Merry Christmas!

I'm in morning rehearsal for our Christmas eve program. It's just
hitting me that tomorrow is Christmas day! It came so fast this year.

Thanks to all of you, and best wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a
prosperous new year!

Going Green

We drove out to Oxford, Michigan to cut down some Christmas trees on Saturday. I’d love to say its been a family tradition, but we started using artificial trees back in the early 90’s.

We had fun, but as a result our 18, 22, and 24 year olds lamented about all the fun memories they didn’t have embedded in their brains as a result of our going “green” with plastic and steel trees 10 years ago.

Of course, we hadn’t gone green at all. WHO KNEW?!? It turns out, as our Christmas Tree farmer explained, that the way to go green is to cut down your own tree every year. He was a great guy, and took the time to explain how much carbon monoxide our potential tree, waiting in his field, had scrubbed from the atmosphere over the past 5-7 years while it happily matured in his garden of trees. He explained how each tree was drip irrigated, rendering each specimen a near-perfect shape and well distributed growth along the entire perimeter of the tree. He also pointed out that each tree was examined by him and priced personally by him, and that the purchase price was a fair price given the time and resources and genuine love for the craft that he had put forth in his own labor. He certainly was passionate about pine.

I have to admit, though, the tree we selected and hacked off is beautiful in its designated corner in our home. Its fragrance wafts supreme as we enter the house every day. Wonderful. Its needles, firmly in place, no doubt because of its spoon-fed, drip-irrigated upbringing, will offer our family joy over the coming weeks. While I used to have to pick which side sits forward on the Frank’s-nursery-live-trees-of-Christmas-past, I had no such decisions to make this time; its perimeter flawless, making the position in which I dropped the tree just as good as any other I may have selected. (Besides, Frank’s went out of business years ago.)

And the price? I bet you’re wondering how much it cost to be so ecologically correct, and intimately connected with the environment for our Christmas season.

Well, lets just say there’s more than one reason they call it “Green”.

Change The World

A great Sunday, this week. I played and sang at church this weekend. We did an instrumental version of Eric Clapton’s “Change The World” (Gordon Kennedy of WhiteHeart cowrote that song) as a prelude, Stefan Van Voorst’s “Change the World” as an opener, and closed with Chris Tomlin’s “God of This City” (an anointed song.)

The message this week was the final week in the series, “I’m Sorry. Apologizing for a sinful Church.” This weeks topic was the most controversial, apologizing to people of the Muslim faith.

Even as you read this, you probably have a mixed reaction to that title. Maybe indignant. I don’t blame you. As a nation we’ve had quite a tumultuous century, so far. 911 threw our economy into a tailspin, already racked with the tech bubble bursting, only to build artificially on another housing bubble that has now burst. The war, and the middle east conflict is ever-raging and foreign video of Arabs burning the American flag tends to have a strong influence on our predisposition towards the faith of Islam.

I was curious how the subject would unfold.

The service started with a video of Arab-Americans who have had their Americanism questioned in the past 8 years. We had a guest speaker in from Atlanta, Buddy Hoffman. who related his experiences during the 911 week. He was with a retired General when the events went down, and many commentators were using the phrase “cowardly act” to describe the terrorists attack. The general responded by saying, this wasn’t cowardly. These people believe what they believe, perhaps even more than what we believe. I’ve often thought about that, as well.

His assertion was that this war will not be won with guns and cannons, and I think he’s right. He asked this question: If we woke up an discovered that Washington had been obliterated, and every church in the nation had been burned down.. would it be over? Not for us, right? It would just be beginning. How can we begin to imagine we can stop a movement with the same methods.. albeit our focus being on the most radical aspects of that faith. Just as if we are approached in an anti-Christian manner, we’re most likely not going to listen, our methods to approach Muslims, as a church, have been largely ineffective, and therefore, most-likely careless; more about affirming our faith, than reaching out to Muslims.

For those of you who don’t know, I live in the suburbs of Detroit, where outside of the middle east, there lives the largest population of Arab-descent in the world. I interact and work with people of the Muslim faith on a daily basis, as do many of my neighbors.

I was challenged in the fact that I know only what I’ve been told (mostly by Christians) about the Muslim faith. What I didn’t know, is that Muslims, in large part would be interested in talking about Jesus Christ. You see, the Koran says that there is only one God and that we should make a straight path towards him. It also states that Jesus was born of a virgin and is the messiah. Did you know that? There is much common ground in which to start a conversation with a person of muslim faith. I’ve got some reading to do.

I’ve know for a long time that the Arab nation are the descendants of Esau, son of Isaac, twin brother of Jacob, who was cheated out of his birthright by Jacob and mother Rebecca. Its not surprising that his descendants are a bit miffed.

While I don’t think we will see an end to the middle eastern conflict in our lifetimes, I think we can do a better job of creating dialog with those we know, who practice the faith of Islam. While it may only be in our own little worlds, we have power to make positive change happen within them.



Look to You

What do you believe in? Do you believe it’s true,
or do you hold it over others who don’t believe like you?
Call it righteous indignation, or a justified alarm,
but muster His compassion for those who wish you harm

Our world, your world, will look to you.

The world is full of anger, and broken empty dreams
And the canopy that shields her is tearing at the seams
And hatred, rage and vengeance seem a natural response
But you know your call is greater, as a child of renaissance

Our world, your world, will look to you.

We’ll look to you to see how you respond in tragic circumstance.
We’ll look to you to see what happens when your enemies advance.
We’ll look to you to see just where you turn when you haven’t got a chance.
We’ll look to you

I know it must be tempting just to follow happenstance
It’s hard to lead the music, when you really wanna dance
But the servant that’s within you is calling you to stand;
The reason for your being may be close at hand.

And our world, your world, will look to you.

Tim Wheeler (ASCAP) ©2005Weaver of Melodies Music (A Bug Music Co.)

Listen to “Look To You”

Not Another One!?!

I got an invitation to a new networking website a couple days ago. "OH NO!" you say, "Not another social networking website“. Yes, but this one’s different.

Seriously.

The first thing is that someone in my extended family sent me the invite.. That’s ok, but the reason is that she added me to her family tree. Got your interest yet?

Unless you’re related to me (Thank your lucky stars if you’re not), you’ll have to join on your own. Go to www.Geni.com and sign up. Geni is a genealogical social network website, and you have got to check it out.

I’ve tried several times to get my family tree down. Once, years ago in a notebook. Once with a program on an old Mac. Thing is, I just didn’t have the time (nor the inclination) to do it right and accurate. While my aunts and uncles were still living, I gathered some data, but that is scattered, as well. Software for this kinda thing isn’t cheap, by the way, at least not for the good ones, but even with the best software, the performance is based on you and your efforts.

What’s great about Geni, and what will ensure its success is the wiki-like sharing of information. I spent about an hour entering names and info on my kids and then names and some info on my cousins, and then names of my aunts and uncles, the data growing scarcer as the generations progressed. Each time I added a person, it gave me an option of inviting them by sending an email to them.

Then, when they join the tree, they can update and add information that they have about the family, and the tree becomes more and more intelligent, adding dates of birth, death, marriage, etc.

You can even add a picture to each person on the tree.

Make sure to check it out. Its a great way to start keeping track of your family and an excellent way to get your extended family to talk to each other.

Kudos to the RC!

So.. Kudos to Rainbow Connection in Rochester, Michigan.

