Could be, maybe.

(sorry for putting that song in your head)

Impending doom.

I have been having a weird sense that some shit is about to hit the fan.
Not sure what it is.

Could be the clusterfuck that is the rebranding situation at work.
We're awaiting to see if the mark that a company designed is not trademarked somewhere else, b/c its virtually the same as another mark that I ran across while home with Zoey one day. Which has fucked up the feeling of it being uniquely ours and the whole process being a success.

Could be some health things that I'm going through and determining.

Could be the fact that there has been alot of depressing shit around lately.

panhandle friend dying from cancer in the matter of a month, leaving her husband and her 3 kids.
Bob having a stroke and fighting for his life in the matter of days.

Just seeing how quickly life can flip. Like that *snap*.
has me feeling uneasy.

Maybe its a mid-life crisis.
or maybe its just mid-life.

I know that I trust that things happen for a reason.
And how I react to those things shape who I am as a person.

Maybe its just anxiety.

Maybe its that I'm kinda sick of things.

Maybe its that I'm turning 36 on Sunday and I'm wondering how that is possible.

Maybe its all of it.
Maybe its none of it.

Could be the fact that I need to exercise more.
Could be the fact that I don't do constructive things that I used to enjoy doing.
Cleaning and detailing my car used to be awesome.

Maybe I need to get down my drums and beat the shit out of them.
Maybe I should ride my bike.

Maybe I should just hug my wife and kid and stop feeling weird.
keep it simple
maintain happiness

Being happy is a choice, they say.
Sometimes its also a job.

KM

So, Valentine's Day 2013 finds me...
totally in love with a wife and a child.

Yet, I went to Grady's 66 to watch the Thunder
play while C washed Z's hair and gave her a bath...
while in a spica cast because she broke her femur.

I sat there with one older lady playing gambling games.
One lady and one dude at the bar making small talk.
2 old dudes playing the golf game.
and an older couple on a date.
playing the sappiest shit ever.

I chose to come here.
I chose to watch this game
its so important to me b/c I've watched maybe 2 or 3 games all year.
I'm totally in to it.
I don't have cable.

I realize that I should be home with my wife and kid.
I leave.
I come home in the middle of Z crying an screaming.
C comes walking down the hall calmly.

... Z is frustrated and tired.

This is what I wanted to miss.

.... pull out C's car
Open up Club Kevmo.

yes.
with capitals.

I feel at home.
I am at home.

for the hour I was there?
I felt like everyone wanted me to chime in.
but I sat there in silence.

slowly ordering a beer.
occasionally muttering a "aww really?! come on!" to the TV
as the others fluttered about with ramblings of the sport, and the season, and the players
I just wanted to watch a good game for a couple hours.

and now... here I am.
in Club Kevmo
about closing time.
11 pm.

about to go to sleep with my wife
and my kid in the next room.
in our new sleep number bed.

I'm blessed.

my number is also 25.

KM

I think I need to start blogging again

Why?

Because I have done it since 2003, which means I have almost 10 years of my life out here that I can look back and reflect on from time to time. And its nice to type some shit out and not care who sees it. Facebook and Twitter have been amazing inventions but they wear me out sometime. Why to I continue to check them every hour/half hour/15 minutes. I don't know...

I need to put the phone down, and look up. Which I've started to do a little more.

Well, I turned 35 a week or so ago, and I must admit, it could quite possibly have been the best one I've had ever. I love my life, I have a great job, a wonderful wife that I love more everyday, the best gift anyone could have... a child, and an amazingly beautiful one at that, a wonderful house, a car to get me from here to there, and lots of friends/family. I've sure done some major growing up over the past 10 years, but that doesn't change the fact that I can still throw down a party every once in awhile. Or every 3-4 days really. ;)

I think I'm hanging the congas up to dry. I've been rocking on those things since '96, and I don't think there is much more I can do with them. Plus my hands hurt and I can feel some arthritis in them from time to time.

