Simple Diversions

My bassist Ted Harrison and I share a passion outside of our Carpenter Ants gig, we both are huge baseball fans. Teddy is a Detriot Tigers fan, and I of course am a  New York Yankees fan.
I'm talking about this because as we speak the Tigers are trying to rally to win the American League Championship Series, so naturally Ted is on pins and needles hoping his boys will come through.
Although I would have wished for a different outcome with my boys, I still wish Ted the best.
Sometimes having something else to focus on helps us in our quest to go in the direction that we're intending.
A mere baseball game has taken our minds off of the hard drive of band business. We aren't of course giving up on playing (don't actually know if we could...) but simple diversions help keep us grounded.
One of the things that I have found that seems to help me while I'm playing is to imagine myself in a Yankee uniform on the field doing battle with another team (mainly the Red Sox...I can't even believe I'm mentioning them in my post, yikes...), when I need to pull off a great performance that's what usually does it for me (I'll even let you in on a secret of mine, if you see me on stage wearing a Yankee shirt expect a stellar performance, especially my NY Babe Ruth shirt, it's my lucky charm).
They're just simple diversions, but they work like magic for many performers and athletes alike.
Going at your goals full throttle is very time consuming, one could get easily stressed out trying to get somewhere, it's not that you don't need to work hard at things but you also need to relax and let other factors in once in awhile, because it helps the overall goal, and gives you a chance to step back and see it take shape.
Michael Lipton, my other bandmate loves Flea Markets, and he finds the greatest stuff ever in them. When we're on the road sometimes and he spots a yard sale, SCRREEEECH !!!, we're stopping and we must check it out, hey can't pass on a possible deal could we now?Jupiter Little, our drummer is into sneakers. I always tease and tell him that he is the Imelda Marcos of the sneaker world, he just got lots of 'em. If we ever make it big, I can see it now, a house for my sneakers.
Anyway, my point here is that everyone has their thing, outside of their thing
My other thing is that I love to fly kites. You can catch on many Sundays out in the park near where I live flying away, and I could be out there for hours on end no problem. These days during that time, I also send my thoughts and prayers up to my Vickie, it's my time to connect with my memories of her.
Although music is our ultimate goal, it's things like these simple diversions that keep it fresh in our hearts and fresh in our minds.
Take a break now and again, relax and unwind, find your true passion in life work toward it but realize it also takes time. Give yourself a reward for the work you've put in like a splurge on yourself, these simple diversions.
This post is dedicated to Ted Harrison...GO TIGERS!!!
Have and awesome weekend whatever you're doing. Thanks for stopping by. Just remember...

Support Live music today tomorrow and always
Don't forget, you can follow me on Twitter and follow the Carpenter Ants on Facebook.

Your Inner Voice

With the passing of Steve Jobs, I thought this little post might be of benefit to my fellow strivers of music.

It's a safe bet to know that most of us in the world are dreamers. Some dream of peace, some good health, and the list goes exponentially on. It's also safe to know that many of  us while being these dreamers don't always act upon our dreams, we merely hold them inside and they rarely see the light of day.
I know this because I was one of the latter. I held on to my dreams and my wishes like a running back trying to make it to the uprights.
The reality though is that you really don't have to hold on so tightly, it would be better if you figured out who was in your camp and who wasn't and the make your way through the mire.
So often we let everybody and their mother dictate to us what they perceive as the way for us. How can anyone possibly know what is truly best for us.
Now I'm certain that you're going now wait a minute Charlie, you're blogging about that very thing. Yes this is true, but if you read my profile statement, the very last line is my disclaimer..."this is my journey..."
What I'm actually saying is that these are the things that I have been through and things that I am going through. There is some aspects of advice, but I'm not directly saying that you should follow that advice. If you go back to when I started blogging (2005 to be exact...), what you'll see is that my story is telling you to look at your own methods of getting where you're going. Mine is working for me, you have to follow what works for you.
This is one of the reasons I don't fill you up on endless stories about being in the music business, because in my opinion it takes many facets to tell a story and in my case, all the things that I write about are the things that have made up my being a musician, and striving in the world of music.
A few years ago, I got an e-mail from a young lady who reads me regularly; she is a saxophone player and wanted to know how she could further herself in the music biz. At the time I was pretty excited to make a new fan, so I set out answering the many questions that she poured my way. Until one of those questions, had I answered, could have come back and bite me in the you know where.
I told her that I wasn't comfortable answering this particular question and said I would rather that you had your parent ask me.Well a couple of days later her father reached out to me and thanked me endlessly for not taking advantage of his child. He went on to explain that she is a good girl but that she's heard all of these stories about the producers and casting couches and really only wanted to know how to avoid them.
That's all well and good, but I felt that had I answered, no matter how truthful I would have been, it could be miscontrued, and I might have wound up in trouble.
This is where the point of this post is. Just as Steve Jobs did, you have to follow your inner voice. Call it your spirit guide, call it your muse, but whatever it may be, if it compels you, then it should propel you.
I listened to my inner voice and it lead me away from New York and everything that I knew at the time and propelled me to Charleston West Virginia. Had I listened to my family who were all telling me that "this is a completely stupid idea," "West Virginia will never be able to sustain you, their economy is worthless there," the negative list also could have grown exponentially here as well, but I stuck to my guns moved here and look at me now.Don't get me wrong, I've had more than my share of heataches and setbacks including the loss of 2 wives ( and most of you know that losing Vickie was a blow that could go on forever for me ). Still I stand before you and say that I am relatively happy, I'm trying to make sense of the rest of my life, I have my head held high and I'm plowing forward. All that because I keep listening to my insides.
Steve Jobs really did have the right idea in following his voice, if he could build the empire that he left us, there is absolutely no reason why we can't going forward.
Listening to that voice is what can take away your darkness. That is not to say that everyone is going to stand in your way, but that listening to you should help you perceive who is real from the fakes. Sometimes the people with the best of intentions could be the biggest brickwalls in our lives, but the inner voice will help you undestand the difference, it will shed light where you are darkest, and help you to know who's real and who ain't.
So my friends, it's important that we take some things from the examples of Steve and so many others who have left us, incorporate those lessons and examples into who we are, sit as quietly as we can when we can, be truthful even with ourselves and listen to your inner voice. It may take awhile, but you'll be glad you did.