If you remember a week or so back I blogged about how proud I am of my kids. I mentioned that Amanda, my middle child, (that’s another blog entry in itself) had landed a job with Rainbow Connection, a non-profit that grants wishes for Michigan kids who are suffering from life-threatening illnesses.

I’m sending out kudos to them for their web savvy-ness.

Turns out on Amanda’s first day, she found out that some of the employees at the Connection had already read that blog entry and were all up to speed on Amanda and her sibblings. They also knew about her plans to go to Africa, and how she’d put it off to work at the R.C.

You see, they had discovered my blog in one of their search engine results when it found that it contained their name.

I have to admit I was a bit nervous and re-read my blog... to ensure I hadn’t done anything to unduly embarrass Amanda with my ramblings.. I think I’m safe. Funny thing is, Amanda didn’t even know I had a blog.

Chances are, the folks over at the R.C. will probably read this entry too... so in case you’re wondering, Amanda loves her job, and.. I’m as thrilled for her as she is to be working with a such a great organization.

Keep it Up!

T

The Reason

A number of years ago, when I began writing professionally, I wrote a ballad that was inspired by reading some biographies of our forefathers and the birth of the United States.

As I review this lyric, I estimate the song in its original form would have approached 6 minutes in length, and I tend not to write these long lyrics any longer.

Yet this lyric still rings true for me. We owe much to those who came before us in this country. The sacrifices of each individual were significant.. their lives in many cases, may not have seemed to make a difference at the time, but each one is a stitch in the tapestry of freedom we now know.

Anyways, as you make your way to the polls tomorrow, I thought I’d share the lyric, as bloated as it may be, in a reminder of what dreams and hopes this country was founded around; essencially the freedom they were pursuing.

May we all remember that no matter what the results tomorrow night, that God is still in charge. He Reigns.

The Reason
©2002 Tim Wheeler

Many years ago there were those who said
There is more to life, than to end up dead
They knew deep inside they were meant to sing
For a greater power than an earthly king

So they crossed the way leaving past behind
What they'd never known they were bent to find
They endured the pain and the loss of kin
And they won the wars that they could not win

We esteem their selfless lives
And countless daughters, sons and wives
But will their principles survive
If we forget the reason why they tried to sing

They were men of strength, and they were men of flaws
Yet they broke the mold forged in earthly laws
but they were moral men who were free to think
and they wrote it down, using sweat and ink

We are caught up in the flood
Of bounty built upon their blood
But will their principles survive
If we forget the reason why they tried to sing

Bridge:
This world would know a different place
If they’d decided not to seek His grace
And we will fail in this endowed pursuit
If we destroy the vine while we consume it’s fruit.

Yes those who've gone before have carved a better way
But on the paths of time, we've traveled just a day
And we are fathers of a yet un-numbered throng
Will they look back and sing an unfamiliar song

Yes, we remember what they've done
The generations we've become
But proven principles could die
If we forget the reason why they tried to sing

Fall Back.

There’s a crispness in the Michigan air. I took 6 bags of leaves off my front yard last week, and they’re already back. There’ll be 20 more bags before this is through. I’ve got pumkins on my front porch.. one of them is rotting.. yuck. Its dark when I leave for work.. and the sun is setting when I drive in my driveway. Fall is here.

Time changes this weekend. That means a little more sunlight in the morning, but also means driving home in the dark. Every year I promise myself that I’ll take advantage of DST and utilize the newfound morning hour. Get up early, exercise, write.. Every year, I find I remember the empty promise from last year. Hold me accountable. I’ll let you know how I do this year.

Pray For Words

Every once in awhile I hear a lyric that stops me in my tracks and makes me wonder who I think I am trying to write good lyrics. This one did that to me.. and made me pray for words.

Looking East

Standing in the ocean with the sun burning low in the west
Like a fire in the cavernous darkness at the heart of the beast
With my beliefs and possessions, stopped at the frontier in my chest
At the edge of my country, my back to the sea, looking east

Where the search for the truth is conducted with a wink and a nod
And where power and position are equated with the grace of God
These times are famine for the soul while for the senses it's a feast
From the edge of my country, as far as you see, looking east

Hunger in the midnight, hunger at the stroke of noon
Hunger in the mansion, hunger in the rented room
Hunger on the TV, hunger on the printed page
And there's a God-sized hunger underneath the laughing and the rage

In the absence of light
And the deepening night
Where I wait for the sun
Looking east

How long have I left my mind to the powers that be?
How long will it take to find the higher power moving in me?

Power in the insect
Power in the sea
Power in the snow falling silently
Power in the blossom
Power in the stone
Power in the song being sung alone
Power in the wheatfield
Power in the rain
Power in the sunlight and the hurricane
Power in the silence
Power in the flame
Power in the sound of the lover's name

The power of the sunrise and the power of a prayer released
On the edge of my country, I pray for the ones with the least

Hunger in the midnight, hunger at the stroke of noon
Hunger in the mansion, hunger in the rented room
Hunger on the TV, hunger on the printed page
And there's a God-sized hunger underneath the questions of the age

And an absence of light
In the deepening night
Where I wait for the sun
Looking east

©1996 Jackson Browne

Stirring Up Apathy

That’s what political advertisements have been doing in my brain over the last couple months.

My candidate has failed to excite me. At first I thought it was his lack of ability to communicate clearly. Now I’ve concluded that his message has been so watered down, that there’s nothing exciting to communicate.

Its much like a song that attempts to take a stand. If you work a song or idea to a point where there’s no chance of offending someone, you end up with milquetoast.

This election has turned into a who-not-to-vote-for campaign. One side’s running on change. The other one is running on fear.

One side make claims that are incredible.. literally. The other doesn’t make any claims.. they just point out how incredible the other side’s claims are.

I’m tired.

Would anyone like to join me for a serving of Sodium-free saltines and water?

Proud Dad!

October was a blessed month for our family.

Both of my daughters are college grads. My oldest an English Major with a minor in Psychology, and 2nd oldest a Socialogy major with a minor in non-profit.Thing is, I’ve been worried that my kids are going to have to move out of Michigan with the state of the economy.

Megan, my oldest, came back from her honeymoon in June and was laid off the week she got back. She’s been looking ever since. Amanda, Megan’s younger sister, graduated in the spring and was planning on going to Aftrica for a 6 month mission trip working with an orphanage. She was looking for employment that would allow her to raise the money for the trip

Well, Megan got a job with a large ad agency this month, a job in her field with a higher wage than her last job. Best of all, she’s working with a friend from college.

A few weeks ago, Amanda saw a job listed on Craig’s list and applied. It turned out to be Rainbow Connection, a non-profit similar to Make-A-Wish foundation. She applied, and was 10 out of 200 to be interviewed. The position is working with families and arranging travel, and required a 2 year commitment. This put her in a quandary over Africa, but it was a dream non-profit position. What she’d been working towards her whole educational career.

Long story short, she got the job, and is outright giddy. She’s going to be doing what she’s been working for since the 9th grade. Africa is still on the wish list, but Amanda really feels God has stepped in and shown her a better plan.

God is good!

A New Favorite Movie

Cyndi and I have this blockbuster subscription.. you know, the one where you can order movies online, 3 at a time and as you mail each one back, the next one on your selection list gets mailed out?

Well, it wasn’t long before every movie we've wanted to see in the top 300 movies was in our rear-view mirror.  To combat the recurring "empty queue", I’ve gotten into the habit of grabbing my laptop during the DVD previews of the movies we rent and adding interesting looking ones to my online queue.

I’ve picked some real losers.

