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.
August 22, 2007 - My First Entry
What up fellow groovers?
So go figure that the good folks at Eden can't get enough of me blabbing on my Music Business Survival column here at Eden's website and actually are giving me a BLOG. Speaking of which, there COULD be a new article posted now. Why don't you go check when you finish reading this?
So about the blog, don't be surprised if I go on about many a mindless rambling about whatever in between cups of coffee. Just shows that wonders never cease for this shorn noggin, fat groove laying individual.
Things are stupid busy these days. I am heavily involved with a new TV show for FOX called Nashville. The TV show is produced by the same good people that brought us Laguna Beach and the OC. The show centers around a group of individual singer/songwriters on their quest to be the next big thing. Sound familiar? The funny part is that they hit up yours truly to provide the musician's for a lot of the live performance segments of the show. Poor bastards don't know what they have done!!!
Getting used to cameras and crew everywhere has been interesting to adjust to. Positioning a WT800, D210XLT, and a D410XST along with cameras and lighting trusses can be a challenge. Our first performance for the TV show was backing up Rachel Bradshaw (daughter of NFL legend Terry Bradshaw). Rachel is young, beautiful, and sings very well. Your basic standard winning combination for the record industry. There will be more shows with Rachel coming up as we finalize our performance schedule with the producers and the TV network. Otherwise, standard operation procedure of hurry up and WAIT.
Here's a shot of the whole band with NFL legend Terry Bradshaw and his daughter Rachel. |
Actually the waiting game is beneficial to me right now. I am producing a very cool R&B singer named Barbara. Her stuff is in the India.Arie/Sade vein and I am playing a lot of guitar as well as bass on it. LOTS of fun to record and co-write plus it doesn't hurt that she is easy on the eyes and a great signer. I am going to premiere some of her material on Bass Talk with Abe and Lane™ this weekend so TUNE IN -- 6-10PM Central. (Click Here.)
R&B singer Barbara is working her first CD. |
Throw in other country sessions, live road dates, articles, etc and I am in my standard need of an espresso. Speaking of which, it is time for another cup.
Be sure and check out my MySpace site for all of my latest info and I will be listing more info on shows as well as artist websites and info on the TV show soon.
OOPS!!! Almost forgot, BIG thanks to everyone that checked out my August SOAPBOX article in Bass Player magazine and MAJOR kudos to Lane Baldwin and everyone at Eden for allowing me to be the nerd I am.
Until next we groove,
S
August 29, 2007
What up fellow low-enders ?
Baldy Locks reporting yet again with not near enough coffee in his system.
It has been a borderline relaxing week. We were not taping for the FOX TV show Nashville this week so I have had time to work on some demos and get ready for a show with my long time gig The Justin Conn Band. Justin and I have been doing our blues/soul/jam thing for a number of years now and are getting ready to hit the road some during my break from filming. If any of you are in Little Rock, Memphis, or Nashville over the next week or two please come hang with us. I am really looking forward to breaking in my new Time Traveler head this weekend. YIPPEE !!! You can check out Justin on the web and on the Space.
I had a chance recently to track with a new artist named Steve Virginia that I will be touring with later in the year. Steve is a great singer and part of a breed of really hip new country artists. The session went well and featured the same house band I am using for the FOX gig. You can check Steve out on his web site.
During his latest session, I was able to work with acclaimed producer Allen Morgan. Allen has worked with everyone from Limp Bizkit to Dolly Parton so he kinda gets it. The session went really well and I was able to use my Signature Model US Masters 5 string fretless and the pre-amp section of my WTX-260. Growl for DAYS !!!! Allen was very pleased with the sound and as we all know, if the producer is happy, we are ALL happy !!!
Lastly, big thanks to Abe and Lane for letting us premiere R&B singer Barbara on Bass Talk with Abe & Lane™ this past weekend. We were just going to pop in talk about the tracks and ended up staying nearly the entire show. Barbara did great on air and my favorite moment is when Michael Polinko ( infamous Bowflex Man ) commented on her tracks and her voice. Be sure and send her a friend request on her MySpace site.
That's it for now. OK, I'm off to find more coffee. See you next week...
Keep groovin',
S
September 5, 2007
Greetings my fellow bottom dwellers,
Well, it has been RIDICULOUS busy lately between taping and recording for the upcoming FOX TV show Nashville (which premieres on September 14th) and doing other sessions and shows. It sure is a good thing that I am addicted to caffeine because I would be struggling right now.
