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May 12, 2005
FEELING GROOVY!!

Ahh - the smell of Napalm in the morning. Well, in my case, the smell of freshly brewed coffee in the morning. Same thing - I make a strong brew!!! So here we are again, on a sunny Los Angeles morning. As I sit and reflect on the things I get involved in, I find myself feeling blessed. Feeling really lucky in my life. Things frustrate me, sure. Doheny without a record deal so far - drives me nuts. Camp Freddy's album STILL being recorded? Very annoying. BUt the reality is that if these are my problems today, then I am a lucky guy. I think back to my days being 'chemically indisposed' and living on the streets, and I realize that I couldn't have dreamt the story so far. Sometimes you have to sit back and get perspective on how things really are. I have an amazing wife that supports everything I do. I have two fantastic bands that enable me to play guitar most weeks. I get to do some fun stuff, like TV and video. I've been around the world and seen some wonderful places. And I have a bunch of people (you guys!) who support the things I do. The truth is that I haven't sold millions of records, and I am not on the cover of every magazine. But I love what I do, and I have people in my life that love me for who I am, not what I do. Thats pretty fucking amazing!!
OK - thats my 'heavy Thursday Morning' segment out of the way. What does today hold for me? Another Tiger installation (I did the laptop and it works fine. In fact its pretty cool - love the little widgets that hang around on the desktop, waiting to translate whatever you type into any language you want. For instance - Я вполне преследован с компьютерами!!) So I'll be installing that onto a couple more machines today. I will also be working on some music at home - a couple of projects that I have ideas for - we'll see what happens. And of course, the Maxim Hot 100 Party is tonight - always a great party.
After last weeks New York stuff, we headed out to Palm Springs for the usual dose of R+R - facials and massages were the order of the day. And after a day or so out there, it was back to LA to start work on next weeks Camp Freddy show - we are playing at a Sony Party (for the employees of the company, so no tickets available I am afraid). Went out last night to a friends birthday party and hung out with a couple of friends from VH-1 (respect to Claire and Brent - you both looked awesome!!). It was an 80's Prom party and ended up being a lot of fun.
Thats all I have for you this morning - tomorrow is show day for Doheny. The Henry Fonda Theater Charity show for Friends Of El Faro. I think we play at midnight. I know at least a couple of you are going, so have fun - we are working on a surprise for tomorrow night, but I'm not gonna tell you what it is in case it doesnt happen. Keep your fingers crossed!! I am off to get into the day - have a good one people, and I will be back at the weekend with a report of the show. Todays pics are from outside the Gibson Guitars building in New York. One is of me, trying not to look stressed with the last minute venue change. (Look carefully and see our manager in the background on the phone, doing all the stressing for us!!) And the other is of Sean, being a tourist, trying to figure out a street map of Manhattan. He was last seen outside a 7-11 in Harlem, asking directions to the nearest subway station!! Thank you all and see ya soon.
Peace
Billy
Posted by vivelerock at May 12, 2005 08:43 AM
Comments
Question for you about OSX-Tiger install. Does it install over top of everything you have? Or, does it wipe out the hard drive and you lose all files and applications?
Thinking about getting it, I'm still running Jaguar.
Thanks,
Karen
Posted by: Karen at May 12, 2005 08:57 AM
Have a great show, Billy!
Posted by: Cori at May 12, 2005 08:58 AM
Congrats to Jezzi on winning the ebay auction!
Posted by: Caffeinated Sue at May 12, 2005 10:29 AM
Love your perspective on your life now, Billy, it's so hard to actually know people these days that are so grateful, thanks for being an inspiration.
Have a beautiful, sunny day, and a great show!
Elsa
Posted by: Junebug at May 12, 2005 10:36 AM
Sean looking at the map, you trying not to look stressd and the managers attempting to sort out the venue, Was al that one of those spinal tap moments?
:)
Music is great but what I consider more important, you seem a really nice guy, I consider myself lucky for Lisa and I to be able to talk to you.
Posted by: ylais at May 12, 2005 12:41 PM
Just to make life confusing I made the last post, accidentally used Lisa's id.
Karen, Tiger should install over the top of everything else, we upgraded from Jaguar to Panther it left everything else intact. Dont know if we will bother with Tiger though.
Posted by: Dave C at May 12, 2005 12:49 PM
Loved your thoughts, Billy. It really doesn't get much better than what you described. We're all probably a little more blessed than we realize.
