A personal note

I have not been able to blog much recently. My family is in the middle of a move to a new home, and it's been a bit hectic. Sometimes life has a way of throwing you a curve, but it's all good. For quite awhile now, this is something we have been hoping for. It's definitely a prayer answered, and I can't complain.

Anyway, I hope to post more music and memories soon. I hope some of you will still want to take part.

Everyone have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

More Kings River Boys - The Midnight Hour

After my last post, some of you have asked for more Quartet music...so here it is!

One of the strengths of the Kings River Boys was our original material. Three of the group members were songwriters, and Tony wrote and sang this great song. To me, these words are much more relevant today. I loved the picking on the intro of this tune.

Great job Tony!

Ready To Fly:10th Anniversary

It's hard to believe ten years ago I released a song called "Ready To Fly", with a Gospel Quartet called The King's River Boys. The King's River Boy's members at the time consisted of:

Ralph Payne - Bass
Tony Byrd - Baritone
Bobby Vaughn - Tenor
Trevor Haley - Lead/Keyboard

The tracks were recordedat Oak Valley Sound in Nov. 2011. We had some great musicians on this project, that gave it a country flair I hadn't really expected. That's the Nashville Sound!

Piano: Gary Prim
Bass Guitar: David Smith
Lead Guitar: Kelly Back
Harmonica: Mike Douchette
Rythm Guitar/Banjo: Bruce Watkins
Drums: Jerry Kroon


What a fun time we had!

Bizarre Bacharach

The death of Hal David brought to mind some of the great Bacharach/David compositions. It also brought to mind some of the bizarre ones too. Here are two very bizarre entries into their catalog. The first being a number one Country hit for Marty Robbins that was the songwriting duos first big hit together. Good song, but when you think of their sophisticated pop sound, this isn't what comes to your mind.

The Story Of My Life - Marty Robbins

http://youtu.be/pMEuVAwTeaQ

And for my second entry, check out this achingly beautiful song by Bobby Goldsboro. The melody and phrasing are certainly more consistent with the Bacharach/David sound, but when I discovered they wrote this, Iwas surprised. I can't hear Dionne Warwick doing this, but Harpers Bizarre had a great version though.

Me, Japanese Boy - Bobby Goldsboro

http://youtu.be/ihXs7Le1NfE

Everyone enjoy your Labor Day!

Hal David RIP

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/02/entertainment-us-haldavid-idUSBRE8800AM20120902

The world said goodbye to an incredible songwriter Saturday, when the famed lyricist Hal David passed away. As a collaborator with Burt Bacharach in the 60s and early 70s, he was often overshadowed, but the list of hits he penned lyrics to is testament to his way with words.

I saw him perform during the 90s at a Songwriter's event in Nashville, and I gained a new respect for him. Accompanied only by a piano, his voice was limited, but it drew attention to how good his lyrics were. One hit song after another highlighted an incredible career.

Bacharach said the lyrics to "Alfie" were the best song lyrics ever. They are good, but I'd like to share one of my favorites. The Walker Brothers version of "Make It Easy On Yourself".


http://youtu.be/bZTS9H-l5qQ

Desert Island Discs

I am surprised I have never done this before. I'm sure I will leave something out. Here they are in no particular order.

1.) Pet Sounds - The Beach Boys
2.) Help! - The Beatles
3.) S/T - Fleetwood Mac
4.) That's The Way It Is - Elvis Presley
5.) Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and
Jones Ltd. - The Monkees
6.) The Battle - George Jones
7.) GP - Gram Parsons
8.) A Song For You -The Carpenters
9.) Make It Easy On Yourself - Burt
Bacharach
10.) Neil Diamond - Hot August Night

Video of the Day:Marcus Miller & Take 6 (Live)

Some singers and musicians go where others of us only dream of going. Loving vocal groups the way I do, I have a lot of respect for Take 6. This is an incredible live performance video with Take 6 and bassist Marcus Miller.

The bass vocal /bass guitar section is just amazing. I was very impressed!

Enjoy!

Song of the Day: The One You Love

There’s a very beautiful song that I would like to share with you today. It was written by Gary Burr and Terri Clark, and originally appeared on Terri’s 2003 Pain To Kill CD. The song describes the helplessness and pain we can feel when watching a loved one go through a painful situation, be it health, emotional or otherwise.

