http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic Virb 2.0 (@jerrymarkhammusic) en http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/posts/text/5974742 Well, summer is over and things are beginning to chill here at home. 2009 has been very musical for me.
From the inception of the Retro Live idea, to playing it live, all the way up to recording the Retro Live album.


Live

As previously mentioned, I took many of my songs and broke them down to simple sequences and went for the early 80's synth sound. It has worked pretty well. There are a few songs that didn't do as well as a one man act but still went over ok. I've had to learn how to juggle entertaining with playing parts. Being solo makes it difficult for a few tracks.

We started out the Retro Live shows with the 'Big Deal' album launch gig at Liquid Lounge on September 18th. The audience was fantastic and so were the staff and other bands that played that night. The shows have been on a small scale. That has given me freedom to experiment with my song sets. I've learned some things to about booking, promoting, getting paid, etc.

Read my review of the gig at -
http://www.jerrymarkhammusic.com/Live_Gig_Reviews_Jerrys_View_Liquid_Lounge_18_09_09.html

You can find some photos from the Retro Live shows in the images section as we add them. In addition, video is currently being edited together by Bryan Castles. You can find clips scattered all over the internet, YouTube, MySpace, and Facebook to name just a few. I found it quite interesting that I had uploaded a video and within minutes it had been viewed several times.


Studio

I'm eager to get back to work on the next album. It has been in the making for over 7 years. I can't believe it. Before I can, I will be recording the faux live album 'Retro Live'. It will contain the stripped down versions of the songs from the recent live shows. All of the instrument parts have been recorded. I plan to record vocals and first rough mix by the end of October. The final mix should be ready to send off mid November.

The next studio album will be quite a challenge. Most of my parts are finished. My never ending quest to record real guitars and other musicians has caused much delay. But I really want to wrap it before the end of the year. Fingers crossed.


Store

New store items include shirts, CDs, autographed photos, and gig posters while supplies last.
Visit the Online Store.
http://www.jerrymarkhammusic.com/Store.html


Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the following people for helping me out this year.

Jesus (My Lord and Savior)
Roz Woodward (Web/Ideas/Unconditional Support),
Joey C. Jones (Support/Ideas/Connections)
Charlie O'Connor (Representation),
Adie Bishop (Support),
Jason Janik (Photography/Connections),
Bryan Castles (Photography/Video/Technical Assistance/Stage Hand),
Robby Michaels (Video/Stage Hand),
Ruby & Dale Castles (Merchandise),
Nathan Hewitt - The Holocaust Humanity (Friendship and Support)
Rebecca & Carson Day - Aspersion (Support)
Whit (Curtain Club/Liquid Lounge)
Ethan Robinson & Shannon (Pocket Sandwich Theater)
Bill (Bill's Records)
and to the numerous friends, fans and family members who stick with me (you know who you are).


ROCK A BYE 

By author Adie Bishop, available Saturday, October 17th!
Get the book, that I have done the soundtrack to.
Details at Adiebishop.com
http://www.adiebishop.com
Purchase at - http://www.publishamerica.net/product85198.html

Get the soundtrack by Jerry Markham, available on iTunes or Jerrymarkhammusic.com
http://www.jerrymarkhammusic.com/Store_Buy_Jerry_Markham_Rock_A_Bye_Album.html





ACCESS - Jerry Markham Music Blog
WWW.JERRYMARKHAMMUSIC.COM

]]> Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:04:40 -0800 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/posts/text/5974742 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5923735 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:53:39 -0800 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5923735 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5920219 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:14:51 -0800 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5920219 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5920218 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:14:50 -0800 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5920218 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5917156 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:27:44 -0800 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5917156 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5901515 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:39:28 -0800 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5901515 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5846514 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:49:23 -0700 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5846514 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5846081 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:52:40 -0700 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5846081 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5845752 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:58:49 -0700 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5845752 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5845750 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:58:47 -0700 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5845750 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5845748 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:58:46 -0700 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5845748 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5563684 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 07:31:20 -0700 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5563684 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5563683 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 07:31:20 -0700 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5563683 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5563682 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 07:31:19 -0700 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5563682 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5563097 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 06:40:28 -0700 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5563097 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5563096 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 06:40:27 -0700 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5563096 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5562640 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 05:45:46 -0700 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5562640 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5562637 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 05:45:45 -0700 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/videos/5562637 http://virb.com/jerrymarkhammusic/posts/text/5223511
I started preparing the Retro Live show way back in January 2009. I've always been told that I sounded 80's and like my heroes Howard Jones and similar 80's synth pop icons. I used to get kind of annoyed by that. My good friend and fellow seasoned entertainer, Joey C. Jones, told me that I should be honored to be compared to such icons. After hearing that I kind decided to go after that era of sound for at least a little while and just have fun with it.

