brother sonny's blog

jazzy

2012-01-12T20:18:00.000-08:00

i do not like smooth jazz. i like old be-bop, dixie-land, ragtime, and jazz that blurrs the lines between blues and itself...this is my opinion...it doesn't necessarily mean anything...i was just reminded of this tonight at dinner where the restaurant had a jazz combo playing...nice guys, they have people 'sit in' with them...i asked about that...if they do blues and stuff too....who knows, maybe i could sit in with them and play a few tunes?

xylophony

2012-01-11T20:29:00.000-08:00

i take a couple of my students to a percussion class every 2nd period...there are xylophones and marimbas in that class.....it is simply amazing how lovely these instruments sound when played in harmony with themselves or other instruments in a band or symphony situation and HOW HORRIBLE they sound when everybody is just going off and 'doing their own thing.'

i wonder if this is a type-shadow of how humans are?

a whole new way of thinking

2012-01-09T20:17:00.000-08:00

i'll be 40 this spring. when i was pre-teen, i was kinda chunky, then in my teenage years, i got all gangly and thin.

then in my early twenties i got kinda chunky again, then, from my mid twenties to my mid-thirties...i was pretty thin. (reallll thin at one point)

from my mid thirties to now, i've noticed a slowing of my metabolism....how? well, when i work out consistently, i get more 'bulked' up of course but the 15+ pounds i'd like to lose doesn't seem to budge.

i'm told that i need to change my way of thinking regarding food....that i cannot eat like an 18 year old at this age. i'm not sure i want to hear this, but i know it's true....the goals suggested to me are doable and reasonable....

i miss eating almost a whole pizza in one sitting though ;).....gone are those days and they have been for a long time (i never have more than 2 or 3 pieces of pizza!), but i suppose 'portion control' will need to be even more of a reality if i want to kick start my metabolism......i just get so hungry sometimes!!! :)

will he record soon?

2012-01-08T18:33:00.000-08:00

the uke! been played a lot lately...have even written a few songs over the last several weeks

with my four-stringed friend...

next weekend may be a good time to record another e.p.

and.....

for some reason....this picture was the impetus for it....?! funny that!

a specific calling...or title...

2012-01-07T19:23:00.000-08:00

there are a lot of books out there on finding one's life calling/vocation. i've read some and parts of others....there have been some good nuggets, but i'm beginning to think that most often we kind of stumble upon Divine callings in a layered or gradual sense.

i know i'm not the only one who has wished for the 'light bulb' or 'lightning flash illumination' experience. why do i know i'm not the only one?....cuz i talk to people and hear the same thing over and over.

here are the times that i've felt the most in 'that zone'....you know where you feel connected to God and your fellow human beings and creation. i wish i could say that it was fancy or sensational or dramatic, but most often it hasn't been. i guess i should thank God for that. i'm learning to like this ordinary-ness even.

a. letting one of my students wear my jacket when we were doing his P.E. regimen because he was cold and i hand a long sleeve shirt on.

b. helping some folks (on several different occasions) move some furniture into their apartments when they were the only ones around doing the work.

c. the few times that people have asked me (not at a church meeting) to pray with them to ask Jesus into their hearts.

d. the times that i have called or e-mailed people because they 'were on my heart.'

e. the times i have served at soup kitchens....the work was good, but visiting with the people was better...especially when my dad is there with me...he's got a great sense of humor.

f. the times that i've sang in front of an audience that loves folk music....not just people who are there to banter and drink coffee or beer, but people who genuinely love the sort of music i play.

g. when i read the scriptures or other literature that helps me to remember God's nearness....the sort of stuff that helps me to 'stop and pray.'

i'm not sure there's a specific 'title' for this ;)

my lil' motor car!

2012-01-07T10:06:00.000-08:00

beep beep goes my lil' motor car...

vroom vroom under sun and stars

the tires are small and the parking is good

storage is small for family and food

this lil' motor car'll be what i can swing

with my salary, it ain't no thing

small is beautiful and simple is fine

now let's strike a deal

and let's make it mine!!

it's 2012 now get back to work!

2012-01-02T11:28:00.000-08:00

Christmas/Holiday break has been....well, pretty darn good. lots of rest, lots of good food, some good walks and the weather was pretty amazing the whole time.....

we had family and friends stay with with us and the ukulele arsenal has been enlarged as well as the acquisition of an inexpensive banjo for me to plink on and learn with....

books were traded, credit was accumulated, cds were picked up at great discounts, and yours truly has a few new articles of clothing to start work with...righteous.

today marks the last day of my break...tomorrow will be back to work...part of me is sad because i find lots of things to do with my free time and part of me is glad to have the rhythm of the work week...not to mention, i enjoy my job.

the time off allowed me to shoot some more videos which was nice. my posting has been a bit sparse lately.

there was time to do some 'sitting still' and the weather outside was so wonderful for that.

here are some doodles and crafts we worked on over the holiday.

my cartoonys:

some fabric hoop pictures that i designed and that wifey made look even better!

and my most recent vid with les banjo:

hope 2012 is great for you and if you have some resolutions and goals May God give you the grace to fulfill them or even amend them as needed :)

My Ukulele Autobiography

2011-12-28T19:49:00.000-08:00

Well, with Christmas past, and a new uke in the arsenal and another one on the way....i feel it is important to tell my 'ukulele story.'

it was back in about 2004 when i stumbled across http://www.ezfolk.com/ a website started by Richard Hefner to be a 'gathering place' for folkies of all sorts to share their original music and to share their renditions of traditional folk songs from many different streams.

at the time, i was even more of a Luddite than i am now and i only had a few gospel tracks in mp3 form with which i could create a page, but i did it anyways. as i began to meet some different folks on ezfolk and as i began to peruse the different pages it had to offer, i stumbled across a section dedicated to ukulele enthusiasts.

i don't know why i had never thought of the ukulele before?....i had guitars, i had owned mandolins, i had borrowed banjos...i was a folkie and a stringed instrument lover....moreover, i was growing in my love of keeping things simple and i liked rhythm and chords much more than doing a lot of single stringed licks...(i've never been a strong lead player...though i'm getting a little better).

as i checked out the artists on the ezfolk site, i couldn't believe the diversity of sound i was hearing from the ukulele. it was cool to hear such an unassuming little instrument being used in different musical genres. one artist that really stuck out though was http://www.howlinhobbit.com/ his lyrics, his harp playing, and the ring of his soprano uke made me want one. After listening to hobbit's hokum style music and Richard Hefner's traditional folk songs done on uke, not only did i want one, but i 'had' to have one.

i've been an instrument seller-trader for many years...some times without too much wisdom (though i've become much better at it)...so, in the winter of 2004 i got myself down to a local music store and traded an electric bass guitar i wasn't using for a Lanikai LU-T Tenor Ukulele with a case. i picked up right off the bat that the uke's chord formations were like that of the 1st 4 strings of a guitar (but capo-ed at the 5th fret) so i was off and running.

i found out quickly that the uke is a fine instrument to strum, fingerpick, play with harmonica, and to use the frailing/clawhammer style of playing that is often done on banjos...i was having a blast...i started using the uke in live gigs, at my church for the church music programs, and i even started using it to record (sample first track).

it would be another couple of years before i'd get a You Tube Page up and running but after that, and with the purchase of a simple 'flip' camera, i became a ukulele video posting monster. Since around 2009, i've had the privilege of selling and swapping my cds all over the world. I've been touched by many e-mails that come in from ukulele players as well as folk music lovers thanking me for my musical sharing and my unique bag of songs...it's been an interesting ride for sure.

I'm gonna share some videos below, but i want to close with this: i've played the guitar since i was 15 or 16 years old. i love the guitar and still use it...in fact, i've recently been in a season of using the ol' six string a whole bunch, but something happened when i got myself a ukulele...my musical horizons expanded, i began taking my four stringed friend with me wherever i went, and i began writing more tunes. Even when my ukulele arsenal thins out, there is always the compulsion to enlarge the herd once again...this last 6 months i got down to 2 player ukes and one vintage uke that i don't like to break out too much. Anyways, I'll be back up to four ukes right quick because something keeps pulling me back...i guess you could say this is one special instrument
(side note: i've had around 24 ukes since 2008 ha ha ha!)

here are some songs dedicated to the uke and/or ukulele addiction:

here are some jingles i've written on the uke:

and here are some tutorials i've done:

here are some reviews i've done:

photos of live engagements with les uke:

and lastly...Uke cds i've done!!!

