|
|
Category: "Announcements"
Well, let’s see now. We’ve covered the uses of MIDI files, pitfalls of using them live, how to use them live, how to record with them and how to be versatile with them. What does that leave? How about composing with MIDI files?
Hard to believe it’s been six years since the inception of Cybermidi.com but that is a fact. The sixth anniversary—that’s quite a milestone. Let’s see if we can come up with an appropriate gift to commemorate the occasion. In fact, how about if we start from the beginning and work our way up to this event? What songs would go with each anniversary, in this respect?
Today, Sunday, June 22, 2008 I lost a friend. Not just in the sense of feeling like I knew him because of having seen him on television and in the movies, but because I actually knew the man. George Carlin died today at age 71 and left behind a legacy that will be with me until that day that I leave this world.
A few columns ago I wrote of my connection to this comic genius. You can read that column at this link: http://cybermidi.com/news/index.php/practical-midi/from-cassette-to-cd-to-midi-via-george-c
Back in 1969 Denny Zager set half an hour aside from his busy day and penned the song, “In The Year 2525” and had a million-selling hit on his hands. These days this one-hit-wonder is running an internet site where he sells custom-adjusted guitars. I only know this because I bought one of his guitars and it was fantastic, as claimed. Naturally I couldn’t think of the guitar without thinking of the Zager and Evans tune and it got me to thinking about the future.
OK, so this isn't directly linked to the midi topic, but I thought I'd share it anyway in case any of you are in the same boat I'm in. For the first 32 years of my musical existence I've bought and sold a few guitars. Some I wish I'd kept and some I can't even remember what they were. The point is that back then if you wanted a guitar you either went to the music store or found one in the classifieds.
It’s funny how a person perceives fame throughout their lifetime. When I started in the music business in the mid 60s I thought fame was the be-all-to-end-all. I wanted fame more than I wanted money. I wanted my name to be a household word. I wanted people to know me on sight and to whisper as I passed them on the street, not sure if they dare ask for an autograph.
A few columns ago I vented my frustration regarding amateur singers from the audience wanting to horn in on my act. You know the kind—they warble a little in the shower and think they can do in a day what I’ve been perfecting for forty years. Occasionally I allow some Tom Jones wannabe to come up and give it a try. Sometimes I do it out of curiosity to see if they really can sing. Sometimes I do it because I know they can’t and I just want to see them make a total ass of themselves and have a good silent laugh. Sometime I have no choice—the guy wanting to sing is the same guy who’s paying me. But most of the time I’d just as soon the audience members stay where they are and let me do my show by myself.
2002 was a good year for me in a lot of ways. That year I left a job that I wasn't really crazy about, I bought a new guitar, I split off from my duo to do a solo act and Cybermidi began operation on the web. Now, these last three events were linked together quite well. My solo act required quality MIDI files and Cybermidi fit that bill perfectly. SO, just to be silly for a moment, let's imagine all the tunes Flash could sequence, if he had a mind to do so, and tie them in with anniversaries. How about...
Newsletter
Recent comments