone the role that those people play in an artist's career.
Personally, I have made my living playing music for over 30 years. I have studied music, the music business, promotions, and so much more. I have some CD's I've produced. I have songs I've written. I've rubbed elbows with, opened for, and played with many acts, some of them approaching "superstar" status. I have toured Europe and the US. I've led bands, conducted choirs and horn sections and string sections. I've produced and promoted shows, and more . . . (go to http://www.brotherdanpalmer.com/ for pics and other info about me) . . .
Am I a "superstar"? Not even close. I could make a lot of excuses for not meeting with great critical acclaim. But no excuses are necessary.
I've had good years and bad years. I've had good shows and bad shows. I've produced some good music, and some not so good. But, the good FAR outweighs the bad. Life is good, and music makes my world go 'round.
So, believe me when I say, I WILL be playing music for the rest of my life. I WILL continue to work, learn, and sharpen my skills. I WILL continue to perform, entertain, and inspire my audience.
Music is in my veins, my heart, my soul. How about you? Do you think you're ready to commit your life to your art? (Not to be confused with being committed, LOL!)
This is not something you do because you really want to. It's not for the faint of heart. Only do it if it is what you have to do. For a few of us, it's what we must do.
It that describes you, I wish you all of the best that life has to offer. For me, music IS the best that life has to offer, regardless of the ups and downs, and the joys and sorrows. This road is narrow and long. The further along the road you travel, the fewer travelers you meet. If you have the heart and the endurance it takes, I'll see you out there, because that's where I live.
Friday, August 27, 2010
In search of the muse . . .
How many times have you sat down to write, and nothing seems to come out? For me, that never happens. There's always something to be said, it's just finding the right way to say it. Perhaps it doesn't come out right, but it's not for lack of something to say.
It's about finding the right vehicle to carry my thoughts. Sometimes it's a lyric, sometimes a title, sometimes a situation (real or imagined) that I want to describe.
So, where then is the vehicle? For me, the vehicle inevitably emerges from my guitar. After identifying the subject, I then need to set the mood. It's rare that it all comes together in one session, but the elements generally take shape. I often experiment with an upbeat feel with a downbeat lyric, and vice versa.
If words aren't coming, I simply start fiddling on the guitar, experimenting with chords and rhythms. I may never get to the lyrics that day, but I try to hear what the guitar is trying to say.
After laying the elements out, I frequently have to just start pounding it out, over and over, getting to know this new friend. There's some element of freedom as I explore, letting the words and the music take me places I've never been. Sometimes, when I let them go where they may, they surprise me and we end up somewhere different than I had planned.
Eventually, I put the song away in a place inside my head. I've written the lyrics down, I've got the basic chord structure, I've got the basic rhythm and feel. Now, it's time to walk away for a little while, usually overnight at least.
When I wake up and pick up where I left off, I again let the lyrics and music carry me down the path they've woven in my psyche. Often, the music changes a bit. Sometimes, the first stanza becomes the second. Sometimes, the punchline at the end needs tweaking. That all seems to come clear in the light of day.
The subject of this post is "In search of the muse . . ." Basic english tells us that every sentence needs a verb, and in this proposition, "search" is that verb. A verb is an action word. I find that when I want to write, it's all about the action of very purposely sitting down with my pencil and paper, my guitar and pick and simply starting. Yes, there's something to be said for a regularly scheduled time and place for writing, and the discipline involved in honing my craft is important.
But at the bottom of it all, especially in this world where our schedules dictate to us rather than the other way around, it's all about finding a quiet environment and setting the wheels in motion.
Go now. Search.
It's about finding the right vehicle to carry my thoughts. Sometimes it's a lyric, sometimes a title, sometimes a situation (real or imagined) that I want to describe.
So, where then is the vehicle? For me, the vehicle inevitably emerges from my guitar. After identifying the subject, I then need to set the mood. It's rare that it all comes together in one session, but the elements generally take shape. I often experiment with an upbeat feel with a downbeat lyric, and vice versa.
If words aren't coming, I simply start fiddling on the guitar, experimenting with chords and rhythms. I may never get to the lyrics that day, but I try to hear what the guitar is trying to say.
After laying the elements out, I frequently have to just start pounding it out, over and over, getting to know this new friend. There's some element of freedom as I explore, letting the words and the music take me places I've never been. Sometimes, when I let them go where they may, they surprise me and we end up somewhere different than I had planned.
Eventually, I put the song away in a place inside my head. I've written the lyrics down, I've got the basic chord structure, I've got the basic rhythm and feel. Now, it's time to walk away for a little while, usually overnight at least.
When I wake up and pick up where I left off, I again let the lyrics and music carry me down the path they've woven in my psyche. Often, the music changes a bit. Sometimes, the first stanza becomes the second. Sometimes, the punchline at the end needs tweaking. That all seems to come clear in the light of day.
