That is GREAT progress V-dog. You keep rockin it!

I say Kev you say Choice.

Just got an e-mail indicating that my budget may have doubled on the project I promised to do for an artist I met when I was in SF at the party. The month lockout at Malibu is now completely affordable. Meeting with lawyers next week or so to firm it all up, and am writing the business plan as we speak. 6 Acres a block from the beach, 5 bedrooms in a mansion, our own pool and basketball court - plus all the great music gear and rooms.

Too good to be true. So it probably is. Though I have no idea why this guy would be jerking me around.

So I'll go to the lawyer meetings in the City and see if we can't book a month lockout in Malibu. Still need a bass player and someone who can kill on drums. I want this to be rock - with rap and R&B on top - completely intergenerational. The writing is great.

More stress. But we can use some of the tracks on the Aspie CD - though not the hits, as they both have controversial lyrics.

Sure - I'll be working 16 to 18 hour days - but I'll get time to hit the beach (even if just to nap) and play a little half-court with my homies. I wonder if we can order a keg of malt liquour for the posse.

Just found the coolest studio built into an old movie thaeatre in the middle of nowhere way up north in CA. They are totally pro and have all the gear I need to do the Aspie CD as well as any new recording that needs to be done. I mean, I looked at the gear list that they e-mailed me last night, and everything I could have asked for was right there, including both Neve and SSL consoles, a decent mic list, and some really great vintage gear as well as toys that can be used quite creatively. It's a score.

It's all from a connection I made at AES in NYC.

This networking thing is so much more important than I ever realized. I really hate it - it's tiring and sometimes awkward - but I like the results.

Well, you have to admit that most of the advances in the world were probably collaborations from people who networked. There is certainly something to be said for NTism.

Did you meet with the lawyers? And if so how did it go?

No - Jamal has said he loved the plan, and promised he would set up a meeting with the lawyers, but has since been silent.

I can't do it for him - I don't even know the names of the investors.

Producing is often about handholding. It's not yet time to pressure him. It's time to go to Portland and celebrate Jason's b-day. I'll get back to him after I get back.

Same with Garrick. I found stuff on his website that gave me some insight into why he may not be moving forward.

I'll deal with him when I get back too.

I've got a jazz cat - guitarist - who can kick all their butts just waiting to come and record. I did some tracks with him back at Triad, and he hated the producer, as did I, so he remembered them well. But that could be friction - trying to bring in pro people to deal with novices. Might have to send them off on day trips while I work with this guy and then tell them it's their tracks when we're mixing.

It's really a hassle to be a producer. No wonder I ended up so stressed.

More autistic music: http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/disabled-musicians-make-band-flame/story?id=9184434

I am assured that budget is coming (I'll believe it when I see it) for Jamal's project, and he has given me permission to switch to the studio I prefer, so I will be visiting there when I get back from PDX.

The autistic including band seems to be affiliated in some way with the National Arts and Disability Center - NADC. We might be able to collaborate with them and get some budget for the Aspie project there - and they are located in upstate NY.

I'm looking into all of this.

It's all good for us. If we can tie into NADC, we're good. If I can build a working relationship with the studio I have chosen for Jamal, we are in a better position to work with them on our project.

Gone 'til Sun - Making the loudest, most rockingest music ever. -G

(Might check in from PDX)

The Aspie project is not forgotten. I have subscribed to several IRS e-mail threads, and the paperwork side has changed quite a bit - much more than expected - with the new year. Some helpful, some not so much.

Also, my travel schedule and other educational/networking projects have taken their toll.

All of this paperwork is necessary in order to accept grants in order to make the project happen.

Did I mention that I am terrible at paperwork unless I am sitting in an office with secretaries, printers, xerox machines, and postal meters?

I'll worry more about it when I get back from L.A.

I'm thinking of being less ambitious in order to make product. I have met so many great musicians lately that we might just want to ignore the original tracks and re-make Aspie music. So much less licensing hassles.

It's still alive - it's just sleeping.

Just tell Max when and where to show up. I am convinced you would appreciate and "get" his music. Expecially his one song called "Billy the Alien Boy" great song with a great story to it! It rocks.