On top of all that, Sean writes. A lot. Usually about bass. It all began with his Music Business Survival column here on our site. Next thing you know, he was invited to provide a Soap Box article for Bass Player Magazine. Now, he's got his own blog, in which he'll write about bass . . . and whatever else he has on his mind. So grab a cup of coffee and follow along with one of Nashville's busiest bassists.
April 2, 2008
Greetings My Masters of Groovitude!!!
Things for your friendly, neighborhood Baldy Locks have been going wonderful lately. The solo thing is escalating more and more with the pre-release of "TAPESTRY". The CD was available yesterday at My Music Stream, and I was totally stoked to wake up this morning and see that there are units sold. MONGO LOVE MONEY!! In addition to downloads I'm getting great feedback from everyone. Anyhoo, thanks to all the fans that have been waiting to hear the disc. Your support is what keeps me rolling.
In support of the April 22nd full release of "TAPESTRY", Bass World Radio is now featuring me as the April Artist of the Month. If you haven't checked these guys out you need to. Be sure to also check out the BWR blog for a stellar review on the CD and other bass news. Brian Sharples at BWR seriously rocks and has become a great ally. You can hear a ton of top bassists on the station and you can hear every track from my solo CD this month in rotation.
So this weekend should be a serious hoot. Our dear Doctor of all things Eden, Lane Baldwin, is hosting two clinics with his band Deeper Blues for Eden. I will be joining Lane at Sam Ash in Nashville on Friday with a number of great Nashville bassists and Edenites including Professor Roy. If you're there you oughta come hang. Then Saturday I'm going back to my hometown of Chattanooga to co-host the clinic with Deeper Blues at L&M Music. I'm really looking forward to talking shop about Eden and the industry as well as sit in with the boys in Deeper Blues. Oh by the way, Lane………..YES I read your blog and know about your "penalties" for too many notes on a blues number. It isn't that I don't read your blog per se. It's the fact that I'm just ignoring you. Kinda the same why I do when you call ( gotta love caller ID ).
[So, you missed the message about the six free rigs. Too bad. Too late. - Ed.]
Well that's it for now, groovers. Come hang if you can, and tune into my MySpace page for news and updates on the solo CD and whatever other mayhem I am getting into.
Until next time.
Keep groovin',
S
March 26, 2008
So I am not complaining but for the love of GOD I am ready for a night off.
Now then, I am actually extremely excited and blessed with what all has been happening in my career. Every day something seems to happen to help propel the release for my CD “Tapestry”. I am stoked to announce that the CD will be available April 1st for download at www.mymusicstream.com and available for purchase at CD Baby, iTunes, and Rhapsody on April 22nd. More retailers will follow suit soon thereafter but things are busy, busy, busy in preparation.
Responses to the first single “Sweet” on Bass World Radio have me seriously stoked. I have been getting great kudos on MySpace from folks that have heard the single and it has me rather stoked. Be sure and tune in at www.bassworldradio.com and check it out now. Starting April 1st you can also hear ALL of the music from “Tapestry” at Bass World Radio as they are featuring me as the April Artist of the Month. Poor fools must be desperate for artists? HA! Anyhoo, these guys are part of live365.com which has become one of the coolest internet radio stations. Check ‘em out for the premiere period and then more stations following soon.
Just to prove that I am not the brightest crayon in the box I have been also doing artist gigs while trying to launch a record. Yep, Jami wonders what I am thinking to. That being said I had a couple of great shows since last I blabbed with a pair of great singers. First was a return stint with contemporary jazz vocalist Kristen Cothron. We played at Nashville’s legendary 3rd & Lindsley this past Thursday and had a great show. Kristen has become one of my favorite talents in town and it gave me a chance to break out my old 70’s Hagstrom Swede bass through my trusty WTX-260 and a pair of D-112XLTs ( ie My Baby Bear Rig ). If you wonder what that means go read my review on my three rigs on the site here entitled Baldy Locks and the Three Rigs. Was that subtle? I never know.
