12 CDs Done

Friday, November 30, 2012

The Return of Super Monkey and More


Yesterday I finished recording all the songs for the new CD "Super Superhero Songs". The song my daughter and I wrote "A Guy Named Stan" came out AWESOME! I have included it at the bottom of this post. I also made a change on the CD cover, as I added a remix of a classic Mr. Billy song from a decade ago called "Super Monkey" (which is also at the bottom of the post). I felt that since we were all superheros on the cover I should add Super Monkey too! Can you see him up above?

I am doing the final mixing, mastering and graphic design over the weekend while I'm on the road with Wil. 

I was going to take a break but I only have 31 days to do 36 new songs, so I'm starting the next project today. It's called "Sensational Songs About Science...Fiction?" Like the title?

As I'm getting nearer the end of this project I would really appreciate you  blogging, posting on your FaceBook/Twitter, sending a note to any music writers/newspapers etc. It would be cool to let a ton of people in on this race to the finish...

Anyway, thanks for all the love and support pouring in, here are the new songs, hope you dig 'em!



Thursday, November 29, 2012

Stan Lee and Superman?

I am sitting in my studio at 8 am. I have already done my Podcast and Short Silly Song of the Day and now I'm getting ready to record the LAST song of CD #9. I wrote this one last night with my 13 year old drumming daughter Taelor. We had a great time I had my guitar and iPad and she had a laptop. 

She looked up stuff on the Internet and we bounced ideas off each other. We came up with a song about Marvel Comics mega-man Stan Lee. Here are the lyrics (it took about an hour or two to get it done):
_____________________________________

A GUY NAMED STAN
By Taelor Grisack and Wialliam Charles Grisack III

Can you imagine a world without the Avengers
Can you imagine a wold without Spider-man
Can you imagine a wold with the god of thunder
Can you imagine a world without a guy named Stan?

Can you imagine a world without Tony Stark
Can you imagine a world without his Iron Man
Can you imagine a world without Captain Marvel
Can you imagine a world without a guy named Stan?

Can you imagine a world without Magneto
Can you imagine a world without Titanium Man
Can you imagine a world without the Human Tourch
Can you imagine a world without a guy named Stan?

What if there was no Fantastic Four
What if there was no Giant Man
What if there was no, no, no, no X-Men
What if there was no guy named Stan

Stan Lee, there has to be a Stan Lee
Or we would not be happy in this universe
Stan Lee, there has to be a Stan Lee
Or maybe two or three in the multi-verse

What would the heroes do without the villains
What would the heroes do without a plan
What would the heroes do without the sidekicks
What would the heroes do without a guy named Stan

Their creator is a marvel
With a most fantastic hand
Their creator humble Mr. Lee
Is just  a guy named Stan
_________________________________

Pretty cool huh? I will post the song tomorrow...I may take a day off before starting the next CD...CD #10!!!!


Oh, and here is the Superman Mania song I promised you yesterday, enjoy!



Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Spider-man or Superman?

Being sick really stinks...I had to take off most of the day yesterday (slept for like 6 hours in the afternoon) due to some kind of stomach thingy. Do superheroes ever get sick? If not, I want to be one! Well actually I am, all f my family is on the next CD cover above. I finished it while I was waiting for my son to have his drum lesson last night. I really, rally like this one.

BTW- a big tip for all you DIY musicians out there, the title graphic "Super Superhero Songs" was done by an artist at fiverr.com, it only cost me $10 ($5 for the art + $5 to color it!!!) amazing. check it out at the artist is Mabelma the link is http://fiverr.com/mabelma (mention Mr. Billy if you order anything, OK?)

Anyway, I did record a new song today and I am working on another (taking a short break from it right now). The first is a parody of Billy Joels "Piano Man", with new Spider-man movie lyrics by Weird Al. I always loved this one, but I put my own spin on it...no piano, no band...just me and my guitar. The other song I am working on is a mash up of Superman songs called "Superman Mania". I should have it done today, I'll post it tomorrow. So, for now please check out "Spider-man (Ode to a Superhero)", remember what they taught you in kindergarten...SHARE!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Batman and Villains on Vacation


Two more songs done. The first song, the one I talked about and actually finished recording yesterday is called "Villains on Vacation" It turned out (pardon the pun) super. There is a cool battle part in the middle with newscaster commentary. Here is the songs, give it a listen and share, share, share. Add to your FaceBook today, please?


