Acoustic Highway

New Music is LOVE

2010-09-24T22:25:00.000-04:00

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?

2010-09-05T20:02:00.000-04:00

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

2010-08-26T19:19:00.001-04:00

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.

A Great photographer Alan Rodriguez took some pics of me during the performance at Crossroads in Sarasota. Give him a visit alanrphoto.com Thanks Alan for a great set of Pics.

I was graced with my wife Shannon on this trip and she Sang with me. I love it when she sings with me.

This week. I hooked up with my old Fort Pastor Band mate Brant Christopher to do some writing. We are gettin the band back together. At least 2/3 of it. BIG Kettledrum We have a tour scheduled in Oct. I will keep you informed.
I am excited about the direction of the music we are embarking. Very Folk, Groove feel. Think Mumford and Sons and Ben Harper.
That's it for now folks.
JT

Weekend Madness

2010-08-20T09:12:00.000-04:00

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

2010-08-17T14:04:00.000-04:00

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 have always loved Folk music and consider what I play to be folk in nature. As I work for next year I hope to be involved in many a folk festival next summer. As I am writing and working for something similar but very different I hope that you will come along with me on this journey. I will start to play clubs and listening rooms, street festivals and anywhere someone will have me. This year. I plan on producing a new CD very stripped and very acoustic. So Stay tuned. I am now armed with a new lease on my musical life.

I am moving, my blog that is.

2010-01-18T08:23:00.000-05:00

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

2010-01-01T21:43:00.000-05:00

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

This is what I know

2009-12-23T14:25:00.000-05:00

Well, it's Christmas season again. WOW! time is a flying. I have completed my CD "Circles I Run" now just waiting on others to get done what they get done. Today I sit at my computer trying to read and learn as much as I can about promoting, booking, distribution and anything else that goes with putting out a new CD, but what I end of doing is playing my guitar. If a page takes too long to load, I play my guitar, but what I noticed is over the past 2 weeks I haven't played my guitar. I have been working with my bro in law and just left it in it's case. Lately I've felt overwhelmed, anxious, even a bit pissed and am not sure why.
I went to Orlando w/ guitar in case and didn't play till the night of Shannon's Christmas party for Salon JW and even then wasn't sure If I wanted to. Well I did, got to play some songs and Jam along with David Watkins a great fella and super musician. I was happy drove 3 hrs home and smiled the whole time. Guitar back in the case, I go to work for Spence again lot's to do he is grateful for the help and I am grateful for a paycheck. Fast forward today. I am at my computer learning about (mentioned above) and WOW! I am happy I am playing my guitar, I am working on some tunes and I am realize. This is what I was made to do. Am I the best at singing, playing, writing, Nope!, but I am pretty damn good. So this is what I know. I am supposed to play music, I may not supposed to make a lot money playing music, but I am supposed to play. I love it I love to listen to it.

I pray that anyone reading this finds the passions in their lives and does those passions. As we end the year and soon begin another I pray that we live in the moments of our lives the best we can. Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year.
JT

Time Away

2009-11-29T22:52:00.000-05:00

Hello, I'll dive right in. Sat morning I picked two people whom I consider to be close friends. PW Gopal, and Jim Trick. Both incredible songwriters, performers and just super guys. We drove to Rockledge to pick up Brant. Awwww Sausage Fest has begun. We led Worship at Brants church Sat night and Sunday morning. I had an great time worshiping with my guitar with some great musicians in the presence of God.

It's great being with these fellas and it stretches me and makes me want to be better at everything I do. Writing songs, reading the word, serving others and getting out of myself. In my selfish world it's times like these that make me look on my life and say. Thanks God for the Good and the bad, the boring and the mundane.

I will tell you more about things in the life of JT as the days progress.
JT

Releasing,

2009-11-17T13:01:00.000-05:00

I've thought about that word for quite sometime now. What does it mean? "to set Free" is a basic idea of it. Even better "To let Go" As I near the End of what has been a long 10 months of recording a new Record (CD) It is getting Close to the time I have to "Set it Free" or "Let it Go" CIrcles will be my 2nd Solo CD I wrote all the songs, I played all my own parts and I helped produce it from here in America while my former band mate and one of my best friends Played, engineered and Produced from Australia. It's easy to do this these days with Internet, but difficult to not be at every recording, mixing and mastering session. Trust comes to mind. I trust the people involved with this project and therefore I can sleep. It's funny at times I felt like I was going to take the country by storm with these songs, and other times I wondered if anyone would listen. Not sure it will sweep over the nation like a Noreaster, Probably not, but I think (i hope) someone will listen and get what I was trying to say in this portion of my life.

