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Dendy Jarrett

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Dendy Jarrett last won the day on June 20 2016

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About Dendy Jarrett

  • Birthday 12/16/1962

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    http://www.harmonycentral.com/meet-team-harmony-central--dendy-jarrett

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    Nashville, Tennessee

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    Drumming and music, overlanding and outdoors

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    Executive Director of Harmony Central

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  1. Three years ago, I wrote about the many ways we can give the gift of music—from a concert ticket, to a fun piece of music-making software, to a musical instrument. And of course, those are all welcome gifts. But there’s also the gift of your music, because your music is indeed a gift. You’re giving of yourself—maybe your dreams, your frustrations, or how much you love somebody. You’re putting your emotions on the line, and giving people insights into who you are, the lessons you’ve learned, what you believe, and much more. You’re giving your listeners a piece of you. It may seem kind of self-centered to think of your music as a gift. And of course, not everyone is going to like your music, any more than they might like a particular tie you give them. But a gift is not always a “thing.” In some countries, the giving of gifts has evolved to the point where economists talk of a “gift economy,” where a gift can be anything that brings happiness—from giving up your place in line to someone else, to an unexpected act of forgiveness. There’s no denying that giving your music is giving of yourself to others. I have a friend who posts his music on YouTube, and every year around the holidays, he posts an album with remixes and alternate versions of the music he made that year as a gift to his subscribers. But you can take the gift of your music so much further. There’s something special about gathering friends, and walking around your neighborhood, singing holiday music. It’s a gift that puts a smile on the faces of everyone who hears you. And there are people in rehabilitation centers, children’s hospitals, hospices, and old age homes who would love to receive the gift of music. As long as you’re trying to give a gift people would like to receive, and as long as you’re putting some joy into the world, then you’re giving them a gift. There are lots of holiday parties this time of year, and many gifts are exchanged. But in addition to that Starbucks gift card you’re planning on giving, consider writing a special song about your friends or co-workers at the party, bring your guitar, and sing it. It’s a gift no one else can give them...because it’s the gift of your music. -HC-
  2. This year has flown by, and we find ourselves in the US embarking on another Thanksgiving holiday. What a whirlwind year it’s been! A lot of things have happened, especially here at Harmony Central. As those of you who are regular readers know, I was asked to take on a new position this year as the Executive Director of the Gibson Foundation (now Gibson Gives). What I’ve seen in the last 6 months is how thankful people are to receive the gift of music. I recently had the pleasure of presenting guitars to Guitars For Vets, and it was an honor to place guitars in the hands of heroes. We’ve said it here in our Dear Musician over and over again about how music is the universal language and how music binds us together, Uniting us events through which money is raised for healing. I believe we all could agree that musicians have a unique ability to cause a butterfly effect! With Harmony Central, we’ve seen how music can bring together musicians to create a robust community through which they create, share and learn. And to most, making music is an affair of the heart. Music, and the ability to make it, is something for which to be eternally grateful. We can be thankful also for the ability to hear music and experience it. If you thank music, it'll thank you back. So, hey music – thank you! You, the musicians, are the reason why we do what we do. For Team HC, Make Better Music has become a labor of love. It’s our way of “giving back,” if you will, and hopefully inspiring you to keep on making better music. And while we are so thankful for music, what we are most thankful for is you. Go...be awesome! -HC- Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion and music industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.
