Past Entries Wednesday, September 27, 2006 Wow – it’s been a while since I have caught you guys up on what’s going on, and truth be told – there’s been a lot! I am all settled in, and I’m living in Downtown Nashville. Although it’s VERY different than anything I’m used to, it’s not bad – I actually kinda like the city living! I live in a gated community, so I don’t worry that much about safety, and my roommate is absolutely great. We’re so similar that it works really well. I live literally a mile from Broadway, which is the tourist hangout. Most of the music down there is all cover songs (songs that are on the radio, etc. – NOT original music), since that’s what most tourists want to hear. It’s really surreal to have that many talented musicians around – last Monday I watched an entire gig standing within 10 feet of Rascal Flatt’s piano player, and Trace Atkin’s bass player. They’re just normal people! :) The schedule down there is even worse than mine here – the clubs close at 3pm down there, so most musicians go to bed around 5 or 6am and get up around 1 or 2pm. That’s the schedule I’ve been keeping since I’ve been down there, but I’m going to start spending more time in the writer’s hangouts, where there is more original music, and I can get to know the writers better. I am back in Richmond now for a few gigs, and a week in the mountains next week (Lord knows I need it!) but I am already anxious to be back in Nashville. It’s strange for it to be that way, but I’m glad – it makes me feel like I really made the right decision in moving down there. I’ll be heading back in the second week in October. I can’t wait! Thursday, September 21, 2006 Guess who’s back in town? I can’t believe I left for Nashville almost two weeks ago - the time has absolutely flown! I am back in Richmond, and will be performing several places over the next week or so. So why am I back in Richmond? Well, you don't really make money playing in Nashville, and it's hard to find gigs. Almost everyone you bump into is a musician, and they're all looking to play. So for now, I'll be coming back to Richmond every month or so to play some shows, and earn a little money. Gotta pay the bills! :) About Nashville - I absolutely love it! In the less than two weeks I have been there, I have made so many friends, and gotten so much done! I have gotten settled in my new place, met a million people (almost ;), had a songwriting consultation with ASCAP (see below for more info), had a jam session with a published writer, and sang on 4 stages on downtown Broadway! It's so surreal to be surrounded by so many talented artists, writers and musicians. It was almost humorous how sad it was to say goodbye to my new friends of 2 weeks to come back home! I apologize for the delay in the update – I have been waiting to announce the new website, but its completion is taking a little longer than expected. However – look out for it within the next couple of days – it looks great!! For now, the temp page is still up and does have details about upcoming gigs and how to buy CDs. I would LOVE to see each and every one of you out at a show while I’m here – although I love Nashville, I still miss my friends and family for sure! Monday, September 11, 2006 I swear, my move to Nashville played like a new National Lampoons movie... Just a few things leading up to it - tripping on my flip-flop caused a fall off my front porch that took off the bottom of my big toe, sending me to the ER. (Without insurance, this turned out to be amazingly expensive...) I discovered a leak in my AC that had apparently started weeks ago, completely ruining a large section of the BRAND new flooring that was put in about 2 months ago, and causing water damage in the kitchen sub-floor. I had 1 roommate move out of my house, and 2 new roommates move in. When I went to check the size of the hitch on my truck to pull the U-Haul, I discovered that I had no hitch. At all. Not even close. Those cost $300. Now I know. The trailer I reserved wouldn't even come CLOSE to holding my stuff. And after loading it, I realized that since more weight had to be in the front, I had to empty the entire thing and reload it. I could go on and on... Fortunately, the actual drive to Nashville itself wasn't half bad. Right before I left town, I stopped in Barnes and Noble to get a journal to keep track of my trip. (There, another travesty occurred - I was served the worst iced caramel macchiato I have EVER had, and that was highly depressing given the lack of Starbucks on the trip down south.) Anyway, on a trip to the bathroom, I accidentally discovered books on CD. I love to read, so I figured it would be worth a shot to try one. So instead of being sad and depressed and realizing I was leaving my home and everything and