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03-04-10
"High" peaked out at Runner-Up (2nd Place) in SONGWARS. I'm planning to re-title it, "Pretty Damn High (But Not Quite High Enough)"
02-24-10
I was thrilled to learn that two of my songs, “Shine” and “High”, both on my upcoming album “You Can’t Argue with Water”, have been named Top Ten Finalists in the rock category of SONGWARS international song writing contest! Mike Pinder, a founding member of the Moody Blues, created this contest. Judging is done by music industry professionals. I met Mike at the West Coast Songwriters conference last year and played four of my songs for him as part of a Performance Showcase. After hearing the songs, he encouraged me to enter his SONGWARS contest because he thought I'd have an excellent chance of finishing high in the judging. I’m glad I took his advice! Here's the best part… among Mike Pinder's many claims to fame is introducing the mellotron to the Beatles (the haunting instrument used in the intro to "Strawberry Fields Forever"). So now I've experienced "one degree of separation" from another of my idols. (See also my 05-13-09 post about Paul Olguine and Lucinda Williams).
02-01-10
I went to watch the filming of Larry Potts appearance on "Live from Bay 6" this past Saturday and got to meet the folk-rock duo Fender-Cronin. Here's a nice e-mail I received today: "…very much enjoyed our conversation at Bay 6 (what a great place!), and I’m having fun listening to your CD. I love “You Can’t Argue With Water”, what an excellent song that is, and I like that you “push the envelope” (the stench of the hearse, oh my goodness that one snuck up on me…) and humor!!! …You are the real deal." David Cronin (re-printed w/permission)
01-01-10
Opening this e-mail from a fellow songwriter was a great way to start 2010: "Hey, Kevin -- Hanging out at home, free to choose EXACTLY how to intentionally bring in the new year, and what I'm doing is listening to your CD. WE'LL STILL SHINE."
11-17-09
I played a song at the Freight & Salvage in Berkeley last night. A fellow songwriter (who co-wrote with an original member of Bill Haley & the Comets) surprised me with the following e-mail: "In the recent AMERICAN SONGWRITER, Lyle Lovett said that his goal is write songs people want to hear again. As I'm sitting at my day job continually re-hearing "You Can't Argue with Water," it seems to me that another goal is to write songs that take up residence inside the listener. I thought you created the most fully-realized image of the evening, with an evocative, gentle, irresistible melody to draw listeners into a world we recognize right away." David Altschul (re-printed w/permission)
10-08-09
Kevin Beadles Band appeared as featured guest on Linda Seabright's On the Road Again! program. The one-hour segment included five "live-in-studio" performances, interviews with the band, and five tracks from the upcoming You Can't Argue with Water CD. Broadcast live on KRCB Radio 91 FM in Santa Rosa, CA (NPR affiliate for Sonoma County), the program was also available via the internet and Comcast Digital Cable. Listen now.
08-23-09
An incredibly kind blog posting and e-mail from a fellow songwriter: "Kevin Beadles is as good a songwriter and performer as I can imagine right now; his songs are both accessible and meaningful, musically engaging in their mix of catchiness and melodic inventiveness. I think he is very much the real deal…" "Kevin, this 'notable music critic' thinks you're an extraordinary songwriter and musician. Of all the songs and music I have heard in local performances in the last decade, yours are the ones that most reach me." Alan Monasch (re-printed w/permission)
06-27-09
John and I performed as an acoustic duo at the Nomad Cafe and made some new friends. Here's a nice e-mail they sent: "Hi Kevin, we really enjoyed ourselves last night listening to you and John. Everything was fantastic! I'm usually pretty good about picking up on great talent. It's something I'm kind of doing a little more seriously these days in the form of helping bands find venues, events, etc. Your voice is really beautiful and the harmony with you and John was wonderful. I just knew you were rolling with the big dogs:) While Roy and I have been more involved in jazz, soul, and R&B genres, we appreciate all styles of music, from Marley to Tupac to Santana. Looking forward to seeing you perform again soon! Carmen & Roy Stone (re-printed w/permission)
05-21-09
A quick story… It's Father's Day and I'm sitting in a mini-van at the Oakland Zoo waiting for my three boys (~4 y.o. twins + 2 y.o. baby) to wake up from their naps so we can go inside. Not exactly a rockin' scenario. But then I check my e-mail and read the following note (which made me feel like a total rock star!): "Loved your show last night at the Roundup! Had a great time and the music was fantastic. Really enjoyed your CD this morning. I love your voice and your songs. Great CD for a sunny Saturday morning. I think my favorite song is the title track: You Can’t Argue with Water. You SHOULD quit your day job! Take care, & best of luck to ya." Naomi Kamiya (re-printed w/permission) 05-13-09 More good news… some of you may know that John Foster (lead guitar) and I are huge Lucinda Williams fans. In fact, the band usually plays five of her songs in our all-night shows. Well, last Friday we experienced "one degree of separation" when bassist Paul Olguine played a gig with us. Not only has Paul played on-stage with Lucinda but claims to have sold her his extra futon. Best news… our friend and former bassist, Rob Wenig, joined the JGB band in early February and returns to San Francisco to play at the Great American Music Hall tomorrow night (Friday, May 15th). Headed by the great organist, Melvin Seals, JGB is the "Keeper of the Flame" for the former Jerry Garcia Band with Stu Allen on guitars/vocals. |
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