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.
December
12, 2007
Happy Groovidays, Kiddies!!
It is Santa's oddball elf BaldyLocks reporting for duty. Well, at least reporting as well as he can on not near enough coffee. That's right gang! I am back to my sleepless self. Sounds like it is time to get back to work.
Since last we grooved, I've been busy with both my solo act and The Justin Conn Band. As some of you know Justin and I along with our management at Hays Entertainment have gathered a bunch of musicians, artists, fans, etc that are just a little special into a roaming crew known as The Short Bus Mafya. "The Bus" has quickly become an escape in Music City for anyone that is not necessarily mainstream and is allowing acts that normally may not have a chance to perform together to do so. It also is rapidly becoming a great alternative for some of the venues in town hence, this past Saturday night.
Last Saturday, The Mafya took over local Nashville hotspot The Crescent. The Crescent has become a very cool room for hearing alternative options to the mainstream country that is rampant in Nashville. For this outing we combined The Justin Conn Band and my solo group along with guest vocalist Anna Henderson. We had a great night of music and it was a blast realizing how many comedic moments are finding their way into the shows due to the fans that "ride" the bus. There is so much interaction between us and the crowd it is almost like going to The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Thank God, Lance has not dressed up as Dr. Frankenfurter …..yet!!! Wow!! There's a visual. Needless to say, the shows that are sponsored by The Short Bus Mafya are becoming one of THE parties in Nashville. This was the first time we had taken the Bus over to The Crescent and the venue was seriously stoked. When you have the staff getting involved and having a good time you KNOW you've done your job. Anyhoo, if you are a little special hit us up on the Space. In the BUS we trust.
I'm very excited to announce that I will be participating in some compositions for a series of instructional videos. I am going to be working with visual artist and painter Bea Cox on a series of her motivational videos. The project is in its infancy at the moment but will showcase Bea's ongoing love affair with teaching painting while dealing with some of life's handicaps. The best part of this project is that Bea just happens to be my Mother!! This will be the first time that Mom and I have jumped into a full blown project together and I will be handling all of the musical composition and some of the video editing. The only other real project Mom and I have done was a recording session a few years ago with her, my uncle Robbie Behannon on guitar, and myself. Mom was a professional blues and jazz singer prior to her painting and Robbie has been playing guitar for years and helped buy me my first bass. That session was a long time dream of mine. The love of music and arts came from Mom and I am very excited about getting this project off the ground. As there are more developments I will holler for sure.
Well, that is about it kiddies. There will be more next week I am sure as we are filming a live concert video for The Justin Conn Band this weekend. If any of you are in town swing out to 3rd & Lindsley and get on the BUS with us for the Music City Blues Society Christmas bash and our show. Otherwise, ho cubed, y'all....
Later,
S
December 19, 2007
The P-Bass was hung from the straplocks with care
With hopes that Ole Baldy Locks soon would groove there
Merry Christmas Bottom Dwellers,
It's the final countdown til Christmas and, like most musicians, I haven't bought a darn thing. That being said, this blog is being written rather hastily so I can venture forth in to the festive purchasing frontier. By the way, if you're thinking about buying a dress for your girlfriend or significant other, I strongly advise you to go ahead and ruin the surprise and take her with you. I SO would have gotten her the wrong piece and something about pissing off a 5'3" Louisiana Hot Pepper didn't sound that appealing to me. For some reason I can't fit a couple of 4-10 cabinets in the doghouse with me at night. Go figure.
First, I'd like to thank everyone that came out to see The Justin Conn Band at The Music City Blues Society's Christmas bash. This was arguably the best show the band had done to date and we had an absolute blast. We were able to win over a lot of new fans this past Saturday as well. One new fan I'm particularly stoked about was legendary Nick Nixon from The Imperials. Nick and I instantly hit it off and may actually try to work together in the future.
I always get jazzed up heavily when someone of that caliber gets excited about what I do. It is very surreal and SO doesn't suck. Either way, we grooved them like no one had grooved them before. Of course it didn't hurt to get their attention by pushing one of my Gibsons through a WT-405 and a D-410XST. That's right kiddies. Santa could hear me coming!!
Since this here Eden blog has turned into a great way for me to announce some future projects I thought I would continue the trend. Last week, I mentioned that I will be producing and composing for a video series for artist Bea Cox. Well this week, I'm fired up to announce that I am in pre-production for a duo record with my long time musical partner Tommy Ogle. Tommy is hands down the most talented musician I have ever shared the stage with. He and I grew up together in Chattanooga and have been playing music together for going on 25 years.