Last night, my wife announced we should watch a movie. She went to the basket of incoming movies and pulled out “After The Wedding”.  She said, “what’s this about?”.    I really couldn’t remember. She rolled her eyes, but put it in the player, expecting yet another "Tim-blockbuster".

Well, we sat down and the movie began, with Sigor Ros as a sound-track. If you haven’t experienced Sigor Ros, then you won’t know what I’m talking about, but their stuff is wonderful. (I immediately googled to confirm it was them) Cyndi “loves it” when I google during a movie (not), and I could feel the wave of disapproval wafting from the far side of the couch. So I sat the laptop down and scooted over to enjoy the movie.   She actually said, "wow".  Ouch!

What a movie it was! Easily my favorite in the last 3 years. An emotional epic.  Surprizing character reveals and emotion twists, and amazing new cinematography.  Really fresh!

When it was done, Cyndi said, “Isn’t that, like, the best movie?!?”

I replied. “Well, I know how to pick ‘em!"

I almost fell over when the couch-pillow hit me in the head.

False modesty.

Funny how you read a verse again for the umpteenth time and see something new. 

I was reading in John 8 and Jesus talks about false modesty and calls it what it is. Lying.

Ever dismiss a compliment?  Ever try to deny praise for a gift you've been given?

This is a pretty cool translation, as well. Read the whole chapter for context. For that matter, the whole book is recommended. 

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://youversion.com/reader.php?startverse=John.8.55&version=msg

Tim Wheeler

(Sent from my iPhone)

Back In The Saddle

I had a great Sunday this week. I got a phone call on Saturday asking me to fill in and sing a song at one of Kensington’s campuses on Sunday morning. (A little Brad Paisley really can make you smile) It was a little hectic, but a lot of fun, and a nice pressure-task. You can count on these types of challenges to get the adrenalin flowing.

I have this cowboy hat that I bought in Nashville. Cyndi really does not like me wearing it... LOL. Well I got a call Saturday, asking if I’d wear one. Cyndi, literally, thought I was making it up when I told her they asked me to wear one..

Even more significant, this weekend, was working with Joel on a recording of one of my more recent songs. Joel’s a master on the board and a great guitar player. He played and sang on the tune, and Sunday afternoon he lent his talent to mixing it. I’m entering into a workshop contest this upcoming weekend. (I’ll post it online after the workshop)

What made this significant for me is the fact that it seems to mark the end of a period in my life. This is by far the busiest and most stressful year I remember in a long time. I’ve mentioned this before, perhaps...

A lot happened this year. 1 graduated this spring from college, my oldest got married. My youngest graduated high school, and my wife celebrated a “significant number” birthday, followed by our 25th wedding anniversary. What followed was our son (youngest) moving out and into his dormitory at Michigan State University. (Go Spartans!)

What followed was a new courtship period for my wife and I. Really wonderful, actually, but very demanding on a guy who’s frankly, pretty self-absorbed. I’m such an idiot about not seeing the obvious and being surprised by the inevitable.

Well, in the midst of this hurricane, not much writing or art has been happening. The art that had been going on was, well... not so much art. <grin>

Working with Joel was a treat, and what we’ve come up with made me realize that I can finally start producing songs that I can be proud of.

It was a great place to find myself in.

Thanks to those of you who have been a source of encouragement for me. I’m really appreciative of your kind words and your patience.

Heading to St. Charles this weekend to Write About Jesus. Kudos to Sue Smith and all of her faculty for heading this up.

Writer's Block?

I was going to write about writer’s block, but something else is distracting me...

The economy is having some troubles. Many would say I’m understating the subject.

The bailout is on everyone’s lips. The stock market is moving 800 points in a day. We’re hearing the phrase “run on the bank” from people under 70 years of age.

Most of live near a foreclosed property. Living in Michigan with its troubled auto industry, and many who have lost their job, I may be seeing more than most.

Politicians are using the downturn it it to their advantage to advance their agendas. Corporate CEO’s are in the targets of investigations. Class warfare is on the rise.

Recently I learned of a couple who is going through a divorce, maybe because of the financial pressures, who signed over her house this last week. The bank has made the decision that she can live in the house until it sells. (That may be years.)

I know another couple who’s split up, as well. I have friends who are selling things to make rent. I know several college grads who can’t get a job in their field.. at least not in Michigan.. and are looking to move.

Oh yeah... Writer’s block? How can we use that as an excuse? There’s so many people around us facing challenges. So many institutions, both physical and social, that are in turmoil. So much that we observe every day where the truth is obscured, or the values skewed. Injustice, greed, dishonesty, injustice.

So much potential to find light in darkness. Rebirth in certain death. It may sound morbid, but this is a writer’s playground.

Tigers fought and won!

Tigers battled it out to win something tonight. While they lost the game, they manged to win last place! (Technically tied, but last on win/loss average.

Always fun, but a frustrating time tonight.

ASCAP Songwriter's Bill of Rights

If you’re a songwriter, make sure to scoot on over to the ASCAP site and sign the ASCAP Songwriter’s Bill of Rights.

In this time when Congress is making decisions about the future of music in the digital world, we need to stand together like never before.

Tim

The Rest of the story

So when I got back to the room, it was empty. My room mate didn’t get home for another hour, and when he came in, it was apparent he’d had a bit too much to drink. We have a lively political conversation and we fell asleep.

At 3:30 I heard a string of expletives and movement. Long story short he had begun passing a kidney stone and left for the hospital an hour later. It was an eventful day and a sleepless night.

Ball Park (continued)

So.. okay. The motorcyclist was not hurt.. Well not seriously. He had a little blood showing on his ankle and he said he felt bruised on his right forearm.

Thing is, he clearly thought it was my friend’s fault, even though he was traveling between the traffic lane and a row of parked cars. (I understand this is legal in L.A.; But in the civilized motor vehicle world, its considered reckless driving.)

He insisted that we walk down the street to the police station to file a report. As we were talking, I saw an unmarked police car coming down the road, so I waved it down. Two detectives stopped and got out of the car and came over. Apparently we were outside their jurisdiction and they didn’t do accident reports, but they agreed to call for a squad car to come and file a report.

I couldn’t understand why the motor cycle guy wanted a police report, but then it became clear. He apparently thought it was my friend’s fault. He believed that my friend caused the accident. We were looking an hour before a cop could show up.. and the game started in T minus 9 minutes.

Good news.. once the detective on scene let the motor cycle guy know that he would be getting a ticket when the squad car arrived, he rethought his options and agreed to let the issue rest..

On to the game. Sox won over the Blue Jays, 6 to 5.

Great game.. with a story.. but wait until you hear what happened when I got back to the hotel.

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Ballpark

I’m in Chicago for a trade show. Big one that covers four halls.. maybe more. It will take me the better part of 3 days to walk it. I’ll be sore before this is over.

Tonight I got invited out to a ball game at US Cellular field. It was the White Sox vs. the Blue Jays. (Sox won.)

Well, the game was so-so, but the ride over was an adventure. I took a cab with my friend. As we were going through down town, a small motor cycle shot between the lanes, avoiding the jam. My friend turned to me and said, “Is that even legal?”, as if the question even had to be asked.

As we got closer to the field, traffic began to back up. The stadium was in sight. Each time the light turned red, we watched the meter click off. Finally, we decided we were going to walk. We were on a two lane road with cars parked on both sides.

My friend told the driver we were going to walk and paid the driver. He opened the door and “Boom”. Apparently motor cycles running between cars is a common thing in Chicago.

