http://www.matthewmoranonline.com The blog and website for Songwriter and Author, Matthew Moran Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:17:26 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Hidden in my bio page was a page titled, How You Can Help and in that a non-linked reference to a Guide to House Concerts. As you can see, I've posted (the non-edited version of) my guide to house concerts.  I apologize for any usage and grammar errors ... http://www.matthewmoranonline.com/2008/06/30/how-you-can-help-and-house-concert-information/ I am recording - albeit slowly - a second CD of 10 acoustic songs - higher quality than the first mostly due to some microphone upgrades. I am trying to create a title for the CD and will give you a couple of idea but if you have an ... http://www.matthewmoranonline.com/2008/06/26/naming-that-cd/ I'll be playing in the wine bar at Cave Creek Coffee Company (C4) on July 12, 2008 - 7:00pm - 9:30pm, or so.  Then, later that week, I fly to play house concert in Chicago, on July 19th. C4's wine bar is not really the best venue for ... http://www.matthewmoranonline.com/2008/06/22/july-performances-cave-creek-and-chicago/ I began the process of arranging 10 new songs to record.  Tentatively titled, "Morning Girl" - based on a new song I've written. Recently I added 2 new condenser microphones and the sound quality is greatly improved.  My gear at this moment is: Toshiba Laptop - 100GB harddrive, 1 ... http://www.matthewmoranonline.com/2008/06/05/recording-10-new-songs/ Andrea Stolpe, of the Berklee College of Music, writes a blog post, giving songwriters some tips for breaking out of familiar ruts or patterns of songwriting - focusing particularly on harmony or musical elements.   One I'll add is simply taking something I am currently writing - where I have ... http://www.matthewmoranonline.com/2008/05/28/songwriting-by-theme-forcing-creativity/ I'm stepping up efforts to marketing myself - just got a couple new paying gigs.  For me, a good gig is not a bar cover gig.  I am interested only in listening venues and in concentrating on my original songs. I created a mini-brochure - both color and black & ... http://www.matthewmoranonline.com/2008/05/23/music-marketing-and-promotion-house-concerts-plus/ I recorded 10 of the songs I often play live as part of an all acoustic collection called "Everyday Lies".  I also have links to the lyrics, demo songs, and the liner notes that tell you a little more about how each song came to be written. http://www.matthewmoranonline.com/2008/04/27/everyday-lies-my-new-cd-of-original-acoustic-music/ If Mom Were President, she'd set things straight She would battle for causes just.... Read the rest of the poem here. Sara, my 9 year old, narrated my poem, If Mom Were President with the illustrations by Joye Petrine.  ... http://www.matthewmoranonline.com/2008/03/31/if-mom-were-president-celebrating-moms/ I did a little bit of work this weekend on both MatthewMoranOnline.com (this site) and KreativeKnowledge.com. ... http://www.matthewmoranonline.com/2008/03/24/refining-the-message-songwriter-creative-versus-boringbusiness-sort-of/ I played last Friday - the Inza show - and had a good turnout and great feedback.  Opened with a new tune - Do It Again - a sort of hopeful ballad.... Special thanks for Kathleen Erickson for bringing a full entourage and snapping a couple ... http://www.matthewmoranonline.com/2008/03/10/show-notes-playing-live/ Pam Slim (who I started reading long before she became a titan in the blogging world - her blog's title, Escape From Cubicle Nation is perhaps the best blog title ever) writes about how our thoughts often derail us before we begin... She ... http://www.matthewmoranonline.com/2008/03/06/the-advice-i-give-others-is-not-the-advice-i-take-myself/ I am playing again!! Back at Inza Coffee in Scottsdale. The difference? A CD will be available to those who pre-register!!! Click on the graphic in the sidebar or click here for the details of the show and how to get your copy ... http://www.matthewmoranonline.com/2008/02/21/inza-coffee-march-7th-700pm-900pm/ I'll be playing a show at Fiddler's Dream (http://www.fiddlersdream.net) February 16th, at 8:40PM-9:30PM. Photos by Blakeman Photography I also have a few speaking engagements coming up: February 12th - AZ Entrepreneurs ... http://www.matthewmoranonline.com/2008/02/08/arizona-acoustic-music-fiddlers-dream/ Cisco Press released more free material from my book, The IT Career Builder's Toolkit I've created a page with links to all the chapters.  