Chris Sparks's Blog

How do I record a demo?
by Chris Sparks

One of the questions I get most often is how to go about recording a demo.

My answer is always the same, "Don't!"

If you are a recording artist or want to be one, you will often be told that you need a good demo to present to record labels. My opinion is the complete opposite.  I think demos are a complete waste of money.

There will be plenty of people who will disagree.  Some of you will even go waste your money recording some amateur demo in hope that some record executive will sign you off of it. That is totally your perogative.  I wish you the best.  There is no need to read anymore.

But, if you actually want to make quality music and have the best possible chance of actually making it, feel free to consider what I have to say.

Why do you think you need a record deal?
While I will deal with this topic in an entirely different article, I always have to mention that I think it is a mistake to make your main goal about getting a record deal. Your main goal as an artist should be to make the best music possible!  Plus, signing with a major label is not the best path for each artist. Again, it's too big of a topic to deal with that here.

Anything good enough to attract a record label is good enough to release!
Record executives are not always known for their ability to hear the diamond in the rough.  A lot of these guys have never picked up an instrument.  That is not an insult.  Their expertise is in business and marketing, not music. So, what they respect is a good quality product they know they can market.  This means that artists who have already proven they are marketable will have a better chance of getting signed.

If they sign you, they are going to spend at least $2 million launching your career. 
Now, do you really think they will base that on some $500 demo?  Would you?

Therefore, a demo done in somebody's basement is not very likely to get you signed.  Keep in mind that your "demo" is competing with the actual CD's of indie artists.  These artists took the time and spent the money to hire A-list musicians and engineers. The recording studios they use have a million dollars in equipment, highly advance microphones and state of the art software to make their voices sound their best.  They are already marketing their music in a professional manner and building a solid fanbase. So again, do you think your voice and songs are so amazing that you will actually beat out these artists?  If you do, that's pretty arrogant and unrealistic.

It is always bad business to spend money producing something you cannot sell!
I know major companies spend millions in R&D and Research Marketing.  If you're considering a cheap demo, I doubt you have that kind of money.  So if you do take the time to record a high quality demo, it should actually be good enough quality to release. While this is a good step to impressing a record label, it also gets you going as an artist and gives you the potential to recover the cost of recording.   There is no need to wait on a record deal.  Just release your CD, market yourself professionally and enjoy the ride.  If you do a good enough job, you might just attract a major label. Of course, you might also know by then that you no longer need a record label! 

For example, go back and listen to the songs like 'Born to Ride', from my first CD.  They are on the snocap player on my MySpace profile or the ReverbNation player. A lot of people really like these songs.  But, I had a lot of people in the business tell me to never play those songs for a record label because the production was not good enough. While I am very proud of that CD, I happen to agree with them. The production is not the best it could be.  It had electric drums for crying out loud! It was recorded in Nashville; but, not in a major studio.  That CD actually was a complete accident. To be fair to them, the players on the album are actually better than that.  I would gladly work with them again.  Actually, the guitar player, Dug Grieves, is one of my favorite guitar players and plays on all my stuff now.

But either way, if you think it sounds good, keep in mind that it is not good enough production for a major label to hear it. That CD cost me about $6,000 for 12 songs or $500 per song.  3 of the songs are not on the CD.

What is the cost of doing a CD?
While there are many variables, the best thing about Nashville is that the costs are standard.  It all depends on which AFM Union Scale Rate you use and how many players you have.  Studio and engineering costs are pretty standard.  But production costs will range from $2,000 to $4000 per song for the finished product.  The right producer can keep you on the bottom end of that range.

QUESTIONS

I only have $1000.  How can I record a demo with that?
Again, don't record a demo.  Save that $1,000 and apply it toward real recording. You can also invest that money in equipment that will let you practice and record at home.  While you will not be able to present this to labels or release it, it is great practice and can also be used to do copyright tapes.  I'll get into more on this in another article.

I don't feel I am ready to spend the money it takes to produce a high quality CD?
Then, get yourself ready.  If you are not good enough yet to record a high quality CD, why in the world would you waste money recording a cheap demo. Then you will have a bad sounding demo with sunstandard songs and vocals.

I can't possibly ever afford that?
I understand that some people are just strapped.  But other waste money every month that could be applied to their recording fund. My question to those people is, "How serious about a music career are you?"

But for those of you not wasting additional income every month, what about a second job?  Let's say you get your production cost of 3 songs figured at $6,000.  If you get a second job that gives you $300 to $500 extra per month, you can have the money in 12 to 20 months.  It will take you that long to get your songs, voice and marketing ready.  There are a lot of part time jobs that can make you that kind of money.

