A Thousand Kisses Deep

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It was a late April evening back in 2013, I ventured online to listen to a close friend DJ’ing a live stream. My friend’s name is Irish and, when I tuned her in, she was playing a song from a musician I was not familiar with. The artist’s name was Leonard Cohen and the song was, A Thousand Kisses Deep.

As I sat and listened to Leonard’s aged voice sing the haunting lyrics of his song, I began thinking about recent events in life. Speaking about opportunities and people in one’s life that cannot change as well as accepting paths never envisioned, this song affected me in ways that are difficult express.

Endings… Things that will never be… Journeys not to be taken… People left behind… Futures never realized…

And quiet is the thought of you,
The file on you complete,
Except what we forgot to do,
A Thousand Kisses Deep.
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And sometimes when the night is slow,
The wretched and the meek,
We gather up our hearts and go,
A Thousand Kisses Deep,

Wow… These words gave me such pause and, yet, sent chills through me. 

That year, 2013, produced so much joy for me. I had made real efforts to change my life and karma, personally and professionally. Good things were happening. And then, my life took control away… A Thousand Kisses Deep.

That is what I felt and feel when I listen to Leonard’s song. As sad as that seems, though… A Thousand Kisses Deep also reminds me that when one door closes another opens. Closure always breeds new opportunities and fresh beginnings. It is this ebb and flow of closure and opportunity that defines us and our lives. It is the balance of all that has taken place, rather than any single episode or period, that matters.

So, remember fondly those people and the paths that were and could have been. It is okay to do so. With that in mind… Embrace your present and look to your future, knowing it is filled with opportunity and fresh beginnings.

Or, in the words of Leonard Cohen…

I’m turning tricks,
I’m getting fixed,
I’m back on Boogie Street.

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Paper Trail:

LifeTracks

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Music, at its essence, is what gives us memories. And the longer a song has existed in our lives, the more memories we have of it.
- Stevie Wonder

A crowded boardwalk on a hot and steamy summer’s day along the Jersey shore. The cool breeze in the soft morning light that is daybreak in the Rocky Mountains. The gentle, rolling waves ebbing and flowing over the tidal pools of the Central California coastline. Friends jammed in a crowded car cruising around town on a Friday night after the drive-in. A dense and thick fog slowly rolling in over the tundra on the edge of the Hudson Bay in Northern Manitoba. The endless horizon of Route 70 in Kansas on marathon 52 hour drive from Maryland to Colorado. Drinking coffee on a lazy Sunday morning watching a hot air ballon ascent in the high desert of the Southwest. 

These are all moments that define my life. Some were experienced alone, while others with friends, or lovers, or family. They are snapshots in time, complete with their own images and emotions. Running through all these experiences is a musical score, the soundtrack of the music in the moment. My LifeTracks…

We all have LifeTracks. Music that runs through our lives like a thread weaves through a tapestry. Music that when played or heard instantly recalls places, and people, and emotions. That is the power and creativity of music. It is one of the greatest gifts given to us as humans.

Welcome to LifeTracks, a new and ongoing, series on KerrSplat!! LifeTracks will showcase and explore the music in my life within the context of the experiences and moments that defined my life. As such, LifeTracks is a journey of self-exploration. I am looking forward to that journey. 

I am also opening up LifeTracks to others. I do not want LifeTracks to be a single voice and soundtrack. I want this series to showcase and explore many voices and many LifeTracks. The moments in our lives are also best when shared by others. If you would like to contribute to the series, please visit the Connect page and drop me, Bill McNamee, a message. 

Check back soon!!

You Can Leave Your Hat On

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Legendary Rock and Blues artist, Joe Cocker, passed away on December 22, 2014 after a long fought battle with small cell lung cancer. Born as John Robert Cocker is Sheffield, England on May 20, 1944, Joe Cocker was 70 years old and left behind a legacy spanning 50 years and 40 albums. 

Some of Joe’s best known work includes the following:

  • With A Little Help From My Friends
  • You Are So Beautiful
  • Feelin’ Alright
  • Come Together
  • Up Where We Belong
  • You Can Leave Your Hat On
  • Unchain My Heart

You will be missed, Joe.

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Paper Trail:

Feeling Down?? The Callin' Oates Hotline to the Rescue!!

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OMG... The Callin' Oates Hotline is back up and in service. I feel whole again!! No, seriously... I friggin' love Hall and Oates!! I grew up on Daryl Hall, John Oates, and all their music in the late 70's and early 80's. Some of the fondest memories of my life, past and present, were experienced with Hall and Oates playing in the background. 

Okay, okay... Some of you are thinking, "Calm down Bill. What the hell is this all about? Callin' Oates Hotline, really?" Answer... Really.

A few years ago, a good friend of mine, Morgan, told me about the Callin' Oates Hotline. I didn't believe her at first, but she texted me the number. I immediately called and discovered she was right. Call the number. Get a menu of songs to choose from. Listen on your phone. If you're with good company, switch to speaker phone.

I loved it!! The number immediately went into my contacts list on my phone and set as a favorite. Not only that... I began a crusade to spread the word. I told family. I told friends. I blogged about the hotline. Life was "fan" friggin-tastic!!

One day, though, my worst fear was realized. I was feeling down. I needed the Callin' Oates Hotline. I dialed the number only to discover it was out of service. I didn't know what to do. I had just redone my playlist on my phone. In my haste, I had forgotten to add any Hall and Oates. I was crushed. I had no choice. I had to listen to what I had... Men at Work.

Thank God those dark days are over. Yesterday evening, just when I needed an emotionally pickup and calm in my life, another good friend of mine, Josh, texted me with the news. Here are Josh's words, clear and straight from the heart, "Bill. Someone posted this to Reddit today. It is on the front page right now. There is an emergency Hall and Oates Hotline!!"

I read Josh's text once, twice, a third time before it registered. I read the Reddit posts. I wrote down the number and knew instantly that this was real. This was actually happening. The Callin' Oates Hotline number was the same as the old number. My heart skipped a beat. Trembling, I dialed the number. 

It was true. It was and is all true... The Callin' Oates Hotline is operational. The hotline is back and better than ever. More song... Better sound quality… Same number… I couldn't have hoped or asked for more. All is well in my world. I hope the Callin' Oates Hotline makes things better in your world as well. 

Enjoy!! 

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Paper Trail:

This post was originally published on Kerrsplat.com, dated December 13, 2013.

Kindlewood

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Talent and creativity live all around us. I was reminded of this when a friend of mine and his band played at the Black Cat in Washington D.C. My friend's name is Galen Smith and the band is Kindlewood.

I met Galen not all that long ago. We are work colleagues by day. I knew from work that Galen was a member of Kindlewood. That was the extent of my knowledge.

That all changed, though. I discovered that Galen, along with Kelci Smith and Jamison Lyman, have created a unique and wonderful sound with Kindlewood. Subtle and understated yet haunting and powerful, Kindlewood is truly a local Baltimore/Washington D.C. musical treasure.

Kindlewood, to date, has produced two albums and is currently working on their third. Their first album is entitled, I Don't Believe in Ghosts. Their second album is entitled, Desiderium. The video presented here is from a track off of their second album entitled, Dangerous is the Sound. It was shot as a live motel session by Cory Pampalone and is a delight to watch and listen too.

If you are in the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area, I highly recommend experiencing Kindlewood in a live venue. It will be a truly memorable and enjoyable experience. If you are not local to the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area, do not despair. Kindlewood is also available through iTunes and well worth your support.

Enjoy!!
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Paper Trail:

This post was originally published on Kerrsplat.com, dated November 16, 2013.