Friday, March 21, 2008

My Dream CD (from my My Space blog)

Back on Halloween of 1984, I started taking lessons on how to play guitar. I started off on this Sigma Acoustic (Sigma is an economical version of Martin Guitars) and within a year's time, got a Hondo Mastercaster electric guitar. Around this time, I started writing lyrics for songs that I would have loved to have done when I was a teenager. Thank the good Lord those 200+ songs disappeared. Most of them were either written about sex, rock and roll, or some form of violent nature. I never really got around to putting any music to them since I was never really in a band so they remained just bunches of lyrics to horrifically bad songs. There were a few that got music to them but now without the lyrics, it won't do me any good. With one exception. On my music page, the song Scars Too Deep To Heal is one of the only ones to survive. Another one I have is called One Chance Meeting which has music. These last two were written back in 95/96 and are much more mature lyrics that the crap I wrote in high school.
All this to say, while I've not been writing a bunch of songs lately, I have a few that I'd love to tweak and hopefully one day record and can say I put an actual CD out. But, I dream too. My dream CD would consist of the songs you hear on my music page. As well as a couple of others I've been working with over the years. But, I'd also love to include some songs with some friends of mine. One song is written by a guy I used to play with at a small church and we'd have a great jam with that one. A wonderful praise and worship song. Another song would be from another person from that same church who now leads the praise and worship at the church. She has a great voice and writes great songs. There was one that I added my own touch to and ever since then it's probably become my favorite of hers. Then, I'd like to sit down with two friends that are on my top friends list, Stacy and Rick, and write out a fresh new song together. Stacy is good on the keys and plays bass and Rick also plays bass. He looks like he can get a bit funky so that would be really cool! Then, I'd probably throw a couple of covers in there. There is an old hymn called "They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love". One time I jammed on this with a drummer and we turned it into this crazy 80's metal anthem. It's hilarious. But, the song works so well that way. I'd love to do a Rich Mullins song. Not an obvious one, but one of the more lesser known songs (if one exists with Rich's music). The first time I ever heard Rich's music, I instantly fell in love with it and then I heard that he had been killed in a tragic auto accident just a few months earlier. The last cover would come from my influence of Eric Clapton. I'd love to do "Presence of the Lord". Either that, or a song from the Derek and the Dominos CD called "Keep on Growing". Eric has so many wonderful tunes, it would be hard to pick one. "Keep on Growing" would be good because I'd invite a friend of my brother to play on it. Amazing guitar player especially when it comes to that bluesy style.
One thing I must say is that God has blessed me with many wonderful musicians that I've had the chance to play with. The In Transit guys, the guys in Strikezone, my friends in MD and PA, all the different guys and gals who have played in the church's children's ministry, Steve Wingo, Sam Riley, D Watts and Wes Mewbourne (I hope I spelled that right), Porter, and so many others. I know I probably will not exude much in the way of confidence here but all of these people are so mega talented that I am humbled just to have the opportunity just to play with them all. It pushes me musically. And hopefully in turn will make me a better musician.
But, for now. I dream.......