Please accept my apology for being so remiss, I have been distracted by earning a living and expanding my knowledge and abilities to do so. Not easy, but not hard either. It's what has to happen to survive these times.
I heard it again this week: The economy's bad! And it wasn't on Jay Leno's show. It wasn't a joke. It was a reason to sit back and mope.
Look, my income got cut in half, due to the increased price of gas. But when gas came down, the budgets of the places I play didn't go back up, so my income stayed cut in half. Several places I used to play have dropped entertainment altogether, because it's one of the first things to go when “the economy's bad.”
I've seen it before. Every recession (depression, downturn, pot-hole) if preceded by someone getting on the news and saying, “Money's tight and people are scared.” And sure enough, money gets tight and people get scared. This always happens for a reason and the reason, I'd bet my bottom half-dollar, is so someone can make more money. If a bank goes under, someone buys it for a song and makes a lot of money on it. So how do you buy a bank for a song? Make it go under. The economy is in trouble because someone wants it that way to make a bundle – not worrying about the people who will go under in the meantime.
My last novel was about this. In Deadly Research, (http://tinyurl.com/cdhcab or as a Kindle at http://tinyurl.com/cbpfjp ), Jack Richmond discovers that the news is being manipulated so that a handful of people will benefit from every turn, while millions suffer. Of course, they try to kill him, but if they didn't it wouldn't be an exciting book, would it.
The point is, I wrote a book and I'm writing another. I've learned about eBooks and how to handle files and format a novel for the new readers out there. I am promoting that to people and am getting a response. Good things are happening, because I am learning and promoting.
So turn that frown upside-down and sing along with me: Early to bed, early to rise, work like blazes and advertise.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Monday, October 13, 2008
My Inner Poobah!
As I walk along the path of life, I pick some things up and drop some things off. If I only picked things up, soon my pockets and arms would be full of crap. Already there's too much stuff, too many things, but that is another discussion; I speak here of intangibles.
The Gulf Rim Cafe songwriters' showcase that I picked up in June, I recently left by the side of the road. I did my final show there last Saturday, happy to share the stage with Leah and Rupert (Thank you!) and just as happy to end off at a little past ten, as the place was empty.
So many friends says, "When are you playing? I want to come and see you!" On show night, there is one or two familiar faces, one for sure because my wife has to show up, I expect it.
Last Sunday, I played at the Carrboro Music Festival. 12 or so stages, entertainers most of the day, people walking around with guitar cases on a hot day, eating food they wouldn't ordinarily be eating, catching their fav artists, or missing them. I was reminded of the Newport Folk Festival in days of Yore. I like the feel of music festivals.
But a funny thing happened. At the Newport Folk Festival, my guitar was broken and my money stolen, landing me home broke and late for the job I lost as a result. I arrived just before I had to play at the Carrboro festival, because I had a gig. So running on time, in danger of being late, I grabbed my guitar and sought the quickest way to the stage. After playing, catching Rupert Wates and Stacey, eating at the Armadillo Grill and walking back to the truck, I discovered that I had not only left my Explorer Sport unlocked, but had left the driver's side door wide open. My amp, mic stand, mic and cords, my wallet with all the money I had in the world ($14) were all inside the truck and all were intact. Apparently, you can still leave your door open in North Carolina.
For my own set, I sang funny songs, songs to evoke a smile, laugh, guffaugh or hysterical fit (hopefully). I have decided that topical songs with a sense of humor, or just songs with a sense of humor, are my calling. I don't write deep and meaningful love songs, songs of conscience or longing. I am no John Prine, Elton John or Jimmy Web. I'm certainly not Jacques Brel, Stephen Sondheim or David Pomeranz. But then, they aren't me either. Would Jack, Steve or Dave write "When Turkey's Mate, They Think of Swans?" Would John, Elton or Jim write "She Lives a Tank Away?" Doubtful.
My latest is called, "I'm Moving to Wall Street" and is topical and doomed to be obsolete within a few weeks. I'll be lucky to get it sung at an open mic or two before it is old news. Like "The Country Needs a Little Spare Change" as soon as the political climate changes, the song will be as current as last Sunday's paper.
But that's the way the ol' cookie crumbles. The 50 or so songs I wrote for the Religious Freedom Crusade in the mid-80s did their job, but are now lost to the ages, not even found at garage sales or flea markets. I am an artist in search of my inner poobah these days, and my inner poobah seems to be reflected in songs with a message that make you smile. Hopefully you will remember them for a minute and smile. Hopefully, you will think for a minute about the message and consider that there could be another viewpoint. And then, like dust in the wind, it will be gone, replaced by whatever other fluff enters your field of vision or range of hearing.
This is the stuff of life.
The Gulf Rim Cafe songwriters' showcase that I picked up in June, I recently left by the side of the road. I did my final show there last Saturday, happy to share the stage with Leah and Rupert (Thank you!) and just as happy to end off at a little past ten, as the place was empty.
So many friends says, "When are you playing? I want to come and see you!" On show night, there is one or two familiar faces, one for sure because my wife has to show up, I expect it.
Last Sunday, I played at the Carrboro Music Festival. 12 or so stages, entertainers most of the day, people walking around with guitar cases on a hot day, eating food they wouldn't ordinarily be eating, catching their fav artists, or missing them. I was reminded of the Newport Folk Festival in days of Yore. I like the feel of music festivals.
But a funny thing happened. At the Newport Folk Festival, my guitar was broken and my money stolen, landing me home broke and late for the job I lost as a result. I arrived just before I had to play at the Carrboro festival, because I had a gig. So running on time, in danger of being late, I grabbed my guitar and sought the quickest way to the stage. After playing, catching Rupert Wates and Stacey, eating at the Armadillo Grill and walking back to the truck, I discovered that I had not only left my Explorer Sport unlocked, but had left the driver's side door wide open. My amp, mic stand, mic and cords, my wallet with all the money I had in the world ($14) were all inside the truck and all were intact. Apparently, you can still leave your door open in North Carolina.