Have a wonderful weekend. I love you always.
Support Live music today tomorrow and always.
Don't forget, you can follow me on Twitter and follow The Carpenter Ants on Facebook

Old is the new, New

Was talking with a good friend of mine today, and he was relaying to me how difficult it's been for him to ply his music in his area. It seems as though availability of players is slim to none, and he can't seem to get anyone motivated enough to start a project.
All of that got me thinking as we were talking. I offered to come down to his area and lend my saxophone and vocals to him when I wasn't doing Carpenter Ants chores.
He stated that he doesn't mind doing the solo act, but he sort of had bigger dreams to do orchestral stuff. Believe me, he's got the voice and the stage presence to do it.
I on the other hand really feel that this music business is going to see a major swing back, and we'll all be in a good position to make our music.
Why do I feel this way?
Well for one thing, even though right now, the music industry is flooded by all the hip shaking no real talent ( not everyone of course...), party all night, throw up, paparazzi chased, doped out (got enough adjectives here?), crowd, all of those youngsters who are currently in our conciousness are looking backward and realizing that they need the music that we were doing first.
I heard on the radio the other day, Celine Dion singing a cover of the Aretha Franklin inspired Carol King penned version of "Natural Woman." Now don't get me wrong, Celine does have an admirable voice; in fact she can sing, but I'm sorry,and you can argue the point all you'd like, but she will NEVER (that's right...) NEVER be Aretha Franklin. The changes in the original version are perfect, especially where the strings cross over into the bridge section of the song...listen carefully, I'll spell it out. "Oh baby what you done for me, you make me feel so good inside, and I just wanna be, close to you, you make me feel so alive...If Celine would have had Yanni's orchestra, she still could not have pulled it off. The string section used in Aretha's version was unreal it was so good, yet it was simple.
Celine's version pales by comparison.
You see what I was telling my friend is that what we all need to do is just hold on because everything old is the new, new.
Let me clear here; what I'm saying is that all of the music that our younger folks are now realizing is valid is all of the music that we grew up doing first hand. You can even go so far as to say that some of that music was created by us. Certainly it is in our era. Just the Celine example alone proves my point. Many of today's top selling artists are reaching an impass and they are clamoring to find out about the music that we created, and trying to figure out how we did it so flawlessly.
I've said before and I'll say it again, to my younger friends, you must build your buildings from the ground up. It is impossible to build a building from the 23rd floor.This is the real reason so many artists don't last long, they don't have the foundation that we have...Rolliing Stones anyone?
In all, I really wish that we all could ply our trade and make music more readily available for the masses, because everybody needs it, young, old and everyone in between.
The message in the meantime though is hold on and stand up straight, the music will come back. because old is the new, new.
To Darrell and all of you my friends, thanks for stopping by, have a great week.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.
Don't forget, you can follow me on Twitter and follow The Carpenter Ants on Facebook

The Randall Wray Tribute (for the love of music...)

