Songwriting is an interesting dynamic for the Pea Pickin’ Hearts.  I don’t play an instrument, nor can I read music.  So typically, I write the lyrics, and Jon writes the music.  About half the time, a melody comes along with the lyrics.  I sing them into Jon’s BlackBerry, and when he has the time, he tackles the music writing.  Then we get together and make alterations finish product. 

Songwriting is a testy process for us, sometimes. 

But in the end, we are always pleased and proud when we finish a winner.  As some of you will remember, we recently participated in the Preview Event for the upcoming Festival. 

The kickoff of the
Smoky Mountains
Songwriters Festival will be
in August of 2012. 

However, leading up to the Festival, there are lots of associated activities and events.  One such event is the Out of the Mouth of Babes Lyrics Contest.

Please remember that the details are still being tweaked, but here are the basics:  In the next few weeks, local songwriters will be visiting classrooms in three local schools to talk about songwriting.  The students will then be invited to write lyrics that, if they are selected, will be set to music and performed by a local songwriter at a Concert Event in mid-November.

Supporting and encouraging creativity
is always a good thing.

I am flattered to be involved and can’t wait to see the event details unfold.  If you are interested in being a songwriter that sets music to a child’s lyrics, become a fan of the Smoky Mountain Songwriters Festival on facebook for upcoming details, or email Cyndy Reeves.

Stay Tuned.

You helped us get to the Semi-Finals at the Hard Rock Cabin Fever Singer Songwriter series… so we’re counting on you to take us all the way. Come cheer for the Pea Pickin’ Hearts at the Hard Rock in Gatlinburg on Thursday, March 3rd at 7p.m.  No Cover!

COME EARLY . SIT CLOSE . SCREAM LOUDLY.

WELL DONE!

Thank you for making 2010 such a great year for the Pea Pickin’ Hearts!  We finished a CD, played some great shows and  a whole lot more. 

We couldn’t have done it without you!

In addition to more Hillibilly Silliness in 2011, the Pea Pickin’ Hearts are hoping to finish both a children’s CD as well as a CD of outlaw songs.  We are hoping to have your support on February 17th at the Cabin Fever Singer Songwriter Series at the Hard Rock Gatlinburg!

As our thank you to you, enjoy a little JibJab video of The Peas!

We get lots of questions about my microphone when we do Pea Pickin’ Hearts gigs.  I am not the sound tech in this duo.  I know enough to ask for the right monitor mix, but the rest is left to Jon. 

When it came time to buy microphones, we really had recording in mind.  Although the Pea Pickin’ Hearts’ sound is more hillbilly than bluegrass, we like the bluegrass standard of using around one microphone… the condenser mic.  Because we sing as much to each other as we do the audience, we thought it would perfect…

Share and share alike, right?

We looked through a lot of microphones at a lot of price ranges before deciding on the MXL v67G Condenser Microphone.  This microphone is often described as having a sound that is “old school tube mellow” and “almost like a tube mic, with a smooth almost ribbon-like top-end, a tight low end, and nice pronounced mids and low mids.”  Perfect for vocals.

I really intended to share the microphone, but in the end…I’m not really a good sharer, ha.  My eleven-year-old Oscar would be happy to confirm this for you.

The price was right–about the same as your standard SM57, but once you add the shock mount and a pop filter and/or windscreen, it can be more than you intended to invest.

I love the sound…and the vintage look doesn’t hurt either.  After all, even crooner Frank Sinatra sang it his way…into a golden microphone. continues below

Visit our new MUSIC PAGE, to listen to a Sneak Preview of our
upcoming CD release as well as a handful of covers that were all
recorded with the MXL V67G Condenser Microphone!

As the Pea Pickin’ Hearts prepare for tomorrow’s “craft of songwriting” gig at the Cliff Dwellers Gallery, it reminds me of the odd questions I get about songwriting…from “where do you get your ideas?” to “where do you write them down?” 

Well, Answer #1 is that we tend to write what we know.  While not every song is about us, there is usually a thread in a song somewhere that has a relevant personal connection.  And Answer #2?  I write songs down in…a classic Moleskine® notebook.  They are sturdy, come in hundreds of varieties, have an elastic band to keep them closed, have a woven bookmark for when you are suddenly interrupted, and honestly, they make songwriting feel sacred.

If you are unfamiliar with the Moleskine® notebook, maybe a few pics and a word or two from the creators will help jog your memory:

“Moleskine® was created as a brand in 1997, bringing back to life the legendary notebook used by artists and thinkers over the past two centuries: among them Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, and Bruce Chatwin.  A trusted and handy travel companion, the nameless black notebook held invaluable sketches, notes, stories, and ideas that would one day become famous paintings or the pages of beloved books.” – from Moleskine.com

For some reason, I alway start on the right hand page and end up moving to the left…but I’m not left-handed.  Go figure.  The image below is a scan from my Moleskine® of Lottery Dreams, a Pea Pickin’ Hearts’ tune written in July of 2010 (and the only one that fit in just one scan). continues below

Follow the Peas by Email
for more about the upcoming release!

 Visit our new MUSIC PAGE, to listen to a Sneak Preview of our upcoming CD release as well as a handful of covers!

Well, I have finally gotten around to creating a twitter account just for the Pea Pickin’ Hearts…

Follow us so I can reclaim my personal twitter feed, ha.

So make sure to follow @peapickinhearts on twitter for the latest updates.