2011 Goals - 9 month up-date

WOW!!! 2011 has been a roller coaster so far...and no signs of slowing down!

Let's jump right in with the up-dates...but first, here is the original post:

http://skinnydevilmusic.blogspot.com/2011/02/sdml-creative-biz-goals-for-2011.html

1) Skinny Devil TV - still in a holding pattern. Full disclosure: I've spoken to the likes of Jennifer Batten, Greg Howe, Rory Block, Dave Martone, Kelly Ritchey, Ben Lacy, & others....but this baby is coming down to money. No corporate sponsorship, no SD-TV. We may try to run ONE show as a "pilot", then use it to attempt to secure sponsorship, but right now this has floated to the back burner until the economy improves and businesses are willing to take a few chances.

But I'm all ears if anyone has any ideas!

2) "A Personal Note" - Also on back burner. Simply put, I don't have enough hours in the day to make this fly right now. For those wondering what "APN" is, just listen...HEATHER

Jason & me - Sneak Attack!

3) Music Production - BOOM! Since the last up-date, we've recorded demos for Slade, Travis, Kayla, and more...done 3 sessions at Sneak Attack Studio (Greg's A/D conversion as well as forth-coming CDs from both Julia Knight & Sydney Cubit)...scheduled October & November dates for Stephanie and JD/DQ's duo....done a mobile recording for Tango Mango...and am currently pouring thru live recordings from various gigs at Natasha's.

  

Alien Blue - LIVE!

4) Alien Blue - The CD keeps getting delayed due to gigs (most recently after being chosen as a finalist in the KBS Blues Challenge & now the KYB Blues Challenge), but we're about to schedule time and get this thing done!!! We have a song or two from Mike Froedge's Open Sky Studio (Atlanta) & will record the rest at Sneak Attack Studio (Lexington) and 13 O'clock Studio (Richmond).

5) Skinny Devil Magazine - Keeps getting pushed back as I try to find a computer guru who can help without charging me an arm & a leg. But slowly re-designing the web-site so it'll be ready when an entrepreneurial guru shows up....

6) SDML Instructor Network - Harder than I thought....but since the last up-date I've begun organizing material for e-books, putting together biz data, added my buddy Tim Fowler to the fold, speaking to 2 more Lex-area instructors, and am chatting with others out of state.

On-stage with MJ at Woodsongs!

7) Gun-for-Hire - Awaiting trax to complete the "Pharaoh 2.0" and "Denmark Dance" projects, and am on the look-out for other projects. Got to play on-stage at Woodsongs with my friend Michael Johnathon again!

8) Film/TV/media and Music Licensing - I've provided music for the zombie movie and am actively seeking more projects for film & TV. I'm also chatting with a couple of folks about licensing my solo works as well as music from Alien Blue.

9) Endorsement Deals - Securing a few select deals now. I will keep these to a bare minimum.

10) Skinny Devil Records - As before, we'll see how this pans out at year's end....

11) Recording Studio - No longer a viable goal (deals with Sneak Attack & 13 O'clock have made it unnecessary), though I still have my mobile recording gear and may well look to others to start using it actively in the community. This goal has mutated into something else....which I will announce (hopefully) by year's end!

If you're interested in engineering a small mobile set-up, let me know!

12) Workshops - On hold....BUT we're looking at a performance series (sort of a hybrid between SD-TV & formal workshops) bringing in great artists from the region. I've already spoken with award-winning bluesman "Blind-Dog" Gatewood, rippin' Americana duo Mamakitty, One-Shot Johnny, & more. Still requires some financial backing, but a MUCH smaller amount.
Now we just need a family-friendly venue that serves full meals & has a full bar (per audience requests)....that hopeully also has stage, PA, & lites!

Any ideas???

SDML showcase at Natasha's!

13) Student Opps - BOOM! Since the last up-date 3 months ago, we've booked performances at Woodsongs (pre-show), Moon Dance Amphitheater (DAC film series), hosted 2 SDML Spotlight shows (one at Common Grounds, one at Natasha's), booked students into 3 of the Pop's Singer-Songwriter events, and hosted yet another SDML guitar recital. Plus, we've seen more students playing events in Nashville, Memphis, Louisville, Cincy, etc....and encouraged even greater participation in local events like Lex-Jam! Also, I got to put my buddy Tim Fowler on the main stage at Woodosongs playing slide guitar using an Eric Hutchens custom Cigar Box Guitar!

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I also mentioned several other items in the original post.....I'm still teaching 5 days a week, but we'll have phased out Saturday by year's end, I have a new location to teach groups in the Richmond Road area, and looks like I might not significantly increase my income BUT it won't drop by 20% when I drop to teaching 4 days.

Total failure with the literary blog, but I plan to be on that soon, too! Might even start writing fan mail!

Sooo......things are cooking along. Big success in some areas and lack of success in other areas has crystalized some ideas for me, which in turn has enabled me to re-focus and, with luck (and a little help from all of YOU), turn the failures into success.

Stay tuned - we've got 3+ months left!

Time is running out in 2011 - HURRY!!!

September Lifestyle Challenge

Me & Jason, Sneak Attack Studio, summer 2011.

Here we are...SEPTEMBER of 2011! Time for another challenge....

For those new to the challenges, it isn't to compete against others. It's to push yourself to greater heights, have some company & inspiration along the way, and a few ideas the help get us focused. For example, you can use this waving of the analytical knife to help organize your goals:

1) Exercise - Set a specific plan or goal(s). Keep us posted weekly (or more) on your progress!

2) Creativity - Music, art, writing, acting...set a goal to complete by month's end. Keep us posted!

