Wow...so much to say but nothing to say. You ever feel that way? Got several "appearances" coming up...OFOAM, Big Show at Nebo, Walburg Festival, Milsaps Song Writers Competition, Spring City Festival...a busy summer of music ahead of me. There seems to be momentum in my noise. I learn a little every time we get to meet. I grow a little at every gig. I share a bit deeper. I hope we grow a bit closer each time.

I look forward to more growth this Summer. I'm now starting my third year of sharing; perhaps promoting, my songs and my music. It feels pretty good. The local acceptance is starting to grow. I like what I've been writing lately. I've got a ton of new songs that need to be born. I can feel them kicking to get out there!  More importantly the growth in relationships throughout the state. Utah has some wonderful, talented, creative, and sharing people...none of this would be as FUN without them.

Thanks everyone for listening and thanks to all my musician buddies that enjoy helping me make music, thanks to all those I've jammed with and shared songs with (and to those I will)...wishing all of us a great Summer 2014. Play safe, breath deep, and keep your ears on. I'm out there somewhere...appearing!!!

Fish

Spring is here and I'm getting ready for several shows around the state. What a great time of year to shake off the dust and reflect a little. To help me with that I took part in a "crowd review" program with my bands music on our  www.Reverbnation.com account. Really not knowing what to expect I plopped down my $35.00 to get feedback about a few songs I had written and played with the band. One of them was called "Hard to Hold" a recent song I wrote and for whatever reason (newness I guess) a song that is one of favorites to play and share! You can check it out on the bands website www.MountainCountryBand.com.

My hope is that through these reviews and input from others I can grow into a better writer and performer. I have no clue where Reverbnation finds these people who listen to their "crowd reviews" and provide a written response! Some read like they just fell off the back of the wagon and enjoyed a nice cocktail while listening. I take it all in stride as I walk down this path of passionate adventure. My goals are realistic as I don't believe my band or my solo efforts will be the next "BIG" thing, however; it is something where I spend much of my free time. I'm sure there is another band/person which would be better suited to take one of of my songs to the masses. Anyway, taking the temperture of the music is important to me as I pursue my internal passion to create noise. 

