Did you ever see someone walking down the street with earbuds in and listening to music? Of course you have. Did you ever wonder what they were listening to? I've always said that you can learn a lot about a person by what music they listen too. 

Today in Central Pa, it's a damp foggy day. My musical moods are often affected by the weather. I cannot listen to jazz during the summer, I cannot listen to Jimmy Buffett in the winter, and certain albums just sound better in ugly weather. 

George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass" is such an album for me. Maybe it's the bleak nature of the coverart, the greys and depending upon which pressing you have, (I have a sepia cover on my vinyl version).. It sets the tone for the album. The music, far from bleak, thanks in no small part to the wizardry of Phil Spector's production. I'll admit I tend to favor the "de spectorized" remaster of ATMP from 2000, but i am not a fan of the updated cover:

It's too nice out. 

This is regarded as George's solo debut, but in reality, this is his third solo album. His previous solo efforts "Electronic Sound" and "Wonderwall Music" were very experimental in nature, and lacked any of the song writing structure that's been present in Georges' output with the Beatles and his solo career. All Things Must Pass is his purging of his notebook after freeing himself of the bonds of the Fab Four, and the contract allowing George 2 songs per LP. The later perood Beatles albums would have greatly benefit from the songs contained here. 

Making it in show biz is tough. If you're a musician, you obviously want to perform for as many people as you can. There are no real hard and fast classes on how to be effective in reaching your fans. 

I've been in and out of working and not so working bands since 1980. I've met musicians and promoters who didn't know their ass from their elbow, and I've met people who know what's going on. One such person is Jersey Mike from Greenbelt Events in Harrisburg. Earlier in the week, he posted an article that he found on the net to his personal Facebook profile. I found this to be so well written, and informative that I thought I should post it, so that the musical commumity at large could learn and benefit from it. As host of The River's Open Mike Night (Sunday Nights at 10 pm on The River 97.3, and iHeartRadio), I have been infuriated by some of the "Don't Do's" on the list.. I'm talking to you, people who email MP3's of your stuff to the station.. And as a musician, I am guilty of commiting some as well.. (Walking off stage with your amps feeding back). Take a look at this list, and see if you learn anything from it.