Sorry gang - This is a day late

Here in Boise it feels like the "Dog Days" of summer...just too hot for anything but driving around in a great car with the top down (at night of course), and playing great music or hanging out by the Boise River.

Main Streets U S of A continues to acquire fans and followers of this blog and Charlie Coe Music's Facebook page.  Thank you for sharing and promoting for me!

I've started working on the album material, but sometimes I get a little too involved in technical "stuff"...you know "same stuff - different day". In other words, it brings to mind one of my favorite expressions: "Never feel useless. You can always be used as a bad example." ..something you might want to avoid.... :)

"Main Streets U. S. of A.'' 's sales are going up !

Hey all you bloggers and Facebookers -

It's Saturday 7/20/13 and I want to thank everyone for your great support. We're well over 1000 followers now and growing every day. Main Streets U. S. of A.'s sales are doing the same ! You must be doing a great job of sharing on Facebook and telling your car and cruisin' friends - Thanks Again.

This weekend is the British Open, - so for all you golf fanatics out there - remember - You can't play good golf without a white belt! (That's why the pros wear them :) )

Drive safely and remember to play your cruisin' tunes.

Charlie

"Main Streets U. S. of A." is Catching On

Today I posted the following two great responses to "Main Streets U. S. of A." from Mayor Jonathan Rothschild of Tucson, AZ, and Patrick Tuttle of the Convention and Visitor's Bureau of Joplin, MO.

"Hey fans ! I received a terrific note from Patrick Tuttle of the Joplin, MO Convention and Visitors Bureau, inviting me to attend their dedication of two new Route 66 Murals in downtown Joplin on September 27th. Unfortunately I'm unable to attend, but what a flattering outreach - but I'll be there in spirit, and remembering that day when the Raiders' cover photo for the Revolution album was shot in Joplin.  .   .   Not even and EF - 5 can keep Joplin, MO down. Keep on rockin, Joplin ! "

"Another great response to "Main Streets U. S. of A." from Mayor Jonathan Rothschild of Tucson, AZ who sent me a nice note recalling his days as a Raiders fan, and saying that he's still a great fan of rock and roll. Thank you Mayor Rothschild - coolness prevails in Tucson ! "

Keep spreading the news ! I'm going to try to find something complicated and interesting to say each Saturday...so stay tuned.

Charlie

Main Streets U. S. of A. is live on iTunes !

"Main Streets U. S. of A." is live on iTunes!  Please check it out, and if you like it, help me distribute it to your friends.  Thank you for your support...let's rock and roll - It's showtime!!  Charlie

Idaho's Love Affair with Paul Revere

This was an unplanned blog. My wife and I attended the "Big Jack Armstrong Benefit Concert" last night at the Boise Centre on the Grove to see Paul Revere and the Raiders play in the intimate setting that made it seem like a private concert. Over $26,000 was raised last night to benefit the Armstrong family and help restore Big Jack's health.

It's been 20 years since I last saw Paul perform at the Centre on the Grove, when his wife sang "Happy Birthday" to me from the stage.

I was struck last night with the love affair between this wonderful showman and the hometown crowd. He was born and raised in Caldwell, Idaho, the self-described son of a potato farmer, and today, all of the Treasure Valley claims him as their own.

Last night, the band performed Cherokee Nation, Kicks, Good Thing, Hungry, American Band and Louie, Louie, and as Paul acknowledged his affection and respect for each member of his band, I was reminded of the great times I had belonging for a time to the family that was the Raiders. The band members' affection for their leader was clearly apparent. The show was, as always, a rock and roll retrospective, but for me, a brief link with those amazing days in the 60's when a truly "American Band",  Paul Revere and the Raiders, was at the top of the charts.

Thank you for 55 years of great American Rock and Roll, Paul !!

Charlie "Once-a-Raider-Always-A-Raider" Coe

Happy Fourth of July !

Hello all,
I decided to delay the song's announcement blog until July 2nd, figuring you all would be so busy with preparations for your 4th of July activities, and wouldn't have time to read it... since you'll be occupied with buying discount fireworks and matches - anyway. Tune in on the 2nd - and have a great holiday ! Charlie 

Announcing release of : Main Streets U. S. of A. - July 6, 2013

50's night scene looking east from 9th and Main Streets, Boise, Idaho

Copyright©2013 (Charlie Coe Music, LLC™) All Rights Reserved

Release date: July 6, 2013

Thank you to everyone who’s been following my blogs and the progress of my project, the release of my first original song: “Main Streets U. S. of A”. 

