tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:/blogs/kevin-waide-uncensored--2?p=9
Kevin Waide Uncensored
2017-02-05T10:34:34-06:00
Kevin Waide
false
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/4327655
2016-08-16T10:30:00-05:00
2016-08-16T14:34:28-05:00
Do You Remember?
<div style='background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "San Francisco", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.24px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px;'></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: -0.24px; line-height: 19.32px;">39 yeas ago today, at 6:15 am, I was awakened from a deep sleep by my parents with the promise of a "BIG Birthday Surprise". </span><br><span style="letter-spacing: -0.24px; line-height: 19.32px;"><br></span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.24px; line-height: 19.32px;">My surprise came in the form of my first day of kindergarten. What a let down.</span><br><span style="letter-spacing: -0.24px; line-height: 19.32px;"><br></span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.24px; line-height: 19.32px;">At that time, kindergarten wasn't required and was only half of the day, so at lunch, I rode the community dinosaur (<i>we didn't have vehicles in those days</i>) home to have words with my mother about what a "BIG surprise" should actually be.</span>
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.24px; line-height: 19.32px;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.24px; line-height: 19.32px;">When I walked in the house, my mom was sitting cross legged in the floor, bawling her eyes out. I immediately forgot my problem and asked, "What's wrong, Mama?" </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.24px; line-height: 19.32px;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: -0.24px; line-height: 19.32px;">"Elvis died!" was her reply.</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.24px; line-height: 19.32px;"> </span>
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.24px; line-height: 19.32px;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.24px; line-height: 19.32px;">So I dropped to the floor and started crying with her. After about 5 minutes of this, I stopped and asked my mom, "Was he a cousin?"</span></div><br><div style='background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "San Francisco", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.24px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-top: 6px;'></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.24px; line-height: 19.32px;">What were you doing when you heard the news?</span></div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/4295259
2016-07-26T10:30:00-05:00
2016-07-26T11:11:15-05:00
An Ode To Getting Old(er)
<div style="text-align: justify;">So, my birthday is coming up. 44 years old. Man, that hurts to even type! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Usually, this makes me happy. Planning the party gig, getting to hang out with some of my closest friends, celebrating another year of experience, it has always been a fun time for me. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I still enjoy it all, but the last few years have found me reflecting on the previous year’s experiences and where i am in life at that moment. I’ve been blessed. I get to do what I love to do and I’m able to make a decent living doing it. I’ve been told my whole life that my art will never amount to anything, yet here I am making it amount to a fairly successful career, both as a visual artist and as a musician and songwriter. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I’ve gotten to make music with some of the greatest musicians in the area (dare I say, world?) and have forged friendships that will last 3 different lifetimes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I’ve created designs for people all over the world, things you see daily.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I’ve done pretty well for myself. It ain’t always been easy, but I made it through.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lately, though, I’ve been thinking about the things I haven’t done, the things I’ve lost, and the things I’ve thrown away.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I’ve never gone on tour. I play a small circuit, the north half of the state, but I’m talking about a real tour, one where everything is booked months in advance and I hit the road, not coming home until the tour is over. This is on my bucket list.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I’ve never had a song or album hit the charts. I know it’s a long shot and the competition is stiff, but I would like to have at least one before I’m gone. <b><a href="http://kevinwaide.com/album/372434/almost-the-marrying-kind?autostart=true" target="_blank">Shameless plug, I have a new album out!</a></b>
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I’ve lost some people that were very dear to me, be it from illness/accident or my own pride, people who I will never get to see or speak to again.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I’ve lost my youth, and with it, a lot of my health. This ‘getting old’ BS is for the birds!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I’ve thrown away large amounts of time on people that weren’t worth a few seconds while only giving a few seconds to some that would move mountains for me if I asked. I can look back in reflection and see it, now. I really wish that part of my brain would learn to work a little faster.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I’m beginning to realize that we’re not just a product of our successes, but also of our failures. While success makes me happy and carefree, failure tends to ground me, reminding me that a second shoe can drop at any minute, disrupting my celebration in a sudden wash of angst. Failure shows me things about myself that I don’t like, things that need to be addressed promptly. I’m not saying that I do address those issues promptly (or at all, even), but at least I know about them.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sometimes, though, success comes disguised as failure, or so I’ve been told, and with a little luck, maybe I’ll learn to recognize these times. I’m not gonna hold my breath.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/4175626
2016-05-11T13:07:00-05:00
2016-05-11T13:08:55-05:00
Almost The Marrying Kind - June 24, 2016
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;">PRESS RELEASE</span></b><br><br><b>11th May, 2016 </b><br><b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</b><br><b>"Almost The Marrying Kind"</b><br><b>Worldwide</b><br><br><div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6_iu8qtU5yo/VzNaA_x5mxI/AAAAAAAAHG4/TcsWojP67i0BmbTWmJXkQDL3MLf_hLi9ACLcB/s1600/ATMK.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6_iu8qtU5yo/VzNaA_x5mxI/AAAAAAAAHG4/TcsWojP67i0BmbTWmJXkQDL3MLf_hLi9ACLcB/s200/ATMK.JPG" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="200" width="200" /></a>The Kevin Waide Project is proud to announce the release of <b>"Almost The Marrying Kind" Friday, June 24, 2016.</b>
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Recorded and produced by Kevin at K-Dub Studio in Aberdeen, Mississippi, <b>"Almost The Marrying Kind"</b> anchors itself deeply in the Blues of his home while mixing in generous helpings of Funk, Jazz, and Country music. The funk influence is apparent as the album starts and it goes on to visit the Mississippi Hill Country and Nashville, ending with a trip in church. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to Kevin: “This album is a little different from the last two. I’ve been listening to a lot of Singer/Songwriter stuff lately, and it worked its way into the songs. I have always loved playing funk, and I just decided to let it shine this time around. I’ve been calling it ‘Country Funkin’ Blues!’”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pre-order phase for <b>"Almost The Marrying Kind"</b> will begin <b>Tuesday, May 24, 2016,</b> at <a href="http://www.kevinwaide.com/">www.kevinwaide.com</a> and will run through <b>midnight Thursday, June 23, 2016</b>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Friday, June 24, 2016, "Almost The Marrying Kind"</b> will be available for purchase worldwide through the usual outlets (iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Amazon, and direct from <a href="http://www.kevinwaide.com/">www.kevinwaide.com</a>).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>The Kevin Waide Project is the brainchild of Kevin Waide and Chris Fooshee and will celebrate 10 years of "preachin' the blues" in March, 2017. </i></div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/3959388
2015-12-10T11:34:00-06:00
2015-12-10T16:03:13-06:00
2016 Mississippi Music Awards
<div style="text-align: justify;">We are excited to announce that the Kevin Waide Project has been nominated for the 2016 Mississippi Music Awards in 3 different categories: Best Mississippi Blues Artist, Best Mississippi Artist, and Best Mississippi Original Song. We want to encourage you to click the link below and vote today.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.mississippimusicfoundation.org/vote-2016-msma/#2016-msma-voting">http://www.mississippimusicfoundation.org/vote-2016-msma/#2016-msma-voting</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thank you for all your support over the last 9 years. It's because of you that we are able to do what we do. Here's to the next 9 years.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kevin Waide</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/3821652
2015-08-16T15:13:00-05:00
2015-08-16T16:46:24-05:00
Sunday Musings on Pancakes
<div style="text-align: justify;">I learned an important lesson this morning: no matter how easy it appears, if you don’t have some basic understanding of how it’s done, making pancakes is a <i>bitch</i>! I mean, I’ve seen it done millions of times, I’ve just never tried it before. Well, I wanted pancakes for breakfast this morning, and since it’s my birthday, I was gonna have them! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Everyone I know cooks pancakes on a griddle. Well, I don’t have a griddle; I have cast iron skillets. I decided sausage would be good with pancakes, so I fried the sausage patties first (<i>mistake #1</i>). I thought I had cleaned all the sausage grease out of the skillet when I started the pancakes, but apparently I hadn’t. The directions on the box said to let it cook until the edges looked done and flip them only once, which is what I did. Well, I must not know what “done” looks like, because when I finally flipped it, it was stuck to the skillet. Got it flipped and it was a dark brown. I finally got the first one finished and on the plate, and before beginning pancake #2, I re-read the directions on the box. “Lightly grease griddle (<i>what’s it with people and these damn griddles?)</i>.” So I decided butter would probably be best to “grease my griddle” (<i>mistake #2</i>). The butter helped the sausage grease turn loose of the skillet, resulting in a black pancake. After that, I just kept pouring and doing the best I could. By the time I got the last of the batter in the skillet, I finally had the process figured out enough to get what Eli called an “<i>acceptable</i>” pancake. Thank goodness I had a “<i>pancake expert</i>” in the house to coach me! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Eli and his lovely young girlfriend, Amelia, came to town last night for the show. Eli played guitar with me last night for my birthday party. Since it was my birthday show, I thought I’d have a few drinks to celebrate. I haven’t drank in so long that 2 beers were enough to force Eli into DD status (<i>I’m such a lush these days!</i>). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> We celebrated three other birthdays last night, too. Brian, Wendy, and Apryl were all there celebrating their birthdays with me, and we had a wonderful celebration. I did a few things I don’t normally do (<i>like playing with tracks!</i>) but we all had a great time in a packed house. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> I really want to thank Sheila, Josh, and Suzanne for staging a perfect celebration for us all. JugTown Grill is a wonderful place for anyone that hasn’t had the chance to check it out. I highly recommend the place, especially the Grilled Bologna and Cheese! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Thank you all for coming out and celebrating 43 with me. You’ll never know what it means to see each of your faces and most every show. I also want to thank you all for letting me play some of the stuff from the new album. As a musician, you don’t get a lot of chances to play your original material, at least not in a Pub environment. It means a lot to have a place open to these types of shows, and it means even more that the audience is receptive to listening to songs they’ve never heard before. Hopefully, the album will be ready by the end of this year, so you’ll be able to hear them whenever you want soon enough.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/3607020
2015-03-17T10:30:00-05:00
2015-03-17T10:41:02-05:00
Happy KWP Day!
<div style="text-align: justify;">Wow! It seems like only 8 years ago we were getting ready for our first show. Oh, wait, I guess it WAS 8 years ago. Man, where does the time go?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I remember getting a phone call from the owners of (<i>now defunct</i>) 363 Blues Club asking if I could play that Saturday night for St. Patrick's Day. This was on a Tuesday (<i>things haven't changed much in that respect, either!</i>), so I got to work calling everyone I knew. Called up my buddy, Foosh, and he was down, and the following morning I asked a new friend I had met at work, Jimmy Karow, if he'd be interested in playing the blues for a night, to which he replied, and I quote, "Sure, why not. Sounds like fun."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We got together that Thursday evening and had one of our only rehearsals in the first few years, and it went great. What else would you expect from seasoned musicians.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On Friday, I bumped into "The Emfamus" Skip Oliver and invited him out to the show. "Oh, if you come, bring your harps and sit in." I also invited my friend Mark Coward to sit in.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I got to the bar early in the evening to start setting everything up. Foosh and Jimmy both arrived pretty soon thereafter, and we managed to get everything set up and sound checked with enough time to work over some of the trickier songs. About 5 minutes until show time, Skip shows up with his harp case and Green Bullet, plugged in, and ran a few lines to check his label. I believe his first words were, "What key we in?" B Minor.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I looked at Foosh and Jim and said, "Thrill Is Gone." As I hit the first chords of the song, Mark walks upstairs with his amp in one hand, guitar in the other, and starts setting his rig up. By the first solo, he's set up, tuned up, and ready to rip, and did he! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Bar area of 363 Blues Club was upstairs, and at one point in the evening, the center of the floor looked as if it would cave under the weight of all the people up dancing and bouncing around. The speakers (on poles) kept swaying the whole night, but not once did they give in to the momentum, standing strong under the wave of the hardwood floor.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Skip and Mark both played the entire evening with us, and we had a hell of a time. What was to be a one-time show got us booked for the B-Town BBQ Festival and the Okelala Festival in Baldwyn, Mississippi, and started a rocket that continues to this day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Many of the area's finest musicians have shared the stage with us, preaching their own interpretations of the blues. I've never tried to name every one before, but here's a start: Chris Fooshee, Tom Sewell, Michael Brose, Jay Carroll, Gavin McGee, Blake Miller, Shane Rowe, Richard Sanders, David Miller, Matt and Chad Nolan and Shaun Miller (Spunk Monkees), Blayze Windham and Kelly Mauldin (Bikini Frankenstein), Rick Moreland, Monte Allums, Tony Caldwell, Chuck McArthur, Dennis Murphy, Richard Dabbs, Eric Stogner and Bob Steinmetz (Full Tilt), Jason Carter, Preston George, Joseph Lackey, Vinnie C., Pam Montgomery, Naomi Alexander, Savannah Smith, Randy Byrum, Wayne Victory, Desmond Smith, Brian West, James Pirkle, Derrick Boggan, Ronnie McGee. I've even had the privilege of playing the blues with both of my children, Eli and Michael. I know I'm forgetting quite a few names, and I apologize to you guys. Leave your name in the comments below and I will add you to the list. I'd like to see a complete list sometime, just for shits and giggles.<br><br>8 years later, our travel radius has grown exponentially. From the Tupelo-area to all of North Mississippi and into Tennessee and Alabama. Not bad for a bunch of guys doing it all by themselves. We've had some highs and had lots of lows, but ain't that what the blues is all about?<br><br>So, this St. Patrick's Day, as you're raise your glass in an Irish toast, raise it again, and help us celebrate our 8th Anniversary. As for me, I'll be celebrating our anniversary at IDK in Tupelo for the Open Musician Jam Night. Come on by and let's have a drink together. Here's to another 8 years!</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/3488003
2015-01-26T20:20:00-06:00
2015-01-26T20:54:05-06:00
(Too) Much Ado About Nothing
<div style="text-align: justify;">I've been doing a lot of recording lately.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I recorded the New Year's Eve show with Shane Tubbs and Robbie Ross and have mixed a little bit down (<i>work in progress</i>). I've shared a couple of the songs over at <a href="https://soundcloud.com/kevinwaide" target="_blank">SoundCloud</a>, so if you haven't heard them yet, go check them out.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've been working with the "Emfamus" Skip Oliver on his solo debut, which we should be finishing up soon. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've been recording and mixing songs in preparation for the next Project album, too. As of today, I have 9 working demos ready, with more to come this weekend.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've been blessed with an abundance of work lately. Too much is always better than not enough, right?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As you know, I have two children, Elijah and Michael, who live with their mother a little over 100 miles away from Tupelo. I have managed to maintain a fairly healthy relationship with them over the distance and the "<i>busyness</i>" of their "Rock Star" dad (their term, not mine), though we've always had to emphasize quality over quantity.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've been doing this music thing for a long time, so long, I really don't remember a time when I didn't do it. Oh, there was a time when I "quit" music, roughly 5 years of 10:00 PM bedtimes on Saturday nights (<i>yeah, right</i>!) and being the "family man." And, during this time, I was there, with my boys, watching them grow and learn, teaching them (<i>by example, of course!</i>) what not to do and how not to act.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After their mother and I split, music was the only thing I had, and I had given up on it. I picked up my guitar one night, started writing a song, and it took about 2 months for me to be right back in the bars, playing my songs for anyone who'd listen.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I talked to the boys before I started looking for musicians. We sat down and discussed it like adults (<i>I was 33 and not an adult; Eli and Michael were 9 and 4 respectively, and at least 10 years more mature than I</i>). I talked it over with them, weighing the pros and cons, explaining to them that if I did this, our time together would be limited, that I wouldn't be as available to see as long as I was doing it, and they both nodded their understanding and acceptance of it. We made a promise to each other that night to emphasize quality over quantity and maximize what little time we would have together. And I started playing music again.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">That was 9 years ago last November, and we have stuck to our promise to each other. It hasn't been easy going long periods of time without seeing my children (<i>you parents know what I'm saying; the rest of you should be so lucky to find out</i>), but knowing that we would get some quality alone time kept me going. Now, my boys are all but grown: Eli a Freshman in college and Michael a Freshman in high school. Where <i>has</i> the time gone?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I guess I'm getting old, but I've been feeling a little greedy lately. I've been wanting to spend more time with the boys, you know, get to know them, because we haven't been able to spend enough time together for me to really know them as individuals.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I made a conscious decision back in November to let the gigs die down after the New Year, take a little time off, with the intention of spending more time with my boys. Little did I know that in the last 9 years my two "young men" have developed lives of their own and grown too busy to spend time with the "old man." Imagine my shock at finding out January-March is "Indoor Season" for marching bands and that I'll have to make an appointment to see Michael. Eli's attention is also elsewhere (<i>read girlfriend, and I can't really blame him!</i>).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"<i>And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me he'd grown up just like me</i>
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>My boy was just like me.</i>"*</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Too much work is always better than not enough, right?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">*"Cat's In the Cradle" Harry Chapin/Sandra Chapin</span></div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/3444707
2014-12-29T20:23:00-06:00
2014-12-29T22:16:28-06:00
All Work and No Play.
<div style="text-align: justify;">I know, I know, I've been too quiet lately! I'm sorry, but life got in the way for a bit. I think I've managed to get everything taken care of (<i>momentarily</i>), so maybe I can concentrate on more important things for a while.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've been doing some recording/production work for my buddy, Skip Oliver. Skip has written a few songs of his own and is ready to get them on album, so the Project and I have been helping with the backing tracks while I've been working on the production end. It's actually a lot of fun, telling people what to do! Anyway, I've been bouncing between Skip and a show I recorded for Jason Carter & the Healers, where Kenny Brown made a surprise appearance and sat in with the band, so I've been busy as hell. Luckily, I delivered Jason's project in time for Christmas, so I can finish up Skip and get started on our next album. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Speaking of next album, I'm doing a special New Year's Eve show at JugTown Grill in Aberdeen. The evening features Shane Tubbs, Robbie Ross of Seeking Seven, and myself doing a Bluebird Café-style Round Robin Singer-Songwriter show. The twist is the multi-genre evening, with Shane performing his country songs, Robbie his rock songs, and me "<i>brangin' the blues</i>", and all of us playing the others' music. And to add to it, I'm gonna record the entire evening. We <i>may</i> even have video for the night.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oh, and it's free. No cover charge for the evening.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I do know that there will be a song premier or two.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The show starts at 8:30. Seating is limited and first come, first served.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I can't wait! As my youngest son likes say, "It's gonna be epic, dad!"</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/3231897
2014-10-13T17:20:00-05:00
2014-10-14T12:46:14-05:00
Let's Hang Out This Weekend!
<div style="text-align: justify;">I love music festivals, always have. I'm not much of a fan when they get super popular (Memphis in May, SXSW, <i>etc</i>.), but the smaller festivals are lots of fun.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I especially love Blues festivals. They are my absolute favorite.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I don't get to attend music festivals anymore, unless, of course, I'm playing one, and even then, it's usually "there an hour before we go on and leaving immediately afterwards," which isn't a lot of fun. Occasionally, I get to enjoy some of the festivals we play, and I do enjoy myself.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One of my favorite blues festivals is The <a href="http://bukkawhitefestival.com/" target="_blank">Bukka White Blues Festival</a> in Aberdeen, Mississippi, each October. It just happens to be THIS weekend!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And I have the weekend off! For the most part, anyway.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'll be playing at Jugtown Grill just down the road a piece Saturday evening, but that won't stop me from being at the Festival. My good friends, Jason Carter & the Healers, will be playing Saturday afternoon, and Homemade Jamz and Jimbo Mathis will be playing Saturday night. Lightnin' Malcolm, Leo "Bud" Welch, and Selwyn Birchwood will be playing Friday evening, and since I'll be in Aberdeen both days...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So why don't you all come on down to beautiful Aberdeen, Mississippi, on the banks of the Tenn-Tom Waterway, and hang out with us all weekend. There's a camp ground and everything for those of you who like to rough it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oh, and the Bukka White Blues Festival is free. </div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/3201088
2014-09-23T18:38:00-05:00
2014-09-24T00:16:42-05:00
A Homecoming (Of Sorts)
<div style="text-align: justify;">This Saturday, September 27, The Project will be traveling to the town of Nettleton, Mississippi, for the Town Creek Festival. If you've never heard of it, there's a reason: this is the first time for any festival in Nettleton that I know of, and I've been in the area most of my life!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nettleton is your typical small town, USA. Everyone knows everyone else, and no one has any secrets (<i>because everyone knows your business</i>). There is not a lot of excitement, the sidewalks are rolled up at 9:00, etc., and the town has changed very little over the years. Most of the same families still call Nettleton their home, most of the same businesses owned by the same people, and they still have the same "unforgettable characters" walking around town (<i>What's up, Big Bird!</i>). My friend, Paul Thorn, is from Nettleton. I'm from Nettleton, too.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This Saturday will mark the first time in a little over 25 years I have taken the stage in Nettleton. The first time I ever played in Nettleton was the first time I ever played in public, but I've told you <a href="http://kevinwaide.blogspot.com/2013/09/when-was-your-first-time.html" target="_blank">that story</a> already (<i>Junior at Nettleton High School, yada yada, Dean Hudson screaming "Roy Orbison", yada yada</i>). The difference between then and now is I have the Project with me this weekend, and I DARE Dean to say something this time!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm really excited to get to play in my hometown after all these years. I'm looking forward to seeing old friends I haven't seen in "a coon's age" (<i>that's a popular saying around Nettleton and means </i>"a really long time"<i> if you don't already know</i>). Some, I have bumped into in recent years and have reconnected with them through social media, and some I haven't seen since our 20 year reunion in 2010, and still SOME I haven't seen since the day we graduated, but I can remember then names of every one of the 68 classmates I graduated with in 1990. Oh, you don't believe me? I can prove it, but I won't let you pull me into that pissing contest. ;-)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I remember fifth grade science class with Mrs. Gillespie. Trey Schlicht and I were the "teacher's pets" in this class and our desks were beside her desk, you know, like minions. Mrs. Gillespie would lean or sit on the front of her desk when giving tests, to watch the class. Trey and I were positioned to her side, slightly behind her, with the answer key (that was in her hand) in plain view, meaning we never failed a test. There was one test, though, that was apparently too easy, because everyone in the class aced it. Mrs. Gillespie was sure the class somehow cheated and kept the ENTIRE class in at recess to take a different test. Everyone, that is, except Trey and I. "They would never cheat on a test," was her response, and Trey and I were allowed to enjoyed recess that day. Chad Humble was pissed!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Or the time in eighth grade I broke BOTH of my arms trying to lift weights at a friend's house. This happened the Friday we got out of school for Spring Break and I guess I got a 2-for-1. Anyway, I had both arms in casts during Achievement Tests (do they even still give those?) and finals and couldn't hold a pen to take them with. Ms. McBrayer took my test for me and would look at me funny until I answered correctly. Danny Bacon got ticked at me at recess one day and punched me in the eye, leaving a strawberry-type mark on my eyelid. But, in Mr. Luckett's math class, when the spot was noticed, Mr. Luckett's question of "<i>What kind of "man" would hit a guy with two broke arms? I mean, how low must that person feel?</i>" was enough to have Danny in the floor almost to the point of crying. I never ratted on him, though.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Matt Gard and I were instant friends when he moved to Nettleton in the ninth grade.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Robby Patterson and I built an Ultralight frame, but it never made its virgin flight.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mrs. Brasswell accused me and a few friends of being "devil worshippers" because of our tastes in music.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mrs. Hill and Mrs. Welford made me think, whether I wanted to or not.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And Michael Oliver asking Mrs. Hill, "Honey, do you love as good as you look?" was the funniest thing that happened all that school year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I almost got suspended the day before finals my Junior year, but I opted to "look the tiger in the eyes" while that same tiger took large bites out of my @$$!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Or the time the whole junior and senior class walked off campus in protest of the new rules against the length of a male student's hair.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lot's of memories of Nettleton, both good and bad, but all worth remembering. Hell, at least they will make good stories the next time I go fishing for something to write about.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Remind me, sometime, to tell you the story of Dusty Snelson.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/3190620
2014-09-16T20:50:00-05:00
2014-09-16T22:46:19-05:00
Where's the bar? The Bank!
