Flight 3407 song testimonial

The song I wrote, “3407,” about the Buffalo Plane Crash, was purchased by Brenda Kuklewicz at www.meetmarkweber.com, and she wrote me this stirring letter:

“My brother, Brian Kuklewicz, was on the plane that night. It was a night I will never forget. When I see things that have to do with Flight 3407 I have to buy them and when I noticed your website on Facebook and saw you wrote a song I just had to buy it. The song is exactly how the night happened and it’s beautiful; it means a lot to me to never forget what happened to my sweet brother. Thank you. –Brenda”

Keane’s “Hopes and Fears” inspires Mark Weber’s “Wandering”

While I enjoy listening to a lot of bands, there’s one in particular that really connects with me, and that would be Keane. They’re an alt-rock band from the United Kingdom that formed in the 1990s and had some measure of success (read: American chart action) in the 2000s. I first heard one of their songs when Blake Lewis, the beatboxer, sang Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know” on American Idol. I liked that song so much that I went and bought Keane’s CD/DVD entitled “Hopes and Fears.” This was their 2004 release that I came to find out was massively successful in Europe and pretty successful in America, too!

I also own Keane’s other albums, which include “Under The Sea” and the recent release entitled “Perfect Symmetry” which reminded me of modern day Duran Duran. But it’s their “Hopes and Fears” CD that’s my favorite. It’s one of those CDs where all the songs are good– not just “Somewhere Only We Know.”

When I wrote my own song, “Wandering,” I did it with Keane in mind– and it is, in my opinion, my best work yet. Musically and the way I sing “Wandering?” It’s the “Mark Weber” version of “being Keane.” Ha Ha! While I could never hold a candle to Keane, I like to think that I can at least mention them to friends and let them know Keane inspired me to make music with their unique melodies and layered electronic grooves.

Keane is one of Britain’s top musical exports to the rest of the world, like The Beatles, Oasis, and Radiohead.

What makes the band stand out? They use the piano as the lead instrument, instead of guitars. This endears me to them so much because I am a bigger fan of the piano than the guitar, and there aren’t too many rock bands, per se, that let the piano lead. Also, in my own music, I like to have what I call the “emotronic” sound, which is like a synthesized, somewhat distorted, otherworldy sound going on in my songs. Keane does that, too. In addition, they use instruments like the sax, violin, and acoustic guitar in their music, as do I.

There aren’t too many bands that I’d like to meet in person, but Keane is one of them. I am truly impressed with what they’ve done, and they inspire me to do my thing and share it with the world, too. Here is Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know” so you can enjoy the greatness that is Keane:

And here is my own song, “Wandering,” which was inspired by Keane!

Sincerely, Mark Weber
www.meetmarkweber.com

“Haiti, We Hear Your Cry” airing on Radio Balade FM in Haiti!

Buffalo songwriter Mark Weber’s “Haiti, We Hear Your Cry” is currently being heard throughout Haiti on Radio Balade FM, a station broadcasting out of Port-de-Paix, a city on the island nation’s north shore. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the song, available via download at meetmarkweber.com, will go toward rebuilding the “H.I.S. Home For Children” orphanage in Port-au-Prince, after the devastating earthquake left much of the island nation in rubble recently.

“I have friends in Kingston, Jamaica,” says Weber. “I saw both the tropical beauty and utter poverty there when I visited this past April, so I have some sort of idea what Haiti looks and feels like having visited its neighbor. When I saw the ‘Hope for Haiti’ TV special, I was inspired by fellow recording artists Coldplay, Bruce Springsteen, and Beyonce to write and record my own song to touch the hearts of people affected by this tragedy. I’m so glad Radio Balade FM is playing my song in Haiti so the people can hear it and know they’re not forgotten. And the lyric proclaims, ‘Haiti must be strong.’ I expect the song will rally the people to be strong and press on during this tough time.”

Weber, who has been the publicist for Kingdom Bound Christian music festival for several years, recently decided to record three albums with producer Joe Secchiaroli (This Day & Age, More Than Me, The Reign of Kindo). “Haiti, We Hear Your Cry” was written on January 24th, and recorded on January 25th in Secchiaroli’s Buffalo-area studio. It features Weber on piano and Secchiaroli on guitar, with a unique tropical drum beat.

