Café Chartier Performance Tonight

If anyone is in the Lexington/Columbia area tonight and wants to come out and see me play some tunes from my forthcoming album (and others NOT included) then make your way down to Café Chartier where Leslie and her husband, Ernie, have invited me to play 2 half-hour sets between 7:00 and 9:00. Anything in between will involve me sampling some of what I hear is their delicious food and sipping on some soothing tea in the corner somewhere. :) There will be some merchandise for sale to help raise money for the production of the album as well. Should be a good time, provided my broken finger doesn't get in the way. I've already had words with it to behave.

Thanks again to Leslie and Ernie for the opportunity. See you tonight!

Kelin Welborn Joins The Behind The Music Section

I was up visiting my good friends Jason and Kelin Welborn (and their daughter Amelia) this last weekend in Portland, Maine and it was probably the most relaxed I've been in months! Getting a good chill in these bones, drinking up some good coffee talk and revisiting my childhood through Disney cartoon sketching was just what I needed away from the hecticity that has been my life lately.

Anyway, the "work" I did get done up in Maine for the album was all thanks to my favorite Portland family for they took me around to find a shooting location for What To Keep & Let Go art. It was such a blast. Being the last possible winter before its release, it was important to me to get as many visual elements as I could and what better place than this frigid state to ensure I could walk on water and be okay. So on a gloomy Saturday afternoon, the four of us headed out to find the perfect spot. I do believe we found it. Kelin, sporting a nice Nikon D5000, accompanied me to the edge of the snowy and icy surface and snapped shots as I made my way out into the center. After some wide shots of me out in the white open space, Kelin took the opportunity to take some portrait shots as well. It was a great and humbling feeling to be coming full circle on the project, topping off my 8 year concept with the final images to be used from here on out.

They came out great and I thank you, Kelin, for your dedication on this! And Jason, thanks for driving and offering up suggestions. And Amelia, your picture came out great too ;)

To check out Kelin and Jason's design, illustration and computer animation website, be sure to check out their brand new site! They're both very talented. Thanks again, guys.

Welborn Design

Matt Koelsch: The Next and Final Back Up Vocalist

Allow me to introduce singer/songwriter Matt Koelsch to you all. I met met Matt through an online posting for a back-up singer to be on Circles and after listening to a few demos and hearing his rendition of the song itself, I was sold and invited him to be a part of the project.

Matt and I worked long distance over the computer on his part for Circles as well as coordinating times for him and Dave to meet up in the studio. We were able to him in last Thursday and apparently everything went really well! I am excited for you to hear Matt on the album but before you do, go ahead and check out his own websites.

Thanks again Matt for all your hard work on the project!

www.myspace.com/mattkoelsch

www.myspace.com/musicbylunchbox

Marching Towards The Deadline: Video Update!

Digital vs. Physical Release

Did I mention how serious I was about releasing this puppy on the 20th of March? Well I am! But to do so may require sacrificing a physical format release...for now.

On March 20th, I plan on making the songs available to you all on my website, Reverbnation, Myspace, Facebook and Itunes to name a few. You will have the option of purchasing it this way with a digital booklet that will include the lyrics and all that jazz. However, if you wish to wait or have something tangible as well, I will be working to get the album pressed and packaged and ready for your shelf not too long after. This physical release will have its perks over the digital version so I'd recommend buying it that way. If you want both, the more power to ya!

Anyway, more on that as we approach the deadline. Look for an official, FULL website in the next few weeks as well...(hint: keep an eye on that countdown)

Thanks all! Much love.

Safe Travels, LaCie External Hard Drive

Today I send my trusty hard drive through the USPS to go fetch my What To Keep & Let Go files :) When it returns, I will bring the files that Dave has loaded onto it to a studio down here in SC to mix the record!

Exciting times. I will report more later.

Weekend Update with Norm Macdonald

That'd be much cooler than watching my silly mug. haha Nevertheless, take what you will from my video update!