Category: Kids

Sun Kissed the Sea by Shores of Apollo

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This is a treat for me! Shores of Apollo is one of my former student’s, Victor’s, band. It is always cool to see someone who has taken lessons from me that continues to make music, but, even cooler to see them flourish!

Victor was always really musical even at a young age. Must run in the family as his dad is a pretty good drummer too.

This song has a really cool mix of heavy-ness and dream like melodies. The bands Facebook page states that, ‘all current recording are works in progress.’ Can’t wait for the final versions then. Keep on rocking Victor…and please keep me posted of your upcoming shows and projects!

Check this video out, there are some great guitarists and musicians coming out of the Poway area!

Shores of Apollo Facebook Fan Page
Enjoy!

Good Times, Good Food, Good Friends, Good Wine & Music at Orfila Vineyards & Winery

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This week was filled with projects, students, arranging music and rehearsals. I finally have a chance to write about last weekends event at Orfila Vineyards & Winery in Escondido! What a great time!! There were lots of friends who came out to relax on a Saturday afternoon. It was great to see you all, play for you and hang too.

If you haven’t been to the winery yet it is a must see San Diego destination. Great place to enjoy a picnic lunch a beverage and just relax. It is kid friendly and they have a blast running and playing as parents rest their bones! All the employs  are chill and super helpful. Nice selection of wines and the best…you dont have to drive to Temecula or take an extended trip to Paso Robles or Napa.

Relaxing at Orfila Concert

In addition to the music, the wine and the food they also had Katy Doherty of KD Custom Jewelry with some very cool items available. From my seat on stage she seemed to be a fan favorite keeping busy ALL day and the kids loved her too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I definitely recommend you pay them a visit…and how about on Aug 24, 3:30-6:30 as I will be back there for another go and looking forward to it!

Hope to see you there!

American Idol Live Season 11 Tour Setlist

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Check here for my review of the San Diego American Idol show.

 

Post updated July 16

Here is a link to one of my favorite websites regarding the AI Live Setlist

Setlist.fm Check this link for the most recent setlists of AI and your favorite bands on tour.

America are you ready to see your favorites?

The 2012 final ten have kicked off their tour and are headed to a town near you!

The top ten this year include winner Phillip Phillips and runner up Jessica Sanchez from my hometown San Diego, Chula Vista more precisely. Also on tour are; Joshua Ledet, who I thought was the best pure singer this season, rockers; Elise Testone, Colton Dixon, and Erika Van Pelt, crooners; Heejun Han, Deandre Brackensick and the two pint size powerhouses; Hollie Cavanagh and Skylar Laine.

Below is the setlist as reported by Michele Amabile Angermiller on The Hollywood Reporter website. Check out the article for more info on the tour and videos!

I will keep an eye out for updates setlists if they become available!

If you see one of the shows please leave some feedback below.  I will see the tour in San Diego at the end of July.

Enjoy!

Set List:

Top 9 – “Sing” My Chemical Romance

Deandre Brackensick – “Master Blaster”  Stevie Wonder

Skylar Laine and Hollie Cavanagh – “Undo It”  Carrie Underwood

Erika Van Pelt – “Glitter in the Air” Pink

Colton Dixon, Erika Van Pelt, Joshua Ledet, Hollie Cavanagh – “Moves Like Jagger” Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera

Heejun Han – “Green Light” John Legend

Heejun Han with Deandre Brackensick and Jessica Sanchez -“Party Rock” LMFAO

Boys – “Everybody Talks”  Neon Trees (Without Phillips)

Elise Testone – “Whole Lotta Love”  Led Zepplin

Elise Testone (backing vocals by Erika Van Pelt and Deandre Brackensick) – “Rumour Has It” Adele

Colton Dixon – “Meant To Live” Switchfoot

Colton Dixon – “Never Gone” (Original Song)

Colton Dixon – Piano Man by Billy Joel

Top 9 – “Just The Way You Are”/”What Makes You Beautiful” Billy Joel/One Direction (Without Phillips)

INTERMISSION

Jessica Sanchez– “Best Thing I Never Had”  Beyonce

Jessica Sanchez (backing vocals by Deandre Brackensick and Joshua Ledet)– “How Come You Don’t Call Me Any More” Prince

Jessica Sanchez (backing vocals by Deandre Brackensick and Joshua Ledet) – “Proud Mary”  Ike and Tina Turner

Skylar Laine – “Gunpowder and Lead”  Miranda Lambert

Skylar Laine – “Stay With Me”  The Faces

Hollie Cavanagh (backing vocals by Elise Testone and Erika Van Pelt) – “Rolling in the Deep”  Adele

Hollie Cavanagh – “Give Your Heart a Break” Demi Lovato

Joshua Ledet (backing vocals by Elise Testone, Deandre Brakensick, Erika Van Pelt)– “Runaway Baby”  Bruno Mars