“I heard there are almost 400,000 orphans in Haiti,” says Weber. “And I can’t even imagine what it would be like if one day all the buildings collapsed around me, killing my friends and family. ‘Haiti, We Hear Your Cry’ is a song that came to me quickly, and is meant to let the Haitian people and their relatives abroad know that the rest of the world cares about them and our prayers are with them now, as well as in the months and years to come.”

Radio Balade FM’s site is www.radiobalade.com. Other radio stations are welcome to download the song for airing from AirPlayDirect.com/meetmarkweber. To see the “Haiti, We Hear Your Cry” YouTube video, which had several hundred views within its first 24 hours on the web, and/or download the song, please visit MeetMarkWeber.com.

The Reign of Kindo

I am proud to say that the music producer I work with is also the lead singer of The Reign of Kindo. There are two videos I’d like you to see; first, here’s one about the band’s trip to Japan, where they played near Mt. Fuji…

Next, they have a fantastic new song out called “Just Wait,” that reminds me of Santana…

I will miss Joe, the producer/singer, when he moves to New York City in a month. He has become one of my favorite people to talk to, like the brother I never had but always wanted.

#1 funeral song inspired by cancer

Everyone, no matter who you are, goes through it: the pain of someone you love passing away. I was 12-years-old when I first experienced the death of a loved one. It was November; the weather was cold and grey. My grandfather, Joseph Weber, had been in the hospital with lung cancer for weeks, and his body finally gave out one day. It was so sad. He was young– around 70. I remember the pain I felt at the time, as well as the grief I saw on the faces of all those he left behind– his wife, his kids, the grandkids, the friends…

My grandfather was a laborer– a roofer. He stood on tops of buildings inhaling all the dust and tar and smells that lungs cannot handle. And his life was cut shorter than it should have been because of his trade. But he was a happy fellow. Indeed, I get my optimism and offbeat, sometimes outrageous sense of humor from him. My fondest memory of Grandpa Weber was when he and the family were cross-country skiing on his farmland in Eden, New York, right before he “got sick.” It was mid-winter, freezing outside, cold as could be with snow everywhere, and there was Grandpa Weber in nothing but a cowboy hat and boxers, skiing alongside me and my parents. I love that memory.

If you’re like me, not a day goes by when you don’t think of those who’ve gone before you– the ones you’ve loved, who have passed away. I ended up writing a song about this whole situation/feeling; it’s called “Streets of Gold,” and it moves me to tears when I play it on the piano and sing the words. I’ve shared this song with people, and received so many comments about how they miss their loved one too, especially kids missing their parents– kids of any age, that is. I want to share “Streets of Gold” with you here:

The name of this song came from a Gospel tune I was listening to called “Heaven” by Shirley Caesar. In the song, she talks about what heaven is like from a biblical perspective. Growing up Catholic, I never heard a word about heaven, but then this Gospel song told me heaven was paved with “streets of gold.” I imagined this in my mind and was overwhelmed at how great God was, is and will be– that heaven could be as marvelous as that. And I certainly do believe in God and the hereafter. Heaven is some place that I’d frankly rather be than here on Earth– if you read about it in the Bible, you’d probably agree with me– there, there’s no sickness or manner of disease…well, you can read the sacred scriptures for yourself for the details

This past Christmas, I volunteered to sing at two places where cancer is dealt with on a daily basis: Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Gilda’s Club. I think back to my Grandpa Weber and how cancer took his life, and I sing for him and for all the others who suffer. At Roswell, there’s a 4 story atrium. I sang with all my might, and people on the 4th floor looked down, listened, and clapped. At Gilda’s Club, I was a guest of their glee club, for their big holiday party, and the room was full of cancer survivors as well as friends and family who had, like me, lost someone to the disease.

My hope is that I can use my God-given talent of singing and songwriting to touch the hearts, minds and souls of people who are feeling dejected everywhere, for whatever reason. I look around and see the pain of the world, and I feel that pain myself sometimes, but then I remember the hope of “streets of gold” and I know that we’re bound for a much, much better place.

Cancer can make you bitter or it can bring you and others closer. Please choose life and hope! Don’t give up!

