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Jan / Feb 2010
Well I guess you could call this the snow months... BLIZZARDS!!! ... and really we have basically been freezing our asses off... it is crazy, and more snow on the way. But being stuck in the house and studio with family, friends, loved ones ...isn't so bad sometimes, it is a time when you can slip away and write new songs, record them, mix them, and burn them down to CD. I just finished a long fun weekend of visiting with friends, watching the super bowl, and of course eating like a king... what else could make you want to write new songs about life and love? I look forward to sharing this new music with you soon. For now only my close friends and family have heard any of these tunes. I am excited about the new sounds, songs and words. I hope you have also had a great start to 2010 and we can share some music together soon. jam on... aj
December 2009
Where has the past month gone? Where did the year go? How can it be Christmas? It is amazing... but I feel if I have spent that time wisely and have no regrets then, what the hell! Time does fly, no doubt, but why not take the positive from it and use it. There never seems to be enough time in a day to do all the things we are so lucky to be able to do and have... so something must be good.
Speaking of Christmas, I have been working on some other projects for music videos for new songs, as well as the song "Christmas Child". "Christmas Child" is a song a I wrote when my son was 2 years old, and I had just seen one of those documentaries on how hard it is for some children in the world as well as right here in the USA, and it was terribly sad. I knew it was true, but to see more definite information was really moving. As it was around Christmas time, and there was a contest on an internet Radio station for having an original Christmas song, so I set out to write a song for the radio contest. I wrote, recorded and mixed it the same day I heard about the contest, and sent it to them that night...
Well, since I had just been reminded about our little humans in the world, I wrote the song about how lucky some children are to be loved, be around love, and to have memories of that love during the holidays etc. Well, I also wrote it about what I had felt in my childhood at Christmas, and then also my new 2 year old son! I happened to record his little voice in my studio on a pro mic with some reverb so he could hear himself and he was amazed. So he started trying to sing, so when I did the new Christmas song, I used his voice on the beginning of the song and at the end. So if you listen to the song, and you hear a babies voice, you are right! I wrote and recorded the song in one day and sent it into the radio station that night.
It did not win 1st prize because there was some rock band who did a cool version of Rudolph the red nose... and who can deny that song? But it did come in the top 10 best songs, and got lots of great feedback and comments since it was on that radio station. Later in the next few years, the song has been pushed to the back of my priorities and now here in 2009, I thought man I should really record that song, sing more vocals with it, possibly some female vocals as well, and re-mix it for a proper release. So that is what is going on, and I also have a 3D video that goes with the song which will be released as well. So if you get a chance during this busy holiday, take a listen to Christmas Child and see if it brings back any memories for you... Happy Christmas!
One more time Frank.... speaking of this time of year, I was invited to play one more show ( a special Friday night performance) at the Battletown Inn, so I took them up on that and I will be there on Dec 18th. I thought it would be fun and a nice way to end the year by doing some live solo guitars and keys and have some dinner, drinks and fun with friends and family. I will be playing Christmas Child song for the 1st time live.
October / November 2009
NEW SONGS / STUDIO
After the last 2 back-to-back shows in September, I have not scheduled any further performances at the moment and I am happy to be back focusing more and working in the studio. Not only is the studio completely re-done, there have been several upgrades to software and hardware. In the midst of backing up songs, audio, you know the boring tech stuff, I realized that I have over 300 songs, tunes on computer, which all needed to be gone through, including the recent 23 new songs. I also composed 3 new songs this month, all fairly upbeat tunes, and one song that was inspired by Halloween. :-) I will publish these3 new tunes on here soon for people to have a listen to see what is new.
RADIO
The 2 CDs "Luminous Miracle" and "Native Tongue" have had songs played on several popular internet radio stations thousands of times. And a recent snapshot / example from just one popular station that has played some of my songs over 4,000 times, and has generated hundreds of fans, and people have posted very positive comments and feedback. I will be publishing some of the comments soon. It is so cool to be able to get music out to people around the world and then have them provide positive feedback from thousands of miles away.
SONGS FOR HIRE
Currently a few of my songs and music are being evaluated and checked out to possibly be used in an upcoming feature film/movie, as well as 2 songs for TV, and others for general media projects. Also, a TV production company who is seeking Christmas music is interested in my song called " Christmas Child". I actually hope to have that song with updated vocals, backing tracks, and new digital remix done before xmas! I am also working on a 3D animation / video for this song.
SEEKING TALENT
I have also been taking some time to seek out some talented artists/musicians/performers/actors/actresses/videographers for possible projects or collaboration. So far this has proved to be time consuming and a bit harder than one would think. However, there are already a few great possibilities and I am excited to see what success may come from networking with talented humans around the world. I also have several projects that could really work well with a female vocalist. There are also possible spots for other musicians such as percussion, and other instruments. If you know someone might fit, please feel free to have them contact me.
August / September 2009
It has been a great summer so far and I don't want it to go by too fast...
It has been great seeing friends, family and playing catch-up on many fronts. So it seems like some success. And I am very pleased to say that music is still burning in my blood and songs are still flowing out of me on a weekly basis. Now if I can send that feeling and love over to the audience in the upcoming shows and recordings then I have succeeded.
