It certainly HAS been a while hasn't it?... It's not so much that I've been lazy as it is the fact that there really isn't that much to say ... There's pros and cons to everything and routine is no exception ...
I'm glad the Summer has taken it's leave... although, I don't think any New Englander coud say it was a tough Summer. Less than two weeks of "real" heat ... no water shortages ...I couldn't believe it was mid-August and everyone's lawns were still green .. It was an easy time. But two weeks of heat is enough for this boy ... I'm getting spoiled on these mid 70's , bright sun, blue-sky days... I open up my office windows and just let the breeze blow through...My German Shepherd lounges in my easy chair and all is right with the world ... Life could be worse ... But then again, there's that "variable" .... BORING!!
Yeh, small town life is friggen boring ... But again, at the risk of being repetitious ... Life could be worse.
The music circuit is going round and round ... and round ... and round ... and round ... It's like a giant treadmill... moving, but not going anywhere... I'm enjoying the circuit like I always have ... But the "kick-it-up-a-notch" factor still eludes me ... Over the Summer I had the opportunity to play several new venues and also have a couple new venues coming up... but they're all comparable in my opinion ... none of them are the elusive "step up" ... When I was younger, I always felt like there was alot more time to wait things out ... but as I get older, I realize I'm much more patient in some respects and in others ... VERY impatient.
My daughter left for college last week and my wife started a new job and works nights so I'm spending alot of time recently by myself. It gives me alot of time to think and write ... There's something about the wee hours of the morning that makes writing productive ... I smell a third CD on the horizon, but that's one of things I'm patient about ... It's the circuit that frustrates the hell out of me...
Other than that...it's the same-old same-old ... Animal Services has been running smoothly for the most part and the Summer was a relatively easy season with the cooler temperatures... people seemed more tolerant than usual ... and the animals weren't aggitated
Hunting season opens next month..I always enjoy that ... getting ready to chase the problem coyotes around, filling the freezer with venision and other game, and bagging the Chirstmas goose ... All long traditions with this boy ... and they'll stay that way for as long as I live and breathe.
I've reconnected with some friends from many years ago...That was VERY cool ... It's like visiting with ghosts ... For everything that changes...things stay the same.
Well, That's the goings on for now ... No great shakes..but sometimes..no news is good news...
I appreciate the time you've taken to read my ramblings ... Hopefully, next time I'll have something substantial to report... But then again, maybe "small-town" life will prevail... Take care and be well and don't let the excitement overwhelm you.

Music Heals,

Daniel

"In my little town ... I never knew nothing I was just my father's son ... "

- Paul Simon

So on and on it goes...The music wheel goes round and round...and we all "Play it again Sam"... It's not that I mind playing the same circles one more time ... I really love some of the places I'm in ... But I won't lie to you either, I'd like to ascend the ladder a lil' bit ... The BORDERS gigs have really subsided since the corporate restructuring ... people have simply disappeared ... But that's the nature of the beast I guess ... It happens in every other business, What makes the music biz any different?? I... But its always sad to see something you build descend into the abyss, especially after investing your heart and soul into forming it...maintaining it...and seeing it through...But then again, I've always said and truly believe in my heart of hearts..."Everything's temporary."... That's right...EVERYTHING...The newest venue on my list is THE GRAFTON INN ,,, I Love this place, I mean I REALLY love this place .... It's like playing in your living room ... and the fact it's not far away is all the better...If you're ever in South Central Massachusetts, You'd be glad to took the time to check it out. They're also on my top friends list...I hope to see you sometime... The ROSE ROOM REVUE is improving as time goes on...What amazes me is the popularity of the open mic with the younger folks...There are some really talented youngsters, but then again, there are some that need to slow down a little, take the time to polish up their craft somewhat...It's hard with the younger folks...they're so eager, but it's so so important to not go for the stage too soon ... You only get one chance to make a first impression ... Life offers no rewind button and this business is ruthless and EXTREMELY unforgiving... So I say again, slow down, practice, practice, and practice some more..and when you're so sick of practicing you can't stand to do it again...PRACTICE SOME MORE...Get it?...There's no such thing as a short cut, and no such thing as "extra credit" in this business...and when it comes to fancy- schmantzy elctronic gadgetry, it's also important to remember "You can't polish a turd"...If you're depending on electronic gadgetry to carry you over...then you need to rethink what you're doing musically. Let me quote the immortal words of Forrest Gump..."And that's all I got to say bout' that"... I had a blast competing in the Talent Quest TV finals.  But in the end ... I didn't even place... but it WAS lots and lots of fun and I met some great folks and made some good connections...What more could a middle-aged folkie from Linwood ask for? and like I said...on and on it goes...Who knows what the future holds...I've been writing some new material and learning some new songs... Doing what I can when I can...What else is there?...If we only had a time machine eh? ... Spring is making an appearance in small doses, It's been a long looong Winter...I don't know anyone who hasn't had enough, and I love Winter...But anyway...I'll stop rambling now and get back to answering the phone and what not...Thanks for taking the time to read and remember..."Music heals"