Progress with the recording process

Progress is being made when it comes to the recording process. Today, January 4, 2010, at the studio with producer Joe Secchiaroli, a singer-musician named Darrell Castleberry stopped by, and I asked him to sing on my track, “Live Life For Today.” Darrell is my producer Joe’s band’s biggest fan. Joe is the lead singer of “The Reign of Kindo,” and Darrell met the band at their show in Pensacola, Florida some years back. Ever since then, he has gotten to know the band well through email and phone calls, and when he heard they were going to have a show in the middle of winter in snowy Buffalo, of course he said, “Well, I will drive from the Gulf of Mexico through the middle of the USA over to Lake Erie just to see my favorite band perform.” Talk about dedicated fans– Darrell drove all the way from Gulfport, Mississippi to Buffalo, New York, to come see his Kindo band friends!

So Darrell happened to be hanging out in Buffalo and Joe invited him to hang out at his studio with me. Seeing as I knew, from his myspace and Facebook pages, that Darrell was an accomplished singer and musician, I asked if he would sing on one of my songs. He was more than happy to oblige, and he was terrific behind the mic in the studio, making him so easy– a pleasure—to work with. For him, he was ecstatic because here he was having his favorite band’s lead singer talk to him through headphones and direct his recording session– imagine if you got to visit your favorite singer/producer for fun and then got a chance to be recorded by them! So it was a “kid in the candy store” moment for Darrell. The thing I liked most about Darrell was his fun-loving attitude. He brought his upbeat energy to the chorus of my song and I was happy to get to know him in person while he visited Buffalo.

I’ve had other guests come into the studio, including my friend Brittany Walker all the way from Rochester, New York. She came on a day when it was crazy rain, so she had to navigate a foggy/wet New York State Thruway for over an hour to make it to the studio. Though she was late, she more than made up for it with her stellar vocals– she had the keen ability to harmonize with me and make it sound real professional. She brought along her brother, Micah; I hadn’t seen both of them since this summer when I volunteered at the Summer Youth Music Camp where they both attend annually. It was a joy having them visit, and Brittany’s vocals were described by producer Joe as a mix between Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. Brittany is known as “JazzOperaDiva” on YouTube if you want to check her out. She’s also on www.youtube.com/primopr716 if you want to hear her s-a-n-g-i-n.’ Her little video has gotten more than 3,000 hits in a couple months and a lot of positive comments. So glad I know her!

Well, this week I am going to work on mixing some songs, picking out recorded vocals for others, and hopefully having Julia Norris come play her violin and Keri Cardinale come do some background vocals for a bunch of songs; so once again I am juggling a lot of things when it comes to the whole process.

In February, it will be the one month anniversary of the crash of Flight 3407 near my house in Clarence Center, NY. My song, “3407,” should be available for download on my bandzoogle.com site within the next few days, so check that out if you can.

One more thing– I think I have decided to have one CD of love songs, to be titled “Love Song Crooner.” Then the other CD of covers will be “Bringing Classics Back.” And the CD of originals will maybe be called “Peace After Pain.” I like using three words for the CD titles, and using words that sum up the theme of each CD. I’m betting the Love Song Crooner album will sell a boatload of copies as brides look for songs to play at their wedding receptions– and the songs on there are PERFECT for such events!

All my best to you, dear reader. I appreciate your taking the time to get the 411 on the 911! –Mark Weber

What’s wrong with American Idol?

It’s one of the most popular TV shows of recent years, drawing tens of millions of viewers every week. Even I admit, American Idol is fun to watch. The show provides all the elements of good pop culture entertainment: passion, emotion, the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, dreams attained and lost …

So, what’s wrong with American Idol?

Considering it’s lumped into the “reality” TV category, the show is doing a great disservice to aspiring musicians (and the public at large) by distorting perceptions of how the music business really works. It sends an outdated message of “dependence” on the industry vs. the more realistic “independence” that artists have today to control their own careers.

The Talent Discovery Myth

For instance, the program leads you to believe that there are hundreds of people like Simon, Paula and Randy out there searching for raw talent they can mold into the next big pop star. Not true. Sure, record companies employ A&R people whose job it is to sign and nurture new artists — but as major labels consolidate, cut staffs, and get nervous about the bottom line, they no longer have the time or money to develop new acts.

Instead, labels look for artists who are already developing themselves, attracting fans, and selling CDs on their own. There’s less risk with an act that has a track record.

