Jefferson Fox is Blogging

I'm tired

2012-01-27T16:56:00.000-08:00

I wonder if anyone is listening to me typing. Played my first show in quite some time last night and enjoyed it. Thanks to those who made the journey. I appreciate the look of interest from time to time. Be safe. See you again someday.

jf

Need Your Help and NEW TRACKS!!

2011-07-13T22:16:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody,
I need help. I'm working on a new full-length release (or 3) and I'm offering a song to show you what I'm doing...and as a fundraiser for the project(s). I am planning to go many extra miles on these, can't do it without support from someone, and you're my record company so I'm asking.

What I'm asking for to make this dream happen is the usual $1 ...for 'Burn The Ground' but I'll take MORE if you like. Download it below and tell a friend please ;)

Thank you sincerely...and enjoy!
Forever indebted to you all
Jefferson Fox

Burn The Ground by Jefferson Fox

ClaudiaLand - 6/2/2011 - Live Solo Album

2011-06-11T19:59:00.001-07:00

Recently, on a trip down to Florida for 3 shows I got to stop over in Knoxville, Tn at the home of Claudia Linse. ClaudiaLand House Concerts are fabulous events hosted by a powerful soul who has a tendency to have fun. Claudia made me feel so very at home I decided to throw some mics up before the show and capture the event. Not the first time I've done that, but I liked the results well enough to share. This 17 song collection may not stay posted on the interworld forever so if you like em, download. Thanks to Claudia and everyone who came out for the show. My favorite tracks were Goodnight Carolina, Don't Go There, City Life and Big Top...but Bait And Switch, Sorry (never before recorded), and Nobody's Fault turned out lovely as well.

ClaudiaLand - 6/2/2011 by Jefferson Fox

Chronicles Release Party clip

2011-06-10T08:36:00.000-07:00

We didn't document this event at all (I suck), but I got this video from someone at the show...and I'm about to see if you can actually embed a facebook video OFF of facebook.

allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="245">

New Video in the works Need Your Help

2011-06-08T07:26:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody,
In the continued pursuit of making things difficult, Tim Gill and I have decided to make a music video for a song off my new record through the eyes of the American Soldier. We're not filming this one...we need video footage that was taken by U.S. Armed Forces members, particularly soldiers who served during time of conflict. That means, the war on terror, Desert Storm, Vietnam, Korea...any time of conflict.

We know that there's plenty of footage out there but we need it. Please tell your friends, soldiers and neighbors about this and have them email any footage or questions to timandjefferson@gmail.com

Thanks again.
We're eager to get this underway
Jefferson Fox

Jefferson Fox Performing "My Brother's Keeper" live

2011-03-28T16:57:00.000-07:00

last weekend I was fortunate to be able to perform with Anastasia Gonzales at a film night in Savannah Georgia that happened at The Muse Art Warehouse. Charlie Kent made this trip with us, we stayed with Tim Gill, partied with the cast and crew of My Brother's Keeper and just generally had a hell of a good time. Here's what the live version sounded like that night. John Guiberteau was on hand and shot this. I'd never met John before that night but I'm glad that I have now. He caught a very nice moment for us that I'll treasure for a long time. Thanks all!

itunes dilemma and how to find it

2011-03-14T05:24:00.000-07:00

I've heard from several people lately that they're having trouble finding my music at itunes. I recently hit a glitch with them. Here's the deal.

If you want the new record or the 2 before that (Chronicles Of Harvey, little epiphany or Medium Rare) you need to go here.

If you want Animule or Wait For Words then it's here

WHY? I know not...

Also if you're confused, yes, I put out a VINYL. There is no download for the b-side to this 7" The vinyl is a single with My Brother's Keeper on side 1 and Hold Up The Bottle on side 2 available (physical copy only) here

One last thing...
All of my music is available for download or to get a physical CD, vinyl etc on my website under the music tab which will take you here
>

There. that's the deal
lotsa love
jf

My Brother's Keeper - Jefferson Fox - Official Video - Directed by Tim Gill

2011-03-07T17:03:00.000-08:00

I have to thank God for all of the beautiful people that came into my life to make this possible. Thank you all..

Release Party for Chronicles Of Harvey

2011-03-06T22:58:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,
I finally got finished with that record. Chronicles Of Harvey will release to radio (in just a couple of weeks), has received a tidbit of critical acclaim, was a joy to record because of the people who helped me, and above all, it says what I wanted it to say.

I got to this point through the assistance of a lot of great people. I have never been so sure in all of my life that we are the product of those souls with whom we work and associate. The people that are in my life are by no accident strong, honest and creative, and have affected me greatly.

On Friday, March 11th at 8pm, at Dockside in Cape Girardeau (4 N. Spanish St), I'm going to take some time to honor those people, we're all gonna play the songs from the record... and a few other songs, we'll show the final product of the vision that Tim Gill had for My Brother's Keeper, we'll have some drinks and laughs and I'll release this little piece of artwork that I've labored over for the past year.

Chronicles Of Harvey is, by no means perfect, but I'm very proud of it and am eager to share this set of recordings with you.

I hope to see you on Friday.
Sincerely
Jefferson Fox

My Brother's Keeper - Trailer - Jefferson Fox

2011-03-04T14:12:00.000-08:00

My Brother's Keeper Video/Spiritual Enlightenment

2011-02-27T09:11:00.000-08:00

Hi,
I finally have a moment to think and have decided to try and explain the last few weeks and the latest project in my life. I'm not sure that it will translate to words but I'll give it a shot.

A few short explanations before I get started.

1. I just finished a record called 'Chronicles Of Harvey'
2. One of the songs from that record is called 'My Brother's Keeper'
3. Tim Gill, my best friend on this planet, and myself have shot videos together in the past and thought we should do something for this record...

Now. Let's start out of order...
On Sunday, Feb 20, at 3am I began to feel disoriented, at a moment when a fantastic dream succumbs to waking and though I tried desperately to thrust myself back into that dreamland it was over. I was getting into a truck with my father and leaving the set of My Brother's Keeper, the music video (more of an art film , but I digress). Leaving behind the people who had become my family, my guides and friends over the last few weeks. I was leaving the most magnificent moments of my life within the arts and in an enlightening spiritual sense behind.

18 hours before that moment I had arrived on another set and began day 2 of this shoot. Just short of 100 people were bustling about getting lights into place, dressing extras in an RV behind the Church at our first location, assembling tables to hold refreshments throughout the day, prepping a camera that had only ever been used at this years Superbowl in testing (the Phantom V641 by Vision Research). There were some people I knew and lots that I didn't working to fulfill a vision that Tim Gill and I had sculpted over the last few weeks. We had been in meetings the days before, everyone nervous that our ambition might have been larger than our pocketbook or our schedule would allow...and this morning the race was being run. It was beautiful and should have been frightening, but somehow I was also just reeling in amazement at the precision with which they worked and the fact that we had come this far in a few short weeks.

David Wright was the man in charge of making sure the camera functioned. It shoots at up to 2000 frames per second in high definition which gives us the opportunity to slow life down to a crawl and preserves it's beauty in HD as we watch the resulting exposure. He had flown in two days before, been picked up, taken to FED EX to get the phantom, dropped off at Day 1 for test shots, discovered that we had a camera no one had yet worked with instead of the V640 he was accustomed to, met the Director, myself and a few of the lighting guys, reprogrammed the camera over the phone, slept very little and was now prepping to make a music video with it...for me and for Tim. For all those invested in this. David was fun, light-hearted, very professional and has the experience of National Geographic shoots, years of experience behind the camera and working with teams of all kinds all over the world. He looked relaxed.

