Just got back from Texas. If you recall, I went down for the Wildflower Festival Songwriting Contest. The Wildflower is a fabulous music festival which drew around 60,00 people to Richardson, TX- there was even a Spam-Mobile set up, now we're talking. Pat Benatar, America, The Guess who, all rocked the masses. I was one of the 10 finalists in the songwriting contest.

On Saturday, we each played our 2 songs on stage in the Eismann Theatre, situated in the middle of the Wildflower Festival, which was a super cool performance venue. My two songs were "Periphery" and "Map in My Lap", both from my upcoming release.

In the end, there we no losers. All of the performers were absolutely top shelf. I watched them all (I was the 9th performer) from the green room as they brodcasted the entire show throughout the building.

After a 2 hour deliberation, the jury came back and announced the winners. There were 3 runner's up who took $500 home (Betty Soo, Anne Zimmerman, and Thomas Scott Pearce). Then they announced the Grand Prize Winner, First Place...yeah...yours truly!

So I went up and they snapped a few photo's of me with my new Collings Guitar (valued at...well let's just say a lot of $$) and I won some cash as well. I felt a little stunned, amazed,  blessed, validated, relieved, ya know, a little sad for the ones who didn't win, because I've been there, believe me. But this time, I got to celebrate! I walked around in a daze for a few hours, met a lot of nice folks, made some phone calls, and took a swim.

That evening, I played a full set at the festival and got a great response, sold some cd's, made some new friends. Later that night, we had a song circle back at the hotel with; Betty Soo www.bettysoo,com, Tim Grimm www.timgrimm.com , Dave from Twilight Hotel www.myspace.com/twilighthotel  (from Canada), Johnny Miles www.myspace.com/milesjohn . Mike Hatley and I passed around the Collings for the others to play. It was so wonderful to hear all of these amazing songwriters playing their songs on my new guitar. I got to hear how just sweet it sounds and I really believe they all left their mark (figuratively of course) on the guitar, sort of blessed it for me...let's just say that Morning Came Along Too Soon...

So, in short, I "acquired a new guitar at a very low cost, and WON some great new friends."

I wanted to say thanks to all of you who sent me a note of encouragement and "go get-em's"...it really helped..lifted me up somehow..

Ok, so that's the big news, now, it's off to Kerrville for the next one....

Peace,
Bob
www.myspace.com/bobsima

Just takes one click, actually, you can vote 1000 times if you want. Makes no sense to me, but, you know, whatever...
This will get me a slot at this years Artscape in Baltimore, a huge festival that "O" Magazine seems to like..
help?? Clickety click!?

This text is a link the voting page

 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=gcHdXfFud1i8_2fo6duxRDNQ_3d_3d 

The title to my record "Pour it On" is derived from the song "Don't Die With Your Music"...and it is the closing track. I borrowed the line from Wayne Dyer. He is a wise man who borrowed  the line from an ancient philospher. It moved me from the first time I heard it. It seems that everyone has some "music" in them. It is said that if you are pursuing it and allowing it to flow through you, you are serving your "purpose". You are living at a higher level of consciousness. You are living an inspired life. If you are not, you are living an ordinary life, and you are somewhat aware of it. You tell yourself that you don't really have anything to offer up to the world. You make an honest living and raise the family and you have a happy simple life, but something is missing. What? Well, you have given in to the "numbing effects" of living at this level, sort of given in to the "fact" that you are not on the right track. Something just doesn't feel right. So, you watch TV. You go to work, you fight the good fight.

So what is the point? I think it is simple. What drives you? What burns your flame? What gives you goosebumps? Maybe it is something as simple as expressing your desire to show acts of kindness. You know, when someone looks down and out and there is something telling you to lend a hand, or a word. I call it the "tap on the shoulder". Most of us ignore it. But, when you get that smile back that says, wow, you just made a huge difference in my day/life/whatever, you feel so empowered so "on purpose". You feel like, for that moment, you made a difference in that person's life.

You are on to something... Maybe THAT is your music. Or, maybe you have some music to share, painting, maybe you rock as an organizer, bringing people together. Who knows, follow the love, follow the goosebumps.

Making music has always given me goosebumps and it took me 35 years to start doing it "on purpose", but here I am. Hopefully that can inspire you to find your "music".

Here are some words I found that expresses this all, very eloquently. Enjoy...

*******
"There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium, and be lost. The world will not have it.

It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how valuable it is, nor how it compares to other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channels open.

No artist is pleased...there is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction: a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others."

Martha Graham to Agnes DeMille

Hi there friends.

This song was recorded in the warm and cozy confines on Memphis House Concerts. I met the hosts Jimbo and Susan, down at Folk Alliance last Feb and we finalized a date for me to come play a show the following summer. It sounds pretty good. The crowd sings along great at the end. Rob and I had only played this song a few times together previously so we were just getting good at it at this time last year.

