Hey Gang - I'm at Reverbnation.com... Come check it out...

The pre-NAMM was great.  A&R took very good care of us.  Got some cool new shwag.  

Met up with Heather (my cousin and convenient resident of Orange County)  later that night.  All piled into the super-Jeep and drove to LA.  Met her new boyfriend and all went to see Jay Nash (friend and former Acoustic Lounge performer) at the Hotel Cafe.  Good times.

Heather's new boyfriend is the promoter/tour manager for all of Japan (though he's about as non-Japanese looking as you can possibly get).  Just came off tour with Motley Crue.  He also toured five times with Marilyn Manson.  Had some classic stories.

Yesterday morning....the dawn of NAMM 2009.  Susie woke up deathly ill.  She's a beautiful...yet delicate....flower.  Skipped NAMM and drove her home to recover in her own bed.  We're leaving again first thing in the morning to immerse ourselves in the largest music industry trade show this side of London.

Wish us luck.

With bleeding eardrums,

Michael S.

Ahhh...it's been a while.  It's been one crazy problem after another, but at long last, Yours Truly is recording once again.  You can check out a very early scratch track of "Song of the Lonely" on my home page.

I'm very much looking forward to laying down the drums and bass in the coming weeks...

Elated,

Michael S.

Greetings Everyone…

Thank you all for the outflowing of support lately. Here'a a brief recap and update of all things Shelton:

On Tuesday, May 29, I had a freak accident which severely injured my right hand, requiring emergency surgery to attempt repair to the severed nerves providing sensation to my little finger and ring finger, as well as the severed artery, among other structural repairs. In a very short amount of time, I learned more about hand anatomy than I ever wanted to know - and got to see myself from the inside out. I can now say with absolute certainty that there is truth to the old adage that "beauty is only skin-deep". (For more of the background story, see my previous blog by clicking the "previous" link on the bottom of this page)

I had the cast and stitches removed last week. All seemed to be going fine until the wound decided to reopen. I'll be heading back to the ol' Dr's office to get a few brand-new shiny stitches, and should be nearly as good as new in a couple of weeks.

For you weirdo's who, like me, like to see pictures of gruesomness, I'll post a couple tasteful wound shots here in a couple of days. For those of you who are "normal" (translation: absolutely nothing like me whatsoever), and aren't interested in seeing pictures of gore, NOT TO WORRY…I have a treat for you as well.

The most mundane of tasks, as a result of this injury, became rather difficult to perform (Have you ever tried to tie your shoes one-handed? It can be done, but it is absolutely ridiculous to watch - just ask my wife).  Being one who tends to wax poetic from time to time, I began to give serious thought to just how many things I take for granted on a daily basis. It's unfortunate that often, only loss and retrospect weilds the authority to force us to appreciate the gifts that we possess. However, moments like these are exactly what gives intellectual fodder for new songs. I thought I'd take a quick moment to share the lyrics to the song that I have written to commemorate this very odd journey of mine…

Thank you all for your concern and your support. I am playing again, and will resume my schedule this week.

Be Well,

Michael
the singer/songwriter gimp

_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
Hands

Lately I've been giving thought to things
Like feet for shoes and hands for rings
And strings for playing hearts
for holding mine

But what exists beneath the glittered haze
Of same old same and normal days
And drinking routine smiles
with crimson wine

Don't take things for granted
If you don't choose you just might lose
Your way

Don't take things for granted
I promise you, you'll find the blues
will find their way into your song

Lately I've been giving thought to things
Like shaking hands and melodies
and writing out the words
to this tune

What do they say about idle hands
and what to do when fortune lands
misfortune in the lap
of something good

Take these things away
Strip me naked and my mind still strays
Take away these hands
My elbows would still find a way to dance

'cause I am so much more
we are so much more…
_______________________________________
_______________________________________

 

Well,

My last post was two days prior to my wedding. The wedding was successful.
I'm hitched!

It was an incredible trip - We experienced literally every season possible,
and every weather condition. I'll be posting video soon of running in short
sleeves through a blizzard.

The day following our wedding took us to the beautiful island of Jamaica. I
have seldom seen such beauty, heightened by the genuine kindness of the
people of Jamaica. We spent 7 days and nights, soaking in the sun, the
rain, and the lush greenery of the island. We made many friends, and above
all, experienced a fantastic beginning to the joining of our lives.

Now, back to the grind. My wife and business manager, Susie, is actively
booking through early summer. If you or anyone you know would
like a private Michael Shelton performance, or would just like to see me at
your favorite hot spot, please email booking@michaelshelton.com.

Also, for you MySpacers out there, check out The Acoustic Lounge
(www.myspace.com/theacousticlounge.) This is a once-a-month concert series that Susie and I have started. It's purpose is to celebrate live music as an art form. Please spread the word. The performances feature Singer/Songwriters and acoustic band sets on the 1st Friday of every month. It's located in the old Sam Goody location in the Santa Maria Town Center Mall , from 7-9pm. We also feature wine tasting (included in the price of admission), and artwork provided by local artists. It's the best $5 that you'll ever spend.

Here's to life…

Live without regret….

Michael

Hello from Michigan.  That's right, this Texan turned California-ian is visiting the Heartland of Michigan.  I am here to marry the love of my life - before god and the interesting population of this blessed land.

I feel like I have stepped back in time - in a good way.  Driving around brings back fond memories of what my homeland of Texas was like...about ten years ago.  Ushering in utter culture shock to Yours Truly, the people are incredibly friendly, and EVERYONE talks to you.  Was California ever like this?  Probably not.

I'm having a blast - walking around...meeting people...getting to know my newfound family, and as such, my newfound home.  Home - I find myself wondering exactly what that word means.  If home is truly where the heart is, then I am blessed to have many.

