Resolution 5K Run / what gets you out the door (part 1)

Please join me, Friday, Jan-1, 9:00 a.m. in Mitch Park, Edmond, OK for the Resolution 5K Run.  A cross-country 5,000 meter race.  Far west pavilion, near Covell/Santa Fe. Sponsored by the Edmond Track Club.  Contact Kent Douglas @ 405-570-1216 or KentAndBrenda@gmail.com for more information. 

 

$10 entry fee - no-shirts. EVERYONE THAT FINISHES THE 5K WILL RECEIVE AN AWARD (not to mention bragging rights for running in the cold, first thing, New Year's Day!).

 

I will be there to run, rock, and chat.  I will have some free CD's plus unlimited free instrumental rock downloads on my site (http://www.ReverbNation.com/JonathanJones). These are my original compositions for running which includes "Run On Sentences - New Year's Resolution 2010 at 160 bpm". That is a special edition for runners who are heading out the door on a run (see video clip below).

 

Speaking of resolutions...

What gets you out the door to run? 

 

Despite our desire to be "fitter, happier, more productive", we can just as easily invent an excuse to stay indoors. You look out the window and say, "I feel like running.  But only if weren't so cold, drizzly, slushy..."  It's as if everything Mother Nature could invent is being served up as a convenient excuse.

 

Perhaps you live in a meteorlogically blessed place on the globe where all around you is room-temperature goodness.  Even there the excuses take a different form.  "only if I have time, or if I can run with my friends, or..." 

 

So, how do you get psyched for the run?  What gets you out the door?   Let me know your thoughts.  I will follow up on this blog article later. 

 

Leave a comment here on the blog or contact me whichever way you like (email: LinwoodStudios@gmail.com, twitter: @LinwoodStudios).

 

Cheers,

Jonathan

an early morning run

Musical Instruments for the Twitterkids! tweetsgiving.org

Photos taken by Melissa & AJ Leon of theLacProject.

Throughout 2010, I will be updating this article. Please take a moment to read and visit the websites mentioned herein for the full story. Spreading the word is powerful and I am grateful for all who do. -- Jonathan

See below for information on:

• Shipment #1 - December 24, 2009
• Musical instruments & gear - ongoing
• Music composed for Shepherds Junior - December 6, 2009

What is this about?

On Tuesday evening, November 24, I shared music with all on Blip.fm in the name of Love and Hope to raise awareness for http://tweetsgiving.org. It is my pleasure to share that message and hopefully spark an interest.

Furthermore, I want to support music in a direct way. I am currently donating instruments to benefit the Shepherds Junior school in Arusha, Tanzania, Africa. The school began in 2003 with 6 children and has grown to 350! Through Vision, Work, Love, and Hope the school has made tremendous strides.

As a child, I was always enthralled by musical instruments. I finally understand that there is a magnetic pull that attracts a musical mind to an instrument. My dream is to let the children have their own gear to be able to play rock music. Guitar, bass, drums, keyboard. Not toys. Not a rock and roll video game. Real instruments that spark the imagination and dreams of anyone who touches them. Within this school now and in future there are musical minds who need an instrument.

The school has inspired me because they had nothing but a dream 6 years ago and now are making huge progress. Likewise, I had nothing but a dream 4 years ago and now am making my own progress with music.

It is a kindred spirit thing. Maybe you can appreciate and if possible donate to the cause in whatever way you can.

Thank You,
Jonathan

Please watch a short video about the school.



SHIPMENT #1 DECEMBER 24, 2009

The first shipment of instruments is now ready. Shipping out from Oklahoma City to Arusha on December 24.

Contains:
> Epiphone Les Paul Electric Guitar
> Line 6 Guitar Amplifier (with integrated tuner, reverb, phaser, chorus, audio inputs)
> Guitar accessories (strings, picks, strap, stand, cables, chord chart)

> Percussion (tambourine, shakers)

A very special thanks goes out to an Oklahoma City group called the Whiz Kids. The Whiz Kids at North Highlands Elementary School in Oklahoma City recently gathered for their Christmas party and helped make a special contribution to Shepherds Junior, an autographed tambourine with a message of hope.

http://www.whizkidsok.org

"One-on-one volunteer tutoring/mentoring program focusing on first through eighth grade students who live in areas which have some of the highest drop-out rates and lowest socioeconomic levels in Oklahoma City. Whiz Kids is proactive and preventative in nature, targeting inner-city schools and students who are reading below grade level and who could benefit most from a one-on-one relationship with a caring adult."

