Rediscovering the Old

I'm a fan of old music. 1970s old music. I love Clapton. I like the Doobie Brothers, the Eagles, the Allman Brothers Band, Kenny Loggins. Every once in a while, I'll get on a kick and listen to some of my favorite (and some forgotten) oldies.

I recently bought the newest Jeff Beck album. He's an old guy that got his start with the Yardbirds in the late 1960s and is one of the guitar greats from the 70s. It's mainly an instrumental album. I love it. I'd have to say that instrumentals are a tough first album to get for getting into a new artist (at least new to the listener), but this one was a grand slam. If nothing else, find "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Jeff Beck somewhere on the Internet - it might just rock the socks right off your feet.

Another old group that I just got into is Led Zeppelin. I knew their songs before, but never had an album. I "phoned a friend" who knows anything you could ever want to know about Led Zeppelin. I asked which one I should get if I were to only get one. He paused and then said, "That's a tough one." He ended up giving me the Cliff Notes version of what each album was like for I, II, III, ZOSO, Houses of the Holy, Physical Graffiti, Presence, and In Through the Out Door. But then he added that ZOSO was probably the best, in his opinion, at showing their diversity. To say I have been pleased with choosing ZOSO would be an understatement. It makes me wish I had been a teenager in the 1970s so I could have been there to experience all the great music that was happening then. I guess it's pretty good these days, because I don't have to wait 9 months for the next album to come out - they've been out for 40 years!

4/14 Update

I'm excited to say I'll be playing a show this weekend. I was asked to play the Narthex: Unplugged event on Saturday night. I'm also hoping to get it recorded for a live EP. Look for it available FOR FREE in a couple weeks.

I Want to Be the Best

I want to be the best. Not second best. Not tied for first. THE best.

Oh, BTdubs

I also got to attend the John Mayer concert. It was entertaining because he's a great guitar player, not because he's an entertainer. Make sense?

Too Much Music

Where to start?

I really wanted to go see Eric Clapton this last Saturday night here in Nashville. A week before the show, I asked my dad if he wanted to go. He said they didn't have the money. The next day, his best friend called and asked my dad to go to the show. Dad replied, "Sure, just don't tell Brad." I did get a shirt out of it though. And I bought 3 Clapton albums (Slowhand, Money and Cigarettes, and Behind the Sun) to make myself feel better for not seeing the show.

I've also acquired a lot of new music:

Derek Webb - Stockholm Syndrome
Train - Save Me, San Francisco
Nick Jonas - Who I Am
Lady Antebellum - Need You Now
Miranda Lambert - Revolution
Carrie Underwood - Play On

and a few single songs off iTunes:

David Archuleta - Crush
Andrew Peterson - Gather 'Round, Ye Children, Come
Kenny Loggins - Playing with the Boys
Harold Faltermeyer & Steve Stevens - Top Gun Anthem
Jessica Harp - A Woman Needs
Owl City - Meteor Shower
Ke$ha - Tik Tok
Sheryl Crow, Kid Rock, & Keith Urban - Lean on Me
.38 Special - Caught Up in You
Travis Tritt - Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde


It would take quite a while to review all this. I'll sum it up as this - I have listened to everything but Clapton's Behind the Sun and Slowhand and Derek Webb's Stockholm Syndrome. Everything else I don't regret paying for. Even the pop beat (because it's not really music) Tik Tok. I just finished listening to Money and Cigarettes the first time through, and I can say EC was rockin' it back in 1983.

Also, I've been going to this once-a-month songwriter's workshop. It's like AA for songwriters. I've really enjoyed it, and I can't wait to go back and share the song I cowrote with a friend of mine last night entitled, "Never Here." We'll see what my peers think of it next month.

Hopefully it won't be another 4 months before I post again.

Long Time Coming

It's been a while. But I haven't had much time (or energy) till now. Two new albums to talk about:

Billy Currington - Little Bit of Everything

I'm diggin' it. He brings a smoothness to country singing. He comes at country from a different angle with "Heal Me" and "Everything." He rocks it with "That's How Country Boys Roll." He longs for love that could have been in "Walk On." This was definitely worth the $12 I wasn't planning on spending.

John Mayer - Battle Studies

Has anyone else noticed that the initials for his new album are BS? Anyways, one friend of mine said it was "whiny." I think he's just showing more emotion. Whatever you think, JM has some awesome guitar tones and fabulous licks up and down the track listing. Immediate fave - "Assassin." I also love the feel of "Heartbreak Warfare."