The final section should be released this week... Find all the chapters here: http://www.matthewmoranonline.com/2008/02/04/more-free-career-advice-for-it-professionals/ Whoa!!!!   2+ years in the making and my book is now categorized in the: Books > Computers & Internet > Business & Culture > Careers I've written about this challenge several times - more recently on my blog at IT Toolbox. I looked this morning, saw the category change and voila - #3. Now, ... http://www.matthewmoranonline.com/2008/01/18/computer-career-advice-which-books-is-right-for-you/ Last week I was interviewed - while driving - by Linda Leung of Network World. I did pull-over - unable to do 2 things at once and I was heading into a cellular dead-zone. We discussed the importance of soft-skills for the IT professional. FYI: My author's page at Cisco ... http://www.matthewmoranonline.com/2008/01/16/network-world-interview-soft-skills-and-the-it-professional/ Cisco Press released section 1 of my book for free.  The free release schedule does not include the supplemental CD materials. Chapter 4: Defining Yourself: Aptitudes & Desires http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1156072&f1=rss Enjoy and if you know of someone who can benefit from this information, please pass it along. For the print version, visit Amazon.com (link below) Technorati ... http://www.matthewmoranonline.com/2008/01/14/free-chapter-it-career-builders-toolkit-defining-yourself-aptitudes-desires/ Cisco Press released section 1 of my book for free.  The free release schedule does not include the supplemental CD materials. Chapter 3: Information Technology: A Great Career http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1156071&f1=rss Enjoy and if you know of someone who can benefit from this information, please pass it along. For the print version, visit Amazon.com (link below) Technorati ... http://www.matthewmoranonline.com/2008/01/14/free-chapter-it-career-builders-toolkit-information-technology-a-great-career/ Cisco Press released section 1 of my book for free.  The free release schedule does not include the supplemental CD materials. Chapter 2: Career Building Defined http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1156070&f1=rss Enjoy and if you know of someone who can benefit from this information, please pass it along. For the print version, visit Amazon.com (link below) Technorati Tags: career, ... http://www.matthewmoranonline.com/2008/01/14/free-chapter-it-career-builders-toolkit-career-building-defined/ Cisco Press released section 1 of my book for free.  The free release schedule does not include the supplemental CD materials. Chapter 1: The Toolkit Approach to Career Developmenthttp://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1156069&f1=rss Enjoy and if you know of someone who can benefit from this information, please pass it along. For the print version, ... http://www.matthewmoranonline.com/2008/01/14/free-chapter-it-career-builders-toolkit-the-toolkit-approach-to-career-development/ I posted a presentation, public speaking, video clip back on KreativeKnowledge.com.  It has an anecdotal story about when Christopher woke me frantically and gave me an amazing lesson about the opportunity to live each day.  He didn't know he was doing this but I was struck anyway. Here is a ... http://www.matthewmoranonline.com/2008/01/03/a-poem-the-hyperactive-boy/ A brawl erupted between Greek Orthodox priest and Armenian priest when some of the Orthodox priest stepped into the Armenian church section of the holy site, built above where baby Jesus, savior of the world, lay sleeping in swaddling clothes, surrounded by farm animals and eventually shepherds...  And angels proclaiming ... http://www.matthewmoranonline.com/2007/12/28/its-my-baby-jesus-get-out-peace-on-earth-but-not-this-piece-of-earth/ It is nice to see ZeFrank releasing videos again - once in awhile. When I wrote about being a writer (the noun is wrapped up in the verb), I discussed the idea that your muse may not show up on queue - when you want her/him/it to.  I references Stephen ... http://www.matthewmoranonline.com/2007/12/01/on-being-uninspired-and-others-sources-of-production/ Coming Soon.... I've registered, http://www.AZSongwriterShowcase.com. My plan is to start a weekly online broadcast featuring two Arizona-based Songwriter's each week.  It will include a call-in component and as things progress, include interviews with established artists, industry professionals, and others who can help songwriters gain a competitive advantage. I'll ... http://www.matthewmoranonline.com/2007/11/27/arizona-songwriter-showcase-the-story-must-be-told/ The gig last Friday was pretty fun - and I felt I performed well.  Truth is, I ended up with $57 in tips, which beats getting poked in the eye with a hot-stick.  It covered gas and bought a little breakfast with Laura and the kids on Sunday. However, I ... http://www.matthewmoranonline.com/2007/11/06/if-you-are-a-singer-songwriter-where-is-the-arizona-based-support/