Typing this offline to upload later...
Vanessa had a little "going away party" for a co-worker tonight. Since it was all girls, she suggested I go to the local gaming store to hang out. "D" had brought "Shadows Over Camelot" - a nice board game - to play. There were seven of us and it was my first time to play it. It was great! Had a lot of "bits" and pieces and good interaction with the other players. It's a Co-Op game, except for the hidden "traitor" that is randomly assigned...
Well, the traitor came out and we lost as a group, but I was somewhat impressed with the game!
Kat said, "want to see Dice Masters?" I knew I had a little time, so I let her demo it for me. It was a pretty cool game! Pros - dice. Lots of dice. :-) I like randomness in my games along with strategy (see Car Wars and X-Wing) and I like rolling dice, so this seemed like a natural fit.
Another Pro - the game mechanics are simple to learn while still allowing for a good depth of play and stragy.
Cons - it's another CCG type of game. :-( You buy a starter set for about $15, then 2 card boosters are $1.99. I have grown tired of games with "chase rares" and such. That's another reason I like X-Wing and have grown VERY disenchanted with Magic. Kat (and the two guys playing next to us) said that even the commons can be great cards, so just because it's rare doesn't mean it is a game winner. And the fact that you still have to roll the dice in the game and get the right results means it's not just "whoever spends the most money is going to win." Yes, it's a Con overall, but one that's offset by the randomness factor.
I don't know that this is necessarily a Con, but it's Marvel. That's not a "bad" thing, but I'm a DC guy myself. My team had Green Goblin, Captain America, Professor X and another one that I can't remember now. I was playing against Gambit, Magneto and two others that I forget. I did win, and not just because of it being a demo, but because I started aggressively and Kat said she's more of a defensive player. This, coupled with my good rolls while she was "building her army," let to my victory.
All in all a good game, and a good two player game that takes a minimum of space. If you like rolling dice, you'll probably like this game!
Friday, May 30, 2014
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Studio Bound
I know it's been a while since I posted a blog post. I've been busy. :-)
Hopefully you know that I had a successful Kickstarter and I am going into the studio day after tomorrow (Saturday May 31). Well, tonight was "maintenance" night at The Picking Porch...
I changed the strings on my Takamine. They weren't that old, but I wanted them to be their best for the studio so I put on new ones. My little travel guitar had strings that were VERY worn, so I put the Tak strings on it. :-)
Then I changed the strings on Vanessa's bass, and I dressed the neck as well. WOW! Made a HUGE difference!
I also need to change strings on my Alvarez, but that will come later... I have an idea for the strings that are on it now - a little something special for Katie...
I've been busy since my last post in other things too! I'm still playing bass and singing with Pure Country, and we have our next gig Saturday night. I have also started my own band - we are using the name Bare Basics. It's a three piece country band and we had our world premier this month at Cayce, Kentucky. It was a great time!
Last Saturday I played a solo gig at Coffee in the Attic in Covington. A GREAT place to play and sing and I had a WONDERFUL time!
Well, that's it for now. Say a prayer for me this Saturday as I try to do my best on this CD. And if you're a backer and reading this - THANK YOU! If you're not a backer and you'd like to get a CD, you can pre-order for $10. Heck I'll even cover the shipping. :-)
Hopefully you know that I had a successful Kickstarter and I am going into the studio day after tomorrow (Saturday May 31). Well, tonight was "maintenance" night at The Picking Porch...
I changed the strings on my Takamine. They weren't that old, but I wanted them to be their best for the studio so I put on new ones. My little travel guitar had strings that were VERY worn, so I put the Tak strings on it. :-)
Then I changed the strings on Vanessa's bass, and I dressed the neck as well. WOW! Made a HUGE difference!
I also need to change strings on my Alvarez, but that will come later... I have an idea for the strings that are on it now - a little something special for Katie...
I've been busy since my last post in other things too! I'm still playing bass and singing with Pure Country, and we have our next gig Saturday night. I have also started my own band - we are using the name Bare Basics. It's a three piece country band and we had our world premier this month at Cayce, Kentucky. It was a great time!
Last Saturday I played a solo gig at Coffee in the Attic in Covington. A GREAT place to play and sing and I had a WONDERFUL time!
Well, that's it for now. Say a prayer for me this Saturday as I try to do my best on this CD. And if you're a backer and reading this - THANK YOU! If you're not a backer and you'd like to get a CD, you can pre-order for $10. Heck I'll even cover the shipping. :-)
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Feeling Blessed
I don't usually "slap out a quick" blogpost, but this morning as I get ready for work I realize how blessed I truly am! I started my Kickstarter project for my first CD just two nights ago. In just over 24 hours my goal of $500 was reached. This morning it has been surpassed - and still has 25 days to go! If that doesn't make you feel blessed nothing will!