Also, the American Idol auditions, in particular, create the illusion that most aspiring musicians lack talent and are delusional, struggling and starving. In reality, there are thousands of talented performers across the country who make good money, have hundreds of devoted fans, and are steadily building careers.

Here’s just one example of this modern reality: Over the past seven years, the web site CD Baby has sold more than $12 million worth of CDs (1.3 million units) by independent, unsigned acts. A tremendous amount of quality music is being produced and sold outside the mainstream.

The Danger of Waiting for Your ‘Big Break’

One of the biggest myths American Idol propels is that you need the approval of industry gatekeepers to “make it” in music. Sorry, you don’t need Simon’s or anyone else’s permission to be worthy of a career in music. If you wait for someone to give you the green light to create and perform music, you’ll be waiting a long time.

Too many musicians claim they need to be “discovered” or given a “big break” to succeed. That kind of thinking puts control of your career in someone or something outside of yourself. The truth is, artists have a lot more power, tools and opportunities at their disposal than they give themselves credit for.

When aspiring artists see the stellar success of Idol winner Kelly Clarkson, they’re led to believe that landing a major recording contract must be the ultimate sign of success. Unfortunately, those singers are the exceptions, not the rule. Only about one in 30 signed acts reach significant enough sales levels to warrant a second CD release — which means nearly 97% of artists with recording contracts fail. Yet, most musicians are still obsessed with getting “industry” approval and think they need a major label deal.

The Ultimate ‘Reality’

The smartest musicians understand that building a career independently is the best approach. They promote themselves, book their own shows, produce and sell their own CDs, and establish relationships directly with fans. Doing so, they learn the ropes and slowly develop the skills and business savvy needed to reach higher levels of success.

It’s misguided for artists to think they need massive exposure and the approval of music industry honchos a la American Idol to succeed. That knee-jerk reasoning is based on a decades-old business model that is gasping its last desperate breaths. It’s a new day. Now it’s all about self-empowerment. Musicians need to claim their personal power, take their careers into their own hands, promote themselves relentlessly, and create their own lucky breaks.

So enjoy American Idol for the “unreality” entertainment that it is. But pursue your dreams with the understanding that you are in complete control of your musical aspirations and development.

–Bob Baker is the author of “Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook,” “Unleash the Artist Within” and “Branding Yourself Online.” He also publishes TheBuzzFactor.com, a web site and e-zine that deliver marketing tips, self-promotion ideas and other empowering messages to music people of all kinds. Get your FREE subscription to Bob’s e-zine by visiting http://www.theBuzzFactor.com today.

2010…lets hope music gets better!

I was thinking about music as of late, and I am frankly tired of American Idol and the Disney Channel dominating what Americans, and the world, consider popular. Justin Beiber follows Miley Cyrus, who followed Jonas Brothers, and before that we had Spice Girls, Britney Spears, and Backstreet Boys. I think the last time music was interesting was probably in the early 1990s when hip-hop and dare I say even grunge rock were prevalent. Back then you had House of Pain, Salt-N-Pepa, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, Dr. Dre and others making very potent music that people respected and cared about. Lately, I can’t think of music/artists that people respect and care about. It’s alot of rappers saying nothing with catchy hooks sung by females, with “auto-tune” on full-blast, making everyone sound digitally manipulated and party-ready. Well, the party isn’t as good as it once was.

I feel like the music biz and show business in general have run out of creativity. It seems like everything’s a remake of something already done before…Where are the artists taking music to different places? Where are the new Michael Jackson’s and Beatles? Who is re-defining American culture through song these days? I can’t think of anyone. Sure Rihanna has had a lot of hit singles, but I can’t see how “Umbrella” will matter ten years from now, except to get people on a dancefloor perhaps? Just seems to me that music today is alot of noise but little substance.

Now I know you can go online and find obscure bands and singers and support them by downloading their tunes for 99 cents these days, but the problem is they have small audiences. The industry used to be controlled by gatekeepers which helped Joe so-and-so become a superstar. Now with all the labels pretty much kaput, and artists doing it for themselves, you don’t have superstars, you’ve got minor, niche successes. Fall Out Boy is an example. They’re big but not HUGE. Where are the Celine Dion’s? The Aerosmith’s? The Journey’s? Today the music world is splintered by the web and it’s something that really bugs me!

