12 CDs Done

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Only 3 days left to tell me what to do!


DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS!!!!

Now that CD #2 is done and the theme for CD #3 is a done deal I still need to decide what my next few CD's will be about

Right now, trains are next and from the votes on my poll; movement songs are in the lead with animals and holidays close behind for the next project.

Please jump in and tell me what you think I should do next. Here are the choices available for this round of voting...

Animals
Math and Numbers
People of Character
Holidays
Movement Songs
Science
Food

What do you think I should make an entire CD about, huh? 











Take the poll here

WHAT THEME SHOULD MY NEXT CD BE ABOUT?


Friday, February 24, 2012

What do these musicians have in common?

Submitted for your approval, musicians from all over the globe, they are...



Peter Cox from the Netherlands

http://www.chinawhite.nl



TJR from California
http://www.tjrmusic.com/



Clark Colborn from Illinois

http://www.clarkplaysguitar.com

 

Eric Herman from Washington State

http://www.erichermanmusic.com/

 

The Mighty Mr. Billy from Wisconsin

http://www.misterbilly.com  


QUESTION - what do these 5 guitar players have on common?

A. They all play guitar really well

B. They are all members of a Yahoo group started by CD Baby founder Derek Sivers

C. They have joined forces to record a new song for the rocking kids and family CD soon to be released called "Electric Bananas"

D. All of the above

ANSWER - D. All of the above!

Check out the last song recorded for my new CD "Electric Bananas" (it totally kicks banana!), it should be on sale by Monday...NO KIDDING!

Here it is, please comment, share, like and check out all of the players websites and youtube videos (parents, FYI...these are not all children's performers, OK?).

HELP, there is a banana in the trumpet!

I have to say the thing I love most about doing this project is something that I did not plan to do...

Collaborate with other musicians, I LOVE IT! For the last 10 years I have been recording basically by my self, alone in the studio. On occasion my son will play the drums, my daughter will sing/write or do something and my wife would do vocals...I have a friend or two that I work with writing and sometimes Randy Cisco would help out...but these were the exceptions not the rule.

HOWEVER...starting with CD #2 or my proposed 12 (Electric Bananas, almost done!) that seems to be changing. So far I have gotten files with guitar, organ and other instruments from the USA to Africa, Mexico to Europe!!!

I have been  recording for over 30 years and until yesterday NEVER RECORDED A LIVE TRUMPET!

Yesterday after a show in Jefferson WI, I visited Michael Drake AKA Mr. Pickles  armed with only my iPad and a microphone to record trumpet for The Banana Split song (Peter Cox added great organ too! Way to go Peter)...it was AWESOME Hear it below), this guy is totally cool, talented...and funny too! He knocked it out and then, just for giggles, we added REAL brass to "Yellow Submarine"...goosebumps! I will try to post some video of our session soon.

Look for more stuff from Mr. Billy and Mr. Pickles!

Today is the last day of recording and mixing...the CD was supposed to be released yesterday, but it looks like it will be available on Monday...not bad. I really like this CD and I think you will too.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

A Beatles Song Dora the Explorer Would Like!

I had another of my strange ideas. It started with a question..."What would the Beatles song Yellow Submarine sound like in Spanish?"

Then it got stranger..."What if I did all the echos in Spanish?"

Then I remembered, I don't speak Spanish...but I have a friend that does.

I have also never done a story on one of my CD's as many of my peers quite often do...maybe I can hit two birds with one Submarino Amarillo! Ole!
Would Dora really like this one? I think so!



So, for better or worse here is my rendition of Yellow Submarine, with a little help from my friend!


I'm thinking I will fade this one out.

I am working on finishing up the mix and artwork today. Tomorrow I have ONE LAST RECORDING SESSION with a special guest! It's gonna be cool, hopefully I'll get photos and video! I can't wait.


Tuesday, February 21, 2012

New CD Cover, is it a Keeper?

OK, I got a billion comments by email and text about the cover. So I re-did it. Here is the new cover. I did all the cartoons on the iPad in iDraw and put them in my computer to do the layout and text. The monkeys? Well my daughter said that I needed monkeys if the CD was about bananas, Will Hale and I wrote a song called "Wild Monkeys" for the CD...so, that's ok, right?

Still haven't done any of the other recording or mixing stuff...my son has a doctors appointment in an hour or so...

Opinions on the cover please?


Only 2 days left, I'm not gonna make it!

Today I realized that I only have two days after today to release my new CD "Electric Bananas" (the release date is supposed to be 2/23/12). I don't think I'm going to make it. There is still a ton to do...can you give me a hand here a make a few suggestions, etc?