Daniel

"It's not hard to fall...when you float like a cannonball." - Damien Rice

Hello boys & girls..Welcome to another exciting episode of "No one really cares what you think anyway Dan.." (*Laughing)...but I write anyway because I guess...I like to ramble...so be it...The ROSE ROOM REVUE has been very interesting lately and some really talented folks have come out of the woodwork...I have found this very motivating...And of course...our "standard crew" (yes, you know who you are..CLAYTON!) just get better and better and keep the whole show on an even keel...Many many thanks to my dear friend and professional photographer Bob Crownfield for his tireless efforts in booking the Revue and scheduling the featured performers and getting out the weekly revue newsletter..and yes...DEALING WITH ME...He and I meet for lunch regularly and discuss the music biz in general as well as The R.R. Revue and all that...I think my blood pressure drops a few points whenever we're talking business...He's been an invaluable asset to me in my musical aspirations and shameless self-promotion that is the music business...Next week brings a new venue for me...The "Golden Eagle" in Dayville, Connecticut...Sounds like it'll be a great time. After many attempts I have finally gotten into the "Tatnuck Bookseller" in Westboro...I've wanted to play there for some time...So I look forward to these new places... I played at my father's retirement home recently...What a nice audience...and the sound in those big old mansions is just incredible...what a sound...I had the PA set on "1"...the acoustics did the rest...You don't find that much these days...It was a real treat and I could see my father really enjoying it..and my older sister was also there, and that made it kind of special too....So, lots of "positives" lately... Hopefully this new President of ours will really make a difference...maybe not..but we certainly owe him a chance. He can't mess things up any worse than our former President..(Thanks George)...But he's not a magician either...What CAN he do?...Some messes are soo big...Well, you now...I'm preaching to the choir...My Animal Services job has been slow and steady...Hardly overwhelming in this brutal cold...this past week has been relatively quiet...but that could change. We'll see. I'm still chasing the coyotes across the countyside...but they're laying pretty low at ths point...They're alot of things..but "stupid" isn't one of them...But it's still a blast chasing them around in the snow...the powder allows you to be silent...and that's real important in the coyote game...Stealth is of the essence..But other than that...its small-town life...My wife went to a conference over the weekend and I was home alone with my dogs and we just hung out, relaxed, and watched Westerns on TV..It was heaven...The phone didn't even ring...Classic "down time"...I needed that...As always, Thanx for reading my ramblings and being a friend...If you're at a show, say hello and introduce yourself...And thank you for being there in advance...

Music Heals,
Daniel

"Caught like a deer in my own headlights...Frozen on this road tonight...I had a fix on a brighter star...But now I'm not sure Where you are...
- John Hyatt

