Headed to Roanoke, VA today with Ree for a gig at Sidewinders with The Embers tonight. We’ve not been playing much lately (outside of the four shows last week) so I’m sure tonight will be pretty fun.
**Side note: I’m finishing this entry the following day and we did indeed have a great night last night!
Stayed over in Roanoke with family and friends. Had a late night and a great time!
Beverages were endless…
I’ve been listening to lots of recordings hidden away on my laptop of past projects of mine. Some Elvis stuff I did, original stuff, Embers stuff, Medallions stuff, tracks and sequences, etc. All kinds of things. In listening to The Embers stuff, its a shame that we never completed work on our last album. We released a couple of songs but never completed the project. Some of you may have heard the songs we released (if ya haven’t click here) but there are some no one has heard. Jeff (Jeff Grimes - Embers member with me) and I had a heck of a protocol going between his studio and mine. We turned out some pretty complex stuff. Very good in fact. Listening to old recordings with fresh ears can sometimes be an eye [or ear] opener. We were able to make some old songs seem new again. I really enjoyed working with Jeff on that project. He's intuitive and creative to say the least. I hope to work with him on future projects. He is an extremely talented individual. An asset in my life for sure. I’m a better musician, performer, engineer/producer and singer because of his influence. I’m sure he has no idea. If you’ve never heard him play - you should. He’s a beast! So come to a show!
Speaking of Embers - RUMORS - UGH!! I’m so freaking sick of all the crap we hear [happened again at the show last night]. Ever since I joined this band, the rumors have circled like buzzards over a fresh pop. It’s bothersome and often worrisome. It amazes me how so many people know so much more about the group I’m employed by than I do! Even more than my employer who chooses to ignore it all and let it fester rather than discount it publicly! That’s just how he chooses to handle it and thats okay. People even call me to tell me (not ask me) what is going to happen with this group and when I can expect to lose my job. I believe there is a click of folks that have nothing better to do than fabricate and see how far it will go or to just cause others a little grief. Misery indeed loves company I suppose. Guess if they’re talking about ya at least they’re thinking about ya. Who knows, maybe the joke is on me. I just wish people would stop. In no walk of life have I ever been interested in making up things at the expense of others. ‘Treat others as you wanna be treated’ means something to me.
I honestly think there is a group of people somewhere that want to see The Embers fail for whatever reason. Keep in mind that I’m relatively new to the area and this market. I’ve only been exposed to it since I’ve been with the Embers. But my take is (from my outsider perspective) that once the original lead singer left the group (or was let go) back in ’94, rumors really amped up and in effect haven't stopped. It was a big deal and everyone was shocked I’m sure. Then the other long time front man was let go = more rumors. This was followed by other members leaving and to my understanding began a sort of revolving door of musicians effectively concluding the end of an era for the group. Then the record deal (record label Embers signed to before I was hired - will not name it) came about and didn’t flourish as expected. This all happened before my time and I wasn't involved with any of it. I feel that long time dedicated fans were upset, confused and somewhat angered. The two aforementioned former lead singers of the group had and continue to have loyal followers in their own right. I feel like those times of discourse stemmed hurt amongst them and the fans and resulted in the construction of a high volume rumor mill built by said loyal followers of those very talented singers and showmen! Not to mention fans of the group in general. I think many felt they (former lead singers) were done wrong and that band management was faltering or corrupt. But of course there are two sides to every story and many chose not to ask - just speak. This is just my humble opinion. At any rate, I walked right into this grinder not knowing what all had transpired before I was hired.
Now, I’m part of the rumors and the subject of some as well. I was to be “let go” first of the year. I still hear that my days (and those of other band mates) are numbered and that former members will soon return to my demise. Unnerving. In some rumors I’ve heard that I will be asked to step aside and just play horn and no longer sing - or maybe just a couple songs a night in relief. This after only a year ago my band leader and boss saying he wanted to portray me as the ‘voice of the group’ with the new album project we were working on. Of course I asked him about all of these rumors and he assures me there are no plans moving forward with the group that do not include me. That can be taken several ways I suppose. He also claims there will be a lot of disappointed folks out there when nothing of the sort happens. He has never bold faced lied to me so I have to believe him. I choose to. God has a path for me - I'm just gonna walk it. It's that simple and I have no worries.
