tag:jeffwilliamsmusix.com,2005:/blogs/that-this?p=3That & This2019-03-12T16:24:56-04:00Jeff Williamsfalsetag:jeffwilliamsmusix.com,2005:Post/51326422018-03-18T19:13:20-04:002019-03-12T16:24:56-04:00The Voice or American Idol?<p>It's that time again... music competition shows are back on television. The Voice and American Idol are the two I'll be focusing on, and I am slightly biased being a singer. Just being honest. The aspects of The Voice that I totally enjoy are that the coaches only get to hear the people they are choosing and that for the most part the content is fairly positive. Even if a contestant doesn't get chosen they're given feedback that will help them and are encouraged to return. The show on the whole in my opinion is uplifting.</p>
<p>American Idol is quite different. It seems as if the focus is on image and not so much on musical talent. It also seems that for whatever reason there is always an aspect of negative and demeaning content. By that I'm referring to the need for the show to have a certain amount of the audition segments be about the worst performers. With all that is happening in the world at this time do we really need more negativity? </p>
<p>I guess for me a show that gets its ratings because of talent of the performers is more suited to my liking. After all these are talent shows are they not? </p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.nbc.com/the-voice">https://www.nbc.com/the-voice</a> <a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://abc.go.com/shows/american-idol">http://abc.go.com/shows/american-idol</a> </p>Jeff Williamstag:jeffwilliamsmusix.com,2005:Post/51046312018-02-28T21:53:58-05:002019-09-26T08:10:05-04:00World Music Therapy Day<p>March 1st is World Music Therapy Day. Can music be used as therapy and to heal... yes it can. Music also unites, uplifts, educates, calms, gives hope and is the Universal Voice. Every culture on the planet has it's own unique musical expression and yet we can all identify with the feeling in a song. I'm posting this song again as my contribution as it has helped me on my own journey... Enjoy! <a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://musicheals.ca/wmtd">https://musicheals.ca/wmtd</a> <a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://musicheals.ca/mtamonth">https://musicheals.ca/mtamonth</a></p>3:31Jeff Williamstag:jeffwilliamsmusix.com,2005:Post/42940622016-07-25T15:48:55-04:002016-07-25T15:48:55-04:00In The Studio<iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="_xQxVqIX3as" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/_xQxVqIX3as/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_xQxVqIX3as?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>Jeff Williamstag:jeffwilliamsmusix.com,2005:Post/39619232015-12-13T10:17:51-05:002017-08-31T15:30:08-04:00Sunday Song Blog - After WordsHeylo... this is my first entry to my Sunday Song Blog. It's an original about a man who is absent from his life and a gentle kind spirit who gives him hope. It's called... After Words... Enjoy!<br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="Q-UZWdx2h1M" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/Q-UZWdx2h1M/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q-UZWdx2h1M?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="200" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>Jeff Williamstag:jeffwilliamsmusix.com,2005:Post/34253562014-12-21T19:53:18-05:002017-01-15T15:51:32-05:00Many Thanks!!!With Christmas upon us and the New Year in sight, I would like to say thank you! Thank you to all the people who frequent my gigs and purchase my music. Thank you to all the establishments and venues that hire me to perform. Thank you to all my fellow musicians and friends who generously offer their help. Most of all thank you to the universe for letting me connect through the amazing language that is music. My life would not be complete without it, Thanks!!!<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/87507/7cf142248e4a0677dd68819474132fe6e89a8ff5/original/100-4285.jpg?1419209575" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Jeff Williamstag:jeffwilliamsmusix.com,2005:Post/33235692014-11-24T12:53:50-05:002014-11-24T12:53:50-05:00American Music Awards... 5SOS... Taylor SwiftI didn't get to watch all of the AMA's but saw most of the show. My favorite pick for the evening was 5 Seconds of Summer. They all sang, they all played an instrument, they had the smallest light/pyro show and the least amount of stage props and they had the best performance of the night! Rock on dudes... or something like that. I also thought that Taylor Swift delivered a great acceptance speech for the Dick Clark award. In short she stated that musicians work very hard at their craft and their music is art and should be treated as such... enough said!Jeff Williamstag:jeffwilliamsmusix.com,2005:Post/33005072014-11-18T12:51:29-05:002014-11-18T12:51:29-05:00Christmas... Are You Ready!I can't believe how early stores and retailers start up their Christmas campaigns. That being said I have a new Christmas song on the way and if I am going to be honest I started work on it a while ago. It's in the