The main key thing for me to do to keep things simplified was to eliminate the use of a computer for sequencing. I took my best songs and stripped away the massive layers of sounds. The new-old or Future-Retro versions of these songs would consist of a primitive drums machine sound with limits of just kick, snare, toms, claps, hats, cymbal and agogo. I painstakingly programmed these sounds to mimic the 1983 EMU Drumulator (http://www.vintagesynth.com/emu/drumulator.php). The sequenced notes would emulate a pair of 1980 Sequential Circuits Pro Ones (http://www.vintagesynth.com/sci/seqpro1.php). One for bass and one for phrase sequences.

That is it, in terms of what's going on underneath what is being physically played.

Each song would get 2-5 pre-programmed patterns or phrases consisting of 2-4 measures. Very simple programming. Because in those days memory was scarce. I wanted to apply similar limits to my programming. Phrases would be assigned to the lower keys of a Roland XP-60. By utilizing Roland's RPS (Realtime Phrase Sequencing) technology, any intro, verse, bridge, chorus or solo could be arranged live in realtime and kept in synchronization via the internal clock of the keyboard's sequencer.

In addition to these already stark old sounds, I spent a great deal of time creating custom patches to emulate pads, strings, etc.... from late 70's and early 80's synthesizers. Roland already has an extensive library of vintage synths in their SR-JV expansion series for the JV/XP family of workstations. I just like to tweak them a bit more.

I use a Roland JP-8000 for the thick bass chops and lead stuff. There is a preset called Dual Minis that I suppose represents to Mini Moogs. This required no programming. Lovely.

Last, I took a Novation K-Station and created a Moog Prodigy lead that I'm still trying to perfect.

All of January I programmed and began practicing. On February 7th I did my first live audition in front of a few friends to get a feel for how it would go. I filmed myself so I could find out if I was staying tucked away behind the keyboards and neglecting the audience. As any good performer knows, you have to work the audience. People want to be entertained and that was/is my focus.

Having said all of that, September 18th at Liquid Lounge in Dallas, TX was my first performance of Retro Live and the 'Big Deal' album release show.

Everyone seemed to have a good time. I like to be true and tell what my experience was like as well.

Intro and 'What's All This Confusion For?'
I had Joey introduce me and execute the verse phrase. That all worked great. My voice felt good and all of the music was going to plan until I executed the bridge phrase. The internal sequencer clock was never started. With the clock going, one phrase will finish the last measure before switching to the new phrase. Without the clock it will start the next phrase immediately when pressed. In the midst of putting on a performance it was a subtle 'What just happened?' in my mind but didn't fully realize what was going on until the second time it happened going into the first chorus. I'm sure no one cared or even really noticed. But if you listen to the recording of that night, you will hear what I mean. You can't fix something like that in the middle of the song. Well, I didn't want to attempt to. So, I coped with it. I think it worked out really well regardless.

'First Thought, Last Thought'
Everything went smooth even if I did cross a few lyrics. I think someone told me that night that this song reminded them of Thomas Dolby.

'Tortured'
I must have gone through my set at home dozens of times. I forgot to bring my set list to the show and drew a blank on stage and had to act quick. It was very dark on the stage and the light was making it hard to see the display on the XP-60 (main board). I hadn't planned on playing Tortured and loaded it by mistake. I thought I had loaded up 'Thoughts of the Day'. So, when the song started I was playing B Flat Minor over a backing sequenced programmed in B Minor. This must have sounded terrible. Not sure if anyone noticed. I was disoriented for a moment. I sang through a few lyrics long enough to get my bearings on the situation and made the transition to the correct key. I just felt like stopping and moving on. However, the natural flow of 'Tortured' allowed me to finish smoothly even though prematurely.