Tim Gill was in rare form this morning. 2 days before he had told me that he was frightened by the fact that he wasn't scared about this shoot. He has worked as a Director of Photography on countless occasions, making someone else's vision beautiful time after time. He has been artistic all of his life. We've shared art and ideas for years and always planned to create something magnificent, as everyone does, but until this project he had not Directed anything other than college projects and those that have 2-4 people on set. He was always behind the camera...
For his first attempt he has decided to direct the cast of 45-ish including 6 leads playing complicated characters, and the crew of about the same size in an environment where lighting, which is his specialty, revolves around a camera with unknown parameters. The story is complicated, the decisions to shoot or not to shoot sequences, how to shoot them, getting it right in very few takes will make or break this project and ultimately define the art itself. We have nearly 40,000 watts of large, medium, small and specialty lighting on set, a HUGE generator out back, a half dozen electricians, a lighting company...and Cecil Daniel, Gaffer...head honcho in lighting for this.
Tim's not scared. He's drinking coffee, smiling and greeting everyone, giving soft-spoken orders to anyone with a question and appears to be taking it all in.

Behind this building is an RV. The RV is full of clothes. The lady who brought them 750 miles to dress a cast into the summer of 1938 has never been the head of a wardrobe department on a professional shoot. Her name is Deb Maevers. She is being assisted by an old friend and an ambitious 14 year old girl who aspires to do this type of work later in life. Deb has a degree in fashion, owns an antique store that specializes in vintage clothing and has done her homework. Denita Hartle, her friend from NC has come in and will do whatever is required to help. No one knows how much talent she has. Sierra Hughes, the young lady who is one of my daughters best friends (and rode out from Missouri with my family for the shoot) hasn't seen anything like this.
A couple hours after the set began buzzing...ghosts of the summer of 1938 began appearing on the lawn. Beautiful black women in dress hats, summer church dresses, gloves, handbags and shoes of the period. Robert Johnson appeared in the form of David Girard, an actor that came recommended by another lead on the cast. He's in a collarless jacket, well-worn fedora, wing-tips...he looks as though he has traveled long to be home. The hairstyles of the women are amazing. I'm seeing finger curls pressed to their faces, block-square tufts in tight patterns on short haired ladies, each with a flare of personality that fits the characters face. They all look as though they were worn this way on a daily basis, not a hint of the fact that Ebony Pinar had just worked with each and every one to make them look naturally beautiful.

Ebony was hired as an extra... She then became the woman who would bring most all of the mens clothing, she too an antiques officianado, hairstylist, actress, amazing soul. More about her later...

We saw the cast in full dress, they were beautiful, and I got butterflies in my stomach, became choked up a bit and realized that something amazing was about to happen...

I'm gonna stray a minute again. A couple of weeks before we were deep in the casting process. Jody Scheisser, Tim Gill and myself were reviewing photos of potentials, videos and talking constantly about 'the look' of individual actors and extras. There was great debate about 'The Preacher'. Tim and I had a similar idea about this role. He was to be the oldest character in the film, tall and strong, aged through trial and work in the sun. We never found that actor. There were people who fit the description at our disposal but each one lacked something that we felt was necessary. Roger Moss was on the list but we were never sold on 'The Look' that Roger had. After exhausting all possibilities we revisited the idea that Roger could pull off this character. From the beginning we agreed that he had unique qualities that we did truly enjoy and that he had the necessary talent to make this character come to life, but no one was sold. It was decided that he should do an audition for the character and we would review again after seeing him. Roger dropped by Tim's house, did an on-camera audition that convinced us....enter Roger Moss.

Back to Day 2, the morning at the church. The cast is dressed, lights are up, camera is ready and shot 1 is the preacher giving his sermon. Roger was called to the alter, Tim talked quietly with him for a few minutes and they called for a walk through of the shot. The room fell to silence after the assistant Director called the shot and Roger became a southern baptist, black preacher from 1938. The scripture he chose (though his part would be silent) was the one about entering heaven blind rather than with eyes that sin, legless etc. He was bold, animated, powerful and beautiful. As he began roaring Bible verses and testimony with unanticipated rage chills ran down my spine. The bar was set, it was high, and everyone KNEW we were about to do something amazing. The first applause of many rang in that church. Tim and I glance at one another, smile inside and out and it has begun.

I'll pick up here later.

Jefferson

here's a glance or 2

Charlie's Church Last Hoorah Update!

2011-01-18T08:50:00.000-08:00

Here's a little to add to the event this Friday night. If you're not up-to-date, please read my previous blog .

Then...2 updates.

Charlie has no choice but to get rid of a lot of the treasures in his amazing building and here's how it's going to happen. At the event there will be "buckets" with index cards by them. If you see anything that you'd like to be the proud owner of, just grab an index card, write down your name and phone number and the best description of what it is you want with what you're willing to pay for it. After the event is over, Charlie will call everyone about said items and make arrangements for you to pick them up. No items will be removed from the building this Friday night! But you could be the proud owner of whatever you like the most about the place. ;)

The other thing is we've decided to MASQUERADE !!! Wear a costume if you can muster one up. If not, no big deal, but we're dressin up folks!! :)

That's all for now. Tell a friend, 234 Mill St. Cape Girardeau, Friday Jan 21 8pm

be safe
jf

The Last Hoorah at Charlie's Church!!

2011-01-08T13:15:00.000-08:00

OK.

For those of you that came to the CD EVENT PLANNING PARTY, the fact that Charlie's Church is an AMAZING location for any event is not something I need to go into. For the rest of you:

Charlie Kent has invested 10 years or so converting an old Church on Mill St. in Cape Girardeau into a piece of artwork that comes to life when people are in it. It's a dark, whimsical, mysterious, magical blast into a Twilight Zone of eclectic wonder. That's the best I can do. It's visually stunning, a great place to wander for hours trying to discover all of it's nuances and the smaller works of art and collected gems that are it's motif. There are several 'bars' and conveniently, a stage...or more of an alter to the musical portion of Charlie's vision.

Because of the recent events surrounding the new Casino in Cape Girardeau, Charlie's Church is being demolished and will be lost forever. It's a tragedy, but it's happening so Charlie and I have decided to have one last HOORAH before it's gone. I'm honored to be the artist performing during the event and I'd like to be sure that anyone who has ever enjoyed the place comes out on Jan 21 (FRIDAY) after 7pm and spends the evening with us. I'd also like to invite anyone who has a deep regard for art, music, freedom, the weird and magical to get your hineys out for this. We're going to have a wonderful night to remember there and I have no idea how long the party will last but I'll bet NOT EARLY.

The deal. Bring your own drinks, bring some snacks, bring a CAMERA OR VIDEO CAMERA to help us document this wonderful place and bring your friends.

I'll probably be joined by some other musicians and I really don't know what all will happen but I'm excited.

See you on the 21st of January at 234 Mill St in Cape Girardeau.

Sincerely
Jefferson Fox

Here's a bit of music from the last one!

Jefferson Fox 'Neighbors' The Loft Live (Official)

2011-01-03T20:11:00.000-08:00

This just won the Pro Performance Video Competition at ourstage.com for the month of December, 2010. We're very proud. ;)

CD Planning UPDATE!! Exciting info!

