Rough demo of an acoustic stripped down song about poverty and being wealthy in the ways that really matter.

The Most

The Most - 50-90 phone demo

For those who aren't aware, Parts Geek is an online automotive parts supplier.  I was "supposed" to be receiving 4 rotors and 4 sets of pads today for an urgent brake job.  They sent me one FedEx tracking number for all of it, so I assumed one box, for all the brake parts.  I have 2 other tracking numbers, one FedEx, one UPs for other parts, but a mystery box arrived with an additional tracking number.  Rotors were in the expected box, one set of pads in the second box, no additional set of pads arrived.  Called them up, they have no record of the additional tracking number, or why all the brake parts weren't all in the first box.  Their solution, was not a simple, if they don't arrive in a few days we'll send out the missing parts.  No, they'd have me send everything back that was on my order, get a full refund, then try to order it again and hope they do better the next time.  Escalate to a supervisor ... that I never get to speak to.  I should get an email by mid-next week with an update.  Talk about garbage customer service.

50/90 2023

Parts Geek (Why'd You Screw Me?)

Parts Geek (Why'd You Screw Me)

The 50/90 songwriting challenge kicked off today.  I'm really busy, and don't plan to chase the goal of writing 50 new songs in the 90 days from July 4th to October 1st this year.  That said, a song skirmish prompt came up and I felt it needed tackled.  "Independence" was the prompt, and this song is the result.

For those wondering, I'm an independent, but I'm not eligible to vote (Canadian living in America), and the last few election cycles have me extremely concerned for the fate of this country.

50/90 2024

Independence

With 50/90 in full swing, I've had lyric ideas bouncing around in my noggin for a few days, but nothing quite developed.  The opening line on this one came to me a few days back, and finally gained some traction. 

The lyrics center around the striking contradiction of a conservative Christian group of faiths uniting under the banner of an individual who has broken most, if not all of the commandments, and celebrate his plan to toss out immigrants, control others, and exact revenge as a platform, while making a big show of posting those same cast aside commandments in classrooms?  Paired with the flooding that came through a few days ago, and the idea shaped up. I'm sure it'll ruffle a few feathers, but so be it.

And Judgement Comes

So this song is actually the result of a mistake. I was writing to a contest prompt, and misremembered the title requirement. I wrote to what I thought was Play ... Game, with 1-2 words of my choice filling in the ... in the middle.  After everything was done and I was ready to upload, I checked to see how to submit, and realized the prompt was in fact Play ... Well.  Oops, lesson learned.  

The song I wrote was inspired by the thought of board and card games, and how we play them as kids. Some play monopoly with cut throat ruthlessness, while others lend other players money, forgive debt when people land on their property just to keep having fun with their friends. Extrapolating to adulthood, there's the motivation of looking out for number one, or giving everything you have to help someone that really needs it, with many choices in between.  How will you play the Living Game?

Play the Living Game (Single)

Play the Living Game

I'm a judge in the Michigan State Fair Superstar contest again this year, so I thought it only fair that I take a crack at the assignment the contestants have to deal with.  The assignment is to take at least two verse sections from the poem, The Hometown, by Edgar A. Guest (1919), set it to music, add additional lyrics and reference elements of your home town.

Tassie Hall is the theater space of Galt Collegiate Institute, a very old 4 story high school in Cambridge's Galt section of town.  The building resembles an old castle, and backs onto a river.  I was absolutely a band kid, and wouldn't have been the same without those roots and friends.

Michigan State Fair Superstar 2024

Man I Miss That Stage

This song is all about the struggle that many musicians face, trying to chase a dream with long hours, endless practice, refining the craft and the rewards seem just out of reach.

The Price I Pay

Blending the heart of country, story telling of folk, and energy of pop, crafting songs with an americana vibe all his own.  Life, his muse, music, his canvas.

Stuart Benbow Music

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