Million by Doxter S Starts Spin September 5, 2017

Million by Doxter S starts spin 9/5/2017.  Doxter S gets spins on independent radio stations all over the world. This is the most recent opportunity for fans to hear this upbeat but defiant song performed by a remarkable female vocalist in Los Angeles, California:

• You say you can’t live your life without me
• You think that love will bring you ecstasy
• You tell me you will be faithful to me
• For a Million Years.
• I see your eyes always gazing around
• For some new sweet thing that you think you’ve found
• But your selection by nature was bound
• By a Million Years
• I don’t believe I can hold you above
• I’m not that person that you’re speaking of
• But if you wait for me I’ll be your love
• In a Million Years

Anna Redding
CEO and President – AReddQueen Public Relations and Photography LLC

Anna Redding got started in Music Entertainment in 2010 as a Radio show Co Host/Host. She then became a PR and Music Manager for a group and later an artist manager. She is manages a Multi-Talented artist by the name of Blake whose vast vocal range can transition from a smooth baritone to a flawless falsetto. He not only singers, but can play different musical instruments. She also is the Host and Producer of two different radio programs: The Metamorphosis Radio Show for Independent Local, National, and International Artists so their music can be heard not only by the general Public, but National Recording artists friend’s and AReddQueen Radio a fast growing radio show dedicated to Local, National and International Licensed Recording artists as well as teaming up with the African American Music Association based out of Cleveland, Ohio on some events.

They have stated that that they would play this song starting 09/05/2017

Dreams: Images in Motion with a Musical Soundtrack

Dreams are visual, fantastic, and filled with emotional portent.  Dreams are images in motion. My dreams also contain dialogue and a musical soundtrack. The music in my dreams is always original. Waking from a dream with a tune in my head is an opportunity to write a new song. Sometimes the dream also contains a visual context for that song.  A dream is where I got the inspiration for my original song entitled “Dr. Dreamy“. This is the song that was in my head:

• I woke up from a dream last night, a vision in my head.
• A woman’s face I could not place, I lay awake in bed.
• Her hair was gold, her eyes were brown, her lips were cherry red.
• And on her face there was a smile, as she lay in my bed.
• I know, everything’s going to turn out alright, just trying to believe.
• You know, I will be waiting for you. You are the Girl of My Dreams.
• She whispered something in my ear. At least I think she spoke.
• Her words too soft for me to hear, and that’s when I awoke.
• I could not sleep another wink, I lay awake in bed.
• I tried to see her lovely face, remember what she said.
• I know, everything’s going to turn out alright, just trying to believe.
• You know, I will be waiting for you. You are the Girl of My Dreams.

Why do people dream, and where do dreams originate? I have my own theories, and there are a lot of investigators trying to answer this query. Our brains operate like computers, using electrical impulses and chemical transmitters. An important compound found naturally in our brain is DMT (Dimethyltryptamine). Learn more about DMT by following this link.

 

 

Songs You Can(‘t) Sing to Your Children

(A compilation of Love Songs by Doxter S that are more appropriate for Clyde’s than Gymboree): These love songs may not be appropriate for children. I don’t use explicit lyrics. Listen to “Squeeze” all the way through and you will get the idea. The hook (also the punch-line) is in the third verse. I find when I perform “Squeeze” the women in the audience get it during the second verse. The men don’t get it until the third verse.

I got my inspiration for “Squeeze” from my wife. You men reading this won’t get my point until the third sentence. She and I practice oral hygiene differently. I follow the directions, so I’m always good to the very last drop. We share a lot of things but toothpaste isn’t one of them. I wrote “Squeeze” thinking  that a casual (or drunk) listener might just get the wrong idea what the song was about.

The cover art for “Squeeze” is inoffensive. “Ribeye“, on the other hand, is more risqué. This country-bluegrass love song was inspired by a full-figured woman at the dog park. She was speaking to her husband on her mobile phone. Her face lit up with a big smile when she proposed “Let’s Have Ribeye Tonight”. I couldn’t help thinking she was planning a romantic evening with him. My inspiration for the song was implanted and I went home to start composing music and writing lyrics. “Ribeye”  makes the point without explicit lyrics.

I needed an idea for a album including all my songs with these more adult themes (this album includes “Hair of the Dog” and “Mister ED”):  “Songs You Can(‘)t Sing to Your Children” (A compilation of Love Songs by Doxter S that are more appropriate for Clyde’s than Gymboree).