  3. A few months ago, I wrote a Dear Musician entitled Involuntary Musical Imagery. In that article I referenced “earworms” of music that can make their way into your head and stay there, seemingly, long enough to drive you crazy. Ironically, sometimes I experience music so good that this earworm becomes an insatiable need to binge listen (or, in this case, watch) the music over and over again. Thanks to technology, YouTube recommended a video to me; and, like a sucker, I was drawn in. However, in this case, I was overwhelmingly shocked by what I experienced. What played was a little band out of Georgia called (at the time) Foxes and Fossils. It’s a father and daughter and the band they formed. I was shocked. I watched it and have been repeatedly drawn back to listen to their unbelievable vocal harmonies as they perform great cover tunes with a direct-to-board feed. What strikes me the most about the group is that they are unknown by the masses — rather, a regional group. It is very obvious that they strive to make better music. What the videos below show is that they are raw and there are even normal “stage” mistakes; but, if you’re a musician, you’re forced to acknowledge the level of effort that went into the preparation of the performance. A little research of their channel shows that the performance was 6 years ago; both the female singers were in high school at the time! Perhaps you’ll disagree with my assessment, but, more than likely, you’ll watch them over and over—as have I. Both songs shown are songs that the normal “bar band” would probably not tackle, simply given the level of vocal skill necessary. It is evident that these guys simply go for it, and it works. What’s my point? I guess there are myriad points here, such as you never know where you’ll find a hot band or music. You never know where a turn may take you in the road of musical discovery. You never can tell when a mix of different voices will simply have the right mix of vocal chemistry, and for these guys…well, it works. The big take-away here is that as musicians our ultimate goal is to make better music and sometimes it can come from the unexpected! It’s my opinion that this band knows what it is to make better music. -HC- Videos: Judy Blue Eyes (Cover) (1) Suite- Judy Blue Eyes (Cover) - Crosby, Stills & Nash - Foxes and Fossils - YouTube.webloc Monday, Monday (Cover) (1) Monday Monday - YouTube.webloc We do not own the rights to these songs performed as cover songs. We imply no ownership by posting them here for educational/inspirational purposes. Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion and music industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.
  4. In Charlie Daniels’ 1979 Grammy-winning song, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” the Devil went in search of a soul to steal and came upon a fiddler named Johnny. It turns out that Johnny was a prodigy on fiddle. Seems there are those to whom playing an instrument comes naturally (almost easily), but there are others who really have to work at it. I know you probably know someone like this. I do. I could play a drum set the first time I ever sat down behind the kit. I intuitively knew how to play and was pretty decent at holding a beat in time. I never was a great player … rather just a good, steady 2 and 4 drummer, who eventually learned that less is more. Perhaps that natural talent to play kept me from digging in and becoming a great player – who knows. But I have known people who were simply able to pick up an instrument and instantly astound a listener. It was like their soul was an “old soul” that had played the instrument in a past life! And, for many of them, they knew right out of the box the subtleties of tasteful playing. I’ve even met (dare I call them) children who played like old masters…sometimes to the point that they seem possessed! I contend that when this natural tendency is harnessed, the results can be fantastic. However, if the prodigy musician only stays “locked up in a room” with their instrument, it could create an unpleasant result. I once knew a player who performed as a clinician for a major instrument company. He was masterful! He was literally jaw dropping good! However, one night after a clinic, we went to a local venue and he was asked to play with the band. It was an unsettling experience, as, with a band, he couldn’t play his way out of a grocery sack. He had mastered the technical part of his instrument but had no real natural musicianship or experience. What were your musical roots? Did you have to work hard to master your instrument, or did it come naturally? Did you find you could play great with a band but weren’t great on your own, or the other way around? Or, were you a great player solo and with a group? I‘ve posted the lyrics to The Devil Went Down to Georgia below as the story of the young musician as the victor is one to remember. I mean, when you’re good enough to throw down Fire On The Mountain with the devil and emerge the winner, it reflects that some are simply “born with it”! -HC- The devil went down to Georgia He was lookin' for a soul to steal He was in a bind 'Cause he was way behind And he was willin' to make a deal When he came upon this young man Sawin' on a fiddle and playin' it hot And the devil jumped Up on a hickory stump And said, "boy, let me tell you what I guess you didn't know it But I'm a fiddle player too And if you'd care to take a dare, I'll make a bet with you Now you play a pretty good fiddle, boy But give the devil his due I'll bet a fiddle of gold Against your soul 'Cause I think I'm better than you" The boy said, "my name's Johnny And it might be a sin But I'll take your bet And you're gonna regret 'Cause I'm the best there's ever been" Johnny, rosin up your bow and play your fiddle hard 'Cause hell's broke loose in Georgia, and the devil deals the cards And if you win, you get this shiny fiddle made of gold But if you lose, the devil gets your soul The devil opened up his case And he said, "I'll start this show" And fire flew from his fingertips As he rosined up his bow Then he pulled the bow across the strings And it made an evil hiss And a band of demons joined in And it sounded something like this When the devil finished Johnny said, "well, you're pretty good, old son But sit down in that chair right there And let me show you how it's done" He played Fire on the Mountain run boys, run The devil's in the House of the Rising Sun Chicken in a bread pan pickin' out dough Granny, does your dog bite? No child, no The devil bowed his head Because he knew that he'd been beat And he laid that golden fiddle On the ground at Johnny's feet Johnny said, "Devil, just come on back If you ever want to try again I done told you once you son of a bitch I'm the best that's ever been" He played Fire on the Mountain run boys, run The devil's in the House of the Rising Sun Chicken in a bread pan pickin' out dough Granny, does your dog bite? No child, no Source: LyricFind Songwriters: Charles Fred Hayward / Charlie Daniels / Fred Edwards / James W. Marshall / John Crain / William J. Digregorio The Devil Went to Georgia lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion and music industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.
