 |
Indeed looking back there have been several interesting close-calls
with parties privy to recording contracts and media exposure. These have seemingly served as markers which continue
to affirm through God that I am on the right road.
For the present let's view the progressions of the last
three years beginning with the turn of the century. I had submitted two compositions to be reviewed for possible
inclusion in the SCN Art Showcase. Both songs were accepted and a contract was consequently signed to allow for their
usage. The songs were "Trip through time" and "Take Nothing", a song cowritten with my brother. The latter had also been submitted
to a movie director, Pete DeLorenzo, whose film The Mentor is in pre-production. Pete has asked permission to
include "Take Nothing" in his upcoming movie and my second contract was signed. While neither of these "breaks" have yet come
to their fruition,
the interest has been gratifying and the potential, exciting.
In 2001 I began to redouble my efforts in live performance. Having
done little onstage, I began attending Sidewalk Cafe Monday night open-mics where I occasionally perform to my backing cd
tracks. This is good experience and also serves to get the positive messages out there on the small scale. The response
has been positive and motivating. In addition, I have affiliated myself with a group of LGBT musicians and friends known
as Outmusic. This has proved a boon in my career as the open mic night at C-note, the camaraderie and multi-layered
support, and the possible varied connections have given me an outlet to grow and explore like no other I have found. I am
grateful to God for these discoveries.
It is hard to believe that it has been over eighteen months
since I've last updated this site but hopefully you'll feel it was worth the wait. There have been several exciting developments
and so I wonder where to begin. I will pick up where we left off in autumn 2002. Three days after the completion of this foundation
website, my debut Christian music cd, "Entertaining Angels Unawares" (EAU), was distributed at the October Outmusic open mic
at the C-Note in the East Village. This event started a series of wonderful waves in this musical ministry, the momentum
of which I am continuing to ride.
That evening, for starters, I performed "For the Love of God", a song about gratitude
to God and forgiveness for others which rang out with a clear resonance and struck a chord with the listeners, several of
whom later approached me with praise for the matching of gorgeous music and message with what they called "quite a voice".
It was such an honor to have the work of God delivered through me; deeply felt and appreciated. The cds were then presented
free of charge to those present. I would go on to send out a few to some affiliated radio stations nation-wide. Next thing
I knew, I received an e-mail from the Outmusic moderator letting me know he couldn't stop listening to my cd, that it was
beautiful. A month later, he would call and let me know he decided to sponsor my song "Colors" for the upcoming Outmusic sampler
cd which would receive widespread exposure. In the meantime, the second track on the cd "Trip through time" was being featured
on a Pennsylvania radio station WKJCE by dj Joanne Lynn Benjamin as an opening to her "Time Warp" radio program featuring
nostalgic pop of the eighties. Thanks, Joanne!! Next, I would be contacted by an aficionado and guru of LGBT classics,
namely JD Doyle, who also happens to be a much respected Houston radio programmer who not only insisted on purchasing
the cd I had sent him free of charge (for $50.00!, my first sale, not bad) but also went on to play the first song from the
"EAU" cd "Love is all there is" on KPFT 90.1 FM.
Wow , now two of my songs were receiving airplay. He went on to tell me
he truly believes in what I am doing and further feels the music is too good for the low-end equipment I am using and urged
me to start a fund to invest in higher-end tools (the fund for which I am still working on:) , his fifty helped to start it.)
For that very reason of sound quality, the song "Colors" had to be dropped from the Outmusic sampler project ( a new mix was
requested which due to a lack of funds, I could not provide). Even so, panel member John Raymond Pollard informed me that
the song had become one of 38 finalists selected from 180. The momentum picks up. After receiving a few requests for
my cd, I learned that it was climbing the internet based "Outvoice Top Forty" where it would go on to peak at #9 in May of
2003! While "Trip through time" continued to receive airplay, I performed another track from the EAU cd "Tomorrow Again" which
John Fisher from "Shimmer Planet" called very impressive and Justin Tranter called amazing. My cd now fell into the
hands of an aspiring playwright named Fredery De Leon who was so taken with EAU, that he has asked me to score his production,
"A Story of Love" depicting the love story of Joseph and Mary." Thanks to God, we are continuing to tweak the completed skeleton
of the score which God had inspired and so I composed it in one night. And the news of EAU continues...an aspiring screenwriter,
Danielle Almog, who lives in Israel, after hearing tracks from the cd, has asked for a collaboration on her accompanying soundtrack
which I have recently been blessedly able to begin. Her script is on the grand scale for the good of all living creatures(we
are collaborating on that, as well!)
Moving along: "Colors", track seven from EAU, was performed at a videotaped open mic
performance for German television(?) in May of 2003 and the last I heard on that, it would be played as part of a panoramic
view of the New York music scene on German radio.
I became busy with my work as a casemanager with a four hour combined
commute each day for the rest of 2003 and so did little more to promote EAU after that, that is, until this year more time
opened up to me. I recently auditioned for the 2004 Gospel Explosion Showcase which is held annually in the Gold ballroom
at the Pennsylvania Hotel (across from Madison Square Garden, we're getting closer...)
