May We All Live a Life So Restlessly Excellent: Reflections on Prince

I was a 13 year old preacher’s kid. I was not ready for the likes of Prince’s impact on my life. My father had died only a year before, and his sound came to me through the door of my older brother’s room, laying waste to what I thought I knew, and remade itself into…

Music Matters: Sold. . .Soul-ed. . . Soul’d. . .

http://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2015/09/15/440363012/a-rational-conversation-do-we-need-new-old-soul-music (Special thank you to singer Rahsaan Patterson for posting this link on his page and opening up the discussion that led to these words). Every few years, within the community of soul music loving folks; ranging from the old school listeners from back in the day, to mid 90’s Neo Soul crowd, to the new school…

The Universe: A View From the Writer’s Window

This song comes out of a conversation I was having with my sister Shelli about life and music, and an artist’s place in the world.  It is also a part of the book I am finishing, tentatively titled, “The Tao of Music: On Living a Musical Life, and Using Left Brain Tools in a Right Brain…

Great news from Casio: 2 new keyboards released at Summer NAMM 2015

As a Casio artist, I must say this is definitely Christmas in July.  I am looking forward to getting a chance to explore what these new boards, (particularly the PX-560M) can do! Aaron Todd NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Casio America, Inc. is thrilled to announce the addition of two new models…

Hate Is Not the Gun, But the Finger That Pulls the Trigger

I am not opposed to responsible gun ownership, though I don’t own a gun. What I struggle with is how subtly the language of hate has creeped into our news cycles and our dialogues online. It can’t be ignored that 21 year old men, disturbed or not, are rarely fully formed, and that what often…

Keg Johnson Jr.

My friend Keg Johnson Jr was right in the center of the LA music business during the 70’s and 80’s and beyond.  The work he did with Friends of Distinction, Slave,Steve Arrington, Leon Sylvers, and The Sylvers, Gerald Levert and so many others is legendary.  It was my pleasure to write with him, hang with…

IK Multimedia Does it Again. . .

The folks at IK Multimedia are continuing to push the envelope with tools that are shrinking the gulf between iOS devices and computers for musicians.  A long time user of their interfaces and microphones, I am looking forward to digging in with a full review of their new Groove controller.  I am also looking forward to…

Music Matters. . .

Here is some inside information on what I’ve been up to and some background on 4 songs I think you will like. . . “Out of Time” (Soul/Pop w/a liberal sprinkling of Funky vibrations)- In today’s news there is more and more bad news about how men and women are relating to each other, and…

Excerpt from my interview, artist to artist: w/Meshell Ndege Ocello

Some of you already know that as a solo artist and band leader, I have shared the stage with some great artists, including Meshell Ndege Ocello. What you may not know, is that back in the fall of 2001, “Live Magazine” asked me to interview her. Here is a snippet from that article. Complexity. The…

A Word from the Writer’s Window. . . “Can’t Even Cry”

CANT EVEN CRY http://www.icompositions.com/music/song.php?sid=147072 I can not feel my heart. . . Even when I cry Why do I try to drink From a well that’s dry Would I be just the same, If you had stayed away? And left my heart alone And simply walked away   For all that I’ve become, I stand…