So here are the review snippets I was provided for my song "Hard to Hold" -

• "This blue grass country song with heavy blues influence started out with a singer and
  guitar. Once it got going it turned into the blue grass style. I think the
  singer sounded more fit for blues but he was able to hold his own singing
  this style. The guitar playing and banjo playing where both really good.
  Musically very  strong vocally it was ok. The recording was pretty clear as well".
• "Love the bluesy guitar and blues singing. Authentic and soulful. Love how it transforms into
  a bluegrass song. Like the slide guitar, it adds to the quality of the song.
  The male lead vocal is good as are they lyrics. The female harmony adds to
  the  value and is a good blend. I think this song can be a hit on radio, movies or video".
• "A classic and well drafted blues country tune. A great folksy melody drives you to get up on
  your feel and dance a jig. The vocalist has a raw and gritty voice that has
  some humor to it as well. The addition of the harmonized female vocalist
  adds a nice subtle dimension and power to the song. The studio recording
  production value is high quality. The guitar and other instruments weave a
  simple while complicated harmony that is fun and dance-able. There is a
  rough and catchy tempo to the song that makes you feel happy. I wouldn't
  change a  thing on this song. It is well done and refreshing for this genre."
• "Commercially this song can go far. It has depth combined with meaningful lyrics that tell a
  story. From movies, games, albums, and even television theme songs, this is
  a great choice in the genre. The nature of song in regarding to folklore
  speaks to me gratefully. Clean and crisply recorded it has the potential to
  be come a  legendary hit. I'm giving it an 8 because it's a great song, but
  needs that "X Factor" to truly impress me. Good Luck!"
• "Tough.....I like the words, and the artist has the voice to sing it too. I hear them in the
  background getting down too. I think the writing and the artists delivery
  with the harmonizing of the woman is what gets it. I would've actually liked
  to hear her with him harmonizing together more throughout the song. Good song all over."
• "I like the simplicity to this song at the beginning. The lyrics are so simple as well,
  but also pretty sad. The singer sings really well, and I like his connection
  with Texas and Tennessee, two states I have lived in! Extra points to you sir! I love when the                              woman's voice also enters into the song, it sounds pretty good, the     harmony and melody. The music overall flows
  well with the style of the singer's voice. Good job guys!"
• "The vocals in the intro was whinny and didn't add anything to the song. I would like to hear
  the fiddle a  little more in the song not just the chorus. The vocals did not
  mix well  in the chorus and at the end of the song, the male vocal was out
  powering  the female voice. What ever the string instrument was at the end
  was ok, but would like to have had more of the banjo it."
• "From the beginning I knew this song was going to be something different. The instrumental was
  astonishing with the flourshing combination of guitar, banjo, and violin,
  which is exactly why I love country music so much. The lyrics for country
  songs are usually   so relatable that this one passed."
• "Great intro! It's a classic folkish  country song. It definitely has an edge to it, and I find
  myself grooving  to it. I imagine this would be a great song to dance to
  live. The  instrumentals could be louder. At the moment it seems like the
  vocals are  separate from the instrumentals. I would suggest more than one
  backup singer in the background. I'm liking the energy of the song overall."
• "The vocals have nice style to them  you can hear the country and the soul in this mans voice. I
  think he  vocals come off being distinct with some confidence thrown in
  there. The  music was simple and it was just a guitar and I like how the
  tempo changed it was flawless. I think the guitar was played cleanly and it
  had this  really good and had a ton of rhythm in it as well. This artist
  voice was  amazing along with the guitar. The guy is very skilled at what he
  does."
• "The singer and guitar starting this country song in a classic country style is quite a
  bluegrass style. The lyrics so far is about the singer leaving different
  women that were always no good and travel the country to find another place
  to live. The rate of speed in this is quite fast. The instruments has some
  decent dynamics. The elements in this track are all well in sync with each other."
• "The vocals and the instruments in the introduction were balanced well. The vocals varied from
  highs and lows in  the song. The instruments were focused on the tempo. The
  middle of the song seemed dull. The pitch and the musicians were rich with
  character. The female vocalist added a rhythmic feeling to the song. The
  ending of  the song was engaging to the listener. Overall it was a good piece
  of  work, and the artist had a lot of compelling tones in his vocal."
• "Ay, dirty country on offer here. The way we like it... 'Well I had a girl in Texas' starts off this
  one and that's indeed where it sounds like its coming from. Some stunning
  banjo picking  throughout holds the song throughout while the male singer
  tells his story  of constant life on the road while the occasional female
  vocals shine  through for some beautiful harmonies and story trade offs. Hope
  to hear much more of these in the near future".
• "Head to the south! This song is as country as it gets with a little folk and bluegrass! Lots of
  twang in the vocals and in the instrumentals. The banjo compliments this male vocalists strong sexy voice. He sings clearly and articulates well. The female vocals chime in at times but she cannot be understood most of the
  time. The beat is catchy and I find myself dancing in my seat. The melody is
  fresh and hip. I could see this song playing on any country radio station    
  across the nation! I could see it being popular in juke boxes and in clubs.
  Its an all around fresh song with an upbeat tempo!"
• "This country song sounds like something that my dad would have sung when he was alive. The
  banjo along  with the male lead singer just makes this song epic. I love this
  song for how country it really is. The fiddle just is the icing on the cake
  to this song. I can see this going down big time around where I live and in
  the  mountains. The beat is not half bad and I can find myself getting into
  the  beat of the song and its not often that I will do that with country
  music.  Props to the people who made this song. Good work!"

Well, that is what they're saying...the total score for the song 6.9! Reverbnation considers an 8 or better ready for radio play...I guess I've still got some work to do!!!

Thanks everyone for your support of LIVE local music! Thank you for your support of Jim Fish and the band Mountain Country too! Hope to see you next time I'm out sharing some songs. Til then I'll keep writing and you keep listening!
 
Luv ya'll.

Fish

Wow...look at the time! It's been a while since I jotted down a few lines on the blog. Was inspired today to write a bit about who I am. I was fortunate enough to recieve a lengthy review from a past show. It seems my performance was not authentic to this listener and is the reason I have not garnered more success.