<div style="text-align: justify;">The Project played a show in Pheba, Mississippi, this past weekend. Pheba (<i>fee-bee</i>) is a small community just west of West Point on Highway 50. I say small, but that really doesn't describe it correctly. Foosh and I blinked our eyes and had passed completely through the bustling metropolis before we knew it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"<i>Uh, I bet that's the sign saying 'Pheba' when you're coming from the other direction...Yup, that's the sign saying 'Pheba' when you're coming from the other direction!</i>"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"<i>Damn, guess he meant the FIRST first left turn in Pheba.</i>"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So we find us a place to turn around, and hope we can react quickly enough on the second go around to find the ONLY left (<i>or right, from this direction</i>) turn in Pheba.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We were told we would know where to go when we get there, and sure enough, we knew exactly where to go!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We were to play the 2nd Annual Customer Appreciation Day at The Bank-The Bar! It was a day full of music, food, booze, and F-U-N, with Sunday Jam kicking of the event, followed by us, Sweet Tea Jubilee, and finally Southern Legends.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We pulled up to 50 or so people just as Sunday Jam was beginning their performance and were met at the gate by Joey Morgan, the owner of The Bank-The Bar, and his lovely lady Laura, who took us around and introduced us to all the staff. Foosh and I mingled with the crowd until Blake arrived and we began getting our gear ready to perform.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We took the stage a good 15 minutes early and played a few songs before getting Jimi and Marty from Southern Legends to jam on some Bobby "Blue" Bland with us. Marty Miller is a damn BEAST on guitar, and Jimi Key ain't no slouch his-self! I really enjoyed getting to jam with those guys.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We took a break long enough for Mr. Charles Burgin to sing a couple of tunes. What a treat! We then finished our set and started to mingle with the crowd, which had grown slightly. We met a lot of cool people (<i>Sherri, Melissa, Dale</i>) and we hope we left a good first impression.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sweet Tea Jubilee did their normal bang-up job, but we had to hit the road before Southern Legends got the stage. Looking at the pics on Facebook from the night, it looks like they killed 'em as usual. The food was phenomenal and the hospitality was truly southern. Thank you so much for having us Pheba. We hope to be back to entertain you soon.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I do wanna mention the really cool old church building a block or so from the bar. Go check it out if you ever find yourself in that area.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Just remember, it's the FIRST first left turn in Pheba.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/3182015
2014-09-10T22:17:00-05:00
2014-09-11T04:31:52-05:00
I Will, As Soon As A Commercial Comes On!
<div style="text-align: justify;">I have no use for TV. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy a good movie on occasion, but having access to 300+ stations on a daily basis, <i>nope</i>, care nothing for it. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My biggest complaint about television? Commercials. Yup, I said it. I work in the marketing field (<i>day gig</i>) and I HATE the advertising. It's gotten out of control. Too much information packed into much too little time per commercial. AND THEY WON'T STOP HOLLARIN' AT ME!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My second biggest complaint about television? News. They don't focus on the important stuff, just the garbage that will increase ratings. The TV industry lives and dies by the Ratings System. I've got my own blues to deal with. I don't need to know all the world's blues, too.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then there's the crap that's served up on a daily, weekly, or mini-series basis. All dribble. Reality shows are the worst. Back in the 90's, when the reality craze started, I just knew it was a passing phase. It couldn't last for more than a few seasons, as the whole idea is flawed. Man, was I wrong.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've never understood the infatuation with watching sports on TV, particularly football. I mean, sports by its very nature means get your lazy @$$ out of the air conditioning and participate! Talk about living vicariously through the accomplishments of someone you've never met in your entire life. Then again, I'm sure they don't understand my infatuation with music.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For me, TV is an unneeded distraction, a piece of equipment best left unplugged from the wall, especially if you have something you should be doing, like practicing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Internet, on the other hand, I have lot's of uses for. B-)</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/3172216
2014-09-04T20:14:00-05:00
2014-09-04T21:02:13-05:00
It's A Bird! It's A Plane! It's Super Stoopid!
<div style="text-align: justify;">In this second installment in the "Memoirs Of A Teen-Aged Idiot" series, I want to tell you about <i>this one time, at band camp...</i>
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Just kidding. I didn't go to band camp. I have, however, made my fair share of stupid decisions.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Let's rewind back to 1993. I was still in the band I started out of high school, Little Dreamer, but we were on our second singer by this time. Johnny quit to go back to school and Anthony "Tree" Rollins (<i>rest in peace</i>) was singing with us. Tree was known by everyone for being in another, more popular, band at the time, Teezr (I think was how it was spelled). Teezr broke up in late 1991/early 92, leaving Tree free to "<i>pursue other opportunities</i>," and we snatched him up as soon as Johnny let us know of his intentions. Actually, now that I think about it, I believe it was Johnny who talked to Tree and convinced him to take the spot, thus providing his own replacement. What a saint!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Little Dreamer played the Rod Brasfield Festival in Smithville, Mississippi, in 1993. Smithville is located in Monroe County, which is a dry county. For all you northerners that have no clue what a dry county is, a dry county is one in which no alcohol is sold, or even publicly tolerated. Not a suitable place for a bunch of early 20's-aged rock'n'roll kids determined to raise some hell.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We sat behind the stage, in the bed of my 1970 GMC truck, with a cooler FULL of alcohol that we were consuming at a tremendously rapid pace. We were a 5 piece band by this time, and we came prepared: 3 cases of beer, 2 bottles of Purple Passion (for the womenfolk), a fifth of Everclear, and enough mixers to get the Everclear down. For those of you not in the know, Everclear is an aptly named clear liquor that clears your brain of all memories, leaving you nursing a Texas-sized hangover while desperately trying to recall the events of the previous evening, you know, a lot like Jäger, except it tastes a hell of a lot better!<br><br>We drunkenly took to the stage, blasted through our set, loaded our equipment, and went to Tree's girlfriends house a couple of miles away to "<i>get serious about our drinking</i>" (yes, that's how we referred to it).<br><br>We got to Amanda's house and proceeded to <i>get serious</i>. I remember we were sitting at the table in the kitchen playing Quarters with the Everclear. Shit gets real QUICK like that. The other guitarist (who shall remain nameless) was more of a stoner than a drinker and was sitting to himself toking on his pipe. In my full-on drunken stupor, I proceeded to lecture him on the evils of Marijuana when, all of a sudden, I had this feeling of a hypocrite, telling him how bad the pot was for him having never tried it myself. Everclear gave me the confidence to say, "Fine then. Give me that damn pipe!" Everyone else split off into two different groups; the "angels" on my left shoulder telling me not to partake, and the "devils" on my right coaching me through the process, tell me to hold it in, don't let it go, not yet, <i>etc</i>. Remember, now, we had just finished off a bottle of Everclear.<br><br>For the next few minutes, in sat in probably my soberest state of the day waiting for the weed to kick in. Then, after about 10 minutes, I jumped at the front door, dropped to my knees, and started puking what was obviously all on my internal organs up. I must have puked for 45 minutes before the dry heaving started, which lasted for at least another hour! I had expelled every bit of food/liquid/stomach acid in my body onto her front door step, but I was still alive, though I would be sore as hell the next morning.<br><br>Once everyone was convinced I was going to live, they all decided it was time to go home and promptly left. Since Tree (and all the equipment) rode with me, he was going to drive me back to his house to unload equipment. I should be sober by then. But first, he and his lady wanted a little alone time in the bedroom.<br><br>I don't know about you, but I really don't want to sit around and listen to two people "bumpin' uglies" in the next room regardless of the state of mind I'm in, and this evening was no exception. I waited until I heard the first moan slip from the room and darted out of the house, cranked my truck, and was gone like the wind! I made it back to Tree's house in Bigbee, unloaded everyone's equipment by myself, and decided I was good enough to drive to Chris Wages's house in Pontotoc. So I start running the backroads from Amory to Pontotoc. This was around 2:00 AM.<br><br>I remember hearing a car horn blow. I opened my eyes to see that I was still driving and was about to hit a car head on on Palmetto Road. I quickly got back into my lane and admonished myself for falling asleep at the wheel. I must have went to sleep again, because I woke up in a ditch doing 60 MPH coming to an embankment for a driveway to a house, which I jumped like I was one of the Duke boys! 8 feet in the air I went, landing in the driveway with a thud, but upright. The battery turned over and shorted out, killing the engine, which brought me to a sudden stop. I saw the lights come on in the house that belonged to this particular drive and I asked the man at the door to borrow his phone. He said ok and I said thanks and called Chris to come pick me up. I walked back to my truck to assess the damage and think of a good lie to tell if anyone found out.<br><br>As I approached my truck, a noticed a crease on the hood that wasn't there before. Opening the hood to examine it was what led me to see that the battery was lying sideways. I sat it upright and turned the key over. It cranked!<br><br>Remember the cooler from earlier in the day? Well, it was never taken out of the back of my truck and it now lay in the middle of Palmetto Road. What were once full beer cans earlier in the day had become empty cans put back in the cooler and left for me to dispose of. 3 cases worth of beer cans, assorted bottles, and the like were littered all over the road, it was 2:00 in the morning, and I was drunk AND high, so I grabbed the empty cooler, threw it in the back of the truck, and hauled ass to Chris's house. I actually managed to make it all the way before passing out this time, to which we started drinking again. The following day would show me the scars of the previous night, but it took weeks for me to piece together the patches that would come back to me, scenes I have relived many times through the years.<br><br>So just remember, if you're drinking to forget, choose Everclear.<br><br>Oh, and don't drink and drive.<br><br>Or litter.<br><br>Or do drugs.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/3157597
2014-08-26T19:47:00-05:00
2014-08-26T21:09:33-05:00
And It Was Her Worst Date Ever!
<div style="text-align: justify;">I moved to the Memphis-area, Walls, MS, to be exact, in July, 2003. I remember the date vividly: I had spent the last two years driving to Memphis three days a week for school, and I moved to the area the day before my graduation on July 11, 2003. Perfect timing, <i>I know</i>!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The following October, an old friend and past bandmate, Chris Wages, called to say he and his fiancé were coming to town for the evening and wanted to get together and maybe go to Beale St. I hadn't had the opportunity to go since I moved (this was during that time I was out of the music scene), so they came by my apartment and we went to Beale.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We plotted what looked to be the best route around the panhandlers and made our way to the Flying Saucer. We had a couple of beers there and wanted to go check out some music on down the street. We walked through the barricade and bought our $10 Armband that almost NONE of the establishments on Beale honored, stopped and got us some more beers, and started walking down the street, listening for something that caught our ears (I've never stopped <i>loving</i> music, I just quit <i>playing</i> it for a while). We decided to walk the entire length of Beale before deciding which establishment to grace.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As we got further down Beale, I started hearing what sounded like a band on the sidewalk. I looked at Chris and said as much, and the three of us hurried along to see who was making this music on the sidewalk for free.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We made our way down to the New Daisy Theatre, and what we saw we couldn't believe. Here was ONE GUY, sitting on a drummer's throne, with a kick drum in front of him, a snare drum on a stand sideways, a hi-hat, and the weirdest looking guitar-contraption I had ever seen.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He finished the song he was playing and introduced himself as Richard Johnston, the Hill Country Troubadour. He described his cigar box guitar (or diddly-bow, as he called it) in detail to everyone standing around (which was <i>easily</i> a couple hundred of people), pointing out the beer caps for pickups, the bass guitar string and 3 regular guitar strings, and the neck, which was actually the struts from a prosthetic leg. He had it split off into a guitar amp and a bass amp, and would play and sing these songs completely by himself. This was the first time I had ever heard names like R. L. Burnside or Junior Kimbrough, Raimey Burnett or Jesse Mae Hemphill, and the music was hypnotic. We spent at least two hour there, watching him do all these things by himself, letting our "Big Ass Beer"s get hot. I bought both of the CD's he had available at his next break and thanked him for kicking me in the ass enough to go home and pick my neglected guitar up. We made our way back to the vehicle and were back at my apartment about 15 minutes later. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Fast forward to November, 2011. I was working in a print shop in Tupelo and my work one particular day was to help design some of the printing for a March of Dimes fundraiser coming up. As I was printing the posters, I noticed a familiar name as the entertainer for the evening: Richard Johnston. When the lady came to pick up the posters for the event, I asked about getting tickets to the fundraiser. I even told the whole story I just told you, and I'm guessing I bored her enough, so she hands me two tickets!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had a young friend that was spending a lot of time at my place around this time. We'll call her "Sally". I told her the same story, adding the part from work, and asked if she would like to experience a night she'll remember forever! By this time, I had "acquired" a copy of the unreleased (due to licensing problems) "Richard Johnston: Hill Country Troubadour" DVD and put it on for her to see for herself. Sally admitted that she had never seen anything quite like that before and thought it would be a great first "real" date.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The night of the show, she comes by my apartment to pick me up (<i>I'm a Bluesman for reason, y'all!</i>) and we head to the BancorpSouth Conference Center for the show. As we're walking up to the door, I see Richard standing out front, smoking a cigarette. He looks at me with some kind of recognition in his eyes (no clue who he thought I was), and says, "Hey, you're a bass player, right?"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I replied no, but that I was able to play bass, and he proceeds to tell me his bass player (he had added one by this time) had a stroke a couple of days before and wasn't able to make the trip, and he would really rather have someone playing bass for him, as it makes his job easier. I look to Sally, who clearly has that "Oh, HELL no, you betta not!" look in her eyes, and just kinda shrug my shoulders, to which she says, "If you want to, I don't mind." Looking back, I think she actually DID mind.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I played part (ok, <i>most</i>) of the show with Richard while Sally sat by herself in a faraway corner of the room at a lonely little table even the servers wouldn't look at. When the show was over, I invited Richard back over to the apartment for some banana moonshine, to which he replied thanks but no, and off he went back to Memphis. Sally dropped me off and left about as quick herself.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sally quit coming around as much and eventually drifted away. Sometimes I see her out, and we stop and talk. We're still friends, but whenever that night is brought up, she smiles that unforgettable smile and reminds me, "You promised a night I'll remember forever, and it was. That was the worst date ever!"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As a side-note, I would like to draw attention to the fact that this is my <b>100th blog post</b>! 100 different stories and I still haven't said a damn thing, just a bunch of drunken rambling. But that's ok. At least y'all get me. Thanks for your attention.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/3155541
2014-08-25T20:34:00-05:00
2014-08-25T22:16:16-05:00
My ALS Ice Bucket Challenge (AND First Video Blog!)
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gpV5uZSvEug/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/gpV5uZSvEug?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata">
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<embed width="320" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/gpV5uZSvEug?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">#IceBucketChallenge</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have a Private Party this Friday, August 29, 2014, at Jugtown Grill in beautiful downtown Aberdeen, MS, for the Aberdeen High School Classes of 1973-74 Class Reunion. I will be donating my share of the proceeds from this show to <a href="http://alsa.org/">ALSA.org</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I challenge YOU to click the link below and donate to ALS Research.</div><br><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.alsa.org/donate/" target="_blank">Donate Now at ALSA.org</a></div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/3141658
2014-08-17T19:55:00-05:00
2014-08-17T20:01:32-05:00
Tips For Being a Lady's Man #21
<div style="text-align: justify;">Give your lady friends pet names, names only you call them. And I'm talking names deeper than just "baby" or "honey." Put a little thought into it. Enough time around a lady will reveal something about her that strikes you and you can use this as inspiration for the name. I have one friend I call "Sunshine" simply because she is always in a perky mood, even early in the mornings, and she has even told me that hearing me call her that always makes her day just a little better. And don't get caught calling another lady by one lady friend's pet name, or it's no longer something special.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/3138159
2014-08-14T22:53:00-05:00
2014-08-14T22:56:46-05:00
The Next 42 Years
<div style="text-align: justify;">So, tomorrow will be the last day I will ever be 41 years old. Man, there was so many things I intended to have accomplished by this time in my life!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When I was 14 years old, I knew exactly what I wanted to be: I wanted to be a Rock Star! I had my Kramer guitars with the Floyd Rose Systems on them. I got the expensive guitar straps with the parachute clips to I could sling my guitar around my body like the guys in Cinderella. And, yes, I had the Spandex (<i>pictures surface from time to time</i>)!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I started my first band at 18 years old. The band was called Little Dreamer and consisted of Johnny Holland on vocals, Terry Harris on bass, and Chris Wages on drums. We wrote our own songs and played a variety of 80's covers. We even recorded an album. I had a Marshall 50 Watt Plexi head and both 4x12 cabinets, and would lug them in to even the smallest of dives, because I was gonna act like a Rock Star! Little Dreamer went through various lineup changes through the years, and is where I started playing with Foosh, who has been MY drummer ever since.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When I was 22, I met my first "groupie!" I ended up marrying her the next year, and we had two wonderful boys together. But I still wanted to be a Rock Star, so the marriage slowly began to fall apart. I would like to publicly state that she is the person that really introduced me and turned me on to the Blues. She was so intrigued by them when she was at Ole Miss that she took Anthropology of the Blues Culture a couple of semesters. For the sake of her privacy, I won't call her by name, but for these two things, I want to say thank you for being a part of my life, if even for a brief moment.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At 23 I joined another band from Saltillo called Novus Jove. These guys had their own material, and after a little rearrangement by me (<i>sorry guys</i>!) we had a very solid set of music. We played all over Mississippi and into Alabama, and even played HempFest '97 in Biloxi, MS, the first hemp rally in Mississippi. Man, that was a crazy trip! We recorded two albums of original material, and even managed a meeting in August of 1998 with Robert Metzger of Capital Management in Nashville, TN. He was interested in a song I wrote, the title track from our second disc "Long Time Comin'," and was interested in promoting it on 5-Start Billboard Stations across the country. Inner turmoil among the band after 5 years of hard living, playing, and partying managed to tear that band apart in early 2000. So close! Curiously enough, this was also during my divorce.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had another brief run with Little Dreamer from 2000-2002, where I starting playing music with Foosh, but it wasn't to be, and I put my guitar in the case for a few years. I had 2 young boys by this time and really wanted to be around them, so I cut my hair and tried to work things out with their mother. I took a job as a graphic designer I became a business man. But deep down I still wanted to be a Rock Star!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">November, 2005, I was totally miserable. Things didn't work out with the ex and I was living alone in a town (Horn Lake, MS) where I didn't really know anyone outside of work. I lived behind Hooter's, so I spent pretty much every night sitting at the bar drinking and eating wings or a burger. I would take a paper towel from the roll, fold it in half, and just take a pen from the register. I would sit and scribble gibberish on the paper towel, stumble back to my apartment, throw the towel on the coffee table, and pass out. One night, I picked up my guitar (it had been about 4 and half years since I had touched it at this point) and just started playing. I played until the sun came up, finger sore and bleeding. I had forgotten how much I LOVED playing the guitar. Plus, I STILL wanted to be a Rock Star!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had a short stint with Sugar Ditch in the Memphis-area, and moved back home to Tupelo in 2006. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Project came along in 2007 completely by accident, and with these guys I have played some of the most incredible shows! We have played clubs and festivals all over the state and have met some of the best people in the world. We've shared stages with some of the most talented artists in the world, from Memphis to Biloxi, Clarksdale to Huntsville, AL, and all points in between. Man, it's been an incredible ride.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've witnessed the graduation of my oldest son, Elijah, and his acceptance into Ole Miss.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've witnessed the artistry of both of my boys.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've made friends with some of the most interesting people in the world. Even made an enemy or two.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have had the experience of playing before a crowd (<i>of roughly 20,000</i>) that's almost impossible to comprehend.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have songs placed in two different movies.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have self-produced the last three albums I've released.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've played country music.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But I never made it to a Rock Star. I guess a Bluesman will have to do, which is fine with me. Fits me better, anyway. Here's to the next 42 years. May you please have mercy on this old ass body!</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/3134018
2014-08-12T19:55:00-05:00
2014-08-12T20:46:02-05:00
Facebook Band Pages
<div style="text-align: justify;">Lately, I have been inundated with requests to "Like my page" on Facebook. I get it, you want numbers for people to see and maybe, JUST MAYBE, one of the someones will be someone important, and will help you launch your career. We all have had the same thoughts, gone through the same motions, so none of us can fault you.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What I've been seeing lately, though, is beginning to drive me nuckin' futz! People are jumping the gun, trying to get numbers before they even have content. They quickly click the "Create a Page" button, give it a name, and immediately start saturating their friends list with invitation notifications.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here's the problem with that strategy: THERE'S NO CONTENT TO TELL US ANYTHING! I can't tell you how many times I've gotten an "invitation" to like ACME Blowhards or something else just as vague. And you can't just click the About section to see what it is, because there's NO FRIGGIN' CONTENT! "Oh, I'll just go and check the Photos section to see if I recognize anyone." WRONG! The only image is some half-assed "logo" that's just as vague.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Since, <i>apparently</i>, there are no "reliable resources to help people learn the basics of marketing" (<i>Hint</i>: you're sitting in front of the largest known encyclopedia in the universe), I'm gonna offer some basic tips. All of these points should be completed BEFORE you send me an invitation to like your page.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><ol>
<li>
<div style="text-align: justify;">Get a professional to design your logo. If you're even remotely serious in your endeavor (<i>whatever it is, this is not limited to music</i>), professional design will always win out. Yes, a professional designer can get expensive, but trust me, it's worth it.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="text-align: justify;">Have some high quality photos of whatever you're pushing on your page. Camera phones these days are more than capable of taking nice pictures, and if you don't have an eye for photography, I'm sure you have a friend with a better eye. You know the friend I'm talking about. The one with all the practice at taking duckface selfies.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div>
</li>
<li>
<div style="text-align: justify;">Fill in every field in your About section. And I mean everything. Your contact information is a must in this area. Oh, you don't want to put your phone number on your Page. How the hell is anyone gonna call you about that "cute little top with the fringe" when you won't give them a number? If you don't want to use your cell number, then get a land line (<i>they still have those?</i>).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div>
</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">If you are a band/musician, you should have a link to your website (a REAL website) in the about area, and you should also have a mailing list signup form and an Events section, just in case I'm interested enough in checking out your music.</li>
</ol><div style="text-align: justify;">Only after you have successfully checked off these 4 points may you press the Invite Friends button, and even then, you really shouldn't. It's not like anyone is going to see your posts anyway, since Facebook wants you to pay them to promote your page. Only a small percentage of the people who liked your page are even going to see one post, and most of them are going to absently scroll by. And what's going to happen to all those numbers when the next big thing comes along? Remember MySpace? Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, these social networks won't be around forever. They most likely won't see the end of this decade! Put your time and effort into a real website and take control of your career.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/3126444
2014-08-07T22:46:00-05:00
2014-08-07T23:40:56-05:00
Memoirs Of a Teen-Aged Idiot!
<div style="text-align: justify;">Went to visit an old high school friend the other day. It's been a while since we've sat and caught up with each other; most times we just see each other in passing and don't get to sit and reminisce, but we had a good visit. We talked about some of the crazy stuff we used to do as high school kids, some of which we probably shouldn't have survived.<br><br>I grew up south of Tupelo just off Highway 6 in a little community called Union/City Point. I don't guess anyone ever really decided what they wanted to name the place, because of the 2 names. The water tower announces the name as City Point but the churches say Union. Anyway, I lived in the Nettleton School District, so that is where we went to school. I spent most of my high school years riding the roads of northern Monroe County between Nettleton and Amory. Monroe County is a dry county, and we would be riding these back roads L-O-D-I-D! Lots of great ideas came from that intoxicated state, like the time my friend, Yo (<i>we'll call him Yo to protect his identity, even though he would probably own up to it if he's reading this!</i>), and I and a bunch of our "Bigbee Friends" decided it would be a great idea to climb over the railroad bridge that crosses the Tenn-Tom Waterway coming into Amory. And when I say climb over, I mean climb over the catwalk at the TOP OF THE TRUSSES of the bridge. At 1:00 in the morning. L-O-D-I-D. It was at the center of the top of this thing that I discovered my acute discomfort of heights. Yo said I was "cryin' like a little bitch," but I don't remember it being THAT dramatic. I do remember being a little worried and having to have help/guidance/reassurance getting down the ladder on the other side.<br><br>There was another time Yo and I made a smokes and drinks run into Amory during a late night get together. This was in February of 1994, I remember, because we had just had an ice storm that had collapsed the only bridge into Amory from Nettleton, taking with it the gas line that supplied all of Tupelo's restaurants with gas to use the fryers and such. Well, at this time, the bridge had been "repaired" (and by repaired I mean patched, and not very convincingly to the untrained eye) and the gas line had been rerouted to the curb on the edge of the bridge that the concrete retainer wall was sitting on. Along this gas line were about 10 or 15 battery-powered, flashing yellow caution lights. Well, Yo and I decided we wanted one (actually all) of them, and as they were tied to the gas line with nylon cord, he started at one end and I at the other, with Bic lighters, burning through the nylon cord that attached each light to the GAS LINE!!! Luckily, no boom, but still.<br><br>We would lay in the back of someone pickup on Main St. in Amory, one friend pouring a Coke into our mouths, another pouring the Jack Daniels, then jump in our vehicles to haul @$$ home to beat curfew. Our absolute favorite place to drink was in a storm house of a neighbor. Grave yards were a popular place to drink, too.<br><br>We knew those back roads so well in those days we could drive them drunk at night with our lights off and never miss a turn. We would even do it with a car load of passengers to prove that we could! Those who lost their shit when we did were never invited back to hang out with us, not that they would want to.<br><br>I've been going back to these places the last few weeks, reliving my stupidity, wondering how in the HELL I'm still here.<br><br>As Yo and I were laughing about some of the things we did, I made a comment about how stupid it all was, "But damn, it sure was fun."<br><br>Yo's quick response was, "If it wasn't fun, it wouldn't have been a mistake. It would have been an accident."<br><br>Perspective. That's the key to really living.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/3117871
2014-07-31T22:23:00-05:00
2017-01-13T18:36:58-06:00
The Number Are Thru the Roof!