It's hard to Let Go, "Release", but it's harder to hold on. So next month I will "Release" my new CD "Circles I Run" I will pray the people that purchase or steal or borrow will listen with open ears and open hearts. Maybe, just maybe someone might connect with something i wrote, produced and sang on and will say. "Wow I know how he feels"
So for now, I wait and waiting is something I've gotten real good at, but soon "Circles" will be out, and I'll be waiting on something new.
JT

Fall

2009-11-01T22:03:00.000-05:00

Well, it's Nov 1st Shannon just had a birthday. It's still a little warm here in Florida for Fall. I have been playing some shows. More than last year not as many as i would like. I will not complain I am grateful for the times I am getting to share my music.
"Circles I Run' the new CD is in it's final stages, but still one thing , one instrument yet to be recorded. Awwwwwwww! cmon horn player make yourself known. it's hard to know were almost done and knowing that when it's done I will still have 15 days of waiting for the CDs to be pressed. Soon. For those of you that pre-bought the CD it's sounds amazing and I can't thank you enough for your support. It helps very much.

Well that's it for now, thanks for reading. Soon new music
JT

Soon, Soon, Soon

2009-09-14T20:41:00.000-04:00

Well, it's Sept. I am getting ever closer to getting "Circles" done. I spent a Week in Nashville at Invertigo Studios with Stephen Gause and recorded some Vocals. I made it out alive and Jono in Australia is kicking it in gear. Simon Lewis Piano player keyboard master and super great fella layed down some killer grooves with the Ivories and his soon to be Brother n Law laid down some sweet lap slide and his Sister is kickin in some Back Ground Vocals ooooh and let me not forget my Great wife who laid down some sweet Harmonies on 3 tunes.

Soon the CD will be done and ready for mass consumption. I am crossing my fingers that mid Oct it will be done.
I have G.W LeMaster doing his magic with the computer and making the Cover look great. Also the wonderful Shannon did the Art for the CD cover, I will have a pic up for you soon.

I will keep you informed thanks for staying tuned

Peas brotha's and Sistas
JT

Trip up north

2009-08-14T17:12:00.000-04:00

Hey Guys, Thought I would share a bit about my trip to NH. It started with a drive with my Bro in law to Chicago. We set up a tent in the inner City. Headed towards Sandusky Ohio home of Spence's favorite Roller Coaster. Millennium Force at Cedar Point
Holy Cow was it fast, and Fun, I barely fit in the seat. Weight Watchers here I come. We went from the there to the Rock N Roll hall of fame. Cool as Cools gets. We stopped at the USS Cod to visit a WW II submarine again very cool. From there Spence headed home and I headed for Niagara Falls made a stop in Canada WOW the falls what a site, then a stop in Cooperstown NY Yep Baseball Hall of Fame. Induction weekend. What fun Jim Rice from Boston and Ricky Henderson from the A's. I had no idea it was going to be that crazy. From there headed to NH and then up to Soulfest in Gilford NH. Hung out with some friends played some music Fun was had by all. Here are some pics from my trip

Urban camping?

2009-07-22T08:39:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone.
Some news to Share. 1st I will have some tracks from Jono
today. Excitement is in the air for me. I managed another
banjo track on a song last week. Thanks Ginny

I'm traveling this week. Headed to Chicago then up to soulfest in
New Hampshire. Looking fwd to seeing some friends. I'm actually blogging
from my iPhone how cool is that? I'm not sleeping in
any hotel rooms this trip. I call it Urban camping. Cheap and comfortable
Spence my bro on law is actually towing my car to Chicago. Sweet!

That's it my peeps.
Oooooooo almost forgot. You can follow me on Twitter now
www.Twitter.Com/jeffertodd. I can't figure out how to put the little Twitter button
here. 5th grader where are you.

Take care
J

New News

2009-07-12T23:06:00.000-04:00

Hey All, I am a blogging Machine these days. Ok not really a machine, but I did figure out how to open my blogger and sign in with out going to my saved passwords page. Whooohoooooo!

I am starting to book some shows, slowly, but surely.
I have a new Website, and I did it all by my self. I am still working on and it will change I am sure. Come visit at www.jeffreytodd.com

I am headed up to chicago for a few days and then off to Soulfest in Gilford NH. Looking forward to seeing some old Friends and hanging with my BFF Brant C. Ok that's it.
Hope you like the new Pic my talented wife took.
J

Mmmmmm does this work

2009-06-20T23:24:00.000-04:00

Just seeing if this actually posts to my FB! will see

Blog a log a ding dong!