Holiday Season Accounts

2011-12-25T20:12:00.000-08:00

Well Christmas weekend has been pretty fantastic, not for all the bells and whistles, but rather for the goodwill we've encountered and our lil' blended family unit having a good time together.

i picked up my kids on Friday and took my son to lunch...after that, we tossed a nerf football around in the park for awhile. i love seeing him enjoy stuff like that with me. it makes me feel good. i can make both of my kids laugh and i super-dig that.

friday evening, we settled into a simple dinner of spaghetti noodles with grated cheese, and drizzed olive oil, butter, parmesan cheese, garlic, paprika, salt and pepper on top...that, with some fresh cut vegetables made for a yummy dinner.

Saturday morning (Christmas Eve) things started to buzz a bit. i let the kids open one gift and we got down with some vintage video game action:

we had an early dinner consisting of holiday comfort foods: sauteed chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans (from the can no doubt), my stepdaughter's wonderful cornbread, and cranberries...oh and kroger brand stuffing!

enjoyed a great Christmas eve church service . I helped with the music...not sure how great that was, but the message was very good...full of understanding and love and forgiveness and reality. Afterward, we settled down with egg sandwiches and hot cocoa and everyone was in bed early....here are a few fun pics though...

Lil hiding behind the easel....

Mr. Dez being goofy.....

Christmas morning came early enough (around 7:30), and we tore into our gifts...one of my favorite moments was seeing my stepdaughter's expression as she opened up the pocked knife i got for her....it was a good find on my part i must say...she insinuated that she wanted one some time ago and i was fortunate enough to be paying attention. i like pocket knives myself, so it was a pretty easy task finding one that had her 'written all over it.'

we kept it simple this year in many ways and i'd like to continue that tradition. i've spent other Christmases feeling kind of stressed out because it's so easy to spend too much friggin' money and that's not what it should be about in my book....goodwill, charity to good causes, kindness, spending time with family, eating good food, and relaxing are weightier in my book....not that those should cease any other time of year. being a Christian believer though, i do like the aspect of giving gifts to commemorate what i believe is the greatest love gift ever given...Jesus. Jean Vanier, the founder of the L'Arche communities in France and Canada even referred to Jesus as "God's gift of love."

i'll close with two Christmas day pics, a Christmas Carol and the wishes that my friends, family, and those who may stop by here had/are having a great time themselves....peace and good to all!!!

i got some clay for a gift!! boo!

yours truly being hammy.....

and...i did a vid of 'Go tell it on the mountain' today...

2011-12-22T22:07:00.000-08:00

would i make a good hermit?
i cannot say but alone time is good
at least for a day

a day or three to roam about
not saying much not using my spout
or hearing the prattle of teens and tweens
with shuffly slippers and tight fitted jeans

why am i talking? and why are you?
is there something else more productive to do?
like writing a letter or taking a walk
or finding some beauty instead of a balk

i suppose i suppose it should start with mine
so now i'll zip it
it's sleepy bye time....

Christmas time is hear.......

2011-12-19T19:53:00.000-08:00

i've officially started my Christmas Holiday. the last week of work felt a little manic. the kids were antsy, the teachers were antsy, and everybody appeared as if they may not be able to contain themselves....you know, like they might explode, break down in tears, or just scream and pull their hair out.

it took me the weekend to mentally and physically downshift...by Saturday eve, i could really feel my body say, 'you know, you've really been cranking along at a speedy pace, you need a break.'

there were things to do over the weekend, but it's much different when you make yourself not hurry. it's better methinks.

Anyway, here i am in the first of the new week, and i had the privilege to take the day slow, but focus most of my attention on doing stuff for other folks....wrapping some gifts, running some errands, etc. that, coupled with my quiet surroundings was most beneficial for my soul.

so allow me to post some stuff that i've come across or done....

here is one of my favorite Christmas Carols...i love to play this song

i was at the bookstore with my wife over the weekend...i was explaining to her that i wanted to find a nice devotional book to read, but that my attention span has become so short with reading due to my going through so many books since my late teens...i still love to read, but i really benefit from stuff that's simple, to the point, and a bit pithy...furthermore, i've been wanting to read some more devotional books of the 'Quaker Persuasion' because i really enjoy their practical mysticism...and i found this book below...chock full of great quotes and poems from Christians down through the ages as well as lovely poetry and such. the author's commentary has been most delightful as well...how uncanny that i found this book...just what the doctor prescribed!

we received this Christmas card in the mail today from a family friend. it's one of the best Christmas cards i've ever seen. it's from Rwanda and the design is made out of banana fibers....i love the nativity scene and this captures it beautifully!

finally, i couldn't resist this bumper sticker... :) though, i feel young and will just be turning 40 this spring, i'm accepting the fact that i'm just getting a little older, and thus i'm not in the same 'know' or 'loop' that i once was as a young musician and artist....though mostly in a 'counter cultural' sense, i used to stay up on loads of new music, literature, movies, etc. i just don't care anymore. i have lived long enough to agree with the writer of ecclesiates...'there is nothing new under the sun.' that's no reason to not be creative or pursue your muse or whatever, but for me, i feel like i gain so much more from just being open to what comes my way without that feverish pursuit trying to be hip, stay in the know, or whatever you wanna call it...i just don't care....of course i wouldn't have admitted to caring when i was younger either, but that is a characteristic that seems very evident in this generations 'hipsters' as well :)

okay one more share, this is the best song on Sufjan Steven's album, 'Seven Swans'

slowwwww down...hushhhhhh

2011-12-17T22:25:00.000-08:00

this weekend, i've purposed to 'slow down.' no small task for me sometimes....
it often feels like there's much to do...and maybe there is? but, we did pretty well at it today. i'm glad. we're gonna try again tomorrow.

i've also been thinking about the Silence a whole lot lately. i crave it. i need it. when you stop for a moment, it can be kinda scary to think about how much we listen to music, talk, watch talking heads on the t.v. and so on....i'm not sure it's good for the soul. blah, blah, blah....

i hope to hear what i need to hear in the Silence...i need God's guidance in some areas and i don't think 'filling the void' with perpetual noise is gonna help me much....this is todd b. tuning out....

a lil' note.

2011-12-14T20:19:00.000-08:00

good day pretty much...work was good, weather was beautiful, had a chance to help a co-worker for an upcoming test. some of my favorite students did pretty well today...i can honestly say that i've been able to 'scratch off' some 'to-do' list stuff which always feels nice.

i've been thinking about playing my instruments instead of doing so for the last 3 days....maybe that's cuz i've been pretty dang busy the last couple of days and haven't felt that up to it?

i've been reading this book: See Here

something within certain streams of Quaker Christianity really resonates with me...there's an earthiness to it...a rugged common sense maybe?...mystical, yet practical...something about it seems to 'cut through the crap' and say 'simplify, simplify, simplify!'

anyways, this is to be a rambling post because this is what i have inside...rambling, ambling, thoughts....like of the picture above...my daughter made that for me today....it doesn't get much better than that. she did it on her own. i didn't ask for it or expect it, but i'm sure glad she made this lil' card for me. she also made me another one on a day in which she was not with me....so that means, she was at her mom's house...messing with her art supplies when out came a very tender and affectionate card for her pops....i'm a little choked up.

if there's any likeness to the Love of God and the love of a Parent for it's child...then i think those of us who believe are in pretty good shape....