<div style="text-align: justify;">It's been a crazy few weeks. Things have been coming at me so fast, I haven't really had a chance to do much more than just acknowledge them, so in the spirit of giving everyone a little justice, here we go.<br><br>I've been playing solo acoustic at this cool little place in Aberdeen called Jugtown Grill. It's got a really cool vibe about it, and I have met some of the greatest people already. Coincidentally (<i>shameless plug</i>), I'll be back at Jugtown Saturday, August 2nd, so if you're looking for something to do, swing on by. The food is great and Sheila and crew will make you feel right at home.<br><br>What was supposed to be an acoustic gig turned into a "band" show at the last moment in Hamilton for the Hamilton Appreciation Day celebration. Our good friend David Long played right before us and so we made use of him on Bass. Thanks, David, for sitting in with us again, and thank you to the people of Hamilton, Mississippi, for having us.<br><br>I played a private solo show at the Tupelo Automobile Museum on the 16th for Mississippi Water and Pollution Control Operator's Association and had a wonderful time meeting people from all over the state of Mississippi, something I hope I get to do again in the future.<br><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="//2.bp.blogspot.com/-nYSzCAR8XJM/U9sDi63NJBI/AAAAAAAAEgc/azsH3Oh7uxk/s1600/1560666_10204611416233311_1148270117706440187_n.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="320" width="320" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo courtesy Jason Carter</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>The Project also played the 4th Annual Okolona Magnolia Festival on the 26th, and even got to do a set with our friend Terry "Harmonica" Bean! The blues was sufficiently preached, that I can tell ya for sure.<br><br>"Gone Bad Blues" was played on the air in Rolla, Missouri, Sunday night. <a href="http://thebasementtapeswithnickandbootsy.com/" target="_blank">The Basement Tapes with Nick and Bootsy</a> on KKID 92.9 FM. You can click on over to their site to hear a stream of the broadcast. We want to give a shout out to Nick and Bootsy and say thanks for support. Hopefully, soon, we can come to Rolla and play for ya in person.<br><br>This Saturday, Foosh and I are heading to Hernando, Mississippi, for an in-studio interview and performance for <a href="http://www.mississippimusicfoundation.org/" target="_blank">Mississippi Music Foundation</a>. Keep an eye on the Facebook page or at <a href="http://www.kevinwaide.com/">KevinWaide.com</a> for when it will air. As I said earlier, I'll also be at Jugtown in Aberdeen Saturday night starting at 8:00 pm.<br><br>There's also the birthday bash coming up on August 15th at <a href="http://www.woodyssteak.com/" target="_blank">Woody's</a> in Tupelo. I would LOVE to not remember you being there, so make your plans now.<br><br>As a side note, as of right now (10:18 PM Thursday, July 31, 2014) we have had 5,133 views on the blog in just a little over a year and a half! Thank you all so much for supporting the music and the Project. We hope to be able to entertain you for many years to come.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/3098243
2014-07-25T10:30:00-05:00
2014-07-25T10:54:17-05:00
What Have We Learned, Class?
<div style="text-align: justify;">So, I'm staring down the barrel of 42. There, I've said it. I have publicly acknowledge the fact that I am about to be another year older. Man, what a bummer!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Actually, I take that back. It isn't a bummer. It's always nice to wake up in the morning and still be alive, not that I've ever woke up dead or anything like that. Another day on this side of the dirt is a great day, as they say.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A few days ago, I was thinking about all the things I've learned in my 42 years on this earth. The more I thought about it, the more I decided to try and list at least 42 things I've learned in 42 years. This should be interesting.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><ol>
<li>Don't stick a fork in an electrical outlet (I know this seems like a no-brainer right now, but to a curious six-year-old boy, logic doesn't really exist. On the other hand, now I <i>know</i> what will happen if I do it).</li>
<li>Fire ants are the devil.</li>
<li>So are fleas.</li>
<li>Cool pizza is better than a mouthful of molten hot lava.</li>
<li>Keep your phone fully charged. Always. You never know, man.</li>
<li>Always have your sunglasses. Another one of those "you never know, man," moments.</li>
<li>Tell the special people in your life how much they mean to you.</li>
<li>Show the special people in your life how much they mean to you.</li>
<li>Call your mama.</li>
<li>Try to talk to your dad.</li>
<li>Sit quietly while dad lectures you on how you're screwing up your life.</li>
<li>Smile at everyone you meet.</li>
<li>Say ma'am and sir. Everyone deserves that much respect.</li>
<li>Say please.</li>
<li>Say yes.</li>
<li>Say no.</li>
<li>Say nothing.</li>
<li>Sing.</li>
<li>Bravada Surfing probably isn't a good idea. Especially while intoxicated.</li>
<li>Keep your wits about you.</li>
<li>There is nothing in this world better than cold sweet tea.</li>
<li>If a woman shares her dessert with you, there is something there.</li>
<li>Sometimes you just gotta get your hands dirty.</li>
<li>Shit happens. Deal with it.</li>
<li>Make time for your friends. These are the people who know how crazy you are and choose to stick around. Cherish them.</li>
<li>Make time for yourself.</li>
<li>Unplug for a weekend.</li>
<li>Be prepared.</li>
<li>Be aware.</li>
<li>Don't be an ass, but tell the truth.</li>
<li>Don't pick a fight but don't take no shit.</li>
<li>Believe in yourself.</li>
<li>Know when to cut your losses.</li>
<li>Learn how to feel.</li>
<li>Be yourself.</li>
<li>Everyone has a story.</li>
<li>Be true to your word.</li>
<li>Get some sleep.</li>
<li>Bacon and/or cheese makes everything better.</li>
<li>Love yourself.</li>
<li>Be nice or go home.</li>
<li>Do what you love.</li>
</ol>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/3076215
2014-07-14T19:06:00-05:00
2017-01-13T18:36:58-06:00
Has It Been A Year Already?
<div style="text-align: justify;">I swear, it only seems like a month or so ago since I was typing a blog to let you know about the new CD, "Booze, Bluez, & BBQ: Live In Tupelo." It's hard to believe it's actually been a year, and what a year it's been! I never, in my wildest dreams, thought it would be as well received as it has been. We do this thing because of our love of the music, and it makes it easier to continue knowing there are others just like us out there. Thank you so much for supporting us in this endeavor. It means the world to us.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm guessing it would also probably be good business at this point for me to let you all in on a little secret. Are you ready? Here it goes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SbzWC0Hv8Gg/U8Rq_iNn6vI/AAAAAAAAEdY/Hwm7uIgmPcI/s1600/Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="//4.bp.blogspot.com/-SbzWC0Hv8Gg/U8Rq_iNn6vI/AAAAAAAAEdY/Hwm7uIgmPcI/s1600/Poster.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's that time of year again! My Annual Birthday Bash. A six year tradition, this year (as last year) we will be at Woody's Tupelo Steakhouse in Tupelo, Mississippi. It's my 42nd birthday, and since I don't have an album to release this year (<i>yet</i>) I started looking for ways to make it special. Look at that lineup on the poster. Do you recognize any of those names? Yup, it's the ORIGINAL LINEUP! "Evil" Jimmy Karow and Foosh will be keeping the groove flowing right along. "The Rooster" Jason Carter will be playing guitar alongside "The Emfamus" Skip Oliver on the blues harp! I gotta say, I'm so excited about this it's been damn near impossible to keep to myself. And, even better, there will be NO COVER CHARGE!!! How can we afford to do this? We can't, but that's never stopped us before. Go ahead and mark your calendar now. Get there early if you want to get in. The celebration starts at 8:30 and will go until they kick us out, I can promise you that.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm sure there's something else I'm forgetting to say, so be sure to keep a check on the site at <a href="http://www.kevinwaide.com/">www.kevinwaide.com</a> or on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/KevinWaideProject" target="_blank">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://www.twitter.com/kevinwaide" target="_blank">Twitter</a> for any other news. And if you haven't signed up for the Mailing List on the site, you're really missing out on exclusive content only available to subscribers. The signup form is just to the left of the Featured Video section on the homepage, so drop on by and sign up. <i>Me love you long time</i>!</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/3065066
2014-07-08T22:06:00-05:00
2014-07-08T22:50:11-05:00
Dude! What are you doing in my car?
<div style="text-align: justify;">I had the oddest encounter yesterday in Aberdeen.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I work as a graphic designer in Aberdeen during the week and have been for around the last year. I have fallen into a routine that is quite comfortable, where every day of the work week is pretty much the same; drive to work, go to lunch, drive home. Aberdeen is half an hour away from my home, so I spend a little time driving every day. Not too much drive time, just enough to get some thinking (<i>quit laughing</i>!) done, or at least listen to the latest album I've become obsessed with.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday, well, yesterday was a little different.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My alarm is set for 7:00 Monday - Friday (thank God I can set my iPhone and forget about it), and at 7:00 am, it went off. I quickly (as I do every morning) reached over and turned it off. I sat back down on the bed, fell back, and closed my eyes. I lay there cussin' in my head about it being Monday morning (after a long weekend) and I didn't want to get up and go to work. You know, the typical whining. This went on for what seemed like 5 minutes. In reality, when I decided to get up and get ready, I looked at the time and it was 8:22. I start work at 8:00. I called in and told them I was running a little late and would be there as soon as possible. I was an hour late. When I did get to work, it was, unfortunately, Monday.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lunch? Lunch went well, at least I think it did, though the phrase "Everything's better with cheese" will forever have a new meaning.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The rest of the afternoon went by as normal (for a Monday) until it was time to go home for the day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I went to my van and went to leave work. I put on the North MS All Stars "Key To the Kingdom" on the radio to listen to on my afternoon commute. I took my right onto Franklin and a right onto Jefferson. One more left and then a right onto 45 and I'm on my way home!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As I pulled up to Matubba St. (which was pretty busy this time of day) I see this younger (<i>than me</i>) man walking toward the intersection. As he sees me, he starts waving and runs up to my window (which was partially down, because I was smoking (<i>I know</i>!)) and started saying things like "I know you from somewhere, don't I?" I reply with, "I don't think so," and he goes into this spill about he's been out walking all over town looking for a job and can I give him a ride home because he's worn out from walking.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, I've lived in bigger cities where pan-handling is commonplace and I know it when I see it. I immediately begin telling him I'm on a schedule and don't have time for side trips. Matubba St is still too busy for me to pull out and leave, so as I reiterate that I am in a hurry (for the <i>third</i> time), I look at the clock in my van, to help stress the point.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Side Note:</b> My van has a slightly occurring electrical problem in which all the gauges will start flopping around and it says a door is open, which turns the interior lights on. I have turned the lights off so as not to cause me problems when driving at night, and I quick blow to the dash usually makes the gauges go back to working correctly, at least until the next bump. The only problem is that when it doesn't see all the doors closed (as was the problem yesterday), it doesn't automatically lock the doors when you put the van in gear. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Like I said, I looked at the clock in my van to help stress the point, and when I looked back to the window, the "gentleman" had already walked around the front of my van and was in the passenger seat closing the door, before I even realized it!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I just looked at him dumbfounded, trying to assess the situation. He didn't look to be carrying anything that could be used as a weapon. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As soon as he was in the van, he started crying about how he hasn't had anything to eat in days and he has 2 kids at home and he'd do anything, and he meant ANYTHING, if I could just give him some money to feed his kids. It took me a few minutes (and several right turns) to get him to understand that I had a wife and 2 children waiting on me to get home to eat myself and I don't carry any cash on me at anytime and I only get paid once a month and it's already all gone (all of which is total BS). When he figured out I wasn't going to give him any money, he said, "You can drop me out right here," to which I promptly slammed on the brakes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm not even ashamed that I dropped him off right beside one of the better neighborhoods in Aberdeen. I'm just glad he got out.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/3047566
2014-06-29T21:36:00-05:00
2014-06-29T22:16:43-05:00
A Shot of Adrenaline?
<div style="text-align: justify;">A good friend of mine, Evan Adams, called me up a few weeks ago and asked if I would be interested in doing some slide work on a song he was recording for his soon-to-be-released EP. This kinda struck me funny, first that I would get a call from someone wanting ME to do SLIDE work on a song, second because Evan is a country artist. Now, country isn't new territory to me–I did that Tim Murphy show that one time in 2009–but I am not that proficient in the genré, something I guess I need to work on, but that's a different story altogether. The oddest part was someone asking me to do slide work for them. My slide-playing style is more a mish-mash of what NOT to do when playing with a slide.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As I said, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/evan.adams.31" target="_blank">Evan</a> is a young country artist. I've been watching him progress and grow as a songwriter and performer for the last few years, ever since he burst onto the scene in Tupelo (<i>say that with a straight face</i>), and he's turned into quite the songwriter, as I found out today. Evan's country, and by country, I mean <i>cuuuntry</i>! He's definitely the real deal. And he can sing the <i>cunt</i> out of country music, too. I actually ended up working with him on two songs, both of which will be on the new EP. If you want to know which two I'm on, you'll have to buy the EP and read the liner notes. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The session today was booked at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/adrenalineaudio" target="_blank">Adrenaline Audio Studio</a> (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_iOxynzd67tv9wP9Z2yYfg" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a>), my second session at this studio. I wish I had pictures of this place, but these guys won't allow pictures of the outside grounds. <i>Something about blowing their camouflage, don't ask me</i>! Let's just say, when you pull up (<i>or down, depending on your point of view</i>) to the studio, you have no idea where the studio is. The studio is actually in the top of a horse barn, and it's got the coolest vibe of any studio I've been in (<i>and I've been in a few</i>). It's out in the middle of Nowhere, MS, so there are no distractions, unless you bring the distractions with you. Hell, there's not even cellphone service inside the studio. Brilliant design.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://seeking7seven.com/" target="_blank">Robbie Ross</a> was our Producer/Engineer for the day and was a pleasure to work with. He led me along right where he wanted/needed me to go while allowing me to keep myself in what I did (<i>damn guitarists</i>!). He took his time and we got a few really good takes to work with. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">All-in-all, it's been a great day playing music. I took a day and stepped outside of my little Blues Box and had fun with it. Who knows, maybe it'll even sound like I knew what I was doing. <i>Of course, you know me, so you know me better than that.</i>
</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/3043218
2014-06-26T21:50:00-05:00
2014-06-26T22:20:41-05:00
Do You Think You Have What It Takes?
<div style="text-align: justify;">Those of you who know me personally know that I'm a graphic artist and have been for going on 20 years. I've been pretty successful in my "career" (<i>I used quotes because I see design as my part-time job between gigs!</i>) and have managed to (more or less) support myself and my boys as a designer.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Over the years I have designed some really cool pieces, from logos to business cards to magazine ads, even graphics used on local television, and I look back proud of my work. As you can guess, all design work for the Project is by me.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Foosh's wife, Deb, is always around with a camera and she has the most amazing eye for photography. She'll walk around and take sometimes hundreds of pictures, and there are always quite a few "usable" stills to choose from to generate ideas for some of the designs I do. It's nice having a large pot to choose from, especially with design. She just let's me have at them when she's done. Love that woman!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Most of the time, inspiration for a design comes pretty quick, like the Project logo. I have about 10 minutes worth of work in the logo design, and I think it's probably one of my best designs. I'm probably biased, though.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sometimes, though, the ideas don't come flooding to you, as is the case with a t-shirt (<i>remember, Kevin, there is an R in the word shiRt</i>!) design for the band. I have had a few mediocre ideas, but for the most part they've all been crap, so I've decided to turn to you.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">That's right, I'm announcing a <b>KWP T-Shirt Design Contest</b>. Design us a shirt that you'd love to wear to spread the love about the blues and the Project. Post a pic of your designs in the comments section of this blog post and the guys and I will choose the coolest ones to decide on. As far as rules go, let's keep it G rated (ok, PG) and let's stick to one or 2 colors, unless you just have an epic idea, in which case, go for it! Anyone that knows me knows I would.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you need any resources at all, drop me a line at kevin (at) kevinwaide.com. And be sure to share this with your friends. The more the merrier. We'll see what we can come up with for prizes, in addition to their name being on the shirt. There's no pressing rush on this project at the moment, so take your time and wow me! Good luck and I look forward to seeing your designs.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/2996823
2014-06-05T19:49:00-05:00
2021-06-24T12:08:30-05:00
Portrait Of A Quitter.
<div style="text-align: justify;">Hello, my name is Kevin, and I'm an addict.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">(<i>Everyone say</i> 'Hello, Kevin')</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">I smoked my first cigarette August 9, 1993, at 12:22 PM. It was a Monday, the week before my 21st birthday, and I had had a bad day at work. At lunch, I went and bought a pack of Marlboro Lights. I smoked maybe 5 cigarettes that day, but that single action started a habit that has become pretty damn hard to kick. </div>
<div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></div>
<div><div style="text-align: justify;">Let me just put this out there: I love smoking. For me, it's one of the most relaxing things in the world to do when things are falling apart all around me. I can just light one up, and for the next 3-10 minutes, nothing else in the world matters. Nothing beats a smoke after a good meal (or other extra-curricular activities! Don't act like y'all don't know what I'm talking about!).</div></div>
<div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></div>
<div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had been contemplating starting for a few months before I actually started! <i>Yes</i>, you read that right, I PLANNED my addiction. I was (and still am) a big fan of the smoker/whiskey drinker voice, that raspy sound, and the quickest way to get it was to become a smoker/whiskey drinker. The whiskey didn't agree with me; I found myself in quite a few predicaments with no recollection of how I arrived there, so I gave it up. I'm sure if it could communicate, my liver would say thank you. </div></div>
<div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></div>
<div><div style="text-align: justify;">As I said, I started smoking Marlboro Lights but quickly moved to Marlboro Reds when the Lights started feeling like sucking on a straw. I stayed with the Reds for a few years, but eventually moved to Camel Lights; a light cigarette that was as strong as a Marlboro Red! I've been a loyal Camel Light smoker for the better part of 21 years.</div></div>
<div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></div>
<div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lately, I've really been thinking a lot about my future. Recently, I lost another friend to lung cancer, and it kinda opened my eyes to this whole smoking thing. I've tried to quit before. Made it 4 months one time, but it ended the night I got hit in the side of the head by the hardcover edition of "What To Expect When You're Expecting" (long story, don't ask). Since then, I have been smoking a pack and a half to two packs a day. A <i>healthy</i> addiction! </div></div>
<div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></div>
<div><div style="text-align: justify;">As of June 1st, I've instituted my new and improved Stop Smoking In 20 Days Program. It basically works like this. I have a fresh, unopened pack for the morning. Whatever I don't smoke from that day is lost and not carried over to the next. Each morning, I open a new pack and remove the number corresponding to the date. Today is the 5th, so I removed 5 cigarettes from my pack this morning. This is all I'm allowed today, so smoke them with careful planning. Tomorrow I remove 6, 7 on the seventh, and so on until June 20th, my first day without a cigarette in 21 years. I've chosen to wean myself off this way as it's the least scariest way I can find and it actually provides a way for me to stay on track. Cold turkey makes me lose friends and influence enemies, or worse, so that's a no go.</div></div>
<div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">I've been hesitant to announce this for fear of failure, but I really want to quit this time, so I'm asking for everyone's support. So far, I'm 5 days in and the last couple of days have been really hard. To go from 2 packs a day to under a pack has been decent progress, but the next 15 days will be the true test of my willpower. I'm determined to give this a solid go, the absolute best I can to quit a disgusting habit that I never should have started.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">I've commandeered the Primary Control Computer from Double Wide Studio since my laptop took another crap, this time for good, so maybe I can stay busy with this blog thing. I've made it this far, and talking about smoking has kept my mind off of wanting a cigarette, so maybe this just might work. I'll let you know.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">But now, it's time for a cigarette.</div>
</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/2991618
2014-06-03T21:35:00-05:00
2014-06-03T21:47:18-05:00
My Top 10 Favorite Albums? Wouldn't You Love To Know.
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="380" src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:user:1266694790:playlist:7vV7blWnrfwIwSBpEJiCIi" width="300"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br>I thought it would be cool to make a playlist on Spotify of my Top 10 Favorite Albums for you, and instead of just posting it, thought I would explain it to you. Now, keep in mind, this is just MY opinion, so don't come after me with the wet noodles if you don't agree. I prefer listening to albums when I listen to music, prefer to hear it in context, the way the artist intended. So, without delay, here is my Top 10 List, in order.<br><br><b>1. Blood On the Tracks - Bob Dylan</b><br>In my opinion, this is Dylan's masterpiece. Every song is on a greatest hits album, and for good reason. Listen to "Lily, Rosemary, and the Jack of Hearts" and tell me you can't see every scene. You can't.<br><br><b>2. Ian Moore - Ian Moore</b><br>Ian is a singer-songwriter and guitarist from Austin, Texas, and I came across this album totally by accident. I walked into Album Alley (remember that place?) one Friday evening and just offhandedly asked Stanley, "Anything worth a crap come out this week?" He pitched me a store demo and said give it a listen. I listened to it the following Monday at work and returned it that Monday evening to buy my own copy. Another album where there isn't a bad song on it, from the first bit of slide guitar on "Nothing" to the soul-inflected vocals and lead in "Carry On," this album totally satisfies me.<br><br><b>3. First Rays Of the New Rising Sun - Jimi Hendrix</b><br>The album Hendrix was working on at his death. Plus, it's a Top 10 Album list and that requires a Hendrix album, right? "Hey Baby (New Rising Sun)" is probably my fav on this album, though "Dolly Dagger" always makes me think of my friend Mitzie D.<br><br><b>4. Born Under A Bad Sign - Albert King</b><br>Albert King at Stax in Memphis. 'Nuff said! Listen to "The Hunter" and try to convince me Paul Stanley isn't a thief!<br><br><b>5. Sweet Potato Pie - Robert Cray</b><br>This is the first Robert Cray album I ever bought, and it's still my favorite. The opener "Nothing Against You" gets me going every time. So soulful and effortless is his guitar playing. If you haven't seen Robert live yet, put it on your Bucket List. You won't be disappointed.<br><br><b>6. Sweet Tea - Buddy Guy</b><br>Buddy recorded this album of mostly Burnside/Kimbrough covers in Oxford, Mississippi, and released possibly his best album ever. The album is dark-sounding, but it works. "Done Got Old," "Tramp," and "I Gotta Try You Girl" are good starting points.<br><br><b>7. My Baby Don't Tolerate - Lyle Lovett</b><br>This is my "Sunday Morning" album, you know, for when the hangover is almost too much, and you don't want something rocking, but you need something to kinda pull you into recovery, if only until the next weekend. Just go ahead and listen to the whole album. It's worth it.<br><br><b>8. The Bonnie Raitt Collection - Bonnie Raitt</b><br>Have I ever mentioned that I'm a sucker for redheads? Well, this one's not only a looker, but she's a picker, singer, and can shame most guitarist, regardless of gender, on slide. A couple of are Randy Newman's "Guilty" or "Louise."<br><br><b>9. Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs - Derek and The Dominos</b><br>Like Hendrix, every Top 10 Album List must contain either Clapton or Allman, so I just included both. Another good "Sunday Morning" album, believe it or not. You can't feel bad when it's playing.<br><br><b>10. Under The Wishing Tree - Charlie Sexton Sextet</b><br>This one is a rarity, apparently. I bought it used off Amazon in 2006, and paid $30 for the CD then. To me, it's that good. Tried to find the album on Spotify, but all I was able to find are the four songs from the Millennium Collection compilation. The album rocks!<br><br>Well, there you have it. My very own Top 10 Album list. This post was kind of long, so I'm guessing not many of you made it this far down. If you did, congratulations! You've been introduced to some of the albums that influence me on a daily basis. If I've managed to turn you on to something new, leave a comment and let me know. </div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/2981153
2014-05-29T21:31:00-05:00
2014-05-29T22:37:13-05:00
Of Goats and Pens.
<div style="text-align: justify;">I grew up in the woods, a small farm in rural Lee County, Mississippi. The only neighbors were my grandparents, the only children to play with my younger brothers. Company was rare way out there. Hell, if you saw a vehicle you didn't recognize, you knew immediately they were lost. No one came down our road that didn't live there, and everyone was family. All my friends from school lived in town, and I was a good 10 miles outside of town, so I had to find things to do with my brothers. Bear in mind, this was a time before the Internet, before cell phones and text messaging, even before most gaming consoles (except for Pong, which we had, and the original Atari, which we also had in my early teens), so we spent our summers outside, going on "Grand Adventures" and discovering new places in the woods where we would make our "camp" for the day.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We were blessed with pretty vivid imaginations and got along together for the most part. We were masters of making the most of what we had, which was very little.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We were out one particular April day when Derek and I found a rather large Muscadine vine growing up the side of a pretty tall oak tree. This vine was probably an inch and a half in diameter, perfect for a "Tarzan swing," as we called it. We promptly snuck in to Daddy's toolshed for the axe to cut it from the ground, making our swing. We spent the majority of the summer swinging on that vine everyday, letting go at the apex to see just how far we could fly!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This was also the summer my Dad decided to invest in a couple of goats, and the fence he put up went right across our "swing path," leaving us to get in the goat pen to get on the swing to swing out of the goat pen, only to start the whole process over. The problem-solvers we were, we quickly started climbing over the fence, which broke it down to the point the goats kept getting out. Daddy happened to look out and see me climb (more like step at this point) over the fence and came screaming!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Dammit, y'all quit climbing on my damn goat pen! Get out of there! What the hell are y'all doing? I'm gonna beat every one of your asses 'til you can't sit down!" God, I can still hear it. Of course, our first response was to go running into the woods. Except for Daniel, he just stood there holding the vine, because it was his turn and he wasn't gonna give up his turn.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was about this time Daniel realized he was about to get the beating of his life, so with a running go, he launched himself into what I still say was the most perfect vine swing I have ever witnessed before. Perfect form, speed, and height. He let go at the perfect time, sending him a good 20 feet on the other side of the fence from Daddy, who was standing there a little wide-eyed himself. I suspect it was the most perfect vine swing he'd ever seen, too.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, I'm guessing this kinda pissed Daddy off, but he was not to be outdone. As the vine came swinging back, Daddy grabbed it and positioned himself to follow, all the time still screaming, "You little shits! Wait 'til I get ahold of you!"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I think it might be prudent to point out that my Dad used to be a smoker. At this point, he had been quit for a couple of years, and, as any former smoker does, had gained a little (read <i>lot</i>) of weight. This was also late in the summer, early part of September, and the vine had been cut loose from the ground since the middle of April, so it had dried out juuuust a little bit. As he started on his way, you could hear the snapping in the top of the tree. We immediately turned around, curious to see how this panned out.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Remember the goat fence I mentioned earlier? The one that split the swing path? Well, the vine snapped out of the tree, and Daddy fell about eight feet to straddle the goat fence. The fence was nothing more that your typical roll of dog pen wire or chicken wire, so it had a good bit of give in it. But what Daddy didn't have in his favor was his choice in pants, or lack thereof. This day, he chose a pair of cutoff jean shorts. The fence wire ripped the skin off the inside of both legs on top of him humiliating himself in front of his children. We were all doubled over laughing when Mama came running down the hill to check on him.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Everyone but Daniel. He hit the ground running and never looked back.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/2897626
2014-04-24T21:55:00-05:00
2017-01-13T18:36:58-06:00
Spotify or Pandora?