Listening to the second verse, in particular, I thought of a family I know going through a similar situation to the one the song describes. A few years back, we worshipped with Dave and Melissa Mallicoat at a church in Nashville. We also attended a married couples’ Bible class with them, and Melissa’s mom Theresa taught our daughter in the Cradle Roll class. Dave had an ATV accident back in the spring, suffering severe head trauma, and has been in a coma since then.  Melissa has set up a CaringBridge website, which she updates frequently. I try and follow the updates and pray for the family. I can’t imagine what kind of pain and emotions they are feeling, waiting for a breakthrough to come.

Terri Clark has recorded this song twice. There is the 2003 version, that appeared on Pain to Kill, and that version was good. Then she re-recorded the song (with Vince Gill), and it appeared on her excellent 2009 album, Long Way Home. The 2009 version is superior to my ears, not only because of the beautiful harmony from Gill, but also because of the simpler production, which lets her vocal shine.

Terri Clark is a very honest writer and singer. Pain to Kill was one of the first mainstream, modern Country CDs I ever bought. What a unique voice and style. She is still making great music today, and I hope you will check this song out, and maybe think of those that are hurting, for whatever reason.

Terri Clark - The One You Love

Disclaimer: There is a brief, mild profanity used in the first line of this song. It's very much in context of the lyric, but if you are concerned for yourself, or have little ones listening, you may want to keep the volume down for the first few seconds.  

Need for Normalcy

A week or two ago, I had an interesting coversation with a good friend of mine. We were discussing what it was like to travel with a person who is "always on, all the time". Or as my friend so aptly put it, "someone who does not have an off-switch"! Well, I have been in that situation in the past, and it is not an easy thing at all. Constant joking, pranks, or just general rambling by someone trying to be cute and entertaining, becomes very grating after endlesss hours trapped on a tour bus. Don't get me wrong, it can also be hard to travel with a moody person who never talks, or barely cracks a smile.

Which brings me to an observation about some of our most successful entertainers. Most of them have a completely different off-stage persona than their on-stage persona would lead you to believe.  People have even been disappointed in the past after meeting their favorite entertainer, perhaps because they didn't encounter the larger-than-life personality they saw on the screen or stage.Take Lucille Ball for instance. She was not known for being a funny person off-stage. The writers came up with the jokes and the gags, and she played them brilliantly, of course, but she was not someone with a natural talent for being off-the-cuff funny.

People I have performed with in the past, have remarked that I become a different person when I'm onstage. One person said it was like a switch flipped, and I came alive. But I almost always found a way to turn that switch off when the show was over. I had a drive to entertain, and be noticed. The desire for that kind of recognition has diminished somewhat in the last few years. But even at my most gregarious, I had a need for normalcy. There are just times when you need a break from it. From having to be "ON". Time to discuss something normal.

Most professional musicians and actors I've been around don't talk shop that much. They have hobbies and interest not business related - golfing, hunting, clothing, sports, kids, etc. I have never had that many hobbies, but I can relate.  With all the miles I have traveled, I am really a homebody at heart. I crave the comforts of family and familiarity. That probably kept me back from going a little farther than I could have, if I'd been a little more willing to put myself out there. But more likely, I just would've gotten myself in a lot more trouble!
So to sum it up, if you don't have an OFF switch, you might find your bulb burning out a lot faster!

Randomness.

For some very unknown reason, male country-pop singers of the 60s and 70s with the name Bobby have been popping in my head today. Bobby Goldsboro, Bobby Russell, Bobby Bare. They kind of run together for me.

Bobby Russell wrote "Honey", but Bobby Goldsboro had the hit with it. There was also Bobby Vinton, Bobby Darin and Bobby Vee - but they were a different style of pop/rock.

Then you have the females (Bobby is usually spelled differently). For instance, Bobbie Gentry and Bobbi Martin! Then my mother's name is Bobbie! Oh my!!

I know I must be missing someone!

The Acting Years: Epilogue

This week, I heard a quote from former child actor Mara Wilson, responding to the question, "are you still acting"?

"The celebrity aspect is nothing short of ridiculous, and auditioning is brutal and dehumanizing. Every time I see a pretty young girl on the subway reading sides for an audition, my only thought it is, 'Man, am I glad I'm not doing that anymore.' I never feel nostalgia, just relief."

