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!

About Last Night and the Crocodile

OK, this will be my last update on the "Boogaloo Zoo" CD as I am getting ready to finish the mastering, checking the graphics and uploading the shabang to my manufacturer, TODAY...in an hour or so. But today almost didn't happen, read about last night...

I had one more song to finish, a cover of Sir Elton John's "Crocodile Rock". It's been done for a while but I just couldn't sing the high la-la-la part. My son Wil could do it, but he is still vocal recording shy, Taelor tried it (my daughter who's idea it was to do the song), but it didn't sound quite right. My lovely and talented wife Cathi (professional singer!) had a sore throat  she tried it, but it was too scratchy. What to do? So on a whim I called Oliver Kinnoin (one of my co writing partners, son of Dave Kinnoin the Songwizard) and asked if he could bail me out...

Me- RING-RING..."hi Oliver this is Mr. Billy. Can you sing the hi falsetto lalala part in "Crocodile Rock" and send it to ne...tonight?"

Oliver - "No problem, I was just sitting here working on my falsetto so I'm all warmed up"

Who sits around working on falsetto in the middle of the night??? I'm glad Oliver was...life saver!

WILD, and in a hour of so I had a vocal track that rocked. Here is is the last piece of the "Boogaloo Zoo" puzzle. Hope you like it! The whole CD should be up for sale at CD Baby and iTunes in a week or so. Rock on!

What happened, how is this possible?

As I sit here mixing my new CD "Boogaloo Zoo", song after song I am floored at how awesome these new tunes are. Really, no kidding.

What happened? How is this possible? I keep asking myself this...I mean this is the 8th CD I have done this year, shouldn't I be running out of steam...taking shortcuts, turning out ideas?

I honestly don't know how to explain it, this CD may be the best thing I've ever done! Weird.

Here are my thoughts on all the tracks as I mix...

Porcupine Petting Zoo - I wrote this with my son Wil on a road trip. Very George Thorogood-ish. Cool bluesy guitar, hard vocal...funny. We recorded all the drums, bass and guitar live on stage before a gig. Added vocals and lead guitar later.

Piggies - Yes, The Beatles classic (gone techno/punk?). This was a last minute add on, originally I was going to do a whole pig polka medley, but I changed my mind. This track rocks hard. I like it.

The Lion Sleeps Tonight - I have ALWAYS loved this song, used to have the 45. When I decided to cover this one I immediately asked my friend from South Africa Grahame Sacks if me would do a track for me, so (in the middle of a personal matter, amazing) he did. All the music, guitars, bass, percussion were performed and recorded by him at his South African studio, how cool is that? I added what seems to be pretty darn amazing vocals...yes that is all me (I have no idea how that happened!)

Amy Armadillo - A little advice, if you ever ask a wizard to write you a song, it will be magical. That's what my pal Dave Kinnoin is, a song wizard. He wrote this to order. Amazing song that I arranged in an unusual way that really makes the tune pop. Did the crazy auto wa-wa solo in the middle...me...I rock.

Waddle Like a Penguin - I have been writing this song for years, enter Dave again to save the day. Inspired by Led Zeppelin. Oh, that's my boy on drums...awesome.

Desert Thunder - Again a Dave Kinnoin song, genus. I hate to sound like a broken record here, but the vocals are good...really good. This one has a kind of 80's Romantics or Aldo Nova feel. Love it.

Freebird - There are some songs full time old rock and roll road dogs like myself dread...Proud Mary, Old Time Rock and Roll, Sweet Home Alabama and the biggie (by the same band that brought us Sweet Home Alabama)...Freebird. Now, I have never had a problem with this song. A few months ago some of the parents were shouting it out...so I did it. Then one day I thought about the lyrics and how it can be about something else...a different kind of bittersweet love story a child could relate to. So ia added the spoken part about a little girl and an injured bird...zappo! Instant kids classic. I'm not as happy with the lead vocal here, we did the music and the vocal live, the mix is weird, but it feels right. I added some additional instrumentation and in place of the lead guitars I had my friend Wiley Rankin do wild harmonica solos at the end (while we were at a children s music conference!). Overall this is a cool piece, not perfect, but that's rock and roll.

Crocodile Rock - The last song to finish today. All doe except for the high falsetto part...I just can't do it...Mrs. Billy to the rescue tonight! Basic tracks recorded live, added some more keyboards at home.

Dressing Up My Animals - I needed one more track, so I called my buddy songwriter Monty Harper and asked him if he had a song about a giraffe, he did...was working on one with Dino O'Dell. I asked if I could have it in 24 hours...he laughed at me. But they did it. I am wrapping it up today after mixing and mastering the other 10 songs. It's funny, you'll like it.

Boogaloo Zoo - This track really cooks, you can feel the energy. This song was a major breakthrough, recorded live with a few additions in the studio. It really captures the power my son and I create onstage together...a rock and roll machine!