Hi Everybody

...I know, I know, I haven't blogged in some time, but it's just because I've been in a kind of quiet mood ...As some of you already know...I took over the weekly open mic at the infamous Rose Room in Upton, Massachusetts, the culture capitol of New England...(yeh right). I have met some really awesome musicians in a very short time Joel Cage, Maryanne Paiste, Max Cohen and Richard Berman...and also a whole list more and I've enjoyed the hosting aspect...What I didn't like was the internet aspect of the job...So I did what any self respecting show host would do and I delegated it to someone else...Actually, the truth is... my very dear dear friend, photographer, and Rose Room supporter and fellow host of Studio Sessions Live Bob Crownfield volunteered to take over the weekly newsletter and booking schedule, as I seem to be unable to find enough hours in the day to keep up with my own itinerary...Thank you Bob...as always, you are a Godsend...I did some live radio with fellow musician from the Boston area Chris Wilhelm...The ironic thing is we're both from Massachusetts, but had to go to Saratoga New York to meet...Radio DJ and show host Arthur Gonnick put Chris and I on the air for three hours...It was a blast...Radio is a hell of alot more fun that TV..and I LOVE TV...but there was something about radio that pulled at my "purist" heartstrings...I felt like it was just three guys having a conversation about music  over coffee at the kitchen table, the only exception is there are a whole bunch of people listening in...I had a show at the Saratoga BORDERS on Broadway later on in the evening and the radio plugs for the show certainly didn't hurt things any...my dear friends Peter, Linda and Dale came in for the show as did Ray, Arthur and few other familiar faces that the the names escape me at present...Thank you all for being there...I can't tell how much I appreciate it... Three days later I was back in Saratoga with Chris Wilhelm again and also another lovely and talented folkie  Miss Michelle Lewis...We did a four hour line-up at "Gaffney's Starting Gate"...I didn't stay over after the show and went straight home. I pulled into my driveway at about 4:00AM...I had an awesome time...Music bookings have been steady, but not the volume of the three past years...I'm taking it easy for a couple months because I want to..I've been heavy on the road for three years plus and I just wanna chill for a while...Especially around the holidays...But I'm absolutely sure the bug will bite me again and things will go right back to fast and furious...in all reality, I wouldn't have it any other way...Flexibility is one of the great benefits of my Animal Control work....I work hard, but no one gives me any grief about my booking schedule. Speaking of Animal Control work...My hometown has some very badly behaving coyotes annoying more than one neighborhood...So I have been assigned by the Town Fathers to hunt them down and harass them as much as possible...I always wanted to be a professional hunter...I guess this gets my foot in the door so-to-speak..There is a photo of one of the little mischief-makers in the "my photos"...have a look see...What the photo doesn't show is it's TEETH!...Holy cow...you gotta respect those teeth. Getting back to music I have been in contact with the historical Grafton Inn in Grafton, Mass...This is a venue I have wanted to play for years and years, but couldn't even get an audition...I went in to see them and directed them to my myspace...Lo and behold...an email from them asking particulars...a good sign indeed, but by no means a done deal...but I am certainly hopeful...I love that old place...and the food is excellent...kind of upscale, but not over the top...ya know??...but I certainly wouldn't mind being seen there...So wish me luck..A little prayer wouldn't hurt either...I need all the help I can get...The fam is doing well...My wife and I will celebrate our 23rd anniversary next month...I'm looking forward to that...Deer season opens up soon and I'm ALWAYS gung-ho for that...My wife has really (actually we both have) gotten the "game gourmet" thing down pat...I can make you a honey-glazed, apple stuffed roast goose that would melt you...Shirley's venison barley stew is to die for...as well as her pheasant pot pie...We have all year to buy store-bought crap...I like being "self sustainant"...Don't take more than you need and always put something back...Oh yeh...I forgot to tell you earlier in regards to the Rose Room...If you would like to be a feature performer or just sign up for the open mic...please email Bob Crownfield at Crownfield@verizon.net . Feel free to let him know you know me or we're myspace friends or whatever..He and I converse alot (as well as eat alot) and we'll find some room for ya if at all possible...You'll like the Roase Room...nice, laid back...pretty stress free to say the least...guaranteed fifty bucks for the feature plus whatever the hat brings in...which can be pretty darn good at times...I was on a music competition TV show back in September called "Talent Quest"...It was a fun experience and I had an absolute blast...and to my complete suprise...I won...yeh..no shit, I actually won...and this coming from a guy who couldn't win a raffle if I was the only name in the hat...(*laugh) Any of you other musicians out there if you're willing to travel to the North Shore to be on the show...you should contact them...the best way is to just google "Talent Quest TV"...it'll link you right up...You have to audition...but there's a cash prize and a trophy and a bunch of other stuff too so it's kind of a neat...I never won a trophy in my life...The staff is real accomidating and this is NOT your run-of-the-mill cable station...They have a real crew...not two guys doing the work of ten like at some stations...But...my most favorite cable TV show is of course Bob Crownfield's Studio Sessions Live...I've done it three times in the past and I can't wait to do it again...I love that HCAM studio...And Bob has his stuff together moreso than others I have met...So I guess that's all for now...Thank you all for taking the time to read my ramblings and for your inspiration in my pursuit of this most challenging profession. You folks keep me going..your emails and correspondences of all kinds are all appreciated so much that I could not begin to find the right words. (and I'm a lyricist...go figure) Let's all be good to each other, smile more than usual, spread a little love.. and turn someone on to some new music they've never heard before...You probably won't regret it.

Music heals,

Daniel

"Every chance that I can get I will push it to that place...Where the music won't forget...Where I always see your face." - Daniel Chauvin

Just a quick one here friends and fans...it's been the same-ol'- same-ol' for quite some time...nothing much shakin' to say the least...round and round she goes...you know what I mean...But this coming Saturday at noon I will be live on the radio on 91.1 WSPN FM Saratoga New York...you can tune in on your PC at www.skidmore.edu/~wspn. I've never been on the radio as a performer or a guest...A few cable TV shows..but never live radio, so this is exciting and I'd appreciate it if you could to find the time to tune in and say "Hey...I know that guy....And later on in the day on Saturday the 1st, you can catch me live at the BORDERS at 395 Broadway in downtown Saratogoga...It's one of my favorite BORDERS stores to perform in...So don't miss it..." I'll also be returning to Saratoga on the 5th of November to perform at Gaffney's Starting Gate  on Caroline Street...If you're in the neighborhood...drop on in, I'd love to see you...Not much else to say...it's one of those days I guess...Thanx for being here.

 

Music Heals,

Daniel

"Life is pretty much the same...Do your time and play the game...Break your back just to get ahead...By the time you do - you're almost dead..."