mastering phase at this point and slated for release soon. Taking that into consideration I would have to say I've been planning since about mid October. So I guess I have to cut some slack for the people who start their shopping and put up their decorations ahead of time... I'm just as guilty as they are for starting the Christmas season early. Hope you enjoy the tune when it comes out!Jeff Williamstag:jeffwilliamsmusix.com,2005:Post/32740202014-11-09T18:38:06-05:002020-01-10T07:18:16-05:00Pete Townsend...WTF!The Who are back on tour next year! Apparently Pete Townsend has said that he hates The Who. I'm not sure if that's a ploy to sell tickets, but if it's true I feel they should put the whole thing to sleep. I don't see how you could possibly get your money's worth knowing that one of the band's founding members/guitarist/main songwriter just doesn't have his heart in it. Will this show in his performance or will he be able to fake it? If he's faking it will you want to be there? I have seen The Who a few times and have always enjoyed the show but I'm not sure if I'm interested anymore... I guess I sound a bit like Pete.Jeff Williamstag:jeffwilliamsmusix.com,2005:Post/32631892014-11-02T18:28:00-05:002014-11-02T18:28:00-05:00LMAO!!! Andrea Murray!!! Need I say more. As promised at the beginning of the year I am doing some new things with my songwriting. One thing I will be doing is exploring my comedic muse. I am thrilled to say that I will be collaborating with Barrie comedian Andrea Murray! So stay tuned as these projects will be made into videos as well as songs with Andrea in front of the camera. ( I think she agreed to that!?! ) Where will it go? I don't really know but knowing Andrea it could go anywhere. I seriously can't wait to start working with her because I will definitely LMAO!!! ( You will too, guaranteed. )Jeff Williamstag:jeffwilliamsmusix.com,2005:Post/32516982014-10-26T22:05:14-04:002017-01-15T15:51:32-05:00What is a Call of Duty?With the events on Parliament Hill this week Canadians were shown examples of individuals who have answered the Call of Duty. There are always times when we can all do something for others, but there are some in our society who do this on a daily basis. Women and men in the Armed Forces serve their country first and foremost. Firefighters run into burning buildings while others run out. Police and Security personnel run towards the perpetrators while we take cover. Paramedics, Nurses and Doctors deal with the sick and diseased. Our Social Workers look after the suffering and in need. We should hold these people in our highest admiration and offer them as much support as they do us. This I believe would be a Call of Duty that everyone can answer.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/87507/a525197872647ac5390f184e7b68feadfce39e93/original/images.jpeg?1414375436" class="size_l justify_center border_" /> Jeff Williamstag:jeffwilliamsmusix.com,2005:Post/32401712014-10-19T20:13:10-04:002017-01-15T15:51:32-05:00PassionWe all have passions. We all have the one or two things that we can turn to that put our lives right when things are rough. I am fortunate enough to have a few, music, canoeing and dogs. Music ( something I talk about frequently ) can instantly change my perspective and lift me back up. Canoeing and simply being active outdoors will always ground me. Dogs have an unconditional acceptance of us and being greeted by a wagging tail when you've been gone for an hour or even a minute is always comforting. I hope that everyone has a chance to follow or experience at least one of their passions. In this hyper accelerated world I believe our passions can help to bring some reality and meaning back into our lives.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/87507/20d45b280d28854f84ac7df3f21c3248aff52a29/original/1414239-orig.jpg?1381269549" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/87507/70658b5dd6ac529a5cdab6291eeec02833764354/original/100-4773.jpg?1413763661" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/87507/53e010fbf3447ee3cfe762b04e1eb781b1a8bbce/original/canoe-trip-algonquin-2012-114.jpg?1413763958" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Jeff Williamstag:jeffwilliamsmusix.com,2005:Post/29708352014-05-25T16:32:15-04:002014-05-25T16:32:15-04:00A Song With No Chorus?Well I'm doing it... yup a song with no chorus. Now most people will say that with no chorus there's nothing to bring the listener's attention back. I'm trying it anyway. Others will remind me of the saying "Don't bore us, get to the chorus!" Does this mean that in all of the songs ever written people only find the chorus interesting? I hope not. I think with a flowing melody and lyrics that aren't to detailed it can be done. Wish me luck and I'll let you know as soon as I road test it if it worked or not! You can also give me your opinion if you want.Jeff Williamstag:jeffwilliamsmusix.com,2005:Post/29398472014-05-11T19:39:28-04:002014-05-11T19:39:28-04:00Nashville!?!Ok, I have a guilty pleasure... I'm a big fan of the night time musical soap opera Nashville. The magic had been recently removed however when I watched a behind the scenes show