  5. Inspiration is defined as the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative. In the recent PBS Ken Burns Country Music special, Vince Gill said something that I thought very poignant— “I just wanted to be inspired by music and, in turn, inspire others.” As most of you know, I’m a drummer (please don’t hold that against me, and no drummer jokes)! In my freshman year of college, we were returning from a long, hot day of college marching band rehearsal, and we heard a commotion from a nearby soccer field. This was in the early 80s, and, as it turned out, Pure Prairie League was putting on a free performance for the student body. We quickly put our gear away and rushed over. The future-well-known Vince Gill was playing on stage and pulled out a mandolin to play Amie. I had grown up in the country where I played drums for square dances, and we played a lot of “fiddle” music; however, this was the first time I had experienced a “blue grass” instrument being used to accompany a contemporary song. I was smitten. I remember the day and experience so vividly. For years, I’ve made the excuse that I was a drummer and not a stringed instrument player, but I always had that nagging in my head that took me back to that sunny day on a soccer field watching Vince play. The mandolin has haunted me for years. Little did he know that 38 years later, he would still inspire me! I recently purchased an Epiphone Mandolin and have begun the process of teaching myself the instrument. Yes, it’s frustratingly slow, especially when you work a fulltime job, have a family, and try to find time to learn a new instrument. My mind, however, keeps taking me back to the inspiration catalyst—Vince Gill. It’s a very percussive and rhythmic instrument, so that holds my drummer interest. The music inspired me that day, and that inspiration stuck with me for all these decades. What about music inspires you? Do you listen for inspiration? Do you play to inspire others? Music can inspire us in so many ways, and many times can take only something small to motivate us to act on that inspiration. It struck me when Vince Gill made this statement on a TV show: and little did he know, that sometimes… it only takes a spark. Make Better Music, folks! -HC- Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion and music industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.
  6. by Anne Erickson Week of September 16th - 22nd Led Zeppelin’s recording career got underway, a reggae legend performed his final show, and one of rock’s most beloved alternative bands announced they were coming to an end. Read on for a look back at other significant moments that shaped rock and roll during this historically eventful week. Events 1960 – Chubby Checker’s “The Twist” tops the singles chart in the U.S. 1964 – Herman’s Hermits top the U.K. charts – the only time the band would do so – with their version of the Carole King/Gerry Goffin song, “I’m into Something Good.” 1967 – The Box Tops kick off a four-week run atop the U.S. charts with “The Letter.” 1968 – Led Zeppelin begin recording their debut album at Olympic Studios in London. 1969 – Blind Faith’s self-titled album tops the U.S. album chart. The “supergroup” consists of Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Ric Grech, and Ginger Baker. 1971 – Peter Frampton officially leaves Humble Pie to launch his solo career. 1971 – The acclaimed music show “The Old Grey Whistle Test” premieres on BBC television. The trio America is one of two featured “live” artists, with clips of Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix being shown as well. 1980 – Bob Marley performs his last show, staging a concert with the Wailers at the Stanley Theater in Pittsburgh. 1981 – Simon & Garfunkel reunite to perform a free concert in Central Park in New York. More than 400,000 people are in attendance. 1983 – Kiss appear on TV without their trademark makeup for the first time, sitting for an interview with MTV about their new album, Lick It Up. 1985 – The first Farm Aid benefit concert is staged in Champaign, Illinois. Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp are the main organizers of the event. 1997 – The VH1 show “Storytellers” is broadcast live for the first time, with Elton John performing in New Orleans from the House of Blues. 1997 – The Rolling Stones kick off their “Bridges to Babylon” tour with a performance in Chicago. 1998 – The first Lilith Fair concert to be staged outside North America takes place at the Royal Albert Hall in London. 