2010-11-17T08:32:00.000-08:00

Greetings!

Those of you who are coming to the CD planning party may be interested in knowing:

1. Free music will be given to all attendees the night of the party.

2. Limited edition (never to be reprinted) shirts will be available the night of the event for a meager fee.

3. This is the BIG ONE: I have decided that in an effort to pass more music along to the people who matter most...and hopefully share success with you:

We will be raffling off the licensing rights to one of my songs that night. For $20 you will be able to purchase a raffle ticket, and at the end of the night we will draw one lucky winner who will then own the rights to that songs use in film, tv, advertising, games etc... That's right...if I ever make it big, YOU'LL make it big. Should be fun and I can't think of a better group to offer the opportunity to.

I will reveal which song it is the night of the event (before you buy a ticket), I'll play it for you, and I'll have the legal contract with me so we can make the deal legit. Then we'll draw and do the deed. :)

4. This is a BYO event...although we'll have some food and drinks on hand, we probably won't have everyone's favorite spirit and certainly not enough. The location is private (not a bar), so bring it with you!

5. I have reason to believe we'll have some VERY special guests that night, so bring your sharpie!

I'll be sending everyone the location address (it's in the downtown cape area) later this week.

There are approximately 20 slots left for the event. Please make contact with me if you're interested in attending as the location will NOT be revealed to the public. More surprises to come...

Have a great one!
lotsa love

jf

CD 'Planning Party' Dec 3rd, 2010

2010-11-14T18:39:00.000-08:00

Ok gang. Here's the scoop.

'Chronicles Of Harvey' is finished as far as the recording is concerned. I am thrilled with all of the songs and the recordings turned out rather nicely. The only trouble is that I can't figure out the order of the songs, the first single to release, cover art choices, packaging...I'm a mess. I need some help and I can't afford therapy anymore...That's where you come in.

The folks who come to the Planning Party will make all of these decisions for me. We're gonna listen to the record, play some live tunes, review artwork, packaging etc...rate songs...oh, and drink until we can dance. It's guaranteed to be a good time. That said...it's free, and I only want folks that are very interested in the project and my music to attend so I'm taking a limited number of people on board the guest list...and only they will know the location of the event. The date is Dec 3, 2010 and the time is 7pm. I will contact everyone who will be attending to let you know where, but it will be in Cape Girardeau (for those considering it)

If you would like to come, shoot me an email to talk@jeffersonfox.com or hit me up on facebook, or the phone. We're close to full already so act quickly.

I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Oh yeah, I'll have some goodies for you to take home, some new songs to debut, and plenty of interactive entertainment.

Sincerely
Jefferson Fox

...and yes, we'll have a 'CD RELEASE Party when it's time' ;)

Loud...is that what you mean?

2010-11-06T23:18:00.000-07:00

I've been noticing a lot lately that my mixes...my songs, stuff that good friends of mine in the music industry, Grammy winners, proven, tried and true engineering guru's are putting together for me... are just not as loud as the other stuff I'm hearing out there.

And yes, people have mentioned it to me. Why is your CD quieter than JOBLOW's? So I'm going to take just a minute to address this to the folks who are asking. Why isn't your CD as loud as HIS?

When you record someone or an instrument, there are very quiet parts and very loud parts, just like when they performed it. You can actually see this in the 'WAV' form of the sound recording when working in most computer based recording formats. The way to make things LOUD is to take the quiet parts and make them louder (with a compressor/limiter or combination)...the loud parts quieter, then do that again, and then again...and one more time.......until there is no dynamic quality at all to the performance (just a flat line of sound, like that machine that tells you someone is dead) and then just push the faders up to 'BLEED' and put out a CD. LOUD CD! Is that the thing to do?...

So tonight I checked out some comparable recordings that I own and the stuff my friends like Kevin Rose, Eric Weaver and Joshua Blanchard are making for me. Here's what I found (and I'm not gonna talk about my performance, just the recordings):

I take 'the other guys' music and set the stereo to 5 and the songs are at the level that my ear can enjoy them...they sound ok, professional etc. but lack life.
There is an apparent, mechanical vibe to them.

I take my CD's and turn them to about 7/7.5 and the songs are at that same level as that other dudes...only guess what...? Tons of definition, lively dynamics and a really fulfilling mix. I get the vibe from the room they were recorded in...like a live concert...awesome job gentlemen. I enjoy the experience.

Conclusion:

I don't freaking care if my CD isn't as loud as 'THAT ONE DUDE'...turn your damn stereo up and enjoy the record. (and bands, if your engineer tells you your record is loud enough, say "OK")

That's just my opinion.
jf

Songs For Sale

2010-10-21T19:59:00.000-07:00

It's a new world we live in, and new ideas are always emerging from it. I had one recently. Quite honestly it's about marketing, so I should reveal that on the front-end of this blog.

The days of a musician mailing out demo's or bio's or anything else in an attempt to be 'heard' or 'seen' are over. We search our minds, industry references, the internet and every bartender's advice for a way to replace the old methods of 'being discovered' and mostly no one seems to have an answer.

I know the answer. Write music you love, record it, perform it with passion and slowly gather a group of supporters to help spread the word. That's all we can do. The music world is made of a vast array of personality types, age brackets, belief systems, ranges of talent etc etc... but mostly, I believe, what separates the successful from those that who will not succeed is their passion to produce the art itself. If you're in this game of music for money, you may or may not make money, but it is doubtful that you are fulfilling a desire to extend your soul beyond your body. If you're in it for fame there isn't much need in an art form at all, just do what you think the world wants you to do (something shocking or sexy) and ride that big wave till it crashes.

However, if you want to create art that you love...you can do that. The success is born in that act. You have created something you love. It doesn't matter who knows or what becomes of it after that moment. It's yours. Giving it to someone else or measuring success beyond that is something else entirely. The only difficulty in this statement is that it becomes difficult in some art forms to continue creating when the burden of financial support becomes too great. That's usually when artists start searching for 'monetary success'. It's unfortunate, but it's real. Gotta buy supplies, gotta pay to make it come to life.

I have made a decision. My songs are my art form, and their creation is my goal. Selling them to film, television, radio, Pepsi or some other financial giant is not really something I have time to do. Everyone tells me that I need to get my songs into the hands of ...someone... but it's all I can do to get them on disc and then to the stage. So I'm going to let you do it.

I am selling the licensing rights to the following songs. You or anyone you know can buy them, and if you want to let someone use them in a movie or on tv or a video game, or whatever you come up with...you own them...knock yourself out. You negotiate the price, you pick up the check.

Why would I do that? I am retaining the rights to sell these songs as downloads and in physical form on my publications (CD, Albums Etc) as well as my right to earn money performing them. If you make $2,500 or $1,000,000 licensing my songs to someone...chances are I'll sell more records. If I get to selling tons of records without your help...you'll get rich pimping my songs out to whoever has the most money. Bottom line is, nobody loses...we both win...and we win faster if we divide and conquer.

I am more successful every week in this music business and I have no doubt that the level of financial compensation that my family requires will be met, but I'd like to speed the process up a bit, buy new tires and occasionally go out for ice cream so.... I believe the participation of some eager, determined, loyal, or just money hungry fans couldn't hurt :) . Let's make something happen together.