'i like it when you reach out to take my hand...i like holding your hand and helping you get through areas you arent' big enough to get through...i like letting you sit on my lap or letting you sit right next to me so that you can read to me and we can work on words you may not know...together.

i like it....no, i love it when i see you do things for other people like me or my wife or my son...things that you may have learned from me or your mom...or things that were naturally in you...stuff like helping to set the table, fetching everybody napkins, sweeping the porch, sharing a toy, a blanket, letting your brother have the softest quilt, etc. etc. etc.

well, i guess what i'm trying to say as well is, 'i like you.' i love you and appreciate you. i hope that you feel it in your heart.

my weekend

2011-12-12T09:59:00.000-08:00

for me, my weekend began as soon as i clocked out of work on Friday afternoon. getting home, getting showered, and changing my mindset was foremost on my mind.

my wife graciously offered to get us chinese food with a restaurant gift card she had. four out of the five of us were fed supremely on this take out feast, while my boy opted for pizza, but then acted out a bit, probably as a result of wishing he would've picked the chinese food.

after that was settled, the evening shut down with relative ease and Saturday morning would be my next assignment. upon the dawn of the morn, yummy pancakes were made for us all by my wife. they were enjoyable, but picking up our apartment and gathering supplies for a musical engagement were on my mind....you could say i'm 'task-oriented' at times :)

boom. done! along with assigments doled out for my wife, stepdaughter, and kids.....i'm a delegate-r like that i guess.

my daughter and i had a lovely lunch together and ran an errand to which she insisted on being the shopping cart driver. nobody was hurt. there were a few close calls though.

afternoon came and me and my 2 kids hit the park to shoot some baskets and play on the jungle-gym equipment....it's so quiet at the school park by our house. i love it.

after i made a makeshift leftover supper for myself and drank a few newcastles, i was off to my musical engagement. when one advertises such gigs, it's easy to become hopeful for a large draw of people. i mean, after all, i am an entertainer and a musician so i hope to entertain and musicianize an audience right?

gig time came. in the process of setting up i broke 2 glass slides that i was to use for some blues playing. i got angry. i swept up my mess. then, it was looking like the gig was gonna be a total bust. '10 minutes more and let's shut it down if nobody shows.' i thought, dang, i sure put together a lot of equipment for this...hope somebody comes.

2 people arrive! fellow musicians who came to listen and hang out! good....an old church friend shows up....good to see his smiling face....in comes another straggler, face familiar, but i'm not sure if i've met him or not?...then my dad, one of my most loyal supporters walks through the door....now there are 9 folks in the cafe....that's including the owner and my friend who's there to help me with the sound and display his homemade instrument creations

it's still not what i had hoped for, but i can work with this. the featured artist (me) then hands off his guitar to one of the musicians who came by, grabs a ukulele for himself, and group singing ensues. this is good. this is entertainment of the participatory sort. this takes the 'look at me' pressure off.

and that, my friends, was very 'worth' it.

it went very well. we went through old spirituals, old folk tunes, and even some country music from the late great Hank Williams Sr.
now i had the place singing....literally. after we did that for a good half an hour or more, i thook my guitar back and did more music....i was very much ready to play for over 2 hours that night.

the owner gave us a few more minutes and so we closed with 'Blowin in the Wind.' it was great to meet some new people, see an old friend and family, and to play some music which allows people to heartily sing along. all was not lost to low attendance and low enthusiasm.

sleep would come on Saturday night and Sunday morning we played the 'hurry and get ready for church' game. i'd say we were all winners, but i was definitely feeling it by the time we entered the 'house of worship.'

no matter, it was a great service and even though i was totally unprepared, i got to help with a children's music presentation and a puppet skit. i like my church. it was great to see my friends, the message was good, and my pastor's song choice and video choices were superb....messy and superb!!!

one of the highlights was playing this song, with my musician friends....

Work Art...not ArtWork

2011-12-08T20:23:00.000-08:00

there's a lil' window at work where i can draw or write....me likey!

hard hard people.

2011-12-05T17:07:00.000-08:00

hard people all around,

i've seemed to spy them all

over town

gubbment buildings, on the street,

jumping off busses,

shuffling their feet....

all different colors-all different sizes

all different smells and full of surprises

it's not their outfits

or the cars they drive

or that they ride the busses

or scrap to stay alive....

it's their stone chiseled faces hard and low

it's the pace of their gaze...long and slow...

life happened on them

dealt a hard blow

and now they're stuck with no place to go...

too much drink and too much smoke

too much pig meat and goin' for broke

a rattled frame ain't no joke

too much strife will make you choke...

help the hard people all over the world

save the next batch...boys and girls

those who are taught to give darkness a whirl...

help the hard people all over the world....

this lil' table

2011-12-04T07:08:00.001-08:00

By this little table we eat and talk,
we sew, we sing,
and get ready to walk
we drink and draw and doodle and write
we sit here at morn
we sit here at night

this lil' table was second hand
it works just fine
for our lil' clan

we drink and draw and doodle and write
we sit here at morn
we sit here at night

now that's entertainment!

2011-11-30T19:58:00.001-08:00

gigs gigs gigs....playing live...i've done the 'live music thing' in one form or another for over 20 years now....wow, that's a pretty fair amount of time....i've done good gigs and total bombs....paying gigs and gigs where you got nothing...i've met some pretty well known people and folks who may spend their whole lives in obscurity....

what makes someone want to become an 'entertainer?' it's a curious thing...one moment it can be exhilirating and at other moments it can be a total downer......are the 'ups' enough to sustain you through the 'downs?'

all questions i've been asking myself lately.

i don't have any real answers....i do know this, whether it's at a church or a coffee house...a park or a club...the times i've been able to play and sing and get people to 'participate' or sing along have been some of the most enjoyable moments of my life....

the book of psalms

2011-11-29T09:45:00.000-08:00

i love the book of psalms in the bible. i have read from it for years. i once read an author who wrote, 'if you want to learn how to pray, read the psalms.' another author called it 'the prayer book of the bible.'

from what i understand, the psalms were set to music. being from the west and growing up with rock and roll and pop music, this doesn't compute too well because the writing isn't 'verse chorus/verse chorus.'

regardless, there are some great lines in the psalms. everything from gut-wrenching lamentations, to exalted thanksgiving, to frustrated cries of, 'God, where are you?.' there are even angry prayers of 'hey, please take care of my enemies!'

and....everything in between.

there is also alot of theological imagery in the psalms....words that describe the nature and character and faithfulness of God.

here are some of my favorite lines....written down from memory:

-he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.

-the entrance of your words gives light, it gives understanding to the simple.

-give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his mercy endures forever.

-hope in the Lord, from this time forth and forevermore.

-my soul waits upon the Lord, and in his word do i hope.

-my soul finds rest in God alone.

-he guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.

-your right hand upholds me.

-you are good, and what you do is good.

-good and upright is the Lord, therefore he teaches sinners in his way

-the Lord is slow to anger and rich in mercy

-the Lord is my keeper, the Lord is the shade at my right hand

-as the deer pants after the water, so my soul pants after God

-you are familiar with all of my ways.

-you have hemmed me in before and behind, such knowledge is too wonderful for me.

-you have laid your hand upon me.

-before i was knit together in the womb, you knew me.

i found an old cloth booklet, very thin, that contains the psalms. i wish they made these still, it'd be great to pass them out to people.

i'll steal your ideas

2011-11-27T19:26:00.000-08:00

'to speak gratitude is pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and kind, but to live gratitude is to touch heaven.'
-gaertner

'give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his mercy endures forever.'
-book of psalms

'be anxious for nothing, but in everything through prayer and supplication, WITH THANKSGIVING, let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God which transcends understanding will guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus.'
-st. paul

i've worked on keeping a gratitude list for some time now. i can say it helps...does it make every day 'all rosey and sunny?' no. does it make one immune from feeling anger, resentment, frustration, fear, and the like? hell no.

it does seem to help with one's perspective in the long run though....an awareness creeps in of the many gifts and graces that are bestowed upon a person...both big and small...

another observation, for me, is that it loosens the grip of negative emotions or obsessive thinking much quicker than if i didn't practice making gratitude lists at all...

well, i've been very mechanical and practical in my gratitude list formations....after all they're just lists. there's nothing wrong with that. my wife took it upon herself to make a couple of 'artsy' gratitude lists in one of my journals. i loved what she did.

SO I STOLE HER IDEA. that's right. i can do it too! thank you sweetheart, your idea has allowed me to interject my quirky sense of humor into my daily practice of gratitude....so the key is to write your gratitude items in the spaces allotted by the picture...clever eh? eh?

Jenny's artsy gratitude list:

todd's cartoony lists:

holiday season is going full speed ahead.