Last night in Charleston there was a tribute to fallen musician named Randall Wray.
Let me first give you a bit of some background
Randall was a blues guitarist who was not only a phenom, but also (at the time when I met him...) so much a genius that he was a little mad (as in Einstein, or mad scientist). He was completely confident, but just a bit crazy.
 I still found him to be fascinating though, and I am forever grateful that I shared a stage with him before he left this world for good.
Let me tell you folks, people who knew Randall, all of the musicians that played with Randall over the years, and folks who knew the name were all in attendance. Many people flew in or came in from all over the county.
The event was hosted by one of my best friends and fellow musician, Terry Lowry.
Terry, put together an evening of music that if you weren't there, and just heard about it, you'd swear was the event of a lifetime...and it was.
First of all what he did was utilized most of the musicians who had either played with Randall at one time or another or he had people playing who would have admired Randall's status as a Charleston blues icon.
There were elements that I thoroughly enjoyed about the evening and some that I had been hard pressed to figure out. Starting with my own playing, I had a very hard time hearing myself; as I was all the way in a corner on the stage ( I ended up sitting on a piano, that is located there...), mainly due to the fact that there were so many amps on stage. It made it difficult for me to find my place, and don't feel that I played my best. Oh well, that happens, so we'll just move right along...
The thing that I loved about the night, which is the point of my post today. Randall, for all of us that knew him could be completely irreverent and off the cuff. One quick story just to give you an idea...another musician asked him once if he wanted a pick to play his guitar at a show and Randall exclaimed that "the Randall needs no plectrum..."He told me that he didn't see the need for a saxophone player at a show I did with him, but told me that he admired my playing "so I guess it's OK."
Talk about pressure...WHEW.
That is irreverence of the highest order, and last night that is exactly what happened, it was totally crazy, but damn was it ever fun.
I got to listen to many folks who I had not gotten to listen to during his heyday. I had gotten to see first hand some of the folks he influenced over the years. I got meet his brother whom I never met, and who also never heard his own brother play. That was well worth it to me.
They had a giant poster of the event and had all the musicians who were playing sign it and it was presented to Randall's brother and family, which was a nice touch. For them it was really special to know that so many people loved Randall as we did.
Some of the musicians playing were absolutely inspiring to watch. People like Tom Benson, Bill Light, and Chris Garten. It was wonderful to catch up with some of my brothers like Kai Haynes and John Chic. My bandmate Michael Lipton was amazing, it was fun to be in a different settiing than our Carpenter Ants show.
In all the evening was a huge success, because, while yes it was little rough around the edges the irreverence of it is was made it an event that you should have been here for.
I sincerely hope that we can do it again, and I sincerely hope that alot of the younger muscians in town show up to see how it is done...for the love of music.
See ya at the next show.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.
Don't forget you can follow me on Facebook and Twitter.

Thoughts About My Journey

I've been at this game of music for a long time now, and I think it's about time for some relfection.
Music has been such an integral part of me for so many years, and truly I have loved every minute of it. Of course there are times that I could live without, but overall it has been wonderful.
The best of it has been my time spent here in The Carpenter Ants. My brothers have enriched me to no end, and I'm very grateful we share this journey together.
One of the reasons that I'm talking about this today is that I feel it is important for all of you who think, "oh I'm getting to old to chase a dream, or think that one can spend too much time going nowhere, or just simply feel that what you want is unattainable,"I want to tell you not to give up or give in.
If playing music makes you happy, then by all means go for it. If you can make a couple of bucks along the way, then why not. Just be realistic about it. Savor the process by which it comes. Build your building from the ground up and not from the tenth floor as many of our youngsters seem to want to do.
I've always said, it didn't matter to me about the length of time it takes, so long as I take the time to pursue my passion.
Another reason for this writing is to say thanks to the many people who support us. It's gratifying to look out into the audience and see your faces out there waiting for us and rooting for us.
When we played on the Levee in Charleston in September, collectively, we all said "that it was one of the most fun nights we had there."
This part of the journey is important as well, connecting with people.It's just good business.
Like any voyage, it can be fraught with turbulance and sorrow, and of course, I'm no different, I've had my share, but even with those setbacks, I still feel that this has been a most worthwhile experience, to play music for you.
As long as I have breath in the old body, I will continue to try and entertain you. As long as a keyboard exists, I will still try telling you the thoughts about my journey.
I sincerely hope that all of these posts and all of my stories help those of you striving as I am in music, come to realize that this is a process; that all of these things add up to you being musicians and playing in this game.
They are important steps...and remember, the longest journey starts with a single step.
These steps are a necessity so that you remember where you came from. Always look forward, and always reflect backward. Doing so will allow you to take better stock in yourself, You'll realize your true value.
I'm always grateful to you. Take care and have a great day.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.
Don't forget to follow me on Twitter and follow The Carpenter Ants on Facebook.

A Most Disturbing Trend

I want to address something that has been happening far too much in my community of late, and shed some much needed light on it...

Living here in West Virginia and more specifically in the Kanawha Valley has been one of the best moves I could have ever made for myself. When I left New York, it wasn't because I didn't love it, it was that it was increasingly becoming far too violent for me to continue living there.
One night after working my rear end off in a studio after having worked my regular job earlier that day, I was returning home when I got robbed directly around the corner from my house. I got robbed at gunpoint (yes,you read that right...)
Well that was all that I needed to convince me that it was time to leave New York City. But where do I go? Crime, seemingly was everywhere, but I needed and wanted to live peacefully. I got no qualms about working, but I didn't want to go somewhere and have to surrender what I've worked my ass off to get.
I chose Charleston West Virginia...why? Because when I lived here during my college days I found Charleston and its people to be among the best people I had ever known. Truly, salt of the earth kind of folks. People who will give you the shirt off their backs if you need it.
I'm still not sorry that I'm here, but now I'm hearing horrible and horrific stories of my sisters getting mugged and harmed right here in Charleston, and it bothers me to no end.
Charleston you are better than this, we're not New York, we're not these other poorly governed and atrocious places. How can we let ourselves get to this? I know that the economy is bad throughout the county, but even with that looming over us, we are West Virginians, and we are better than that.
I am appalled to know that some female friends of mine had to not only endure being humiliated, but also were harmed in the process to the point of hospitalization. That is goddamned disturbing to me.
Charleston West Virginia, I want to ask in the name of everything decent, please don't do this to our sisters. Don't do it to anyone, but especially to the women. As it says in the Pointer Sisters song, "Yes We Can Can," "and do respect the women of the world, remember you all have mothers..."Before you lay hands on another person, think carefully about what this, a most disturbing trend is doing for us as a community, it's giving us a black eye, and it is comparing us to the other nastier seemier cities.
Please tell me that this is not what we want for ourselves.
To the ladies who had to endure these horrific acts ( I won't mention your names to keep your anonymity...), please know from me how sorry I am for what you have endured. If there is any way that I can help you through this please contact me.
Sincerely, Charlie Tee