I don't have any original songs to record.  Can't I just do covers?
Cover song demos are for cover bands who want to play clubs.  They have to prove they can play covers in order to get booked. You should never record a CD of cover songs.  One cover song might be OK.  But, a bunch on a CD is a mark of an amateur.  You need to learn to write.  Refer to my article on writing.

We are a cover band?  Should we do a demo?
If you only ever plan to be a cover band.  Yes, you need a demo of covers.  But you still need to get permission to record, release those covers or put them on the web.  You need to research the legalities because most cover bands are in violation of copyright laws.

I am just a songwriter?  Should I do demos?
Yes, songwriters still do demos.  But, you should still keep in mind that higher quality song demos are more likely to get your songs heard and recorded by an artist.

What about your acoustic video demos?
I do those for fans to hear what I am writing.  And also, I have my own label and could care less about what another major label thinks of me. I feel you should feel the same way about your own career.

I hope that gives you something to think about and helps you avoid some pitfalls.  I will have a full series of articles on how you should actually record your CD.  Best of luck in your music career.

Sincerely,

Chris Sparks

© 2008 Christopher Lee Sparks, All Rights Reserved.
Do not copy, print or repost without written permission.

Every year when the water restrictions come about, my father and I have the same discussion.  While rain fall may be down, there are plenty of times when our water reservoir lakes are full and spilling over.  So, he has been saying for a while, "Why are we not making the lakes deeper?"

I will admit that I know absolutely nothing about water management.  However, this just seems like a logical idea.  The more water we can retain, the more water we will have in the future.

Does anybody have an educated opinion on why we have not done this?

 "I would love to see a poll of 18 - 20 year olds that asks them if they could switch the voting age with the drinking age, would they?"

We have all these magically defined ages in our lives.  As kids we move through different types of movies we can see.  At 16, we can drive.  18 means we can vote, smoke, make adult decisions, sign contracts and go to war.  21 gives us the right to drink.  25 year olds can rent cars.  We can run for president at 35.  You can join the AARP when you are 50.  We can retire at 65, sometimes at 62 or possibly 70?  Anyway, where did all these ages come from?  How often do we examine the need to change these ages based on the current society.  We did change the drinking age to 21 in the 80's.

So since it is an election year, I would like to ask the question.  Is 18 the right age for most people to decide the future of our country?  Are most 18 year olds today really experienced in life enough to know what is important in deciding who is president? 

Now, we could base this logic on statements like, well they are old enough to pay taxes or go to war.  So, they should be able to vote.  While that can certainly be a valid argument, someone could counter by saying, "We don't trust them to drink a beer; but, we trust them to choose our president!"  Although, not as many 16 year olds sneak out to vote as 18 year olds do to drink.  I would love to see a poll of 18 - 20 year olds that asks them if they could switch the voting age with the drinking age, would they?

But wait says another voice, "They can smoke cigarettes that polute their bodies and others with thousands of carcinogens; but, they can't have a beer?"  Yes well, we are quite complicated people! :)

Some could argue that all of these ages should be looked at every decade or so.

So, the point of this question is to talk about who an 18 year old is today compared to past generations when the voting age was set.  Using the current system to defend the current system would render the discussion useless.

Some could also say that it doesn't matter because irresponsible people will not take the time to vote.  So, keep the age the way it is so the ones who are concerned can vote.  But that argument could mean there should be no age restrictions. 

If you say, 18 is old enough, why not 16 & 17?  Where do we draw the line? Why is 18 the magical number?

Some could say that 25 could be a good age.  A lot of 25 year olds have either gone to college and worked a few years or had 7 to 8 valuable years in a trade job.  Either way, they have gained experience in the world. They have managed a career, budget and possibly even a family.  A lot of them have begun to think about investments, retirement, insurance, etc.  They are beginning to understand how politicians actually effect them.

Obviously, we all develop differently at different ages.  There are some really intelligent, worldly and responsible 18 year olds.  But, is that the norm?  Either way, we have to set an age right?  So, at what age do most people really understand tax policy, business laws, international affairs, defense, health care and all the other important issues?  At what age do most people care enough to learn about it?

Yes, like many of you, I too thought, "How many people understand those things enough at any age?  I'm still trying to get a grasp on it all!"  Yes, but you actually care enough to try to understand it.  Of course, this is another issue that I will post a different blog on.  For now, I will stick to the age question.