The song kind of needs an introduction so here goes. Last winter I attended too many funerals ...all in a row, like, just way too many. I was almost getting good at it. I figured I would probably write a song about funerals or something, but didn't push the idea..until the fateful conversation with a "guy from the south", whom will remain anonymous. I called him to cancel a meeting we had scheduled, due to the fact that, you guessed it, I had a funeral to attend.

For some reason, he felt compelled to drag me into this deep conversation on the in's and out's of funerals. He said that us northerner's (actually MD is actually south of the Mason-Dixon Line, but who knows..I didn't want to correct him, he was on a roll) are "hung up" on funerals. We are just looking at it in the wrong light. He said "actually, funerals are celerations...we're good Southern Baptists, we celebrate the life they lived, the moments they shared and the funny and sad times, but it is a celebration. In fact, if you give us a cold body and a warm ham, we'll have us a good ol' time"! Ok...a little morbid, but I had to agree...

I wrote the song minutes after the conversation in just one take, really. It just poured out onto the paper, like all the good ones do. My favorite part of the song is the last line when the mood is settled way down and quiet and you are at the end of the funeral, there with all the empty cups and stuff and all the laughter and remembrances which were had are droning out.. we all kind of have this universal feeling of our own mortality....

I stood  there a wondering if my time would come

And if the ham was still warm would all have their fun

Eatin and drinkin on my behalf

My life widdled down to their last empty glass

But all I have done and with all I was blessed

Is there in memories of the souls still left

Their ham is cold now on the tables to be cleared

They go back for another day, and they hope... for another year

The song is on the LIVE! From Memphis House Concerts CD. Pick one up, and sing along?

Peace,
Bob

Some folks down in Virginia www.circletowardwholeness.org are planning on using these songs to facilitate some workshops they are doing and asked me to post these lyrics...so here they are.

Stay Small

You've got these great expectations they've created for you

 Don't let em' haunt you if they never come true

And hope it don't go to your head, if they do

There's an old saying and I hope you'll recall

The bigger they are, the harder they fall

So don't you forget to, stay small

Stay small, don't get caught up in it all, stay small

 And may hope hold your head up like a pillow

And may faith be firmly planted under your feet, under your feet

So, there you are standing in the middle of it all

You've got these great big ideas 10 feet tall

It's alright to think big, but stay small

Stay small…. don't get caught up in it all, stay small

 And may hope hold your head up like a pillow

And may faith be firmly planted under your feet, under your feet

© B Sima 2002

MAY YOU ALWAYS BE

I hope you always look, on the brighter side

I hope your days go slowly lingering by

And I hope you take, a little less time

On the those things, that took me years to decide

 

I hope you're always first to apologize

And when you do, look 'em straight in the eyes

Cause you can change the world in your own little way

You can right what's wrong, no matter what they say

 

And may you always be…where the sun's…gonna shine on you…

 

Always stand up, for what you believe

The stronger your actions, the louder you speak

But the farther you run child, from your fears

You'll spend the rest of your days, turning back those years

 

And may you always be….where the sun's…gonna shine on you

 

Gonna shine on you………my baby blue…….

Gonna shine on you………I'll be next to you….

Gonna shine on you………my baby blue….

Gonna shine on you……..

 

I hope you see the stars, most every night

And never doubt the magic of the moonlight

And the mysteries, no one can see

I hope it doesn't mean, that you don't believe…

GRAVITY

Well I woke up on the sunny side of the day

A hummingbird came to my window and he looked my way

He said just look at the big blue sky

It's gonna be a beautiful day, you can't deny

 

And I said, hey hey what's that sound

He said it's gravity trying to hold you down

He said just get out of bed and do it again

Gravity can't hold you down

 

I said coming from a hummingbird that's nice

You're all of 3 grams you fit in my hand, that's some solid advice

I said I got big problems that I've  found

He said your only problem is you're looking down

 

He said hey hey whats that sound

I said it's gravity trying to hold me down

My back's slumped over from the weight on my shoulder

Gravity's trying to hold me down 

 

You know  hummingbird don't really hum

But their heart beats faster than mine, 25 to 1

So his short little lifetime is burning fast

I don't suppose he spends much time, living in the past

 

I say hey hey what's that sound

He said  it's gravity trying to hold me down

But I'm flapping my wings just as fast as I can

Gravity can't hold me down

                                      

Welcome to the sunny side of the day

Where we look at things in a most unusual way

When you're feeling up, never look down

And if you see that hummingbird hovering around

Say Hey hey whats that sound…

 