Yes, it's true what they say; "you can take the boy out of the Ozarks but you can't take the Ozarks out of the boy". I am guilty as charged! I will say that I so appreciate any and all critiques of my songs and my performance. As a performing songwriter I need this feedback...it does make me re-refocus my efforts to get better. However, I never forget that I'm performing for YOU (the audience) and my desire is to entertain wholeheartedly. I believe most will leave my show feeling I have laid it all out there. Perhaps my performance did not feel true to you. If that's the case perhaps you don't know me that well and that could be both our faults. I'll work on it!

My country boy twang and my simple humility is honest. Perhaps not that marketable in todays music bizz but it is authentic. The songs I write are motivated by current as well as past events in my life or the life's of others who have crossed my paths. I do hope one of my songs connects with you in whatever way a song can connect. Maybe it's a memory, an ambition, or a common feeling we share.

My performance is changing just as my life is...I see/play/write things differently at 50 than I did at 30. I will take this feedback and wrap it around my truth.

Finally, performing for me is just away to share my songs that keep bubbling up inside of me. No one else is wanting to play them! Yes, I am new to performing and understand its importance to the audience to get that "a-ha" moment with the performer. I will get better over time. Be patient and continue to share your feedback. Who I am is changing but my roots are true...you'll continue to hear them every time. Promise.

Thank you all for your support and love!

Fish

REVIEW
Mr. Fish,
I was recently privileged to listen an enthusiastic performance
of yours, featuring your songs, which compelled me to write to you, and offer
some insight to what the experience evoked in me. Please keep in mind that my
perception and assimilation of feedback is not unlike that of the scientific
method, that being there is no right or wrong data, (it is simply what it is).
That having been said, attempting to effectively change the past, (i.e. my
perceptions of you) is to hedge the future, and your future is why I am writing
to you. The following is a review that I began to write of you: “Listening to
his music was like being beaten with a country bag of door knobs, punishment I
suppose for not wanting to be a good little hick soldier onboard… I suppose!”
Not that my ears were particularly assaulted, no, more my sense of being able to
discern and validate your actual talent was once again subject to the
country-boy shtick, and again I was deprived of experiencing the artist as
himself, instead I was treated to more trite, downhome, (home grown!) country
clichés of who the artist most likely isn’t, (as growing-up in the south, I know
we are all NOT all so stereotypical, (Minnie Pearl) and I for one want the
perceptions, and misconceptions to end: A played-out image direct from your
throat and stage, being forced down my throat, via my ears and eyes… and others,
those of the audience. As Mr. Nelson so often said: “You can’t write a song,
unless you got something to say”. Mr. Fish I feel you have plenty to say, but I
am not a dog who refuses to swallow the Vet’s medicine, you need not wrap it in
twang-flavored dough, it does not flavor well, nor does it create any desire to
ever want to taste it again, it is crap deception, feigned sincerity, which is
not a song writers ally. Your story maybe real, its presentation is not, you
seem to identify with the humble country-boy, (yawn) which you offer, and
therefore imagine we as an audience want to experience this inane and banal
presentation again and again… ad nauseam. I understand we all seek identity, but
it is an internal process, you identify well with your perceptions, those of
your world, but you would better serve yourself, and entertain us more, if you
allowed the world, (your audience) to identify with the person that is you,
rather than supply us with a pre-package country-boy generic identity; one that
is absent the real you, so please no more of the non-sense of what you once
might have been… roots are what women dye, not what we anyone is dying to hear
of… again. The “Hear & Now”: That is being in the moment is what truly
entertains, being in the “now” is where growth occurs. True, you can be yourself
and express this through your original music, but the presentation it requires
needs to come from a place inside, not from a string of country clichés;
entertainers are identified with not for what they represent, rather through
unique expressions through their art, so that others may identity with this
phenomena; you could be phenomenal Mr. Fish, when you finally realize this, as
your art in 180 degrees out of synch; be the music first, let it speak of and
for you, not you to speak of and for it… “country-boy-music”, truly who cares,
and your art suffers for it. I look forward to hearing you as you, and your real
music, your real voice, (absent Arkansas) let Nickelodeon supply us with Gomer
and Andy, both fine musicians, and when they sang as who they were, the world
stood amazed. Mr. Fish you do need to be creating additional gross
characterizations to overcome, as you don’t have fame as a precursor, no sir you
just need to sing your songs as they are, as a talented man touching the hearts
of other’s with his sincere music. Polite applause is never a goal, listen to
the difference when the crowd doesn’t have to the overcome bad taste of a faked
and phony play-out persona, rather the real response when they feel the benefits
of your music, when you become real your music becomes real, and something
miraculous occurs. Nuff Said,
Jo

Fall, my favorite time of year. I love the cooler days and the change of color on the mountain top. There's even a bit of snow already up there on the Wasatch peaks behind my house. It's a perfect time to put on some new strings and play!!!