So, what do you think?  At what age should people be able to vote to elect the leader of our country?

I'll throw my hat in the ring at 25 years old.  To me, this is one of the most important decisions Americans make.  So in my lifeboat, I'd rather have some folks with some real world experience.

Chris

Let me first note that I mean no disrespect to folks in extreme economic conditions.  It's a tough situation to be in.  But, I think this line of thinking is something the rest of us should consider before we complain about food prices.

With food prices going up, you often hear that people are going to the discount stores, buying cheaper brand foods and eating more fast food.  While I have no idea if this is true or not, it really doesn't matter for my point.

While my family has always tried to eat healthy, a few years ago I wanted and needed to eat a lot healthier.  Mainly, I want to look and feel good for personal reasons.  But, my career obviously demands it.  Well, I suppose I could eat what I want and say that I was bulking up because the storyline of one of my videos demanded that I have a beer belly. :)

So anyway,  knowing that it is impossible to eat out and get food that is good for you, I went to the store.  Almost everything in the store had High Fructose Corn Syrup, including wheat bread.  If you're not sure what that garbage does to your body, Men's Health has some great articles on it.

Luckily, I found some brands like Kashi who at the time were about the only ones not including all the garbage.  Of course, I also included wraps, thinly sliced lean meats, fresh vegetables, fruits,100% juices, etc. 

As I began to tell people around me what I was buying, the issue of how expensive these things are usually came up.

So then, my early marketing and sales experience came out.  The word expensive is all relative.  If you could have an ounce of fools gold or an ounce of 24K gold for the same price, which would you take?  Buying "juice drink" because it is cheaper by the ounce than 100% juice is the same comparison.  Based on the nutrients provided, juice drink is a lot more expensive than 100% juice. 

While we all enjoy eating, the purpose of eating is nourishment.  Therefore, we should base the real cost of food on the amount and kind of nutrients it provides.      

Next time you go shopping, look in your cart.  How much junk food do you have?  People will buy $20 in junk food and opt for the all sugar cereal b/c it is $1 cheaper than an all organic health cereal that was made for nourishment.  Plus, that junk food will leave you feeling hungry because your body still needs the nutrients it has yet to receive.  As a result, you will likely eat more junk food.  How is it cheaper again?

You may also be surprised at the incredible taste of some of these products.  Try Kashi's Mountain Medley or Orchard Spice Cereal and then judge.  Dole's mixed juices, like their Pina Colada or Pineapple, taste like you are sitting on a tropical island.  I'll take a fresh vegetable wrap with thinly sliced chicken, lettuce and tomato with a side of Kashi crackers and a glass of juice any day over a burger, fries and drink.  Plus, it is cheaper in total price let alone when you consider the nutrients.  I also don't eat as much and stay full longer when I eat the wraps.

Trust me, I love that burger meal, pizza, chocolate, soda and all those other tasty treats.  I've made the trip to Target just to get the Toblerone and will likely still do it every now and then.  So, I feel your pain.  But, I also know that if I eat those things, I have no reason to complain about the cost of food or the $2 in gas it costs me to buy a $1.50 candy bar because I basically just threw away my money eating total junk! :)

The good and the bad news is that we are creatures of habit.  The more you eat healthy, the more you will want to eat healthy.  The more you eat junk food, the more junk food you want.

I also undertand eating under a budget.  Actually, it is b/c of my budget that I discovered this way of thinking.  I guarantee you I can spend less than most of my friends and eat a lot better.

So, hopefully this helps you see a different side to buying food just like it did for me.

Chris

When you're watching NASCAR on Fox, it's easy to have a great appreciation for the way they cover it.  The combination of the commentators, technology and amount of cameras gives you everything you possibly need.  It helps increase my enthusiasm for the sport.  My dad and I are always impressed by the coverage.  So, I don't need to be without it to know how much I like it.

However, I do unfortunately get a reminder when the coverage switches to certain other stations.  It seems they had just enough money to get the contract.  But, they don't have any left to cover it properly.  At times, I feel like I am back in 1992. While I appreciate the nostalgia, I would only go back to that time to see #3 drive just one more time.

While I could go on for days about the production quality including video and audio, perhaps the main problem is they just don't have enough cameras.  Too often we hear, "Let's see if we got a shot of that."  And it is usually a pretty important part of the race that we miss simply because they did not have a camera on it.  If they did have a camera on it, it was just one or two.  Now how am I supposed to lay the blame on the driver I hate unless I have enough camera angles to do so! :)

I am of course very glad they are no longer  jumping the coverage around every week so you never know when the race is on or who is covering it.  But, NASCAR has got to start considering the quality of coverage when it sells the television rights.  It is not just about the upfront fees. 

