crazy day
up late
off to a meeting
to meet a couple heavy corporate cats
on my way
on bloor street
and there's braxton hicks
one of the world's greatest sax players
and CAL alumni
i pull up - he hops in the caddy
and we're off to his place
he has a present for me!
the meeting can wait
some background on braxton's present
years ago i'm hosting a party
and my attorney dino is there
i look around the room
and realize that he's a lawyer to everyone in the room
i ask him what it's like to know everyone's secrets
he said it renewed his faith in humanity
that it's our flaws that make us attractive
and without that - we'd be robotic
like star trek next generation
years later i relate that story to braxton
back at braxton's
it's 2:10pm
we're drinking scotch
he hands me my present
it's a painting of the starship enterprise that he painted in grade nine
he took my little story to heart
and i'm deeply touched
the painting is already up on the wall
running late
off to the meeting
with 2 fingers of scotch in me
nice restaurant
and the corporate cats are cool
they care about their jobs
they want to do something different
they have the know how and the infrastructure
i like them
we touch on my selling CAL
it's a valid question
the meeting had lots of other elements
i love that people dream
it ignites things inside me
we conclude feeling up and optimistic
rushing
trampoline class with my youngest
then dinner at a chinese food buffet
a tims to follow
and it's off to the doors rehearsal
the CAL doors band is smart
and exact
and clifton sounds and looks great
happy and strong
a strange headspace to be in when your singing doors
but clifton makes it all work
and flow
before you know it
the doors rehearsal is over and the zep rehearsal is starting
and in a flash there's 12 musicians in the room
and everyone is sparking and hugging and laughing
then it's down to business again
and the new CAL zep band begins unraveling zep 4
with all the mysticism of it in tact
phil naro understands this music
i comment on him needing a bit more 'british' in places
he digs it and wraps himself around the delivery
man this is good
then it's off to the old CAL zep band rehearsal
nicky's back in town
he's in through the out door
and fresh from zep 2 in orlando
and this is a big thing
because this month we have 2 CAL zep bands on the road
and they're both beautiful
back at my house
it's late now
rob phillips drops by to switch a bunch of guitars around
i make chilli and salad
some wine
we put on a doobie brothers album
talk shop
it's relaxing
he leaves with some heavy clothes that don't fit me anymore
watch for bobby and the black velvet blazer
now it's late
and i'm alone
listening to sticky fingers
in two weeks i'll be out of this house
my family house
i sold it to a young family with a nice vibe
time i was on my way
the year ahead is full of change
i think about selling CAL
because i'd be foolish not to consider every possibility
but there's this picture of the starship enterprise hanging on my wall
and there's a feeling i get
when musicians are busy
and working together
that brings life to life
and i realize
that there's no way i'd ever sell CAL
craig
jan 18 2012
red wine and salad scrapings
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
We Love Lindsay!
we love lindsay clark
she works very very hard
normally someone that worked that hard on things
would be cause for alarm
but lindz is fast and fun
and holds up well when a challenge comes her way
here's a fun quiz i sent her a year or so ago
you can see her wit come through
she plays the same way
there's an assurance about her performances
there's never a worry when lindz is on boards
What has CAL taught you? Love many, trust few, and always paddle your own canoe.
Is there anything you can't do with your instrument? Uh, no. Please don't ask me to elaborate on that; this is a family book.
Three Albums? Zep IV, The Wall, Thriller.
Beatles or Stones? The Who.
What has been your biggest musical challenge? Boston. I nearly soiled myself every night with stage fright, but I always won.
Monty Python or Spinal Tap? Tap.
What is the philosophy of your playing? Look innocent and keep going.
Favourite album to perform? The Wall. It takes me on a real emotional journey each time.
Favourite road story? Once upon a time, on the Zep IV East Coast tour, Nicky had this binder he kept his lyrics in...