And I can't wait to hear my twinzor-girl Jezzi on the radio!! Give a shout-out to your Senorita Bonita!! *big hug*
Wish I was close enough to make the show. Hopefully someone will post pics.
~Bonita
Posted by: Bonita at May 12, 2005 01:17 PM
Hey Billy, enjoy the show at the Fonda, I would have loved to have been there. This unfortunately is the only weekend I am leaving the area....I'm off on a little road trip myself. St Louis followed by Kansas City for the weekend, going to 2 Green Day shows and meeting up with some friends. I'm determined to see you guys live soon, I dont have a lot of time though cos I head back to the UK in the middle of June.
Posted by: Donna at May 12, 2005 04:03 PM
*doing a happy dance* I went to see an apartment on Monday and found out today my application was accepted. I'm happy, it's on the 9th floor and has a balcony and a very nice view out over Millidgeville. Now just to hire some movers and pack... anyone wanna move me? ;) Once I get in I'll take a picture of my view and post it.
Posted by: tina at May 13, 2005 06:42 AM
woot!!! Yes, I won, due to the wonderful junebug, who called me with 3 minutes left to stir up my naturally competitive nature, think Monica on Friends...I am more than excited, and now all I want are DETAILS!!! When? Who? How?
oh well, Billy, I am SO looking forward to tonight!! I will be there with Wendita bonita!!, Wendybird to you guys. So, anyone reading this, I will be there in red hair, black glasses, red toenails, and a Marilyn bag to hold any contraband, lol! oh, and I imagine I will find a way to scream "I love you, Billy!" at an inopportune moment. Come and say hi, and join in the fall-dur-all
love
jezzi
Posted by: jezebel at May 13, 2005 08:55 AM
Billy, how does the new york subway compare to the London tube? Me, I normally love using the tube, don't have any problems with it ... until last night where I was forced to do some tube hopping between Camden Town, Euston and Charing Cross, missed my last train home, and ended up 'sleeping' in a carriage parked at Orpington until the next train home ... about 6am this morning. Was fucking cold too! Felt like the longest day of my life. Makes me want to stay away from London for a VERY long time lol.
Hmm, your napalm reference made me laugh. Maybe you should make your own coffee and call it something like "Morisson's Mochapolypse Now". :D
Posted by: Kim at May 13, 2005 08:57 AM
still pissed i could not make to the NY gig...glad to see the trip went well though. here's hoping everything works out for the best.
here's a question for you...from your point of view is it basically major label or bust for doheny? or would you settle for a large indie (so long as you thought they could put up the right $$ into promotion, etc,)? i know the thinking and difference between the two...occasionally you will see a large indie band do fairly well here and there. i've been heard horror stories from friends who have been with both types. from getting wads of $$ on day one to being ignored within months or being forced to join shit tours playing in front of nobody.
with majors though, it's like...if your not hitting at least gold, your fucked. and if it starts off slowly within the first few months, the push by the label completely shrivels up. then your dropped.
large indies on the other hand - they may believe in your music more and you have more control, etc., but at the end of the day don't have the $$ or the clout with radio. i used to intern at a decent sized radio station a few years back and used to argue with the program director all the time. he wouldn't even consider any new artist not on a major. and 95% of the stations, across the country, had the same way of thinking. no wonder why you hear the same shit all the goddamn time. satellite radio can't come soon enough!
kim, allow me to butt in - never been to the london tube but...i can tell you firsthand the nyc subways smells like shit, piss and puke which is magnified 100x when the unbearable heat and humidity set in during the summer. i'm sure like most other cities - you would be asking for trouble taking the subway late night. call me a puss but it's all about cabs after 10!
Posted by: bobbi O at May 13, 2005 10:36 AM
Billy,
Any feedback from the powers that be about the NYC showcase?
Thanks,
Jay
Posted by: Jay at May 13, 2005 04:34 PM
I had an awesome time tonight. will post a slide show in a few hours....
Posted by: Wendybird at May 14, 2005 02:15 AM
I did too!!! I love you guys more than ever, you were amazing, and the new song, how lucky I feel to be there the first time you played it live, the lyrics were touching, the guitars sublime, and, as always, that Jon surely can hold a note or two
And after meeting the lovely, gracious Jen, well, you are one lucky bloke, aren't you?
other highlight of my evening, almost knocking Andy Garcia off his feet, I didn't see him coming, lol
jezzi(more than words can say)
Posted by: jezebel at May 14, 2005 07:47 AM
