http://www.rocketclub.info RSS feed for: Rocket Club Blog en-us Fri, 30 Jul 2010 02:36:59 PDT Tue, 16 Dec 2008 10:41:01 GMT http://www.ebandlive.com ebandLive RSS webmaster@ebandlive.com (Webmaster) webmaster@ebandlive.com (Webmaster) 5 http://www.rocketclub.info/index.php?page=blog_comments&postid=179&encrypt=9427e8d6e1552bfdabdb590cfdc4f589 On July 15th, we were surprised to find "One Thing Beautiful" on the iTunes New & Noteworthy page! Check it out below: http://www.rocketclub.info/index.php?page=blog_comments&postid=179&encrypt=9427e8d6e1552bfdabdb590cfdc4f589 http://www.rocketclub.info/index.php?page=blog_comments&postid=132&encrypt=41ae15b77c57e1645f4bb0f5378d7b29 With a little bit of sunburn and a few less brain cells, Rocket Club just returned from 4 amazing days in Mazatlan, Mexico. Between acoustic performances, beach concerts, and many (many!) impromptu sing-along sessions, we literally never stopped making music. (If you don't believe us, just ask the people running the resort). All of this in the most picturesque setting a band could ever hope for. We want to give a HUGE thank you to Sun Country Airlines for making us a part of their Minnesota Music program and giving us this amazing experience. SC has provided us with incredible exposure and opportunity this past year. Also, huge thanks to Cities 97 for the never-ending support they have shown this band since our debut CD was first released. Finally, to all of our friends and fans who joined us in the sun: THANK YOU. No one is more lucky than we are and we'll never forget it. We are blessed. Now, back to Winter in Minnesota... http://www.rocketclub.info/index.php?page=blog_comments&postid=132&encrypt=41ae15b77c57e1645f4bb0f5378d7b29 http://www.rocketclub.info/index.php?page=blog_comments&postid=124&encrypt=cd9719ca5ed1f9373ebb985d9505e622 This just in...a re-mixed, Nashville version of Rocket Club's "One More Day" has been added to regular rotation on K102 in Minneapolis.If you're a listener and want to lend support, you can do so by ...calling the station @ 651-989-5102 or email wakeupcrew@K102.com. The song was done in support of Faith's Lodge (www.faithslodge.org) -- see the full story in our earlier blog postings.It's All Happening! Thanks, everyone. http://www.rocketclub.info/index.php?page=blog_comments&postid=124&encrypt=cd9719ca5ed1f9373ebb985d9505e622 http://www.rocketclub.info/index.php?page=blog_comments&postid=123&encrypt=c86a9ff8143bc27d11f73d11d90bc8b2 Please join all of us in Rocket Club in support of Faith's Lodge (www.faithslodge.org) at the 2009 "Hope Rocks!" event featuring a private performance by the BoDeans.Tickets are still available at http://www.faithslodge.org/HopeRocks/index.php. Hope to see you there! http://www.rocketclub.info/index.php?page=blog_comments&postid=123&encrypt=c86a9ff8143bc27d11f73d11d90bc8b2 http://www.rocketclub.info/index.php?page=blog_comments&postid=121&encrypt=956403745f323a9b94d1f079b2a3892e "One More Day"(Sayles/Smithmier/Lacek)©2009 Saylesound (ascap) and Wrongway Wrongtime Music (bmi)Produced by Matt Kirkwold & Joel SaylesRecorded & Engineered by Matt Kirkwold at Rumble, Minneapolis MNAdditional Recording by Chad Carlson at Hipposound, Nashville TNMixed by Alex OanaAdditional mixing by Chad CarlsonChris Hawkey: Lead & Background VocalsMatt Kirkwold: Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Background VocalsBrian Kroening: Acoustic GuitarJoel Sayles: Bass, Background VocalsDon Smithmier: Lead & Background Vocals Billy Thommes: DrumsTommy Barbarella: OrganJonathan Yudkin: FiddleMike Johnson: Pedal Steel GuitarLike our music? Please let us know by...Downloading on iTunes »Buying at CD Baby »Becoming a Fan on Facebook »Telling a friend » http://www.rocketclub.info/index.php?page=blog_comments&postid=121&encrypt=956403745f323a9b94d1f079b2a3892e http://www.rocketclub.info/index.php?page=blog_comments&postid=120&encrypt=bb424a204d179edb354ae793a9fea6eb Like many people here in and around the Twin Cities, the death of Abigail Taylor (www.abigailtaylor.org) is something I'll never forget. There are only a few times in my life when I've shed tears for someone I never met, but the day of her passing was one of them. That little girl's death upsets me to this very moment -- the senselessness, the waste, the brutal sadness. Above all, I have reflected often on the destruction done to her parents; the helplessness and powerlessness they must have felt, and still feel, in having their daughter taken in such a cruel way. It is the stuff of parental nightmares.Like so many others, though, my life continued as usual these past 2 years--raising my own three daughters, making a living, and writing music. I continued to give occasional thought to Abigail, but usually said a quick prayer and then pushed it out of my mind in order to avoid becoming too sad.Fast forward to July 2009, when I received an e-mail from a good friend, Mark Lacek. Mark is the co-founder of Faith's Lodge (www.faithslodge.org), which was created to honor his daughter Faith, whom Mark and Susan lost as a newborn. Mark was writing to see whether I and my band mates in Rocket Club would consider helping him write a song in Faith's honor based on a poem he had written shortly after her death. I'd like to think Mark knew his question was rhetorical. Of course we would help. In fact, just a few hours later, my band mate