frank1571374 + Musician in Cleveland, OH

SEEKING

ABOUT

Like any relationship, it's all about the chemistry. I can write out a list of what I'm looking for, but the right person(s) will always be more than that. So the following is less about what I want but more just a way to get to know me and see if there's anything I'm saying that resonates with you in your story and journey.

I write music for the sake of music first and foremost. I'd rather work with someone who has a ton of heart but makes some technical mistakes than someone who is super slick and fake. The world needs more art, it doesn't need any more fake. I get an endless list of sponsored posts from new artists on social media and I can't stand the vast majority of them. Fake vocal inflections or expressive movements? We're not a good match. The only reason to even do music is to have a genuine encounter with someone, so to pretend you're feeling emotions is something I can't accept. That being said, we all make mistakes sometimes.

I'm 46 and have been writing songs most of my life. I play several instruments and sing. I'm a writer by trade. I believe music is best when it comes out of community. I *can* do it all, but I'd rather work with someone as a sounding board, co-writer or band member. Everyone's opinion matters.

I'm open to female or male. It would be nice to have a female voice to complement mine, but that's not necessary. Someone with digital recording skills would be a plus, because that's where I struggle. I'm great about brainstorming new songs and improvising parts. I have not done a great job turning them into finished recordings. I have the heart of a singer but I've struggled with singing most of my life, but I'm working with a vocal coach to figure out why and untangle all that. I play piano, guitar, banjo, bass and a little bit of mandolin and harmonica. I'm passionate and creative but have major social phobia at times.

I write songs about personal growth, spirituality, peace and justice, community and family. All my songs are love songs but few are about romantic relationships. I'm not opposed to church songs and I've written my share, but I don't do so well following strict dogma. I may write a Christian song and then follow that with a song celebrating Buddhism right after it. I'm open to working with someone who doesn't share all of my views, but if you're super strict about this I'm probably not a good match for you. I'm someone who grew up Catholic and who is okay with that but is also exploring all sorts of faith traditions lovingly and openly. The world is full of beauty and wisdom so I want to explore it all!

If you are super stylized and think there's a "right" way to play a guitar because "Earl Scruggs never done it that way before", I'm probably not for you. I can tap on anything in arm's reach and don't like being constrained. Earl Scruggs broke all the rules, too.

I'd love to write, record and play in public. If that turns into more and we travel I'm open to all that if or when the time comes. I live with my wife and daughter, and they will always take priority, but there is room for flexibility in how this plays out depending on, well,... how this plays out.

I am not sure if I sound like my influences at all, but I'll list them: Bruce Springsteen, John Denver, Van Morrison, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, John Hartford, Lucinda Williams, Pete Seeger and the Weavers, Vince Gill, Sly and the Family Stone, The Beatles, Rosario Flores, some Argentine folks singers, Stevie Wonder, Moody Blues, Oak Ridge Boys... lots and lots of 50s music and Motown. Lots of 70s, especially the singer-songwriters. Some country but not so much the commercial stuff. Billy Joel, Neil Diamond, John Prine, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, The Allman Brothers, Carter Family. Any and all true folk music.

I've been in a fair number of bands and ensembles: classic rock, bluegrass jams, contra dancing, church groups, a roots/Americana folk trio, etc. I've played lots of classical music, too. I don't want to fit into someone's else's idea of a genre but rather just play the music we want to make. If it's all acoustic, if fits into a genre or doesn't, if its electric... it can be any or all of those things and it can vary.

I love Mozart and Hendrix and think I understand how they think. I write what I believe is world class music but have always delivered it with performance skills that don't do justice to the songs.

Music is mission to me. I want to express and share for my own sake, but I also want to reach, and teach, and heal and join my efforts to all the positive transformation in the world.

I want to write and record music and play it publicly. What shape that takes is an open question! I'd like to do that with you.

Screen name:

frank1571374

Member since:

Oct 22 2021

Active within 24 hours

Level of commitment:

Very Committed

Years playing music:

35

Influences

Some specific musicians rise to the top whose music I've followed for many years and I've seen them grow and develop over time. In other cases, there are whole genres I gravitate toward, where it may not be about individual musicians as much as the sum total of the whole genre:

Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Van Morrison
John Denver
The Beatles (solo careers included)
Pete Seeger (and the Weavers)
John Hartford
Lucinda Williams
Willie Nelson
Johnny Cash
Waylon Jennings
The Oak Ridge Boys
The Moody Blues
Rosario Flores
John Prine
Billy Joel
Jim Croce
Allman Brothers Band
Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and all the Wailers
Carter Family
Neil Diamond
Vince Gill
Sly and The Family Stone
Stevie Wonder
Kenny Rogers

50s music
Motown music
Bluegrass music
Catholic post-Vatican II "folk" music
Gospel music
70s singer-songwriters

I spent a lot of time growing up with so-called classic rock and 70s singer songwriters, so I guess that's the period I'm most familiar with. I went through a huge country phase as well, although I'm quite aware of the limitations and disappointments of radio country, I like the freedom and the richer draw of approaches by Americana musicians. I'm surprised there isn't more rock on my list above as I grew up rocking out mostly. A lot of it just didn't keep my interest as I got older as much as the ones on the above list.

Instrument experience:

Rhythm Guitar:

Expert

Lead Guitar:

Expert

Acoustic Guitar:

Expert

Keyboard:

Expert

Piano:

Expert

Banjo:

Moderate

Mandolin:

Moderate

Vocalist:

Moderate

Bass Guitar:

Moderate

Upright bass:

Intermediate

Vocalist - Tenor:

Intermediate

Harmonica:

Intermediate

EQUIPMENT

I'm not a gear junkie. This list required me to look up some names and model numbers.
-- I play a sweet sounding Seagull acoustic
-- I have a Yamaha Clavinova piano
-- Epiphone Emperor II (Joe Pass signature model) electric guitar
-- Blue paisley Fender Telecaster '69 reissue
-- Hohner harmonicas
-- Deering "Goodtime" banjo, which is an intro model but sounds fantastic, only downside is its sound doesn't carry well in an acoustic ensemble without a mic.
-- Tacoma mandolin (the finish has started to come apart but it still sounds great)
-- Sometimes I tap my fingers on walls, tables or whatever is next to me.
-- I sing with the voice box included in my body, 1974 model.