Tag: loa

Here’s a secret video clip from inside the studio on October 7, recording my singer-songwriter music CD, called Strut!. That’s me with Daniel Barrett, the other Joe Vitale, and Glenn Fukunaga. Note how we are all truly moving to the music. The song (unedited and untouched as you hear it here) is called Today’s the Day. Enjoy!

Member BBB 2003 - 2011

When I went into the recording studio on October 6th to record my first songs — original songs I wrote and was going to sing and play guitar to for the first time ever — I was nervous.

I was about to perform with two music legends: Glenn Fukunaga on bass (who just came off tour with Robert Plant) and the other Joe Vitale on drums (who’s played with virtually every rock star since Neil Young). I didn’t need any coffee that morning. I was already buzzing.

Neither Glenn or Joe had heard my music before. They didn’t know me, my songs, my style, my voice, my playing, or anything else. Joe met me the night before. Glenn met me at the studio. They loved the idea of creating music with positive messages. But we were all new to each other.

And this was my first time to sing and play with anyone.

The night before, I told the other Joe Vitale that I was nervous. He said,  “Nervous? That’s perfect! You don’t want to go in there feeling dead. You can use that energy.”

I realized he was right. My nervousness was excitement.  I also knew I needed all the help I could get. So I asked drummer Joe for advice. Since he has five decades worth of experience in the studio and on stage, I knew he’d offer something useful. He did.

Recording "Strut!" in studio

“I don’t know your songs, but you wrote them for a reason,” Joe began. “They stand for something you believe in. I say go in there and TESTIFY, man. There are popular singers who can’t sing, but we love their energy. I say let it rip and TESTIFY.”

That word “testify” stayed with me.

It meant passion and purpose and commitment and energy and a lot more. According to Merriam-Webster, “testify” means —

a : to make a statement based on personal knowledge or belief : bear witness

b : to serve as evidence or proof to express a personal conviction.

I was going to bear witness that my songs are evidence of my personal conviction about life, choice, risk, Law of Attraction, and more.

I wrote the word “testify” down on a green index card and took it with me into the studio. I placed it on my music stand, right beside my sheet music and a photo of Johnny Cash, so I could see it. It became my code word for greatness.

What happened?

When we recorded the first tune, a song called Three Months, I ended it spontaneously singing out one of the longest sung single words. I wanted to sing the word, “Strut,” but I belted it out with full energy, raw power, and long distance breath control that even surprised me. The entire word lasted a roaring 15 seconds. That may be nothing for Stephen Tyler, but we’re talking about me.

I testified.

Daniel Barrett, who is producing my CD, later said that one word primal singing was a defining moment.

“When you hung on that word and let it rip, everyone knew you were committed to the project,” Daniel explained. “It was spine tingling. You communicated that you were going for it.”

I hadn’t thought about that moment as the defining moment, but I can see it now. I declared, with my action, that I was going to succeed.

So here’s what you might think about:

Are you giving it your all in whatever your project happens to be right now?

I mean, look at this with ruthless honestly.

Are you giving it your all?

Decades ago in Houston, when I taught writing and publishing classes, I used to tell the story of Henry Kissinger and an aide he assigned the task of writing a special report.

He wrote the report and placed it on Kissinger’s desk.

But the next morning the report was back on the aide’s desk with a note saying, “You can do better.”

The aide rewrote the report, and turned it in again.

But the next morning the report was back on his desk with yet another note from Kissinger saying, “You can do better.”

The aide at that point pulled out all the stops. He rewrote the report, added to it, polished it, and perfected it. He then hand delivered it to Kissinger and said, “Sir, this is the best I can do.”

Kissinger replied, “In that case, I’ll read it.”

Kissinger hadn’t read the earlier drafts because he knew most of us won’t do our best. We’ll do just enough to “get by.” Well, that’s not good enough. You need commitment to succeed.

When I went into the studio and — with no warm up or rehearsal or warning — belted out, “STRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT!”, I showed my commitment to my album.

Are you fully committed to your success?

Are you ready to testify for what you believe in?

Ao Akua,

joe

PS — I know you’re curious. You can hear my 15 second unedited primal testify at http://www.youtube.com/joemrfire or by clicking on the below image:

Member BBB 2003 - 2011

Following up on my last post about using the Law of Attraction to attract legendary rock and roll drummer Joe Vitale, I just completed the basic recording for my first singer-songwriter CD, Strut!, where I debut as the world’s first self-help singer-songwriter.

In the studio recording "Strut!"

Strut! features the other Joe Vitale, the world famous drummer who’s played with Joe Walsh, Dan Fogelberg, Neil Young, Linda Ronstadt, Stephen Stills, John Fogerty, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Peter Frampton, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Beach Boys, Eagles, Ted Nugent, Peter Frampton, and more! For the first time ever, Joe Vitale meets Joe Vitale!

Strut! also features Glenn Fukunaga on bass. Glenn just completed a tour with legendary singer Robert Plant of Band of Joy and Led Zeppelin.