First here is a question about the artwork...

For a couple of years I switched to doing only cartoon covers like this... 






But I was thinking about using real photos for this CD...here is a MOCK UP...I would take new pictures, but I hope you get the idea...or should I stick with cartoons??? (I have some already drawn up)

PLEASE SEND ME THOUGHTS ON THIS ASAP!!!


Next here is a list of the songs and what I think I still want to do to them:



  1. Banana split song - add trumpet solo (Michael?) and organ (Peter?)
  2. Angry birds DONE
  3. Flying Bounce House DONE
  4. The Mighty Peanut DONE
  5. Five rock and roll guitars - change one guitar part, fix jam at end
  6. Yellow submarine - add Spanish (yes, Spanish!) stuff and make new intro
  7. The Hokey Pokey - fix a line if I can (thanks Tom)
  8. The cat came back/stray cat strut DONE
  9. A song about a fire truck DONE
  10. Electric bananas DONE
  11. Pizza, pizza, pizza DONE
  12. Wild Monkeys - add a few vocals and sound effects, remix
I have already posted some of the songs here on the blog, if you care to give them a listen, maybe you can tell me if you think they are done or if they need more work or if I made any mistakes (Peter Apel and Copper Tom found a few!).

I only have a few days left to get all of this done...do you think I can do it???

Oh, and if you haven't taken the poll please do that now, I think it's the last week to suggest what my next few CD's should be about. Thanks!


Sunday, February 19, 2012

A month in three days?

The last three days have been totally crazy. Right now I am writing this update at the same roller skating arena where I recorded some of the tracks for a song I did last week (I don't remember what song it was!) while watching my daughter skate.

Thursday I drove to Rochester MN and wrote and recorded a new song (Wild Monkeys) with my pal Will Hale www.willhale.com. We worked in my motel room, a Chinese restaurant and my van. We finished the tune and shot a lot of video that I will post soon...pretty epic tale.

The next day I did two school shows in Byron MN, shot more video and booked gigs while driving home...the shows were awesome, got video of that too, will try to post that too.

Today I am going up north a bit after roller skating time to visit my friend Lola, she is Spanish and can speak Spanish vey well. I had an idea to try to do a Spanish echo part in my cover of the Beatles classic tune Yellow Submarine, should be fun...I don't know if she'll let me video or not.

Oh, I almost forgot, before I went on my short tour I finished adding all the guitar parts I got from all over the world for the song Five Rock and Roll Guitars. The last player TJR www.tjrmusic.com made a short video of his recording session, I'll post the video when I am back home and not on the iPad.

Basically the new CD is just about done, some mixing and sweetening to do and then it's on to CD #3, All Aboard the Rock and Roll Train...whoo-whoo! 

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

I need your vote before the train leaves the station!

I have a poll on my blog, right side, asking my fans, friends, peers and followers to suggest the topic of my upcoming CDs. So far only nine of you have taken the poll. A CD about Holidays and Animals are at the top of the pack.

I need to start planning what comes next as my current project CD #2 of 12, Electric Bananas" is almost done...YEAH!

HOWEVER...the next CD, #3 of 12 due out in March will be a follow up to my highly successful "Rock and Roll Rail Road" CD. I think I'm gonna call it "All Aboard the Rock and Roll Train" (do you like that title?). I may even record some of it at a railroad museaum...Mmmm....

I will be  doing a lot of "A Day Out With Thomas" events and train museums this year starting in March, many of the parent who purchased the first CD would like something NEW to listen too!

So please vote, comment and share!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

I'm Doing the Hokey Pokey, What Are You Doing?

OK, maybe I've gone too far this time...you be the judge.

When I set out to do the second CD, I wanted it to be fun, silly and goofy. I decided to do my version of "The Hokey Pokey". This song has been covered to death by too many kids artists to count. But I think I can guarantee it's never been treated like this before.

I think I'll stop now and let the track speak for itself. Please comment (good or bad) and if you like share it (good or bad...I can take it). BTW-I think it's FUNNER with headphones.

Here you go, put your right foot in...

Monday, February 13, 2012

Cats, Guitars and International Recording Sessions

Today was a great day. I finished a mash up of "The Cat Came Back" and "Stray Cat Strut" and almost finished a really interesting number called "Five Rock and Roll Guitars". If you've been following the blog you saw the video demo my son and I did at sound check. I asked here on the blog for guitarist from all over the world to "jam" on this song. I got four guys (plus me) to add guitar solos and riffs.

When the song is finished I'll let you in on all the members of my world wide virtual band, but today I want to share a video one of the jammers did of his recording session.