Add to that the bluegrass picking last night... My, James and Steve met and picked for a few hours, told jokes, etc. I played the banjo the whole time and though I didn't technically learn any "new songs" I did actually PICK a couple of the songs I've only been able to "play" before. That felt good.
While we're picking I get a Facebook message of another booking in May. Then I got word that Vanessa passed a big EMT exam! Another blessing!
Tonight I get to game with my oldest son online (Star Wars RPG). Tomorrow night Bare Basics has its first official practice. We have our setlist for May 17 - now we polish and shine. :-)
Again - I'm feeling blessed. :-)
Here's the link to my Kickstarter if you'd like to help out and get a copy of the CD mailed to you (plus a chance at other goodies... No one has taken me up on the house concert yet - that's something unique for sure!) -
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1353564012/home-grown-all-original-cd
Add to that the bluegrass picking last night... My, James and Steve met and picked for a few hours, told jokes, etc. I played the banjo the whole time and though I didn't technically learn any "new songs" I did actually PICK a couple of the songs I've only been able to "play" before. That felt good.
While we're picking I get a Facebook message of another booking in May. Then I got word that Vanessa passed a big EMT exam! Another blessing!
Tonight I get to game with my oldest son online (Star Wars RPG). Tomorrow night Bare Basics has its first official practice. We have our setlist for May 17 - now we polish and shine. :-)
Again - I'm feeling blessed. :-)
Here's the link to my Kickstarter if you'd like to help out and get a copy of the CD mailed to you (plus a chance at other goodies... No one has taken me up on the house concert yet - that's something unique for sure!) -
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1353564012/home-grown-all-original-cd
Monday, February 3, 2014
Two Upcoming Shows
I have two upcoming shows to announce, and a quick gig report...
I mentioned before that I was asked to play bass this past Saturday. It was really a great gig! The people there in the nursing & rehab home REALLY enjoyed it! I enjoyed the opportunity to pick with James, of course, and with some others that I had not picked with since the old jamming days at Halls. Of special note was the chance to pick with my dobro friend Gene Leggett.
Now - on to the shows...
Bryan Hayes is a singer/songwriter from Moscow, Tennessee. He hosts a house concert series there called Farmhouse Studios. He is playing a free show at Java Cafe in Dyersburg on Valentines Day and he asked me to open for him. I'll be taking the stage at 7:30 and will do several original songs. If you're in the Dyersburg area and have been missing the local shows I used to do, now is your chance to get caught up on some old favorites as well as some new songs.
Again, it's a free show, and Bryan will have CD's to sell. (no - I don't have a finished product yet... still in the pipe for a future date - been busy writing and performing instead) You can check him out at http://www.bryanhayesmusic.com
On the 21st, I will performing in a songwriters round in Monteagle, Tennessee. Yes, it's a long way off, but I know I have friends in the Nashville and Chattanooga area that might be looking for something to do that night. This will be an "extended" round - more than just a couple of songs per person. I'm booked with my friend Steve Rempis and a gentleman named David Watson.
I've put both of these events on my ReverbNation page.
One last thing... I've talked to a few people locally about having a house concert of their own. So far, no one wants to be the first to do this, so I want to make you a special offer... Email me at jimmylogan0916@gmail.com or call/text 731-345-9229 and I'll share the details with you. I have a way you can do it for ZERO cost and you'll not only have an unforgettable evening but you'll also be a trendsetter...
If you're out of town and would like this, please let me know. Travel is not a problem at all...
Till next time!
I mentioned before that I was asked to play bass this past Saturday. It was really a great gig! The people there in the nursing & rehab home REALLY enjoyed it! I enjoyed the opportunity to pick with James, of course, and with some others that I had not picked with since the old jamming days at Halls. Of special note was the chance to pick with my dobro friend Gene Leggett.
Now - on to the shows...
Bryan Hayes is a singer/songwriter from Moscow, Tennessee. He hosts a house concert series there called Farmhouse Studios. He is playing a free show at Java Cafe in Dyersburg on Valentines Day and he asked me to open for him. I'll be taking the stage at 7:30 and will do several original songs. If you're in the Dyersburg area and have been missing the local shows I used to do, now is your chance to get caught up on some old favorites as well as some new songs.