Social Media: reaching for the the right notes

I know that I'm getting older and the thoughts of technology scare me somewhat, but I really am trying to embrace it somewhat as well.
I've been blogging since 2005, and I have enjoyed doing this very much, but along with this I'm now trying to maintain a Twitter account and a Facebook account.
The whole social media thing has so many ups and downs, that it truly reminds me of the byline of this blog: "A journal for those trying their hardest to make a career in the music business, the ups and downs."
Part of what makes this social medium so fascinating is that you really can connect with so many folks who might not ever come your way otherwise, and you can create a loyal following.
The frustrating part of it is that you also meet many folks who should learn to leave their opinions at the door.
The bullies, who torment kids, the religious fanatics who feel theirs is the only way.Just the hate mongers in general are enough to make me gag.
Let's leave the negative folks behind for now and explore the many great ways this thing can work and see if we can create some positive energy while also seeing if I can create more of a following for myself as well as the Carpenter Ants.
First, if you haven't heard by now, The Ants have a new CD in the works called "Ants and Uncles." Look for it in stores and on http://www.cdbaby.com/ sometime around December of this year.
I really am proud of how far this band has come in our 25 years. I have learned alot from my time with them, including embracing the medium of social media.
I have been fortunate to travel as a musician and entertain many wonderful people over the years, and I've been able to stay in touch beyond the shows we've done. Connecting with people is a really good thing especially when they really dig what you do.
Now this whole notion of instant notification makes it even more intriguing, I can text from the road, with WIFI, I can e-mail in minutes as we're approaching. With blogging, I can tell you stories about what my world is like and so on.It as they say is all good.
All these things that were so difficult to do just a scant few years ago are now getting easier every minute of everyday...I've just got to bite the bullet, give up my fear and let social media help me to continue reaching for the right notes. I am going to get there, and I hope that you continue to join me.
While you're at it, send me any suggestions you have to make easier to learn these new things.
Anyway here's a start: you can follow me on Twitter: the link is on the right underneath the clock, also on Facebook. There are also some You Tube postings of The Carpenter Ants (one I really like is "Carpenter Ants at the Acoustic Coffee House 1 2 3 and 4," shot in Johnsonville Tennessee; what a fun and magical night that was...)
I will get proficient and post more pictures in all of these places so you keep up with my exploits.
In the meantime remember:
Support Live music today tomorrow and always

Have a wonderful weekend all my BFF's

Four Hours to a New Me

For a few months now I've been on dialysis, and I've told you how it has been a life changer for me on a different levels.
I really needed to slow down with my life to some degree; I'm still striving with my music, and I still get up daily and go to work, but all these things have taken a decidedly different turn now that being tethered to a dialysizer has entered the picture.
If you know me at all you know that there is little in life that frightens me. People don't scare me, situations don't necessarily make me come undone; but the one true thing that horrifies me is hospitals.
Mainly because I don't understand that realm; when doctors and nurses start speaking to me in their seemingly coded language, I feel as though I have no control over my circumstance. This is one the reasons that especially now that my Vickie is gone, I really feel all alone.
She knew me inside and out. When I developed Diabetes, she studied it to the point that we made informed decisions about dealing with it (just in case you forgot, Vickie was an X-ray Tech by profession...).
The hospital world didn't seem so scary as long as she was with me.
Now I have to depend on myself (which I really needed to do anyway...), and try to make sense of the rest of my life.
Don't get me wrong, I do have help now, but mostly I've got take the bull by the horns and be my own advocate...it's a bit tricky.
My roommate and my daughter have given me great insights about how to go about all this and slowly I've made some good choices (at least I feel they are...).
The first was choosing a dialysis facility, and that first choice turned out to be the best.
I want to tell you about  Fresenius Medical Care Centers http://www.fmcna.com/. They are a nationwide facility of the highest quality.If you find yourself in my situation, this is the place to go.
The nurses and tech staff truly go above and beyond to make it the most positive experience for you. I've become friends with many of the folks at my facility, they have helped me to continue to be able to do my music, go to work, and just plain and simply live.
Everyone that I've encountered here has been more than professional, they have been kind and respectful of my circumstance. In short, I could not have asked for better people to treat, and care for me.
Whenever I or anybody walks in, they always greet you with genuine warmth and smiling faces.
Dialysis can be frightening enough when you feel bad as many people do, but it helps when the staff do their best to at least take that much off your shoulders.
So I just want to give a shout out to the staff at the Dunbar facility and say thank you so much for all that you are doing to keep me on the planet, and moreover to keep me smiling.It's four hours to a new me.

This post is dedicated to Tracy, Wendy, Patti, Tasha, Jill, Betty, Crystal, and Cheryl, the best team on Earth.