Photo by Anna Henderson |
This past Friday I played a hip show with The Justin Conn Band here in Nashville at The Crescent Café. The room was this very cool converted old house believe it or not, but it made for a really cool relaxed feel for the show. We have not had a chance to go out as a full band in a few weeks due to me subbing the last show they did so I could do the FOX show. Drummer Jim Klingler subbed the one before that since he was on tour with Kevin Sharp. Ah, the life of professional music whores. Needless to say, the magic was back and the brotherhood that is The Justin Conn Band was back in place. It was just in time too since we are in Little Rock and Memphis this weekend.
So Saturday my phone rings and it's producer Monty Powell. Monty does his classic "I need you at the studio tomorrow at 2pm" and that's all I got. I show up at this VERY upscale recording facility at a rather famous country star's home and the session ended up being for the theme song for the FOX TV show. Wow, it sure doesn't hurt being involved in this project. The tune was very strong and it was cool to slip into an LA mindset for the session. It was nice to rock the track a little more than I typically get to on country sessions. The only downfall of the day was that I had to bail out on subbing Bass Talk with Abe and Lane™. Sorry fellas. There is that whole retainer thing ya know.
Photo by Anna Henderson |
Anyhoo, that's the not so glamorous tidbits of the week. I should have MUCH more next week since I have rehearsal tonight and a show tomorrow for FOX, this weekend with Justin and hopefully pics of my new Valley Arts Custom Pro Bass that I am picking up in Little Rock at the factory. It shouldn't suck.
Until next time.
Keep grooving,
S
September 12, 2007
What up kiddies?
MONGO TIRED !!!
Well, we are nearing the end of production for filming the new FOX series Nashville. We had a stellar show last night with the entire cast at Mercy Lounge in Nashville. Everyone did an outstanding job and the house was absolutely rockin'. I am glad we pulled off the show too since this one was a pain in the rump to pull off.
Photo by Anna Henderson |
Last Thursday, we started the process for this show with 4 hours of recording sessions and then immediately went and did a 7 hour rehearsal with each of the cast members. Can we say "information overload" boys and girls ? Throw in another rehearsal on Monday and a full day of rehearsals and filming yesterday and there is a TV show. The good news is there were A LOT of industry heavyweights in house and they were very pleased and looking to hire yours truly as Musical Director on more projects.
Photo by Anna Henderson |
This is me keeping my fingers crossed.
Now you'd think I would just be doing this FOX thing lately but I am how do you say this ? A Moron !! On what would have been a normal person's day off last Friday and Saturday, I was back on the road with The Justin Conn Band. We had two outstanding shows in Little Rock and Memphis. The best part for me was breaking in my newest rig setup. Since we were in mid-sized clubs, I ended up using my WT-405 Time Traveler head with my D-210XLT and D-410XST. Can we say BOOM ? Add in my brand new Valley Arts Custom Pro 4 string that was delivered to me in Little Rock and it was time to dismember people.
By the way, if you push the Dynamic Boost Bass switch on that setup you can REALLY drive a sax player nuts. Sorry Lance !!
Anyhoo, all for now and I hope to have some show photos from FOX as soon as I can get some released. Be sure and tune in this week on Friday, Sept 14th for the shows premiere on FOX. I am going to go find some more coffee now and get ready for filming tomorrow and then off to Louisville with Justin.
Sleep Later.
Keep Groovin',
S
September 19, 2007
And "End Scene".
Words I have been living to hear.
One more accomplishment and one less worry for this shorn noggin. Production on NASHVILLE has wrapped for the band. The gig was intense and now it is up to the viewers as to whether the show will be a hit. ( Let's hope that is a YES !!! ) It was an absolute joy to be a part of such a hip show. Major kudos to Joe Scheibelhoffer, Tyson Rogers, Adam Agati, Alisa McCance, Dave Spak, and Glen Mitchell for going above and beyond the call as a band for the TV show. Everyone showed the utmost professional attitude and I am very proud of them.
I am also extremely stoked to have made new friends with everyone involved including the cast, producers, and crew. The band will also be continuing their role with some of the cast as far as performances. We already have dates booked with Matt Jenkins and Jeff Allen with talks of appearances and sessions with some of the others.
