I haven't written anything for public consumption in a while, so I thought I'd bring you all up to date on what's going on in my life.
On the job front, this week I should transition from being a temp to being a permanent employee. My boss has told me all the paperwork is approved, and she's waiting for the official blessing of the company CEO, who apparently has to approve all new hires. Looking forward to health insurance (Helen, read the note I left for you), and a more permant feel to ... (1290 more chars)
The newspaper calls it the Blizzard of 2008. Yup, gave the storm an officinal name and all. The weather people at the TV stations did their usual forecast of the apocalypse. And those of us who have been through this kind of thing before waited until it stopped snowing and shoveled out. As I write this, the dingo of a neighbor across the street is stuck in his driveway. I'll go help him as soon as I'm done laughing at him.
Maybe there's a song in this. Hmmm, Dingo in the Snow. Working... (14 more chars)
I have uploaded all the tracks onto my pages on Virb.com and Fuzz.com for your enjoyment. Same artist name, same great music.
http://endicottroad.fuzz.com/
http://www.virb.com/endicottroad
Stop by for a listen and leave a comment.
Thanks.
ER
. . . will be posted on my Virb.com site under my artist name, Endicott Road as of tomorrow, March 1. Because of the limit of 30 songs, I'll have to delete an older album to fit this one on it. Feel free to stop by for a listen: http://www.virb.com/endicottroad
I'll be taking some time this weekend to listen to more demos and visiting websites that my work won't let me visit and listening to some music. I haven't been as active this year as I was last year, but I'll do my best to catc... (356 more chars)
I'll be heading down to the post office this afternoon to send off my submission for this year's challenge. I know from experience that the RPM folks won't get to listing it as received for a few days, so as long as I know it's been sent, I won't worry.
I'll be burning extra copies to trade, and contacting those who have already agreed to trade. Bear in mind that my MP3 player croaked just after Christmas, so, for now, I'd rather trade CD's than download MP3 files, if possible. I won't ha... (537 more chars)
Today I finished, burned, labeled, and package the CD for mailing. It's called Waitin' On The Mail, and there are 12 tracks. I'll post the tracks and other details on my details page if you're interested.
To everyone else who's done, huge congrats! To those who aren't quite finished, here's hoping you get done in time.
Can't wait to hear them all on the jukebox.
Great regards.
ER
(Thursday, 21 February 2008) Written by Endicott Road
Just uploaded two new demos that are definitely going to be on the CD.
The first is called I Don't Love You, and was written just after I returned home after an extended absence. One night I was lying in bed, feeling all warm in the dark, and looked at my wife. She was asleep, so she didn't know I was looking. I thought what a dolt I was for not loving her more, or better, or at least more demonstratively, and the lyrics appeared in my head. I got up, went downstairs, and wrote them down... (915 more chars)
I've been reacquanting myself with my accoustic guitar this month, and discovering just how it feels to reacquire the callouses on your fingertips. It even hurts to type this blog. Couple that with my job, which is a lot of data entry and keyboarding, and I'm going to be in pain for some time. Well, they say that great beauty comes from great pain, so my music should be pretty good. Or so I hope.
On a brighter note, I am three fourths the way along on finished tracks for the new CD. I h... (836 more chars)
I just posted three songs on my "details" page for your listening pleasure. The first one, Waitin' On The Mail, will probably be the title track of the new CD. I like the way it came out, including the harmonies. The second, So Very Right, is a bouncy little tune that I think you'll enjoy. The third, Eyes Of A Child, is more thoughtful and sad. It is my wish that I still felt wide-eyed and hopeful, like I did as a child. I'm not sure I'll include it in the new CD. I don't think the produ... (1136 more chars)
I must say I'm pleased with the progress I've been making on the new CD. I have like five or six finished, with another four to six in the thinking and planning stages. One big change from last year: taking decongestants. I have had a lifelong problem of draining sinuses, and it has made my speaking and singing voices at times extremely hard to hear. When I get an infection I am told I sound a bit like Kermit the Frog. I hate it. Hi Ho my a**! This year with the weather being warm one d... (963 more chars)
(Thursday, 07 February 2008) Written by Endicott Road
Good morning.