I also am excited to be playing some of my older songs and re-vamping them for 2009, as they are not really known world-wide... yet... then if they are quality and possibly something people will enjoy now, why not play them in a new year and form. A good song is a good song... old or new. So as I play these upcoming live shows and webcasts, I do think people will feel the energy and good vibes in these songs. It will be fun to throw out some new and older music that is not the normal part of the show.
Speaking of shows, I am looking forward to be playing live with Rodney (great bass player), Donnie (superb drummer), and Tom (fantastic guitar player) on the upcoming outside concert at the Rose Hill Park in Berryville on September 4, 2009. People will be enjoying the beautiful park and the evening with music, food, picnics families, friends, and the whole outside vibe is just really nice and positive. This gives me and us a chance to stretch out and play more music, originals and put on a show that might not go as well at a club or other venue. Outside concerts are really fun to observe and be part of from all angles, whether you are the musician or in the audience, it still is the atmosphere and whole vibe of playing music outside with the trees and the breeze... If you can make it out to a show in the coming weeks, this will be one to try and make. Hope to see your smiling face on your blanket with your drink in your hand... it will be a fun and memorable evening.
June/July 2009
I love summer... so many great things about this time of year....
Well I've been busy too composing new songs, some videos and other media. Some songs have been sent out to radio, TV, and for specific projects or commercials. I've received very positive feedback on the music and songs. One example of a song "Your Ocean" has been played over 1200 times on internet radio, with lots of new fans and friends just from one song for the month of June! That's just the tip of the iceberg... More work is also being done to network with other musicians and projects. Much more will be published about this in the coming summer months. Also, doing a couple small shows in August and September. There will definitely be news forthcoming about webcast dates as well.
April/May 2009
During what seems to be a very short Spring, but a good spring just the same, I've had the opportunity to write and record new upbeat edgy songs. Just some great late night jams where I composed and recorded several new songs all in one evening. I played each take straight through, all first takes, of rocking guitars, riffing bass, and rhythm guitars. No fancy tricks today... just straight forward guitars, leads, bass and drums. I hope to publish these songs out to MySpace, CDBaby, and others so that everyone can have a listen.
I also sent out songs to some very cool leads for feature films. Five of my songs were sent out to be considered for music in these upcoming films that are due out in early 2010. I also continued communicating and preparing to record with some talented new local female vocalists. I am sure there will be more details on this as we really get into it over the summer.
March 2009
Upcoming small show at The Battletown. I didn't have any live performances in February, and the good people at Battletown wanted to book a show for March so we picked a date in late March, the 28th. It is a Saturday and as usual it should be a really fun night! BTI is a great place to jam up close and personal and mingle with the crowd. It's a nice local small venue, where lots of good friends get together, and even the gray ghost likes the music. My very good friends Donnie and Tom will be joining me to have a great jam that evening.
While revamping the studio and surrounding areas to get everything in top shape for 2009 and to finish the final songs for the new CD, I came across several boxes of tapes and CDs. Well... this was, an old goldmine of music... I knew they were somewhere, and I just did not have time to go through them yet. So I took some time and listened to some of older music. It was nice to hear some of my old songs and jams and great to know that many years of music has been captured!
Now I can bring some of the songs into the studio, remix and put out for all to hear or archive some of the old jams to just have for memories. So even though it has been great moving forward so fast with new music, sometimes it's also nice to reflect back and listen to older music, rehearsals, concerts. It's also a great way to use some ideas and creativity from my past and use them in my future music.
Feb 2009
I've been revamping the studio, with new equipment, and new designs and streamlining the workflow. I will be writing and composing in full force finishing and recording the final songs for the new CD. Some very talented musicians will also be working in the studio. During the end of last year until now has been research, purchasing, rebuilding, upgrading, and preparing for much better quality sound and product. It is an never ending process to continuously make your work environment better and more productive and every time I do it, I get a few new songs out of it. Viola!
January 2009
Happy New Year... 2009. Well gotta do something new for new year. So two new additional websites are being developed/designed and launched: www.allanjames.tv and www.jamfortheworld.com. These web sites will have Live Webcasts, archived videos, shows, interviews, and more. Stay tuned for more details and check the Performance schedule to catch one of the Live webcast shows.
Newsletters / Events / Announcements
December 2009 ( 3D animation video spot for the BTI show on YouTube )
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Allan James CDs and songs/music is available in thousands of stores world-wide. CD's are available to over 2400 physical CD stores in the U.S.A. and worldwide! You can also purchase and download songs from several major companies such as CD Baby, Amazon.com, YAHOO, Apple iTunes, Sony, RealMedia, and Best Buy. Below are the two most current CDs available, "Luminous Miracle" and " Native Tongue".
Note: If you are looking for "Break the Silence" or "All the Time", those albums are sold out! Both are in the process of being digitally re-mastered and will be re-released on new CDs in the future. Please check back for more details as the release dates are made public. Even though these CDs are not currently available, we are also going to make singles available from each album. So you will still be able to download and listen to some of those songs!
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- Luminous Miracle CD on CD BABY You can purchase the CD or individual songs. |
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You can purchase the CD or individual songs. |
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You can purchase specific songs that are posted on broadjam.com. No full CDs are available here. |
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