More later.

Go Tigers

Finally getting out to a Tiger's game. Great seats. Tied 1 to 1 in
the 3rd.

Say Something, Dude!

Tomorrow I’m driving my youngest to East Lansing and moving him into his dorm. I know he’s thinking he’ll be back next summer. I’m thinking that too. I can’t help but remember, though, my mother, as she was loading me into the car with my cousin on my way to John Brown University. She looked at me with a tear in her eye and told me, “you know they say that when a boy goes off to college, he never really comes home again.” I remember laughing and saying that I would be home, but I realize, looking back, that she was right. I never looked at home the same, and the significance of that moment and that step largely eluded me at the time.

Emotions, for me, are running at the brim. Stress is high, (along with tuition) but mostly I’m numb. This has been a big year for my family. Big birthday, big anniversary, big wedding, college graduation, high school graduation and now this.

I’ve been mostly quiet on the writing front. When there was something springing forward, the energy has been lacking. If there’s energy, the inspiration is drown out by the business around me. While I discipline myself to write everyday, I sense that this period is a time to absorb life. To store every memory. Ponder every exchange between my son and I as well as his siblings. Banish regrets. Celebrate special times. Enjoy the moments we’re given, and give thanks for the moments gone by. Store them up until they are ready to come out.

There will be songs of joy and of sorrow. There will be songs of regret. There will be nostalgic songs, and songs of happiness. Sad songs, poignant songs, songs to celebrate the milestones, and songs that attempt to fill the emptiness of yet another room in our house. There will be many songs, but they wait, patiently, in the wings.

Right now at this moment, however, the only songs that come to mind are the songs of praise. Songs of thanksgiving. Songs of joy. The kind that streams down your face, wracks through your chest and then beams up and out through your cheeks. Songs of astounding humility for the being granted stewardship over a little boy who has always sensed the greater significance of his existence and the reason he was put here. The bigger picture of our lives. A little boy who often pictured himself in his older years, amazing his father who always thinks in the short term. A kid who at 6 years of age wondered why God made thunder, and then moments later pondered the fact that his children would have technology far beyond Nintendo.

I’ve marveled at his gift of seeing himself down the road, and now, that little boy has indeed arrived at a milestone down the path he has imagined so many times before.

I read a friend’s blog today who just lost his father. I lost mine a few months before that day I loaded up my Chevy Nova and my mother said goodbye in such a significant way. I’ve often thought about what he would have told me that day, had he lived a few months longer. I wonder because tomorrow its my turn to say something. Something significant. Something inspiring. Something that might give my son the presence of mind to grasp the importance of that moment.

What will I say to that little boy. The little boy who is so quickly bursting into manhood. The little boy who will leave tomorrow and will never really come home again.

Want Some Inspiration? Read This...

Regie Hamm's Blog post. (Regie wrote the American Idol Songwriting Contest Winner this Year)

Signs That Make You Say, "Huh?"

For the life of me, I can't figure out what this sign is good for,
other than positive affirmation for those entering.

Seen at the local Home Depot.

The Future Of The CD?

What's the future of the CD?

CD sales are falling through the floor. People are still buying CDs at shows, but I think we only have a few years before they start bringing USB drives on their keychains or some other cool technology like a music-library-aura that floats around peoples heads. Besides, CD quality (16bit, 44.1KHz) was standardized 30 years ago.. it sucks so. I keep thinking they're going to come up with a custom itunes client that artists can set up and people can access through local wifi and add tunes to their ipod touch or iphone at concerts. (Don't you hate it when you come up with good ideas from which to make money, that you have no potential -or inclination to pursue.)

I went to an estate sale the other day and the woman who died left behind 4 crates of records (Perry Como, Big Band, Ray Conniff, etc. ) It occurred to me my estate sale will have no such content. (Even most of my CDs cases are empty. Where did all the disks go? )

Maybe I need to keep a backup DVD and my password in a safety deposit box. That way my kids can sell my music library rights when I die.

What's A Songwriter To Do?

I started writing songs when I was 13. Learned to play piano for real in the 10th and 11th grade. Played in bands through high school, college and single life. Kept writing and recording. Got married and lost the band gig. Kept writing. Raised kids, kept writing, even for them for awhile. Started writing professionally. Studied the model. Write. Cowrite. Get a publishing deal. Get cuts. Get airplay. Make boat-loads of money. Retire.

Side stories: Napster, mp3 format, broadband, Clear Channel, Record companies alienate (and criminalize) consumers, Major record company model collapses. Goodbye publisher-paid demo. Hello songwriter-paid demo. Hits don’t pay writers $500K anymore... or at least few and far between.

Bands aren’t discovered anymore. They have to build an audience, and then they can bargain for a deal. Trouble is, the deal they’re bargaining for isn’t such a deal anymore. CD sales are going away and the only way to monetize track sales is online.. which the record companies still haven’t figured out.

So where’s the future? Who the heck knows. If the rate of change continues, the industry will look completely different in 2 years, and then again in a year and a half. NSAI is battling in Washington for songwriter rights, and the record companies are battling for theirs at the expense of the artist and the songwriter.

The model has changed and will continue to change. Music sales may never come back to the levels they were, and because of that the major labels may lose their hold on monopoly and distribution (if they haven’t already).

On the bright side, the promotional playing field is leveling. Satellite radio is broadening the venues to hear cool stuff. Indie musicians seem to be making a living, better than before this all came down. Big stars, not so much. Sure, there’s Coldplay, but they could probably do what they did on the latest release without a label, next time.

So what’s a songwriter to do?

Let’s see... Figure out what’s next? Lobby Washington or champion those that do? Worry? Find cheaper demo studios and/or get more efficient at producing them? Network. (trying to replace all the people we knew who’ve left the industry)

I don’t think so. Sure we may need to spend some times in those areas. For some of us, more than others. For some none at all.

Some of these things might be good. Some of these things might give you an edge. Get you in the door. Break through the noise. Grease the palms.

But all of these things add up to squat, if you aint got at least one thing....

Great songs.

Write on.

The Original Five

We had the original five all at home and at the table this weekend. All the kids were home for the 4th. My daughter, who just got married. My number 2 daughter who’s recently graduated from Grand Valley State University and is working on plans to go to Africa for a year, and my son who recently graduated from High School.

My Son-In-Law was also home and I got to sit with him and watch that amazing Nadal - Fedderer match. Nadal definitely paid the price for that win. Wow!

What a great weekend in Michigan. (We haven’t had too many of those) Perfect to celebrate the freedoms we enjoy here, and those who paid the ultimate price to purchase it.

Freezer Geezers

This weekend I visited the Detroit Windsor International Film Festival. It was the first annual occurance of the festival. Long live the DWIFF!

I had a personal reason to be at the festival. I was there for the premier of a special film, “Freezer Geezers”.

Freezer Geezers is a documentary about the oldest Hockey players in the world. Coming together in California at the Snoopy Senior World Hockey Tournament each year, it follows the members of four hockey teams, all made up of players over 75 years old (some nearly 90). Started by Charles Schultz, the tournament keep opening older age categories as Charles (“Sparky”) got older. It stopped at 75 when Sparky died, but the tournament goes on.

Inspiring, real-life characters make this an endearing film. I hope you get an opportunity to see it.

Local producers Denn Pietro and Denver Rochon produced it and I was thrilled to have provided a couple songs for the final credits. Look for it in theatres. If you’d like more information on the film, go to www.freezergeezers.com

Christian Clothing Woes

I recently came across a banner ad for a “Christian Clothing” vendor. I eagerly went to the site to see what they have available. I was disappointed, however, that after intense searching I was unable to find any Christian Underwear for sale.