The video is from China Whites six and seven string shredding master Peter Cox. Check o it out...



American children singer song rocker Mr. Billy is on a quest to record and release 12 cd´s in 2012! For his upcoming february release he needed some guitar solo´s so Peter from Chinawhite hit the studio and began jamming. What you see and hear is the first run through the track. 
Alas the recorded audio was unusable due to some irritating hum (which is a shame for the wah solo we think), so Peter just did a few more later.  Keep an eye on the Mr. Billy Website (http://themightymrbilly.blogspot.com/) to keep track of this incredible venture. And to find out what solo made it to the album of course ;-)

So far this experiment has been a lot of fun. If there is anyone else out there that might want to corroborate this way on new tunes, contract me... really!

The Cat Came Back...Again...

Today I am starting off by working on a "Mash Up" of two kitty tunes, "The Cat Came Back" and "Stray Cat Strut". They both have similar chords and tempo...should be cool.

I already recorded the drum and guitar tracks with Wil, now I'm working on merging the two lyrics to make a cool story.

This is what I came up with (any thoughts?)....








The Cat Came Back/Stray Cat Strut

Oooh, Oooh, Oooh, Oooh...

The cat came back the very next day.
The cat came back. We thought he was a goner
But the cat came back. He wouldn’t stay away.

Just a back and orange stray cat sittin' on a fence
Not enough dough to pay the rent
He’s flat broke but he don't care
Struts right by with his tail in the air

Yeah, the cat came back the very next day.
The cat came back. We thought he was a goner
But the cat came back. He wouldn’t stay away.

He don't bother chasing mice around
Slinks down the alley looking for a fight
Howling to the moonlight on a hot summer night
Singin' the blues while the other cats cry,
"Wild stray cat, you're a real gone guy."
“I wish I could be as carefree and wild”
He’s got cat class and he’s got cat style.

SOLO

He don't bother chasing mice around
Slinks down the alley looking for a fight
Howling to the moonlight on a hot summer night
Singing' the blues while the other cats cry,
"Wild stray cat, you're a real gone guy."
“I wish I could be as carefree and wild”
He’s got cat class and he’s got cat style.

The cat came back the very next day.
The cat came back. We thought he was a goner z
But the cat came back. He wouldn’t stay away.
He wouldn’t stay away.
He wouldn’t stay away.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Finished another song, getting ready for a marathon recording session

Yesterday I finished "The Flying Bounce House" song. The song was recorded at a school workshop, roller skating rink, my van (waiting to pick up kids) and finally in my studio (mixing and adding sound effects). Here is the track and a little video of me in the van (for the non-believers).




Today my son and I are going on a non-stop recording spree. We have about 5-6 songs we want to knock out before Monday. We are hoping to do...

The cat came back/stray cat strut
A song about a fire truck
Electric bananas
Pizza, pizza, pizza

I'll try to shoot some video, maybe if I'm up to it try to Ustream it...we'll see...stay tuned for more. Don't forget to share, like and comment today, OK?

Did you take the poll today? What should I record next?

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Have iPad Will Travel...and RECORD!

Today was a weird little day...I started the day off by oversleeping. Maybe that late night 2-4 am recording schedule kicked my bottom.

I was scheduled to do an iPad/Garageband workshop for students at the school my kids go to. I had a little brainstorm...maybe I should teach them how to use Garageband by actually recording one of the new songs for this CD???? I did, it went well, here is is for what it is...


I was only able to get the chorus down (the guitar was the class guitar...mmmmm.....). So later that night I took my daughter rollerskating and, well, I just couldn't resist the urge to try to finish the song while I waited, this is what that looked like...


To be honest the song seems really cool. It's called "The Flying Bounce House"...long story about that one maybe I'll tell it if you want me too. Still need to sing the verses, add a little more guitar (MY GUITAR) and some arranging. If I can't sleep tonight, I guess I know what I'll be doing.

ONLY 14 DAYS LEFT TO CD RELEASE DATE...only 3 songs totally recorded...this could turn out bad...

I need to be cheered up, please leave some new comments, do some Tweeting or FaceBook shares/likes...please????

It's 3 in the morning, who needs sleep?

It's after 3 in the morning. I am sitting on the couch while everyone is sleeping with my iPad and a set of headphones taking stock of where I am at with this CD project so far and doing a little recording (not kidding, just did the music track for the "Hokey Pokey"...why did I record that song...must sleep soon...).

Here is where,I am so far...