2009-06-20T22:49:00.000-04:00

Well I am here at my blogger. I haven't blogged in a while on here. I have however blogged on Facebook, and low and behold I can do it all from here and it goes to FB. Who would have thunk it. (is thunk a word? it didn't correct my spelling so it must be) I digress!
I went out this past week and did a photo shoot. Let's just say HOT! not me the weather! all though women in there 90s think so. I digress again! It's always fun to go take photos. sometime not so fun to see yourself and think oh my Gosh. I thought I looked good. I call this reverse body image. I think I look good, but maybe not so much) hahahaha!
any who. Here is some news for me. I have a new Record coming out "Circles I Run" (CIR) for short. I just signed someone up on my team. Sharon Quackenbush has agreed to come on board and start helping with booking and anything else i might throw at her. She is a terrific artists and an overall top of the line person that anyone would absolutely Love to work with.

I have a motto is called Rock ON Softly! this means I rock but with a soft pillowy edge. It for everyone.
I hope you come by my FB site and say hey. You can even visit my reverbnation site as well and have a listen www.reverbnation.com/jeffreytodd sign up for my email list and start getting in the whole JT action and updates on the new CD "CIR" I am pre-selling now to make some funds for the production and promotion of it. Please come by and ask me some questions would love to say hey.

Well that's it for now. Here is one of the crazy pics that didn't make the cut, but I like it.

Acoustic Highway

2009-03-30T12:09:00.001-04:00

2009 is there a plan

2009-01-07T11:37:00.000-05:00

I am blogging from my I phone. Yep I am high tech now
Looking forward to a new year. I plan on releasing a new record.
I have heaps of new songs. It will be tough to pick tunes.

Brant and I will play a few shows as FP. I hope to be in Nashville looking for some song writing oportunities this year
As well as gig playing guitar for someone touring.
Well my thumbs are getting tired.
Will be in touch

Peace
JT

A new beginning

2008-12-09T09:53:00.000-05:00

Hello friends.
I am here at panera bread which means Shay and I are in Orlando for the next few weeks. Soon I will be updating from a mobile unit. YES! I'll give you a hint it starts with "I" and ends with phone. I can't wait.

I am slowly working on new songs. This week is demo week in the house. Going to lock my self in a room and try to get some work done with demos. I am meeting with my friend Sam this week and am excited to talk to him about recording and producing and all that fun stuff.

Last week I played and open Mic night in Tallahassee. I had a blast. I was 1st up with almost no crowd at all (my normal these days) bad sound, smokey bar. I had a BLAST!! I hope to be going back sometime soon.

A shout to my best friend. Brant I am proud of you brotha. I hope that your new record kicks all sorts of butt and that you go far, far, far. I am excited for you. I know the FP fans will love it.
Well that's it for today. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas to all that read this.
God Bless
JT

Still at Work

2008-11-17T12:35:00.000-05:00

Hey peeps! is peeps still cool? I don't think so, I digress. Well, 1st thanks to my 4 followers on my blog account. Do you all feel enlightened? I appreciate it. The holidays are approaching. WOW! time is starting to fly. Does this mean I am getting older. I am in Orlando this week with Shannon. I am looking forward to hooking up with some old Friends. Sharing some new songs with them.

I am working on a solo project as well as in the college market with my band mate Brant Christopher. He and I are still doing our best to keep FP up and running. Brant works for a non profit organization called "Not for Sale" this is a campaign against Human Trafficking and modern day slavery. I am an artist that is going out and doing concerts to help people become aware of something that is right in front of them. (I didn't have a clue till I looked into it) Brant and I just wrote a song that talks about this issue called "Didn't Know" I am excited to see where this journey takes me. Shannon (my wife ) and I are going to start singing together as well. I travel full time as musician and she is a Hair Stylist so when we can we are going to start singing in Churches and telling people about "Not for Sale" It's all very exciting. I am posting a pic Shay took for me last week. Shay makes me look good every time I am near her or when she is taking pics. Anyway thanks for reading those of you that are.

take care God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving.
JT

Blog a dog a ding dong. Houston APCA

2008-11-03T16:17:00.000-05:00

Hey Folks, looks like I have 2 followers. whooohoooo. One is my wife. thanks Honey. Well I spent Halloween in Houston Tx. I was showcasing at the South Central APCA. What a great time. Met some amazing people and some really cool students. Zane, Gus and Joseph from WTAMU. Thanks Skip and Matt for letting me Hang with you. (hope your feeling better matt).
Also met some Killer musicians as well. Jonathan Kingham, you my friend are amazing. Nick Pagliari you rock equally as well as Johnny Hawthorne and Larry Bagby. many, many others Max you always rock.

