Getting that feeling again.

Imagine being awakened from an unintended sleep by rolling across the zip lines at the side of the freeway.   Looking up into the open desert you see that your motorcycle is headed towards disaster at 100MPH and there is nothing to do but ride it down. Unconsciousness takes hold, again.  Then, there is a blurry moment of awareness that an 800 pound motorcycle is sitting on your chest and you cannot breathe.   The story continues and gets worse before it gets better, but eventually, you do mostly recover.

This preceding scenario happened to me on May 14, 2007 and the lingering physical effects of this accident have become a strong element effecting most aspects of my life.   I was reminded of all this by a comment a friend made the other day, when I announced I was taking up residence in a physical space for much of my music teaching.

This was a very, very bad day...

She said she had always wanted to learn how to play the piano but was concerned about her radial nerve damage.   Since I forgot to go to medical school, I had to look that one up.  Interestingly I have had the same condition in my right hand ever since the accident.   In my case the condition manifests itself as numbness in my thumb and index finger.   

When I first got home from the hospital, it took a while until I had the strength to even sit at the keyboard for very long.  When I was able to finally sit in a playing position for a meaningful period of time, I found myself  unable to play accurately.   Fortunately, I retained full range of motion but have a sensory feedback problem which is to say that the thumb and finger I mentioned are largely numb, particularly the thumb.

Having been a student of Kenny Werner at one time, I knew he believed that playing the piano from the correct "space" or with the correct "intention" can actually be healing.  With this in mind I set forth on a two-prong plan to re-teach my hand how to play.  I started from the beginning of his exercises and worked my way through them. At the same time, writing and performing an album of songs.  Using Werner's techniques, I was able to retrain my hand and even reverse some of the damage.  (And the album was kind of OK, too.)

Now the question is:  will these techniques work with a student whose case is worse than mine?!

I have some more studying to do and some plans to make, but I am extremely interested to find out.

Stay tuned for the results....

First Contact

Taking a few minutes out to write this blog is to preserve a little strange something that I feel should be included in the records of events that was 2011.  I believe it is important to commit a certain amount of material to the historical record.

 

A bit of old-school jazz-speak on the way through the desert.

Spent the latter half or 2011 playing with the Jerry Becker Quartet.   

Among the many interesting adventures I have had with this group of characters during my brief tenure with this "aggregation." our trip to Abiqiui probably takes the cake for weirdness and I learned a valuable lesson.

I guess I should start with the valuable lesson bit.  As much as I have loved getting to know these characters they have not been very aggressive in getting paid for their work.  To be perfectly honest I can not even remember agreeing to do this gig.   So, we are going up to Abiquiu, NM at a really tough financial time.

I decided, with a lot of work, to just go with the flow and let whatever happened be OK.

I was particularly skeptical about what would happen financially on this gig because it had a trifecta of red flags going for it.  1)  Going to the boonies in December  2)  It was an art gallery opening, which has its own special meaning in Santa Fe Speak   3)  It was donation only, not even a partial guarantee.

Nice Sign, but I was still nonplussed at the prospects for a successful gig

at the Rising Moon Gallery

Things got even worse than I thought when we made our final approach.  Not only were we in the boonies and coming up fast on the gig, and the gig appeared to be in a "container?"

(The lovely and perceptive Patti disagrees with me on this whole container bit.)

Ok, it is was a merry looking container, but a container nonetheless.

And it got a bit merrier!

When we got  inside and met our host is when things got really weird.  This cat could have walked onto any Star-Trek set and been a perfect Vulcan ambassador or teacher just exactly the way he was.   Standing, oh maybe five foot ten with a thick head of white hear in a perfect bowl haircut.  Wearing a black turtleneck sweater of some odd luxuriant (alien) quality.  He was decorated also, of course, in large gobs of the ubiquitous turquoise jewelry sported  by those Santa Feans of a certain class and mind set.  He had this one piece of jewelry that really stood out was a  large,dark triangular piece that looked exactly like a Vulcan Idik.

I will have to get to the rest of this writing a bit later....in the meantime....

Meet the Band....

 

Doug Frantz: Drums

Chris McMahon: Fretless Electric Bass

Jerry Becker: Tenor Sax and fearless leader

Cameron Weckerley:  Keyboards

Turning point (and fear), and a serious lack of faith in New Mexico.

Every since we got rear ended by an uninsured motorist coming out of The Canyon Road Teahouse on 12/20/11 I have been in debilitating pain and have lost most of the use of my right hand.,, which for a keyboardist/guitarist/producer this is very bad news.