Happy listening.

Power of a Song

It never ceases to amaze me the power of a song. Just tonight I was cruising around downtown Nashville after dinner with two friends. The three of us were in the car with the windows down, blaring Miley Cyrus' "Party in the U.S.A." when a very attractive (and very busty) young woman came up to the car and started shaking her stuff. After she walked away, we laughed for a good while. Good things happen with music.

It Never Gets Old

I had so much fun playing guitar this weekend. It helps when there's a great band around you. Several guys I have gotten to know the last couple years helped to rock out. Yes, it was in church. It's ok to rock out in church. God has given us talents, and we can't go burying them in the ground. Anyways, Rex Schnelle was on electric guitar and mandolin. It was just beautiful. What I would give to have half his talent. Then Brent Cundall was on bass, rockin' it like only he can. My bud Matt Manes was on drums, and that's always a pleasure. David Hampton was kickin' it on the piano. Finally, there was Moose Smith on the B3 organ. It just felt good this morning, making music together.

The whole morning's set was great, but in particular the offertory. It was "As A Child" by Cindy Morgan. I had to go home and buy it immediately. I just put it on repeat and keep letting it reawaken the child within.

There is no better way to start off the week. I even learned to dropped the third and play an F2 instead of F. That pesky little third.

My Wish List

These things are a bit out of budget, but here are some wish-list items.

Gibson Les Paul

Marshall Amp Head (preferably a JTM 45)

Dr. Z Amp Head (Prescription Jr. Strength)

Peavey Classic 30

and a ton of pedals.

I need some money before I get any of these. I'd also need to do a lot of research too.

BP and KU

First of all, I am all excited about the Keith Urban concert happening here in Nashville on Saturday night. It's also my friend Billy's birthday. What a great night it will be (even though Billy will be 800 miles away in Waco). Urban is supposed to make some big announcement at the show as well. Check his website for more info.

I got his album from when he was in the ranch. If ever one doubted how country KU could be, check out the twangin' licks on these tracks. The fun-lovin' Urban sound is there intertwined with the country telecaster licks that make up this album. While it won't get as many spins as Golden Road, Be Here, Love Pain and the Whole Crazy Thing, or Defying Gravity, I enjoy it more than Keith Urban. But that's just my opinion.

Brad Paisley's Part II was another album I got recently. There's no question Paisley is a country picker. This album contains the hit "I'm Gonna Miss Her" which is a big reason I got the album. I'm old fashioned and will still buy an entire album based on a single or two. Part II is made up mostly of slower love and pain songs. It's better for when one is in a melancholy mood, while American Saturday Night is better for an upbeat mood. However, Part II is still a big part of my music collection.

Two singles that I've gotten recently are Joe Walsh's "Rocky Mountain Way" and Death Cab for Cutie's "Little Bribes." Both are bluesy tunes that just feel good. I've been in a bluesy mood lately, and these tunes did the trick. I also went back and pulled out ZZ Top's "LaGrange" and have been giving it some spins as well.

Early Thoughts on Old Music

My dad and I have a tradition for my birthday - he always gets me a CD or two of music with which he grew up. This year I got Billy Joel's Piano Man and Hall & Oats' The Best of.

Joel just rocks and rolls. This is instantly a favorite of mine.

I had Hall & Oats playing in the car while a friend was riding with me up to the lake, and he made the comment that this music should be played on a date. I agree. It's some great date music.

I also have a couple groovin' singles (Joe Walsh's "Rocky Mountain Way" and Death Cab for Cutie's "Little Bribes") and two other older albums (Brad Paisley's Part II and Keith Urban's In the Ranch) that I need more time to soak up.

Happy listening!

Check the Other

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I Swear This Has Something to Do with Music

...I'm just not sure how it has something to do with music. Maybe through the notion of writing what you feel. Here's the skinny:

The line from "Let That Be Enough" by Switchfoot is pretty close to accurate: "It's my birthday tomorrow, no one here would know." While my birthday is actually today, it's close enough. I don't make a big deal about birthdays in general, but especially mine. It's just another day, IMO. That being said, it still is my birthday, and that makes today a great day.

On a less-happy note, I'm a little frustrated right now. My parents and I have differing views on what direction I should take come my college graduation in 8 days. They want me to get a full time job with benefits and health care and all that. While that's great and I'd love to have all that, I don't think I want that JUST NOW.