So, entering into another exciting time for me. I'm going to be playing a cajon now. I've also rigged up a stomp box for a kick sound and play a tambourine with my foot. I've been practicing alot lately and it really frees me up to do alot of different stuff. It fits my abilities perfectly and helps me NOT show off my inabilities. There were many things I'd stumble over on the kit, its basically having to add any fancy footwork into the mix. haha It messes up my left hand. But with this set up, my legs are just keeping a steady beat, and my hands are sounding like a full kit. It's awesome. I'm having so much fun with it, which is what I needed. I was getting burned out doing the same thing with the congas. This is gonna make me grow, and blend so much better with the folks I end up playing with.... namely the Dorman Brothers, and probably a Sunday Night Revival at Grady's. I'm excited about playing again, and that feels great.

alright... enough blog.
ready to finish this day out and then see some friends for the Day of the Dude celebration.

We really haven't grown up that much.


KM

different but similar

These two songs came on my shuffle this morning, one right after the other. Interesting how similar they are... the similarities being the bad ass songwriting.

Lukas Nelson - Colorado
http://www.kevmo.com/Music/01-Lukas-Nelson-Colorado.mp3

&

Pink - Crystal Ball
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmgXcjYQ-lI&feature=youtu.be

you might be wrong.

Got a kick out of this..

Came up on shuffle just now...
Linville, Stoney and I at Woody's in Ft. Worth.

no alcohol was consumed during Dave Ray's recording of this.
or the recordings in the hotel that night.
none at all.

the banter is funny stuff.

check it out.

And I wouldn't go fishin' with a politician.

stoned drunk and naked

So, I was reading this old note
that I found while going through some old shit.
and it was to my buddy blake.
it was mainly drunk scribbles
about trying to hook up with chicks.
But I did mention that I was naked.
I wanted to get high, but had to piss first
... and obviously I was drunk.

ahhhh, college. fun times.

I was talking to C about it.
Like, one page of this spriral has me
stoned, drunk, and naked,
and the next page has a differential equation on it.

nuts.

anyway, it made me think of a song
that I hear Adam Hood sing...
called, "Stoned, Drunk, and Naked"

So I want to hear it,
pull up iTunes, not in my library
search the net for a youtube vid
and find out its by a guy named...
Anders Osborne.

And he is a fine find, folks.
Its just nuts how I run across new music.

But an old note led me to Anders...
And I likey.

minus the extended guitar solo, this vid is killer.


CLICK TWICE TO WATCH ON YOUTUBE.

Imma Soundhound

Dude, this app....
http://www.soundhound.com/
is freaking killer.

You know, I like graphic design.
But music is more of a passion.
Not only creating or playing it, but just studying it.
Studying it has always kinda been the main thing,
actually having enough rhythm to play an instrument has been a bonus.
But really, I just like to consume music.

I also like to solve problems.
and even though I can't remember doing many equations as of late,
I've loved the black and white answer to things.
there is a right answer, no speculation or approximation.
Coming to a solution and knowing that solution is right....
gives me pleasure.

I've always thought that I could somehow find a way
to make this work for me.

You know, its not what you do that defines who you are....
Its who you are that defines what you do.

If you are one of the brave and lucky souls that have found a way
to make a living doing what you truly love.
Then you, my friend, will never have to work a day in your life.
Well, everyone has those days I suppose, but you get what I'm sayin'.

yeah... so...
I want that.

Something like working for a company like Soundhound
would be freaking awesome.

I need to find out how I can be a creative solution finder/problem solver/manager/designer, within music.

Any ideas?
more importantly.
Any takers?

----------------------------
The youtube clip this post is an oldie that got worn out.
but still great!

CLICK TWICE TO VIEW IN YOUTUBE.

Ride on.

What a trippy dream I woke up from this morning.

I had to fly a little plane. But it was almost like flying a mechanical dragon (like in Avatar). It looked like a little open cockpit plane, but you kinda flew it like they flew those dragons.
my brother was there, but not for all of it.
I was supposedly only going from Guymon to Boise City, and I didn't want to go a high altitude b/c I thought I'd get lost (funny)...
so I kinda stuck close to the highway.
But then I had huge mountains that I'd have to really pull up for,
then see a huge forgotten plane wreck, and zoom by the wheel of it.
Now that I think about it, it was kinda an Avatarish scene.
It definitely was not the panhandle I once knew, although parts were.

