Hogan #2 Idol

A while back I read that the 17th Street Market and Music Store was holding a 17th Street Idol competition for singer/songwriters. I entered the category for amateurs. The professional category was for singers who earn some money selling their music or performing. That ain’t me.

The first phase was the audition. Three judges, 45 amateur contestants and a lot of jitters for me. I only get a little nervous when performing but this was verrrry different. I sang “Summertime in Tucson” and shook all the way through. I knew I hadn’t passed muster. But, surprisingly, after a week or two chiding myself, I learned I had made the semi finals.

I realized that I was thinking about this all wrong. I decided to approach the semis not as an audition but as a performance.

At the semis I decided to peform, “The Night New Orleans Drowned.” It was a great song choice, all the judges had great things to say and a few folks told me they would see me in the finals. Cool! And they turned out to be right.

At the finals I decided to ride the “New Orleans” horse that got me there and I “placed,” that’s right, I took second. Way Cool! I even won a guitar.

You can listen to “The Night New Orleans Drowned” by clicking above.. If you like it you can download a copy from iTunes or Amazon. Click here for Amazon.  Click here for iTunes. You can also buy my CDs at CD Baby.

Like I blogged in the post, “Getting off the But,” I put myself out there, stretched myself and was rewarded. Even if I hadn’t placed, the experience helped me grow. That’s the real reward.

Thanks to Jim and Frank and all the folks at 17th Street Market for the opportunity.

Summertime in Tucson

https://jimhogansings.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/summertime-in-tucson2.mp3My first CD was “Home in Arizona.”

I like writing fun stuff and “Summertime in Tucson” is one of my favorite cuts. It’s an ode to air conditioning, an epic tale that includes God and the devil. Press the play button above the CD cover to listen.

What Do I Write?

Now that I’ve got this blog, what do I write or write about. I have never been a journal writer but what turns me on is singing and writing songs. Last weeklend I attended a Tucson Symphony concert, “Saddle Up.” It featured my guitar teacher and friend, Bill Ganz, and his band.

I’ve always been a fan of cowboy tunes even though I grew up in Brooklyn and don’t ride horses. Since I started with Bill 13 years ago I’ve written a few tunes about the west. The concert got me thinking on the buckaroos from southern Arizona who wrote many of the cowboy classics. Bob Nolan, Stan Jones, Rex Allen and “Badger” Clarke all were influenced by the landscape and events around Bisbee, Tombstone, Wilcox and Tucson. Inspired, I penned a new tune called “Saddle Up.” It’ about ‘keepin’ the songs of the cowboys alive.’  When recorded I’ll let you know. For now, Keep Singing!