Tag: san diego

When Music & Sports Collide, Trevor Hoffman, HOF

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If you ask pro athletes many say they want to be musicians. If you ask musicians many want to be pro athletes. I still have the occasional recurring dream that the Padres manager tells me to grab a bat! Im in the show!

Grass is always greener I guess….I think we gravitate towards the things we should for a reason. I was a good baseball /football player as a kid but guitar won out…then as I got more serious about music, sports become the enemy…one funky catch and mess up a finger… skateboards are the devil…as a classical guitarist even a broken fingernail is no bueno!

There are those rare dual threats like my cousin Chase d’ Arnaud…plays  MLB for the San Francisco Giants (formerly Padres, Red Sox, Braves, Pirates)  and sings and plays guitar professionally on the side.

Every player and team has ‘their’ song these days. But there are a few cool music/sports combos that have true identity and transcend time. The Chicago Bulls-Sirius from the Alan Parsons Project. The NFL’s incessant use of Start Me Up/Crazy Train/Machine Head and a few others over the decades.

If you are from San Diego you know…

Hells Bells-Trevor Hoffman!

Milwaukee got a taste too…if you are a baseball fan that pays attention outside of your own team you know and for a good decade when The Bells rang San Diego sports fans went nuts. The Bells meant victory was coming!

Trevor enters the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame this weekend. One of the few greats in San Diego sports history and only the second true Padre to enter the Hall following Tony Gwynn.

Congrats Trevor! Thanks for staying loyal to San Diego as few athletes have!!

 

 

Dude CD is DONE!!!!!

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Started recording Aug 30, 2017 – Completed with CD’s in hand Dec. 21, 2017.

47 Days past the November 4, release date I expected…and lets just say ‘slightly’ over budget….

Lots of late nights…writing, arranging and practicing parts to prepare for studio sessions!

Was a blast!!!! I’m ready to start the next one!! Actually I’ve already been writing new music.

Thanks to everyone who supported the Indigogo Funding campaign/Pre-Sale of the project…it is GREATLY appreciated and was crucial to help complete the CD.

For those of you who ordered I will start sending them out shortly.

There is still plenty more for those of you who didn’t get in early.

Commemorative mugs still available too!

Also look for it soon online at iTunes, Amazon and all…for those of you clutter-less folks who don’t want hard copies.

Look for the CD Release party at Oceanside Ale Works in February or March…details to be supplied as they are set.

 

$10 Pre-sale of My Upcoming CD, Less Than 2 Weeks Left

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Hey Everyone,

Be A Part Of Mike's New CD!
Want your picture in the Dude label and placed on the back of the CD? Click to find out how!

Ive been burning the midnight oil getting this CD to completion. It is an amazing process to write, arrange, record and manufacture a project like this. It has been a blast!!

Your pre-purchase of the CD and other merchandise goes directly to funding the completion of the project and making it the best it can be!!

There are also other items you can purchase…Commemorative beer mugs($1 off fills), a chance to PLAY on the CD, a tax deductible sponsorship w your picture on the back of the CD in a Dude label…

Thanks to all those who’ve already contributed!!! Please share with all your #guitar and #craftbeer friends!!!

CD Pre-Sale

Don’t forget the big CD Release Party November 4 at Oceanside Ale Works!!

Thanks,

Mike

DUDE CD, Days 1 & 2

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Be A Part Of Mike's New CD!

Day one started with a trip to the Dr.  due to a pinched sciatic nerve…now I am on steroids…works for athletes we’ll see how it gets me through the CD’s completion…lol I was up until 3:30 AM working on the music so I guess I am PUMPED up! Only problem is I was up at 7:30 AM to hit the pavement.

Campaign Update:

No sooner then the campaign was released the first backer purchased the Guitar/Craftbeer Aficionado package(Includes the CD, VIP invite to CD Release Party(Nov 4, 2017) and a commemorative beer mug($1 off fills at Oceanside Ale Works for life of mug) Thanks to Risa Lin for being the first contributor and sparing me any time of looking at a $0 goose egg!! We have never met but she is part of the Slayen clan who settled in Canada probably over 100 years ago before my grandfather moved to California. Thank you Risa!!!! Of course mom and Aunt Diane were right there at the beginning too!