Favourite venue? Imperial Theatre, Saint John, NB. I picked up a boyfriend through that place. I ended up dating the GM's cousin, who lives in Toronto. It lasted almost a year, and I still consider him to be the one that got away.
Where do you keep your passport? On me at all times. You never know when you'll need to make a quick getaway. (AND I KNOW THIS QUESTION WAS DIRECTED AT ME!)
What's it like working with Craig? In terms of Craig's energy and enthusiasm, like working with a really really really smart 10-year-old. Everything new is an exciting adventure to him. (AND YOU KNOW I SAY THIS WITH LOVE IN MY HEART!)
When did you first hear about CAL? They advertised the 1st anniversary show, which was The Wall, in NOW magazine, which I normally consider to be a waste of pulp. I went to the show, loved it, and spent the next 3 years emailing Craig asking him to give me a job. He obliged me on June 28, 2007.
When are you the happiest? With lots of work to do, and ample time to get it all done.
Springsteen or Springsteen? Zeppelin.
What do you hear in your playing that mirrors your life? In playing as in life, it's all a big puzzle.
On me at all times. You never know when you'll need to make a quick getaway. (AND I KNOW THIS QUESTION WAS DIRECTED AT ME!)
What's it like working with Craig? In terms of Craig's energy and enthusiasm, like working with a really really really smart 10-year-old. Everything new is an exciting adventure to him. (AND YOU KNOW I SAY THIS WITH LOVE IN MY HEART!)
When did you first hear about CAL? They advertised the 1st anniversary show, which was The Wall, in NOW magazine, which I normally consider to be a waste of pulp. I went to the show, loved it, and spent the next 3 years emailing Craig asking him to give me a job. He obliged me on June 28, 2007.
When are you the happiest? With lots of work to do, and ample time to get it all done.
Springsteen or Springsteen? Zeppelin.
What do you hear in your playing that mirrors your life? In playing as in life, it's all a big puzzle.
she works very very hard
normally someone that worked that hard on things
would be cause for alarm
but lindz is fast and fun
and holds up well when a challenge comes her way
here's a fun quiz i sent her a year or so ago
you can see her wit come through
she plays the same way
there's an assurance about her performances
there's never a worry when lindz is on boards
What has CAL taught you? Love many, trust few, and always paddle your own canoe.
Is there anything you can't do with your instrument? Uh, no. Please don't ask me to elaborate on that; this is a family book.
Three Albums? Zep IV, The Wall, Thriller.
Beatles or Stones? The Who.
What has been your biggest musical challenge? Boston. I nearly soiled myself every night with stage fright, but I always won.
Monty Python or Spinal Tap? Tap.
What is the philosophy of your playing? Look innocent and keep going.
Favourite album to perform? The Wall. It takes me on a real emotional journey each time.
Favourite road story? Once upon a time, on the Zep IV East Coast tour, Nicky had this binder he kept his lyrics in...
Favourite venue? Imperial Theatre, Saint John, NB. I picked up a boyfriend through that place. I ended up dating the GM's cousin, who lives in Toronto. It lasted almost a year, and I still consider him to be the one that got away.
Where do you keep your passport? On me at all times. You never know when you'll need to make a quick getaway. (AND I KNOW THIS QUESTION WAS DIRECTED AT ME!)
What's it like working with Craig? In terms of Craig's energy and enthusiasm, like working with a really really really smart 10-year-old. Everything new is an exciting adventure to him. (AND YOU KNOW I SAY THIS WITH LOVE IN MY HEART!)
When did you first hear about CAL? They advertised the 1st anniversary show, which was The Wall, in NOW magazine, which I normally consider to be a waste of pulp. I went to the show, loved it, and spent the next 3 years emailing Craig asking him to give me a job. He obliged me on June 28, 2007.
When are you the happiest? With lots of work to do, and ample time to get it all done.
Springsteen or Springsteen? Zeppelin.
What do you hear in your playing that mirrors your life? In playing as in life, it's all a big puzzle.
