Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Do You Remember?

39 yeas ago today, at 6:15 am, I was awakened from a deep sleep by my parents with the promise of a "BIG Birthday Surprise".
My surprise came in the form of my first day of kindergarten. What a let down.
At that time, kindergarten wasn't required and was only half of the day, so at lunch, I rode the community dinosaur (we didn't have vehicles in those days) home to have words with my mother about what a "BIG surprise" should actually be.


When I walked in the house, my mom was sitting cross legged in the floor, bawling her eyes out. I immediately forgot my problem and asked, "What's wrong, Mama?"


"Elvis died!" was her reply.


So I dropped to the floor and started crying with her. After about 5 minutes of this, I stopped and asked my mom, "Was he a cousin?"


What were you doing when you heard the news?

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

An Ode To Getting Old(er)

So, my birthday is coming up. 44 years old. Man, that hurts to even type!


Usually, this makes me happy. Planning the party gig, getting to hang out with some of my closest friends, celebrating another year of experience, it has always been a fun time for me.


I still enjoy it all, but the last few years have found me reflecting on the previous year’s experiences and where i am in life at that moment. I’ve been blessed. I get to do what I love to do and I’m able to make a decent living doing it. I’ve been told my whole life that my art will never amount to anything, yet here I am making it amount to a fairly successful career, both as a visual artist and as a musician and songwriter.


I’ve gotten to make music with some of the greatest musicians in the area (dare I say, world?) and have forged friendships that will last 3 different lifetimes.


I’ve created designs for people all over the world, things you see daily.


I’ve done pretty well for myself. It ain’t always been easy, but I made it through.


Lately, though, I’ve been thinking about the things I haven’t done, the things I’ve lost, and the things I’ve thrown away.


I’ve never gone on tour. I play a small circuit, the north half of the state, but I’m talking about a real tour, one where everything is booked months in advance and I hit the road, not coming home until the tour is over. This is on my bucket list.


I’ve never had a song or album hit the charts. I know it’s a long shot and the competition is stiff, but I would like to have at least one before I’m gone. Shameless plug, I have a new album out!


I’ve lost some people that were very dear to me, be it from illness/accident or my own pride, people who I will never get to see or speak to again.


I’ve lost my youth, and with it, a lot of my health. This ‘getting old’ BS is for the birds!


I’ve thrown away large amounts of time on people that weren’t worth a few seconds while only giving a few seconds to some that would move mountains for me if I asked. I can look back in reflection and see it, now. I really wish that part of my brain would learn to work a little faster.


I’m beginning to realize that we’re not just a product of our successes, but also of our failures. While success makes me happy and carefree, failure tends to ground me, reminding me that a second shoe can drop at any minute, disrupting my celebration in a sudden wash of angst. Failure shows me things about myself that I don’t like, things that need to be addressed promptly. I’m not saying that I do address those issues promptly (or at all, even), but at least I know about them.


Sometimes, though, success comes disguised as failure, or so I’ve been told, and with a little luck, maybe I’ll learn to recognize these times. I’m not gonna hold my breath.

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Almost The Marrying Kind - June 24, 2016


PRESS RELEASE

11th May, 2016 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
"Almost The Marrying Kind"
Worldwide

The Kevin Waide Project is proud to announce the release of "Almost The Marrying Kind" Friday, June 24, 2016.

Recorded and produced by Kevin at K-Dub Studio in Aberdeen, Mississippi, "Almost The Marrying Kind" anchors itself deeply in the Blues of his home while mixing in generous helpings of Funk, Jazz, and Country music. The funk influence is apparent as the album starts and it goes on to visit the Mississippi Hill Country and Nashville, ending with a trip in church. 

According to Kevin: “This album is a little different from the last two. I’ve been listening to a lot of Singer/Songwriter stuff lately, and it worked its way into the songs. I have always loved playing funk, and I just decided to let it shine this time around. I’ve been calling it ‘Country Funkin’ Blues!’”

Pre-order phase for "Almost The Marrying Kind" will begin Tuesday, May 24, 2016, at www.kevinwaide.com and will run through midnight Thursday, June 23, 2016.

Friday, June 24, 2016, "Almost The Marrying Kind" will be available for purchase worldwide through the usual outlets (iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Amazon, and direct from www.kevinwaide.com).

The Kevin Waide Project is the brainchild of Kevin Waide and Chris Fooshee and will celebrate 10 years of "preachin' the blues" in March, 2017.