Special thanks to our first sponsor, as well!! Eric Schweinfurter of Apex Contracting & Restoration, came in early on day 2. The tax-deductible sponsorship package offers: your image in the DUDE label which will be prominently featured on the back of the CD, among other perks including VIP and early entrance to the CD Release Party. Just like the name says Apex can help you with all your contracting AND restoration needs!!!

And of course many of the awesome items we are offering contributors would not be possible without the agernous support of Mark Purciel and Oceanside Ale Works. If you haven’t been make sure you go, if not before, then definitely  on Nov 4 for the CD release party!

Cheers,

Mike

Pachelbel Canon in Drop D

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I have certainly played  Canon in D at several weddings, but, never like this!

Although I would be glad to offer this version for an adventurous young couple…

Kudos to this bride and groom for tying the knot through their love of guitar…and hopefully each other of course!

 

 

http://www.guitarworld.com/video-bride-and-groom-play-loud-electric-guitar-duet-during-wedding-procession

Run Forrest Run, Music & Movin’

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Anyone who works out with their headphones knows how awesome it is when you get a big lift from your favorite song. Or hearing a cool tune you would have never picked shuffle through on your picturesque jog… With 1000s of songs on my iPod I almost always shuffle.

I’ve always thought it would be cool, interesting, perhaps even motivating to write about each playlist and the music’s effect on myself and the workout. Then I thought that might be kind of boring. Then I thought, “Yeah,” I was right…on both counts. 😉

Really just another chance to talk about music!

January 17, 2014

4 mile jog, plus

You know its gonna be a good run when the first 2.5 miles are all your favorites!

“Sinner’s Swing,” -Van Halen

“You’ve Got Another Thing Coming,” -Judas Priest

“Circles,” -Joe Satriani

“After Forever,” -Black Sabbath

“Big Bad Will (Is Sweet William Now),” -Van Halen

“Moby Dick,” -Led Zeppelin

“Nobody Does it Better,” Carly Simon

“Symphony no 96 in D Major, 1st Mvmnt,” -Franz Joseph Haydn

“Poison My Eyes,” -Anthrax

“Symphony No. 3 in D Minor, 3rd Mvmnt,” -Gustav Mahler

None of the songs specifically effected me on the run today. It was just cool to have so many of my favorites  play. “Moby Dick,” was probably the coolest song of the run. Nothing like a mile and a half drum solo from John Bonham to keep you going! Carly Simon might seem like the odd song out, but, I was already in a groove and I like that song.

“Poison My Eyes,” is probably my favorite Anthrax song. I like the heaviness and progressiveness of it. Also because I don’t know a lot of their music…any of my metal bloggers out there have any Anthrax recommendations?

Full disclosure: It was about 85o degrees this morning in San Diego, all apologies to the rest of the northern hemisphere. So the rock n roll laden playlist was definitely appreciated to beat the heat.

Michael Schenker, Bridge the Gap Setlist & Concert Review

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Schenker 2014This past Saturday night, legendary rock/metal guitarist once again brought his Flying V’s to San Diego. This time out in the sticks a bit to the Ramona Main Stage.

Seeing Schenker, one of my earliest and greatest musical influences, is always special and never a let down. The man can play! Plus, in the ‘stranger than fiction’ category, my old pal, San Diegan, Wayne Findlay, now tours and records with the band as keyboardist/guitarist.

BTW happy belated Birthdays to Michael and Wayne, both January 10 babies!

It’s always easy to review a Schenker show….masterful guitar work, great sound, energetic band. This show lived up to all! Only drawback…the stage was too low! Since they set up tables you can’t really get to the front and see Michael’s hands! Ramona MainStage is a cool venue and I recommend you get up there as they have some great acts coming though in an intimate venue….but, they either need to raise the stage a bit or clear out the tables and let a rock n roll show happen! I know some of the aging rockers now days like to get a table and relax and watch a show, but c’mon rock n roll is rock n roll!!!! You’re past selves would have kicked those walkers out from under your present selves and you know it!

