I’m just learning about OpenSong - a free, open-source software application developed to manage lyrics, chords, lead sheets, overheads, computer projection, and more. Looks like youth groups, bible studies and church meeting groups could use this software. Maybe even for Upward Hill stage shows…
Churches like CovChap and COR and Olathe Bible of course use other commercial (read: expensive) programs. Here’s hoping the power of Open Source can pave the way for easier and less expensive ministry.
My friend Glenn Kelley tested this application in 2 churches in NJ, and says the software stood up to its claims at both locations. “…It doesn’t have every bell and whistle - (but) it does kick some major beef!” he says.
So, go check it out - and leave your comments here on the blog.
+++ leo 037 +++
Michael Wetherwax from Trax By Wax wrote me. The History Channel will feature his music score on a Star Trek special this week. Read on:
“Paramount/CBS called me last week in a bind. They needed the music for the upcoming 90 minute 40th anniversary special: ‘Star Trek: Beyond the Final Frontier’ to be done in 4 days…!
“Thump (sound of hitting the floor)…..They dug into the vault from the 60’s (Alexander Courage) and 80’s (Jerry Goldsmith) and got me the ORIGINAL SCORES! With the little time I had to find what I could , I wrote down the rest and with very little sleep, and (…) I made the deadline for its flight to NY by 1 hour! ”
Here’s the airtimes (but check www.history.com to be sure…)
STAR TREK BEYOND THE FINAL FRONTIER:
Monday, February 19 09:00 PM
Tuesday, February 20 01:00 AM
Saturday, February 24 08:00 PM
Sunday, February 25 12:00 AM
Wax and I played in pop bands together years ago - before he moved to LA in ‘84 with his $50K Fairlight synthesizer to write scores for films. Here’s some embarassing pics from the ’80s…
+++ leo 037 +++
I have been listening to the UH tracks that we recorded last week and am excited to see how we will arrive at the final version. Some of these songs have been recorded a few different times, so it is interesting to see how they have evolved (can I use that word in Kansas?) over the 2+ years of their existence. It will be great to hear Bud’s keyboard parts with what we have already. I can already sense that this will be a great “package” of songs. Gotta run…
***steveb***
I was just thinking about my very first drumset…
It was a black CB700 that was definitely “beginner” but was like gold to me. I got it on Christmas Day during fifth grade. I had been playing for a couple of years and I was so excited about having my own set of skins. It was a five piece and had only a hi-hat for cymbals. I hijacked a ride cymbal from my elementary school and converted my music stand into a cymbal stand. The funny thing about the set was that its construction was suspect. Drums have separate rims and heads so that you can replace the head when it wears out. Not so on my CB700. The head and rim were fused…and not very strong. I grew up listening to the harder stuff and quickly found out that my CB700 could not take the brunt of my tenacious pounding. I broke some drumheads fairly quickly and was terrified to tell my parents. I tried to superglue, epoxy and tape the heads at different points in time, but finally had to go to Mom and Dad to let them know I had “broken” my set. They were fairly understanding but had to instruct me to play with less force (so that I would not break as many heads and so I would not tick off the neighbors as much).
I had that set up until 9th grade. Some of the fills I use with Upward Hill were created on that CB700, and for that I am grateful to that little, suspect, broken drum set. Thanks Mom and Dad.
*** steveb ***
I’m part-time on the staff of this huge church where I design and administer web pages. I also develop and support projects that use digital communication tools - like blogs, web pages, and email - to evangelize. BUT! one of my occasional (and both frustrating and rewarding) roles is “Computer Support”, which is in essence training people how to use software and hardware. Right now I am training Art, COR’s new programmer/support resource who lives in the Phillipines, on how to use TYPO3, the completely free linux/php/apache Content Management System that COR’s staff uses to maintain their 1700+ page web site. I helped COR select and deploy TYPO3.
In any case, this 2001 video (in Danish and Norwegian) pokes fun at post-moderns and newbie computer users (hey, aren’t we all - this internet stuff is only like 100 months old!!) by imagining a technical problem from 500 years ago.
Enjoy!! (thanks to my good buddy Glenn Kelley at ChurchMedic)
+++ leo 037 +++
If you like classic keyboard gear, check out this rare 1970’s Sharma - a Hammond Organ Clone with Leslie Clone. My good friend David Kennedy brought them from England a couple of years back - but didn’t have a way to test or use ‘em since they require European voltage to operate. I would like to find a buyer for $$ for his family - but no luck so far. I’d have to ship them back to England I guess.
David was around in the early days of Covenant Chapel (where DaveP and SteveB are on the staff) helping run the sound for the worship band. Dave died last year of a brain tumor - and I miss him badly. He collected cool vintage keyboards - here are 2 of Dave’s Farfisa Mini-Compact Combo organs from 1978 - they’re in my basement sitting on my 1982 Chroma, and you might just hear any of these on stage with Upward Hill sometime.
Interesting, huh. And, *I’* haven’t even heard the Sharma yet…
+++ leo 037 +++
I’m sitting in this Panera Bread - just finished talking to an officer of one of the companies I consult for (strategy, marketing, and technical writing). It’s an interesting company - right on the verge of national exposure with some cool security technology. He’d just expressed some concerns, mostly his frustrations with communication between people in the company. “They’re territorial,” he said, “and each one works in his own little Silo.” (Meaning, they are apprehensive about how their position might be compromised if someone else sees they made a mistake. So they move slowly, with caution, and stick tightly to their small little area of expertise.)
I asked him, “Are You Happy?” His answer (in essence; I’m not quoting) was “It’s the *Journey* I like, not necessarily the destination [$$; fame; etc.] The *Adventure*. There’s a hundred things I’d be interested in doing, but I’m most happy sharing an adventure with guys I like, I respect, and who aren’t afraid to push me as hard as I push them to get where I know we all want to go.”
I smiled. After all, I’m in Upward Hill. And that could have been my answer to “Why Do You Make Music?” 
+++ leo 037 +++
It was a good two-day recording session for Dave, Matt and me in Abilene. Matt and I had to take off on Saturday night, but it was a lot of fun laying down some beats and jammin’ with the boys. We were blessed to have Kevin leading us through the sessions and lending his insight to what we were trying to accomplish. Thanks Kevin, you have a couple more friends now:).
It has been a long time since I laughed as hard as I did last night when listening to “FYRE” with Matt. That track was so fun to record. And Dave’s “you you you” that changed key busted my gut. To all you who haven’t heard the songs…just wait…they are fun.
Until next tizzle,
Steve
We had a great drive down from KC to TX. Watched 9 Episodes of “24″ and even stopped at Walmart to get some airsoft guns so we could be more like Jack. The Glass Jar studio is sweet. Kevin’s recordin studio room is bigger than Matt’s whole apartment.
We tracked all the bass and drum tracks for our songs on Friday and started practicing for some live recordings of some unique new songs. Get ready. Kansas is not ready yet. So get ready.
We ended last night with an all out air soft match which left some nice marks. Jack will be proud.
= DaveP =
Welcome to Upward Hill’s Blog. This is our first post - - more band news to come when Dave, Steve, and Matt return from Glass Jar Studio in Abilene, Texas, next week.