Monday night I was back over at 3rd & Lindsley with Hagstrom and Baby Bear in tow with country singer Heather Wiggins. We had an outstanding show and Heather sang her tail off to a full house. Heather really has what it takes to be very successful in the country music industry. Check her out at www.myspace.com/heatherwiggins to see when and what she is up to.
That is it for now gang. I have to go meet my business partner and then off to a publishing thing. Mongo run full speed!
Until Next Time.
Keep Groovin’,
S
March 19, 2008
Greeting my fair Thumpers and Thumpettes,
Since last I rambled I have been ridiculously busy with promoting the CD and gearing up for the April 1st release date. I'm super excited about the initial response from reviews and fellow low-enders. One of the highlights is the fact that legendary bassist and fellow Edenite Mark Egan really enjoys the music. Mark is one of my all time heroes and for him to support the record is truly amazing. One of Mark's responses was "Great groove, melodic phrasing, and flow on fretted and fretless….
"HELLO?!?!! This guy is the definition of fretless and he commented like that. HOLY CRAP!! I have to thank Lane for hooking us up. THANKS LANE!!!
I'm also extrmely excited to announce that the first single from the CD has been premiered for us low enders. Bass World Radio now has "Sweet" in regular rotation and is already getting raves. BWR is part of live365.com which has become one of THE sources for independent internet radio. I have already been approached by other stations about picking up the single because of the rotation on Bass World. Major thanks to Brian Sharples for hooking a brother up.
In addition to my solo career I am still busy as a sideman these days. I have upcoming shows with Heather Wiggins, Kristen Cothron, Justin Conn, and Anna Wilson. Needless to say, Mongo love Coffee!!! I am very fortunate to have the down time that I do with Jami and GOD has been good to me lately. One of my favorite accomplishments is my freelance writing career which consequently started here at Eden with my Music Business Survival column. Thanks again Lane and YES I know I have an article due. I am happy to announce that I have penned articles for the upcoming June issue of Vintage Guitar magazine as well as my newest publication for Premier Guitar magazine. The article for Premier can be viewed here. It is an interview with Nashville guitarist Rich Eckhardt. Rich is a bad, bad man and I am fortunate enough to include him on my solo record including the title track "Tapestry". Be sure to check out his web site.
Rich Eckhardt |
Sean O'Bryan Smith |
Well, that's it for now gang. I'm going to go get another fresh cup, contact some program directors, meet with SESAC, and hopefully shower before Jami and I go to the symphony tonight. Of course it would be fun to funk out the viola player with my bass rankness but chances are I'll get in trouble. Until next time...
Keep groovin',
S
March 12, 2008
Sweet Mother of Milk,
Why didn't I get the memo that said all of the work STARTS when you wrap production on the CD? Actually, it's not that bad, my fellow Bottom Thumpers. At least that's what I'm currently telling myself.
Your dear Baldy Locks here has been stupid busy with promotional tidbits for my solo CD TAPESTRY but things are going well. A lot of time for my production partner Rich Krainak and myself is spent just coordinating all the irons we have in the fire for the April 1st release date. Between articles, clinics, performance dates, releasing the single, and rehearing for the release party, things are rather busy nonetheless. Oddly enough I do have time to see Jami in there, or write a couple of reviews for some magazines. Who says bass players can't manage ALL forms of time?
I am super excited about a couple of pre-release reviews that have come in. There are lots of very influential folks that want to review the record prior to release including a rock 'n roll Hall of Famer. It's scary and exciting at the same time but I believe in this product whole-heartedly so we shall see what transpires. Between legendary bassists, drummers, and guitarists to world reknowned DJs there is genuine interest from people who want to hear and review TAPESTRY. Now to see what I can actually do with the darn thing. What's the worst that can happen? They'll say I suck and then I'll be in the fetal position on the floor covered in drool and desperately searching for my happy place. Nothing major.