I had a great time. My showcase rocked, the students were singing and just having a blast with me. Here is a short vid for you to see.

Much fun and Laughter.
For those of you that saw my showcase write me and say hello. And Jeni sp? (sorry) you know what you need to do next time.

Peace my brotha's and sista's

Movies and Politics

2008-10-11T22:30:00.000-04:00

Hey folks, 1st I want to thank Skip at WTAMU in Canyon for having me come play for homecoming. I had a blast and the buff won against Mid Western State. Go Buffs!

Movies, I couldn't wait to see Lakeview Terrace. Well lets just say Samuel L Jackson is still looking for a good movie to act in. It sucked. Movie # 2 American Carol. this is the conservative film spoofing Michael Moore. I laughed a little. It had some good moments, but seemed a little long and too many little kids using bad language.

Politics, Nov 4th is on it's way. If you don't know who your voting IE: (independents) Figured it out. It's coming soon.
I am ready for it to be done. i am into it, I am watching, reading and being informed. With all the mess our financial system is in now I don't envy the next president. I am also not ready to live in a Socialist country. We are getting closer I think.

Thats it for now. thanks for tuning in.
JT

POLO tucks

2008-08-29T21:24:00.000-04:00

Hey person who reads my blog. Oh hi. Yeah I know I am the only one reads my own blog.
Sarah Palin, WOW! No one knows her outside the great Alaska Tundra. Well they do now. I am happy as I can be. Why? Someone honest in politics. At least it sure seems that one. Not a career politician, Just a concerned Mom who wanted to be apart of PTA and it just grew. She is my age she has 5 kids and she is AWESOME!!!!!!!

I have been pretty discussed with Politics as of Late. Don't believe a thing Barry is saying and quite frankly I don't believe half of what MAC says. As for Biden. He's just another career politician. He's wanted to be president since 1972. Wow that's longer than McCain Mmmmmmmmmmmmm! Good thing a young Black man with a flair for speaking came along. Barack seems like a likable guy He says a lot of great things. Well it sounds nice. I am not ready to be a Socialist country yet. Hope many people are like that.

well this is my Rant!
J

New music on the way.

2008-07-20T23:11:00.000-04:00

I don't know if anyone actually reads my blog posts, but if you do here is the news.
Fort Pastor is on hiatus and I am back on my own for a bit.

I have been working on new tunes and am excited about doing a new EP and or full CD. Wow! CD I don't think I am even going to press CD's I am going to use Disc Revolt, or some other company that does Download cards.

To those who might read this. Thanks for your support and spread the word for me.

JT

You can friend me on Facebook and myspace.

IT's done!!!!

2006-01-30T10:26:00.000-05:00

Well, after a 2 and half months of scratching and clawing Brant, Jono and I are done with the new Fort Pastor CD!! "Alive Inside"
We are excited. We are hitting the road to support the CD in Feb. Our website www.fortpastor.com will be up and running soon. We are looking for friends and fans on our myspace. just visit www.myspace.com/fortpastor and take a listen and join the party.
I will be updating with more info and pics soon

peace and love

jt

On the Horizon

2005-11-02T11:38:00.001-05:00

Well, I am learning about this blogging thing. I must admit I am slow. What's new. A NEW PROJECT. Brant and I with our new Friend Jono from Australia are working a on a brand new CD. It is an acoustic/folk/Americana/pop fest. It is being recorded primarily on acoustic instruments including the digiredoo. We are excited about what we are doing with music and can't wait to release the new project. Right now we are calling ourselves "Fort Pastor" As I learn more about this blogging thing I will post some pics from the sessions and keep everyone informed. Stay tuned

jt

My 1st ever Blog

2005-09-02T18:27:00.000-04:00

Wow I am catching up with the World. I am Blogging. Watch me Blog. I am not saying anything important i am just Blogging, Blog, Blog, Blog. Wow did you see me Blog, LOOK out bloggers because I am Blogging.
Had a great Time in england will elaborate in my next Blog. Man I feel liberated with my New Blogging shoes.