<div style="text-align: justify;">I've been listening to a lot of streaming music lately. Pandora, being the oldest of sorts, has been the one I usually use when I stream, but lately, I've been listening to Spotify. I've got to say, I think I like Spotify better.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">More often than not, when I want to hear a song, I'm more in the mood for that particular artist, and Spotify accommodates me better in this respect. I've always been an "album person:" I want to hear the album, start to finish. My biggest complaint with radio has always been "you never know what's coming next" and it's usually more of the same old BS. Even with Pandora's rating system, you have to vote it down and what you like up to tailor it to your tastes, and even then, you still never know what's coming next.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Like right now, Keb' Mo' has a new album, that was just released Tuesday, and I wanted to hear it. I don't want the 1:30 preview on iTunes, I want to hear the whole album. And guess what? It's on <a href="https://play.spotify.com/album/1jeDlHBm4psoSmaphaCZeF">Spotify</a>. So what if I've got to hear an ad ever 3 songs, I get to hear the album and decide if I want to purchase it. Of course, ol' Keb' rarely disappoints (click and find out! He's incredible!), but the point is, I can listen and decide, and he still gets paid for me listening. It's win-win in my eyes. When I get tired of the ads, I can always update to the subscription. What are your thoughts? Pandora or Spotify? Leave a comment and let me know.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9PpAuAcAz9U/U1nM7m8JWQI/AAAAAAAAEE4/LLOBCkndtrM/s1600/Baby+Eli+playing+guitar+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="//4.bp.blogspot.com/-9PpAuAcAz9U/U1nM7m8JWQI/AAAAAAAAEE4/LLOBCkndtrM/s1600/Baby+Eli+playing+guitar+001.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="200" style="cursor: move;" width="151" /></a>And, in the spirit of shameless plugs, if you haven't already, you should visit this <a href="https://play.spotify.com/artist/0RgwO2QZdCCfZM4wPMf5e7">Spotify Artist Page</a>. Just sayin'.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Also, I would like to say Happy 18th Birthday to my oldest son, Elijah. My little boy has turned into a young man right in front of my eyes. He's become an pretty accomplished drummer and is beginning to scare me on guitar. A couple of weeks ago, he received a full ride to the University of Mississippi, and this old man couldn't be more proud. I love you, son, and wish you the best of luck in life. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O3peVpc-mHA/U1nOOKSmGRI/AAAAAAAAEFA/WP8jOgtrpI4/s1600/20131013-IMG_0478-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="//4.bp.blogspot.com/-O3peVpc-mHA/U1nOOKSmGRI/AAAAAAAAEFA/WP8jOgtrpI4/s1600/20131013-IMG_0478-2.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/2837035
2014-04-01T19:37:00-05:00
2017-01-13T18:36:58-06:00
My New Haircut!
<div style="text-align: justify;">I managed to get through the entire day today not realizing it was April Fool's Day. I mean, for a joker like me, April Fool's Day is my favorite day of the year, a day when I can pull pranks on people that, any other day, would be considered in bad taste or childish. I didn't pull ONE SINGLE PRANK! In my defense, it was kind of a hectic day and I really didn't have time to even think about it. I did, however, decide to find a place to get my hair trimmed and decided to try someone new. I haven't had a haircut in a number of years and I knew my hair was in pretty bad shape.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I found a place that took walk-ins and politely sat in my chair as I waited for a "stylist" to come free. A nice young lady, we'll call her Claire, called me over and sat me in her chair.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"So, what do we want today?" Claire asks.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I told her that I haven't had a cut or even a trim in a number of years and I'm thinking maybe just trim the split ends off.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm not sure if she was serious or if this is her version of an April Fool's joke, but I'm not really happy with the results. What do you think?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9_ZsXrwD0P4/UztX1QAPQsI/AAAAAAAAD_o/hXxFH_aHrQM/s1600/IMG_0546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="//4.bp.blogspot.com/-9_ZsXrwD0P4/UztX1QAPQsI/AAAAAAAAD_o/hXxFH_aHrQM/s1600/IMG_0546.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="320" width="221" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/2632934
2014-02-23T20:47:00-06:00
2014-02-23T21:52:10-06:00
The Madison St. Mafia?
<div style="text-align: justify;">This weekend, we were privileged enough to perform at Mr. Tony's with some fantastic artists, such as Hell's Heathens, Seeking Seven, and a friend of mine, Mr. Alaun Comer. Seeing Alaun reminded me of living on Madison St., downtown Tupelo and the (many) nights of drinks and impromptu jam sessions that ensued.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I lived on Madison St., for around 3 years, moving to the area in 2010. I was just around the corner from some friends I knew from the Tupelo bar scene, and we would get together (mostly at my place) after the bars all closed to continue the drinking and conversations. Guitars would always come out pretty quick and be passed around until everyone had their chance to play, or until the alcohol was gone, whichever came first. The Stables Bar & Grill had a second happy hour every Tuesday night from 9:00-Midnight, and we would all walk downtown for 2-for-1 beers and Cheese Fries. At one of the early "meetings," I coined the phrase "Madison St. Mafia" and we started calling ourselves that. One of those in attendance even made a secret group on Facebook and we would plan our nights out, what bar was doing what, where we all wanted to meet, what time, <i>etc</i>. If it happened to be a night there was no live music, we would bring instruments with us. We started adding people to the group that lived or hung out on Madison St., and everyone was connected.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We always walked downtown to avoid having to drive impaired, and in our drunken stupor, walk back home at closing time. The last arrival to the appointed meeting place would promptly be sent on a last minute beer run to make sure we were properly stocked for the evening's after party. Almost all the time, they were responsible for buying it, because we had all drank our money away. Incentive to get there early!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The walk back became known as the Madison St. Crawl, as most of the time, we were too inebriated to walk. How we avoided going to jail just on public drunk charges, I don't know, because it's kind of hard to "blend in" when you have a group of 15-20 people stumbling down a sidewalk, looking like the ball in a Pinball Machine, but we managed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">To put these after-parties into perspective, there were no less than 7 apartments (each with at least 2 occupants) within a one block radius that could become host for one, and more than one of these parties hosted over 100 guests. Not very subtle! I came home from a show one night to a 5 apartment throw-down, with people I've never seen before (or since) in my home. These parties brought out all manner of "characters," some of whom, like Alaun, I have made the effort to stay in contact with. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have very fond memories of living on Madison St. I got a few good songs out of it, made some great friends, had some incredible experiences (Bravada-surfing down Jefferson St.), AND managed to live to tell about it. I have purposefully excluded all the names (except for you, Alaun!) to avoid getting anyone in trouble. Everyone involved knows who they are, and that's all that matters. We built our own little Haight-Ashbury district, and most of us saw it through to its completion. Hats off to you all, and let's do it again sometime soon.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/2497166
2014-01-30T21:50:00-06:00
2014-01-30T22:51:45-06:00
How Uncharictaristic of Me!
<div style="text-align: justify;">I've been kinda quiet lately. This extreme winter weather we've been having has me in a bit of a funk, and the desire to come up with something to write about hasn't been there, so I've opted to just keep my mouth shut for the most part. As the saying goes, "It's better to be quiet and thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt!" and my mouth tends to get me in quite a bit of trouble sometimes, so you understand, I'm sure. I've also been having some trouble out of my laptop, and I think I just lost the hard drive (<i>along with 2 years of files that haven't been backed up!</i>), so things may still be spotty for a bit longer. Gotta live 'em to play 'em, right?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The guys and I have been working up some new material. We have some newer songs that haven't been played out, yet, and I think we've got them worked up well enough that you should start hearing them real soon.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have made it a point, during our short hiatus, to get out and see some of the incredible talent in the area: a trip to Columbus a couple of weeks ago to see Tupelo's own Spunk Monkees, and last weekend to see the John West Band and sitting in with Corinth's Sweet Tea Jubilee. I rarely get to see my friends play, and it's always nice to have a weekend (or 3) off! All good things must come to an end, though, and we start back next weekend at Woody's in Tupelo. For that matter, I will be solo at JP's Funky Little Shack in Tupelo this Saturday night, so if you're not busy, come on out and have a few drinks with me. If nothing else, it will be fun. We sure hope to see you at one of the shows soon, so be sure to keep an eye on <a href="http://www.kevinwaide.com/shows">www.kevinwaide.com/shows</a> to stay up to date.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/2358013
2014-01-09T16:28:00-06:00
2014-01-09T16:38:17-06:00
Friday Night at JP's Funky Little Shack is our LAST SHOW!!!
<div style="text-align: justify;">...On the books, anyway (<i>gotcha!</i>).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Foosh, Gavin, and I are gonna take just a little time off from gigging to start writing for a new album. Don't worry, we won't be gone long, and we have no desire to retire from playing music. We're gonna play the blues 'til the blues takes us over. We want to write a new album together, and the schedule has wound down to the point where we can take a little time for this. I'm already talking to venues all around the north half of Mississippi and into Tennessee and Alabama about booking, and we plan on hitting the road again around the end of February/first of March.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With that being said, I want to personally invite every one of you to JP's Funky Little Shack at Crosstown in Tupelo, Mississippi for our show tomorrow night, Friday, January 10, 2014. The show starts at 9:00 PM and we will be doing our usual thing serving up original blues and reworking some of the blues standards we've been playing for the last seven years. We've also worked up a number of covers that you've never heard us do before, and we have some new originals that have yet to be played in public, so come on out for a night of Booze, Bluez, and Bad Attitudez, the likes of which can only come from the Kevin Waide Project. Help us close this chapter so we can get started on the next one. Who knows, we may even have a few giveaways for some of you lucky ones.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Until tomorrow night, y'all keep on keepin' on.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kevin</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/2278243
2013-12-23T12:02:00-06:00
2013-12-23T12:28:10-06:00
Christmas Memories.
<div style="text-align: justify;">Every year, about this time, I begin to look back on my life and the many Christmas memories I've built up over the years. Some of the memories are great, others, not so much. The one that sticks out the most in my memory is Christmas in 1984.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had just turned 12 years old, and Santa brought my brother and I brand new H&R Single-Shot 12-Gauge shotguns for Christmas. As my (younger) brother was a better shot than me, his gun was "full choke;" mine was "Modified," meaning it spread the shot wider to help me hit was I was aiming for. My brother, on Christmas Eve, had a little accident that left him hospitalized for a couple of months, so he and my mother were in the hospital for Christmas Day. My dad's oldest brother, Claude, worked in construction in Birmingham at the time, and since it was winter, he was out of work for a few months and came to stay with us while my mom was at the hospital with Derek. Dad would go to work every morning, come home in the evening just long enough to get a shower and change, and head to the hospital to check on everything, so Uncle Claude was the one watching the (other) 3 of us.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I woke up one morning after Santa had dropped our presents off, and decided to go hunting. Squirrels are abundant where I grew up, so I was gonna do some squirrel hunting. I went out and had a lousy day of hunting (<i>I guess it was too cold for the squirrels to get out of bed</i>) and returned home shortly before lunch with nothing but bruises from shooting the gun (a 12-gauge packs a pretty hard punch on a 12 year old). As I got to the front door, I broke the gun down to make sure it wasn't loaded before I entered the house.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Being a 12 year old kid, I wasn't ready to put the gun away. I wanted to admire it, hold it, wipe it down; basically, just sit and hold it, even if I wasn't "using" it at the moment. As I lay on the love seat, gun in hand, I started daydreaming of a wonderful day of squirrel hunting, where every shot dropped at least TWO squirrels (<i>I've never had a problem with dreaming big!</i>). I had kicked my shoes off at the front door, and was laying there with my socks still on.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I remember the next few minutes very vividly. I stuck the big toe of my right foot in the end of the barrel, pulled the hammer back, and pulled the trigger. I held the hammer with my thumb as the mechanism was released and eased the hammer back to it's resting place. I pulled my toe out of the end of the barrel and left the barrel resting between my big toe and my second toe, pushed through the sock on my right foot.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I pulled the hammer back again, and squeezed the trigger, not holding the hammer this time. Ka-BOOOOOOMMMMMM!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Apparently, during the 2 or 3 seconds it took me to check the gun (when I walked into the house) I was struck with a temporary blindness that didn't allow me to see the shotgun shell that was in the chamber, and I had walked into the house with a loaded gun! My Uncle Claude was washing dishes, waiting on my dad to come home for lunch, and immediately started throwing dishes around in the kitchen, all the while putting cuss words together that clearly didn't belong together. Some of the "compound swears" I had never heard before, nor have I ever heard since.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As the smoke cleared (and Claude got his nerves settled down), we noticed that my parents bedroom door was no long on the hinges, and there was a circular pattern on my parents bedroom wall about 7 feet in diameter. I had also "killed" my sock, a lamp, dad's alarm clock, and my mom's set of Pyrex bowls (from Claude dropping them), 8 "kills" in all! Hell of a shot.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My dad walked in less than 5 minutes later. From the look on his face, I knew this was it. I retreated to my bedroom to begin work on my "Last Will and Testament."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">To this day, my dad has yet to say anything about the incident, other than "You owe me a new door." I'm still waiting on my punishment. I have never shot a gun since that day, nor have I even held one. That day I learned a very important lesson; I'm not responsible enough to hand any kind of firearm, except, maybe, my Love Gun, and even then, I handle it with care.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Happy Holidays to all of you the Kevin Waide Project.</i></div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/2249454
2013-12-03T21:42:00-06:00
2013-12-17T20:35:34-06:00
The Show Must Go On, Right?
<div style="text-align: justify;">I've been playing music for an audience since I was 16 years old. From the time I've been mobile, I've been sneaking in to venues to hear live music and pushing whatever band I was in at the time, trying to get gigs. And I've gotten pretty good at keeping gigs booked and keeping myself, and my band, as busy as we want to be. And I have played every show (<i>pun intended</i>)! In the 25+ years I've been playing, I've only canceled two shows. Two shows, out of the hundreds (<i>possibly thousands</i>) of shows in 25 years, and only two canceled. I mean, I bust my@$$ getting these gigs, and if I'm gonna cancel one, it better be for a good reason, right?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first show I had to cancel was New Year's Eve of 2001-02, when my grandfather died. I just wasn't down to play that night. The second canceled show happened in March of this year. I had (<i>absent-mindedly</i>) booked a solo gig in town the same night as Jason's and Ally's wedding/reception. Both of these, I felt, were justifiable reasons to cancel a show. But other than that, I've played every show I've ever booked.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, except for the ones that got canceled at the last minute by the owner/booker/promoter. I didn't play those shows, either.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/2179840
2013-12-03T15:42:00-06:00
2013-12-03T15:42:00-06:00
The Show Must Go On, Right?
<div style="text-align: justify;">I've been playing music for an audience since I was 16 years old. From the time I've been mobile, I've been sneaking in to venues to hear live music and pushing whatever band I was in at the time, trying to get gigs. And I've gotten pretty good at keeping gigs booked and keeping myself, and my band, as busy as we want to be. And I have played every show (<i>pun intended</i>)! In the 25+ years I've been playing, I've only canceled two shows. Two shows, out of the hundreds (<i>possibly thousands</i>) of shows in 25 years, and only two canceled. I mean, I bust my @$$ getting these gigs, and if I'm gonna cancel one, it better be for a good reason, right?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first show I had to cancel was New Year's Eve of 2001-02, when my grandfather died. I just wasn't down to play that night. The second canceled show happened in March of this year. I had (<i>absent-mindedly</i>) booked a solo gig in town the same night as Jason's and Ally's wedding/reception. Both of these, I felt, were justifiable reasons to cancel a show. But other than that, I've played every show I've ever booked.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, except for the ones that got canceled at the last minute by the owner/booker/promoter. I didn't play those shows, either.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/2178323
2013-11-27T07:50:00-06:00
2013-11-27T07:50:00-06:00
Happy Thanksgiving!
<div style="text-align: justify;">It's the time of year when we all get together with family (most of whom we don't like or even see throughout the year) and friends and give thanks for everything we have. The last couple of years, I've noticed the trend of starting November 1 and giving thanks for one thing every day of the month. That seems like an awful lot of work to me, so I'ma just do it all right here. I'm lazy like that. :-)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><ol>
<li>First and foremost, I'm thankful for my family and friends. We all have two different families; the one we were born into, and the one we choose (friends). I've been blessed with a multitude of both and I love every one of you, no matter how dysfunctional we all are. </li>
<li>I'm thankful for music. I've been a lover of music my entire life, and I really don't know what I'd do if it were taken away. Through all my victories, defeats, and everything in between, music has been there to hold me, comfort me, and help me remember every event in my life. You can name a random song and I can tell you where I was and what I was doing the first time I heard it (well, a song from before 1995, at least). In the words of Plato, "Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything." That's how I feel about it.</li>
<li>I know I stated family in number 1, but I'm especially thankful for my boys, Elijah and Michael. These two have given me as much joy as music, and to not single them out would be a lie. I love you two with all my heart.</li>
<li>I'm thankful for my band. These guys show up and give 110% every time, regardless of the situation I've gotten us into, all without complaint (for the most part). This also includes band wives, as I consider you just as much a part of the band as your husbands. I love each and every one of you.</li>
<li>Last, but definitely not least, I'm thankful for you. I don't wanna call you a "fan" because that seems so impersonal, so I'll call you "Music Friend." Thank you for coming to the shows, for requesting our music, buying CD's, turning your friends on to us, etc. You are who we do this for. I want to make sure to include the venue owners, promoters, and booking personnel in this one, because I'm thankful for all of you.</li>
</ol>Happy Thanksgiving from all of us with the Kevin Waide Project.
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/2175802
2013-11-06T13:54:00-06:00
2013-11-06T13:54:00-06:00
At the Risk Of Sounding Like a Braggart...
<div style="text-align: justify;">So, the new album is almost 3 months old (<i>wow, has it been that long?</i>) and sales are going really good. I'm happy this album has being so well received. It's nice to know that we (<i>apparently</i>) are on to something good, and it keeps us moving forward to the next album. The best part of it all, though, is hearing your thoughts on it. We've gotten some great feedback from all of you, and here are a few that really stood out to us:</div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>"Great! A must have!" - Gayla G., Baldwyn, MS</i> </div></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: justify;"><i> "Coming from me, who don't even like rockin' blues, I love the Project!" - Vinnie C., Mooreville, MS </i></div></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>This CD is excellent from both an aural and visual standpoint. The music is a blues lover's treat and its presentation is top-notch, a truly creative design. Anyone who is a blues fan should have one of these. - Curtis F., Aberdeen, MS </i> </div></blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;">If you haven't gotten your copy, yet, we still have a few CD's left that will be available at our shows, while supplies last. Rest assured, you can still find it on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Amazon, and at <a href="http://www.kevinwaide.com/">www.kevinwaide.com</a>. You can also order a hard copy, shipped straight to your mailbox from the <a href="http://www.kevinwaide.com/store">Kevin Waide Store</a>, so if we don't have any with us, it is still available. Bring your copy to the next show and we'll be more than happy to sign it for you.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As we move into this Thanksgiving Season, we want to thank all of you for the kind words and support you've given us through the years. We would never have made it as far for as long as we have without your help, and we are deeply thankful for that.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/2175636
2013-10-29T12:49:00-05:00
2013-10-29T12:49:00-05:00
Doesn't everyone deserve a little?
<div style="text-align: justify;">I've been a little distracted the last couple of weeks and have been neglecting the blog. I can sit here and make excuses (<i>new part-time day gig, busy with shows, etc.</i>), but I think I'm just gonna stick with the "I needed a little time off" explanation (<i>the difference between explanation and excuse? Excuse is to get you out of trouble; explanation is just telling it like it is</i>). I needed the time to get some things in order, and I'm very happy with the results, so I'll just take the flogging I'm due for disappearing these 2 weeks. ;-)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We've had an excellent month so far, and things are looking up for the immediate future. The Bukka White Blues Festival was great (thanks again, Matthias and crew, for having us) and I/we have had a lot of great shows all month. Foosh, Gavin and I made a trip to Pickwick for a show, a solo show at C-Baby's in Guys, TN, and solo at the 3rd Annual Monster's Ball. Foosh and I even played a show at the Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau Sunday evening for a small group of writers from out of town. This Thursday, Halloween Night, at Woody's with the Project will finish out the month on a bang. We also (<i>finally!</i>) got the new CD in, so you can pick up a hard copy at a show near you.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">November brings the Project to new places, as we will be at 424 Blues Café in Philadelphia, MS, on November 9th and the 12 Bar Lounge in Columbus, MS, for 2 nights on November 15-16, which will be our last shows before Thanksgiving.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside when I'm able to bring news like this to your attention, so I don't regret taking the time off to work on making a few things happen. I will do my best in the future to keep the blog as up-to-date as time will allow, and if I go AWOL again, just know that I will be back. I mean, doesn't everyone deserve a little time off?</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/1822015
2013-10-09T14:40:00-05:00
2017-01-13T18:36:57-06:00
Has It Been A Year, Already?
<div style="text-align: justify;">October 15th will mark the first anniversary of my "Professional Music Career" (<i>read </i>unemployed), and it's definitely been a roller-coaster year. I've learned a lot from it, things that I will carry with me from now on. As anyone who runs their own business can tell you, it's a LOT OF WORK, and there's no one to pass it off to, so you end up working a lot of days from Can 'til Can't. But the self-fulfillment you get from being your own "boss" and doing things on your own is almost always worth the work. <i>And the fact that I get to play music and get paid for it is definitely worth the work!</i> Yes, I love my job.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As I said, it was an up and down year: the Blues visited me regularly in the last 365 days. It started out good, with a three month house gig at Vanelli's Greek & Italian Cuisine in Tupelo. We made a lot of new friends from all over the world during these months, and finally released our debut album "<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/lost-in-mississippi/id642267810" target="_blank">Lost In Mississippi</a>" in November. A wonderful New Year's Eve show at Romie's Barbecue ended 2012 on a high note for us. As January came, I was (personally) in a transition stage, with 3 moves in 3 weeks before I finally stabilized, which was immediately followed by "The Beginning Of the End" for the Boozemobile in February. Uncertainty with my mode of transportation led me to slack on booking shows, which resulted in a slight lull in shows during the spring and summer months, though the few we had were big shows: the Third Annual Don't Be Cruel Barbecue Duel in March, the 2013 Tupelo Hog Roast in May, the H.O.G.S. Haven Fest and Bike Rally in June, an incredible release party for "<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/booze-bluez-bbq-live-in-tupelo/id688324773" target="_blank">Booze, Bluez, & BBQ: Live In Tupelo</a>" on my birthday in August, and then the Prairie Arts Festival in West Point, MS, two weeks later! In September, Jason and I were part of the U2 Tribute Concert put on by Origins Church to raise funds for underprivileged children overseas. The Bukka White Blues Festival is October 18-19 in Aberdeen, MS, and the Kevin Waide Project will be kicking off this year's festival. Mark your calendar now (<i>cheap plug, I know!</i>). In all, a total of 72 shows for the last twelve months. Not too bad for a boy from Tupelo, huh?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FRJvcf-PUgE/UlXxY9mhnKI/AAAAAAAADH4/5QL9saVzUvs/s1600/Digital+Booklet+-+Booze,+Bluez,+&+BBQ-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="//3.bp.blogspot.com/-FRJvcf-PUgE/UlXxY9mhnKI/AAAAAAAADH4/5QL9saVzUvs/s200/Digital+Booklet+-+Booze,+Bluez,+&+BBQ-5.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="200" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Foosh & The Milkman</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">The lull during the summer months was a time of mourning for us as Tim "The Milkman" Hopkins succumbed to cancer in late March. We had a private gathering with his family and closest friends the weekend of his birthday and that was a big help for us all, I believe. We hope it can become a regular thing. The Milkman was a big man and he left a big hole when he left this world. It's gonna take a lot more time to get used to him not being around. Maybe by the 10th Annual Gathering For the Milkman.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Boozemobile finally died the end of July. I guess it wasn't built for those heavy blues.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We added a new full-time member to the band. Bassist Gavin McGee joined the Project and has been keeping the bottom fat since August. Won't you all join us in welcoming him to the fold at the next show you make. There are plenty of shows listed on the site at <a href="http://www.kevinwaide.com/">KevinWaide.com</a>. Go have a look and make plans. Did I mention the Bukka White Blues Festival in Aberdeen, MS? It's free. ;-)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hills and valleys, peaks and dips, not exactly what I was looking for. I thought there would be a lot more hills, but I don't get to make the choice. The blues is a fickle mistress. She's not gonna call and see if this is a convenient time for a short visit. She's gonna just drop by, unannounced, and proclaim, "I've got six months of vacation time and I'm gonna spend every last day right here with you!"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>But, you know what, that's just fine by me, 'cause, you see, she gives me inspiration, and with that, I turn 'em into songs to sing and "poof!" Another Project album done, just like that!</i></div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/1780865
2013-10-03T16:19:00-05:00
2013-10-03T16:19:00-05:00
What the HELL is going on?
