Well, I have been working on the tree that fell. It will cost a bunch of cash to rent a tractor and debris bin to haul it off. So, I'm on the plan "B". Get my old tractor running and haul it into the woods to decay.
I have gone through the fuel system. It seems to be getting to the carb. And it smells like it is getting into the cylinders. So now, I'm on to the ignition. Put in new plugs. But that did not help, now I'm at the distributor. The joys of a 60 year old tractor.
May 30, 2008
May 27, 2008
Indiana Jones (Remembering Bowes Channell)
It's a great flick. We don't get out to see many movies but this one was worth it. It was a great way to finish off the Memorial Day Weekend.
For us, this was a "memorial" movie. One of the most influential uncles in my life, Bowes Channell loved the series. We had a great time reminiscing about Uncle Bowes. He and Kay have opened their home up to every one of their nephews. We have all lived with them for some period. I brought a wife to live with them for a few months when we moved to Decatur. It would be hard get a better Aunt and Uncle than Kay and Bowes.
Bowes was the only engineer I knew growing up. He could fix anything - even Corvairs. I dreamed of having all the tools he had. Growing up when we would go to Decatur, I looked forward to spending time with Uncle Bowes. We talked about cars, engineering, NASA, and other nerd stuff. It was great fun. After we moved to Decatur and I started working in the NASA/MICOM world he was a great career mentor. I had been working for three weeks at Teledyne when Reagan shut the government down for a week. My wife and I panicked. Kay and Bowes helped guide us through it. They were blessings.
Bowes was a man of utmost integrity. Everyone respected him.
I miss Uncle Bowes. Anyone that knew him misses him.
For us, this was a "memorial" movie. One of the most influential uncles in my life, Bowes Channell loved the series. We had a great time reminiscing about Uncle Bowes. He and Kay have opened their home up to every one of their nephews. We have all lived with them for some period. I brought a wife to live with them for a few months when we moved to Decatur. It would be hard get a better Aunt and Uncle than Kay and Bowes.
Bowes was the only engineer I knew growing up. He could fix anything - even Corvairs. I dreamed of having all the tools he had. Growing up when we would go to Decatur, I looked forward to spending time with Uncle Bowes. We talked about cars, engineering, NASA, and other nerd stuff. It was great fun. After we moved to Decatur and I started working in the NASA/MICOM world he was a great career mentor. I had been working for three weeks at Teledyne when Reagan shut the government down for a week. My wife and I panicked. Kay and Bowes helped guide us through it. They were blessings.
Bowes was a man of utmost integrity. Everyone respected him.
I miss Uncle Bowes. Anyone that knew him misses him.
May 26, 2008
If a Tree Falls . . .
If a tree falls in your yard and takes out the service line to the house while you are writing some software, will you hear it? Well, you bet!
I am grateful it fell the direction it did. It could have hit my son's truck, my tractor, or a number of other things. As it was, it took out the power to my shop and damaged the meter base and components. So, I will get all the damaged stuff fixed have my electrician, Bobby, come check out the guts. And then get Entergy to reconnect me.
I'll rent a backhoe and a debris bin for the cleanup. Next Saturday will be a long one. I hope I can get everything scheduled.
What a way to finish off a weekend. I love it.
I am grateful it fell the direction it did. It could have hit my son's truck, my tractor, or a number of other things. As it was, it took out the power to my shop and damaged the meter base and components. So, I will get all the damaged stuff fixed have my electrician, Bobby, come check out the guts. And then get Entergy to reconnect me.
I'll rent a backhoe and a debris bin for the cleanup. Next Saturday will be a long one. I hope I can get everything scheduled.
What a way to finish off a weekend. I love it.
May 24, 2008
'Nother Day Older
May 24 and I'm sitting here on the side of the bed in Bin #8 of the Shack-up Inn. My wife is laying here asleep. And me? I'm reflecting. It has been a incredible weekend. Got to see one of my favorite artist - Jimmy Bratcher - live for the first time. It was a great gig. If you ever get a chance to see Jimmie play, take advantage of it.
But tonight, I think about my beautiful wife and sons. Stacy is starting to resume college. She helped me get through school and now I want to help her. I pray i can be as supportive of her as she was of me.
Hunter started his first job as pool monitor. I know he will do great. I would rather work with my sons than anyone else. The out work most adults. In a couple of weeks he heads out to Governor's School. He will be studying fluid dynamics.
Wiley gives me hope. I see him struggle daily. But, I wonder what his future holds. Oh how I wish I could say I do not worry. But, I do. I worry a lot.
But tonight, I think about my beautiful wife and sons. Stacy is starting to resume college. She helped me get through school and now I want to help her. I pray i can be as supportive of her as she was of me.
Hunter started his first job as pool monitor. I know he will do great. I would rather work with my sons than anyone else. The out work most adults. In a couple of weeks he heads out to Governor's School. He will be studying fluid dynamics.
Wiley gives me hope. I see him struggle daily. But, I wonder what his future holds. Oh how I wish I could say I do not worry. But, I do. I worry a lot.
May 22, 2008
Writing a Song
I admire people that can sit down and write a song. It is a skill i am working on. I have not been gifted with English. I have degrees in Math and Computer Science because i could not pass college level English courses. I have a good vocabulary and i express myself well. Just please so not look at my punctuation and spelling.
I don't have any formal training in song writing. I have worked with writers that have. And everyone has their style and routine. For me i start with the lyrics. What is my hook or my message for the song. There are song patterns that are commercially successful so i try to stay within those patterns. Let's face it, it's hard to get a new "Free Bird" on the modern radio play rotation. As an indie artist/writer I do have total freedom. But as a the financier, I would like to not loose much money. So, I work in "best practices" formulas.