Ideally, I'd love to sell my Pathfinder, buy a motorcycle, head down to Orlando and work at Disney or something for a few months. Then, I'd come home for Christmas, and start working full time at the place I am currently interning. Granted, that is the ideal. But it is highly possible and very feasible that this could work.

The icing on the cake (no pun intended...well, maybe just a little) is that my dad got upset when it was mentioned that someone was complaining that they didn't get to see their friends all summer. I replied with, "I'm working three jobs," to which my dad quickly responded, "I'm working three jobs, too!" However, I'm getting paid for only one of my jobs. Also, I am not trying to support a family; I am a college student and part of that JOB is to have fun and hang out with friends WHILE learning. Let me just say there's more emphasis on the learning part than the other two.

I'm done venting on my birthday. I'm glad to have that over with. On to a happy day!

Dead End or Three-Way Stop?

When trying to write a song, write what you feel. OK, but what about when you aren't even sure of what you're feeling? I try to write my feelings, but I don't know what is going on in my head. It seems to just be a hurricane of emotions and thoughts and dreams. The result is a lot of unfinished work and frustration in failing to be able to know myself. I've never been very good with emotions.

There are times that I get thrown into an emotional funk. I'm not quite sure what ends up pulling me out of it, but I always seem to come around. I can't wait until I do.

For now, I'm not sure if I'm at a dead end or a three-way stop. By that I mean, is my songwriting creativity over, or am I stopped while I determine whether to turn left or right?

3 for 3

I am very happy with the last 3 albums I have bought. They are: Brad Paisley's American Saturday Night, Darius Rucker's Learn to Live, and Jars of Clay's Long Fall Back to Earth.

Brad Paisley has done it again. A review I read in Billboard today said it well that Paisley knows what his fans want and how to give it to them. In my opinion, this album was toned-down slightly, much like Keith Urban's latest. However, it is still a great album. The songwriting is great - pondering who his son will grow up to be, the first meeting of BP and his wife, the blender bowl we know as America. There is even a guest appearance by his son, Huckleberry Paisley. There are a couple songs on the album that almost don't sound country, including the second track "Everybody's Here." Go buy this one.

The frontman for Hootie and the Blowfish has done what he has been trying to talk the band into for years. I heard on an interview a while back that Rucker tried to convince the Blowfish they needed to do a country album. But the Blowfish blew him off. Rucker showcases his songwriting skills, co-writing all but one track. Paisley even makes a guest appearance, playing guitar on one of the tracks. Paisley's producer, Frank Rodgers, also produced this album. You know it's got to be good.

Finally, the band that makes the music other Christian artists should be making. Jars of Clay upped themselves once again. While I have liked most everything they have done (partly because each album is so different), I thought Good Monsters was their best. Now I believe it is their second best. Musically, this album sounds like it could be played on mainstream radio. The musical creativity is there in abundance. They may not mention God explicitly in the lyrics, but should they have to? There are hints of Coldplay and Kings of Leon in the folds of these tracks. If you don't listen to any other Christian music, you should listen to this album. Check out "Closer" just for me.

It Really Is Therapy

I've heard writers say that songwriting is therapy.  I never understood what they really meant, but now I do.  With the last few songs (or partial songs) I've written, it's been some great therapy.

Keep on the look out for reviews of Darius Rucker and Jars of Clay in the near future.

This Thing Called Radio

I just got back from a road trip last night that took me about a week by myself visiting friends.  My trip took me from Nashville to Little Rock to Dallas to Houston to Waco back to Dallas and through Little Rock again on my way back home.  When I left, I took with me a large stack of CDs with me to keep me company (since I don't have the ability to connect an iPod to the stereo in this vehicle).

When I first pulled out of the driveway, like on most other road trips, I had the radio tuned to a local station.  However, instead of inserting a disc when the signal became weak, I simply hit the seek button.  I proceeded to do this anytime the signal got weak or a song that I didn't particularly like started playing.  Before I knew it, I had gotten all the way to Dallas without having a disc in the CD player.  By that time, I thought, "How cool would it be to finish the road trip without listening to a CD?"

While there were a couple times there were no songs I liked (or even knew), I got to listen to a very wide variety of songs.  I heard brand new songs, hits from a few years ago, 90s one-hit wonders, super (and not-so-super) singles from the 80s, and a load of classics.  All ingredients to a very eclectic collection for a road trip soundtrack.

