With summer winding down and autumn just around the corner, I have been hunkered down in the studio working on some new songs. I should have some material posted in the coming days. Please check back for details!

Here’s another site I use for hosting my music. For my musician friends out there, I would definitely recommend using Jamendo to reach more of an international audience.

Here’s a selection of songs I recorded over the last year – As always, it’s available for free download.

I have been busy working in the studio on some new material. Please keep checking back for more new music.

Here’s an instrumental song called, “D-Day.” The song has nothing to do with the Normandy Invasion of World War II. The title is all about key of the song – D.

Here’s the back story to the song: I have been playing around with this basic instrumental since the late 1980′s. Back then, I owned a fun digital delay pedal (Digitech PDS 2020) which had a feature, reminiscent of the old reel to reel players, called “sound on sound.” In non-technical terms, this feature would allow you to store and record short musical phrases. For example, I would play a two note bass line, then add a repeating chord and with little effort, I had backing music to accompany on my guitar. The song is a favorite with jam buddies because of its simplicity and flexibility.

On this version, I play all the instruments. I added a little introduction and had fun playing around with the arrangement. It’s the first recording I have been able to use my mountain dulcimer and my recently acquired conga drums.

Please feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions or comments.

Thrift Stores can be a great resource for the self-recording musician. I have found some wonderful treasures rummaging through thrift stores in the Seattle area. Aside from finding useful cables and patch cords for dirt cheap, (For example, Monster Cable products for under a buck.) I have found some other gems that have helped me in my music creating process.

Here’s a breakdown of some of my favorite Thrift Store Scores:

I found this 1960′s or 1970′s “Granada” Japanese made Classical Guitar for under $25.00 at a local Goodwill Store. After replacing the old and mismatched tuning pegs and strings, I ended up with a very playable and good sounding gut string guitar for under $50.00. If you want to hear it in action, check out my song “Look at Us Now.”

Next on my score list is this basic mountain dulcimer I picked up for about $20.00. When I bought it, the thrift store clerk asked, “You want to buy that musical thingy?” While he didn’t know what the instrument was, I knew I found a gem. This dulcimer is not much to look at – in fact, I suspect it was a kit that someone put together. The inside label reads, “Hughes Dulcimer Co. Denver Colorado” with a date stamp of March 20th, 1981. I really enjoy the “droning” sound this produces. Keep a look out for Check out my song, “D-Day,” (which I hope to release very soon) to hear it in action.

Next up on my Thrift Store Score list is an old instrument – We’re talking a late 1890′s Zimmerman Autoharp.. It old a beautiful sounding instrument was had for a $25.00 at a local Goodwill. (Some Google searching helped me date this over 100 year old instrument.) There are some scratches on the face of the instrument, but it functions flawlessly, with a warm tone.

Here’s simple Radio Shack 1 Watt Amplified speaker I got for $3.99. This little speaker actually puts out some kick-ass distortion when you crank up the volume. Add the right microphone and you have just the right thing to get some nasty sounding distorted guitar. This is a recent score that I hope to integrate into the right recording.

Last – but definitely not least – are these excellent rhythm toys.
These noisemakers can add just the right amount of seasoning to your
music and they are always the easiest to find at your local thrift store. I like keeping an assortment of these noise makers laying around the studio for recording and impromptu jam sessions.

In closing, don’t overlook your local thrift stores for hidden treasures. Taking the time to rummage through bins sometimes produces the most interesting discoveries.

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Here’s a new and improved version of my song “The City Lights,” which features my talented wife, Noel on Alto Saxophone. As always, downloads are free and comments are welcome.

Please feel free to check out my music page for more songs and free downloads.

This is my 1st attempt at recording a cover song. It’s a Neil Young song that I have enjoyed playing over the years called “Running Dry: Requiem For The Rockets” from his classic 2nd record, “Everybody Knows This is Nowhere.”

I recorded the song live, with me singing and playing my acoustic guitar. The rest of the elements, were added to the live recording. I hope you enjoy and as always, comments and questions are welcome.

Here’s something I did as a live recording in my studio.