Even while on dialysis...Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

My Three Words

God Bless America...
This is important...
We STAND Together...
We Will Heal...
I'm So Sorry...
Love Life Always...
Remember This Day...
Remember these places...
New York City...
Washington District Columbia...
Shanksville PA, too...
It's time to...
Come together now...
Celebrate each other...
Remember the victims...
Justice for all...
Respond with truth...
Because you'll see...
Love answers everything...
GOD IS LOVE...
Today tomorrow always...



Add yours here...

Season To Taste

Judging by my size one can easily see that I am a fan of food. Now that I am a dialysis patient, I can easily see that my food obsession has cost me.
All things considered, I am OK with my current status as it has begun to teach me some valuable life lessons.
One of the things that I've learned is that I need to slow down when I eat, I should savor my food thereby allowing me not eat as much (or as often...). The other thing is when I create my menu, I need to season to taste, meaning I can find things in my kitchen pantry that will enhance my flavors.
The last thing is to relax and enjoy my food, not scarf it down as though it were my last meal...you'll get the point of all of these metaphors.
Anyway, musically I've come to realize alot of the same things.
Here now, the news.
We, (The Carpenter Ants...) have been recording our new CD over the past month or so, and I've come to humorous realizations (at least in my mind...).
One of those is that my bandmates although very talented are terrified when it comes to having to sing in front of people in a studio setting. Yesterday I was at Michael Lipton's house where our producer Don Dixon has set up shop for us to do some touches to the CD, and the guys were working on parts to the vocals. I watched Michael, Ted Harrison (our bassist) and Jupiter Little (our drummer and my co lead vocalist) as they were doing some of the background parts.
It was especially poignant to watch Teddy, who rarely sings on stage with us, but has in my opinion one of best ears in my musical world. He was like a deer in the headlights. It seemed to me as though he were having a hard time trying to relax.
Now please don't get me wrong here, what we are doing in this process is very important and my guys as well as I, realize that time and money is always of the essence,so we can't play around (we don't have that luxury...), but we must season to taste.
By savoring our moments taking a tip from from our "musical chefs" as it were, the end product will be a pleaser for your mind along with your ears
I've tried to impart some of my wisdom as a singer on to my brothers such as sing from your stomach and not from your chest because it will help you one to relax and sing without too much effort.
Another is when your in front of the microphone take one part of the headphones off of your ears, thereby allowing you to hear your own voice more natually and not in conjunction with what you are recording.
In all though, I am very proud to tell you that sometime around Christmas our newest CD will be available for you and the title is "Ants and Uncles."On the new CD, you are going to find many wonderful songs as well as some of our very special guest Ants like Bill Kirchen (of Hot Rod Lincoln fame..).We have written a a few new songs too, so look for those on it.
Going back to the beginning of this post, you see the lessons I've learned from dialysis. I said in a recent post that this process is a different deal for a guy like me. One can think oh my, poor Charlie is a dialysis patient and have pity, but truly there is no need. I am really Ok with it. For one thing it has slowed me down, as I needed to do so, and 2, it is saving my life, and obviously without that there would be no music. I'm using my kithcen better and my bandmates are making out music better, because we're all learning together to season to taste.
Take care everybody, I'll keep you posted on the CD progress, and remember...

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.
By the way, thank you so much to everyone who sent me e-mails after my last post. I'm healing.

Wishing For a Rainbow

Before I go on, I want to say that I'm sorry that I've been away for so long...
I know that you've missed me and truth be told, I've seriously missed you all as well.
I've had alot of change happen since we last met, including now being a dialysis patient among other things.
Dialysis is a different deal for a guy like me, but I'm doing my best to be patient and go with the flow of things, and I'm trying to cope with it all.

I've been terribly sad lately, I sooo miss Vickie ( my late wife...) every day of my life, and I wonder at times how I find the strength to carry on and function. Although most folks don't see me this way, I cry alot; especially when I'm alone.
I don't try to hide myself away, but I know that this has affected everything in my life, and as a result I don't feel as strong as I used to about myself, and in fact it is affecting my performances. I feel as though I've lost my fire as well as my desire. These days performing for me is as meaningless as wishing for a rainbow.
I've heard lots of music that makes me smile, but right this minute I don't want to be a part of it.
I'm being honest about things here folks. I know this isn't what you've come to expect from me, the biggest advocate of live music, but I'm in a funk of major proportions.
Realistically, I will get back to my groove and I will find the magic that is my makeup, so I just want ask of you to be understanding, and patient with me for right now.
 I still want you to support live music even if I'm not there, because everyone else is doing their best to enterain you and enthrall you, and we all still need you.
I'll be back just as soon as I can, but until then keep me in your thoughts and prayers.
With all my love,
Charlie Tee

