Changing The World Through Music

Quite Some Time Later...

2008-11-18T03:57:00.000-08:00

So much for posting again soon! LOL! I find it's very difficult to keep up a blog with all the other projects and obligations I have! But I am going to try and post at least a couple times a year with general updates! Although I do provide short updates on my website (see "News"), I'd like to elaborate more here. I also want to post some of my thoughts on music in general, and how music and sound shapes our environment and ourselves! But for now, here's some updates regarding my musical projects:

Again, my current CD, "Where Dreams Begin," which was released in December of 2007, is available at Amazon and CDBaby.com, and downloads are now available from all the popular download sites! Please visit: www.wheredreamsbegin.net for all the details and song samples!

I am also working on a holiday CD, which will be available in November of 2009. This is a project I have always wanted to do! It features my own unique versions of traditional Christmas songs, as well as a couple of originals! Some of these songs will be quite different from what you're used to hearing! I've been working on this project for over a year already, and have been having a lot of fun with it!

I have also been working on "production library" music, suitable for film and television placement, as well as other multimedia projects and live theatre. I already have a few pieces from "Dreams" available for licensing through www.productiontrax.com and will be adding more material in 2009. If you're interested, just go to that site and search "Brockton James."

Also, on a related note, earlier in the year, I signed a production library deal for a version of "The Star Spangled Banner" I recorded a couple of years ago. It's an instrumental featuring an alto sax lead with an orchestra accompaniment. It's a darker, more poignant version that what is normally heard. If you're interested in hearing it for possible licensing consideration, please email me and I'll send a sample and provide the necessary details.

Earlier this summer I finally got my MySpace music page all set up! It had been sitting dormant for a while, but since MySpace is a great promotional tool for musicians I decided I better knuckle down and get it done! LOL! My personal page has been active for quite some time, although I did perform some recent updates. If you have a page, be sure to add me as a friend! (I am currently setting up a page on Facebook as well...)

In other projects, the Melodrama (which I described previously in the post titled, "Perils in Pair O' Dice Aplenty") continues to be staged each April, and seems to get bigger and better each year! I continue to write/arrange some of the music, and do the sound-design. The show is always a success and is a great fundraiser for our local Gold Nugget museums and the Paradise Performing Arts Center.

As far as non-musical projects go, I continue to work in website design, and am still involved with rental real estate. Although the RE market is very depressed, I am optimistic that within the next 5 years or so, things will bounce back! Same goes for the stock market... With current economic conditions, just remember to think positive--I know it's not easy, but every negative thought that you can replace with a positive, no matter how small, is a step in the right direction!

Well, in a nutshell, that covers all the major highlights of the last year and a half or so... I wish you well, and will post again as soon as I can!

Peace and Harmony--B

PS: Please remember to support the arts in your community!

New CD: "Where Dreams Begin" Released!

2007-12-15T05:11:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! My newest CD, "Where Dreams Begin," is finally completed and was released on December 6, 2007! It is available at Amazon.com and CDBaby.com, and downloads will soon be available from all the popular download sites! [UPDATE: They are available now!] Please visit: www.wheredreamsbegin.net for all the details and song samples!

This CD spans several years and represents many hundreds of hours of work! If you enjoy the works of Yanni, John Tesh, Andreas Vollenweider, etc., I'm sure you'll enjoy this as well!

Thanks for your interest in my music! All the best--B

Summer Update

2006-07-23T23:53:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update! It's been a busy Spring and Summer! What has kept me busy for the most part, is the website business. I recently developed a site for a new newspaper in the Sacramento CA area (American River Messenger), and I'm currently developing a site for a custom guitar builder. It's always fun when I can help someone develop a website in a business sector that I'm familiar with!

I'm also busy doing some rearranging in my recording studio. Trying to create more working space and a comfortable environment! So, I've been a bit delayed with regard to working on my music, but I plan to resume production within the next week or so. At this point, I'll have to again revise the time period when I expect to release my next CD, to next Spring. (Hopefully sooner, but we'll see...)

