Blogdangit

Just Posted a New Track!!!!

Go Here to hear it titled Seasoned. Hello my good peoples. I've been posted up in the studio most of the night and all day today, and it's been a lovely experience. Now, if I can just get that ONE BIG production contract, ya girl gon' be alright. It's all good though, I'm doing what I love to do and I know persistence is gon' pay for it all.

Other news brings a busy lady trying to stay up mentally. My head is full of SO MANY creative things. I'm trying to keep it all in perspective and remain focused. I depend on y'all for simply being an ear or eye. Just having that support keeps the lady maintaining. So, thank you!

Yesterday, a national organization did a photo shoot in my studio. A colleague asked to use the facility for the shots. He's going to be featured on a national cover. His sponsor and the photographer were both nice ladies and professional in their respective fields. The photographer unloaded her photo gadgets such as umbrellas, light cans and battery packs, and a camera to DIE for. Girl was also creative with the different shots she did with him. She utilized the ambiance from the lights of all of my studio toys. I could immediately tell she was very creative. I even learned that she produces radio ads and familiar with the production process. You know I was feeling all that, right??!!! I was impressed and simply amazed that it was all going down right there. Of course we all exchanged contacts.

From then on, I was posted up in the lab doing my thing. Well that's it for now. If you've got a minute; go check out the new track (1^st Track) and if you know of anyone who need tracks, a producer, or studio, don't forget about ya gurl.

Y'all be blessed…

Excellent Saturday Morning

Hello my good peeps. I got up early this morning, showered and dressed to this lovely day and drove to a new Barnes & Noble which opened earlier this week. It's the second B&N in the Baton Rouge area. It's a one-story, unlike the other store which is a two-story with an elevator and escalators. This one's pretty nice. I LOVE the atmosphere. It feels like a few of the stores I've frequented across the country. I remember a few in particular in Michigan and Minnesota. The lighting is perfect and the openness of the store feels spacious and relaxing. It's quiet and cozy with a hint of Christmas music playing softly in the background. There are a few people snuggled comfortably throughout the store in those big comfy soft chairs. There's a lot of new development going on around the area. The weather brings a beautiful morning with not a cloud in the sky. The wind is perfect and the humidity is low, as it feels like one of those California days.

After browsing and absorbing the moment, I ordered a Venti Pumpkin Spice Latte' extra shot extra hot, (hmmmmmm it's so good - the barista made it perfectly), with a slice of Carrot-Cake Cheesecake and a cup of Minestrone soup. The soup is very tasty as well. I haven't dived into my cheesecake yet. Oh and yeah, I am typing this post while eating.

This coffee is SOOOOO good! (Oh, I said that already!)

I'll probably be here for hours reading and writing. I've got two Photoshop books to browse through as I'm always trying to learn new techniques. I will also probably work on 2 logos that I hope to finish this afternoon.

I was in the studio last night till around 12:30 a.m. A music friend, Terrence and his wife came through and we talked and listened to a few tracks. A female rapper was scheduled to come through and record, but she ended up stopping through later to just listen to one of the tracks I'd completed for her because she had to be at work this morning for three o'clock. The track I threw together for her is definitely a head-banger (nah, I aint braggin' – I'm just sayin') SMILE! I took a sample of Gladys Knight's Midnight Train to Georgia, looped it and threw in a few other samples of the song, then laced the track with the drums to bang it out. As the rapper listened to it, she started spitting out lyrics like they were made for each other. We plan to record it next week.

So that's it for now. Y'all have a lovely day. I plan to. God bless.

(Update) I had to come back and tell y'all the Carrot-Cake Cheesecake is SICK! That's how GOOD it is! Perfect morning!

Mo’ Combusation

First, I am ecstatic and thankful for the love and SUPPORT from so many co-workers across the land that has gotten wind of my recent resignation. It's always a blessing to know you've touched somebody one way or another without even realizing it. Although they were shocked by the news, yet understand -- everyone has no DOUBT that I'll be okay – as they know me! Most are aware of my music/writing endeavor which is something I've toyed with part-time during my reign with the corporate world. Thanks guys for everything, I will NEVER forget any of you. And hey we can still get our travel on -- off the clock! And who knows, maybe someday, I'll be back!

Other news,

I am feeling much better today. I'm still a bit nasally, but I can taste food now. My ears are much better. I'm back in the studio doing what I do.

As for the question I asked a few days ago about PowerPoint. I ended up buying software to convert my PPT file to video to burn to DVD. As for compression in sending the file via email, well that is still a mystery. After converting the file, I was able to upload it to YouTube and share the file that way. There was degradation as I was basically using the trial version of the software just to submit sample copies of the presentation for viewing of family members and friends. If anyone comes up with anything on the compression end for a file that size – holla at me!