Tommy came up to Nashville a few weeks ago to perform with my solo act and we realized quickly how much combined music we had together that needed to be tracked. Well, after about 2 seconds of consideration we decided it was finally time to do our own record. That being said we are seriously stoked and I am working with my label about getting it released.Tommy and I are planning to release the duo CD a couple of months after my solo CD is out. There is a very good chance that we will be touring together in support of both projects so be sure and check back for details.
That's it this week fellow low-enders. I'm going to snag a triple espresso and some shoulder pads and go jump into the whole holiday shopping mayhem. Thank God Jami ended up finding a dress she liked. I'm sure I would have picked out something that looked like it had been made of leather, barbed wire, duct tape, and fishnet. Wait, that doesn't sound too bad. I'll save it to be her stocking stuffer. Merry Christmas!
Later,
S
December 26, 2007
Ho, Ho, oof !!
OK! For the love of God, please get the food away from me. Why is it with the holiday season that it's the law to try to commit suicide via sustenance? Oye!
Anyhoo, I hope everyone had a great Christmas out there. I enjoyed some much awaited down time and embraced that whole sleep thing. Wow! That sure doesn't suck.
Prior to kicking off the holiday festivities, The Justin Conn Band made our last 2007 appearance in Memphis at our home base The Blue Monkey. There is always something about Memphis that makes for some very hip shows for us. The mojo in that town for soul and blues is just off the charts. We were also still fired up from our video shoot last week so the band took no prisoners. Of course, it didn't hurt listening to Jon Cleary and Otis Redding all the way into Memphis to get us in the zone. Needless to say the booties were thumping as usual and only partially from the pair of D-410XSTs and my favorite WT-405 doing its damage. Mongo loves things that go BOOM!!!!
Well, the Tommy Ogle/Sean O'Bryan Smith Project is already underway. I have a green light from the record label to start production. Of course, I had already started without them and the first single "She Gives Me Hope" is already in the can and waiting sax overdubs. The project already has a great smooth jazz feel and the song selection has me very stoked. This is a record I am going to very proud of and a lifelong dream for Tommy and I. Keep checking back for regular updates.
So in preparation for 2008, your dear Baldy Locks here has been reflecting quite a bit. This has been a year of extreme change for me. The trials and tribulations have pushed me to my limits personally and professionally and I am so grateful for the people in my life and my faith. With the season, it seems that all of us look inward and I am ecstatic to find my own inner peace recently through the help of my family and someone very dear to me. I hope all of my bottom dwellers out here in cyberspace can find the same joy that was given to me. There is no gift under the tree that is as important to me than the peace I have found recently. I wish that same gift for all of you out there.
Merry Christmas Groovers and I look forward to the New Year with all of you !!
Keep Groovin',
S
January 2, 2008
Happy New Year my dear Groove Protectors!!!!!
Can we all say "2007 was a heck of a year?" I knew ya could. I know that, for me, it was one of the wildest rides of my life. From national TV shows and tours to big changes in my life, 2007 was a sight to be seen. I sure hope everyone had a great one and I am extremely excited about 2008. There are a huge amount of projects on my plate that have me extremely stoked. So Buh-bye 2007 and hello fresh start.
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Since last we grooved I have been trying to lie fairly low appearance-wise but did send off 2007 with an gig on Saturday at The Pond in Franklin, TN, with R&B singer Barbara opening and The Justin Conn Band closing. It was your basic "Short Bus Mafya overtaking a venue" scenario. We tend to do that. Barbara's set went really well with yours truly on guitar and bassist Rich Krainak holding down the low end. Fun in the fact, too, that Rich and I both tote WTX-260s and D-112XLTs for the performance. By the way, if there are any guitar players reading this, especially, jazz guitar players, that rig is SICK for guitar. When I am on guitar duty I typically play hollow bodies and the WTX-260 and D-112XLT are perfect. You must investigate.
Anyhoo, after Barbara's set, I was back to my bass rig and The Justin Conn Band. You've heard me mention how our traveling entourage has become known as The Short Bus Mafya. I'll just say it grows more day by day and has become a show in itself. The audience participation this time even ended with the introduction of a train whistle and our own special clap that needs to be witnessed in person (Thank You Moford!!) Needless to say, catch a Justin show in Nashville and you will see. I'll just say I felt like I had been doing crunches all night because my abs were in pain from laughing.