It's been a while since I've posted here...so let me bring you up to date. This years Rockport Dam Jam was awesome and many new friendships were formed. It's amazing to me that this event always seems to bring out a great crowd and wonderful music. If you've never been check it out next year...second weekend in August.

Had a couple of great open mic nights recently. Alchemy Coffee with Bob Bland is always a must on Tuesday nights. Drop in for some tunes and tea one night! Music starts at 7pm. A new open mic I have started to get involved with is put on by my friend Tom Bennett. This young man with music in his soul is destined to be a inspiration to other local performing musicians. His energy and determination to make things happen puts him in a league of his own. Check him out at Zest on Wednesday nights for his Folk invitational open mic....it's new to the valley and getting better every week. Music starts at 7:30.

I had a wonderful show at the IAMA Coffee Series last Friday! I decided to put a band together for the event (a first for me) with Thor Rasmussen (Dobro), Wayne Pillard (Bass), Amanda Grape (Fiddle), and Fred Hayes (Washboard/Percussion). WOW! It went great and the crowd responded with loud enthusiastic cheers...what more could an entertainer want. Thank you to IAMA and of course my dear friends for making the music with me that night. I'm hoping this is the start of new direction for my live performances...playing in a band that's making music that's fresh, energetic, soulful, toe tapping, and crowd pleasing is a real hoot. I hope you all can get a chance to hear us play in the near future as I work on setting gigs in the valley and up in Park City. Future website www.JimFishBand.com!

I'll keep putting it out there if you keep picking it up! Please get out and support the clubs, coffee houses, and bars that are promoting/supporting live music. These business owners expect their investment in quality music to pay off with new customers and happy patrons, Trust me, I'll do my part and leave it all out there on the stage...you need to do your part by showing up and having a beer with me. Hope it's sooner not later! Til then...

Play Hard and Listen Deep,

Fish

  

One year ago I was thumbing through the local Salt Lake Weekly entertainment magazine when an upcoming event caught my eye...Susanne Millsaps Song Writing Contest and Song Writers Clinic. I was not sure it was for me but with only two weeks before it started "I put my money down" for the Boot Camp portion of the program.

That weekend ended up being a catalyst for the next 12 months of my life. To meet and learn from others who had this same internal passion was inspiring. I was not alone, there were other music geeks like me! It was an eye opener! The courses were taught by passionate songwriters like Kate Macleod, Ellis, and the performing song writing duo Moors & McCumbers. I also got many great tips from Jesse Thurgood and other artists that were attending.

It turned out to be a great couple of days of music making and making new friends. It helped to clear the fog I was feeling from the passing of my mother the year earlier. The clinic rekindled the creative spark that my career or my fear was always pushing to the side over the last 20 years. I remembered as a child I had always wanted to be a singer and a songwriter...yes, I belonged there and it felt good. Those two days were well worth the money! 

Shortly there after I committed to playing publicly again whenever I could...I had always played on the front porch for friends and family but that was no longer as fulfilling. Something inside of me pushed me to share the songs with more people. To this day I'm still not sure what it is that makes one want to get up in front of a crowd to share with them something they have never heard.

Do I enjoy personal embarrassment? Does the risk justify the reward? Trust me it don't always go down like I planned it! It was then and there that I decided I would play in front of strangers performing my songs...it was sink or swim! Since then I've been playing every open mic I could find usually a couple times a week. I found larger gigs and playing opportunities in bars, clubs, and such ...some even paid me!
 
I was not your typical coffee shop act but the crowds; however large or small, were receptive. It was not long until strangers would come up to me after my sets in the coffee shop or in the bar and tell me they enjoyed the tunes! I was putting it out there and it was indeed coming back to me in smiles, applause, and "thanks for sharing" kind of comments.