2011 – R.E.M. announce the band is coming to an end after a 30-year-plus run. Releases 1967 – Beach Boys: Smiley Smile 1969 – The Band: The Band 1969 – Isaac Hayes: Hot Buttered Soul 1969 – Laura Nyro: New York Tendaberry 1970 – Neil Young: After the Gold Rush 1970 – Allman Brothers Band: Idlewild South 1971 – T. Rex: Electric Warrior 1973 – Thin Lizzy: Vagabonds of the Western World 1973 – Black Oak Arkansas: High on the Hog 1975 – Rush: Caress of Steel 1977 – Steely Dan: Aja 1977 – Randy Newman: Little Criminals 1977 – Rolling Stones: Love You Live 1977 – The Stranglers: No More Heroes 1978 – Yes: Tormato 1978 – Ramones: Road to Ruin 1979 – Foghat: Boogie Motel 1979 – Cheap Trick: Dream Police 1979 – Eagles: The Long Run 1980 – Utopia: Deface the Music 1981 – King Crimson: Discipline 1981 – Frank Zappa: You Are What You Is 1982 – Billy Joel: The Nylon Curtain 1983 – Kiss: Lick It Up 1985 – 10,000 Maniacs: The Wishing Chair 1986 – Megadeth: Peace Sells... but Who's Buying? 1986 – Alice Cooper: Constrictor 1986 – Boston: Third Stage 1987 – Kiss: Crazy Nights 1988 – Bon Jovi: New Jersey 1989 – Bob Dylan: Oh Mercy 1989 – Lenny Kravitz: Let Love Rule 1990 – AC/DC: The Razors Edge 1990 – Megadeth: Rust in Peace 1991 – Red Hot Chili Peppers: Blood Sugar Sex Magik 1991 – Nirvana: Nevermind 1992 – Nine Inch Nails: Broken (EP) 1992 – Bad Company: Here Comes Trouble 1993 – Nirvana: In Utero 1994 – Grant Lee Buffalo: Mighty Joe Moon 1994 – Liz Phair: Whip-Smart 1995 – Mercury Rev: See You on the Other Side 1995 – Son Volt: Trace 1996 – Sheryl Crow: Sheryl Crow 1996 – Susanna Hoffs: Susanna Hoffs 1997 – Elton John: The Big Picture 1997 – Gilby Clarke: The Hangover 1997 – Bob Dylan: Time Out of Mind 1998 – Goo Goo Dolls: Dizzy Up the Girl 1998 – Kiss: Psycho Circus 1998 – Queens of the Stone Age: Queens of the Stone Age 1999 – Yes: The Ladder 1999 – Chris Cornell: Euphoria Morning 1999 – Nine Inch Nails: The Fragile 2000 – Willie Nelson: Milk Cow Blues 2001 – Alice Cooper: Dragontown 2001 – John Mayer: Room for Squares 2004 – Green Day: American Idiot 2004 – John Fogerty: Deja Vu All Over Again 2005 – Buddy Guy: Bring ‘Em In 2005 – Bon Jovi: Have a Nice Day Births Hank Williams -- September 17, 1923 B.B. King -- September 16, 1925 Bill Black -- September 17, 1926 Joni James – September 22, 1930 Brook Benton – September 19, 1931 Jimmie Rodgers – September 18, 1933 Brian Epstein – September 19, 1934 Leonard Cohen – September 21, 1934 Paul Williams – September 19, 1940 Bill Medley – September 19, 1940 Lee Dorman (Iron Butterfly) – September 19, 1941 Cass Elliott – September 19, 1943 Jesse Ed Davis – September 21, 1944 Freda Payne – September 19, 1945 Lol Creme (10cc) – September 19, 1947 Don Felder (Eagles) – September 21, 1947 Kenney Jones -- September 16, 1948 Fee Waybill (The Tubes) – September 17, 1950 Daniel Lanois – September 19, 1951 David Coverdale – September 22, 1951 Dee Dee Ramone – September 18, 1952 Nile Rodgers – September 19, 1952 Nick Cave – September 22, 1957 Lita Ford – September 19, 1958 Joan Jett – September 22, 1958 Joanne Catherall (Human League) – September 18, 1962 Trisha Yearwood – September 19, 1964 Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme) – September 20, 1966 Matthew Nelson – September 20, 1967 Gunnar Nelson – September 20, 1967 Faith Hill – September 21, 1967 Liam Gallagher – September 21, 1972 Deaths Jimi Hendrix – September 18, 1970 Gram Parsons – September 19, 1973 Jim Croce – September 20, 1973 Robbie McIntosh (Average White Band) – September 23, 1974 Marc Bolan – September 16, 1977 Steve Goodman – September 20, 1984 Jaco Pastorius – September 21, 1987 Rob Tyner (MC5) -- September 17, 1991 Jimmy Witherspoon – September 18, 1997 Skeeter Davis – September 19, 2004 Norman Whitfield – September 16, 2008 Mary Travers -- September 16, 2009 Jackie Lomax – September 16, 2013 Doug Grassel (Ohio Express) – September 21, 2013 Week of September 23rd - 29th From the release of one of the most championed rock albums of all times (The Beatles’ Abbey Road) to the tragic death of John Bonham, this week is packed with significant events. Read on for a collection of major milestones, historic record releases and notable births and deaths. Events 1964 – The Beach Boys rocked “The Ed Sullivan Show” for the first time. The guys performed “I Get Around.” 1970 – The legendary Jimi Hendrix is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Seattle. He died on Sept. 18, 1970. 1980 - Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham suddenly dies at age 32 of asphyxiation from vomiting after an evening of drinking. 1984 – Prince unleashed his hit song “Purple Rain.” 1990 - Dave Grohl, former drummer of Scream, becomes a member of Nirvana. 1997 – Bob Dylan performs "Knocking on Heaven's Door" and "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" for Pope John Paul II during a concert and mass in Bologna, Italy. 