Williamsburg Time

Despite being a tourist trap, Colonial Williamsburg is a nice place to go to clear my head. I can get away from Richmond and all my worries there. The weather was nice today and I met my sister Bonnie and we got a sandwich at Ukrop's. We talked about old times and all the people we knew . Some she knew long before I was born. Bonnie got herself a bike and she rides it to work (got rid of her Geo Metro). I hear the Queen will be there next week. Don't know if I can get to see her or not. I enjoy Williamsburg and never get sick of it. So many good places to eat there too. I always enjoy Berret's Seafood Restaurant and others. I watched "O Brother Where Art Thou". It wasn't bad. I enjoyed the music much more than the story. I had wanted to see it back in 2002 when it came out, but never got around to it. I had coke three times this week. I'm trying to have it no more than once a week.

Lots of Gigs Coming Up

I just booked several gigs from May and June. I'm very excited. I've really had to look for some less conventional music venues. Most places just want little 'ol Rock bands. Either really bad jam bands, or cover bands, or "Alternative" (yeah, right). So its hard for us old country singers to find places. Also, I'm not the kind of NASCAR fan country music, either, so I don't exactly fit in at a honky tonk, or the typical country and western bars, and I'm not poetic enough really for the coffeehouses (although they do tend to work well). But I'm finding my luck with outdoor events- grocery stores, parking lots, Theaters, and other places where us Americana Pop Troubadours can feel safely at home. I still wonder why people call "Alternative" music that anymore, when its very passe. Alternative is the mainstream. Alternative bands are a dime a dozen. The true Alternative is Americana Music that's trying to be Country Pop. Like yours truly. Anyways, I am glad about these new bookings. Most of them won't pay, but it will be good exposure and they seem anxious to have me.

I ate at The Common Cup on W. Main Street. They are a nice little Christian Coffee place. They also have wraps , cold drinks, and sandwiches. I've been going there for several months now. I get good vibes from the place. Not all "Christian" coffeehouses are really Christian. But this is a neat place. I definitely support locally owned, independent businesses. I'd never be caught dead drinking Starbucks. I hate coffee anyway. I also rode my bike through snooty "Windsor Farms". The irony is it used to belong to my great great grandfather. He was born there, and so was my great grandfather as well.

Heavenly Visions....

Last night before bed I saw a slide show of heavenly visions, I believe came from God. I saw the most beautiful places only they seemed like they weren't here on earth, but mirrored what we see here. Imagine the most beautiful mountain vista or the clearest lakes. It was sort of like that. And I heard a choir of angels singing. I heard Laura Branigan, a famous pop singer among them. I woke up this morning and I could see a glowing bright light above me. I feel this was God showing me He was there, even when I felt like I was left to be alone. I think He answered my prayer. I had asked Him to show me that He was there always and I was close to Him. I saw a brief image of Jesus too in my vision. He had on a crown of thorns. A lot of skeptics would say I just imagined this, or these were just in the back of my mind. But they were so very real and different from something. I know when I am just day dreaming. This was a vision from God. I thank God for showing me these things. The Glory of Heaven is so real to me now. But I probably just got a small taste of what it was like.

La Taza Coffeehouse

It was outdoors on the patio, and I didn't know that. I had brought my little keyboard amp and a very weak microphone. It went alright though. I just didn't have the audience in the palm of my hand this time. I got my second wind though after a short break and some college kids came over. Their favorite song was "Shopping For Love" and I was asked to do an encore. I did "Nicole, Will You Marry Me?". The keyboard I have makes as full a sound as a band, but I wished I had known it was outdoors. I think I left a nice impression, but I'm not sure I'll be asked back. I just didn't have it on the ball tonight completely. Nice weather, though. Somebody called me "fat" boy today. Twice. Different times. I guess trash is everywhere.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.


I am trying to be less selfish. A lot of folks seem to think Im a complete narcissist but thats not really true. I do have much empathy for a lot of people, and I'm right generous when I want to be. Maybe its because as performers, we are often misunderstood by the public. Most people group us and put labels on us and try to say we are one way or the other. Granted, its not the everyday person that chooses to go into such a demanding profession, which often requires such hard work for so little. But I see myself as a work in progress. I'm not trying to really become a Star, I'm just trying to be the best Meade I can possibly be, and create something that is useful and meaningful to others. Something that inspires. I just love singing and writing songs. I'm just about flat broke from doing it, but its really a thrill each time I step in front of a new audience. I just hope they don't throw things.