Again, it's a free show, and Bryan will have CD's to sell. (no - I don't have a finished product yet... still in the pipe for a future date - been busy writing and performing instead) You can check him out at http://www.bryanhayesmusic.com
On the 21st, I will performing in a songwriters round in Monteagle, Tennessee. Yes, it's a long way off, but I know I have friends in the Nashville and Chattanooga area that might be looking for something to do that night. This will be an "extended" round - more than just a couple of songs per person. I'm booked with my friend Steve Rempis and a gentleman named David Watson.
I've put both of these events on my ReverbNation page.
One last thing... I've talked to a few people locally about having a house concert of their own. So far, no one wants to be the first to do this, so I want to make you a special offer... Email me at jimmylogan0916@gmail.com or call/text 731-345-9229 and I'll share the details with you. I have a way you can do it for ZERO cost and you'll not only have an unforgettable evening but you'll also be a trendsetter...
If you're out of town and would like this, please let me know. Travel is not a problem at all...
Till next time!
Thursday, January 30, 2014
almost a week in the making
Well, some things have happened since the last post - good and bad. :-)
Today is Thursday, so I'm going to try and catch you up since the last post last Wednesday... (and catch myself up - this is a journal for me as well, I'm just sharing it with you too :-) ).
First, let me fill you in on some details... Friday night the 21st of February, I'm booked for a singer/songwriter "round" the other side of Nashville. It's a pretty good drive, but it's also Vanessa's birthday weekend, so we're going to make it a full weekend in the area.
Travis Bowlin books for this. It's held at Jim Oliver's Steakhouse and I'll be sharing the stage with my buddy Steve Rempis - founder and host of the Commercial Suicide Songwriting Podcast - at 9 PM. This is supposed to be more than the typical "3 songs in a round" like at other places. My understanding is that three of us will have the stage for over 90 minutes, so there's more time to get to know the crowd, let them get to know us, etc. Also looking forward to Vanessa and I having supper with Steve and his wife before the show and getting a taste of their great food first hand!
And of course no trip to Nashville would be complete without a visit to Demos' and Wild Horse. Hoping to make it a memorable birthday weekend for my soul mate!
Now, back to local stuff...
Last I told you, I played lead guitar with Larry Frye. I was asked to come back on January 31st for his next show there. The day after my blog post, I received word that Larry's band was being hired to play on Saturday nights. So - that gig has played out. I wish the owner luck and Larry is a good musician, so people will still have a good time. That did free us up to pursue something else we had been talking about...
There's a place in Cayce, KY - just north of Union City - where they apparently have two bands every Saturday night. I've never been, but my understanding is they cater to "listeners" as well as "dancers." We have been booked to play there on March 1st to see how it goes. Here's a link to their Facebook page - Cayce Junction Jamboree. I would love to see YOU there!
Had another writing session with Dustin Hamlin on Thursday night. We worked more on a song he had brought to the "re-write table" last week. Still not finished, but getting there.
Friday I received a text that the lead player at Halls was not going to be there and I was asked to sit in. Of course I jumped on the chance, taking my Gretsch and my Peavey Classic Amp. Below is a head shot of the guitar - and the amp pic is one I found on the Internet. I realized I don't have a pic of mine...
(Thanks - Vanessa - for doing the pics...)
Today is Thursday, so I'm going to try and catch you up since the last post last Wednesday... (and catch myself up - this is a journal for me as well, I'm just sharing it with you too :-) ).
First, let me fill you in on some details... Friday night the 21st of February, I'm booked for a singer/songwriter "round" the other side of Nashville. It's a pretty good drive, but it's also Vanessa's birthday weekend, so we're going to make it a full weekend in the area.
Travis Bowlin books for this. It's held at Jim Oliver's Steakhouse and I'll be sharing the stage with my buddy Steve Rempis - founder and host of the Commercial Suicide Songwriting Podcast - at 9 PM. This is supposed to be more than the typical "3 songs in a round" like at other places. My understanding is that three of us will have the stage for over 90 minutes, so there's more time to get to know the crowd, let them get to know us, etc. Also looking forward to Vanessa and I having supper with Steve and his wife before the show and getting a taste of their great food first hand!
And of course no trip to Nashville would be complete without a visit to Demos' and Wild Horse. Hoping to make it a memorable birthday weekend for my soul mate!
Now, back to local stuff...
Last I told you, I played lead guitar with Larry Frye. I was asked to come back on January 31st for his next show there. The day after my blog post, I received word that Larry's band was being hired to play on Saturday nights. So - that gig has played out. I wish the owner luck and Larry is a good musician, so people will still have a good time. That did free us up to pursue something else we had been talking about...
There's a place in Cayce, KY - just north of Union City - where they apparently have two bands every Saturday night. I've never been, but my understanding is they cater to "listeners" as well as "dancers." We have been booked to play there on March 1st to see how it goes. Here's a link to their Facebook page - Cayce Junction Jamboree. I would love to see YOU there!
