An Alabma Record of the Year

An Alabama Record of the Year

Keith Moody's Dreaming Out Loud

by: Jonalan Wright

Photos Courtesy Keith Moody Band

This Could be An Album for the Ages.

This is one of those blogs where I can bring you one of the absolute best in homegrown Alabama Music. Opelika native, Keith Moody, has the Alabama made album of the year, Dreaming Out Loud.  The first time I heard this album it was like I was listening to a major player in the music world.  For an accurate listening feeling, it is as if  you are listening to Full Moon Fever or Abbey Road for the first time, but intertwine them. 

Dreaming Out Loud is a compilation of life.  Emotions that translate through tones and lyrics to almost everyone move this album through a full range of life experiences.  “I was told that this is not a sophomore album.”  Keith says of his work.  You always expect a second album to be a little different than the first as most say you have your whole life you write your first album.  Your second is done in a few months.  This project is really strong. "The Entire Project was completed using all Alabama artists, engineers, actors for the video single for One Big Ending, and for all cover and concept art." The album was recorded produced right outside of Birmingham by Jason Elgin at Synchromesh Studios. (Collective Soul, Act of Congress, Lynam)  He adds, "there is a real display of Alabama talent right here."  Another excellent addition to the album is that it was mastered by Roger Lian at Masterdisk in New York.  (Coheed and Cambria, Joan Jett, Govt Mule)

Not familiar with the Keith Moody Band?  You should meet them. Well, the hard part for most people is that he doesn’t fit into any particular box.  For all of you rockers, he is rock.  For all of the alternative country and country people, well he is that too.  The difficult idea is that he has all of them combined.  He knows that it is often difficult to “place [his music] in a marketing box, but just check it out.” A simple man who believes that his accomplishments are blessings,  his guitar styling is a complex mixture of Country, Delta Blues, and Rock.  Now, his vibrant and eclectic styles of playing have earned him an endorsement by premier guitar manufacturer, Paul Reed Smith. 

As for the man, Keith is an independent artist who refuses to follow suit and just be another band.  He is, as described in his bio, “a triple threat” that has knowledge of structure.  That is why he is able to transcend media produced genre lines. As with most talent that is born in Alabama, he originated here in Alabama in a few bands and has exported to Nashville a few years ago.  Now he travels the country bringing his view and sonic ability to concertgoers nearly nation wide. 

Key tracks of this album include the first single “One Big Ending”. This one is sure to be a smash.  It is a story of young girl who learns the hard lessons in life that not everyone sees the world the way she does.  It is a story that we can all relate to. Keith Explains, "The inspiration for this song is the idea that you have to fight for your soul. In a very apathetic world, you can easily just follow the “plan” and if you have a tangible view of what your dream is you can become an outcast, especially if the dream is simply to go for what you need to be happy. Those things are different for everyone."
 
"Plastic Hearts" has a real Beatles feel to it. Much like what you would find on the White Album or Abbey Road.  It really adds a texture to the album that fits the dynamic.  "Plastic Hearts is about how you feel when even though you may try your best to change the world in your way, it seems no one listens.  I was once told nobody can save the world, because it doesn’t want to be saved.  I think that is what this tune is about more than anything.  It is the feeling that the superficial or “plastic things” are replacing the tangible. The best things in life may be free, but most don’t seem to seek them anymore." He describes.

Also, try the naturally raw “New Distraction”.   " This song is about dealing with memories. This is one of my favorite subjects to write about. I feel everybody has those people or things that stick with them. Passion has that way of affecting people. But still you know you have to move on.  Everyone deals with these situations differently, but eventually you need a “New Distraction” whether it is a new project, a new friend, whatever it takes to get past the memory. " He explains.  The album as a whole is great from beginning to end. The track list also contains the remastered tracks from the previous Lines EP.  Here is the track list.