Plus, let's also not forget that this footage goes into the archives to document the history of the sport.  NASCAR is too big of a sport to be covered improperly.  So, I'll just be sitting here waiting on Fox to step back into the seat.

And yes, I would watch more truck and Nationwide, if Fox covered it.

Thanks for stepping up the game and spoiling NASCAR fans with top notch production! :)

Chris 

Music Video Updates

I'm currently filming my music videos.  So, I thought I would take the time to update you on how it is going.

The music video process is moving right along.  Like anything in the entertainment business, it can be quite frustrating in the beginning; but, I expect that. 

Here are the biggest hurdles:

Locations - There are a lot of laws surrounding commercial film shoots.  You can't just go somewhere and film.  There can also be a lot of charges to use government properties such as Universities.  You can easily spend $1,000+ per day.  A lot of commercial businesses can't interrupt their business to let you film.  That is understandable.  Even if they do, you may have a lot of time limits and limited ability to set-up properly, especially with lighting. 

Luckily for me, I don't care where I film.  Most videos now are done in old warehouses and sound stages for these reasons.  It's a music video, not a major motion picture.  Fortunately though, I have found plenty of locations where they are letting me film at little or no cost.  These businesses realize that it is good exposure for their business & property.  Plus, helping out a recording artist might be of great benefit in the future.

Models/Actors - Believe or not, it is hard to find people to be in music videos.  It's easy to find people who say they want to do it.  There are plenty of people who say they want a career in acting and modeling.  But, very few will actually do the work it takes to get there.  A lot of them expect a lot of money even though they have no experience.  Of course, I am paying each actor and offering a lot of other benefits on top of that such as extra exposure.  But, if I were going to pay a lot of money, it would be to an experienced person who brings a lot to the table, is somewhat recognized and might actually have a big career one day that will in turn enhance my career as well.

Again, I can film "Performance Videos" that require no other actors.  But again, I have been fortunate enough to find some really great people who are down to earth and really want a career in modeling & acting.  I've actually found more than I need right now. But, I value good people.  So, I will create other projects just to work with them. 

Lighting - This is the most important thing I have to learn.  There's a big learning curve here.  People spend decades perfecting this craft.  I have to do it in a few months for indoor and outdoor lighting.  Plus, I have to buy the right lighting kits for each situation.  That is what I am working on now. 

Make-up - This is also very important.  Being a guy, I have very little experience in this!  Luckily I have been through a few pro shoots.  But, I need to learn to do my own make-up b/c of the amount of filming I will be doing.  It will pretty well be constant.

Well, those are the basics of the obstacles I have encountered and overcome.  I will be writing a whole series of articles once I have finished a few videos and have some hard experience to offer.  To follow this more closely, feel free to visit my film profile on myspace at http://www.MySpace.com/ChrisSparksFilms .

Until then, best of luck in your endeavors.

Chris

Recording Artist Bios are Hilarious!
by Chris Sparks

This is my somewhat humorous and somewhat true look at artist bios.  Those who are humor challenged, please do not proceed! :)

You may notice that you do not see a true "Artist Bio" on any of my profiles or sites.  I like to give the simple facts without the embellishments.  I'm an open person and will be glad to tell you my life story.  But, I'd rather you just listen to my music.  If I write the songs right, you'll get to know me.  Besides, I think you are smart enough to figure out BS when you hear it.

Some of you may know that I am also a publisher and editor for several online magazines.  So, I have seen hundreds of bios.  Notice, I said 'seen' and not 'read'.  This is b/c if you read about 5-10 bios, you have read them all because they are all written by the same PR people.  If you read enough of them, they become quite funny and annoying at the same time.  It kind of goes something like this:

"{INSERT NAME} started singing when he/she was 2 years old. His/Her mother often heard him/her kicking the beat to Workin' Man Blues and many other country hits when he/she was still in the womb." {INSERT NAME} went through many struggles as a child and aspiring artist. {INSERT VARIOUS STRUGGLES}.  Then one faithful day, a record executive overheard him/her singing at a local rodeo and signed him/her on the spot.  {INSERT MORE BS STORYLINE} And next thing you know, he/she was an overnight success...

Let me translate this for you...