Joel Sayles called me up and simply said "It's done. I wrote the song and it's really good. I'm coming over tonight to play it for you." I was blown away. First, by the fact that Joel had written the song so quickly, and second by the fact that he was right, the song was really, really good.A week or two after that message, Mark, myself, and Joel came together at Joel's writing studio at Riverwood (www.riverwoodinn.com) to work through the song and finalize the lyrics and parts. It was a gorgeous July day and we spent hours talking about the tragedy that has touched each of our lives. Mark recounted the story of his daughter and what the lyrics of the song meant to him. I also shared with Joel and Mark the story of losing my father to a drowning accident when I was a little boy, something I avoid talking about almost entirely. And lastly, Joel leveled us both by sharing the story of his first wife, Molly, who died of cancer in her late 20s, shortly after her marriage to Joel. Suffice it to say, the three of us spent many years together in the studio that one afternoon. It was a very emotional, very powerful, very moving day. But one that made me glad to be a songwriter -- I was honored to have had the experience.Not long after that day, Rocket Club recorded the song, "One More Day", and delivered it for inclusion on "Hope Rocks: Volume II" which will be released this month in support of Faith's Lodge. As part of the promotional efforts, Mark and Susan Lacek appeared this morning on Cities 97 to talk about the charity, the CD, and the song "One More Day." BT and Lee from Cities 97 then played the song on the air and it was a meaningful moment for me -- such a great sense of fulfillment hearing the song come to life that way. It was, again, very powerful--and about to become even more so.After the song aired, and throughout the day today, the folks at Cities 97 kindly kept sending along messages they received from listeners who heard the song and had their own sad connection to its message. They wanted to share their own stories and learn more about the song, the band, and Faith's Lodge. But among the messages was a listener who texted the station to say that when he heard the song come on the radio, he had to pull his car off the road because his emotions overwhelmed him. The listener was Scott Taylor, Abigail's father. And once again, I found myself brought to tears by someone I've never met. I'm so thankful to be a songwriter and so very honored to have taken part in this song--for Faith, for Abigail, for Molly, for Dad, and for everyone else who was listening. And remembering.- Don Smithmier http://www.rocketclub.info/index.php?page=blog_comments&postid=120&encrypt=bb424a204d179edb354ae793a9fea6eb http://www.rocketclub.info/index.php?page=blog_comments&postid=108&encrypt=add1eca7991d7346685eacfa2b7003ee Last night's show at the Minneapolis Aquatennial wrapped up a string of great shows for this band. Over the past 30 days, we've shared venues with the BoDeans, Jayhawks, and Black Crowes. We've been featured on Cities 97's "Oake on the Water" which included a Live Studio C performance, and performed live on WCCO, Fox-9, and KARE-11.It's been a blast and we're grateful and amazed by the way Minnesota has embraced this band and our record.Over the next few weeks, we'll be in the studio working on some new songs and then heading to Nashville the first week of August.All the while, we'll be working to post new music, photos and blogs. So please stay tuned!- RC http://www.rocketclub.info/index.php?page=blog_comments&postid=108&encrypt=add1eca7991d7346685eacfa2b7003ee http://www.rocketclub.info/index.php?page=blog_comments&postid=79&encrypt=da5df1a412c0527779fa09c7fbb3bf29 http://www.showcaseminnesota.com/show/client_article.aspx?storyid=540156 http://www.rocketclub.info/index.php?page=blog_comments&postid=79&encrypt=da5df1a412c0527779fa09c7fbb3bf29 http://www.rocketclub.info/index.php?page=blog_comments&postid=74&encrypt=1a1a763e873bd4538fde416492b6e010 Major thanks to singer/songwriter Justin McGuinn for sharing the stage with us at tonight's Thursday Night Rocket Club at Java Jack's.Justin's wonderfully-written songs came across perfectly in the basement clubhouse of Jack's and his impromptu Paul McCartney covers also made the night. Thanks, Justin, and all the many who came out tonight. See you in two weeks! http://www.rocketclub.info/index.php?page=blog_comments&postid=74&encrypt=1a1a763e873bd4538fde416492b6e010 http://www.rocketclub.info/index.php?page=blog_comments&postid=65&encrypt=41e99ca8d1dbc0952705d7d98634d1e6 Last night's Thursday Night Rocket Club was a huge success and a ton of fun. Thanks to the many friends and supporters who came out and filled Java Jack's to capacity. Our sincere thanks to last night's Guest Artist: Pamela McNeill (with guitarist Jay Graff). Their performance showed why Pamela has built such a strong base of fans over the years. Remember to check her out at www.myspace.com/pamelamcneillmusic Finally, huge thanks to The Abdomen for their spontaneous and very cool performance. If you missed it, check them out at www.myspace.com/theabdomen. If any of you took video of last night's show, please feel free to post the stuff you liked most. See you next time! - RC http://www.rocketclub.info/index.php?page=blog_comments&postid=65&encrypt=41e99ca8d1dbc0952705d7d98634d1e6