2007 was my rookie year. I released my first Bob Sima record- "Pour It On". I was so proud of it. I cannot tell you how proud, really. It was a dream realized. Dave and Krista and the studio players turned these simple little songs into something special. I love the way every song came out. My favorite song on the record is "Any Better". Mainly because it was the impetus for making the record and, well, I love to hum. When I wrote that song, I knew I was ready to make a solo career happen. Don't know why, just knew it. "Pretty" came next. Love that one too. When I first heard Krista's piano part on "Any Better" (we were sitting together in the studio) playing it "live" I must say that I had some of the most intense feelings of "yeah I am in the right place" that I've ever had musically. So, I won some awards in 2007- a bunch of them-all cool, got some interest from some people in cool places, etc etc, but you know, most of all, I got the music out there and touched some people. That was my main goal. In that sense I was successful. The feedback I get on a daily basis, literally keeps me going. Fans (which are really friends), feed the fire. I got it started, but you all feed it. I decided early on in 2007 to focus on house concerts. In the end, a house concert is really what it is all about. Just the guitar, the songs and some folks sitting there listening. They come up between sets, ask questions, buy cd's, ask you to sign them, inquire into my "dayjob status", then sit back down for the 2nd set. They clap when you ask, they sing when you ask, they respond like a sports car, really. Tight through the turns, comfortable and calm. The songs are so happy, as well am I. What a ride. 2007 was a great year. Here we are, early Jan 08 and I am sitting on a new record. I am madly in love with this one too. Dave and Krista and the players did it again. Coming soon...

Thank you for reading this, listening and supporting me.

"Tuesday Troubadours: Hosted By Bob Sima"is modeled after the classic Nashville "Singer Songwriters in the Round" format. Each Tuesday, Bob brings in 2 guest singer-songwriters to join him on stage for an evening of all original singer-songwriter material. The old saying goes, it aint a good song unless you can successfully move the audience without a back-up band, studio wizardry and smoke and mirrors. So Bob hand picks the best of the best local and national/international talent to demonstrate that concept each week. They share songs, stories and sometimes a guitar lick in what turns out to be an often magical display of songcraft and entertainment.

Where:

Austin Grill

36 Maryland Avenue, Unit A
Rockville, MD 20850
301-838-4281
Rockville, MD
www.myspace.com/austingrillrockville

Pour it On – Bob Sima
www.bobsima.com

Reviewed by Christy Claxton

It's really rare that I receive a CD that I can honestly say doesn't have a weak track.  With Bob Sima's "Pour it On," I can say that.  This is one first class, "feel good" recording, and it is extremely infectious.  This is one that I'll play over and over and over.  It's upbeat, groovy, warm, comfortable and ultra listenable.  And the star of this production is Sima's voice.  He's just got one of those perfectly accessible sets of pipes that will please everyone.

I actually found out about Sima via one of those annoying listserv thingies for house concert hosts.  That's my other musical endeavor.  I host a house concert.  I wouldn't have paid any attention to the post if it hadn't coupled him with Nadine Goellner, and I had just written a glowing review of her latest release.  Therefore, knowing what a smokin' talent Goellner is, I figured this Sima guy must be damn good to share a show with her.  Then I forgot about it until Bob contacted me.  I pretty much let him know he was a "shoe in" at Stave because of Goellner, and I am not disappointed with the disc he sent.  Not at all.

"Pour it On" is a wonderful mixture of folk, rock, and pop with a tiny dash of gospel and blues.  In a sense, it's the very best of what it means to be all-American.  Sima calls his music, "good music for good people," so he lets you know right up front you deserve it.  Without realizing I was doing it, I became aware that I was dancing in my chair while listening to "Pour it On."  You know?  That happy dance we sometimes distractedly move into because our psyche feels so damn good?  So yes.  This is good music.  Don't deny yourself the joy of "Pour it On."

…O.K.  Now I'm off to turn on the vacuum cleaner or blender to cleanse my head of singing along to the final cut on this CD ("Don't Die With Your Music").  Otherwise, no one else will get reviewed today…

It's quite an honor to have had "Pour It On" awarded the "CD OF THE YEAR 2006" by the Westside Cafe www.westside-cafe.com. It was announced by Rod Deacey (owner) in the middle of my set on New Years Eve and I was really taken aback. What an honor....

It is real validation to me that the record was a winner. In my own eyes (and ears), I knew it when I was driving out of Bloomington last summer with the rough mixes. I KNEW it. I could feel it-ya know?

So, the honor is mine and according to Rod I beat out many name brand artists who I will not name. He's hosted them all and has a stack of CD's to prove it!

So, stop my the Cafe and pick up a copy as they are available starting this weekend in a special kiosk or online as always.

Thanks Rod and theWestside! 

 

What a week....

Thanks so much for coming out to support us and Doug Segree the Rams Head OnStage. It was a magical night. Playing that stage was a thrill and an honor and that fact that is was SOLD OUT really sealed the deal. Thanks to all of you for coming out.

The WTMD segment came off well. I was pleased with the songs we played and the interview was a hoot. The guys at TMD are top notch folks...really....

A nice show at the World Cafe Live topped it off. Looking forward to getting back up to Philly, what an amazing venue...

Well, more shows coming soon...stay tuned for more fun!

Peace,

Bob