Category: producer

blog post, Blues, entertainment, folk, HBO, jazz, live music, Los Angeles, music, producer, production, r&b, recording, review, rock, television, writingLeave a comment

Sonic Highways

Nish

Second Chances If you have read a few of my blog posts you know that I have a “thing” with the Americana Music Association. Their exclusion of several types American music genres in their description of “roots” music is discrimination … Continue reading Sonic Highways

advice, blog post, lifestyle, love, mental health, music, writingLeave a comment

Rise Today

Nish

I just asked myself, not out loud but in my brain, what the heck is wrong with me?! I reach out to “friends” in their time of need and what do I get… whinny excuses and rejection.  Yet I felt compelled to rise and change this world for one person. This here little blog I decided to start, was with the intention  to share and possibly inspire you with my thoughts, ideas, experiences and fun, but it becomes evident that only a few may “get it.”  That’s fine, I can’t inspire or influence everyone I know. Obviously. So it’s been challenging … Continue reading Rise Today

advice, entertainment, jazz, lifestyle, love, mental health, music, producer, review, story, work, writing7 Comments

Boogaloosa and Malarkey

Nish

BOOGALOOSA! By now, if you have visited my blog more than once, you know I love music, jazz in particular. Though I enjoy and support so many genres of music like pop, rock, country, blues, R&B, classical, Cajun, zydeco, gospel, hip hop, etc., jazz seems to fall further down on the scale of being high-profile. Even at the Grammy Awards, the jazz awards were not included in the prime time telecast, they were held in a separate hall, away from the high-profile nominees. That is disrespectful. The Americana Music movement is not helping either. Noticed that they aren’t recognizing JAZZ … Continue reading Boogaloosa and Malarkey

blog post, entertainment, live music, review, story, writing3 Comments

Story Life – Rikki Lee Jones and Alfred Johnson

Nish
Matching bracelets for girls night at Coach House
Matching bracelets for girls night at Coach House

On Sunday (June 1) I went to The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano with friends to see Rikki Lee Jones and Alfred Johnson perform.  It was a true gift in more ways than one.  My neighbor and friend, Marla, treated two other great friends and me to this special evening and a girls night out.  Marla gave us matching bracelets as a party gift memento for the night.

alfredjohnson_painted
Alfred Johnson (photo was altered with effects due to poor quality of original image)

The live music was the best gift of the night as we were thrilled by Alfred Johnson’s opening set, Alfred was more than Rikki Lee Jones’ opener.  Alfred Johnson has co-written hit songs with Rikki since they met in Los Angeles over 30 years ago.  “Company” and “Weasel and the White Boys Cool,” which Rikki performed during her phenomenal set, are among the songs Alfred Johnson and Rikki Lee Jones co-wrote.  Alfred accompanied himself on keyboard, no other musicians played and it was fine because what we were given was his full, joyful energy and talent.  Alfred’s smile is as big as his personality and his songs are more than tunes, they are stories.

rikkileejones_edited
Rikki Lee Jones (photo was altered with effects due to poor quality of original image)

Rikki Lee Jones was a jewel.  She’s a star.  Rikki impressed me so much with her emotional, soulful delivery of vocals that moved the entire auditorium.  Just like Continue reading “Story Life – Rikki Lee Jones and Alfred Johnson”

entertainment, freelance, producer, production, workLeave a comment

A twist in life…

Nish
Twist in Life - going past
A twist in life and going past it.

I had a contract (freelance) job as Production Manager at (COMPANY) Entertainment Studios and worked three days. No, that was not the contract term.

I got a call this morning from my rep at the creative agency I freelance through just before I was walking out the door to go to work. He told me not to go to work, that the company was ending my contract. Damn it, that really threw me a curve.

For a change, I was attempting to work for a company that was essentially a start-up, entertainment studio (publishing, film, music, online entertainment, game apps, collectable merchandise).  It was exciting and the properties that the company creates are adventurous, fun and relevant for the audience they want to engage.  In fact I felt it was a very refreshing change to the mostly super structured, corporate entertainment companies I have worked at very successfully for over 25 years.  Yup, twenty five years of success with a few Continue reading “A twist in life…”