On me at all times. You never know when you'll need to make a quick getaway. (AND I KNOW THIS QUESTION WAS DIRECTED AT ME!)
What's it like working with Craig? In terms of Craig's energy and enthusiasm, like working with a really really really smart 10-year-old. Everything new is an exciting adventure to him. (AND YOU KNOW I SAY THIS WITH LOVE IN MY HEART!)
When did you first hear about CAL? They advertised the 1st anniversary show, which was The Wall, in NOW magazine, which I normally consider to be a waste of pulp. I went to the show, loved it, and spent the next 3 years emailing Craig asking him to give me a job. He obliged me on June 28, 2007.
When are you the happiest? With lots of work to do, and ample time to get it all done.
Springsteen or Springsteen? Zeppelin.
What do you hear in your playing that mirrors your life? In playing as in life, it's all a big puzzle.
Monday, 2 January 2012
Johnnie B
here's a cool story from johnnie b
we've been together for so long
a couple weeks ago
we were in the van in new york
i was in a pissy mood
so was he
and we just started bitching at each other
for no reason
it passed
we ended up laughing about it seconds later
bobby remarked from behind us 'the marriage is back on'
and that's the way it is with us
we're brothers in arms
i would and will always do anything for him
all he ever has to do is ask
he never asks
he's a strong righteous man
a wicked bass player
a husband
a son
a farmer
a father
a friend
the road does things to you
we've been on the road for all of our adult lives
it's what we do
it takes a special person
and john batuszkin is a very special person
here's a story he sent about our beginnings together:
So I'm 22 and living with Mom & Dad - because that's just how it was. I left a band because I'd had it! Now I'm looking for something to do - maybe get involved with another band or go back to the dreaded daytime gig.
I end up putting out a make shift poster with my number on it -you know the ones you find in laundromats with the little tags of numbers you just tear off - mine had a picture of Mickey Mouse on it. Low and behold I get a call from this guy - Craig Martin. He asks me if I like the Stones? I politely say "Not really." Yet instead of hanging up he carries on with the questioning. At the end of it we agree that we're going to get together. "Alright," I say to myself, "He sounds like a cool guy."
He arrives at my house, knocks on the door & for some reason I'm giddy like a school girl! (friggin weird). He knocks on the door, looks at me and his first words are "Hey, you're tall! That's great!" My Mom offers to feed him as soon as he walks in. (Mom's are great)
He walks into my room, looks at my gear, sits down, listens to demo tapes of bands I've been in, looks at me again and says, "Hold on a minute."
He walks out to his car (Burgundy Malibu Estate wagon) fumbles around and returns with an armful of albums and asks "Can you learn these for Wednesday?" (it's Monday) "We have a gig outside of Montreal on Friday, rehearsal is Wednesday." So I look at him, perplexed and overcome with a fear of losing a gig, and I say "Sure, no problem".
Then I ask "What's the name of the band?"
"The Midnite Ramblers," he replies.
That was the beginning of a great friendship. Now as we push forward into the 9th year with CAL - my 7th - I really don't think things have changed that much. He's out there on the front lines making sure everything that he has sunk into this show is going to be as great as possible, no different than doing the Harbour Inn (Owen Sound) with The Midnite Ramblers on a Friday night!
START ME UP !!! LEMME GO !!
JB..
ps: i'll always think of b as a giddy school girl
we've been together for so long
a couple weeks ago
we were in the van in new york
i was in a pissy mood
so was he
and we just started bitching at each other
for no reason
it passed
we ended up laughing about it seconds later
bobby remarked from behind us 'the marriage is back on'
and that's the way it is with us
we're brothers in arms
i would and will always do anything for him
all he ever has to do is ask
he never asks
he's a strong righteous man
a wicked bass player
a husband
a son
a farmer
a father
a friend
the road does things to you
we've been on the road for all of our adult lives
it's what we do
it takes a special person
and john batuszkin is a very special person
here's a story he sent about our beginnings together:
So I'm 22 and living with Mom & Dad - because that's just how it was. I left a band because I'd had it! Now I'm looking for something to do - maybe get involved with another band or go back to the dreaded daytime gig.