The subject of this post is "In search of the muse . . ." Basic english tells us that every sentence needs a verb, and in this proposition, "search" is that verb. A verb is an action word. I find that when I want to write, it's all about the action of very purposely sitting down with my pencil and paper, my guitar and pick and simply starting. Yes, there's something to be said for a regularly scheduled time and place for writing, and the discipline involved in honing my craft is important.
But at the bottom of it all, especially in this world where our schedules dictate to us rather than the other way around, it's all about finding a quiet environment and setting the wheels in motion.
Go now. Search.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
What About Love?
The question I've started asking myself, which I now ask you is: What About Love?
There's a song on my new CD ("Fishnet Stockings") with that title, a song about a male/female relationship, but the question has become much larger than that for me. The question leads us to the answer for most everything wrong with the world as we know it.
Our country is still at war. Where's the love in that?
Our political system is in a state of upheaval: democrats and republicans alike rant and rave at and about each other. Proposals that republicans made in the past are now being radically attacked by them, now that they have been proposed by democrats, and vice versa. Where's the love in that?
A year ago, I was discharged from the hospital and told "there's nothing we can do for you, you have four to six months to live, so go figure out how you want to spend it." In reality, I was sent home to die because I didn't have insurance. Where's the love in that?
I recently received an e-mail from someone I considered to be a friend and whom I'd looked up to as a mentor. The writer has called himself a christian for many years, and the e-mail was an attempt to make me feel guilty about a quote that my publicist had put into a press release. Coming from someone who claims to be a follower of Jesus, it was hard to accept, because it wasn't written in a loving manner, and the comment in question was a trivial matter. Jesus is the one who said "faith, hope and love remain, but the greatest of these is love." After reading the e-mail, I immediately wondered, where's the love in this message?
So, to return to the question: What about love?
As someone that has the opportunity to interact with lots of different people on a regular basis, I for one am dedicating myself to showing people love, hopefully in all that I say and do. Life is way too short to do anything else. The old saying that "you have to give love away before you get it back" is still true.
Call me naive, but that's what I believe.
How radical would it be if you and I joined together, recruiting friends along the way, and began first to ask ourselves, and eventually the world, WHAT ABOUT LOVE?!
There's a song on my new CD ("Fishnet Stockings") with that title, a song about a male/female relationship, but the question has become much larger than that for me. The question leads us to the answer for most everything wrong with the world as we know it.
Our country is still at war. Where's the love in that?
Our political system is in a state of upheaval: democrats and republicans alike rant and rave at and about each other. Proposals that republicans made in the past are now being radically attacked by them, now that they have been proposed by democrats, and vice versa. Where's the love in that?
A year ago, I was discharged from the hospital and told "there's nothing we can do for you, you have four to six months to live, so go figure out how you want to spend it." In reality, I was sent home to die because I didn't have insurance. Where's the love in that?
I recently received an e-mail from someone I considered to be a friend and whom I'd looked up to as a mentor. The writer has called himself a christian for many years, and the e-mail was an attempt to make me feel guilty about a quote that my publicist had put into a press release. Coming from someone who claims to be a follower of Jesus, it was hard to accept, because it wasn't written in a loving manner, and the comment in question was a trivial matter. Jesus is the one who said "faith, hope and love remain, but the greatest of these is love." After reading the e-mail, I immediately wondered, where's the love in this message?
So, to return to the question: What about love?
As someone that has the opportunity to interact with lots of different people on a regular basis, I for one am dedicating myself to showing people love, hopefully in all that I say and do. Life is way too short to do anything else. The old saying that "you have to give love away before you get it back" is still true.
Call me naive, but that's what I believe.
How radical would it be if you and I joined together, recruiting friends along the way, and began first to ask ourselves, and eventually the world, WHAT ABOUT LOVE?!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Getting Acquainted #2
Here's some more "get acquainted" material, copied and pasted from my press kit:
******************************
Lifelong musician Brother Dan Palmer started studying classical guitar at the age of six, and began performing at the age of eight. He has a repertoire of over 1,000 cover songs from virtually all genres, and has played in virtually every venue imaginable, from passing the hat on the streets of San Francisco to dinner houses, bars, nightclubs, casinos, and has a lot of concert experience, having opened for and/or played with: Men at Work, Three Dog Night, Foghat, The Tubes, The Grass Roots, Canned Heat, Humble Pie, Black Oak Arkansas, John Nemeth, War, David Lindley, Donovan, Bob Weir, and more.
Brother Dan's main focus now is his original music, and he draws from his extensive experience to craft well-written songs that have universal appeal. His obvious love of various styles of music translates into hybrid combinations which are interesting and unique, and yet comfortingly familiar, which serve as an excellent vehicle for his at times intense and highly personal lyrics. Brother Dan's first full-length all-original cd was released in the late summer of 2007, the release of a follow-up EP was in May, 2009, and his next full-length CD was released in August of 2010.