- Dan Chauvin "Late Night"

Well, I really have no excuse...but I've just been lazy when it comes to blogging...But that's OK because it makes it so there's something to talk about...I'm of course, still doing the BORDERS circuit and there's not much to say there except...as the title of this blog implies..."on and on it goes"....I'm pretty excited about this radio spot I have coming up in Saratoga New York in November...I don't often have the opportunity to play on the radio so this should be cool...A local agent heard me playing in the BORDERS there and one thing led to another and it's radio time...I was also booked in another nice venue in that city called "The Starting Gate"... Saratoga has opened up some for me...I was booked at the BORDERS there about a month back and my wife Shirley and I met up with our dear dear friends Peter and Linda Burrall and Dale Smith. We ate at this culinary landmark in Saratoga called "Hattie's Chicken Shack"...right next door to the ever famous "Cafe' Lena" where the likes of Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie, Joan Baez have performed...It's the who's who of of the singer/songwriter genre...There was a line out the door before the place even opened...I had never eaten collard greens in my entire life... Come to think of it... I didin't even know what collard greens were...But I discovered I like em!..The BORDERS show went very well...I love performing at that particular store.. Now, if I can only keep it moving forward in that city...It's a musician's Mecca!...But a tough nut to crack...About three weeks ago I played this coffee shed in Chelmsford, Massachusetts called "The Java Room"...This was really classy as far as coffee houses go..This one also had a wine bar..cool retro decor...a decent menu...and a gorgeous jet-black grand piano...NICE!..The audience was awesome...I was hooked up there by a friend of mine and fellow musician and songwriter on myspace, Lori Diamond...If you have a second..check out her myspace and give a listen...it's worth the time...She's in my "Top Friends" if you don't feel like typing it in...I'll be returning to the Java Room in January, I would LOVE to see you there...I took over hosting an open mic venue near here in the town of Upton, Massachusetts called "The Rose Room"..it's a very popular weekly featured musician / open mike venue in a family-friendly, musician-friendly atmosphere with a full menu, bar, and all the acoutraments...If your in South Central Massachusetts and you're looking for a feature gig in the acoustic singer/songwriter genre in any of it's many forms or want to give the open mic a shot...Give me a shout and I'll give a listen to what you have to offer...Just so you know...the "feature" gets paid..obviously the open mikers do not...Hosting an open mic is kinda fun...it's pretty laid back and you get to meet everybody...How cool is that?...There are the "regulars" and the "one-shot wonders" coming through...You never know what you're going to hear...Autumn in New England is coming upon us quickly now, and although it's only September, there are hints of the colder season hanging in the air...I really look forward to the Fall season...It is indeed my favorite...I guess that's why I named my daughter "Autumn"...A crisp, cool, fall day always makes me smile...C'mon, you can't beat it...McIntosh apples..the colored leaves...pumpkins...Frost on the windows...hunting season...NO BUGS!...I really hate bugs...I come alive in the Fall...Moreso than any other time of year..It just feels good to be alive....My elderly father moved back to our hometown after better part of a decade living in Texas...He's 85 and healthy as a horse...It's good to have him back around..He'll be in the audience this coming Sunday at the BORDERS in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts at 2:00PM...My father hasn't heard me perform live in many many years, I was in my 20's the last time he saw me play...He listens to my CD's, but hasn't seen me live in forever, and it'd be nice to see some of my friends in the audience HINT HINT EVERYONE! get your tails down there and I'll consider it a personal favor and owe you for life...Deal?...This Coming Monday, I'll be at the Bev-Cam TV studio in Beverly, Mass. in a televised musical competition called "Talent Quest"...I'm not one for competitions, but I couldn't say no...It'd be nice to win a little cash before Christmas if possible...I have no idea who I'm up against..but I'll bite the bullet and give it a shot...Wish me luck OK?...So on and on it goes...Still waiting for Nashville to call...nothing yet..*(laugh)...It's getting late in the day now...Think I'll chill out in front of the widescreen and doze off in the recliner while watching the History Channel...I've been practicing the past couple hours and my fingers are sore...I guess that's a good thing...As always, Thanx for reading my ramblings and I will hopefully see you out there in the audience sometime...I sincerely look forward to it.

Music Heals,

Daniel

"I'll be a dandy..and I'll be a rover..You'll know who I am by the songs that I sing...I'll feast at your table..I'll sleep in your clover...Who cares what tommorow shall bring." - Randy Sparks 

 