I was added to their program and
performed "Love is all there is", "Colors" and a track to be added to an upcoming cd, "It is of no use running". I performed
just before the intermission and incidentally had to leave to accomodate a friend afterwards. I later received a phonecall
from the event coordinator, Bernice Lowe, who enthusiastically informed me that I had created quite a buzz there that night,
that my performance was excellent, that I was blessed with more talent than I knew and that their panel of judges had wanted
to present me with their award (which is being added to my press kit). And finally, drumroll................
There was
an audition I went on recently which piqued the interest of the executive of the label for which I performed. This has since
led to a scheduled meeting for later this month with a prominent entertainment industry leader. As always, I will trust in
God for whatever the outcome. And yes, I am excited. We shall see.
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and
the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." Hebrews 12:1
|
|
First official cd release
In Autumn 2002 I will be releasing my first official cd "Entertaining
Angels Unawares". This collection of Christian pop songs are performed regularly at Sidewalk Cafe and the C-note and, happy
to say, they are going over quite well. Please see above in italics for an update on events which have been
following it's release...I've just learned
that several tracks are now listed on the WKJCE website where you can make requests from their playlist of which EAU is part!
Please see links for URL. For a complete track listing and lyrics, see "Compositions and Benedictions", the last
page at my site. For mp3's and song info, please go to http://www.mp3.com/middelchild
The songs are predominantly recorded on low-end home studio equipment
but hopefully you will find the overall experience highly enjoyable. :)
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly
rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him." Psalms 28:7
"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up."
1 Corinthians 13:4
"therefore, as it is written, 'Let him who boasts, boast of the Lord'."
1 Corinthians 1:31
"And they were astonished beyond all measure, saying, 'He has done all things well; he even makes the deaf
hear and the dumb speak."
Mark 7:37
"I John am he who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the
feet of the angel who showed them to me; but he said to me, 'You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your
brethren the prophets, and those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.'" Revelation 22:8-9
At the moment
Check back here for the latest general happenings.
Currently I am completing the first publication of this website(which, by the time you read this, will be accomplished);
preparing cd's for distribution and sale at "cdbaby", and preparing additional cd's for promotional handouts at my upcoming
fall performances. I am hoping to send out some cd's for review in various publications(leads from Outmusic, etc..). I intend
to submit some full length cds and three-song demos to various record companies, especially Christian labels.
It is an exciting time. As long as I have breath and the ability to promote, I hope to continue to do the good
work and see some benefit in you in Christ.
As new projected project ideas appear they shall be added. I have recently realised I could begin an exerteer
brochure myself with a little bit of research and God's guidance. As Gandalf states in the Christian author J.R.R. Tolkien's
masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings, "It is what we do with the time that is given us." Let's do lots of good. Let's
start now.
In addition to the events outlined in the update above,
I am currently composing new material for a future cd tentatively entitled "Harping on the Future" and considering selections,
and how to remaster them, for my next cd "Sowing at the Speed of Sound" which I hope to release later this year.
I've had a new photo shoot done last month and learned yesterday the pix are ready. I
hope to post a few of these to the site, and use some to possibly break into acting as say, another stepping stone, a
concurrent beginning....
"Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass." Psalms 37:5
The pledge of allegiance
Just a brief prosaic word on this recurring theme on my website. We are all one family under God. The pledge we make
should be to God with love for everyone. The idea that we shouldn't have a pledge at all is unfair to God and to us as his
children. It should however be a correct pledge which leaves no one out, especially not our Creator and Benefactor, God.
An interesting sidenote: I had gone out to perform the pledge of allegiance in July 2002 for the first time live. The
following day the pledge was a controversial topic on the news and in the country. It is amazing how God works His purpose
and His will; how He guides if we will willingly, faithfully pray, earnestly desire to do His Will, listen openheartedly,
follow and be guided.
"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." Phillipians
3:20
"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation." Psalms 68:19
"You are worthy, O Lord, to receive honor and glory and power; for you created all things, and by Your will they
existed and were created."
Revelation 4:11
Baby and Christie...and Precious
My two "children". Baby is my four and 1/2 year old dog and Christie is my 19 1/2
year old cat. They are great joys in my life for which I am very grateful to God. It is such a blessing to wake up in the
middle of the night and see them both curled up in balls on my bed, sleeping peacefully. Such a pleasure to have their company
in the day.. My cat talks, she can only say one word though. Her meow is "Ralph" which is annunciated most emphatically I
might add. She uses it regularly and loudly to let me know whatever it is she would like at that moment. She learned
it while living at my grandmother's( really my grandmother's cat, she had taken her in out of her backyard). My grandmother
was a soprano with a resonant, carrying voice which she would employ to reach me at the other end, upstairs, of her vaulted
ceiling home. Christie, sitting on her lap, would see the result in me arriving down the stairs and learned the technique....perfectly.