That's it. Buy a song. Get to work promoting or wait for someone else to make it happen. Your choice.

I'm selling:

All of the songs that you will find at http://jeffersonfox.bandcamp.com/ with the exception of 'Big Top' and the 'Drench' recordings. Big Top has already been purchased and I'm hanging on to the Drench stuff for now.

If you're interested in a song or more than one send me an email: talk@jeffersonfox.com and let me know which one or ones you'd like to own or give away at Christmas and we'll go from there. No reasonable offer refused. I want eager people to get involved. Just so you know, a reasonable offer varies song to song but begins at about $500.00 Contracts for these transactions were drawn by a Missouri attorney and are available to be reviewed at your request.

I sincerely hope you become a part of this madness as it is unfolding and we celebrate our successes together.

Sincerely
jefferson fox

Leo's and the list.

2010-08-09T20:36:00.000-07:00

I've been wandering about the country and world for awhile now and have met quite a few people. Some are friendly, some are scary, some are vastly more useful than others when your car breaks down...some are infinitely useless for any reason at all. I'm sure these people categorize me as well... God knows where.
Few people that I've met have been astonishingly kind, humble, and giving, but I have met some of them and take great pride in my acquaintances of great human qualities.

When I got an email from an Italian Restaurant in Oelwein, IA I wasn't sure at all what kind of people I would meet, but the offer was good, the timing was right and I'm always game for an adventure...so...

After a few very professional emails that both worked out the details and eased my mind that the business was a well-kept one I put the show out of my mind until time to leave.

Arriving in Oelwein, IA is a kind of experience that few people have learned or remember to treasure, but it was like opening up a page of American History for me and I immediately was thrilled to be there. The town is what's left of a Hub City boom town that once hosted music up and down every street and in cornfields to entertain 1000's of steelworkers and travelers any given night...with tracks spoking their way to the rail yard, a gas-light main st, remnants of theaters and saloons everywhere (which is an image I dearly love). The downtown area is filled with interesting little shops and restaurants and the community spills out of those streets into rural farm life. Unfortunately, the first smell I found was smoke in the air as the previous nights fire was coming to a close...the downtown antique store was now gone.

Into the bar. I'm playing at Leo's Italian Restaurant in the upstairs Lounge which is called 'Generations'. Through the door into the main restaurant area I find the room FULL...not a place to sit in the house. I was directed to the elevator to go up to the lounge but decided to go have one more smoke before going up (you know...what if it's hours before I get to or something). Outside 3 large groups of people are chatting about the coincidence that they're all there...again. I'm seeing signs.
I went back in, hit the magic 'up' button and was off. It was an awfully slow ride, although the vator seemed top of the line, clean etc. Bout a 90 second trip to the second floor...door opens...BAM! This place is pretty slick, nice floors, nice bar, hints of a good PA system, lots of staff on hand...I'm feeling good about this...but we'll see.
To the bar! Let's see what this place is about. The coolers behind the bartenders are FULL of choices, lotsa imports, lotsa local micro's, lotsa options...I like. The bar manager (or at least the lady who gave me the impression she was) greeted me as a patron, asked if I'd like a menu and a drink, which I accepted. After a short conversation she figured out I was 'the musician' which changed everything. She said very quickly, as she snatched up my menu..."you can't eat yet!"

"I can't eat yet???" I'm confused. She laughed and said the owners wanted to come down and eat with me. OK... within 10 minutes (probably 5), a sharp-dressed pair matching the photographs of the owners on the wall appeared from the door to the back deck area. They were all smiles and headed my way, but were greeted by everyone in their path so it took a minute to get us together. The greet. The small talk. We're headed downstairs because Mike Leo insists I get a good taste of his cooking and the bar has an abridged menu. Off we go!

Downstairs, I had one of the finest meals of my life in unbelievably good company. Mike and Laurie are music lovers, family people, smart business-folk, aggressive in their efforts to provide incredible service and damn charismatic. It was impossible not to be impressed. They greeted everyone who came in the room, everyone seemed to want to hug them...I was beginning to want to hug them. What's with these people?? LOL

Time to play. Mike called in the guy who set up the house PA to make sure I had all the help I needed (1 guitar, 1 mic, but he's being sure)...turns out it was a good idea, I thought I'd never find that one gain button. The room filled up, the lights came down, and a hundred or so people gave me the warmest reception a performer can receive. Nothing could have gone better. I don't know what else to say about that part. Great crowd, great room, hosts are in control of the atmosphere. Fantastic appreciation filled the air, they paid and tipped well, bought CD's, laughed at my bad jokes. GREAT!!

Show's over..."where are you staying, Jefferson?". He actually asked me earlier but I'm blogging...not writing a book...
"I don't know yet, Mike". "You're staying with us!" "deal"

Off to the Leo house! These two people, along with their son and daughter-in-law whisked me away to the homestead, so I didn't have to drive, got me settled into a nice spare room, fed me enormous amounts of alcohol (no, that was my fault), Mike and I stayed up most of the night exchanging family history, dog stories and telling each other jokes. It was a fun and fabulous night.

I woke up, had a cup of coffee, (threw up in Lauries bathroom), visited with everyone awhile, then headed off to the rest of the road trip (which was not nearly as much fun).

*********flash forward********

I've done the show at Leo's once more with the same incredible hospitality and a furthering of my belief that these people are more than good business-folk, they're not putting on an act...they are full of charity for others, supportive of everyone around them, eager to serve people, make the world a better place and a TON OF FUN!

Leo's Italian Restaurant, Mike, Laurie and Nick Leo, their staff and the town of Oelwein IA. These people and this tiny town have won my heart and moved into the #1 slot on the 'Jefferson Fox's favorite places to play' list. (they bumped Flatiron in Hot Springs, SD to #2, if you must know)

Thank you Mike, Laurie, Nick, Clay, Bruce, Gary and everyone else who have been so welcoming in Oelwein. I hope to see you soon!

Jefferson Fox

Kevin Rose and my new record

2010-07-13T15:41:00.000-07:00

Who the heck is Kevin Rose.

I'm not sure anyone knows, really. I met the man in 1989 (ish) where he was acting as one of two guitar players in a band called 'City of Lindas'. I was living in Rincon, Ga, just outside of Savannah and the Linda's were the premier local act with a global sound that I and my musical friends couldn't get enough of. They were a smart rock band with a big flare for the dark and obscure...everything I ever wanted to be. Kevin lead the sonic mayhem, at least in my mind, with outstanding live tone and great parts that I was almost capable of playing which made it all the more attractive. We watched the Linda's blossom and then disband a few years after I was out of High School. (best band ever?, maybe)

Then Kevin began recording bands other than his own at a little studio called Elevated Basement on Waters Ave (don't quote me, I'm not Googling right now) and he became a part of another great band, GAM. Same story...phenomenal band. Crazier, darker, considerably risque. Loved it. There were other projects like Dare Dukes Band (still alive and well), Shitrocket (still alive, uncertain of wellness), I think he may have participated in Superhorse...not sure, and God knows what else the man has played on. Everybody who passes through Savannah tries to get this guy on their team and no one can blame them.

The obvious next move was to become a fishing boat captain...which he's done. ??

There was some stuff in between, like recording folks ranging from Gregg Allman to Greg Williams, starting a family, raising kids, conquering small nations with rogue independent record labels, and to be quite honest I'm not sure what else he's done. Oh yeah he has engineered the live shows and recordings of the Savannah Music Festival Live project, numerous other fine events and some random events that were probably only fine because he was on the job.