Songs done:

The mighty peanut
Banana split song
Angry birds

Songs partially done:

Five rock and roll guitars
Yellow submarine

Songs I plan to record this weekend with my son and family:

The cat came back/stray cat strut
A song about a fire truck
Electric bananas
Pizza, pizza, pizza

Songs not started yet:

Flying Bounce House
Happy birthday to you (not really written, still an idea in my head)

I'm thinking about doing something a little crazy and daring today. I will be doing a little workshop at my kids school on how to use Garage Band...maybe...just maybe I will try to record Flying Bounce House as the demo and video the class...mmmm...

Well, back to bed, big day tomorrow of recording and workshops...maybe some bookings thrown in too...goodnight.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Four Jamming Guitar Solos Needed ASAP!


Check out this tune my son and I wrote at soundcheck last week for the new CD. It's called "Five Rock and Roll Guitars".


What I want to do is find 4 guitar player...plus me...I'm #5, to do a solo in "E"...all "E", no other changes and record it to my jam track below. Then send me your solo only (maybe count in so I know where to start...or send it as a stem wav or MP3). There will be one solo section and one section where we all play together, I may cut and paste stuff to make that work.

Here is the track to jam with, if you have any questions contact me, OK? hello@misterbilly.com


I will pick the four best and use them, the players name and the color of their guitar (or favorite color).

I need this by the end of the week...no pressure!

Any takers???

Please leave comments and share, share, share!~

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

I Am Scared of Bananas When They Are Electric!

The clock is ticking...the bananas are electric...will they turn brown and black or self destruct before the deadline? Too dramatic? OK, heres the scoop, I only have two songs recorded (unless I add organ and a solo to the Banana Split Song), one music track done (Yellow Submarine, needs vocals and Spanish part...???) and about 5-6 songs ready to record that I've been working out with my son , Wil, at gigs during sound checks and on breaks, etc. Even if I get all that done this week (unlikely), I still need 3-4 more songs to complete the next CD (2 of 12).

Problem is, today I need to update my schedule, do contracts and some bookings. Wil is sick, didn't go to school, I have to take him to the doctor, no recording drums today...again.

I am also hoping to hear from a few guitar players that want to jam on a new song called "Five Rock and Roll Guitars"

Any hoot...time to eat my oatmeal and get to work...release date is February 23!!!!

Please take the poll, leave comments, share and like this post/blog...OK?

Saturday, February 4, 2012

New songs ready to record, so why is my drummer taking the weekend off?

Wil, my son is my drummer too...actually one of two drummers, his sister also works with me, but this post is about him not her...anyway, last week we did a ton of concerts at private schools and had a chance to practice, write and arrange new songs for the CD I am recording this month called "Electric Bananas".

We actually got so much done we started playing a few of the songs live to work out the bumps. Here is an example (WORLD SNEAK PEEK) at the title track "Electric Bananas", check it out...


It's a freeze dance kinda song, the kids loved at the the two schools we did it at. But I am missing the point here, we had decided to record this weekend but I buckled and let him have the weekend off...I'm taking the weekend off too, to celebrate his BIRTHDAY! Wil is turning 16 this Sunday (no Superbowl for me this year...he is not into football). Happy Birthday Wil! Send him a shout out if you like here on on his FaceBook page (friends ask me for his TEXT number...he never checks email!).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WIL!



Enjoy the weekend off!


Back to work next week we have 6 new songs to record, wow!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Do You Like Banana Splits? New Track.

OK, it's 11.37 am and even with a 59 minute phone call from one of my best friends I got the track basically done. "The Banana Split Song" I could release it this way I think, but I hear a 60's organ in the back and maybe a harmonica or sax? solo??? Maybe kids voices...got kids? Got a way to record them? And to all my musical friends out there, wanna jump in???



Everyone else please leave a comment, take the poll over on the right, "like" and SHARE this stuff, PLEASE?

Electric Bananas, Day 1

February 1st 2012, it's a new month, a new CD... know what I did the last night of January 2012? I was up all night reformatting my computer and re-installing my recording programs...who doesn't love that!!!

Well it looks like I finally got it to work and I am starting on the first new song, a suggestion from my son, Wil (who is into Rob Zombie, KISS, Manowar, journey, Theory of a Deadman and Vitas, check that guy out!), his idea? "The Banana Splits Theme Song!" We did a show yesterday and during sound check we tried it out (along with a few other nominees). Sounded pretty darn good and fun, so away we go. Got a drum part down, working on bass and guitars next. Should be done (maybe posted today...I'm still not sure if it's OK to post covers on a blog without paying...anyone know the law out there?).

If there are any keyboard or harmonica players out there that want to add to the track, I'm doing it in the key of A with no modulations....all A all the time. The tempo is 160 bpm.
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