<div style="text-align: justify;">I like to think of myself as a fairly intelligent person, one who, when presented with a problem, can work through it to find a fitting solution. I mean, if I have a flat tire, then I get off my @$$ and change it. Or, if I end up with way too much week left at the end of my money, then I get out and work (more) to survive. Self preservation is more than just instinct, it's a way of life, which is why I find this whole government shutdown thing disturbing. With that, I would like to state that two things I (normally) don't discuss with friends or strangers is religion and politics, but I just can't keep quiet on this one. Our whole system is broken, and no one seems to want to fix it, they all just want to point fingers and and play the Blame Game, so I've decided to let my thoughts be made public, for better or worse.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Republicans want to blame the Democrats for the problems, while the Democrats want to blame the Republicans. And inside these two parties, you have the zealots and heretics like the Tea (Bagger) Party or the Left Wing Extremists who's only function is to keep things stirred up. Herein (in my not-so-humble opinion) lies the majority of the problem; no one will own up to their own mistakes, especially in DC. For the record, I am not a Republican (I don't have any money to hoard), nor am I a Democrat (I'm not <i>that </i>full of myself). If I <i>had </i>to choose allegiances, I tend to side more with the Green Party (a joke), or, at the least, consider myself a Libertarian (another joke). I feel that the good Lord gave us all a brain <i>and</i> the ability to use it, so I tend to shy away from anyone who wants to "protect me from myself." Of course, in their eyes, if you're not Republican, then you're Democrat (or vice versa) and all they seem to want to do is argue and point even more fingers (when you're doing the pointing, no one's probably looking at you, right?), which brings me to my first point: why are there only two (official) parties? When you start with only two sides, you've divided the entire country from the get-go, before the issues have even been laid out. Kind of a stupid thing to do, if you ask me.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Second, we need to reinstate Term Limits. This country's government was not set up for career politicians, so why do we let them get away with it? The only politician you can trust is a First Termer anyway, and even then, you only have about two months (max) that they <i>can </i>be trusted. After that, they've already learned (from the ones that have been in office for a million forevers) how to game the system and make as much money as possible. Limit them to two terms, and knock their pay back to something a little more realistic, say $30,000 a year. If they need more than that to survive (I have survived for 41 years on way less than that), then they should get a real job and quit living off of us. And if they try to vote themselves a pay raise (which is usually their first order of business every session), they are immediately relieved of office and a special election called to replace them. I don't get to decide when (or even if) I get a raise, and I don't believe they should have that power, either.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Third, we need to outlaw lobbying and special interest groups. They serve no (usable) function and are only there to help the rich get richer, while us poor people keep killing ourselves just to make ends meet. Our lawmakers are already being paid (much more than they are worth, I might add) to do what little work they actually do, and some corporation giving them even more money to write some BS law to give them more of a tax break (or to turn a blind eye to some sketchy scheme they've cooked up to make even more money off the backs of hard working Americans) does nothing but create more corruption. I'm all for Capitalism, but let's keep it as fair as possible: this <i>is</i> the "Land of Opportunity" isn't it?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I believe that we should all take a good look in the mirror (this means you, too, all you lawmakers and career politicians on the local, state, and national level) and realize that this is more important that what any one person wants. It's supposed to be government <i>of </i>the people, <i>by </i>the people, and <i>for </i>the people. I realize that I have probably stepped on a lot of toes with this (who <i>really </i>wants to hear the political thoughts of a bluesman), so, in closing, I would like to offer <b>this disclaimer: </b><i>This post is for entertainment purposes only! The thoughts and views expressed in this post do not represent those of the Kevin Waide Project, and therefore, can only be blamed on my need for medication. ;-)</i>
</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/1739709
2013-09-29T16:13:00-05:00
2017-01-13T18:36:57-06:00
The End Of An Era In Tupelo
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ijvDiWXjyIg/UkjWeLmg3JI/AAAAAAAADG8/sv2XGB4zLNU/s1600/AlbumAlley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="//3.bp.blogspot.com/-ijvDiWXjyIg/UkjWeLmg3JI/AAAAAAAADG8/sv2XGB4zLNU/s200/AlbumAlley.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Johnny Holland and Barbara Lewis<br>locking the door at Album Alley for<br>the last time. Photo courtesy<br>Deb Fooshee.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">This weekend marked the end of an era for Tupelo, with the closing of Album Alley, the last independent record store in the area. After more than 40 years in business, the doors were closed for the last time at 5:00 pm Saturday. I went by Friday to pay my respects to a place where I spent the majority of my youth (and money), and it was a bittersweet visit.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have many fond memories of the place and met most of my "music friends" while browsing the extensive collection of albums, cassettes, and, later, CD's inside. I can remember sitting in the back of my truck talking music with friends (and strangers) until the wee hours of the morning, or until the police broke it up.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">January 1991 is a vivid memory, as I along with 100 others camped outside the doors for the initial sale of tickets for the ZZ Top Recycler Tour. I arrived at the parking lot around midnight in coveralls (it was around 15° F), and was apparently the only one with the forethought to bring sleeping bags to help keep warm. I remember the ash tray that sat by the front door being emptied and filled with Everclear, which was then set afire to keep some warm. Of course, before the night was over, the Tupelo Police Dept. was on the scene checking IDs and making sure "no funny business is going on."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My normal routine every Friday was to go by the Alley and ask, "Anything worth a shit come out this week," to which Stanley, Johnny, Deb, Barbara, Mendi, Chico, Terry, or Brian would answer. I've always had broad tastes, and would buy 3 or 4 new albums and spend my weekend on the Trace or riding backroads listening to my newest purchases. Some of the music has stuck with me through the years. Stanley is responsible for my Ian Moore collection, Deb for people such as Keith Sykes or Todd Snider, and Johnny fed my 80's Hair Band addiction, and I want to thank you all for your contributions.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Of course, I also spent a lot of time loitering, begging Johnny to come audition for singer in my band at the time, Little Dreamer, to which he finally relented and we've spent the last 23 years writing songs together, some of which are still being played by the Project!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Goodbye, Album Alley, and to Johnny and Barbara, good luck with your future endeavors. I'm gonna miss hanging out at the store, but I know we'll all stay in touch. We have for all these years.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/1639517
2013-09-17T05:00:00-05:00
2017-01-13T18:36:57-06:00
So, What Are Your Plans Friday?
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oa6GR5Amitw/UjeebrCulZI/AAAAAAAADFE/ZJnWzbdNwC4/s1600/U2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img src="//3.bp.blogspot.com/-oa6GR5Amitw/UjeebrCulZI/AAAAAAAADFE/ZJnWzbdNwC4/s320/U2.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This Friday, September 20, 2013 at Origins Church, 499 Gloster Creek, Suite D-3, Tupelo, MS, some of the area's best musicians (and myself) will be coming together for an evening of tribute to the band U2, with the proceeds going to help feed, clothe, and educate impoverished children in Ecuador.<br><br>Quoted from the Facebook Event page:</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"<i>Regional musicians and bands will gather to perform their versions of U2 songs. All proceeds go to help feed, clothe, and school impoverished inner city children through Foundation Elohim, our mission partner in Quito, Ecuador. Please come celebrate great music and a great cause. Please share this event invite here on FB and invite anyone who may be interested! $10 donation at the door, though we will gladly accept larger donations. :0) Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase in the common area.</i>"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm excited to be a part of this and to get the chance to be associated with all the talent appearing. Some of these guys, like Jeff Spencer, Mark Meredith, and Melvin Orr, I have grown up hearing and admiring, and never did I think I would have the opportunity to share the same stage with them. Some of them, like Tony Caldwell or Trey Lyons, I've been lucky enough to have jammed with, and am excited to hear again.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tony will be the Master of Ceremony for the evening, and the schedule is shaping up to be explosive. I can't divulge any of the details (<i>you'll have to attend to find out what songs have been chosen</i>), but I do want to go on record as saying you won't want to miss any of it, so plan on getting there early. The show starts at 7:00 PM sharp, and that's not "musician time!"</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Jason Carter and I will be performing a few songs ourselves, with Paden Bell and JB Clark, our friends in the Origins house band. Origins Church is located at 499 Gloster Creek Village, Suite D-3, Tupelo, MS. We hope to see you there.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/1608081
2013-09-11T09:27:00-05:00
2017-01-13T18:36:57-06:00
When Was YOUR First Time?
<div style="text-align: justify;">The only time I have ever truly gotten stage fright was the first time I performed in public. Oh, sometimes I get a little nervous before a show, especially if I haven't played out in a while. Or festival gigs, especially when they are running behind, and we're there on<i> time </i>(who'da thunk it?). Or the heavily promoted headlining show. <i>Or maybe, you know, when I'm sittin' in traffic at a long red light!</i>
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was a sophomore at Nettleton High School and our Speech class was producing a talent show for the end of the year. I was in the class and therefore ineligible to enter, so I volunteered my "stellar guitar talent" to entertain the attended while the judges deliberated the contest. Never had I played outside of my bedroom, but I had my first "Official Gig!" I practiced and practiced, not thinking about the fact that I'm doing a song that has vocals (I had only sang in church once before, and it was not received very well) and I might need to practice singing and playing. I still remember the song, it was "Last Kiss" made popular by J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers in 1964, and my Uncle Steve taught me how to play it and the lyrics. Pearl Jam covered it in 1999. Yeah, <i>that </i>song, and I was performing it, in public, a good 12 years before Pearl Jam (take <i>that</i>, Eddie Vedder!).<br><br>I had convinced myself that I was good, and that I was going to perform the song so well that I would receive a standing ovation that would last at least 45 seconds (I've never been short on confidence), and my parents would see that being a musician <i>was </i>a viable career choice (I still haven't convinced them).<br><br>We had our first (and only) dress rehearsal the weekend before the show, and we spent so much time going over the props and our wardrobe (where I was informed my leather jacket and ripped blue jeans were NOT appropriate) that I wasn't able to practice my spot. What a sin!<br><br>The night of the show finally came, and, of course, I was there early. I was excited. I was <i>finally </i>going to play my first show. I was already thinking of ways to explain to my mom that I would have private tutors on the road, so I would still graduate high school on time and get my diploma. My dad would be proud, because he would finally realize that I <i>was </i>good for something. And I looked good! I wore a new pair of Levi's (this was before pre-washing, people, so it was the hard denim that didn't bend well and made noises, kinda like corduroy, but not quite, when you walked) and a long-sleeved white button up shirt (some habits <i>never </i>die). I borrowed my dad's ostrich skin boots and his wool-lined Levi denim vest to complete the look. I had my 3 color sunburst Sears Teisco Del Rey electric guitar tuned and 10 watt Gorilla amp plugged in and was ready to go.<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.chucke.com/pics/1412/sears-1412-after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="//www.chucke.com/pics/1412/sears-1412-after.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="112" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I don't quite remember everything and everyone there, because I was in my own little world. The stage fright was beginning to kick in, and I was focusing on the lyrics (that I hadn't practiced) and remembering what the chord changes were. As the last entrant was on the stage, I was summoned backstage to get prepared. Stage fright level 2 by now. The announcement that the judges would be leaving to decide the outcome. Stage fright level 3. I'm pushed onto stage to get plugged in as my name is announced. Totally freaking out right now.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">As the stage curtains are drawn, I go blank. What am I doing on this stage in front of all these people? What is this big piece of wood hanging on my shoulders? I can't play the guitar! As I stand in front of the microphone in total silence for what seemed like a million forevers, a fellow classmate, Dean Hudson, screams, at the top of his lungs, "Roy Orbison!" The resulting roar of laughter from the crowd assembled brought me from my state of paralysis and pushed my fingers into a C chord. I played that chord, walking down to the A Minor, up to the F, and on to the G7 chords that would lay the foundation for the melody line of the song. As the first verse came around, my body stepped forward, pushing my mouth into the grill of the microphone and forming the sounds that would become the words:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>We were out on a date in my daddy's car</i><br><i>We hadn't driven very far</i><br><i>There in the road straight ahead</i><br><i>A car was stalled, the engine was dead.</i>
</blockquote> I made it through the song, with only minor embarrassment, my stage fright actually helping me through it, giving me the adrenaline rush needed to overcome the situation. A group of black girls sitting in the front row tried to heckle a little early in the song, but a well formed "flip-off" shaped chord got them to quieten down. I didn't get my 45 second standing ovation, not even a standing ovation, but I did get 15 seconds of enthusiastic applause from their seats, and that was good enough for me. I also didn't get to quit school and go on the road as a famous rock star, which was quite a bummer, so I finished high school and graduated on time, to my mother's delight. I still haven't convinced them that music is a viable career choice. I'm having a little trouble making myself believe that these days. I've about decided that music is more akin to an infection, but that's the subject of another blog altogether.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/1538024
2013-09-02T15:58:00-05:00
2013-09-02T15:58:00-05:00
Thanks For The Memories.
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Prairie Arts Festival is an annual Arts & Crafts festival in West Point, Mississippi held each year the Saturday before Labor Day. The Kevin Waide Project was booked this year, and we had such a great time I wanted to share some of it. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">First and foremost, the festival (now in its 35 year) was very well organized and every aspect, from load in and setup to artist changeover, ran smoothly. Our contact within the festival was Bill Haughton, and Bill was a pleasure to work with. The sound company, A&M Entertainment, was great to work with as well. Sound on the stage was perfect, and the general consensus was the same out front. I know from listening to the Chad Peavey Band the sound guys were doing a bang-up job, and the whole experience was a pleasurable one. Except for the heat; Mississippi in August is usually a brutal time, and this time was no exception. I think I almost killed Foosh! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As I said, the Prairie Arts Festival is an Arts & Crafts festival, and there was an impressive display of local artists out to “pedal their wares” all up and down the downtown area. It’s been going on for quite some time, so the festival is kind of a big deal, big enough that my boys, Eli and Michael, came down from Hernando with their mother and step-siblings to enjoy the festival. It was really good to get to see them, and for them to see daddy doing what he does. Plus, it’s always nice to be able to hang out after our set and enjoy the festival itself, which is what we did. Michael had been eyeing the “Bungee Swing,” but </span>wasn't<span style="font-family: inherit;"> sure enough to part with the $10 to do it, so I gave the man the money and Michael strapped into the swing. The look on his face as he was jumping in the cords, turning flips 20 feet in the air, was what every dad wants to see on the face of his children. Michael was having the time of his life, and I was proud to be able to witness it. </span>
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Being a working/traveling musician, takes you away from those you love more than anyone can understand. The fact that the boys live in Hernando and I live in Tupelo is another reason we don’t get to spend that much time together, but when we do get together, it’s about quality, not quantity, and we always try to have as much fun as legally allowed. I will remember the look on Michael’s face for many years. Nice memories to have. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The festival is pretty much contained, and letting the 13-year-old young man wander as he wanted seemed like an </span>OK<span style="font-family: inherit;"> thing to do, but pretty soon, his mother was upset because he </span>wasn't<span style="font-family: inherit;"> answering his cell (kids with cell phones!), so I gave it a call. Michael answered the phone and instead of hello, he announces, “I just right down the road talking to your friend the Muleman!” He was walking down the street, checking things out, and saw two men on the sidewalk playing some Hill Country Blues (he’s my son, so he has been exposed to all the different dialects) and decided to stop and listen. His ADD kicked in, and soon he was beating on the drums for one of them. They asked his name, which he quickly gave, and said, “You may know my dad, Kevin Waide.” When we arrived, it was our friends Mark Massey and Bill Abel. I got to visit with the guys, who had played the Howlin’ Wolf Festival the night before, and listen to them play a little. I even got an early copy of the Muleman’s new album. Can’t wait to hear it. </span>
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After retrieving Michael (from behind the drums, sorry Bill!), we proceeded to the Howlin’ Wolf Blues Museum. First, the museum is small, very small. They have got a new building and are in the preparation stages of the renovations, which will include a stage. That being said, it is slammed full of the Wolf and Hubert Sumlin memorabilia and is a must visit if you’re ever in the area. I can’t wait for the renovations to be complete. Richard Ramsey and his wife are curators of the museum and have collected items from all over, including some direct from Hubert himself, before his passing. There’s a Les Paul signed by Pete Townsend, one of Hubert’s Les Paul, and a Stratocaster signed by Kenny Wayne Sheppard, but my favorite was the 1953 Kay the Wolf had given Sumlin. I even got to play it for a minute (thank you, Richard!). </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">All in all, heat aside, I had a wonderful day with the boys. I also want to send a shout out to Jason, Gavin, and Foosh for laying down the groove and playing the blues, and Deb and Ally for showing their support (and hooping). We had a great show, and hope to be back in West Point soon. I also want to shout at my bro, Jimmy Bell from Novus Jove. It was good seeing you again today, if only for a short time. To Bill Haughton and everyone with the Prairie Arts Festival, thank you for including us in this year’s festivities, and we look forward to working with you all again. To everyone that came to the festival, thank you for your support. We appreciate it and I’m sure the Prairie Arts Festival appreciates it. We hope everyone has a safe Labor Day weekend, and we’ll see you all on the flip side.</span><br><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span>
</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/1508303
2013-08-28T15:54:00-05:00
2013-08-28T15:54:00-05:00
Can You Go Even ONE Day Without It?
<div style="text-align: justify;">Earlier today, on Facebook, I shared a post that a friend had shared from another site. It was called "<a href="http://www.grassrootsy.com/2012/02/22/an-open-letter-to-venues-that-exploit-their-musicians/" target="_blank">An Open Letter To Venues That Exploit Their Musicians</a>", and it sparked a rather heated discussion on his post. I want to say thank you to Justin Stevens for sharing the link. I had read this post before, but lost the link before I was able to respond to it. Now, if you'll humor me, I'm gonna climb up on my soapbox for just a little bit.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One of the comments went like this:<br><blockquote class="tr_bq">"<i>Live music is not in demand like it used to be and as a result club owners are underpaying musicians because the live acts aren't bringing enough revenue to the bar to justify paying them very much. <b>And while the club owners don't need the bands, it's the opposite for the musicians. They still need the club owners.</b> As a result, bands get paid next to nothing, don't get paid at all, or even have pay to play. It is what it is.</i>"</blockquote> I have highlighted the part that I'm most troubled with. Yes, in and of itself, this statement is fairly true. Club owners <b>don't </b>need the bands, but they <b>do </b>need the music, which requires a band to create and play, be it live or in the studio. You just can't snap your fingers and create good music. Trust me, I've been trying for years. Just as a doctor must train and practice for years to save lives, a musician must work, and work <b>hard</b>, to get to the level of competency needed to create a good melody or write a catchy hook, and the person doing the work should be properly compensated. Period.<br><br>As a working musician, I am lucky in the fact that am able to do what I do on a daily basis, but let me tell you, when you see me on the stage "having fun and doing what I love to do," know that I have worked for <i>decades </i>to get to that level, tried (and failed) numerous numerous "shortcuts," and have finally found my niche in music. Most people turn their noses when I say we're a blues band, but everyone that comes out has a great time, and most come up at the end of the night just to say, "I thought you were a blues band. I didn't hear <i>any </i>blues." Yes, you did. All night long.<br><br>Which brings me to the title of this blog post: can you go even one day without music? I'm in the mood to try a social experiment. I challenge each and every one of you to try to go just one day with no music. Don't turn on the radio, don't watch TV (because it's saturated with music), don't sit on hold on the telephone. No music whatsoever. Then, after your day is over, come back here and leave a comment describing your day without. Tell me how it worked out for you, and don't hold back! If you want to cuss me for asking you to do this, go right ahead. I know what I'm asking and am prepared for the consequences. :-) Myself, I have tried this already, so I know what to expect.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/1441329
2013-08-20T06:30:00-05:00
2021-06-21T08:39:10-05:00
Happy Birfday To Me!
<div style="text-align: justify;">I don't mean to keep harping on it, but I just want to thank everyone again for coming out to the Album Release/Birthday Bash at Woody's this past weekend. Y'all sure know how to make a boy feel special! We had an amazing time playing the new songs for you all. We also had a some very special guests show to jam with us, like Skip Oliver, Ashly "Crawdaddy" Crawford, Tim "Big World" Floyd, Tom Sewell, Chad Nolan, Elton Ray, Rick Moreland, and Pam Montgomery, just to name a few. Thank you all for coming out and jammin' with us! Also, to Joe from New York, sounded great, man. We would love to have you on stage with us again!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">I also want to say thank you to Feather and the staff at Woody's for giving us the opportunity to have our party there. Krista and Stephanie behind the bar kept everyone "hydrated" and the party just rolled on without a hitch. Even though the CD's didn't arrive in time for the party, no one seemed to let it bother them. I'll let everyone know as soon as they come in. Lesson learned for next time.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">So far, 41 has been pretty good. Someone asked me how 41 felt, and the only response I could come up with was, "Well, I'm old enough to know better AND old enough to care, but I still don't!" Life is all about finding ways to have fun, isn't it, and I (and my friends) have always had a knack for finding fun. I want to LIVE my life, not just go through the motions.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">We have a few new shows on the schedule, if you haven't noticed. The Prairie Arts Festival is August 31, in West Point, MS, and should be a blast. We will be around close in the coming months, and would love to get together with everyone again. Make plans now. :-)</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/1402967
2013-08-14T05:30:00-05:00
2013-08-14T05:30:00-05:00
Just when things are looking up, the other shoe drops!
<div style="text-align: justify;">We had a great show at the 2013 Hog Roast. We got some stellar files to use for the album. Foosh and I mixed and mastered it to the point we were happy with it. We booked the Release Party on the best day (my birthday!). Everything was moving right along at a nice pace. I should have known it wouldn't be this easy!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I got a call early yesterday morning. It was a call from the company printing the CD's. Seems there were some Internet hiccups during my upload, and more than half of the files were corrupt, meaning <b>the CD's will NOT be in by the Release Party</b>. :-( I was certain I had ordered them in plenty of time to have them in hand, but apparently, I needed a little more. So, unfortunately, we will NOT have them by Friday. I'm looking for a work-around, as it could be as late as the end of the month before we get them in now. >:-(</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The party will go on as planned, and you can still get the album digitally from all of the outlets. You can also order the CD from the <a href="http://www.kevinwaide.com/fr_store.cfm">website</a> and it will be printed and shipped straight to your door, but it will take about 2 weeks to get it in, which means you can get yours by the time we get our shipment. I'm more than a little bummed out about it. I guess it's true; <i>you gotta live 'em to play 'em</i>. Sure does suck, though.<br><br><i>If anyone needs me, I'll be out back hanging myself with my shoelaces.</i>
</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/1388227
2013-08-12T13:54:00-05:00
2013-08-12T13:54:00-05:00
Tomorrow's the Big Day!