An unfortunate series of events....

It seems people read my post the wrong way. So I decided to rewrite it.

I feel bad about the shootings at the VA Tech school. But I was so dissapointed that my show was cancelled at Ukrops after all the hard work and planning. I was looking forward to it. And on top of that, I just think the manager could have let me known a few days earlier that he decided not have me play, instead of waiting when I was setting up my equipment. And I know that it may sound insensitive, but I am a very frusturated person some times, and say dumb things.

Sorry.

I really don't care for hot dogs or slurpees

Simply put, I hate hot dogs. Hot dogs are very unappealing to me. I never understood the concept really. A hot dog with chili is even more repulsive. I'm a food lover, but hot dogs do not sit well with me. I don't mind a good hamburger. Hamburgers do have some appeal. They look attractive when they're sitting pretty in between 2 pieces of cheese, fresh lettuce and tomatoes, and a nice juicy roll. Hot dogs look like male genitalia. Nothing appealing about that.

I also decided don't care much for Slurpees. Now, when I was in the 4th grade, my math tutor used to fill up a chart and when I reached it, she would give me 2 dollars for a slurpee at 711. I didn't mind them then. Then in my early 20s, I had a slurpee catharsis. I started having more and more of them, and suddenly I just couldn't stand them any more. They are just way too cold and too sugary. I don't mind a coke every now and then, but slurpees do not work for me. Also 711, tends to cater to people of a certain mentality where they must carry around their Big Gulps and slim jims everywhere they go.

What I did today.........

I had to get up really early to take my sister to work. I was pretty tired after that. She works over south of the James, and you have to take the interstate. Later I went for a bike ride in Hollywood Cemetery. Its a good place for prayer and meditation. I talked to a lot of my dead relatives there. I got this tape machine off Ebay. I'm hoping to use it for my new record. This guy Dominic who I recorded with before, runs a pretty good studio, but his tape machine broke. And I was insisting on recording with a tape machine. And it would cost a lot to fix it. So I just went and got this one for pretty decent price. Its a German machine, and its about 25 years old. I hope it will work. If not, I might have to use my little multi track recorder. Some people wouldn't mind just using digital. But this time, I just want to do it right, and digital won't cut it. It must be analog.

Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down....

Well usually. I actually love the rain. Its soothing. But today its more overcast and cloudy, which is gloomy. And its a Monday. My 2nd least favorite day of the week (my least favorite is Tuesday). But you can always spice up Monday, something about Tuesday, its like nothing can make that better.

I watched E.T. (Extra Terrestrial) for the first time in 25 years last night. Its about like I remember it, but feels different watching it now (I was only three years old when I saw it in the theater). The movie doesn't seem all that dated, as I thought it would be. Except for that once scene with the men in space suits .

Not much to do today. I think tomorrow I will go to The Cheesecake Factory in Short Pump and apply there. Not my ideal, but I'm sort of desperate at this point for work. I want to make another record, and am low on funds. Over at Short Pump, I ate at Jason's Deli. Its not bad, but not great either. Just pretty standard, and in my opinion, priced too high for its quality. I had a ranchero wrap with chips and a Dr. Pepper.

They ran the small blurb about me in the Richmond paper and Charlottesville paper respectively. Same article printed in both. A regional look at people's attitudes towards their jobs.

I was relieved to see I wasn't the lowest income of the bunch. Also, it was nice to know I was the second to youngest in the interview.

Lazy Saturday

I went to Southern Railway Deli downtown this afternoon for lunch. It was pretty nice. Its in Shockoe Slip. Real big on the inside and you order your sandwich at one end and then at the other end they had other stuff and baked goods. I enjoyed their Virginia Pita. And I had a large cookie for dessert. The place is new so it was still a bit disorganized. But I liked disorganized. I went to Plan 9 later to buy a new copy of Sam's Town. The last one was ruined by a bad needle. I think my stereo has trouble playing newer vinyl because it skips upon occassion. It plays older vinyl just fine as well as 78s.

Insomnia

I can't seem to sleep well tonight. I tried but couldn't. I watched "Rebecca" . Its a great film. Hopefully soon, I can fall asleep. Here's what I found about my birthday:

Your Birthdate: April 8

Watch out Donald Trump! You've got a head for business and money. You'll make it rich some day, even if you haven't figured out how yet. A supreme individualist, you shouldn't get stuck in a corporate job. Instead, make your own way - so that you can be the boss. Your strength: Your undying determination Your weakness: You require an opulent lifestyle Your power color: Plum Your power symbol: Dollar sign Your power month: August

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Well, another charming "review".....

