Dr BLT's Blog n Roll Studio - blognroll's Blog - Bakersfield.com

the movie New Moon never made me feel insecure as a man

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:11:21 PST

...and it never brought out any insecurity in me at all about my appearance either. BTW does my butt look big in this photo?

Musicians need to decide whether to be musicians or smut-peddling whores

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:43:35 PST

Musician? Smut-peddling whore? Adam Lambert made up his mind which one he preferred to be when he performed at the American Music Awards last night. The song was terrible, but I can excuse that, I've put out some pretty awful songs between the better ones myself.

And I don't condemn either road, I just don't think that smut-peddlers make very good artists, that's all. It's has nothing to do with the fact that he is gay. Elton John: Classy, gay. Adam Lambert: Trashy, gay and apparently likes it that way.

This is going to be a long, repulsive journey people, so hide your children. I had to hide my four year-old when Adam came on with his crap (I feel I must apologize to crap here). And to think I was actually rooting for him on American Idol! What was I thinking?

Battle of the Bakersfield SounDIVAS: Poll has Penny Marie and Kim McAbee tied

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:15:57 PST

Calling all Penny Marie, Kim McAbee, Dr BLT, and Michael Jackson fans. It's time to break the tie in a poll that pits Bakersfield SounDIVA, Kim McAbee of the Buckaroos (formerly Buck Owens and the Buckaroos) against Bakersfield Sound-grounded singer/songwriter, Penny Marie (who recently moved to Nashville).

We do it out of love, not out of a spirit of division, for we are swiftly moving into an era on the Bakersfield music scene when artists are coming together as one, rather than getting involved in petty squabbles. Nevertheless, a little good, old-fashioned competition never hurt anybody. So if you travel underground to:

Bakersfield Sound Underground

http://www.bakersfieldsoundunderground.com

you will find links to 2 versions the Dr BLT remake of Billie Jean (country style), one, a duet with Penny Marie, and the other, featuring Kim McAbee. You will also find a link at BSU that will allow you to vote for your favorite version on an official topix poll.

After you've heard both versions of the song, come back and discuss your preference or, if you prefer, come back and discuss Michael Jackson's This is It. That's it. have a nice day and may the best Bakersfield SounDIVA win. No, I'll rephrase that, in my book, they are both the best in the west.

Update on "The Bakersfield Sound of Christmas" and "Bakersfield and Beyond" radio show

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:39:38 PST

There's a lot going on when it comes to the underground Bakersfield-sound-grounded music scene these days. There's an exciting new multi-artist recording project for the homeless of Bakersfield called THE BAKERSFIELD SOUND OF CHRISTMAS, and then, of course, a much needed, long-awaited catalyst of Kern County country music, also the epicenter for a brand new Bakersfield Sound Revival. Of course I'm talking about Bakersfield and Beyond, the radio show out of Marin County accessed by fans all over the world via internet stream.

To get the scoop on the underground Kern County country music scene, you've always had to travel to the underground. Today is no exception, but then again, "if you ain't goin' underground, you ain't goin' anywhere!"

Bakersfield Sound Underground

http://www.bakersfieldsoundunderground.com

Addressing rumors my new song, "Thanksgiving in Turkey" is banned in Turkey

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:21:00 PST

Many singer/songwriters complain about rumors that go around about them and their music, but when you ask them if they did anything to nip the rumors in the bud, they say, "ahhhh...................no." Myself on the other hand? I like to do damage control by putting rumors to rest even before they begin. Take the rumor that one of two of my new Thanksgiving songs, "Thanksgiving in Turkey," inspired by the movie, "Midnight Express," has been banned in Turkey.

Now take a moment to reflect on this alleged rumor. How could the song be banned, if it hasn't even been released yet? Unless their a bootleg copy out there somewhere. Hmmm, no, that couldn't be, I'm not even recorded the song yet. But here's a sneak preview of the lyrics. Watch for it at:

http://www.drblt.net

http://www.myspace.com/drbltrocks

and at Twitter and Facebook.

