NEVER BUY FROM THIS PLACE!!!

I placed an order with this sham of a company on March 2, 2009, I finally received 
it on April 23rd. The order I placed was 1 black Skull Wing Hoodie
(JC9 BLK) (SKULLWINGSHOODIE)  = $65.87. Size XXXL, This hoody was pictured 
with a white graphic imprint of a skull.

 I received a poorly made "XXL" version of this hoody with all of the graphics in
blue, which is incorrect. I sent the order back immediately and 
requested the correct size and color or a full refund.

AND NOW IT IS AUGUST , and I cannot get a return phone call or e-mail!

DO NOT BUY FROM ANTOINE CARTER and his COMPANY
http://www.thegoodzonline.com

Well, if you haven't heard of read on my LJ we are moving to Baltimore at the end of November to start a new life with a super wonderful guy named Grady. We are very excited about the move but we have one small problem, our beloved cat Hex. ..:namespace prefix = o />

 

We will not have room for him and need to find him a foster home for about a year. We will supply the food (since he is on a special diet) and we would like to come visit him. He has had all his shots and is a very sweet and social cat. Grady says he is a "man's cat" I think because he is so low maintenance. We are looking to buy a farm so we will want him back eventually.

 

So if you are interested or know someone who could give him a good temporary home,

please drop me an e-mail at michaelwesttn@aol.com or call me at 615-308- 5401.

It's been a huge year for both me and my hubby DJ. 2008 has offered so many amazing things, The Bearapalooza tour, new friends, a new job for DJ, new music, the possibility of starting a new family (more on that later) and wonderful new love. I feel bad that I never journal about my life much, but it has been so busy, it's been tough to focus on sitting down to write it out, and heck it may still come out kind of vague. Well, here we go; life is getting ready to change in a big way. Since getting back from the road trip we wanted to find a way to parlay the concept of Bearapalooza and the tour into something we can live daily. So together with Freddy, Grady, Swin, Jesse and Roger, we conceived a new and wonderful idea.

 

Some may call this idea lofty, but we are in the early planning stages of a non-profit musical retreat for gay male musicians. I am sure you have heard of all the female singer songwriter retreats and festivals, so it's time to put a new twist on that concept. So think Bearapalooza meets gay campground, indie music camp and all self sustaining commune for gay male artist. Pretty huge huh? Well, it is big, but no matter what we will make it happen. I have decided there is no reason I need to wait until I am ready to retire to live life. I want to live life now, no matter the sacrifice. I don't need the trappings of city life and the "Keeping up with the Joneses" disease anymore. I want this more than anything; I need to get my life back. I am so tired of cubicle living with that sad … oh so sad hope for the weekend or next event. I want to live music daily and I think we could really make a difference for others in the community too. I also want to start a large scale sculpture project I have been creating and planning for the last 4 years, and this will be the perfect place to start it.

So, we have been buying books on self sustaining living and I have been putting back on my non-profit hat, that I have missed so much. Grady and I have been looking for property in the sticks of upstate NY and NC and I am doing research galore. Grady wants goats....I never thought I'd own a goat, so I am excited. I want to visit Easton Mountain (www.eastonmountain.org) early next year which is similar in some ways to what we want to create.

So we have decided to form an online virtual board until we secure our non-profit status. This board will exist for preliminary planning and will work to create networking opportunities. So we are looking for others to join this virtual board to make this retreat happen. It will take a few years of work, but with everyone's input and help. If you are reading this and would be interested just drop me a line… There are some more concepts on the idea below.

I would love to hear your ideas and thoughts...

Here are some concepts on the idea.

AN IDEA CONCEIVED ON MAY 17TH, 2008 

• Imagine a non-profit musical & spiritual communal home/retreat for gay male singer/songwriters, artists and musicians.
• Imagine a retreat where artists of all ages can come to connect, collaborate and learn from other men within their community.
• Imagine a retreat where workshops would be taught by peers on songwriting, music business, home-recording and much more.
• Imagine a retreat where one could go to receive lessons for voice and instrument.
• Imagine a retreat where artists come to get away from the pressures of life to explore their artistic nature and musical depth.
• Imagine a place where one could go to produce and record their own original music at very low cost or for in-kind donation or trade.  
• Imagine a retreat that was completely self sustaining and fully green, and where visitors take part in creating the surroundings of the retreat.
• Imagine a retreat that supported a community garden and no kill farm.
• Imagine a retreat where one could explore their own spirituality in a safe and loving environment.
• Imagine a place that celebrated the music and spirituality of all who visited.

 

 All the shows on The Road Trip Tour have gone SO incredibly well, attendance has been great and the crowds seem to really get into the music and also support the artist; it has been a trip of a lifetime. I am so blessed to have shared this experience with all of these wonderfully talented gentleman.

