My Funny Valentine
14/02/10
Happy Valentines Day!
I am at the Fyxx St. Vital on Sunday afternoon, taking advantage of their free wireless internet. Here’s the latest mes amis:
1) My son Paul Hodgert, my record producer, will be spending much of his spring break time finishing the recording project that goes along with my novel ‘Except My Love For You’. (click ‘Buy the Book’ on this site of you wanna, ya know, buy the book) At the time of the novel’s launch in May 2009, we did a show at the Park Theatre instead of the normal type of cocktail party kind of launch. I had assembled a band composed of me on vocals and rhythm guitar, Paul (the Public) on bass, Tony Buchner on lead, Luke Bergen (Boats) on drums, Vanessa Kuzina (Oh My Darling) on back-up vocals, Ashli Hodgert on trombone, and Jane Helbrecht and the band on chorus. Paul had produced the recording of three songs from the ‘soundtrack’ to the novel and three associated readings from the text - using the named musicians plus Nick Mullin on piano. Lori Reimer played piano for the show. The Launch show was the same as the CD, which we gave out as complimentary souvenirs to anyone who attended the Launch or follow-on events, or who subsequently bought the book on-line. Copies of the CD are still available. Just use the ‘comment’ button to get a hold of me and ask for a CD (and/or comment or course!) The three songs on the CD are Except My Love For You, Angel of Truth, and Across the Norwood Bridge.
Over the following months Paul supervised the same musicians in recording the other three songs mentioned and quoted in the novel. These were posted on this site when completed. So far, Hopelessly Lost in Love, and Mercy Mild Have been posted. To hear any of the five songs, just click ‘Hear the Songs’. The last song, ‘The Boat Song’ has been tracked (after overcoming many challenges), but is not yet fully mixed and mastered. Paul will finish the job over spring break. He may work with someone else on the mastering, (to take it a yet higher level) but that’s another story. (see 2) below) For those new to this website, the background stories behind the writing, editing, and publishing of Except My Love For You, and behind the composition of the songs, their selection for the novel, and their recording and performance, are contained in the blogs herein - beginning in April 2009 and continuing till now. I’m told it’s fun to start at the beginning and read them in chrono order. I recommend this, because its fun, and because my goofy titles do not always suggest the content of the blog!
Anyway, Paul will also be re-mastering the entire six songs and three readings group - so we can put together another CD! This is for use regarding point 2) below.
2) As advised earlier, Except My Love For You has reached break-even sales, for which my publisher Bendecido Books is most grateful, I can assure you! Not content with that, or with continuing to market the book to stores, book clubs, and others (have guitar and big mouth, will travel), Bendecido’s owner and my literary agent, Ray Blumenfeld, has succeeded in having the book reviewed by a major international publisher. So far they like it. I’m busting to say who and how far its gone, but mum’s the word yet. Regardless, a next step in the process may be personal delivery of a new six song, three readings CD to the major. That’s why Paul will be re-mastering the whole bunch in the next few weeks. Pat and I will be away for a few weeks, so we’ll be out of his hair. I need the break because...
3) I have been working diligently for the last many months on the draft of my second novel (working title ‘The Tourist). Having a follow-up in the works is important to secure the deal mentioned in 2). I have been turning over in my mind whether there should be soundtrack songs in The Tourist, and if so which? Existing or new ones? What styles, etc? To help me work this out, I have been trying various things out at open mikes around town. The best one for my purposes has been Gordie’s, where I have been performing for the last six weeks. Gordie’s is a sixties style coffee house that happens every Thursday night at 8:00PM out of Gordon King United Church on Cobourg Street in Elmwood. It is well worth visiting. Lots of different styles, ages, and skill levels are featured, in a relaxed atmosphere. It has been great, but it’s a drive for me and my south-side music buddies. As well, I only get to do two or three songs a week, so....
4) I have been talking to the good people at Churchill Park United Church on Beresford Avenue, just off south Osborne Street in Fort Rouge. Their Leadership Committee met last week and approved a coffee house experiment. The details are still to be fully worked out, but will probably be something like:
1) Once a week on a weekday night. Wednesday?
2) Hosted by me, with use of my PA equipment
3) All open mike to start, featured acts in due course?
4) All styles and types welcome (music, poetry, prose readings, stories, comedy, whatever)
5) 8:00PM start?
6) Sign-up sheet, first come first served.
7) Max 3 pieces, with 10 minute maximum per performer
8) Free admission
9) Coffee $1?, treats $2?, proceeds to run the coffee house
10) Voluntary collection for the house, later for featured performers?
11) Volume and content suitable for the venue and for all ages in attendance (common sense please)
12) Inclusive, supportive, celebratory, and non-competitive
I’ll post the final details asap.
Please give me any feedback about anything. It really helps.
