Should Be Famous

The first of what I hope to be several simpler episodes put out on a weekly basis.

I recorded this version of Yankee Doodle for a potential film placement and it needed a gloomy or haunting version of a patriotic folk song. Hope you enjoy. Also similar recording of O Suzanna!

Susan Easton Black is the thought of the day. I recently finished listening to her recorded lectures–two college semesters worth–on the topic of Church history, meaning the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Was a very good experience for me as was my actual taking of one of her classes in person back at BYU. She does all her lectures without notes, very engaging, avid speed reader since her youth. Susan Easton Black should be famous. She’s a prolific author if you’re interested, so look her up.

I guess you’d say this podcast was recorded in the spirit of the Sabbath.

On this 10-year anniversary of one of the most horrific events in modern memory, I thought I’d offer, for anyone who might care to hear, a song I wrote about it.

I happened to be living in NY at the time and so got a strong taste of the whole thing, the smell of destruction and of smoke, the grey dusty war-zone feel of the streets near ground zero after the tragedy, the general feeling of soberness in the city, and yet the great strength and sense of community that occurred.

This song was written on a piano at NYU in a building that had overlooked the twin towers, and is a reflection of my own feelings.

Just saying hi and playing you something I did recently–an arrangement of Amazing Grace on guitar. It was for a church music night kind of thing. Singing with me is Aubrey Nielsen and Kimberly Barlow is on violin. Enjoy.–Clayton

This is a video podcast too–video is below.

Yea, that’s me, broadcasting from the great outdoors, or the outdoors anyway. They’re great just about wherever you are, really. I play you a ditty I did for a commercial (which, again, wasn’t picked, but is GOOD), talk about songs and tempos, Einstein and gravity/acceleration, and. . .

THE COVER CHALLENGE: Suggest a song you’d like to hear me cover for the next podcast. You know, cover as in sing a song that was written by a different artist. Leave your suggestion in the comments/Leave a Reply section below (shouldbefamous.com). I’ll pick one. Bring it on!!

This is a video podcast too–video is below.

Well greetings, podcast listeners. Tell me, why is nobody commenting and yet so many are downloading? You can’t possibly agree with me so perfectly on everything I say. Am I not provocative enough, in a good way, I mean?

In any case, I still love you and thank you for listening. And I invite your comments. The place to do that, of course, is shouldbefamous.com.

This (in-between) episode features a little ditty written by my sister Kyrstyn. Brilliant little thing she probably came up with one day when she was messing around, I’m sure. Also a couple other things, plus a thought or two on gravity, acceleration, and magnetism.

Peace.

–Clayton

Heard of a guy who records a running podcast–while running. Never thought I’d actually do something similar!

Well I’m still alive, as you can see. Talk a little about the Mormon Potluck Podcast, TheMitchCast, creative outlets, a hymn I’m arranging called “Prayer is the Soul’s Sincere Desire”, a song I wrote called “I Try”, and the equivalence theory of gravity and acceleration. Soak it all in, and enjoy!

Thanks for your recent feedback, by the way, we’ll get to that!

Very possibly our most controversial and divisive podcast yet, we explore what to some (if there are any others like me) is beautiful and cool and to others may be absolutely hideous garbage: music played backwards and/or sped up just for the fun of it.

I specifically request your opinion on this one, so please leave a comment! And don’t just respond if you agree with me! My wife will be your friend if you don’t. (I will too, I promise.)

No, I’m not mad. I’m talking about the celtic-american-folk family group. I spoke with Dad Marco and one of the three daughters, Liz. Very interesting family and they’ve done some great things musically. And they’re actually pretty good about getting their music out there (unlike some people I know). Listen to this stuff. If you like, go to www.fiddle-sticks.com. They’re also on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby, and Deseret Book.At the very end that’s me imitating a song of theirs on piano.

R Ahrens, currently a family man and an attorney living in New Jersey, had a band in college called the Ahrens Band. As it turns out, he’s the brother of my wife’s former missionary companion, so I feel we’re pretty close. Seriously, we’ve enjoyed his CD for many years and I regard him as a great songwriter. And very funny. See if you hear what I hear.