<div style="text-align: justify;">I'm sitting here anxiously awaiting the release of our new album "Booze, Bluez, & BBQ: Live In Tupelo" tomorrow morning, and I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve! I'm excited about this release, as I feel it more accurately represents the Project and what we do in a live situation. Foosh and I took our time during the mixing and mastering stages trying to get the best sound we could, and I think we've hit it pretty close.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Doing an album is a pretty big undertaking. The equipment alone can be problematic (<i>computers crashing, cables going bad, etc.</i>) and getting everyone together at the same time is a lesson in patience. But, with a live album, you've only got "one shot" at getting it right. You don't have the luxury of going back and "fixing the mistakes," and some mistakes can kill the entire project. Luckily, we had a more than competent Recording Engineer (Jim Staten with Q-Now Audio and Mobile Recording) and received pristine files to work with. The showmanship of the guys was spot-on for the evening, and the only hurdle in front of us was the mix/master.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We took our time mixing to make sure we had everything "just right," mixing it down and listening on every possible system we could find (<i>home surround systems, band mates' vehicle systems, etc.</i>). We finally came up with a mix we were happy with and moved to mastering, using the same techniques to check the final product.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, tomorrow morning, you'll be able to hear for yourself the fruits of our labors. Stream the album on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/artist/0RgwO2QZdCCfZM4wPMf5e7">Spotify</a>, purchase it from <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/the-kevin-waide-project/id642267811">iTunes</a>, <a href="https://play.google.com/store/music/artist/The_Kevin_Waide_Project?id=Aui5qrnvpz7fy6s777hcsztx6im">Google Play</a>, <a href="http://kevinwaide.bandcamp.com/">BandCamp</a>, or get it direct from the website (both digital AND physical form at <a href="http://www.kevinwaide.com/store.cfm">www.kevinwaide.com</a>). Give it a spin (or 12) and let us know what you think, your likes and dislikes, so we can better entertain you. Just leave us a comment on this post. You are the reason we do this in the first place, and we want to make you (and keep you) happy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">See y'all Friday night at Woody's in Tupelo, MS. Show starts at 8:30, though I'll be there before then celebrating my 41st birthday.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kevin</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/1320815
2013-08-02T09:07:00-05:00
2017-02-02T04:03:16-06:00
Win A Copy Of "Booze, Bluez, & BBQ: Live In Tupelo"
<div style="text-align: justify;">We have one more free download of the album to give away before it's release date, Tuesday, August 13, and we want to give EVERYONE a chance to win.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">To qualify to win, we want to know what the blues mean to you. Take a picture, tell a story, post a video, whatever you want to do to get the point across. Post to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/KevinWaideProject">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.twitter.com/kevinwaide">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kevinwaide">Instagram</a>, or as a comment to this blog post. Be sure to use the hash tag #BluesToMe or #KevinWaide so we can see it. This contest will run through the end of next week (Friday, August 9) and one winner will be chosen at random for a free download of "Booze, Bluez, & BBQ" and two free passes to the CD Release Party/Birthday Bash at <a href="http://www.woodyssteak.com/">Woody's Tupelo Steakhouse</a> Friday, August 16. The winner will be announced Monday, August 12.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Good Luck.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/1302455
2013-07-31T07:14:00-05:00
2013-07-31T07:14:00-05:00
How Did We Survive Our Childhood?
<div style="text-align: justify;">I was a mean little shit when I was a youngun. Not to people at school or friends, but at home, to my little brothers, I was a mean little shit! Like the time my brother, Derek, and I found our uncle Sammy's <b>BIG</b> treble hooks and I took off running with the twine attached to it just as Derek reached down to pick up the hook. That required 8 stitches and a trip to the emergency room!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Or the time (<i>one week to the day AFTER stitches from the previous incident were removed!</i>) when Derek and I found Sammy's breakdown BB gun, and, after cocking the gun, Derek decides he wants to pretend to put something in the barrel and I decide to go ahead and pull the trigger. The gun barrel closed on his finger, requiring 4 more stitches in the exact same spot! If memory serves, this trip to the ER also required a conference between my parents and local law enforcement officials to be sure this wasn't an abusive situation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There was also the puppy in the dryer episode, but Mama caught us before we got too far along and the neighbor's puppy was (for the most part) unscathed but never allowed to play with us again.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Speaking of neighbors, there was this one time when our friend, Bryan, from next door was over and we were nosing around in the top drawers of a chest in our room that we had no business being in and found my Dad's knife collection. Bryan had one of the knives in his had (the blade in his hand) and I, at the mature age of 7, realized that we shouldn't be messing with these things and promptly jerked the knife from his hand, requiring a trip to the ER and 14 stitches. As I recall, Bryan wasn't allowed to play with us, either, after that.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I can also remember me and my brothers using our parents' record collection as Frisbees, but this was before I fell in love with music, and, in all fairness, my parents' taste in music wasn't all that hip, a lot of Beach Boys and The Archies. So I launched a 33 1/3 RPM LP into the air, and we were watching it, and, as it descends, it lands across the bridge of Derek's nose, shattering the disc and cutting Derek enough to require a trip to the ER and 5 stitches across the bridge of his nose.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Derek and I wanted to be Indians one time (feather, not dot) and held each other down and with Crayola crayons "painted" our faces with war paint. I'm not sure what hurt worse, the crayon going on or coming off, but I do NOT recommend anyone trying this. It's much easier to use actual paint, as we found out later when we broke into Daddy's tool shed and found the spray paint. You want blue hair, OK, you got it!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I broke both of my arms lifting weights when I was 12 years old. I guess I should say I broke both of my arms TRYING to lift weights, as I never really got them lifted before waking up on the ground with the bar across my chest. 2 and a half months with both arms in casts, and I broke them the end of March, so a lot of my summer was gone. I had also been playing guitar by this time, and the time away made me really miss it. I gave up my thoughts of playing football and focused on guitar. I started getting records from my uncle Steve and hearing Dylan and Hendrix. I heard Albert King and Muddy Waters. I started hangin' out with my grandparents and playing music with the grownups, riding around and meeting all these "sharecropper left-behinds" and hearing the blues, bluegrass, and folk music styles that Mississippi is so famous for. I can still hear my grandma and her brother, Edmond, in sibling harmony:</div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><i>High up over yonder tell me what do you see?<br>Bear tracks, bear tracks, lookin' back at me.<br>Better get the rifles boys, before it's too late<br>The bear's got a little pig and headed for the gate.</i></blockquote>I bet Derek is glad I finally picked up guitar. For some reason, once I started playing, everyone stopped getting hurt. Music made me "normal."
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/1248880
2013-07-23T12:29:00-05:00
2013-07-23T12:29:00-05:00
Contest For Week 2 and Other Random Musings
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>We're building our mailing list and we want you!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We maintain a <i>monthly </i>mailing list to keep you informed of the current goings-on of the Project as well as stories from our travels and other perks. Sign up today to stay <i>in the loop</i>.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Contest For Week 2</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We're less than a month away from the worldwide release of "<b>Booze, Bluez, & BBQ: Live In Tupelo</b>" and want to give our true fans a chance to win a free download of the album,</span>AND a pair of passes for the Release Party/Birthday Bash at Woody's Tupelo Steakhouse that night,<span style="font-family: inherit;"> before its release Friday, August 16!</span>
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can add yourself to the mailing list right here at <a href="http://www.kevinwaide.com/"><b>kevinwaide.com</b></a>, by going to our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/KevinWaideProject"><b>Facebook Page</b></a>, or by texting your name and e-mail address to my Google Phone at <b>(662) 205-8107</b>. One name will be drawn at random for an advance copy of "<b>Booze, Bluez, & BBQ: Live In Tupelo</b>," including 2 free passes to the CD Release Party/Birthday Bash at Woody's Tupelo Steakhouse. Contest runs until 11:59 PM Thursday night. Winner will be announce Friday Morning.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><b>Random Musings</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">FYI: The new album has been playing in the dining room at <a href="http://www.woodyssteak.com/"><b>Woody's Tupelo Steakhouse</b></a> for about 2 weeks now, so go have dinner at Woody's this week and give it a listen!</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/1240093
2013-07-22T05:30:00-05:00
2017-01-13T18:36:56-06:00
Gavin McGee, In His Own Words
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k13iwvN0WHY/Uem3I9bu-hI/AAAAAAAACg8/D2tNuVglASg/s1600/GavinMcGee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="//4.bp.blogspot.com/-k13iwvN0WHY/Uem3I9bu-hI/AAAAAAAACg8/D2tNuVglASg/s320/GavinMcGee.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="320" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gavin McGee</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Continuing with the formal introductions of the Project, the next installment is with Gavin McGee. The questions asked were the same:</i></div><br><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><i>1. What motivated you to play music, and, more specifically, the blues.</i></i></div><i></i><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>2. How old were you when you started playing music.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>3. Who were your biggest influences.</i></div><br><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><i>Gavin started playing bass with the Project in April of this year, as well as playing with Hobo Hippie and the John West Band (where I met him). Gavin is fluent in many different playing styles and has proven to be a good fit with Foosh in the Project. You can catch Gavin with the Kevin Waide Project at this year's Prairie Arts Festival in West Point, MS August 31. With that said, I present Gavin McGee, in his own words.</i></i></div><i></i><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I always wanted to be a Nirvana or Weezer kinda guitar player, but that I, IV, V blues bass structure always stuck out to me. Tommy Shannon always pulled me completely out of the song and into the bass line. That's what made me want to play bass and that's what made me want to play blues! Long live the blues man!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I always played something ever since I can remember. I drove my mom crazy with a drum set, the old upright in the living room that my dad learned to play on when he was 5, and of course the Peavey Raptor I got for Christmas one year! But, bless her heart, I never got to be worth a damn on any of them. I picked up the bass out of necessity for a band we were forming in 2010 named Hobo Hippie. Finally, I found my instrument! When I say I got thrown onto the stage, I'm not exaggerating. I played my first real gig on stage at Rick's Café in Starkville in front of a packed house of about 800 opening for Jamie Davis and Soul Gravy. I was 28 but green as they come! I will never forget that feeling. It was crazy! Still my favorite show to this day!<br><br>
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My main influences are Nirvana, SRV, Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, Led Zeppelin,... and of course Vanilla Ice. " Word ta ya mutha!"</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/1237235
2013-07-19T08:25:00-05:00
2017-01-13T18:36:56-06:00
Blake Miller, In His Own Words.
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OzMga6QarIE/UemDiS7rYRI/AAAAAAAACgs/NmejA3gAakQ/s1600/BlakeMiller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="//2.bp.blogspot.com/-OzMga6QarIE/UemDiS7rYRI/AAAAAAAACgs/NmejA3gAakQ/s320/BlakeMiller.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blake Miller</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Continuing with the formal introductions of the Project, the next installment is with Blake Miller. The questions asked were the same:</i><br><i><br></i><i>1. What motivated you to play music, and, more specifically, the blues.</i><br><i>2. How old were you when you started playing music.</i><br><i>3. Who were your biggest influences.</i><br><i><br></i>
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Blake is new to the Project, his first gig being the 2013 Tupelo Hog Roast (that became the new album), but don't let that downplay his ability to keep up. His playing is smooth and tasteful, and he locks in with Foosh perfectly. You can hear Blake on the upcoming release, "Booze, Bluez, & BBQ: Live In Tupelo." And now, Blake Miller, in his own words.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I started playing music at around 15 years old. I got into music to have an outlet that I could go to whenever I started getting sick of everything else. I got into playing blues because I knew it would increase my repertoire beyond what I was limiting it to, previously. My biggest influences starting out were Victor Wooten, Primus, Rush, and Jaco Pastorius. </div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/1237233
2013-07-15T14:00:00-05:00
2017-01-13T18:36:56-06:00
Elijah and Michael Waide, In Their Own Words
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PdfrWMWx0Ag/UeSK0xIJZ_I/AAAAAAAACgc/b4Bgqw9w-Rw/s1600/IMG_0281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="//4.bp.blogspot.com/-PdfrWMWx0Ag/UeSK0xIJZ_I/AAAAAAAACgc/b4Bgqw9w-Rw/s320/IMG_0281.JPG" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elijah and Michael Waide</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>In keeping with the "In Their Own Words" series, this week I want to focus on two guys real close to me, my children Elijah and Michael Waide. Elijah (17) has played numerous shows with the Project on drums and has been playing since the age of 12. He began learning guitar at the age of 14. Michael (13) has been playing guitar since age 8 and drums since 11. Michael has also written a number of songs, one of which will be included on the Project's new album, "Booze, Bluez, & BBQ: Live In Tupelo." The questions asked were the same, so here it is, Elijah and Michael Waide, in their own words.</i><br><i><br></i><i>What motivated you to play music, and, more specifically, the blues?</i>
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Michael:</b> Really, my dad, Kevin. He’s been playing the blues since I was very young. It’s not like I have the blues (<i>yet</i>) but more like I was born into the “creed.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Elijah:</b> I've always wanted to play music. My parents are/were both musicians (<i>my mom played saxophone and you know about my dad</i>), and they raised me to have an appreciation for music. My dad, Kevin, is a Blues guitarist, and for a while I lived in the Mississippi Delta, so both of those factored into my musical preferences.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>How old were you when you started playing music?</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Michael:</b> The first time I picked up a guitar with the intention of making music was when I was maybe four or five. Dad was playing guitar and I said, “Dad, I want to play.” So he gave me a 20-fret acoustic and told me to do the pick scratches in “Should I Stay or Should I Go.” I was atrocious.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Elijah:</b> According to my family, since birth. The story they tell is that I would crawl behind the drummer’s kit every time they took a break and would “play.” Apparently, I impressed everyone, being a three-year-old keeping time as well as I did. I “officially” began playing drums at twelve and guitar at fourteen.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Who are your biggest influences?</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Michael:</b> That’s a very broad question.I’d have to think very long and hard to specify which bands, so I’ll just say Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix. But that leaves out the Kings (<i>Albert, Freddie, and B.B.</i>). And The Who. And Van Halen… Why must you do this to me?</div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Elijah:</b> Hendrix, the Kings, Clapton, Eddie Van Halen, and Stevie Ray Vaughan are the people I credit as influences. If something catches my ear, I’ll try it out and put my own spin on it. I’m influenced by all I've ever heard, truthfully. </div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/1237234
2013-07-09T05:20:00-05:00
2017-01-13T18:36:56-06:00
"Booze, Bluez, & BBQ: Live In Tupelo" Out 08/13/2013
<h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">PRESS RELEASE</span></h2><div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NWN3NXfuZmM/UbdpGpKy-9I/AAAAAAAACOs/-MdsnaCcY-Y/s1600/Booze%252C+Bluez%252C+%2526+BBQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="//1.bp.blogspot.com/-NWN3NXfuZmM/UbdpGpKy-9I/AAAAAAAACOs/-MdsnaCcY-Y/s200/Booze%252C+Bluez%252C+%2526+BBQ.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="200" width="198" /></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">9th July, 2013</span></b><br><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></b>
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Booze, Bluez, & BBQ: Live In Tupelo"</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Worldwide</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Kevin Waide Project is proud to announce the release of <b>"Booze, Bluez, & BBQ: Live In Tupelo" Tuesday, August 13, 2013 and the CD Release Party, Friday, August 16, 2013.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>"Booze, Bluez, & BBQ: Live In Tupelo" </b>was recorded live at the 41st Annual Tupelo Hog Roast on May 18, 2013 by Jim Staten and Q-Now Audio and Mobile Recordings. Featuring Chris "The Immortal SuperFoosh" Fooshee on drums and debuting newcomer Blake Miller on bass, with a special guest appearance by "The Emfamus" Skip Oliver on harp, the Project winds down the blues highway with nine tracks comprised of new songs as well as your favorites from the debut album "Lost In Mississippi." The album finishes off with three new studio tracks, adding Jason Carter on lead and slide guitar to the mix, for a total of twelve tracks.<br><br>Album release scheduled to coincide with Kevin's 41st Birthday Bash at Woody's Tupelo Steakhouse in Tupelo, MS, on Friday, August 16, 2013. More details about the Release Party/Birthday Bash will be announced in the coming weeks.<br><br><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pre-order phase for </span><b>"Booze, Bluez, & BBQ: Live In Tupelo" </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">will begin Tuesday, July 16, 2013 at </span><a href="http://kevinwaide.bandcamp.com/" style="font-family: inherit;">kevinwaide.bandcamp.com</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and will run through midnight Monday, August 12. All pre-orders will also receive 2 free passes to the Release Party/Birthday Bash show at Woody's on August 16.</span><br><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tuesday, August 13, 2013, </span><b>"Booze, Bluez, & BBQ: Live In Tupelo"</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> will be available for purchase worldwide through the usual outlets (iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Amazon, BandCamp, and direct from <a href="http://www.kevinwaide.com/">KevinWaide.com</a>).</span><br><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The Kevin Waide Project is the brainchild of Kevin Waide and Chris Fooshee and celebrates 6+ years of "preachin' the blues!" </i></span>
</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/1237232
2013-07-07T16:38:00-05:00
2017-01-13T18:36:56-06:00
Chris Fooshee, In His Own Words
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-08PwWsqhvKM/UOTNkdpv5vI/AAAAAAAABKU/ZAXa-HyINy0/s1600/740450_485148514870440_1011048646_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img src="//2.bp.blogspot.com/-08PwWsqhvKM/UOTNkdpv5vI/AAAAAAAABKU/ZAXa-HyINy0/s200/740450_485148514870440_1011048646_o.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="200" width="150" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Immortal SuperFoosh<br>(Photo Ron Dierkes)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Continuing with the formal introductions of the Project, the next installment is with Chris "The Immortal SuperFoosh" Fooshee. The questions asked were the same:</i><br><i><br></i><i>1. What motivated you to play music, and, more specifically, the blues.</i><br><i>2. How old were you when you started playing music.</i><br><i>3. Who were your biggest influences.</i>
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br></i></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Chris has been playing drums with the Project since the beginning and is even the one responsible for the name of the band. Without further adieu, here is Chris Fooshee, in his own words.</i></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have loved music since I was a kid. I found that I had pretty good rhythm, so I tried the guitar first. The guitar was not my thing, for sure. Drums, however, were my thing, and I got my first drum kit when I was around 20 years old. I have played all different styles of music, but the blues just feel right. I have been influenced by everything I grew up listening to, all the different bands I have seen, and everyone I have had the fortune to jam with. </div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/1006149
2013-06-24T15:20:00-05:00
2017-02-02T01:45:05-06:00
GEEK ALERT: Review of the Moreland Diamondback Amp
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-20qY7dB2biM/UcjloM5Jo4I/AAAAAAAACbw/ziQvxDJIatA/s1600/Diamondback+Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="//2.bp.blogspot.com/-20qY7dB2biM/UcjloM5Jo4I/AAAAAAAACbw/ziQvxDJIatA/s320/Diamondback+Front.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Moreland Diamondback Amp</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Rick Moreland recently completely the Moreland Diamondback Amp and I got a chance to really work it over before it was delivered to it's new owner. As a Moreland Endorser, I kinda knew what to expect from the amp, but I wasn't fully prepared for what this thing can do.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Diamondback Amp is a 2x10 combo amp with two discreet channels/inputs: a classic Tweed channel with a single tone control and Fat Boost and an EF-86 powered pentode gain circuit with a 12 position "clicker" switch that has a dramatic effect on the tones generated by this little Wonder Box. Around 6-7 is the magic tone for me. Globally it has a Master Volume and a MasterBite control.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3WfZ7wm6its/UcjpDiiul8I/AAAAAAAACcA/aAze__qMAkg/s1600/Diamondback+Guts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="//4.bp.blogspot.com/-3WfZ7wm6its/UcjpDiiul8I/AAAAAAAACcA/aAze__qMAkg/s320/Diamondback+Guts.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">True Point-To-Point wiring makes the difference.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">On the inside, you see this is a true Point-To-Point amp. No circuit boards inside. For tubes, (<i>right to left</i>) it has an EF-86, a 12AX7 for the Tweed Preamp, 12AX7 Phase Inverter, 2 EL-34's for power and 5AR4/GZ-34 Rectifier tube. The Power Rating is 35 watts, but that is <i>very conservative</i>. This thing is one of the loudest combo amps I've played. It also has that trademark Moreland Tone, and can achieve it at any volume. With a sweet spot that large, what's not to love!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Playing the amp was a pleasure. Both channels have endless possibilities with a minimal set of controls. Even the slightest adjustment of any of the controls changes the tone pretty dramatically, but not in a bad way. I wasn't able to find a bad tone in this amp, and I tried! Just not one in it. I was able to take the amp on a gig with "Takin' It South" and the range of tones impressed me. To give it a fair shake, I used the EF-86 channel for one set and the Tweed channel for another, taking it through a wide sweep of musical genres, from blues to country to rock and everything in between. It performed beautifully in every aspect, with sweet singing sustain and thick tube tone that can't be ignored.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The video below is me through a Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive with <a href="http://www.monteallums.com/">Monte Allums</a> latest mod on the Tweed Channel with the Fat Boost engaged and the MasterBite at about halfway (there's a spot in the video where you can see the the controls). I hope you enjoy it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/kyVs0sok414/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/kyVs0sok414?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata">
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Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/999592
2013-06-23T11:37:00-05:00
2017-01-13T18:36:56-06:00
Jason Carter, In His Own Words
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4bVEPwsnsNA/UOTNJitAazI/AAAAAAAABHg/iXlIZ1otFfM/s1600/737507_485152311536727_1907954377_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="//3.bp.blogspot.com/-4bVEPwsnsNA/UOTNJitAazI/AAAAAAAABHg/iXlIZ1otFfM/s320/737507_485152311536727_1907954377_o.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jason Carter (Photo: Ron Dierkes)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>I want to formally introduce you to the other members of the Kevin Waide Project. I've asked the guys the same 3 questions and will post all of the answers in the coming days. The questions asked were:</i><br><i><br></i><i>1. What motivated you to play music, and, more specifically, the blues.</i><br><i>2. How old were you when you started playing music.</i><br><i>3. Who were your biggest influences.</i>
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>This post will be focusing on Jason Carter, vocalist and rhythm, lead, and slide guitarist. Jason has been slangin' the blues for the Project since March, 2010. The last 3 years have given me the opportunity to learn slide guitar from one of the most talented players in the area, and I'm happy to bring you the story of Jason Carter, in his own words.</i><br><i><br></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span>I've<span style="font-family: inherit;"> always wanted to play slide guitar. It came natural to me. One of the first instance of music was Austin City Limits and I saw a guy playing with a slide. I think it was Ry Cooder. It looked easy.</span><br><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">My family played acoustic and electric guitar, fiddle, mandolin, and piano. I can remember as early as 5 years old the family jams on old Hank Williams and Bill Monroe tunes, as well as several others. I started playing Trumpet by the 5th grade (10 years old) and was the soloist until I stopped "marching band" in 8th grade.</span><br><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I picked up guitar around 16 and my dad showed me E, A and B bump rhythm and I took it from there. I grew up listening to all kinds of music but looking back, everything I listened to from Hank </span>Jr.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> to </span>Creedence<span style="font-family: inherit;"> was steeped in the blues. I was buying hair band and classic rock tapes before I was 10 and the liner notes talked about their influences. I traced them back and found Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, Howling Wolf, Son House, John Lee Hooker...etc. I started buying their tapes and loved the fact that they all came from Mississippi. No wonder it all made sense...I grew up around it.</span><br><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">By the time I was learning, Hwy 61 was coming on MPB 89.5 FM, and I was getting a huge dose of blues on </span>Saturday<span style="font-family: inherit;"> nights when driving around town (<i>when people could afford gas</i>).</span><br><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">By the time I learned to switch chords and sing, I was learning Jimmy Reed, Muddy Waters and Allman Brothers records. I just took it from there and added in country and funk to go with it. Playing in several different bands over the past 10 years has helped me out the most though.</span>
</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/983676
2013-06-20T12:21:00-05:00
2013-06-20T12:21:00-05:00
The Moreland Diamondback Amp
<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pAI-F6jTxVs/UcOAT5MqHgI/AAAAAAAACa8/zsWz3Bxd7C8/s640/blogger-image--814422098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pAI-F6jTxVs/UcOAT5MqHgI/AAAAAAAACa8/zsWz3Bxd7C8/s640/blogger-image--814422098.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The newest creation from Moreland Amps, the Diamondback was custom built for Monte Allums in Olive Branch, MS. I will be posting a review of this 35 watt beast in the coming weeks. Out of respect for Monte, I'm giving him time to play around with the amp before I post my review, but I do want to post this pic to serve as a teaser.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/918266
2013-06-11T08:32:00-05:00
2017-02-02T01:00:18-06:00
Booze, Bluez, & BBQ: Live In Tupelo
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NWN3NXfuZmM/UbdpGpKy-9I/AAAAAAAACOo/LHfDsGZj3-g/s1600/Booze,+Bluez,+&+BBQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="//3.bp.blogspot.com/-NWN3NXfuZmM/UbdpGpKy-9I/AAAAAAAACOo/LHfDsGZj3-g/s200/Booze,+Bluez,+&+BBQ.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="200" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Booze, Bluez, & BBQ: Live in Tupelo</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">As I'm sure you've noticed, work on the new Live+ album is underway, and is going really well. The mix is almost right, which leaves me with the mastering before we send it to press. "Booze, Bluez, & BBQ: Live In Tupelo" features Chris Fooshee on drums and newcomer Blake Miller on bass, with a special guest appearance by "The Emfamus" Skip Oliver, and was recorded live at the 41st Annual Tupelo Hog Roast on May 18, 2013. "BB&BBQ" contains some of your favorites from "Lost In Mississippi" as well as new material written over the course of the last 2 years. I've "released" 3 of the tracks for your enjoyment on <a href="http://www.soundcloud.com/kevinwaide/sets/booze-bluez-bbq-live-in-tupelo" target="_blank">SoundCloud</a> as well as <a href="https://www.reverbnation.com/kevinwaide" target="_blank">ReverbNation</a> and at <a href="http://www.kevinwaide.com/">KevinWaide.com</a> We're shooting for a mid to late August release date, so mark your calendars or check the site regularly.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oh, did you notice the + by the word Live in the first line? No, that wasn't a mistake. I'm calling this a Live+ album because you'll also get 3 studio recordings as a bonus! These are songs written and recorded for the next studio album, but I decided to go ahead and release them on this album anyway. They include the same core musicians on the live album as well as our good friend and band-mate Jason Carter, who wasn't able to make the Hog Roast show due to a previous engagement. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"BB&BBQ" contains 12 tracks at a run-time of just under 1 hour and will be available at all the usual online stores (iTunes, Google, Amazon, and on Spotify). Pricing has yet to be announced, but as soon as I'm made aware of it, I'll let you know. We will also have physical copies at the shows for as long as they last and are in the planning stages of a CD Release Party. I will announce the details of that as soon as I nail it down.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Shameless Plug:</b> If you haven't already, take the time while you're here and signup for the Kevin Waide Mailing List. You'll get all your Project news first AND be able to download goodies that aren't made available to just anyone. See, we know how to make you feel special. :-)</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/897682
2013-06-07T06:55:00-05:00
2013-06-07T06:55:00-05:00
You say you're in the mood for something different, something new?
