Dave Griney from Selinsgrove Pa. has contributed 2 very nice songs. Seems his father and grandfather were gifted musicians also. Thanks Dave! (He sent me a whole CD of original music, two of which will become part of the SONGPAINTER collection.)
----------------------------------------- O.k. Pierre, and You too, Mark Fair...your contributions could push this past the 10 song mark!
Lets do it guys! Were almost there! -------------------------
Anybody else is still welcome to send in an original song about the sign biz written and professionaly recorded (it has to sound good as in "high quality recording" in which your own personal computer is cabable of producing, ask Joe Rees) If I know you are still trying contribute, we will roll back the deadline of Sept 30th to give you more time. (We've rolled it back 5 months already, a little more roll back time is not a problem.
SONGPAINTER sign music by sign people (title by Mark Fair) is a collection of original music, written and recorded by people who are in some way involved in the sign industry. The contributed songs remain the artisit's property and limited rights to their music include being part of the collection of songs of SONGPAINTER which will be sold as a fund raiser to help fund community improvements right here in Letterville, Planet Earth. The contibutor does not receive monetary compensation, but will get to have his music heard by hundreds of interested folks, be a part of what we feel is a historical development in the Letterhead movement, and pass something down to your kids, grand kids and future generations of Letterheads.
Songpainter 2 is already being planned and all the artists that contribute to this collection can brainstorm a fundraisng activity or a fund a Letterhead meet for Musical Letterheads.
As we move forward with this project, it may be possible to enhance each others music. For instance, if someone gets the song written, but can't sing (like me) the vocal track can be added later by another contributor, or even just a Letterhead that can sing really well. If you only play guitar and feel like you need more instruments to enrich the sound, someone with a keyboard, (like me) could add in the harmony tracks.
There are a lot of possibilities. Over the winter months we will try to organize the Letterheads that can sing vocals, play an instrument, write poetry (song lyric) to help enhance the music.
E-mail me!
------------------ Draper The Signmaker Bloomington Illinois USA
Get To A Letterhead Meet This Summer! See you there! 309-828-7110 drapersigns@hotmail.com Draper_Dave on mIRC chat
[This message has been edited by Dave Draper (edited August 10, 2001).]
Posts: 2883 | From: Bloomington Illinois USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
hey dave, i hope to have ya something soon, we have been in the studio and as soon as i get a cd, i will send it to ya. i don't have anything that is sign related yet. is it okay if it is just an original tune???
posted
here ya go dave, i hope this works! the quality is not as good as it would be if i had taken it from a CD source.(i recorded from my cassete player at work)
it is a real audio file, might take a little bit to start streaming from the server if you have a slow connection...
posted
Are you still needing it remastered and a RedBook made?
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
I am able to arrange the songs in any order on the order on the CD as my son has a CD copier machine.
Then I can make copies, but it is very time consuming. So making more than ten is a nightmare.
The songs sound great as they are, and when placed on a CD they all sound as if they were mixed at a studio.
Once we get all the song in the proper order then we will send you several copies and you can be the final judge as to what needs to be done before they are massed produced.
Mark You are a truley gifted person. The Songpainter collection has to follow the theme of sign related material. There are bigger powers getting interested in this if it goes over. They are watching, and waiting. So, yeah, we have to keep all the songs sign related.
At one time we were asking those song writers if they could just change the words to a song they already have written so that it is sign related, just for this collection.
Professional song writers sometimes have several lyric possibilities to one melody. Anyway, if at all possible, write some new words for the melody to make it work. This collection isn't set in stone and you still retain all rights to your music. This is only a one time collection for use by the Letterville only. Songpainter 2, or what ever its called will skew off into a whole new direction.
------------------ Draper The Signmaker Bloomington Illinois USA
Get To A Letterhead Meet This Summer! See you there! 309-828-7110 drapersigns@hotmail.com Draper_Dave on mIRC chat
Posts: 2883 | From: Bloomington Illinois USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Hooray for Dave Griney - I was beginning to think this project was in permanent limbo. Comeon, we can do it. Mark, sorry, I downloaded Angelwings but couldn't play it (yet). Got that in an mp3?