I end up putting out a make shift poster with my number on it -you know the ones you find in laundromats with the little tags of numbers you just tear off - mine had a picture of Mickey Mouse on it. Low and behold I get a call from this guy - Craig Martin. He asks me if I like the Stones? I politely say "Not really." Yet instead of hanging up he carries on with the questioning. At the end of it we agree that we're going to get together. "Alright," I say to myself, "He sounds like a cool guy."
He arrives at my house, knocks on the door & for some reason I'm giddy like a school girl! (friggin weird). He knocks on the door, looks at me and his first words are "Hey, you're tall! That's great!" My Mom offers to feed him as soon as he walks in. (Mom's are great)
He walks into my room, looks at my gear, sits down, listens to demo tapes of bands I've been in, looks at me again and says, "Hold on a minute."
He walks out to his car (Burgundy Malibu Estate wagon) fumbles around and returns with an armful of albums and asks "Can you learn these for Wednesday?" (it's Monday) "We have a gig outside of Montreal on Friday, rehearsal is Wednesday." So I look at him, perplexed and overcome with a fear of losing a gig, and I say "Sure, no problem".
Then I ask "What's the name of the band?"
"The Midnite Ramblers," he replies.
That was the beginning of a great friendship. Now as we push forward into the 9th year with CAL - my 7th - I really don't think things have changed that much. He's out there on the front lines making sure everything that he has sunk into this show is going to be as great as possible, no different than doing the Harbour Inn (Owen Sound) with The Midnite Ramblers on a Friday night!
START ME UP !!! LEMME GO !!
JB..
ps: i'll always think of b as a giddy school girl
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Happy 1972!
listen man
last year was a downer
it totally bummed me out
like - the shows were cool
there was some heavy moments
woodstock
last waltz
dark side of the moon man
i mean this stuff blew my mind man
but then i'd come home and turn on the tv
and it was debbie downer time
it was occupy this
and crash that
and then there were all those old cats in suits talking about money
and arguing
and then all this stuff about gas and oil
and i just got the feeling that i was hustled
and not hustled in a funky get your freak on way
but in a way that i'd never understand
and at the end of it i was mixed up
and just wanted to hear some music
1972 has got to be about the music man
we've got to get back to the garden man
we've got to love one and other right now
i think 1972 is going to tap into our collective consciousness
and everyone's gonna get together and do what's right
and that involves us going more concerts man
because concerts unite us
tv man
that's a box of hypocrisy
the real people are on the streets man
going to concerts and getting their minds blown man
i can dig all the messages everyone is sending everyone
but you can't believe everything you read
big brother is watching man
he's seeing everything and collecting information man
in 1972 we've got to be careful
and go to more concerts man
that's the secret
so like wow man
i can't wait for midnight
i'm already feeling groovier
happy new year
craig
dec 31, 2011
doobie brothers man
last year was a downer
it totally bummed me out
like - the shows were cool
there was some heavy moments
woodstock
last waltz
dark side of the moon man
i mean this stuff blew my mind man
but then i'd come home and turn on the tv
and it was debbie downer time
it was occupy this
and crash that
and then there were all those old cats in suits talking about money
and arguing
and then all this stuff about gas and oil
and i just got the feeling that i was hustled
and not hustled in a funky get your freak on way
but in a way that i'd never understand
and at the end of it i was mixed up
and just wanted to hear some music
1972 has got to be about the music man
we've got to get back to the garden man
we've got to love one and other right now
i think 1972 is going to tap into our collective consciousness
and everyone's gonna get together and do what's right
and that involves us going more concerts man
because concerts unite us
tv man
that's a box of hypocrisy
the real people are on the streets man
going to concerts and getting their minds blown man
i can dig all the messages everyone is sending everyone
but you can't believe everything you read
big brother is watching man
he's seeing everything and collecting information man
in 1972 we've got to be careful
and go to more concerts man
that's the secret
so like wow man
i can't wait for midnight