Had another writing session with Dustin Hamlin on Thursday night. We worked more on a song he had brought to the "re-write table" last week. Still not finished, but getting there.
Friday I received a text that the lead player at Halls was not going to be there and I was asked to sit in. Of course I jumped on the chance, taking my Gretsch and my Peavey Classic Amp. Below is a head shot of the guitar - and the amp pic is one I found on the Internet. I realized I don't have a pic of mine...
At the bottom of the blog you'll find some pics that Vanessa took, but the main thing I want to say here is that I had the best time making music that I have had in a long while! I always have a good time, so this is really saying something. The guy on steel is one of my favorite musicians of all time and an old family friend (his brother Bobby and my dad were best friends) - Max Winchester. It's ALWAYS a joy to get to make music with him, but to sit in all night on lead and swap licks and accents with him was just downright magical.
At the end of the night I realized something... The night had FLOWN by. We started about 7 and it literally seemed like three or four songs later it was pushing 8 o'clock and time for a break. We went back and again three songs later it was 9 o'clock. We took a very short break then two songs later it was 10 o'clock and time to stop. Yes, it really seemed like it went that fast to me.
I also realized after the fact that I needed this... Having been "fired" from our Saturday night gig made me think "no music" this weekend, so I was pleasantly surprised to get to play and it was good therapy. :-)
Saturday night we had supper with Deb & Tracy and Royce & Linda - great steaks! After supper Royce and I did a little picking (me on guitar & him on banjo).
Sunday James asked me after church if I would play bass Saturday at the Alamo Retirement Home, and following the "resolution" of my buddy Steve Rempis, I said yes. :-) As you know, gentle reader, I prefer to play guitar, but they already have several guitars in the group and no bass, so you play what is needed. Besides, I'd rather play bass as not play at all, and I like being versatile. :-)
Sunday I finally got What Went Wrong recorded. This was another co-write with Jedediah Inlow. Here's the YouTube link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDFJymuENzI
Tuesday night James and I did some picking & practicing and we worked on some new songs. No videos to post yet - still working out some arrangements and we hope to have at least one more guitar player there next week for some more "rhythm section" - and a bass soon too...
Last night Jimmy Skiles (the keyboard player in the pics) emailed me some lyrics for a song idea he had. Looking forward to working on that with him as well.
That's it! That catches you up, gentle reader, and catches me up too... :-)
The full band above - Jimmy Skiles on keyboard, Hugh "Sigmund" Ellington on bass, Jason (don't remember his last name) on drums, me & Max Winchester on steel
Love the feel of that guitar... And the history... And the tone... And what it represents. :-) It was almost playing itself when Sig sang Blue Suede Shoes. It's as if I could feel Carl leading me...
The BEST steel player I've ever heard.
You are supposed to smile on stage, but that is a genuine one - not a stage one. I think we had just swapped some licks back and forth...
Okay - this one is a pose, but it's also while he was playing live.
I just had to photo bomb it to get one of "us" together. :-)
(Thanks - Vanessa - for doing the pics...)
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
musical update
Still don't have the home demo of What Went Wrong done... Been a busy few days...
Had the co-writing session last Thursday with Dustin Hamlin. Went great! We didn't get a song "finished," but we go to know each other, shared some background, talked some things through, etc.
I did get a verse done on the one Gary and I had started working on... I did that while waiting for Dustin, but haven't gone back to it.
Friday night we went out to eat with Colton and Tiffani. No music, but had a great time with the kids and then Vanessa and I watched "Burn Notice" into the night. :-)
Vanessa drove Saturday on the way to Jackson and I took my little guitar. We worked on "Miracle in Me" and some other stuff. That's still a blog post I need to write... Saturday night we were back in Hornbeak and we had a great time! Vanessa and I did "You Ain't Dolly" again, and I brought out a new song for an old friend - "I'll Sail My Ship Alone." Glad you liked it Bill!
Sunday morning we visited at Archer's Chapel and worshipped with The Dills. They are some DEAR old friends of ours and we love spending time with them. They invited us to eat lunch with them in Humboldt, so we did - and continued the fellowship. Love you guys! (and girls)
Monday was a holiday so we stayed around the house most of the day... Just had a good "day off." :-)
Back at work Tuesday, but no bluegrass Tuesday night. Ms. Robbie at Boot Scoot in Hornbeak had asked me to fill in on Lead Guitar for Larry Frye. She's trying out another night to try and help build the business. Was the first time I've gotten to "pick" (other than bluegrass) in a while and had a GREAT time! Got to sing a few as well, and that's always fun...