In 1997 I started a record with Kevin at the console while I was singing and playing guitar for a band called 'All That Matters'. The recordings were fabulous but the band broke up before we could finish. I was left with strong desire to complete a project under Kevin's technical direction and in Elevated Basement if possible. It finally happened.

Kevin Rose was kind enough to bring me into the studio recently for a day to see what changes had been made and just to catch up a bit really. After a few conversations we decided to cut a little acoustic record that I needed badly in a spiritual sense and for some loyal fans. Something that was virtually un-produced. Me, live, but in the studio. I picked a few songs out, he fired up the console and placed some sweet mics ...tada...'little epiphany' is born. The new record is done, is for sale in the digital form on my website and will be in print soon. I printed some test copies recently and have made the changes I needed in order to print in volume so they'll be with me at shows henceforth.

I think Kevin will tell you that he didn't do much on this project because he's insanely humble and that type of guy, but the truth is, he made some very nice decisions, has an incredible ear for tone and made my tiny little performance sound fantastic. It's the best look at what I do that I've ever had the pleasure to listen to. I'm proud of the project, indebted to Kevin Rose and eager for you to hear it.

www.jeffersonfox.bandcamp.com

Thank you Kevin,
Thanks everyone who inspires me,
Thanks Tim Gill (you inspire me too, but get a special note for housing me during the recording and all the great work you put forth)

See you soon I hope
jf

Ourstage

2010-06-13T11:17:00.000-07:00

Hey gang,
I just wanted to say a little more about the whole 'Ourstage' thing. This is the site that I'm devoting the most of my 'musical energy' lately. There are a million places to look at artist profiles etc but this one makes sense. MTV started this a long time ago and at it's inception I wasn't very impressed...but they've changed.

They have a site now where music lovers can go find new music in several creative ways, artists can post lots of material and have a reason to do it. They are promoting 'competitions', so to speak which people can vote on and FINALLY, this site has a voting system where you CANNOT just go on and vote for YOUR guy. You have to listen to music in the categories you select and stack people up from best to worst...whoever they put in front of you. The reason I love it is that it's not a popularity contest, it's an enjoyment contest and I don't see a way to cheat in it. Everyone else like Myspace etc has created something where you tell all your friends to vote for you and the band with the most fans wins. Not very helpful in the realm of honest judgement.

Ourstage appealed to me also because I had an chance to win opportunities to play with bigger name artists, money, tools etc for entering contests. Let's face it, these are the things that artists need. I didn't have any idea that I could possibly win because historically these things are terribly unfair. Despite this fact, I entered a few tunes in the last couple weeks and at the time I'm writing this I find my song 'My Brothers Keeper' in 17th position out of 555 entries in the 'acoustic' category. My song 'Nobody's Fault' is in 32nd place out of 428 entries in 'Folk' and a couple of other entries are floating around in categories not doing as well but it's interesting.

I have 0 fans on this site as I have not promoted it in any way and I think that's fantastic. Once again, not a popularity contest.

I will ask you to log in, sign up and vote, but the wonderful part is that I can ask you honestly to just vote for the things you like, not necessarily for me. Enjoy the site. I do.

Sincerely
Jefferson Fox

Here's a link to my profile on 'OURSTAGE'

http://www.ourstage.com/profile/jeffersonfox

New Music

2010-05-02T06:11:00.000-07:00

I've been really frustrated for quite some time by the fact that I haven't released any new music and I've heard from a lot of fans that it was time as well. So I finally decided to get some tunes out.

Here's the new deal.

'Chronicles Of Harvey' is a downloadable recording that will eventually contain 12 tracks. They are being released to my music site ... one song every two weeks (possibly even more often than that). You can spend a buck and collect the songs as they come out, you can just listen and enjoy, or you can wait until it's all there and get the collection. The first song released was 'My Brother's Keeper', recorded here in Jackson Mo. I have several new tunes in the mill and a ton already recorded so it's going to be fun assembling this record for you and satisfying to see it in your hands and at your ears.

I hope you enjoy the process as much as I am going to!

lotsa love
jf

<a href="http://jeffersonfox.bandcamp.com/album/chronicles-of-harvey">My Brother's Keeper by Jefferson Fox</a>

Gone Fishin, a VIDEO RELEASE and more music!

2010-02-10T19:38:00.000-08:00

Hello,
VIDEO:
I'm very proud to announce the release of the 'Simpleton' video. We've worked on this one for quite a while now and I am certain that this is the best work Tim Gill and I have done together. Tim directed, filmed and edited this video but more than that, he helped me with the concept, the story and my approach to making the video. He did what friends and great artists do...he made me do the right thing and find the heart of what I was after. You can see more of Tim's amazing work at www.timgill.net and you can see some of the work we've done together on jeffersonfox.com Thank you brother!

Also a huge help to us through the project was Eric Darling of Savannah, Ga. Eric is the owner of E Three Media, is an independent film-maker, editor, techie, jack-of-all-trades, all around great guy to know if you need to make something happen. Eric supplied Tim and I with essential equipment and technical assistance as well as helped develop the story as we brainstormed through the process. Check out his company at http://www.ethreemedia.com/ I sincerely look forward to working with Eric again. Thank you also brother!

The video is now on youtube at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa4AEry7_rI

GONE FISHIN:
I've had a fantastic couple of years and want to thank all of you for that. It has been a rewarding time in my life, I've traveled a lot, had some nice reactions to my work, grown musically and as a person and I've made a lot of great new friends and business partners. All of it has been great. The only exception to the wonders of a great and successful period in any career is that usually they come with a strain on other areas of life.
I've been feeling a bit out of touch with my family and friends (the ones I can wave at here in my hometown) and need to pause for a moment to do some living. Don't worry, I'll write about it and record it soon thereafter, but I need a small vacation so I'm taking one.

I am going to play my Feb 18 show at Stooges in Jackson and the Feb 25 show at Loudhouse Cafe in Greenbrier TN and then I'm going to be off the stage until MAY.

I will resume touring extensively beginning May 3 at The Record Bar in Kansas City, Mo.

If you need to contact me, visit jeffersonfox.com and feel free to email me from the link on the contact page. I'll be checking that and popping in occasionally on Facebook, though I probably won't be posting much.

MUSIC:
More music is in the works. I have been working on a couple of releases and did some more recording while in Georgia this week...at Elevated Basement Recording Studios with Kevin Rose. Kevin is an outstanding musician and sound engineer (and architect, and dad etc etc) who was hugely inspiring to me as far back as my days in High School when he was the guitarist in mine and Tim Gill's favorite band 'City of Lindas'. He's played on countless projects, recorded some outstanding music, coordinated takeovers of distant planets and recently become a Captain (of the open seas). I am very excited to finally be working with him and look forward to giving you something to listen to as a result. More soon on that. Check out Elevated Basement at http://elevatedbasement.com/ and thank YOU brother!

That's it for now.
Enjoy Valentines Day, 'Simpleton', and every moment you have

Sincerely
Jefferson Fox

Opportunity and I

2009-12-26T22:39:00.000-08:00

Opportunity is a friend of mine. He calls me from time to time and we chat about what we could do together. Then he starts one of his sentences with a preposition and begins digging around in his mind for the rules of proper English and becomes distracted or becomes reminded of a dream he had by hearing of mine and loses focus. Sometimes the main thing becomes some other thing and quickly becomes nothing. Opportunity is just that way I think.