Joshua Ledet – It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” James Brown

Joshua Ledet and Jessica Sanchez – “I Knew You Were Waiting For Me”  George Michael and Aretha Franklin

Phillip Phillips – “Superstition”  Stevie Wonder

Phillip Phillips – “Nice and Slow”  Usher

Phillip Phillips and Elise Testone – “Somebody That I Used to Know”  Goyte

Phillip Phillips with Jessica Sanchez – “Volcano”  Damien Rice

Phillip Phillips with Colton Dixon and Deandre Brackensick – “Home”

Girls – “Raise Your Glass” Pink

All – “Glad You Came” The Wanted

Concert Ticket Sticker Shock! Save the Children

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Remember when Rock & Roll was ‘about the music’ …?

After going to the big Van Halen, David Lee Roth reunion show the other day I experienced some ticket sticker shock. The concert was a blast and my wife and I had a great night with some friends, but, really? Don’t they know the economy sucks? Well I guess it’s not that bad since people still go to concerts, and have Iphones and fill up their gas guzzlers…

Before I stashed my ticket away with a bunch of old concert tix, I took a close look. I am not one to complain about prices. I can either afford something or not, but, the dollar numbers really got me thinking…

The tickets were $79 each. So for me and my wife it was a $160 date night. Nope, there was a $16.50 fee per ticket on top of that. Okay now we are at a $200 date night which doesn’t even include dinner, trolley tickets, etc. Like I said…it is what it is and I can buy or not buy depending on if it is worth it to me.

But as I am putting the ticket stub away for safe keeping I took a look at the prices of some of my old concert tickets. All the shows I went to in high school, the tickets themselves, were less than the current $16.50 ticket fee…what the heck? How can any kid afford to go to a concert these days?

Some of my old concert tickets

Minimum wage in California is $8 last I checked. A Justin Bieber fan would have to work two hours plus just to pay the ticket ‘fees’, without the ticket. That’s not even accounting for taxes deducted from their paychecks.

So if a kid today wants to take a date to a concert at roughly $200 that kid would have to work approximately 33 hours. Just for a crappy mid-hall concert ticket. How many high school kids even work 33 hours a week? No wonder they rip so much music for free online. I always thought I would have to help put my daughter through college or help her buy her first house. Didn’t realize I needed to start her a concert ticket fund.

Guess the economy is not so bad…

12 NOTES & THE TRUTH!

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Our music is based on 12 notes!

That’s it!

No more!

“12 Notes & the Truth!,” this blog,  focuses on everything those 12 little notes offer.

These 12 notes not only make up the music of every band and artist we listen to but make the world go ’round, as well.

“12 Notes & the Truth!,” will cover anything and everything in music that strikes a chord

with myself and hopefully you, as well!.

Guitar music, pop styles, jazz, classical and the social issues attached to them all will be featured in the blog.

Expect a little high brow education,  low brow comedy and anything between that helps convey the world of music

in my head. Of course I will let you know what I am up to from time to time, as well, performances, projects, etc.

You can follow the blog:

from this site or on

Facebook: Mike Slayen Studios

Twitter: @mikeslayen

However you do follow come back early and often to check out “12 Notes & the Truth!” and feel free to comment on the posts.

From one music lover to another I will try to live up to these 12 notes and their truth.

Guitar Practicing Tips- Keep it Out

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Have you ever been walking around your house bored and say, ‘Ooooh I am gonna practice my guitar?’ You find that it is in the case, tucked in a room you never practice in and a full stack of junk on top. You know, just like your gym equipment….’Maybe I’ll practice later…’

It happens to the best of us!

One way to avoid this is to keep your guitar out of the case, of course you want to make sure you find a safe spot for it. Also keep it in a room you frequent so you can pick it up at anytime. If it is staring you in the face you are more likely to pick it up. If you pick it up you can get in a quick practice session. If you get in a quick session who knows it may turn into a full blown practice session.

Keep your guitar out, keep it protected and keep it where you can easily pick it up at anytime!

Keep practicing!!!

Guitar Practicing Tips – If You Can’t Practice Everyday…

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What is the most important day to practice? Well everyday of course!

If you are taking lessons or attending classes, however, there is a best day. It is either the day of(afterwards) or the day after your lesson. When you learn something new you need to reinforce the concepts and muscle actions ASAP. If you wait until the next day and then you get an unexpected invite, then the next day the kids need you, the next day you already had plans….etc., by now half a week or more has passed. It is easy to forget exactly what you were supposed to be focusing on. If you miss a day after you already practiced your new stuff you have a better chance of remembering everything.

So that said jump on it as soon as you can!

Keep practicing!!!