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND GEAR
The idea is to build up a supply of gear to outfit the "rock band". The instruments can be used to play any type of music though. Melody, Harmony, Rhythm, Voice, and Song are universal.

Shipping is costly. Providing monetary donations to tweetsgiving.org will be of great assistance to the school. See http://tweetsgiving.org for information. There is currently no corporate sponsorship for the instruments program.

For gear questions: contact LinwoodStudios@gmail.com or through Twitter.

It bears repeating that the following are all real instruments, not toys.

What we have:

SHIPMENT #1 December 24, 2009
> Epiphone Les Paul Electric Guitar
> Line 6 Guitar Amplifier (with integrated tuner, reverb, phaser, chorus, audio inputs)
> Guitar accessories (strings, picks, strap, stand, cables, chord chart)

> Percussion (tambourine, shakers)

Some more gear ideas ...

Smaller things

• Tuners
• Metronomes
• Harmonicas
• Percussion - shaker, block, sticks, tambourine, maracas, etc.
• Books, CDs, DVDs, and software about music education & appreciation,
• Field recorder (simple handheld unit for live recording. Great for creating MP3 files.)
• Musical supplies - headphones, blank sheet music, etc.
• ...

Larger things

• Acoustic guitar (player pack)
• Electric keyboard (with stand)
• Keyboard amplifier
• Electric bass
• Bass amplifier
• Music stands
• Drum kit (not a toy kit) (simple 4 or 5 piece kit including cymbals, with hardware, sticks and a stool)
• ....

If shipping gear directly, please use the following address in Tanzania. See DHL.com for shipping details.

Lucy Kamptoni
Shepherds Junior School
PO Box 1888
Arusha, Tanzania

MUSIC COMPOSED FOR SHEPHERDS JUNIOR

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6
There is now music to benefit the school. Help spread the word by posting to your blog, twitter, Facebook, anywhere. Some short messages with links:

Help The #Twitterkids Rock! http://tweetsgiving.org for donations.

New Rock For The #Twitterkids @ShepherdsJr "Run On! Shepherds" by @LinwoodStudios http://ow.ly/d/S0

All donations should be made directly to http://tweetsgiving.org

Recommended donation if downloading the single: $1 (or more). Anything is appreciated.

The single "Run On, Shepherds!" is a special composition. The concept of the single is to show the kids at Shepherds Junior how their guitar and a simple melody can inspire many different rock variations. The melody is a familiar holiday tune. The style is similar to the fast and heavy rock of Run On Sentences volumes 1.1 and 1.2. The Epiphone Les Paul Electric Guitar being donated to the school is featured as one of the instruments you will hear. Very fun!

In keeping with the spirit of EpicChange.org, you are free to support this project in many ways other than money. Just telling another person is great. You can e-mail, blog, update your Facebook status, or make a comment on Twitter. It's all good. In fact, you may download the single without donating.

Thanks for reading. Hope you can spread the word!

Explanation and Preview of "Run On! Shepherds"

Download Link for "Run On! Shepherds"

Blip+Love+Hope for #Tweetsgiving Nov-24-09 8P-11P EST

Blip+Love+Hope for #Tweetsgiving Nov-24-09 8P-11P EST

Hosted by Jonathan Jones | Linwood Studios, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
http://www.blip.fm/LinwoodStudios

What is this about?
I am dedicating tonight’s music to recognize my blessings and share my gratitude through music. I am eternally grateful for the healing power of creativity and music. Many thanks are in order for the Love and Hope that I have received this year. During the three hours of music, I will be sharing messages of love, hope, and gratitude. I will also “re-blip” music played by DJ’s who have chosen to share that same message either knowingly or unknowingly.

If you are inspired to Blip+Love+Hope to your friends, please include the tag #tweetsgiving. In that way, everyone will know you are giving special thanks at this time of year.

If you are further inspired by #tweetsgiving, please visit http://tweetsgiving.org to learn the full details.

Thank You!