Thanksgiving in Turkey

I'm stuck in a jail cell

for smuggling moonshine

I made it in Oildale

the very best kind

but now like the druggie

in Midnight express

I'll spend Turkey Day here

forever I guess

Thanksgiving in Turkey

I feel like a bird

that's stuffed with injustice

if you hadn't heard

in this Turkish prison

they treat me so bad

Thanksgiving in Turkey

is driving me mad

Thanksgiving in Turkey

I miss home sweet home

my wife and my daughter

my now I'm alone

there's no turkey dinner

no stuffing or pie

in this Turkish prison

I may even die

(chorus)

I wish you could send me

a cake with a file

so I could escape this

and run many miles

away from this prison

where torture's the way

Thanksgiving in Turkey

on this Turkey Day

Do you take "everything for granted?" Dickenesque message contained in this new Thanksgiving song

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:52:46 PST

The song, "Everything 4 Granted (A Song of Thanksgiving)" by Dr BLT was released this morning at:

http://www.drblt.net

(under CD, From Buck Owens Blvd to Merle Haggard Drive)

It contains a message inspired by the Charles Dickens story of Ebeneezer Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol." The song can be sampled here:

Everything 4 Granted

Dr BLT

http://www.drblt.net/music/Ev4G2Demom.mp3

or heard in it's entirety at:

http://www.myspace.com/drbltrocks

"The Bakersfield Sound of Christmas" recording project for the homeless

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:09:24 PDT

Happy Halloween! I don't want to scare anybody away by taking about Christmas prematurely, but an exciting project is moving forward on 2 fronts. Check it out here:

Bakersfield Sound Underground

http://www.bakersfieldsoundunderground.com

The Cultural Signficiance of "Bakersfield and Beyond"

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:03:15 PDT

Have you heard of the hottest Bakersfield-sound-based show since Cousin Herb's Trading Show? Did you know that the epicenter of a new Bakersfield Sound revival is not Bakersfield? Did you know that the further you get out of Bakersfield, the more the Bakersfield sound is both celebrated and appreciated? If you answered "no" to any of these questions, then you would probably benefit from learning more about the cultural significance of the KWRM show, Bakersfield and Beyond:

Bakersfield Sound Underground (BSU)

http://www.bakersfieldsoundunderground.com

Top 10 Dr BLTunes: "Halloween with Jim Beam" swiftly claims number one spot

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:26:15 PDT

Few though they may be in number (unspeakably high in IQ) every once in awhile, to please underground fans, of me, Dr BLT, an undeniably underdog singer/songwriter, I publish a list of my most requested songs. Halloween with Jim Beam set a record because it raced to the top of this chart faster than any song, heretofore has.

If you haven't sampled this to determine whether it's a trick or a treat of a song, you can do that via this link:

Halloween with Jim Beam

Dr BLT

words and music by Dr BLT

http://www.drblt.net/music/HalloWDemom.mp3

For the rest of the top ten, you'll need to travel underground:

Bakersfield Sound Underground (BSU)

http://www.bakersfieldsoundunderground.com

Update on HALLOWEEN WITH JIM BEAM: Rumors of botleg copy prompt midnight release

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:02:30 PDT

Well, they weren't exactly rumors, more like rumors of rumors. Well, no, the rumor part is a slight exaggeration. Okay, I'll be honest, it's a cheap, dispicable publicity stun, but it's not shameless self-promotion because I feel great shame.

Anyway, you're not interested in my "midnight" confession, so I'll continue. Tired of waiting for some elusive October surprise? While some of youwere sleeping I launched the midnight release of my new song,"Halloween with Jim Beam," from the CD, "From Buck Owens Blvd to MerleHaggard Drive." The full version is available at my official web site,but here's a pretty large sample:

Halloween with Jim Beam

Dr BLT

Credits:

lead vocals; Dr BLT

backup vocals: Dr BLT

rhythm guitar: Dr BLT

lead guitar: Reggie Langendorfer

bass; Reggie Langendorfer

keyboards: Dr BLT

programmed drums: Dr BLT

Is this the next Buck Owens?

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:45:37 PDT

One never knows, but I've witnessed a live street performance and I can tell you, the boy's got talent. Check out my interview with the young man I took the liberty of nicknaming "Yukalaylee Zach."

Doesn't sound "mainstream" does it? That's because it's an item you'll need to go underground to find:

Bakersfield Sound Underground

http://blog.bakersfieldsoundunderground.com/2009/10/12/yukalaylee-zach-caught-in-a-jam-off-the-streets-of-bakersfield.aspx

Stay tuned at BSU for details about Bakersfield's Next Buck Owens contest. No, the deadline has not yet passed.

My song aired back to back with the Man in Black? That's a fact!

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:59:24 PDT

It was like an AA meeting, the AA being A.utism and A.lcohol. I was double scheduled----scheduled to teach a class (involving a class trip to the Fox Theatre to see a film on Autism called The Black Baloon), and scheduled as usual as the regular guest on the Marin County KWMR radio show, Bakersfield and Beyond, which would feature country songs on the subject of alcohol.