I haven't been nearly as active on this site this years as I was last year, and you can chalk that up to my work situation. Last year I had long stretches of time that I had nothing to do, so I was able to keep up with RPM and add my comments regularly. This year I am a temp hoping to get hired on permanently, and this is the first time this week I've had any down time, so I wanted to chime in.
I have been diligently working on songs since the first, and I must say I'm ple... (943 more chars)
(Saturday, 22 December 2007) Written by Endicott Road
Tangmo said it best: "Merry Christmas to all, y'all."
Thank you all for the friendship you have shown during the past year, and for the great music, and for the fun. It's been great to connect with so many people, and read the blogs, and cry and laugh with all of you. I am sincerely looking forward to more of the same for 08.
My kids used to say "happy ho ho." A friend at my new job said he refuses to say "happy holidays" because it sounds false. I used to work in a large retail store... (678 more chars)
(Wednesday, 19 December 2007) Written by Endicott Road
I am happy to report that I have been able to find gainful employment again! For those who are following the continuing story I was laid off the Tuesday before Thanksgiving (ugh!), but I have found a position at a local manufacturing company in their purchasing department. This is a temporary position, with a strong posibility of being hired on permanently. The salary is barely enough, but it's better than waiting for the unemployment checks to start coming in. And I'll have to go without h... (921 more chars)
(Wednesday, 21 November 2007) Written by Endicott Road
In yet another case of money over people, my employer of one year decided now was a good time to lay me off. They said it had nothing to do with my performance and everything to do with the bottom line. So I'll be spending this coming holiday not thanking God for the job I have but praying I can find something like it. Yuck!
So if anyone knows of a company in central Ohio that needs someone with extensive purchasing experience, please let me know. Meanwhile, in the spirit of RPM, I'll be... (38 more chars)
For those of you who have read my blob post about the possibility that I would lose my job, let me give you an update.
I learned yesterday that there won't be any terminations right away. The sale of this company to another won't close until at least the end of September, and the folks from the new owners say they'll take "two to four months" to examine how the business is done, and how they can leverage this company's way of doing business to improve their own. What that means for the peo... (520 more chars)
I just found out that the company I now work for has been acquired by another company. While no one is saying what will happen, I can see down the road that I might be laid off. I work in purchasing, and the company that acquired us has a distribution center next to FedEx in Memphis TN. If I were in sales, I could always make the case that I could take on new territories, new products, and adapt myself to the new product lines and company. But, since I'm in purchasing, and there are doubtle... (1539 more chars)
Since everyone seems to be into shameless self-promotion, I thought I might as well add my two cents.
I have completed the upload of the album My Corner Of This Life onto my little corner of Virb.com/endicottroad (don't ask me to do the link, I'm terrible at it). I uploaded nine of the twelve songs, having weeded out three that weren't very good. I'll start on another album upload soon. That makes three complete albums on Virb (the RPM effort Old Fashioned Love Affair, Just Fine, and the ... (1242 more chars)
I just read an article in my local paper about the label Hear Music, which is the same one Mick is working with to get RPM music into the hands of Starbucks customers. The article said Joni Mitchell is going to release a new album soon through that label, which should generate some interest. It also said Paul McCartney has released an album through them, and might again.
Having read that, I'd like to give a big round of applause for Mick, who is doing us all mondo favors by getting our mus... (369 more chars)
Since the hysteria of the challenge, I've been getting back into the rhythm of "real life". Get up, go to work, trudge through the day, come home, watch the news (and get depressed), have dinner, play Madden 05 or write a song or surf the web, help my youngest with her homework (and argue with her about it), watch Jon Stewart, go to bed. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Sound familiar?
My muse has quieted down a bit since February. But she's still working, and occasionally I'll have a song I jus... (345 more chars)
I guess it's normal that, after the challenge is over, and the songs are posted, that traffic on the site diminishes significantly, but, as I write this blog entry, there are only 2 other artists signed onto the site.
One of the things I like the best about this site is the regular interaction between people. Whether it's the discussion board or the blog entries, I like signing on every day and reading and listening while I slog through yet another work day. And, at home, when I get a fre... (200 more chars)
I've noticed that a lot of folks from this website have migrated/discovered other sites like MySpace and Virb.com, and we've all been able to link up as friends, and that's very cool. I stop by and listen to people's work from time to time, and I like that very much.