The highlight of the NASHVILLE gig was on 9/11 at The Mercy Lounge in Music City. The band had the opportunity to perform with the entire cast for a special performance. This was a treat since our other performances for the show are with Lindsey Hager, Rachel Bradshaw, and Mika Combs. We didn't think we were going to be able to perform with everyone since we were hired midway through the filming so this was a lot of fun and gave us a chance to get to know and hang with everyone as well.
This is a great batch of kids with very promising futures ahead of them and it was a joy to be a part of. Be sure and check out the show on Friday's at 9pm Eastern on FOX. The photo below shows us with the cast. ( L-R ) Chuck Wicks, fiddle player Alisa McCance, Matt Jenkins, Erika Hoyt, Mika Combs, Sarah Gunsoulus, Jamey Johnson, Rachel Brahshaw's golden locks behind Jamey, some bald nerd on bass ( wait, is that an Eden logo ? ), Lindsey Hager, and Jeff Allen.
Photo by Anna Henderson. |
OK so I mentioned that I was on the road with the Justin Conn Band last weekend in Little Rock and Memphis. We've been playing this after-hours joint in Little Rock that on the surface is quite scary but always a blast to play ( see the pic ). Well, the starting at 1AM kinda blows but otherwise, good stuff. Anyhoo, my personal highlight was having my new Valley Arts Custom Pro Bass delivered to me by Luthier/General Manager Tony Togni.
Photo by Anna Henderson. |
Tony is a good friend and allowed me to co-design this bass with him to my specs. The bass is BAD AS HELL !!! It came at a great time too since I used it for two filming segments for FOX as well as three road dates now with Justin. It sure looks good next to a WT-405, WT-800, D-210XLT, and a D-410XST. Speaking of cabs, my D-210XST just arrived and I took it to Louisville this past weekend and threw it on top of my D-210XLT. DAMN !!!! I am in love with the XST cabs. I'll grab some more rig shots soon from the road. Anyhoo, off to cram some tunes for some upcoming Anna Wilson tour dates.
Keep Groovin',
S
September 26, 2007
Greetings my children of funk,
I hope everyone is well. I'm excited this week to be returning to my musical roots quite a bit. I spent the weekend rehearsing my new band for my solo jazz fusion/circus freak act. The players are all very accomplished and this is going to be a blast and a treat for fans that have seen my live show since it is virtually an entire new band. The line-up now consists of guitarist Travis Henson, keyboardist /vocalist Gary Brown, percussionist Chris Nelson, second bassist and fellow Eden player Rich Krainak, and rounded out by fellow Justin Conn Band alumni Lance Hoffman on saxophone and drummer Jim Klingler.
The band will be performing this Saturday night in Nashville at The Pond. After hearing the rehearsal this weekend at my home studio, I'm confident it will be insane. If you're in the area come hang, especially since the same band will be backing up R&B singer Barbara and then The Justin Conn Band closes the night. YEP!!! Three sets of a bald guy!!! Holy Crap !!
FYI: I'm playing GUITAR of all darn things on Barbara's set. You need to show up just to watch me screw up !!!!
To make a week of musical roots in jazz and R&B even sweeter, I'm in Nashville and Atlanta this week with jazz singer Anna Wilson. I've been Anna's band leader for nearly seven years and we always have a great hang. Anna is an AMAZING jazz vocalist and we're working on finalizing dates for her Fall and Winter tour. We're playing the Library Concert series in Nashville on Wednesday and then the WineSouth Festival in Atlanta on Friday.
You may have seen Anna featured in recent Habitat for Humanity commercials on TV singing her single "A House a Home" or she also in the cast of the FOX TV show Nashville. If not, you can check her out at www.annawilson.com .
I'm really looking forward to getting back and blowing some jazz. Not that I mind playing country for a living but there is a breath of fresh air doing what I do best. Plus, it gives me a chance to try out the new D-210XST on my electric upright. I am betting it won't suck. Anyhoo, off to find some java.
Later,
S
October 10, 2007
What up my fellow funkers?
Well, I just came off of a slamming couple of weeks of performing. Hence, why you didn't see a blog for me last week. My schedule was pretty heavy the past few weeks with jazz artist Anna Wilson having shows in Nashville at The Nashville Library Concert Series and in Atlanta at the WineSouth Convention. Both performances were great and a lot of fun. Especially, since we performed at the Grand Hyatt in Atlanta on Friday and it sure didn't suck consuming gourmet food and lots of red wine. AH.. The perks of the job. Seriously, Anna sang her ass off and keep an eye out for us on future dates at Anna's website.