 1. Long Way Up
  2.  Lay It Down Easy
  3.  Do It Over
  4.   New Distraction
  5.  Up
  6.  One Big Ending
  7.  Next In Line
  8.  Red Line
  9.  Already Home
  10.  I Don't Know (Who the Bad Guys Are Any More)
  11.  Plastic Hearts

The album will be available for purchase on February 14, 2012. At all major digital outlets or at Keith’s website. If you haven't seen a show, you should really make it out to one this year.  See his schedule at...

www.keithmoody.com

Get It Out of the Closet and Off of the Stand with a New Buddy

Get It Out of the Closet and Off of the Stand with a New Buddy

By: Jonalan Wright

Photos Courtesy: Chord Buddy

(This is not a paid advertisement.)

Have you ever said to yourself as you listen to or watch a concert DVD by your favorite artist, ‘I wish I could learn to play the guitar?  I have known many throughout the years that have said the same thing. It is not that hard anymore.  I didn’t believe it.  I have played guitar since the age of 9.  My grandfather bought me my first guitar and I beat on it until I forced it to make music.  It was horrible for a long time for me and those innocent bystanders. Recently a friend of mine had come to me and asked me to teach him a “ditty”. It always sounds fun to learn to play.  Time went by and he found this device and asked me what I thought of it.  It is called the Chord Buddy.

Well the story is, a guy in Dothan AL, Mr. Travis Perry, invented this teaching system they call the Chord Buddy, and it takes that awfulness out of learning how to play.  The trick is, when you learn to play you want to hear music not terrible notes while you strum your basic chords and get familiar with the instrument. That is the awkward point at which most people quit due to the fact that it sounds and feels terrible. This seems to eliminate that.

The history, Mr. Perry is originally from Opp AL.  As a music teacher for thirty-one years he always faced the “two month hump” with his students.  “The trend is that 7 out of 10 students that self teach will quit within two months.  The percentages are not much better for those enrolled in professional lessons.  50% of those students will quit.” He explained. A thought rose in him that said if there were a way to keep people interested in playing and not sounding horrible, they would stay with it.  So the idea was formed and years, college, jobs and life separated him form the image.  He moved into real estate for years after that.  Opening his own firm with a large number of agents under him, in the last few years with the downed economy he was forced to make a change and moved back into teaching.  

Here is the magic in the story.  It only takes a little girl to change the world.  His daughter becoming a Taylor Swift fan wanted to learn to play the songs.  Well, in a conversation, she says to her dad she wants to learn.  He tells her of the idea and she says to him, “if you will make it, I promise I will learn to play.”  As with any dad and his daughter, it was done. Thousands of dollars later and after 17 prototypes of testing, the learning system was released on the market October of 2010.  These units are made in the US, and the original molds were created in Detroit MI.  The decision to do that was based solely on the fact that once shipped abroad Travis ran the risk of having his product molds sold in other countries with out his control.  

 As you see on the photos, you hit a single color and that color holds the shape of a chord as it should be and sounds as it should. For instance, the red button holds the D Chord position. Strum and you have instant gratification of song.  It is suggested to practice on a two week period.  Which, after the two weeks, you remove one of the buttons and begin to fret the correct position. So, is it cheating?  “I love it when people ask that question.  By cheating to learn chords, you can learn the right hand rhythm patterns necessary to play any song ever recorded.” Perry said.   Pretty ingenious if you ask me, because of the fact that you first get familiar with your new guitar by learning to strum and still hear the guitar as you should will keep you going.. 

Another amazing side of this project is that fact there is a distinct group of people who can benefit from using a product like this, the physically challenged.  “We donated a few hundred units to different special needs kids’ camps.”  Some people who could never dream of playing a guitar due to the fact that their hands are either not strong enough or are not capable of making chord shapes can now hear themselves making music.  A great boost and an addition that just improves self esteem and help to make a day brighter.

 Well, that's it.  It seems that there is now a way to learn the guitar and sound good at the same.  Kids of all ages, that is you adult music fans out there too, can learn to play and fulfill a life long dream.  If you try one, let us know what you thought of it.  It is really good to see that yet once again, Alabama has made an indelible mark on the music industry.