I also remember trying to fit my foot
into a shoe and it just wasn't fitting.
I tried and tried and tried until my foot hurt.
Then as I had given up and came to the conclusion that my foot
would not fit into that shoe... they popped on and fit like a glove.

I think it was about this new journey I'm on.
People will be there to help,
but I can find my way and maneuver through huge plane wrecks,
high line wires and mountains,
and anything else that serves as an obstacle.
And as soon as I realize that I may not look like, live like,
or act like the people that I want acceptance from,
as long as I accept the way I look and live my life.
Then I can truely be free and live.

woah. deep.
it was a pretty fun dream to remember.
I wish we could really fly those things.
It was a blast!

On other note....
The day before yesterday I dreamed
that I got to smoke pot with Willie Nelson.
And he let me keep the joint and gave me another.
Well, I packed them up nice and hid them somewhere.
And once I got to the next destination, I couldn't find them...
Somehow this was all my buddy Kyle's fault...
the scene was in a dark space with lowly lit lamps
with laughing and tons of people
there was ancient chinese manuscripts being written in the foyer.
kinda like a scene that you would see in Karate Kid or something.
I kept trying to chase down Kyle to find out where he was going
and where Willie's weed went...
But I could never catch up with him.

hmmmmm.
I'm not gonna try to figure that one out.

at least I got to smoke with Willie though.

--------
and last but not least... John Fullbright again.

click twice to view on youtube.

Ignorance is bliss...

I just have to laugh at some folk's ignorance. But it seems like I'm laughing alot more lately, and this is the one time that laughing is scary. People's minds are so closed, to where they don't even want to think about other possibilities. It baffles me how arrogant some can be and not realize it.

ROCK N ROLL!!!!!

IF ANYONE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE IN MY HEAD

GO HERE....
HTTP://WWW.QUIETRELIEF.COM/

THEN SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.
PLAY THE "EAR RINGING SOUND"
AND PLAY THE "HIGH FREQUENCY BUZZING" SOUNDS
AT THE SAME TIME.
TURN YOUR VOLUME DOWN TO A LITTLE UNDER HALF.

THERE YOU HAVE IT.


-------------------------
wear ear protection kids.
seriously.
-------------------------

I feel good.

Just like James Brown said.

I really do though. I feel good.
My life is really starting to shine through.

I feel like the person I was before college,
is starting to merge with the person I exceded to be in college.

I am liking the mix.
I'm starting to find the true mix of the extremes of me.

I'm figuring out that remembering the past
can be just as important to forgetting about it.

Taking hold of things that used to make me strong.
and letting go of things that have weakened me.

Realizing who I can be today leads to
Dreaming about who I want to be every other day.

Believing in myself and what I do,
means getting more time to focus.

I just love my life.
Its not perfect, but that's life!


CLICK IT TWICE TO VIEW IT IN YOUTUBE.


PS.
I think we've decided on the name for our little girl.
Zoey Grace Miller.

;-)

Enjoy you're lives folks!
Happy Monday.

MUSIC. RULES.

CLICK ON THEM TWICE TO VIEW IN YOUTUBE.
OR JUST WATCH HERE AND SEE HALF OF THE VIDEO.


John Fullbright - Moving



Darrell Scott - Its a great day to be alive.



get your mean rock face on for this one.
Clutch - Electric Worry.

The fender in the gutter.

So, there is this fender...
like a fender flare left behind from a wreck,
or that just fell off of a car.
It's in the gutter on the corner of the intersection
that I turn at daily to get to work.
Everytime I pass by it, I feel like picking it up
and taking it to the garbage.
It just looks like crap and its blocking the drainage vents in the curb.

But then, it became a war between me and the city.
I wanted to see how long it would take for someone
to pick that fucker up.
Everyday, I'd drive by...
look. and be let down.
seriously??!! It's been over 7 months.
Come on city workers!