Still I admire Opportunity for all of his talents and vision. I don't disregard him because of his shortcomings. They're a lot like my own. Of course, I see in Opportunity failures that I would never succumb to because, of course, I am better than Opportunity. I sense fear in Opportunity though He denies that fear is something He knows of. Opportunity is a liar but then aren't we all. Not to suggest that You are a liar...well really yes...I know You are a liar.

I grow weary when Opportunity begins to make excuses for I sense in excuses the lies that they are born of and I grow angry. Then I begin some sentence with a preposition and get distracted and again I love Opportunity for the things that I see in Him that remind me of me. Occasionally He asks of me something that I should have done long ago and I make excuses, or lie, that is.

We sometimes wear the same clothes and bear the same shoe size you know. We are cousins or brothers. I can't remember which. Once I had Opportunity look it up for me but He forgot the answer or that's what He said and I took it for granted that He had forgotten to seek the information at all and then we politely dropped the subject altogether. He forgot though, I'm sure of it.

Opportunity called the other day. I missed the call. (actually I was busy flirting with a lady named Ruine (French lady) and didn't want to talk). I called back when it was convenient for me (and at a time when I knew He would be busy) but He didn't answer (which worked out well). I left a funny message like 'Tag, You're It!' or something to that effect. He'll get back to me, I'm sure. We're close like that. Once we got together and did some things. Some GREAT things! Maybe a couple of times. We still reminisce and joke with one another about how talentless OTHER people are and how much we'll get done when we find the time. There's always time, you know. Always time.

hang on, there's the phone

It's not Him. It's some other joker pretending to be Him. Jackass.

Anyway. Opportunity has been ill lately. Not feeling Himself. Chestpains, etc. I'm a little worried. If the bastard die's off I don't know what He'll do...I mean what I'll do. We get to feeling like this and then things get all weird for a few sentences, a few conversations...for a bit. I mean He gets to feeling like this...you get it, of course. Our mother says it's a result of the ill-fated conception of us. The connectivity or Siamese disorder, if you will. He talks, then I talk, then we talk...we talk a lot! Pushing and pulling, Opportunity and I. When I push Him he, of course, pulls me into the fall. It's useless. Yelling at each other in our minds and fully aware that our ears are are just two. It's all going to be just as loud for one as the other. No sense screaming at Him. I'd kick Him but I can't and if I could coax someone else into doing it for me it would hurt. It gets frustrating, all the talk and disgusting silence and waiting and and pondering and discussions about discussions and really nothing of a result.

I blame Him, He blames me...we just talk and talk and talk and talk and talk and talk....

There, I think He's going to shut up.

jf

Chance?

2009-12-21T20:18:00.000-08:00

I never get tired of watching fate work her magic but I've also become aware that we decide whether or not to volunteer for the mistress' show. And as I continue to put my hand up, she continues to bring me into the light of fantastic things that I hadn't imagined before.

I was at a Christmas party with a bunch of average folk like myself the other night...local shopowners, an FBI agent, a school teacher, dance instructor, antique store proprietor, some retirees, and a guy that delivers furniture. Conversations happened between every group, one after another, exchanges of goodwill, queries about work, background, etc. Half way through the evening it was time for me to talk to the furniture delivery guy. So be it.

What do you do? Where are you from? Oh, you own a church?...interesting. We went to see what all of the other guests referred to as 'the most amazing living space you'll see in your life' and honestly, I had my doubts... I was wrong to doubt them. It was truly an UNBELIEVABLE space. Thousands upon thousands of antiques overflowing from well defined spaces in a huge church. Trunks, antiques, chairs, disco balls, suitcases with bulbs protruding from them that actually lit, all hanging from the ceilings. Candlelit piles of treasures stashed on walls and in corners like monuments to the bizarre, mannequins in tubs, ladders suspending art...the ARTWORK!!! Oh, and a STAGE. It was truly an OMG experience.

The strange thing to me was that I have been scouting for a place remotely similar to this one for an upcoming video shoot and I presumed that I would find something acceptable in a far-away place that we could dress up to fit the bill...but this is complete...and it's in my hometown. So then I pop the question...can I shoot in here? Turns out he's been looking for years for a way to immortalize the space and all of his hard work and vision. Waiting for some nutcase like me to come along. I'm your man.

Tonight I photographed the space for the film director, and actors. The proprietor and I discussed our chance meeting. Shortly before both of us headed to the party where we met, we each had second thoughts about going. Neither of us were sure the other would be interesting to talk to...

And the lady just continues to invite us in.

Be sure to raise your hand.

lotsa love
jf

Georgia

2009-12-09T06:34:00.000-08:00

I don't know where to begin. Georgia is as near to a home to me as any State is so a trip there is always special to me. This last one was as expected, magnificent.

I headed South to start a new album and to shoot a Live DVD. James Salter of Atlanta was to be the producer on the record and, of course, Tim Gill was heading up the film dept. I made a hasty dash for Atlanta on Nov 29 to get settled in and play a show at Eastpoint Corner Tavern. The tavern is the 2nd home of Heather Luttrell, a new friend and a great Sunday night gig in Atlanta. There I met Derek Murphy, hired gun drummer who was to play on the new record and perform with me at The Loft in Columbus for the DVD. Derek is a little guy (about my size) with very little to say and very much to play. He was immediately interpreting my musical approach and developing ideas for the record and was a breath of fresh air to me.

We (James and I) headed to Columbus on Monday afternoon, got set up in the studio and after Derek's arrival we began getting sounds with Steve Meadows (The Lofts chief engineer) and laid down one track before heading to the bar to relax a bit. The first song set the stage for what would be one of my favorite recording experiences to date. It was as quirky and solid as I'd hoped for, Derek's vision was very cool, very simple and delivered on a large scale. As opposed to the common drummer, Derek had an array of tambourines, multiple snares in use at once, a wooden box for a kick drum (or rather Low End), some conga-type drums and wacky cymbal selection. He was right on for everything that I wanted to record and as we processed the feel of the record that night in the bar we came to the conclusion that it would be a 'medium rare' project in that we didn't want to get to tight on the performances, rather we wanted to record a very high quality, fat, garage version of these new tunes of mine. Our only concern was that we find that glorious place that musicians go to when they first nail a song. A good song that gets the initial attention of all the musicians playing on it and while the subject is strong in the singer/songwriters mind comes to a peak very quickly and then over time seems to lose it's luster no matter how hard we try to keep it's magic. It's a birthright of songs. They have the most magic there, and that's what we wanted to capture.

Day 2. We took our drunken ramblings to the live room on Tuesday and began the execution of the plans we'd laid. 13 hours later we had 10 more songs roughed in and felt solid that we'd done something great. Along the way that day, a photographer from Atlanta and a female vocalist from LaGrange, Ga had come to join us along with the arrival of Tim Gill and Marshall Ruffin. Marshall is a Columbus native and was on the bill with his trio for the following night which Tim was to film. The female vocalist, Chansy Kennedy is a successful songwriter who is a friend of James Salter's and she was there to put down some pretty notes on a couple of my songs and also to get ready to perform with me on Wednesday. Another trip to the land of frothy beverages and we'd be ready for Wednesday.