where they talked to the actors and the songwriters. What was brought to light was that two of the shows main characters, Gunner and Scarlet ( who by the way have incredible southern accents ) are actually from the UK. I guess the thing that blew me away was they would sing with the southern accents and then they would talk with quite proper english ones. A bit of a double take happens the first time you hear it. The other thing that also came to light was that this is pretty much way that entertainment on the whole works. Are you able to play a part that is not necessarily exactly who you are. I often wonder that about myself?Jeff Williamstag:jeffwilliamsmusix.com,2005:Post/28707682014-04-14T20:10:34-04:002014-04-14T20:10:34-04:00Girly Tunes... Hell Yeah!Hey Folks,<br>Recently I have had two polar opposite reactions to some of the songs I play while gigging. For the most part I play original tunes being that I am a singer/songwriter. The balance of my songs are covers and of those I'd say that 25% are songs performed by women. At one gig I had a wait staff thank me and say that she has never seen a male singer performing so many women's songs. At another gig a guy in the audience say and I quote " You play too many Girly Tunes ". Honestly for me, music has no boundaries or restrictions. If I like a song I play it plain and simple. If a venue doesn't hire me because of that then I will find a place that will or I'll just play out in the street. End of story.Jeff Williamstag:jeffwilliamsmusix.com,2005:Post/27807622014-03-27T13:05:00-04:002017-01-15T15:51:32-05:00CBC SEARCHLIGHTFYI... my song Lucky Life is entered in the CBC SEARCHLIGHT competition if you want to give it a vote!<br>www.music.cbc.ca/#/artists/Jeff-Williams<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/87507/7a493eacfdd3ad47b73e1e15824b4c46328b4f1a/original/searchlight-badge-0302053351842.jpg?1395335009" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Jeff Williamstag:jeffwilliamsmusix.com,2005:Post/27569462014-03-16T22:16:24-04:002014-03-16T22:16:24-04:00 St. Patrick Cheers to everyone celebrating St. Patrick's Day! Here's a few "generally accepted" historical details that most people haven't heard of. St. Patrick was possibly born in Scotland or Wales. At the age of 16 he was captured by Irish pirates and was enslaved and held captive for six years. While in captivity he worked as a shepherd and this is when he developed spiritually. After escaping captivity Patrick returned home in his early twenties and studied Christianity with the desire to bring it back to Ireland. He returned to Ireland as a Christian missionary and was instrumental in the building of more than 300 churches and the baptizing of over 100,000 people. He once used the shamrock in a parable to describe the Holy Trinity and since then the shamrock and the colour green have been associated with St. Patrick. March 17th is believed to be his death date and is celebrated as his Feast Day. Although he was never formally canonized by a Pope, he is considered to be in the List of Saints.Jeff Williamstag:jeffwilliamsmusix.com,2005:Post/26743152014-03-02T17:46:08-05:002023-12-10T13:04:30-05:00Country & Western? You Tell Me FB!One of my new singles "Lucky Life" has sparked a debate amongst some of my FB friends. It seems that I have written a Country & Western song. Now I really think of myself as a Folk Rock artist but with all the genre crossovers who really knows anymore. I guess when I listen to it I can hear parts from a multitude of musical styles but does that really matter? When I write the first thing I try to do is say something... make the lyrics and the idea count. If I accomplish that then I work on a melody and go from there. I don't think I knowingly set out to make a certain sounding style but you tell me. The song is "Lucky Life"... Country & Western or something else?Jeff Williamstag:jeffwilliamsmusix.com,2005:Post/26305662014-02-23T09:58:58-05:002021-12-27T06:04:38-05:00Nice Olympics Canada!!!An excellent Sunday... later today I will be part of a Fight For Life Cancer Telethon ( very exciting ) and I just finished watching Canada win the Gold Medal in Men's Olympic Hockey! Along with the Gold for the Women's Hockey and all the other winners and participants I enjoyed this Winter Olympics very much. Canada was represented with integrity, class and grit... way to go Canada!!!Jeff Williamstag:jeffwilliamsmusix.com,2005:Post/25901532014-02-16T10:02:11-05:002014-02-16T10:02:11-05:00Out Of The Loop!Yes I've been out of the blog loop for a few weeks... my apologies! I've been wrestling a pesky cold bug but I think it's under control now. So here's a quick update on what's happening... I have lots of new gigs and some exciting new venues happening and will post them on the Shows Page as they become confirmed. I will also be joining a band as their vocalist... details TBA but as a taster it will be something quite different musically and I'm very excited! So have a great Family Day Weekend and thanks for the support!!!Jeff Williamstag:jeffwilliamsmusix.com,2005:Post/23100982013-12-31T12:19:20-05:002013-12-31T12:19:20-05:00Happy New Year!!!Here I am again, leaving