everyone I know and love, I was wrapped up in John Grisham's "The Last Juror". Well, for the most part... So I'm here now, and it's been good. I got the whole trailer unloaded and everything unpacked in the first night, and now I am adjusting to living out of one room, after having lived in a 1900 square foot house for the last 7 years... My house is being rented out in a short-term lease, and I have a short-term lease here in Nashville, so I'll have a chance to decide what I want and make a decision. Overall, I can't believe that I'm here. It's very surreal to realize a dream that has been a while in the making. On the other hand, it's shocking to think about how, in the big picture, things have moved SO quickly. At this time last year, I was only beginning to play out, hardly playing the piano and not playing the guitar at all. I was finishing up an EP release, and playing maybe 3 or 4 times a month. Toward the end of last year, I decided that I would move, and made the trip to Austin, TX and Nashville, TN to check things out. And now here I am. It's truly amazing to me how many people have commented to me - "I didn't really think you'd do it." Well, I guess first of all, they don't know me very well... ;) But seriously - it is really amazing to me to see how many people have a dream and don't follow it. I know that there are so many limitations and excuses that we can use, but for God's sake, don't waste your time being unhappy if you can possibly help it. Well, enough soapbox for me. I will try to post more often to keep you all apprised of my progress here in Nashville. I will be home in Richmond on September 22, playing a gig in Williamsburg, then I will be performing the National Anthem at the Ultimate Fighting Championships on September 23 at the Richmond Coliseum, an event that will be televised. For the following week, I'll be in Richmond, and I'll let you know what other gigs I get scheduled as they get booked. Hope to see you at one of them. The new website (www.karismithmusic.com) is almost complete, and the new look and feel are awesome! Keep an eye out for the whole new site to be live. Stay tuned! Tuesday, August 7, 2006 Life is CRAZY right now as I prepare for the big move. Things are rolling along, but not without a fair amount of stress. Fortunately, as I mark each thing off the list, it gets a little better. Great news - the CD is done!! All recording, mixing, mastering, etc. are done, and as soon as the artwork is complete, which should be in the next few days, it will be sent off to press. I can't wait!! Specifics for the CD release parties in Richmond and Williamsburg are forthcoming. More good news - I did find a place to stay in Nashville, and I'll be living there for at least 3 months, while I get my feet under me and figure out what's going on. So the move at this point will happen in the last days of August. I still plan to come back to Richmond probably every month or two, and I will definitely continue to play around here. I'll keep you up to date as to what's going on in Nashville, and when the shows will be when I come home. So those musickari.com emails should slow to about once a month. :) Again, thank you, thank you, thank you! to all of you for your words of encouragement and support. And a special thank you to those of you closest to me who are having to put up with my insanity in these last couple of weeks. I know it's not easy! All my best. Tuesday, August 1, 2006 I'm in Nashville! I'm actually here - it doesn't seem possible! I arrived Sunday night and I'll be here until Thursday morning, scoping out places to live, and trying to make contact with the few people that I do know here. I'll be leaving Thursday morning VERY early in order to make it back in time to play a gig in Williamsburg on Thursday night. I know - I'm quite a glutton for punishment on that one... Downtown Nashville is a little crazy as far as traffic and the general neighborhoods, but some of the bordering towns are absolutely beautiful. It's exciting to be here - finally more exciting than scary! It's about time... I'll be moving down in late August, and I will most likely find a place temporarily where I'll live until I'm sure that this is where I want to be long-term. At that point, I'll sell my house in Richmond and make it permanent - no turning back then! :) Thanks so much for all of your thoughts, prayers, support, and words of encouragement as I continue through this process - it has been a long time coming!! Wednesday, July 5, 2006 Well, it's that time again - time to catch you guys up on what's going on with me. The move to Nashville is getting closer now - it's so hard to believe that it is only 6 weeks away! To know that I'm counting in weeks now makes it even more scary... But the summer