I spent several days here without my guitar.  It was like living without oxygen.  I had it shipped from California.  I didn't trust the warm, friendly, and gentle folks at TSA.  Those well meaning airline employees (gov't employees, i guess - right?) would have thrashed it to hell.  I would have been heartbroken.

It arrived...in one piece.  It was like home...heartfelt and warm.  (and dusty)

Tonight, my very closest and I pile into a stretch Limo into the heart of Detroit to celebrate the reason why I am here.  I'm excited to discover the trouble that we're going to get in.  Us + Limo + Detroit = ????

Two days, and my life changes.  Two days and my life begins.  Three days, and I'll be feeling Irie in Jamaica, Mon.

Love and lemonheads,

Michael S.

 

 

What a week this has been.  Full of rants (see previous blog), expenses, and a new awareness of just how incredible life is. 

As I slowly awaken from my stress-induced dream, I'm wiping the sleep from my eyes and looking at the bright morning that surrounds me.  I have wonderful people in my life - there are so many of you who have helped propel me closer to my dreams.

For all of you who have emailed me, come to a show, clapped, smiled, laughed, cried - either with me or for me - thank you.  Please know that your support and friendship mean the world to me.

Be well...

Michael

Ok...So i know that i'm going to ruffle a few feathers here.  That's what preening is for...

This past week, I heard the WORST song that I've ever heard.  Before I give the song away, let me rant a little.

What the hell is going on with music these days?  It almost seems like the record industry is sitting back in their fat little chairs on their fat little asses musing, "I wonder just how bad we can get and still have people buy our shit?"  Have you listened to the radio lately?  It's shit.  And people are buying it up and scarfing it down like wine.  It's unbelievable.

A new "artist" (in name only) is getting mass radio play.  He's number 8 on the damn billboard.  He's just won some Brit award.  People are following him.  Why?

James Blunt's song "Your Beautiful" is the most terrible piece of garbage that I've ever thought of hearing...and it is getting attention from people who think that it is some amazing sentiment about love, revalations, and/or society.  In actuality, it is c-class lyrics put to horribly cliche chord progressions.  When will we wake up and realize that record companies won't be able to put out shit if people stop buying it.  If we return to our true selves, and stop worrying about what the latest frenzy is, we will realize that we don't actually like some of this crap.  It's just that it is a marketing buzz, and we sheepishly plod along because that is where the good shephards of the record industry are leading us.

My friends, I mean this in all sincerity.  Listen to the lyrics of the music that you are listening to.  Look behind the veil of marketeers and judge music like this for yourself.  Ignore the "buzz", because it normally leads to the absolute least common denominator.  Be the child who doesn't know any better than to call out the fat naked king for what he is - a fat naked king.

Last night, I played a show with Dominic Castillo & the Rock Savants.  They are a fantastic band, and have all the earmarks of brilliance.  They have catchy pop hooks combined with fantastic lyrics.  James Blunt (poser) is on the radio and Dominic Castillo & Co are playing small coffeeshops.  What the hell is wrong with this picture?

My friends - this travesty in the world of music will not change unless we do.  When we see/hear crap, call it for what it is - crap.  Marketing and ridiculous videos are just that - a way to try to encourage you to lay aside your better reasoning and drift with the tide.

MySpace is full of musicians like this, and people flock to them like flies on sheite.  Dig deeper, however, and you will find another layer and another level to this rabbit hole.  There is also some brilliant music, made and inspired by people that truly are artists - in name and action.  Ignore the buzz and judge for yourself.  Open your eyes, your ears and your minds to what is actually something new, something original, something beautiful.  It's out there...but it's probably not jumping up and down to get noticed.

The horrid state of music will change when we do. 

One of the most amusing things that I read about our dear friend, Mr Blunt, was that he is similar to Damien Rice and Elliott Smith.  Here's a creative idea - GO LISTEN TO DAMIEN RICE AND ELLIOTT SMITH!!!!  Damien doesn't get a fraction of the radio airplay of Blunt, and Elliott Smith NEVER got the play that Blunt is getting.  Interesting that Blunt is being compared to those guys, even though they have never received the buzz and/or marketing attention that he has.  Perhaps it is because, in their greed induced stupor, even the Record Industry recognizes true artists.

Ok....rant officially over.

Frustrated and Confused,

Michael S.

I have recently discovered, through a bizarre set of circumstances and happenings, the need to take a step back every once in a while, and reconnect with those around me.  The best of intentions and drive move me forward to write the next song, to book the next show, to constantly be looking to the next milestone.  In my haste, however, I sometimes forget that it is the individual moment that matters; The micro seconds built upon each other to form our lives.

Contemplation compels me to wonder what I miss as I drift through my weeks in a tempest of stress and activity to "accomplish" - to use my time without wasting a second of potential productivity.  I am taking this moment to pause - to blink, to breathe, to see what is around me and what it has to say.

To each of you that I have met in my travels and in my haste - thank you for creating a memory for me.  To those who have been insistent enough to force me to stop and concentrate on the present - you are my life.  

These are the times when I ponder the age-old question of "what is the purpose of life?"  The answer, I believe, is found when the lights are dim and the air is silent:  To breathe; To smile; To be grateful to those who take time out of their own whirlwinds of existence to acknowledge mine.

I have neglected this "blog" (who invented that ridiculous word?) for far too long - thinking of it as a foolish waste of time.  I have felt that I should be moving towards more important things like booking shows, adding friends; finishing my album; working hard to accomplish some grandiose ideal.  I have forgotten that relationships forged are the very ingredients that makes those ideals to become reality.  I don't want to ignore this avenue for connection.  I want to be able to connect...with anyone who will allow.  I am grateful to those of you who take the time to remind me that I am not an island.

Be well...

Michael Shelton