Wednesday, March 27, 2013

April Song Annoucement!

I'd like to take this opportunity to announce the subject and genre for April 2013's songs!

Genre: Alt-Country
Subject: Robots


Alt-country is a pretty wide ranging genre to use.  Basically, it is any country style music that deviates from mainstream country music.  So in other words, GOOD country music.  You can incorporate influences from many other genres, rock and roll, bluegrass, even punk rock!

Also, how is that robot playing guitar with his cold metal claws?!  The world may never know...  Good luck everyone!

Friday, March 15, 2013

February's Winner!

In what I considered a pretty awesome month of songs, there was a clear winner that nabbed up a majority of the votes.  The winning song was Swamp Grass by Mark Maze, Nate Mahaffey, Graham Mahffey, and Steve Cummings!  Great work, guys!  The song was truly top notch, I really enjoyed it!


As first time participants, they were unaware of the amazing riches and prizes that awaited them as winners!  What a surprise it must have been to win such a wonderful prize!

It's a grabber thing to get the last pickle out of the jar!  Wowza!  I wish I had won this month!

Also, don't forget about your songs for March!  Soon the April song announcement will come out as well.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

February's Songs!

February has come and gone and with it came some great songs!  As you may remember, the style (not genre) was All-Acoustic and the subject was "Craziness is like Heaven" which is part of a Jimi Hendrix quote.  I thought the quote was interesting and unique enough to make for an interesting addition to a song.  Basically I was just looking for that one line, or some variation of it, to be a lyric in the song.


So here are the songs for the month.  Have a listen and don't forget to vote for your favorite below!



Jack Eggleston - Pistolero
My comments:  A few days ago I asked Jack how his song was coming along and he said he wasn't happy with it but would still turn it in.  I don't know what happened, but I would be thrilled to write a song this good!  There is a lot of great stuff going on here both musically and lyrically.  I think Jack's songs have only gotten better!  So I guess what I am saying is, Jack is a liar.

Danny Imig - It's All Easy Stuff When You're a God
My comments: This is the first song Danny has turned in for the game and I am always excited to have new participants!  His song fits the style (all acoustic) but doesn't take the subject into consideration since it was written a few years ago.  That's okay though.  It's got a great Neal Young feel to it, both with the vocals and the guitars.  Great job, Danny!  I hope to hear more from you in the future!

Kayce Kelly - Squirrel World
My comments:  I knew I would get some good diversity in the songs with the subject, but I never expected to get one so cute.  Ladies and gentlemen, this is a squirrel love song.  They DO exist!  This song is great in it's simplicity and content.  Good job, Kayce, you adorable bastard!

Mark Maze and Friends - Swamp Grass
My comments:  Mark (mandolin and vocals) teamed up with his friends Graham Mahaffey (banjo), Nate Mahaffey (guitar) and Steve Cummings (guitar) to write this great blue grass song.  Did I mention that I loved the diversity this month has brought?  This is the first song Mark has turned in and I just love it, right down to the bong rip at the beginning.  Bongs are acoustic instruments too, right?

Brian Salapek - Ballad of the Trashcan Man
My comments: I am currently reading The Stand by Stephen King and the Trashcan Man is a character in the book.  He is a schizophrenic pyromaniac and I thought he would be great to write about.  The lyrics of this song for the most part are taken from one of his chapters of the book.  I tried to make a brooding and anxious building in the song that dissolves into a chaos at the end ("...and soon the day will burn").  I am very happy with the result!

Rene Zansman - Craziness is like Heaven
My comments: Like so many of his before, Rene's song this month is straight up pop punk.  He said that he had issues with his microphone so it sounds like an early Woody Guthrie recording without the talent and if he tried to sing like Ben Weasel.  I don't agree with the lack of talent because I think this is one of Rene's better songs.  I am a sucker for pop punk and like this one.