Here it is a couple of weeks into my mid-summer touring break...I have to admit, I've enjoyed the past couple of weekends being travel-free. I didn't realize how much I needed to just stay in one place for a while.  The heat hasn't really been that bad this Summer so far. Its been overcast a good portion of the time and it's been into the low 90's... but that's it...so far...But how much can you really talk about the weather?... The BORDERS chain is undergoing some serious corporate restructuring. Alot of my contacts within the chain have either been laid off or have had their positions change in such a way that they're really not active in the musical endeavors anymore. It is indeed disappointing... but not suprising. When I first started performing for BORDERS back in 05' I could get a dozen bookings at a time from a single District Manager. Now, every store is responsible for its own bookings. That makes it very time consuming chasing each individual store for performance dates. Any of you who know me personally or have read my blogs in the past, already know that chasing bookings is not my strong suit...The real clincher is that ninety percent of the stores I've consistently performed at don't even have the same manager anymore...They've all moved on to other, (less corporate) things. I am a little perplexed at the whole enchilada though. One also has to love returning to a place for literally the tenth time only to be treated like its the first time you've ever been there (Clueless)...But hey, so it goes in corporate America and the music business...They'll pay you...just don't THINK logically... I've still maintained some of my connections within the chain, but nothing like what its been over the last three and a half years...But I think I'm pretty used to the rules changing in the middle of the game...It's been a GREAT ride... Weather its the trials and tribulations of the music buisiness, or the bullshit politics of Animal Services...Everything can, and WILL change on the stroke of the pen of an individual who has absolutely no concept of what it is he or she is making a decision about... Just roll with it...What else can one do? ..Enough said there......On another, more positive note...I wanted to mention a venue that I believe other musicians will benefit from...There is a radio show out of Philly called "The Cool Vibes Acoustic Diner"...You musicians out there really need to check it out...it's headed up by a gentleman by the name of Dylan Michaels...This guy is too cool. He contacted me originally through myspace and I sent him a copy of both my CD's...Since then he has given them both ALOT of airplay. I was even the "featured artist" one time on the show...it's a really good show... And Dylan is about as positive an individual as I can find anywhere...He's one of the very few folks giving the music biz a GOOD name...Check him out under my TOP FRIENDS on my myspace site and GET IN TOUCH WITH HIM!...Get your music to him...It is very much worth the effort and you WILL NOT be disappointed (*knocking on your head) Hello?...you listening?...On a scale from one to ten...I give Dylan a twelve point five...Tell him Daniel Chauvin from Massachusetts sent ya...You'll be glad you did...I can't say enough good things about Dylan Michaels...period...Moving on now...  I've pretty much returned to my "loner" status of the past. I spend most of my time alone. Either working Animal Services or when I'm on the road performing music and doing my shows... My wife Shirley is coming with me to Saratoga, New York next month for a BORDERS show which will be fun...We'll stay over and make a weekend out of it...Hopefully get some visit time in with my friend Peter Burrell and Company... Usually I just drive out there, play the show... and return...But I don't think Shirl is going to want to just drive back...So we'll hang out and see the sights of Saratoga... Long drives don't phase me in the slightest...in fact, I do my best thinking behind the wheel. I purchased a new vehicle this past month, which makes road time even nicer....They're always great when they're new! Summer is my least favorite season. I'm not a hot weather kind of guy...Give me an Autumn day with sunshine and temps in the 40's and I'm a happy camper...Through this silly myspace site I've recently been in contact with other musicians from all over the world...I love it when the folks contacting me barely, and in some cases, don't speak english at all. Yet, they want to tell me stuff about my music or ask me questions...So we message back and forth trying to communicate with broken English and a word or two from their language..Twenty years ago, there was no way I ever would've met anyone from across the ocean, or even talked to them... Now its a weekly event...The miracles of technology eh?... So hot disgusting Summer drags on...This past Spring was great! I went on my annual turkey hunt in the Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts with my dear friend Dan Head from Rhode Island... He was successful, but the turkeys eluded me....UNTIL...I ended up bagging a couple of really nice birds on some private land in my own hometown...The old cliche' is true..."Sometimes what it is you're seeking is right in your own back yard."...But the mountains were beautiful and my imagination runs wild when I'm out there. We used to camp when we went, but now we go "Motel Camping"...And I have to admit, I like having a hot shower at the end of the day rather than bathing in an ice-cold mountain stream...It would be in the 30's or low 40's before dawn and by noontime it was 70 degrees. It was great! The mountains of Western Massachusetts is nothing like the landscape here in Southern Worcester County. It's like a whole other state, and just a little over two hours away...Enough about hunting adventures...I was talking with someone from the Bose Corporation at the 4th of July Bar-b-que and the disc I was included on for distribution will generate over a million copies...That's alot of discs. Considering BOSE is worldwide...I'm very curious as to what this might lead to...It's the old "one door closes and another one opens" syndrome...That works for me! The infamous "black dog" has come and gone over the past few weeks...but for the most part he remiains locked away...I do my damnest to keep him there...much better than having him follow me around everywhere I go casting his black shadows over all I try to do... So for now...I'll just wait out the hot summer months...I am a little worried about the heating costs come this winter...But I've stopped trying to predict anything anymore...The world is so messed up...I couldn't begin to even guess what might happen next...What I do hope happens is that Neil Young will finally return my call and I can finally get this show on the road...Hey! Neil!...That you?...(no, just a telemarketer)...But I'm not holding my breath...(*Laughing)...Take care everyone and as always...thank you for reading my ramblings...I do hope to see you soon...