has been great so far. I have had a lot of fun playing a lot of shows, and the excitement of the coming move has been growing as the date gets closer! Of course the apprehension grows as well - this is such a big step for me. I've started to scout out places to live, and will be making a trip to Nashville sometime this month to make a final decision - I refused to choose a place to live over the internet - that was just a little too scary for me! I'll also probably work a part-time job when I first get there, in order to fill some time, meet some people, and make some money! Summer classes have been going well, and they will end August 1. I do plan to continue college in Tennessee, and hope to find out more about that once I get there, and stay for a little while - I'm not very enthusiastic about paying out-of-state tuition rates... As the time gets closer, I hope to see each and every one of you that has been involved in this journey - I know I will miss my friends and loved ones so much. And yet, as I start to pack boxes, I know it's what I'm supposed to be doing, and that makes it feel right! Tuesday, April 18, 2006 Many of you have asked questions about my move to Nashville, so I wanted to give you an update and more detail on my plans. Currently, I plan on moving to Nashville in July, or maybe August if I decide to take summer college classes. My move will at first be temporarily, meaning I won't sell my house here and buy one there until I decide that Nashville is truly where I want to be for the immediate future. My "trial period" will probably be 2 - 3 months before I make a decision about whether or not to stay. There are many things that I do not and am not able to have arranged - until I'm actually physically there. I do not have a place to live, or a job there. I do have some contacts there Unfortunately, there are so many musicians that "think about" moving to Nashville that no one wants to do much with you until you're already there. As far as what I'll do when I'm there - one of my reasons for moving to Nashville is to further pursue writing. Although I LOVE performing and plan to continue it, I'd also like to supplement that with something that provides for a little bit of an easier lifestyle. This whole prospect is exciting, but admittedly very scary. I've always lived relatively close to home, and never out of Virginia, so it should be interesting. Thank you so much for those of you who have encouraged me in this next venture. I continue to remind myself that my success is based on my personal happiness every day - and not in one big goal, like "being famous". If I stay in Nashville for 1 month, and decide that it is NOT the place for me, I will still consider the move a success - because I actually did it. Big things could happen in Nashville, or maybe they won't - the only thing I know for sure is that NOTHING will happen for me there if I don't go and try. Thanks again for your support! Monday, March 6, 2006 I have officially begun pre-production of my second album, this one a full-length CD. I'm thrilled to have master engineer Matthew Roberts producing the album. I can't wait to share the new songs! The EP “go with you” has done very well, with sales nearing 200 in less than 6 months. Secondly, I have finally made the big decision to move to Nashville, Tennessee this summer. Although this decision has been difficult, I feel it is my best chance to continue this forward momentum, in performing, songwriting, as well as in other arenas. I will be further away from my loved ones than I've ever been, but I feel that it is the next step in this process – a step that is both exciting and terrifying at the same time! Exactly one year ago, I found out that I was being laid off from Capital One – and I'm overwhelmed to realize how much has happened in one year. I thank you so much with all of my heart for all of your support as I continue down this path. Every time you came to a gig, every CD you bought, every thought, prayer, or word of encouragement has been so instrumental to my success thus far, and I am more grateful than you can know. Thank you!! Friday, February 10, 2006 The year 2006 has proved to be a very full one for me, which is definitely a good thing! It's amazing to look back at the last post and think of how much has happened. First, I have passed the 150 mark with my CD sales, which is very exciting to me! What seemed like such a lofty goal at first proved to be quite attainable with the wonderful support you all have given! Secondly, I made it a New Year's resolution to start scheduling shows much more aggressively. February has been a good month, with 9 shows scheduled, and I'm trying to keep that momentum going forward. It's hard work! Thirdly, I've been in college full-time, taking