2011-11-27T02:59:00.000-08:00

well, thanksgiving is over and now the stretch until Christmas. in some ways it's my favorite time of year, in others....not so much....the crazy traffic and shopping madness i can do without. i'm in a much more frugal place (by necessity) anyways, so it shouldn't affect me too much i hope.

last night, my wife helped my kids do some decorating around the apartment it was awesome....it's looking good, but what was even more awesome was it gave me a break to sit down with the guitar and bust out with some Christmas carols. 'away in a manger, silent night, go tell it on the mountain, joy to the world, etc....' i love those songs and i love to do them with just me and my guitar....nylon string of course....

the words invoked in me a sense of hope and peace again, as they should. they tell of the One who came, who meets our deepest need, and who will never leave us or forsake us.

i'll be going over these songs for the next few weeks....gladly. i think i'm gonna do some Christmas music for my church's Christmas eve service.

i've also been doodling and letting some quirky ideas pass through my brain.....

this is not altogether unusual, but last week i had some concerts to do at the children's museum of phoenix. my gosh, i love doing those concerts. i feel so 'at home.' i don't try to bust out with songs to 'wow' the kids, rather i do good kids' songs that are familiar to them in most cases....to foster an atmosphere of participation and i love it!!! they sing, they move, they dance, they raise their hands and answer my questions, sometimes....they laugh.

anyways, it brings out the playful side of me and i like that. this world needs more of that. so, as a result of that it has caused me to think of some new possible ideas for a blog (or revamping this one), some music videos, and artwork....

oh, and stay tuned, i'll post some photos of the three concerts i did last week....after i harass my honey to send me some more photos ;)

taking a break to recap.

2011-10-13T10:32:00.001-07:00

this fine fall morning i am taking a break....but you've been on fall break from your work haven't you? a voice says....oh yes, but i've been busting my arse trying to take care of other domestic business. this is good, but all work and no play makes Jack a 'mighty hard worker.' did i get that right?

anyway, brother sonny has been back to work now for about a month. work environment is challenging, but good. i am enjoying myself and i feel like i'm appreciated. that is nice. pay took a big hit with new job, but i am one drop in a sea of people who've experienced the same thing. lotsa good people out there struggling because of the economical situation....both trying to find decent work and dealing with the cost of living that seems to keep going up in spite of peoples' struggle...funny that.

my heart goes out to my brothers and sisters and i pray for myself, my family, and these people who are in the same boat with me.

below are some pictures that typify what's been going on with me over the last several months....i'll explain....

1. i am now officially without a baritone uke in my arsenal. it feels strange, but the effects of unemployment linger.....i'm still a big fan of the baritone uke and would tell anyone...'get one!' they are the best of both worlds....a little bit uke and a little bit guitar!

2. my new job affords me some time to doodle and cartoon and various points....nothing heavy or too involved, but fun....i often find inspiration at the work site and i hope humor and lightheartedness is conveyed.

3. below is a picture of our dinner table....17.00 table i got from good will that was beat to crap....i originally did some sharpie marker art on it with mod-podge, but we had always spoke of re doing it into something a little more presentable....well, here it is.

4. chili-mac econo dinner....man, was it good! i've been doing a lot of cooking over the last few months and it has been great fun!!! and yummy...we've already had our first fall picnic and we've had many sit down meals that have been satisfying to everyone. the dinner table can be a holy place.

5. i have had the privilege of finding not one, but two books that have the writings of brother roger. Brother Roger was the founder of the Taize community in France. a truly unique and ecumenical brother that seemed to really have a heart for the love of God, reconciliation between Christians, and peace-work.

6. recycling: J and I have had great fun taking other icons and images and embelleshing on them (see previous posts) anyway, these last few were from a book that i was about to give away....i said to meself, 'self!, you like these pictures and you like some of these quotes, cut em' out and have some fun....so i did. :)

that's about it....oh, i've had the opportunity to do some music over the last few months and stay tuned, as the band i'm in just did some recording, so i'll try to make something available soon, i'm still settling into my new living arrangements and job, but i trust with God's help things will settle down shortly....i hope so :)

stay well my friends, todd (brother sonny)

cartooning again

2011-09-22T20:58:00.000-07:00

well, back to work and already the cartooning starts....

More Icons/Art

2011-09-02T15:00:00.000-07:00

`i'm not going to attempt to try and sort these pictures....J and i have continued to take Christian pictures/icons and do embellishments with canvas...it is great fun and i think they make for nice home decorations or gifts even.

we have a picture of the Messiah, St. Peter Claver, a quote from St. Augustine, an Orthodox depiction of the Ascension of Christ, and a picture of the Blessed Charles de Foucald with Jesus (one of my favorites)

if you google Peter Claver, Augustine, or Charles de Foucald, you'll find quite a bit of interesting information....for great information on Jesus i recommend the gospel of St. John (the 4th gospel). :)

Icons and Art

2011-08-31T13:56:00.000-07:00

J and i had some fun the other night taking Christian images/icons and making some little art pieces with them....i think the challenge is to make the background look complimentary to the icon.

these are: 'the holy family', the 'cross of san damiano', and ade bethune's 'saint francis'

i just finished up one from st. augustine and J is working on an icon with the blessed charles de foucald and Jesus.

peace and good to you all,

In Ordinary Time

2011-08-27T04:34:00.001-07:00

In Ordinary Time, i've sat in silence,
i've focused on a sacred word
for that day

and sought to receive from You

In Ordinary Time, i've sat with Friends,
Brethren, Strangers, Neighbors, and
fidgety children.

and sought to receive from You.

conscience is a funny thing...it needs grace and nourishment

so lead me to the wellsprings and the green pastures....

In Ordinary Time.

his sheep am i.

2011-08-26T00:08:00.000-07:00

“Even in the midst of this life of tears and tribulations, what happiness, what great joy it is to realize that we are God’s flock! He keeps watch over us when we are awake; He keeps watch over us when we sleep. A flock belonging to a man feels secure in the care of its human shepherd; how much safer should we feel when our shepherd is God? Not only does He lead us to pasture, but He even created us.”
-st. augustine

just read this quote over Here.

which i found from reading Deacon Steve's Blog...

how timely!

how fitting!

Stuff.

2011-08-24T21:31:00.000-07:00

'Father,
I abandon myself into your hands;
do with me what you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you:
I am ready for all, I accept all.

Let only your will be done in me,
and in all your creatures -
I wish no more than this, O Lord.

Into your hands I commend my soul:
I offer it to you with all the love of my heart,
for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself,
to surrender myself into your hands without reserve,
and with boundless confidence,
for you are my Father.'

i first heard of Charles de Foucald some years ago. i think i first read this lil' prayer in a small prayer book i got from the 'Upper Room' movement resources (methodist church)....wow, now i remember reading these little daily devotionals from them as well...they always had cool art-work and the readings for each day were usually really good....pithy...to the point.

anyway, sometimes this life 'journey' feels like it is moving along slowly. don't get me wrong, i don't want to 'rush' things a long....i'm already looking down the barrel of the '4-0' next year ha ha ha.

but, i know it is a challege for me when things feel like they're going along slowly and i feel like i'm in a 'tight' or 'tough' position.

surrender, abandonement, acceptance, ceasing to grind or strive help me stay sane (well, at least moderately so)....

so i guess i'm just posting to remind myself of these things....

Shalom, Salaam, Paz, Peace, and good to us all

put a little love in your heart

2011-08-20T18:56:00.000-07:00

i love this picture....some of my happiest times in life have been when i've tried to encourage someone, or have thought of an act of kindness to do, or when i've randomely sent a letter or e-mail to let somebody know i was thinking of them....

this lil' picture is from a child's book on 'manners.' i read it to my kids and add my own little silly parts to make them giggle, but truth be told, i want my kids to learn about kindness and manners and how to be compassionate people....

we need more of those in this world, by God.

the musical instrument museum

2011-08-07T21:21:00.000-07:00

went to the musical instrument museum in phoenix this weekend. they truly do a smash up job....instruments from all over the world.

my favorite stuff? well, seeing a lot of instrumental similarities between countries, hearing music from blended cultures...highlights for me were music from tunisia, samoa, mexico, puerto rico, venezuela, honduras, ireland, canada, the u.s.a., and the solomon islands....

it was hard not to touch some of the instruments (especially the bass balalaika, the martin parlor guitar, and the charangos and ukuleles....)

last night's gig

2011-07-30T21:00:00.000-07:00

had a gig last night. great fun. i was privileged to play with: Jim Pipkin, Carey Slade, and Robert 'Bobcat' Newberry.

