Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Well hello my friends.

Once again we close up yet another year with the SCB. It was a very busy year for us as we played over 60 shows this year. It was possibly one of the busiest years ever. I guess you can see where our hearts do lie. We even tell family members now if they have an event for us to attend or even play, they better make plans a year in advance. It has gotten that busy for us.

As we look back on 2009, some good things came by and probably more negative ones took their place. We attended Myrtle Beach and that was good. It rained all summer and that was bad. KW opened the camp at the lake and that was good. We lost some close friends and that was bad. I am very much now looking forward to 2010.So where do we begin? Let's talk about "Full Circle" first. Once again we headed back into the studio to wrap up some loose ends and get the rest of the visitors recorded and done. December 28th is the last weekend to cram. We have to do it all this weekend and finish it. (Remember we started this project back in early July) who would have imagined the time we would invest on this album – incredible!

Here is the breakdown so far: the album will consist of 12 tracks (about 50 minutes of material) The songs are much longer this time around. One cut is almost 6 minutes long. There will be at least 10 musical contributions from different band members as well as 5 different vocalists. I'm in the process of laying out the track- play sequence from the demo.

This is a bit of a challenge. As you know from the last 2 albums, SCB is a band of so many faces. This album is no exception. We covered some southern rock, blues, Americana, and not to mention some love songs. Also included is a sensational instrumental written by KW that is as nice a piece of music you will ever hear. We do one of these on every album and this one is no exception. The final cut on the album is tribute tune that we put on there for our late great Bass player Vince who passed away from cancer complications back in 1993. We gathered as many of the past members of the SCB that we could find and had them all contribute a bit of something for that tune. Vince was a big Merle Haggard/Willie Nelson fan. So I guess if you liked what we have been doing over the last 3 years you will love this new CD, as it truly follows that path. Remember this- DD is an eighties boy, KW is a country crooner and I'm a 70's rocker. Put that all together and you're bound to have some excitement.

Two quick notes: The contest that we entered into with original music last month - we finally heard back and we didn't make the cut into the top 8 bands selected. We weren't the NASCAR type I assume.The only band I even recognized by name was a band out of Norwich - Talyor Made, and that was for a country node. Most of the bands that placed were all big city bands.

But on the second note DD got an e-mail from a radio station down in southern Florida that showed an interest in our material.

Now if I were a rich man I would start up a radio station and play nothing but "unsigned bands" I would love to review peoples stuff and play all the best that there is. And let me tell you this “there is so much unsigned talent out there that you would not believe. The comparisons between that and public radio are miles apart. It’s worse now than ever. (Don't get me stated - let's move on - I rambled on long enough)

Trust me, something has to change pretty soon as radio stations are going broke doing the same ole same ole, maybe they will all wise up some day and listen to some of the people that make the music that they suck off of (Quite the Concept there huh?)

Show review: Last Saturday night at the Hitchin’ Post - Let me tell you this much, we all expected a tremendous turnout for the week before Christmas. We were all ready, Carlos our overseas correspondent printed up over 20 new High Road CD's and new business cards. The problem was the turnout was light, and we didn't drink enough whiskey and the mood to create magic just didn't happen. Now I know this much, our last 10 gigs - were all smokin’, so we were due for a fall. Sorry, it was like a bad night in the bedroom and all you can do is apologize and try again. There was no little Blue pill for us that night. The capper of the night happened on our very last tune, Darrell broke the jack right off his Bass, KW broke a string and I broke a drum stick - All on the same song. We were done. Better luck next month.

So now, this week we are off for the Christmas Holiday. It's like the week preparing for the Super Bowl. NEW YEARS EVE AT THE CENTRAL HOTEL There are still a couple tables open. Sign up and party with us for the New Year. Start it off right with the SCB!

And in closing- not to forget - This week in Rock And Roll History:The Drifters record the hit single “This Magic Moment” this week in 1959Joe Walsh joins the Eagles this week in 1975, and Jimmy Buffet Celebrates his 63rd birthday on Christmas day. Wow a Christmas baby!
So from myself and The Short Change Band, we wish all who have supported us through the year a very Merry Christmas and a safe Holiday.

Love ya's & peace,

Mikee^^ Dee