Dave, I was thinking, I've got three more songs finished that I could take the vocals out of and replace with either new lyrics or just guitar licks playing the melody as instrumentals if that helps. I don't want to capitalize this project. I'm still hopful for new recruits like Mr. Griney. But if there's a need at the end to get it filled out, let me know.
posted
hey dave, my problem is hours in the day. i work fulltime at my one man sighshop, then on weekends i play in a band. i have never been one of those songwriters that just sit down and say, "I am gonna write a song about..."
great melodies are hard to find and i would rather not take an exsisting melody and try and write "new" words to it about signs.
after all there are very few words that rhyme with "VINYL" LOL maybe i will have something for "songpainter 2".
I have more songs also, and with your additional songs we do indeed have enough music for the first CD.
Like you, I wanted SONGPAINTER to be a collection from a wide variety of sign folk. A couple of songs from 5 or 6 artists was the original intention.
It is a little frustrating because I have a list of people who could contribute and for some reason I can't light a fire under them to get them to contribute, even though they have been enthusiastic about this project from the beginning.
So, go ahead, work up your songs and I will work up a couple more of mine. We will then have a the number count we need.
On page 10 of the August 2001 Sign Builder Illustrated magazine, (just getting to the sign shops this week) the editor of the magazine, Jeff Wooten, put an unexpected plug in about our music CD project. I had discused this project with him and sent him a copy of our proto-type Music CD...and I guess he was very impressed, impressed enough to write what he did. It may help us to locate more sign/music artists who are willing to contribute.
I view this as an ongoing project in terms of forever. This is not a one time music CD that ends with the first collection. I'm confident this project will grow and blossom long after my fingers are aged with arthritis and can no longer play. Someone else will step in time to carry on.
------------------ Draper The Signmaker Bloomington Illinois USA
Get To A Letterhead Meet This Summer! See you there! DUCK SOUP SPLATTER JAM Sept. 14,15,16 Somewhere in Alabama -------------------- 309-828-7110 drapersigns@hotmail.com Draper_Dave on mIRC chat
Posts: 2883 | From: Bloomington Illinois USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Davey, be aware that assembling these original cuts on your computer will NOT produce a redbook CD suitable for mastering. Unless you edit and master these pieces on the appropriate unit and laser burn a Redbook master, you're going to end up with a second rate soundfile CD. A mastering lab will immediately recognize that it's not Redbook.
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
posted
I should add that it will be pointless to send me a group of sound files that have already been assembled into one CD on your computer. The sound quality will already have been reduced by that process.
I should also add that if you do, in fact, have a 32 bit ad/da, and editing system and a redbook burner, then you don't need us anyway.
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
[This message has been edited by pierre (edited August 12, 2001).]
The copies of Songpainter that I assembled are made from a CD to CD copy machine. NOT THE COMPUTER. Have Rosemary explain this to you....that kid of yours is a real gem!
I have all the Original individual CDs as well.
You will get EVERYTHING you need to work with, but, you have to send me back the ORIGINAL recordings when you are through so I can return them to Joe Rees and Dave Grinley, and me!
This red thingy you speak of is over my head, so Rosemary is gonna have to explain that to me. ( I thought recording studios needed a D.A.T. format, of which I don't have anyway.
I better send you what I have this week and so you can see what problems we have inadvertanly created for you. At least you will get a kick out of the songs if nothing else.
------------------ Draper The Signmaker Bloomington Illinois USA
Get To A Letterhead Meet This Summer! See you there! DUCK SOUP SPLATTER JAM Sept. 14,15,16 Somewhere in Alabama -------------------- 309-828-7110 drapersigns@hotmail.com Draper_Dave on mIRC chat
Posts: 2883 | From: Bloomington Illinois USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
No way! I intend marketing the originals individually and retiring on the proceeds. I saw she had been posting a bit while I was gone. Real "edgy" little girl, isn't she. Wonder where she gets that?
Anyway, you're right. I do need the untouched originals. As for the DAT copy, it's not necessary if the Redbook CD is sent to the mastering lab. I usually do supply a DAT copy anyway just for safety and a record of the process. The DAT copy is recorded back from the Redbook CD for accuracy. Chances are that not much has to be done to the originals anyway other than possible EQ manipulation. Let me know. If you're happy with what you already have, no problem.