3) Personal life - Re-affirm your personal relationships, get to that project/chore you've been avoiding, or just read a book you've always wanted to read!

4) Professional life - Set a work goal or change jobs or....just tell us what it is and keep us posted!

I'll post my goals below, and then provide weekly up-dates...

How about YOU?

August Lifestyle Challenge

Here we are...AUGUST of 2011! Time for another challenge....

For those new to the challenges, it isn't to compete against others. It's to push yourself to greater heights, have some company & inspiration along the way, and a few ideas the help get us focused. For example, you can use this waving of the analytical knife to help organize your goals:

1) Exercise - Set a specific plan or goal(s). Keep us posted weekly (or more) on your progress!

2) Creativity - Music, art, writing, acting...set a goal to complete by month's end. Keep us posted!

3) Personal life - Re-affirm your personal relationships, get to that project/chore you've been avoiding, or just read a book you've always wanted to read!

4) Professional life - Set a work goal or change jobs or....just tell us what it is and keep us posted!

I'll post my goals below, and then provide weekly up-dates...

How about YOU?

Summer 2011 - NEWS

Life has been fast & crazy..... In an attempt to impose some order on the chaos of the Skinny Devil Universe, I shall attempt to categorize and hit some of the high points of the last few weeks....live gigs, students, teaching, raw food friends, Zakk's BLS, & more!

1) TV/radio - I was honored to get the call from my friend Michale Johnathon (see MJ's official fan page) last month to play guitar for him on the Woodsongs Old-time Radio Hour (check local listings for public TV & radio). I got to play MJ's Martin guitar and brought along my buddy Tim Fowler to play slide on his Cigar Box guitar (made by the same guy who made my CBG, Eric Hutchens of Smokin' Instruments). Also got to chat back-stage with old friends & new, as well as a lengthy conversation with Dick Boak, and excellent multi-instrumentalist & multi-disciplinary artist.

2) Alien Blue - Regarding my duo Alien Blue: Hot from our return headlining the Sandbar's Tybee Blues Jam & prepping for our Wounded Warriors gig Friday (8-5), we got word that we are a finalist in the KBS Blues Challenge. We'll be performing in Louisville August 14 at the Zeppelin Cafe along with 9 other acts. Looks lie a FUN gig! We are humbled and honored to be included in such a stellar line-up - big thanx to ALL involved!

3) Raw Pals - While in Tybee, not only did we hang out with Danny O (one of the coolest people on Planet Earth) & a rowdy group of talented musicians, but I got to see & play with my old buddy Tony Thorpe (formerly of David Wolfe's Healing Waters Band). In addition to being a fellow raw foodie, he also does the best Elvis since, well...Elvis! Another big shout to our mutual friend Tonya Kay (see Tonya's official fan page). She has, with her chaotic yet systematic magic, taken hold of Hollywood by the throat. Big things in her past and even bigger things coming down the pipe for this young lady!

4) Zakk Wylde/BLS - Big shout to Zakk for making the best career choice ever: He invited my former band-mate & owner/engineer of Open Sky Studio Mike Froedge (see Mike's official fan page) to be his new drummer. Mike - the best drummer/percussionist I've ever worked with - has been on tour with BLS for the past few months (US, Europe, & more), rockin' the planet hard! For those who recall, Alien Blue recorded last summer at Mike's studio (listen to "Like it Like That" for his handiwork as engineer).

5) Students - I've lost count, but it looks like at least 5 CD releases from students planned this year, and a lot of demos. I'm very fortunate to work on most of these in one capacity or another (guitarist, engineer, or producer). Students have also been playing EVERYWHERE...from local gigs all over Lexington to regional gigs (St. Louis to Nashville to Louisville to Cincy to Atlanta to Destin to Memphis to DC...), not to mention we've started the new SDML Showcase gigs that will be hosted by Common Grounds, Natasha's, & perhaps another venue or two!

6) Students 2.0 - In addition to their recording & gigging, many are racking up pro credits working with others musically, as well as stage & film. Big nod to Paul Felice (an SDML certified instructor) for landing the BIG gig with Kristi Miller, John Davis (another SDML certified instructor who will be studying jazz at Morehead State this fall) for nailing the OutletDown gig (complete with studio sessions & 12 city tour), and Caitlyn Capriette (see her fan page) for landing the lead role in the new movie "No Lost Cause" (where 3 of her original songs also appear).

7) Teaching - My teaching schedule is changing radically. Looks like 3 locations teaching 4 days a week, leaving the weekends open for more live & studio gigs. The new location will be announced soon, where I'll be teaching group classes in synch with the schedule I use at the Beaumont Y. Private lessons will still be at Hurst Music. Also hoping to add more certified teachers to the SDML network!

As an aside, the next student recital is August 28...

8) 2011 Goals - I'll be up-dating the "2011 Goals" entry soon. You can see the 6-month follow-up (both my successes & failures) HERE. Also keep an eye out for our next monthly Lifestyle Challenge!

More soon!

JULY Lifestyle Challenge

Here we are...JULY of 2011! Time for another challenge....
For those new to the challenges, it isn't to compete against others. It's to push yourself to greater heights, have some company & inspiration along the way, and a few ideas the help get us focused. For example, you can use this waving of the analytical knife to help organize your goals:
1) Exercise - Set a specific plan or goal(s). Keep us posted weekly (or more) on your progress!
2) Creativity - Music, art, writing, acting...set a goal to complete by month's end. Keep us posted!
3) Personal life - Re-affirm your personal relationships, get to that project/chore you've been avoiding, or just read a book you've always wanted to read!
4) Professional life - Set a work goal or change jobs or....just tell us what it is and keep us posted!
I'll post my goals below, and then provide weekly up-dates...
How about YOU?