What inspired me to participate in #tweetsgiving?
#Tweetsgiving benefits a very special school in Arusha, Tanzania. Mama Lucy (http://www.twitter.com/mamalucy) began the Shepherds Junior School just 6 years ago with 6 students and now has 350! See the video The vision and hard work of Mama Lucy and the teaching staff is inspiring. Your help will enable the school to continue its great work and expand the education opportunities, including music. They need the most basic things: books, computers, school and art supplies, musical instruments, and yes - money to pay the hard working staff. Whatever you can donate is greatly appreciated. I encourage musicians to consider donating musical gear to the children. I began violin at age 10 and have a lifetime to thank for that education. But your support can be even simpler than donations. Even taking time to send a simple message of hope is appreciated. I am thankful for the invitation to participate in the event.

Special thanks to Henie Reisinger @hennartonline and Danny Brown @dannybrown. Both are champions for the #12for12K organization. I consider them to be extraordinary and trustworthy people.


About Linwood Studios & Jonathan Jones
Linwood Studios is my creative production studio. Among other things, I compose my own instrumental music and collaborate with other artists. I compose and perform all instrumental parts, record, and produce. Currently my projects are centered on rock music for runners and collaborating with others musically and artistically. My wife and I live in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/LinwoodStudios
Music: http://www.ReverbNation.com/JonathanJones

Shock Pilot - official release of "Smokin' Tasers"

Shock Pilot is a collaborative experimental rock group of artists and fans. Engaged and interactive. We ROCK together.

Smokin' Tasers was created between Oct-1 & Oct-30-2009. The release is now available for free from our site. What we have is a three minute action story about "Laura Croft" as a flight attendant foiling a plot to hijack a plane while using her martial arts skills and a well-charged pair of tasers. Big, loud, and fun.

The artists contributing to Smokin' Tasers are: Lady Southpaw @Lady_Southpaw vocals/spoken word, Steve Morton @SRM1138 guitar/bass/drum/FX, and Jonathan Jones @LinwoodStudios guitar/bass/drum/FX/production. Additional spoken word samples provided by Suzanne Shay.


MORE TO COME: Download "Smokin' Tasers" for free and stay tuned for creative ways that artists and fans can contribute with the release. Be "Laura Croft" in your own photo shoot, make your own video, create art -- be artistically and socially creative! That's what Shock Pilot is about.


To learn more about Shock Pilot, see our music site
http://www.reverbnation.com/shockpilot

or follow us on Twitter @ShockPilot
http://www.twitter.com/ShockPilot.


Shock Pilot is a production of Linwood Studios.

✈ Shock Pilot - Artists ✈

Jonathan Jones, Steve Morton, Lady Southpaw

✈ Shock Pilot - Flight Crew Fans & Listeners ✈

See Shock Pilot's sites: Twitter & ReverbNation

Shock Pilot - The final boarding call!

The Final Week
of the "Smokin' Tasers" release
OCT-31 / 12:01 AM CENTRAL U.S.

The Flight Crew web chat on OCT-24 reviewed the new mixes and discussed the week ahead. What we have now is a three minute action story about "Laura Croft" as a flight attendant foiling a plot to hijack a plane while using her martial arts skills and a well-charged pair of tasers. The current mixes are all available on the Shock Pilot site. Previous videos are available on YouTube.

Now is the time to let Shock Pilot know what you think of the mixes to date. Just reference the date of the mix in your comments. The mixes are distinctly different.

During the final week OCT-24 to OCT-31 the final mix version will be shown on SoundCloud.com/ShockPilot. All of the Flight Crew members are encouraged to listen and comment on the mixes there. SoundCloud is extremely useful for collaboration. It allows comments to be made along the time-line of the music. If you are music nut, that's very attractive and helps make the comments precise, but if you want to use any other means of commenting, that works too.

Smokin' Tasers (OCT-27) by ShockPilot


✈ The Flight Crew ♥ fans and ☊ listeners feedback is important. During the final week, as an update is made to the final mix version, the flight crew will receive an e-mail or direct message on Twitter. This is not #@$%! spam, just a heads up about the final mix and a request for feedback.

✈ The Flight Crew is welcome to invite ♥ fans and ☊ listeners to preview the mixes. Two simple ways for your friends to get on board:

1) share this blog entry and ask them to click here to join Shock Pilot mailing list
or
2) ask them to tweet @ShockPilot saying "I want to be on the Flight Crew".