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
posted
hey joe rees, here a "large" mp3 file... a lot better quality audio file than a "real audio" file.(.rm) for those that have a slow internet connection...(other than DSL) BEWARE: this a 7 meg file that you will download to listen too....
posted
Mark! I LOVE it! Is that you singing? What a super recording. Everything is clear and rich and a nice song idea. I'm going to be bummed if you con't get something in on this. If you don't care to substitite different lyrics, consider replacing them with straight guitar of piano leads. It would make a nice addition.
I gotta tell you, as I listened to that song I could easily imagine your voice telling the story of the abandoned sign kit that doesn't get used much anymore. The brushes 'that used to have wings' that now sit on the shelf with the 'other old things'. Hmmm, think about it. Anybody want to author some lyrics for Mark?
I have decided to take the vocals out of three more songs I have finished and replace them with guitar and keyboard melodies. I have a keyboard playing friend working on it already in her head. Next week we'll probably try to get some licks down and turn these into instrumentals. Unless I take some of my own medicine and cook up alternate lyrics instead. We'll see. At any rate I'm relieved to see this project making headway.
posted
thanks joe, yep, thats me singing the lead vocals and playing the acoustic guitar, my wife susan sings backup vocals on this cut.
songwriting is a special thing for me. it is distraction from the dog eat dog sign business.
click here...http://www.markfair.com/signcrap
i have been writing for a long time now.
my tunes have been recorded by Kathy Mattea, Claire Lynch, Mark Johnson, John Starling(music director of the first Trio album(Dolly, Linda and EmmyLou), Ricky Skaggs' guitar player, "Lou Reed and Carolina", as well as bluegrass groups in canada and japan.
i haven't made enough money so far to give up my day job.(LOL)
there is a song there somewhere about sign painters and such. i have never been one of those songwriters that say hey!!!! i will write a song about....
let's write something....
my most sucessful tune to date is one i co-wrote with Claire Lynch. "Hills of Alabam'" recorded by Kathy Matthea on her CMA album of the year, "Willow in the Wind"
posted
Mark's schtuff is pretty good, but don't let anyone else's talent intimidate you guys. Do your best and it'll be appreciated. There are definite differences between Joe Pass and Joe Perry. Everyone appreciates variety. Don't remove your vocals, Joe. I know I'd like to hear them.
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
posted
This is so cool! Geez....I wish I could sing. But I have been told on numerous occasions to 'give it up'. I can't wait to hear this CD when it's finished.
------------------ surf or MoJo on mirc Cheryl J Nordby Signs by Cheryl Seattle WA.....! signsbycheryl@hotmail.com
posted
Mark, I didn't know your songs had been published - that must feel great.
Pierre, I'm taking the existing vocals out to make new versions for this project only. When the time comes, I'll send the original cuts along too for your comparison. They have nothing to do with signs though.
Cheryl, you can't believe what software can do to your voice. Between reverb, delay, compression, chorus, and auto-tune programs, a studio could have you sounding like a million bucks. I wouldn't have the nerve to include ANY of my own voice if it weren't for these miracles.
posted
No sweat, Joe. Send them along, I'll master them and dump them to a CD. You just pay shipping and the blank CD cost. The RedBook type are about $2.75 because I buy them 1,000 at a time.
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
posted
Oooh Pierre, you'll 'master' my non-songpainter cuts?! Too cool. That procedure is a total mystery to me. I'll very much look forward to hearing the before and after comparison.
posted
Yeah.......I am playing Pat Benetar's "I FEEL LUCKY!"...........and I DO sound good. Damn good. K........where's the microphone? where is the nearest recording studio.............where is my backup?
------------------ surf or MoJo on mirc Cheryl J Nordby Signs by Cheryl Seattle WA.....! signsbycheryl@hotmail.com
posted
We'll do it, Joe. Not a big deal. we use Digidesign ProTools in the computer for editing/mastering. We use a Pinnacle 1,000 CD burner and have 32 bit capability. We prefer recording to our Sony/MCI JH24 2" 24 track analog machine, but we mix down to digital and analog simultaneously. I greatly prefer analog. It's much warmer and not as edgy/harsh sounding as pure digital.