Sums up my feelings quite well. Though I never experienced anything that came close to her fame (she appeared in Mrs. Doubtfire, Matilda, etc.), she is spot on about the audition process. For a child, the rejection, and the self-consciousness it causes, are just too intense.

I am very thankful for the friends, and some of the experiences. But I am so relieved I don't have to do it anymore!

You can read her entire blog here:

http://marawilsonwritesstuff.com/are-you-still-acting/

Billboard magazine July 1972

40 years ago this month, in Billboard magazine:

Stereo was out, quadraphonic was in. AM Radio was losing ground to FM Radio. Cassettes were gaining ground to 8-tracks.The Federal District Court in Miami, Florida was dealing with an anti-piracy suit (the more things change...). In Dallas, Texas the Campus Crusade for Christ had their big rock festival, which came to be known as Explo72.

The Rolling Stones (now celebrating their 50th anniversary), had a new single: "Happy", featuring guitarist Keith Richards, and Elvis Presley had just released "As Recorded Live at Madison Square Garden". Bill Withers topped the Hot 100 with "Lean On Me", and Hank Williams Jr. topped the Country Singles with Eleven Roses.

All in all, not a bad time for music at all. If you'd like to have a look for yourself, please do so!

Billboard July 8, 1972

Song for our Dads - I Still Can't Say Goodbye

While we are talking about fathers, and this is The Trevor Haley MUSIC place, I’d like to share this beautiful song, by the one and only Chet Akins that means so much to me.

While I am holding in memory this weekend the 15^th anniversary of my father’s passing, it will be the 16^th anniversary of the passing of my wife’s father on July 14^th. It is an irony that our fathers died one year and one day apart, years before our families knew each other.

I would’ve loved to have known my father-in-law. I think we would have had a lot in common. He certainly has a wonderful daughter! I am loving, and praying for his family today.

15 years: What You Left Behind

The anniversary of my Father's death will be coming up in a few days, and I wrote something in his honor I'd like to share with you:

I drove through a neighborhood today that is not on my usual route, but it’s a neighborhood I remember you working in. I had not been through there in a long time.

Somehow, I still felt you there. The trees that you planted are still there. The bushes and flowers you placed are still there. The dirt you moved still remains part of the ground. And somehow, your presence remained.

This is the time of year that you loved. You didn’t seem to mind the heat, or the humidity. You were outside - busy, laughing. Being yourself. Someone we all loved being around. Someone who made us all feel stronger, and safer.

And then this time every year, the anniversary of your passing comes around. The memories come back, and it still feels like you went away yesterday.

You are still missed and remembered by those who love you. I look around and I wonder…so many things have changed. There have been additions to our family through marriages, and births. People whom you loved are gone now. But your memory remains.

When I hear others discuss their parents, I realize how lucky I am, because they don’t always have the fond memories to look back on. I know you had faults, but time seems to have erased those from my mind. I hope that I can leave my daughter with those types of memories of me when I’m gone.

It’s been fifteen years since you left this earth, and that is a long time. But I am so grateful to have known you, and to know you left a little bit of yourself behind.

Today's technology

Conversations with an old-timer

I thought I would take this opportunity to discuss some of the new technology today, and how it has changed music. This subject came up during a conversation with a friend of mine. He was talking about ancient recording technologies, used back when dinosaurs roamed the earth.

This man is very old, and according to him, there were these long strips of fiber, wound around a wheel, that when turning could actually capture a musical performance. Very hard to believe. I was not even sure if I believed him, until I found this antique picture on the web. And of course, if you can find it online, it's true.

I can't imagine the hours put into a recording during the time, because no pitch-correction or ProTools existed (remember, this was in ancient times). The performer was actually expected to sing the song until it was reasonably in tune and time! No wonder so few of these creatures exist anymore - they wore themselves out! No one can POSSIBLY reach that kind of perfection without some help!

Not only that, but when the final mixdown was completed, it was not mixed for optimum MP3 sound quality, but someone the music was placed inside this strange looking, pancake shaped disc:

It's very strange, and unbelievable, I know, but some of these remaining cavemen and women still find these devices preferable sounding to the miracle of today's technology!

If you don't want to take my word for it, please seek this individual out and talk to him yourself. Somehow, he has learned to operate a computer and has a blog you can find at:

 http://audiorestorationguy.blogspot.com

Gotcha Brian! Everyone have a great weekend!