Life Lines

As I go through my life, I've come to realize that I've made it this far for a number of reasons.One is that I have a very strong belief in Allah (God), I had very strong parents and siblings. I've had very strong loves, and a host of other things. The string that attachs them all is life lines.
Life lines are those little sayings and phrases that are mostly meant as allegory, but are quite useful tidbits.
Here are a few of them, and then I'll get more into the post I'm writing...
"Every cloud has a silver lining,"my Mother used to tell us that all the time, and it has helped to lift me up when I have felt blue or sad (I've spewed that alot lately...). "The fool finds dreams the cheapest road to glory, but the wiseman knows the high price of awakening. My Father told me some variation of that, during his life. I feel that he meant that one needs to do the work necessary in life in order to live it fully; just a dream alone won't get you there. My Vickie used to tell me to "only fight worthwhile battles."
People, places, the things they do, and the times that they do them. This is a line from the hit TV series NYPD Blue as told by Andy Sipowicz (played brilliantly by Dennis Franz).That line has really stayed with me and has helped me to understand the nature of people, and how to move myself through the world.
"We must live in a world of reality and not delusion," My friend Robin told me this just last night, and it forms the basis of my post today.
Every one of us aspires to be something. From loved to respected, and everything in between.  But are we being delusional or are we living in reality? Are we willing to do the work necessary to make those dreams come true or are we just holding on to a senseless dream.
The only true answer to those questions can some when we face some honest facts about ourselves.
It's one thing to be lucky and get granted a wish, but it's another thing altogether to sustain it for a long period.
I've been playing music for alot of years and I often wonder why, and how some bands and singers make it and some don't.
What I realize is that some of these folks used those life lines to shore them up when they felt as though they were going to falter.They took the love and encouragement that they were given by loved ones to help steer them to their destinations.
Many is the time when I have to call for my life lines to pick me up, but I'm thankful that as I sail on my ocean, my life lines keep me bouyant.
I also realize that there are folks who are in dire need of a life line. Those folks live by the seat of their pants and hope that someone will come along and rescue them...that's delusional, especially if you know better....one does not get on a boat without some form of protection,nor would you jump out of plane without a parachute.
So why on earth would you live so vicariously?
I think that so many of us hope for the best but don't prepare for it.
Over the years that I've been a Carpenter Ant member, I used to simply get annoyed with our direction, but I started having various revelations about it too. I realize that what we're doing is preparing. This doesn't mean that we're poised to become big stars ( that could be percieved as delusional...), but that we're open to, at this stage of our lives any greater possiblity. In short we perform more than any band around here that I know of, we've gotten some great notariety. All by living in the real world. We do what we do as a group, if we don't like a particular style, we simply try something else.
Let's face it, alot of bands and singers don't have that luxury. Most bands have to labor through the holidays away from family and friends. We have the luxury to slow down during that time. It's really cool.
So while I still dream of bigger stages, I'm not sweating the smaller ones, and I'm saving my life lines for the things that are truly necessary...living in life.
I hope that all of you have a wonderful holiday season. I look forward to seeing and hearing from you.
Just remember...
Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

The Warmth of the Holiday (Food for Thought)

Musicians like any army, travels on its stomach. Meaning we love to eat, and seeing how this is the Thanksgiving weekend, I figured now is as good a time as any to tell you just how much we like to eat.
Unless we're making thousands of dollars, which let's face it most of ain't, the best we can hope for is to get a good meal out of the deal.
For those reasons most musicians either get hooked up with someone who can cook, or we take it upon ourselves to be good cooks. For me it's kinda both...My late wife Vickie was a great cook, I love to cook ( as evidenced by my picture...), and now that Vickie is gone from my life, my friend Robin has taken over.
Tonight for dinner she made turkey and dumplings, and it knocked me out of my socks it was so good..
Usually, we try to leave some leftovers for the next few days for lunches and etc. but this meal gave its life for service to my stomach, it died a proud American meal.
In the course of my life and especially since I've been a musician, what I haven't made in dollars, I've made up for in meals.
In the band we've been fortunate enough to do some pretty aggresive travel over the years and we've eaten in some really great places along the way.
You know a meal is good when you start singing songs in your mind like.... MMM MMM MMM MMM MMMMM !!!
Don't laugh, you know I'm telling the truth here...
Anyway, during the warmth of the holiday, I wanted to give you all some food for thought.Enjoy your meals, dine well, remember that there are those less fortunate, keep them in your prayers and feed them when you can. Sharing food is like sharing music, it's an experience best shared with others.
Happy holidays everybody.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

That Rainy Day Soundtrack

It's a safe bet that on a day like today (it's gloomy and rainy here in the Charleston, WV area...), you might be sitting at home anxiously waiting for the football game to start, or you might be getting that Sunday dinner prepared and ready to go, or you maybe wondering what the heck to do with your day just in general...
Me, I'm thinking about music. I'm sitting here at the computer trying to write you some sensible words to help you through your week.
Truth is, today I just got nothin', Now no one is at fault here for that, least wise, me, it's just that today is one of those days that I have to rely on that rainy day soundtrack to get me through the day.
All of us have those times when words just don't need to be spoken, but the music still to be playing.
Music does so much for our souls, just like food and water, it lifts us out of the duldrums.
As I'm writing I'm also listening to saxophonist David Sanborn's CD "Another Hand," and the song that's got my juices flowing is "Hobbies."If you could be here in my house right now, you'd get a funny sight seeing me shaking and grooving all over.
I don't feel like doing squat, but I'm jumping around like a crazy person...it's too funny. Even my cat Sarasue left the room.
Days like today are rare for me, because I try to be so focused, but really sometimes when the sun isn't shining I go into gloom mode, and since I don't think it's a good idea for me to drink or anything remotely like that I have to get through my day the best way that I can, so click on iTunes and become my own DJ, and get to feeling better.
Don't let your mood stop you from enjoying your life, just drop a CD in, or go out and catch some live music. Hum along and dance as you set yourself up to feel better, about your day and your life.
I love you all. Have a great week.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