The next song I kinda decided to do on a whim, thought it would be quick and easy...WRONG! But I am glad I did it. It's a kind of mash-up of the Batman movie theme, the Batman TV show theme and Jingle Bells Batman Smells.

Way back when I first proposed the superhero project one of my collaborators, Will Hale said, "You HAVE to do Jingle Bells Batman Smells...it's a given". So I did it.

I recorded kids at my daughters school doing background vocals yesterday and finished the recording this morning. I have planned to get one of two more songs done today, but I have a sick tummy, so that be all for today, we'll see. Give this one a listen too, let me know what you think!

Monday, November 26, 2012

Villains, Batman, Stan Lee, Cyber Monday and Me

It's Monday, not just any Monday it's (big music sound) "CYBER MONDAY!". But not for me, today is get back to work day! I only have 35 days left and 3 1/2 CDs to create. I need to pick up the pace.

This weekend I did a gig at a casino playing 50's and 60's music with some local friends. We had a great time but the gig was over 3 hours away. My wife drove so I was able to write a new song for the next CD, "Sensations Songs About Science...Fiction?" and record the music for another super hero song called "Villains on Vacation". I am doing the guitars and vocals today.

I have also finalized the song list for the new CD, check it out:


  1. Magneto and Titanium Man COVER
  2. Villains on Vacation - DAVE
  3. Comic book store
  4. Green
  5. Bowling for Heros
  6. Super sidekicks
  7. Action hero
  8. Superman-A-Mania
  9. Stan lee
  10. Girl Power 
  11. Spider-man (Ode to a Superhero) 
  12. Batman
The songs in red are not recorded yet and I am writing "Stan Lee" with my daughter today, after we watch his biographical documentary on Netflix, again.


I hope to get Villains finished, record "Batman" (I am visiting my kids school and having the students do the vocals...should be fun!) and write "Stan Lee" today. Yep, that's it! Oh, and I have to go grocery shopping, get my glasses fixed (I'm pretty blind right now), unpack and van and go to the bank... that's really it.

Here's the lyrics to "Villains on Vacation " complete with chords, hope you like it, rock on!

VILLAINS ON VACATION
words and music by Dave Kinnoin
©2012 Song Wizard Music (ASCAP)

INTRO:
|Bm A|G A| Bm A| G A|

verse one:
  D                          G
Welcome to the carnival
          D                           G
This old, abandoned barn is full
         D                                    G                Asus  A
Of  hopes and dreams of devilish delights.
       D                               G
Perhaps you’d like a swing or two
        D                         G
At standees of do-gooders who                              
            D                                       Em7                    Asus A 
Have plagued your wayward days and sinful nights.
        Bm                        F#m
The ticket you have purchased brings
      G                      A
A vast array of naughty things
          Bm                    F#m                       G  A
With narry a single chance of trips to jail.
    D                        G
We’ll tell tales of terrible,
            D                                       G
Dark deeds that make hearts very full
       D                                  Em                         Asus A
Of hate and fear—may wicked ways prevail!

chorus:
                        Bm  A  G
Villains on vacation--
          A                     Bm  A  G
Recreation for the hated.
           A              Bm
One thing is for way sure:
                  G
Your evil nature
                  F#
Will get rejuvenated.
                                   Bm  A  G
Being bad takes its toll—
           A           Bm  A  G
You need relaxation.
                A                            Bm
So kick back because the chill is on,
               G                    F#
All you villains on vacation.
                        Bm  A  G  A  Bm  A  G  A
Villains on vacation

verse two:
We cater to each minister
Of all things foul and sinister--
Magneto, Joker, Doctor Doom, Mistique,
Lex Luther, Darkseid, Braniac--
Be sure to fill your baddy sack
With lowdown plans for havoc you can wreak.
Galactus, Loki, Ra’s Al Ghul,
Cat Woman, Red Skull, King Pin, you’ll
Appreciate our dark dastardly décor
Dark Phoenix, Bullseye, Sinestro, please
No worries, friends, just rest at east
We celebrate what you’ve been fighting for.!

(repeat chorus)

bridge:
  E                              C#                       F#
Juggernaut, Black Adam, Norman Osborn, and the rest,
B                                                                       E
Be refreshed so you’ll be ready for what heroes all detest.
     C#                                                          F#
I guess you must have realized when you walked

through our door,
             F                             G
Daring reprobates, the world awaits
           A
What all you have in store…


Friday, November 23, 2012

It's a bird...it's a plane...NOT

Look up in the blog, it's a bird...it's a plane...NO! It's The Mighty Mr. Billy! Yes I did finally make my superhero cartoon. I got a lot of suggestions and this is what I came up with. Like it?