Anyway, one of the highlights for me was meeting a nice fella named Jim Beard. Jim makes homemade instruments out of cigar boxes. he was kind enough to let me try out one of his guitars. so i plugged it in, did 'built for comfort' and 'shake em' on down.' i think the folks enjoyed it....i sure enjoyed breaking out my glass slide as well....

Radio Show

2011-06-25T14:31:00.000-07:00

yours truly will be on a local radio show tomorrow....the program runs from 3 to 5pm mountain time

link is HERE

well how bout that?

2011-06-07T22:49:00.000-07:00

hey, i've been away for awhile....lost access to my blog and stuff...got laid off...right in the middle of a move across town...but i wanted to write a little just cuz i felt like it....

hope to regroup and post some more...maybe change my masthead/banner and see what happens....

i can tell you this much: have been jamming with some different musicians...the most 'together' is this rockabilly/gospel thing with 3 other guys....but there's another bassist i've been jamming with a little...kinda garage rock-ish...gonna try that some more after i move...

gonna be on the radio toward the end of the month...

gotta couple of other friends that i'm hoping to jam with in a week or so...

i went to a club gig a few weeks ago....haven't been to a club to see a band in years ha ha ha....it was okay...

played at a couple of 'open mic nights' over the last coupla weeks...fun, but ....meh...won't be doing that too much i think...3 songs is just enough for me to get warmed up....

i felt like my passion for 'folk-music' was waning....(kinda scary actually), but i think that what i really needed was just a lil rest....so i was immersing myself in early rock and roll, garage rock of all sorts, and punk rock for awhile...it helped...

that's it for now....stay tuned!

blogging, dead blogs, rock bands

2011-04-13T08:23:00.000-07:00

i don't think this is a dead blog. i just haven't been that motivated to blog. it's funny i like to blog. i like to share with friends and communicate.

you know what i have been obsessing over?
getting a band going again.
i have not been in a 'band' band for 16 years...!!!
my last band was an acoustic trio...great music...very 'off the wall'
then for about 12 years i was a music minister for some churches....
that had a 'band' setting, but it was not a 'band' band.
(i was more like a 'song leader.)

then i just got 'tired of it all' and started working as a folk soloist.
stay with me.....

part of me wants to be in a high energy very simple and thrashy 'rock band' that does great/fun covers like: you can't judge a book by it's cover by bo-diddley and louie louie (yes i said louie louie) and 'keep knocking but you can't come in' by little richard

but but with that 'punk, let's go' edge

the ramones meet bo-diddley
the sonics meet little richard
thee headcoats meet an early Elvis....

i've been obsessing a bit and it has been difficult to get something going....

i've always got my home recordings i guess :)

Church Notes

2011-04-03T20:54:00.000-07:00

a lot of times, in church, they pass out an outline for the morning's sermon....to help people follow along...maybe write in some 'key words' here and there. they can be very helpful.

for years i have taken my own notes...used to be in a journal with lined paper...an occassional cartoon or doodle here or there.

over the last year, off and on, as my kids sit next to me and interrupt me and climb on my lap, and beg to be entertained one way or another, my notes have changed....the message i'm listening for hasn't changed (at least i don't think so), but my notes have changed.

sometimes i feel like i don't know how to do anything else.

a goal.

2011-03-26T14:45:00.000-07:00

i just sent out some demo packages today. it was a goal. i've done this 3 or 4 times during my musical career. you hear many talented songwriters and musicians speak of the rejection rates being very very high, etc. understood. i don't believe it's just a matter of talent, presence, etc. in fact, the last friend who commented to me about the high rejection rates experienced by musicians/songwriters is a very talented songwriter himself with great playing ability and a great singing voice. i only know it was just a goal to 'do' it again...the demo has 6 of my original tunes on it...all of which i enjoy and some of which i'm very proud of...set a goal, do it, done. the rest is up to a power beyond us...

again

2011-03-25T21:13:00.000-07:00

weather ....spring weather in AZ is amazing
and so was my anger.
amazing anger...
cutting with words anger....

i get sick of shit.
shitty behavior,
shitty words,
shitty relations,
but i don't always apply the cleansing power
of detachment.

i have spent a long time practicing kindness.
i still believe it goes a long way.
i still believe it is needed in this world.

i get tired sometimes. just plain tired.
i shan't stuff stuff down anymore.
i shan't pretend anymore.
but, i will practice kindly detachment...where necessary...
by the grace of God...

....'always we begin again.'

God help the fortune tellers

2011-03-14T12:30:00.000-07:00

the customer service is so sweet it's a bit saccharine.
a local lady with the appearance of some mental issues, jokes with, talks to, and berates her young daughter and teenage son...whilst twirling her
stringy hair....

a ringless mother chases her baby tank boy around from time to time...
only to come back to her waffle fries...

i just read an article that reminds me that some of the labor privileges
i enjoy came as a result of the hunger, sweat, sacrifice, and death of others
who had the sac to stand up for what was right and equitable.

i see a small sea of blonde moms feed their kids and talk amongst themselves,

i see a 30-something mom with a centerfold figure and sun-weathered skin walking with her chubby daughter and i wonder how she treats her...i wonder only...i'm no fortune teller...i don't want to be anymore.

no song, gospel or otherwise comes to mind. iggy pop's 1969 was on my stereo before i stepped out of my car, but it will far from suffice went it comes to salving the soul.

teenage girls talk in the parking lot and a few of them smoke....they've got that awkward smoking appearance...give it enough time and they'll be pros.

the sweet sales lady in the shoe store is trapped by the rotund man's sharing....you see he's got a chronic problem with ingrown toe nails from all of his years in the service? i know about ingrown toe nails...i've had 3 surgeries on my big toes...i wear shoes with plenty of toe room and open toed sandals as much as possible...i've never served in the armed forces.

i drive back to my office and there is a small reptile turd on the flip flops that i keep there...a dark and almost dried out lizard makes his scurry. i find him and set him outside. i hope he doesn't die...i often find them when they're getting nice and dehydrated. they must like the crumbs from my snacks?

in just a moment i will internally grab myself by the nape of the neck and make myself walk to another property so i can make sure their bathrooms are not doo-doo-ey and that the smell of onion doesn't waft through their workspace because somebody decided to pick them out of the sammich they ordered only to toss them in their office bucket.

in another moment i may daydream about my packing list, be distracted by the spring weather and wait till it's almost too late to fix a lock i'm supposed to work on...oh, but now i'm fortune telling aren't i?

thrashy....

2011-03-05T14:36:00.000-08:00

india ink and paint pens and late night hours and sleepy afternoon times....

working dreams

2011-03-03T06:06:00.000-08:00

working dreams by todd b. c. 2011
Early morning and working dreams
Gas station is full of working wonders, groggy eyed and caffeine depleted.
Register boys are chipper and ‘on the money.’
Sheriffs, bus drivers, construction workers, city workers, lil’ business men with rolly polly frames and gold jewelry.
Some like it hot, some dip from the soda well….some like the fruit others want the wrapped sandwiches that are high in fat….everybody likes the pastries…not everyone admits it….
Sun is slowly comin’ up over the horizon…just a peek a boo so far and it is one of the most beautiful parts of the day.
I pour my partially octane-d coffee into the tricky post-consumer Styrofoam-like cup and shuffle to the chipper lad…
Debit swipe…gas included…set me free…
Car drinks the gas…the gas prices rise…and I think about moving back west of here… I might need to find work in the actual town I live in….
If times are getting hard boys, I’m not sure I wanna know about it…
God have mercy.

i did.

2011-02-20T20:49:00.000-08:00

it was a pretty full weekend. i was a couple days without out a car which was not a bad thing for the most part. i painted, and video-ed, and draw-ded, and i even did a folk music thing today at the meetinghouse i've been going to...sing alongs are fun...