Thanks to everyone for being part of the collaboration so far. It is absolutely going to rock!


✈ Shock Pilot - Flight Crew Artists ✈

Jonathan Jones, Steve Morton, Lady Southpaw

✈ Shock Pilot - Flight Crew Fans & Listeners ✈

See Shock Pilot's sites: Twitter & ReverbNation

Shock Pilot - OCT-17-2009 - web chat recap

Shock Pilot ✈ Flight Crew
Smokin' Tasers / Web ✆ Chat Recap

Thanks for the discussion today. Can't say thanks enough for where we are now and how exciting it is to get this moving forward to the OCT-31 Halloween release. Steve Morton's and Lady Southpaw's content is now filling out the mixes and opening up new directions. A really fun project.

✈ The absolute deadline for content will be OCT 24 when the final mix is discussed on our web chat.

✈ Studio final mix work goes into high gear with OCT 29-30 marathon of mix, listen, repeat.

✈ The Flight Crew will have exclusive access to SoundCloud.com for the final mix process.

✈ The final release version will hit ReverbNation.com/ShockPilot at 12:01 AM OCT 31.

New mixes and content on Shock Pilot site....

✈ OCT 14 (full vox)

✈ OCT 17 (heavy drum)

✈ Steve Morton - wah wah guitars

✈ Lady Southpaw - spoken word and vocals

Invite ♥ fans and ☊ listeners to help preview the mixes.

Ideas for how to create the "fight scene"?

✈ a seemingly normal flight gets interrupted by some bad guys/terrorists

✈ in flight pilot chatter from "Dambusters", "Zero Hour", "Airplane", "Airport 77 (or to that effect)".

✈ create the idea that the music is an overheard channel surf of the in flight music stations (techno, rock, techno, rock)

✈ dialouge between the bad guys intercepted

✈ a big fight scene with fight sound FX, heavy on the kung fu

✈ airplane cabin atmospheric FX

Ideas for the art, images, promotion

✈ Graphic novel storyboard of the flight.... could animate as slideshow video for YouTube.

✈ If you feel so inclined, tell your friends about the OCT-31.

✈ Possible photo shoot with model in "Laura Croft flight attendant" uniform. With tasers pointed at camera.

✈ Opportunity for video production to promote through YouTube?

Have a great week.

Shock Pilot

Shock Pilot - OCT-14-2009 - New Content Mix

Don't panic, our flight crew and two Smokin' Tasers will save you.

The muse, "Laura Croft flight attendant with two very mean tasers", is fully engaged and electrified.

This week brand new content ideas arrive from Lady Southpaw (vocals), Steve Morton (guitars, bass, drums, FX), and Jonathan Jones (guitars, bass, drums, FX). These ideas as well as additional content, art, and media will be discussed in the weekly Flight Crew meeting. Still locked on target for the October 31, 2009 online release.

✈ Entire Flight Crew Web ✆ Meeting ✈

Saturday, October 17

9 AM PACIFIC / 11 AM CENTRAL / 5 PM LONDON

Invitation only. Invitations will be tweeted/emailed in advance.

Web: http://www.reverbnation.com/shockpilot

Twitter: @ShockPilot

quiet mix - Sunday night sampler

Nice quiet music for a Sunday night.

To play click on the "Posted on ... link" to go to blip.fm

http://blip.fm/LinwoodStudios

LinwoodStudios @sarahlovesyou @invisiblepilot @malenalott smOOth quiet rock tonight "Bookshop Casanova" by The Clientele

♫ The Clientele – Bookshop Casanova | play

Posted on Oct 11 at 7:09 pm | AMAZON | ITUNES

LinwoodStudios quiet night @uschles fantastic band. broke up too soon "I'm On Standby" by Grandaddy (see Jason Lytle www.jasonlytle.com/)

♫ Grandaddy – I'm on Standby | pause

Posted on Oct 11 at 7:03 pm | AMAZON | ITUNES

LinwoodStudios @MissScarlett @kcclifford @Zuzanne72@mrsdellison@Matericia gorgeous tune "Monster Ballads" Josh Ritter [oughta be on lunchboxes, but alas]

