I’m trying to learn (or relearn) one cover song each day this month. Here’s my homework for February, including some standard cover songs, 90s fun, and favorites from my dad’s record collection.
Spotify Playlist: http://open.spotify.com/user/thenbt/playlist/25OFv22CaqXEOdp6zobH9F
Spotify Playlist for Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/music/playlist/February-Cover-Songs/10150636220646014
1. Not Over You – Gavin Degraw
2. Cough Syrup – Young the Giant
3. Flagpole Sitta – Harvey Dangerfield
4. No Rain – Blind Melon
5. Dirty Rain – Ryan Adams
6. Buddy Holly – Weezer
7. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – U2
(Changed from Centerfold – J. Geils Band. Natalie and I have decided Centerfold is a terrible song. I felt creepy singing it.)
8. Jessie’s Girl – Rick Springfield
9. Solisbury Hill – Peter Gabriel
(Changed form Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Queen)
10. Hey Mama – Mat Kearney
11. Feelin’ Alright – Joe Cocker
12. Here I Go Again on My Own – Whitesnake
13. Everybody Hurts – R.E.M.
14. Hey There Delilah – Plain White T’s
15. I’ve Just Seen a Face – Beatles
16. Jack and Diane – John Mellencamp
17. Summer of 69 – Bryan Adams
18. Life By the Drop – Stevie Ray Vaughan
19. Living on a Prayer – Bon Jovi
20. Maggie May – Rod Stewart
21. Mexico – James Taylor
22. Tempted – Squeeze (Ari Hest version)
23. One Headlight – the Wallflowers
24. The Letter – the Box Tops
25. Powerful Stuff – Sean Hayes
26. Take the Money and Run – Steve Miller Band
27. Wagon Wheel – Old Crow Medicine Show (Bob Dylan lyrics)
28. Sub Homesick Blues – Bob Dylan
29. It’s the End of the World – R.E.M.
Today was the official release for my song, “Damn Fine Day.” All donations given for the song (which can be purchased at Bandcamp) are going to the Howell Opera House’s Restore the Glory campaign.
My goal is for the song to be downloaded 1000 times, and raise at least $1000 for the charity. All donations will be tripled by two generous donors on March 31st, so it’s really exciting to think how one song and the generousity of many can really make a strong impact on our little downtown we love.
Natalie wrote a great press release for the song campaign, which we emailed out today. Her family members and Lansing friends were the first to donate, and I thank them dearly for supporting this project.
I’m also pretty excited about the response so far through Facebook and Twitter! My friend Brian shared the link of the LivingstonPost’s artile about the campaign, and one of his friends mentioned that he heard me on Ann Delisi’s Essential Listening show on WDET this weekend. This little note really floored me, and it’s indeed a damn fine day for me.
Furthermore, I’m really proud of how well the song turned out. When I wrote it (with Natalie’s help!) last December, I knew I had a nice lyrical theme. David Mosher did an amazing job recording the track, and Marshall Block was very kind to find an hour to fit me in last Saturday for the mastering session. Plus, how about those gorgeous, backing harmonies by Hannah Fralick! She made that seem so easy in less than an hour at David’s studio
I’ve had a few people purchase some other music of mine through Bandcamp, and this is a wonderful bonus for me, specifically so I can use that money to donate to the campaign too (and offset some of the Paypal fees).
Thanks a lot of giving my little song a day of attention. The Opera House supports local music so much, and it feels great to give back to them.
Give a donation and get the song by clicking the picture!
Thursday, March 1 – The Pam Rossi Show
Live Radio Show Interview/Performance
Stream live at noon: udetroit.com
You can also attend the taping at:
uDetroit Cafe
1427 Randolph St. Detroit, MI
No cover, all ages
12 PM- 1 PM
Mike will be performing “Damn Fine Day” and discussing the Livingston County Arts Council’s “140 Day Challenge” to restore the Howell Opera House. (This was moved from Tuesday, Feb 28.)
Set List: Merchant Ale House in St. Catherines 1/29/2012
Set List: Merchant Ale House (Opening for Paul Federici)
Jan. 29, 2012
St. Catherines, ON, Canada
- Only the Rain Knows Why
- Ohio
- Empty Cup
- Damn Fine Day
- I Will (with Kirk Starkey on cello)
- 500 Miles
- Intelligent Fool
- Drift Away
- (Rant addressing cliche cover song requests, followed by an audience member screaming “Free Bird”!)
- Pumped Up Kicks
- I Just Want to Be Your Last
- Wonderwall (with Paul Federici, encore at the end of his set)
Paul & Mike playing Wonderwall as an encore.
Tristan, Paul Federici, Michael Chambers (moon:&:6 from Catherine North Studios)
I got home in time last night to submit my song to the ForSongSake.com songwriting competition. This month’s challenge was to write a song titled “Reach Back.” Here’s what I composed in January.
Reaching Back
I’ve got memories of faces I met
They’re all mixing together the older I get
I’m reaching back
I’m reaching back
I don’t remember you
I don’t remember you
I’m gripping sand,
Time keeps slipping and slipping through my hand
I’m reaching back
I’m reaching back
I don’t remember you
I don’t remember you
The smile you’ve worn
You seemed so happy to see me, but I’m torn
I’m reaching back
I’m reaching back
I don’t remember you
I don’t remember you
But don’t take it bad
But don’t take it bad
I don’t remember me, too
I don’t remember me, too
It’s too late for a rescue
It’s too late for a rescue
I don’t remember you
