Better Together

  What can I say but here we go again rolling through life together. I just thank God we still are here and we still have time. Sometimes I hurt because the band, the music and my stars haven't gone to the points of all my wildest dreams like I worked for, like I risked, like I loved, like I joined into, like I really played, like I really lived for. As full of fire and wondering wildness that I am it seems I may need sticks of dynamite these days. I think my band and I are vibrant enough to pull a fast one on the bullshit though.


                                             "Better Together" Jack Johnson & G. Love

  When it comes down to it we do what we do because we have to, because if you've ever been in love with anyone or anything you know what you have to do. There's no way around it. We make this music together because we love each other and we often bring out the best in each other. Through all our trials when we are playing and I look around the stage from face to face and I see genuine smiles I feel we are doing it right. Yeah that is when it sounds Sublime and looks easy and it really is but easy is hard and simple is complicated..


  Much like life music has her moments. When she smiles at you make sure you smile back because she is the prettiest thing that you'll never even see. Fortunately we can hear and Chris has been finishing mixing the album. I have offered my help but truth be told is I fix some key spots here and there but it is all Chris. I am really proud of my friend for stepping up with the knowledge he had and turning it into wisdom. For the very most part Chris has had to mix our album on his own.


  No one really knows what it has taken to put all this together even thus far except us and honestly no one else ever will. I put my hands together hard for all the music, adventures, journeys and trials we have made it through together. We really do hold each other up and hold each other together. We are a family within families.


  One other thing I know is John is starting to get really, really good. He was always good, I always say that but he is truly becoming something else. I think I hear greatness and then there better be  a drum solo coming soon. I think we can get him to do it one fine day. Haha it's funny he's kind of like the little blonde girl from Tennessee when it comes to that, kinda shy but let's get a couple drinks in him and cut him loose. The kicker is a blonde girl from Tennessee typically knows how to rodeo and John sure can solo, I would know, perfect marriage. If a Tennessee blonde dances on stage I bet we can get him to solo. Ha.


   On the up and up most of the album has now been mixed, once it is done the mastering will be quick. We are debating between a Los Angeles Company and an English cat from the UK. The Los Angeles guy has done bands like Maroon 5 and even bigger but the English guy has done solo albums of guys from The Rolling Stones and a hundred others. We are going to get samples from each but I think I am leaning towards the English guy and his company. I would be the first to jump on the LA with bigger names but the other guys straight up attitude and obvious honesty is priceless. We will let them battle it out on a sample and we will let you know which way we are going. Also if any of you are looking to have some mastering done this info could be very useful.


  Please tune in next Monday evening and remember "We're Better Together". Always loved Jack & G doing that one.


SMR

We Have Landed...

I wanted my first blog post to be something special, something that sets the tone and gives our readers something to look forward to as we move ahead. Easier said than done, (I’d say If you only knew but deep down you all do). Should I talk about the path that led us all here? What’s ahead for us? Or maybe both of those things. I could easily discuss what makes me tick, what inspires me and why I do what I do. Let’s see if we can make this place something special and I hope all of you get the chance to peer into my world a little bit.

First Comes The Gratitude...

Truth be told, our band is built from the ground up. At my shoulders I have the best. Chris McGowan (Bass) and John Park(Drums) is the band I always hoped and prayed would happen. There are no heavy labels, managers, big shot investors, daddy’s bank accounts, or the family celebrity types holding us up. The only thing we have is each other, our music, and as it stands we have some of the most beautiful and talented friends that even Hollywood should get a hold of one day. A lot of amazing people have helped my band and our music along the way and to all of which I hold the highest regard.

There are so many names and the list just keeps growing. Adam Sacharoff, Nicholas Dobric, Matt Relstab, Jessica Chou, Sammy So, Yuen Yee Lam, Lisa Horna, Mark Watland, Frank Gonzales, Joe Lim and every friend, every fan that we got to share and have a good time with ever. Thank you for supporting us and our original rock n roll all this time. Without you all, there is no Rock n Roll. It’s what it’s all about.

Then, a genius also comes to mind. Technology group MacAnywhere right here out of Chicago, and spanning all the way to Phoenix. MacAnywhere is led by two individuals, Nicholas Dobric and Michael Betzel. We knew right away it was the right relationship because these guys are as passionate about their work as we are. Nick stepped in with his resources and helped us create an online platform on a low musicians budget.  We have had a blast along the way working with them in the wee hours of the night and throughout the days leading up to this launch. Not many know that Nick and his partner Mike are both nearly 20 year veterans with technology dating back to when they built their own machines as kids, and there was barely an internet as we know it. So a big thank you is in order to MacAnywhere, Nick, and all that they do and have done for us. Their personal and professional approach rang loud. I really would love to keep them all to myself but much like my band we have to move on to the next town.

The names just keep coming and there’s just no room on a screen for them all. Thank you, and you, and you...and you over there. We will never forget.

Then Came The Heartbeat...

There are so many nooks and crannies of this world, all bearing great surprise and sources of inspiration. As a musician, you never know where your next creative vein is going to come from. That’s what excites my band, as well as myself. We love what we do, we love the people we do it for. If we could inspire one person in a crowd as much as we have been inspired, then we are happy. Happy, I think that is my favorite word because it is what I’m knowing we all want to be.

And The Happiness...

Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones once wrote a song called “Happy” and it is truly Happy. He wrote it in a bathroom with the door locked, with an old Gibson Hummingbird in his hand and a needle in the other as he did the best for the Stones. Later on it really did bring a lot of happiness for Keith, for the Stones, for me and millions more. Don’t ask me why but ever since I was a young cat I was inspired by Keith Richards. So much more than anyone else on a musical level. Some people say the Beatles. They sure did do a beautiful run, the best run, but The Stones survived and lived for 40 more years. So to end my first post, I leave you with a nook and cranny. Here are some Keith Richards quotes below. Listen to a wise man...

“Everyone talks about rock these days; the problem is they forget about the roll.”
 Keith Richards



“I've never had a problem with drugs. I've had problems with the police.”
Keith Richards



“If you don't know the blues... there's no point in picking up the guitar and playing rock and roll or any other form of popular music.”
Keith Richards



“There's no substitute for live work to keep a band together.”
Keith Richards



“To make a rock' n 'roll record, technology is the least important thing.”
Keith Richards





"We Have Landed... A Long Time Ago"
Shannon Richardson