Ramblings of an over-the-hill rocker: Ancient History, New inspirations, and a New Perspective

In the Beginning…..

As a child, I took music lessons on piano, trumpet, and guitar. Much of this was at the insistence of my mother, who like many mothers, desired to expose her children to the wonderful world of music. As I got older, I played trumpet in the school band through middle and high school, while at the same time enrolling in the music theory class the public school had to offer. Being a person of small frame, I developed self-esteem issues. As soon as I came to the age when I discovered what girls were for, I came to the painful realization that the female gender has a tendency to be attracted to taller, larger framed guys. Over time, however, I discovered I did have one advantage over my taller brethren; chicks dig guys who play guitar! Subsequently, I aspired to be a rock guitarist through my teens and early twenties. I practiced several hours a day, grew the hair, and rehearsed relentlessly with my rocker peers. By the tender age of sixteen, I was playing in bar bands and acquired a level of local celebrity.

A New Direction

At age twenty, I met a young lady, Stephanie, who would wind up winning my heart. Her love and dedication for me far exceeded the local “groupies” I so often encountered. I decided this was the girl whom I would make my wife. It was a major life change for me. I figured if I was going to make a suitable husband and father, I’d need to pursue a career which provided a more stable home life. So, in 1990, I made the decision to pursue a career on the other side of the studio glass as a recording engineer. For the next ten years, my occupational focus was on attaining this goal. Performance was moved to the back burner. Actually, it’s probably more accurate to say I took if off the stove. Sure, I always kept a guitar lying around the house in case I got the urge to play. But it was only a hobby at very best. Meanwhile, my dedication to my career eventually led to my joining the faculty at Fullsail University in their Recording Arts Department. While it hasn’t made me rich financially, it has made me rich in fulfillment. I really enjoy sharing my knowledge and experience with my students who remind me so much of myself at their age.

Midlife Crisis?

Was it a midlife crisis? Perhaps. But around the turn of the century, I started having that itch to perform again. I guess I wanted to determine whether or not I still “have it”. I started work on putting together a band that eventually would be named “Sugarglider”. In contrast to my younger endeavors in the “Heavy Metal” genre, this was a somewhat more subdued, all original Blues-Rock band. I suppose one could best describe our sound as something like “The Black Crowes” with a chick singer. We played the local Orlando club scene and actually developed a rather healthy local following. Unfortunately, “Sugarglider” would eventually succumb to that number one killer of bands: “Creative Differences”. Our personalities just clashed, and so the band dissolved. I was also coming to the realization that the rehearsals and performances caused me to neglect my family, so the guitar was once again banished to the corner of the room.

New Inspiration

In the initial post on this blog, I discuss what has influenced me musically in the past as well as what serves for inspiration in the present. I won’t rehash all that here. But much has come from the group, Celtic Woman. Now anyone who’s familiar with the fan community of this group knows that fans have a tendency to have their favorite “Celtic Woman”. Anyone who reads my initial post would know who mine is due to her skill as an instrumentalist, just as other guitarists and violinists have inspired me, some of whom I’ve had the opportunity to meet over the years. But something occurred this past week that took it to a whole new level of inspiratude. On a whim, I sent a track that I had played on to Máiréad.

I’ll include a link to the Soundcloud account at the end of this. But for some background, it was recorded at the time I was working on putting together “Sugarglider”. I can’t take credit for the composition of the tune. A friend and colleague of mine, Louie, approached me saying he had written some tunes that he wanted to record and asked if I would engineer and produce them. When we arrived at the studio, he says: “I’m more of a singer than a guitarist. Would you mind laying down guitar tracks?” (of course I wouldn’t mind!) He also wanted a female backing vocal. He brought in three girls that sang straight harmony to his lines. But he wasn’t happy: “I’m just not feeling it. I want something that reaches out and grabs you.” I suggested we bring in my singer and see what she could do. The soulful inflections and call and response to Louie’s lines were all Shellie. She heard the song once and said: “OK, I’m ready to do this”. She nailed it on the first take. Incredible! Louie was ecstatic!

https://soundcloud.com/snakewhisperer3

So I sent this to Máiréad via Twitter. She graciously listens to it and tweets back positive comments. Now I ask, how often does a fan get positive feedback from an internationally known, multi-platinum artist? Not often, particularly considering the number of followers they have and the resulting heavy twitter traffic. Máiréad, if you happen to read this, thank you so much for taking the time out of your break to listen to the track and respond with such wonderful comments. You are one class act!

I’ve been practicing more lately. But after receiving this response, I’m inspired to REALLY step it up. I haven’t practiced this much since my younger days! Ideas are forming again which leads to songs. I’ve rearranged my music work area to make it more conducive to capturing random ideas before they leave my head. All instruments as well as the recording device are within arm’s reach whether I’m practicing or watching television. I managed to reconnect with Louie. We talked on the phone recently and he’s talking about moving back to the area. We discussed the possibility of getting a band together. My daughter is grown and married with a daughter of her own. My son is approaching his teens. It just might be time for Grandpa to hit the stage again! Watch out!!! Regardless of the outcome, I will start writing again. If something comes of it, fantastic! If not, at least it will feed my soul.

Update of the CW fan experience

I now feel the need to re-visit some of my comments in the initial post. When I had written it, I had only attended one M&G. It was with Chloe and Lisa Kelly in Orlando, 2011. The vibe was a little strange for me. It was my first, so I was green. The ladies hadn’t met me and didn’t know me at all (and many people aren’t sure what to make of me at first impression anyway). 2012 was WAY better! I attended two M&Gs plus a signing. I felt I was able to build a stronger rapport with the most engaging Chloe, and got to meet the effervescent Lisa Lambe, the stunning Susan, and the illustrious Máiréad. If 2012 was better, 2013 was off the charts! The format was changed. Gone were the distractions of autographs and tables. This allowed for much more engaging conversation. In lieu of an autograph, you got a photo. For my money, I’d much rather have a nice photo than a signature anyway. I wanted mine to be unique and humorous, and the ladies cheerfully obliged. I felt I built a better rapport with Máiréad this tour. We even engaged in a wee bit of “tech talk”. Way cool! I’m really diggin’ the new format, and I hope it works better for the ladies too. I also hope this is kept in subsequent tours.

As far as my opinion on the operation of the fan forums. That still stands. At the time there was a sharp division within one of the forums on how it should be run. I won't rehash it here. There were also issues between some fans and the establishment. That's all water under the bridge now. The thing that weighs on my mind now is that I made comments on the initial post that may seem I was making assumptions regarding the feelings of the ladies. This was not my intention. If they happened to see it, and it came across that way, my sincerest apology goes out to them. They show so much appreciation to their fans when they’re “on the clock” as it were. Outside of that, they should have their space. It’s not unknown for them to engage fans outside of shows, but that should be on their terms. They say in their podcasts: “Tweet us!” And we do. But that doesn’t mean you’ll get a response. If they do respond, wonderful! If they don’t, don’t take it personally. They have their private lives to live. Not to mention they all have men in their lives. These guys would naturally get priority when it comes to “off the clock” attention. Hell, I hate the fact that Steph and I work opposite shifts! I can only imagine what they go through!

Well, that’s quite enough on that subject. I’ll post again when I think of something actually clever and interesting to write. Until then, keep the faith!

Ron

Photo Timeline: Warning!!! Some images may cause indigestion or, in more severe cases, Dementia!!!

"Sabre" at "The Rock Steady"-1984