  

A New Seed In the Country

 

A New Seed 

By: Jonalan Wright

Photos Courtsey: Bradley Roberson Music

In the music industry, one can turn on the radio, or today our MP3 player, and find a cache of wealthy, super talented, and global personalities that have made a true mark on music.  Furthermore, those same people live in the ‘good life’ and might I say rightfully so with their intense sacrifices to get to the top.  What you won’t find, and most likely over look, is the start up artist.  Also known as your waiter or waitress, the guy who poured your concrete last week, the background noise in a live bar band, or the kid that is still in school trying to figure out what is next.  I met Bradley Roberson last year during an event at which he was booked.  It is a really good thing to meet the ‘fresh meat’, if you will, of the industry because it reminds me of why we all love the music to begin with - because it is still all about the music.

Bradley resides in Wetumpka AL.  A man of 19 years, has set aim at living the life of a country singer/songwriter.  No real power in the industry right now, but through a consistent push he hopes to change that one day. At the very young age of six his mother pushed for him to sing in their church.  Which was the catalyst that began the pursuit.  “I will play anywhere anytime.” A positive platform to stand on if he is to make it in this business, as the unparalleled need to generate buzz and celebrity is paramount to self-promoting.  Later, came the bluegrass gospel band at Calvary Baptist Church in Tallassee.  This is where Bradley dipped his feet in the water and he recorded his first part on a CD. "It felt good.  I was nervous but it got easier." He explains.  As primarily a country singer/guitarist, he is making his own way while paying his dues respectfully. He is tapped into the modern trend in Country, but paying homage to the foundation of the genre.  His hero is the one and only George Strait.  He “wants to be like him.  To write so many number one hits and stay relevant is what I want to do.”  Which is a great role model to follow. Especially in today's world of overtly ridiculous behavior and a do anything mentality just to be seen. 

Walking the path of the greats is no easy task.  When it comes to nerve racking and intimation, knowing that the person you are in the recording studio with has told top shelf talent that their work didn’t add up will cause you to nearly implode with anxiety. In the past year, he experienced this feeling when he recorded his first full demo with Recording Engineer Tom Tapley, (Sugarland, Mastadon,).  Walking in, guitar in hand, Bradley was met by the sight of a group of guitars lined up that belong to Christian from Suguarland. who was recently working in the studio. “It was terrifying to walk in and know that I am in the same room that some of the greats have been in.  All I thought was ‘don’t mess up. He says.  Further he explains, “I feel comfortable and at home when I play.  I get nervous, but it gets easier as you go.”  That is true in the performance side. He knows that it is not all unicorns and utopias.  Currently, he is poised to do well in the Alabama Talent Hunt.  He is currently in first place.  The next level of the competition will prove to be much more intense for him, but his cool-headed approach to music may serve him well.

In the Tri-County area (For those of you not from Central Alabama that is Elmore, Montgomery, and Autauga Counties.)  he is a regular at the VFW, and a few other places. There will be many chances this year to get out and meet this young talent and support local start up music. The Alabama Talent Hunt is one. This year he plans to expand those boundaries, add more miles to the traveled highway, and meet more of you, the listeners and fans along the way.

 This is where it all begins. It will be interesting to see where this planted seed leads.  Will the dirty and cruel hands of time take its toll on Mr. Roberson?  The underlying talent has to be there. So, does he have it? That is not for me to decide, but for you to choose. Will he see the need to compromise to allow his dreams to breath and his aspirations to come true?  Will he have enough give and take to walk the tight rope of fame and not fall off?  There is no safety rope in this show. Bradley says he has no 'Plan B'.  This is what he wants for his life. Lets see what time will render in that career.

“I would like to thank my family and friends for their support. With out them I couldn't do it.” He adds.

For more information on Bradley visit:

https://www.facebook.com/BradleyRobersonMusic
http://www.reverbnation.com/bradleyrobersonhttp://www.reverbnation.com/bradleyroberson

Online Pirates Beware?

2012 is here and so is the impending vote on the Stop Internet Piracy Act.  Heard of it?  Well, in its pure form, it is intended to curb the illegal file sharing of music and movies over Internet sites. That is both P2P and torrent.  Obviously, if there is a way to ‘get it free’ someone will develop a way to do it. 