Find The Middle

When I was young I was very over zealous at times; especially when I wanted something. Whether it was food or fun, didn't matter, I had to have it right there and then.
While visiting some friends of our family one Sunday, I was doing my usual ranting and whining, and as usual, it got on everyone's nerves.
At some point my Mother decided that she had had enough of it, and tried to warn me about doing this in front of company...all to no avail. It was in that moment that I crossed to a point of no return.
My Father took me outside and whipped me good. During that session he uttered the words that I'll remember til I'm no longer on this Earth; "be a guest and not a pest."
Herein lies the story of today's posting...
Find the middle.
I learned a very valid lesson that day which I hope serves me at this stage of my life.
Sometime in the quest to further oneself in their chosen field (mine of course is music...) we can become over zealous, and forget that there are many layers of work that need to be done to get where we're going.
You need a balance of belief in yourself, you need the belief of others, you need to be prepared, and you need to be a bit lucky. All of those systems have to find the middle, and when they do (as well as if they do...) you'll find that you can face so much more joy.
For musicians we could enjoy the freedom to express ourselves our way. For the fan, they can feel connected to us thereby creating a following, which falls in the category of belief from others. For the people who could possibly fund that dream, they could feel as though their monies are well spent. See, we're all coming to the same corner.
It's very sad to me when fans go out of their way to help us and we turn a blind eye toward them. Not only does it create a completely bad vibe, but it undermines and jeopardizes your efforts to have people come through those doors, and fill up those seats to hear you.
Water is a necessary element to make flowers bloom, when a drop hits a petal, that's when they have found the middle. One does not exist without the other.
So remember always what my Dad said, and don't get yourself whipped by life. Walk slowly, speak softly, but earnestly, raise your water can up and water your flower. Sit your water can down, relax and love what you helped to create.
My friends, go out and find the middle.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

I Dream a World

I've spent alot of time in my life just getting on with it. I mean to say that I've given quite a bit of thought to looking at my life from the spectator seat. That's not necessarily a bad thing per se' it's just that I wonder at times how I got to this point.
I led a fairly normal childhood; it was full and fun and mysterious, all at the same time, but I used to lie in my yard in the Bronx and be perplexed as hell about my life, and wonder just what I'm wondering today. I'd look up at the clouds and imagine a world beyond Mulvey Avenue. I guess at heart what I really am is an explorer, and maybe even a pioneer.I actually dreamed beyond my fence and saw my life as fulfilling and spiritually fulfilled.
Most of my dreams have come true, even though a few times they've been deferred.
I'm trying really hard to stay positive, but just now and again I feel like going off.(don/t worry, that's not where I am currently...).That same sense of wonder at times makes me wonder. I'm proud that I have survived so much, but at what cost? I've lost family, friends and now a second wife and child but something deep compels me to get on with it, to keep on keepin' on as it were.
That something is music...I feel it so deeply that it keeps me here, and pushes me to carry on even when I don't want to.
Why is that ? The truth is I feel that Allah has me here to reach out to folks and tell them that it's going to be alright.
I wanna cry sometimes ( and I do...) at the thought of where I see the world heading. It saddens me to know that in this age of technlogy and closeness we can't find the one thing that would fulfill us all...peace.
It's hard to think that of all the great songs out there in the world that we still treat each other like we don't care about each other.
The really crazy thing is that we can't go anywhere else. We may explore space, but right this minute we can't live there. Earth is all we've got, yet we act as though the heck with it, I'm just gonna go to the Moon and live, or some other planet.,
The simple fact is we have to dream a world, we have to see that person right next to us as a viable life, and realize that we are all we've got; warts and all.
That poor young man at Rutgers should still be with us. My Vickie should still be with us.
In Islam we say that man plans and Allah plans, but Allah is the best of planners; but I'm sure that even Allah didn't plan on us being this divisive, and He created the world.
My heart goes out to  that young man's family, please know that real people loved and cared about your son,. I hope that out of this tragedy someone somewhere will see me, and love me for me (metaphorically speaking...), and realize that I dream a world.
Please go out today and listen to live music, and just get on with it.

Support Live music today tomorrow and always, and use it to heal yourself.

"It Be's Like That Sometime."