i'm already feeling groovier
happy new year
craig
dec 31, 2011
doobie brothers man
Wednesday, 21 December 2011
The Woodstock Show
i love the woodstock show
it was put together with love for the decade
i took a lot of liberties with the show
the csny set was based on the original recordings of the songs
their set in white lake was fantastic
but i think the live experience didn't quite translate to tape
it was a question of 'you had to be there'
we weren't there
i was eight
so in reviewing the album and the movie
i decided to go with album tracks instead of live tracks
i also cut out a ton of joan baez songs
and the same with a bunch of other performances
we had to take three days and get it down to 2 hours
the deeper i went into the catalogue
the deeper connection i felt to the event
ultimately i decided to go for the songs that vibed me the most
soul sacrifice
i watch troy on this song
his sacrifice
he could be anything
but he decided to be a drummer
that blows my mind
troy - your dedication to your art is admirable
i wrote a nice blog about bobby
so i'm not going to blow anymore sunshine up his ass
but man - bobby - you were great on this show
marty singing joe cocker is one of those moments
where if you're not smiling you're not alive
we all love marty together
all at the same time
that's real currency
that's the stuff that makes your humanity come to the forefront
and nicky
singing stephen stills
and playing piano on sha na na
did you catch it?
we know nicky for the zep shows
but he's flexible
and tight
when he steps up to sing the who set
we remember
oh yeah - nicky - he's the best
and leslea
in america carlia sings the janis
in canada les sings it
i remember nicky telling me that to sing janis
you have to sing every song like it's going to be the last song you ever sing
they both do that
carlia brings the spark
leslea brings the authenticity
for the hendrix set
i told clifton to lead the band
this was a bold call
our stock in trade being the 'note for note' creed was hanging in delicate balance
but clifton channels 1969
he looks it
plays it
and lives it
his part of the show is important
it's the farewell
clifton kissed it goodbye with grace
i've been posting some funny stuff about the mud and the acid
but could you imagine something like woodstock happening in this day and age?
that much unorganization
people getting in for free
wow
what a vibe
it's my theory that our imperfections are what make us attractive
woodstock was one big beautiful imperfection
today
they calculate how many napkins you take at the $12 beer stand
there's nothing rock 'n' roll about that
man i wished i was born 10 years earlier
would i sacrifice growing up with zep floyd and stones
for growing up with jimi janis beatles and stones?
i don't know
it's all so star trek worm hole stuff
the woodstock show goes into the vault
it's a strange time for me
i'm putting the imperfections away for a while
2012 has our american agency kicking in
big time
we're smart and exact now
and of course i like that
but it'll be nice to pull this show out in a couple years
and get back to the garden
all my love to all of our audiences
and the beautiful musicians who gave all they had show after show
2011 was the journey to see if we had what it takes to survive
we do
peace and prosperity
craig
december 22, 2011
jack daniels - lots of it
it was put together with love for the decade
i took a lot of liberties with the show
the csny set was based on the original recordings of the songs
their set in white lake was fantastic
but i think the live experience didn't quite translate to tape
it was a question of 'you had to be there'
we weren't there
i was eight
so in reviewing the album and the movie
i decided to go with album tracks instead of live tracks
i also cut out a ton of joan baez songs
and the same with a bunch of other performances
we had to take three days and get it down to 2 hours
the deeper i went into the catalogue
the deeper connection i felt to the event
ultimately i decided to go for the songs that vibed me the most
soul sacrifice
i watch troy on this song
his sacrifice
he could be anything
but he decided to be a drummer
that blows my mind
troy - your dedication to your art is admirable
i wrote a nice blog about bobby
so i'm not going to blow anymore sunshine up his ass
but man - bobby - you were great on this show
marty singing joe cocker is one of those moments
where if you're not smiling you're not alive
we all love marty together
all at the same time
that's real currency
that's the stuff that makes your humanity come to the forefront
and nicky
singing stephen stills
and playing piano on sha na na
did you catch it?