“It’s Saturday night, - everything is alright,

out on the Main Streets in U. S. of A.”

The inspiration for this song came to me one January afternoon while I was driving east on Main Street at 10^th in Boise. By the time I reached Capitol Blvd, three blocks later, I had the song concept clear in my mind. To the best of my knowledge, no one grown up cruising on Friday and Saturday nights all over the country. It’s something we all have in common, regardless of regional local cultures.

 “Yesterday, today, we’re cruising in the U. S. of A”. 

  

I went home and wrote the song in 15 minutes. The original pencil manuscript is dated January 21, 1980. During the past 30 years, I’ve only changed a handful of words. Some songs write themselves. 

When I was cruising there was only radio, and everyone had their music blaring, yelling at each other in their cars or standing on the sidewalks, impressing girls, and having fun in the hot summer nights, driving round and round a specific block route. It was the place to be, to be seen, and to meet friends. It was the same on Main Streets all over the country. I wanted to write an anthem about a social phenomenon unique to the U.S.A., begun in the 50’s that continues today.

About three weeks after I finished the original verses, I realized that I wanted to add a narrative to name specific main streets in cities and towns to personalize the experience. I didn’t complete that final part of the song until 2012. I recorded the basic lyrics with my friend Ron King on the drums, on a borrowed 4-track tape recorder in an apartment in Boise in 1980 and put it aside, not knowing how long it would be until I decided to finish it.

 

About three weeks after I finished the original verses, I realized that I wanted to add a narrative to name specific main streets in cities and towns to personalize the experience. I didn’t complete that final part of the song until 2012. I recorded the basic lyrics with my friend Ron King on the drums, on a borrowed 4-track tape recorder in an apartment in Boise in 1980 and put it aside, not knowing how long it would be until I decided to  finish it.

A couple of months later, listening to the song on a cassette in my car, I ran into Paul Revere and played it for him. He said that he liked it and “Hey,that has a really good hook, Chas.” When I visited my friend Steve Eaton in Pocatello in 1981, we recorded a version of it in his studio. In Steve’s words: “Hey man, I really think this song could be a hit.” But it wasn’t ready for release, I stopped playing music, and it sat in a drawer for about 25 years.

In 2010 when I decided to record a number of my old original songs using today’s music production technology, all I had in mind was a digital four track recorder. I learned quickly that in order to get back into music, I’d first need to learn to use a computer, then music production software, and finally, revive my guitar, bass, and keyboard skills, and … would my voice still be strong enough for the lyrics?

My wife provided the IMac, software, and instructions about how to turn on the computer, then left me to figure out Garage Band, interfaces, MIDI, and multi-track recording. Welcome to the 21^st century! 

 

At Guitar Center in Boise I met Shaun Fitzgerald, who sold me new equipment to get started. He patiently coached me on Apple’s basic Garage Band program for over a year while I practiced to regain the skills to play all of the instruments for the recording. When I was ready to upgrade from the ’50 Studebaker version (Garage Band) to the Ferrari (LOGIC Pro 9, a professional audio recording package), Shaun was there to answer questions again and again. Without Sean’s personal expertise and patience, I’d still be tearing my hair out rather than utilizing LOGIC to produce my first song’s final tracks.  Now, two years after I began my digital recording adventure, Don Cunningham of Cunningham Audio Production here in Boise, helped me with the final mix and provided terrific mastering talent. Thanks to Don and all the people who’ve supported my dream, I have my first release. I hope you like it and will recommend it to your friends. Let me know what you think and post your comments.

                                      
                                                                                 Here I am today with my 1966 Epiphone Sheraton.
 

There’s more to come soon in the form of an album of original, never-before recorded songs. I think they’re great – I hope you do too. This is just the beginning – and that’s show biz!

 

You’ll be able to link directly from Facebook to ITunes to purchase your download on July 6^th.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Charlie-Coe-Music/445014715586680

Charlie