I should talk. I am planning on being an independent artist promoting my music online in 2010. I don’t know if I will “sell” 10 downloads or a million. We shall see. Would I like to influence many people thru music? Yes! Will that be possible in today’s “Facebook” world? Who knows? What a weird wired world we live in right now.

It’s the most…busy…time of the year

You’ve heard the classic Christmas song, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year?” Well, I’ll agree, but I’ll also say it’s the most “busy” time of the year, for me!

As an entertainer, I have my slow times of the year and my overbooked times, and December is ALWAYS overbooked. Case in point? This week I sang more than even I wanted to sing, but I am not complaining. Here’s how it went down…

Tuesday I went to Salvatore’s to sing for the YWCA annual holiday party in the banquet room. I got the ladies to do a conga line to “Jingle Bell Rock” and they loved it. Check. Then it was off to downtown Buffalo, to Roswell Park Cancer Institute, where I sang with a lady doing duets for 40 minutes in the Roswell atrium/lobby. It was a four story indoor atrium, with people watching from high above– very cool place to sing! This was one of the rare instances when I didn’t have/use a microphone, so I sang as loud as possible and sounded good. That was rewarding, singing there, because it’s essentially a hospital where people would rather NOT be, so they needed some Christmas cheer this time of the year, and music made them smile. Right after that, I rushed over to Gilda’s Club to practice with their Glee Club for their Christmas dinner. Gilda’s Club is a house where people who battled cancer, and their loved ones, can go for support and programs to help them get through the ordeal that is cancer. The Buffalo Club has over 1,000 members. Anyway, I practiced a bunch of songs with their Glee Club and they were very nice people. After that, Tuesday night I went to Lord of Life in West Seneca, which is a church-related adult day care facility. They were having their holiday party with food and Santa, and a lot of people were there, so I sang for them for over an hour. And this was all on Tuesday, December 15th!

Wednesday, December 16th, the early morning gig got cancelled, but that ended up getting replaced by another gig at night, where the other band cancelled so we got the job…Here’s where it got tricky. Bassett Park Manor was having their big holiday dinner with hundreds of attendees (parking is a nightmare!) and we did something rare– we went to the venue before the event and set-up the equipment at about 2pm– much easier this way…then we returned at 6pm for the hour concert. The crowd was very enthusiastic and we had a ball– they really liked “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Five Foot Two.” But, remember, I had another “surprise” gig where I was filling in for the band who couldn’t make it? So I bolt out of Bassett Park Manor at 7pm and rush across town to Beechwood Home where I sang in a hallway (the configuration of the place was awkward) for yet another holiday party consisting of senior residents, their families, and staffers. There was a lively Latin woman named Rosa in the group who danced sensually when I sang “Besame Mucho.” That was a highlight for me

Ok, so then comes Thursday, December 17th, and I end up filling in again for someone who had to cancel– I end up singing for two and a half hours straight at Rosewood Home in Hamburg, New York (a long drive for me!)…this was an old mansion converted into a senior home and because the living room where we played was small, groups came downstairs in shifts to view us and have their appetizers. So we played before three different groups of people during our time there, did a few repeat songs (everyone loves “Jingle Bells”) and I even ended up dancing with an old lady for one song, which the crowd loved seeing. As soon as that ended, me and the piano player rushed to downtown Buffalo (a 40 min. drive!) to Gilda’s Club, for…another holiday party of “friends and family.” Before I sang, the older ladies wanted to make sure I ate, so I got a bowl of chili and some desserts. Then me and the Glee Club gathered around the fireplace in the one living room and sang our hearts out for the large gathered crowd. So many people enjoyed themselves, and there were nice compliments afterward, so all in all, a success!

Wow, I did a lot of singing this week. Next week is similar– Weinberg, Brothers of Mercy, Sacred Heart, Kenwell, Briarwood…all these senior homes have holiday parties– I am eating way too many cookies!!!

“Pray for me” to have strength to sing all these concerts– for me, it’s the most busy time of the year.

Wang Dang Doodle

I have an eclectic taste in music. This song title is fun to say and fun to hear Koko Taylor s-a-n-g it. By the way, if you’re wondering what it means to “Wang Dang Doodle,” it has been said it means to have a good old fashioned Saturday night filled with drunken revelry, which may include fighting, dancing, singing and the like. It’s one of the coolest blues tunes I’ve heard in a long time. Enjoy!