Do.
You do, you do, you do.
I read what you do.
Then, I wonder why I
Don’t too?

I can, I can, I can.
No one’s telling me I can’t?
No reason I shan’t.
I will.

painting, poem-ing, and dreaming/scheming

2011-02-13T19:10:00.000-08:00

i have been writing again lately....poetry...sort of...i also got some paints this last weekend and played with acrylic paints for the first time...in several years...it was great fun...i seem to be fixating on getting some electric equipment again (i.e. guitar, bass, special effects)

what's going on with me?

Yammer and Hammer!!!

2011-02-07T20:07:00.000-08:00

here are some 'fun projects' using color swatches and cut outs, and paint pens.

also my cartoon book is done! i'm stoked! :)

more order!

2011-02-04T09:59:00.000-08:00

smile.
i need more order. i've got plans and projects...some of which are finishing up some of which are brewing...sometimes i get 'bombarded' with 'fun' ideas, but i've found that i can't do everything so to the 'to do' list i will go for focus and thought and simplification. i hope you all are well my friends :)

Just Fun!

2011-01-28T12:35:00.000-08:00

the color samples in the painting section of wal-mart are free to take. i learned they are fun to use on playful art projects. :)

she colors me

2011-01-25T06:34:00.000-08:00

she colors me with markers and pens,
my splotchy paint makes her smile.
and now it seems we're really good friends,
we've been at this now just awhile...

her ideas, she shares, so i carve and i cut,
with out regard for a thing.
i encourage her to play like a child,
rejoicing in each scribbled thing....

lately

2011-01-21T21:41:00.000-08:00

i haven't been that consistent on my blogs lately....i'm sorry for those of you who 'pop by.'

lots of drawing going on over the last few weeks....

talk soon,
todd

Sonny Gets Interviewed!

2011-01-12T10:33:00.000-08:00

Did a very fun interview with my Spanish friend and fellow ukulele player, George Stone...

YOU CAN READ IT HERE :)

thoughts on a new cd a brewing...

2011-01-12T10:29:00.001-08:00

thinkin' bout the music.... :)

someone got a camera....

2011-01-08T21:29:00.000-08:00

perhaps a Sabbatical?

2011-01-06T12:30:00.000-08:00

it has taken me 5+ days to just 'normalize' (sort of) from my vacation. it's funny, i purposely try to 'center down' when i go on breaks. i try to eat well, sleep well, and even get a decent amount of walking in, but adrenaline is a funny thing i'm finding. it's activity can be subtle and the post-vacation effects can still be the same....feeling tired, emotional, slightly depressed, etc. ha ha ha...it's supposed to be a 'break' a 'repose' etc. etc.

perhaps i need a sabbatical????

Anyway, i've posted some of my latest offerings that span from Christmas week to just two days ago....still thinking (not much really :) about goals/resolutions for 2011, but mostly i'm trying to re-adjust and get my head straight. i hope you all had a great holiday season...and oh hey, the greeter lady at Wal-Mart told me that 2011 is gonna be a great year...she read it in the newspaper....works for me :)

2011...whoops there it is!

2011-01-02T14:19:00.000-08:00

sitting at my computer after a 10 day vacation visiting my sweetheart and my family in California. whew!

another year come and gone.

i was going back over my simple resolutions for last year...here are the results:

Regarding more Music: in January of 2010, i had 176 videos posted on my you tube page. i know have 277 videos up. i think i've made 'more music.' you can enjoy the music HERE

Regarding 1 personal retreat: i did 'not' go for a personal retreat this year, but i did go to one of my favorite retreat spots for a partial day with my sweetheart and it was truly a wonderful day. we did some journaling on a powerful querie based on the gospel of John chapter 15 (the 'i have called you friends part').

Regarding Eating more "Hippy Food": yes, i have hit that mark. this year has been full of seasoned beans and rice, good salads, homemade foccaccia tiles, and stellar picnic fare. I have crowned this the 'year of the picnic.' it actually started in October of 2010 because that's when it cools down around here. So far, i have participated in 8 or 9 picnics. we also found a great 'picnic' idea book at a used book sale last week...fuel for the goal!

Regarding Losing 15 pounds: no i don't think i've hit that goal, but i can tell you that all of my pants fit me well and the extra chub i usually get around July-Sept (due to staying in because of the heat) has seemed to come off or 'taken better shape.'

Regarding 'Drawing More': i can say i've hit that goal and it's been very good for me. i have been introduced to 'artist trading cards' which are great when you want to 'doodle' and work quickly, i have a collaborative art blog up HERE, and i've posted many cartoons on this page, my other blog, and my facebook page.

and....i am thinking of some resolutions for this year....

Bringing it all up to speed

2010-12-13T09:18:00.000-08:00

oh, i almost forgot, i blog!!! ;)
Well, the end of last month had me getting ready to move...again...grrrr....i don't like moving, but i needed to. i landed about 13 miles east of where i've been for the last 8 years. that in itself has been a difficult transition. i even have thoughts of getting back closer to where i was. ha ha ha...i spend a lot of time in the 'south Tempe' area...college town...some great stuff over there, but alas, i will have to 'curb' that i little.

the positives for now:
-more affordable place
-closer to work
-closer to my daughter's school
-a goodwill thrift store 1 minute away.
-a mediterranean restaurant pretty close...
-a village inn pie shop just up the street
-i'm saving on groceries cuz there's a wal-mart superstore right up the street.
-right on the border of where 'suburban' meets 'rural'

so anyway...i'm settling in as best as i can...definitely a transitional place in the life of this folkster....

A lil Burl Ives during the week of Packing:

A lil Blues during the moving weekend:

My Spin on an old Folk Song post move with Christmas Lights:

a quick thanksgiving reflection

2010-11-26T19:07:00.000-08:00

'None is more impoverished than the one who has no gratitude. Gratitude is a currency that we can mint for ourselves, and spend without fear of bankruptcy. ~Fred De Witt Van Amburgh'

had thanksgiving dinner with my family yesterday afternoon. we went out. it was lovely. me and my two kids, my dad, my stepmom, and my adopted sister. i love them. the food was really good. as we began eating we started going around the table telling what we were 'thankful for.'

i love my family very much and there is nothing wrong with doing this, but for some reason i felt funny...uncomfortable...so when it came to me, i shared my small piece and we went back to munching...

today, one of the things i realized is that i'm trying to 'live gratitude.' i think it may have become a part of me...i hope so...anyway, i want to live this often...everyday if possible...not just on turkey day...gobble gobble...

hugs,
todd

the first part of December

2010-11-12T20:47:00.000-08:00

in the middle of a move...or trying to find a place rather...be back more after the first part of december...i think of you all often...and am thankful for the communications some of us keep up on Facebook...

talk soon,
todd

Tinga Layo

2010-11-02T09:02:00.000-07:00

if you have kids or you're young at heart, you may enjoy this silly song...

Whew!

2010-10-27T10:39:00.000-07:00

had a decent concert last saturday...a benefit deal...good cause...sold some cds...met some new people...made them clap, tap their feet, and sing along...a highlight for me.

possibility of another concert at the same place....this time with more financial returns for me...needful...

cleaning out my apartment...amazing how much you can accumulate in 9 months...books you'll never read...a pair of flip flops that didn't work out...a couple of hats you don't need this winter cuz you have 3 more just like them...a bunch of CDs i haven't listened to in years...

having to downsize/whittle away 'stuff' is not always comfortable, but i feel a lil' better afterwards...

will post another tune i 'eeked' out last night...sometime...SOON!

cloudy day thanksgiving...

2010-10-21T10:55:00.000-07:00

Rain, clouds, cool weather, gratitude lists, and ukulele music....for these things, todd is thankful.

what's sonny been up to?

2010-10-15T22:15:00.000-07:00

man, last few weeks have been a friggin' whirlwind.....
oh well, that's life sometimes...the weather has been mellowing out thank the dear Lord. i'm grateful.

it's funny because i've such music in my bones...such a desire to 'sing out,' but just haven't collected myself to do much of it lately. just too occupied i guess...

here are some things that have been helping me mellow out though: good reading, just noodling around on the uke and guitar, and watchin' old blues videos from the patriarchs of the tradition....

it has been fun for me....what have i been reading lately? tiny tim (the unauthorized biography) amazing book...like a rollercoaster

'the protest singer' an intimate portrait of pete seeger...also very good...very quick though you almost have to slow yourself down on this one...