1998 – MTV Russia aired for the first time. 2008 - MySpace Music is officially launched following an agreement with EMI, the last major label that wasn't on board. Releases The Beatles, Abbey Road, 1969 John Lennon, Walls and Bridges, 1974 Rush, All the World’s A Stage, 1976 Styx, Crystal Ball, 1976 Prince, Diamonds and Pearls, 1991 Prince, The Gold Experience, 1995 Nirvana, From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah, 1996 Bob Dylan, Time Out of Mind, 1997 The Verve, Urban Hymns, 1997 The Rolling Stones, Forty Licks, 2002 Shine On, Jet, 2006 Bad Religion, The Dissent of Man, 2010 Thom Yorke (of Radiohead), Tomorrow's Modern Boxes, 2014 Deaths Jimmy McCulloch (Paul McCartney’s Wings), September 27, 1979 John Bonham (Led Zeppelin), September 25, 1980 Lawrence “Booker T.” Laury – September 23, 1995 Cliff Burton (Metallica), September 27, 1986 Mark Loomis (The Chocolate Watchband), September 26, 2014 Births John Coltrane – September 23, 1926 Ray Charles – September 23, 1930 Anthony Newley – September 24, 1931 Roy Buchanan – September 23, 1939 Gerry Marsden (Gerry and the Pacemakers) – September 24, 1942 Linda McCartney – September 24, 1942 Neal Smith (Alice Cooper) – September 23, 1947 Bruce Springsteen – September 23, 1949 George Gershwin, September 26, 1898 Joe Bauer (The Youngbloods), September 26, 1941 Olivia Newton-John, September 26, 1948 Craig Chaquico (Jefferson Airplane), September 26, 1954 Randy Bachman (The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive), September 27, 1944 Meat Loaf, September 27, 1947 Stephan Jenkins (Third Eye Blind), September 27, 1966 Ed Sullivan, September 28, 1902 Ben E. King, September 28, 1938 Nick St. Nicholas (Steppenwolf), September 28, 1943 George Lynch (Dokken), September 28, 1955 Jerry Lee Lewis, September 29, 1935 Mark Farner (Grand Funk), September 29, 1948 Les Claypool, September 29, 1963 Brad Smith (Blind Melon), September 29, 1968 Johnny Mathis, September 30, 1935 Dewey Martin (Buffalo Springfield), September 30, 1940 Marc Bolan (T. Rex), September 30, 1947 Robby Takac (The Goo Goo Dolls), September 30, 1964 Julie Andrews, October 1, 1935 Jerry Martini (Sly and the Family Stone), October 1, 1943 Donny Hathaway, October 1, 1945 Michael "Cub" Koda (Brownsville Station), October 1, 1948 Kevin Griffin (Better than Ezra), October 1, 1968 ________________________________________________________________- Anne Erickson holds years of bylines in Gannett Media publications, as well as music magazines Premier Guitar, Guitar Edge and more. She also hosts radio shows with iHeartRadio and has been syndicated in Seattle, Dayton, Central Coast California and beyond. Anne is a loyal Spartan and holds a Master’s degree from MSU. She resides in Lansing, Michigan.A
  7. When it comes to bass players, there’s no denying the presence of fantastic female musicians in rock ‘n’ roll over the years. These women brought new philosophies and styles of playing to rock, alternative and metal, offering their own way to make the bass guitar sing and scream. In this Gibson.com feature, we pay tribute to 10 Great Female Rock Bass Players. As a bass player, I know there are countless others to honor. Who’s your favorite female bass slinger? Give us your picks in the comments! Melissa Auf Der Maur (Hole, the Smashing Pumpkins) Melissa Auf Der Maur famously played bass with Hole in the ‘90s and the Smashing Pumpkins in 2000, but she eventually drifted off on her own, releasing two solo albums: Auf der Maur in 2004 and Out of Our Minds in 2010. She has an understated bass playing technique, always knowing the just-right bass line to carry the song forward, plus a creativity that’s all her own. On leaving Hole and joining Smashing Pumpkins, she tells Ask Men, “. . . I wanted to branch out a little more musically. Joining the Smashing Pumpkins was just intense work, much more about work than about emotional experience. When I joined, I had to learn their catalog, and they are prolific songwriters, Billy has a huge massive catalog. I was working 24 hours a day, learning new songs every week. They were also very ambitious in their live shows; they would always be changing arrangements and keys of songs. The work ethic of the Pumpkins is so full-on and so demanding that I didn't have much time for anything else, or to think of anything else.” Kim Deal (Pixies, the Breeders) As an original member of the Pixies, Kim Deal helped spearhead one of the most influential alternative rock bands of the late ‘80s. She eventually formed the Breeders with her twin sister, Kelley, and scored major fanfare with the mega-hit “Cannonball.” On the song, Deal tells Spin, “It’s great that somebody even likes the song, or any song I’ve ever done. They don't even know it as ‘Cannonball,’ they know it as ‘the one about the bowling ball!’ It’s really weird, because I’ve never done interviews — through the ‘90s and Title TK, even — where anybody cared that much about the Pixies. Around here, I was the person in the band that did “the song about the bowling ball.” Nicole Fiorentino (The Smashing Pumpkins, Veruca Salt) Nicole Fiorentino was a key player in Chicago-based alternative band Veruca Salt in the ‘00s, as well as a number of high-profile groups such as Radio Vago, Spinnerette, Twilight Sleep and Light FM. Now, Fiorentino is a full-fledged member of the Smashing Pumpkins and appears on the legendary group’s most recent albums: Teargarden by Kaleidyscope and Oceania. As for her style of playing, Fiorentino tells Music Radar, “I approach it in a melodic was, as opposed to just being a 'root note' person. I think that's what attracted Billy to my style. He always tells me I'm like a Geddy Lee-type player or a Peter Hook kind of player. I've just always thought melodically. But I never had the desire to be the front person or lead singer; I'm cool with hanging back and doing my thing, singing background vocals. That's good enough for me.” Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth) Kim Gordon had an immeasurable influence on the ‘80s underground music scene and, let’s face it, is easily the Godmother of alternative music. In addition to her groundbreaking work in cult band Sonic Youth, the bass player also records as a solo artist and fronts the group Free Kitten. Before joining Sonic Youth, Gordon, first and foremost, was an artist. So, what pulled her away from fine art into rock ‘n’ roll? “When I came to New York, I’d go and see bands downtown playing no-wave music,” she tells Elle. “It was expressionistic and it was also nihilistic. Punk rock was tongue-in-cheek, saying, ‘Yeah, we’re destroying rock.’ No-wave music is more like, ‘NO, we’re really destroying rock.’ It was very dissonant. I just felt like, Wow, this is really free. I could do that.” Paz Lenchantin (A Perfect Circle, Zwan, the Entrance Band) Pat Lenchantin started out on her musical journey as a violinist, eventually switching to the bass. She’s brought her imaginative playing style to A Perfect Circle, Billy Corgan’s ephemeral pop group Zwan and currently plays in psychedelic rockers the Entrance Band. She describes her meeting with A Perfect Circle’s Billy Howerdel and subsequent move to join the band as a learning experience, telling the Louisville Music News, “The second I heard his music, this light inside of me just grew and grew. I knew this was something I would learn from, benefit from, grow from and will keep me challenged. Still today, four years later, I’m still playing the same songs and I still feel like I'm growing. It's a beautiful feeling, you know?” Kira Roessler (Black Flag) Kira Roessler joined Black Flag as a replacement to founding member Chuck Dukowski, and she fit the band’s jam-packed touring schedule between her coursework in applied engineering at UCLA. She appears on five of Black Flag’s studio albums and went on to form the two-bass duo Dos with now former husband Mike Watt. Roessler keeps up with her bass playing, telling MarkPrindle.com, “. . . One of the things I learned a while ago was that a big part of it with bass playing, and I don't know because I don't play a lot of other instruments but, is just having your hands strong enough to do what you're trying to do. So what I find is that even when I don't have the energy to really be writing songs or whatever, doing a full- blown practice, I'll sit in front of the TV or whatever or what I'm doing, listening to the radio or whatever, and I will just doodle with my hands to try to keep my hands strong. . .” Jeanne Sagan (All That Remains) When it comes to modern hard rock and metal bass players, Jeanne Sagan is certainly on the list. The rocker cut her teeth playing bass in the Acacia Strain and selling merch for Prosthetic Records, and now, Sagan holds down bass in All That Remains. As for how she’s dealt with the change from working behind the scenes to out front, Sagan tells The Dead Hub, “I’ve never went on tour before so my entire world changed. Going to see the band then to be onstage is insane. A lot of my friends always wondered what it was like and now I am on a bus and touring. Sean Yseult (White Zombie) White Zombie wouldn’t be, well, White Zombie without Sean Yseult. The North Carolina-born rocker played bass in the Rob Zombie-fronted metal outfit for 11 years, laying down heavy lines on albums such as Soul-Crusher, Make Them Die Slowly and beyond. Yseult