It's our anniversary!

"She believes in me...I'll never know just what she sees in me..."

On a summer night ten years ago, I met someone incredibly special, who would change my life forever. Neither one of us could have known exactly what we were in for when I answered that door, and she stood there, and we spoke to each other for the first time. She said I ignored her that first evening, but I don't quite remember it that way (chuckle). I WAS shy, but I knew right away she was incredibly special, and I couldn't wait to get to know her.

Things moved fast, and within a year we were married. June 28, 2003. It was a wonderful day. So incredibly exciting. I never doubted for a moment we were put together for a reason. God's hand was all over things. We were so incredibly blessed.

Nine years have passed by WAY TOO FAST. I am amazed at how swiftly time has gone by. There are so many moments I would give anything to go back and relive again. Special times that we have shared - just between the two of us. She has stood beside me, and encouraged me, during times when I needed to be held up. She has sacrificed, and exhausted herself, working, taking care of a child, and then taking care of a second child...me! I love her so much for the person she is - the wonderful woman of faith that just grows through the years.

Marriage is work. It is unpredictable. It is two different backgrounds, outlooks, and attitudes, coming together. What should be easy can be hard, and what you think will be difficult turns out to be easy - especially when you are working together. We become so much stronger. That is part of the beauty of it. If it was all easy, what would we really learn about ourselves, and others, and especially Christ and His love for us?

I am so incredibly fortunate. There have been so many blessings I received, that I didn't deserve. But most of all SHE BELIEVES IN ME, and no...I will never know just what she sees in me.

                                     I love you honey! Happy anniversary!

A little bit about me, part 2 (the acting years)

It’s funny to think about now, because my acting chops have declined so greatly, but at one time I was a pretty experienced child-actor. I am not sure how the acting bug bit me. I guess I always had an active imagination, and that had a lot to do with it. I made up stories and invented characters. I had a very outgoing personality. It came naturally to me. No one had to really teach me how to play a part.

I enjoyed many of my theater experiences. Many of the people I met became like family to me. I won’t go into the detail of each and every role I played. I played lead and supporting roles, ranging from the Artful Dodger in “Oliver”, to small roles with no name at all. Very early on, I played Helen of Troy’s grandson in “The Trojan Women”. We performed on the steps of the Parthenon in Nashville, which was an interesting experience. That show, and a small part in Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons”, represented the heaviest dramas I took part in.

I did quite a bit of professional theater. It provided a nice little income for me during my teenage years. I even auditioned, and got a few callbacks for some major shows that were traveling during that time. There were several trips to New York for auditions and callbacks. Those were fun experiences.

I was about to open with a church musical revue in 1997, when my father passed away very suddenly. I went ahead and opened the show that week, but it was really tough. I know he would have wanted the “show to go on”, but a lot of the fun of it disappeared for me.  I knew in my heart that period of my life was ending.

“Smoke On the Mountain”, also in 1997, was the final production I took part in. It was a very fun show - lots of music, comedy, and friends that were there during a difficult time in my life.

This is just a brief overview of about ten years of my life. I hope with the next installment to provide some details of - THE GOSPEL YEARS.

Thanks for reading!

(P.S. The above picture was taken during my lengthy Robert Wagner wanna-be period!)  

A little bit about me...part 1

I got to thinking back on some of the professional, semi-professional, amateur and non-amateur bands I played in during my teenage years. I didn't play an instrument in any of these. I was strictly the front man/lead vocalist.

I was part of a vocal group of kids called "Second 2 None", or maybe it was 2nd to None (I can't remember), during the early 90s. We sang with tracks, and actually were pretty successful - we made it all the way to the National Amateur Hour on TV with Willard Scott. He was a terrific guy to work with.

Around the same time period, I joined a young country band called Six Shooter. I was just there for a brief period of time. In fact, I only recall performing two concerts with them. Once again, I did not play - I only sang. The keyboardist was a couple of years old than me. His name was Gabe Dixon. Years later, he formed his own band, and he played for Paul McCartney on several tours a couple of years back. Go Gabe!

Six Shooter's original lead singer decided to return, and I found myself out of a job. It was a big blow for a 13/14 year old. That was one of my first really hard lessons to learn about the music business. The band had a label deal, and pretty high-powered management. There was a lot of opportunity there, and I was crushed. It took the wind out of my sails for the next few years.

