| Los Angeles, CA-December 5, 2001
Hi folks and welcome to the
December 2001 News at Planetmullins.com. Thanks for dropping by.
Its hard to believe that the year 2001 has come and gone. It sure went
by fast for me, how about for you?
This year was unusual because the typical January TV break didn't happen
and I remember hitting the ground running on January 3 with more projects
than I could shake a stick or a keyboard at. Throughout the year, I
had the pleasure of working on King of Queens, Soulfood, Moesha, The Parkers,
and
the new (great) animated Disney sitcom The Proud Family.
February, March, April and May were some of the most stressful months
I ever lived through as years of focusing totally on music and not enough
focusing
on the mundane duties of life caught up to me. I fought through a slew
of paperwork the likes of which I had never seen, and ended up getting
somewhat caught
up by May.
This was the year I decided that being on the road was going to end-I
quit all the bands I was in and focused on the mountain of details generated
by being an artist
who had recorded a ton of music but was getting paid for but a small
portion of his work.
Summertime was really pretty cool as I got to finish up the Yamaha Disklavier
CD (which is still not out even though their magazine says it is-I have
no release date
as of the time of this writing either) and it was pretty much all I
could do to start looking into all the royalty situations where I wasn't
being paid, doing the TV shows, teaching two days a week of music lessons,
and playing three nights a week.
I had a lot of people tell me that I looked tired this past few months,
and they were right. I am tired! I think its hard for most people to understand
the amount
of details that go into being a musician and the amount of unending
things that come up that have nothing to do with the music that musicians
just consider snags,
and wish they didn't exist. I think I did enough whining about that
in the September news...lol.
In the fall, I began working on launching a new business which
I haven't talked about publicly, but one that I feel is a necessary move
for me to survive the current
economic crisis. This new business is music related and involved me
being in the studio about 50 (unpaid) hours a week for the past few months
in addition
to the schedule I was already committed to. To be honest, I don't know
how I survived the workload.
In the middle of that stuff, the terrorist attacks hit, and I found
myself glued to CNN for almost a week with the sound coming through the
studio speakers and the computer on with me playing whatever music came
into my head as I watched those horrific events unfold. I wrote 96 pieces
of music as the war broke out, and
I have finished recording 29 of them so far.
Now, its December and idea of the end of the year is very appealing
to me. I'm ready for the vacation that never came this year.
CHANGES FOR NEXT YEAR:
A lot of things are going to change next year. First, I am only going
to play one night a week on the weekend for the first couple of months.
The stress of two weekend commutes to OC every week was too much, and we
are moving the band back to Kikuya in Huntington Beach where we always
did our Fridays
before Kikuya closed for awhile. The show will start at 8:30pm. Greg's
church has been very patient with him missing so many of the Saturdays
he has been committed to as well.
Spaghettini has talked to me about doing some Saturdays and also packaging
some concert events for them. I will keep you posted on that situation
as specifics become known.
Second, Greg and I are going to focus on promoting some of his music
in the first quarter of 2002. We will be having two CD release party Fridays
in January for Greg at Kikuya as he celebrates getting the rights back
to his E-MOTION CD which is some of his best work.
Third, I am going to be getting all the materials together for a couple
of new CD's of my own. Look for something of mine to come out mid-year
next year.
I am thinking about doing some touring next year, but it will be in
Europe. I have been contacted by a few festivals over there, and if the
money is right, I will be
hitting the road in Europe next summer for awhile.
Fourth, I am going to try and get some rest. I think I got caught up
on a lot of details that were standing in the way this past year, and (as
I always hope) that
should clear the path for more creation and less hours doing maintainance.
Fifth, I hope to have the Marty Ruddy Shrine up sometime next year on
planetmullins. I really miss Marty, and have been wanting to do a tribute
to him for years but just always run out of hours. Next year I will get
it done.
I will be telling fans about the new business I am working on in a
few months. In the meantime, its time for the annual planetmullins
THANK YOU'S!!!!!!!!!!!
Here's my list for 2001:
To George W., well, you started out shaky and rose to the occassion.