Brother Dan plays constantly and tours frequently. Recent tour stops have included Germany, England, Scotland, Florida, California, Arizona, Utah, and more. Tours planned for 2009 were to include all of the previous, plus stops in Colorado, Oregon, New York, Belgium, and Slovenia.
******************************
Lifelong musician Brother Dan Palmer started studying classical guitar at the age of six, and began performing at the age of eight. He has a repertoire of over 1,000 cover songs from virtually all genres, and has played in virtually every venue imaginable, from passing the hat on the streets of San Francisco to dinner houses, bars, nightclubs, casinos, and has a lot of concert experience, having opened for and/or played with: Men at Work, Three Dog Night, Foghat, The Tubes, The Grass Roots, Canned Heat, Humble Pie, Black Oak Arkansas, John Nemeth, War, David Lindley, Donovan, Bob Weir, and more.
Brother Dan's main focus now is his original music, and he draws from his extensive experience to craft well-written songs that have universal appeal. His obvious love of various styles of music translates into hybrid combinations which are interesting and unique, and yet comfortingly familiar, which serve as an excellent vehicle for his at times intense and highly personal lyrics. Brother Dan's first full-length all-original cd was released in the late summer of 2007, the release of a follow-up EP was in May, 2009, and his next full-length CD was released in August of 2010.
Brother Dan plays constantly and tours frequently. Recent tour stops have included Germany, England, Scotland, Florida, California, Arizona, Utah, and more. Tours planned for 2009 were to include all of the previous, plus stops in Colorado, Oregon, New York, Belgium, and Slovenia.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Getting Acquainted #1
Greetings!
Welcome to my new blog. This is the first entry, and it's basically the background story from my healthcare blog. That blog can be found at: www.caringbridge.org/visit/danielpalmer I'll be copying a couple of things from my website in my next couple of entries, just so you can get to know me a bit. After this, that blog will remain seperate unto itself, mainly because the doctors have recently told me to "go and live life," and this blog is a new direction for me. I welcome comments, obviously, as well as questions, as I do my best to shed light upon this crazy world as I know it . . .
***********
I'm Brother Dan, a singer/songwriter, from Northern Nevada. I've been traveling and performing throughout the US from a young age, and began performing internationally about three years ago.
I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C in 2004, but was unable to find the right doctor, and was told not to worry about my condition by at least three different doctors. Through my own research I began a long-term diet regimen of organic foods, herbal remedies, and liver cleansing, while I continued to monitor my liver enzymes through periodic blood tests. Things improved markedly and it seemed as though all was well.
In May of 2009 all of that changed. I suddenly began to swell with fluid, and developed conditions known as pitting edema and ascites. I began visiting a homeopathic doctor, spent a lot of money there, and didn't get any better. I eventually entered the hospital via the emergency room. The doctors there informed me I had cirrhosis and gave me 6 to 9 months to live, then discharged me. I began being "tapped" on a regular basis, which meant they poked a needle into my abdomen and drained fluid out of me, as I ballooned from my normal 185 pounds up to 245 lbs. I had as much as 15 liters of fluid drained at a time.
During my third hospital admission, I began bleeding internally, and had to be resuscitated three different times. When I was eventually discharged, there was one doctor that held a glimmer of hope for me, and told me to contact UCSF in San Francisco. UCSF doesn't accept Nevada Medicaid (which I had finally qualified for after a four month wait), and referred me to California Pacific Medical Center, who does accept it. I was also informed of my true diagnosis, which is end-stage liver disease.
In early September I went to CPMC for a two day liver transplant evaluation, but they admitted me to their facility and I wasn't discharged for three weeks. Test after test, including a liver biopsy and finally a TIPS procedure (trans-jugular inter-hepatic portal shunt) wherein they poked a hole in my liver and inserted a mesh tube to help the blood flow, reduce the ascites (abdominal fluids), and relieve the back pressure in my blood vessels that caused the internal bleeding (esophogeal varices). The downside is that I now occasionally experience encephalopathy, which is a build-up of ammonia in the brain. It causes confusion, or "foggy brain," and in my case has put me in a coma three times between October and December of 2009. While in and of itself "E" is not life threatening, it's no fun AT ALL, for me or my caregiver, Melisa.
At this point, I'm paying close attention to my diet, tracking my intake of protein, carbs, salt, and fluid. The "E" has put me back in the hospital a couple of times (I was in a coma for three and a half days once), but the doctors, Melisa and I are working hard to find the balance that I need to remain stable. In the meantime, I'm not able to drive or work, and a liver transplant is my best hope for a return to a "normal" life. I need to be within six hours of the transplant center at any given time in case I get the call that they have a new liver for me, so my travel has been severely cut back as well.