So, for any of you heading out on a road trip, I challenge you to do what I did - forget the iPod or the road trip mix discs.  Take your pointer finger and point it towards the seek button.  And here's an idea: keep a list of some of your favorite songs that come on during your trip.  When you get home, make a mix of some or all of those songs.  It might also give you a chance to get to know your road trip buddy a little better by sharing stories of what the songs being transmitted through the airwaves mean to you.

Happy and safe travels!

I Want to Be A Rockstar

I have been asked this question several times lately: "What do you want to do after graduation?"

My response is simple - I want to be a rockstar.  Some have laughed until they realize I'm serious.  Others, especially those who know me best, know that I'm serious.

So, laugh if you want.  I know it sounds silly.  But I'm serious when I say it.  I want to play guitar, and maybe sing, for a living.  As a runner once put it, "When I run, I feel God's pleasure" (Chariots of Fire).  For me, I feel God's pleasure when I play guitar.

Some Reviews

Dierks Bentley - Feel That Fire

I am really enjoying this album.  From admiring the beauty in the world to running from the cops, from picking up girls at the honky-tonk to praying for girlfriends past, Dierks covers it all.  I have especially enjoyed the duet with Pattie Griffin on "Beautiful World."  Like Keith Urban, Dierks pushes the limits on country, moving more towards a rock/pop sound.  Two thumbs up.

Keith Urban - Defying Gravity

Some reviews of this album were so-so.  They said he was playing it safe; they said he could do better.  I agree - he could do better musically.  But at this point in his life, who cares?  He wanted to go into the studio, have fun, and let the world know what his life is like.  You get a good picture with this album.  If I need some happy music, this is definitely one of the first albums I go to.  Way to go, KU.

John Mayer - Where the Light Is

I must admit, I wasn't too thrilled the first couple times I listened to this album.  Once I began to listen to it for its musicianship, I started to really enjoy it.  Mayer demonstrates his commanding ability to make his instrument sing.  The boy just likes to play.  That's the kind of thing I like to hear.  My favorite tracks, you ask?  "In Your Atmosphere," "Good Love Is On the Way," and "Neon" definitely make the short list.  Sometimes Mayer rambles too much instead of singing and playing, but that's when I just hit the skip button.

Nickelback - If Today Was Your Last Day (Single)

I've heard this song on the radio a couple times, and I like it.  Call me crazy, but I've liked several Nickelback songs as of late.  This one is no exception.  Take a listen.  You can stream it on their MySpace.  What would you do if this was your last day?

Billy Currington - People Are Crazy (Single)

When you really think about it, people are crazy.  I know I am.  We all do things that we can't explain.  Humans are pretty weird, and Currington witnesses this when he inherits a couple mil from a man he met at a bar.  Granted, he didn't really inherit a million bucks like the song suggests, and I'm sure the songwriters didn't either, but it would be cool if it really happened.  Especially to us.

A Little Catch Up

It's been a while since I've written, and I apologize to the 2.5 people that have ever come across this blog.  Here's what's been going on:

This semester I began an internship (unpaid, of course) with 821 Entertainment.  It has been a lot of fun learning about making movies.  Those guys are a lot of fun with whom to work.  I work there every afternoon answering phones, doing research, running errands, proofing documents, and making copies.

Next on the list has been my paying job.  My boss' daughter tied the knot yesterday afternoon in a beautiful ceremony at Second Presbyterian Church here in Nashville.  That meant that I had to have the farm looking good for hosting friends and family this last week.  It was a busy couple of weeks and months leading up to the date, but it was also nice to have a day off on Saturday.

Between jobs, I had a few classes to attend.  While I am only taking 10 hours of classes (plus 2 hours of internship credit, equalling 12 hours to remain a full-time student), every class has group projects that required meetings whenever there was a free moment.

I have also begun to get something rolling for launching a career as a performer.  I have launched my own website - www.bradleyminnigan.com.  Well, kinda.  Right now it just links to my MySpace page.  I encourage you to go check it out.  There's a link to a free download of a song I wrote and recorded about 4 years ago.  The story behind the song is also on MySpace.  I have plans to have an EP recorded and available for download by the end of the summer or beginning of the fall.  Hopefully, if things go well, I'll also start playing some shows in Nashville and maybe up in Knoxville in the summer and fall.

I have some new music to discuss, but that can wait for a later date.  Come back soon to see my thoughts on KU's Defying Gravity, John Mayer's Where the Light Is, and Dierks Bentley's Feel That Fire.