New Music is LOVE

I am sitting here on a Friday night after a day of sitting at my desk with my guitar in hand. My Bose PA cranked my newly made Samsonite Kick drum Plugged in and Thumping along.  I am mentally tired, and yet I don't feel anything was accomplished.  But practice is valuable.   As I am preparing for "BIG Kettledrum" and excited about new music.  I am excited about playing music with my Best Friend again. I am disappointed that Jono can't be with us.  As I search the net looking for musical inspiration I find it everywhere.  I love that you can find GREAT music anywhere.  It's humbling, it's frustrating and it's inspiring. When I hear "Mumford and Sons it makes me want to get a Banjo and get good at it. When I hear Johnny Flynn is makes me glad I play a Round neck dobro (Reso),  Last fall it was Ingrid Michaelson
I LOVE music. I love what it does to me when a lyric hit's home.  Lately I've been listening to a lot of Johnny Cash.  Truth in Lyrics, and a man who lived on the Edge of Life. I say all that to say.
New music coming soon from Me and my Best Friend "Big Kettledrum"  stay tuned.

JT

BIG Kettledrum What?

I just played a show in Vero Beach South Florida and Had  a great time.  I played the Reso and kicked out a few new tunes.  One which will be on the new BIG Kettledrum  EP out in Late Oct.  I am now at my best friends house Brant Christopher and we are preparing for our new Project.  We are excited about the direction of the music.  Fusing a bit of the Old Fort Pastor vibe, with some Nu-Folk.  Very exciting.  I will be talking more about it soon.  We have a tour planned for Oct which is taking us from Kansas to California and Oregon.  I will have some details up soon.

News of the Day

Played a great show in Sarasota.  Pastor Bob Suter was a gracious host.  Had a great time performing for his congregation.  Bob is a Great Musician as well as being a wonderful, thoughtful pastor.   You can visit his website and listen to his latest Release http://www.bobsuter.com.

Weekend Madness

Well I am on the road this weekend.  Headed to Sarasota to play at Crossroads Church with my Friend Bob Suter,  ( a great musician and pastor)  Shannon will be headed with me and singing.  I am excited.  We will be road tripping in my Soul my Kia Soul that is.
Also I have a new website and am excited a out it.  Your on it now, maybe  if not visit www.jeffreytodd.com  See you after the Show on Sat.  

New Direction

It's the end of summer.  Festival season is nearing an End.  Would have been nice to be involved in Festival season.  I did manage 1 fest this year Soulfest and Annual Christian festival in New England.  I managed 1 spot on the Mountain top just before a really good and Young all girl band called "the go go's"  Just kidding there name is "Shel" very talented young ladies.  Jon Forman played a solo acoustic set following them.  So I opened for the famous Jon Forman of "Switchfoot"  All in all I got to see some old friends and had a great few days.  I also learned that my fanbase is not the people I played to at Soulfest.  I am re tooling my songs and the way I approach what I do a little bit.  I've been playing to the wrong crowd.  That all changes Now!

I am moving, my blog that is.

For those of you following along as I post on "Acoustic Highway" I am moving my Blog.  I will be posting from my new Blog  "40 Year Phone Call 40yearphonecall.blogspot.com  or you can just visit www.40yearphonecall.com and get the blog there.  So be sure to add me to your reader.  I am doing Music Reviews there along with my Road updates, and musings about life.  Come over and see what's happening at 40yearphonecall.
It's taken me almost 40 years to find my call. Odd thing is it's been there the whole time.
Thanks for following along.  Tell your friends and learn about some new music.

The New Year w/ New Beginnings

Well it's all over and yet it's beginning again. It's like a Circle. Mmmmmm go figure. Oh have I told you about my new CD (yes Jeff you have) Well it's done and at the processing plant getting a makeover.
I am very excited.
As this year ended I had to perform a very hard thing to do... I had to put my dog Tanner to Sleep. Tanner was 13 years old and up until a month ago he acted like a 7 year old running, playing and being a great companion for my wife, myself and especially my mother in law.  Tanner will be missed.  Rusty my Aussie and Tanner are up in heaven having a ball.

As the end of the year came, my mother in law brought someone home for Shay and I.  After losing Rusty I thought it's gonna be a while before I get another dog, plus I have Tanner.  Enter Barney, a  German Shepherd/ Hound Mix.  Very cute, very hyper, very mouthy/bitey.  It only took a few days for him to start to grow and the training began.  Very bright, and smart and he's learning everyday.  Some how God knew I was ready for a new friend.   No one knew Tanner was going to be leaving only a month later.

So as I start the new year. I am excited.  A new CD and a new pup.  I am even thinking about bringing Barney out on the road with me.  So far he just gets sick every time he's in the car.  Will see if he can handle it You may even see some road pics of "Barnyard Barney" on the road.

Take care and Happy new year
JT