'the world according to fred rogers,' what can i say? i think he was a beautiful human being

'the doodle dreams of Jim Henson,' pictures are Jim's words are Jim Lewis' (a dude who worked with Jim) great fun!!! and truly thought provoking...for me at least...

well, bye now...

oh...and i've doodlin' a lot too!!!

Continuing....

2010-10-11T10:53:00.000-07:00

My Pen still works....

Working on my crooning...

and

peddlin' my wares...

Um, No Mo Go, Go, Go

2010-10-08T08:57:00.000-07:00

i've had a pretty exhausting week...at least emotionally so i will be breaking out of necessity for the next lil' while. there's so much i'd like to share with you, but soul-necessity calls.
peace and good to you all.

Paper Dolls

2010-10-03T07:44:00.000-07:00

I've been messing with making paper dolls over the last week...great fun!!! this is a disco-esque character :)

charicatures....

2010-10-01T13:19:00.001-07:00

i've had a few people ask me to do charicatures of them...ha ha...of course i don't always get a response when i tell them there's a small charge....or if they think i can do 'realist' art when i'm a cartoonist...with a wonky style...

Jesse's an Inspiration!

2010-09-29T09:42:00.000-07:00

whether you like this song or not...whether you like the blues, folk music, etc. most of us creative types could use to read about 'the lone cat' Jesse Fuller....

just a wee break for the weekend-ish

2010-09-24T08:10:00.000-07:00

just a wee break for the weekend-ish
have a great weekend friends...

lil' daughter

2010-09-22T12:25:00.000-07:00

man, i've been thinking about my daughter's first day of school a lot. she's already been in for almost 3 months now!

she looked so beautiful and inquisitive and slightly nervous that first day....my heart was so excited for her and yet it was breaking a bit at the same time. time flies!

there are so many things i would like to share with her...not being afraid of hard work and consistency, but at the same time not being afraid to dream...to do the things her heart prompts her to do that may add value to the world...she loves art, dancing, music, and humor...

she's feisty and pretty curious...gosh i hope the best for her and pray big prayers for her...

maybe she'll be a folk singer? ha ha ha ha...she'll figure it out...

Amazing!!!

2010-09-20T21:32:00.001-07:00

Let me tell you about the Haddock Provencal and Chicken Salad Sandwiches from the Wildflower Bread Company...in one word...AMAZING!!!

my advanced cartooning

2010-09-19T07:02:00.000-07:00

have a great weekend :)

2010-09-18T09:47:00.000-07:00

have a great weekend...

In Case you need to get ahold of me for something :)

2010-09-13T08:44:00.000-07:00

you know....in case there's a 'big gig, a craft show, or just to say, 'hey!' :)

John Prine

2010-09-13T08:32:00.000-07:00

i love this guy...he's a funny writer

more thoughts on music and art

2010-09-08T10:34:00.000-07:00

well, i'm in almost a week of 'break-ing' and already songs are coming to mind for me to learn. ha! say you're gonna take a break and here they come.

i shut the kiddy gate on them tho' for right now...i've been prepping for a concert this Saturday. i have been thinking about doing older music as opposed to covering more contemporary stuff...say for example, i like the song 'i can tell that we are gonna be friends.' by jack white....also covered by jack johnson. it's a fun song. it's got a great 'child-likeness' to it. but, i don't think i'll do it. why?

because i'm not sure i could 'add' anything to it...both of the other dudes' version of it are great fun. i'm not sure i'd 'bring anything to the table on that one...lots of other songs like that as well. but, when it comes to other folk tunes, or blues tunes, or hillbilly tunes, i feel like i can 'make it my own.' i wanna stay with that feeling. it lets me cover a song and still feel 'original or authentic' about it.

also, the pictures just keep getting cranked out. Jenny and i have started the collaborative blog, but i'm beginning to wonder about posting regular pictures here as well (as if i don't already). in my 'frittered' thinking, i was even considering doing another blog, but i think that is more than i can handle.
thoughts anyone?

sharing your stuff

2010-09-05T20:11:00.000-07:00

it was nice to be included in the Ukulele Hunt Saturday Uke Tube this week...
i'm a bit shy of 700 subscribers...it'd be nice to reach that mark.
I sure appreciate the ukulele hunt site very very much. Al is doing a good work...

sure, it is a 'uke-ccentric' site, but i've been turned onto a bunch of different music that goes beyond the uke and whether you play or not, if you like music, you can find some great artists/bands on that site.....hooray!

Horse Feathers / Drain You cover from Lesley Graves on Vimeo.

Looking Back

2010-09-01T13:05:00.000-07:00

In the last year and 5 months i've made approximately 246 videos for my you tube channel....

most of these have been ukulele music with an emphasis on archiving old folk songs, blues tunes, hillbilly songs, and tin pan alley music from the 20's through the
40's.

second emphasis has been on sharing my original music. i didn't take the time to count them, but there are quite a few original tunes, jingles, and songs i wrote for themed contests

lastly, there have been a smattering of vids that are just nonsensical, ramble-y, experimental, etc. etc.

this has all been so much fun for me...what an outlet! what a time of meeting some really great people...especially with regard to the 'world-wide ukulele community.'

anyway, it's gonna be a bit of a break time for me. i've got the desire to do more folk archiving, but between going through a divorce, taking care of my kids, and needing to get a bit more settled it has been difficult to 'center down' and just let the music 'come through me.'

here's what i'd like to work on for the next little bit:

-my "Art-ing": i've been drawing like a madman again, making cartoons, and now i'm even starting to mess with making homemade stuffed felt dolls of my own design. i just did my first cartooning tutorial the other day, so you may see more of that....

-have some listening sessions: oh, i've always got cds in the car....or i'll put my itunes library on, but it's been a good several months since i've just put my headphones on or sat on my couch and just let the music with all of it's texture and emotion just wash over me....i need that....

-focus on the gigs i have: i've got three gigs coming up that i could use to prepare for....with that comes making set lists, running cds, and mailing friends and family the location and the dates of these upcoming gigs....

-get a proper guitar: some how....some way, i need to get another six string...nothing fancy just something i can plunk on and sing with. i love my ukuleles the most, but sometimes it's just good to have a decent 6 string around with which to play a country song or a blues tune......

-continuing to try to be mindful and kind: nuff said...

Have Fun!!!

2010-08-30T21:43:00.001-07:00

a tutorial i hope you'll enjoy :) check out http://youdoart.blogspot.com

wanna learn...

2010-08-29T21:04:00.001-07:00

i wanna learn some new stuff... and this is in the que...

I jingle for stuff i like :)

2010-08-21T09:05:00.000-07:00

when i was on vacation, i re-visited an old home market that received a total overhaul a couple of years ago...what a pleasure!!!

the little guy...the independent stores

2010-08-21T08:59:00.001-07:00

i went to the Guitar Center last week. Gosh that place is really starting to annoy me....sure, i played a few guitars that i liked pretty well, but i'm starting to think i'm not gonna go there anymore...i've got some indy stores in my own town and in the neighboring towns that seem to be close price-wise and geez they even do stuff like 'set-up' their instruments, etc.

plus with the internet it seems like the options are greater...and another thing...some of the 'lower level' brands are really making strides to put out products that are just as solid as some of the big names....i could play some of Johnson's and Sunlite's products and be just fine....and have more money in my wallet...

plus the customer service is more relational at these places...

NEW collaborative Project

2010-08-18T13:24:00.000-07:00

Hi friends,

as some of you may know (if it isn't obvious by my posts :), i like to doodle, cartoon, scribble, etc. etc.

Jenny and I have put up a 'fun art' blog over HERE if you'd like to check it out...the emphasis will be on having fun, spreading encouragement, and hopefully inspiring others to
'do-art' themselves!!! if i can encourage anyone to pick up an instrument and make music or to pick up a pen (or whatever) and make art...i feel blessed.

not that i won't post scribbly stuff here, but the site above is made especially for 'scribbly/artistic' fun!!'

thanks,
todd (brother sonny)

yesterday and today

2010-08-17T14:29:00.000-07:00

yesterday i was able to 'just show up'
today may be a different story....