Looking Good Outside!

I probably shouldn’t say this, but the weather outside is looking awesome.. and its a Friday?!? Isn’t it supposed to get cold and rain for 2 days starting each Friday afternoon?

Ok.. enough about that.. I wouldn’t want to wake up the foul-weather guy... you know, the one with his hand on the “more suck” knob.

Off to enjoy the great outdoors.

T

Let's Rewrite History

Just saw the latest Caldwell Banker commercial where the portraits of Caldwell founders talk to each other.

One says “Hey Caldwell, do you realize we’ve been in the Real Estate business for (some impressive high number) years? The other replies, “Yes, we’ve been around the block a few times.” The other says, “Yeah, do you remember the 1942 Holiday party?” The reply: “That’s not what I was talking about.”

Tell me something. Did anyone call them “Holiday” parties in 1942?

Wouldn’t want the dead people to offend anyone, now, would we?

God's Will

I recently read a blog talking about when times go bad we have to remember that its God’s will for our life. Now, in some ways, theologically I can understand this way of thinking. The concept of God being omniscient, for instance is not something I would disagree with. However, when people assert that that omniscience translates into God planning all the good stuff and bad, I think the conversation often moves outside of man’s ability to understand, becoming practically unhelpful and often damaging to the truth when trying to apply theology to our lives. There is a difference between knowing and planning.

Let me issue a disclaimer by saying I’m a lay theologist. I’m not trained on the subject. I’ve observed as a believer for a lot of years, but don’t let that fool you into believing me. There are those who will read what I’m about to say and call me an idiot, and I will not debate that fact. Over the years, for some reason, its become unimportant for me to prove I am not one. So with that in mind.. read on if you so choose.

Take for instance, this verse. 1 John 5:19 says: "We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one."

This verse is interesting to me. Some feel its out of context, and contradictory of the concept that God is in Control. I take a different view. I believe God has the ability to relinquish control to others for a time. I think he did that with the earth after the fall. Can he take back “control”? Of course. Does he step in when he chooses.. Of course. Does he know what going to happen? Well.. he knows.

But does God pre-destine people to drink and drive and kill innocent life? Is it his will that children are killed in drive-by gang shootings? More applicably, does he predestine us to make bad choices for our lives that affect our futures and those of the ones in our path?

Time is the main dimension that causes man to misunderstand God in terms of predestination, free-will, etc. Time is a man-earth thing. God is not bound by time. He is in eternity right now. We are in eternity right now. Everything has already happened. Ok.. see what I mean about our understanding...

I've always felt that the analogy of our lives on earth being length of string, and God's perfect will, a designed path, was one that seems to fit my observed reality. The string, the length of which we do not know, and the perfect will of God for our life: a path with a potential distance down that path for our life-string to reach.

When I look back on the string of my life I see it meandering off the path, wrapped around trees of all kinds of distraction, then back down the path, and then off again, forgetting at those times that my mortal string does not stretch on forever. It is in these times of reflectance that I seek to find the path again. I think that is one of the few things we can do on our own: Seek the path.

Surely God is omniscient and knows the choices I will make and the paths I will take. Surely, he grants permission to walk away from his potential for my life. Surely, he is there to comfort me when my string is impacted by the sin of the world and the poor choices of others... But MY choices.. are they the perfect will of God?

I think not.

PFC Alex Knapp

We just dropped off breakfast at the VFW Settler’s post for the group of men cooking for Alex’s fundraiser today. Newspapers, TV stations, and radio stations are helping to promote the pasta dinner fund raiser that runs from 1 to 7 today. Its at the VFW on Wilson between 24 and 25 mile off Van Dyke in Shelby Township.

One of the soldiers who was thrown from Alex’s vehicle when the IED exploded will be attending today, as well. His family had just moved to the area.

The Veterans of Modern War will be there, as well.

We won’t. Planning didn’t work in our favor, and although we want to be there and help out in the worst way, our middle child is graduating from college today in Grand Rapids and we are preparing to leave for the day. Amanda has gotten her degree in Socialogy with a minor in Non-profit business. She’ll be doing an intership for a single-parent daycare this summer, and planning a 6 month service in the fall for an orphanage in Tanzania.

I’m so proud of her.

But back to Alex. If you live in the Detroit area, please drop by. If you don’t, please pray for a great turn-out and generous patrons. The Knapp family is the best. They deserve an outpouring from their friends and the community that they have served so generously over the years... and the country that Alex sacrificed so much for.

T

My Little Girl's Getting Married

Life’s a flicker. One day you’re bringing home a bundle in pink blankets and a free car seat from the hospital. The next thing you know you’re planning a wedding.

At the end of May, a new chapter starts in life, for me and my daughter.

I saw my neighbor get home the other day and his two kids, running down the driveway, screaming “DADDY!”. Its been a long time, and yet...

Its just a flicker

Use your VISA or the Flowers Will Die...

The Garden shop is working in synchronized manner with the gardeners in pastel raincoats, aiming their watering hoses in crystal arches. The cafeteria line is in such a groove that the jello is dancing the 2 step, and then some thoughtless dill-weed, dressed like a preppy (or a dumpy “out-of-it” older woman) comes in and wants to pay for his food or flowers with (ahem) cash, or even worse... a check.

The flowers die, the milk spills, the music slows to a stop. People look annoyingly at dill-weed. People stare at the frumpy woman writing her check. The cashier looks at them like, “hey, what can I do, its just the way things are...”. They finish paying while the next people tap their fingers on the counter, impatiently. He grabs his ham sandwich. She grabs her flowers. And the music starts up, and the world goes back to.... normal.

NORMAL?!?

Am I the only one who feels an itching on my forehead and the back of my hand when I see these commercials?

Alex Knapp Fundraiser

Alex is doing much better! Thanks everyone for your prayers and
contacts out on the caringbridge.com site. It means so much to Alex
and the family. He was able to read through the guestbook yesterday
and the out-pouring of support brought him and the family to tears.

On April 26th, friends of the family are coming together to raise
funds for the family. If you live in the Detroit area there's going
to be a dinner/fundraiser with raffles and food. Located at the VFW
on Van Dyke between 24 and 25 mile road on Wilson Street, the event
will start at 1PM and run to 7 PM. Stop in during the day, for great
food, great prizes, and a chance to help a warrior and his family.
Suggested donation for entry is $10 or a $40 family max.

If you'd like to make a cash donation, or have something you'd like to
donate for the raffle, please reply to this blog and I'll put you
contact with the right folks.

TuneCarver Blog

Hey all,

I’ve decided to divide up my personal blog from my music/writing blog. This way I can communicate with my friends about personal issues, and keep the business side issues of music relevant to those who don’t want to mix the two.

You can find my new music blog, here

I’ll be updating and reposting some of my music stuff there, so forgive me if you see things you’ve read before.

Thanks all,

Tim

MySpace Vs. iTunes?

Myspace announced last week that it will be offering DRM-free downloads for sale from MySpace, featuring the big 3 label’s materials and promising to represent the indie and independent artists, as well. Until recently MySpace was victim of a lawsuit filed by Universal Music. (Part of Universal’s “sue people in to fans” campaign. Closely related to their “Stop the Tide” initiative.) Apparently the two settled quietly and their business buds, now.

