In January and February I hosted the third and fourth The Listening Room at Cafe Cero shows. The January show featured Troy Schoenfielder of Buckskin Stallion with Jeff and Julie Oxenford opening. The February show featured John Common, with Something About Lulu opening. I then took a hiatus from The Listening Room and didn't book any more shows. Even though it was fun and very successful, it was taking time away from my own music, so I had to make a tough decision and not book anymore shows. (I'm still open to restarting it if I get partners to help with the work; click on The Listening Room link at the left for more info).
I then turned my attention to recording a demo cd. I decided to record it at home, and do it all myself-- play all the instruments, record it, and do the artwork. That took until late-July, when I sent it to the duplicators. I got Some Songs I Wrote from the duplicators in mid-October, and began circulating them to venues. I also distributed them to record stores and online stores such as CD Baby, and digital download sites. Click on the Music link at left for more info.
After the demo was sent to the duplicators, I went back into songwriting mode. And I'm still in songwriting mode. I view Some Songs I Wrote sort of as my "final exam" for my freshman year of songwriting, and hope to improve and write better songs in the next year. It's a learning process, frustrating at times, exhilarating other times. Click on my Songwriting link at left for more info, as well as the blog link to read my songwriting blogs. And click the Music link for lyrics and other info about the making of the songs on Song Songs I Wrote.
I didn't make a serious effort to get gigs until the demo was done, but I did get a few offers for gigs, and played Gennaro's a few times, as well as The Meadowlark and The Mercury Cafe in Denver, and Cafe Sole in Boulder. Julie Oxenford O'Brian accompanied me on violin on the last two gigs of the year, which I really liked. Click on the Upcoming Shows link to see where I'm playing next.
My music goals for 2008 are to continue writing songs, get a few more done, play a few select solo acoustic gigs, and start the process of forming a band.
Happy New Year to all my friends!
-Rob