Well, tomorrow is our last show on the Road Trip...in Raleigh, NC. It will be a little sad to end it, but you can guarantee this will not be the last time we tour, it was way too incredible to not do it again.

More details soon on our end of tour rap up post!

Here is our photo tour log: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bearapalooza/

ALSO here are some more great photos and videos taken by one our fans at the DC SHOW!

Thanks Seth you rock!

To LOG IN to VIEW THEM - use:

Username: bperf

Password: pictures

http://gallery.mac.com/sg1264/100622 

 

So guys…

 

We are soooo excited, we are just two days away from hitting the road, and everything is on schedule and going great!  I am so proud to be a part of the team organizing this year's events. It's more than a side hobby; it's become a true passion! Bearapalooza has started a true revolution within the gay community and getting the chance to be involved with it, has been a priceless experience!

 

Bearapalooza has always been totally about brotherhood and the music that the men in our community create. I know you hear me say that a lot, but I want you to know it's not just a canned convenient statement; it's totally from the heart! Yes we are "as grassroots as it gets" but we each give of our own time and money to create the best possible forum to showcase the talent of the bear community. I am so impressed with the talent, heart and professionalism of each of the artists. Each artist knows that Bearapalooza is not just about one artist; it's a collective coming together to celebrate each other's music, which is the truest form of Unity and Brotherhood!

 

This year we were lucky enough to raise just enough money to cover lodging and van rental to carry six artists to all of the stops on the Road Trip. In each city we will meet up with other artists, some local and some not.  So you have got to give serious props to each of these guys who are coming from all over the country. Each understand our financial limitations and have graciously taken care of their own travel. We know firsthand that being an indie artist is tough, so we are blessed that each of them know what Bearapalooza is truly about. They want to come for the exposure and the experience, not the money. And each artist this year has really pulled together to promote the shows, which has been a huge addition to the press machine Freddy has created over the years. Also many have given of their own time to go out and fundraise, they have donated sound equipment, given gas money, printed our t-shirts, given press contacts, printed and handed out posters and fliers, gave advice and knowledge of local clubs and most importantly been so supportive of what we are trying to accomplish.

 

I believe Bearapalooza is going to create history again this year within the GLBT community, I believe we are doing something very important and it has value beyond any amount of money or fame. And personally, in this crazy fast paced world, where it seems like everyone is just out for themselves, it has been one of the brightest spots in my 34 years on this earth.

 

We will see you on the road!

 

Musically Yours,

Michael West

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Hello All,

 

Thanks for all the continued sweet e-mails asking about the new album. Well, 2007 is going great with new direction for life that includes a new album, new friends, new house and travel. Well as for news on the new album I have decided to change the title to simply "Choice" the old title was eating at me and I decided it was too corny. So this new title seemed to fit more with where I am in life.  Well, we are still working hard. We hired a great drummer (who may become our band drummer) and we have started various studio tracking sessions.

 

My friend Tosh agreed to play the keys and my buddy Tim will lend his help on bass. I also plan to pull in friends Elijah, Kendall, Aaron, Michiael, Brandon and others (maybe Freddy if I ever hear from him again), to lend their talents and love to project. Bryant will not only co-produce/mix the album with me but will play lead/rhythm guitar and mandolin. Now I just need to find a choir, for two of the songs. The albums scope has not changed; it is still very much a blues/rock project with a very slight gospel edge (not religiously, just musically).

 

We are still doing to covers; one is a Beatles cover, since they influenced Bryant so much. And a Wynonna Judd song since she is one of my influences. I have also picked a new song written by our drummers cousin titled "The Sex is Better Now" it is a P!NK meets NO DOUBT type joint, you guys will love it! I also plan to add two hidden tracks (acoustic covers). And as you know the rest of the album will be music Bryant and I have written together over the last few years.

 

This album has been in the works since 2002 and now five years later, it's finally going to be born, and I could not be more excited! We have had many false starts (even this year), so I really appreciate you all standing by and giving your constant support.

 

Some of you asked about The Ursa Major Band, we are still on hiatus until the album is completed, by that time things may change with the line up, name and direction but that still remains to be seen, but I will keep you all updated.

 

Well before I head to bed for the evening I want to share again the final line up for the new album.

 

Musically Yours,

Michael West

 

 

ALBUM TITLE: "CHOICE"

 

Tracks:

 

1. Shine

2. U

3. Until You Do Right By Me

4. Since U Been Gone

5. Nothing Remains

6. Need Love

7. What If

8. Something In The Water

9. Revolution*

10. Don't you Throw That MoJo on Me *

11. Singing The Sun Up

12. The Sex is Better Now

 

2 hidden tracks (secret)

 

*cover

 

Album News... "Leaving Nashvegas"

 

Hello everyone!