Sounds like a winner, but there’s a problem. MySpace is a dog. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve got a page, and most of the writers I work with and love have a myspace page, but MySpace’s capacity has always been just barely behind their growth, (always clogged and slow) and its always drudgery editing and viewing pages. Couple that with all the glitter postings, and youtube loads that people put on their pages, and often it is unbearable. My myspace surfing consists of clicking with my finger on the backspace key, just in case I click on a page that won’t load until next Tuesday.

If the public likes the new DRM idea, I predict it will be even slower.

Now, everyone I know who carries around their tunes uses an iPod. I see other players from time to time, but if its someone I know, my experience is they never use them long term... I don’t know if they’re too complicated, or just boring... but the defacto winner of the mp3 player contest is Apple Ipod. What’s a Zune? I’ve seen them in glass cases at the store, but I’ve never run into someone who owns one... just my experience.

iTunes software is the main reason that iPods are successful. It just works and its easy. You don’t have to know where your files are.. they show up in the menu. If you rip a CD or buy a song off of the iTunes store.. it shows up.. simple. Next time you plug in your iPod, the song’s there and waiting.

So, say you buy a song on mySpace. Do you know what to do with the songs you get from myspace? You download them.. then... where do you put them? How do you get them into iTunes?.. Its not that hard, really, but its not cut and dry. (I sometimes forget that I mess with mp3s all the time.) Consumer products, however, need to be easy to use and consistent in their operation. I think Apple did that with iTunes. If the MySpace systems integrates with iTunes, then they may have something.. That will probably not happen.

Too little, too late? My expectations of mySpace underwhelming. It is based on what its delivered in the past.. Its an also-ran to Facebook, and although it has its core membership and networking to draw on, I don’t have any confidence that they can raise the bar high-enough to make a difference.

So.. Question of the day: Is mySpace going to give iTunes a run for its money?

Not likely.

I Can Surrender All By Myself!

I was recently asked to lead a small group for a church-wide campaign. Excited by the group of people who asked me to lead, I agreed and then went in to pick up a copy of the curriculum.

Crud! It was on surrender. God is a comedian. He had to be ROFL.

I’m pretty good on my own. Far from perfect, and always flawed beyond my expectations, I, nonetheless think I can make it on my talent and skill alone (because, of course, I think I have enough to accomplish the task)

I find its easy to surrender many things to God. Mostly, the things I suck at. Other things, the things I’m pretty good at... not so much.

As a songwriter, I should know by now. Artists don’t cut pretty good songs. (unless of course they write their own stuff.)

Alex Needs Your Prayers

If you’ve been following my blog, you’ll know that I mentioned a soldier and his family last week who was injured in Iraq when he drove over an IED (improvised explosive device). He was due to come home on leave within 2 days of the attack.

His name is Alex Knapp, and he is currently residing at Walter Reed Hospital in D.C. Things continue to be touch and go with Alex as he is suffering a high fever, which indicates an infection that they cannot nail down. Here is Tuesday’s Update:

“ Tuesday(I think) afternoon...Alex is resting peacefully now, so I thought I would take a minute to update everyone on his condition. Alex continues to run very high fevers (at one point 103.5), and this has his doctors very concerned, to the point that he has been moved from being a "ortho trauma" patient back to an "internal medicine trauma" patient. Throughout the day today tho, his fevers have remained 102.0 and below, and have been treated with Tylenol. He is very tired, and wants to sleep. He heads into surgery again tomorrow, and these surgeries are SO HARD on him. The concern, of course is that he has another "bug" hiding out in his body somewhere, and with such large open wounds (on the backs of his thighs), he can become septic very easily. It is a never ending "balancing" game to keep all systems functioning. I have told Alex about all of the wonderful things in his guestbook, and I can't wait until he is well enough to sign in and read, and I hope he finds the comfort there that I do. Thank you to everyone for your prayers for Alex, and please continue to pray that this fever/infection issue resolves without further damage to Alex. “

Alex’s mom is writing here, and you’ll notice there’s a guestbook mentioned... A Caring-Bridge site has been set up for him where a progress journal is being kept and where we.. YOU can go out and drop Alex a note.

Please drop in and give him a word of encouragement, or a prayer.

Here’s the link:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/alexknapp1

Thanks so much, everyone.

Baseball In Huntsville!

Stopped in Huntsville to see the Bradleys. We wanted to see Jed pitch,
but he's out for 2 more weeks after an apendectomy. Jed's having a
great season with a 0.5 ERA.

He was in the dugout for the Huntsville game against Grissom.
Tied up in the 6th right now, 5-5. Some great ball in Alabama high
school.

Back on the road early tommorow.

UPDATE: Huntsville won 6-5.   Second game, 13-8.

Last Night In Paradise

Blue Angels of Pensacola

Early in the morning I drove over to the Pensacola Naval Base to watch the Blue Angels practice morning maneuvers. Amazing stuff, and amazing speed. Living near a national guard base in Detroit, I’ve seen the blue angels perform before, but never this close. Pretty scary precision and the technology, albeit seasoned, can take your breath away.

After the show, we walked inside the Naval Air Museum and looked over the exhibits and displays. I’m always amazed at the turbine engines that were engineered in the 40’s and 50’s and the level of technology and engineering that the conflict of war produces.

My father served in the WWII as a master sergeant in the Aleutian Islands off the coast of Alaska... really, off the coast of Japan... Standing in that museum, reading about the battles of that war, the conflicts that shaped and turned the tides of victory, always moves me in a sobering way. While we reel at the death toll of 4,000 soldiers and the thousands more who’ve been injured and maimed as a result of this war, I think our generation cannot fully contemplate what we sacrificed as a nation in wars gone by. 407,000 died in WWII, and while that doesn’t make the lives we’ve lost in the current conflict any less significant, it makes me realize that the potential for losses is so much greater than we can imagine, should the middle-east conflict escalate out of control.

Whatever your opinion about whether we should have gone in to Iraq, it is clear that an exit strategy, and overall strategy for the future is not a cut-and-dry affair. The problems in that region are far from resolved, and we cannot walk away and expect absolution from future involvement.

God help us.

Florida Living-Not So Bad

In Destin, Florida for a week. In a couple days, I might even feel like I’m on vacation. Just checked the temperature in Detroit, and its sitting at 31 degrees F.. Pity I can’t be there to feel it.. not.

No internet in the Condo... not a bad thing. I’ll be checking in periodically.

Whitey Johnson Gig!

Armed with a pure white Telecaster inlayed with “WHITEY” on the neck, life-time “friend” of Gary Nicholson and legendary (albeit recently discovered) Whitey Johnson performed brilliantly with his band at the Douglas Corner Cafe last Friday night.

Armed with a lifetime of songs, Whitey performed songs like, MEMPHIS WOMEN AND CHICKEN, IF YOU CAN’T LIE NO BETTER, and BLUES IN BLACK AND WHITE. Joining him onstage were Colin Linden on guitar.. man can he play, Tom Hambridge and Dave Roe. In the picture, Whitey was joined by Leroy Parnell (playing Whitey’s Snow-white Les Paul) for a cameo appearance near the end of his first set.

When you’re in Nashville you can’t beat the shows at Douglas Corner Cafe or the Bluebird Cafe. Close, intimate, tight. Always a great show.

Check him out online at www.whiteyjohnson.com or on www.myspace.com/whiteyjohnson

Extreme Home Makeover Gets Makeover

Good friends of ours are having a hard time. Our son played with their son on the high school soccer team. We’ve known their son since grade school, but became good friends with his parents when our sons began playing club soccer a few years ago.