All seems to have been fine until 12/20/11 when Patti and I were rear-ended on the ice.   Now I have neck pain which has ratched up to at least an 8 and is intolerable.  What is worse is that there seems to be bone spur in my neck pressing against my spine which is rendering my right hand, numb, weak and not very useful for music.

This is a seriously last ditch effort, which has a serious risk associated with it...not tremendously confident in the outcome, but here we go...I wish this was going down at UCLA instead of the backwaters of NM....

Trecking to Tesuque to Teach the Tykes.

One of the most rewarding experiences professionally for this year was my Thursday job at Tesuque Elementary School.  Although Tesuque is truly located only three miles north of Santa Fe proper, it always seems like it is in the middle of nowhere, no matter how many times I go out there.

When I first got the call to hang out with these little troopers on a semi long-term basis I thought. cool, and I immediately began downloading fun music lesson plans from one of my favorite music teaching sites..The Fun Music Company

The first lesson I tried with the 6th graders failed utterly, much to my surprise.  It was an interactive lesson on the history of rock and roll with lots of fun music and handouts and activities and all that drill.  What bewildered me greatly was the sixth graders complete lack of respect for the term "rock and roll."  Whoa, where did that disrespect  for the "holy of holies," come from?

/

Cell Phone Photo 12.15.11, Tesuque, NM

5:30 Snowing and they keep coming and coming!  (Parents that is)

Mr. W. does Kinder...

Mr. Chrisman conducts while Mr. W. Conducts.

Turns out, as much as it hurts, Rock and Roll is out and Justin B. is in!  Ack

Soul Vaccination

It had been over three years since my spouse Patti and I had revisited out home turf of Cali.

We had meant to come back much more often to visit friends and family.  Unfortunately financial, health and mechanical reasons kept us away for far longer than was comfortable.

The issue that forced the issue of us getting back was the wedding of my step-daughter Maddi.

The beautiful bride on a cool evening in Central California

The music  situation turned tricky for a bit, but I think it came out all right in the end.

The new cage...the payment is no fun, but it is nice to have.

Fortunately we had recently required a "new to us" car that reliably made the trip.  In fact even though I call it a mini-mini SUV, there was room in the back with the rear seats taken out for Patti and I to trade off sleeping and driving for a non-stop trip to Cali and back.

I was grateful that we were able to get to LA to visit Michael at Ferenci Music.

It was a very important part of the trip for me because I really needed my emotional batteries recharged.

There was an element of grim humor to our visit.  When I showed up at Ferenci's doorstep I was looking very beat up from our long stint on the road.  Julie, Michael's wife, thought I was a street person for a moment who had just wandered up to her door.  I have no doubt I looked like that.

Michael Ferenci Mastering a tune at Ferenci Music

For the next couple of weeks I have to figure out how to be a good middle school guitar and orchestra teacher.   Yeee Haaa.

First the ecstasy then the laundry

For the last couple of years music has been a solitary experience, and largely an academic one.  The joy of playing out just was not there like it had been in "days of old."

Above - The Cameron Weckerley group at the

Kern County Fair c. 2007

Recently I met up with Chris McMahon through an ad on Craigslist and we took the chance to

make our first rehearsal in public at a gig at the Friendship Club.

Cameron and Chris play Georgia

It was truly a joyful experience and over far to soon and then back to reality.

Fortunately we get to do it again at Cowgirl in a couple of weeks.

I have high hopes for this duo....stay tuned for more.

A fine afternoon in the plaza

Cameron Weckereley plays the blues and wishes for some shade.

Dig the Funky White Boys in this video....Fun!!!

Borderline at Borders.

In this post I mean no disrespect to the venue, the patrons or myself.  It was just one of those days when the planetary alignment, or whatever just sucks everything into a sort of negative downward spiral that once it reaches a certain point there is no recovery.  Case in point,  look carefully at the photo below and notice how everything has this odd slant to it.   The only thing I can compare it too is Wolf's drum set at the bowling alley wayyy back in the day.  (Certain people will know what that means, if you don't worry not about it.)

It was just one of those days, not anybody's fault

The ever insightful and lovely Patti comes to the rescue again!

Some keyboards still functional, rack full of music to rehearse for two gigs tomorrow.

Later...checking in.

Got through some of the music and fixed my rack..still need to finish putting big keyboard together and finish set list.

We are in countdown mode now without nicotine to mellow it out.

I think the temp repair on this is going to work for the gig tomorrow.

Men in Black

As those of you who read this blog know, I spent a fair amount of this year as a substitute teacher which turns out to be a pretty great job if one still harbors any professional musical aspirations.  The downside is, when summer comes the money stops.  Having yet to break into the either the private teaching or club scene here I do not have that backup source of income.

