Hi Everyone,
I wanted to touch base and let you know what's happening. As many of you know I began in January performing the new "Carlyle" acoustic type show. I have been very pleased, and have gotten very positive reaction to the concerts. After doing the same type of pop show for 30 years, where I would replicate the album tracks live, this is a fresh new approach, and for me very rewarding. I am playing with some amazing musicians from all over the world, and have expanded my "book" or the list of songs I can draw from.
I also have a new symphony agent, who has been working on securing symphony shows for me. We did our first of those last weekend in Columbus Ohio. It was an outdoor show with the Columbus Symphony, and was an exciting pleasure for the band and I. We are playing one as well in Dallas August 24th, and 3 nights next year in May in Nashville. Please keep an eye on my website for new shows added. I hope you can catch one, it's very special.
Rob and I have written 18 new songs, and I have begun recording. It's going incredibly well. I could not be happier and more excited about what we are doing. The album will be different than previous records. The songs and production are very eclectic, musically, lyrically, and from a production standpoint. I am producing the album myself, and am working with my crew Mark Casselman recording, and Doug Rider mixing.
I will not be performing any of the songs live until we release the album, due to all the cell phone recording that goes on at shows, resulting in songs being debuted on You Tube, and undermining the production quality. I want people to at least hear the songs once the way Rob and I envision them.
We are as always on the road playing shows all over the world, and hope to see you there.
Lastly I want to say how sad I am about the death of Michael Jackson. He was an amazing artist who invented the style of dance so prevalent in todays videos and concerts. He was the Fred Astaire of our generation. I spent time with Michael during the "Off The Wall" period, and he was so humble, kind and gentle, and he was responsible for me meeting Paul McCartney. Michael invited me down to the studio when he and Paul were doing the duet, "The Girl Is Mine". I will miss him, his music and his heart touched the world, and will forever.
Thanks for your love and support
