Typically, I would blog when I have something incredibly important to talk about, or maybe for some gig where I desperately need the support of everyone I can beg to come.  But this blog is not that, instead it’s more your garden-variety self-indulgent blather, babbling and what not,  about... well, me!  I will start with a little snapshot of where I am musically at the moment. It’s been nearly 5 months since the release of my CD, “Re-Occurring Dream”. Putting out this CD was largely the culmination of a long-time dream for me, and that is indeed one of the implications of its title. But as a culmination, the release in itself was a major high-point. The music represents the best of me, as abetted by some talented musical friends. I’m proud of that. It’s been largely well-received by those who’ve heard it, and that in itself is gratifying. As far as music promotion, these days it’s D.I.Y., and the squeaky wheel gets the grease, you know. I have done my share of “squeaking” lately, but largely I’ve opted to keep my efforts to get the music out, on a local level. Life just intervenes and the music has to fit it's own place in the scheme. The CD is available worldwide on the net of course (and has had a few international sales, at that) but my profile on the music scene remains largely peripheral to Philadelphia, and my performances (aside from Studio LuLoo) have been limited to a few shows each month, largely local. Without getting too maudlin, I’ll just say honestly that the schedule I keep is really all I can handle these days. I don’t find a lot of time to write much lately. I do hope that starts to change. I’ve been doing this for quite a while now (and yes, I just turned 40 last month.) Over time you learn a lot of things about the world and about yourself. Music continues to provide me with inspiration in my life, and that’s something to cherish. Sharing that with people, including my family, is a great joy and a great gift. That never changes. But I think I might be just waiting for some new wave of inspiration, to push me creatively. I’ll keep you posted on that. These things do come in waves, and you can’t predict it. These dreams do re-occur. They always do. So, no, I’m not retiring, and rumors of my death were grossly exaggerated. Following are lyrics to the song, “I’ll Drive Tonight” from my recent CD:

Everyone knows how the old story goes

First you live, then you die, given no reason why

Everyone knows how it is from the start

You get time to make your mark, then you leave in the dark

And I am just one man, trying hard’ to understand

That the world’s at my command, it’s in my hands.

And I’ve got just one life, and just one chance to get it right,

I’ve got the wheel and I’m holding tight, I’ll Drive Tonight

Everyone knows how the old story goes

First you live, then you die, but you got to give it a try

Everyone knows that the racket is rough

You get time to do your stuff, but it’s never enough

And you have just one man, and he’s hard to understand

And the world’s at your command, it’s in your hands.

And I’ve got just one life, and just one chance to get it right,

I’ve got the wheel and I’m holding tight, I’ll Drive Tonight

And I am just one man, and I’m trying hard to understand

That the world’s at my command, it’s in my hands.

And I’ve got just one life, and just one chance to get it right,

I’ve got the wheel and I’m holding tight, I’ll Drive Tonight

©2009 John F Shaughnessy

New music! The pace of recording has been stepped up a bit now and I'm really psyched about it. I finished up 3 new songs in the last 6 weeks (that's fast for me) This weekend I completed a new tune with Brett Talley at Bossman Studios. And when I'm excited about something, I can never keep it under my hat, so it's posted on the page now. The new song is called "Re-Occurring Dream" and it's like nothing I've recorded before. This one really came alive during the recording process and features lots of different elements, including Susie Steen on piano. Re-occurring Dream is also the working title for the CD. And no more tentative guesses for the release, this collection of songs will hit the streets Spring '09, my friends.
But in the near future...
Please mark doen these important dates:

Sunday, December 28, 9pm
Co-hosting Hometown Heroes radio show with Mark Rogers. in WSTW 93.7 FM. Includes live in-studio performance, interview,  and lots of local music. This will be fun!

Friday, January 2, 7:30pm
After the holiday madness is through check out this full-band show in Philadelphia.
@The Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA, above Seranno's Restaurant). Show also features friends Brian Mullins, and Kevin Monko.
Tickets are $8, available at www.tinagel.com 
Your support is greatly appreciated for this show!

Just realized it's been a looong time since I blogged last. Not that things have been uneventful. My steady musical endeavor continues to be Studio LuLoo Live! The Open Mic is a weekly event every Tuesday. I book the "featured artists", too, and we've had amazing top-of-the-line guests, week after week. Let's see, the past year has seen my assembling "the band". I recently played to a packed house downstairs at the World Café's annual Philly Song Shuffle. Visits to 93.7's Hometown Heroes radio program and a show at the Tin Angel are on the horizon next.  My own recording project moves along slowly but surely. I expected to have a full CD ready by year end, but now I'm looking for a 2009 release. It WILL be worth the wait. Production collaborators Steve Butler and Brett Talley have been helping me realize the recordings I've always wanted to create, and it's a real labor of love. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now, and it will be completed within a few months, with a release party to follow.

To me, the best part of being involved in the local music scene is getting a chance to interact with other musicians. The quality of music created in the area never ceases to amaze me. I am continuously inspired by my performing friends from all around. As long as I've been around, that is the thing that continues to keep everything fresh and exciting. I'm always out catching new music. It is a desire fed by a spark that never dies. So cheers to you, musicians and music lovers alike. It's cool to be you.  