In addition to last week's Anna Wilson news of us performing at The Park City Jazz Festival, I'm excited that we are going back in the studio on April 17th to track her new Christmas record. We will be returning to The Court studios where we tracked her first album "Time Changes Everything." Anna has reassembled the dream team of Mike Noble, Jeff Franzel, Wayne Killius, and producer Monty Powell to hopefully recreate the magic we had for "Time Changes." Her last album is hands down my favorite CD I have cut with another artist and the chemistry between this line-up is undeniable. I can't wait to do it all again. It shouldn't suck much.
Well that is it for now gang. I have to go meet with my Art Director, then off to SESAC for a publishing meeting, take out the trash for Jami, shave my head, scarf a hotdog, and drink LOTS of coffee. As always keep the bottom low and until next time,
Keep groovin',
S
March 5, 2008
My Dear Thumpers, What say you?
Baldy Locks here coming off a rather productive studio week. It all started with song selection for my second solo CD that starts pre-production in May. I have been busy in my project studio laying out arrangements and basic tracks for the CD and I'm very pleased with the way things are coming together. The Smooth Jazz Gods seem to be shining down and lo, it is funky. Now I hope I can actually play some of these goofy ideas I've come up with.
On Saturday, production continued on my duet project Bother Mojo with long time musical partner Tommy Ogle. This session was an absolute treat for both of us as we had the distinct honor of recording vocalist Natasha Noack for one of Tommy's tunes called "You Get to Me." Some of you may already be hip to Natasha from the pop vocal group Jump5. Natasha, Tommy, and I have had opportunities to work together a number of times over the years and let me just tell you the girl is AMAZING!!! She is hands down one of the most talented vocalists I have ever shared a session or stage with. That being said the session didn't suck. She came in and flat out nailed the tune with stellar take after stellar take. Even better was that we were done in less than an hour and all three of us were ecstatic with what we captured. Be sure and check Natasha out as well as future recordings for Brother Mojo and my second solo CD.
I am very excited to announce that I will be performing at The Park City Jazz Festival with jazz singer Anna Wilson in August. I have had the joy of being Anna's bandleader for nearly six years and we are about to get extremely busy. Park City is one of my favorite locations in the world and the festival has become one of the primary jazz festivals in the world. Look for more shows and announcements to come on Anna's web site.
The beyotch is finished!!! Yesterday we wrapped mastering on my first solo CD TAPESTRY. Don Cobb and Eric Conn at Independent Mastering did an unbelievable job in capturing the soul of the record. Of course it doesn't hurt that these guys have been responsible for mastering everyone from Quincy Jones to Garth Brooks. I am glorified beyond words with all of the talent that played on the record as well as the incomparable mixing job of Jonell Polansky and Andy Gasparini. I am truly happy with this product and I am even happier that it is finally going to be heard by the masses. It would have been a shame having such a cool collection of cats including Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, Jerry Marotta, and Rich Eckhardt on a record and it not be heard. Check out my Space for my info regarding the release of the CD and the first single "Sweet".
That is it for now my Grooving Mighties!!! I hope you are all putting your particular low end stank on whatever your musical endeavors are conjuring. Keep warm and until next time,
Keep Groovin,
S |
 |
February 27, 2008
What up me, groovin' few?
Things are going quite well around these parts. Since last we conversed, I spent Saturday with The Justin Conn Band over in Memphis. Justin Conn Band regular Lance Hoffman is out doing a world tour so we had keyboard player extraordinaire Shannon Wickline supplying his particular stank on the gig. It was a great departure from the norm of the gig for us and we opened it up quite a bit.
Shannon and I have been working together off and on for years and there's a natural chemistry between us that is nothing short of frightening. Needless to say, I had a good time and there were mind numbing solos a plenty. Well, that and two bald guys playing a whole lot of notes.
2008 is gearing up to be a major tracking year for me. Not only am I wrapping mastering on my first solo CD TAPESTRY but there are a number of recording projects underway. I am in production currently with Shannon Wickline, Rich Eckhardt, Steve Virginia, and Brother Mojo. Pre-production starts in April for the two new Anna Wilson CDs we are cutting this year. One of those is going to be a Christmas jazz CD and both are going to feature a grocery list of jazz heavyweights.
