How did I miss this before!

I don't know how I missed this before. I can't get over how many artists there are in the world and how ordinary my music is compared to them. I feel humbled and in awe, inspired and hungry to explore new ideas. MYspace is an awesome tool. I discovered it through Jadon Lavik website and decided to have a go. If you visit myspace you must join, there's so much to look at. Myspace url is http://www.myspace.com/stevelowndes

I just visited Ben Folds myspace, who is an artist I was introduced to recently and promptly bought both his albums. If you haven't heard him yet, YOU MUST!

I'm also grateful to anyone who has taken the time to listen to my amateurish recordings, particularly those who've added me to their friends list. I was amazed at the guitar technique of Jon Gomm. Another must to listen to if you're into outstanding acoustic guitar playing. Be sure to view the video as well.

I think I could merrily spend all day in myspace listening to the immense talent out there.

Doing my thing!!!

So how are you?

Feeling good I hope. Uplifted, inspired and ready for action.

What are you doing today?

I'm just about to get ready for one of my annual double bass gigs. It's a cabaret at the Drill Hall in Lincoln and has been one of my favourites for a long time. A fabulous amateur choir, 'The Hungate Singers' with a jazz trio, piano/bass/drums who work as session players. One rehearsal and then gig - that's how I like it. I'm getting to play some popular hits along with some bebop jazz and even jazz rock tonight, so it should be fun.

 What ever you're doing I hope you had as good a time as I know I'm going to have.

TTFN

Is he really three!!!!

Jack had his third birthday today. He looked a bit shocked when he saw all the balloons. I thought it was Christmas with how many presents he had. Tamara put a balloon on one of his presents and put it by his bed. He woke us up at 6:30 in typical bubbly fashion with the present in his hand. I love to see him so excited. Then he was treated to two present opening sessions. One wih us hen one with his mum. When I got home from work it was time for party hats all round. Jack insisted!
It was a lovely day for all of us. So Happy Birtday Jack.

And I thought it was just a bad cough!

At the beginning of the summer vacation I picked up my usual summer cold. I always get some form of annoying minor illness after a big show, but this seemed a little different. It came on as a bad cough on the weekend we went to Centerparcs. As a result I didn't feel strong enough to go swimming because I was getting short of breath quite easily. By mid-week it was getting quite bad. The weekend we got back I took mum to Congleton for a weeks respite care (but that's another story) so it was the following Tuesday that I finally got to the doctors. Anti-biotic - come and see me in a week. By now the cough was painful and was making me sick. Second lot of anti-biotics and still no better. So then it was an x-ray. Any way, 12 days later I'd heard nothing so I rang the doctors and asked them to confirm my suspisions that the x-ray was clear. I was told that I had to come into the doctors - then told to hold the line. The secretary had spoken to the doctor who said I'd had pnuemonia in my left lung. To say I was shocked was an understatement. It's no wonder I've been so negative and down recently. I've still got a croaky throat, so my plans to re-record some of my songs over the holidays have been totally scuppered. The good news is I don't have it anymore and I'll soon be able to sing again - because it's easier to sing when you can breathe. LOL

Back to School

I really must post here more often. I been a bit wrapped up in myself recently and as a result haven't really felt like posting here. It comes back to ambitions and dreams and the frustration invovled when they are apparently unobtainable. Yes, I've always wamted to be a singer songwriter who is recognised and respected in the business. I've always known it doesn't work like that, so I just keep plugging on. Every door that seemingly opened was rapidly slammed shut in my face in all walks of music making for various reasons. And taht includes in Christians circles as well. I guess I'm not knocking on the right door. But one things for sure, I'll never stop knocking.

The most recent let down has been turning down a job as a professional bass player for a years work. It was mine for the taking, but it wasn't to be. Every circumstance pointed to the fact that, as much as I wanted it and was wanted to do the job, it would have caused more problems than it was worth. Don't get me wrong, I love playing. I never feel more alive than when I'm performing for a big audience. The biggest so far, as a bass player, is 14,000 at the Killerton Festival (Will Young was there the next day). So to turn it down made me feel like I had been bereaved.

So on with life. I have realised something through this experience. Whilst I've been complaining and wallowing in self-pity about teaching at school, I have not been honouring my God, my wife or my family. I have been causing hurt by people worrying about me and the decisions I might make and have not demonstrated respect to my management. So this term I have decided to put that right. I still intend to write my songs. I'm in the process of re-recording some of them and recording a song that isn't listed.

So there it is ..... back to school. Who knows the future, or what this life will bring.