Today, I made up my mind, that I would give in
and pick it up, put it in the trunk and throw it away.

and low and behold, it was gone.

That made me so freaking happy.
I said out loud to myself.
"Thanks to whoever did that, you made my day"
I was so elated. It was strange to feel so happy
b/c a fender was gone from the gutter.

Birthday Thesis.

So I got asked to fill out a little survey to help a graduate student that is doing his thesis on the Red Dirt Music Movement. I thought it was kinda cool.

Oh, and happy 33rd bday to me!

How would you define Red Dirt Music?
It is definitely hard to define. Obviously Geography has alot to do with it. I would say that it does cross genre's... As long as the music is honest, true, and has some soul in it. It doesn't matter whether its rock, country, folk, or blues, as long as its honest.

Did you live in Stillwater? If so, when?
yep, 95-01

Did you attend Oklahoma State University? If so, when?
95-01

When were you involved in music in Stillwater?
from about 96-03'ish. Played all over Stillwater in different bands and played on the strip weekly with Cody, Jason, Stoney, Steve and others that were playing around.

What bands have you been involved with? And what was your role?
Well I'm a drummer/percussionist, and I started out in a band called Folsom. We were a bunch of guys from the panhandle. Boise City and Keyes to be exact. It was almost a Great Divide cover band, we did damn near their entire first album. But we got to open for them quite abit. Had a few gigs out in the panhandle where Cody would ride along and play guitar. Jason did a couple with us too.

I was in a few other bands around, none really red dirt. Then came along Jake Moffat, we played as Remede for a few years. It was really cool.

But while I would go out on the weekends with my bands, some of my favorite gigs were the weekly ones on the strip. At the point of graduating in 2001, I was playing 7 nights a week. And did that for almost a year until I got tired of it.

What bands were in Stillwater when you were there? Where did they play?
The Great Divide was rockin'. Medicine Show was twirlin'. Hosty TRIO was hippyin'. Farm Boy was playing around. Cody Canada just moved to Stillwater and started playing around. I met him at a divide show. Went to a few Rehearsals with him when Ragweed was just kinda getting started. Cody hadn't crossed paths with Jason yet. But soon did and then the Stragglers were born. Then came No Justice and Stoney. Brad Good and Shane McGrew had a band called Fishin' Naked that was opening for the Divide quite a bit.

There was Ian Moore, Reckless Kelly (who Boland wanted his band to be like). I remember them coming over to the yellow house for an after party. Crazy shit.

There was Another Roadside Attraction with Nathan Clewell and Matt Tedrow. They were good.

Of course All American Rejects we're playing at Mike's College Bar as a duo.

Wormy Dog, Wormy Dog Concert Hall, Mike's College bar, Chub's, Willie's, and the Copper Penny.
Oh and Joe's and the Tumbleweed of course.

What do you think was the most important venue in Stillwater for Red Dirt Music?
The Wormy Dog for sure for the newer guys. Everyone was able to cut there teeth, let loose, be honest, and just raise hell! Lots of lessons were learned in there. Bartenders became managers of bands, merch guys for bands, sound guys became, well... sound guys for bands. ;-)

Willies too, from waaaaay back.

In your opinion, who are the most important figures in the Red Dirt movement?
Bob Childers.
Red Dirt Rangers.
Tom Skinner.
Scott Evans, Brad James, and medicine show.
the Great Divide with Mike McClure
and then Cody, Jason, Stoney... and the others that kinda blew it open.

I know there were some before them, but those would be the most influential to me personally.


Red Dirt Music and Texas Country have recently begun being paired as Texas Red Dirt. Do you see these as separate styles?
Really, I think alot of it is just Geographical. They get paired up alot, I think, because both styles are USUALLY honest, pure, and true. I don't really see them as different styles. There are probably pockets of music all across the country that could kinda get bunched together.

What is it about Stillwater that encouraged the development of Red Dirt Music?
Everyone was just so nice and wanted to help each other out. There was no, my band is better than your band. It was just teach and learn and get better. Daddy O's, The Farm, and an afternoon in the back of Chubs... could be another lesson from another talented musician with a guitar around.