Back in the day (which day, I'm not quite sure, or maybe I just don't remember...), there used to be a saying in the Black community that reflected the mood of most folks who felt powerless, and without much hope."It be's like that sometime."
As a striving musician at times I get that same feeling, but then I stop and realize that my destiny is in my own hands. Sink or swim, my fate is mine and only Allah can say whether or not it is for me to have.
I listen to musicians complain about how the industry just won't give any breaks, there are no agents to come see our band. we hate doing cover tunes and a myriad of other things, but the truth is you have to really be on your game when you play music; you've got to take these songs put your own flair into them and make them yours.
Yeah, I get tired of doing endless versions of "Brown Eyed Girl," but I still try to make my girl stand out from the rest.
I recently sat in with my old band here and although they are the covermasters, I found myself having a a ball, in the same way that I do when I play with the Carpenter Ants.
All of this leads me to believe wholeheartedly in what I'm saying here...you have to have fun with this, it be's like that sometime.
For years I've been going to a particular dentist's office. It's just him and his office manager. Whenever I leave there I realize how lucky I am to have found him.
What does this have to do with music, well let me tell you that first, my dentist's office is plain and unassuming, he doesn't have all the bells and whistles like some dentist offices, but he is so much into making you look good and have that perfect smile that you can easily think that you're in the office of the presidential dentist (really, is there one...?). The fact is, he thorougly enjoys his work, and clearly he is good at it.
In other words he's more into making you look like million rather than charging you a million to furnish an office and have several airhead cuties running around ( hey Mike, just a thought...)(only kidding...).
Musicians have to take that exact same attitude and bowl their audiences over with their rendition of that same brown eyed girl.
At times we all feel powerless and non existant, but you have to still keep your head to the grindstone and plow your way forward. Realize how lucky you are to have this gift of music. To get to the Rolling Stones status you've got to roll on your audience at your show. let your hair down and rock the joint even if there are only 3 people in the seats, make it seem like there are 3 thousand people out there. Just remember, you are the one with the power, it be's like that sometime.
Have a wonderful week everybody, see ya at the show.
Support Live music today tomorrow and always.

Catchin' You Up

Hi folks, been a bit hectic last few months as I'm sure that you can inagine,but I'm slowly clawing my way back from all of the transpiring, and the madness of late.
That said, I want to let everyone know that the Carpenter Ants will be in the Charleston area for the month of October, playing at the Empty Glass on Sundays post Moutnain Stage.
Of late we've embarked on quite a number of new tunes for you to enjoy and groove to from the Psychedilic to the revrential, and it's been a fun ride for me, and I'm quite certain that you'll dig it as well.
We had an extremely busy Summer season this year, but are overjoyed to be back home for while before it starts all over again and we're on the road, and living out of our suitcases.
For me it's been especially great because I've missed  all of you sooo much.
Along with my regular blog posts I'm going to be adding show dates, schedules, and miscellaneous info and pictures. This is just a way of catchin'you up on all the fun, and to give you your own special invitation to the frivolity.
I want to add that you can also catch us on Facebook and Myspace.
See you soon, and don't forget...

Support Live music today tomorrow and always

The Wrong Guy

Recently, I've heard a story that has circulated in the music community about me, and I've decided that it's time for me to address some serious issues.
The rumor that I heard was that I "supposedly" am leaving my band the Carpenter Ants. Not only have I heard it but it's starting to take on a life of its own.
Well folks, let me set the record straight right here and right now. I AM NOT NOR DID I EVER PLAN TO LEAVE THE CARPENTER ANTS ( If you're not sure what I said repeat the last sentence...)
Right now I'm really emotional because I've lost my wife and my child, so at times I may seem out of it, but I have no intention whatsoever to leave my home in this band.
For me the band has been my security, and my blanket to keep me warm. Michael, Ted and Jupie have surrounded me with love and with care, and have helped to see me through all of this.
Slowly, I'm getting back to myself, and regaining my power.
I'm not being metaphorical here folks, I'm merely saying that being in the position that I'm in this band makes me feel stronger and stronger.
During my absences over the past year and again recently with the death of my wife, I've found that I've been feeling a bit vulnerable and insecure. All I can say to that is go through what I've gone through and maybe you get the slightest inkling of how that could happen.
But rest assured, if you think that any of you can push me aside and move me out of this spot, YOU HAVE GOT THE WRONG GUY.
Normally, I have tried my best to be of help to my fellow musicians where ever I am needed, but I won't sit back and have idiots (yeah, I said it...) try to throw my band a curve or my fans a curve.
Kissing Michael's butt won't work, trying to go through my other friends won't work either.
So in short what I am am saying to all of my detractors, if you think that you're capable of moving me out you are more than welcomed to try.
Until then...
Support :Live music today tomorrow and always

Vickie

As I'm sure many of you know, my Vickie died on May 10, along with my stepson Marty.
To say the least, this is a terribly horrific blow in my life, and it has left me very scared, very confused and very alone.
Vickie has been my whole life, from the time that we met, and she will always be with me.
One of the reasons that I took to blogging in the first place was through her insistance, that I talk about my experiences in music in order to help others find their path, as well as my own. She has been my biggest cheerleader and my best motivator.
Facing the future without her is extremely daunting.

With thank in mind, I want to add that I am thankful and grateful to so many who have reached out to me during this time. Just as it is for everyone, it's hard to imagine that she and Marty are gone, but we all must try to live on and find our peace within.
As I've said over and over again, the hardest part of all of this for me is that I can't hold her hand any longer, That was always something that I lived for, and to have her smile at me, and tell me how much I was loved.
One thing that disturbs me is that Vickie spent so many years giving her life to medicine and the medical field, yet medicine turned its back on her, and that my friends is tragic.
In the weeks and and months to come, along with my regular writing, I want to tell you about what Vickie and I went through trying to get her help with her physical pain, and why it is direly important that the medical world listen to the concerns of humanity....Obviously, there are people who sorely need it.
Again to all of my readers, friends and fans, thank you for your continued support.
With all my love,Charlie Tee

Vickie Sutphin Tuitt 8-9-53 to 5-10-10
Martin Arthur Adams 1-25-84 to 5-10-10

Good night my love