For the four people that actually read this thing, the reason why I haven't had as many gigs lately is because I've been recording some new tracks that will hopefully make it onto the next album. I'm really quite pleased with what has been done so far but, that doesn't say by any means that they are done. This next album I can say is going to be much harder to complete than the last one and much more upbeat. The songs are going to be much more cohesive and I plan on making the arrangements much more colorful than those of Conscious From Center. I felt like the last album was just a bunch of songs I just wrote, threw together, recorded and said, "well... there's my album! slap that shit on iTunes and let go!!" Not this time. For this go-round my focus mainly is becoming a better songwriter. Let's face it, the last album was mostly about my time in New Orleans and what a wonderful place it is to be. I love it there but I've seen some pretty cool stuff since then. I mean I was even crazy enough to pick up and move half way around to world to Scotland (btw, a big "What UP!!" to all my buds over there).

Anyways, I've been writing a lot lately on a much more consistent time frame than I am used to, and I think its a really good thing. It makes me pay much more attention to everything that's going on around me. I've started writing much more from personal experience and that's where the really good stuff is anyways. Songwriters aren't preachers, they are a mix between a storyteller and a messenger (Did that make sense?) A friend of mine whom I met just recently told me, "Artists and Songwriters are the people that make life livable." I thought about that for about a couple days and came to the conclusion that there was some definite truth there. The first thing we all do after a bad day is put on our favorite songs that lift us back up again. At the same time though, it's a pretty bold statement to live up to. I never though of songwriters as caretakers of the human soul but sometimes that's just what they do. I'm by no means saying that's what I am because I'll be the first person to stop you from making that judgement. But the best ones: The Dylans, the Guthries, the Lennons and McCartneys. Those are the one's that make our days better, those are the one we all look up to, and those are the ones that make us smile on our bad days. I hope that I make you smile on this next album because that's really what music to me is meant to do. So I hope I haven't confused you too much and I hope you follow me on this next album. As to when it will be done I really can't say. I can tell you though that 3 months ago I never really thought of it. I'll be putting up some of the new demo tracks on the site for you guys to take a listen to. Please let me know what you think of them because you are my critics and I always love to hear what's on you mind. Phew!!-C.

If you haven't heard them, here are two of my favorite people to gig with. They will be playing with me at The Green Elephant on June 27th so come out and see us. Here they are playing Allie. The Liking Strikes:

This is quite possibly one of the most refreshing bands I've seen in a very long time. I played a gig with them last night at Becky Middleton's Singer Songwriter night last night at Opening Bell Coffee and wow.

They're called The Smart Brothers. They played without the pa system but it wasn't like they needed it. Three guys, singing, strings, a suitcase for a kick drum and a whole bunch of other stuff turned into absolute magic. So with out further babbling I give you The Smart Brothers:

This is too funny yet at the same time one of the most inspiring things I've seen in a very long time. This is going to be me in about 50 years. I just got my first issue of Paste from my SXSW subscription and in it is a quick ad for the documentary Young @ Heart. All I will say is just imagine your grandma or grandpa rockin' out to your favorite Stones or Ramones songs. Check it out. I know you all will absolutely love it while falling on the floor in uncontrollable laughter. Here is the link to the trailer on YouTube.

Hey Guys,

The Official Street Team has now been set up. So if you want to get move involved with spreading the word about the music please check it out and let me know what you think. Hopefully it will be a great way of communicating with you all more closely. -C.

Whew. Just got back from Austin from the SXSW music conference/fest. 1500 bands in four days will take it out of you. There were some great bands and some not so great bands that my buds and I got to check out. Kaki King, The Ting Tings, Sia, White Denim and Ash Grundwald were all phenomenal. It really makes me very optimistic about the future of music. The Ting Tings were definitely my favorite. They're just a duo but Jules and Katie from Manchester packed a great performance into their half hour set. Great looping, great control, great everything. Just needed to get that one off my chest. More thoughts to come...

So I've just ran into this very cool little thing that lets people share music for free. And for some reason it's legal (as far as I know). It's called Kadoink and it lets you share music with your friends over the phone. You just record a message to your buds and it calls their numbers with the message you've just created and the song you want to share. I might just be a big dork but I think it's pretty cool. I've got it set up on the Interact Page if you guys want to check it out. The only thing that's a negative is that the sound quality for some reason is a bit rough. Let me know what you guys think of this.

Hey Guys!

We've got some more shows coming up that were just booked this week. Please click here to check them out. Or go to the shows page. Hope to see y'all out there. -C.

To let the few of you who actually read this stuff know, I have moved back to Texas to continue playing music. I'd like to thank those of you who came out last Friday night to The Green Elephant. It was such a good time. We're working really hard right now to bring you guys some more shows around Dallas and the surrounding areas. So if you missed out on the last show there will be more to come.

Other than that, I'm really happy that I got access to the website today so there's gonna be much more action going on it now. Thinking about a video blog but we will see where that goes. Let me know if y'all think its a good idea. Until next time, it's good to be home, its great to have Mexican food again, and I'm thinking my golden year is gonna be one to remember. Talk to ya later - C.

OOTB 269

Charlie Oxford

Charlie is newly arrived from Dallas, and brought a whole regiment of support with him. Actually his friends were amazing and sat through everyone’s songs and joined in, sang along, and heckled. Charlie – got any more friends who want to come along?

Charlie has a nice voice which is verging on the very good – I can’t say I could make out too much of the words, but definitely one to watch.

Review: Daniel Davis

Out Of The Bedroom

The Canons’ Gait

232 Canongate

Edinburgh

Thursdays 8-11pm

http://www.outofthebedroom.co.uk

I just took a listen to the new Iron & Wine album The Shepherd’s Dog, which came out yesterday and I have to say that it is one of the best complete albums I’ve heard in a very long time. I’ve been a fan for a long time now and this has to be the most eclectic one of all. I really think that there is something for everyone on.

I promise to everyone that they will like this record. Please do yourself a favor, go down to any record shop (Best Buy and WalMart don’t count by the way) pick up a copy, listen to the entire thing, and let me know what you think. I can’t say enough about it. It’s one of those records you want to listen to the whole way through every time you play it. This is without a doubt my favorite album of the year. Oh, and while you are there pick up Ray Lamontagne’s Till The Sun Turns Black.

Thanks to Mr. Drinkwater for the heads up on the new I&W album.

Hey All,

It’s me. Back on the web again and this time the freakin’ site actually works. Sweet. There are some new things to the site like the music player and the interact page. Check em out and let me know what you think.

So my roommate Katie just walked in the door from a long trek to the greatest jungle of a store in the world- IKEA!! What a great place. It’s all mapped out for you and when you’re finally about to pass out from exhaustion what do they have? That’s right… HOT DOGS. All the energy you need to get back in the store for round two. Gotta love the Swedes.

I do have to admit she is a great roommate but when it comes to opening a can of soup, God help us. In the end she finally figured out that the pull top was faster than her original plan of the can opener…!