I got a very swell review (finger down throat) from EVOR. Its just a little bitty internet column that nobody reads, but I find it highly ironic that my review was the only negative one in the bunch.

Let's take a look shall we......

Review of Songs Of Love -
by Meade Skelton

The piano work is good, the vocals are good pitch and tone, but this cd fails to impress me. No, that's not quite right. I found myself actually gritting my teeth while listening to this album and can't quite put my finger on why.

I think it may be that this singer sounds like he's trying to sing opera to jazz tunes. I think his music lacks soul and personality ... at least the singing. Even the piano work, while certainly good, sounds a bit mechanical and at times, almost forced.

Another thing that's bothering me about this cd is it's all covers, with the exception of one song. I am of the personal opinion that covers should only be played live.

Song Samples
/True Love /Nicole, Will You Marry Me? /Fly Me To The Moon /My Funny Valentine
/I Think We Are In Love /Heartaches /Your Song /

I think Mr. Skelton would be a good addition to any jazz group as a pianist and backup singer, but I don't think I'll be rushing out to buy any solo work he releases.
Bill Carrera...EvO:R Reviewer.

Wow, thanks Mr. Bill. Its nice to know that my voice and music lack personality and soul. First of all, I wrote two songs on the album, not one. I find that a bit interesting, also, that you refer to these songs as "covers", when indeed they are not, but they are Standards. A world of difference, since a cover is something like "Brown Eyed Girl"-, whilst standards are classic songs that have stood the test of time . Any time someone does a standards album they are bound to get slammed a bit. I realize, that. And yes, I do realize I am a work in progress, but his review totally missed the mark. He didn't even mention the cleverness of "Nicole, Will You Marry Me?", but then I read how his "reviews", dont do a song to song basis, so that no one will be a "one hit wonder".

I find it also ironic, that the people he praised seemed to have the most pedestrian sounds. I won't criticize them any more, because I'm not a music critic. But its clear this man has no musical sense whatsoever.

Well, I kindly asked the Hipsters at PLAN 9 to put up my poster last week

And they still haven't done it. I know they don't like my music, but they can surely just do that. I wasn't really upset that people won't see it- they wouldn't pay attention anyway. But more I was upset that I wasted good ink and all on it, and it was a waste. I hope they didn't throw it in the trash can.

I pick up some bad energy at Plan 9. Although most folks there are right friendly. I felt the same way about Tower Records, or any other musical etablishment. There's some kind of venom in the air that is wherever local bands are present. The smell of competition and resentment is everywhere.

Poster Time

I went up to Charlottesville today to put up posters for my show at La Taza. I went around the University area and PLAN 9 . They have a lot of stuff around there. When I went to La Taza , it wasn't quite as spacious as I expected, but it looks promising. As I entered Monticello Rd, I saw a fight. I believe it was a father and son. This teenage boy, and more mature looking fellow, and the boy was shouting at him. The father had the boy pinned to the ground on the grassy area beside the road. A policeman was on the scene. That's certainly not the kind of thing you expect to see in a sleepy college town like Charlottesville.

Happy Birthday To Meade !

For the first time in all my life has my birthday fallen on Easter Sunday. I was born on Palm Sunday, so usually my birthday is always before or after Easter. Anyways, I went to church this morning and we sang "The Carpenters Son". Its very catchy. Sort of sounds like the theme to Gilligan's Island. And later we went home and had a ham dinner. I went up to Monument Ave to catch the Easter Parade. Same as usual every year. They had some clowns, some guy in stilts, several street musicians playing on porches and in front of the Lee Statue and Jeff Davis. They also had some ponies and dogs with easter hats on. It was right chilly so I didnt stay long.

We just had cake and ice cream in the dining room. I took a few pictures that I shall post later. All is fine. 28..... I can't believe it.

Remembering birthdays past:

-My 3rd birthday my mama had made a cake from scratch.It was a coconut cake with pinneaple slices on it. It was scrumptious.

-My 6th Birthday I had a clown and the Easter Bunny showed up. It was a lot of fun. But I kept following the Easter Bunny down the street. He kept politely waving to say goodbye so he could make his escape. Eventually he said "beat it, kid!". So I went back home.