It's on and popping in the studio. I just finished this R&B Ballad Joint. I may post it to here if y'all want to check it out. I'll even name it R&B Ballad joint, so you'll know which one it is. I've got another commercial (radio spot) to do. I'm looking for the perfect voice to do the voice-over. So, I'm on a hunt! I absolutely can't do anything with my vocals yet.

I was able to book a Christmas Party gig for December 16^th. I will be the DJ. It's a semi-formal gig. (I love those! even the formals – I love elegancy!) And it's a five-hour gig!!! Now that's toooooo long! Most corporate parties are about 2-3 hours long. They've planned on about 200 people attending. So see, a sista is doing a little something. I'm also seeking more writing assignments.

And y'all for the most part – I'm relieved! (don't know what that means other than that's what it feels like)

It's ya gurl,

Luvs,

 

Get ‘Er Done!

I'm feeling a bit better than earlier today. I'm in the studio as I type this. I'm kinda hyped 'cause I've got some projects to finish between tonight and Friday. I have my boy T. who runs an entertainment company coming through tomorrow night (Thursday) for the first time. He's bringing his execs through so we can talk about me doing some production work for their company. I've got my girl Lex, (rapper) who needs to come through again soon and record some joints. So tonight is the night that I need to complete my pending projects so I can focus on my folks when they come through.

One of my long time friends and singer I used to produce back in the day, who now resides in New York, sent me an email yesterday indicating that she wants some music. Y'all this girl can SAANG! I haven't hit her back yet, but she told me to just name a price. Of course, she's going to get the hook up just for keeping a girl on the roster. She's hanging with big timers, but has always liked my music production on the R&B tip. So Keish, my girl, I got you. I'll hit you up soon.

As I'm not feeling 100%, I just turned on the equipment and am ready to dive in. I'm excited with how this part of my life has resurfaced. You know what they say, if given a chance to make it a second time around, it's definitely a shot you must take and go all the way.

Well that's a wrap for me.

Ya girl

Contemplatin'

What's good everyone? I'm sorry to have been sleeping on this blog, but best believe sleep in general is far from what the gumbo gurl has been up to. Work (you know the 9-5 so-to-speak) has kept me mentally involved, while creative work has kept me mentally and spiritually connected.

With creative work, I've got a lot of irons in the fire and loving every minute of it. To give y'all a clue... I have tracks to edit and complete for 5 different artists across the country ranging from Hip-Hop to Poets. I have logos to complete for a couple of people. I have a radio spot to complete for a friend for his business. I'm collaborating with a cousin from Texas and working on getting his band booked while promoting them for a gig in Baton Rouge, and I'm still writing on 2 book projects.

The word contemplatin' is just that... My work pays the insurance premiums and builds the 401K while providing a wealth of benefits and perks, but creative work is a marriage which took place during conception, and we are happily joined with no insight of divorce. 

Y'all feeling me right?

See, Now they Gon’ Make Me act a Fool

My Mixing Board (Mackie 24x8 8 Bus) is STILL at the repair shop. I called several times today around lunch time and got a busy signal. I went up there after my lunch break and WISHED a mother would tell me something I didn't want to hear. Well it turns out that Mr. Technician was not in again today.

What I'm about to say is what ticks me off every time I'm in a professional gear place like this one. The sales guy in his late 40's or so, walked over to my board which was sitting on some speakers with my detail sheet of the issues I was having on it and the same tickets the lady placed on them when I brought it in. The man told me it appeared that the board had been looked at but he didn't know quite what was wrong. I asked him how he knew it had been looked at. He told me because of the tickets in place on top of the board. I told him those were put on when I brought it in. He then said well they typed something up here…and he started reading my notes. I then told him I wrote those notes for the tech to clearly understand the issues I was having with the board. He began to stutter. I felt he was patronizing me and trying to play me like my name was IGNITT! Heck just let me know whether the board is ready or it's not. (Know what I mean?)

I told him I was out of business and they had had it too long. (Of course y'all know I'm still puttin' it down – but he aint got to know that; it's the principle…right?!) He told me he would call the tech and call me later. LATER STILL HAS NOT ARRIVED! Man, I know I sound a bit disturbed right now, but that is because I am. I should have taken the board to the techs I'm familiar with. But nooooooooooo, I tried taking it closer to home. And I even spotted a scratch on it near my meter bridge. I showed it to the sales guy. He tried wiping off the scratch...(there goes more of that lame treatment by patronizing women like they don't know any better about pro gear). I told him it was clearly an indented scratch and not a topical mark. He then agreed it had been bumped by something and he apologized. I went silent while thinking it's best to remain that way. Y'all know at this point, I was stirred.

They got till tomorrow to say something more like what I want to hear. Personally, I don't think anyone's ever looked at it and secondly if it is repaired and no one has said anything in all this time, THE DRAMA continues…

On another note, I got in from work and went straight to the laboratory and started brewing up a HOT one. This track is exclusively for this rapper I met just recently. I can't wait to hear his vocals over this one. Well that's it. I'm not feeling well tonight. I have a tummy ache and sinus headache, so a nice warm shower awaits me.