courses at J Sargeant Reynolds' downtown campus. My classes this semester are Music Theory, Music Appreciation, Class Piano II, and Applied Voice (voice lessons). That definitely keeps me busy! Finally, I have been writing like crazy in preparation for my full-length album, which is in the development stages right now. I will be working with very talented producer Matthew Roberts again for this effort, and I am very excited about it! In addition to all of that, practicing, learning songs, and giving piano lessons takes up about every bit of spare time that I have. I try to take a moment every now and then to catch up with family and friends, since choosing this life means giving up most of my nights, which means that I have to miss most family events, birthday celebrations, etc., which is difficult, but all part of what I am doing. I still haven't made any definitely decisions regarding a move, although it is still a serious consideration. Well, I'd love to see all of you out sometime soon, and I'd love to hear from you, so keep in touch! Monday, December 12, 2005 Wow… I can't believe that in less than a month, I've sold 25 more CDs! I've sold 70 now – I'm on my way to my goal of selling 100 by the end of the year, and even if it doesn't happen, I'll still be thrilled to have sold as many as I have. So…. I guess you wanna know about my road trip? ;) Well first off, check out the “ROAD TRIP” album in the gallery to see pics. I went to Texas by way of Nashville, visiting there in trips both to and from Texas. On my stop the first time, I met with a wonderful couple – Mary Ellen Bickford is a film producer and co-writer of " Songwriting for Dummies", and also happens to be Jeff Gordon's aunt. Her husband Don Robertson is a musician, composer, and also made significant contributions to the “Dummies” book. They were so kind and welcoming, and they not only gave me a lot of very useful information about Nashville, but also gave me a tour of Music Row and downtown Nashville, all of which are minutes from their home. I stayed with friend Kelly Bellas and Nashville newcomer Lisa Kolarich on my way through. Once in Texas, I got to spend a lot of quality time in College Station with my sister, brother-in-law Ben, and nephews Tyler and Skyler. My point of contact in Austin was bass player Mark Andes, who unfortunately had to leave for LA on personal business, but I was fortunately able to still meet with Mark Hallman, an amazing producer, and a delightful person. I spent about 5 hours at Congress House Studio discussing my music and possibilities of recording an album, as well as just watching him work, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was an honor to me to discover that a producer of this caliber would be interested in working with me, as he has a vast array of potential clients to choose from. My stay in Austin was a bit brief (that's a LONG story, but if you really want to know, just ask... let's just say that the slogan “keep Austin weird” was NOT an exaggeration…) On the way back, I stopped back in Nashville to meet with singer / songwriter Matt Ramsey, who works for and writes with country music star Phil Vassar. He also gave me a lot of great information about Nashville, the “stuff” you can't find on the Internet… ;) Turns out the if I live in Nashville, I should plan to make no money on either performances or selling CDs, because the area is so saturated with musicians – Matt told me that musicians rarely get paid to play; sometimes musicians even have to PAY to play! It's incredible. And everyone just gives CDs away, because they're hoping to be discovered. If I moved to Nashville, which isn't out of the question, it would be for reasons mostly regarding songwriting. Nashville is where people go to “make it big”, whereas Austin tends to be more eclectic, has less of a “typical” sound coming out of it, and has more “niches” to fit into. So did I make any major decisions? Not yet, although the trip was very informative and gave me a lot to think about. While I was on the road, I also registered for classes next semester. My full-time load will include classes in Music Theory, Music Appreciation, Piano, and Applied Vocal training. I'm really excited! At the end of the semester next May will probably be when I make a move, if that's what I end up doing. If nothing else, the trip gave me a LOT of time to think, write music, and practice my guitar, which I'm playing a lot more. If you're still reading (and let me say that's impressive ;), then you might as well keep going! the following is a blog post from my myspace page that I wrote on the road: The sign reads: “Scenic View - 1 mile”. Although every traveler on this busy interstate seems to be late, I am relieved at the opportunity to stop