this year behind and looking forward to the next. The lowest points of 2013 were saying goodbye to Rona and Fred, two amazing souls who were good dear friends. The high points, all equally exciting and in random order are as follows - reuniting with friends from the past - Wendy and Mike, Kim and Brian, Big Guy, Brian and Wendy, Katie, Nina and all of the new partners and friends connected with them - playing more gigs than I ever have and making new friends as a result - recording and releasing two songs that made it to radio, thankyou Wipper family for your help - and last but not least, looking forward to celebrating another New Years Day birthday with my family! Have a great New Year everyone!Jeff Williamstag:jeffwilliamsmusix.com,2005:Post/22863612013-12-25T08:31:55-05:002013-12-25T08:31:55-05:00Happy Holidays!Happy Holidays Everyone!!!Jeff Williamstag:jeffwilliamsmusix.com,2005:Post/22418702013-12-16T19:18:33-05:002013-12-16T19:18:33-05:00KINDNESSSo today my new single "A Lifetime of This" made it's radio debut on 97.7 The Beach in Wasaga. It got played between Norah Jones and Bruno Mars! Too cool! Thankyou 97.7 for kindly supporting local talent.<br>There are also some other people I would like to thank today for their kindness. The woman who stopped by my stalled vehicle this morning and offered me a ride to a warm place so I could use a phone. The Ivy Vet Office for letting me use their phone to call CAA to come tow my vehicle. The CAA team for very quickly coming to my aid. My mechanic in Barrie for working on my vehicle right away. My partners uncle who came to pick me up while my vehicle was being fixed.<br>There were many people today who out of the goodness of their hearts were kind to me. As a result my day was quite amazing regardless of the little snags. I hope everyone experiences this sort of kindess at some point in their lives!Jeff Williamstag:jeffwilliamsmusix.com,2005:Post/21927632013-12-08T18:53:29-05:002013-12-08T18:53:29-05:00On The Air Again!For the second time this year I am fortunate enough to have another one of my songs on the radio! Before I go further I must again thank David, Hazel and Karina Wipper and also John Boswell for their help. It is only with the assistance and encouragement from others that many of us can achieve our dreams. I also need to thank 97.7 The Beach in Wasaga for supporting local and emerging talent. They are the first radio station to pick up my new single "A Lifetime of This" and they were also the first to pick up my previous single "Lucky Life". <br>As this year ends and the New Year starts I will again be sending a massive amount of emails out to stations across Canada to see if they are interested in my new song. Being that I am independant this is the most productive way I know of to get it out there. (If anyone knows a better way and wants to share I'm all ears). When I first began playing around campfires for my family and friends I didn't even think of writing my own material let alone getting one of my tunes on the radio! I guess that truely believing in what I put out there helps to manifest a reality. Even though I'm just at the very begining of my musical career and I have much to learn, I encourage everyone with a passion or a dream to follow it. You never know what might happen!Jeff Williamstag:jeffwilliamsmusix.com,2005:Post/21473542013-12-02T19:36:10-05:002013-12-03T19:03:36-05:00More Than MusicWhile this blog will be used mostly to comment on my musical journey there will be times when I put that aside for a post or two. This is one of those times.<br>My brother-in-law Fred passed away four months ago and is survived by my sister and her three children. Fred was an amazing partner, father and also a very active citizen in the community of Oshawa. This was evident at his funeral when people had to wait outside the funeral home because it was filled to capacity. For me it became even more evident on Sunday night when the Oshawa Generals hockey team played a game in his honour and invited my sister and her children to do an honourary face off. After that they had a moment of silence and you could hear a pin drop in the arena. To a great family man and all around great person, rest in peace Fred. Jeff Williamstag:jeffwilliamsmusix.com,2005:Post/21265232013-11-27T23:11:24-05:002022-05-11T01:35:23-04:00Finished!!!Here it is my newest single... A Lifetime of This! I would like to thank my good friends David, Hazel and Karina Wipper for their massive amount of help and encouragement and also John Boswell for doing a guest vocal on the song. A Lifetime of This is a song that says in music why I do what I do. I hope you enjoy it!!!Jeff Williamstag:jeffwilliamsmusix.com,2005:Post/20981852013-11-22T15:19:59-05:002013-11-22T15:19:59-05:00Where To Start?<p>Hey everyone, my name is Jeff and my passion is music. This is a great month for me as I'm in the middle of recording a new single! I will be off to the studio tonight to do some work on it. Adding harmony vocals and doing some instrumental tweeks and the mix down. It's an excellent feeling to be able to create and then share with others. I can't wait to let everyone hear it!</p>Jeff Williams