<div style="text-align: justify;">Tonight, at Romie's Barbecue in Tupelo, MS, it's the debut of the John West Band, with Gavin McGee on bass, Corey Bell on drums, John on guitar and vocals, and yours truly on lead guitar. This is not the blues thing you're used to hearing me do, nor is it the usual from John, but is something completely different. I've been hinting at this project for a few months now, and have even posted a clip or two for a tease, but tonight, you'll get to hear it for the first time, and I'm really excited about it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It may shock you to know that blues is not the only thing I can do. I started my "guitar career" playing 80's hair metal in a band I started out of high school called Little Dreamer. We had a pretty good run of it, off and on for around 12 years, but it wasn't really where my heart was.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Little Dreamer broke up, and I joined another band called Novus Jove, which was basically an alternative band when I joined. I had no use for Alternative at the time and quickly started rearranging the songs to make them more "mainstream," at least to my mind. We became what is now referred to as a "Heavy Metal" band, a category I really didn't like and tried hard to remove myself from. I've always considered myself a blues-based player, and Heavy Metal was full of those technical players, you know, the "wheedley, wheedley" type players. But we had a really good run, with 2 full length albums and pretty constant touring, even with all of us having day jobs! I played with Novus Jove for 5+ years before we all went our separate ways.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">John and I have played shows together off and on for the last 4-5 years (time sure does fly by when you're old!) and have even made attempts at putting together a full band, but it wasn't until February of this year that the lineup solidified into something substantial and we began rehearsals. With Gavin and Corey as a rhythm section, and John's songwriting ability, the music just flows out and hits you right between the eyes! The show tonight starts at 9:00 pm and we will be playing until midnight. Come on out and check out the John West Band at Romie's Barbecue, 206 Troy St., Tupelo, MS.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/883516
2013-06-05T08:56:00-05:00
2013-06-05T08:56:00-05:00
Addicted to Technology?
<div style="text-align: justify;">For the last 3 weeks, my Internet connection has been spotty at best. I've spent most of my time on the road doing this or that and spent time with my parents at their home in the county. Even a cell phone connection is extinct in the area I grew up, so I've been disconnected from the world. I try to enjoy these times of disconnect for the "detox" effect they create in my mind, relieving me from the constant distractions of technology and every day life in general. Over the last three weeks, I've even gotten in the habit of NOT grabbing my phone when I went to the bathroom! Progress! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When did we become so addicted to technology? I can remember, not so long ago, if I wanted to share something with someone, I had to wait until they were at home to either call or go by. Then I would call, hoping the line wasn't "busy" (<i>gasp!</i>), and share whatever it was that "couldn't wait." Next came answering machines and call waiting and all the "conveniences" they offered. Oh, how saying, "Hold on, I've got someone on the other line," made me feel so important! Caller ID made me realize the true use of the answering machine! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My first cell phone was a massive bag phone from BellSouth Mobility. This thing had to be plugged into the cigarette lighter of the car and connected to an antenna on the back glass. The phone itself cost more than the car did, but you could get in touch with me no matter where I was, as long as I had signal (which wasn't very good in those days). My next cell was a slightly smaller hand-held, battery operated unit that only cost .65¢ a minute to use. The price you pay to be connected.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Enter the Internet. For the cost of a computer and a monthly connection subscription, I could stay connected permanently in my home. E-Mail, Chat Rooms, Instant Messenger, VoIP, and Video Conferencing had become a reality. Smaller laptop computers came along and helped usher in the WiFi age, where I could sit in a coffee shop and connect wirelessly to the shop's wifi connection. It's important to be connected when you have your morning coffee!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We're now in the age of smart phones, which are really just small cellular computers, and we've finally reached full connectivity, 99% of the time. I say 99% because there are always those times we find ourselves looking for enough signal to make a call (if your carrier is AT&T, we'll adjust this number to around 70%). We're constantly checking our phones, looking to see if we missed something in "our world." Look around you when you go out and notice the number of people sitting at a table together with their faces in their phones. Chances are, they are conversing with each other over text message or Facebook. I have sat at these tables and even participated in this bastardized form of communication, so I'm not pointing fingers, just trying to help raise awareness. We, as a society, have grown addicted to staying informed of every little thing that is "important in our world."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">During my "21 Days of Disconnect" I've gone to visit some friends I haven't seen in a while, talked to some friends I haven't talked to in a while, and just enjoyed the company of others. No phones, no Internet, just real, old fashioned conversation. I plan on doing it a lot more. Not that I don't like being connected, but because I crave the interaction. I don't think I could ever completely unplug, but at least I know I can go for a short time disconnected. More Progress!</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/844457
2013-05-30T05:00:00-05:00
2021-08-12T11:57:47-05:00
Sneak Peak at the New Album
<div style="text-align: justify;">I wanted to direct everyone's attention to <a href="https://soundcloud.com/kevinwaide/sets/booze-bluez-bbq-live-in-tupelo" target="_blank">SoundCloud</a> and a sneak peak at what to expect from the new album. We got some good tracks to choose from (18 in all), some pulled from "Lost In Mississippi" and some brand new stuff. I'm excited for everyone to hear the album and can't help with the teases. I would also like to inform you that these 3 songs are available for FREE DOWNLOAD if you signup for the Kevin Waide Mailing List at <a href="http://www.kevinwaide.com/" target="_blank">KevinWaide.com</a>, so head on over and sign up today!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This Saturday, June 1st, the Project will be playing at the 2013 H.O.G.S. Haven Festival and Bike Rally at Whitetail Ridge Outdoors on Birmingham Ridge Road in Blue Springs, MS. This festival is the first of its kind in the area and has already been making a lot of noise, so make your plans now to attend. This is a family oriented event, so bring the kids. The Festival starts at 11:00 am, and the Project hits the stage around 6:30. We hope to see you all there.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/827890
2013-05-27T20:29:00-05:00
2013-12-05T14:03:07-06:00
A New Album In The Works?
<div style="text-align: justify;">I kept it a secret until I had the files in hand, but I've had time to examine them closely and I'm comfortable with announcing that a new Project album should be ready in the coming months, maybe as soon as late summer! Wow, that was a mouthful.</div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Jim Staten and Paul Stone from Q-Now Audio and Mobile Recording were set up to run sound for the 2013 Tupelo Hog Roast, and with their equipment, were able to multitrack the entire performance. The files are clean (with the occasional cell phone interference that is the bane of our society!) and mixing has proven to be fairly easy thus far. I may try to post a quick sampling online in the coming weeks, as the album approaches completion, but I would like to say that I'm definitely liking what I've heard so far. I'll keep you posted. </div></div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/759853
2013-05-16T14:05:00-05:00
2013-05-16T14:05:00-05:00
The Absolute Worst Part Of Getting Older?
<div style="text-align: justify;">I'm no spring chicken anymore. Exactly 3 months from today will be my 41st birthday. Today is my mother's 62nd birthday, and like any good son, I spent most of the morning with her. And, like any good son, I gave my mom the most considerate present I could afford: I went with my dad to do some work on the air conditioner at their church. My mom got to spend most of the day without him worrying her to do this or do that. See, good son. :-)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Which leads me to the title of this blog - The absolute worst part of getting older. I'm old enough now that the wrinkles don't bother me (much). The "platinum blonde" highlights in my hair have been with me since my late teens, so that doesn't bother me (too bad). People addressing me as "sir" still kind of gets to me, as does Mr., but I do live in the South, so I'm used to it. I'm sure I made a lot of people feel old when I was younger, because my parents taught me to "respect my elders." I still say sir and ma'am, Mr., Ms., and Mrs. Growing up in the South, this becomes second nature to most all of us, mainly because if our parents heard us disrespect an "elder," we were promptly administered a "back hand!" If you've never received a back hand, count your blessings. Those things are ruthless.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">No, the absolute worst part of getting older is watching your parents struggle with things they've never had to struggle with before. Working on the church's air conditioning unit with my dad today, I almost broke down crying. My dad was always a strong, independent man. He rarely ever needed help with anything he had to do, and today I watched him struggle with getting a screwdriver into the head of the screw on the unit. 15 minutes of watching his shaking hands try to get the driver in the head of the screw, and wanting so bad to do it for him. But he's a proud man of 63 (he'll be 64 July 10th of this year) and was determined to do it himself. And the more he fought with it, the worse I felt. My dad and I never had what you would call a "good relationship," but in the last few years, he's battled Fibrosis of his lungs, resulting in a lung transplant in 2006, and multiple bouts with skin cancer, which has taken his nose and most of the right side of his face and neck (F#@K Cancer!). We've gotten closer over the last few years, thanks to my youngest brother being a bigger screw-up than me, and I cherish the time I get to spend with him, but I really wish his health was better. I would love to be able to sit on the porch and have a beer with my dad, but his health doesn't allow him to drink any alcohol. His energy level is so low these days that he needs a nap after making up his mind, and this is not the man I've known for 40+ years. I'm fighting the tears as I write this, hoping that by "saying" it I might find a way to cope with it. Maybe.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I guess what I'm trying to say is no matter what your relationship is with you parents, make it a point to call or go by for a visit as often as possible. Have patience with them. They're human, too. I'm sure my dad is having a hard time coming to terms with his decline in health, but the good Lord knows what he's doing, so they say. I just hope his pain is lesser than mine, because this is the worst thing I've ever felt. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sorry to bring you down with this one, but I had to get it out, and that is what friends are for, right? Listening.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/740485
2013-05-14T07:14:00-05:00
2017-01-13T18:36:55-06:00
2013 Tupelo Hog Roast
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="//2.bp.blogspot.com/-m_dO0DnqBdg/UZJwzG5psjI/AAAAAAAACHI/cu_FZ0NK6QY/s320/Original.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="180" width="320" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">May 17-18, 2013 is the 44th Annual Tupelo Hog Roast at the VFW on Mitchell Rd., Tupelo, MS. The Hog Roast is an annual event and was started to help raise money for families affected by Cancer. "We started cooking for cancer, and now we have changed to cooking for St. Jude, Ronald McDonald House, and The Hospice House of North Mississippi," says Hayden "Boots" Willis, President of the Tupelo Hog Roast. "If you have never had any dealings with St. Jude, or never been, it is something everyone should go to. It is an awesome place. The Ronald McDonald House (<i>in Memphis</i>) provides people with a place to stay. The Hospice Patient Care fund provides money for people who can't afford to drive back and forth for treatments in the hospital."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This year will be the Kevin Waide Project's fourth year of helping raise money for these families. As most of you already know, cancer has affected my life and the lives of everyone around the Project, most recently by the death of our long-time friend Tim "The Milkman" Hopkins on March 23, 2013. My father has been rounds with skin cancer, and I lost a very dear friend, Edita Kubu, on August 21, 2010 to Melanoma. F#@K Cancer!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Hog Roast kicks off at 6:00 pm on Friday, May 17, with live music and food, including crawfish, barbecue chicken, red beans and rice, barbecue bologna and sides, and will continue Saturday at 11:00 am, with the Hog Roasters serving their famous pulled pork barbecue and sides. A donation of $10 per person will be accepted to benefit the organizations above, and the Kevin Waide Project will perform at 8:00 pm! Make your plans now to attend and help raise money in the fight against cancer. </div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/703433
2013-05-08T15:10:00-05:00
2013-05-08T15:10:00-05:00
Current Goings On
<div style="text-align: justify;">I just wanted to make a quick mention of a couple of shows coming up that everyone may be interested in.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">First, Guntown, MS is having its first ever <a href="http://www.hogshavenfest.com/" target="_blank">HOGS Haven Festival and Bike Rally</a> on Saturday, June 1, 2013. Admission is $10.00 and entertainment includes Caddle, Seeking Seven, 1st Degree, Brian Kingsley, and Breedlove, in addition to the Kevin Waide Project. The Rally starts at 11:00 am and goes until. Details can be found at <a href="http://www.hogshavenfest.com/">http://www.hogshavenfest.com</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Second, The Project will be kicking off the 35th Annual Prairie Arts Festival in downtown West Point, MS, August 31, 2013. We take the stage from 9:00-10:30 am. I haven't seen the full lineup, but as soon as it is released I'll post it up here.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One more thing, I want to let everyone know that the practices with the John West Band are going great, and we'll be booking some shows in the very near future. I can't wait for everyone to hear the songs. I think it's going to surprise everyone.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We'll see ya at one of the shows. </div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/683055
2013-05-06T07:19:00-05:00
2013-05-06T07:19:00-05:00
Light Reading
If you can keep your head when all about you<br>Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;<br>If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,<br>But make allowance for their doubting too:<br>If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,<br>Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,<br>Or being hated don't give way to hating,<br>And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;<br><br>If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;<br>If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,<br>If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster<br>And treat those two impostors just the same:.<br>If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken<br>Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,<br>Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,<br>And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;<br><br>If you can make one heap of all your winnings<br>And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,<br>And lose, and start again at your beginnings,<br>And never breathe a word about your loss:<br>If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew<br>To serve your turn long after they are gone,<br>And so hold on when there is nothing in you<br>Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"<br><br>If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,<br>Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,<br>If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,<br>If all men count with you, but none too much:<br>If you can fill the unforgiving minute<br>With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,<br>Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,<br>And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!<br><i><br></i><i>"If" by Rudyard Kipling, 1865-1936</i><br><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span><br><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I learned this poem in high school speech class (thank you, Mrs. Braswell), and it's stuck with me all of these years. I think back to different passages often and see the parallels in my own life. I have had my share of ups and downs through the years, and during the darkest times, these words come to the front of my mind, reminding me to "Hold on!" We have all been accused, doubted, left waiting, lied about, and even hated. We dream, think, win and lose. We have heard our words twisted to serve someone's agenda, or had everything we've worked for taken away for one reason or another, sometimes by our own actions. We even gamble with our future, only to lose everything and start over!</span><br><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's how we deal with these situations that forge us into the people we become in life. I'm sad to say that I've not always reacted in the way I should when things go south, but I'm working on it. I'm keeping my eye on the light at the end of the tunnel and praying it isn't the front of an on-coming train. We'll see how it goes.</span>
</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/617302
2013-04-26T07:42:00-05:00
2013-04-26T07:42:00-05:00
The Stories Behind the Stories - Gone Bad Blues
<div style="text-align: justify;">I had just gone to bed one night when I got a phone call from some friends (around 12:30 am) about an after-party at a one of their friends house and I needed to get my @$$ out of bed and get dressed, they would be by in just a few minutes to pick me up. Oh, and bring a guitar!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I got dressed, tuned my acoustic, and put it in the case. Once on the road, Ryan informed me that his friend, Ric Clayton, was associated with the Minerva Festival, and this was an excellent opportunity to get on the bill for the 2010 Festival.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Once there, I saw what was really going on. Ryan was invited to the party as long as he brought some music (a stipulation placed on a lot of people in that group of friends, as I soon found out). We were all sitting around on the back porch drinking when I was asked to play something on the guitar for a guy to rap over! I played a couple of pieces for him and he was definitely a talented rapper, regardless of my dislike of the style. My friend Naomi asked me to play something she and Farley could dance to, and we moved the pool table (sitting in his dining room where a table should be!) to give them enough room to dance.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had this piece of slide guitar music, written in Open G a few months before, and I started playing it. Someone asked me what it was and I replied that it was a piece I was working on and it didn't have a name. The rapper, chompin' at the bit to rap over it, asked if it had any lyrics, and I said sure, not knowing WHAT I was going to sing over it (I was ready for something other than Rap).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I played through the music a few times while Naomi and Farley danced around the pool table, trying to think of something to sing over it, when the first line of Robert Johnson's "Love In Vain" came to mind:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>And I followed her to the station</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>With her suitcase in my hand</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Well it's hard to tell, hard to tell</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>When all your love's in vain.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I didn't want to steal it, so I started thinking of ways to change it and make it mine.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>I went down to the station</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>With a suitcase in my hand.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Had to leave my baby,</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Messin' with another man</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For the other two verses, I used the same idea and just changed the words a little.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>I went down to the station</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Left my woman standing there cryin'</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Lord, that man she's been lovin'</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Livin' on borrowed time.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>I went down to the station</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Sheriff on my trail</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Catch the first thing smokin', I won't</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Spend my life in jail.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The rapper dude would rap a little in between verses (and over the solo section), and I really wish it had been recorded. I was proud of the way it sounded, everyone at the party loved it, and it became a permanent part of my repertoire. Thank you, Naomi, Ryan, and Farley, for calling and waking me up.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/599434
2013-04-24T05:30:00-05:00
2013-04-24T05:30:00-05:00
The Stories Behind the Stories.
<br><div style="text-align: justify;">I quit playing music completely in 2000. I had 2 children and was going through a divorce, and I really wanted to make it work, so in a last ditch effort to save my family, I cut my hair, went to school, and got a good job. The four of us moved to Walls, MS, and made one last go of the relationship. There would be no secrets (except for the fact that I had NOT sold my music equipment, I just hid it in the pawn shop for 5 years!) and we would see if we could salvage any part of our relationship. Things just didn't work out, and in September of 2005, we went our separate ways.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I started writing music again then, with the idea of putting a blues band together with me as the vocalist. I had always wanted to sing, but was told by every band I was in that my backing vocals were ok but I would not be allowed to even sing one song, and I was determined to find my place as a singer. I put together a 3 piece blues-rock band called "Sugar Ditch" and started doing it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was sitting at the bar at Hooter's in Horn Lake, MS, one night and was scribbling gibberish on the back of a napkin. Anything that popped into my head got written down:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>I've been thinkin' 'bout going</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Insane</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Maybe rearrangin'</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>My brain</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Jump in front of a train</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Try on a little pain</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>After this rain.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was alone for the first time in my life, alone in an apartment, in a town where I really didn't know anyone, 127 miles away from all my friends and family, and it was beginning to get overwhelming. I had started getting out to meet people and had a small group of "friends" that I would talk to at the bar every evening. One of the guys reached for the napkin I was scribbling on and read it out loud, which caused a bit of a discussion, but "If you think you're insane, then you're actually sane. An insane person will go to his grave thinking he is sane," was the gist of it. I was just irritated they were taking my lyrics so seriously.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I stumbled home that night after a couple of pitchers of beer (I forgot to mention, I lived in an apartment right behind Hooter's. How convenient!) and threw the napkin on the coffee table, a pile of napkins from previous nights at the bar (yes, I was one of the regulars, too). I really didn't give it too much thought.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A few nights later, I watched the movie "Crossroads" for eleven millionth time, and was sitting on the sofa strumming a small acoustic guitar bought for my boys. It was tuned to open D, and the slide of Ry Cooder on the soundtrack inspired me to play a little slide myself, which resulted in the opening riff of "Ain't Got You," and it was recorded in 2008. Originally, there was a bastardized verse of "Amazing Grace" before that riff, but Foosh talked me out of recording that part, saying the song was long enough as it was.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/591453
2013-04-23T05:30:00-05:00
2017-01-13T18:36:55-06:00
Things Have Been Going On!
<div style="text-align: justify;">I've had a lot of irons in the fire lately trying to promote the Project and the album. Doing all of this myself isn't exactly easy, but at least I know it's getting done, giving me the ability to sleep a little each night. One of the main things I've been working on is making it easier on everyone to hear and purchase the album with the least amount of effort. That being said, I have some good news for everyone.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Lost In Mississippi" by the Kevin Waide Project is now available on <a href="http://open.spotify.com/album/21kKtDkd0zlDdHttCHpUqj" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/the-kevin-waide-project/id642267811" target="_blank">iTunes</a>, and <a href="https://play.google.com/store/music/album/The_Kevin_Waide_Project_Lost_In_Mississippi" target="_blank">Google Play</a>. You can still <a href="http://www.kevinwaide.com/fr_store.cfm" target="_blank">Buy Direct From Kevin Waide</a> at <a href="http://www.kevinwaide.com/">www.kevinwaide.com</a> if you'd rather support us that way, and can get an actual CD shipped to you.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I would also like to take a moment to recognize my good friend and band mate Jason Carter for his feature in Jacked Magazine this week. Jason is the smoothest and most tasteful slide guitarists I have ever had the privilege of making music with. Attached is a copy of the article. Congratulations, Jason. It's all well deserved.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_YLsa_TXJEw/UXY35EyJnfI/AAAAAAAAB4o/bw5Y_GR1q1Q/s1600/Jason.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="//1.bp.blogspot.com/-_YLsa_TXJEw/UXY35EyJnfI/AAAAAAAAB4o/bw5Y_GR1q1Q/s320/Jason.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="320" width="271" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/532524
2013-04-15T05:30:00-05:00
2013-04-15T05:30:00-05:00
Can you believe it's been 6 months?
<div style="text-align: justify;">It's crazy! Six months ago today, I made the decision to become a full-time musician.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Going into it, I was terrified. Being a musician is hard enough, especially in these tough economic times, but going full-time as a "Root's Music Musician" is not exactly a smart move financially! I wasn't sure I'd be able to keep enough work scheduled, but was determined to give it my best attempt. At 40 years old, my chances of being "discovered" (for whatever <i><b>that's</b></i> worth!) are quickly drawing to a close, so I knew it was all on me to keep it going and quickly went to work booking as many shows as I could find, which led to a three month house gig at Vanelli's.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Vanelli's gig help me grow as an artist and also helped the Project grow, both in technique and execution. So many special guest shared the Vanelli's stage with us during this time, forging new friendships and working relationships. The shows also helped us build a larger fan base, with visitors to Tupelo from all over the United States, and even a few from overseas. We had a lot of fun at Vanelli's, made some great music, and met some incredible people. I'm inclined to declare the time successful.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Other shows from the last six months worth mentioning would be the "Don't Be Cruel Barbecue Duel," our trip back to <a href="http://kevinwaide.blogspot.com/2013/03/living-blues.html" target="_blank">Indianola and 308 Blues Club</a>, and Kudzu's Bar & Grill in Memphis. The BBQ Duel was a lot of fun and I got to hear my friends Scott Chism & The Better Half (<i>twice in one day!</i>) while hanging out with my sons. Indianola was a post all to itself and was fun despite all the crap that was thrown at us. That night was both a Birthday Celebration for our friend Rick Moreland and marked the passing of our long-time friend Tim "The Milkman" Hopkins from his fight with cancer (F#@K Cancer!). Kudzu's marked the first full show with Gavin McGee on bass and my son Elijah Waide on drums. It was also my first show in Memphis in 7 years, and was more fun that I thought it could have been. The show was recorded by Mary Moreland on her iPad 2, so I cut it apart and released it as a <a href="https://soundcloud.com/kevinwaide/sets/live-at-kudzus" target="_blank">free download here</a>. Give it a listen and let me know what you think.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Going into the next six months (<i>one section at a time!</i>), we already have some great shows lined up, the biggest being the <a href="http://www.wpnet.org/wp_paf.htm" target="_blank">35th Annual Prairie Arts Festival</a> in Wests Point, MS! I'm working on more shows in the Memphis-area, along with moving south into Columbus, West Point, and Starkville.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And if you'd like to see us come to your area, <a href="mailto:kevin@kevinwaide.com" target="_blank">contact me</a> with Venue Info and I'll see if I can make it happen. This post is running a little long, and I know you've got work to do, so I guess I'm done. :-)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We'll see ya on the road.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kevin</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/509570
2013-04-10T19:06:00-05:00
2017-02-01T22:07:42-06:00
New Bootleg Album for Free Download
<div style="text-align: justify;">I just wanted to take the time to let everyone know that I've uploaded a new "Bootleg Album" for free download. Just <a href="https://soundcloud.com/kevinwaide/sets/live-at-kudzus" target="_blank">click here</a> and download away! The bootleg was recorded by Mary Moreland on an iPad 2 and sounds pretty good for a room recording. This album has the new song "No Time To Cry" written by my son, Michael, along with some other originals and popular covers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've also uploaded a couple of new videos on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/KevinWaide" target="_blank">YouTube</a> from the show, including my reggae version of "Free Bird". I have more video to upload in the next few days, so subscribe to the channel to get updates as I make them.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I also would like to remind you Android users out there to download the <a href="https://www.reverbnation.com/kevinwaide/android" target="_blank">Kevin Waide Android App</a> here. It's free of charge, and you can keep up with the latest goings-on with the project as well as check the show schedule or stream "Lost In Mississippi" straight from the web for FREE! How cool is that?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Work on the new album is about to start back up, so hopefully I'll have some snippets for you to hear in the coming weeks. We have some solid song and a solid lineup for the studio, so keep your fingers cross that everything falls into place, but I don't think that will be a problem. The great thing about seasoned players is they're already seasoned and ready. ;-)</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/509571
2013-04-04T04:22:00-05:00
2017-02-01T22:07:43-06:00
Movin' On Up!