Here are my guidelines: about 3 minutes, 4 bar intro, Intro/Verse/Chorus/Verse/Chorus/Bridge/Chorus/Outro, Good hook, Something I would listen to, Something I would defend every word of.
I don't have any formal training in song writing. I have worked with writers that have. And everyone has their style and routine. For me i start with the lyrics. What is my hook or my message for the song. There are song patterns that are commercially successful so i try to stay within those patterns. Let's face it, it's hard to get a new "Free Bird" on the modern radio play rotation. As an indie artist/writer I do have total freedom. But as a the financier, I would like to not loose much money. So, I work in "best practices" formulas.
Here are my guidelines: about 3 minutes, 4 bar intro, Intro/Verse/Chorus/Verse/Chorus/Bridge/Chorus/Outro, Good hook, Something I would listen to, Something I would defend every word of.
May 21, 2008
A Weekend Away
Woo Hoo!!!! The weekend is just about here. And I am EXCITED!!!
This weekend I am taking my wife to Clarksdale, MS for a getaway. The boys will be at home hanging out with Grandma and working. But for me and my bride, it's music and shopping. Well, for me it's music. For her it's shopping. Two nights at the Shack-up Inn. The Shack-up is great. Rather than a mint or chocolates on you pillow, you get a moon-pie. We may stop along the way to visit some friends. And even though it's a weekend vacation, I'll take the laptop and work in my down time.
I am going to hear Jimmie Bratcher. Jimmie Bratcher web site He is a guitar player I found on Indie Heaven. He is an incredible slide player and wonderful writer. I am looking forward to meeting him.
My wife is laying out the shopping route. It will probably be - Head to Memphis! Which is cool with me. Her favorite mall is near Guitar Center. And you can't go wrong with lunch at the real Corky's or Rendezvous.
This weekend I am taking my wife to Clarksdale, MS for a getaway. The boys will be at home hanging out with Grandma and working. But for me and my bride, it's music and shopping. Well, for me it's music. For her it's shopping. Two nights at the Shack-up Inn. The Shack-up is great. Rather than a mint or chocolates on you pillow, you get a moon-pie. We may stop along the way to visit some friends. And even though it's a weekend vacation, I'll take the laptop and work in my down time.
I am going to hear Jimmie Bratcher. Jimmie Bratcher web site He is a guitar player I found on Indie Heaven. He is an incredible slide player and wonderful writer. I am looking forward to meeting him.
My wife is laying out the shopping route. It will probably be - Head to Memphis! Which is cool with me. Her favorite mall is near Guitar Center. And you can't go wrong with lunch at the real Corky's or Rendezvous.
May 19, 2008
A Night of Recording and Mixing
Last night was one of those night. It was great. I spent most of the evening after church recording and mixing. I was working on a demo for my brother Rick Boone.
It's amazing how many times you can listen to a single song. I was searching for the right sound, the right effects, the right mix. Compressors, Reverbs, Chorus, Echo, EQ, moving notes, overdubbing, and the list goes on. I love it.
I was introduced to the studio by James Stroud, my elementary lessons were from Joey Holder, and my advanced lessons came from Ken Halford. These three men created a life long passion in me for music production. To them, Thanks.
It's amazing how many times you can listen to a single song. I was searching for the right sound, the right effects, the right mix. Compressors, Reverbs, Chorus, Echo, EQ, moving notes, overdubbing, and the list goes on. I love it.
I was introduced to the studio by James Stroud, my elementary lessons were from Joey Holder, and my advanced lessons came from Ken Halford. These three men created a life long passion in me for music production. To them, Thanks.
May 16, 2008
Pouring Out Your Soul
We are getting ready to start recording an album. We have several hours of music for our live sets. The songs are tight. And, we love them.
So what do we record? I am writing some tunes, trying to pour out my soul in song. If this was a Stephen King album, it would be all blues. That's where I am. Every day is a struggle. I feel like I live the song "Every day I have the Blues". But then the reality is, I love life. It is a dichotomy that keeps me writing. We have Jazz influences that are really kicking in. John and Tim are stretching themselves technically. Garret is growing from youth to wise young man. All of these growths will play a major part of this album.
Stay tuned, It will be worth the wait. Off 61 Album #1 will be blessed of God. It will minister to us as we write and record. I pray y'all can ride the blessing with us.
So what do we record? I am writing some tunes, trying to pour out my soul in song. If this was a Stephen King album, it would be all blues. That's where I am. Every day is a struggle. I feel like I live the song "Every day I have the Blues". But then the reality is, I love life. It is a dichotomy that keeps me writing. We have Jazz influences that are really kicking in. John and Tim are stretching themselves technically. Garret is growing from youth to wise young man. All of these growths will play a major part of this album.
Stay tuned, It will be worth the wait. Off 61 Album #1 will be blessed of God. It will minister to us as we write and record. I pray y'all can ride the blessing with us.
May 15, 2008
Great Christian Blues SIte
Looking for some great Christian Blues Tunes? Check these guys out.
www.christianblues.net
One day, Off 61 will have an album here.
www.christianblues.net
One day, Off 61 will have an album here.
Thud!
It's been a few weeks. My laptop crashed and I've been a little busy. It has taken some time to get back up and running. But I'm back.
We are working on the summer schedule for the band. And, i can say it's looking good. Check out off61.com for concert details.
We are working on the summer schedule for the band. And, i can say it's looking good. Check out off61.com for concert details.
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