Lets talk generalities.  What it the purpose?  Well, to stop the arterial bleed that both the music and film industry is experiencing over the wild wild Internet. “Online piracy costs the U.S. economy $58 billion in losses every year, including 373,000 jobs, the entertainment industry argues based on a 2007 study.”** The amount of money that is lost each year is equivalent to the annual budgets of municipalities around our country and state.   As of right now, the government really has limited tools to police the Internet, but that could change with this bill.

Will it make a difference if the bill is passed?  Some say yes.  I believe that there will be unintended consequences that will open the fast lane to a slippery slope of censorship issues. Granted, today they can scrub the Internet and have content removed with nasty letters sent from powerful high paid lawyers to scare individuals into submission.  They can even take you to court, as was proven in 2004 when a twelve year old was sued in a series of mass lawsuits designed to be an attempt to ‘stop piracy’. *  Was it effective?  The charges were dropped on many people, but many were still punished. The little girls parents settled to pay a rate of two dollars a song for 1,000 songs that she allegedly was sharing on a P2P site.

The hard cold fact is that it is just as illegal to steal a song, as it is to steal a pair of Costa sunglasses from the mall. It is the way in which we detect and prosecute those who are suspect of the crime that will be in question.  Having the ability to tap into ones private home computer seems like too much power and the actions of doing so seem like they have unlimited ways of going wrong.

Only time will really tell what the actual out come will be.  Congress will soon vote on the issue and determine as to what the merits are for and against.  So, I recommend looking it up your self and decide, is it good or bad?

Will it help or create more problems?

So, I ask this question of you.  Will it work? Tell me what you think.

*http://articles.cnn.com/2003-09-09/tech/music.swap.settlement_1_riaa-cary-sherman-kazaa?_s=PM:TECH

**http://www.pcworld.com/article/235261/isps_fight_piracy_meet_the_six_strikes.html

A Joyful Noise

In the spirit of the season, I would be remiss to not include a musical act of a holiday flavor.  In small town Childersburg Alabama, a grand musical took place.  There were lights, stage, and personality flares used in portraying characters surrounded by song.  Those involved were young kids.  Some of which over came fears to play a part, but nonetheless sang a joyful noise.  The musical was titled, The Light Before Christmas.  By a cast of eleven, the kids of Saint Andrews UMC and Oak Grove UMC were telling a story that included 7 songs. That story, as you already know, is a story of Christmas.  The musical takes place in a classroom where the kids are explaining what makes Christmas.  Well, one super smart kid Beaker breaks it down to the molecular level,.  As each Scene changes, a new song finishes the act. 

So, why bring this musical to the spotlight?  Everyone who has ever made it the industry has to start somewhere.  All were at one time involved in a church musical, school play, or a talent contest during their kid years. This is one of those events that is just pure fun to attend. The reason is that there is no pressure to keep the show going. There is not thousands of dollars in contracts, or egos involved.  Kids can be kids while singing and playing pretend all at the same time.

By industry standards it probably wasn't a blip on the radar.  For the musical enthusiasts, you may not see this one on Broadway. There were no road crews, no lighting and sound technicians.  There wasn't even a green room with a basket full of necessary rider required choice selects.  However, for a moment in that small town, the kids performed musical numbers to the largest crowd of fans that truly appreciated the performance.  For just a few small minutes, these kids were as famous as our favorite rock or country stars.  They were bold enough to go out and tell that story and sing their best for all who would listen. Nashville, New York, or LA never noticed, but that small group of loyal fans did. 

By my standards that is the pure joy of music.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Their Website:   http://saintandrewsumc.wordpress.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Saint-Andrews-United-Methodist-Church/124182614266466?sk=info

Of the Dust, Fire Mountain

Click to View VideoClick to View Video

Photo By: Wes Roberts

I want to introduce you to an original band that I first met during the Alabama Cotton Festival in 2010.  For some background, this event is a statewide family friendly event held in Eclectic AL every year.  In this particular year, it hosted the Stars of Alabama Talent Showcase.  Fire Mountain Front man Perry Brown competed in that event and won the competition. It was here that I first met him and was exposed to his style of solo singer/songwriter offerings.  Granted, a solo artist with an acoustic guitar is much different in scope than that of a full band, but the songwriting talent can often show through.  Well, he and the band have it and it did.