♫ Josh Ritter – Monster Ballads | play

Posted on Oct 11 at 6:50 pm | AMAZON | ITUNES

LinwoodStudios @Lady_Southpaw @DrPants Beck-ish quiet, slow builder "Dry The Rain" by The Beta Band

♫ The Beta Band – Dry the Rain | play

Posted on Oct 11 at 6:44 pm | AMAZON | ITUNES

LinwoodStudios @MissScarlett a quiet night "Bisbee Blue" by Calexico ( a personal fav tune from them, great instrumentation ) @LukeDick

♫ Calexico – Bisbee Blue | play

Posted on Oct 11 at 6:40 pm | AMAZON | ITUNES

LinwoodStudios something a little bit haunting @Matericia "Maybe Sparrow" Neko Case

Neko Case – Maybe Sparrow | play

Posted on Oct 11 at 6:35 pm | AMAZON | ITUNES

LinwoodStudios Quiet music @ritzymusic @ElementsOfJazz "Flor De Lis" Gretchen Parlato

Flor De Lis _ Gretchen Parlato | play

Posted on Oct 11 at 6:31 pm

LinwoodStudios A quiet Sunday night. "Sweet Suburban Sky" by Paddy Casey

Paddy Casey sweet suburban sky | play

Posted on Oct 11 at 6:16 pm

Shock Pilot Collaborative update OCT-11

A new "Smokin' Tasers" mix was posted October 10 on YouTube and ReverbNation. The mix includes new original content from Steve Morton (@srm1138) and Jonathan Jones (@LinwoodStudios). All content used is available on ReverbNation for download by artists to use in the creation of their content. The group is now considering lead female vocals by Lady Southpaw (@Lady_Southpaw) to fill out the sound and portray our electric muse, Laura Croft with tasers in a flight attendant's uniform taking care of business. Believe it.

The Target: Oct-31 release of "Smokin' Tasers". Plenty of time for artistic ideas from the Flight Crew and input from fans and listeners.

Sidebar note: Shock Pilot may become the subject of a research paper by a sociologist. More on that later. In the meantime, here is an excellent documentary about YouTube, created by the Kansas State University ethnography program, led by Michael Wesch. The documentary was a pivotal influence on the formation of the Shock Pilot collaborative.

Our connecting routes...

YouTube "lo-fi slideshow" for Smokin' Tasers (could use some creative assistance here!)

Music on ReverbNation: Shock Pilot

Twitter flavor: @ShockPilot

✈ Special thanks to the Flight Crew who have participated to date!

Artists/content contributors ♬

Fans/listeners ♥☊

♥☊ Jo Hannah Afton @TupeloSuper

♬ Steve Morton @srm1138

♥☊♬ Victoria McKibbin @Torie007

♥☊♬ Suzanne Shay @Zuzanne72

♬ Lady Southpaw @Lady_Southpaw

♥☊ Rod Lott @bookgasm

and

♥ anonymous

Open Letter - for musician new to Twitter

Hey - a very long note. I apologize, but this is the crash course that took me 4 months to complete!

The first & best thing I could do is refer some people that you may want to follow on twitter. If I send you a tweet recommendation to a person, they can have a look and be impressed. Really helps to get a few key people at first. They know Twitter and other people who are GENUINE. You can read a lot by reading their posts and understand social media and all the tricks that way. Doesn't cost a dime. Many helpful people are out there who are not trying to take your money or control your career. Obviously, there are sharks out there but they really can't bother you if you don't pay attention to them. If anyone every claims to promise you 1,000 followers in 1 week, don't listen to them because it's just a form of spam marketing that pisses real people off.

Because I'm an instrumental composer and not a performer, I need to make connections in order to make my own opportunities. It is slow since I don't live in L.A. or New York but I am finding some solid people. Just want you to know that if you spend a bit of time using Twitter, it will surprise you. You can save some time also by avoiding some of my mistakes too.

And just a word of caution about the automatic tweets that link to some other site. Don't. Just put in a simple addition before the link like "got a great show lined up on Oct-10 at the _______," and then the link. Just a little bit of personality will make them real. Being real and then providing a link is actually easy to do and makes people want to actually follow you for what you might say about your music or life or whatever.