Usually, my guest spot on the show sets up an original song of mine, in this case, The Bottle's Gettin' Bigger. The movie on Autism, an Australian flick, was pretty good, but a little too real, if you know what I mean. So I stepped out around the time we usually take a break as a class, and called in to the show to display my loyalty to and support for Bakersfield and Beyond (kind of like 2000s radio reply to the Cousin Herb Show of the early Bakersfield Sound days).

After we chatted, my song was aired. After that, you guessed it, it was Johnny Cash, the Man in Black, singing Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down, one of my favorite songs. I was quite thankful that my song was aired before, and not after, Johnny Cash's classic. That would have been a tough act to follow. I am grateful, and continue to be grateful to be a regular guest on the show. They've been going for over six months, and gaining a reputation in the process as being the epicenter of a new Bakersfield Sound revival. Bakersfield and Beyond can be streamed every second Thursday form 6:40 pm at:

http://www.kwmr.org

Be prepared to get scared: Release scheduled for "Halloween with Jim Beam"

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:53:43 PDT

If those burning witches depicted below (or the furry feline that's "had one too many" below that) aren't enough to put a scare in you, this song will surely get you shakin' in your boots. I'm talking about my brand new honky-tonk Halloween single, due for release soon, and when you were least expecting it.

For details, visit BSU:

http://www.bakersfieldsoundunderground.com

And remember, if you ain't bin underground, you ain't goin' nowhere!

Song penned on my way to the pen expresses my sense of freedom from religion and politics

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:53:36 PDT

This song is my answer to R.E.M.'s Losing My Religion. One day while I was on my way to prison (to work there as a psychologist, not to turn myself in for any particular crime), R.E.M.'s Losing My Religion came on my car radio. Though I had heard the song many times before and the song, at that point was so old it fell into the category of "classic rock," I heard the lyrics again for the first time, and the song fomented a bit of a battle between factions from within my soul and psyche and that yielded a song. I realized that in many respects I was not only heading to prison, but imprisoned by a strict religious upbringing that was more about oppression, and less about liberation of the soul and spirit.

I've gradually let go of religion, without abandoning my faith, or stifling my spiritual hunger. It took me a few years later to realize that religion was not my only ball and chain. Partisan politics had also become a ball and chain, and served as a distraction for my true calling, that of songwriting. Now I find that the further I get from religion and politics, the closer I get to being the songwriter I was meant to be, one that is free.

As I was listening to that song on my way to prison, I freed myself by telling myself, "Yes, go ahead, set yourself free, you hold the key..."

Lose Your Religion

Daniel Sisco

http://www.drblt.net/music/LoseYouReligion.mp3

Soulajar, Fatt Katt, Buckaroos, Councilmen, Merle Haggard and the Strangers: Big recording project

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 07:42:41 PDT

It doesn't get any bigger, better, or more "Bako local" than this. Mark Yeary, formerly of Merle Haggard and the Strangers will produce the record. I just write the songs, maybe add a little bit to the recording here and there. American Sound Studio will help out by pitching the studio time, helping to get the word out, and supporting the project as a while. Boasting Weak doesn't like to boast, otherwise I would have added them to the headline.

Band members or ex-members of those bands I've mentioned in the blog headline, along with great local solo artists like Brian Benson, Jerry Rothberg, Pat Frase, possibly Kim McAbee (also performs with the Buckaroos), and others have offered to be a part of a brand new multi-act recording project.

But we're going to try to fit in as many local artists as we can, all to raise awareness for those who will be "homeless for the holidays." The beneficiaries of the recording of the Homeless Christmas Medley will be the homeless in Bakersield through Bakersfield Homeless Shelter/Bethany Services.

It's not too late to get on board and help the homeless with t

he recording of this medley, to be released as an mp3 and possibly, a CD Single, EP or CD.

If you'd like to help out, contact me, Dr BLT at:

(661) 303-6931

drblt@drblt.net

Cash comparisons continue, Kim McAbee praised on review of Dr BLT's country remake of Billie Jean

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:48:29 PDT

If you haven't been underground lately, and you're a big fan of the Bakersfield Sound and the new movement growing out of that initial movement, you'll find it highly rewarding to take a trip.

When you get there, you find that I also take the time to thank a number of well-deserved artists who played in big role in making this Michael Jackson country remake of mine so well received among critics and fans. You discover why Kim McAbee, of the Buckaroos was praised for her contribution to the song by Michael Dalton.

