Always wanted to be a star? Read on

(Pictures, clockwise: Mason doing the production work; Mason searching the trumpet sound; and studio view.)

Christmases are always (well usually) fun. Lots of good things happen. The best of all is being with family. And so was our Christmas this year. Not all of the family but lots over a five day period. Sometimes very special things happen without intent, of myself, at least.

At Valerie's for Christmas Eve and Day, Val suggested I record a Johnny Cash number, Rings of Fire. This was possible technically because grandson Mason has a recording studio in the home of Brad and Valerie. After touring the production process of Mason's, the idea of doing a recording was not such a stretch. I knew that most mess ups could be fixed! It was at that point of knowledge that I agreed to do Rings of Fire, and I am so glad I did. Here is a description of the process:

Val printed off the song words. I reviewed the words and the song came to my mind. I always liked Johnny Cash, most any recording he made. So, I thought, I can do that. I went to the studio with the rest of the family. Clema agreed to do the back up harmony on the chorus. Brad pulled his acoustical guitar and would do the lead. Mason, after getting recording mics ready, played bass guitar. Morgan played drums. And away we went.

It was NOT a straight through recording. I don't imagine any are. We practiced, ran through the song, with corrective prompts mostly from Brad - who is an excellent musician himself, but also from Val, who tutored on timing (which I never got down with much perfection). Part of the plan was to insert the trumpet part after we did the song. In place of the trumpet, Brad would mimic the trumpet part, and so it went.

After a few times through, sometimes stopping mid stream and restarting, we finally got through it. While it was not perfect, it was at such a stage we (I) was ready to call it quits. At that point, Brad and Mason went to the keyboard and selected "trumpet" and found the on key notes to replicate that part in the song. Mason took that and inserted it into the production. I made one recommendation, that we also put the trumpet at the end, which was done.

Anyway, the song came out pretty well. I was pleased. Brad pushed one of his buttons and burned a copy, and we left the recording room with a complete song recorded.

I told Val that she probably wanted this for my funeral. She laughed. No, she said. She had another song in mind for that. Oh, well. For a short while I was a star with my own recording.

If there is any brag on this it has to be the talent (and equipment) Mason has for doing that kind of recording. It is his dream, and I know he will be successful as time goes on. Also, the musical expertise of Brad, Mason, and Morgan! They have been doing music for a bunch of years. Just glad Val suggested it, and glad the family gave me a short period of stardom. That made Christmas more special, fo sho.

If you should want to hear it, email me and I can email it back to you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.