prefers playing with a pick as opposed to finger-style: “I always wanted more attack, and more clarity of the notes,” she tells Ultimate Guitar. “I like writing notey riffs, like the ones I wrote for Black Sunshine, and that kind of bass line is not going to come through without a pick.” Tina Weymouth (Talking Heads) As a founding member of Talking Heads, bass player Tina Weymouth broke ground for female rock and brought a funky style of playing that earned her a generation of loyal fans. She also laid down chunky lines in Tom Tom Club and, more recently, has worked with Damon Albarn’s Gorillaz. She joined Talking Heads by the request of her now-husband Chris Frantz, who also plays with Weymouth in Tom Tom Club, and tells Inklings it took a little bit of convincing: “Chris wanted me to join, and I didn’t think it was appropriate. But I really loved what they were doing, so I joined. I picked up the bass because it was all that was left.” Lindsey “Lyn-Z” Ann Way (Mindless Self Indulgence) Sure, she’s married to My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way, but Lindsey Ann Way, or “Lyn-Z,” holds her own as the back-bending bass player in synthpop band Mindless Self Indulgence. After taking some time off from MSI and having a baby, Lyn-Z is back. “Sometimes you have to leave in order to come home. You know what I mean?” she tells Alternative Press. -HC- ________________________________________________________________ Anne Erickson holds years of bylines in Gannett Media publications, as well as music magazines Premier Guitar, Guitar Edge and more. She also hosts radio shows with iHeartRadio and has been syndicated in Seattle, Dayton, Central Coast California and beyond. Anne is a loyal Spartan and holds a Master’s degree from MSU. She resides in Lansing, Michigan.A
  8. I love this time of year! The days start to cool down, the leaves start to fall <SCRREEECH!!!> Who am I kidding? Here in Nashville, Tennessee, it’s been hovering in the upper 90’s since August and hasn’t let up—yet! This heat makes a man’s brain cook, and, in doing so, prompts a virtual stew of thoughts. As we do hope for cooler weather, and we are moving into full-blown fall, let me take a moment to say thank you for the fantastic response to the new platform at Harmony Central. People who haven't participated in years are returning to the forums. Having the forums simply work has been refreshing! As Harmony Central is a social forum, we've noticed that musicians like to say what they want to say. It’s akin to song writing in a lot of ways. Musicians can be very outspoken about so many issues. From everything social to economic and political to environmental, musicians are some of the first to pen a song, write a post, and sing out for causes about which they believe. I’ve been fortunate enough to watch the Ken Burns Series, Country Music on PBS for the past two weeks. This brilliantly produced series chronicles the evolution of country music and branches into the crossover influences of gospel, folk, and bluegrass. Musicians sang about things that they needed to say. For example, musicians like Johnny Cash initially did so to the potential detriment to their careers. Even so this path always eventually seemed to work to the artist’s favor. From the lyrical genius of Kris Kristofferson to the straight-laced turned renegade braided super star Willie Nelson, to the racial strife faced by Charley Pride, this series has covered the gamut. The HUGE take-away is that most of this music fell out of story-telling put to song through which people were allowed to say what they wanted to say. What they needed to say. What they wanted people to hear. Where they felt the need to speak out. Where they felt the need to be heard. For some, success came from being “at the right place at the right time.” For others, it was because the words they spoke in song were so profound, they couldn’t help becoming successful! In song, you can temper what you want to say in such a way that it's better received and understood. If you haven’t been able to catch the Country Music series, do yourself a favor. Even if you aren’t a country music fan, you’ll benefit from learning about how country influenced other genres and vice-versa. You’ll also be surprised at the number of artists from other genres are country fans and find influence in the music. The series is available online at the link provided above. So whether you are a musician posting your thoughts on Harmony Central or belting your thoughts in song from the stage, be true and say what you want to say! –HC- Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion and music industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.