Also, I tell you why, though I'm a huge Fan in Black, and even wrote a song by that title, I disagree with comparisons between me and Johnny Cash offered by Buck Owens and others. What sort of underground would offer these juicy tidbits, you ask? Why Bakersfield Sound Underground of course:

BSU

http://www.bakersfieldsoundunderground.com

What do you get with R.S. (Red Simpson) collides with the R.S. (Rolling Stones)?

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:10:18 PDT

You'll have to take a trip to the underground to find out? Why can't you just stay where you are? Hey, just trust me, I wouldn't take you on a trip unless I knew it was worth the journey.

Bakersfield Sound Underground (BSU)

http://www.bakersfieldsoundunderground.com

Political Bickering is out! Music is in!

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:08:17 PDT

The Bakersfield Sound saved me from sinking in the quick sand of political bickering. When I grew up in the prairies of Saskatchewan and got my first guitar, songwriting became quite a natural outlet for me. But I wanted to play rock n roll, and all that came out of my heart was country.

I spent years running from my country roots, and rediscovered them through the Bakersfield Sound. Now my passion lies in writing all sorts of styles of music, but never abandoning country again.

For a few years, a diversion known as political, partisan bickering distracted me from my musical goals. I've since followed my true passion and do my best to stay away from political bickering. It goes nowhere, but music takes me anywhere I want to go.

You won't find any political bickering here, only passion for the Bakersfield Sound and all of the new sounds that are evolving from that original, homegrown genre. Of course, I'm talking about:

Bakersfield Sound Underground (BSU)

http://www.bakersfieldsoundunderground.com

Santa's Ridin' Shotgun with Red Simpson This Year

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:49:07 PDT

Whether it will be released this year or next is anybody's guess. There's no promise of a 2009 release of Bakersfield Sound of Christmas, only rumors based on newly penned songs like these, which will be recorded by different combinations of players from the best bands in Bakersfield and the best solo acts too.

The lyrics to this one, a tribute to the living legend, Bakersfield's own Red Simpson were penned today. My song is an answer to a song off of the CD, Christmas with Buck Owens that was actually penned by Red Simpson and Don Rich. That one's called Santa's Gonna Come In a Stagecoach. Santa's Ridin' Shotgun... will be recorded soon.

Santa's Ridin' Shotgun with Red Simpson this Year

Santa's ridin' shotgun with Red Simpson this year

broke down north of Bakersfield

now Red's been grindin' gears

takin' Santa on his run

deliverin' Christmas cheer

Santa's ridin' shotgun with Red Simpson

this year

'sled crashed

now the reindeer all just rest upon a ranch

Santa grabbed his bag of toys

and took a great big chance

singin' Christmas versions

of Red songs as Simpson steers

Santa's ridin' shotgun

with Red Simpson this year

Santa's never hitchhiked

before

but Red was mighty friendly

as he opened up the door

Red may be past his prime

but his big truck runs like a deer

so Santa's ridin' shotgun

with Red Simpson this year

Granddaughter of Bakersfield Sound legend shares rare Ray Wills recording: Interview/podcast

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:46:32 PDT

Will Ray, along with "Cousin" Herb Henson, was responsible for helping to launch the careers of some of the biggest stars of the original Bakersfield Sound era. He was also a skilled and dedicated musician in his own right, playing with Merle Haggard, Bill Woods and many others.

Now, thanks to a rare tape, discovered by Will Ray's granddaughter, (who also happens to be a university grad student of mine), we can all sit back and listen to Ray chat with Bill Woods and Dub Williams' of Dub Williams' Country Memories via a brand new podcast of a very old recording.

At Bakersfield Sound Underground today, (the same historic day that KUZZ's Mark Howell announces his retirement after 40 years, and the same historic day that Tommy Hays will celebrate his 80th birthday), this rare treasure will begin making its way to BSU:

http://www.bakersfieldsoundunderground.com

Some of you may also know Sarah Vallisenor for her recent singing debut. I discovered her as a singer before I knew she had a direct genetic link to the Bakersfield Sound through her grandfather, and is thus, Bakersfield Sound royalty. Her recording debut took place as part of a multimedia student recording project. She sang with me on this song, as part of the Axes Five. It's the single song on a psychobilly soundtrack for a psychodrama production on the subject of schizophrenia.

I am Schizophrenia

Axes Five

for more information on this project, visit:

http://www.psychologycomesalive.com

and be sure to catch another exciting episode of Bakersfield and Beyond on KWMR this evening around 6:40 pm. You can stream it live at:

http://www.kwmr.org