If you've ever heard of Leinenkugel's Beer, you've heard of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.

I live 20 minutes from there, play there, and have been on the brewery tour.

My actual residence is currently in Pleasant Valley, but our address is Eau Claire.

Either way, Megan and I live in the beautiful and welcoming Chippewa Valley where the Chippewa River and the Eau Claire River run into each other... and there are more lakes than Minnesota.

While walking down the bike path along Route 93 one afternoon, I was missing my hometown. As I strolled and admired the beauty around me, a couple strangers walked by and said hello. I've become accustomed to this, even having met a guy wearing a Phil Circle t-shirt, an elderly woman walking with the help of her stroller and having many little conversations about the weather or the smell of the manure spreader on the corn and soybean fields along the path. The folks at The Corner Store all know me by name, several even have my CD.

There's a great quality of life here. On this previously referenced walk, I realized how lucky I am to be here and experience such a wonderful welcome from all that I've met. As the clouds dispersed, I began writing a song in my head and promptly returned home to set it to paper.

YOU CAN LISTEN TO IT AND DOWNLOAD IT FOR FREE HERE ON MY WEBSITE, JUST CLICK HERE.

I want to thank the local music scene for taking me under their wing. There really is great talent here in the likes of Jeff White, Lucas Fischer, John Nielson, Sue Orfield, Dave Power of Meridene, and Evan Middlesworth, who recorded and played the guitar solo and drums on this latest song "Living In The Chippewa Valley."

Thanks to all the fantastic folks who've welcomed Megan and I to this beautiful part of the country.

Here's video from The Volume One Sounds Like Summer Concert Series in Phoenix Park, Eau Claire:

            While perusing my Facebook Fan Page statistics to get some sense of who listens to my music, I found that the two largest groups (sorted by gender) were men in my age group (I’m 45 and thanks if you think I look younger, and yes, my photos are current), and women in the age group of my best friend and life partner Megan (she’s 27). I wondered why this might be. I mean it makes perfect sense that guys my age, many of them long time friends, would enjoy my music. We grew up the same styles that influence me. The younger female crowd is certainly not there because I’m part of the styles they grew up on. I thought that maybe it was do to with Megan being a part of my life, inspiration for many of my songs, and that she shows up in the photos. Are there young women aspiring to her career in modeling, acting and music that look to her for a role model? “How do we get to work in these mediums? How do we get to where she is?” Then it hit me…

            While it’s no doubt a beneficial exercise from a marketing standpoint to understand your audience, I laughed to myself (I do this often, along with having conversations with myself) as I reflected. When did it become so important in the emotionally disconnected world of the web to be popular? Is everybody looking for fame? What happened to fulfillment?

            Needless to say (but here I go anyway), we human beings require affirmation from our friends, family, work associates, fans, and media (if we’re in financial need of them). Well, unless you’re a sociopath or megalomaniac. When I’m having a bad day, full of doubt, full of question as to my human identity and what future I have, Megan always gives me perspective… one of many reasons that I’m marrying her. She’ll remind me that I’ve been very fortunate. I make a living in music—teaching, writing, recording, performing; I’ve received nothing but positive reviews, save a focus group of musicians… we’re all notorious for panning anything but ourselves. How many musicians does it take to change a light bulb? One. He holds the bulb and the world revolves around him.

            I do the same for my sweetheart when she’s on a bad spin out. It’s what we all do for each other. I hope. What is your life truly about? Something to ponder, but I’ll be presumptuous and throw a couple ideas out there. I would start with happiness… we all desire it. But what is it? Another ponderable. So, I’ll go with one thing people seem to miss. You know those days when your boss is a jerk and the day is full of one insurmountable obstacle after another? How about when you’ve been sick for a week with some disgusting pukey and shitty illness? Ever overcome tremendous adversity? I think we’ve all been through all of these things. Ask yourself some questions. How did you feel after it was over? How did it change your perspective on your own life? Did you end up saying, “Enough of this bullshit, I’m going to finally pursue my dream of (place dream here).” And when you find your niche, when you discover the thing that you really can’t stand not to do… here is happiness, even on the crappy days, weeks, month, years. You found fulfillment.

            I had a horrible couple of months earlier this year when I lost five people in as many weeks, while watching several close friends and family also struggle with incredible hardship. I made it through, as always. As I saw myself move past all of this, I went to the studio and recorded a song by Tom Waits that I always felt was a deep reminder of the importance of not slacking off in life, of not being afraid to love, that there is only so much Time to live a valuable life, to create value in life.

            I guess what I’m saying is, who gives a fuck how many fans you have on MySpace, Facebook, Reverbnation, and the like (save your promoter or agent, maybe your pocketbook), remember why we’re here, whatever it is you do.

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and continue with the world of music.

I've been pretty busy teaching, grabbing up more students, booking and promoting, and yes...

practicing.

I've written some new material, worked out many new covers (in my own fashion, as one should), and keep finding new venues willing to bring my unique approach to their stages. By unique, I mean that I'm not a parrot of others' music, even when I cover them. We can always grab a download or CD for that. I make a genuine point of choosing music on the simple (you'd think, but not always) concept, that if it moves you, you make it your own.

Last month, while in Chicago, I played a couple shows, lost my exhaust system and replaced it when I had hoped to be at a Cubs game (guess my car is a Sox fan?). After this, I went to the studio and recorded with George Belle again. This time, we did the classic Tom Waits tune "Time." It occurred to me to do this tune while surfing videos and recalling my college days, when a teacher of mine had me perform it for a school performance. I hope you like it. It's amongst "Da Coverz" here on the site (click the "Music" page) and you can have it for free, for now. In fact, all my covers are currently free.

I kinda pride myself in covering tunes my own way, even as I do end up doing some close to the original. Bottom line? If it moves me, I do it. I could care less if it's a Madonna tune... if it moves me, I do it. Or, in the words of the great American composer Duke Ellington... if it sounds good, it is good.

Hope to see you soon.

Peace.

-Phil

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