Sure, you could say Tino loves music. If you’re trying to win the “understatement of the year” contest, you could say that.

“He’s no quitter.”

Boy oh boy, is THAT putting it mildly.

Because Tino’s efforts in the cutthroat music world were almost legendary. First, he got fed up with traditional gatekeepers who rejected his work. Next, he got sick of “all the fairness” as he called it. And, finally, he took matters into his own hands.

He thought to himself, “Hey, why not use the power of the internet? It seems to be workin’ pretty well for some of those YouTubers and Instagramers.”

So, he set up an independent music publishing label entirely online. He found an affordable hosting company, DreamHost, where he could serve up a user-friendly website. But he didn’t make it all about him and his music.

Tino decided to make his platform a place where hard-working artists could upload their music and communicate directly with their fans. Plus, for a little extra, they could even manage their merchandise sales without the enormous fees that come with traditional labels.

He understood you gotta make money or else it’s just a hobby. So, Tino set up a subscription-based model. For a small monthly fee, fans could subscribe to get exclusive access to new releases, behind-the-scenes content, and live-streamed studio sessions.

And that move helped to provid a steady income for the artists. Plus, it helped them build a loyal fanbase willing to support their favorite musicians directly. Without label gatekeepers.

Here’s another understatement of the year contender.

Tino was an idea guy.

Because he used social media channels and digital marketing strategies to promote his artists. He knew how to create compelling content to showcase their unique stories. And built an even stronger connection with their fans and potential fans. And he made sure email marketing was a BIG part of the whole fan connection process.

Should I share more of Tino’s world-beating story?

How about I just tell you that he made great use of:

Tino (and the other artists) loved how it didn’t feel like their pockets were being picked by promoters, publishers, and recording studios and labels anymore.

And fans loved the much more direct connection they could make with their favorite singers and bands. In just a few years, Tino carved what looked like a permanent niche for himself in the music world.

He found that, with the right tools and strategies, artists could indeed beat the music world at its own game.

Wow, his story reminds me of the 8th song on my Do Right collection. Beat The World. In fact, check out these lyrics (that Tino didn’t write).

~ Every time you turn your back

And then, there’s this verse:

~ Yeah…every time you make your mark

Get the rest of the lyrics, and all the lyrics to ALL the songs when you get your own Do Right Songbook Journal.

You’ll also get lots of pages where you can journal, take notes in church, or just doodle if you prefer. AND you can download ALL the songs (at no extra charge) from a secret (not secret) link in the book.

Just go to the Rhyme and Reason Bookshop and get yours today.

https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/rhyme-and-reason-bookshop

Let me know if you have any problems getting the book. I’ll make sure you get it!

Stay tuned,

The post Understatement of the year is maybe right here appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

I can hardly believe it’s already been almost 4 years. But the calendar doesn’t lie. And the metadata in the documents I saved doesn’t either. Yeah, almost 4 years since I produced rough cuts to several new songs. And I have a couple of main reasons why I call them “rough cuts.” One of those songs is called “I Can Do.” And, yes, it’s one of the many songs I’ve written where I swim upstream against current trends. But so be it.

And, no, I don’t get some sort of surreptitious pleasure from going against the grain. In fact, I wish my worldview and songwriting style were more the norm. But that ain’t gonna happen. So I know those opportunities I passed up on, back in the day, for recording deals, are the only ones I’ll ever have.

But I know the One who created me, AND made sure I can live forever, is much more pleased with my choice. And He said the world hated Him before it ever hated me. So, I’m in the best of company.

Anyway…

Back to those songs. There are seven of them. So far. And I have a deep and abiding desire to produce them from rough cuts to smooth. But, to my constant consternation, for six years, respiratory issues have kept me from accomplishing that goal. And my wife and I have moved to two entirely different parts of the country to hopefully help alleviate those issues.

