Updates, A Rant, and Many Thanks

So, wow, almost a year since my last entry. I'm so sorry about that guys.

So a lot of new things:
- New camera: the Canon EOS Rebel T2i (suggested by AJ Rafael) - awesome everything.
- Made a commercial for Kellogg's: "Start The Day" (which actually allowed me to buy said camera).
- I've got a vlog channel where I'm going to be posting some more personal stuff.
- I'm still writing for the new album... I don't want to start recording until it is really right, but all the songs are good. :)
- I'll be playing at FAP 2.0, so please don't hesitate to get your tickets! It would be great to see you there.
- and more... too many to name.

(Warning: this is a rant)
Recently, I've been looking over myself, trying to figure out the weird parts of my life. If you all are keeping up with my vlog, you'll see that I'm on a diet and I'm exercising more. I'm starting to realize that the name I made for myself on YouTube is now a thing of the past. Videos are higher quality, there is a lot of post-production in every video out there... it's really hard to keep up with the flow.

But I'm asking myself, why do I have to keep up with the flow? I'm a singer/songwriter.

I had lunch with a couple of friends a few weeks ago and got to talking about music... one of them is a musician, a songwriter actually. He asked me, "So how is music going, ya' know being a YouTube cover artist." I was slightly offended.

But it's true a lot of us do covers, and covers, and more covers to get more hits, and really -- it's true! A lot of YouTube artists are essentially just doing karaoke. I mean, I haven't released an original song since "Here" (except for "Start The Day" lol). And I feel kind of like a hypocrite because I've been discovered because of my unique renditions of songs, but some people are taking a "diva-ish" twist as they start to become egocentric and less of a musician, and more of a label or brand, if you will.

I dont mind it - hell, i'm just jealous and i wish I could only have a problem like that so I can prove to people that there can be honest, polite people out there in successful land... but when it comes to getting success, you best acknowledge the people who gave you the opportunity, the people who supported you through it all, and your closest friends and family. If you start to ignore them, your support will not follow you, they will not respond to you, and they will not be loyal to you.

I think that is one of the biggest things I'm struggling with - comparing myself with other musicians and putting a price on myself based on how many subscribers I have in comparison. I'm sure a lot of you YouTubers do it too, don't lie. "So and so got 5M hits on their one original and I've got... 700k?" It's sad that this kind of thing could have any type of competition. Before, YouTube was a community of people who just enjoyed sharing their lives on a video medium because it was new, intimate, fresh... now, it's more than commercialized, it has become as (or more) concentrated with professional artists as regular TV. It has become the mainstream. I have to admit that I cannot compete with that.

But I do love YouTube for what opportunities it has given me from a lower-level perspective. It has been almost an extension of my life - my music career, my proposal, etc.

What I have come to find is that I am fortunate there are 46k people out there who I moved enough to hit that little yellow button. I am fortunate to say to people that I am a semi-professional musician because of the people who support me on YouTube. I am fortunate that God gave to me the gift of music. That is what is important - stepping out of the box for a second to look back and see what all has come of my efforts on YouTube and the people who love watching me... and from what I've seen in the last 3-4 years, it is so good.

So for those of you who are still here... thank you. And thank you for everything you done to make me who I am.

See you on the next blog.
-Chris

Having what it takes...

As time goes on, the pressure is on with my musical career. I constantly ask myself, "Do I have what it takes to go full-time with music?"

Right now, I have a great job in IT. I've been with the company a few years now and every year, I surprise myself with how much I learn over that time. But now, time at work is more demanding than ever and it is cutting into my musical career, taking it over almost completely. People constantly ask me "why do you look so tired in your videos?"

I look tired because I'm doing videos at 3am... and then having to wake up at 6am.

Although, I love doing YouTube and my passion lies in my music, I don't know which way to go from here.

I guess my question is this:

What would you do in my position?

Heading North.

So, I'm moving to Pittsburgh.

I'm super excited! I just don't know anything about the city, except:
- there is a couple Guitar Centers and one awesome Ikea.
- there is a large airport.
- traffic is horribly bad around the tunnels.
- it is on the wrong side of the backyard brawl.
- they have really amazing microbreweries.
- the food rocks.
- crime is kicking up a bit.

Nonetheless, it is probably one of the more convenient places to live on the East Coast. :) And if I get home sick from West Virginia or California, home is just 1-4 hours away... well, for a price.

The house I got is a nice two-story with a basement and a backyard for Kobie. I learned quickly that living in a townhouse with a orally-fixated 90-pound means "no room for anything." She's actually sitting right beside me, staring and armed with her slobbery USC-colored tug-o-war rope. Although obnoxious, she's still really really cute.

If any of you know anything about Pittsburgh, I'd like to get some insight on a few things:
- good coffee
- open mic nights
- dog parks
- a good, youthful Catholic church
- good gyms (a buddy of mine is opening one up, but it won't be for a while)
- city shortcuts around traffic

And of course, if you wanna meet up and hang, I'm all about it. :)

Dear Morgantown,
It was fun while it lasted, but it's time to bite the bullet.
I'm sorry for leaving, but I promise I'll come back again.
Love,
Chris

.... and Happy Easter everyone! He is risen! Alleluia!

Gig Reviews: So.Zo and Bocktown

So.Zo -- Morgantown, West Virginia
What a great place to play! I love this place. They've always got really friendly staff and a great sound guy. Played this gig with Dom DeGeorge, Andrew Bottini, and Tami Alexander. It was one of the first shows I played with a setlist, but hey it turned out pretty good.

Awesome people from Columbus came to listen to the show. Big shout to Jenny Wang :) Thank you to ALL the people who showed up to listen and participate - meaning the "WOOOOHAAAHHH!" on Only You. Loved it.

Dom and I played a middle set with just the acoustics and I was very pleased with the sound. The band did an excellent job, as well!

You absolutely must try their Vanilla Chai. :) Hands down, a solid time at the show.

Venue Rating: 8 of 10 Lydias. (New rating system, teehee - feel free to leave your own comments below!)
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Bocktown -- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
If there is one place can I say I look forward to playing at every year, it is here. Food is amazing, beer is amazing, staff is amazing. Sold. :)

Dom and I played here together. The first 1/3 of the set sounded funny, only because of EQing issues (got spoiled from having a sound guy). When Dom went on to do his set (and with some feedback from Dom's sister's boyfriend), I EQ'ed it correctly, and from then on it was a blast. Andrew and Tara were there to support us. Tara is awesome, Andrew - good choice! :)

We met a couple of people there, Jack and Tom who do a lot of Irish tunes, and I'll tell ya... I love these guys. They supported us as if they knew us since childhood, holding out the tip jar for us, almost getting into a fight about it (hahaha, amazing story from Jack)... can't get better first-time fans than that. Reminded me of the gig I played down in Beckley, WV @ Foster's :).

I had an angry set where I dropped the F-bomb in Steamroller and I think I felt some aftershock from the "f". I don't condone doing it, but it is in the song. :P

Great night, just got home at 3am... but that doesn't matter cause we got the house in Pittsburgh yesterday! :)

Loved it.

Venue Rating: 8 of 10 Lydias.