He asked me to come back on January 31st when they are going to try a Friday night... Come on out!
Had the co-writing session last Thursday with Dustin Hamlin. Went great! We didn't get a song "finished," but we go to know each other, shared some background, talked some things through, etc.
I did get a verse done on the one Gary and I had started working on... I did that while waiting for Dustin, but haven't gone back to it.
Friday night we went out to eat with Colton and Tiffani. No music, but had a great time with the kids and then Vanessa and I watched "Burn Notice" into the night. :-)
Vanessa drove Saturday on the way to Jackson and I took my little guitar. We worked on "Miracle in Me" and some other stuff. That's still a blog post I need to write... Saturday night we were back in Hornbeak and we had a great time! Vanessa and I did "You Ain't Dolly" again, and I brought out a new song for an old friend - "I'll Sail My Ship Alone." Glad you liked it Bill!
Sunday morning we visited at Archer's Chapel and worshipped with The Dills. They are some DEAR old friends of ours and we love spending time with them. They invited us to eat lunch with them in Humboldt, so we did - and continued the fellowship. Love you guys! (and girls)
Monday was a holiday so we stayed around the house most of the day... Just had a good "day off." :-)
Back at work Tuesday, but no bluegrass Tuesday night. Ms. Robbie at Boot Scoot in Hornbeak had asked me to fill in on Lead Guitar for Larry Frye. She's trying out another night to try and help build the business. Was the first time I've gotten to "pick" (other than bluegrass) in a while and had a GREAT time! Got to sing a few as well, and that's always fun...
He asked me to come back on January 31st when they are going to try a Friday night... Come on out!
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
several days of writing
Okay - a quick update from the last post...
Three more songs under my belt! Steve and I collaborated on a new twist to "Grandpa Said" - it's up on YouTube now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qLCoFpDoL0
Jed and I finished another one - Don't Let the Weeds Outgrow the Rose - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diqFeG3fwR0
And Jed and I have done 99% of the work on another one - What Went Wrong - it's not online yet, as there's still a bit of tweaking and testing we wanted to do. I brought it out last night for James and we played through it a few times. Fits the bluegrass style we are playing. Look for it in the next few days...
The one Gary and I are going to work on is still sitting untouched, but it's in the queue. I also had another writer contact me via Jed. He sent me a couple of "poetic lyric sheets" and I'm excited to be working with him as well.
I have a live co-writing session planned for tomorrow night... I had a local performer contact me via Facebook and wanted to get together and do some writing. Seems the drummer on Saturday night had good things to say about me and my writing. High hopes for this one!
Randy - I wanted you to know that I've tried to keep what you said in mind... Saturday was not a "writing day" but I know that my writing is a culmination of years and years of musical experience, so I put in another night of musical experience. :-) I didn't do any originals Saturday night, but I did do a couple of "non-standard" covers that you don't normally hear, plus a duet that Vanessa and I heard Saturday morning. We worked it up and performed it Saturday night as well.
Sunday I did some writing. Monday I did some writing. Tuesday I practiced bluegrass and pulled out TWO of the new ones. Today I listened to the podcast and got some nuggets, plus made some contacts.
Three more songs under my belt! Steve and I collaborated on a new twist to "Grandpa Said" - it's up on YouTube now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qLCoFpDoL0
Jed and I finished another one - Don't Let the Weeds Outgrow the Rose - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diqFeG3fwR0
And Jed and I have done 99% of the work on another one - What Went Wrong - it's not online yet, as there's still a bit of tweaking and testing we wanted to do. I brought it out last night for James and we played through it a few times. Fits the bluegrass style we are playing. Look for it in the next few days...
The one Gary and I are going to work on is still sitting untouched, but it's in the queue. I also had another writer contact me via Jed. He sent me a couple of "poetic lyric sheets" and I'm excited to be working with him as well.
I have a live co-writing session planned for tomorrow night... I had a local performer contact me via Facebook and wanted to get together and do some writing. Seems the drummer on Saturday night had good things to say about me and my writing. High hopes for this one!
Randy - I wanted you to know that I've tried to keep what you said in mind... Saturday was not a "writing day" but I know that my writing is a culmination of years and years of musical experience, so I put in another night of musical experience. :-) I didn't do any originals Saturday night, but I did do a couple of "non-standard" covers that you don't normally hear, plus a duet that Vanessa and I heard Saturday morning. We worked it up and performed it Saturday night as well.
Sunday I did some writing. Monday I did some writing. Tuesday I practiced bluegrass and pulled out TWO of the new ones. Today I listened to the podcast and got some nuggets, plus made some contacts.
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