 

Dogs and Cats Living Together Dangerously

(Why can’t we all just get along together?)

Doxter S is a equal opportunity songwriter: I include references to pets in a lot of my songs. The behavior of Dogs and cats is better than some human companions. However, referring to one’s significant other in an animalistic way can be very descriptive. Before I wrote “Hair of the Dog” and “Dogged”, I created a song originally in French – “Tourmenter Chat” (Tormenting Cat). I produced this song in both English and French versions. Most of you reading this may not appreciate the French version as much, but I get a lot of comments on the Cover Art.

Dogs and Cats Living Together Dangerously. Why can’t we all just get along together? I like to group my songs according to themes. I feel it’s OK to keep songs about dogs in the same group as songs about cats.  Dogs are man’s best friend, personality-wise, and I would’t mind being treated like one. I like getting a belly rub now and then. Dogs Have Owners and Cats Have Staff. I think that sums up the personalty difference.

The woman singing Tourmenter Chat is addressing her significant other. She compares him to a Tomcat. He is always up to something. You just can’t trust this cat. He better watch out for his tail.

Getting the French version recorded was difficult because I don’t live in France. I found an American singer who specializes in French Cabaret music to record the tracks. My recording engineer is French. They spent hours rewriting the lyrics because the French always criticize Americans when we speak their language.

Tourmenter Chat is really a love song, singing about the importance of having trust in one another. Listening to both versions will help you with your French.

 

 

 

Build a Comfortable Environment for Creative Music

Find a comfortable place where you can cultivate your Imagination

I find many places to relax and contemplate new ideas for my music. The more comfortable the environment, the more creative I can be. I can let my imagination take my music somewhere new and different. I have a sunny room overlooking the garden dedicated to reading and music. Also, there is an extensive library and a wonderful baby-grand piano in ivory that lifts my spirit.

I started out as a piano player. However, I find singing is easier while playing guitar. Because both can be expressive, I often record tracks for each while working on a new composition. This music room is quiet, out of the way, and ideal for strumming and playing arpeggios on the keyboard. I will go back and forth between instruments as I work on the lyrics, rhythm, and chord progressions.

There is a separate studio for recording my singing, additional guitar tracks, and for mixing and mastering. I’ll include more of that with an upcoming post. However, I would rather by here by the piano. File transfers between my desktop and laptop help me to continue the creative process. I write down the music and lyrics using 2 separate programs – MuseScore and SongBook.

I complete the composition going back and forth between instruments and notation programs, and get out a recording for copyright purposes. After filing for a copyright I can continue to refine the recordings by adding new tracks or hiring a backup singer. I developed a system for gradually adding ingredients, analogous to making a stew.

The saying goes “Too Many Cooks”, so I need to return to my sanctuary frequently to get my new song back on track. Sometimes I just read and take a nap.

Doxter S and SIRI make Beautiful Music Together

The Real Story of SIRI by Doxter S

Doxter S was writing music for Hexagon in 2014 and came up with the idea for his song about SIRI.

Doxter S was driving to a Hexagon meeting in Virginia to discuss music for the next show: “I was using my iPhone for directions. I had other people in the car who were also using their smartphones ‘helping’ with the directions. It was disconnecting  in a humorous way. I offered to write a song for the 2015 Hexagon show about this experience and I came up with SIRI.  The director liked the song but did not see transforming SIRI into a live performance due to technical issues. The smartphone Voice of Siri was a computerized actor, and he wanted live actors.

Siri is, of course, much more famous than Doxter S. I recently had the good fortune to contact the Voice of Siri, Susan Bennett . Susan is a very talented Voice Over artist with many more offerings that most of us have experienced without making the connection. If I had known then what I know now I would have recruited Susan to perform off stage. Maybe there will be an opportunity to do something like this in the future.

Great music always needs a purpose. Writing songs for a show with a specific theme requires a special mindset. The critics are right there sitting with you at the table, drinking coffee, suggesting changes. This meeting of the minds is part of the teamwork needed to produce great music. Composing music and writing lyrics always goes smoothly working alone. Collaboration is more of a rocky road.

There were some other songs I wrote while working with Hexagon that never made the cut. One hasn’t been produced, one is a parody of an old familiar tune, and the third is the subject of an upcoming post.”