There was a musician (won't say who) whom I had to stop following because all they had on Twitter was auto-posts from Facebook or Myspace. Lots of them too. It got really old really fast because nothing was unique or the least bit about them. It was like reading a bank account statement, boring.

And, be sure to login to twitter.com and check who is following you at least once a week. Lots of bullshit people trying to sell porn out there and you don't want them hanging around your list of followers. It actually is better to weed those out of your list so that real people won't be scared off. The goal isn't having a million followers but having some real people who actually read and get involved by buying music and/or spreading the word.

If you want to actually speak sometime, you can try a video chat with me on Tokbox.com. I use that free site to send video messages to a few fans and it helps me learn. Also, I'm using it to collaborate with musicians.

Cheers,
Jonathan

Shock Pilot - Collaborative, Experimental, Rock - Status update for "Smokin' Tasers"

Oct-03 Web Meeting
The first Flight Crew Artist & Fan web chat went very well. Thanks to everyone for taking time to understand the project and the next steps. Joining us on the chat were Torie (@Torie007), Suzanne (@Zuzanne72), and Steve (@srm1138). The other Flight Crew artists were playing gigs that day and several of the Flight Crew fans sent regrets due to out of town engagements.

Some of the crew had asked for a transcript. While I am no stenographer, the following will do for this week.

After getting to know each other and agreeing that we are all insane music lovers, the flight got underway. I explained the music for Smokin' Tasers is an unfinished work of dual nature (see video below). It can be made into anything the artists and fan listeners can imagine. Currently, rough and techno. Big growling electric guitars and heavy club drum loops. The midpoint is when the wattage gets whipped into a Southern Fried blast of heavy distortion and a hard blues edge.

The current music of "Smokin' Tasers" was recorded in 2008 in a piece called "Watching The Sky" which I never released. One day chatting with my friend JoJo @tupelosuper an idea struck from an image. Something perfect as seen through my lens. Imagine a very bad-ass image of a Laura Croft "Tomb Raider" photo shoot (try google because the images are copyright protected and I won't post them in my blog).

From that point, the idea came to re-mix "Watching The Sky" into something of a soundtrack for a very bold, very well-armed, female ass-kicker. Being that @ShockPilot has a flying motif, I now have an image that the protagonista is a very bad-ass flight attendant with two "smokin' tasers" fully charged and ready to strike with near-lethal force.

Tasers are becoming more prevalent and feature-rich. Also, they are in vogue with the police who appear to use them hastily (as it appears distorted by TV news). I recounted the story I had seen on the news about a mother who was tased by a police officer while her children sat in car seats watching the whole thing, all while the dashboard camera caught the scene and audio of the mother who said "Please don't do this in front of my kids". Who knows what she really did do that warranted tasing, but I believe Laura Croft would have shown much better discretion.

The best part of the meeting was that after spilling all the above imagery, no one decided to hit the eject button and fly out of the project! Suzanne and Torie are planning to contribute artistically with graphics, imagery and possible prose/lyrics for "Smokin' Tasers". Steve and I discussed our musical history, gear, and some ideas. We discussed the elements of sound direction in order to make "Smokin' Tasers" BIG and aggressive in style. Steve is going to try a few ideas and see what happens. All other artists can do likewise and contact me directly to discuss.

Yes... It could have a vocals if someone is lyrical and wants to sing. Yes... It could use drum samples or found sound from anywhere. Yes... you can take the parts posted on ReverbNation site and mash-up, screw with, and otherwise twist them or record your very own. You'd be amazed at what can come from the minds, pens, and instruments of engaged artists and fans. Again, if you need an image, think Laura Croft with a flight attendant's outfit brandishing tasers at some evil doer. The rest is probably really cool after that.


Next Steps
Artist and fans will contribute to the project and review the ideas on a weekly web chat. Any artists or fans who missed the web chat can contact @ShockPilot to talk further. Next web chat meeting is Oct-10. During that meeting, the ideas from the artists and fans will be reviewed to form the 1st mix release of "Smokin' Tasers". Feel free to share this blog post, video, etc. to anyone you recommend for the project.

Project Goals
Project Calendar

Sneak preview!
The current version of "Smokin' Tasers" will be transformed into a rock single by October 31, 2009. New musical content, vocals, artwork, and mash-ups are all on the table. Consider it an open invitation to experiment and collaborate.