  9. In the Sonny and Cher song, The Beat Goes On, the lyrics read: Charleston was once the rage History has turned the page The mini skirts, the current thing Teenybopper is our newborn king The beat goes on, the beat goes on Drums keep pounding a rhythm to the brain! Even though that song was originally released in 1967, the song points out that some things change, and what was once in favor is no longer in favor. Harmony Central is now on its 5th platform (Vb3/4, Jive, Lithium, VB5, and now Invision). We gave you the scoop in the last newsletter about why we made the change, and here we are on the other side. Website platform changes are always scary and represent a lot of work. There’s data conversion, remapping, redesigning the user experience and navigation, and using the information regarding how people currently use the site. This helps us dictate how the new site responds while keeping up with website experience best practices. When we flipped the switch, we carried over hundreds of thousands of images and tens of millions of formatted articles, reviews, and forum posts. We loaded the first year’s worth of data into cache for quick loads. This let the course of the week slowly index and load everything from the last 20 years. While everyone has preferences and opinions, we were extremely happy to hear from hundreds of users about how much they prefer the new site (even if some took a day or two to get comfortable with all the new tools). Nothing is perfect, but this launch felt as close to perfect as possible, and we thank you, the community, for sticking with us, providing feedback when the lights came back on, and helping us make the final “live” tweaks to accommodate the forum experience you all deserve and expect. What’s new or different? We tried to keep things as similar as we could for your familiarity without carrying over the bad parts of the previous transition. From the technical side, we’ve cut our page load time by 60% and improved the average forum user’s session, including posting and image uploading, by a reduction of 30 seconds of total visit load time. From a functional side, we’ve reintroduced native multi-quote, follow/hide, post reactions, and notifications to the forums. Search is still indexing (yeah, we have a LOT of data!), and our new SPAM filters are making it easier for real people to sign up, while deterring more spam bots. Although we followed best practices for website design and themes for 2019, we had feedback from some users that they’d like a darker theme. While we aren’t considering a “dark” mode at this point, we did drop in a theme with a slightly darker background to text fields, like posts or articles. You can select that theme at the bottom of any page (it’s called “Harmony Central Alternate). Our articles, reviews, and news sections have been updated to reveal more content up front. We’re currently touching up those that are more than a few years old to present as well as our newest pieces. Our website has changed, but our mission hasn’t. We will always be the place you can learn about and discuss music gear, technique, and life in general. If there is one reason Harmony Central continues to be one of the most prominent musician communities for more than twenty years, it is because of you, the community. That lyrical content of The Beat Goes On has stood the test of time and some things must change, but for us, … the beat goes on. -HC- Thank you. Dendy Jarrett is the Publisher and Executive Director of Harmony Central. He has been heavily involved at the executive level in many aspects of the drum and percussion and music industry for over 25 years and has been a professional player since he was 16. His articles and product reviews have been featured in InTune Monthly, Gig Magazine, DRUM! and Modern Drummer Magazines.
  10. Join The Discussion Here:http://www.harmonycentral.com/forum/forum/Forums_General/acapella-50/31567913-play-no-evil-are-you-ready-for-music-censorship
  11. Good points jbreher - I had not seen either of those versions but they did show in a google search. I wasn't certain they were the same story line or plot, hence not mentioning them. But that adds more creed to the points I make! Thanks!
  12. Whoa Calvin - You were correct. We had Births and Deaths heading switched. A complete oversight. Our apologies! We've corrected the article.ThanksDJ
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