What's a Gig?

Reason #2 that I haven't written a lot lately is definitely an exciting one. I was preparing for a gig!

I haven't played anything other than open mics and the occasional bonfire in years. My friend, Skip Bean, is an amazing guitarist and songwriter with over 30 years of experience. We met at my current job. He is the janitor of our school by day, and musician by night. When we got to talking we realized that we have this awesome commonality! His is also the coffee house that I have played at (3rd Friday night of the month).

Anyway, he asked if I would come and do two 20 minute sets at the top of each hour during his performance so that he could take a break. I, of course, jumped on the opportunity. Finding the right mix of covers and originals proved to be quite difficult, and it was interesting to see which songs made the patrons at the restaurant pause their meal, and which ones caused me to see backs of heads.

Here is a link to my set list. I decided that each set should contain 2 originals, and 3 covers. So, the question is - how do you decide which songs to play in a gig? Does it depend on the clientele? The talent? The occasion? Or do some songs transcend all others?

Job Songs

I haven't written in a long time for 3 main reasons. I will go into depth about each reason over the next few days. Today, let's start with reason #1 - I've been busy preparing for a job interview. 

I am a teacher currently and I teach 2 subjects to grades 5-8. Needless to say, it is pretty overwhelming. The job I was preparing for is only 1 grade level with 2 subjects. The curriculum also focuses on the 1950's to present day history as well as Government - which couldn't be any better for me if I had planned it myself. Focused song study is definitely in the cards for next year. Anyway, so the good news is - I got the job! The bad news, I've been neglecting my followers!

So in honor of my job interview and subsequent job offer, I thought I would talk about songs that might help pump you up in your search for a new job, or that you might listen to on the way to your interview.

The best list I found was on the BINC Blog, and features everything from Van Halen to Miley Cyrus. Personally, I didn't listen to any of these songs on the way to my interview or while getting ready. I listened to Jason Mraz's new 'Life is Good EP', which I've become quite obsessed with. (Partially because one of the songs was recorded at a concert I attended, and partially because I just love Mraz).

What about you? What song has pumped you up on the way to a job interview?

...and good luck if you are or you'll be on your way soon!

Mother's Day Songs

Maybe you are already a sappy person who likes to write poems about the meaning to the world and your feelings for the rain drops. In that case, you don't need songs to help you express your feelings. You can just sit down and create a masterpiece on your own. If you are like most people though, you rely on songs to help you express your feelings in your most intimate of moments. Think about when Santana and Britney went all 'Stevie Nick's on Glee. Got the picture? Great!

Today is Mother's Day, and in case you are in need of a great song to send to your momma, I've gathered a few for you here. I tried to include one from each genre of music so that you could cater to your ma's listening preference. Please feel free to add any that I didn't include! 

Enjoy and Happy Mother's Day!

R&B - Corrinne Bailey Rae ~ Butterfly

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Funk/Jazz - Jason Mraz ~ What Mamma Say

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Rap - Kanye West ~ Hey Mama

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Country - Taylor Swift ~ The Best Day

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Rock (Sort of) - Mr. T ~ Treat Your Mother Right

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I pity the fool that doesn't share at least one of these with their mom today!