For my own set, I sang funny songs, songs to evoke a smile, laugh, guffaugh or hysterical fit (hopefully). I have decided that topical songs with a sense of humor, or just songs with a sense of humor, are my calling. I don't write deep and meaningful love songs, songs of conscience or longing. I am no John Prine, Elton John or Jimmy Web. I'm certainly not Jacques Brel, Stephen Sondheim or David Pomeranz. But then, they aren't me either. Would Jack, Steve or Dave write "When Turkey's Mate, They Think of Swans?" Would John, Elton or Jim write "She Lives a Tank Away?" Doubtful.
My latest is called, "I'm Moving to Wall Street" and is topical and doomed to be obsolete within a few weeks. I'll be lucky to get it sung at an open mic or two before it is old news. Like "The Country Needs a Little Spare Change" as soon as the political climate changes, the song will be as current as last Sunday's paper.
But that's the way the ol' cookie crumbles. The 50 or so songs I wrote for the Religious Freedom Crusade in the mid-80s did their job, but are now lost to the ages, not even found at garage sales or flea markets. I am an artist in search of my inner poobah these days, and my inner poobah seems to be reflected in songs with a message that make you smile. Hopefully you will remember them for a minute and smile. Hopefully, you will think for a minute about the message and consider that there could be another viewpoint. And then, like dust in the wind, it will be gone, replaced by whatever other fluff enters your field of vision or range of hearing.
This is the stuff of life.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
A foray into Science Fiction
A writer is a creator of “What If.” Even a non-fiction author says, “What if people actually got this message?” A fiction writer makes worlds that do not actually exist, even if they look a lot like where we currently live. A Sci-Fi author makes his own world and you can visit.
Recently, I have been pleased to have been honored twice by the Writers of the Future contest. My stories, “Selfers” and “Smoking Bedpan” (available on request) have won Honorable Mention. The story I have in to them now might or might not get such notice, but it is something I have wanted to write for a long time, “Team Spirits.” If you want to read it, send me a note.
But it is my 473 page novel that has me excited, for though it was not picked up by any major publishers, “The Trasaron Chronicles” is an accomplishment I am proud of. It began as a single story about a fellow who finds himself in a particular situation, one that affects the whole world. But then another story line occurred to me and I wrote that. Then a third, to me just as compelling. I considered putting out three stories all about the same event, but decided instead to intertwine the three stories into one book. If I had included all of the songs written for the story line, the book would have been considerably longer, but I decided they weren't necessary to the story line. If the book gets any die-hard fans, the songbook is available.
You can see the book and description at www.midnightwhistler.com. Exciting times!
Recently, I have been pleased to have been honored twice by the Writers of the Future contest. My stories, “Selfers” and “Smoking Bedpan” (available on request) have won Honorable Mention. The story I have in to them now might or might not get such notice, but it is something I have wanted to write for a long time, “Team Spirits.” If you want to read it, send me a note.
But it is my 473 page novel that has me excited, for though it was not picked up by any major publishers, “The Trasaron Chronicles” is an accomplishment I am proud of. It began as a single story about a fellow who finds himself in a particular situation, one that affects the whole world. But then another story line occurred to me and I wrote that. Then a third, to me just as compelling. I considered putting out three stories all about the same event, but decided instead to intertwine the three stories into one book. If I had included all of the songs written for the story line, the book would have been considerably longer, but I decided they weren't necessary to the story line. If the book gets any die-hard fans, the songbook is available.
You can see the book and description at www.midnightwhistler.com. Exciting times!
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Introduction
I am simply too busy to do a blog. That is all there is to it.
Though I am still active as a singer and songwriter, on the board of the NC Songwriters Co-op and handling several hats for the annual songwriting contes, I am also building a career as a writer. I've won the Cape Fear Historical Fiction contest three years running and have had several shorts appear in local publications. My first novel is self published, as is my book for songwriters. (www.lulu.com/jonbatson) and my second novel is near completion. Just in time, as my third novel is being laid out and is begging for me to spend more time on it.
On top of this, and a full singing schedule, I am doing signings and author events, several seminars (giving and attending) and am helping some friends out with editing and formatting their books.
But the kicker is that I have just expanded Midnight Whistler, my publishing company, to include books as well as music. A friend of mine, a best selling author, is writing a new book while I gather, edit, format and publish her articles of the past few years regarding Education, Family life, Politics, Mental (cough) Health and Privacy - shrinkage thereof. It's going to be a blockbuster!
So you see, I simply don't have time for a blog.
More news as it happens.
Though I am still active as a singer and songwriter, on the board of the NC Songwriters Co-op and handling several hats for the annual songwriting contes, I am also building a career as a writer. I've won the Cape Fear Historical Fiction contest three years running and have had several shorts appear in local publications. My first novel is self published, as is my book for songwriters. (www.lulu.com/jonbatson) and my second novel is near completion. Just in time, as my third novel is being laid out and is begging for me to spend more time on it.
On top of this, and a full singing schedule, I am doing signings and author events, several seminars (giving and attending) and am helping some friends out with editing and formatting their books.
But the kicker is that I have just expanded Midnight Whistler, my publishing company, to include books as well as music. A friend of mine, a best selling author, is writing a new book while I gather, edit, format and publish her articles of the past few years regarding Education, Family life, Politics, Mental (cough) Health and Privacy - shrinkage thereof. It's going to be a blockbuster!
So you see, I simply don't have time for a blog.
More news as it happens.
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