I've visited other sites that I've discovered, like Fuzz.com, and SoundClick.com, Broadjam.com, and noticed that there are a lot of glossy-looking band profiles, and a lot of musicians very serious about making it in the musi... (838 more chars)
It's Saturday afternoon, and it's just too doggone cold to do yardwork, and I'm trying to figure out the bills without going insane or broke or both. I'd like to say THANK YOU to all the artists who have linked up with me as friends. I'm listening to the jukebox on the RPM07 site, and I just heard "Another Sunny Day In Baghdad", which is comical and sad at the same time. I won't jump on my soapbox here and prognosticate about the war, but suffice it to say I am not a fan of it. Or our estee... (1550 more chars)
I would first like to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed the past two months. This entire challenge has invigorated my music, brought me a host of new friends, and recharged my muse. I find myself listening to new (to me) music every day, and loving most of what I hear. To the folks who put on this challenge, a huge THANK YOU for putting up with all of us, and I hope some of the comments weren't too harsh, and were taken with the proverbial grain of salt. Most of the negative comments were ... (1248 more chars)
Maybe I missed something, but wasn't this supposed to start at like 6:30 pm EDT? It's before 6 and the music has started already. Did I miss something?
I'm in Ohio, so we're on the same time zone as NH. I'm confused.
ER
Just posted a song to the demo section of the sample engine. I've been trading CD's with RPMers lately, and this song happened along the way. Give it a listen and let me know what you think. If you'd like me to make it available for download, let me know.
Thanks.
ER
Just set up a virb.com account under the same name as this. Stop by to virb.com/endicottroad (sorry, don't know how to do the link bit). I'll be adding more as I get more ambition.
ER
Last night I took the plunge and actually signed up for MySpace. My artist name there is still the same, Endicott Road, and I uploaded 4 songs. All are available for listen and/or download. There are no pictures or notes or other items to pretty up the site. I'll be doing that over the next few days. Hey, I'm new at this.
I did listen and download some folks music on MySpace, and, while I can't be specific, I did like most of what I heard. Stop by for a listen if you get a moment.
B... (321 more chars)
I just went to the "participating artists" section, and found out that the RPM folks actually DID receive my CD. Deep breath. *sigh* I was so afraid that it had been lost in the mail. For those of you waiting for confirmation, let me make some suggestions: Maalox, a sedative, and/or do something to distract yourself from the anxiety. Believe me, it helps.
To those of you who have responded to my post about wanting to trade CD's, thank you. To those whom I have sent personal messages a... (648 more chars)
I just went through the sample engine, both demos and clips, and read through the discussion boards and listened to a number of artists, and I'm beginning to create a new list of favorite artists. I downloaded the albums made available by the Substars and Brian Litchfield and Greg G. I listened to posts by others and suggested trading CDs. Three have responded with addresses, which is great. And I listened to the Beatnik Turtle "radio" section of their website, and laughed my *ss of at the ... (865 more chars)
While reading the discussion boards, someone came up with the great idea of trading CD's. I've heard a lot of good music on this site, and would love to send someone a copy of my CD in trade for a copy of theirs. I would pay postage to get my CD to you, and vice versa. Already have traded messages with a couple of people, and would love to hear from more.
Just posted two songs from the CD on the demo section of the sample engine. Give them a listen and let me know what you think. All me... (101 more chars)
I just had a song leap into my head, and I wrote down the lyrics. The song is still playing in my cranium, and I hope I remember it when I get home from work.
But this is what is happening as a result of this challenge. My muse is awake and working. Thanks RPM. Guess I just needed a jumpstart.
Regards.
ER
To everyone who's adding blog entries saying they're done and at the post office or just back from the post office and making funny comments about the snail speed of their local postal service, let me give you all a collective "congrats" at getting it all done. From all the blogs I've read, some have had a relatively easy time of it (like me) and others have gone through hell. To those who have had their troubles, I wish I had your determination. Sometimes I give up too easily.
