Sheer lunacy? Maybe . . .
I’ve been on countless stages in my time. A few of those were grand scenes playing to thousands, but most were cramped corners of a small club, performing for relatively small groups, and from a position of partial obscuration behind the drums. There was also a degree of confidence involved. Decades of practice and rehearsal. When I stepped onto a stage I knew exactly what I was doing . . . okay, maybe 95% of the time. This? It feels like a middle school band recital all over again. I can hear our director now. “BLOW, goddamnit!” (I played trumpet and he really was a lovable tyrant). Now?
I studied the masters with the greatest awe and respect. I rehearsed. But once I stood in front of the voice-over mic, I learned my limitations. So why do it?
Several months ago marked the anniversary of my escaping Mr. Reaper. He was profoundly diligent in our Crystal River Covid ICU, almost as if running the Yes No No No No Yes song Empress Nympho enjoyed in Mel Brook’s History of the World, Part I. Maybe poor taste on my part. Humor is how I deal.
Sparing the super-high drama and depressing bits, let’s just skip to the part where that type of experience tends to shift one’s lens on the finery of optics and the folly of perfect timing. There’s a Phil Collins anthem playing in the background here. Hear it?
No mo, no mo . . .
So, for the love of God, what coerced me to throw down (or up?) on YouTube? Certainly, I’m off my rocker. Don’t care about vanity in my appearance so much, and yeah, could’ve rehearsed each line to perfection in elocution, emphasis, pace, emotion . . . breathing! I full well know I’m NO actor, and believe me, I’ve an insanely greater appreciation for their craft! But as the past couple years played, particularly after the untimely deaths of dear family, there’s really no excuse for me to put anything off. Not now.
We knew audiobooks were in the cards at some point. The question marks were time, economics, resources, and most importantly, who would narrate them. After a couple tests—and patient (ha!), objective listeners—I decided to give it a shot. What’s the worst that could happen?
I smell a meme brewing.
A few months ago, I set up in front of a trusty Sennheiser MKH-416 run into a UAD Volt 2 and hit record. Now, I wish I was as natural to voice-over as say, British author Neil Gaiman—astounding talent, that guy! Alas, no. (I have to laugh a little due to all the edits). Then, the (literally) bright idea that we should loft a couple lights and cameras. Golly! … as if things weren’t bad enough.
Yeah, it’s a LOT of work and a much larger project than originally anticipated. Wait … I sound like I’m complaining. It’s actually quite a fun challenge. We’re learning every session too. The best part is that I get to finally fill the marketing void expressed by a few pals with physical limitations. Then there’s the whole YouTube thing. Being a content creator to that end (again, for better or laughingstock) brings a little crack of a smile to this one’s face. In truth, I’ve zero aspirations there. It’s just us tossing a line in the ocean . . . and we all know fishing isn’t just about the fish. 😉
DUST: SPECIAL EDITION AudioBook Sessions begin 6.1.2023 at 7pm EST (1900)
New Chapter *each Friday!
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to the new channel! Extras will be posted along the way.
*barring any unplanned external events that cause a delay
For those interested in the actual DUST: SE audiobook, it will be published shortly after completion of the YouTube series. That’s a few months out.
Oh, as a liner note, “sheer lunacy” was a frequent phrase my father would predictably employ any time my group of buddies (usually my bandmates) were up to our shenanigans. He’d use it for political commentary too and still does. Heard it just the other week.