But life moved on, and my next band was a lot of fun. I can't remember the names of everyone involved. It was started by myself and Noel Rose, a friend of mine that played drums. We called ourselves Basix, because there were six of us. Clever, huh? We were doing classic rock and oldies. Once again, we only performed a few dates.

Noel and I continued to do several things together over the next few years. We even had an imaginary studio group called "The Children of Your Life" band. The music ran the gamut of about anything you could imagine. We actually recorded several tracks. My imagination was pretty active in those days.
 
Thanks for reading! I will post more about the next part of my music career later on.

Trevor

Ten Nashville parks you might not have known about — and shouldn't miss

this is a really good article for those living in the Music City. I want to visit ALL these places. So much to do in our own city.

Ten Nashville parks you might not have known about — and shouldn't miss: Parks and Recreation

Oddity corner: C.W. McCall - Crispy Critters

Whilst listening to an internet radio station today, I came across this recording oddity. It's a tune from C.W. McCall of "Convoy", and "Roses For Mama" fame. I have a certain strange fascination with CB-era movies and music, so I took special interest.

 Without a doubt, they are some of the strangest lyrics I have ever heard. I would love to say I had some indication of what he is singing about, but I had absolutely no clue.

You can find it easily enough on the web if you're interested, but PLEASE keep in mind, it's a couple of minutes you will never get back.

Have a great evening!

Album recommendation - Wynonna: Sing, Chapter 1

This album was released by Wynonna in 2009, and it has some really great tracks. All the songs are covers of other artist's material, but it's really interesting to hear Wynonna's take on them. Wynonna is a singer, not a songwriter, but what a great singer she is! Here's a track listing:

1. "That's How Rhythm Was Born" (George Whiting, J. C. Johnson, Nat Burton) - 3:05
2. "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" (Hank Williams) - 4:05
3. "Woman Be Wise" (Sippy Wallace) - 4:39
4. "I Hear You Knocking" (Dave Bartholomew, Pearl King) - 2:55
5. "Till I Get It Right" (Larry Henley, Red Lane) - 3:23
6. "Are the Good Times Really Over" (Merle Haggard) - 4:49
7. "The House Is Rockin'" (Doyle Bramhall, Stevie Ray Vaughan) - 2:33
8. "Ain't No Sunshine" (Bill Withers) - 3:19
9. "I'm a Woman" (Jerry Lieber, Mike Stoller) - 4:04
10. "Anyone Who Had a Heart" (Burt Bacharach, Hal David) - 4:01
11. "When I Fall In Love" (Victor Young, Edward Heyman) - 4:17
12. "Sing" (Rodney Crowell) - 4:59

My personal favorites are "The House Is Rockin" and "Are the Good Times Really Over". Honestly, I didn't know if Wynonna could pull the Merle Haggard tune off, but she really captured the spirit of it. I think she also had a little help from her step-father, Larry Strickland, and the Palmetto State Quartet (including my friend Jeremy Calloway). Everyone involved did a terrific job.

The track that disappointed me the most was "Anyone Who Had a Heart". I love this Bacharach/David tune dearly, but Wynonna doesn't quite have the delicate delivery needed to pull it off.

Check it out!

Have a great Sunday,

Trevor

Busy month ahead

I can't believe it's almost May 2012 already. We have a really busy month coming up. There is a lot going on. Here's a snapshot:

On May 5th, Miranda and I will be playing some Country music classics with friends at an outdoor event. The following Saturday (5/12), we'll be celebrating our daughter's 4th birthday..

Then on May 19th, I will be performing a three-hour program of oldies for a 50th high-school reunion. Should be a lot of fun. I know a lot of old songs, so I guess I'm up to it.

Who knows what else the month will bring? It promises to be a busy one!  

Country Music Marathon

A major marathon took place today in Nashville. There were over 30,000 runners. Congratulations to all the competitors. It takes a lot of dedication and training to do it properly.

I've flirted with the idea of a marathon, but I haven't worked up the nerve yet. Today I celebrated the runner's achievement by eating a few left over sausage balls!

New blog!

Hello all!

So I'm experimenting with a blog (because the world really needs another one). I don't know exactly what this will end up being. I'm just having a little fun. I hope to be able to post something about music, life, love...the really important things!

Till my next post, everyone have a great day!