So we're in a New Year and now have a ton of new outlooks on life. Lord knows I'm immediately starting my first resolution of getting some pounds off, thanks to Jami's Louisiana cooking. Thanks, Sweetheart! Seriously, I was excited to ring in the new year with someone I love and my dear friends around me. I have a busy performance schedule this week and some new tour and recording news coming soon, so there will be lots more in 2008. Now it's time to get this year started. Step one, find more coffee STAT! I hope all of you are grooving strong.
Until next time.
Keep groovin',
S
January 16, 2008
My Fellow Bottom Thumpers,
It's time for the weekly State of the Groove Address!!! Well two weeks since it's been crazy and we didn’t get a blog up last week. Sorry, all of the recent political goings on had me sidetracked a moment. Well, that and the fact that I am only on one cup of coffee which is just plain WRONG!! Since last I rambled, I have been a very busy boy. Yep, that whole downtime for the holidays is over. Time to regain warp speed and work off some pounds from Jami’s cooking. Dang Louisiana girls.
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Thursday night was yet another reason for The Justin Conn Band to rear our ugly heads. This time the poor saps who had to fear our wrath were in Louisville, KY. Actually, the show was outstanding and the crowd was super responsive and appreciative of our certain brand of Southern Funk ‘n Roll. The venue was Louisville’s historic Phoenix Hill Tavern. If you have never been up there you owe it to yourself to check it. The venue is extremely cool, with two large performance halls. So imagine a pair of D-410XSTs and my WT-405 pumping through a kickin' system. Yep, they knew I was there. Poor fools.
Last week was a reunion of sorts for me. I have recently started back rehearsals and local shows with Pop Singer/Songwriter Nissi. Nissi and I have been working together for a number of years and touring all over the US. Over the years we have played with everyone from Jessica Simpson to The Wallflowers. Of course there was the one time with Hanson in Ohio. By the way, the little Hanson brother was drooling over Nissi and can you blame him? Anyhoo, Nissi and I along with her longtime drummer JoJo Monkey Boy are gearing up for a Spring tour of the Eastern US and did an impromptu show at Nashville’s Sweet Tea Café on Friday. The show was an absolute blast in the fact that it turned into an episode of Storytellers. The crowd wanted to hear all the road stories as well as the music. Needless to say, it made for a lot of laughs and a real relaxed show. Be sure and check my MySpace (www.myspace.com/seanobryansmith) for links to Nissi and our tour schedule.
Saturday it was down to Murfreesboro, TN for a performance at Bluesboro with The Justin Conn Band. We were headlining a show at the famous blues venue to a filled to capacity house. It surely didn’t suck and the band was absolutely on fire. Of course, our opener helped get us in the groove zone. The opener was the Band of Bruthaz and featured frontman Shannon Lane as well as world famous Rudy Wooten on saxophone. Yes kiddes, that is Victor’s brother and he is just as scary a player. The best part was that with Rudy and Lance in the house there was ridiculous sax for everyone.
This week has started off great musically as well. I am in the studio editing tracks for the Brother Mojo project with Tommy Ogle and I spent last night in post-production on my solo CD Tapestry. Yes gang, I am finally going to finish the damn thing. Thank the Jesus!! Final mixdown and mastering of the last three songs is underway and co-producer Jonell Polansky is working her magic as always. I am also seriously stoked about the first draft of the artwork I have seen from graphic designer Steve Virginia. There are also a lot of talks about a couple of future projects so keep checking in for details and I also have that whole aforementioned MySpace thingy if you are curious.
Saturday the 12th, it was a return to Memphis with The Justin Conn Band. We had another packed to capacity night at The Blue Monkey and the band was seriously strong. Of course, it didn’t hurt that I spent the earlier part of the day with Jami and my dear friend Jonathan Penalber at the STAX Museum. Needless to say, it added to the soul.
Anyhoo, all for now. I need to go find more coffee and get ready for another busy week. I have rehearsals followed by an editing session tonight and then headed to Louisiana to “meet the parents”. I’m watching you Focker!
Until next time.
Keep groovin’,
S
January 23, 2008
Groovers and Groovettes,
Once more unto the funk with a blog about bassness and beyond.
