Holworks
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11/24/2008 6:42:49 AM
Only Time Will Tell Holworks
Negative Goal Attainment - Only Time Will Tell Holworks
Nope, I did not win a Grammy.
Nope, I was not signed by a record company
Nope, I did not win any of the contests I entered
Started the band Holworks and it fell through twice.
I like to list the negatives first. In fact, I did come close to achieving three of the four negatives that could have in turn put them in the positive category. The Grammy thing is automatically out because I do not have a song recorded at the quality it will take for this to occur. I hope to correct that as I become more skilled at Cubase 4.
Though I am not signed by a record company, I have had three different companies inquire about my songs and what would I like to see happen to them. Of course I want to go into the studio and complete an album under a competent engineer who can help the process. We'll see, 2008 was a discovery year for me.
Third, I did not win any of the contests I entered. The best finish I could muster was 6th in the popular vote of Music Nation's Chevy Contest with a song (Our Chevy Song) we (Mark Holman, Brandon Enzlin, and Ben Vandagriff) wrote at Ben's studio in Los Angeles. 2009 promises a closer look at these three should I be able to overcome production issues.
Last, I had the opportunity to start Holworks in earnest in May 2008. It lasted for about six weeks before the fellas had had enough of my long time friend. That is still a huge blow for me as I usually do not fail that miserably at anything. It was totally unexpected to discover personality traits at the expense of synergy. Wah, wah, wah, it simply was not meant to be at that moment in time.
Positive Goal Attainment - Shattering Expectations Holworks
1. Became an ASCAP member
2. Started Holworks Music to publish catalog.
3. Recorded five songs in a real studio
4. Recorded 16 songs from home
5. Recorded 12 home videos for YouTube.
6. Helped compose six collaborations with friends from Music Nation.
7. Completed Carolina Commons in concept and song.
8. Finished in the top 10% in two National Music Contests.
9. Selected by WFSS 91.9 FM to perform on a local artist hour long radio spot in August.
10. Was invited to play at Paddy's Irish Pub, Jester's Pub, and the Rock Shop.
11. Flipped on several local media switches that will develop over time as I write more songs.
12. Joined the Cape Fear Songwriter's Guild to be around like minded people.
13. 14 of my songs have been selected to be played on Internet and terrestrial radio through Clear Channel.
There are some wonderful highlights I can relay that really give me a feeling that there is a chance for something miraculous like being heard on every radio in America to happen to me. Where do I start? Ok, what about October 9, 2007 when I entered the Spin Hot Pursuit Contest on Music Nation with some horrible MP3's of Just When I Thought and Blue Opal recorded in the back room of my friend's house. I posted those in the contest against bands from all over the country. I wasn't in a band. What was unexpected was the reaction to my songs.
Artists volunteered information on how I could make the songs sound better and what I needed to do in order to re-make them into something completely different and fantastic. That put me in the studio with some friends who were able to play the songs effortlessly. We made four demos together of the songs I wrote.
That through me into a whirlwind crash course in music production and a substantial investment in the effort to arrive at ePod quality. That is okay as I am no Producer yet. I am good with software though so I can get something down. It is enough for me to learn them thoroughly, ingrained sounds that are patterned and simple.
Anyway, it looks like I am starting to get entrenched in the music scene in Fayetteville thanks to some Publicity and elbow grease. Little steps are always required. Some of those little steps include a Wednesday night appearance at Louie's Open Mic for a couple weeks then the Coffee Scene. Another little step I was taking was my introduction to the Cape Fear Songwriter's Guild. Joining the Cape Fear Songwriter's Guild is giving me a place of unity that will continue to develop as wel familiarize ourselves with what we are trying to accomplish together as a group. That has led me to playing at Paddy's Irish Pub on Wednesday nights for five songs.
Again, marketing is key to musical success. I initiated contact with area clubs that have Open Mics joining as their MySpace friends. Jester's Pub and the Rock Shop allowed me to play at their clubs the last couple Monday and Thursday nights for six or more songs each time. Those are life changing moments despite varying crowds.
Being in front of the Public singing my songs is difficult to describe as it is for fun yet the preparation needed is exhausting. I cheat a lot because I want my background to be a full band. I have to sequence the drums, bass, and guitars. Sequencing, then remembering that sequence is interesting to me because of the thought process involved in recollection.
I will keep on as a solo artist until, if ever, I meet the right folks again. That would be cool as I would like to find folks who have a competitive advantage through the instruments they play. That is what a band called Holworks will take. Everyone must be light years ahead of me musically to match my ability to emplace syllables within notes. That will be a day I will lose sleep over.
2008 - I've seen some great things pass my way simply because I reached out to the WORLD. Thanks to all of you who have written to me. I hope our Lord blesses you for doing so. It is difficult to wonder. It is exceptional to know.
Mark Holman
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