A record executive was given an ultimatum to find new artists or not come back.  He, I do mean "He", went and got drunk at a Nashville bar where he heard the voice of an angel singing one of the best songs he had ever heard while he was drinking a fifth of tequila.   He told the artist that she had the whole package with the songs, voice & look.  He then proceeded to find the best songwriters in Nashville to write or songs, the best stylists to create her look, the best studio engineers and musicians to make her voice sound good and then spent two million dollars on promotions, marketing and industry payoffs.  And suddenly, she was an overnight sensation! :)

There are also terms that are used in a lot of bios.  I've seen these terms so many times, I officially move that they be banned from use by all artists! :)  So, that reading these self-absorbed mini-novels will now be just as annoying for you, I have started a list of these precious little gems:

Tour De Force - Didn't Lance Armstrong win this? 

Singing Sensation - If you mean, we get a sensation in the back of our throats every time we hear you sing.  Then yes, you are a singing sensation.

Taking the Industry By Storm - Chill big fella.  This is your first bio.  Your CD single has not even been released yet!

Feel Good Story Of The Year - Yes, it will feel good when you lose your deal in 6-8 months after your CD doesn't go gold and the label changes the name in your bio to their latest Singing Sensation who is a Tour De Force Taking the Industry By Storm! :) 

Triple Threat - Is this music or war?  Yes well, stick them in the UFC ring and we'll see how much of a "Triple Threat" they really are! :)

Critically Acclaimed - Who are these critics and why do I care what they are acclaiming?  Let the fans be the critics.

Hit Single - A phrase usually found on a brightly colored round sticker on the front of a CD.  "Includes the Hit Single: A Song Nobody's Ever Heard!"  What made that song a hit, especially when it is the first pressing of the album for a new artist with no singles?  Oh, I know, those critic fellers are at it again acclaiming things.  It's a hit! That guy said so.  Where did he hear that?  From the label.  Oh! :)

Top 10 Hit, Top 40 Hit, Number 1 Hits (Based on Airplay) - Oh, so these are the actual hits?  This is based on Radio Airplay?  You mean the 3,000 people left listening to terrestrial radio determined these to be hits?  These folks fall into a few categories: radio consultants, radio personnel, record executives and 723 hardcore listeners in BFE who refuse to give up their boom boxes and believe that them satelite thingies and that internet web dohicky are just a fad...and a governement conspiracy to cover up the existence of UFO's.  They are also pissed that albums are no longer released on cassette...and they are going to write letters about this too dang it! :) 

Also, didn't every major label get hit with major fines for Payola?  Yes, this is a truly amazing accomplishment.  Your label paid $300K for you to have a top 10 hit.  You're one of the greatest artists of all time!

If they base it on sales, fine by me.  But, basing it on terrestrial radio airplay is an absolute joke.  But hey, good for them.  People still believe it. 

Award Winning Artist - There are so many things wrong with this statement, I could write a book about it.  So, these awards are based on Radio Airplay?  I think we covered this already.  Oh, they are based on fans calling in?  Well, that could never be rigged! 

Here's a question.  What artists were eligible for these awards? Oh, just the ones on the major labels.  I see.  I won awards at the YMCA when I was 9 when I won the bumper pool and checkers tournament.  So, I guess I am an award winning artist!  Actually, I guess I was world champion too.  It's not my fault only 10 people in the world showed up.

Top Selling Artist - Read through all of the bios for artists in a certain genre.  See how many of them say that artist is the Top Selling Artist of the year.  Apparently, every major label artist was the Top Selling Artist last year!  Yes, and I was the Top Selling Country Artist on 2354 Sparks Street last year too!

Dropping A CD - The term is released.  My albums will always be released.  They will never be dropped. Dropped is what happens to cornball artists who use terms like dropped! They get dropped from their labels.  Their CD's get dropped into the cutout bin.

Dropping II - There is another kind of dropping, name dropping.  If they had a cousin who talked to a guy in a convenience store who had a cousin who dated a guy who once walked down music row and saw a record label building, it will be in their bio.  Ah yeah, just because your "manager" bought a ticket for a concert for a major artist, does not mean he helped finance the tour!  "Managers" & "Producers" will often list stuff they did for artists before the artist even became big whether this be booking them in some small club or working the board for a demo tape.   

Inked - This is their cool way to say they signed a deal.  The business channels use this one too.  I will never "ink" a deal.  I "sign" deals.  Sometimes, I "seal" deals.  And if I'm feeling especially saucy, I "cut" a deal.  But, I have never been so fortunate and cool enough to "ink" a deal! 