we know nicky for the zep shows
but he's flexible
and tight
when he steps up to sing the who set
we remember
oh yeah - nicky - he's the best
and leslea
in america carlia sings the janis
in canada les sings it
i remember nicky telling me that to sing janis
you have to sing every song like it's going to be the last song you ever sing
they both do that
carlia brings the spark
leslea brings the authenticity
for the hendrix set
i told clifton to lead the band
this was a bold call
our stock in trade being the 'note for note' creed was hanging in delicate balance
but clifton channels 1969
he looks it
plays it
and lives it
his part of the show is important
it's the farewell
clifton kissed it goodbye with grace
i've been posting some funny stuff about the mud and the acid
but could you imagine something like woodstock happening in this day and age?
that much unorganization
people getting in for free
wow
what a vibe
it's my theory that our imperfections are what make us attractive
woodstock was one big beautiful imperfection
today
they calculate how many napkins you take at the $12 beer stand
there's nothing rock 'n' roll about that
man i wished i was born 10 years earlier
would i sacrifice growing up with zep floyd and stones
for growing up with jimi janis beatles and stones?
i don't know
it's all so star trek worm hole stuff
the woodstock show goes into the vault
it's a strange time for me
i'm putting the imperfections away for a while
2012 has our american agency kicking in
big time
we're smart and exact now
and of course i like that
but it'll be nice to pull this show out in a couple years
and get back to the garden
all my love to all of our audiences
and the beautiful musicians who gave all they had show after show
2011 was the journey to see if we had what it takes to survive
we do
peace and prosperity
craig
december 22, 2011
jack daniels - lots of it
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
Rob Phillips
there's an energy to rob
he's one of the greats
he plays it like he lives it
and he looks like the albums we grew up with
he saved our life once
in florida in the van
swerved calmly away from an approaching accident
i was in the front seat
it was telling
i met rob over the phone
des had suggested we check him out
we were down a guitarist for a dark side show in vancouver
des doesn't fly
i called rob
and he immediately instilled confidence
we met at the airport
he was wearing a big green parka with who logos all over it
cool
the show was great
he was fantastic
i immediately started plugging him into shows
at each show
the bar was raised a little higher
he did that
without saying a word
if rob's on the gig
you show up knowing your parts
or you're not on the gig
the hang is always smooth
the vibe is always cool
rob has a keen memory and a knack for voices
he can recite a great many things
with exactitude
it keeps us laughing
one night we're in orlando at the hard rock
and i'm eyeing the crowd
they're going bananas
the band finished their last song of the set
we're side stage confirming encores
i decide to pull 'echoes' in favour of 'have a cigar'
rob opposes me - strongly
no one has ever done this before
okay i say
echoes it is
it was the right call
he's a friend to us all
we're drawn to him
just like the audience is
it's such a gift to constantly be in contact with that kind of greatness
him and his wife play in a blues band together
troy plays drums
it's so cool
she's beautiful and you can tell that they love each other
and that's what it's all about
john lennon was right about everything
and rob mentors with john from afar
he's paid his dues with us
he's been in a ton of different situations
we've been through a lot together
he's the rock that guides us all through that difficult stretch of time
he keeps calm
one day some big rock star is going to snatch him up
i look forward to that
because i know rob
and no matter what
he'll always be playing
and we'll always keep a spot warm for him
always
craig
december 20, 2011
pinot grigio
he's one of the greats
he plays it like he lives it
and he looks like the albums we grew up with
he saved our life once
in florida in the van
swerved calmly away from an approaching accident
i was in the front seat
it was telling
i met rob over the phone