Now living in Sacramento, I'm a couple of hours away from most of my family (athough my sister lives in Sac) and my friends. I depend upon Melisa as my caregiver 24/7, which means she hasn't worked for months and as we're on our own, we're slowly sinking financially. (Social Security Disability isn't all it's cracked up to be!) I'm depending on the goodness of people to help me stay afloat financially (donations can be made to the "Brother Dan Medical Fund" at any Bank of America branch), and I depend upon the internet to keep me in touch with the world.
You can find more info about me, purchase cd's, etc, at www.nothingbetterthanthis.com www.brotherdanpalmer.com as well as at www.myspace.com/brotherdan2 and FaceBook and view videos at www.youtube.com/brotherdanpalmer
Thanks for stopping by. Thanks for your love and support, and I hope that the New Year is better for all of us.
Brother Dan
Welcome to my new blog. This is the first entry, and it's basically the background story from my healthcare blog. That blog can be found at: www.caringbridge.org/visit/danielpalmer I'll be copying a couple of things from my website in my next couple of entries, just so you can get to know me a bit. After this, that blog will remain seperate unto itself, mainly because the doctors have recently told me to "go and live life," and this blog is a new direction for me. I welcome comments, obviously, as well as questions, as I do my best to shed light upon this crazy world as I know it . . .
***********
I'm Brother Dan, a singer/songwriter, from Northern Nevada. I've been traveling and performing throughout the US from a young age, and began performing internationally about three years ago.
I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C in 2004, but was unable to find the right doctor, and was told not to worry about my condition by at least three different doctors. Through my own research I began a long-term diet regimen of organic foods, herbal remedies, and liver cleansing, while I continued to monitor my liver enzymes through periodic blood tests. Things improved markedly and it seemed as though all was well.
In May of 2009 all of that changed. I suddenly began to swell with fluid, and developed conditions known as pitting edema and ascites. I began visiting a homeopathic doctor, spent a lot of money there, and didn't get any better. I eventually entered the hospital via the emergency room. The doctors there informed me I had cirrhosis and gave me 6 to 9 months to live, then discharged me. I began being "tapped" on a regular basis, which meant they poked a needle into my abdomen and drained fluid out of me, as I ballooned from my normal 185 pounds up to 245 lbs. I had as much as 15 liters of fluid drained at a time.
During my third hospital admission, I began bleeding internally, and had to be resuscitated three different times. When I was eventually discharged, there was one doctor that held a glimmer of hope for me, and told me to contact UCSF in San Francisco. UCSF doesn't accept Nevada Medicaid (which I had finally qualified for after a four month wait), and referred me to California Pacific Medical Center, who does accept it. I was also informed of my true diagnosis, which is end-stage liver disease.
In early September I went to CPMC for a two day liver transplant evaluation, but they admitted me to their facility and I wasn't discharged for three weeks. Test after test, including a liver biopsy and finally a TIPS procedure (trans-jugular inter-hepatic portal shunt) wherein they poked a hole in my liver and inserted a mesh tube to help the blood flow, reduce the ascites (abdominal fluids), and relieve the back pressure in my blood vessels that caused the internal bleeding (esophogeal varices). The downside is that I now occasionally experience encephalopathy, which is a build-up of ammonia in the brain. It causes confusion, or "foggy brain," and in my case has put me in a coma three times between October and December of 2009. While in and of itself "E" is not life threatening, it's no fun AT ALL, for me or my caregiver, Melisa.
At this point, I'm paying close attention to my diet, tracking my intake of protein, carbs, salt, and fluid. The "E" has put me back in the hospital a couple of times (I was in a coma for three and a half days once), but the doctors, Melisa and I are working hard to find the balance that I need to remain stable. In the meantime, I'm not able to drive or work, and a liver transplant is my best hope for a return to a "normal" life. I need to be within six hours of the transplant center at any given time in case I get the call that they have a new liver for me, so my travel has been severely cut back as well.
Now living in Sacramento, I'm a couple of hours away from most of my family (athough my sister lives in Sac) and my friends. I depend upon Melisa as my caregiver 24/7, which means she hasn't worked for months and as we're on our own, we're slowly sinking financially. (Social Security Disability isn't all it's cracked up to be!) I'm depending on the goodness of people to help me stay afloat financially (donations can be made to the "Brother Dan Medical Fund" at any Bank of America branch), and I depend upon the internet to keep me in touch with the world.
You can find more info about me, purchase cd's, etc, at www.nothingbetterthanthis.com www.brotherdanpalmer.com as well as at www.myspace.com/brotherdan2 and FaceBook and view videos at www.youtube.com/brotherdanpalmer
Thanks for stopping by. Thanks for your love and support, and I hope that the New Year is better for all of us.
Brother Dan
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