Right now I’m gaining some cautious optimism that maybe I’m making some progress (Your prayers are desired and appreciated). And I hope I can do some recording, soon, and make some tracks. Sadly I’ve had that hope dashed against the rocks a few times in the past six years. But the thing about real hope is, it springs eternal.

So, that being said, here’s a snippet of lyrics from a little song in B flat called…

Outside the lines the grass is greener.

I know the morning sun will shine,

I can do…what I need to. I know it’s so, so I can do!

The rest is reserved for when I fully produce this song and the others. Until then, you can dive into lots of my other songs, AND all kinds of books, when you click or tap this link:

(https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B008R08LUG/allbooks)

Stay tuned,

The post I Can Do. And in B flat, too appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

I hope you haven’t fallen into the SNAP trap. Because it’s obviously difficult to impossible to escape. And just imagine the horror you’d face without the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Brought to you by your most benevolent and trustworthy government.

I’m glad you asked. That WAS you, right? Anyway. First, it’s made to sound like a program that cares about your health. After all, the word “nutrition” is right in the full name. Second, they want it to sound like it’s just to help those who just need a little boost. After all, the word “supplemental” is right in the full name. And you can supplement something if there’s not something already there to supplement. Can I get an “Amen?!”

Third, they want it to sound like they want to HELP you. After all, the word “assistance” is right there in the full name. But, lurking below the surface of that idea, is their belief that you can’t help yourself, those of you who fall into (or jump into) the SNAP trap.

This subject showed up on my radar because it was a trending topic on Twitter today. And as I scrolled down through just the first 6 to 12 comments, I noticed how almost nobody recognizes the trap.

The first quote included a picture of the inside of a refrigerator. I’ll take her word for it. But my guess is she snapped the picture on her smartphone. And last time I looked, those are kinda pricey. Minor details, Tony.

The second quote says republicans (and they probably forgot to include democrats) who sabotage government “freebies” are extortionists.

I agree. But not for the reason that person would attempt to justify. They ARE cruel. But that’s because SNAP shouldn’t exist. It’s cruel to provide food to able-bodied people who don’t work for it. Because it shows them you don’t expect much from them. And you don’t believe they can succeed without you.

The fourth quote is like the first one. Another shot inside a refrigerator. And probably snapped on a pricey smartphone. And it highlights how many people prefer to emphasize their “single mom” or single dad status. So, of course, they need a nanny. Because who wants to get married and deal with all those headaches? Especially when the most affordable nanny is Uncle Sam.

Finally, the fifth quote would be laughable if it weren’t so utterly stupid. In the first place, it’s highly likely that most “MAGA Republicans” don’t have an issue with abortion. So, they certainly won’t (even if they could) force birth on someone. Secondly, if the tax system was fair and just, you’d never need a government program’s “assistance.” And one HUGE way to make the tax system more fair and just would be to eliminate government schools. Because that would eliminate the evil property taxes that ensure you’ll never again own a home in America.

Because these programs can only exist when the government steals from those who produce and work hard and gives some of what it steals to those who don’t. Key word: “some.” Politicians skim, in one way or another, from ALL the government programs. So, they’re not likely to be motivated to end them. Ever!

So, people like you and me, who sell and resell stuff to provide food and shelter and transportation, are pushed to produce and work harder and smarter. On the one hand that’s good. Because that’s how you increase sales and profits. On the other hand, those increased sales and profits are too attractive to the greed-filled powers that be. And, so the downward cycle continues.

The solution isn’t to “make your vote count.” If you truly wanna do that, don’t waste your precious vote on either socialist candidate you’ll discover on the next ballot. Instead, seek wisdom from God. Ask for His help to tell others about the importance of knowing what happens when you die. Yeah, lay up treasures in Heaven. Where no politician or corrupt and tyrannical government will ever be able to steal them or give them to someone else.