I think people really just appreciated the music as an artform. It wasn't about image, or what you looked like. It was about how the notes felt, and where they took you.

I think that is coming back to stillwater nowadays, for awhile there it seemed dead.

Are there other places that have developed a similar movement based on a location?
I think so... I know there is pockets in Idaho, some in Iowa and Kansas. I think alot of it is how the scene works... do the artists help each other, do they kind of have a brotherhood? Sometimes that has alot to do with it. Personally, if you don't have that, you will never create "red dirt" music.

There seems to be a great deal of mutual respect amongst the Red Dirt artists, why do believe this to be?
I think most of the guys realized early that this is what they were going to do with their lives. And they would just try to help out your fellow man that was going through the same thing. Its kinda just the golden rule really.. Just good people helping other good people.

unless you sucked. ;-)

Did you live at the Farm? If so, when?
No but did spend many a night around a campfire listening and grinning. Those nights were like Church to me.

Did you ever perform at the Farm? If so, when?
I played a congo or so every once in awhile, but not like a full band thing. But mainly was just a spectator/listener.

Describe the Farm. What makes this location so significant?
For me, I was young (19ish) and it was like the most peaceful place I'd ever been to. Its like you traveled back in time, into the 60's and 70's where real hippies were. It was so awesome to hang out there... I miss it.

Did you live at the Yellow House? If so, when?
I had a corner that I fell down in quite a bit.. on a hidden mattress behind the christmas tree. Never paid rent though. ;-)

Describe the Yellow House; your experiences and who lived there.
Holy shit. It was quite a place. Another side of paradise.... the dirty smelly side. But a paradise of sorts nonetheless. It was basically a place where some people went to class, some went to jobs, some didn't do much, but everyone partied. It was full tilt boogie quite a bit of the time. And then other times, it was business time... lets work on cleaning this place up and getting things done or a song written... then that would eventually turn into a party of some sort.

Most of my memories is just when Jason lived there with some other friends that he had, then Cody moved in.. Red was there, Ted.... numerous hobos and even a squirrel.

How important would you place the Farm, the Yellow House, Wormy Dog Saloon, Willies, the Strip, the Tumbleweed, and Eskimo Joes in the development of Red Dirt Music? Why?
Well, I consider myself lucky. Because those places not only developed Red Dirt Music, but they developed me as a person. Completely transforming my life into something that it would not have been if I had not came in contact with them.

I think the developement of red dirt music would've happened anyway without those places. There would just have been a different place that allowed everyone to mingle, communicate, celebrate, teach and learn. They might have had different names, but I bet they would've looked alot alike.

Many bands throughout Oklahoma and Texas have labeled themselves as Red Dirt artists. Do you see them as part of the Red Dirt movement, or do you feel that label only applies to artists with a shared experience in Stillwater?
I do think that the term "red dirt" has been applied to alot of people that don't deserve it, but I also think that there are alot of artists that have that label that stay true to ... I keep saying honest, but I think that is a key to it. I don't necessarily think you need to have been there for the experience, but I do think that you need to know the history... and know that Stoney's song "Crystal Eyes" is actually Scott Evans' song called "Steelheart". And that Bob Childers was the king. ;-)

Do you believe Red Dirt Music been accepted in markets outside of Texas and Oklahoma? Why do you believe this to be true?
I do, because some people can hear true, honest music when they hear it... and some, namely the public that listens to the radio or watches the top 20 countdown on CMT or MTV (if they even have that still) can't.


-------------------
If you were around during the time and want to share, Aaron Moore said to share it, so go to www.reddirtresearch.com and fill out this form.

Alrighty then.

KM

There's this picture...

that I have taped to the side of my computer



if you look close, you can see how the tree line in the pic
lines up with the shore line in my desktop pic.

That shit just doesn't happen my friends.
Its thought about.

The photo itself, says alot.
it being one of the few photos that go with me everywhere
says more.

Lets look deeper.



It reminds me that you work hard and you work right.

You can see my dad there, looking over my shoulder
with his body twisting as he is trying to help me do it right.