 

 

 

What the Stink was all about in Washington DC

Hexagon performs Stink during Midterm Madness

Hexagon is a musical comedy political satire troupe in Washington DC who puts on original variety shows every year. Doxter S was working with Hexagon in 2013 – 2014 writing some original songs, including Stink and Mr. ED. Stink was included in Hexagon’s show Midterm Madness in 2014. Stink was performed as a dance number, although I envisioned a giant Stink Bug singing a solo with the vocal character of Barry White.

I was certainly pleased to have my song selected for performance by Hexagon in 2014, and I understood the importance of allowing the director and producer to use my material as they saw fit. I never envisioned a dance number. Maybe Stink bugs flying around the auditorium, like they do in my bedroom at night.

Here are the lyrics:

Tips from Doxter S

Useful and Meaningful Advice

My favorite line sung by Old Blue Eyes goes: “If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere“.  Tips like that are memorable but hard to come by. Doxter S will be continuing to offer useful opinions and meaningful advice here on a regular basis.

Anyone starting to make a go at being a music creator needs a regular source of income. Mozart always had patrons, freeing him to be as creative as he wanted or needed to be. Contemporary musicians usually do gigs that pay insufficiently and infrequently. The Tip Jar is an omnipresent site at the piano bar. Selling Merchandise is often more lucrative than the gig itself, but many venues require a cut of this as well.

Doxter S has learned from some very talented and industrious music creators that you can’t live off the income from making music alone. The saying “Don’t give up your day job” is offered frequently to those who are not already shooting stars in the industry. So what should the budding be doing differently?

My first bit of advice is to claim ownership of all your creations before someone else steals it from you. Anything original you produce belongs to you and can be used to bargain with those who have access to money. Content is King in the Internet Age, so the more you “own” the better off you will be financially.

Be nice to promoters and booking agents, but be smarter than they are. Be wise but not arrogant, Nobody makes money without something to sell, and that something is n this industry is Great Music.  your time working on your original music is your investment in yourself, your “sweat equity” sas they say in business.

And be generous with others like you when you can afford to be.

 

 

Whipped, Teased, Tormented, and Pleased

(and not necessarily in that order)

Doxter S says: Interpersonal relations are complex. Strange attractants are at play. Everyone has a hidden agenda. Who hasn’t felt Whipped, Teased, Tormented, and Pleased?

Believe it or not, this post is about great music by Doxter S. The image for this page was never used as cover art for any song, but it pertains to several, including the very first song published by Doxter S.

Don’t Ever Tease Me was composed, written, recorded, produced, and published in 2012. The original cover does represent some of the emotion from the singer’s perspective. It takes Two to Tango, however, and today’s post is about both participants. watch partners dancing the Tango in Buenos Aires to understand why we like our lives spiced with emotion.

Did you know there are five tastes me must detect to make any food tasty? They are as follows: sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and umami (savory). The same can be said for relationships. Sweet equates to tenderness, bitter to discord, sour to moodiness, salty to being annoying, and savory to passionate loving. So when we want to Spice Things Up, we really mean to alter the balance of these sensations (just a bit).

Doxter S creates emotional music because he uses interpersonal relationships in almost all of them. The lead vocalist, either man or woman, is usually referring to someone else. There is always a mixture of the five spices of life brought out in the music, through chord progressions as well as the melody. But, the real trick is putting down ideas through words that complement the music.

Listen to any Doxter S song and try to understand the feelings being expressed. They are alternately joyful, heartbreaking, or humorous in a very personal way.

Bon Appetite!

 

Great Music is Everywhere You Go

Doxter S says: Visit the beautiful city of Venice, Italy to experience great music everywhere you go. You don’t need to spend money to go to a concert. In Venice the concerts comes to you on as Gondola!  There’s nothing like listening to music along the canals in Venice. The buildings lining both sides provide some reverb, but with no roof there is very little echo.

This singer and accordionist can barely be heard from the lagoon.The music gradually gets louder as your gondolier guides your boat into you the canal.  Getting closer, the accordion becomes more distinct and provides the perfect soundtrack for the colorful buildings and interesting people. Then the tenor begins singing an aria that fills the entire canal with vibrant emotion.

Everyone stops what they are doing and thinking for one moment, turning their attention to this impromptu performance. This great music provides such joy that it justifies it’s own existence. When the performance reaches its finale applause can be heard coming from the near by windows on either side, the bridges at either end, and from listeners riding in the many other gondolas cursing up and down the canals.

If you get a chance to visit Venice, don’t miss the opportunity to go to one of these local performances. Let the performers know how much you appreciate their artistry with your generous applause.

Just be careful dropping them tips!