Talk Like Pirate Day Turns 10 Years Old!

Did you know it was 10 years ago that a new kooky holiday was invented called "talk like a pirate day?"

It's true! This year the holiday falls on September 19… Arrrr….

To learn more about it, check out these links...

The Official Site

Talk Like  Pirate Day

So to cash in, I mean commemorate this decade of pirating decadence I decided to add a couple of pirate songs to the new CD. The first is a collaboration with my Oklahoma songwriting buddy Monty Harper called (how original) "Talk Like a Pirate Day" the second is a new version of a song that first appeared on H2O Go-Go called, "If I Was a Pirate". When it was first recorded it featured my daughter, Taelor on lead vocals (she also cowrote the song).

Here is the new version now called, "A Pirate Song".

I'm also looking for many followers, fans and friends to take a stab at making a simple music video for the other song by Monty and I...you could do a PowerPoint or find an iPad or iPhone app that makes simple slideshows or let your inner Steven Spielberg go and make it is wild as you want… Any takers? If you want to try to do a video I will happily send you a copy of the new song ASAP.

In the meantime, enjoy my new rendition of "A Pirate Song"

Simple is NOT easy!

So, as you know by now I'm still behind a CD or two. So I decided to do something I thought would be simple, a way to catch up… An all solo acoustic guitar and vocal collection, sounds like a no-brainer right? Well, just like everything else in this project nothing is as easy as it seems.

I got off to a great start, did three songs the first day… But then I decided I didn't like the third song very much so I recorded it three more times, it's almost done… One more take and I think it will be good.

I did however get a giant jump ahead on this project by doing all of the artwork first. It took about two days I did it all on my iPad, this is the first time I've been able to do all of the graphic design from start to finish on the iPad! I've always wanted to do this, and it's pretty darn awesome, check it out…

The songs are not totally set in stone yet but so far I've recorded a song about a dinosaur, a new take on the three little pigs story, the title track. Today I hope to be working on songs about pirates (talk like a pirate day is coming soon, and maybe I might be able to cash in on it this year).

I might be recording a new Beatles a song or two and a wild version of "how much is that doggie in the window?" that I've been doing at my live shows for about a month and it's going over very very well.

Here is a sneak peek of one of the songs called "roar like a dinosaur", Wil and I came up with this one before a show about a month ago, I started doing it the very next day… Hope you dig it, don't forget to comment like and share!

The New Brick House

I love parody songs, in fact one of my all-time favorite recording artists is Weird Al. I've never really got into writing parody songs… I don't know why. But about two or three months ago Wil and I were talking about starting a sideband called "Uke Nukem" it will be ukulele and drums duo the plays comedy music and parodies. I wrote my first parody for this band called red shirt or maybe it's called crewmen... Don't remember, basically it's a parody of a police song called Roxanne and it's the song that pleads with the crewmen of the enterprise not to put on a red shirt because we all know they go first.

Last night when I couldn't sleep, which is a dilemma I've had a lot lately, I got the idea of doing a parody of the Commodores song Brickhouse.

Everybody knows the song Brickhouse, right?  Parents love that song (hear it at every wedding and oldies station) but the message is just not quite right for kids so I thought about Brickhouse and I figured...geewhiz, little pigs built a brick house so I ran with that and I wrote a story from the perspective of the big bad Wolf as he encounters a Strawhouse a Stickhouse and a Brickhouse!


Here are the lyrics below, I think I might include the song on my nexy CD called a boy and his guitar, what you think? I think the grownups will giggle because they know what the song is really about, and I think the retelling of the classic three little pigs the big bad Wolf is always a winner when it comes to kids, storytelling and music. Here you go...comments?

Straw House, Stick House, Brick House

Straw house
Little pig inside sleeping in his bed
I see a straw house
Banged on the door and this is what I said

Little pig let me in
He said not by the hair of my chinny chin chin
Then I'll huff and puff and blow your house down
When I did the little piggie packed up and left town

Went to a stick house
His brother built it now two piggies share the rent
Stick house
If they don't let me in they'll be living in a tent

Little pig let me in
They said not by the hair of our chinny chin chins
Then I'll huff and puff and blow your house down
The sticks went flying and the piggies ran to town

And bought a brick house
The other brother moved in with them today
Brick house
When I got there I could hear the three pigs say

Can't blow it blow it down, blow it down, down

Cause it's a brick house
It's mighty mighty you can hear them shout
It's our brick house
Put together everybody knows this is how the story goes

So I huffed and I puffed
But couldn't blow it down
So did what any big bad wolf would do
I got a ticket out of town

Far away from that brick house
Where the piggies safely stayed
Brick house
Three little piggies game well played

Where is my guitar cord?