Music Heals,

Daniel

"And as I watch those drops of rain...weave their weary path and die...I know that I am like that rain...There but for the grace of you go I...

- Paul Simon

"They say you shouldn't be afraid of change...But tell me why is there a fence on every open range?...It's just a sign I'm getting on in years...Cause nothing new is welcome to these eyes and ears."

- John Gorka

 

Well...we're nearly into July already...08' is just flying by...I've been touring steadily for the past six months, so I decided to take a break, spend some quality time, rest the old vocal cords, do some writing, and of course... there's always my Animal Services job to fill in the cracks...I won't be performing at all through the month of July...Only two shows left this month..next week brings me back to Portland,  Maine,  I haven't been there in over a year...It'll be nice to be back. The week after that, on the 27th I'll be at the BORDERS in Bangor, Maine...It's been a while since I've travelled that far for a single show, but I'd really like to break into that area a little more...I have an older sister who lives nearby which gives me an opportunity to visit...She'll be at the Bangor show and  I haven't had any of my siblings see me play in over twenty years...it should be interesting...family stuff always is..And its not like I'm saying anything anyone doesn't know already, BUT the gas situation is making staying on the road a real challenge. I recently purchased a new vehicle which gets better mileage than the Dodge van I've been travelling in since 05' does...but fuel is still ridiculous...Well, I guess this is what they meant when they talked about "suffering for your art"..(*laughing). As always, I'll keep my thoughts of any political nature to myself...The shows I've done lately have gone pretty well. The Southbury Connecticut Grand Opening of the new BORDERS was really cool...This new store is all wired up with computers and internet services ...really state-of-the-art...The show went great and I sold a bunch of CD's and was just plain old fun...The BOSE Corporation approached me about including one of my songs from my debut CD "UNRESOLVED" in a compilation disc they were putting together for distribution...The papers have all been signed and stuff...I'm glad I had an opportunity to re-establish connections with the company after the intial disaster from a year or two ago when our paths crossed (see previous blog)..So the song "ARMOR" much to my suprise was what they selected for inclusion on the disc. A nearly five-minute song??...I'll take that as a compliment...I'm just waiting for the first copies to arrive...I don't even know who else is on it...It'll be a "musical pot-luck" I guess...But any promotion from a huge conglomerate like BOSE to a small-timer like me is big doings...Its those little things that keep us going...I want to take moment to give photography credit to Mr. Bob Crownfield who took the photo posted here on myspace. He's an awesome photographer with a real experienced understanding of photgraphy and lighting, colors and such...I never had an official photo-session before, so it was a first for me..It was relaxing and stress-free...It was actually kinda fun... Had a really fun show in Farmington, Connecticut recently...it was one of those days where everything just came together. Can't help but love an audience like that...another one of the small things that keeps us road musicians going....Been working on some new material for CD number three...but that'll be a while...With the gas situation as it is... its going to be less expensive to release discs than it is to go on tour...Whoever thought a musician would say that?...My daughter is home from college for the Summer, but I don;'t see her much...she's usually out doing whatever it is 19 year olds do these days...But I enjoy having her around...She showed up at a show I was doing  last night with her boyfriend and my wife...Its cool when your family comes to see what you do...I never get tired of that...Its one of those "connectibles"...So on and on it goes...nothing huge or overwhelming...The "black dog"  remains in his kennel...at least for the time being...and that's always a good thing...Enjoy the month of July everyone and I will be back fast n' furious come August all rested and rip-roaring-ready-to-go...As always, thanx for reading my ramblings and I'll see you sitting out there in the audience...Don't ever believe I don't see you...and thank you for being there...

Music Heals,

Daniel

 

"Dark and silent late last night I think I might have heard the highway calling...Geese in flight...and dogs that bite..."

- James Taylor

 