 

Thanks for all the great e-mails of support concerning the new album. Because of them, I decided to drop everyone an update on the project. The project is shaping up to be a pure rock/blues album, with a simple clean production to give it the honest organic feel I have always wanted. The line up for the new album looks to be completed (below). I have chosen two of my favorite cover songs, "Homespun Love" & "That Was Yesterday", however they could still change.

 

I have also switched out a couple of songs for two new songs I wrote this year, called "Revolution Apathy" and "U". I also just completed new rewrites on the songs "What If" & "Shine" (also below), tell me what you think. This weekend, Bryant and I, will be working on tracking. So wish us luck on getting a lot done.

 

Also, after watching a show on HDTV on American roadside neon signs, I have come up with a great concept for the new album art.

I will be starting research and photography on that soon. Well, I best get back to work. But, I will keep the blog updated as work is done on the project. Thanks again for all the sweet e-mails of support. This second album is a dream that I will not let die, this time its all about the music.

 

Musically Yours,

Michael West

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

-- album line up

 

  "Leaving Nashvegas"

 

1.     U

2.     Since you've Been Gone

3.     Revolution "Apathy"

4.     Until U Do Right

5.     Nothing Remains

6.     Shine 

7.     What If

8.     Thankful

9.     Singing the Sun Up

10.   Homespun Love **

11.   That Was Yesterday **

 

** cover material

 

___________________________________

 

new re-writes

 

 

SHINE

Copyright 2006

 

verse

 

Thru the Darkness of life

time after time

were walking the steps

to take us home

 

we get knocked down

but we get back up

brush of the hurt

keep moving on

 

It can make us bleed

It may make us nuts

But we just keep keeping on

 

chorus

 

Cause I just know the day will come

Like treasured gold

out in the sun

I'm telling ya'll

Were gonna shine someday

 

It was ours all along

Keep the faith we canÃ?t be wrong

Cause I'm telling yaÃ?ll

Were gonna shine someday

 

verse

 

Sometimes we feel lost

So we break the ties

With all that matters most in life

 

We hide away

From all we learned

Just feeding the fear

of getting burned

 

it can make us loose hope

or it can make us stronger

so we just keep keeping on

 

chorus

 

Cause I just know the day will come

Like treasured gold

out in the sun

I'm telling ya'll

Were gonna shine someday

 

It was ours all along

Keep the faith we cant be wrong

Cause I'm telling ya'll

Were gonna shine someday

 

Cause I'm telling ya'll

Were gonna shine someday

 

Ad lib to end

 

 

By M. West & B. Meltzer

 

 

----------------------------------------------------------

 

WHAT IF

Copyright 2006

 

What if

The World was colorblind

Would there be respect for everyone

Would we value every life

 

What if

The poor didn't walk alone

Thru the dirty streets of poverty

In the countries they call home

 

chorus

With our eyes open

We can find our way again

With our minds open

We can begin to understand

If we can get there

then we won't have to ask 

What if

 

What if

The world could be at peace

And we held the hand of our fellow man

And respected his beliefs

 

What if

We could love who we want to love

Without the fear walking hand in hand

In the streets of America

 

chorus

With our eyes open

People don't need to die

With our minds open

We can keep hope alive

If we can get there

Then we won't have to ask 

What if

 

bridge

 

Mothers cry, their sons die

Break the silence, expose the lie

Of fear based media

and paranoid propaganda

 

chorus x2

 

 

 

By M. West & B. Meltzer

 

Well, hello all...this is my first venture into this new web-fad "My Space.com" ...I signed up awhile back but ignored it, now like with the I-POD the peer pressure is to much to handle! So you got me, I caved in! ...Well not really. I am really doing it, because I have so many asking me "What is up with your music, man!?!"

So I figured I could use this as an outlet and even if nobody reads, which matters not, it's at least a forum for my thoughts on what is going on with me musically.

Well, the music is moving forward finally, I meet on Wednesday to start talks on the production and song arrangement with Bryant, who is a co-writer on the project. I have a 10 song start and a title for the project. The working title for the album is "Leaving Nashvegas." The album is going to be a homecoming in many ways. This being my second album, I want it to be the one that defines the root of who I am musically. I planted that seed along time ago, and its time for it to break some dirt!

It's been a crazy road...the last few years in Nashville, I have learned a lot about people and friendships. It's time for me to set aside past hurts and do something for me and this album is it! Wish me luck!

More again real soon!

Musically Yours,
Michael West