Hope you all enjoy the rest of Valentines’ Day
Love (for the day and in every way)
John
I am at the Fyxx St. Vital on Sunday afternoon, taking advantage of their free wireless internet. Here’s the latest mes amis:
1) My son Paul Hodgert, my record producer, will be spending much of his spring break time finishing the recording project that goes along with my novel ‘Except My Love For You’. (click ‘Buy the Book’ on this site of you wanna, ya know, buy the book) At the time of the novel’s launch in May 2009, we did a show at the Park Theatre instead of the normal type of cocktail party kind of launch. I had assembled a band composed of me on vocals and rhythm guitar, Paul (the Public) on bass, Tony Buchner on lead, Luke Bergen (Boats) on drums, Vanessa Kuzina (Oh My Darling) on back-up vocals, Ashli Hodgert on trombone, and Jane Helbrecht and the band on chorus. Paul had produced the recording of three songs from the ‘soundtrack’ to the novel and three associated readings from the text - using the named musicians plus Nick Mullin on piano. Lori Reimer played piano for the show. The Launch show was the same as the CD, which we gave out as complimentary souvenirs to anyone who attended the Launch or follow-on events, or who subsequently bought the book on-line. Copies of the CD are still available. Just use the ‘comment’ button to get a hold of me and ask for a CD (and/or comment or course!) The three songs on the CD are Except My Love For You, Angel of Truth, and Across the Norwood Bridge.
Over the following months Paul supervised the same musicians in recording the other three songs mentioned and quoted in the novel. These were posted on this site when completed. So far, Hopelessly Lost in Love, and Mercy Mild Have been posted. To hear any of the five songs, just click ‘Hear the Songs’. The last song, ‘The Boat Song’ has been tracked (after overcoming many challenges), but is not yet fully mixed and mastered. Paul will finish the job over spring break. He may work with someone else on the mastering, (to take it a yet higher level) but that’s another story. (see 2) below) For those new to this website, the background stories behind the writing, editing, and publishing of Except My Love For You, and behind the composition of the songs, their selection for the novel, and their recording and performance, are contained in the blogs herein - beginning in April 2009 and continuing till now. I’m told it’s fun to start at the beginning and read them in chrono order. I recommend this, because its fun, and because my goofy titles do not always suggest the content of the blog!
Anyway, Paul will also be re-mastering the entire six songs and three readings group - so we can put together another CD! This is for use regarding point 2) below.
2) As advised earlier, Except My Love For You has reached break-even sales, for which my publisher Bendecido Books is most grateful, I can assure you! Not content with that, or with continuing to market the book to stores, book clubs, and others (have guitar and big mouth, will travel), Bendecido’s owner and my literary agent, Ray Blumenfeld, has succeeded in having the book reviewed by a major international publisher. So far they like it. I’m busting to say who and how far its gone, but mum’s the word yet. Regardless, a next step in the process may be personal delivery of a new six song, three readings CD to the major. That’s why Paul will be re-mastering the whole bunch in the next few weeks. Pat and I will be away for a few weeks, so we’ll be out of his hair. I need the break because...
3) I have been working diligently for the last many months on the draft of my second novel (working title ‘The Tourist). Having a follow-up in the works is important to secure the deal mentioned in 2). I have been turning over in my mind whether there should be soundtrack songs in The Tourist, and if so which? Existing or new ones? What styles, etc? To help me work this out, I have been trying various things out at open mikes around town. The best one for my purposes has been Gordie’s, where I have been performing for the last six weeks. Gordie’s is a sixties style coffee house that happens every Thursday night at 8:00PM out of Gordon King United Church on Cobourg Street in Elmwood. It is well worth visiting. Lots of different styles, ages, and skill levels are featured, in a relaxed atmosphere. It has been great, but it’s a drive for me and my south-side music buddies. As well, I only get to do two or three songs a week, so....
4) I have been talking to the good people at Churchill Park United Church on Beresford Avenue, just off south Osborne Street in Fort Rouge. Their Leadership Committee met last week and approved a coffee house experiment. The details are still to be fully worked out, but will probably be something like:
1) Once a week on a weekday night. Wednesday?
2) Hosted by me, with use of my PA equipment
3) All open mike to start, featured acts in due course?
4) All styles and types welcome (music, poetry, prose readings, stories, comedy, whatever)
5) 8:00PM start?
6) Sign-up sheet, first come first served.
7) Max 3 pieces, with 10 minute maximum per performer
8) Free admission
9) Coffee $1?, treats $2?, proceeds to run the coffee house
10) Voluntary collection for the house, later for featured performers?
11) Volume and content suitable for the venue and for all ages in attendance (common sense please)
12) Inclusive, supportive, celebratory, and non-competitive
I’ll post the final details asap.
Please give me any feedback about anything. It really helps.
Hope you all enjoy the rest of Valentines’ Day
Love (for the day and in every way)
John
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