Gary

Last Saturday, March 21st, we trotted out a whole new set list out in Carol Stream, IL. Overall, I was very pleased with the way the set played. Most of the songs were getting their first play in front of an audience. I can always tell if our song choices are hitting the mark when one or two audience members turn to each other and nod as if saying, “I remember that one”. A few people even began to sing along. A good omen! As in any debut performance, we discovered our blemishes and now know where tweaking and added rehearsal is required. However, I am very excited and inspired with where we are headed.

Remember, Kenny Rogers and the First Edition”? I am currently working on “I Just Dropped In”. Very 60′s and kind of tongue and cheek lyrics in today’s world. Look for it soon. We are gearing up for the summertime festivals so keep an eye on the gig posting to see if we are appearing near you.        Peace

Gary

Gary here. I am the Tenor of the group  I just thought I would post my first entry into the 4-AM site. As a group and with Jim’s help we are just starting to grasp the possibilities of sharing our work out in the cyber world. As we gain greater skills in our use of music production technology as an arranging tool I think you will begin to hear changes in the kind of sounds we create as a group. Traditionally, we have worked from written musical arrangements. We would then experiment using the written piece as our source. We are now experimenting with vocally improvised sketches and then developing the arrangements from these “vocal ideas”. It really is not much different than standing on a street corner and making up harmonies as was often the case with “Du-Wop” groups. Only now, we record the ideas and expand upon them. The more I learn the more I find out I need to learn. I really dig the creative possibilities.

Keep checking in for a listen and look at what we are doing and where we are going as artists.  I think you will find it an interesting journey.