In the middle of his college career, their older son enlisted last year, went through bootcamp and shipped off to Afghanistan. Last fall, the father was diagnosed with colon cancer and just finished his second round of Chemo. He’s been having a hard time, but the treatments were coming to an end and their son was due to come home on leave last week.

Through it all, the wife of this family remained the most giving person, cooking food for parties she couldn’t even attend due to her husband’s illness. Never one to ask for help, she works in the mortgage industry (in the Detroit market... need I say more?) and he’s been missing a lot of work, due to his treatments. Everyone’s suffering financially, these days, but they are getting hit inordinately hard.

My wife and I are part of a small group and we decided to do something nice for them. They were planning on being out of town over the Easter week, so we were planning to sneak into their house (with the help of relatives) and do some home improvement / spring clean-up while they were gone. Things were coming together quite nicely.

Two days before his leave, their son, Alex, was driving an armored vehicle outside of Bagdad (yes, I know.. IRAQ?) when he drove over (or past) and IED that exploded. The soldier next to him lost both legs. A kid in the back seat, lost a leg, couple toes, and can’t use one arm. One soldier in back walked away unscathed. Alex’s legs were badly damaged, and it became apparent if he kept them he’d be in a wheel chair for the rest of his life. Yesterday afternoon the amputated both legs beneath the knee, and because of extensive damage to the back of his thighs, (which were life-threatening enough by themselves to kill him) they may need to take more.

His parents are living outside of DC in a Marriot Courtyard, and events are unfolding as I type. Alex is in Walter Reed and will be there for quite awhile. Alex’s father is not doing well. After coming off his last Chemo treatment, he’s weak, susceptable to infection, and can’t even go in with his son, being both in danger and dangerous to his son at the same time.

Needless to say, we’re not thinking about doing home improvement any longer, although Extreme Home Makeover might be an option.. (I’ll get the video camera)

Perhaps its stories like these that are written in blood that make us stronger. Make us appreciate the blessings of life.

They make us examine and question our values, our priorites, our government. They make me look up to God and say.. “Why?!?”

But the answers can wait. Right now... we.. those who know and love Alex and his parents, or empathize with their plight, need to act.

More later...

Report From The Heartland Concert!

I'm sitting in the Heartland concert, right now! Interesting band.
I'll write later.

It's later:  Cyndi said I was irritating her by writing my blog while the concert was going on... I guess she's right.

Jason Albert is the lead singer in Heartland and he's got a great voice.   He did a cover of Conway's "Make Believe" that was pretty impressive.  He looks a lot like Larry the cable guy, however.  His bio says he plays the guitar, but he didn't get near one the whole night.  The drummer, Todd Anderson, was flashy and pretty proficient.  The bass player sang the high backup vocal.   I'd have to say the most talented member was  Charles Crawford on guitar, fiddle and vocals.  The band's set was very diverse and did quite a few cover tunes during the hour and 15 minute show, which would indicate they'd been largely a cover band over their lifetime.    It was an entertaining show, though.    I enjoyed myself.

Heartland is a tribute to long-suffering.   They're a band from Huntsville Alabama, and have been playing together for 14 years.  They were catapulted to stardom by the song "I Loved Her First", written by Walt Aldridge.     (My daughter's getting married this spring and we may dance to that tune... we'll see.)

The tour was low budget with a lower case 'b'.   Lighting was non-existant.. I felt like we were in a cheap bar.   The lead singer's mic went out mid song / concert.   They were dependant on the local theatre's spot light operators.. is there such a thing as a lo-tech crew..   point it at the guy who walked over into the dark corner.  Yet for the low budget, the tickets started at $40 for the nose bleeds..  

Unfortunately, for Heartland,  the 1200 seat auditorium was less than 1/2 full.    It would have been a much better show experience if it had been packed to the gills.   I'm sure their promoters figured they should soak the fans while the getting's good...

Too bad a number one hit isn't what it used to be.   

Blogging From My iPhone!

While I admit its a little slower typing on an iPhone keypad, it
really isn't that bad. Can't beat the convenience. 

Nancy Moran was in town this week to speak with our local writer's chapter. It was great to spend a little time with her afterwards.

Above is a pic of Nancy with Jim Allard and Shelley Asbury, two of our local NSAI coordinators. (taken with the iPhone!)

Sex, Lies, and Advertising Irony

I was driving home last night, listening to a major new network on Satellite radio.

The subject was Elliot Spitzer and his resignation as the Governor of New York for his alleged, long-term involvement with a “high-price” prostitution ring. (I was so relieved to hear he wasn’t involved with a “bargain-basement” prostitution ring.) They

 had “experts” on and former sex addicts talking about the addiction. In addition, there were commentators who were skeptical of the governors comments about seeking help for himself. Another case of going to Rehab to make everything alright?

80,000 dollars for prostitutes. Wire transfer misconduct. It was clear the stations had a hot topic for the rest of the day. Clearly we had a public official who was obsessed with Sex!

Then, it broke for commercial.

What followed was no less than 3 minutes of cheap-grade commercials featuring discreetly mailed brown-paper-wrapped catalogs of “intimate play-things” for couples and sexual play, offering “The things you want, or at least want to know about.” After that, a string of male enhancement creams, and testimonials from those who “never perform” without using it first. After that, a service that allows you to try out all of the BIG 3 E.D. medications on one website... so you can compare.. “Aren’t you curious which one works the best?”.

Now.. lets get back to the public official who’s obsessed with Sex.

What we want from iTunes

(This is a comment I made on another blog, in response to the iTune Music store’s announcement that they are now the #2 retailer of recorded music.)

Itunes is winning because it got there first with a complete solution that includes:

1. Software that works and is easy to understand.
2. Hardware (ipod) that.. ahem.. works and is easy to understand... and plays mp3’s as well as DRM tracks.
3. Content. (and the agreements necessary to do provide it.)

One thing that doesn't seem to make the transitional journey to is the complete package.. the intended project that the artist created.

This is the thing I miss the most.

The songwriter might see a song as a complete package, but I think the artist sees the whole recording project as the package. ( a chunk of their creative life / a phase they were going through ) The album art is part of this, as well.

The current digital sales model doesn't succeed in preserving this part of the artistic process, and as the resulting sales results dictate, the process is forced to change; pragmatically trying to create tracks that will sell individually.

While the single song sale is a necessary element, the calculated 'sure-thing' nature of single selection (and creation) seems to dilute the art. How do you preserve art while clinically removing risk.

I’m at a loss when it comes to ideas that would change this trend, except to say that it is naive to think that you can sell a collection of songs for close to the value of the sum of the individual tracks. The consumer is smarter than that, and has answered with his pocketbook.

Try to imagine another YELLOW BRICK ROAD, or SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE in the current digital model. Easy to imagine an artist creating it.. but marketing and selling it? How would that look in an iTunes-only world. Would LOVE LIES BLEEDING sell separately from FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND? Would the songs on those albums.. the ones that ring in our heads, but never got airplay... would they even have been heard?

iTunes will be number one in the new model, but is it because they're delivering what the consumer wants, or is it because they're the closest, so far?

39 Cents Downloads!

Apple announced today that they are the number two retailer of music, second only to Walmart. They could do better..

Something has been bugging me since the iTunes Music store was introduced. Something that just didn’t make sense to me.

