Travelin' Man

Hello internet world! I've been out exploring. In fact, I'm in Austin Texas right now rehearsing to do a musical comedy later on in the month and into April. Not to say that I haven't been coming up with good ideas, it's just that I've been a little busy and where I'm staying is not too conducive for writing or idea generating. But, here in Austin is SXSW, a large media, music, new technology and film festival and it's given me a lot of ideas. Well, not a lot of ideas, but some. This idea is more of a throwaway idea but I thought I'd put it down in cyberspace. I was watching American Idol (not something I watch) with my temporary roommate Robert and I noticed that many of the singers were playing guitars. They all had simple straps to hold their guitar to their body and for some strange reason I thought how cool it'd be if the strap was a recycled automobile seat belt, complete with the shiny silver buckle. You could buckle the strap tight when you wear the guitar and get a firmer hold onto your body. It's also a way to reclaim salvaged material and would add a bit of flair to any performer. Okay, yeah, not the best idea but something worth thinking about. While you think about that, here's a picture of Austin.

The End: An album

I play music. Well, I play the ukulele and sing. I'd consider it music but high art it isn't. A few weeks ago I played the ukulele at a friends wedding during the bridesmaids walk down the aisle. The song I played was the mashup Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a wonderful world made famous by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole. While I played the song I came up with the idea of recording a concept album or rather a cover album wherein I play only the last songs from some of the most popular albums in musical history. The Beatles Abbey Road I would play Her Majesty. Since it is listed it's considered the last song and not a secret track or a throwaway. Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon last track is Eclipse. Joni Mitchell's Blue would be The Last Time I saw Richard. And so on. Now, obviously this is not high on my to-do list. But it is something I would like to work on and I have a few friends who are better musicians than me that could help me make a decent run at this. But, give me a little time and check back or better yet, write in and offer up some of your last tracks from your favorite albums.

For music players

I've been playing some live shows recently with my ukulele and there are a few things that bother me about the microphone stands currently being used. First, they have large bases, usually a tripod base or a heavy circular stand. These get in the way of what I like to call feet and they also get tangled in the amplification cords. That's not the biggest problem though. What I see as a problem is that the top part of the stand with the microphone doesn't extend far enough out to the mouth or if playing an acoustic instrument doesn't reach the instrument close enough. Here's my idea: A curved top part that bows out to the singer or under to the instrument. It would have the ability to be retracted internally to fit the height of the player. The base would also be smaller and the weight would be in the frame. I'd also use a pyramid type base instead of a tripod or a circular weighted base. If it was good enough for the Egyptians, a pyramid is perfectly good for a dude hosting poetry night. I need to draw up this idea more, but I think if done right, could catch on. Oh, and I'd change the microphone clamp, it's too awkard to pull a microphone out or put it in. I'd use a sliding grip wherein you place the mic on the top and slide a cylinder up and over the middle of the microphone. Again, pictures would help. How's that for an idea? Okay, off to a comedy show.