des had suggested we check him out
we were down a guitarist for a dark side show in vancouver
des doesn't fly
i called rob
and he immediately instilled confidence
we met at the airport
he was wearing a big green parka with who logos all over it
cool
the show was great
he was fantastic
i immediately started plugging him into shows
at each show
the bar was raised a little higher
he did that
without saying a word
if rob's on the gig
you show up knowing your parts
or you're not on the gig
the hang is always smooth
the vibe is always cool
rob has a keen memory and a knack for voices
he can recite a great many things
with exactitude
it keeps us laughing
one night we're in orlando at the hard rock
and i'm eyeing the crowd
they're going bananas
the band finished their last song of the set
we're side stage confirming encores
i decide to pull 'echoes' in favour of 'have a cigar'
rob opposes me - strongly
no one has ever done this before
okay i say
echoes it is
it was the right call
he's a friend to us all
we're drawn to him
just like the audience is
it's such a gift to constantly be in contact with that kind of greatness
him and his wife play in a blues band together
troy plays drums
it's so cool
she's beautiful and you can tell that they love each other
and that's what it's all about
john lennon was right about everything
and rob mentors with john from afar
he's paid his dues with us
he's been in a ton of different situations
we've been through a lot together
he's the rock that guides us all through that difficult stretch of time
he keeps calm
one day some big rock star is going to snatch him up
i look forward to that
because i know rob
and no matter what
he'll always be playing
and we'll always keep a spot warm for him
always
craig
december 20, 2011
pinot grigio
Sunday, 18 December 2011
2006 and Business is Booming
it's 2006
and it's a machine now
i've got my sister on daily operations
i've got one of my best friends - johnny b - road managing and blowing bass
i've got another one of my best friends booking me - steve butler!
and i've got the best musicians working with me
my dynamic with everyone feels good
i'll never quit the road
i like being with everyone
i realize that to many of the musicians
i'm their main source of employment
it's my decisions that shape the company
and keep musicians working
i start to pay strong attention to this
then i notice my dynamic changing
and i'm the boss
that takes some getting used to
but i got a good track record
and the shows go off
one after another
note for note - cut for cut
i started mixing the shows
it was the final step in my quest for absolute control of everything CAL
a lot of people don't realize
that what they hear in the audience is controlled by the sound-man
one day i just looked down at the sound board
and said i can do this
and began mixing the shows
i'd mix the eastern tours
that's where i learned about sound
in the maritimes
first with the zep band
then with the wall tour
i've always been hands on with the musicians and their sounds
i began to implement different changes they would make into my mix
i don't know of many techs that do this
our shows constantly change
different line ups
different gear
i can anticipate things with sound
the hardest thing to do is build the perfect 3 part harmony
each voice has to sit pretty
and the butter has to melt
i trust very few people with the mix
rich hagen is the best there is
he's got the gift of sound in him
and he's graceful if i have to bark instructions about a mix mid show
that says a lot
with rich there is no feedback
other than 'nice mix'
I also began to rethink how i do business
our shows are void of creativity
our boundaries clearly defined
so i thought i could be creative with my business dealings
it started with my bank
i was standing in line
in the business line
waiting
i pay a premium price to stand in the business line
it's supposed to move faster than the non business line
but i'm waiting
so every time i'm in line
i get the receptionist to clock me in and out
and make a note of it
then i bill my bank $1200
i sent them an invoice
they phoned
i explained my situation
the bank manager said 'Well, Mr. Martin, we're not in a position to pay this. Is there something else you want?'
bang!