Great news, as of today I am 50% done with CD #9. I took off Thursday (Thanksgiving) and even though I slept in VERY LATE, I still got 2 new songs recorded today, that brings the total up to 6 songs done, they are:

1. Magneto and Titanium Man 
2. Comic Book Store
3. Action Hero, Hero Action
4. Super Sidekicks
5. Green - NEW
6. Bowling for Heroes - NEW

"Green" was written for this project by my good pal and pretty steady writing partner this year, Dave Kinnoin. It's quite simply a song about green heroes, and there are a few. My wife Cathi did some vocals on the chorus and my son said this was his favorite song so far, his other favorite was "Bowling for Heroes", the other song I did today. Complete with bowling alley sound effects, it paints a nice little picture of super heroes blowing off steam at "The Super Bowl"...no not that Super Bowl.


Here they both are for your enjoyment. Love to hear your comments...please!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Three for the Price of One Today Only!



I am so freaking happy today! WHY?

Well, first off, it's my lovely and talented brides birthday (Mrs. Billy...see also goes by Cathi) and it's 12 o'clock and I have WRITTEN and RECORDED two songs already today...REALLY!

So now I have 4 songs in the can for "Super Superhero Songs", just 8 more to go! I am so happy I want to share all three with you. PLEASE...pretty please...leave comments here on the blog and it you have FaceBook shoot a post and a link too, OK?

Well lats start with last night, I finished my first songwriting collaboration with Sue Straw whom I meet at the Children's Music Network conference in Chicago this year. I recorded one of her songs (Boogie Woogie Bookworm) on the last CD. The song is called "Super Sidekicks" This is the first one we have done together, what do you think, should we do more?


The next song is called "Action Hero, Hero Action". It's a movement song for the younger kids.  I knew I wanted to do at least one movement song on this (and each CD), I had an idea for this one for a while and I've been singing different ideas into my iPhone for a week or so. I woke up this morning and couldn't get it out of my head, so after we had a little breakfast party for Cathi and I go the kids off to school, recorded my MAD MUSIC MARKETING PODCAST and SHORT SILLY SONG OF THE DAY the first thing I did was finish writing and recording this one. Here it is...thoughts?



And finally the song I just finished. I wrote the words for this one a week ago, but I totally changed it as I was recording. It's called "The Comic Book Store". My son is a bit quiet and shy, but when I started taking him to comic shops I noticed he really opened up and started talking to people, people he had stuff in common with, safe. I used to feel the same way. Here it is, I hope you like it...I hope you like them all actually. Rock on!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Magneto and Titanium Man Return!

OK, here is is day 2 of the recording and production of CD #9 "SUPER SUPERHERO SONGS" (which I'm thinking of adding a Vol. 1 to the title, what do you think about that?).

Today I just finished the first complete song a cover of Paul McCartney's classic "Magneto and Titanium Man". Does anyone know these guys? Magneto is from X-Men right? But I thought he was a villain..and who the heck is Titanium Man and the Crimson Dynamo? I gotta brush up on my old comic knowledge.

This was actually the first song I decided to do when I chose a superhero theme. My daughter Taelor and I sing this song at the top of our lungs on the way home for gigs to help stay awake. I even added her name in the lyrics...she might hate that...dads...what are you gonna do. Next thing you know I'll drop by the school with a snack and give her a hug in front of her classmates! Daaaaaad!!!!!!!

Yesterday I spent all my free time working on more of the graphics, here is Family Hero #3, my wife Cathi is, "FLOWER POWER!". Pretty cool huh. Now I need to create a hero for my...just THE MIGHTY MR. BILLY??? I don't know yet.

I also started working on a new song about 1 AM last night (couldn't sleep) called "SUPER SIDEKICKS", a collaboration with Sue Straw from Oklahoma. It's a fun time, a rocker with interactive clapping parts. I might try to finish that or something else today, we'll see.

Anyway, here is the RETURN of "Magneto and Titanium Man"

Monday, November 19, 2012

The Super Superhero Songs Sessions Start TODAY!

OK all, CD #8 is history and off to the manufacturer and distributor (CD Baby and iTunes etc...YEA!), not it's time to get SUPER.

Took the weekend off and now I'm ready to rock again.

My next project, CD # 9 is all about super heroes and superhero things.