Tim Gill and I tried to make a list of the things we needed to do the next day to be ready for the filming. The making of the list (and some cheap whiskey) took us well into the next day.

Oversleeping horribly and now in a rush we coffee'd up and headed for the loft. Tim got started with lighting and power checks, staging etc while myself, James, Steve, Burt and Marshall put down a couple more tracks. Then the race was on to get the studio synced with the venue downstairs, the soundchecks, stages and lights finished up. Steve Meadows choreographed all of the technical audio work and with the help of several students from CSU and a ton of gaffers tape we were ready.

The shows came off without a hitch. Marshall put on a stellar performance, followed by Heather Luttrell and I cleaned up the nights drama with what I felt was a very solid and entertaining show. Marshall and Chansy both did a tunes with me. Derek was rock solid and very exciting to perform with. The film crew claims everything went well and now we're waiting for audio and video production to see the final result.

As for the record, we're cleaning up the outtakes and passing the tracks off to my good friend Eric Weaver in Los Angeles for the finishing touches and then plan to master and release as quickly as my budget allows. Derek and I have a special little something planned for the release which I'll tell you about soon.

Well good. That's off my chest. Thank you Buddy (owner of The Loft), Steve, James, Tim, Marshall, Chansy, Burt, Pat (Marshall's manager), Allen (Columbus film fella) and everyone else who helped us make that happen. It was a great experience that I'll not soon forget.

Lotsa love
jf

Hangin with Heather

2009-11-06T11:21:00.000-08:00

Heather Luttrell's in town, camped out on my couch. We're having a blast. Played our first Missouri show together last night at Stooges, doing another tonight at Hunter Valley Winery in Cape Girardeau, MO. Then another at Indian Hills Winery in Puxico Mo on Saturday. Stayed out LATE after the show, put this little town to bed and lived 2 or 3 lives in conversation until we couldn't stay up any more.
This morning we did a radio interview at KRCU in Cape Girardeau with Jacob McCleland and have since solved the worlds problems over coffee and turkey sandwiches.

Heather and I will be performing live in Columbus, GA on Dec 2 for a 'Live DVD' with another friend, Marshall Ruffin. Looking forward to that now and just whatever else we cook up.

I was startled at how strong Heather is during a solo performance. I had only seen her with a band prior to last night.

Well, take a minute and check her out at heatherluttrell.com or Google the gal. Worth the trip to a show I guarantee and be looking for a new CD around the 1st of the year. Also if you're a Skynard fan, Heather's performing with them on the Skynard cruise departing from Tampa Fla on Jan 21st...could be fun!

Lotsa love
jf

Aunt Gladys

2009-10-29T06:43:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to spend the afternoon with my Aunt Gladys on Oct 27 before a show at Ciceros in St. Louis. Aunt Gladys is 91, takes care of herself, is as mentally sharp as anyone I've ever met...and she has a life behind her that I'm so intrigued by I just had to tell you...
She and her husband bought a little card shop in St. Louis on Feb 15th, 1940 (it was a Friday, she said). On Feb 18th her husband found out he was leaving to work on the construction of the Pentagon building so Gladys had a new business to run alone. They had paid $600 for the business and merchandise. Two years passed before David came back, Gladys paid the business off and had amassed $2,000 in the bank. They never looked back.
In 1960 after much delay and debate the two added records to their store because Gladys loved music and REALLY loved those little vinyl discs. Their legacy began. They owned three record stores during their career, sold two off in the late 70's and just ran their home store until retirement. When they sold the last store the new owner declined the purchase of all those 'old' records so Gladys packed them up and took them to their house where they got reorganized in her basement. A short time looking at them led Gladys to form 'Encore Records'. She started selling vinyl through national magazine ads, the paper and word of mouth among collectors. As local record stores folded and national chains gave up the vinyl industry Gladys bought them out. All of them. Dillards, Penneys, the mom and pops...if they wanted rid of their records Gladys was their gal.
She can't read the labels anymore and has a hard time filling orders taken online but when she needs help her daughters sort Michael Jackson red-vinyl or whatever the call is for and she gets the job done.
Aunt Gladys spent the day with me...the kid in the candy store...sifting through amazingly cool discs and photos from her past. I sang her a couple of songs as loud as I could sing them to accommodate her hearing loss, we drank a beer together, laughed a lot and had a fantastic time. She showed me some old St. Louis papers she and her husband had saved. Even a few from when she was a child. I got to read the story that was written about Charles Lindbergh's flight across the Atlantic, the Cardinals 1936 World Series victory, D-day...it was incredible.
Our afternoon ended with Gladys giving me the Tom Waits 45 single of 'Somewhere' from Westside Story, a rare Asylum Records release that I'd been eyeing and a promise to bring my daughters back next week. She said I had better not let her find out I was paying for a room in St. Louis as she had plenty of room and asked me a third time if I needed anything to eat before my show. She noted a couple of times that she was so happy to know that a Fox could actually sing. She said there hadn't been another in her lifetime and she could only play those record players and dream of it. We had another good laugh.
I'm so happy to have gotten to know Aunt Gladys a little better, since I've learned to appreciate the elders of my Fox heritage and look forward to our next visit. I'll tell you all about it. Enjoy your people while you can.

lotsa love
jf

Come see me and Heather Luttrell 11/6/09

2009-10-20T18:25:00.000-07:00

How's it going gang?

I'm writing to invite you to a private show on November 6th. It will be at Hunter Valley Winey's new upstairs venue at 6pm and last until we're all tuckered out. I'll be joined that evening by HEATHER LUTTRELL of Atlanta, Ga. If you watched 'Rockstar INXS' when it was going on you'll remember Heather as the wild child with all the Butterfly tattoos (27, I think). She was in the final 4 before she got sent away and is an amazingly talented artist. Since 'Rockstar' she's launched a solo career that has drawn a lot of attention in the South because of her amazing voice, great songs and in part because of her frequent appearances with the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Leo Kottke etc.

There are 50 seats for the event and they are FREE! But you need a reservation.

So here's how: email me at talk@jeffersonfox.com and tell me you would like to reserve a seat for Nov 6th or

If we're close personal friends, just give me a call.

That's it. Be sure and act fast as these will go quickly and I don't know how soon we'll get little Heather back in the neighborhood.

See you soon, Lotsa love
jf

Here's Heather's site: www.heatherluttrell.com

and Hunter Valley Winery is at www.huntervalleywinery.biz/

2009-10-04T00:12:00.000-07:00

I'd been wondering lately if there's a point when playing music all the time gets old, not that it's getting old to me but I wondered if it would. I don't think playing will, perhaps the way one plays might...

Tonight I remembered vividly why I started playing.

I got a guitar when I was 6 and learned a few simple songs and chords and when I figured out how to sing and play at the same time I had an overwhelming feeling of freedom. Free to scream or whisper my fears or hopes in any key I decided, any way I saw fit. Free to string together words to make me feel however I wanted to and perhaps make others feel the same.
I remembered that feeling as I played tonight and it rushed over me like a wave that takes away homes and leaves only the beach in it's path. I wish I could keep it with me all the time and I plan to try. I'm sure it will just come in and out of my life when it needs to.
I'm also sure that we ALL have some source of freedom and that it's not anything anyone gives us. It's a stone you find out of place on a trail and put in your pocket. It's a key to a place only you can find. It's the feeling of wind on your face when you were a child on the day that your dog lead you out of the yard. Your children feel it too.