Speaking of working and selling, I’ve been sharing links to one of my collections of songs for kids this week. It’s called Kiddin’ Around. Unless your kid is totally bonkers, he or she (and those are the only two choices) will get a kick out of ’em. So, get the lyric book and all ten songs in one download at this weird-looking link:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=L6MAH2QKHU5J8

Or you can get the physical coloring and drawing songbook version with the link to the songs inside at this weird-looking link:

(https://www.amazon.com/Kiddin-Around-Tony-Funderburk/dp/B08BV18T5J)

Help make SNAP stand for Support Native American Producers.

Stay tuned,

The post SNAP trap and why we shouldn’t clap appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

Hey, you might not know it. But I’m a podcasting host. And the podcast is zooming up on 700 episodes. But, to most of the listening (and non-listening) world, I’m still a ghost. Yeah, I know it’s hard to believe that your ol’ palsy walsy, Tony might not be a household name all around the world. But it’s true.

Because I just got an email from Spotify, one of my The Power of God’s Love Podcast syndicators. And if you listen to podcasts (or other content) on Spotify, you can help me out. If you don’t listen to my podcast on Spotify, you can skip this email. And if you don’t listen to Rhyme And Reason at all…what in the world is wrong with you?!

Here’s the info they sent me, and I’ll follow it up with how you can help…

“We’re excited to unveil some big improvements to Spotify’s podcast charts experience, which will benefit podcasters in a number of ways. Starting today, charts will have their own website, where listeners can directly search, discover, follow, and share. We’re also introducing the Top Episodes chart, which looks beyond a show’s overall listeners and instead focuses on consumption at the episode level.

Finally, we’ve optimized the methodology for our existing Top Podcasts chart to more quickly react to what’s trending and number of followers. We also want you to be able to celebrate your success””which is why we’re excited to unveil a revamped podcast-charts experience that’s better in every way: more chances for up-and-coming creators and established creators to make it onto a chart…”

OK, what it all boils down to is this. If you listen to the The Power of God’s Love Podcast on Spotify, share the link with all your friends, family, acquaintances, anyone who owes you a political favor, you name it.

If somebody subscribes to my channel on Spotify because you shared the link, I’ll send you a link to some free music. This music has a monetary value far beyond mere earthly measurements. And it’ll be yours just for sharing the link to Rhyme and Reason on Spotify

(by the way…if you listen on just about any other syndicator, you can share, too. HERE)

Sound like a deal?

(and thanks)

Stay tuned,

Get my Rhyme & Reason Podcast delivered (free) right to your device.

My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

Grab yourself an un-cool T-shirt

Or how about some music for kids

The post Podcasting host doesn’t wanna be a ghost appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

For as long as I can remember, Autumn has been my favorite time of year. And I know I’ve mentioned that before. But this morning a particular Autumn day popped into my head. And I could practically smell the multi-colored, crunchy leaves as I thought about it. Have you ever noticed how much your sense of smell connects with memories?  

I read a research article that said your sense of smell is connected to your memory, more than the four other senses mostly because of anatomy. Evidently, when scents enter your nose, the first thing they contact is the olfactory bulb up in your nasal cavity. Hmm…side note. Maybe that’s why when you remember something or come up with a good idea you say a “bulb goes off.” Or maybe not.

Anyway…

Your olfactory bulb takes in the neural stimulus and sends it to the brain. And it has a direct connection to your brain’s limbic system which includes the amygdala (which I’ve talked about before). And your limbic system is where a lot your memories and emotions are controlled.

The research a article mistakenly said your olfactory system is “evolutionarily important.” Of course, that’s silly and sad on the surface. But even more importantly it isn’t scientific. Because science shows how complex your brain systems are. And time and chance could never bring about such complexity.

No, it makes so much more sense to say you and your complex systems were designed. And then it makes perfect sense to say a living, loving, Creator gave you a sense of smell, connected to memories, because He knew you’d enjoy that.

As I thought about that crisp, cool day, all those years ago, I remembered it was the weekend. And I had a day off from college and from work. So, I was able to spend the whole day with a girlfriend.

