Hi guys(and gals). I was just clearing some email box clutter and found these clips taken and sent to me by MichNS from the Interlochen 2013 seminar put on by Glen Poorman. I just posted the link and I hope that was ok with Steve B. since it will direct folks to his wonderful photos and vids of the event. I hope I can get to another one of Glenn's seminars!!!

The best I could do in 2013, but it was an honor to play these songs for the group that attended that year...and I have never played them again...


These are originals called "the Goo" and "the Naked truth" (I think the Goo is first) What was most challenging for me was singing while playing(and most challenging for the audience was listening to me sing with no open bar to belly up to before I went on) not to mention some improvised solos while keeping up what, for me, were some pretty busy bass parts.

These might be a repost, but 2013 was a long time ago so no one will likely remember anyway.

Enjoy...if you dare.

Mike

PS. I was wearing a home made "Fenson" shirt(Fender/Gibson hybrid I guess...no one thought that was funny either )
PPS. Thanks MichNS

https://sb.smugmug.com/Music/2013-Inter ... -V7zsBc8/A
https://sb.smugmug.com/Music/2013-Inter ... -DsjPPJS/A

That's funny, I don't think anyone even me caught on to your T-shirt. Over the last year I've seen a few modified guitars that would leave me to believe such a creation actually exists. Fender Strat or Les Paul? Can't decide? Mod a couple together

Funny, the 2015 seminar I practiced my performance at lunch time in that room, did really well and let another student try my NS. But my actual performance wasn't as good, often the quietness of everyone watching kind of gets to me. Thankfully Gene perked up when I went into Tempus Fugit. I don't have a lot of experience playing solo live in a quiet environment. Same goes for any public speaking at work. I like the interaction with questions and answers with the audience. When no one says anything, I believe I tend to over analyze what I'm doing at the moment. I recently played guitar live in a nice theater with a band put together by Steve Osburn and was a bit more comfortable in a band environment than playing solo.

Interlochen is a good place to get out of your comfort zone and get out and challenge yourself in front of Stick masters in a solo setting.

Bring "The Goo" back into the repertoire. That tune is whacked.

Will do! The song was originally written with a band in mind. A close friend said it just didn't sound right without drums, at least. Maybe I just didn't keep the tempo steady or something. Dang, I was nervous--Steve Adelson and Bob Culbertson were there watching not to mention all the attendees.

I am glad you seem to enjoy it. The music is fun and differenty, plus it tells a story with a moral: don't always listen to those voices, no matter how friendly and be prepared for madcap adventures if you step in any kind of goo.

Thanks for checking it out.

Mike

Nice work, friend.

These were great MK, you are a musical warrior! Interlochen is a musical journey that every Stick player needs to make in their lifetime. I am constantly amazed by singing Stickists that make it look so easy to keep both hands actively playing AND singing - conveying a deeper lyrical meaning. Goo is good.

On a mostly unrelated note....

The Michigan Stick community is a patient and well tempered group of musicians. And the setting, my goodness, it is easy to get caught up in the gorgeous surroundings of that part of the state. Seeing this video took me back to my most recent experience there. Very good times.

A number of locals took valuable time to explain the importance of cherries, the qualities of an inland sea and "those guys on the other side lake" - all of which was fascinating at the time, but none of which I could remember if called upon to do so. Interochen is a beautiful slice of America that has a rich musical heritage and a perfect setting for learning a uniquely American instrument.

A bit of Frank Zappa spirit in this music...

Great stuff, Mike (and Steve!) I can't wait for Interlochen next year! Thanks for sharing that!

Thank you so much Steve, Scott, Gene and Alain, for the comments and words of encouragement! Just what a growing boy needs!



I once filled in a blank on a job application where the question was asked: "Name someone who inspires and influences you"(or something like that). And even though I was pretty sure it would not go in my favor with this particular company, I wrote in Frank Zappa's name. Certainly his compositional ideas and raw musical ability were a force to be reckoned with, however, what I loved most was his sense of humor.

A few years ago, I tried to talk a friend into starting a "musical comedy" act with me. The idea was that we could make not only songs with comedic lyrical content, but even the instrumental pieces could be a kind of whimsical, musical version of the Far Side(by cartoonist Gary Larsen). I often find myself laughing when playing or listening to music. Not scornfully at mistakes, but rather out of joy and excitement at clever passages or unusual time changes.(not to mention lyrics with a twisted humor leaning). Sad to say, he was not interested. I think he felt people would not find it to be valid as a means of musical expression. I argued that that would depend on how we express ourselves musically. Perhaps he saved me from flopping in a big way, though part of me regrets not giving it a try. Still, it might not be too late.

During The Goo, I changed the lyrics of the story's conclusion from "but no one spoke Spanish and he died" to "but no one spoke Spanish Andy Kaufman".(other times I have inserted "Andy Warhol" because of his contribution to the Art and Music scene and "Andy Gibb" because his name is recognizable but not one you hear everyday) This was largely due to my admiration of his bizarre sense of humor which I found to be mostly enjoyable. The movie about his life where he is portrayed by Jim Carrey is one of my favorite films. I honestly don't know how accurate the movie is. Andy himself might find it humorous that when I hear his name, it is Jim Carrey's caricature of him my mind conjures up, rather than his own. It is intriguing to me that Mr. Kaufman seemed to get more of a kick out of himself than anyone else did, and that didn't seem to bother him.

But I ramble.....


@Gene...Thanks brother! I guess that would make playing in front of teachers and peers at these seminars a right of passage into the tribe .


I really appreciate comments here on stickist.com...whether they are from those who like what I do, or from those who seek to help me improve or correct something.

Thanks again.

Mike

"Does Humor Belong in Music?" - album title, Frank Zappa.

YES!