Running On Empty

No, its not the Jackson Browne one. But a little tune I wrote recently. The video is kinda low key because I did it in my bedroom.



Its funny, before a lot of my songs were blue and mournful. I think a lighter, cheerful sound is more me. It doesn't have to be bland though to do that. You can make good music that has depth, but is not depressing.

The weather has been nice lately. We reached 65 yesterday. It was in the lower 60s today. Spring is in the air !

Krispy Kreme !

Krispy Kreme is launching a new lower calorie donut. It sounds promising enough. Now, y'all know how much I love Krispy Kreme. But its not something that can really help you be healthy. I kicked my krispy kreme habit about 3 years ago, and have been clean and sober ever since. But this might tempt me to give it another try....within moderation of course.

You can read the article here

I'm having such a hard time editing videos. The software I got is just plumb confusing. Windows Movie Maker is a bit better, but it has an issue with mpeg4 formats. I'll see what I can do. I'm still learning how to use my camera efficiently.

Other than that, nothing major lately. Except its been way too dang cold.

Read My Mind

I did a cover version of The Killers' "Read My Mind". Its a great song. I hope I didn't damage it up too much.



Aside from that nothing, major lately. I'm trying to work with pastels and do some sketches. I wanna see if I can frame some of my photographs I did of Richmond and nearby environs. Also some I took of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley.

My mini van is cursed..

I forgot to write that last Thursday ( I assume it was Thursday night because I discovered it Friday afternoon), my van had its cup holders stolen. That's, right, some little heathen stoled my cup holders! They slide right out of the front dash board. On top of that, I think they helped themselves to a hub cap. It gives me the creeps that someone would go into my car and do that. I don't know what they can do with cup holders anyway. I suppose they'll be sold on the black market. Anyways, tonight, I was backing up and I didn't see that I had parked next to the telephone pole. So you can guess what happened. Yep, I hit the back of the van . I didn't do a whole lot of damage, but I knocked out the rear left tail light. So that has to be fixed before I can drive it again. But I've had a lot of trouble with that car. I wonder if its possessed. And I don't mean that the literal way.

We bought used anyway. Its a 1998 Plymouth. Got it in 2002, so I could put my musical equipment in the back. It has survived 2 trips to Nashville. Its still worth something, but it does have a lot miles on it.

Anyways, I had a fairly good day today. I did a short clip for youtube. I went to PLAN 9 to see about getting some money for DVDs. They're extremely picky about what they'll accept. They took one of the DVDs, and it was the one in mint condition with the shrink wrap still on it. They have me 2$ for it. The other 2 they wouldn't take, but they were in better shape than most used DVDs. I suppose they're probably a little on the frugal side. But I did like the large picture of Jesus they have that says "Stealing is a sin".

Thrift Store Bonanza....

Well once a month I go to thrift stores and check out what they have. I usually find lots of neat stuff. I went to The Love Of Jesus, this one out near the airport. I saw some neat stuff there. Its hard finding clothes that are more in my size, though. Then I went to The Salvation Army, where I got a nice light blue blazer and a vertical stripe shirt for only 17$. I saw they had a nice collection of vinyl too. Although, I usually get my records from Plan 9 because they tend to be in better shape.

The Love Of Jesus.....

I went to "The Love Of Jesus" thrift store on Midlothian Turnpike yesterday. They had some really neat stuff. I tried to see if I could get some jackets or sports coats there but they didn't seem to have anything in my size. I did get a nifty neck tie though. So far, its one of best thrift stores Ive seen. I'm gonna check out their other store in the East End tomorrow.

I had an odd dream that I was playing a show with The Killers in front of Ukrop's. It was at night and I was doing songs and they were backing me up on some songs. Buck Gooter was there too. There was a group of young people watching. People were going in and out of the store as usual. It gave me an idea.... maybe a grocery store show would be something I could do! Most places have parking lots . I haven't seen many people in Richmond do grocery sore gigs, but music and food is something that's a great combination.

My One True Love

Valentine's Day sucks. And thats coming from a die hard romantic. I think its really the height of cheap sentimentality, and just another way to sell greeting cards...

But thinking about this little lady helps.....



