I see its been 8 months since my last post. Crazy.
The short of the long of it all . . . I have started doing music-y things again lately. I have joined a local “cover” band named “Electrik Sonshine.” But more news on that later.
Also, I will be getting a real website and domain very soon. And I will be playing out in restaurants again. I am so excited. Getting new equipment and new venues to play. All good things.
Well . . . more news to follow.
Peace
J
Hello there, strangers.
I know, I know . . . I’m stranger than most. I have been on a long hiatus.
But I am here now and lots has happened.
I got a new job that brought me back to the states. I live in a modest house with my family (and my black lab, Chloe) just outside of Troy, PA. It was a long move. A big move. Sometimes a hard move. But a much needed move. As hard as it was to say goodbye to my friends and to my home for the last 10 years, I am loving my new digs.
I got some new equipment! Finally, I had got some funds enough to upgrade my keyboards and get some more reliable stuff. I may share more about that later on my YouTube channel. More on that to follow.
I joined a band. It is a new “start up” group. We are playing old classic rock tunes. Some of my repertoire has been assimilated in to the set lists. A great group of guys. A fun time at rehearsals. We even are starting to get some gigs. More news on that later.
There are some other possible gigs coming up as well. I have been approached by a restaurant in the area to play on occasion. Again, more news on that later.
On a side note, my wife and I are flying back to BC next week to participate in a friend’s memorial service. It will good to see everyone. But, it will be a sad time saying goodbye. I would appreciate thoughts and prayers.
Until next time. Hope to share with you again real soon.
Peace!
So many things going on . . .
Then I get to go to Dublin!
Tomorrow I head with a team of 10 to Vancouver to fly to Ireland. A ten day trip in and around Dublin. We are not only sightseeing but we are actually meeting up with different groups that connect in that great city. People who are using music and the arts to share their story. To build, encourage and strengthen community in a ever-changing time and place. To break down the walls of status, religion, social-economic standing, etc.
We are going to observe and participate with a group known as C Squared. Please take some time to check out their Facebook page. You will see some of the great events they are part of and understand why they do what they do. (Click their link below to learn more!!)
All in all, it will be great trip. Fun to see new places and meet new people. Fun to take some time away from the normal schedule. But mostly, it will great to connect with some great folks and to learn how we can bring this idea of community back here to our little spot in the Okanagan!
I like doing a lot of different things. If you know me at all you know that I’ve taught myself a lot technical stuff. Photoshop, illustrator (vector drawing), video editing, 3d rendering and animation, website design, and even the game of Minecraft . . . just to name a few.
But my favourite thing I love to do is make music. With a band, a solo gig, live, recording/production work. I love it all. It is what I have done the longest in my life. It is what I find the most fulfilling.
Below are two videos of two different styles. Two opposite venues and events. Both meaningful in their own way. Both very filling for me. And both where I feel very honoured and blessed to be able to do.
The first one is a clip from a gig I play at a local restaurant. Someone pulled out their iPhone and recorded What A Wonderful World. It is a bit busy and loud in there but you get the idea. I truly enjoy interacting with people in the community in this way. I feel like I am getting to know my neighbours and making new friends.
The second video is of a song my wife and I did at a memorial service at our church this past weekend. It is for a dear friend ours who passed on Christmas Day. She was well loved. And she loved her God very dearly and openly. This was one of her favourite songs . . . and one of mine as well. (I was a little under the weather in this vid. Hence the tentativeness in my voice.)
Not much going on on the website. But that doesn’t meant that not much is going on. I have been working every Saturday since October. I play at La Cucina Ristorante in WestBank, BC. From 6pm – 9pm. I have met lots of folks and gotten tons of encouragement for the music.
If you are in town looking for something to do on a Saturday night. Try La Cucina’s. If nothing else the atmosphere is awesome and the food is great!
The Kelowna’s Gospel Mission had a grand opening for their new Court Yard. It is a space for their guests to get off the streets, to find some peace and to relax in a space just for them. My good friend, Randy Benson, the Executive Director of the KGM, invited me to play and sing for the event. He even joined me for a couple songs. It was an awesome day.
See the Castanet report on the event.
www.lacucina.ca