i am Excited to announce that an exclusive FREE download of "Be My Answer" has been made available by Microsoft! http://www.myspace.com/windows?homepage=macek

hey, hey…

i just wanted to update everyone on the whereabouts of my online store. i was pushing www.macek.myshopify.com for a bit as i was personally signing cd's anyone purchased at that store. 

Well, that store is now closed, but i am still on many other wonderful sites, such as iTunes, Rhapsody, Amazone, CD Baby, Napster and the list goes on and on. 

i wanted to let everyone know, because a lot of my promotional material still has this website on it. So, as much as it is easy to just throw them away, i'd rather be a little more resourceful and get more use out of them, because the rest of the material is still correct. My name hasn't changed. (however, my mind just thought of so many other aliases for no apparent reason whatsoever! haha)

alrighty, that was my lil' update for all of you. i truly hope you are all well and read for SUMMER as it's creeping up on us. 

::macek::

Okay, so i've almost forgot about my ticket as my court date has been scheduled for April 8th, and it's the 3rd today! Ironic how i never received anything in the mail, yet i'm sure there'd be a warrant out for my arrest in a heart beat. (haha) it wouldn't surprise me if a swat team would lined up at my door with guns drawn screaming at me, telling me i have a late fee on a traffic violation, but who cares about gangs and murder…that's dangerous and i (speaking as a police man) could get hurt. Besides, that doesn't pay for our buffet lunches at our annual meetings.

Well, i punched in my ticket to get the information i needed to pay this piece, and i see that a traffic "violations of signs" costs $20(freakin)3. plus, if i want traffic school, a whoppin' $255! HOW MANY DONUTS DO THESE GUYS NEED?!? (lol)

Well, i have to say, it was me who made the incorrect left turn at a spot that did have a no left turn/no u-turn sign, so "by law" i was wrong. And, i also, unfortunately, don't have many friends in the po po-like position, so i can't get this ticket erased.

But to my defense, i did not see the sign, which obviously wouldn't fly in court, but for those who have humor and agree that there is such a thing as human error and brain farts, i actually got a new toy called a GPS… and well, i learned that a GPS doesn't recognize all traffic signs! (haha) So… a two way street on to another two way street would be legal left hand turn, practically everywhere EXCEPT at this lovely intersection where my GPS did not recognize the sign, and they obviously feel the need two squad cars to patrol the intersection and make sure they cash in. Ahhh, the law.

"i fought the law, and the law won" is a great song, but i am going to cower, pay the fine, go to traffic school, most likely twitter about it at some point, and life goes on. But enough on this subject, i don't want the po po reading this and have snipers hidden at my next show bc they read my blog. i love your boots fellas…

feel free to vent on similar stories, or tell me that way off my kilter and that law enforcement is the greatest thing since the invention of the wheel…

So we all have been in a similar dilemma where we want to do something and try to justify it in our minds, especially if it's something we're passionate about. Simple things like convincing ourselves to go the gym, or staying away from that delicate dessert after dinner, or forcing yourself to do something or giving something up that we feel will benefit us in the long run.

and for me, this instance came when i decided to make a sporadic trip to San Diego to see my favorite female vocalist, Lisa Hannigan. Now, I truly believe in myself (hence the earlier reference about "things we're passionate about" and how we tend to aimlessly go out of our way for things we believe in.)

Needless to say, the manipulation continues. Now, mind you, it's mid week, i have to get up early the next day, is it worth it, i'd rather sit at home and relax, i don't feel like sitting in traffic, i'm looking at about 150 miles of traveling and all of this by myself, and it won't help my matter in approaching her crew with no management or friends to back me up. (i guess this makes the mood more groupie(ish)?!? haha) and we all know how parasitic these excuses can become.

and just then, like HE-MAN, i decided to mount up and just do it. i guess you can classify this as one of those life time opportunities. Networking is a must in my industry and supporting fellow artists' is another, so off i go. So, here i am, on my little adventure when i finally come near my destination, i start looking for parking.
*side note: i remember as a child, my family would always finagle to get better deals. "children under 12 eat free" … well, i was 14 and still eating free at buffets! (haha)

now like that example, i passed my destination and the $10 parking garage bc i wanted to find "that deal" or free parking spot, in this instance. So i circle around the block in downtown San Diego, getting flustered by the one-way streets and now heading away from where i want to be, so i just decide to head back. now, i'm heading back toward HOB and coming to the intersection of 5th ave and broadway. Still trying to find a parking spot, i just decide to go back to the parking garage and pay the $10, so i decide to turn left on broadway toward the parking complex across from the HOB.

