Last night was fun. Studio A at Belmont was pretty clean. I have pic that I will upload whenever my phone get it's life back.
Ok, so this is a music school, right? Well, saying that, I had some expectations of this place.
Student Admission : Between $22,000 to $25,000
Awesome Studio to record at : Well Over $1 million. ( I am guessing )
A really nice drum-set to record on : Priceless!
And I really mean priceless. It's the oldest drum set I have ever played on. They asked me if I wanted to bring mine, cause they didn't know if the place had a house set. They found out that they did have one at the recording studio. So, the only thing I took to the recording was myself, my drum-sticks, and my awesome ride and my sweet hi-hats. When I got there...I met everyone and then they took me to the drum set. Here was my face whenever I saw my face. Ok..so that is faces...but still, come on. These guys spit out artest like fireworks on the 4th of July. Called Forrest and he was like "dude...I could of told you that you needed to take your set. I thought that was what you were going to do. But whenever I walked in the house; I was like "oh boy...Edwin is not going to be happy."" So yeah...note to self....take my drum-set to Belmont to record!
~Change of Subject~
TONIGHT, ALL YOU YANKEE FANS BETTER BE CLUED TO THE YANKEE AND RED SOX GAME!!!!
Ok..that's all I had to say about that!
I will post the song on my MSN space whenever I get it...so look for that.
Keep praying guys. Something big might be happening for me. Just keep me in your prayers.
"Two nights ago", I went to church with Neil, the drummer of Detour180, and it was cool. This church was much bigger than the last church I went. Just to let you know; the praise and worship band was FFH. Yes...that's right...I said FFH. I thought it was cool. But they were great. I will be going back for sure "Today" though, was good. I got a call from my friend, Jami, and she told me that a friend of hers needed a drummer to record. And you know me...I said "Word!" So she told me that he would be calling me soon. He called and we talk for a bit. He was just telling me what time I needed to be there and when would be a good time to drop off the cd. I told him whenever he could. So he is dropping it off in the morning at 8! Fun! But anyways...can't wait till tomorrow. It's going to be fun and maybe, I will put it up on my MSN Space.
Well ladies and gents...that's about all tonight, but if I do think of something to blog about; I will blog it, but check this tomorrow to see how the recording went!
1) I met the band Detour180 in Best Buy. (They just moved here from New Zeland) I talked to the drummer and bass player. I gave the drummer my phone number just incase he needed to use my drum-set. (He told me that all he could bring we his snare and cymbals...so I was being nice) He came in about 3 days laters and he invited me to the church they go to on Tuesday nights. I am going!
2) I met one of the guitar players from Jars of Clay! Matt walked right through my department...and I was like "was that...? Nah..that couldn't have.." second glance "holy cows milk!!! it is him" So I went to home theater and asked if he needed help. Then I was like..."dude..I saw you guys whenever I was in 8th grade back in Lufkin, TX." I thought that was cool.
But number 3 rocks...
3) KIDS IN THE WAY CAMEINTO BEST BUY TODAY!!!!! I was helping this guy out..and he had a "Haste the Day" shirt. I told him --->"cool shirt." While I was walking away...I turned around and asked "do you, by any chance, play for that band?" He said no and then I asked if he was in a band. "Yeah...I in the band called "Kids in the Way"." Right there and then I was like..."Dude..what's up?! Good to meet you man. Love your stuff. What do you play?" Sooo..yeah..the whole band just happen to be in the store. (They are touring with Audio A.) I talked to everyone...but the drummer...just my luck. (he was getting cds) When the band, my friend that works at Best Buy, and I were just talking...their video plays in our store everday..and it just happened to play while we were all talking. Kinda cool to see a band in a music video..while the band is standing right beside you.
4) Well...#4 really doesn't have to do anything with music. I just love my discounts!
So..I LOVE MY JOB!!!!
Oh...did I also mention that I met the running back of the Tenn. Titians! Rock on baby!
So, Jon Martin, if you are reading this....you better pray to God that you get this job.
Alright..that is it for tonight. I stayed up to fix this problem on my MSN Space thing. Now I am ready for bed. Night!
And this hit me right when I was headed down the stairs for bed....
This is how strong music is...
Even when slaves where going thourgh hard times; they sang. They could be hard for miles. But it meant something to them.....that's one thing that couldn't be taken away.
"what is the most beautiful word to you"-Lexie Eppley "Music."-Edwin Rivera III
I didn't even pause whenever she asked me that question. I could of picked other words like; Love, Forgiveness, Jesus, or even Beautiful in itself. I knew the answer right when she asked me.
Music is beautiful. Musically or lyrically. There is life and emotion in music.
When you watch a piano player: They do not just sit there and play. You see them always moving. Their arms are going up and down almost like a wave of the ocean. And when they are finished...you see them just pause for a minute, inhale and then exhale, and then the applause comes.