Now y'all have gotten used to me by now. When most people take a night off, I end up playing, recording, or writing. That being said, I blazed in from Atlanta, picked up my new addition of a 70's vintage Hagstrom Swede bass, and tore off for my triple bill show featuring my solo band, R&B singer Barbara, and my main gig The Justin Conn Band. Translation: Three sets of yours truly. Yep. I am a moron and even did one of those sets on guitar and have pictures to prove it. Nobody says I was the brightest crayon in the box but I do have myself a good time. My entire band backed up Barbara as well and absolutely slaughtered. My new guitar player Travis Henson is ridiculous and did an outstanding job, plus pushed me on a couple of my solos. I had to reach WAY down to grab my inner freakdom. Damn you, Travis !!
Sunday is a day of rest right ? WRONG!!! Actually, spent the day moving Barbara into her new pad and then went and played a benefit with The Justin Conn Band to support inner city kids' baseball teams. The event featured a number of artists promoted by Songwriters Anonymous out of Nashville and it was yet another opportunity to groove hard. It was also a chance to use my "baby" rig for the third time of the week. For all of the shows I had combined my WTX-260 with a D-112XLT and a D-210XST. LOTS of thump for a little rig. Especially with the Hagstrom, my custom Valley Arts, and my Gibson Thunderbird. Mongo like !!!
From there, I ended up pulling rehearsals and a show at Nashville's 3rd & Lindsley with FOX "Nashville" cast member Matt Jenkins. Matt is one of the good guys in country. He was born and raised in Texas and has that pure country gentleman charm that has gotten to be a missing link in the world. Of course, it doesn't hurt that he has a great voice and can write some amazing tunes. Matt was my favorite artist to work with on the TV show and I am glad that I have a chance to continue working with him. Check him out when you get a chance, OK?.
Anyhoo, off to edit some tracks for a new Barbara tune and I almost forgot to buy new strings.
And groceries.
Later,
S
October 17, 2007
What up, my Sultans of Stank ?
I can say with some authority that it is barely me. One day I'll try that whole sleep thing.
Anyhoo, things have been pretty good and work continues to flow. Since we last joined our hero, I performed another wine event with Anna Wilson in Nashville at the Belle Meade Mansion. I'm getting used to having gourmet food and a real hip bottle of red at every performance. It sure beats the gut bomb burger I had on the way to Louisville this weekend. I'm so glad that Jazz and good wine tend to coincide. It's not a scenario that sucks. The down side is that I now can't handle the O Great Box of Wine so well. Seriously, Anna's band is cooking strong right now and she is consistently singing her tail off every night. If you haven't heard her yet, you need to. She has a remarkable range and a great talent for writing very cool tunes. I'm looking forward to touring with her more in '08 as dates come together.
So I mentioned rolling to Louisville earlier. It was my standard weekend excursion with fellow blood brothers, The Justin Conn Band. That's right, parents. Hide your daughters and the beer because we're coming to your town to drop some rather fresh soul/funk/grooveage on you.
Seriously, or as serious as I tend to get, we've been playing The Hideaway in Louisville in the real hip Bardstown Rd district. We had a blast Saturday night and the house was thumping pretty strong. The Hideaway is this cool little joint on Bardstown Rd and really caters to the soul/jam thing we do live. I love having a mix of small venues and large venues to perform. There is something still cool about being in the thick of it with the crowd and a little room. Plus, it makes for an easy load in when you can do the gig with a WTX-260 and a pair of D-112XLTs. Translation, more room for basses. Hehehehe I'm such a gear whore. [I've been meaning to talk to you about that. - ed.]
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Monday night was back to the bigger stage. I brought in the house band from the FOX show to back up two of their cast members. We had performed with Matt Jenkins last week and Monday we added Jeff Allen to the mix. Matt and Jeff both had very cool shows. Matt has a very hip pure country style to him and Jeff is a country rocker with some real fun songs to groove on. It was a lot of fun and a good variety for us, especially since I ended up throwing a funk bass solo in "Tulsa Time". That doesn't happen very often. Either way, the show was pretty cool; plus, it helps us promote the show ramping back up on FOX on November 9th.
That is it for now kiddies.
Until next time.
Keep groovin',
S
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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.
