Songwriters Hall Of Fame, Todd Alsup and Lamont Dozier!

I had a wonderful evening last night with Todd Alsup at the Kaufman Center for the 2009 Songwriters Hall of Fame Abe Olman Scholarship for Excellence in Songwriting awards ceremony.

Todd Alsup w/ Lamont Dozier

This year Todd was selected as one of the showcase artists on the 2009 Songwriters Hall of Fame CD for his song "The Good Fight" and spent the evening mixing it up with current and previous recipients of the award including Wes Hutchinson and new Major Who and Threshold Music Studios friend Kirsten Thein.

Preceding the award ceremony there was a Master Class given by songwriting icon Lamont Dozier, of Holland-Dozier-Holland, the songwriting powerhouse who created the Motown Sound, writing the hits for the Supremes, the Temptations and many more. Real words of wisdom and insight from a legend!

Todd and I spent some time with Lamont, who was also celebrating his 68th birthday! A brief list of Mr. Doziers credits include: Where Did Our Love Go, Baby Love, How Sweet it is (To Be Loved by You), Stop! In The Name of Love, I can't help myself (Sugar Pie Honeybunch), Standing in the Shadows of Love, and You Can't Hurry Love. Wow:)

Kirsten Thien - Featuring the legendary Hubert Sumlin in the Studio!

Great session down in the studio this week. Kirsten Thein, who was recently honored with a Songwriter's Hall of Fame Abe Olman Scholarship, came down to record some basics with her band. Kirsten has a classic sound and a great, smoky voice.

Kirsten Thien

Kirsten was backed by as good a group of musicians as you're likely to find, including Steve Holley (who played drums with Wings in the 70's!), Erik Boyd on bass (and producing) Tommy Mandel on keys (check out his credits btw), and Arthur Neilson on guitar.

The biggest surprise of the day was the arrival of Hubert Sumlin, who sat in on guitar for two songs. Hubert is on Rolling Stone's Top 100 Guitarists of All Time list. He played with Howlin' Wolf in the early days and is a major influence on the British guitarists of the 60's who basically set out to copy American blues players. Jimmy Page even stole a Hubert Sumlin lick for Led Zepplin's Lemon Song. Don't be surprised if he finds himself into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...

Jeremy and Engineer Dan Myers w/ Hubert Sumlin

We always enjoy working with Eric Lewis. Here is E playing at the White House for President Obama

Love this Todd Alsup version of "Your Body is a Wonderland" by John Mayer..

We were in the studio recording some video of Todd and he warmed up with this beautiful version- so we kept the cameras rolling:) Hope you enjoy.

check out todd's myspace...
Help spread the word! We can't do it without YOU!

Todd Alsup's newest single - "How I'm Made" is complete! It's a monster of a song - great melody and lyrics, huge arrangement featuring Aaron Comess(Spin Doctors) on drums, Rich Hammond (Joan Osborne) on Bass, Jimmy Farkas (Joss Stone, Jonas Brothers,DeSol) on guitar and Clark Gayton on horns.  And of course, Todd lent his piano and incredible vocal to this track.

You can hear the song over to the right on the MajorWho Jukebox, and on our myspace.

Produced by Steve Greenwell with MajorWho.

Thank you Professor Randy Pausch...

A Surreal Week.. Judging the IMWS, Neil Diamond at Madison Square Garden, Bigfoot, ESCA, and bigfoot..

A Surreal Week.. Judging the IMWS, Neil Diamond at Madison Square Garden, Bigfoot, ESCA, and bigfoot..

I'm going to apologize in advance for the sketchy shots- ionly had the camera on the TREO available most times...

The week started for me at The Dutch Village in Lancaster PA with my family. In case you are wondering -Its ok- the Frog prince saves the princess at the end.. Oh yes, my 5 year old daughter has a thing for roller coasters.. This is great for Daddy's stomach..


Then it was off to Crash Mansion to be a Judge in the Discmakers IMWS Northeast Region band competition. I have to admit, the bands were ok- but i have to wonder is this really the best we've got? Don't think so. Venue, Discmakers, other judges were a lot of fun. We gave away $50,000 worth of gear and cash..

Oh yes, i did have a wonderful time with the Kamen Family. Nice to make new friends.




Then they found BIGFOOT.. It must finally be true- says so in the NY Times..



Dr. Steve Greenwell and I had an incredible meal at ESCA on friday- the Tuna Carpaccio made me want to cry.. We finally got steevie on to the blogspot mon'. The world will never be the same- add link to my myspace vid.

The God in the middle of the stage was Neil Diamond. He ran the room like it was his living room..
Then THEY tell me there is no bigfoot..

The best part about bigfoot was the monosynth sound effects in the In Search Of "documentaries" in the 70's.. I have to find a clip.