To top it all off I'm going back in the studio in May to start production on my second solo CD. I'm planning on releasing this one at the first of the year. Song selection has been completed on the second CD and I'm currently finalizing arrangements. This CD will feature my primary live band on most of the CD with some very special guest appearances. I'm very excited about having the second CD underway even before Tapestry has been formerly released. Due to the last year or so's life experiences I have no lack of material.
I honestly have enough songs for about four solo projects. Luckily, I have two other collaboration projects slotted for a fall recording date that will use some of that material as well. That one is going to be a trio CD with a couple of serious New York session cats. So, as you can see, I'm going to see a lot of studios this year.
Well that's about it for now. I'm off to work on some arrangements and find something to nosh. Hope all of you are staying warm. Until next time,
Keep groovin',
S
February 20, 2008
Top o' the morning, me groovin' mighties.
Seamus O'Baldlocks here, sipping on that lovely nectar known to all as the java bean. By the way, that's coffee for those of you who haven't had nearly enough yet (i.e. ME). Since last I blabbed I have unfortunately been down and out with a serious case of the flu. Something about 103 degree temperature for nearly three days can hinder your ability to groove at 100%. Of course in typical me fashion I had to work so as the old saying goes "the show must go on." I'm sure it was a hoot for fans seeing a huge bag of cough drops on top of two D-410XSTs at Saturday night's show.
The Winter months have been good for sessions, I must say. That's a great thing, too, considering that touring all but dries up other than a handful of pickup dates. Thank GOD for my regular gig with The Justin Conn Band. It makes that whole grocery thing a lot easier at times. Plus we just have too much damn fun groovin. Speaking of Justin, we wrapped mixdown on our new live CD/DVD at Doghouse Studios in Nashville. I had the pleasure of working with studio owner/engineer Dirk Cota before on the FOX TV show Nashville so it was nice getting to work with him. I particularly love the fact that he gets great sounds and won't butcher the tone. Considering the fact that we had a WT-405 and a D-410XST miked and recorded off the DI there was MUCH tone to begin with. Needless to say, there is plenty of junk in the trunk on this mix. Whatcha gonna do with all that junk? All that junk? My………….nevermind.
In addition to Justin and wrapping production on my solo CD Tapestry, I have a number of upcoming CDs and recording projects in the works. I am back in the studio tonight with jazz singer Anna Wilson and legendary keyboardist Jeff Franzel from Sinatra and Les Brown fame. Also, I am well underway with recording projects for multi-instrumentalist Shannon Wickline, my duet project with Tommy Ogle ( Brother Mojo ), country singer Steve Virginia, and longtime friend and Toby Keith guitarist Rich Eckhardt. Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus…or at least a rent check. Woohoo!
So that's it for now, my fellow time keepers. I'm going to find some more java and try to lay low a bit to get over this flu. I am headed back Memphis way this weekend with The Justin Conn Band, so I need to have my inner funkdom ready to be unleashed. Especially since we are taking the aforementioned Shannon Wickline with us and he is hands down the scariest B3 player I have ever heard. I am on this groove like a cheap suit.
Keep warm and happy.
Until next time.
Keep Groovin,
S
February 13, 2008
WHEW!
Can we say busy week boys and girls? I knew you could.
It's your friendly neighborhood Baldy Locks here and I'm ready to crawl into a pot of coffee. Things have been super busy since last I blogged. Who knew that being the "artist" meant that you never rested? I don't remember signing up for that part.
Last Friday, I rolled down to Huntsville to the Voodoo Lounge with The Justin Conn Band. This was our first venture into Alabama with this band and we had an absolute blast. I even had a chance to visit with some Billy Ray fans that came to see me. The room was pretty small though or might I say frickin' tiny? Let me just say that this is one of the reasons I keep multiple rigs on the trailer if we are traveling. There is a time for my Papa Bear rig of the two D-410XSTs and a WT-800. Huntsville? Not so much. Thank David and GOD that there exists my pair of D-112XLTs and my trusty WTX-260. It at least left me someplace to stand so I could actually play. The funny part is a lot of times I really like those cramped gigs because you get some great band interaction. Just pray that one of them doesn't break wind (thanks Lance).