I was watching a documentary on Winston Churchill on the History Channel and I saw that during the war years when he was Prime Minister that he suffered from severe bouts of depression. Because it was considered a flaw in his personality,  a potential chink in the English armor, and wanting to show no weakness towards the enemy or undermine the public's confidence in its leader, his bouts with depression were spoken of by his staff only in code...They were referred to as the "Black Dog". Churchill would lock himself away in a room with his depression for long periods of time. During these times it was said that the Prime Minister was "Walking the black dog"...His "condition", according to reliable sources was debilitating...I guess I can relate...Not that I've ever run a country...I certainly haven't...When looking inward, I don't think it is debilitating to me BUT I do get really sad sometimes...I'm not always sure why...but it becomes overwhelming...My guess would be that its a cross between wanting to change the past..fix things that can't be fixed.. and an inablilty to make up for past mistakes...what I call the "too little-too late syndrome"...and just plain old wanting to crawl out of my own skin and be someone else...If you ask me..the music biz is enough to bring out the dark clouds in anyone ...With VERY few exceptions......everyone just seems to be out for themselves and it always seems to be about what you can do for them and never about what they can do for you...Nobody, and I mean nobody takes anyone too seriously. I think back to when I was eleven years old...I wanted to be John Denver so badly..I wanted to play guitar like a master and sing like a canary...I wanted to write songs that made people laugh, and songs that could make people cry. Thirty five years later, neither is the case...I simply "get by"... I perform constantly...take to the road quite a bit, and play my heart out whenever I get the chance...I smile alot on stage...make it look like I'm having a great time... and usually I am ...The stage is the one place where everything feels "right"...I forget about everything except the  immediate moment. It all turns into a "live in the now"experience... But then it's over and its back on the road...Hours and hours of pavement...miles and miles of thought process and white-line fever...When I get back home, I never really feel like talking about anything to any extent. I'll get the old "How did the show go?" inquiry from the family...and usually it went just fine... hence my response.... I'm polished enough now where there really aren't any performance disasters anymore. Those bugs have long since been worked out and the performance in general is sort of instictive and finely tuned at this point. Of course there are always the technical problems and the unforseen. Electronics and I have never been friends...So when the PA or other electronic gizmos give me grief , its ususally a royal pain in the ass...But those situations are so few and far between that they're hardly worth mentioning. Recently I purchased a brand new PA system and it has been awesome... My old Sound Tech PA has been feeling its age lately and has been relelgated to "spare" status..But I have no complaints as she served me well for number of years and racked up thousands of road miles without a problem. She never left me high and dry...She owes me absolutely nothing and I love her still...But she now sits in storage to be used only when something goes wrong with the new one...For any of you performing musicians reading this. I'm very impressed with this new YAMAHA system. Very road worthy...Excellent sound quality..plenty of power...and crisp clean clarity. You can't go wrong with this system...And that's a very positive thing...So why then my bouts with "the black dog"?...Some days things just feel so hopeless and i start second-guessing myself...I'm forty-five years old...Still on the coffee house circuit doing the same thing I was doing three years ago...I've released two records...Both are selling well enough..The family is happy and healthy...I should be happy too, but I'm not... Its not like I have these unrealistic visions of grandeur or anything like that.  Quite the contrary... My regular job in Animal Services is going well...I'm making alot more money these days than when I started...but what the hell is that?.. I used to think it was so damn important... It's really meaningless... I realized only in hindsight that some of my happiest times as a younger man was when I was struggling to make ends meet, living amidst uncertainty, but holding fast to my own identity... I feel like I'm floundering now amidst all this structure...There doesn't seem to be any direction to my life... Oh sure, there's always the next gig..The next city...the next audience..But lets face it..As well as the shows may go...the reality of the situatuion is no one remembers your name five minutes after you're back on the road...and that's OK...really.....Its just the nature of the beast...And we ALL knew that from the start.. How else could it be? There are seventy five zillion of us out there all trying to make an impression. It's complete overkill at best...Is this where the black dog comes from? Really, I don't think so... I'm alone an aweful lot...I have more conversations with the animals I work with than human beings...When I am talking to people its usually just me listening to some jerk-off telling me why its OK that he or she is a complete irresponsible moron in regards to how they keep, treat, or mistreat their animals. I think that's why I love working with animals...They don't partake in politics...they don't call in favors...they make no excuses...They don't try to be anything except what they are...They could care less about social status...They DON'T have identity or mid-life crisises..They're genuine. And when they love you..it's unconditional.... You always get a second chance...ALWAYS...Their loyalty is unquestionable...They will let you make it up to them...No grudges held..They are the epitome of "forgive and forget"... There is no "or else" in an animal's vocabulary...We as a species could learn alot from the animals...I'm not a real social kind of person. I hate crowded gatherings and parties and small talk...What's great about performing is that it gives me the opportunity to be with large groups of people, but the stage always keeps them at a distance with its invisible barrier. I have a very small circle of close friends. But outside of my musical pursuits. I don't see them much at all...Sure we talk on the phone...yadda yadda yadda... But its not like actually being with someone and having a face to face heart to heart over a coffee or a beer...So, for the most part I'm in my office.., usually by myself ,or on the road...but again...by myself...I deal with alot of blood and extreme injury and pain at my job. Sometimes I feel like the Grim Reaper with a 9 millimeter instead of a big sicle...The deliverer of the fatal outcome because the driver of the car or the keeper of the livestock, or owner of the dog never gave a thought as to what they would do when such a situation would arise...A deer with two broken legs and internal injuries cannot be saved...Euthanasia is the only alternative...But its hard enough having to do such things without having some idiot standing nearby criticizing everything you do because he or she thinks I should just "lay hands" on the animal and bring it back to health like some kind of TV evangelist with all the violins and warm fuzzy feelings..That's not the reality at all...But there will always be boneheads when one chooses to deal with the public...Again, it just goes with the territory and I accept that... I saw a special on the Discovery Channel where there are these scientists actually trying to build a time machine...Can you believe that?...What I thought was interesting is the concept that even if they succeed in building one, a person will only be able to travel back in time to the exact moment the machine was initially turned on. You won't be able to travel back to your youth to undo bad decisions. So much for a cure for regret and bad judgement eh?..."Regret"...Now THERE'S a word I'm well acqauinted with... If I could get a nickel for every moment I've felt regret..I could retire and live large!...I do beleive in my heart of hearts that the black dog's  name is "Regret"...Its the very worst emotion a person can feel...Churchill knew this... It outdoes guilt, sadness, embarassment, anxiety, loss, anger, shame, blame and all the others. Regret is an emotional cancer...a killer of motivation, positive attitude, creativity and drive. It just plain sucks...So what does one do about it?...Well, I've been trying to figure that one out for about as long as I've been able to think for myself. I don't know if there is an answer. I always want to slap the dipshit who says "forget it and just move on."...WELL NO SHIT SHERLOCK!...Is that the best you can come up with??..We all say that anyway...Gee thanks!...But as much as any of us can get by the other emotional barriers we face in our lives..Why does regret always return to rear its ugly head? Is it that the very nature of the emotion is designed to do just that? ... Maybe...But I don't think we'll ever have that answer...At least I won't...So in the meantime..it's just me, the road, the music, the wonderment...and an occasional, but well remembered stroll with my ever-present and most loyal companion..."The Black Dog"....But beware..this dog bites....As always, thank you for reading my ramblings...And I do hope to meet you sometime.