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
posted
C'mon, Marcus. You misread me. It wasn't about you at all. It was about anyone being intimdated by anyone else's talent. I don't know how to send soundfiles, Mark. I know just enough about computers to run both studios, not much more. We're a small potatoes outfit that caters to select projects. We only do it because we enjoy doing it, and , unfortunately, the bucks aren't big for us either. NW Montana doesn't have the money for big productions. We've done many hundreds of CDs for Nashville hopefuls, and five albums that went national out of our little hole in the wall over the years. Most projects here are done by groups that bring in their own engineers and producers. As long as they show us their engineer can run the equipment, we just babysit the control room. They like the mountains and the quiet, so we have a small rep for being accommodating. We keep a low profile and keep the studio bills paid, that's about it. No advertising or promotion. We like it that way. We also have the only 2"x24 track in the state. (at least since we last checked the register) That's montana!
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
posted
I'm upping the ante - Just recorded something comletely new this week that will work great for this CD. Just a two part acoustic blues jam with foot stomping. After listening to it in my car the past couple days some lyrics are formulatin' in my cranium. I'm still sorting them out but the concept will be about mixing colors of paint. Stand by for "The 152 Blues".
Ok, I got some new notes popping also. Lets trash the Sept. deadline and move it back to Octoberfest.
Maybe this collection will be ready by the holiday season, when everybody is in GOOOOOOOOD MOOOOOOOOD!
------------------ Draper The Signmaker Bloomington Illinois USA
Get To A Letterhead Meet This Summer! See you there! DUCK SOUP SPLATTER JAM Sept. 14,15,16 Somewhere in Alabama -------------------- 309-828-7110 drapersigns@hotmail.com Draper_Dave on mIRC chat
Posts: 2883 | From: Bloomington Illinois USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Hahaha, The 152 Blues is turning out real cool! In addition to the two dueling acoustic guitars, I couldn't resist the temptation to add a groovin' bass line too. Best bass thump I ever recorded. And I added some tamborine to some parts. This thing has no real drum track and doesn't seem to need it - the foot stomps and finger snapping are all the percussion it seems to need. The best part is the vocals are done now too and they turned out great. It's even funny. The funniest part is I unexpectedly ended up trying a deep male vocal harmony on the chorus that worked out so well I need to keep it. But since it sounds odd for me to be doing both parts, my Partner Dick Clark is going to step up to the mic and perform for us. This should be a hoot! Two for the price of one! He's got a demo of the song to practice on over the weekend and we'll lay down his part Monday.
Just tonight I finished revamping one of my existing songs to be an instrumental. Lots of textures with acoustic and electric guitar and full bass and drum tracks, even synthesizer. That'll come to you as The Sable Swing. Two more are pending rewrites. One of those is the full length version of a very short ditty I already sent in to Dave called Sweep The Shop. I havn't decided whether to keep it as a pure instrumental or invent some lyrics for it. We'll have to see what kind of time and inspiration next week brings. This is a lot of fun.
I now have 7 additional instramentals formed and pretty well organized, but not ready to record just yet.
But....
I was playing one of the instramental songs I have been working on for over two years, and the CD title "Songpainter" theme unfolded into lyric and the whole thing works!
I write romantic songs, and a little Jazz, as you already know. Rock is more obscure to me. I cut my teeth on Henry Mancini, Burt Bacharach, John Williams.
So, The title CD cut "Songpainter" will be a romantic theme about a sign painter and a song writer that are married, working side by side every day and of course a child is born through this loving relationship and this child is SONGPAINTER, who carries their gift or talents into the next generation.
Later,
------------------ Draper The Signmaker Bloomington Illinois USA
Get To A Letterhead Meet This Summer! See you there! DUCK SOUP SPLATTER JAM Sept. 14,15,16 Somewhere in Alabama -------------------- 309-828-7110 drapersigns@hotmail.com Draper_Dave on mIRC chat
Posts: 2883 | From: Bloomington Illinois USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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(He sent me a whole CD of original music, two of which will become part of the SONGPAINTER collection.)
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