Strut! is being produced by Rubicon Artist Development, owned and operated by Daniel Barrett, lead singer of the award-winning band, Porterdavis.

Celebrating the recording of "Strut!"

Talk about doing what you love and having a blast!

My new book is out today!

Talk about Instant Manifestation!

When I needed a drummer, I instantly took a long shot and asked the other Joe Vitale. My recording dates just “happened” to be the ones he was available, as he was going on tour the very next day!

Having a clear intention, taking inspired action, and having support, will lead to the fulfillment of your dreams.

What are your dreams?

Ao Akua,

joe

PS — My first music CD, Blue Healer, is described right here.

Member BBB 2003 - 2011

You haven’t lived until you’ve met your double.

I’ve been hearing about the other Joe Vitale since I was in college in the 1970s. He’s a legendary drummer who performed with everyone from Joe Walsh, Dan Fogelberg, Neil Young, Linda Ronstadt, Stephen Stills, John Fogerty, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Peter Frampton, Ted Nugent, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Beach Boys, Eagles and more.

Whew! What a list of rock and roll legends. Drummer Joe even wrote a recent autobiography:

The other Joe Vitale

I figured the drummer Joe Vitale was proof of a parallel universe. In this one, I’m an author. In the other one, he’s a drummer.  And never the twain shall meet.

Until yesterday.

As you probably know, I already have one music CD out: Blue Healer. It’s blues meets New Age music. It’s designed to help you relax and heal.

What you may not know is I’ve been working night and day to record my next CD, a rocking album of original songs, all written, played and sung by me. They are songs of inspiration, motivation and transformation. I’m calling myself the world’s first self-help singer-songwriter and the CD is called Strut!

My next CD!

It’s an enormous undertaking to jump into such a project. I put together my trifecta: Daniel Barrett, Mathew Dixon and Guy Monroe. These are my coaches for my music. They are incredible and I love them.

When it came time to actually record my new music, Daniel said I needed a drummer. I thought for a minute and told him, “Well, it’s probably a long shot as he plays with the greatest of the greats, but what if I ask the famous drummer Joe Vitale?”

Well, I did ask Joe.

And Joe said YES.

Turns out Joe has been hearing about me for a long time, too. He once emailed me that people often ask him for advice about life. He writes them saying, “I can advise you on what kind of drum sticks to get.”

Joe flew into Austin and I picked him up. We instantly connected. He’s a non-stop storyteller, generous with his time and expertise, and as loveable as a kitten. I instantly loved the guy.

Joe Vitale meets Joe Vitale

Over a light dinner before the first day of recording my new CD, I told Joe my purpose for the music:

“I love music but too much of it plants negative messages that we absorb without thinking. The Rolling Stones singing “You can’t always get what you want” is programming us to believe in scarcity. I want to record music that is as beloved as the classics, but instead plants positive messages in you.”

Joe loved the idea.

As I write this, we’re about to record day two of Strut!

Sit quietly and you might hear us rocking…

Ao Akua,

joe

PS – If you want to know more about Strut!, please click right here.

Member BBB 2003 - 2011

If you want money for something you believe in, I may have a way for you to get it.

This is not my service and I don’t make a dime if you use it or not. They don’t even know I’m writing this. I just feel this is too good not to share.

I’ve seen bands, artists, authors, photographers, film makers, and new businesses get the money they want this way.

I first heard about this service when a start-up company needed fifty grand to create their product. They used the service and raised 350 grand — six times more than what they asked for.

And I just saw a band I know raise over ten grand for their new recording.

I’m talking about http://www.kickstarter.com

You can list your project there, describe it with an engaging short video and a written overview, and offer incentives for people to invest in you. It’s a win win. I love it.

I’ve not listed any of my own projects on Kickstarter, but I’ve helped fund several people that I found there and wanted to see their ideas come into reality. All did.

Some of my projects

I can’t guarantee your project will get funded. Not all do. But everyone I know who used Kickstarter achieved their financial goals. It’s certainly worth a look. And it’s free to list your project.

One thing to remember: You still have to tell people about your project being listed on Kickstarter. In other words, don’t list your project and sit back and wait for people to find you. You have to go tell everyone.

One band I know (Patton Sparks), successfully raised what they wanted on Kickstarter. When I asked where the traffic came from to their listing on Kickstarter’s site, they said as far as they could guess it came from them telling their family, friends, fans, Facebook, etc. Almost no one poking around Kickstarter’s site actually funded their project. As always, spreading the word about what you are doing is essential.

Again, I’m not affiliated with Kickstarter. I love their noble service and urge you to check into them.  I believe they take 5% of what you raise as their payment, which means just ask for 5% more than what you need for your project. If you don’t raise your capital, you don’t pay anything.

It’s a glorious time we live in when services like this one help make dreams come true.

Go see — http://www.kickstarter.com

Ao Akua,

Joe

PS – If you want encouragement and coaching to go along with making your dream come true, also look into http://www.miraclescoaching.com and of course be sure to read my free book, Attract Money Now.

Member BBB 2003 - 2011