Looking back at some of my earliest attempts at songwriting is somewhat hilarious. I just found a bunch of 4-track recordings and it's a treasure trove of chuckles. I actually found a song I titled "Silent Wind"(!) The connotation of that title was completely lost on me at the time. I've always liked catchy title, though. A case in point is one of the first songs I ever wrote. It was on a cassette demo I made back in 1993. It was so bad. They say you should "write what you know", but as a novice songwriter I didn't know anything. Besides, I wanted to write about a cooler topic: Drugs. Yeah, dirty, rotten addiction. Never mind I had never even smoked a cigarette. I don't even know where these lyrics came from, but they rhymed. There are a couple lines that don't completely suck, but for the most part, it's indulgent trash. BUT, it had a catchy title. People often asked for it, just because it was so over the top. I copped it from a line in a Prince song, so I can't even really claim it as entirely my own. Sorry I don't have the audio for you, but the lyrics are presented here in all their glory. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you....

Pills, Thrills, and Daffodils

There's so many things these days that try to bring me down,

But I'm doing my best, in my own way, trying not to drown

Just trying to keep my head above this rising water,

But nowadays I'm led, like a lamb to the slaughter

Back to you

Back to you

Just give me a shot of that medicine, and I'll try to ease my pain

Physically, I have no ills, but I'm sick in the brain

A magical elixir, I'm sure would do the trick

Tonight I'll feel like dancin', but tomorrow I'll be sick

You know it's true

I'm coming back to you

Pills Thrills and Daffodils

I have had my fill

of Pills, thrills, and daffodils

Pills Thrills and Daffodils

Time and time again I try to make it on my own,

But every time I find, I end up all alone

No matter what I do to cure my affliction

Every day is nothing new, when you've got an addiction.

You know it's true

I'm coming back to you

Pills Thrills and Daffodils

I have had my fill

of Pills, thrills, and daffodils

Pills Thrills and Daffodils

I decided to give this video a place here in the blog where it belongs. Its one little burst of creativity that I saved at the moment of its inception. Sometimes it's crucial to do that while there's a feeling of new inspiration. It's just me singing a song in my front room, a rough snapshot of something brand-spankin' new that I felt the need to save here. Written between 7-8pm yesterday, I threw this vid up on youtube by 9:00 same day.

Friday night at the Tin Angel was what it's all about. Playing a real top-notch joint is righteous enough, but playing with three of my favorite acts and best musical friends made it a dream (thanks David Wannop!) I am also deeply indebted to Brett, Sue, Jay, Steve and Sara (the band) for rocking out with me and making me look good.

We packed the place! What a joy to see some 70-75 people turn out for the big show!

Susie Steen was a superstar.

Tim Butler literally rocked off my socks.

And Outset kicked ass and took names.

It was a night to remember and I couldn't have been happier to be a part of it. To all of the friends who came out in support, A BIG THANK YOU.

Thanks for allowing the big nerd to play with the cool kids. What a gas! And Cheers to all of you other late-bloomers J

Sure, you've got the holidays on your mind right now, but you really ought to remember what's coming up on the horizon. The first can't-miss-it show of 2008. it's happening Friday, January 4th at 8:30pm 
With 4 great acts playing on a Friday night at the TIN ANGEL, the $8.00 ticket price is a bargain! get yours now!!
at TICKET WEB by clicking HERE http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=230563

If you love singer/songwriters influenced heavily by classic pop and rock you will love this bill...
Susan Steen http://www.myspace.com/susansteen
John Shaughnessy
Tim Butler http://www.myspace.com/timbutler
Outset http://www.myspace.com/outsetband
Friday, January 4th at the Tin Angel (20 S. 2nd Street, Philadelphia)

I'm even more stoked about this show as the date gets closer.
The Tin Angel is one of the premiere venue's in Philadelphia, featuring the best of local and national talent, so it's very exciting to play there, and on a Friday night it's sure to be a party. This bill of January 4th features a bunch of my favorite artists in the world (who also happen to be some of my best friends in the biz).
And get this... I'll be playing with a full-band featuring Jay V on keyboards, Steve Goldstein on elec. guitar, Brett Talley on DRUMS, and... pulling triple-duty for the evening will be Susie Steen, on bass.
Susie Steen will charm you with her sweet voice and intricate guitar tunings
Tim Butler will get your foot tapping with his amazingly catchy tunes
Outset will rock you and invade your brain with melodies
And oh yes, JS will be in-da-house and I plan to raise the roof off it!

So get your tickets at ticketweb while you can.
And don't forget if you dine at Serrano's restaurant before the show they will save you a reserved table upstairs for the show.

This past week was a pretty good one for JS in the press. A photo and blurb in the last issue of South Jersey's Impulse magazine helped make Saturday's Coffee Works show a success. I also appeared on local TV talk show, "The Tim Qualls Show", as well. And to cap it off, my song "Feelin' Good Again" led off this week's Hometown Heroes radio show on 93.7 WSTW.

Impulse mag is available in local coffee shops and night spots. This week's issue is still on the stands for a couple days, if you wanna grab it. The Tim Qualls appearance is available for viewing online on youtube.  It airs again this Saturday 11/3, at 11:30pm on cable channel 21 in Camden County,  channel 15 in Gloucester CountyYou can also download the podcast of Hometown Heroes at http://www.wstw.com/heroes . (the 10/28 broadcast is available there for the next two weeks.) Keep requesting me on 93.7. Send your requests by email to mrogers@wstw.com or call 800-544-9370 (during the Sunday night local show.) Thanks again to everyone for their support. I really appreciate it.

Next show: A mid-week singer songwriter night in Philadelphia at Fergie's Pub!

Wednesday November 7th at 9:00pm. Featuring JS, Matt Woodall, and Blue Frances.