OK boys and girls, now that my MAY CD is finally out, time to continue to play catch up and work on my JUNE CD. I would officially like to introduce you to...

"A BOY AND HIS GUITAR"

12 songs
1 guitar
1 microphone
1 iPad
1 me.
That's it.

Here are some of the songs that I think I'll be recording (most likely all on the iPad this time)...

A boy and his guitar

Roar like a dinosaur

Name these tunes (a medley of classic kids songs like twinkle twinkle and wheels on the bus etc.)

Hush little alien (based on the book)

My trip to the pet store (how much is that doggie in the window?)

Ticket to ride (Beatles!)

It's a green day (about St. Patrick's Day, not the band)

Just a Bad day

Talk like a pirate day

Underwear, under where?

Video camera (might have to rename this "My Video App...who uses a camcorder anymore?)

No guarantee that any of these songs will make the cut, but I am starting to record tomorrow.  Anyone have any song ideas, original or cover that might work? I thought about Harry Chapin's "Cat's in the Cradle"...dunno...thoughts???

My new CD is available today!

OK, I did not lose my mind, I am not dreaming. The 5th CD in my 12 CD trilogy X's 4 is available for purchase directly from my manufacturer today. In the next few weeks it'll be popping up on CD Baby, iTunes, Spottify, catalogs and retail outlets worldwide.

You can hear full length songs here on the blog or at SoundCloud.

If you would like be the first person on your block to get a copy click here.

See...it's real...really real! BTW-this CD is AWESOME...cool guitar solos and great messages for kids of all ages. Tell a teacher about this one.

Pillars, Places and People of Character

1.  A Person of Character 2.  Whoa- Whoa- Whoa, Eet s Jacques Cousteau! 3.  It Could've Been Me 4.  Peace Train 5.  Citizenship 6.  A Place of Character 7.  Lotta Good in There 8.  Martin Luther King Jr. 9.  Good Place 10.  Respect Me 11.  Harry Potter (No Good Toys) 12.  My Dad (Man of Honor)

Mixing It Up!

Now that all the songs are recorded, it's time to do the final mix down. Listening to the songs I'm amazed at the variety of styles, and vocal textures I was able to come up with.

One of the things I like most about this CD is the co-writers I've been working with. There's one song by Grammy award-winning songwriter Marla Lewis a few songs by Disney songwriter Dave Kinnion and his son Oliver, a super cover song and some new tunes by me.

I really think my songwriting, production, vocals and maybe even the guitar playing (some hot guitar solos here) have gone up another level…once you have a chance to listen to it i would love to hear what you think!

This CD is a departure from what I usually do, the songs are targeted to older kids but I think younger kids will like them too. I want to start taking preorders today or tomorrow for this CD so spread the word.

So, here is what I finished yesterday, mixing right now...

It's a song I'm extremely proud of (it was actually the first song submitted when I started this process and ironically, the last recorded) it's called, "it could've been me" Lyrics below. I hope you like it again as always please comment and like and share, rock on!





IT COULD'VE BEEN ME
words and music by Dave Kinnoin
©2012 Song Wizard Music (ASCAP)


I read about a girl who helped a homeless man.
At first she was afraid, but then she made a plan.
Her mom and dad and her brother helped her out.
They said that's what a family is all about.
They got the job done.
The world is better than it would've been.
I started thinkin'.

It could've been me.
It could've been me.
It could've been me who needed help that day,
Me whose kind heart led the way.
It could've been me
It could've been me.

I saw a powerful documentary
About a lonely boy who struggled hopelessly
Until a teacher discovered what was wrong
And supplied gentle guidance as the kid grew strong.
They got the job done.
The world is better than it would've been.
I started thinkin'.

There's a line somewhere between
What I can and cannot do.
I will aim for every loving possibility
Yeah, yeah, yeah.

You Wanna PEACE of This?

Wow two blog posts in one day day, what's going on here???

I just finished a cover of Cat Stevens classic Peace Train song.

I have always loved this song, it was a big hit when I was in high school… Yes I am that old.