I agree wi... (1229 more chars)
(Wednesday, 28 February 2007) Written by Endicott Road
that I agree with all the blog postings I've read this morning. Like many others, my CD isn't perfect, but I wouldn't have put it together if it weren't for this challenge. And the point of the challenge, I think, is to make music, regardless of how perfect it is not. I think many have reconnected with their love of music, and have had a good time putting together the songs, no matter how frantic the last few days have been. I've always tried to have pretty regular, normal hours of working,... (948 more chars)
at some of the blog entries today. To the guy with the superglue problem, I know what you mean. Fingerprints won't ruin your CD. Just tape it using small pieces and you'll be fine. To the one having the nervous breakdown, welcome to the club! To the one asking where the time went, you know doggone well where it went, and I hope you have some music to show for it. I do. And to those who have been sick, or have had sickness visit their bandmates, I can sympathize. Awhile ago I got this so... (1368 more chars)
(Saturday, 24 February 2007) Written by Endicott Road
Reading the blog entries has been interesting, entertaining, and instructional. I get a tiny window into the processes many artists take to create an album for this challenge, and how crazy their lives can get, and how much better equipment they have then I do. And I also get a sense of how many people have procrastinated, and are rushing to finish.
I'm not surprised that creative people have crazy lives. I am creative, but with a family and a job that keeps me more stable than most. But... (1727 more chars)
(Thursday, 22 February 2007) Written by Endicott Road
Just came back from the post office, and the CD is mailed. A huge relief for me. I respect those who are still working on their music, and I feel like I've cheated death somehow by getting it done before the deadline. Usually I'm finishing up and saying "give me one more minute!". And that almost never works.
So, to those who have sent in their album, congrats. To those still working, you have my respect, and I hope that you finish on time.
This is the first contest of any kind tha... (522 more chars)
OK, folks, you can now be either happy for me or be green with envy, but my CD is "in the can", the artwork is done, and the CD&jewelcase is in the mailer ready to go to the post office. I know, I know, many blog postings have been about how many days are left and how many songs are left to be done, but I'm a quick study, and a quick worker. What can I say? Most of my vocals are done on the first take, including harmonies. I just know what I want, and I'm able to do it. No idea how.
It'... (1082 more chars)
to have someone in house who knows how to help you clear those technical hurdles - and point out when you've been a computer doofus! My daughter, who is more fearless when it comes to computers, helped me get it all straightened out, so I was able to burn the CD, and get the CD label and jewelcase artwork printed and applied. Dad can be all thumbs with that kind of thing. I just wish she hadn't said "doh!" so many times.
Will be mailing in my submission this week. For those of you still ... (662 more chars)
(Saturday, 17 February 2007) Written by Endicott Road
Now that I've decided which songs to include in the CD, I now need to clear a technical hurdle in making sure I can burn the songs onto a blank CD. I vented last night about the problems I was having, and I must admit a good nights sleep has made me feel a little better. I'll work on it today.
It sounds like a lot of people are scrambling to get everything done. I've been in a fit of writing recently, so discovering this challenge wasn't that big a deal. I guess I just lucked into it. T... (366 more chars)
I have been trying all night to burn my songs onto a CD as a test for later when I have the final versions of my submission. And I can't make it work. I get all the right messages from the software, but when I try to play it on a CD player, I get nothing. ARRRRGH! I know the CD player will accept and play burned CD's because I've done this before. But, of course, when you update the software, and don't do it for awhile, things change. Oi!
I know I still have time, but I did everything ... (661 more chars)
I went through my pile of unwritten and partially written songs, and I can't decide what to do. I have the time, and the meager equipment, but I can't seem to make up my mind. I don't want to have 10 songs that all sound the same, of come up with some kind of lofty concept album on such short notice, so I'll have to put my feeble brain to work and see what I come up with. Wish me luck.
(Thursday, 15 February 2007) Written by Endicott Road
Since it snowed so much, then iced over, it was tough to make tracks, either with your feet on the snow, or with music once you got back inside. The shoveling and chipping made my arms tired, but I managed to get something done, musically speaking. I've been listening to some of the demos uploaded to the site, and I must say I've heard some pretty good stuff. This just confirms by belief that there are a large number of talented people across the country who go unrecognized, and that's a cri... (411 more chars)
(Wednesday, 14 February 2007) Written by Endicott Road
Since it has been snowing and raining ice since last night, I have the time to complete a real blog entry and not have to hide it from my boss.
I have a question: if a song is created using samples, does it qualify for this challenge? I ask because, for some time, I have been using a software program and samples to create most of my music. Since I don't have the funds to afford instruments or recording equipment, using samples (loops) helps me to write music without draining my wallet. T... (211 more chars)
