"Love the Life Your Given" by GK - 2.8.17

Entry Submitted by GK at 10:06 PM EST on February 8, 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxlfbP85cFk&feature=youtu.be



I know sometimes I get grouchy or too cynical but mostly I channel frustrations into positive energy, creative endeavors.

When the RV happens, I encourage everyone to address MONOPOLIES and do your damndest to break up monopolies by using your money to compete.

When I was 25, fresh out of film school, I went to Hollywood and had several screenplays optioned. But after a while, I ran into the nepotistic wall, and intellectual property thieves, and God forbid you call thieves thieves and live to succeed in that town. Long story.

I intend to use my money to create a production company that handles all aspects. Producing, and distribution, so no one can blacklist me again for hurting their snakelike feelings. But I digress.

That was back in 1986 when I was first taken out to lunch by a producer on the Universal lot and signed over an option agreement on a western I wrote.

It wasn't until 1997, when I was in Hollywood shooting a documentary on standup comedy... When I bought my first guitar. I was 38. The trip had been a rocky one... I finished the film, it is available on youtube. Then sold my equipment to Don Byner, John Byner the famous comedians son. I went to the guitar store then drove across the country to Florida. I actually had the guitar across my lap as I headed down 40 across New Mexico and Texas, strumming while I drove... hey it's safer than texting.

It is well known comedians are frustrated rock stars. Then I bought my first record deck and started writing songs. It was only a year before I taught myself enough guitar chords to assemble some original tunes. As a huge Beatles fan I was trained in music by listening to them in excess as a kid.

I am sort of proud of this new song. Wrote it, recorded all the parts that include flute, strings, and guitar over the last couple days in my crappy motel room.

Then made the video.

The fun part is learning the music software... for example... if I want strings I choose the type of strings I want and I have a large scale to work with and I drag the sound around until I hear stuff that is in key... then hold long notes and hit the mouse in a staccato.... then after finding as many things that sound good I go back and erase what doesn't work and drag the pieces around the timeline...

It takes a good ear... and is really fun. Like knitting with sound.

I consider these demos and wish a great artist would record one of my songs and make me rich.

If I were a perfectionist, which I don't really believe in... I would rehearse the song over and over... there are certain things I did with the melody or phrasing I would do differently.... but again... it's just an idea.

I get scared I will never finish it if I dwell on perfection.

Hope you like it. Share. Be cool to get a lot of likes on youtube.

And screw the monopolists.

Oh and by the way the first chord in this song was taught to me by a guy here at the motel who is a Vietnam vet. Thanks Don for your service and the lesson.