We took a picnic to a well-known park, there in Manhattan, Kansas. And there was enough cool breeze to blow the leaves off the trees. But not for us to freeze.

And I can still hear and smell the rustling sounds as we walked across the park, through the leaves. And the scents from the Big Blue River, nearby, wafted through the air. The sky was clear and bright blue.

The whole scene played right into the hands of my imagination. And I’m pretty sure I could look back through my journals and find something I wrote about it. But maybe I’ll share that another time.

For now, I’ll just wish a day like that for you, today. Or any day you need it to be.

Memories collect through all our senses

Stay tuned,

Get my Rhyme & Reason Podcast delivered (free) right to your player.

My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

Grab yourself a cool tee

Or how about some music for kids

The post Sense of smell as I remember so well appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

Stay tuned,

Get my Rhyme & Reason Podcast delivered (free) right to your player.

My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

Grab yourself a cool tee

Or how about some music for kids

The post Technology changes and life rearranges appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

Short answer. Me. But before I go any further let me explain how I don’t mean songs JUST for attention. I’m talking about songs with an ulterior motive. And, in my case, that motive included breaking down a woman’s resistance. No, not the way you’re thinking. Get your mind out of there.  

Way back in 1985 I met a beautiful girl. And a bolt of lightning struck my amygdala and cerebellum like never before. Some might call it love at first sight. But it wasn’t that sugar-coated, namby, pamby silly lovestruck moment you see in dorky movies. Far from it. In fact, I didn’t even attempt to pursue her at that time. Because, as it turned out, she was married. And I already had a girlfriend.

And this striking woman lived and worked in an establishment, in Florida, where my band and I were booked for a month. So, any thoughts of a relationship were doomed from the start.

Then, almost a year later in April of 1986, I was booked back in that establishment as a solo entertainer. And I was booked as the “house act” for the top floor, snazzy jazzy, club overlooking the bay. So, that meant I’d be there for awhile. And on my very first night to perform, there she was. Working in that top floor club full time.

NO!

The dream girl was still married to another. But at least I could see her and talk with her on my breaks. And as my time there continued we got to know each other a little better. And that’s how I discovered what an amazing woman she truly was. Because I could see she was doing her part to be true blue to a husband who was anything but. And that’s a story all its own.

As it turned out, I decided to go another way in my musical career. And I ended my “house gig” after only three months. That’s when my brother and I went on the road, full time, for a couple of years. And I left the dream girl behind. But…

Every once in a while I’d send her a card or note from the road. And I’d mail it in care of where she worked. Once in a while I’d be somewhere long enough to get mail in return. So, I’d write and ask her to write me. Purely as friends. And she only wrote me a few times in two years. And each time was a polite letter saying I shouldn’t write her anymore.

So, it was definitely time to throw in the towel and add it up to experience. Right? But I didn’t have one of my own towels handy, and I didn’t wanna steal one from a hotel. So, I didn’t throw in the towel quite yet. I kept sending a card or note every once in a while.

After a couple of years on the road, with my brother, I decided I wanted to come in for a landing. And I moved to Lakewood, Colorado with just my savings and dreams of making my stand in the Rockies.

I sent a few more cards and notes to the dream girl. But quite a bit of time passed with no replies.

So, I decided it was time to move on and maybe even find another “dream girl” in Colorado.

But then, one day in the Spring of 1989, I found an envelope in my mailbox from the girl in Florida. And she told me how she’d spent the previous months filing for, paying for, and getting a divorce. She said how there had been no marriage for a couple of years. And that she was finally over trying to make it work with a totally unfaithful man. And she said if I was still interested, she’d like me to call.

Ha! Not really. I said, “Yes, I’d like that very much.” So, I called, and we talked for a long time. And that was when long distance calls were still awfully expensive. So, even though we started calling each other more than we could afford, I decided to get even more serious about letter writing.

And that’s when she began to get letters in her mailbox literally every day. Well, except for Sunday. But every other day. And many times, I’d send two, three, and four letters on the same day. Because I knew the beautiful girl would be wooed by guys right there where she lived. And I needed some sort of advantage.