I will honestly say though, that were I to be let go that it might be a blessing. As long as I’m in this band I will never be able to gain the respect in my own right that I could potentially earn simply because of the shadows of those before me. The proof is in radio airplay. The bridges burned and baggage claimed over 55 years of existence (band was founded in 1958) are insurmountable and I haven’t the strength or capability to make a difference. I have great respect for my predecessors but I (and the group as a whole) are continuously and will always be compared to the group of old during it’s most successful years. It’s almost like I’m standing in the dark no matter how bright the lights are. Not rewarding in the least. It really bums me out when old school fans tell me that we suck and that we’re nothing like the old band. Hard core folks that can’t deal with the fact that over time things inevitably change. But I must say those comments are far outweighed by the positive without doubt. There are tons of great Embers fans out there and I appreciate each and every one! Additionally, I know great players when I see them and I'm surrounded by them each gig. I'm proud to represent them and share the stage with them. Some folks are just full of themselves, uneducated on the topic and unaware. Did I mention DRUNK? That happens A LOT! Just part of the biz.
When I was offered the job as lead singer for this storied group I was blown away. But I told the band leader that I had already been a part of a regionally successful touring band and had no desire to repeat that. I wanted the opportunity to reach the next level - nationally. Of course I was promised that…and long story short - here we are today. I’m truly grateful for the gig but it comes with a heavy tariff! People should realize that we (current band) aren’t trying to be the old group and have no desire to be. We don’t even draw a comparison in our minds. We just want to perform for folks to the best of our ability each show and move a crowd. It’s about the music and the soul for us. Perhaps our remaining original member and founder of the group still hangs on to the years of old and strives to get the band back there but in my opinion it just won’t be. No disrespect to him but that was a special group at the right time. The perfect mix of talent and a hungry audience. It was a special time that will never be matched. Those that lived it should consider themselves fortunate. The original guys through 1994 were a special gift - unmatched and a catalyst for the genre.
Don’t misinterpret - I have great respect for the position I hold within this group and am grateful to be here.
**moving on…
I’ve been practicing very hard thus far this year to develop my solo act. It’s something I’ve never done. I’ve been in the music business as a paid entertainer or player (otherwise known as a professional) for close to 25 years. I have only been in two real touring bands during that time (The Swingin’ Medallions & The Embers). I have always been completely dedicated to making “my band” 100% successful and always put the band's needs before my own. I've always been a team player singing and playing what was asked of me and have worked tirelessly off the stage to keep the band functioning properly. Not once have I ever played or performed on my own terms. Nor have I ever been able to perform my own music (with a brief exception). I’ve not even had time to write songs because of my constant dedication to someone else’s band or cause. Its simple, I want to start playing music for me. I want to work for me. I think I deserve it. My Dad told me once - look around you, Son. You’ve been as loyal as a puppy. What have you got to show for it? My goal is still that God will work through me to help or touch others in some way through music and the capabilities and knowledge he has blessed me with. It’s still about that for me. Alway will be. I don’t care about being rich, I just want to build and provide a business for my sons. They love music and are planning a future in it in affiliation with me. I want to build a business for them. No better time than the present to begin. They deserve it as do I. I’ve learned through shortcomings, failure and experience and I plan to exercise it all to shape the foundation of the future for myself and my family.
When not playing with the Embers, I’m gonna start doing solo gigs. I’m the only band member that doesn’t play side gigs with exception of our founder because this is his band. I plan to be multi-faceted with it. Not just acoustic guitar and voice but more. You’ll have to see what I mean when I start giggin'. Who knows where it’ll lead but I just hope I get hired back wherever I play! I want to enjoy the music again. I have lots of ideas. So much so that I find it hard to sleep at night even when I’m zonked! The wheels just won’t stop turning. Possibilities for the driven are endless.
I hope any reader of this blog doesn’t spin the previous paragraphs into another negative rumor - geez. I’ve had enough already! I’ll let you know…
- ’til then