yes i said
wave my bank fees on all my accounts for a year
they agreed
right on
i began to apply this to other parts of the business
i get a business visa card with high reward miles
and i put my entire life on it
i pay it off entirely each month
i never payed a cent of interest
in fact
they're paying me now
i have a ton of air miles saved
this is good for the series
spending a lifetime on the road
teaches you the value of money
i keep things tight
i'd rather pay the musicians top dollar than another tech
we can load our own gear
we're not precious
we're strong and resilient
make sure to read the chapter on the imperial swan hotel (posting soon)
my god
we stayed dives
in a way i forced some of the players to pay their dues
growing up some us who gigged in the 70s and 80s
knew the lay of the land when it came to hotels
staying at the swan was slumming it for some of us
for others it was a throwback to another time
we all got through it together
i have many good memories connected to staying in dives
the best thing about a bit of success
is sharing it
musicians are honourable people
and CAL is a warm place for them to land
i aspire to employing more musicians
and paying them top rate for their work
isn't that a good reason to get up in the morning?
other than parenting
i can't think of a better one
craig
revised on december 18, 2011
guinness and apple
and it's a machine now
i've got my sister on daily operations
i've got one of my best friends - johnny b - road managing and blowing bass
i've got another one of my best friends booking me - steve butler!
and i've got the best musicians working with me
my dynamic with everyone feels good
i'll never quit the road
i like being with everyone
i realize that to many of the musicians
i'm their main source of employment
it's my decisions that shape the company
and keep musicians working
i start to pay strong attention to this
then i notice my dynamic changing
and i'm the boss
that takes some getting used to
but i got a good track record
and the shows go off
one after another
note for note - cut for cut
i started mixing the shows
it was the final step in my quest for absolute control of everything CAL
a lot of people don't realize
that what they hear in the audience is controlled by the sound-man
one day i just looked down at the sound board
and said i can do this
and began mixing the shows
i'd mix the eastern tours
that's where i learned about sound
in the maritimes
first with the zep band
then with the wall tour
i've always been hands on with the musicians and their sounds
i began to implement different changes they would make into my mix
i don't know of many techs that do this
our shows constantly change
different line ups
different gear
i can anticipate things with sound
the hardest thing to do is build the perfect 3 part harmony
each voice has to sit pretty
and the butter has to melt
i trust very few people with the mix
rich hagen is the best there is
he's got the gift of sound in him
and he's graceful if i have to bark instructions about a mix mid show
that says a lot
with rich there is no feedback
other than 'nice mix'
I also began to rethink how i do business
our shows are void of creativity
our boundaries clearly defined
so i thought i could be creative with my business dealings
it started with my bank
i was standing in line
in the business line
waiting
i pay a premium price to stand in the business line
it's supposed to move faster than the non business line
but i'm waiting
so every time i'm in line
i get the receptionist to clock me in and out
and make a note of it
then i bill my bank $1200
i sent them an invoice
they phoned
i explained my situation
the bank manager said 'Well, Mr. Martin, we're not in a position to pay this. Is there something else you want?'
bang!
yes i said
wave my bank fees on all my accounts for a year
they agreed
right on
i began to apply this to other parts of the business
i get a business visa card with high reward miles
and i put my entire life on it
i pay it off entirely each month
i never payed a cent of interest
in fact
they're paying me now
i have a ton of air miles saved
this is good for the series
spending a lifetime on the road
teaches you the value of money
i keep things tight
i'd rather pay the musicians top dollar than another tech
we can load our own gear
we're not precious
we're strong and resilient
make sure to read the chapter on the imperial swan hotel (posting soon)
my god
we stayed dives
in a way i forced some of the players to pay their dues
growing up some us who gigged in the 70s and 80s
knew the lay of the land when it came to hotels
staying at the swan was slumming it for some of us
for others it was a throwback to another time
we all got through it together
i have many good memories connected to staying in dives
the best thing about a bit of success
is sharing it
musicians are honourable people
and CAL is a warm place for them to land
i aspire to employing more musicians
and paying them top rate for their work
isn't that a good reason to get up in the morning?
other than parenting
i can't think of a better one
craig
revised on december 18, 2011
guinness and apple
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