and take in the landscape that has been rushing by at 70 miles an hour. Graffiti scars the guard rails; the ground littered with trash left by those too simple to realize the offense committed by marring the beauty of this place. But just past these signs of selfish human consumption lies an awe-striking scene. Down the valley, rolling hillsides are spotted with a multitude of God's creations. Trees splashed with glorious autumn hues, a farmhouse whose chimney exhales wisps of breathy smoke, and a pristine white country church are all that break the monotony of a gentle green backdrop. Weightless clouds hang suspended by unseen strings, controlled by an invisible One who breathes the air nudging them gently across the sky. A flashy car speeds by, and an expensive camera quickly snaps a picture through a rolled-down window. Overwhelmed by what they've missed, I wonder - don't they know that beauty can't be hastily gulped and swallowed? Don't they understand that the beauty was in that very moment, not in a picture that will occupy a dusty album, if it is even ever developed? Another vehicle pulls up, and though I'm at first relieved to see them open their doors unto this overwhelming sight, the monotonous hum of the passing traffic is quickly intruded upon by the discord of a piercing argument that blessedly lasts only long enough for the travelers to change places before pulling away. I shake my head in amazement, but am thankful for their haste. Don't they know that silence is a gift? What has happened? How could it be that in the 30 minutes that I am delighted by this place, I only see 2 visitors, neither whom accept this complimentary offering? In a world of stress, anxiety, and high blood pressure, hasn't anyone discovered the calming effect of the loveliness of nature, the tingle of cheeks kissed by chilly air, the peace of nature's silence? If I could fly over the treetops, and touch down on the steps of that country church, I would lift my eyes upward and pray that I never become too busy to be inspired, to be blessed, to be touched – by beauty. I don't have wings, so I breathe those words aloud to the sky - right where I stand, before I drive away. Tuesday, November 15, 2005 The latest... I leave this Thursday to drive to Austin, TX to meet with a producer and do some networking. This trip means about 60 hours of driving, since I am stopping in Nashville,TN. This trip will be somewhat of a soul-searching experience, to figure out whether or not Richmond supports pursuing a music career. Since I've always lived in Virginia, this is a huge decision for me. I've taken the steps and sacrifices necessary to do this full-time, but if Richmond doesn't support my growth, then it may only make sense to situate myself in a city that does. I truly appreciate your thoughts, prayers, and support as I make this trip - I'll be gone about 2 weeks. Thank you SO much to those who have purchased the CD. I've sold 45 copies, which may not seem like a lot, but is so exciting to me!! I'd LOVE to make it to 100 before the end of the year, which could happen if less than 1/3 of the people on my mailing list bought it! Thanks also for those who have visited me at www.myspace.com/karismith - I have just added new photos there, and to my website (thank you Dwight Durmon!) so feel free to check them out. Sunday, October 2, 2005 i can't believe another year has gone by - it feels so weird to think that i am 27 now... somehow it seems so much older than 26! :) i always feel as if i am taking baby steps in this music industry, but when i look back at a whole year at a time, it actually impresses me when i see what i have accomplished.... ... so much of that would not be possible without the support of those of you who have believed in me from the beginning, or who have become "fans" along the way - thank you so much. I have had the opportunity to do so many things, including share the stage with several well-established bands, sing in front of audiences of thousands of people, perform at many venues in many cities, finish recording and begin selling an original EP album, begin working on an AA in Music, and most of all, i have been able to begin pursuing a full-time career in music. all in all, i guess i've accomplished a whole lot, and it is pretty exciting. we'll see what the next year has in store - thank you again SO MUCH for your continued support. Sunday, September 25, 2005 cd is finished and clips have been posted! clips from the new EP album "Go With You" have now been posted! click on DOWNLOADS to listen, and please take a moment to give feedback and comments to let me know what you think. in order to check them out, you must be signed up as a member of the site (click on http://www.musickari.com/users .php?mode=new ) - it's