I’m sitting here overwhelmed with what’s going on around me. First of all, its election day, and in less than 12 hours we will know who the next president of the United States is. It has almost been torturous listening to the intensity of the campaigning, stone throwing, debates and unbridled offerings of opinion flying through the air. Radio stations, tv, musicians, actors, annoyingly loud pedestrians; everyone has an opinion and rightfully so. But now, finally, its time to actually see what our new government will do. I pray things change.

This summer has been extremely fun and successful for 61 North.  We are really beginning to gel with our new drummer, Joe Bross.  He instantly clicked with us and is now, at age 19,  officially the little brother of the band.  We look forward to getting even tighter as we prepare for a full fall semester of rocking.  The studio time has been well spent, too.  With recording wrapping up just a few weeks ago and only post-production left, the release of On the Road is just around the corner and we couldn’t be any happier with how it’s shaping up.  

In the past few years, 61 North has frequently crossed paths with one of Delawares finest jambands, The Mad Sweet Pangs.  The Pangs specialize in interesting arrangements, flavorful grooves, and memorable lyrics that bind together to take their fans on a musical journey through time and space.  Recently, The Pangs embarked on a summer tour behind their new album, “Witness & Wait”.  The Mid-West tour included a stop at the famed Summerfest in Wisconsin where they shared the stage with artists like, Phil Lesh, Tom Petty, and Derek Trucks.  I spoke with guitarist Gordon Lippincott, or as I like to call him, Commissioner Gordon (Batman), to get some insight on the tour, the band, and the man that commands attention with his articulate phrasing and majestic tone.

Its a funny thing what happens when a guest musician is brought in to add to a band’s sound. A touch of fresh musical inspiration can go a long way. On Tuesday, Jordan Lietner, keyboardist and frontman of the Mad-Sweet Pangs came into the studio with us to add some keyboard sounds to three of our tunes. Jordan and the band just finished recording their second full length album, Witness and Wait. It is a much different sound than their first album, Stumbling Through Blydepoort Canyon, with a more guitar heavy sound highlighting new member Gordon Lippincott on lead guitar. Jordan’s keyboard work is tasteful, spacious and textural. If you listen close you may find three or four keys parts and sounds at once weaving in and out. His rootsy and soulful feel seem to hug the rest of the band’s music into what makes the Mad-Sweet Pangs sound.

So far, so good.  All the tracking for bass, drums and guitars are finished now and today in a couple of hours I will begin tracking vocals.  Josh Dubois is joining us in the studio today to throw down a conga part in the title track, On The Road, and we are all stoked to have him in the studio for the addition.  Gooch laid down some killer slide parts last week and we are really happy with the performances of the band so far.

After completing two days in the studio, 61 North is right on schedule. We have 7 sessions left and are kicking some ass so far. The goal is to finish rhythm tracks (drum & bass) this week, guitar tracks next week and vocals the final week. Yesterday was a particularly interesting day for myself. Ironically, on my 22 Birthday (June 17), we recorded the drum tracks to two of my first original songs, Loaded Gun and Midnight Hour. It feels good to be laying them down in their final version with 61 North. They have been circulating through Riverside, Slick Rick and The Hot Contents, 61 North and other musical acts I’ve pursued for the past three years. For Loaded Gun, this is it’s third time being professionally recorded. I’m ready to put these songs to rest and move forward.

Good Tuesday afternoon to all.  I’m in a great mood today, so I wanted to share some thoughts.  I’ve been reading a book calld The Tao of Willie and it has been very interesting.  It is a combination of personal thoughts, reflections, philosophies, and revelations of the great songwriter Willie Nelson.  It also focuses heavily on the power of positive thinking.  I am a firm believer in the power of positive thought.  Brian and I have discussed this on many occasions.  The universe is a series of harmonious relationships working together to complete the circle of life.  The way oxygen bonds with hyrdrogen… The way that air fills our lungs… The way the planets orbit the sun… The way that musical vibrations combine together to create a musical thought that has the ability to stir the very emotions that drive us as human beings are all part of something greater than ourselves.  You see, positive thought waves project a higher frequency than negative thought waves.  The higher frequency actually attracts the things that you desire such as money, power, success, and love etc.  Lets all take some time today to thank God for everything in our lives and take the opportunity to reflect on some positive thoughts.

It’s nice to finally have a little time to write a blog on here. It’s May 22nd and I am extremely excited because our drummer, Joe, has been away at college in Florida for the past several months and returned home finally. The album is on its way. We hit the studio at the end of June and hopefully by Fall/Winter we will have something for our fans.

Finally, after months of keeping it on the back burner, Brian, Bob, and I have finished writing a new song called Cover Me. I originally came up with the chorus and lyrics in my head after watching one of George W. Bush’s sabor rattling speeches. You know, the kind where he goes after terrorists and other so called “extremists”. By the time he was finished speaking, I literally felt like I needed someone to “Cover Me” from what is sure to come our way in the future due to the mistakes he’s made. I doubt anyone will though. It’s unfortunate that people are unwilling to reach out to others who have different beliefs the they do.

So, I’ve been watching the election coverage like a hawk lately and by now my head’s ready to explode. Everyone’s message is about how our country is in dire need of change. As a suppoter of Obama, I can see the connection that people make between him and JFK. They both are extremely charismatic, transformational speakers, dedicated to equal rights for all. Obama wisely said, ” I don’t want to try and make a connection between JFK and myself, but rather that our country is at a crossroads just like America was at that time in the 60’s.” This brings me to my point. Does anyone else feel like we are at a crossroads? I know I feel it. What made the 60’s so great was that artists like Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix reinvented the blues, thus creating a soulful music that sparked a movement and touched many hearts. Don’t tell me music has no place in society because it moves, mobilizes, and motivates people to break out of the mold. One of my biggest complaints about the music industry today is that it resembles a fast food restaraunt…Over processed, prepackaged music to force feed the masses. Brian and I both have felt that the industry, like our country, needs to be shaken up. Our music provides the feeling and emotion that has been void of music since Brittany Spears hit the scene. I still vividly remember the days when you could tune in to MTV to find an Alice in Chains video, a Pearl Jam rock block, or maybe a Guns and Roses throw back video. Today, it’s the newest bubble gum pop rock bullshit that turns droves of High School kids into ipod junkies. Doesn’t anyone long for the next Led Zeppelin, Allman Bros. Band, Pearl Jam, ACDC, Cream, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Soundgarden, or the many other bands that have come along and helped shape our lives. They have produced the soundtracks of generations past. It’s sad that more people don’t know who Gov’t Mule and the Derek Trucks Band are. They are two of the most talented bands I’ve ever see, but they get little recognition. 61 North hopes to lead our fans in a new direction with our music. We trancsend many genres and generations while fully delivering an inspiring message of love, hope, faith, and excitement. As long as there are people like me who are fed up with 80% of the music produced today, 61 North will be forging a new movement known as the 61 North Army.