JPF Home Page Forums Mid North US Chapter Message Boards Indianapolis Chapter Message Board The Artist Thing

Here's something different. I just want to say hello to my fellow artists, songwriters, poets, oddball geniuses, etc. I am a serious singer-songwriter-poet-writer-graphic artist/multimedia artist. I've been doing this stuff a L-O-N-G-ass time, and can't say I have much of a "career," exactly, but I have got what I would call "momentum." I wrote what I consider my first good songs starting around 1971, at IU in Bloomington. I had an all-original rock band called CABALA, played around campus a bunch. After that I had a career in Indy circa 1973-77, singing jingles, studio session vocals, writing songs, playing in club bands, even did a bit of music-scene promotion and journalism. I had several songs published and recorded by Good Seed, Whole Wheat, and the Vanguards. It all seemed so promising, but [insert hard-luck story here]. I had a band in Chicago for a while ('78-'79), spent some time in Miami, came back to Indy in '81. Since then, lots of open stages to try out new tunes, some small-club dates here and there. Finally put out a CD in '98, and have a new one I'm remastering now. This is original, personal-pop/arty-light-rock. I've finished writing another 10-song cycle of piano songs (I ususally play guitar) that is very different, that I hope to record in the next year or so. AND, I'm doing a jazz-singer thing for live performing that's taking on a life of its own. Who'da thunk it, that a relatively old dude like me could get his act together and become a much better singer, actually good enough (at last) to be taken seriously. I have a weekly gig, Tuesdays at Brix in Zionsville, doing all standards, jazz tunes & ballads. And I'm planning to cut a "real jazz" CD with some top local talent some time this summer. I'm excited about it.
Other stuff: I have a line of tee-shirt art & message designs, and a new series of photographic art prints. I'm working on a play... Too much stuff! If I have a point, it's this: younger people tend to write off older people as uncool and outdated, and I say screw that. You can't apply that kind of prejudicial thinking to artists. If songs matter at all, mine matter. If poetry and emotional expression mean anything, my work has meaning. I encourage all artists and musicians and poets to look beyond the petty barriers between generations and age groups. We're all contemporaries, living on the planet at the same time. As long as we value what we do, and respect each other, we can have a beautiful scene here. Whether you've heard of me or not, respect me or not, think I'm cool or an irrelevant moron, I'm here, I'm energetic and focused, and unstoppable. The artist thing has a certain magic that transcends all the superficial crap. Ya know what I mean? Sure you do--you're artists!
See you around!

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I will always disappoint people who expect me to be ordinary.

[This message has been edited by dreamwalker (edited 05-04-2006).]

Hey Daniel,

Glad to see you're hanging in there, and still at it. Your lyrics always blew me away. I'm out of town most of the time these days, but if I can, I'll catch the act at Brix. Got an address, and/or directions?

Keep on Keepin' on!
(as us old farts used to say ...)

Emmitt (Jerry); Funny, I was just thinking about you, like, yesterday. I know I had a problem or two communicating to you what I was trying to do, a year or two back. Sorry about that. I was hoping to hook up with a jazz piano man or piano-bass-drums trio, so I could perform as a singer only, without guitar. That's still a possibility for the future, but lately I've been playing better, getting more confident on guitar. So I may just keep playing for myself and start a group around that, after all...

I hope things are going well for you. When you're back in town, look me up. Brix is in the old downtown, Zionsville, at 65 S. First Street. There's a little park with a gazebo, Lincoln Park, right across the street. I'm there Tuesdays, start at 6:30, usually done at 9:00, or 9:30 at the latest.

Ciao!

Hey Daniel

I have commitments tonight but....what is Brix...bar, cafe, etc???

Arminta and I will make it a point to get out and see you. There is going to be a fest in your town with the art center in August I believe.

Keep on keepin on

Mikel

BRIX is an upscale restaurant and wine bar in downtown Zionsville. They have wonderful food, superb wines and great home-made desserts. It occupies two adjacent, small storefronts, with a main dining room and a second dining room with the bar. The live music is usually in the bar, or may be out on the walkway for outdoor dining if weather permits. I perform on Tuesdays starting at 6:30, until 9:00 (or later, depending on the crowd). There is a duo that performs on Thursdays, but I'm not familiar with them. There may be other music as well on Wednesdays, I'm not sure. Fridays and Saturdays they're booked pretty solid and don't need music to draw customers. The owners are sisters Jeni and Shari Jenkins, both of them smart, personable and gorgeous, besides. Thanks for asking!

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I will always disappoint people who expect me to be ordinary.

ARminta and I will definitly make it a point to get out to see you!

Mikel

Due to a private party booked into Brix on Tuesday evening, my gig (May 23) was canceled. I hope I didn't disappoint anyone who might have tried to come see me play. For various reasons, quite a few of my Tuesday gigs at Brix this year have been canceled at the last minute. but going into the Summer, I expect to be performing outside on the patio most Tuesdays. THANKS