quick and free, and gives you access to all areas of the site! rest assured, your information is protected and never shared. September 20, 2005 i'm FINALLY starting to feel normal again, and the cough is ALMOST gone. i'm starting to get some dates booked back and the calendar, and trying to tie up loose ends around the album. i hope soon to begin work on a full-length album of original material. i'm a glutton for punishment, I guess... :) i did the red cross fundraiser gig on sunday for the hurricane katrina victims, and although it was kinda last-minute, they still raised over $1000, which was good. every bit counts! the music went over well, and i sold a couple of CDs, which was nice! :) thanks to those of you have bought or expressed interest in buying the album - it really helps, and makes me feel good! well, off to class for me - i am taking a college class in piano this semester, which is good - keeps my mind working! :) Thursday, September 8, 2005 clips from the new EP album "Go With You" have now been posted! click on DOWNLOADS to listen, and please take a moment to give feedback and comments to let me know what you think. in order to check them out, you must be signed up as a member of the site (click on http://www.musickari.com/users .php?mode=new ) - it's quick and free, and gives you access to all areas of the site! rest assured, your information is protected and never shared. in other news - you may have noticed that not much is showing up on the gigs calendar right now. i have been sick for the last 5 weeks, and that has pretty much halted me from doing about anything. i've struggled through the gigs I've had scheduled, and cancelled a few of them, but I have been working on some other stuff outside of performing - starting classes, working on photo shoots, writing more music, giving piano lessons, etc. I hope to start getting some new dates booked this week, and more importantly hope to start feeling better and be back to normal soon! thanks to those of you have been checking up on me, and a few of you who have brought me flowers, orange juice, chicken soup, etc.! i'm still waiting on the images from the photographer for the CD packaging / inserts, but started to sell some CDs at gigs this weekend. I took some with me on a whim, sans the packaging, and sold 10! i was absolutely thrilled. they will soon be available for purchase on the site, and are already available at gigs and by request. Monday, August 15, 2005 i am so psyched - i got the finalized master version of the CD today - another step completed! now i've got packaging left to go, then they're ready to go! this process has taken so long and been a lot of hard work, so every step completed is such a big deal to me! the CD has 6 songs - the 4 songs recorded w/ John, and 2 acoustic songs recorded w/ Matt, who also was the mastering engineer on the CD. i'll have clips posted really soon. Saturday, July 30, 2005 wow - 3 entries in one month! i've been busy as ever, despite the fact that I was laid off. In fact, I think I've been even more busy since I've been laid off, mostly because pursuing this music stuff is a LOT of work. the biggest (and saddest) news - i sold my truck. i did that to eliminate having a payment, and because of the high price of diesel right now. it was VERY sad - for those of you who know me at ALL, you know I loved that truck. it was a trademark, that's for sure! the couple that bought it were really nice people, and that made it a little easier. i just keep telling myself that I'm making the sacrifice so that I can pursue what I love - music. that makes it a little easier to stomach. i haven't bought anything new yet - i have a friend whose wife is out of the country for a while, so i'm driving a borrowed car for now, until i can make a decision on what to buy. i'll have to post a pic of the truck in the "Candids" gallery.... Anyway, the gig schedule has picked up a lot, and hopefully it will continue to do so. I have recorded an additional 2 songs w/ Matt, the second producer that was working with me on writing. Also, tomorrow night, I'm going back over to re-record the vocals on the "slow" version of "Slow Down the Rain" - most of you who have heard the new "rocked up" version said you still really liked the slow version, so we're going to include that as a bonus track on the EP. Matt is finishing tracking on the 5th song this weekend - "Cursed" - so after Sunday, tracking on all 6 songs will be completed. Then onward and forward with getting the disc made. Money, money, money!! Well, enough babbling from me. Gotta go get ready for the gig tonight! Monday, July 11, 2005 tracking AND mixing for my songs is done! all that's left is mastering. i'm really ready to be able to put a finalized product out there. i'm