Having been spurred into action by desperation, usually what it takes I am afraid, I have been pounding the pavement both metaphorically and literally.  In that spirit I jumped on my motorcycle packing my demos and press kits and rode to the the biggest, baddest casino in the area,  Buffalo Thunder.  Which is where I encountered some very large guys in some very serious looking suits who were constantly talking into their cuff links. I was there to see the marketing manager though and I was not going to back down or leave until I did.

I can tell you those cats did not want me to find the corporate offices.  After several attempts to escort me outside the casino or employ a strategy of misdirection.  The biggest irony is that after being sent to every corner of the casino, sometimes more than once, the person I needed to see was readily available behind an unlocked door in a relatively unsecured part of the facility.

The woman in charge of marketing was gracious enough to grant me an impromptu interview and look with some interest at my demos and press kit.  Whether they immediately ended up in the circular file I do not know, but I did get her card and permission to make a follow up call.  I think I might even have something intelligent to say after getting some very sound advice from my most trusted friend in the music industry, Michael Ferenci.

I will keep you posted.


Cameron

New Directions, New Paradigms, New Rides.

As much as I hate to admit it, in my heart of hearts I am a creature of habit.  It is difficult for me to imagine myself in a new life once I have established the routine of the old one.  This would seem to be one of my character defects because I keep finding it challenged over and over.

For example, this dual sport the Mad Hatter traded in his crotch rocket for. This is the New Rides part of the blog. (For more info on this topic see The Hooligans Blog.

But I Digress

Just substitute teaching has taken some work to adjust to-getting used to that new adventure everyday.  My decision to go freelance this summer is taking me way out of my normal paradigm

The next day...

I feel like I am on a different plane today.

My unusual chord progression I am using does not seem as scattery today.

I am also simultaneously working on a couple of music videos too.

Keep your eyes tuned to this space for more multi-media to come.

Thanks everybody!

Cameron

Putting together the pieces of the puzzle

When I compose I tend to take fragment of things and try to put them into some kind of coherent structure.  Sometimes the art itself takes you where you do not expect to go. In the case of the currently unamed tune it seems to be bending to my will pretty much and expressing how I feel. It only comes in certain sections though. I am still working out my language both technically and aurally.

Not only am I puzzling over the pieces of musical compostion but also what life will hold in the very near future.  Dare of follow this path of private teaching?  My good friend Deedra thinks so and she is one of the brave ones who jumped into those waters and survived.

But I digress...

I am working my way through the second tune on the second album and I made the decision to use an unusual chord progression that is hopefully interesting, not jarring.

Don't forget to listen to music http://www.reverbnation.com/artist/artist_songs/599459

I will try to get a rough mix up soon for my fans.

Thanks everybody,

Cameron

Return to adventure

The weather was very odd today.  While I was shoehorning my gear into our little car the blistering cold wind blew flurries of snow around my face.   This did not bode well for a patio gig.  Nevertheless we intrepidly headed south toward Albuquerque.

I started having flashbacks to the old, old days when I was first gigging and traveling long distances in rickety, drafty vehicles that you were never sure were going to get you to the gig.  The early spring wind was continuously blew the car from side to side.   It had been a long time since Patti and I had gone adventuring, but this certainly qualified.

The weather continued to be extremely odd as we continued down the hill.  At the bottom of La Bajada hill the snow got fairly thick and the sky was dark, along with the wind.

Once we got to the bottom of the hill into Albuquerque it was still moderately cloudy but the sun came out warmly for long periods of time.  Even so a considerable amount of snow was blowing horizontally across the road.

Eventually we navigated our way to Il Vicino.  We were over an hour early and got to seat down and have a great meal and check out the preceding act.

Jake Bowles is a very talented young man who plays keys, guitar, throat and writes some of his own material.

If he keeps at it he will go far.  It is good to see a younger generation of musicians stepping up to eventually take the place of us old guys.

I was happy with the way I played as well.  That slow, careful practice routine I have been on is beginning to pay off in my playing a fair amount.   The downside was that the time slot alloted for my set was not particularly advantageous.  Although Jake had played for the lunch crowd, things had cleared out considerably by the time I went on.  This was nobody's fault in particular it just cut into my projected CD sales. I had considered selling four to be an optimistic estimate and I sold exactly zero.  Bummer, I really needed the spending money!  Oh well, next time.

I would highly recommed Il Vicicno in the Heights  . The event was well organized,  the service was friendly and the food was excellent.