Well, this fella with a flashlight is signaling and telling me to park? and at first, i was like, damn, this valet guy is aggressive and no, i don't want to park here. Well, after the dude got out in the middle of the street, i realized it was a cop! So, here i go getting waved down by the cop finding out there's no left turn on that particular intersection. (now, it's a 2-way street going into a 2-way street) ugh…So, to make matters worse, i just don't relate, or rather can't comprehend the lifeless breed of law enforcement. And for example, when the first words out of his mouth are: "Is this your car?"
Ummm… ARE THE F#%@*& SERIOUS. do you want my broken down ford focus?!? or perhaps you think this focus would be my FIRST F#%#&* choice for a stolen car??? (excuse my frustration, lol) (that was only going on in my head people)

So, he starts writing a ticket without even telling me why he pulled me over, and then once he comes back to the car, he chuckles and says "haha, oh yeah, i probably should tell you why i'm giving you a ticket!"
Ummm… really… tell me how that's funny, bc we're on a slightly different comedy team here.
And throughout his cool-guy attitude and life lessons of traffic violations, i can't help to visualize terrible scenarios in my head like something you'd see out of the video game, GTA (Grand Theft Auto) for those who don't know GTA, just visualize mischief using bazookas, car jacking and shooting stuff. (nothing like video games to subside your angers! haha)

anyway, all of this happens right BEFORE the show and so i can't help to call officer donut, a freakin' mood killer. what a freakin' MOOD KILLER! Now, the show was wonderful, Lisa and her crew were wonderful, BUT my mood was killed and even speaking to her afterwards, i couldn't help my mood as my mentality felt deteriorated.

Now, most people seem to able to just let these things pass, bc in all honesty, life goes on! Plus i, honestly missed the no left turn sign and guess who's fault that is…yep, that'd be this guy! (me) so, lesson learned? probably not, bc that's the funny part of human nature. We tend to have "accidents" and that's why they're called accidents. and unfortunately, officer hip hop probably won't let you go because of your accident or because of an honest mistake. (maybe if you have boob implants, but even then, it's only a maybe)

Ugh, that's my venting session and i feel bad bc you know how you all get after something like this??? you're just not yourself, but when you have a specific opportunity to express yourself and optimistically shine and then you just feel disappointed bc of the infamous "mood killer" … "well, there's always next time" doesn't always cut it! Usually, alcohol is the cause and solution to a lot of these problems! (haha, totally kidding) but whoever reads this, i'm sure you have a similar story. feel free to vent!

…who knows, maybe there will be an angry mood killer song in the future?!? has there ever been an angry singer/songwriter song written. that just sounds like an oxymoron. (haha)

So, with the new year here already, i, personally, love this time of year. Not for the mere fact of starting over, or turning a new leaf, but call it psychological, but somehow changing one number from 2008 to 2009 get me motivated more than Thursday changing over to Friday!!! Now, this year i've decided to set a list and motivate myself by putting this list somewhere visible like a myspace blog. (haha)

1) Patience – i am the king of road rage and have no patience when it comes to this California traffic. Not only does it make me want to hibernate more, i also feel the need (on occasion) tell people that they're going too slow and use words that mom n' pops didn't exactly teach me! Needless to say, people do act like the pacific ocean is new and that the bc they're on the road, the left lane is no longer the passing lane. (haha) So, with all that said…does is REALLy matter? Another aspect is dealing with brilliant customer service reps that are slightly more annoying than the average robot voice. Technology is actually giving some life to these automated messages, but that thing called "patience" is going to be a goal of mine. Why stress over something that can be resolved easily. Even if it's a quick hang up and call again, bc the chances are you'll get another rep…haha!

2) i'm bringing sexy back! (or just need to be more marketable, haha)
i know, you're all like "you're slender figure is great" as i'm sure it matches my receding hairline, lol. However, as clique as this resolution is, i have been sick a lot over the past couple of year with all the travel, stress and "fun" that goes on in the music industry that i am taking initiative to eat healthier, hit the gym and well bring sexy back! i'm trying out this new workout i found where i eat more, but less portions, so in turn my body should stay more stable. Check it: Click here to view my intended workout.
Click here to check out my new foods. Unfortunately, Lays potato chips and boxed pizza is not on this list :(

Anyway, any advice from all you nutrition and health nuts is ALWAYS welcome!

3) Write more songs!
This is an obvious one to me as last year i spend a lot of the year in the studio, which i truly hope that you enjoyed and are enjoying the new product. And i'm already motivated and excited to be releasing new material and writing my lil' tuckus off this year to bring you more music.

*then, there's always the resolution to enough ruckus to get noticed and become signed by a trustworthy label.

~i hope the new year is off to a great start for everyone~

ps
feel free to drop a line and tell me what your resolution(s) are. Or just tell me that my belly is sexy and eat sugar packets topped with ranch dressing for fun! (mmm, ranch!)

…peace homies

::macek::

National Press

Click to read an article about Macek in the Millersville Review

Click to read an interview with Macek in the December issue of Venues Today.