Baby, on the other hand, is all about eye contact. While Christie does look you right in the eye, Baby
gets herself right in front of you with kisses and beseeching eyes which tell her story softly and effectively. They are characters.
Can you see their love in the pictures?
Well, as per this update, I'm yet to post the pictures of Christie and Baby which I hope to do with
some others soon. Christie, August 16, 2003 (the day after the blackout) died at 21 years, a very full earth life for a kitty.
I am looking forward to seeing her again in heaven. She was/ is very special and while I am here, will miss her and cherish
her memory in my heart.
While working in the South Bronx, I saw the sweetest pit bull terrier in need of a new home, made
a quick and definite decision to adopt her and now have my baby "Precious". You will just have to wait for the picture to
sense her gentle and winning ways. She is a dream. I am so blessed!
.."In my distress I cried to the Lord, and He heard me."
Psalms 120:1
"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians
13:13
Tidbits
Here I might add a little bit of knowledge or fun as it occurs to me.
I would like to release one cd a year and the next may be tentatively entitled either "Treangled" or "Off the beaten
Offbeat".
In addition to the new music I am writing, I have an extensive catalogue of songs which the Lord has wrought through
me. The above two collections I have decided to partly rework into my upcoming second cd "Sowing at the Speed of Sound"
and partly hold aside for future projects including those with the above titles...
And, speaking of seconds...
My second speaking role in a motion picture: First in Pete DeLorenzo's upcoming "The Mentor". Now aspiring
screenwriter Jeremy Machado has asked me to portray Zechariah, a priest in a role similar to Obi Wan Kenobi in Star Wars or
Gandalf in LOTR,, for his upcoming production of "Oblivion City". Thank you God for the meeting, and thank you Jeremy
for your vision. Trust in God, be guided by Him. May He bless you.
"Enter by the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the way is easy, which leads to destruction, and those who
enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few."
Matthew 7:13-14
|
|
A September to remember
On September 11th, 2001, the world gasped and watched the news in horror. I, as many around the world, wished
to be of help in some way. I enlisted with the Salvation Army on September 12th and after helping in some small way, met a
banker en route home who asked if I would write something regarding the tragedy to uplift and encourage. The result became
"Pillars of strength" which I will post a link to soon. On September 11th, 2002, copies of "Pillars of strength" were distributed
at the Penn Station memorial to the tragedy. The messages are Christian truth and will hopefully serve to comfort in Christ.
The song "Not so Long" which was initially written for my grandmother, Elsie Baker, has also been modified
in a second version dedicated to 9/11/01. It includes selected narration from "Pillars of strength." My love goes out to all
affected by the event. Love one another. Forgive. Trust in God. Always.
"If my people who are called by Name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from
their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
"Pray then like this:
Our father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
And forgive us our debts,
As we also have forgiven our debtors,
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, for ever, Amen.
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not
forgive men their trespasses, neither will your father forgive your trespasses." Matthew 6:9-15
Forever Christmastime
The song. The original recorded some years back and now an updated, higher-end sound quality version
is to be the latest recording project. I would love to have the positive message and cheerful sound of this song out
by Christmas 2002 but it will take some doing. First off, my recording equipment is on the fritz. If you're reading this and
have a workable home-studio and could accomodate me, I would be most grateful. Will also list you in the "special thanks"
credits. :)
I am pleased to announce that a) a new instrumental track of Forever Christmastime has been recorded
on my own equipment which is fuller and more exciting than it's two previous versions and that b)
someone I've known for over thirty years is currently building a home studio and has sent word that
my brother Chet and I may come over to record! This should enable a clearer, higher-end vocal mix
and final product. Thanks, Billy!
Forever Christmastime
There's a time
Comes once a year
When the air is filled with goodwill and cheer.
The frozen hearts begin to thaw.
The children's smiles, your spririt's rise, it's Christmastime--
So open up your hearts, open up your hearts.
It's Christmastime so let the love in, let the love out,
Let the whole wide world come out and shout for joy--
It's Christmastime.
And at this time,
Let us remember the many:
Those who beg for our pennies,
Those who haven't got any.
And keep that love
Within our hearts
the whole year round, the world abound,
The kingdom come and resound
With the echoes of joy and love---
It's Christmastime--
So open up your hearts, open up your hearts.
It's Christmastime
So let the love in, let the love out,
Let the whole wide world come out and shout for joy
It's Christmastime.
Let the love in, let the love out,
Now and forevermore.
We can make the new year a neverending
Celebration of love in the Lord.
Now and forevermore,
Make it a joyous time.
The choice is yours and mine.
Let the love in, let the love out,
Now and forevermore,
Forever Christmastime.
-Innerchild
"Let the word of Christ dwell richly in you in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one
another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Colossians 3:16
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
Matthew 5:8
"Come now, you who say, 'Today we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit;
whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.' For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time
and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.'" James 4:13-15
|
|