Different - This is a classic cut re released from my first CD, as is. I love this track and I don't think it ever go a fair shake so, let's try it again!

Wild Monkeys - Another retread that SCREAMS to be on this CD. Recorded and written by Will Hale and myself in a motel and Chinese restaurant in MN. Very catchy, cool tune.

I don't know...this CD is pretty darn solid. I should have everything done by tonight.

I will start work on my next MASTERPIECE (haha!) "The Out of Control Rock and Roll Reading Show" tomorrow...

Progress report from Vegas

Hi all,

Still here in Vegas, took care of my moms arrangements yesterday.

I actually did start to work on the last song for my next CD " Boogaloo Zoo". I brought my iPad and recorded bass, drums and some guitar so far. I'm really happy with what I have so far. I may try to finish it today...we'll see.

Also, check this out, I have a lot of people ask me how I record a song on an iPad, so I am making a video of the process. I'll upload it to YouTube as soon and the song is finished...it's going to be a step by step thing and you can follow along and make your own song on your iPad (iPhone or like my son even your iPod!).

Once again I am taking advantage of the free wifi here at McDonalds! Having breakfast with my family and friends while updating my blog.

Ok, we'll this is just a short post today, hope all is well where you are, rock on!

Las Vegas?

I'm sitting in a McDonald's in Las Vegas right now. (Did you know the bathroom doors are locked here in Vegas? You have to get the manager to buzz you in...weird).

Over the weekend my mom passed away, after my weekend shows I grabbed the first flight I could get to take care my sister and all the other stuff you need to do when stuff like this happens, sad.

Needless to say I won't be finishing the Boogaloo Zoo CD this week (I was hoping to release it today, oh well).

I only have one more song to go, a little ditty called "Dressing Up My Animals". I did bring my iPad recording studio and if I can't sleep while I'm here (very good chance of that) I might try to record it in my rent a car.

On the way here I did do something really cool I want to share with you...

I created the cover for my next CD called "The Out of Control Rock and Roll Reading Show". The concept for the next CD is a fantasy concert that takes place at LIBRARY STADIUM...cool huh? Anyway, here is the cover, I might need to clean it up a bit, the plane was a little bumpy!

I think one of the best ways to honor my mom is to keep on track and finish this project. She knew I as going to finish, so I will. Five your kids a hug today, rock on.

An Armadillo a Tortoise and the Piggies

I am now in the home stretch of my next CD (#7...this is month 10, still a bit behind) "Boogaloo Zoo".

In the past three days I have finished "Amy Armadillo" and "Desert Thunder", both collaborations with the Songwizard Dave Kinnoin and company. I think that these are two of my finest recordings ever. My daughter thinks that they might be her two new favorite songs of mine!

Yesterday I decided not to do a Weird Al style "ALL PIG" polka and istead do a punk rock version of George Harrison's "Piggies" from the Beatles White Album. It like totally rocks dude.

I was supposed to finish it yesterday as part of my "30 Day Get Important Stuff Done Challenge" with Bob Baker, but life got in the way, again. So I am working on vocals right now.

Boogaloo Zoo might be one of the best CDs I have ever recorded, we'll see...best let you and the other Mr. Billy fans make that decision.

Anyway, here are TWO tracks to check out. Amy Armadillo and Desert Thunder. PLEASE share and comment, rock on!

30 Day Challenge, Day 1

Have you ever heard of Bob Baker? 

Bob is from St. Louis Missouri he is a full-time author and music marketing consultant. His most popular book is called "guerrilla music marketing". I found a copy of this book many many years ago and local music store, since then I've been following Bob or his music business blog, purchasing other products and listening to his podcasts. I have been lucky enough to meet him and was even interviewed (about a year ago) for a podcast that is scheduled to air very soon.

Recently, Bob offered a special program called "the 30 day important stuff done challenge'. I signed up immediately, why? Well, as you know I've been having a lot of trouble finishing my 12 CDs and 12 months project. I thought perhaps I needed a little kick in the pants, some accountability beyond the feedback you give me here on my blog.

Last night was my first conference call with all the members of the group, it was very exciting. Each member gets an accountability partner (someone else go through the process with you). My partner is a Alyse Black, and incredible singer-songwriter in the Tori Amos, Alicia Keys vain from Texas (check out her cover of the Beatles "Come Together" totally awesome!).

I was so jazzed up that I had a hard time sleeping, actually woke up about 3:30 in the morning took my iPad out to the living room and recorded two more songs that will appear on my next CD. If you haven't guessed yet, the thing I want to get them in the next 30 days is related to my 12 CDs 12 months project… Record at least one old song every day for the next 30 days, that's it!

I'll post some more music soon in the meantime check out Bob Baker and my new friend Alyse Black, leave the message or post a comment tell them that Mr. Billy sent you.

Rock on!