Music heals,

Daniel

"I wear this crown of thorns, upon my liar's chair..full of broken thoughts...That I cannot repair..."

-Trent Rezner

I’m really glad to see the last traces of Old Lady Winter ebbing away...Although it seems like she’s clinging to the side like a passenger on the Titanic...My show in Saratoga Springs from a couple weeks back was cancelled due to a major snowstorm here and an even worse storm there...I know you can’t do anything about the weather but it still bummed me out..I was sooo looking forward to that particular show and seeing some of my friends that I hadn’t seen in a while...Earlier in the year when I played Saratoga, It was a two-show day...the first show went off without a hitch, but the second show didn’t happen when the whole damn city suffered a power outage...I sure can pick em !! ...But the weather interfered quite a bit this Winter in regards to cancelled shows...just one of those years I guess....I’ve been performing alot lately...Tons of stage time..I had a bit of a scare a few weeks back when my voice decided to leave me for a few days and go on vacation... I did three shows in a row that week... and then...gone...I barely spoke for an entire week just trying to rest my vocal chords....and then... in the same way it left...it came back...As if it just flew in from L.A....All is normal now..but no denying, it was an anxious few days...On another and brighter note..the new CD has been received well. Lots of positive feeback via email and what not...It really is wonderful to have good people take the time to listen to our stuff and then take the time to let us know what they thought...I am deeply honored and thank you all wholeheartedly for listening...There are still quite a few shows coming up and I am twitching like a trigger finger to get going... I do love stage time...and despise down time...Nothing like it in the world...and weather or not a show goes well or not-so-well...I never regret taking the shot...Aside from the usual BORDERS run...I have a new venue in Schenectady, New York coming up and also some other places. I do look forward to it...Thanks ever so much to my friend Julie who hooked me up with the venue owner...sounds like its gonna be a great time. There’s something about those village coffee houses that "works" for me. (Aside from the endless supply of caffeine!)...And back here at home...small town New England life goes on...With the warmer weather, the wildlife becomes active again and does their bit to keep me hopping at my regular day gig as an Animal Services Officer...but nothing special or out of the ordinary...Just small town life and its small town ways...another thing that seems to just "work" for me...I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sick of the election rig-a-ma-ro constantly babbling on TV and in the press...Personally, I don’t trust any of them...My personal opinion is that good people stay out of politics...So if you play the politics game...you aint playing in my yard...get lost! As long as the ultra-rich remain the only entity that can play the game...the game will be "fixed"...When’s the last time you heard of a blue-collar guy running for president...I think we should elect a plumber president...he has an obvoius knowledge of how things work and he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty...my kind of President. And with that...I will close the politics topic....I’ve been writing alot of new music...right now its in the "bits & pieces" form...Lots of different pieces of songs...but no one thing finished...That’s how the writing trend goes sometimes..My advice to any writer is don’t force it...it’s like a stream..sometimes the stream is dry..just wait it out...The flow will come and the stream will once again rush in torrents...Being able to recognize which is which is vitally important to avoid beating yourself up over something that just needs a little time...no big deal....I’m still looking to kick it up a notch businesswise...just not sure how...I seem to have hit a wall...I guess that’s what they meant when they said..; "payin’ your dues.."  Patience is key...This I know well...As always folks..much appreciation to you for reading my rambliings...If you come to a show..introduce yourself...I’m harmless enough.

Music Heals,

Daniel

"I’m the ghost of a travelling salesman...my foot will be there at your door...Though I can walk through walls and windows...I will knock just like before." --John Gorka