Hold on to it. I'm keeping mine close. And thanks for letting me share my freedom with you. I appreciate it.

lotsa love
jf

2009-09-27T09:19:00.000-07:00

Just got back from Georgia and the filming of the Simpleton video. The video turned out wonderfully and will be up for you to see soon (not sure how soon, but soon). Beyond the fact that the project went well, the personal aspect was outstanding also. I got to spend time with Tim Gill again, met some fine folks that he works with regularly and had a great week staying up too late, watching weird movies and, umm, other stuff. ;)
I also got to spend some time with Heather Luttrell in her humble abode in Atlanta. For 3 days and 2 nights Heather, myself and her boyfriend Tom painted the town relentlessly, played a couple of shows, made some plans, installed a sink, cleaned house and forgot to sleep. It was a blast. You should check her out live any time you get a chance.
Another artist that I ran into along the way was Marshall Ruffin from somewhere in Georgia. He was on the road supporting a record called 'Morning Glory' and while the recording was a bit loose the band was not. The trio put on a stellar live show and Marshall's lyrics, vocal, and guitar work kept me on the edge of my seat through the entire show. Check him out.
Well, thanks Chattanooga, Charlotte, Atlanta, Savannah and all the people who put me up, put up with me and made great things happen along the way. Special thanks to the Harmon family in Rock Hill, SC! See you all again soon.

ps. I made a horrible mistake and didn't get a show pulled from the schedule for Sat the 27th of Sept at New Moon of Savannah (the Listening Room). My most sincere apologies to anyone who tried to see me that night. The venue canceled well in advance and my team failed to pull it from my site. I'll make it up to you one day soon.

lotsa love
jf

just funny

2009-09-14T17:39:00.000-07:00

I drove to Chattanooga yesterday (Sunday) and then back and tried to listen to the radio along the way. After some endless circles through the available stations I settled for a snake-oil preacher on a Nashville station that sounded like a lot of fun to hear. He was a very well-spoken fellow and made some interesting points...and then...

we as listeners were becoming rather enthralled in some story of contradicting behaviors by biblical characters Peter and Paul and I'm sure we all leaned in toward the radio a little as the intensity in our speakers' voice grew... This preacher was apparently quite frustrated with Paul over something he did or didn't say to the Gentiles...irrelevant to my story...but entertaining because what I heard next made me laugh harder than I have in ages.
The preacher (on the radio) began YELLING at Paul (the deceased apostle) and said (the quote here is the funny part) "He defied the SCRIPTURE!!, Paul DEFIED THE SCRIPTURES!!"

---defied the scripture--- note: he's talking about New Testament Scripture by his own account.

I supposed he was referring to the scripture that the christian churches today are reading...and perhaps Paul had defied it in some way (again irrelevant) but what I found funny was

THE SCRIPTURE HADN'T BEEN WRITTEN at the time of these events. Our hero Paul was living the events from which the scriptures would emerge...the writings this guy on the radio was reading and ranting about 2000+ years later.

I felt bad for Paul, unable to defend himself and having been scolded by Bill the Preacher on public radio for his bad behavior...and for not adhering to a book that he never read. Poor fella.

Don't read any more into this than there is. I'm not getting into the arguments that usually surround Religion, just poking a little fun at my fellow man. (forgive me Lord and fella on the radio)

In other news of the day, the show went great and I met some nice folks, fellow songwriter Brian Ashley Jones of Nashville and his cohort Tish the bass player along with a lot of very hospitable Tennessee..ans. Good times. See you somewhere!

lotsa love
jf

Sept is coming

2009-08-30T07:51:00.000-07:00

The days of summer are slipping away. My daughter is turning 4 tomorrow but the big bash is today. :) The weather feels great here in Mo lately. 65-80 is right up my alley.

I played a show last night at Indian Hills Winery. Really great feeling show which is happening more lately. I don't know what's going on but the music just feels better than ever these days. I think everyone had a good time.

I'm really getting unsettled over the Grammy talk. I have NOT been nominated. NOT. I am ENTERED. I love everyones support but I don't think folks understand the process (I don't exactly either) and I don't want anyone thinking that I'm bragging when I say "I have material ENTERED in the Grammy's". Forgive me for the tantrum but it's getting exhausting. Entered, entered, entered.

I'm really excited about the local support I've gotten lately. Annie Lauries in Cape Girardeau is a fabulous antique store where I'm getting a lot of support and doing a show on Sept 4th. That one's going to be VERY cool. Laurie is an interior decorator of sorts and her place is not your run-of-the-mill antique shop. It's extra cool to just be in. Can't wait till Friday. If you come...bring wine. They don't serve but you can drink.

Well, I've gotta go get my Princess Party on.

Lots and lots of love.
jf

Shows

2009-08-23T13:13:00.000-07:00

I'm very fortunate to find such great people in my travels. Lately I've stumbled on some really fun shows as a result. I'm doing the Racanelli's Cucina show regularly now and I'd encourage anyone, anytime to check that out. Great outside stage on 'The Loop' in St. Louis just off the Washington U. campus. Lots of fun.
Also please stop in and see my first show at Annie Lauries in Cape Girardeau. That's Sept. 4th at 6pm. Normally the place is an antique shop ( a GREAT antique shop), but on the first Friday of the month, it becomes a great place to see live music or other entertainment, have a few glasses of wine and meet some unique people in a unique environment.
Headed to the south again next month for some shows and a video shoot. More about that later...I'm headed out to fish with the kids and maybe see my dad (been awhile). Hope everybody is fantastic today.

Lots of love
jf

Photos, the website, etc

2009-08-22T07:15:00.000-07:00

I've been up too late for a few days now. I'm trying to overcome the learning curve associated with today's technology...sick and tired of web 'designers' telling me that they either CAN'T do what I want them to or that they can for $6,000 has led me to become one. I'll design my own dang site! LOL
Anyway it's proving very rewarding. Getting the job done (allbeit slowly) and despite the constant hurdles I'm very happy with the direction it's going. Should have that up in a couple weeks tops.
When it launches I'm going to have some goodies for you guy/gals. More later on that.
Amid all the mayhem of changing everything I've booked a few shows and some of them are based on my friendship with Heather Luttrell from Atlanta. Take some time and check her out at HeatherLuttrell.com
Well. Gotta get back after it...these sites don't design themselves ya know!

Lots and lots of love
jf

Unicycling

2009-08-16T21:24:00.000-07:00

I have officially become addicted to the unicycle. I borrowed one from a friend for a photo shoot and then decided to get at least comfortable on it for the shoot which has turned into an obsession. Crazy but I think the 11 year old in me has resurfaced. I've been wanting this ability for quite some time now. I'll post some pictures after the shoot's done.
Been visiting with my brother and his wife...wonderful people. Gotta hit the grocery store now, before my 13 year old's first day in the 8th grade (tomorrow). Gotta get the good breakfast on and all.

Well, that's tonight!
Lots and lots of love
jf

Blogging??

2009-07-13T11:29:00.000-07:00

Ok guys, I'm living in the stone age. This is my first blog out of myspace or one of my websites and really I'm just curious where this thing will go from here. So I guess I'd like for you to let me know if you find this blurb out there in space. Have a great day...oh I guess I should say check out the new video (I'm going to try to throw it in here)...and buy all of my records so I can make a new one. LOL.

Lotsa love,
jf