Howard Jones' 'No One Is to Blame'
To clear my head and get a fresh start I decided to go over to the piano and play a song the audience would be familiar with. I think everything went ok. My performance was hindered slightly by a foot pedal plugged into the wrong place. It was meant for sustain but was plugged into sostenuto. So, instead of getting those long angelic notes, they became very short and plucky. I had to overcome this by playing differently. Funny looking back, because earlier that night on the dark stage I had made a comment to my brother that I didn't know why the piano had two sustain inputs. SUST and SOST is hard to see the difference.

'Here Comes the Man'
This, of course was the highlight of the show and the song I was most eager to play. When I first wrote the song and the lyrics, I imagined performing it on the Liquid Lounge stage. Everything went perfect. The K-Station patch I had going was supposed to have this mono synth with a very long decay. For some reason with the Roland AX-1 shoulder keyboard plugged in, there was no decay at all. It still worked well enough and the audience were very receptive to the barefoot man plunging into the audience playing the Egyptian theme and 'Oh! Susanna'.

'Thoughts of the Day'
Finally, my favorite song from 'Big Deal' went over spectacularly.

Information Society's 'Tomorrow'
I probably shouldn't have even said anything to the audience about this being an INSOC song. I think they were expecting 'What's On Your Mind? (Pure Energy)'. Maybe there was a die hard in the audience that knew the song. Anyway, I think I lost the audience towards the middle. I threw in some Thomas Dolby 'She Blinded Me with Science', Gary Numan 'Cars', Harold Faltermeyer 'Axel F' (Beverly Hill's Cop Theme) and Howard Jones 'What Is Love?'.

'Stranded on the Moon'
With my set list completely improvised I had about 4 minutes left to play and pulled out this song that my friend, Robby likes because of the lyrics and a private joke about the song's literal meaning. This song brought the third 'I really liked that one. You should do more like it.' from someone in the audience that I didn't already know. This song is still a work in progress and I don't think I've ever played it the same way twice.

So, that's how it was for me. People were really cool and so were the club staff. Refreshed and encouraging. I think once again, it worked excellent from the audience POV. At least the feedback was positive. But, there's a lot going on that people can't see or ever understand. I'm finding new ways to disconnect myself from trying to get it all perfect. I just want to do everything I can to deliver the best entertainment to those who are willing to make the trip out to see me.

Thanks again to all of those who could make it and to all of those who helped make it a great event.

Jerry

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I wanted to inform everyone of live shows coming up in September and October. These are very important shows for me. Especially the September 18th show. I need you there. Bring everyone you know. I promise you a great show like no other.

Retro Live (2009)

09/18/2009 08:00 PM - Liquid Lounge
2800 Main Street
Dallas, Texas 75226
US
Club Phone Number: 214-742-6207
www.curtainclub.com
Cost:$10.00
Description:’Big Deal’ album launch with guests The Holocaust Humanity and Aspersion

09/27/2009 09:00 PM - Absinthe Lounge
1409 S Lamar St 8
Dallas, Texas 75215-6800
US
Club Phone Number: (214) 421-5500
www.absinthelounge.net
Cost:No Cover
Description: with guest Isopod

10/14/2009 08:00 PM - Pocket Sandwich Theater
5400 E Mockingbird Ln 119
Dallas, Texas 75206
US
Club Phone Number: (214) 821-1860
www.pocketsandwich.com
Cost:$10.00 by Reservation
Description:Dinner and Show. Doors open @ 6:30 pm. Food and drinks served 6:30-7:45pm. Show starts at 8pm. Limited seating of 140. Please call to make a reservation.

For the September dates it is important to mention at the door that you are there to see Jerry Markham. I am working on having some merchandise at the shows. Announcement will be made as this happens.

Come out and let's party like it's 1982.

See ya at the shows,
Jerry

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