Finishing Is Everything

UPDATED! April 25, 2010

Team Run On! Gets It Done! We finished the marathon relay! Big Cheers to Brenda, James, Lee, and Dawn for great individual runs. It was a beautiful spring day in Oklahoma City with sun and winds from the northwest (rather than the south) which made for a more enjoyable finish. I was glad to have the wind at my back running down Classen and Broadway. -- Jonathan

"00:00.00"

On April 25, 2010, less than 1 week away, Team Run On! will be running a marathon relay at the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. The 10th annual "run to remember" and fund-raising event.

Team Run On! celebrates life by running for the moment. As a relay team, we are accomplishing more than what we could currently do as individuals. Where in the past (and future) we may be concerned with setting personal records, this time it is much simpler: we are here for the moment. Our times may be relative, but finishing is everything.

CHEERS! to Team Run ON! and to all the participants in this year's OKC Marathon. I am proud to be running with you. Hope to see you all at the finish!

-- Jonathan

Available Sunday, April 18, 2010

"Finishing Is Everything" Free instrumental rock music for all runners. Bold music at 180 beats per minute intended for a final burst of speed at the finish.

"Finishing Is Everything" is available for download if you sign up for my rarely published e-mail newsletter. And, there are other free selections from the Run On Sentences collection available too. I am currently composing and testing running music.

Later this year, I will send an newsletter e-mail announcing that Run On Sentences is available for purchase through iTunes and other outlets. So grab the free music now and RUN ON!

Run On Sentences

Team Run On! shirt

Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon

Team Run On! Sampler
(arranged by beats per minute)

Linwood Studios, Oklahoma City

Music and Photographs, Copyright 2009, 2010.

Run On Sentences - The Resolution Suite

In December, 2009 the Run On Sentences collection of instrumental rock added a piece called "New Year's Resolution 2010." A short work that follows the sounds of a runner at dawn. Headphones in / go outside / zip jacket / birds chirp / feet start / focus on the landmark ahead / run.

After a good friend heard "New Year's Resolution 2010" and suggested that it be longer, I knew that I had to continue it. Resolutions are something of an extended process in real life and don't wrap up in three tidy minutes. Giving it some thought, the first piece was intended to inspire a runner to head out the door - to make that simple and weighty decision. What should come next? A crash course in "resolution" helped me further.


On January 1 (Mitch Park, Edmond, OK) I ran in my first cross-country 5K race and used the first "Resolution" piece as part of my playlist. The course was tremendously challenging with the ice & snow drifts. Resolution 5K Run / what gets you out the door (Part 2). Clearly I was not at my best in terms of conditioning. Midway through as I was high-stepping in snow drifts, the scene changed to survival mode. I would truly be glad to finish. This was a humbling moment for me since I still had long distant memories of when I had once run half-marathon distances. So far away from that now. To get back to that distance will take much work and risk of injury if I do not heed what my body is saying.

As I better see a resolution, it is the process of consistently doing the right things with the knowledge that success will come. Resolutions are impossible to maintain without persistent belief. The Resolution Suite (160 Beats Per Minute) explores four moments along the path:

THE RESOLUTION SUITE

decision / action / adversity / triumph

Available, Feb-6 at 6:00 AM CENTRAL
Join my mailing list and
download all 3 tracks
for free until Sunday Feb-7, 11:59 PM

I am returning to Mitch Park this Saturday, February 6 to run in the BALTO 5K race (paved track, rolling hills). To read more about the BALTO race and Victory Junction Camp, please see the official site.

Truly, not every run is great but being on the path certainly is.

Cheers,

Jonathan

The first shipment arrives at Shepherds Junior School

On Monday, January 18, 2010, the 1st shipment of instruments arrived in Arusha! Hearing the messages of gratitude from the children and Mama Lucy and seeing photos of the school assembly gave me a feeling of pure joy.

More photos are arriving and being assembled for a larger article. The article will cover the future plans for instruments, music, and opportunities for musicians and all to join and help Shepherds Junior succeed.

Many thanks to all for support and continued dedication to spread the word. The work of Tweetsgiving.Org is truly amazing and I strongly encourage you to read more about it. Epic Change is possible. Find ways to make charity an "open source" event where you can participate directly in helping others.

Shepherds Junior, it is now time to ROCK!

Cheers,
Jonathan

Shipment #1: Departing from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma via DHL.

Arrived at Shepherds Junior School! Arusha, Tanzania.

more to come!

Photos courtesy of Lucy Kamptoni, Shepherds Junior School. Arusha, Tanzania.

Guitar, Amplifier, Tambourine, Percussion instruments from the friends of Linwood Studios, Oklahoma City and the North Highlands Elementary School, Whiz Kids program.

Previous Posts about the project.

Resolution 5K Run / what gets you out the door (Part 2)

Resolution 5K Run - January 1, 2010
9:00 a.m. in Mitch Park, Edmond, OK
A cross-country 5,000 meter race sponsored by the Edmond Track Club (see Kent Douglas @ 405-570-1216 or KentAndBrenda@gmail.com)

It was a Happy and Butt-Kicking New Year's Day for all who braved the cold and icy conditions to run. The course at Mitch Park was well prepared and marked by Kent and Brenda Douglas. Given the 22F temperature at the start, the course was hard frozen in most spots. Snow drifts in the open fields and tree covered sections made for a challenging run. No injuries were reported for any of the racers.

A huge note of thanks to Kent and Brenda Douglas for their dedication and hard work that made the event possible. It was very important to have a run on January 1. Is there a better way for runners to start a year? Also, I am thankful to have talked one-on-one with two die-hard runners that day. Marianne and Richard were there bright and early to take on the course. Marianne won the race (her first cross country event - brave lady!) and Richard finished second. I trailed behind them in true Clydesdale fashion.

Looking back on it, the most demanding parts were the drifts. Like a tough football practice workout - the tire drill. Knees up, way up! Crunching through a crust of snow and ice and negotiating frozen foot tracks was a challenge to say the least. Imagine 150+ meters of tires with snow on top.

Also, I was privileged to play the Run On Sentences collection on the p.a. system at the race. If you live north of Mitch Park and wondered just what the ruckus was, you now know. Please see the highlight reel below for a summary of the race & music. If you want more information about my music, see the links section of my blog. The Run On Sentences collection is ever-expanding and incorporating a wide range of tempos and styles.


Speaking of resolutions...Part 2

What gets you out the door to run?

I hear many things: to feel strong, for self-confidence, as a form of meditation, a healthy habit, an endorphin rush, to feel better about oneself, to take the next step in training for a big event... Simply stated, runners NEED to run.

On a personal note, the happier times of my adult life are linked with running. I am not an athlete by nature but running has made me active and healthier mentally. Running music now helps to propel me too. Please see my Twitter list called "Listen With Your Feet" list for some inspiration, including Lady Southpaw, Hellasound, and Bold Pace Music to name a few.

I am always glad to discuss running and music or the pursuit of both. Leave a comment here on the blog or contact me whichever way you like (email: LinwoodStudios@gmail.com, twitter: @LinwoodStudios).

Cheers to a Happy, Healthy New Year of Running & Music

Jonathan

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