He always tried to teach me how to do things right.
and that was probably pretty hard with the rebellious kid that i was.

it was hard for him teach and it was hard for me learn.
But, it usually was always right.

It drives me insane how much I think about things.
Sure, I might be a laidback guy that seems to let things be as they may,
But inside my head... its always thinking... what is right in this situation?
always.

I still fight it from time to time.
I have to force myself to let things fly.
and that is usually thought about for awhile
until I determine and come to the solution
that it is the most efficient use of my time.
to let those things fly.

Seems everyone one's lookin' fer answers.
and I'm the guy who figures out the most efficient way to find them.
its kinda what I do.

I'm a creative problem solver.
or better yet,
a creative solution finder.

So anyway...
I love that photo.

And if you see me staring into space in a daze.
thats not drugs.
thats just me thinking.
... I think.

So far...

So, now that I'm driving a car that seems a bit more me.
a bit more simple.

I keep having thoughts of what it would feel like
to be driving to work if I was in my little bitty hometown.
And it puts me back to when I was actually driving to work
in my little bitty hometown.

A few summers after I graduated high school,
I went back and worked at home instead of finding a job in Stillwater.
And I remember at that point thinking, this is it.
Driving this ol' truck down these same ol' roads.
Going to a job, in order to make money, utimately in order to survive.
And I remember thinking, It's not too shabby.
Keeping it simple.
No jet setting, hollywood, millionaire shit.
Just simple livin'.

For quite a few years I couldn't even remember
what I was like when I was out there.
Like who I was, how I acted.
It must've been the barley, hops, and bong resin.
But it felt like I was a totally different guy.
Because I was living a totally different life.

But now... As the dust settles.
I feel like I am the same guy that I was out there,
with a little added culture and knowledge.
I feel like the man that I've wanted to be.
The guy I thought I could be when I grew up.

and I fucking dig the shit out of that.

Hey there life. How are you today?

It seems that sometimes life can get carried away.
And then at times.
It seems like it just stands still at idle.
I think I have both weekly. ;-)

But I think about people who are changing careers,
or moving to a different city or country.
and those people have to feel that excitement.
the change, something new, the unknown.

I mean we've all gone through that at some point
graduating college and finding that first job.
or not going to college and busting your ass to do it on your own.

In those times of uncertainty
is when I feel people relate to music the most
and means more to them b/c they can find
some form of comfort and peace.

This could come in many options as well.
If you have gotten a divorce and the bitch took everything...
You might need a little Five Finger Death Punch
to release some anger and find a little comfort.

On the other hand, If you've lost someone dear to you
and you can't seem to go on...
Maybe a little Needtobreathe could connect with you
and could help you grieve and move forward.

Or it could just be that they are excited about their life.
and where it is taking them.
Sometimes we get caught up in the day to day
and don't see the bigger picture.

And that is what I try to force myself to see
everyday. sometimes it works, sometimes its doesn't.
But we are all still changing and nothing is certain.
Everyday Growing.
I'm excited about my life today.

So, uhmmm...
what should I listen to?

I think I'll take a spin
down the shuffle highway
and get some Otis Redding
to start the day.

Otis Redding - Mr. Pitiful

The Search has landed some finds though.

So in my constant search for good music... Here are some of my recent finds.
Enjoy!


This first one was inspired by Aaron Beavers working with John Popper.
Blues Traveler - Back in the Day.
I think this one was a random find searching through Rock.
Dredg - I Don't Know.
Had been eyeing this album for quite awhile, then the Death Metal Rooster made me buy it.
Five Finger Death Punch - Burn it Down.
This one was a Ragan find.
Joe Bonamassa - The Ballad of John Henry.
No instruction needed for this one.
Levon Helm - Tennessee Jed.
Loved the 2nd album, this is their third.
Needtobreathe - Prisoner
Slash suggested that I buy this record.
Pearl - Rock Child
Given to me by a co-worker. Very damn cool though.
Vampire Weekend - Horchata
Who needs some SLIM?!?! I do. errr. did.
Watermelon Slim - Hard Times