When you watch a guitar player: They just don't stand there with the guitar and strum away. No! They make faces whenever they are playing. When they bend a note; you can see them mouth the whole pitch bend. You see them smile big whenever they are playing a solo, but also concentrating.
When you watch a singer: They just don't hold the mic to their mouth. They make a fist whenever they are enjoying them selfs. You see them stick out their finger and point up whenever they are going up on the scale of notes or pointing down if they are going low.
When you watch anyone...you can tell that there is emotion leading them: Drummer, Band/Choir Conductors, Bass players, Violin Players.
Music is all about feeling. Without feeling, it's just noise.
I think that music and lyrics are equally the same. I heard John Mayer say that he doesn't write his songs based on what he is feeling. He might of meant that he doesn't write his songs based on his feelings right there and then, but his lyrics come from an emotion or feeling. Lyrics can make you cry, give you goose pumps, make you sit and think, make you angry, make you want to hug your best friend and say sorry, make you want to call your mom and say "I love you", or make you cry out to God and say "Here I am...use me."
But one thing I do believe; is that you can't have one without the other. Sure; you can have a poem, but when you add music and a melody line...it's takes a whole different feeling.<-------- You see...I just typed "feeling". Maybe I'm just typing away and not making any sense; but one thing I know make sense... Music equals life! That is why I listen to every kind of style of music. From Frank Sinatra to Underoath. From Danny Elfman to 50Cent. From Dream Theater to Jason Mraz. From Todd Agnew to Avril Lavigne. From Backstreet Boys to The Used. To close your mind to any kind of music; is to close your eyes to the world. I understand that there are things out there that are not right to say. Or could be just really ugly. Word of advice...don't listen to it. You know in your heart, if what you are listening to is bad simply don't listen to it. But understand, everyone is different. What does music mean to you? and how does it affect your life? and "what is the most beautiful word to you"?
<>< (Check out my pictures of the concerts I've been to on my MSNSpace. Those are examples of some of the things I talked about)
I promise this will not be long. I will just tell you the highlights!
I went to the concert by myself, but I met some cool people. I met Ken at the very begning of the show. James and Daniel remembered me from the Spoken concert. I thought that was cool. But, as you can tell by all the pics, I got to hang out with the bands. But I really got to hang out with the drummer of Naos Project. They were from San Antonio, Tx and they were hyped whenever I told them I was from Lufkin, Tx. But after I took the pic with the "Green Monster" , Rhino, (that's the drummer) asked me to go see the Skate Park with him. I was like sure! So we watched everyone skate and stuff. Then we got to talk about what I was doing up here in Nashville. SO I told him..and he said "Dude...the guitar player moved from New York, and whenever he arrived at Tx, he had just his car and 80 bucks!" I was like "WOW!"
This was the cool part of the convo. though. I asked him what he liked to listen to. If he had any fav. bands, and this is what he said...
"I really am not a fan of music. I listen to individuals. Like Dave Weckle, Mike Portnoy, and Terri Bozzio.....I just don't listen to one style. I like to listen to everything. It helps me become a better player."
I liked that convo alot. He reminded me of myself. And it's true. If you listen to everything...you will become more diverse. You can take every style and put it into your own. This way, you will never stop learning. You will put everything you hear into your style.
But enough about that...here are the bands! (Don't forget to check out the pics) My Minds Eye
Fake Problems was a pretty good band. They are different, but a good different. Between every song, the bass player would talk. And he had some funny stories! I liked them!
Naos Project: These guys rocked! I was really impressed by their musicianship. That's all I can really say.THEY ROCKED MY FACE OFF!!! They might get a deal from Flicker Records! Pray for them.
Chasing Victory was great. They had a good live feel to them. You got the feel from them that they really loved what they were doing. Go get their cd!
Subseven was the highlight of the night! It was my first time seeing these guys. AND MAN WAS IT GREAT! The begning bands I did not know the words because I never heard of them, but with Subseven...I loved sing with them. I whenever the singer stopped singing..and let us sing...it was an awesome feeling!
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must BELIEVE and NOT DOUBT, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is double-minded man, unstable in all he does."
This week as been very trying on me. I've been full of doubts, sadness, and fear.
Ever since Sat. Night/Sun. Morning, I've been thinking about everything.
Me being called to a place where nothing is comfortable. A place where I know no one. A place where I feel like a alien. I try my best to make friends, but it's so hard. I have my best friends in Tx, I know each of their names. I saw them every week. I had my family by my side. I had the comfort of home. I had a new dog, Troy, that I miss sooo much!
I had a band that I played with every Sunday, with Kevin or Susie, Ryan, and Jon. I was playing with the NewSon band, and we were even working on making our cd.