Since my last full figured adventure it has actually been fairly quiet on the music front for a change. This past Thursday was another opportunity to rear the Southern Funk ‘n Roll that is The Justin Conn Band. For this show we converged on Nashville’s historic night spot 3rd & Lindsley. We brought the funk and smeared it all over the joint as only we could. Of course it didn’t hurt pumping the classic Hagstrom through my O’ Great Wall of Edens.
Since we’ve been hanging in town a little bit and focusing on mixing our next record and live DVD, we’ve had a chance to break out some new material. This time out at 3rd & Lindsley was great for a bunch of new tunes from Brother Conn to a very enthusiastic crowd. I was personally extremely stoked to have legendary Blues singer Jonell Mosser hanging out in the house. Jonell made a point to come up and hang after the show and say how much she enjoyed it. It was a fluke for her to drop by that night too. She had done an earlier gig in town and just wanted to hear some local talent. Too cool it ended up being us.
The rest of my week was totally non –music related for me. I went to West Monroe, Louisiana for my own version of “Meet the Fockers.” Yes, it is that serious and even better the family liked me. Thank Goodness !! Now I am in the “I am watching you Baldy Locks” realm. I guess I shouldn’t have painted that cat. Dang it! Actually, I had a great time with some real good folks and of course ate way too much. Hence, why I was back on Atkins the second I got home. I also saw one of the most incredible church bands I have ever heard at Sunday service in West Monroe. Apparently, the Louisiana musicianship is not just in N’Awlins ( that is New Orleans for the unejumicated ).
That is it for this installment of the World according to the shaved noggin. I am in editing and mixing sessions all week for my solo CD “Tapestry”. I will keep everyone posted on the release date and any other groovy news.
Until next time.
Keep groovin’,
S
January 30, 2008
Greetings, Bottom Thumpers!
Guess what?
I've been boring as Hell this past week. It has been rather uneventful and I dare say I LIKED IT!!!
Actually, I lied to a degree since we have been busy with finishing my solo CD but there was some quality downtime in there with my lady. The best news is we have a target release date for TAPESTRY now of Tuesday, April 1st. Yes, I know it is April Fool's Day hence, why it is a very me moment. This past week warranted some amazing mixes for the last few tunes on the CD and we are scheduled to wrap post-production this weekend. The mojo of that old Trident console at DaCapo Music is bringing all of these mixes to life and adding a nice early jazz rock flare to the sounds. I am a huge fan of early Herbie Hancock and Grover Washington projects of the 70's and 80's and we are capturing that spirit in the mixes. Keep checking back regularly for updates on TAPESTRY as well as a world premiere single just for the Bass World to be released on St. Patrick's Day.
I am rather stoked to have the opportunity to be backing up jazz/AC singer Kristen Cothren this week at a showcase in Nashville. Kristen has been taking the country by storm and is an amazing talent. Kristen's vocal presence and actual presence is equally impressive as her songwriting. Her material is quite compelling, a lot of fun to play, and composed extremely well. I have been aware of Kristen's work for some time and this is going to be a great show. If you are around Nashville this Thursday swing out to FUEL on Second Avenue and catch the show. It won't sucketh.
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This weekend's mix session is going to be a real treat. We are mixing the song "Last Call" from my solo CD and it features three absolute legends. First mention goes to drummer Jerry Marotta. Jerry and I have been friends for a number of years as well as performed around New York together. Jerry has played with everyone from Peter Gabriel to Sarah McLachlan and layered some serious tracks on here. Jerry is possibly the most musical drummer I've ever worked with so I am super excited. Next in the bad man department is Teddy Andreadis. Teddy is one of LA's finest live and session musicians with credits from Velvet Revolver to Carole King. How is that for diversity? Needless to say, my keyboard tracks don't suck. So how do you round this tune out with myself on basses, tapping guitar freak Ryan Bottoms, and fellow Brother Mojo partner Tommy Ogle on sax you say ? How about using THE one and only Jeff "Skunk" Baxter on lead guitar? That is right SKUNK is on this record. Jeff played his tail off as he has on countless recordings in the past and I am excited to hear the final mix. Jeff and I met a couple of years ago when I was subbing a gig for Jack Casady. We hit it off really well and he was one of the first people to confirm playing on the CD. Of course with his dual life with the US Government it took forever to get his schedule in order. It was extremely worth it since there is something about having someone who was in The Doobie Brothers AND Steely Dan on your first solo CD that does not suck.
That is it for this week kiddies. I should have some more updates on TAPESTRY as well as some other news next week. Keep warm and 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.