Another oddity at Schenker shows… I am always surprised how much the crowd seems to know the UFO songs over his solo work. Maybe because  I am a bit younger than the average fan…lol! Love the UFO stuff but I was raised on his first four solo albums and always want to hear more of those songs! This show did replace a few of the UFO tunes from recent tours with the aforementioned. Even played Assault Attack from the likewise titled 80s album. One of my top five albums All Time!

Since I was not able to find the current tour setlist any where beforehand thought I would do my best to represent the San Diego show here.

Michael Schenker, Bridge the Gap Setlist, Jan. 11, 2014 San Diego

Neptune Rising*

Rock My Nights Away

Cry for the Nations

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

Assault Attack

Lovedrive

Another Piece of Meat

Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead

Attack of the Mad Axeman

Where the Wild Winds Blow*

Horizons*

Shoot Shoot

Let it Roll

Lights Out

Rock Bottom

Encore

Into the Arena

Armed and Ready

Doctor Doctor

*Since I hadn’t had a chance to hear the brand new album, “Bridge the Gap,” I estimated these titles as best I could.

Here’s to a Musical 2014!

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Been a great year on many fronts. Day to day it was great, life and work, enjoyable and getting better, although, overall it was a weird year and I can’t really say I am sorry to see 2013 in the rearview mirror.

Blogging was waaaay in the backseat this year, for many reasons. To ALL my fans and followers(mom) I greatly apologize.

Still there were a few interesting trends at 12 Notes & the Truth!

-The little Michael Schenker post I wrote a couple of years ago continues to get hits all the time. Personally I am glad to know there is so much interest in one of my all time favorite guitarists!

-Folks are interested in 12×12 Sudoku, lots of continued hits there, as well

-Malaysia found its way to 12 Notes ALOT. In fact more than any other non-English speaking country. And I know my mom was not in Malaysia this year. Welcome and hope you keep visiting!

-Allegedly Google’s privacy policy has blocked  the ever valuable resource of knowing the ‘search terms’ that led visitors to websites. I am SURE they didn’t mine your information any more either…right?!

-One thing that has not changed is my lifetime love of music. Creating, performing, listening, studying and discussing the effect these 12 Notes have on our lives!

Soon this blog may split between another website http://www.guitarguys.com keep an eye out for it as the year develops and I am sure I will let ya know, as well!

Well that’s it short and sweet…

I am looking forward to many great projects and wish you all a prosperous and healthy New Year 2014!

I always teach my kids/students, major, sounds happy and, minor, sounds sad…with that in mind…

Keep life on the Major Sonority side of the street!

Peace,

Mike

NFL Week 2 Recap, Lightning Strikes

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The NFL’s week 2 is now in the books excluding Monday night’s game. The theme for this Sunday’s festivities…”Lightning!” Three separate instances of electric streaks.

There isn’t much that stops NFL games weather-wise, except, lightning. Both the Saints/Buccaneers and later in the evening the 49ers/Seahawks games both sustained delays due to the electricity in the air.

Then of course there was the San Diego Chargers striking a Bolt right across Chip Kelly and the Philadelphia Eagles bow. Pre game predictions ranged from Charges had no chance to they would give up 60 points, nope just put a beat down on the Eagles.

Of course with all the lightning going on my head starts playing a bunch of songs with Lightning or similar references in the title.

Metallica’s, “Ride the Lightening”

AC/DC’s, “High Voltage”

Ozzy Osbourne’s, “Lightning Strikes”

However, the song that truly stuck in my head all day was, Aerosmith’s, “Lightning Strikes.”

So here it is, Enjoy!

Why Hire a Professional Wedding Musician?

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I get plenty of these type responses, as to why people don’t want to pay a professional musician to perform their ceremony…

“My nephew plays guitar,”

“My Uncle’s barber’s son plays guitar and will do our wedding for $50,”

“Our best man plays guitar,” and so on and so on.

Careful you might get this person!! That is assuming they even show up. I often book last minute weddings from those who hired their uncle’s barber’s son, who chicken out two days before the ceremony when they try to learn the music and realize they can’t play it…

Here is why you might want to have a second thought hiring family, a friend or friend of a friend.

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