The title is "SUPER SUPERHERO SONGS"


Here is the projected song list:


  1. Magneto and Titanium Man
  2. Villains on Vacation
  3. Girl Power
  4. Superman-a-Mania
  5. Spider-man (Ode to a Superhero)
  6. Bowling for Heroes
  7. Green
  8. Comic Book Store
  9. Action Hero, Hero Action
  10. You Could be Female
  11. Stan Lee
  12. Sidekick Blues
The cover is going to feature my family and I envisioned as superheroes. So far I have Wil (my drumming son and video dude) as THE CONTROLLER and Taelor (daughter, also drummer, artist and Beatles fan) is THE BRITISH INVADER. Here they are, what do you think?


Thursday, November 15, 2012

All done...NOT.

I was so excited today. I finally finished EVERYTHING on CD #8 (The Out of Control Rock and Roll Reading Show). I had the master ready to upload and THEN...

I forgot to finish all the graphics and the CD needs to be remastered...the volumes are all over the place.

Darn.

So I am redoing the mastering now and plan to get the artwork finished sometime tomorrow.

Good news however, I have started writing and planning the next CD, #9 "Super Superhero Songs". I have all but one song picked and recording will begin this week.

But until then, check out this AWESOME track with me a Dave Kinnoin jamming "live" at the mythical Library Stadium...enjoy!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Is it LIVE or is it...


Almost all the recording is done for CD #8 " The Out of Control Rock and Roll Reading Show". But there is one more part to this CD, something I have never tried before. I am attempting to make this album sound like it was recorded live at a giant stadium or arena.

Not that I'm trying to fool anyone or anything, but the idea of this project is to present it as a FICTIONAL FANTASY event that takes place a LIBRARY STADIUM. 

So as I finish the music and vocals I will now begin to add crows sounds, introductions and banter with my guest start, which there are many.

Here is the song list (the final order is not set yet) and a little acknowledgement of the special guests that appear on each track.
  1. The Out of Control Rock and Roll Reading Show with Clark Colborn
  2. Overdue
  3. Meet Me at the Library with Will Hale
  4. Words with Bob Baker
  5. Shakespeare in My Ear with Dave Kinnoin
  6. Bedtime Stories 
  7. Blast into Books with Monty Harper
  8. Can You Dig It?
  9. Boogie Woogie Bookworm with Sue Straw
  10. Stop Drop and Read
  11. Read-A-Rooey with Dave Kinnoin
  12. The Out of Control Rock and Roll Reading Show (Reprise) with Peter Cox
So here is my first attempt at recording a fake live song, the last track you'll hear on the CD is the fist to be finished...whaddaya think?




Monday, November 12, 2012

Mr. Spock, Time is Running Out


Captains log stardate 11.12.2012:

While orbiting an M class planet above a humanoid territory called Wisconsin the crew and I decided to record 12 new musical projects, called CDs on the planet below, in just one orbital rotation, called an earth year.

My away team and I have been gathering data about customs and the interests of the life forms below, however Starfeet Command has repeatedly sent us away from our primarily mission to complete other tasks during this time. Time is the one thing we are running out of.

At the request of Starfeet I have added a countdown device to our computer log, also know below as a, "blog". I fear that if we have not finished our task before the counter runs out it may activate our ships self destruct code.

We have no choice to to finish what has become an impossible job. I've asked our chief engineer to push our reactors to the max and or doctor to prepare for a wave of overworked and exhausted crewman visiting sickbay for the next 30 days.

The most recent musical composition we have completed may be the best work my crew has done sa far, at least the first verse...I have spoken to Commander Spock about the strange and unusual topic Ensign Harper choose for verse two, but as I said we are running out of time, as odd as it is I must accept it a some kind of space madness setting in.. Please give it a listen and see if you agree, Kirk out.


Saturday, November 10, 2012

Can You Dig It?

Every year The Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP), a consortium of states working together choose a theme for summer reading. In 2012 the children's theme will be "Dig into Books @ Your Library".

For the past several years I have written and recorded entire CD's of material that went with the theme, but to be honest that was when no else was doing it. Now there are so many artists writing and recording songs for the summer reading theme it seems silly for me to continue doing 12 songs EVERY year. So this year I am recording a CD called "The Out of Control Rock and Roll Reading Show", a kinda one-size-fits-all project that will also be the name of my library programs for a while. All the songs are about reading and libraries, but I did not forsake the 2013 reading theme...no, no, no.


I just finished recording a song I am very proud of called simply, "Dig It".