I also began to market myself and my songs with FaceBook, websites, business cards, even cut a rough demo CD, and began to do the things the clinic had instructed us to do if we wanted to be considered a serious performing songwriter. Write, Play, Promote was my new mantra! 

The "music boot camp" had started it all...soon I was asked to participate in local music venues. I was becoming a part of the local music scene. Today, I still look for new places to play often for little or no compensation just so I can continue to hone the craft...the art of sharing music. Yes, I'm still paying my dues but it feels like I'm now getting my moneys worth! I'm doing more of what I feel is ONE of the reasons I'm here...to share my spirit in song!

While planning for this years upcoming Song Writing Clinic I decided to take it one step further. I entered two of my songs in the actual song writing contest. As luck would have it I was told that I was one of the Top 10 Finalist for the contest. They asked me if I could participate in this years program and perform live in front of the judges. One year ago I was in the audience this year I will be on stage! Crazy, huh?

Thank you to all those that listened, that applauded, that tapped your feet, that provided an opportunity for me to share, but most of all a very special thank you to those strangers that personally took the time to come up to me after my performance to tell me how much you enjoyed it. When I let my spirit go in song you all brought it right back to me even brighter...fuller than before.

Yes, my songs and my performance will be judged in a couple weeks with other songwriters from around the country. I'm not completely sure I belong up there but I look forward to sharing my tunes and looking out across the audience with a humble heart thinking to myself "just one year ago"!

I'm a winner already! Looking forward to another year filled with new songs and new friends! Till we meet again...

Stay n' Tune,

Fish              

Here it comes Friday night.
It's been too long a week for a slow dance so don't expect one.

Friday night! When "once upon a time" it was the center of my universe. That "sweet spot" in my week where few things went wrong. Those things that did often could make "Friday Night" story even better! At least in retrospect.

I'm not exactly sure when or where my energy of a Friday night started to falter...perhaps January 1996 with the birth of my oldest daughter. Sure I was always excited for the weekend but Friday night? Friday night started to fade. Those halcyon teenage days slipped even further out of from the sparkle of my aging eyes. Until...

I got my very own teenagers! I can see the excitement in their eyes. The same sparkle I had in mine at another time. I can feel the energy that swirls by me as they pass heading out the door with the "I love ya...see ya later" wave. I'm not saying I've lost my appreciation for a good Friday night...I am saying rarely have I started planning my Friday night on a Saturday morning! But, perhaps I did too it's been so long ago. Others have suggested as much while in reflective discussions on my past youthful character! Perhaps.

FLASHBACK
Friday night means a hot shower and cool clothes. Finding answers, being senseless, and putting me out there. 
Friday night means good friends and dirty jokes. Taking chances, first time kisses, and cold county line beer! 
Friday night means here I come and there I go! Hoping Mom is fooled and Dad too busy to care!
Here it comes...Friday night!

It's a treat to feel and see their Friday Night energy. Reminds me that my fifty year edges could use some polishing up by a Friday night skylight now and then. My daughters have reminded me that a good friend makes an excellent Friday Night scapegoat (when required) and can lighten nearly any inquisition!  To all friends and collegues (past and present) I threw under the bus late on a Friday night or even worse on a Saturday morning. I apologize for my shameful alibi. I'm a better person now...at least til Friday night!

Here it comes. Friday night and I don't feel like a slow dance!

See you being seen,

Fish
 
   

She don't even know.
She don't even know the "animals" I've seen. The pain, the misery, and where evil has been.
She don't even know what the world can do. Hide you away, lock you down, turn the screw.
She don't even know a change will come. The innocence of a child is always undone.
She don't even know the tick tocks of time. She will see bad and she will see crime.
She don't even know for today is good. I'd keep it all from her if only I could.
She don't even know how fast evil can move. The darkness is real when we step out of youth.
She don't even know the blessings I sow. The biggest for now is she don't even know. 
She don't even know.
 

So finally putting together "one" place for all my thoughts and activities for my music! It will take me a bit to construct all the ideas I have...please let me know what you would like to see/hear too! It's a work in progress and will be something for all of us to enjoy. Let's call today the "soft" release! Thanks to all who have supported my music and my performances...more to come!