At Radio - This is their fancy way of saying that they sent copies of the CD to the radio stations; And, you can now call and annoy the station to play it....which they will not!  They don't know that the station playlist is determined centrally at the corporate headquarters for the network.  So, unless it has a major label on it and at least $100K behind it, it's going to be a coaster with a hole in it!

Surreal - This is by far the most overused word in entertainment.  I would question if any star who uses it actually knows what it means.  So let me define it for them.  Surreal means, "I don't have the brain capacity or concern to give you an intelligent and heartfelt answer as to what my sudden and unexplained success means to me.  So, I will use a word I heard 2,153 other reality stars say!"  And, I'm quite sure at least 40% of them think they are saying, "So Real".

Reality Stars Don't Go Platinum, The Shows Do - The "Artist" was on a show for over 2 months and was seen by over 20 million people that voted 80 million times.  Then her first album went platinum.  First of all, she didn't go platinum.  The show went platinum.  Second, if 20 million people watched and the album sold 2 million copies, doesn't this mean that 18 million people didn't buy the album? Third, if you want to make these contests fair, have them all release singles.   Whoever sells the most, wins. People who vote 20 times by hitting redial means nothing compared to someone actually buying the CD or download!

Recording Artist - If you do not write songs, play an instrument or make any production decisions and your involvement in the production of your music is standing where they want you to stand, singing how they want you to sing and wearing what they want you to wear, you my friend are not a recording artist.  You are a singer at best.

Music Industry vs Celebrity Industry - These are two seperate industries even though people often treat them the same.  Just because you are famous does not mean you are a musical artist.  It just means a bunch of people know who you are because you were on a reality show where you ate a pig's bladder.  Granted, recording artists have to become famous to an extent so that people hear their music.  But, they are more concerned about making good music.  So, while artists have to market, promote and advertise, the quality of their art comes first.  For the ones who just want to be famous, making music is just another line to their bio.

Major Television Appearances - Next time you see this for a new artist, check the parent company of the TV network and the record label.  It might be no surprise that they have the same parent company.  Hmmm, I wonder how that artist got booked on that major talk show?  Of course, they gladly trade off favors as well so their artists can be exposed on all TV networks.  Unfortunately, few indie artists own major television networks!

Major vs Indie - If you notice, there is a place on music profiles to signify whether you are on a major or indie label.  Those two terms mean absolutely nothing to me.  So, I put that my label is major.  It's major to me. I just wanted to participate in the BS! :)  The fact is major labels get a lot of unfair advantages in the industry b/c they are major.  However, because it is "cool" to be indie, major labels have spun off numerous labels and called them indies. (They used to call them imprints.)  They make it appear as if these labels are totally independent and often owned by artists.    Oh, but they are distributed by the major label.  Funny! :)  I think I'll say that my label is an indie major or a major indie.  Would you believe minor major?

OK, so go read some artist bios and have a little fun of your own.  It's pretty funny stuff if you can contain the nausea! :)

Of course, don't think that I am saying they are wrong for doing this.  They are simply businesses marketing their products.  It's exactly what they should be doing.  They have to answer to stockholders who want profits.   I answer to myself and the people who listen to my music.   

But whether artists and labels are spreading BS or not, all that really matters is whether or not you like the song and the artist.  So don't listen to the BS, just enjoy the music!

Chris

One of my favorite people of all time passed away this week.  I started watching George Carlin when I was a kid and always looked forward to his next concert. 

I love comedians because they are some of the last people in America who actually have freedom of speech.  They get to push the boundaries and open our minds.  So, even when I do not agree with what they are saying, I still appreciate the fact that they are brave enough to say it and are allowed to. 

Carlin was one the best at opening people's minds to another option.  I think he just wanted to get people to think instead of believing everything we read and hear.   Here are some of my favorite quotes from him:

"I've got this crazy thing I do called thinking!"

"Some say the glass is half full.  Some say the glass is half empty.  I say the glass is too freakin' big!"  - I cleaned that up! :)

One of my favorite Carlin routines was on marketing and what certain terms really mean:

Chocolate Flavored means, "No Freakin' Chocolate!"

Chicken Flavored, "No Freakin' Chicken!"

There's a bunch more.  But, his routines often called people on their BS.
A lot of his stuff is on YouTube and MySpaceTV.

Anyway, for those of you who are fans, you know what I mean.  For those of you who decide to check him out, prepare to think a little.  Some of you will even be offended.  So, proceed with caution if at all.  Most of his stuff is rated "R".  So if you're not old enough, don't watch it!

For me, it's a great loss of one of my major influences in writing.

Chris