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!

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!

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!

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!

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…

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!

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!