Thank you for your tireless efforts keeping America safe. All of
us here in the USA
owe you a great debt for your leadership and for helping us all see
how we can't take our daily freedoms for granted.
To Shirley, without your help and expertise, I surely would have died.
Your constant help not only kept the door of the business open, but gave
me
the peace of mind to keep creating. Give Barbara a big kiss for
me! Oh. That's right, you don't do that sort of thing. Ha.
To Nancy, I'm so glad we met. You are a bright spot in a universe of
madness.
To Elissa, it meant so much to me that you came and spent all those
hours on the phone and organizing the office. Your contribution will be
felt for years to come.
To Lori, what a godsend you were at such an important time! Thanks
to you, my music will be heard by tons of new people through new technology.
To Dennis, thanks for talking me back into being a music teacher. I
am so thrilled to watch my students growing leaps and bounds every week.
It means a lot to be passing things on.
To Steve, DOOD! It was the coolest finding a kindred spirit out there
in piano retail land. You rock man.
To Rik and Pierre, thanks for giving me a studio space so that I could
have somewhere to work and teach when Pedrini's closed. I'm looking forward
to next year.
To Jerry, Terry and the kids, thanks for bringing the joy of family
energy into my life. You are the best thing that happened to me from the
whole London
experience.
To Mel, you are a living testimony to the proof that God exists.
I wish you strength and continued health into the new year and beyond.
To Greg, your contribution to my music is huge bro. It is so nice having
you on stage. Everytime I get stuck playing the melody alone while a horn
player takes a bow, I always think of your dedication to the melody. How
rare is it to find someone who comes to the band and always remembers that
the compositions are
the star!
To Paul, Gerhard, and Herb, thanks for being normal, cool, and smart.
Hope we can do more in the future.
To Larry N., thanks for being my fan and for the great words. I am
so sorry that this was a year of loss for you. You are in my thoughts and
my prayers.
To Meghan, there is only one word for you. Boing. Good luck with your
dancing!
To Spike, your death came as a shock to me this year. I know you are
rocking in the afterlife. Keep swingin'. I miss you man.
To Kurt, being your associate this year brought a ton of education
to my studio and a lot of needed money. You are one of a kind. Good luck
into next year.
To Greg D., man.....I have been so happy to have you as a friend the
past couple of years. Thanks for the late night studio advice and your
constant committment
to quality in a crazy business.
To Miles, Doooood. I think about you every week and hope that your
dreams will all come true. I miss being on the stage with you.
To Ted, hey man, I'm so jealous. You play great and sing your
ass off! Hope it continues for a long long time.
To Jack, no year goes by without me remembering your continuing dedication
to real music. I wish there were more people like you in the world.
To Julian, what progress we have made eh bro? Growing up next to you
has been pretty damn painful, but look at us now man. I will get up there
next year bro.
To Alan, no week goes by without me praying for your continued health
and success. Now, give everybody a raise.
To Robin K., I am so impressed with you. I hope we can work on some music
next year.
To Larry A, congrats on your CD doing so well. I am looking forward
to the next one man.
To Kelly, DOOOD. I always wanted a little bro. Now I have one in you.
Don't disappoint me. Keep both hands on the wheel, and one foot in the
jungle. You're
going to be fine.
To Char and Jackie, please keep coming around. The room always looks
better with you in it.
To Catherine, Kako, and Cathy, If there ever were three musketeers...lol.
Its always nice to have you. You bless us.
To Gabriela, I miss you and wish you lived closer. Good luck with the
new project.
To Eric, I hope your years of dedication bring you whatever you are
dreaming for next year. Thanks for the studio hangs in 2001.
And finally, TO THE FANS-I am greatful for your support this past year,
and in the past many years. Thanks for bringing your ears to my shows,
not just your eyes. Thanks for realizing a club gig is three times as long
as a concert and for staying to the end. Thanks for buying the music instead
of trying to get it free off
the web. Thanks for the friends you bring to share the gift of music
with you. Thanks for packing the rooms and keeping us strong in times of
crisis. SEE YOU THIS WEEKEND, and next year at Kikuya!
All the best,
Rob |