All day Saturday and last night was final mix down on my solo CD Tapestry. Let me say that again. FINAL mix down! It's finally mixed and ready for mastering and duplication. I'm in absolute awe of how everything came together and can't wait for mastering to tie it all together. My final artwork is due in this week so, barring any catastrophes, we're right on schedule for the April 1st release date. FYI - If you're in Nashville April 18th come out to The Rutledge for the CD release party. We're going to seriously throw down and there will be some guest appearances, so it shouldn't be missed. Keep an eye out on My Space for more details and news about the release of the first single Worldwide on March 17th.
So if it wasn't a busy studio week already, I was in the studio Monday night over at Doghouse Studios wrapping production on the new Justin Conn Band CD. Note to self; as cool as octavers sound live they can and will wreak havoc on a mix and then you get to do last minute overdubs. JOYOUS! Anyhoo, this is our first live CD and we're actually releasing it the same night as my solo CD at The Rutledge on April 18th. See now you have TWO reasons to get to Nashville that weekend.
Well, that's it for now. I'm off to consume massive amounts of java bean and gear up for a rehearsal tonight. We're headlining at Bluesboro down in Murfreesboro, TN, this weekend and we're bringing some new tunes with us. Sure there will be news from there.
Until next time.
Keep Groovin,
S
February 6, 2008
How goes it my Protectors of the "One"?
Well it's another update from your friendly neighborhood Baldy Locks. Things have been super busy getting ready for my April 1st release date of my solo CD TAPESTRY. I've been in the studio quite a bit finalizing mixes before we send it off to mastering. I am very, very pleased with the outcome of this CD. I know the fans are ready for it, too. A ton of you have been e-mailing me on MySpace and I am so grateful for all of the support I've been receiving. Thanks for hanging in there with me, gang.
This past Thursday night was a blast. I mentioned last week that I was performing with Jazz/AC singer Kristen Cothron (spelled it right this time). The show was an absolute blast and we had a really slamming show at Nashville hot spot FUEL. If you can imagine a happy medium between Diana Krall and Sheryl Crowe - that's Kristen. It's a very rootsy gig and she has great arrangements. The cool part for me was that it gave me a chance to break out my beloved '72 Hagstrom to get that old school stank. I've really gotten into the Hagstrom lately and THE combination is with my WTX-260 and a pair of D-112XLTs. I REALLY like the way the 12" cabinets bring out the midrange bark of that bass. That is also the same setup I use on my upright when I'm touring with Anna Wilson. Needless to say, there is not a lot of sonic suckage.
Well after a full day of mixdown on Saturday I was able to kick back a little and enjoy the weekend on Sunday. After Jami and I got back from church we hooked up with my live keyboard player Gary Brown and headed out for the good ole Super Bowl Party. GO GIANTS! Anyhoo, I had quite a bit of fun NOT telling Gary where we were going to go hang and party. We roll up to this rather impressive home outside of Nashville and then I let him know. The home belongs to a very dear friend of mine and that is Ric Olsen from the legendary band Berlin. Gary was having a blast talking shop and touring the house and then we ended up in Ric's studio with all of his gear from "the day". I thought Gary would hyperventilate seeing all the vintage keyboards and the closet FULL of guitars and basses. Let it be known that we had a great night of food, gear, and football. Pretty much sensory overload for us.
That's it for this round kiddies. I am continuing post-production on the CD this week as well as heading back on the road with The Justin Conn Band. We are going to be down in Huntsville so if you are around swing on by. Otherwise, until next time.
Keep Groovin',
S
Top ^
As if he doesn't have enough to do already, we asked Sean O'Bryan Smith to blog about his life as an UberBusy Nashville Bassist. In addition to being an in-demand bassist for sessions and live dates, he's got his own solo act ("my Circus Freak Act"), his production duties, and now, serves as Musical Director for a new Prime Time TV show.