<i style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Well we're movin' on up, </span></i><br><div style="text-align: justify;"><i style="font-family: inherit;">To the top </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="font-family: inherit;">To a deluxe apartment in the sky. </i></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i></i></span><br><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><i style="font-family: inherit;">Movin' on up </i></i></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i></i><i></i></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><i style="font-family: inherit;">To the top </i></i></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i></i><i><div style="text-align: justify;"><i style="font-family: inherit;">We finally got a piece of the pie.</i></div></i></span><br><br><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">~ Movin' On Up - Jeff Barry & Ja'net Dubois</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">We have reached number 77 on the ReverbNation Blues charts for US.( </span><a href="https://www.reverbnation.com/kevinwaide" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(255, 94, 153); -webkit-transition: color 0.15s; cursor: pointer; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.15s; vertical-align: baseline;">https://www.reverbnation.com/kevinwaide</a>) Thank you to everyone that has supported us by coming to the shows, buying the album, recommending us to friends, and/or promoted us both on and offline. We couldn't have made it this far or this long without you helping to spread the word. If y'all keep this kind of work up, we'll reach the number 1 spot in no time at all. If you could take the time and ask 3 of your closest friends to check us out in the next week, that should do it.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Again, thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kevin, Jason, and Foosh</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/509569
2013-03-25T07:12:00-05:00
2013-03-25T07:12:00-05:00
Living the Blues
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="text-align: left;">I got to keep moving, I got to keep moving</span></i></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="text-align: left;">Blues falling down like hail, blues falling down like hail</span></i></span><br><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="text-align: left;">And the day keeps on remindin' me, there's a hellhound on my trail</span></i></span><br><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="text-align: left;">~ "Hellhound On My Trail" - Robert Johnson</span></i></span><br><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">No matter how much preparation you put into an outing, you're NEVER completely prepared.</span><br><br><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Saturday, March 23rd, we were scheduled to play at 308 Blues Club and Café in Indianola, MS. We always have a great time at the venue, but we always seem to have some kind of trouble getting to and from the show. Lately, we've taken to getting rooms in Indianola to help with the stress of travel, so I called to reserve rooms at the Economy Inn Express. The person on the other end of the phone didn't speak very good Engrish, but from what I could gather, the hotel didn't make reservations. Not good.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Saturday morning, I stopped by Tupelo Consignment Music to give a guitar lesson before I left town, then on to meet Rick Moreland (Moreland Amps) at his house to load equipment. Foosh and Deb met us there, we loaded the rest of the equipment, and hooked the trailer to Rick's truck for the trip. We were running late, and Rick had a camper shell on his truck (<i>important plot information!</i>), so he loaded the PA in the back while waiting for us to get there. We hit the road around 2:30 pm and feel confident that we've got plenty of time for the drive and to find rooms before the show.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Well, we leave Wren, MS headed to Okolona to get on the Natchez Trace. As soon as we get on the Trace, the wheel bearing in the left wheel of the trailer go out and the wheel comes off! Foosh informs us that he's got a spare hub with bearings in the back of his truck at Moreland's house in Wren, so we leave Rick and Mary with the truck and trailer and head back to Wren (30 mins. away) in the Mustang to get the parts. We also have to make a stop at Scott's Auto Center (local NAPA store in Okolona) to get a punch, Cotter Keys, and wheel bearing grease to make the repairs. We get back to find out the wheel hub had ground away some of the spindle, but not so bad we couldn't get the nut back on (with LOT'S of elbow grease), and we're back on the road at 5:11 pm.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We take the Hwy 82 exit off the Trace and fairly smooth sailing into Winona, where the rain and bad weather met us. We check the trailer wheels just to make sure (everything was fine) and haul @$$ trying to get to town with enough time to find rooms.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">About 5 miles east of Greenwood, MS on Hwy 82, the weather got REALLY bad. The wind was whipping us around pretty bad and we were watching the trailer in front of us, when a gust of wind hit both vehicles with enough force to rip the camper shell off Rick's truck, take it 50 feet in the air and toss it like a rag doll across 4 lanes of traffic into a field on the other side of the highway, narrowly missing an eastbound 18-Wheeler! The rain is pounding (remember, PA equipment is in the back of Rick's truck, uncovered now!) and we're looking for a place to move equipment to the trailer! About 10 miles down the road we find a Convenience Store with a covering large enough for us to move equipment, and we're back on the road again at 7:00 pm. We finally get into Indianola at 7:45, find the hotel, get rooms, and Rick uses a hair dryer to dry the mixer out enough to use for the evening. Tom meets us at the rooms, we get the board loaded back up, and we get to the venue at 8:30.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Setting up the PA, we find out the crossover isn't working correctly, and by this time we're a half hour late starting the show, so we use my small PA for the first set. Rick get's the PA fixed by the second set, and we're back in business. We finish out the night, load the equipment back into the trailer, and retire to the rooms for the evening. The only troubles we had on the way home was finding a place to eat (why is Lost Pizza in Indianola closed on Sundays?) and a blown fuse for the brake lights on Rick's truck (which we get fixed in Carrollton).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All in all, we had a "fun" trip. I used quotes on the word fun simply because we chose to laugh at everything that was thrown at us instead of letting it bring us down (<i>we had other factors to bring us down, but that's the subject of a future blog</i>). It's always an adventure when we go out of town, and we've come to accept (and even embrace) that fact. Thank you to everyone that came out to the show. We also want to thank Mario and Dave at the 308 for having us, and Scott's Auto Center in Okolona for being open late on a Saturday.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">One of these days, we're going to figure out how to outrun (or outsmart) those Hellhounds.</span></div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/509573
2013-03-19T08:45:00-05:00
2013-12-05T11:58:59-06:00
6 years? My, how time flies!
<div style="text-align: justify;">I let it slip by without saying much about it, but March 17, 2013 was the sixth anniversary of the Kevin Waide Project's first show at 363 Blues Club in Saltillo, MS. We will be celebrating 6 years of the Project at <a href="http://goo.gl/maps/VfV66" target="_blank">308 Blues Club & Café in Indianola, MS</a> this Saturday, March 23, 2013, so if you're in the area, come on out for the celebration. It's at 308 Depot Ave. in Indianola, about half a block from the B.B. King Museum.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On March 10, 2007, I was asked by my good friends Will and Erin Bristow if I could have a band ready for the following Saturday. The club had booked Super Chikan for St. Patrick's Day that year, but his management hadn't confirmed the date-and he was scheduled for some shows in Europe the week before-so they asked me to be on Stand-By, just in case.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I called up my old friend and previous band mate, Chris Fooshee, to see if he would like to do one show, and he said yes. I had also just met Jimmy Karow, a country bass player originally from Kenosha, Wisconsin, and we had been talking music for a few months at the time. When asked if he would be interested in doing a blues gig, his answer was, "Sure, why not." So, now I had a 3 piece band ready to do the show, and I informed Will and Erin that we were on stand by.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wednesday, March 14, Will called and said Super Chikan's management called and he would not be performing, so if we could do the show, it was ours. I called Jim and Foosh and we scheduled a practice for the following evening. We ran through a few of my originals and a few covers and decided that we were gonna be OK for one show.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had only been singing for a year or so, and my voice wasn't strong enough to carry an entire evening, so on Saturday morning, I called Skip Oliver and Mark Coward and invited them out to sit in with us, and they both accepted. I now had a 5 piece band willing to play for the evening with no guarantee on pay!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The show that night was a huge success, with attendance breaking fire code! Everything with the guys just clicked, and out of that show, we were asked to play the B-Town BBQ Festival in Baldwyn, MS the following June, and the Okeelala Festival in Baldwyn that October. Shows kept coming up, and Skip, Jim, and Foosh were up for anything as long as we were making money, and the Project was born.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We've had a few lineup changes over the years, with Jason Carter joining the band March 6, 2010 (a year to the day after Foosh's motorcycle wreck), Jimmy going part-time in June, 2010, and Skip leaving to pursue his own career in June, 2011, but we're still going strong. We have a few different bass players at the ready for each show (Tom Sewell, Jay Carroll, Michael Brose, Gavin McGee, Chuck McArthur, Brian West), guitar players (Blayze Windham, Mark Coward), drummers (Elijah Waide, Cameron Kimbrough, Joseph Lackey, Derrick Young), "outside" songwriters (Michael Waide, Helmuth Cote), and a close working relationship with amp guru Rick Moreland of Moreland Amplification. Each year, our gig radius grows. We've had songs played on radio in Europe and played a large number of Blues Festivals around the state. We've gotten to jam with many of our "idols" (Lightnin' Malcolm, Kenny Brown, Richard Johnston, Eden Brent). We've made new friends all over, and are having more fun than we've ever had, and that's because of you guys (and gals).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Thank you all for supporting us, and we look forward to another 6 years, and another 6 years after that. We'll see you on the road.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/509572
2013-03-13T12:50:00-05:00
2013-12-05T11:58:59-06:00
Side Projects and New Music
<div style="text-align: justify;">For the last few years, I've had the privilege of getting to play music with a good friend of mine, John West. John is a younger guy and the music we play is a lot different than the blues I do with the Project. It's fun stepping outside of the normal and doing something different. Recently, John and I have gotten together with Corey Bell (drums, The Bad Hand) and Gavin McGee (bass, Hobo Hippie) and started rehearsing a full band show. John has a fairly large catalog of original material, and everything is falling into place very quickly. I'm excited for everyone to hear what we've got so far, and I'm looking forward to getting in the studio with these guys.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><a href="https://soundcloud.com/kevinwaide/the-life-of-a-flower" target="_blank">Here's a little clip of what we've been working on</a></b>. This is a John West original, entitled "(The Life)...Of A Flower". This was recorded with 2 room mics and isn't the BEST quality, but it's a decent representation of what we're doing. Hope you like it.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/509574
2013-03-11T09:49:00-05:00
2017-01-13T18:36:55-06:00
Mr. & Mrs. Jason Carter
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Saturday, March 9, 2013, saw the wedding of two of my best friends, Ally and Jason Carter, in a small ceremony at the Elvis Presley Chapel in Tupelo, MS. The reception (and wedding party later that evening) was a "star-studded" event, with long-time friends (and former band mates) jamming into the early hours of Sunday morning. The Immortal SuperFoosh and bassist "Evil" Jimmy Karow came out, as did Brad Bailey (bass) and Riggen Bullard (drums) of the Healers, Vinnie C., and Brian, Ray, and James of the Down South Band, and a good time was had by all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Saturday marked the first time since October 2010 that all the members of The Healers have been on stage together, and Jimmy's presence marked a(n almost) reunion of the original KWP lineup (Skip Oliver was absent due to surgery two days previous).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Pictured below are the happy couple during their first dance as husband and wife (<i>photo courtesy Gigi Costlow</i>).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We all want to send Jason and Ally much love as they enjoy their honeymoon and wish them safe travels to and from their destination. When you see them out in the next few weeks, be sure to congratulate them. You'll recognize them by the size of the smile on each of their faces.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Thank you, also, to everyone who pitched in and helped make the Wedding Party a success. You know who you all are, and we couldn't have done it without you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OBSz3fu9nCM/UT4v-sBqCzI/AAAAAAAABW0/gHo-3XR1rb8/s1600/JasonAlly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="//3.bp.blogspot.com/-OBSz3fu9nCM/UT4v-sBqCzI/AAAAAAAABW0/gHo-3XR1rb8/s320/JasonAlly.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="300" width="320" /></a></div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/509575
2013-02-22T04:09:00-06:00
2013-12-05T11:58:59-06:00
From the Mind Of a 12 Year Old
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My youngest son called last night to play (and sing) the new song he's written. Words AND music by Michael Waide. This will definitely be on an album soon. Hope you enjoy.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No Time To Cry</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">© 2013 Michael Waide – All Rights Reserved</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well I'm walking</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Got no clue as to where or why</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Said I'm walking</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Got no clue as to where or why</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yeah, my baby she done left me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I ain't got no time to cry</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't want your heart and soul</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't need you to keep me in line</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't want your heart and soul</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't need you to keep me in line</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can have your friends and your life</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lord, just keep ‘em out of mine</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm gonna take a train</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jump off in the Arizona sand</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Said I'm gonna take a train</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jump off in the Arizona sand</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chase it up to Colorado</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rocky Mountain High in the palm of my hand</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, I'm walking</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't quite care as to where or why</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh, yeah, I'm walking</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't quite care as to where or why</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My baby done gone and left me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I got no reason to cry</span></div>
</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/509587
2013-02-18T10:09:00-06:00
2021-08-12T11:56:49-05:00
Tips For Being a Lady's Man #20
<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>This tip comes from my good friend Chad Nolan of the Spunk Monkees. His suggestion of this tip also begins another part of my tips. Previous tips have mainly been centered around keeping your lady friends happy once the relationship has started. Chad's tip will begin a list for approaching and beginning a relationship with new lady friends.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tip # 20</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Buy a drink for every woman at the table, not just the one you're trying to meet. Generosity shown toward her circle of friends will be held in high regard, both with her and her friends, so be generous. Women consult their friends often when considering a date with someone new, and the bigger the impression you leave on her friends, the better the endorsement you'll receive in return. This also carries the added benefit of the possibility of multiple relationships. Remember to refer back previous <a href="http://kevinwaide.blogspot.com/search/label/Lady%27s%20Man" target="_blank">Lady's Man</a> tips for how to handle established relationships.</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/509588
2013-02-11T08:52:00-06:00
2013-02-11T08:52:00-06:00
Vanelli's and Looking Forward
<div style="text-align: justify;">Last weekend marked the end of our 3 month house gig at Vanelli's. We had a blast and met some of the most incredible people, many of whom we hope to see at shows in the future. I want to thank vOz and the staff for the hospitality the showed us and for their hard work making each and every show the success it was. You all helped us put on an extended blues production the likes of which Tupelo hasn't seen in a while. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Looking forward into 2013, I'm working on extending our distance from Tupelo, along with writing and recording for a new album I hope to have ready later this year. We've had a couple of recording sessions and have a few good tracks, so it looks promising. Time will tell. I'm shooting for a late summer release. That would be a great Birfday present. </div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/509576
2013-02-04T06:16:00-06:00
2021-08-12T11:57:28-05:00
New Song Lyrics
<i>Just riding around this morning, and the lyrics popped into my head. Simple blues, no name yet.</i><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Ain't got no money to pay the rent</div><div>Ain't got no groceries & my woman done up and split</div><div>Don't know what I'm gonna do</div><div>I think I'll</div><div>Sit right here and play the blues</div><div><br></div><div>Ain't got no place to call my own</div><div>Ain't got no time left on my telephone</div><div>I got the time to do as I choose</div><div>But I think I'll</div><div>Sit right here and play the blues</div><div><br></div><div>The blues ain't nothin'</div><div>But a good man feelin' bad</div><div>Thinkin' 'bout his troubles</div><div>Or the woman he once had</div><div><br></div><div>Come Monday mornin' I'm gonna leave this town</div><div>Find another cutie that wants me around</div><div>Maybe even write a new tune</div><div>'Cause I'm gonna</div><div>Sit right there and play the blues</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/509577
2013-01-31T18:49:00-06:00
2013-01-31T18:49:00-06:00
Waffle House
Sitting at Waffle House on Sycamore in Memphis, just off the interstate. One of the nicer Waffle Houses I've been in, and I've been in a few. I just got the chance to jam with Eden Brent at the Beale St. Tap Room, and I'm still a little excited. I've heard some good blues in Memphis this weekend so far, but you'd really have to look to find a bad spot. This weekend is the International Blues Challenge finals. LOTS of good blues in Memphis this weekend. Oh, and did I mention, I got to jam with Eden Brent? <br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qya1dtRPyi0/UQtlg-DjgzI/AAAAAAAABUE/yqo4pdGZ-0E/s640/blogger-image--285679853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qya1dtRPyi0/UQtlg-DjgzI/AAAAAAAABUE/yqo4pdGZ-0E/s640/blogger-image--285679853.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></a></div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/509578
2013-01-24T17:46:00-06:00
2013-01-24T17:46:00-06:00
Pros and Cons of Being a Professional Musician
<div style="text-align: justify;">Recently I was afforded the opportunity of becoming a "Full-Time Musician" (read <i>Unemployed</i>), and I have been weighing the pros and cons of my decision over the last few months. While there are some glaringly obvious pros (sleeping in, not having to punch a clock, <i>etc.</i>) and cons (<i>financial instability!</i>), I'm finding lots of other little details that used to go unnoticed, by me anyway.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><u>Pros</u></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<ul>
<li>
<b>Time -</b> It's kind of hard to be a songwriter when you don't have the time to actually write, and my "day gig" was really getting in the way. I now have time to practice my writing (between hustling up gigs and keeping my web presence up-to-date) and have quite a few new songs as a result. Progress. That's what we're shooting for. I also have time for friends and family, since I'm not working 40+ hours a week and gigging 3-4 nights on the side. I've seen my parents more in the last week than I have in the last 10 months! I have time to practice guitar or learn a new song or two. I can blog more, call a few clubs, or just sit and enjoy being alive. More people should just sit down and enjoy being alive.</li>
<li>
<b>Rest - </b>Since I'm a musician and out until the early hours of the morning playing music and moving equipment (who has time to party?), and I have nowhere to be at 8:00 AM the next morning, I'm able to get the proper amount of rest and all the health benefits that come with it. Proper rest also leads to a better disposition, and when mixed with time to do everything you need to do, creates the third pro, which is</li>
<li>
<b>Less Stress -</b> Stress is quickly killing off the human race. I would get knots in my muscles and become so irritable that I was losing friends and quickly running out of places to hide the bodies! I always had a cold of some kind and never felt like doing anything other than what I was obligated to do, and even then I had to make myself do it. Taking back 40 hours every week was the only thing left to do.</li>
</ul>
<div><b><u>Cons</u></b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>
<b>Financial Instability - </b>Because I have no "day gig," I don't have the steady paycheck coming in, and must spend every second of every day in "work mode." I'm not allowed to step away from my phone or computer at any time, as I may miss an opportunity to "hustle up some revenue," and let me tell ya, that's some hard friggin' work! I have about 15 seconds to sell myself to an owner/booker, and blues ain't an easy sell. Financial instability also causes a different kind of stress that will almost negate the pro. Almost.</li>
<li>
<b>It's a lonely life - </b>It takes a special kind of person - one who loves music as much as musicians do - to be in a long-term relationship with a musician, and not everyone is cut out for it. We've all seen the same scenario; a musician friend meets a girl at a gig, they start talking, hit it off, and start dating. Then, a few months in, she's upset because he's got a show and she doesn't want him to go because other girls will be looking at him! Soon, the shows start to die down, he cuts his hair and gets a normal job. It's all downhill from there. But there are those special people out there that understand, or so they say. I'm still looking. </li>
</ul>Half full or half empty? I don't really know. Perception is the key, I guess. For the moment, I'm still focusing on the pros of being "full-time."</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>What do you call a guitar player without a girlfriend? Homeless. :-)</div>
</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/509589
2013-01-17T06:30:00-06:00
2013-01-17T06:30:00-06:00
To everyone who downloaded "Lost In Mississippi"
What do you think of the album. I would love your feedback, what you like, what you didn't care as much for, what you would like to see on the new album. Leave a comment below telling me exactly what you think. Yes, I said that out loud. <br><br>For those who haven't purchased the album yet, what are you waiting for?
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/509590
2013-01-14T13:54:00-06:00
2013-01-14T13:54:00-06:00
New audio and video
<div style="text-align: justify;">As you've probably noticed, I've been quite busy today uploading audio and video from the weekend at Vanelli's. My youngest son took the video on his iPod Touch and didn't think to set the orientation right, but he did manage to get decent sound. The two songs are songs off the Album-in-the-Works. It's too early in the game to name the album, so from this moment on, I will refer to it as New Album (cleaver, huh?).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I also uploaded a couple of rough mixes from the recording session last week. These songs, "Call My Name" and "Hypnotized," foretell the direction this album is headed in. I'm really excited to get this album underway. Not sure how it's going to turn out, but it's going to be me, no matter what.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Please take a little time and give them a listen as I'm anxious to hear your opinions. Leave comments below telling me what you like/don't like about them and help me record an album that you want.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Later!</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kevin</div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/509591
2013-01-09T05:10:00-06:00
2013-01-09T05:10:00-06:00
Quiet in the studio
Foosh, Jay, Jason, and I are headed into Double Wide Studio today to start recording for the new album. I'll be sure to post some snippets in the days to come as we get things closer to finished. I'm really excited to record some of these new songs. All of these were written while I lived on Madison St. downtown and they mean a lot to me. I hope you like them.
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/509592
2013-01-08T04:47:00-06:00
2017-02-01T22:07:43-06:00
Android Mobile App
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mgQ5uCb4ESk/UOxMKQoBnOI/AAAAAAAABR0/rrqqyQenIhs/s1600/mobile_marketing_android.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img src="//2.bp.blogspot.com/-mgQ5uCb4ESk/UOxMKQoBnOI/AAAAAAAABR0/rrqqyQenIhs/s200/mobile_marketing_android.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" height="200" width="103" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm pleased to announce that the mobile app for Android is now here! Follow <a href="https://www.reverbnation.com/kevinwaide/android" target="_blank"><b>THIS LINK</b></a> to download it to your android phone.<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; line-height: 21px;">This </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; border: 0px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;">free Mobile App</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; line-height: 21px;"> lets you listen to music, check out photos and videos, read blog posts and get exclusive push notifications straight to your Android phone. Check it out and let me know what you think. </span></span>
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; line-height: 21px;">Oh, and for the iPhone users (like me), it costs $299.99 a year to have an app in the iTunes app store, so it may be a while before I can have it placed.</span></span></div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/509593
2013-01-05T18:55:00-06:00
2013-01-05T18:55:00-06:00
Tips For Being a Lady's Man #19
Compliment your lady! Let her know you think she has beautiful eyes. Tell her how her smile makes you melt. Women will tell you they don't want to hear these thing, but don't believe them. Any compliment is a good compliment, and the more you give them, the better things are for you. Just make sure you MEAN IT! Don't offer an empty compliment, as she will see right through it.
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/509579
2013-01-04T06:39:00-06:00
2013-01-04T06:39:00-06:00
Tips For Being a Lady's Man #18
Be on time! Traffic and other distractions must be taken into account and planned for, but don't be early, either. A maximum of five minutes early is acceptable. Any more and you come off as desperate. Any later and she may not even answer the door, if she's even there. There are others who want her attention, too.
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/509580
2013-01-03T05:57:00-06:00
2013-01-03T05:57:00-06:00
Tips For Being a Lady's Man #17
Never rush a lady. This seems like an obvious one, but you might be surprised at how our actions alone work to rush them. Stop looking at your watch and relax. You'll have a much better evening when she's happy with the way she looks.
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/509581
2013-01-02T06:31:00-06:00
2013-01-02T06:31:00-06:00
Tips For Being a Lady's Man #16
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.27489057881757617" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A woman is never in your way. Never let her think she is.</span></b>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/509582
2013-01-01T15:56:00-06:00
2013-01-01T15:56:00-06:00
Tips For Being a Lady's Man #15
(This tip courtesy of the Immortal SuperFoosh) Spectacles, Testicles, Wallet! In other words, always be prepared.
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/509583
2012-12-31T23:04:00-06:00
2012-12-31T23:04:00-06:00
Here's to 2013 being better than 2012
What an incredible night at Romie's Barbecue! Everyone definitely came to party, and the party was good. Special thanks to Michael Brose for laying down the groove on the Bass guitar and Brock Robbins for sitting in on drums for "Voodoo Child". You guys ROCK! Foosh and Carter were in rare form, as well, and the whole night was just magical. The plan was to record the evening, but due to technical difficulties beyond my knowledge of expertise, it wasn't to be, and I'm a little bummed that unless you were there you'll never know what it was. But enough rambling. <br><br>I've been writing a lot over the last two months and have almost a new album on songs. The guys and I are going to get together soon and begin rehearsals to iron out the kinks and get these things recorded. I would love to have an album of new material to release by the end of 2013, and that's the goal I have set for myself. We'll see how it goes. <br><br>Hope you all have an happy new year. Luv ya. Mean it. <br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-epoU9GfHi80/UOLCyejlGYI/AAAAAAAABCk/IigcNXGr39Y/s640/blogger-image--90362450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-epoU9GfHi80/UOLCyejlGYI/AAAAAAAABCk/IigcNXGr39Y/s640/blogger-image--90362450.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></a></div>
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/509584
2012-12-31T02:49:00-06:00
2012-12-31T02:49:00-06:00
Tips For Being a Lady's Man #14
Keep your lady's coach clean. Make sure where she sits in your vehicle NEVER has any trash in the floor.
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/509585
2012-12-30T06:28:00-06:00
2012-12-30T06:28:00-06:00
Tips For Being a Lady's Man #13
Always make sure she has a drink.
Kevin Waide
tag:kevinwaide.com,2005:Post/509586
2012-12-29T08:16:00-06:00
2012-12-29T08:16:00-06:00
Tips For Being a Lady's Man #12
Always offer words of encouragement when your friend doubts herself.
Kevin Waide