Altared Aftermath PART 2

So this morning I wake up and remember several other remarkable aspects about the Altared Christmas show.

One: the response from the press. Thanks to Jayme Kelly Curtis, who sent out dozens and dozens of press releases to everyone on her list (that is what she does for a living). I had remembered that last year, it was a bit of a struggle to get the info out on time, especially after having done so much already. My focus was on getting the show together and sending out press releases was so easily put off. This year however, I arranged to have her help me in advance and I am so glad I did.

All the major papers in the area did a story on me and the show, and a couple in particular were so right on the nose with their take on the story. Wallace Baine wrote a magnificent piece - one that even informed me about me. Linda Koffman at Good Times and Traci Hukill at the Santa Cruz Weekly also wrote insightful stories based on the short interviews we conducted.

Some of us even went on KSCO radio early (very early) one morning to spread the word, and of course KPIG and host Sleepy John Sandige welcomed us as usual. What a great reception we received. Thanks Jayme for the help.

And speaking of help - Robbie Barbour and Jay Holiday helped out last year with CD sales in the lobby and when this year rolled around, they insisted that we have a meeting (oh my gosh!) to discuss our plan. It totally helped, as I had no idea of what the scene around the merch table was like.

And I threw in an idea that I wanted to incorporate: no set amount for my CDs. Yup - pay what you can or want to.

I had read a suggestion my Derek Sivers, of CD Baby fame, who suggested that bands offer their music for free or for a donation to see what sort of response they get: perhaps the money would come in the way of better future tickets sales or somewhere else down the line. I wanted to try it - after all, the whole reason to make music is to have other people hear it!

At first, Jay and Robbie weren't sure it would work. We all realized that it might make the whole process more complicated, what with the credit card machine and all.

But I announced the idea during the show and to my surprise, my announcement received applause! After the show I asked them (Jay and Robbie) how things went and they basically gave me the thumbs up sign. It worked. And by the way, I made plenty of money to cover my costs.

Trust. That's what it's all about sometimes. Trust that your ideas are good and might actually work. Trust in your fellow musicians to hold you up. Trust that you are on the right path, even if no one else is there with you at the moment.

It's all good.

Then, another aspect of the show was brought to my attention - the inclusion of comedian Richard Stockton. Interesting that I would forget to talk about that, as the inclusion of a bona-fide funny man is a major part of an earlier manifestation.

I remember years ago I imagined what it would have been like to sit around a table with Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder discussing "Young Frankenstein." I also remember shows like the Carol Burnett show, which always had some parody - heck, I am not ashamed to say that "Three's Company" was one of my favorite sit-coms. Comedy has always been a driving force with me, as I think I have had enough drama to last a lifetime.

So here's how I see manifestation working: you imagine something you want, or a situation you want to be in, and then, without negating it, let it take root like a seed. Things begin to fall into place without even consciously trying and all of a sudden you find yourself part of a comedy show playing in the band. Then one day you find yourself sitting at a table with Richard Stockton discussing what the best material might be and how to deliver it at your Christmas show.

I had wanted Richard and Sven to do "The Night Before Christmas" last year, but Sven was not available so instead, Richard and I came up with the idea to do some of the poem to the tune of The Talking Heads' "Once In A Lifetime". It was a fantastic performance and I think it cemented the idea in both Richard's head and mine that the merging of comedy and music was something we should continue doing.

Yet, I still wanted to hear that poem performed as Richard and Sven do so well - as a serious oration with foley sound effects. This was clearly the year to do it, and I so enjoyed watching it unfold from backstage for the first time.

We also included Richard's "Rap" - a bit we have been doing a lot at "The Planet Cruz Comedy Hour" show. It's basically a bunch of his material laid over a nice, funky groove.

We are now planning more music/comedy shows that we hope will be the start of our financial future.

Plant that seed and watch it grow.

I think I am all done now, but I bet I will wake up and remember something else, so stay tuned.