Hope you all have a good Summer and I'll write again soon... B.

2006 Projects

2006-02-05T23:56:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone's year is off to a great start--hard to believe we're in February already!

I thought I would take this opportunity to update everyone on some of the projects I am currently working on, and have planned for this year.

I have been working diligently on my next CD, "The Place Where Dreams Begin." I hope to have it finished by summertime, and released in the fall. As the title suggests, the music is rather surreal, and... well, dreamlike! Some of the material though, does have a bit of a harder edge. Overall, I think you'll like it. I will certainly add a few of the songs to the playlist on my Internet radio station before the CD is released! It will be available on Amazon and Backstage Commerce.

[UPDATE: "Where Dreams Begin" was released in December of 2007. Please visit www.wheredreamsbegin.net for details!]

Warning: Technical stuff--For those of you who are musicians/recording artists, I currently do a lot of production work on "Reason." (Recently upgraded to ver 3.) It's really a great sampler/sequencing production suite, and I highly recommend it! It's a lot of fun too! :-) For those who are interested, my main audio application is MOTU Digital Performer 4.6, and I utilize T-Racks 24 for mastering. Of course, I have a ton of outboard gear as well, but I mainly wanted to mention and recommend Reason! (End of tech stuff.)

Regarding the local melodrama that I've discussed before, the show is in the works, however, like I said last year, I will not be serving as musical director. (I'm definately retired from that kind of position--I just can't commit the six weeks or so of time to focus solely on it!) However, I will be co-writing/arranging material for the show, which is also a substantial time committment, but not nearly that of a directorial position. As I've said before, this is a great community event. The performances this year are April 21, 22 and 23. Again you can find further info and links in the photo gallery section of my website.

Later this year, I will resume work on a CD (working title: Wisdom) for a 2007 release. I have quite a bit of material recorded for it, however, I still have an enormous amount of production work left! I would also like to record some Holiday material, but I may not be able to work that in this year! We'll see...

Finally, I continue to teach music, and I promise to post an article on music education as soon as I can!

In non-music projects, I still design and maintain websites through the company I co-own, The Site Barn, and I am still involved with real estate. I currently co-own two rental houses and we have another on the market. My partners and I will likely purchase another place sometime this year, and although I'm not sure about spending an entire summer remodeling a house (like last year), some paint, landscaping and other minor tasks are certainly doable!

That's it for now! Boy, I'm worn out just looking at the stuff I'm doing! Lol!

Peace and Harmony --B.

Internet Radio Station on the Air!

2005-12-08T02:00:00.000-08:00

I have a special announcement regarding something I've been wanting to do for quite some time--set up an Internet radio station featuring my music! Well, it's done, and as of December 8, 2005, the station is live! It features a sampling of some of my music, and I have a special meditation/relaxation show that airs 3 times a day. (Just check the station schedule for times.)

You can access the station directly at: www.live365.com/stations/brocktonjames
It's available 24 hours a day, and is free to listen to, although Live365 does offer premium memberships for those who are interested in additional listening features. All commonly used players are supported--iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc.

Enjoy, and as always I appreciate your comments!

A Busy Summer and Fall!

2005-12-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

My sincere apologies for not posting in a while! But aside from music, I am involved in real estate investing, and was involved in remodeling a two-story house over the summer and into the fall! Quite a lot of work--I lived and breathed painting, landscaping, installing baseboards, plumbing, more painting, etc., etc. Like I said, a ton of hard work, but I did learn a lot too. (I now know just enough about house construction to be dangerous!!) Anyway, the house turned out beautifully, and is back on the market.

Just wanted to give an update--again, I'm sorry for not posting in "ages!"

(P.S. As I write this, it's actually the end of December, but I'm posting it with an earlier date, so it will fall into chronological order with my activities! Lol!)

"Perils" Over and Out!

2005-05-09T01:00:00.000-07:00

Well, the aforementioned melodrama is over, and I've been working the last couple of weeks getting caught up with "stuff!" LOL!