More information at our site. ReverbNation.com/ShockPilot Follow us on Twitter: @ShockPilot




We'd love to have you fly with us.
Would you like to see where all the "magic" happens? Welcome aboard! Please contact @ShockPilot on Twitter for additional information. You can be a listener, a contributor, a pusher or poet. It's up to you.

Shock Pilot - Collaborative, Experimental, Rock

Special announcements about Shock Pilot and the October 3rd web meeting.

TokBox - Free Video Chat and Video Messaging

Trying to make a better use of twitter / #FollowFriday

I had heard about Mr. Tweet from @BuzzEdition a week ago and wondered if I should try it. Seemed reasonable enough but being suspicious of providing sites with information about me or my list of friends, I moved on. The way I did FollowFriday was actually thoughtful and not a random address book blast. Each entry was put together for a reason. I saved them up during the week and would release them on Friday.

Early in the week, I saw more evidence of Mr. Tweet and took the chance. Since all my information is public anyway for all the easy money spammers, porn-pushers, and weight loss miracle workers to see, why not let Mr. Tweet see what I have. I used Mr. Tweet to make a couple of choice recommendations. Seemed alright.

Content to carry on my #FollowFriday tradition, I was vetting my groups at the time when my social media Svengali @ShellyKramer mentioned MrTweet once more. So there has to be a reason to use Mr. Tweet instead. Forgoing the torrent of tweets, MrTweet got the test drive for my weekly channeling of props. A smaller and simpler channeling.

Turns out, I found more interesting people using MrTweet.com than I would have otherwise. MrTweet.com suggested meaningful follows based on the affinity with my current followers and their mentions. Nice algorithms cranking away under the hood somewhere. Not quite as personal as I would like to get a recommendation, but quite accurate so far.

After choosing to follow someone through MrTweet, I could have sent an automated message to the effect of "I saw you on MrTweet and look forward to your tweets..." I didn't use this feature since automated messages seems dull to me. If it does turn out that the person I followed says something I like, I'll just reply. Really, twitter is best when the tweets are real and have their own personality.

Mr. Tweet recommendations for week ending September 4, 2009

@Robert_deMaine to @MrTweet 'is a phenomenal cellist and 2nd most interesting man in the world after th...' http://bit.ly/2FYJK

@lady_southpaw to @MrTweet 'she interacts with her fans well. She is passionate about composing music p...' http://bit.ly/g2icm

@lizzwinstead to @MrTweet 'she has the most cutting wit that exposes the truth in the pure b.s. surroun...' http://bit.ly/47SBKD

@mattstevensloop to @MrTweet 'he is constantly experimenting with acoustic guitar and lets you see the p...' http://bit.ly/AIdHH

@amissvillemusic to @MrTweet 'they are friendly folk that deserve a listen. Meredith and Dave work very ...' http://bit.ly/n66M

@drpants to @MrTweet 'they sound good even on Ustream and have meaningful conversations on twitter. A g...' http://bit.ly/hqxQ9

@onbeer to @MrTweet 'I can drink vicariously through his tweets. He knows beer the hard way, 12 oz. at...' http://bit.ly/22cTzC

@ShellyKramer to @MrTweet 'she knows social media! Her tweets have meaning. And, she gets it right! ' http://bit.ly/64CQU

All the above being true about FollowFriday, there was just one single #FF entry this week that begged tweeting. It was prepared in the same thoughtful way as all my previous posts.

#ff EXTRA STYLE POINTS FOR THE PROFILE PIC @invisiblepilot, @dulcedementia, @madlyv, @akaMonty, @Philbrook, @kim,

Amy Speace can do no wrong

Ok, I'll admit my ignorance. I totally missed a feature about Amy Speace on NPR's website one day some months ago. I can remember the picture now but didn't give it a click. Oh well, late to the party as usual -- but at least I made it to the party.

If you don't know Amy's music, do yourself a favor and set aside some time to check it out. She's a gifted singer songwriter with a range of styles from folk to rock. All original. Besides her song writing ability, her voice is a formidable instrument. I'm listening to her current album "The Killer In Me" along side an older album "Fable". She's unafraid of taking creative leaps and push outside the norm.

