Back in the swing of things


I knew it had been awhile since I last posted, but until I actually looked at my site, I didn't realize it had been almost a month! Yikes! Gotta say that the blog contest I participated in definitely helped me post on a more frequent basis.

One reason for my lack of posts is that March is the height of the college basketball season here in the States and I end up spending quite a bit of time following my favorite team, the Kentucky Wildcats. I really thought we were going to bring home Championship #8 this year but alas, that didn't happen. We had our worst shooting night of the season against a team that was having one of their best and in a one-and-done type tournament, that usually spells disaster for you. But regardless, I was very proud of our team this year. I can't remember when I ever had so much fun watching the team play but it was probably the '95-96 season, ie. Championship #6, and the first one that I could remember. I was only 4 when they won #5 so I don't remember that one. But I can tell you exactly where I was at when we won #6 (and #7) :-) Earlier tonight several of the players announced that they would be entering the NBA draft so it looks like next year's team is going to be a brand new group of players. Let the fun begin!


After Kentucky lost, I suddenly noticed an increase in the amount of "free" time I had once again. So last week I started composing some new tracks for a new library that a colleague of mine introduced me too. I wrote some of my normal "rock" tracks as well as a singer-songwriter track. Then later in the week I ventured out into a new genre altogether... Spy Music!

I had a BLAST working on the track! Actually, I started on one track and then moved on to a second one in an attempt to try and get something closer to a James Bond feel. I got some GREAT feedback from one of my TAXI buddies, John Mazzei, or Mazz as most of us call him. He is one of the nicest guys I know and so knowledgeable and encouraging. He gave me some tips on how to improve the track. I did a revised version, which you can hear at this link, and submitted it to the new library. I heard back from them today and it looks like they're going to sign my spy track, and possibly my other ones as well! I imagine I should know for sure in the next couple of weeks.

Earlier this week I found out that I had a song placed in an episode of TLC's Toddlers and Tiaras. I had never heard of the show until I got my ASCAP statement and saw it listed there. I was able to find a clip of the show online on TLC's YouTube channel. My track was used from the 4:35-4:55 mark of the episode. Here's a link that starts just before my track starts playing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UumlX8s9Fxw#t=4m33s

Then yesterday I found out that one of my pop-punk instrumental tracks is going to be used on an international TV show called World Impact. This is directly because of a friend/colleague of mine who has a connection with the staff of the show. They asked me if I had any tracks that might fit what they were looking for. After going through my library of material, I sent them four tracks. It was definitely a cool experience as it gave me a good perspective of what it must be like for some of the music libraries that I write for when they get calls from their clients looking for music. When I pitched the tracks to them, I told them which track that I thought was the closest to what they were after. Turns out I was right as that was the track they selected to use on the show! It's supposed to air in 4-5 weeks.

One more thing before I wrap this up. I started my B3x10K challenge last month. While I haven't sold as many albums as I would like, I am happy to say that I have at least sold some! I know that I need to do more promotion for the project, but I really just don't like doing the whole self-promotion thing. I guess I'm going to have to get over that. That, or find a sales rep who'll work solely on commission :-) If you haven't done so yet, you can get your copy of the album at http://bigbluebarry.bandcamp.com. And remember, 30% of the proceeds are going to charity!

Until next time...
- Big Blue

No comments: