On top of all that, Sean writes. A lot. Usually about bass. It all began with his Music Business Survival column here on our site. Next thing you know, he was invited to provide a Soap Box article for Bass Player Magazine. Now, he's got his own blog, in which he'll write about bass . . . and whatever else he has on his mind. So grab a cup of coffee and follow along with one of Nashville's busiest bassists.
Aprill 22, 2009 - New CDs
Greetings Groovers and Groovettes,
Sorry I haven't been able to pipe in like I used to. Lately life is hectic but going extremely well. I will be a happily married man in about a month and there are a number of cool things on the horizon. Let me take a sip of coffee and we'll get started. <Sluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurp!>
First, I am happy to announce that the new CD from guitar hero Rich Eckhardt has finally arrived. The CD is called Cottage City Firehouse and features this weird bald guy on bass. A lot of you have seen Rich guest with me live as well as that other gig of his with that Toby Keith guy. Let me just say Rich is hands down one of the finest guitar players on the planet and I am very proud of being a part of this record. Check it out at Rich's web site.
Secondly, rehearsals and writing sessions are continuing for my fusion side project with keyboardist Shannon Wickline, guitarist Ric Latina, and drummer Chris Infusino. We are due to hit the studio in late Fall and hope to announce record release and tour dates in 2010. I'll keep you posted. Speaking of tour dates, keep an eye out for a LOW Show during NAMM and one in Los Angeles as well as yours truly on opening night of the Park City Jazz Festival.
Finally, my big news (other than I am about to be Mr. Jami Foster), I am about to hit the studio to record my second CD for Groove Therapy Records and we are taking a slight detour. The new CD will be called Reflection and is going to be a Christian jazz CD. In addition to recently being baptized, I have been working with some faith based artists including Kelly Minter and Chad Jarnagin. I realized that I was digging a lot of the worship tunes melodically but I wanted to perform them differently. So, we are cutting a record the way we want to of a collection of contemporary worship tunes, hymns, and originals. Reflection will feature the aforementioned Latina and Wickline as well with the addition of CCM sidemen Adam Silverman on drums and guitarist Whit Stiles. There will also be a handful of guest appearances. The CD is slated for release for the upcoming holiday season with a new radio holiday single in the mix. I'll definitely be keeping you posted as things come together.
All for now. I am off to do some appearances at GMA week and then find some more coffee. Until next time.
Keep Groovin',
S
April 1, 2009
Greetings Groovers,
Baldy Locks chiming in for a sec to see what is with you fine folks. There has been a slight break in the musical front on my end as I am in crazy pre-wedding mode. I am about to take off to Louisiana for TWO wedding showers and let me just say one has 20 hostesses and the other has 10. My brain is still trying to comprehend the amount of stuff my beloved and I are about to acquire. Considering there are 40+ instruments not to mention amps, pedals, studio gear, etc in the condo already, it is time to start huntin for that house. Dear Sweet LORD!
In typical me fashion I have been working during all of this mayhem. I just finished penning reviews for Vintage Guitar, Bass Player, and Christian Musician magazines as well as an article for Mel Bay's Bass Sessions. I am also rehearsing my new side project and busily composing for two new records. I am pretty sure I am going to start purchasing MONSTER by the case.
I am seriously excited about starting a Christian jazz EP in the next couple of months. After a long meeting with Rich Kraniak, my executive partner in Groove Therapy Records and a fellow Eden endorser, we have decided to release the faith based EP as a pre-cursor to my second full length CD which is already in pre-production. The CD is a result of my desire to give back to my faith and also the fact that I keep finding myself wanting to arrange some hymns and contemporary worship tunes for the jazz market. This has also been pushed to the forefront of my mind since I was recently baptized and feel this is something that I truly need to focus on. The CD will feature a number of my regular players as well as a number of my friends who are sideman with some of the Christian artists. I'll keep you posted once production begins.
That is it for now. I have to go write Thank You cards and get an espresso. Until next time,
Keep Groovin',
S
March 18, 2009 - Jazz Boxing for Charity
Greetings my patron saints of groovitude!
Baldy Locks here and nursing a lovely cup of java at that. I hope everyone is doing well. I am enjoying the beginning of a hiatus from live shows and so far things are lovely. This past weekend was shear craziness with the combination of family, three shows, and my first wedding shower. Hence, the other reason for the need of the coffee. All in all it has been a great few months since I recovered from my knee surgery and I am looking forward to a couple of months off from playing out.
Shows this past week were stellar. I played a celebrity boxing match with jazz artist Anna Wilson. This is a huge red carpet event we play every year for a children's charity. The show was fun and Anna killed it as always. The fun part was an exhibition match between two of Nashville's top record executives at the end of the night. That and the fact that we had The B52s' keyboardist Paul Gordon subbing the gig. Those are good times.
Friday night was a double bill show with myself and guitar phenom Rich Eckhardt. Even though most of the world knows Rich as Toby Keith's lead guitar player for the last couple of decades don't think he is just a country player. This man has game for weeks in all genres - plus I love the fact that we opened the show with "Frankenstein". Take it from me that we got their attention pretty quickly. The other part of the show was yours truly and my band of craziness. We had a slammin show to a standing room only house. Gotta luv it.
So what happens when you have a couple's wedding shower and your future Mrs. is from Lousiana? We had a crawfish boil! There was so much Cajun food that I'll be eating leftovers for days and it was amazing. This was a particularly cool time for me since a number of people in my real family hadn't ever met my musical family. It was a joy to bring my worlds together with my lovely lady by my side.
That's it for now. I have to wrap a writing deadline for an assignment that just came in then off to record this eve. Until next time,
Keep groovin',
S
March 11, 2009 - Finally Settling Down
What up, my grooving mighties?
I hope everyone is having a stellar week. Mine is going pretty well, I must say. Writing deadlines are in control, Jami started her new gig at the law firm, and I actually got some of that whole sleep thing. All in all it is a good day. I'm sure I'll find something to complain about later but until then I am enjoying the moment.
Things have been busy for the past few weeks. Since last I rambled I played with Christian artist and worship leader Chad Jarnigan. I have also been busy in rehearsals for shows this week. I am definitely in multiple personality mode this week. I have an appearance at a celebrity boxing match with Anna Wilson then I am off to do a solo show with my band. I close the week with a show with Toby Keith leadman/solo artist Rich Eckhardt. That is going to be a majorly cool time. Due to both of our tour schedules we rarely get a chance to do his gig and this is particularly cool since his new solo release "Cottage City Firehouse" is about to come out. If any of you are near The Pond on Friday come hang.
Finally, Saturday is the first of wedding showers for me and Jami. That big day is coming up fast. I am taking a couple of months off from playing live to focus on the upcoming nuptials. I am looking forward to a slight break. Of course I have a ton of writing assignments, sessions, and the honey-do list so there will be no downtime. Nonetheless, it will give me a little relief.
That is about it for this time around. Until next time.
Keep Groovin',
S
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As if he doesn't have enough to do already, we asked Sean O'Bryan Smith to blog about his life as an UberBusy Nashville Bassist. In addition to being an in-demand bassist for sessions and live dates, he's got his own solo act ("my Circus Freak Act"), his production duties, and now, serves as Musical Director for a new Prime Time TV show.