Why do i listen to old music?

2010-08-11T12:50:00.000-07:00

One of my web friends asked me, 'where do you find all this music?' and i believe he was referencing how every now and then i'm throwing up videos of old blues and folk artists, etc. etc.

here's how i do it....
i take many of the more contemporary artists i like...say for example Bob Dylan and i research (if i can) what they liked as a young man/woman...in Bob Dylan's case i know he listened to the popular rockabilly stuff of the time (i.e. johnny cash, rock n roll stuff you know, probably Elvis, Eddie Cochran, etc.), but i also know he began to be really influenced by guys like Woody Guthrie and the Harry Smith's anthology of folk music (an Amazing Collection!). So what do i do? i go and see if i can find it myself....it's a 'source' you see...

why do i do it?...
i don't know really...i've always been very curious....and with regard to music, it seems to me that if you can find genres at their 'root' you get something that is slightly magical :). often times, the music is more simple (i like that). and then, if you pay attention to the earlier artists' music, then you go deeper into history...to stuff that was around before the time of 'recorded' music...you hear alterations in the lyrics, the freedom of embellishment or alteration...it's fun, it's adaptable, and it's for everybody who wants it!!!!!

here is Furry Lewis. he was an influence on the great blues/jazz/folk guitarist/singer Dave Van Ronk who was also popular in the folk revival of the sixties and who was with us until 2002 when he passed on at 65 years of age...

New e.p. available

2010-08-10T12:26:00.000-07:00

just an FYI....

stay tuned

2010-08-10T09:15:00.000-07:00

as well as posting more vids from other artists that i enjoy (i hope you will enjoy them too), stay tuned for an upcoming collaborative art site dedicated to 'homemade art.' by everyday folks just like you and me.

-fun art
-fun ideas
-folkish art, poetry, and food posts!
-grassroots tutorials
-A WHOLE HEAP OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE YOUNG AT HEART!!!!

'lily's daydream' a church time scribble by daddy

'communicated' by lily (5 yrs old)

paying respect....

2010-08-05T11:48:00.000-07:00

i love so much music...

Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee to me, are the dynamic duo of the blues!!!

thank you both for your contribution...

My friend Blind Drunk Al

2010-08-03T12:47:00.001-07:00

I was reminded the other day of how much i enjoy my friend Alan's music...
we've been youtube friends for a little while now...he's the sort of musician i'd like to be...yes, he's talented, but he's also an archivist....drawing deep from the wells of celtic folk, rhythm and blues, country, traditional folk, and gospel.

you can subscribe to his channel HERE

here's to you Alan! i appreciate your body of work very much.

p.s. Alan is also a very accomplished artist...he has a link on his you tube page...

A cool video of thanks....

2010-08-01T19:43:00.001-07:00

Branden was a winner on my you tube channel and he did this very cool video enjoy!

Humble Uker gives props to the baritone uke!!!

2010-07-31T13:34:00.001-07:00

I just want to put out a 'shout' to my friend Jeff who runs a couple of great ukulele
blogs...he's consistent, he's kind, and he's doin' a good work...

he's posted another one of my vids on his glorious blog dedicated to the baritone uke HERE

and he runs another stellar site called "Humble Uker Ramblings" HERE

thanks Jeff...you do good work!!!

doodles and tooning

2010-07-29T14:42:00.000-07:00

over vacation i spent a lot, and i mean A-LOT of time cartooning, drawing, and doodling. it was great fun. I was able to play around with some things i have not messed with before...namely these water-soluble crayon thingys that you can color a picture with...then, if you use a wet paint brush it smoothes the colors in real nice like....

i'm hooked.....

i'm also hooked on the prospect of doing more with my cartooning desires so stay tuned...

btw, on another note, if you'd like to check out some of my more consistently spiritual musings, you can go HERE...

have a good day,
smiles,
me

Fun Free Project!

2010-07-26T19:22:00.000-07:00

Along with my You Tube Page, i'm making one copy of this project available on this blog, so respond via e-mail (on my blog profile) if you want a copy!

and check out Jenny's stuff Here

along with my music stuff HERE

Turtle Time

2010-07-26T16:28:00.000-07:00

'God help us to live slowly:
To move simply:
To look softly:
To allow emptiness:
To let the heart create for us.
Amen.

-Michael Leunig

blog break

2010-07-12T15:32:00.001-07:00

Hi,
i'm gonna take a lil' blog break as i split town for awhile.
easy does it,
todd

humor-ing, smiling in it all

2010-07-08T09:09:00.000-07:00

a couple of my latest offerings....i hope you enjoy...live, laugh, love...often...or however they say it ;)

Thanks a Million! Nikki Grimes

2010-07-03T21:09:00.001-07:00

REWARD
by Nikki Grimes

'Thank you'
is a seed i plant
in the garden of your heart.
your smile the flower.
a slow and sweet surprise.
it blooms before my eyes!

sonny on vocation....

2010-06-28T21:08:00.000-07:00

just what i do....smiles everyone...

another note:
***and please...asian 'adult' spam could you please stop posting your 'stuff' here....not interested....
if anyone has insight on how to block this crap, please let me know....i delete then invariably another spam person stops by....getting annoying...

Buechner on Vocation

2010-06-26T22:09:00.000-07:00

'it comes from the latin vocare, to call, and means the work a person is called to by God.

there are all different kinds of voices calling you to all different kinds of work, and the problem is to find out which is the voice of God rather than of society, say, or the superego, or self-interest.

by and large a good rule for finding out is this: the kind of work God usually calls you to is the kind of work a. that you need most to do and b. the world most needs to have done. if you really get a kick out of your work, you've presumably met requirement a., but if your work is writing cigarette ads, the chances are you've missed requirement b. on the other hand, if your work is being a doctor in a leper colony, you have probably met requirement b., but if most of the time you're bored or depressed by it, the chances are you have not only bypassed a., but probably aren't helping your patients much either.

neither the hair shirt nor the soft berth will do. the place God calls you is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.

-frederich buechner

Chuggin' along

2010-06-26T22:05:00.000-07:00

i have my kids this weekend and we've taken time to do some watercolor painting over the last two days....

it has been wonderful...

we've also been making garlands....

stay tuned for a video on that perhaps.... :)

thankful again...and again....

2010-06-21T15:24:00.000-07:00

as i post this original song as a thanksgiving to the 600+ subscribers to my youtube channel

i don't want to forget my gratitude for:
my blogging friends
the big ol' father's day breakfast i had yesterday
the gratitude lists that have been helping my perspective
the bean and andouille stew that's simmering on my stove right now
getting to take my daughter to ice cream yesterday
the tolerable morning temps despite the fact that it's June in Phoenix
the encouragement of friends, loved ones, and family...

grateful, grateful....

Hitting Bottom Sometimes

2010-06-16T11:49:00.000-07:00

'We are so conditioned to fight to keep from hitting the bottom. When it's at the bottom...the end of all self effort to make it all work and make it all be alright, in our own eyes...that a new possibility is realized. And we begin to breathe, instead of the old familiar gasping for air.'
-Kent Burgess

my friend Kent's quote really struck me the other night. i thought i'd throw it up on my blogs. isn't it funny that when we come to that place of surrender in our lives that things seem to ease up a bit? or a lot....

i'm not sure if it's that things ease up or we are transformed?

'a new possibility' i love that...

I sing often!

2010-06-15T08:04:00.000-07:00

a couple of new vids for y'all. coming up on 600 subscribers on my youtube channel

what can i say? sometimes i don't have much exciting to say, but i sing often! :)

hee hee ha ha ho ho!

2010-06-12T09:14:00.000-07:00

‘it is really a pity that we can not go to market and buy ourselves a big chunk of ‘sense of humor,’ just as we would by a package of yeast. They do about the same kind of job: yeast gives lightness and pleasant texture and taste to bread; the bit of humor works to lighten the heavy seriousness of our daily living, and smooths out the rough spots in our communication with each other.’
-one day at a time-

'a merry heart doeth good like a medicine.'
-book of proverbs