But the one thing that kills me the most...and I don't know why I even care about this...but
I miss my dad.
I miss having a father figure. I cried on the phone with Shannon because we were talking about that subject. It just seems like I am missing a big part of my heart. I know that I am missing a big part of life because he isn't there. There are things that I want to ask, but I have to either talk to my friends, or I have to talk to myself. Question like "what do I do whenever my car starts doing this?" or "what would you do, dad?" or "how do you know if she is the one?" What happenes whenever I become a father? Who will I ask whenever I have question? Don't get me wrong Mom, you are the person that I will go to first, but it's the father part I will need help on.
Well....still have still half a week to go. Pray for me.
<>< "The Shadow proves the Sunshine." -Switchfoot
"Whendarkness turns to light,it ends tonight." -All American Rejects <><
Today I went to Nashville FD. When I first arrived, I asked for the Capt. I told him that if there was a way I could speak to all your men at once. He said sure. He got everyone together, but one, he was outside talking to his wife.
I had this weak feeling for some odd reason. I did not write down what I wanted to say. I did not dress up for the occation. I wore my New York FD t-shirt that my brother, Jonny, got for me from his New York band trip. But I stood there looking at these men. As they are looking at me with some cds in my hands.
I told them that I didn't know if anyone came by today since today is 9/11, but I just wanted to say thank you for everything you do here. I told them that I have seen firefighter movies, but I know that is nothing what really goes on out there whenever you guys do your job. It's just a glimps of truth. I thanked them and their families for being so brave. I explained why I had cds in my hands. I made cds with the Yellowcard song "Believe"
Here are the lyrics
"Believe"
Think about the love inside the strength of heart Think about the heroes saving life in the dark Climbing higher through the fire, time was running out Never knowing you weren't going to be coming down alive But you still came back for me You were strong and you believed
Everything is gonna be alright Everything is gonna be alright Everything is gonna be alright Be strong. Believe. Be strong. Believe.
Think about the chance I never had to say Thank you for giving up your life that day Never fearing, only hearing voices calling out Let it all go, the life that you know, just to bring it down alive And you still came back for me You were strong and you believed
Everything is gonna be alright Everything is gonna be alright Everything is gonna be alright Be strong. Believe.
(Again today, we take into our hearts and minds those who perished on this site one year ago, and also those who came to toil in the rubble to bring order out of chaos, to help us make sense of our despair)
Wanna hold my wife when I get home Wanna tell the kids they'll never know how much I love to see them smile Wanna make a change or two right now Wanna live a life like you somehow Wanna make your sacrifice worthwhile Everything is gonna be alright
Everything is gonna be alright Everything is gonna be alright Be strong. Believe.
Everything is gonna be alright Everything is gonna be alright Everything is gonna be alright Be strong. Believe.
Think about the love inside the strength of heart Think about the heroes saving life in the dark Think about the chance I never had to say Thank you for giving up your life that day
(The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here)
They thanked me and shoke every one of their hands. I was proud to be there with them.
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." -Jesus
I couldn't fall asleep tonight. So what better to do than to blog about something.
Well, this isn't just going to be about something. It's really going to be about what is about to come in the next couple of days. 9-11.
Today, at work, I was copying down my schel. for next week. I saw that I had Sept. 11 off. I thought to myself about that day. All the memories where coming back to me. I remember the lady telling me to follow her out the cafateria to her class room. It was Mrs. Garrison. I went into her room and there I saw it all on the t.v. At first it took me a while. Asking myself if this is all real. I remember seeing the flames, and then watching the second plane hit the second World Trade Center building.
At band practice, at the Expo Center, I remembering Mr. N telling the whole band about the events that were happening. He asked for us to pray as a band. For the safty of all those in New York. Right there is whenever I started crying. Just knowing that I had family there hit me. Knowing that is where I grew up.
New York is my home.
Last week, Jon and I watched a program on the history channel about the events of Sept. 11. Jon kept saying "My God.", and I just put my hands on my head and didn't say a word. I can't believe it's been so long.
The reason why I am recapping all of this. I passed a Fire Station today on my way to work. And I remember what the firefighters did on 9-11. I told Jon today...
"I respect anyone who will die to save someone else."
When I passed the FS, I remembered the program on the HC say that many FF died that day. Then is when they showed Firemen crying. That is what this whole blog is about.
I will be writting the FireStation that I passed today a letter for what they do for you and I. How they will go up a burning building; while everyone is running out; just to safe a life. Not only do the Firemen have to be strong; so must their wifes and children.
Please write a letter to a FireStation or PoliceStation in your area. I told Jon.....
"Sometimes you just need to pat someone on the back to make their day."
Also pray for them on their families. Pray for all the families, that on 9-11, lost a friend or family memeber. If anyone knows how to send postcards to NY...please leave me a comment.