My comments about the the title track "The Killer In Me" -- An honest and direct exploration of how we fixate on the imperfection of another and prevent love from flourishing. Love lies out of reach if we can't get past the flaws that are mirrored in another. Amy's low register vocal is anchored in that sad knowledge of how we conspire to undo love but breaks free at the bridge to light a hopeful candle. Revealing and true.

Don't wait to check her out. Currently on tour (and I'm wishing she would drop down to Oklahoma City).

Web: http://www.amyspeace.com

Last FM has all of her albums: http://www.last.fm/music/Amy+Speace

Her blog: http://innerspeace.blogspot.com/

Red Dirt Gypsy Love Themes

Beginning in July 2009, I have been writing an original series of folk rock acoustic guitar pieces with string bass & drums. Creatively and musically, I am having a lot of fun along the way.

Listen to the entire series:
http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/1831167
or from my page: www.ReverbNation.com/JonathanJones

Some notes on tempo and tuning if you are interested.

Theme 1 120 bpm standard tuning
Theme 2 130 bpm standard tuning
Theme 3 140 bpm standard tuning
Theme 4 140 bpm alternate tuning DADGBE
Theme 5 125 bpm modal D tuning, DADGAD
Theme 6 125 bpm modal G tuning, DGDGCD, capo 1
Theme 7 150 bpm modal G tuning, DGDGCD, capo 4
Theme 8 135 bpm modal G tuning, DGDGCD

And currently in development...
Theme 9 100/124 bpm modal G tuning, DGDGCD, capo 1

"Tupelo Bump" / New Music / Bannerville

Created: 06/12/2009 10:32 AM
Thank you for supporting my "rock and roll fantasy." A brief mid-June update. June 5 show at TupeloSuperStore -- great respon... [more]

Thank you for supporting my "rock and roll fantasy." A brief mid-June update.

June 5 show at TupeloSuperStore -- great response and lots of plays generated. Got the "Tupelo Bump" and saw my chart position improve to 6.

NEW MUSIC... My current compositions are going along like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Please leave a comment or send a message if you want to download anything not currently available.

Lite... http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/1542272
from the wellspring; Iris was a perfect pupil; fly by wire

Rock... http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/1542269
in need of a good scrubbing; the first scratch will kill you; aspire; Our Flag Is Still There

Bannerville 7 (and counting)... New spot at the bottom of my profile page. Thanks to the Leatherettes for the idea.

Finally, Twitter... Trying it. Fast, useful, and still free.
http://twitter.com/LinwoodStudios

Memorial Day Weekend - you play, I donate.

Results for MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND -- You play, I donate!

Created: 05/26/2009 7:03 AM

Thanks to everyone who came to my site and played a track or two. Didn't quite make the goal of 200 plays, but that's just fin... [more]

Thanks to everyone who came to my site and played a track or two. Didn't quite make the goal of 200 plays, but that's just fine. As promised, I will be making a $20 donation today and will spread it evenly across all the services. I might try this again over the Labor Day Weekend. -- Cheers, Jonathan

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND -- You play, I donate!
for DonorsChoose.Org Support Our Troops Children
For this weekend Friday May 22 through Monday, May 25, I will donate 10 cents per song played on my page at ReverbNation to the "Support Our Troops Children" fund raiser at DonorsChoose.org. The donation will be evenly split to fund public school projects for the children of U.S. service women and men. A great cause for Memorial Day.

The play counter is at 196 as of 6:00 AM Friday, May 22. Really want to add 200 plays to the counter (or more) by Monday and make a $20 donation. Even if we don't hit 200 plays, I will donate $20. My maximum donation will be $100 (1,000 plays -- in my dreams!). The results will be compiled as of Tuesday, May 26 at 6:00 AM.

It's easy to play. Just click "Play All". Also, you can invite others to play by e-mailing a link to my page.

http://www.reverbnation.com/jonathanjones

For more details about DonorsChoose.org, http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/leadershipboard.html?category=94

The classroom projects benefit public school students with parents in the military. Give what you can to help these students thrive in the classroom!

April recap

New items for April... Rock: "Aspire", "The Long Sweet Day", "Coming Apart"... Jazz / Experimental: "Fly By Wire" and "Jumpers"