Looking at how threatening the sky was looking in the direction of Santa Fe we decided not to stay and see the next act, bummer.

The ride home was indeed an adventure with a high-wind advisory in effect our overloaded carlet got blown all over the road.  But, one more time we made it home in one piece.  Another successful adventure concluded. 

One little victory

This Sunday, May 1st will be my first real live gig in a long time.  I have been practicing my ass off.  But, it is interfering with my writing and thus my online standing.  The internet has an insatiable appetite for fresh content, so if you take a pause in writing people begin to forget about your really fast.

Working on sensual forms on LA time

Some of you who follow my music may wonder why nothing new has come out in the last couple of weeks.  What have I been up to.  For one thing some of my tracks are in LA getting guitar tracks put on.

The other project that has been taking my attention is a long-from composition commissioned by Patti (Dagni Rose) Weckerley. She is looking for a very specific type of sensual music to market at part of her website.

The piece of music presented as is on Reverb Nation is a shortened version of the full 20 minute piece.  The purpose of the piece, as previously stated, is to groove, but be non-obtrusive during sensual activities.  You can stream the piece and others here.  I would be most interested in feedback if anybody tries it out.  Thanks.

Cameron

The finishing of "Rio Grande Cryin"

At long last "Rio Grande Cryin" is packaged and ready to ship.  A couple of copies have already found their way out into the world.  It turned out to be quite a lovely DIY project.   My lovely wife Patti was kind enough to find the perfect image to license and work with me on designing the inner and outer cover.  Her help was invaluable.

Of course I want to give thanks and props to Michael Ferenci and Raul Duarte.  Ferenci contributed a number of great guitar and bass tracks on this collection and also did a fair amount of production work.  Mr. Duarte took a tune "Winter in Santa Fe"  which had a great guitar solo on it, but was otherwise lackluster, and turned it into a gem with a live bass line and some great production techniques.

The purchase of a "light scribe" drive allowed us to finish off the project with some stock lettering burned into the disc which looks pretty cool.

Be sure to visit my website at www.cameronweckerley.com for more info and fun stuff.

The new final album cover....

Finishing an Album

Well that magic moment has come.  All the music for Rio Grande Cryin' is completed and mixed.  However, there is still much to do.  In my last post I lamented how difficult it was to work through all the decisions involved in making an album cover.  In my experience most projects tend to play out that way.

There is this period of almost confusion I want to say, when there is too much input and the process of selecting filters is just starting.  That process goes on for an indefinite amount of time until things just begin to click.  Particularly when the process is not under any kind of undue force.

So here is the front cover as it stands now.

And the back cover as it stands-still needs some credits

All comments are welcome.

Album Cover Cunnundrm

One of the hardest things in the music business, besides choosing a name for a band, is album cover design.

Since the name of the album is "Rio Grand Cryin'" in honor of Paul and the Adams family.  They had great tragedy befall them last year through none of their own doing.  So, the album cover should have something to do with the Rio Grande, or with Paul I guess.  

Here is one possible idea for a background

Off with their heads!

It is a well known fact by now that the traditional music industry has lost its grip, both  literally and figuratively.  Literally, in the sense that no one in the high-rises of power has been able to come up with a viable business model for the 21st century.  Figuratively, in the sense that they are going after the "common man" in a ridiculous manner, suing soccer moms for fabulous sums because they illegally downloaded one to many files off the internet.  Not that I condone this behavior, I do not, but let's get real folks.  Now the preceding statements are nothing new; they have been chewed, re-chewed and spit out like so many chicklets at a smokers anonymous meeting.  What is not so well discussed among average music lovers is the industries' loss of power as gatekeepers and taste makers.

Until the advent of the internet we heard what we were told to by the powers that be, and the only artists to get heard were the ones lucky enough to squeeze through that tiny eye of the needle called a record contract.  The A&R folks, the record company owners and disk jockeys literally held the keys to the kingdom.   These pre-filters did the music lover a dubious service by sifting through a lot of crap and mediocre material to deliver the "good stuff"  to the listeners.   Ahhh, but here in lies the rub-by, by what standard is the "good-stuff" judged and who gets to make those decisions.

In these post-filter days where anyone with a home recording set-up and an internet connection can have instant global distribution the power has been delivered back into the hands of the people.  In my little town of Santa Fe (pop. 70,000) alone there are, by my count, over 400 musical artists with a web presence.  To find new music I like I do have to wade through a lot of stuff I do not like, but I get to make the decision what to listen to. That is a truly beautiful thing.

The traditional music industry has its head on the chopping block and I say, "off with their heads."