I'd like to thank everyone involved with the production, and especially those of you who came to the show--I hope you enjoyed yourself! I'd also like to thank those for their kind comments regarding the music and band. Quite often, the music in a play (unless it's considered a musical) takes a "back seat" to everything else. I'm not concerned about myself so much as I am about the other musicians I assembled for the production, who didn't really receive all the credit they deserved! With respect to everyone who has taken part in the past, this year's band was certainly one of the best! So I would like to again thank Tom Baker (guitar), Susan Condit (violin and mandolin), Mike Coronado (bass), Scott A. Mackenzie (drums) and Gretchen Warren (piano). You can see a nice photo of the band in the photo gallery section of my site: www.brocktonjames.com. I'd also like to thank our audio engineer, Jeff Condit for all his hard work!

Again, my hat's off to the entire cast and crew for another job well done!

My next post will be on the intended subject of this blog, so please stay tuned... B.

"Perils in Pair O' Dice Aplenty"

2005-04-01T03:16:00.000-08:00

I've been enormously busy over the last couple of months working on a musical melodrama which is part of an annual celebration we have here in Paradise called, "Gold Nugget Days." (You can read more about it in the photo gallery section of my site: www.brocktonjames.com)

In a nutshell, though, the production features an original script written by my friends, Len Fulton and Richard Lauson. The three of us sometimes collaborate on composing the music for the show, or Richard or Len may have a musical idea in mind, then I do the arranging, etc. I also do the sound-design (prerecorded sound effects and music) for the show.

The show has become quite a popular event! In fact, this will be the 5th year we've staged the melodrama, and for the second time, I am serving as the musical director. (Len and Richard are the directors.) The show features many prominent townsfolk from government, police, and other professions. Everyone always does a great job, and are good sports--poking fun at themselves, area politics, and generally being a bit zany!

So... needless to say, as musical director, I've been busy forming a house band, working with the vocalists, and doing some final arrangement tweaks with the music. We will start full band/vocal rehearsals shortly. Like I said, it's a lot of work--very time-consuming on everyone's part! Personally, I'm barely able to keep up with my other business commitments, but I'm managing! In the end though, everyone always has a good time, the show turns out great, and the Gold Nugget Museum, and the Paradise Performing Arts Center have a few extra $$ in their coffers!

For future shows, I am happy to be involved from the music composing aspect, but this will likely be my last turn as a musical director for any theatrical production. As I said, I have many other business and music-related obligations that need my attention, so come this summer, I really need to refocus myself!

But for now, this year's production is shaping up to be one of the best yet. If you're in the Paradise (California) area, please come to the show--I'd be thrilled to meet you! The performances are: April 22 and 23 at 7:00PM and April 24 at 2:00PM. Tickets are on sale now at the Paradise Performing Arts Center (see link from my photo gallery at www.brocktonjames.com) or call the museum at: (530) 872-8722.

I'll post again after the show!

Peace and harmony--B

Hello and Welcome!

2005-02-24T02:52:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm jumping on the proverbial "bandwagon" by creating this blog, to be added to the vast sea of blogs which have infilltrated the web in recent years!

You can learn more about me, by visiting my website, www.brocktonjames.com but briefly, as the title suggests, I am a composer and recording artist simply doing my part for the betterment of world society, by producing quality, positive, uplifting music (mainly instrumental). Not coincidentally, I'm also interested in the study of the affects of music and sound on the human condition. I will discuss this further at a later time...

I am currently a member of the International Society of Music Educators, and a writer affiliate of Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI).

Presently, I have a couple of CDs available on Amazon and backstagecommerce.com (complete product links are on my site under "Music"). They are for relaxation and meditation. I am presently working on a couple more CDs, one of which, should be completed this year! The music is of a contemporary classical/"new age" genre, much in the vein of Yanni and John Tesh. I'll be sure to keep you posted of the progress!
[UPDATE: "Where Dreams Begin" was released in December of 2007. Please visit www.wheredreamsbegin.net for details!]

Again, thanks for checking in--I welcome all comments!

Peace--B.