That’s when I started writing, recording, and sending her songs. I knew other guys would have location advantage. But I was counting on my songs to get her attention. And I wrote her a bunch of songs…including one for her name.

As it turned out, my secret song weapon helped me win the day. And she asked me to visit her. I did. Then, she visited me. And then a knot was tied in a couple of hearts that is still strong over 31 years later.

So. There’s are some lessons in there for you single guys. I’m not gonna point ’em out. It’s up to you to find ’em and use ’em. But I will say this. If you’re a musician, and you decide to woo a woman with letters and songs for attention, make them be about true love. Not sappy. And certainly not with the selfish motive of sex. Instead, tell her things like…

I feel lonely…do you think about me?

I like your style…oh yeah

I really like your style…oh yeah

I hear you say…just how you missed me today

repeat chorus…

Anything I hear you say…

© 1989 Tony Funderburk

Stay tuned,

Get my Rhyme & Reason Podcast delivered (free) right to your player.

My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

Grab yourself a cool tee

Or how about some music for kids

The post Songs for attention – not just honorable mention appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

It’s not the same thing to everyone. For example, farmers need a lot of physically demanding hard work and dedication to grow food. And there are guys who somehow manage to wrestle steel, glass, and concrete into skyscrapers. But it’s not just the guys. There are plenty of women doing amazing work every day. And let’s not forget the nose-to-the-grindstone musicians. (*sound effect: needle scratching across a vinyl record)  

I know it sounds like crazy talk. But musicians who truly want to make a living with their gift and skills, work hard. Maybe not the same physically demanding type of work as other jobs and professions. But it takes a lot of work and sacrifice to be able to sing well and compose and produce music. Stop shaking your head. It does. I know. Because I put in way more than the 10,000 hours they talk about in motivation seminars.

But before you dump musicians into one box, let me share a little bit about the other work I’ve done.

At the tender age of 12 I took on two paper routes in Pasadena, Texas. And I delivered the Houston Chronicle…which was not a small paper. Each day, after school, my papers were delivered to my Dad’s house. And I’d roll ’em up, put ’em in the rack on the back of my bike, and deliver ’em before supper. Plus, the giant Sunday paper had to go out early each Sunday morning.

When I was 13, I was hired to tend to a family’s farm and livestock while they went on vacation for a month. That same summer I learned to drive a tractor equipped with a hay rake. All day long for days. In the hot Kansas summer sun. With no shade, except for the trees at the edge of the field when it was lunch time.

At 14 I started hauling hay for 12 to 18 hours a day…again, in that hot Kansas summer sun. Bucking bales onto the back of a flatbed truck. And then taking them to barns to be stacked inside. Two cents a bale. After two or three summers of that, I spent one more summer laying sod. Sweaty, dirty work.

And in high school I had after-school jobs that included sacking and stocking groceries, baling recyclables at Sears, and even helping fellow students with their homework.

After graduation, I worked at a lumber yard for a couple of years. Loading lumber, driving the lumber trucks and forklift, and carrying large loads of sheetrock, by hand, into new construction homes. But it certainly helped pump me up. Because I was able to even carry a 94 pound bag of cement on each shoulder from the trucks to the site.

Wait. I’m gettin’ to that. After almost 5 years in Kansas I returned to Houston because my Dad was diagnosed with “terminal kidney failure.” And I wanted to spend time with him. He lived another 9 years after the diagnosis, so I got to know him better. When I first got there, I got a job as a trim carpenter. It was learn-as-you-go. And I gotta tell you. Hand nailing base, casing, shelving, crown moulding, and more…in the heat and humidity Houston can throw at you…ain’t no picnic.

Each night, after work, my brother and I would work on learning and playing some popular songs. And eventually we started doing auditions around the city. So, carpentry by day. And music auditions in the evenings. We even entered talent shows and gong shows. For some reason those were popular back then.