Anyways, I played at the Jefferson Country Club up on Lakeside. Its not THEE country club of Virginia. More of a poor man's country club. But it was a very relaxing place.Most people think , gosh, Country Club? How boring can ya get? But actually I like having a change of pace and its relaxing. I didnt sing much, just crooned a little and did mostly standards and love ballads. They had couples and families there. I wore my vertical stripe shirt with a red tie. I looked dashing.

The Hollywood Grill is Nill

Well the show was cancelled for Hollywood Grill. I cant say Im not disappointed. I was looking forward to playing with Buck Gooter and giving Richmond a chance to see me live again. Oh, well, maybe the timing wasn't right. But it was all kinda weird. They did renovations all of a sudden and just cancelled the music. I had worked hard on promotions ( I put posters up all over town), and even had Jim write a press release. I don't know if they'll print it, if they do it will be right funny. But most people don't seem to notice much anyway. I think people will be aware The Hollywood Grill is closed and wont bother coming.

My guess is they had an inspection done and didn't make the code, so they had to do the renovations short notice. Probably thought they'd be finished sooner.

I played an open mic tonight at the Bleu Bistro. Its out in the burbs on Quiocassin Rd near Regency Square Mall. It wasn't bad. The place is a tad pedestrian inside, but the host was very accommodating. I ran into some regular open mic people that Ive seen at other places. Including Marti (who heard me call on Coast to Coast AM radio show). But at least I got to try out some new tunes and they seemed to like it. In honor of Valentine's I even did "Stupid Cupid". I heard some good acts. But when I get that smoke up my nose, its really hard to be in the listening mood. Its raining really heavy now. At least its not snow.

Richmond is full of Hipsters....

Im not one of them. But I do know right many. Most of the ones I know are musicians. They hang out at Plan 9 Record shop in Carytown. They graduated or attend Virginia Commonwealth University. Most of them used to have tatoos (not so much now) and trucker hats. I dont see that much these days. But they can identified by their greasy hair and smirky facial expressions. The guy who wrote the "Hipster Handbook" is a Richmond native, and described a lot of people that I associate with. So, just out of curiosity, I took this little 'ol test to see if I were actually hip. Its silly, because Im the anti- hip !

Anyways, here's what it says...


You're the Indie Guru!
Take What sort of Hipster are you? today!
Created with Rum and Monkey's Personality Test Generator.

You're practically too cool for words. You've got more indie rock knowledge in your pinky finger than Guided By Voices has songs! You went to your first Mudhoney concert when you were 14. You knew Green Day before they sold out to the masses. You can name every side project Lou Barlow has been in, complete with all album and song titles. You throw out words like "Thurston," "lo-fi," and "Kill Rock Stars." You wear jeans, old band tees, Converse. You hang with other gurus and people you can lord over. You're intelligent, but big-headed. Passionate, but hot-tempered. You will one day rule the earth.

Booking Woes

I don't see how these independent musicians like myself, who seem to have little or no management get so many bookings. I mean who are they sleeping with? I have been with sonicbids for a few years now, and 9 out of 10 places I submit to reject my epk. They usually just say "not interested at this time". If they are interested, they give me some kind of vague follow up so I cant really determine when they want me.

And it seems like they can hide behind the computer or something . But the thing that I hate the most is when they just simply dont respond at all. When I am rejected, I dont get enough feed back to know what Im doing wrong, or why the don't like me. The irony is, when I see people they do pick, a vast majority of them are dull and pedestrian. I wonder if they simply base it on local draw.

Its not just with sonic bids. The conventional method of emailing and phone tag doesn't seem to do much good either. Usually if they see/hear me live, thats much more effective. But how can they if they wont even give me a chance? I had this one place in Williamsburg called Aroma's. The lady there kept turning me down saying my music was "too blue"? Wow, I didnt know that. Most people think its funny and sincere. But anyways, it took me 2 years for her to book me. And when she did, it was mainly because I sent her flowers for Christmas. She booked me at Williamsburg's "slow season"- really trying to imply that I simply wasn't good enough to play there when most people would hear me. All in all, the turn out wasnt bad, but it would have been twice had I been booked there in April instead of February.

Then most other places just are vague or never return my phone calls or respond when I mail them my press kits in the mail. But I go to local musician's sites and they are swamped with shows. I take a listen thinking they must be the 2nd Coming... and they just arent.

