This is the keyboard on my wishlist right now. “The keyboard” has been changing several times over the past few weeks but I’ve finally decided that this is the one I want.

I really like Roland products and have played Roland keyboards for about 17 years. In fact, if you’re reading this and you happen to be a Roland employee, I’d be more than happy to discuss an endorsement or even just a review agreement if you’re interested in shipping one of these lovelies to a very friendly, blogging singer-songwriter guy.

Besides being familiar with Roland products, here’s what attracts me to this (from their web site):

• PHA alpha II weighted keyboard, which simulates a real grand piano by providing a heavier touch in the lower octaves that gets increasingly lighter in the upper range.
• It’s ultra easy to transport at about 36 pounds (16.4 kg), — yet built tough enough for the rigors of the road.
• Play audio through the RD-300GX directly from a USB memory key. Flexible file compatibility enables playback of Standard MIDI Files, WAV, AIFF and MP3s. The “Audio Key” feature lets you use the bottom 15 keys for controlling start song, song length, etc.

Those are pretty much the main reasons. It’s a light, realistically weighted keyboard with a sweet USB Thumb Drive option. At this point, it’s not clear to me if I can start and stop my SP404 with this (via midi clock), but that would make me weep tears of joy if I could. Plus, after selling a couple other Roland keyboards that I currently own, I think I can justify the price of $1,400.

It doesn’t ship till late April, but I’ll keep you posted on this decision. In the meantime, here’s the product page where we can pass the time together.

Popularity: 14% [?]

The day has finally arrived. The day after FAWM. It’s a funny feeling that I have right now. It’s been a great month and a really good experience. 14 songs was the official goal. I personally hoped to make it to 14 1/2 and I did. Here’s the rough demo of number 14.

A Way to Say

I’ve closed public access to the other rough demos for now. I hope to complete the recordings for my “Open Source” EP by May 1st and I’ll post the multi-track files and free downloads at that time. Here’s the final song list for anyone who’s interested. Several of these you’ll hear on my next CD fully produced. Some of them you’ll probably never hear.

Popularity: 9% [?]

Simon and Garfunkel were some serious influences as a kid. In 7th and 8th grade, I went through a phase where all I listened to was the Bridge Over Troubled Water cd. Mrs. Mechem, My piano teacher, was kind enough to allow me to learn the title track of that album. Sad to say I can no longer play those lovely building octaves at the end. But I killed it in 9th grade.

The CD was already 15 some years old by the time I discovered it, but the songs still jump out at me at the most random times.

“Gee but it’s great to be back home. Home is where I wanna BEEEEEEEEEeeee.”

So, I was thinking of what to write this morning, and thought I’d just write about why I haven’t been writing. I’ve been working on a lot of new music, as I’ve said. Eight songs are done. That means I need to do 6 songs in the next 7 days. Holy moly. I’m really behind!

I’ve kept up with my guitar class on Wednesday nights and I’ve been building a web site for a friend who is a photographer. I’ll post a link to his site in the next few days when it’s ready. We’re going to do a trade, so hopefully I’ll have a big bunch of new photos to post soon too!

I am playing next Thursday night in Denver. The venue is called The Laughing Goat. I don’t know anything else about it, but I’ll post details this weekend. I’m opening for my buddy Dan Beahm and I’ll be bringing at least one or two really fresh songs.

Episode 3 of the Jeff Caylor Podcast this weekend. Promise.

Starting in mid-to-late March, I’m hoping to start playing once a week somewhere locally.

Also planning to take a shower in March.

Why don’t you write me
I’m out in the jungle
I’m hungry to hear you.
Send me a card,
I am waiting so hard
To be near you.
(La, la, la)
Why don’t you write?
Something is wrong
And I know I got to be there.
Maybe I’m lost,
But I can’t make the cost
Of the airfare.

Popularity: 12% [?]

I’ve completed 4 songs and it’s February 5th. That’s some decent productivity for a guy who sometimes takes 5 days to write one song.

Here are the songs and themes that I’ve come up with. You can find rough demos of a couple over at the FAWM web site.

Change Everything - This one is my favorite of the bunch so far. It’s inspired by Leora Gardner’s recent bold move to Sydney, Australia. The tone is both somber but determined.

Jesus You Don’t Have to Wait - It’s a very traditional sounding gospel song with a little edge to it.

CHUCK NORRIS! - This is just a goofy song in the same vein as all the recent internet lore that surrounds Chuck Norris. “If you make him mad start stretching tonight. You’ve got to bend over backwards to kiss your butt goodbye.”

Reason is Circular - A song about cycles that we all go through.

I’ll try to get another podcast up tomorrow night with a sample of at least one of these. For now, I’m off to write some more!

[EDIT] Thanks for the tip, Dan. Link here:

http://fawm.org/writers.php?id=1110

Popularity: 9% [?]

The Jeff Caylor Podcast - 003 from Jeff Caylor on Vimeo.

Update on FAWM, guitar lessons, and a sneak peak at the new Almost Flew video. Sort of. The RSS for The Jeff Caylor Podcast is here and the iTunes link is here.

Links:

• FAWM Profile
• Boundless Podcast (iTunes link here)
• AM560
• I Didn’t Think I’d See You Here Today Song Story
• I Didn’t Think I’d See You Here Today on iTunes

mp4 (video download)

Popularity: 18% [?]

It’s been a good month for press around here. I just got a scan of the review that showed up in Christian Single magazine this month (below). I was also spotlighted (or spotlit?) in Plugged In Magazine this month. Only the print version contains the review.

I’m also doing an interview in Denver tomorrow afternoon with Rachel Mains at 560AM The Light. The interview will air some upcoming Saturday morning on The Corner Cafe. Just for fun, I’m going to interview Rachel for my podcast that’s coming up Wednesday.

If you’re coming by the site for the first time, Thanks! Please drop a line. I’m always curious to learn how people are finding me.

Popularity: 12% [?]