My wife, is a big 10,000 Maniacs fan, I really like their version of the song but I was worried that covering this to might be a bit controversial. Natalie Merchant, lead singer of 10,000 Maniacs wanted to have the song removed from their CD when Cat Stevens converted to Islam… Whatever. I still like the song and I think as a great message, whether the author still believes in the message are not is not an issue for me… I'll let the song do the talking.

Here's the track, please send me your comments and thoughts… Most of all, enjoy! Back to the studio...

Almost there!

Today I'm moving my recording studio from the kitchen to my bedroom.
The problem is, my bedroom is a disaster it's going take me about two
or three hours to clean up the mess… just kidding probably an hour to
find a space to set up my recording equipment.

Today I'll be finally finishing my CD about character traits. I have
one lead vocal left to do, it's for a cover of a song by SteveSongs
called, "No Good Toys", a song about Harry Potter which I think will
fit in nicely with my character CD. I have to redo a couple of vocal
spots add guitar to a couple of songs, do the final mix and mastering
and all of the recording will be done… Awesome!

The last three songs I've been working on I recorded most of the music
on my iPad in between shows on breaks, in parking lots, motel rooms,
in my van, anywhere I can find the time. Yesterday I managed to get
all of the songs moved from my iPad to my MacBook. I had a great time
doing vocals I'm really happy with the way they turned out. Today I
hope you get all the guitar parts done I'll be recording directly into
the MacBook.

Tomorrow will be a little bit more difficult I need to move everything
over to my Windows machine which is broken right now. I need to move
into my Windows machine because my manufacturer will not accept files
done on a Mac they have a proprietary program that is Windows only so
once I've finished doing all the recording, I have to make sure my
artwork is done, make sure my licensing and songwriting credits are
correct, then upload everything to my Manufacturers server… Assuming I
can get the darn Windows 7 machine to run. Anyone else have problems
with their Windows computer?

I love my iPhone, I love my iPod, I love my iPad, and I really love my
MacBook… My old Windows machine, not so much.

Well, here I go wish me luck today as I clean room, set up equipment
and record a masterpiece… All in a days work for Mr. Billy.

BEFORE

AFTER

I have a confession to make

When I first started this project, I had a simple plan. Record one or two songs a day for two weeks then, do the artwork, mixed, master and release it for sale. Take a week off… Rinse and repeat. Simple!

MY CONFESSION...

Until I got to CD number five, "Pillars, Places and People of Character". I've been at this one now for about three months (2 months and two weeks over schedule), I thought I was done. But, I just wasn't happy with my lead vocals on many of the songs. While at sound check a few days ago my drummer, Wil suggested I try to sing some of the songs in different keys… WOW.

What a difference, so… I have decided to spend even more time on this CD and redo most of the vocals, change most of the keys and make the best darn character CD I can.

I know it will be worth the wait, and I apologize to all my friends fans are waiting for new music for the minivan… Hang in there.

Maybe I should start taking pre-orders for the CD, what do you think? If you have the time, spread the word, tell any teachers that are interested in good character music for their classrooms about my project, okay?

Back to work…can't keep Hot Dog waiting...

Wanna know something weird? I used to have pants like Archie, a vest like Jughead and boots like Veronica! TMI?

Still Rocking, Still Recording...No Matter What

It's been a while since I've posted on my CD recording progress.

First off for everyone waiting for the May CD "Moving Day" to be available on iTunes and CD Baby, we have been hung up with legal issues, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel... Really.

"So why no CD for June and July yet Mr. Billy?" good question, I have been doing between 2 to 6 (yes I said 6!) shows a day. Just can't seem to finish one, but I've been working on 2 new CDs simultaneously... Doing vocals in the van between shows and recording at sound checks and in our motel rooms, etc.

Here is the final track list for "Pillars, Places and People of Character"

Person of Character
Martin Luther King Jr.
Respect Me
My Dad
Citizenship
A Place of Character
A Good Place
Jacques Cousteau
Lotta Good in There
It Could Have Been Me
Harry Potter (No Good Toys)
Peace Train

This CD will be followed up with an all animal collection called "Boogaloo Zoo" and an all acoustic collection called "A Boy and His Guitar" with a super cool project that I'm super excited about... It's gonna be super!!!

Yes summer has not been kind to me and this crazy project but you have my monkey back guarantee I WILL HAVE 12 NEW CDs before the last day of 2012.