But there are some local music acts here in Richmond... I wont name names, but they seem to be playing every night of the week, and their music is not all that special, nor they do they even have that big of a following. I simply dont get why they dont like my singin'. I base it mostly that they dont know where Id fit in audience wise. Im too pop for country, and Im no quite country-pop. Im not quite modern enough, yet Im definitely no retro act. I just wish I could get more feedback why its so hard to get these bookings.

I really want to improve, but if they dont tell me whats going on, I cant fix it.

New and Exciting....

Dad and I got a computer desk yesterday from Target. It only took 3 hours to put together! But anyways, its a lot nicer and niftier than the other one. My brother Randy is over from Germany for a week or so doing some stuff here. I cant really say what that is because its top secret!

But anyways, he's serving our country. That much I can say. With all the news about the death of Anna Nicole Smith, I wont post much about it or give in sensationalism. But just to say, I think she was certainly an interesting person. Indeed, she was channeling Marylin Monroe. She was super sexy, but probably what intrigued us the most was she was a throw back to the old days of the pin up gal. Ironically, her type of sexuality was innocent and bubbly. Just like the good old days.

I got a new dvd camcorder and I'm going to try and make some new videos for you tube. I need to find out how to upload and encode it first. But its gonna be a lot of fun. My show with Buck Gooter is next week and Im pretty nervous about it, but Im looking forward to it!

Today was clean my underwear day !

Its a little something I do once a week. Usually on Thursdays, but I was feeling reckless and carefree today (probably the cold weather). Now my underwear is all clean and fresh, and neatly pressed. There's nothing like beautiful, white, clean underwear to put a smile on your face !

I helped dad with the new bed for the master suite. Its actually where I sleep, but dad likes to sleep downstairs in the 2nd parlor he made into his own bedroom. And so it works out well that way.

Im working on trying to get another job. But Im making a little tiny bit of money on the internet.

I love old movies. I watched "The Enchanted Cottage" today. It was very neat. About these people that appear beautiful even though homely. But its because they are in this surreal magical cottage.

I wrote several new songs last week and I cant wait to go into the studio next month and lay down some tracks. I play The Killer's LP on my hi fi daily for inspiration, as well as Elvis Presley and Patsy Cline. Always my favorites.

I dont get Sports....

No, Im not talking about Huey Lewis And The News' smash 1983 Album (which was actually pretty decent), Im talking about organized team sports like football, baseball, basketball, etc. They just seem so dull and boring to me. Now, dont get me wrong, there's nothing bad if you enjoy seeing sweaty men tackle each other on the field. Or a bunch of guys running around trying to touch a plate before someone catches a ball. Or a group of maniacs fighting over getting a ball into a ring with a piece of cloth on it.But for me, it just does nothing.

I guess this is all because its Super Bowl weekend. I suppose a lot of people are gonna be having super bowl parties. Eating chips, drinking beer, and painting themselves blue. And for what? I just don't get why people get so excited over it. Its just a game. And its not anything that actually benefits man kind. Granted, its better than being obsessed with gambling or porn, but its not something thats really helping people with anything in particular. I don't see why people get so worked up over their teams either. To a fevered frenzy- almost like a religion to them.

That being said, Sports, in general, are dull and boring to me. I never liked them and never will.

Now, women's beach volley ball.... that's something to get excited about.

Wow, its Cold

It must be in the low 20s tonite. We have steam heat radiators but they dont always work so well.

I talked to my good friend Ardith today. Shes a really neat lady I met online who lives out in God's country of Kansas. We've known each other a few years now. Ive never really clicked with someone as well. We have a lot of the same interests. She seems to like my music, believes in me, and I really do appreciate that. Her and I are going to be working on projects and networking with other musicians and helping get them exposure, and she's helping me book some shows in Tennessee, as well as when I come out her way.

I think its nice to have a person I can really get along well with and who is also a Christian. She really picks me up when Im feeling down. Im sure glad God brought her in my life. Its also good to have a woman's point of view on things.

I didnt do much today. We got a light snow and a few hours later it had all melted. Its typical for Richmond. But I did go the fitness center. I hate exercising though. Walking is ok, but the machines are so boring.