Little Girls Doing Metallica Cover

I found this video of these young girls (group called The Warning) pulling off a Metallica cover song. It was really cool to watch. I told my husband he needs to teach our three girls to do this. They have the musical talent and the voice. He can pull out the electric guitars, amps, set up our full drum kit, get an egnater tweeater and anything else they need and go to town. Instant internet sensation. The girls in the video are ages 9 to 14. Here it is:

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School Year Starting Out Busy

My two teenagers have their first marching band parade of the school year this weekend. My son plays drums.  My daughter usually plays flute but she decided to do flags this year instead. Their choices make my job easier.  I don't need to worry about running to buy Alexander Reeds when a reed breaks at the last minute (I played clarinet...I remember the horror at a broken reed and no more left).  My stepdaughter also played clarinet.  I might have to worry about a drum stick dropped and left behind in the road but hopefully not. My daughter's flag - that should be safe.  She drops it, she picks it up easily.

We have a new band director this year and the kids are VERY behind.  With their first game Friday and a parade Saturday, I am nervous for them.

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Guitar Playing Fool

I first saw my husband up on stage, playing guitar and singing.  16 years of marriage later, he sits across from me right now at the table playing one of several guitars in the house while I tinker on my laptop.  Every once in awhile, he'll look up at me and I'll stick my tongue out at him and go back to my tinkering and he'll go back to his strumming.  We might be a little weird. Maybe.

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Husband's New "Business" (More Like Hobby) - Guitar Picks

Hubby is starting a side hobby.  It won't make any money, so I hesitate to call it a business because eventually you expect a business to make money, which this one won't, but he's making guitar picks and will be selling them (for next to nothing).  He'll cover his materials and that's about it. 

I am going to make a web site for him.  I need to make sure there isn't any type of license he needs.  Everything will probably be handled by check, money order, or paypal all through online sales so not sure if I will need a receipt printer.

He's sent out many of his guitar picks to people he knows through the guitar forums and they've all raved about them and are recommending him to other people they know.  He thinks that's pretty cool.  I'm all for anything that takes his main interest from going through guitars left and right to putting a very small amount of money out for materials to make picks.  Saves us money!

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Dharmic Dance by KO

Dharmic:  is an Indian spiritual and religious term that means one's righteous duty, or any virtuous path.

I was just listening to Dharmic Dance by Kevin O'Connor of KO Guitar and thinking about the definition of "Dharmic" and the dance we do through blending our families.  The definition (of "dharmic") changes slightly depending on which religion or culture is defining it but I liked the one I found above.  It made me think.  Do we always do the right thing as a step-parent?  If so, is it right for us or right for the kids, or both?  How about when there is a difference between right for "his" kids and right for "your" or "our" kids?  How do you make a decision then?  Are we always doing the Dharmic dance, do we take the right path for the right reasons?

It's funny how a song can touch you in some way, bring back memories, or make you think.  The song title did that.  Being a part of a musical family, I am always interested in hearing new sounds like KO and will share this artist with my husband after work. 

KO is an original in an age of cookie cutter "talent" - worth listening to.  He writes songs from his own experiences, sings original music, and is a gifted guitarist (as well as a producer and engineer).  His songs are like short stories about "man, woman, nature and the geography of the soul." 

Being married to a guitarist and vocalist myself, I appreciate the imagination, talent and drive to do what you love.  Kevin O'Connor is doing what he loves.  He can be seen and heard in the New York area (where he's been for 25 years - check him out!) or you can pick up his CD.  To do it for 25 years - definite drive to doing what you love!

You can find KO at iTunes, CD Baby, and on Facebook!

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