Love ya

It’s been years

Wow! And the weekend rolls through again. Work all week was just that, but the studio work has been keeping me sassyfied. Since I've been home, things are starting to pick up. I'm running into people I haven't seen in years whom I've worked with in the past. It's like I'm destined to really get deep back into this thing. I ran into a guy a few days ago at the daiquiri shop and this man remembered me from back when I was just getting into producing. He remembered some of the stuff I used to sing and the people I produced.

I bumped into an ex-client (Rapper extraordinaire) at B&N. I haven't seen him since the 90's. He is still doing his thing but with much maturity. He's a true lyricist. He and I went out to his car and listened to his latest works for about 30 minutes or so. He's really good. His name is Al Redmond. Y'all should be hearing stuff from this boy soon.

I have a cousin in Texas who has also been in the game since way before I started back in '93. He's a producer and has a studio and production company. I ran across him a few days ago browsing my.sp.a.ce.

Today, another cousin who lives in northern Louisiana stopped by. I had not seen or talked with him for about 5-6 years. I was surprised to see him. We hung out in the studio for a bit talking about his latest endeavor. He's interested in some more gear and we're looking at collaborating and networking on some projects. We had a good visit. He had just learned that I wasn't traveling any more with work. So it's on now!

I called today to check on my Mackie Mixing Board. It's been in the repair shop for a few weeks. Some guy told me to call back on Monday. He said he didn't know the status on it and the service tech wasn't in. Soooooooooo, I'm left waiting patiently and anxiously, and of course in my mind, it's been wayyyyyy tooooooo long. I needs my toy!

I've worked on a few tracks this past week and collab'd on some other things and will be in here most of the evening finishing up two other tracks for a singer in Massachusetts and one in Virginia.

Well that's it for the gumbo gurl, Happy Labor Day weekend! Go Saints! Go Tigers!

Studio Bit’ness

My mixer got sick on me again…(aint feeling that at all!) I'm having the same problem I had before with the main channels dropping in and out. Anywayz…

My niece (ahem… my Assistant) was with me while I un-hooked all the wires from it to prepare it to go back to the technicians at the service center. As I threw the wires on the floor, she was gathering them up and doing what she does with them.

At one time she got so tangled that I had to free her little arms and legs.

 

So now she misses the lights beaming from the meters, and more importantly, her tee is missing them buttons and lights and faders…oh my!

 

Below is my baby all prepared to go to the doctor… (Meter bridge resting toward the back, all knobs at unity and faders on low) That power supply underneath the board is one piece of HEAVY equipment. Man, when I try to lift that thing to put it in the rack, it definitely takes two. Don't know what that little box is made of.

Hopefully the technicians won't have it long.

Creativity right down the toilet!

What's up y'all? I'm TICKED! I hate it when this happens to me. It's happened a couple times before BUT never on the Fantom. You'd think I'd learned by now.

I've been working on this R&B Hip-Hop joint for a client, right? I mean it was the sweetest piece of art and I'll be damned if I didn't accidentally load another performance in its place without SAVING the one I was working on! Man, talk about screamed like crazy. I worked on this piece for a couple of hours. It had a nice dance feel to it and left room for a sweet rap verse. I'd even begun to edit the tracks as I wanted them in song mode.

Although the song info is still loaded, I tried going back to search through all them dang on sounds to recreate what I had. Shoot, I gave up. I can't remember all I had loaded in there. Think I should save the song info and try to come back later and recreate it, or should I consider this one a loss?

Damn...

I Went on and DID it!

Hello good peoples. How's it going this evening? I was gon' try to get with y'all earlier today, but I've been marinating here in the hotel doing some writing. I'm currently listening to the Grammy's. I actually just turned to it when a friend called and told me that my girl Mary J. was singing one of my favorite songs. (Be Without You)

What did y'all think of the little girl that sung with Justin? Personally, from a musical point of view, I don't think she can sing; her tones were off -- however girlfriend was wearing them stillettos (did I spell that right?) like a pro! She also had the industry-look going on. I'm happy for the Texan, but she needs a vocal coach for sho!

Now back to the heading of this post. I went on and did it y'all. Bring your eyes closer to the screen, 'Cause I want you to see this clearly. Okay, ready?...

I've started a M.ySp.ace page. I sure did! I use it as my music, studio, writing, networking page. I've actually met some clients through there and made a few connects. Although I do have my dotcom - it is currently under a serious face-lift. So I'm not advertising it now, however the other page has become a cool avenue for now.

I even have a few of my productions there. (You can adjust the sound on the player when you enter the page. It is not hidden at all)

So go check out another side of my world and holla back.