Tag: bucket list

I’m living my “bucket list” dream of being a musician by recording my fifth singer-songwriter album (my eleventh as a music artist).

The songs on this new album are apparently better than ever, as legendary musicians are saying the lyrics are “perfect” and “hypnotic” and “every song is a favorite.”

Drummer Joe Vitale

Drummer Joe Vitale – yes, he has the same name as me – who is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has created over 200 albums, with over 50 being gold (and many platinum) records – asked me how I came up with the songs for this new album.

Playing a Versoul baritone guitar on the new album

Here’s what I told him:

1. Intention

I have an intention to turn one of my messages into a song. In other words, I have positive messages – the ones I spend entire books writing about – and I want to morph them into songs people want to hear.

2. Inspiration

I have a Cuban cigar (now legal) and relax. Anything could help, as long as it relaxes me, and lets my mind drift. This mind wandering is what allows me to receive a song to match my intention.

3. Implementation

I pick up an acoustic guitar — usually the one Tony Nobles made for Ray Wylie Hubbard that I later bought – and just ad lib a song. I let it be nonsense or sense. I try not to judge too early. I want the song to come to me, from the muse or my mind, or the dance of both.

4. Record

I then turn on the voice recorder on my iPhone and record what is coming. This may be an entire song, a few chords, lyrics, or other snippet. Doesn’t matter. I record it.

5. Revise

I then transcribe the song, so I have the words on paper for me to tweak or approve. I usually spend a lot of time bringing the message into rhyme and polished form. I’ve learned you can polish inspiration.

From there, it’s a matter of living with the songs and seeing if they take more refined shape and that I really like them.

After that, it’s time to get my band together – Daniel Barrett, drummer Joe Vitale, Glenn Fukunaga and Guitar Monk Mathew Dixon – and see how they can help me arrange the music to fit the message. (Sometimes I have guest artists, as well. Grammy nominated singer Ruthie Foster sings on my new album.)

The result is a Hypnotic Song.

And because they are generally three minutes long, the songs are like 3-minute self-help books.

My new album – the one we just completed recording – contains the best songs I’ve ever written so far.

From rock to jazz to poetry to sing-a-long, there’s something for everyone.

It’s called “One More Day: Life Lessons in Hypnotic Song.”

You can pre-order it at One More Day.

Coming Soon - "One More Day"

I’m sharing this with you today for a few reasons:

1. I want you to go for your dreams, too.

Whatever your secret positive desire, you deserve to experience it. You’ll never know if you don’t try. Do it. Now.

2. I want you to set intentions and trust that inspiration will come to you as a result.

While intentions can be limitations, they can also be directives. Use them as starting points to “call forth” something great.

3. I want you to be fearless.

Being a musician in my sixties is a wild jump for me, yet it is not only working, but working flawlessly. My music is well received, my songs and singing are getting better and better, and I’m having a blast. Had I not faced the early doubts and fears, I would have missed this incredible life.

Sing your song, dance your dance, live your life.

Pre-order the new album “One  More Day: Life Lessons in Hypnotic Song” by clicking right here.

Expect Miracles!

Ao Akua,

Joe

PS – I posted this brief video on Facebook and 12,000 people viewed it there. It’s a sneak peek at a song off the new album, with me describing the depth of it, and how it moves me. See http://youtu.be/xiELqAr1Exk or you can see it on the album site right here.

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