Click to read an article about Macek's OC Record Release in the Ladera Times.

Click to read a review on macek's performance at Brick by Brick. Click to read it from another site.

Click to read as MMT talent agency raves about Macek

Click to read as macek is the featured "Artist of the Month" on Bluzkat"

Click to read an Album Review at Scatter Band

Click to read about Macek as a recent featured Success Story, by AMTC.

Click to read an Album Review at Wildy's World

Click to read an Album Review on the new album, "Just Right."

Click to read an article in The Bethlehem Press.

Click to view macek featured as 2008 "Man of the Month" and a question/answer hometown interview by Tango Diva.

Click to read an article in a Slovak Magazine: Zenska Jednota.

Click to read an article about Macek's LAMA honor by the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal.

Click to view an article by AMTC featuring Success Stories: Erick Macek.

Click to view a quick flattering blurb.

Click to view an article from SXSW. (4)

Click to view another article from SXSW. (12)

Click to view a 20 question interview by
Entertainment World about things you may have not known about macek. 5 out of 5 baby!

Click to view an album review on Living Dream.

Click to view a blurb from Riviera Magazine.

Click to view a blurb from Luthier John Boncik. Check out his guitars and basses, good stuff!

Click to view an article by the Morning Call about my ABC experience.

Click to view macek featured as "Man of the Month" and a question/answer interview by Tango Diva.

Click to view a question/answer interview by the LA Times.

Click to view a quick article from Music Connection Magazine.

Click to view an article from the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal.

Click to view an article by Fly Magazine.

International Press

Click to view an article that was written about me in Slovakia by Folk Country.

Click to view another blurb from Slovakia.

i caught up with 6 ABC in Philadelphia before finishing up my ::East Coast Tour:: as they were kind enough to feature me on their show "Tuned In" … wanted to share the link and a live intimate performance with you all.

Click here to view the ABC video.

Also, NBC came to mamma's house the next day to do a story on us and help promote the tour.

Click here to view the NBC video.

Also, feel free to check out some new videos on my youtube page.

~hope you enjoy~

Just wanted to throw a little shout out to everyone as my oldest brother has just been deployed to Iraq for 1 year. he leaves his wife and two little boys behind, which, i'm not married or have children, but can only fathom how difficult that must be. As it's a tough time for our family and many others, i just want to recognize all the sacrifices people make on a daily basis to keep this world spinnin' round.

not sure if this blog makes you sad, happy, honored, annoyed or whatever, but i do hope it hits some emotion. i wish the very best for my brother, family and all the families and the troops that are serving our country.

My brother is my numero uno on my friend list. So, feel free to say hello, drop a comment, keep him in your prayers, and well, anything to keep his spirits up. His wife, who's beyond awesome, made a 365 day paper link that the kids take down each day "daddy is gone" and then write everything they did that day. They send it out to him to read. i don't mean to rant or spark conversation on the war or anything political, but i'm just grateful for family, extended family and life in general. Sometimes it's just nice to take a break and thank someone.

So, i'm at the grocery store wandering aimlessly in the "drink" aisle and stop to take a look at all my choices. And, my how we've advanced tremendously from the good 'ol days of "grape, strawberry, watermelon, cherry and lime."

Always looking to make something new and innovative, we started mashing flavors together, like "kiwi/strawberry, cherry/cranberry, fruit punch, lemon/lime and a whole slew of others!"

But, when have we gone too far?!? Well, i think this last time at the grocery store was my overload point. i mean, i'm staying open minded and letting the "design and visual flavors" hit me, when all of a sudden things don't make sense anymore! What the hell flavor is "fushion, X-factor, Quiet Storm, Rain, Venom?!? and Diet Air. People, i'm NOT making these up. What the hell does Sun, Turbulence and Meteor taste like?!? (hmm, i'm thinking Old Milwakee with a stick of licorice! most likely NOT, but hey, maybe somebody else knows what Meteor tastes like?

Call me old (well, don't call me old) but, give me a hint … i mean, Seriously, you can be creative, but don't just make up your own damn flavors and expect us to know what the hell you're talking about!!!

If this doesn't stop, i'm sure "kung-fusion high kick" and "Thunder down under" are just around the corner!!! keep it in the ballpark people … like, © Kiss my grape-ape, or © water-my-melon, © popped-cherry, i mean, at least you see my point. (although, those flavors may not be suitable for children, lol)

Anyway, Juice needs to get with the program. Beer can get you drunk, so that's its excuse … and milk sticks to % … unless you add strawberry quick or Cookie Crisp to it! (mmm … s-t-r-a-w-b-e-r-r-y quick)

Well, after all that, i never read any of those flavors and just picked a nice color. So, i got the purple and sort of green(ish) drink. (haha) there you have it, my 4-1-1 on "What flavor is it?!?"