Do You Have a Supply Chain Brain?

My brother, Erik, made this entertaining video and, literally, illustrated supply chain. Check it out and help Erik get the most views--and win $500! Think supply chain is boring? Think again. Erik explains the glory of supply chain through what he knows best: sports broadcasting! So ask yourself the question, "Do you have a supply chain brain?"

Consoles: Soon to be Demystified

The Audio Master Erik!

I admit it.  I'm not that knowledgeable when it comes to actually routing an audio console.  My brother and sound engineer, Erik Chaston, is a master of everything sound.  I'll never understand sound the way he does, but I know I can learn more about routing!

I understand routing within Pro Tools.  Check.  But once the routing gets outside the program, that's when everything gets a little fuzzy to me and I literally get wires crossed...

So I'm very excited to be taking a digital projects class from Ron Saltmarsh--hello Media Music Classes (check out my earlier blog "Commercial Music")--that is focused on understanding routing on different kinds of audio consoles.  That includes consoles engineered primarily for live/theater applications, studio consoles, and I'm sure a few other kinds of applications that escape me at the moment!

Back to Erik, here's a fan favorite that Erik engineered the recording, mixing, and mastering for PLUS he also wrote the song!  So here's me singing Erik's song "You Lied!"

Jazzy Christmas to You II on iTunes!

It has finally arrived! Jazzy Christmas to You II is now available from iTunes!

I know it's the day before Halloween, but really, can the joys of Christmas be contained to only after Thanksgiving?

Jazzy Christmas to You II features me on vocals and core band members Zach Wiggins (piano), James Archibald (bass and vocals), and Jesse Quebbeman-Turley (drums).  Also featured are Craig Alder (guitar), Linda Chaston (synth), and J Scott Rakozy (piano).  Looking ahead, next year's album will feature new band member Josh Larsen (bass) with the rest of us since James Archibald has moved away to Texas to be a physicist!

New, fresh arrangements of classic favorites abound in Jazzy Christmas to You II.  Jesse and Zach created a rhythmic instrumental underpinning for my vocal to swing above in a reworking of Santa Baby that is sure to catch your ear!

A personal favorite of the album's recording engineer, Erik Chaston, is I Wonder As I Wander, which is another rhythm-based arrangement from Jesse and Zach.  Take a listen and hear Jesse play a drum trap set as you've never heard one played before--seriously!  The harmonies Zach lays down have a decidedly Celtic flair.  My vocals weave seamlessly into the groove as I sing one of my favorite Christmas songs!

Not to forget my roots in the blues, the album features a new blues, Santa Blues, that I co-wrote with Justin Jensen.  I tell Santa I only want my man home for Christmas and I know that the jolly old elf is the only one who can make that happen!

Since no Christmas album is complete without a duet, James Archibald sings with me on Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!  Last year, he sang Baby, It's Cold Outside with me on Jazzy Christmas to You! and it was a hit!

Last Christmas (yes, THAT Last Christmas of WHAM! fame), gets more laid back with Craig Alder on acoustic guitar and Linda Chaston (my very talented aunt) on synth.  She created the obligato and bass line!  She is a natural talent plus has a degree in music from the University of New Hampshire at Durham!

And just for when you're sitting by the fireplace drinking hot chocolate, You're All I Want for Christmas comes on.  With supple piano harmonies played by J Scott Rakozy and using my velvety vocal range, this Christmas love ballad is sure to tug at your heartstrings!

Check out the rest of the album Jazzy Christmas to You II.  If you prefer listening to the physical CD rather than mp3s, Jazzy Christmas to You II will be available in my store in that format next week on Amazon!

Tomorrow I will tell you all about the album cover design and the artist who created it, my friend Katie, who is at this moment in New York City weathering through the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.