-My 7th Birthday I had at Chuck E. Cheese *much the chagrin of my mom , who thought it to be a bit "tacky". Turned out she loved it afterwards.

-My 12th Birthday my grandmother made me a cake and I had it in her apartment in Richmond. It was a beautiful cake, but a bit sweet. She had made the flowers very gigantic. I also got an old record player, and a nintendo video game. I think it was The Simpsons.

-My 14th Birthday I had a terribly bitter day at school. Some kids threw my book bag out the window , while I had to go get it. They shouted "Mooooo!" Like the cow says moo, etc. And "Porker". "Hey Porker!". And I was wearing a rugby shirt that was grey with red, yellow, and white stripes across (not a good choice for a fat kid). We picked up my cake at this French Bakery, where the guy who had a French accent asked if my sister and I were brother and sister. Uncanny. The cake was very good.

-My 16th Birthday I had invited some kids from school and they never showed up. Most went to this party in Winchester. I was left home by myself. I wound up eating a whole box of Pizza and the whole cake too. It was a huge vanilla cake with blue icing on it. One kid, Danny, showed up but at 10 'oclock at night. He had gotten home from an out of town trip. It was nice of him to show up at least

-My 18th birthday wasn't much special either. I got a watch and a pair of socks. I had slimmed down a bit.

-My 21st Birthday. Well, they say 21 is a big birthday, but for me it was just simple. I bought a lot of balloons and had this cake made that said "Meade Skelton Haufe" is 21 ! The girl who made the cake told my dad she wished she were 21 again. I didn't feel the need to get drunk or act stupid or anything.

Couldn't get The Hard Shell.........

Those dang bicycle people closed down Cary St, so I couldn't go to the Hard Shell for lunch today. We went to New York Deli instead. It wasn't bad. I had a good turkey Rueben. But I had my taste buds set on some seafood. I found out they were doing some kind of crazy bike ride from Williamsburg to downtown Richmond.


Anyways, I spent most of the day coloring Easter Eaggs. Yes, tommorow is Easter. It's also my 28th Birthday. Yes, I will be 28 tommorow. Age is just a number and mine is 28.I certainly don't feel it. And I don't think I look it. Of course, its young, though. Still, I don't feel any older than 19 or 20. I hope I come across that way too. I have a lot to do coming up. More bookings for Nashville, and more for here in Virginia too. I'm also looking to do a whole Southern Tour from Baltimore to Atlanta and everywhere in between. Maybe even some of Florida. Plus my new record. I can't wait to cut that.

It was sooooo cold today. Only about 50. I think we saw some snow flakes this morning. This weather is just plumb crazy.

Good Friday

Good Friday always gives me an eerie feeling. I went to St James Episcopal church on Franklin St. tonight for service. My family went there for a long time, but its changed a lot since they went there. Anyways, it was a nice, but sad service. I went to Borders later and got a sandwich. Then I watched "All About Eve" again. I like old movies. And its very cold here. Not much else to write about. I'll have to see if I can get more bookings in Nashville. So far, I only have one other besides The Bluebird Cafe, and the other one is in Johnson City.

Maundy Thursday

I went to church service tonight. It was pretty good. We had a hand washing and then we had sort of a last supper kind of thing. They had music and I sang with the choir.
I went to Kroger's tonight and these 2 girls gave me a very mean look. One girl who was pushing the cart, and then the other girl behind her. Both looked at me like they hated my guts. I'm not sure why. I certainly wasn't staring at their bosoms.

I took a bike ride this afternoon. I don't mind it too much. I went through Byrd Park and then down Cary St. Other than that, it was pretty dull. The weather was unusually cold. Only about 60 today. And we will be even colder tommorow. But at least it won't snow like it is up North. Sally is here for Easter Weekend.

Full Spring

What a glorious day. I watched "All About Eve" last night and stayed up til 10 AM this morning. So then I went to bed and slept until 3 PM. I went to Ukrop's on Three Chopt to leave posters for my show there. And then over to University of Richmond ( I don't visit that place often because it makes me sick), and left some there. And then Joe's Market and PLAN 9. I took a walk later over towards VCU. I don't really mind the kids there, at least they're not stuck up phoneys like U of Richkids. Well, anyways, I feel better because Im getting more gigs lately. But not much in terms of pay. The Richmond paper asked me to write a little thing about what I do and my income from last year. They want a musician's perspective. At least people will finally learn how broke I am.