And we were great. So great, in fact, that in one competition we lost out to a guy who could balance a lawnmower on his chin. And in another show, we lost out to a less-than-manly guy who disco danced on roller skates.

Finally, after tons of auditions, we landed a “sweet gig” in a very popular night spot on the West side of Houston. We were the happy hour duo. So, we got to play steadily for five nights a week. Every week. For a whole year. And from that nice venue, we were able to have other venue owners come see us instead of doing all those auditions. That got us some nice ongoing circuits. And were off to the races after that.

Because of all our hard work and dedication we were able to play music around a lot of America. And then I had some awesome traveling years as a solo performer, too.

And I remember, more than once actually, a guy…typically a drunk guy…telling me (in those colorful ways drunks tell you) that I had it made.

Then I’d get the story of his personal hell. Followed by, “Yeah, must be nice. Work 4 hours a night. Sleep all day. Hang out by the pool.  Get all the girls you want. Yeah, you musicians wouldn’t know real work if it bit you in the…”

Or some rant like that.

Well, of course that’s the way it is. Because songs just magically fall into our brains. And we get hired right away since we already know every song that’s worth knowing. No rehearsals, scales, or vocal training required.

You know. Now, that I think about it…I almost feel guilty for having such an easy life.

Almost…

Stay tuned,

My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

Grab some Merch

Or how about some music for kids

The post Hard work and dedication and a silly altercation appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

Spoiler, and short answer…no. Apparently a lot of people use that search phase, can music change your mood, on Google. Because Google serves up a lot of results for the question. But it’s really simple. Music cannot truly change your mood. And I’m not just saying this to start an argument, by the way.  

Moods are choices.

“Oh brother, Tony. You just really don’t care about people and their feelings, do you?”

Well…yes and no. Because I know you can choose your attitude. And you’re not gonna tell me you don’t know how to control yourself, are you? I hope you realize how much control over yourself is available to you. You’re not AI. And you’re not a robot, android, or some other form of automaton. You’re a designed human being. With a lot of potential for intelligence and discernment.

So, you should be able to choose a good attitude even if you have no access to your electronic devices filled with music.

Now, I wouldn’t go so far as to say music plays no part in emotions. Far from it. Of course, music can make a ton of difference in your day. But only if you let it. Right? Because when you’re determined to be ticked off about something, do you really think Mr. Rock Star or Miss Pop Star are gonna turn it all around for you?

And if you think they can, I have to wonder what you’re smoking.

For example, maybe what I’m saying strikes a wrong chord with you. So what. That just means you disagree. And you can play your personal top forty over and over again, and I doubt it’ll change your mind. And that’s OK. You can be wrong and get through life.

Choose joy and life and love

Well, you could lose your soul

So sing those kinds of songs

© 2020 Tony Funderburk

Stay tuned,

My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

Grab some Merch

Or how about some music for kids

The post Can music change your mood? Maybe, with the right attitude. appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

You can’t actually catch the moon. You might catch it or capture it in a photograph or video. But you might have noticed, in TV shows and other videos…the moon is big. And mighty far away. Oh yeah, it’s also not falling or being tossed. So you can’t catch it. All that being said, I wrote a song called “Catch The Moon”. Here it is…  

See the ball of light

Feel the cool night air

Catch The Moon”repeat twice

(Bridge/Chorus…Repeat Chorus)

Music fills the skies

© 2019 Tony Funderburk

This song is part of a collection of new songs I’ve been composing for more than just “fun.” So, be sure to check back regularly. Because there’ll be more soon. And, my hope and goal is to keep adding to this list until I’m unable to remember what a keyboard or a computer are. With any luck…or better yet, blessings from above…that’s a long way off.

Stay tuned,

My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

Grab some Merch

Or how about some music for kids

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Don’t forget to tip your RhymeTender on the way out.

The post Catch the Moon from your hot air balloon appeared first on Tony Funderburk.