Doing something for the love of it...

[Tuumble]

A friend of mine has been making music since about 1990 and I think he's a really talented muscian.

I was briefly part of his band but my guitar playing was clearly not up to the job. I sold my guitar and a later attempt as a vocalist ended in fits of giggles thus finishing my career before it even started!

Anyway, up until 1998 he released three albums with his new band - one on tape and two VERY accomplished CDs. They got national radio play in the UK plus across Europe and played a handful of dates in the US.

Then, when it really looked like taking off, he stopped after bouts of depression and disillusionment with the music industry. It's a long story but he was royally screwed by his label it seems.

He didn't make any more music for SEVEN years!

Then, after some encouragement, he picked up his guitar again and began writing again thus beginning a new phase of music and it's just great. He's a changed man.

During those years he didn't make music he was generally pretty low and lacked direction. Now you can feel the excitement is there again.

He was recently on SkyTV promoting a single he'd written for the centenary of Rochdale soccer club. For two weeks it was the number one - yes, number ONE single - in Rochdale HMV, selling several hundred copies. Profits went to soccer club trust funds.

He's recorded a new album which out of love he recorded it again so he got it as good as it could be. He has also just released a TOTALLY FREE single with 4 tracks AND a video.

You can see the video on my blog.

He is not seeing much of a financial return at the moment but that's not the point. He's doing it because he loves it and he really impresses me with his commitment.

The important thing is that if he did it for the money he would've given up when I did over 15 years ago. He's spent thousands in the pursuit of this. He has the talent though - I don't.

His contribution is through music and I am incredibly proud to have him as a friend.

[Phil Parkinson]

Great story... i love to hear stuff like this...

My friends just got dropped from their label days before they were due to release... great to hear your friend is back making music and i hope he knows what a good mate you are to him as well.

Phil x

[quoteguy]

Good Stuff! I need for my former roomates to read this. They were a great duo. I played the keyboard and drums for their band. They are very talented, but I think they think too much. They seem to constanly 2nd guess themselves. I always tell them,"just to do it." When it comes time to master a song, they end up re-mastering and re-mastering. I wish they would just commit and get it done already. I'll have to get them to read this. Maybe it will spark a fire.

[Tuumble]

Let me know how it goes.

[Old Soul]

yeah ...... it is like me I absolutely love to cook and bake, passionately to the point of wanting to speak to every chef in a restraunt , just because I know the love and blood poured out over a special sauce , the feeling you get when you make a fantastic creation and it is a huge success by the response from those who eat it

then......... it becomes a buisness......... the politics the BS.. some neccessary and some not

then you stand there and say ok how much do i love this!!!! good for your friend sounds like he is a true* muscian and true to his trade

most people fall away to the disollusionment