So, what and who are they you may be asking?  Well, they are a brand of music that Perry labels “music for real people”. Based out of Troy, Fire Mountain is a four piece band that incorporates acoustic instruments in their piece. As compared to likes of Amos Lee, Mumford and Sons, and Ray Lamontange they are a band of the feelings and emotions of life. Perry, with that raspy voice, tells stories of life and experience. Unique in their own right, they are simple guys who make complex music.  . Each member has a utility function in the band.  The sound is off when only one piece is missing. 

As of recent, the band has released their second EP, Of the Dust.  Recorded in Nashville’s Wash House Recordings, they have assembled a great short run that really showcases just what the band are capable of producing. “This is our second EP.” He says,  “This album is special to us because we feel like it is a more cohesive statement than the first one. We actually got to sit down and spend time on this one and come up with a game plan. We also worked with a producer, Arthur Alligood, who is an incredible songwriter and that helped us out a lot. Its sound is open and clean.” Perry says.   He continues that “Of the Dust is a meticu­lously crafted collection of songs that explores mankind’s struggle with fear on a personal level.”   It, in my opinion, is, something that you can really associate with. 

For those of you who have heard the their last record Live at Standard Deluxe, the live track Black Heart, a tale on "the ending of a relationship and taking the 'high road' afterwards" was rerecorded for this album and it is a must hear.  Other key tracks on the record are Why Can’t I Stay, and Ghost.

Be sure to visit the bands website at www.firemountianband.com to get more info, and better yet, go see a show and find out for yourself that you too will like what you see and hear. This band is a great find for those needing a reason to hear original music in our state’s venues.

A New Voice Among Many

Hello.   My name is Jonalan Wright. I am the Central Alabama Editor for the Alabama Music Office.  Music is life and life is music.  I have always believed that life has a soundtrack.  We see and hear music everyday.  The people who make this music are around you everyday, often times you don’t even know it.  Alabama has had a full and rich history of music creation and development.  It stems from the classics of the 50’s and 60’s recorded in the Shoals to having three American Idol contest winners and all points between.  It is my vision to point out all of those that are from this state, and many that are still here, that create music that is sure to please many. 

For every taste there is a band or musical group that can satisfy.  One of my major soapbox issues is the lack of live original music in our clubs and bars. Don’t confuse that with the presence of live music.  There is a vast difference.  Think of it this way, what would have happened if Metallica, who began with reworked covers, was never allowed to play the tracks that became the backbone to the album “Kill’em All”?  Even further, if Kurt Cobain had not played his original form of music which after one try became “Nevermind”, the grunge album that crushed the metal scene at it’s height and changed the world over night.  Why can’t we allow, or perhaps accept is a better term, bands creativity?  They will speak for themselves by either not having a good show, or packing a house. But, packing a house to a three or four hour show of iPod tunes is that successful?  Plain and simple not all will be good. Many will be terrible.  The audience will let them know that then the club/bar owner can turn on his iPod. Just think if we turned our back on Jim Morrison as he did on us the audience in his first shows, we wouldn’t have the classic favorite The Doors.

I have had the privilege through my press experience to work with some new faces and with those at the top of the food chain. I have interviewed and/or photographed bands from Evolett, Keith Moody Band to Megadeth.  I have also worked with outstanding former state political leaders in the press.  When it comes down to it, it is all working with people that have a dire passion and refuse to give up. That is why they are where they are today; which is the precise reason as to why we should allow and support local original music in our venues.  We all have the greats in our IPods and our CD or Vinyl collections.  Let’s give some new artists the chance to make into that collection with THEIR music, not the music of others.

I look forward to hearing from you. You may contact me with any questions, suggestions at Jonalan.wright@alabamamusicoffice.com