As 2008 is starting to fly by, I’m realizing that I might be getting very busy musically, and very soon. A lot of things are coming to fruition all around the same time, which means I should have a lot going on to tell you about, and hopefully a bunch of gigs with different bands/people. If things work out, I’ll be playing out almost every weekend.The question is - is this a good thing? Well it’s going to be good for the pocket, that’s for sure. We’re really hitting hard times financially at home, and with my NYC commute, I can’t really get a second job. So music is going to hopefully become my second job which is going to be nice because it’s something I love doing. How much time this is going to take on a weekly basis is what I’m worried about. Rehearsals, gigs, and what not… they all add up after a while. I’m going to have to be really picky and careful with my scheduling so as to not spread myself too thin.

I’m hoping and praying all these projects and potential projects don’t eat into too much of my personal time and I can work them around my wife’s schedule. It’s going to be rough but I think it’ll work out, especially now that I can use my garage as rehearsal space.

So what are all these projects you ask?

1. Hearsay: This is the cover band I started about a year ago now. We have yet to play out, mostly because of constant line up changes, but I think the band is now complete and we’re on the verge of being able to book gigs once again. Even on our off nights we sound pretty passable so I’m not too worried. We’re getting the press kit together, rehearsing on Thursday nights, and ready for regular gigs. Hopefully people will enjoy it as much as we enjoy playing the songs. It really is a lot of fun. Rehearsal is always relaxed and lots of laughs.

Dave, (Hot) Carl, John, Rick and I make a good team and we’re ready to get out there and have fun.

2. MNT: MNT Stands for Monday Night Therapy. It’s the working title of a little acoustic duo consisting of my friend Gabrielle (from the cover band Frequency) and myself. I’m not sure if the title will stick but I like it. Anyhow, a few months back, she suggested that we knock around some tunes acoustically and see if we can get a set together to play out and make a few extra bucks while having some fun in the meantime. Of course, I was happy to oblige.

It’s been working out pretty well and we rehearse just about every Monday night either at her place or mine. We have lots of laughs too, actually. I look forward to Monday nights. I’m not sure when gigs will come, but it looks like they will as long as she’s happy with the whole arrangement.

3. More Acoustic Duo work: The guitarist from Hearsay, Rick Barth, has years of experience playing in acoustic duos as well as playing by himself. I thought it a crime to waste this chance to play in a duo situation with him so we talked about making a set list. We took a lot of the songs from the Hearsay list, added some new ones, and we’re actually pretty ready to play. In fact, Rick already booked us a gig for June. We’ll get together when we can to practice and there’s another project on the plate. I enjoy playing with him, mostly because of his laid back attitude and openness to just about anything. I’m going to look for other places we can play soon…and that should help with booking MNT gigs when the time comes.

4. Potential drumming gig(s): Anyone who knows me knows that I’ve played drums since I was around 13 or so. The last band I was in where I was the drummer broke up in the early 90’s so it’s been a while but it’s like riding a bike, of course. I still have my old kit and Hearsay is using it for rehearsal. Dave the drummer just cleaned it up a little and put new heads on so it’s in OK shape.

So as it turns out, I know a guy who plays bass in two cover bands. Once is called Johnny Retro (80’s rock) and the other is called Look Sharp (Joe Jackson covers). I happen to be a big Joe Jackson fan and I’m also familiar with a lot of the 80’s rock and one-hit-wonders. The fellow I know, Mauro, also owns a salon and cuts hair. We got to talking the last time I was in there and he reached out to me recently, alerting me to the fact that his drummer of many years is moving away. This drummer plays in both the bands mentioned above.

I told him I could probably play a lot of those songs. I went to check them out and they sounded decent so I’m just waiting for word from them as to when they want me to come down and audition. I’m not sure if I’ll be playing in one or both of these, if at all. They could, of course, find someone else. If this pans out, though, it’s one more fun project that helps pay the bills. I DO miss drumming… but I don’t miss lugging that gear around. He tells me they only get together every couple of weeks so time-wise, it shouldn’t be too bad. Maybe 1-2 gigs a month, if that.

5. Recording: In the midst of all this musical stuff going on, I actually HAVE been writing original material on the side both on my own and with some friends from time to time. I have a song almost done with Brian Fitzpatrick called “The Stories That They’ll Tell”. Hopefully we’ll get together soon to put the vocals down on that one.

I also have a song that Chris Preston and I have been working on called “Dog Tired” which is a lot of fun. Chris and I were in The Automatics together - the last original band I was in all those years ago. We’ve also begun the preliminary work on a track called “Don’t Throw None of That Funky S*** At Me.” Long story, but you’ll like it.

I’ve also got a bunch of tunes sitting around waiting to be recorded. When all is said and done, I might even have an album’s worth, which is my goal. I really want to make a record this year. What’s stopping me is money at this point. I need gear and it’s not cheap. I need to get this midi interface called a Presonus Firebox ($3-400ish) which will enable me to record music into the computer. Well, that and some other gear plus accessories. Chris is going to come over one day and help me set up the PC for optimal recording. Once all this is done, I can start recording at home. I can either use midi or run wires to the garage studio and record live drums, etc. Once the home is set up, things should start to move.

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So between all the rehearsals on various nights, the traveling to friends’ homes to write/record, and the upcoming gig schedule, I’m going to be quite the busy musical bee, which is fine with me - I just have to make sure it’s fine with my family and it’s not pulling me in 30 different directions every day. I don’t want to burn the candle at both ends, so to speak.

All things considered, I do feel that this moment in time is a “calm before the storm” for me. I really do feel like I’m on the verge of fun times ahead; on the edge of being whipped back up into the whirlwind that is the NJ music scene. This time, however, I’m a little older, wiser, and as ready as I’ve ever been.

THIS should be interesting… stay tuned.