Since I bought my first single... Elton John’s YOUR SONG in the early 70s, I’ve been paying a buck for a single. Although, back then it was a buck for two songs.. as I recall.. (although I can’t recall the flip-side of YOUR SONG)

I remember paying under 10 bucks for the LPs. Then the CD comes along... less to manufacture, but they sell it for 150-200% more.. (not to mention you have to re-buy your collection if you want to hear it on CD..) Then comes along Napster and the record companies freak and sue them into oblivion. Then came the ipod, iTunes, and the iTunes music store. The iPod could read and play mp3s which I could create in iTunes from my CDs.

Being a writer, I’ve never been one to advocate pirating music, But the iTunes music store... it never made sense to me. 99 cents. What I always paid... but now without the mess of physical disc... well.. actually without anything that comes along with that physical disk. No glossy sleeve. No K-Mart.. no delivery truck.. no manufacturing.. no lathe-cut master press blank to wear out... (or in the case of cd.. mold cavities or burn cycles)... but still 99 cents. (For about the same price as an album download, I can buy the physical CD, rip it, and have it on my iTunes and iPod and still have the CD as a badge of honor in my collection!)

It doesn’t make sense to me... and I’m not that smart. I think that maybe it doesn’t make sense to a lot of people.

Now, I know that costs have gone up, but frankly, manufacturing costs went down significantly with the CD and so did quality of sound.

And before anyone thinks I’m blaming Apple (or the other online distributors), I’m not. Apple had to fight hard to get the labels on board. Labels were so worried that their physical sales would drop as a result that they forced the price higher. 99 cents was a sweet deal for the labels and one Apple had to do to get enough labels onboard. But based on that price, the volume of sales were forever going to be dwarfed. Now with the CD on the verge of extinction, the original price structure is no longer tenable.

It was short-sighted. Because of the original premise, however, everything rotates around that 99 cent price... including the digital retailers cut.. Its not a percentage in most cases.. its a fixed amount per track.

For instance, I don’t, as an artist, even have the choice to sell my music (in any significant circles) for less. Sure, I can list my music for less on some sites. ( although iTunes requires the 99 cent price)

But why or how could I? With a fixed distribution fee, (not a percentage) If I were to sell my tracks for 40 cents, those sites keep 35 cents and give me a nickel. Like I said, I’m not that smart, but even I can see the disadvantages of such a deal.

So... what do I propose? Downloads should cost 39 Cents.

If iTunes were to drop their price to $0.39, their sales would triple. I know I’d buy 3 times as much... I always have this much in my pocket.. That would raise their revenue by almost 20%. If their cut was a percentage, the labels sales would triple overnight, and increase by 20% as well. Bandwidth isn’t a problem.. A single song is a sliver of the size of a movie or TV show and they make money at $1.99 per show.

If everyone was paid on a percentage of revenue, everyone’s income would also increase by 20%. (of course, this is based on the assumption that “everyone” has music people want.)

While 20% might not seem like a lot.. the real benefit would be the 200% more legal ownership of their music. 3 times the people buying digital music. 3 times the people on the righteous train.. It’d probably be more. Think about it. My iPod can hold 10,000 songs. How much would that cost to fill, legally?

39 cents. It makes... well... sense.

Tell me what you think.

T

Chi-kopa-chi-kopita-kopita-kopita-kop!

Those who know me know that I have this one practical hobby / eccentricity / quirk. More the latter than the formers. Its a habit thats sorta loud, occasionally irritating, and although dependable, not always posh. I drive a diesel. More specifically I drive old mercedes diesels that I buy cheap and squeeze every last life and breath out of them. I love it. Does my wife love it.. well.. not so much.

I’ve always said that its a practical hobby. I get great fuel mileage. I buy my cars pretty reasonable and sell them after years and tens of thousands of miles for not much less than I buy them.

Lately, though, buying diesel fuel has not been so practical. For some reason, although its the most basic of fuels and take way less to process than gasoline, it’s selling for much more than gasoline. What is up with that? (It seems to me that a rogue oil company could capture the market if they just process and supply diesel at a decent price..) oh... ok... that’s not where I wanted to go with this blog...

Expectations. That’s what I wanted to write about. Actually, not expectations themselves but rather the way they can change so quickly. How we can suddenly acclimate to whole other levels in such a short time.

I was driving home yesterday when I saw a diesel station selling it for $3.64 / Gallon. For those outside the US you may be saying, WOW! Cheap!”. Not me. I’m saying wait! NO WAY! I paid $2.89/G for my last tank. Less than 3 weeks ago! That’s outrageous! Great Ceasar’s Ghost! (what show was that from?... ah yes... Superman!) GREAT CEASAR’S GHOST!

20 minutes later, though, and a few miles down the highway, I was snickering and looking slyly from side to side, as I pumped the frothy liquid gold into my 1990 300D 2.5 Turbo at its young age of 203,000 miles (car). So Happy was I!

Why so pleased?

I had beaten the system! I had struck pay-dirt. I had found a Walmart who was selling diesel for a mere $3.39 a gallon!

I was excited and satisfied to be paying a 1/2 buck more per gallon than the last time I filled up.

Holiday by the sea or a Mud Pie.. hmmm.. let me think on that and get back with you...

Lowered Expectations... we are such a fickle bunch.

Political Apathy

Why am I so apathetic when it comes to the election in November?

I think it has something to do with the fact that the real leaders who share my views, optimism, and who actually inspire me are not running. They are either too smart, do not crave the power, or do not want the attention and scrutiny that would be required to seek the position.

Don’t ask me who they are. I don’t know. All I know is that they are not running.

::shrug::

3:10 To Yuma

I Watched this film last night. I really enjoyed it, albeit quite violent. It was a cool study on honor and heroism, however. (Cyndi was like, “Ok. That was uplifiting... not.”) It was a western.. she was pretty much sure she wasn’t going to like to begin with. God bless her for watching the movies I want to watch even when she doesn’t.

What does it mean to stand for something? When is it not ok to walk away when people don’t really seem to care, anyways.

I like stories that make you think; Make you compare principals to life. 3:10 to Yuma is that kind of movie.

T

Cowrite Session with William Blake

I've had the chance to write with some great lyricists in the past, but this weekend was especially unique. I was able to write with someone 200 years my senior. At first I was, like, "What could this old fart have to say?" (a sentiment, no doubt, similar to what most people think when they first hear my stuff..) But he had a really good idea, so I decided to give him a go.

He was pretty firm about his lyric. Really firm... Wouldn't budge. Turns out a lot of people like his stuff, so there seemed to be zero motivation for him to change it based on my pithy observations. (For instance, I asked him, "Don't you think some of the verbage is a bit old fashioned?", and he replied "Go pound sand, Timmy. Take it or leave it.")

I have to tell you, though, the lyric was short, concise, and convicting from the first time I read it, so I decided to do the good Elton John - Bernie Taupin thing, intent on not changing a thing... staying true to Bill's original message.

And a great message it was to me. It clapped like thunder and shuddered through to my foundation, causing me to pull out some old seasoned 2x4s, a hammer, and nails to shore up a few timbers. (although, I must admit I still have a few cracks to repair.)

All said and done, though, I went into the studio on Sunday and recorded THE GARDEN OF LOVE. Bill even insisted that the title remain un-altered. I repeated the first verse without his approval, though. I haven't heard any complaints from him... yet.

Enjoy.

Tim

Click here to hear it on my myspace page.

Shadows Feet

Currently reading THE GREAT DIVORCE by C.S. Lewis. More amazed every time I turn the page.

“Reality is hard on the feet of shadows”