While most of my friends and fans consider me to be the quintessential kids rocker, I grew up on the east coast where at the time most music on the radio was R&B, Soul, Disco and Pop, not as much of the music which is now called Classic Rock. So I went back to my TRUE roots and did a little blue eyed soul. I did my best to emulate the Temptations or Four Tops  back-up vocals...I dig it, do you? Here it is, hope you dig and share, share, share! Rock...I mean, soul (?) on!



Thursday, November 8, 2012

Help! What in the world was I thinking???


I am writing this message after lunch on November 8, 1012. In just 53 days I am supposed to reach my goal of recording 12 new CDs in 12 months. The problem is I have just started working on CD # 8 a few days ago. That leaves me with 4 more CDs, 48 songs to write (co-write or find), record and release.

I want to thank everyone who has supported, encouraged and helped me so far.

Yesterday one of my co-writers contacted me to let me know he did the math and it didn't look good. He wanted to know what my intentions are...finish what I can? 8 or 9 CDs in a year is a pretty awesome feat, right? But my answer was that I planned to do all 12 or die trying. With that reply he told me I should reach out to all my co-writers and contributing musicians around the world and get (in the words of the Beatles) "A Little Help from My Friends". He then pledged to write 3 songs a week for me..WOW. I didn't know what to say except...YES! Let's do it!

So here is where I am so far.

1. Working on CD 8 "The Out of Control Rock and Roll Reading Show" right now. I have all the songs I need, but I could use some keyboard solos, maybe a piano and some additional lead and backing vocals.

2. Next CD #9 will be about super heroes called "Super, Super Hero Songs". Need songs, music tracks, riffs, any instruments...whatever.

3. After that I will record #10, a CD all about science fiction and fact called "Sensational Songs About Science...Fiction?" Again I need songs and such...not too much planned here.

4. Here comes CD #11, the follow up to the insanely popular "Electric Bananas" called (this was a hard one) "Another Bunch of Electric Bananas!", I have some songs and ideas, but what I need are really super fun...FUNNY songs with a lot of movement and interaction, etc.

5. Then if I'm not totally wiped out I need to do CD #12, the big one...topic...????....I have no real idea yet.

So there you go. Any songwriters, musicians or singers wanna record with me? Here is a great example of an artists that reached out. His name is Clark and he plays guitar, REALLY WELL. I sent him a track and here he is recording his part (in ONE TAKE!). This is the opening song of the new CD called "Out of Control" Check out his website here, and you can get a free song if you sign up for his email. FYI, Clark isn't a kids artist so parents check it out first, OK?

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

What is My Next Great Adventure?

With CD number seven now in the hands of CD baby, my distributor, it's now time to concentrate on CD number eight.

Number eight? I'm already deep into November and have five more CDs to finish before the end of the year. I don't want my fans, friends, family or most importantly myself to be let down. Win or not win this experience has been awesome… I've learned a lot about myself and I think I've grown as a songwriter, singer, producer and cartoonist. Now I know this sounds a lot like a concession speech, but I'm not ready to give up yet. I have a few tricks up my sleeve.

The good news is I am deeply into the new CD which is titled "the out of control rock 'n roll reading show". This project is sort of a concept album, it's like Sgt. Pepper's lonely hearts club band and the concert for Bangladesh rolled into one. It's going to be presented as a live concert, a fantasy concert… Make pretend, that takes place at the mythical "Library Stadium". All the songs are about books, reading, libraries or writers… And they all rock, hard.

I have chosen all the songs, except one that my wonderful songwriting big brother Dave Kinnoin is working on as I write this blog.

I have two songs fully recorded, three songs half recorded, a few that have been submitted by my friends and co-writers and one really great title/idea, really great (it was one by my lovely wife) called "Stop, Drop and Read", which will be a movement song.

Another thing I wrote and worked out before a gig at soundcheck is a new song for 2013 sumer reading called "Can You Dig It?". I would love to have some R&B or soul musicians play on this track, like a saxophone or Fender piano… Maybe some female backup singers. Anyone out there want to give it a shot?

Here is the video, the vocals are pretty bad in the middle, but I think you'll get the idea.


I have one more thing to share with you, this song is called "bedtime stories". It was inspired by a song I did a long time ago called "the sleeping song", a song about the importance of getting rest and sleep but instead of making a quiet lullaby song it was a real rocker with a cowbell so loud it would make the Blue Oyster Cult jealous. This song is fast, loud and fun. Hope you like it, please (please?) comment here and share on all of your networks… Rock on!