also working on some new acoustic songs w/ matt roberts, an attorney with background in music / guitar, composition, engineering and production, and entertainment law. he's a great resource and is helping me out a whole bunch w/ my songwriting skills. so for those of you who have asked, (or who are going to ask :) the sugar ray show went well. leon milmore ended up doing a lot of their older stuff, so i only ended up singing 1 song with them (i only sang on their latest record), but it's so much fun to go out there are see so many more faces than i am used to seeing!! no, i did not meet mark mcgrath, although i was about 3 feet away from him. i would have taken pics, but i forgot the memory stick for my camera. (and um i actually don't really care about mark mcgrath - sorry... ; ) anyway, that's about it for now. just working on new songs, working on getting some new gigs, and trying to keep my head above water! hope you're all well, and drop me a line sometime! Friday, July 1, 2005 tracking for my 3 songs is DONE!!! I feel like celebrating... all that's left is mixing and mastering, and most of the mixing has been done while tracking, so that won't take long. i can't wait for you to hear the new stuff! everything has been totally re-recorded in the new studio, and it sounds GREAT! i'm really psyched - that has been a LONG time coming... as you probably noticed by the gig schedule, my audition to sing backup vocals with southern rock group sin city revival has already turned into a gig! i'm traveling with the band this sunday to the heavy rebel weekender festival in winston-salem, nc. should be fun! i'm pretty excited to be working with these guys - they're a talented bunch of musicians. check out their site under LINKS. also - check out NEW PHOTOS in the gallery. and thanks as always to brett zwerdling for the professional pics! Wednesday, June 28, 2005 Figured I'd shock you all and write twice in one week. Wow, life is crazy. Guess we're skipping the audition phase and going right to performance with Sin City Revival. I'll be traveling with them Sunday night to the Heavy Rebel Weekender festival in Winston-Salem, NC to play a gig there. So that means gig tonight, practice w/ Sin City Thursday night, studio Friday night, gig Saturday night, gig Sunday night... who said I wasn't busy? : ) Not sure if the Sin City thing will be a permanent gig, but we'll see how it goes! Monday, June 27, 2005 Well, it's been a LONG time since I kept track of this journal... shame on me! A lot has been going on, and when I read down through some of the older entries, it truly amazes me how time flies, and how much things change. I have a lot up in the air right now, and it's a stressful time for me, as I'm dealing with being laid off from Capital One. I'm certainly not alone in that - the group I was in was close to 200, not that that makes it any easier to deal with... My last official day of employment with them is July 15, and as that day approaches, it gets more and more scary! I have chosen at this point to try to pursue a music job, and see how that goes, rather than returning to the corporate world right now. It's definitely out of my nature to do something "risky" like that, but it's kinda fun in a way - in between the worrying... : ) Right now I'm concentrating on finishing up a 5-song EP in the studio, singing my acoustic gigs, working on getting more gigs, singing backups for some Leon Milmore shows, and auditioning to sing backups with another band called Sin City Revival - a Southern rock group that's coming up pretty good here in Richmond. I'm also using the time to write a little more too. Keeps me busy, actually! Well, that's it for now... I'll try to be more faithful about keeping this thing up! Monday, June 13, 2005 This Saturday, June 18 from 5:00 - 9:00pm, I will be playing at Firebird's Grill in Short Pump Town Center, located right by the Funny Bone Comedy Club, and right across from Dick's Sporting Goods. THIS IS IMPORTANT! Our performance and the people I bring out determines if I get 10 subsequent gigs there through the summer. So if you haven't been out in a while, this is perfect! And bring the family! I seriously appreciate your support. As many of you know, after almost 5 years of employment with Capital One, I was laid off last month. Right now, music remains my focus as I decide how and where to go from here, so your support of my music is more valuable and appreciated than ever! Also to that end, I am selling my truck... :( If you or someone you know is in the market for a diesel truck, email me and I'd much appreciate it! Lastly - I've added a FAN PHOTOS gallery - feel free to email me pics you have from shows, and I'll add them! Thanks as always for your support, and I'd love to hear from you!