O.K. Well, it’s late in the evening on Sunday after Thanksgiving, and the long weekend is HISTORY.

Even though there are lots of “issues” to deal with at this time (the holidays are HERE, AGAIN, ALREADY!!!)…it is also still the time to reflect on all the things we have been given – and how to responsibly manage our many blessings. I have been very stretched these past 3 weeks or so (another “reason/excuse” why I haven’t blogged since right after the TAXI Road Rally!). During that 3-week period, I did try to constantly review my assets and resources. WHY? I’ve been trying to keep them all at the forefront of my thoughts in order to manage and prioritize all the tasks, as well as APPRECIATE HOW MANY INCREDIBLE THINGS THERE ARE TO DO, AND HOW WONDERFUL IT IS TO BE ABLE TO DO/WORK ON THEM!

Do you ever get to the point where you have so many “plans” (or “coals on the fire”) that you don’t remember them all? Do you write lists, and then it seems like there are piles of paper or notes with lists on them…AND YOU FORGET HOW MANY TASKS YOU HAVE PUT ON THESE LISTS?

That’s how it seems to be for me. If ever someone wished they could have clones of themselves to run around and accomplish all the errands and tasks…that’s been me FOR YEARS. So, what am I doing to balance it all? I am learning to organize my “goals and priorities” on a 3-tier roster.

The top tier is the immediate list – by chronological order/necessity (= DUE IMMEDIATELY) – also translates to “DO IMMEDIATELY!!!”

The #2 tier is “Do ASAP.”

The #3 tier is the “Wish List” (aka – how soon can I get to this?!!!).

Of course, what happens in between is LIFE, and that usually modifies everything!!!

But, at least for now, I keep having a cool “listing” of all the things I am interested in, and approximately when and how I can get to them! TRY IT, or ask me more about how it looks…if you still aren’t sure about how to make it happen.

I’m just finishing a couple projects that have been brewing in the past 3 weeks, one of which is basically done as of yesterday – one song in particular. On this one, I’m featured on what has been a pretty new instrument for me…the pedal steel guitar. Actually, I have played it a couple of times on some of my television background cues for Telepictures/WB – for use on shows like “TMZ,” “EXTRA,” and such (cues that called for “Country”). Those were usually just “snippets” (60 sec. cues, and by the time the editors got to them…).

But on this song, the pedal steel is really much more of a central role because of its character for this “country/crossover power ballad.” I also played electric and acoustic guitars, electric bass, and the string pads. Check out the track (below), and if you have a minute – drop me a note and let me know how you like it, PLEASE!

Until next time, remember to be grateful for all the freedom and blessings you have (and have had) until now! Musically, PW :-)God’s Little Plan (H. Richman/A. Scott)

Lead Vocal: Rick Jarrett

Piano: Howard Richman

Drums: Henry Newmark

All other instruments (Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Electric 6-string Bass, Pedal Steel Guitar, String Pads): Philippe Willems

Recorded at: Facts Of Music® Productions, Woodland Hills, CA; and Henry’s Studio, West Hills, CA., November 23-28, 2009.

Produced and engineered by Philippe Willems

Facts Of Music® Productions wishes to thank the following companies associated with these instruments: DP6, Mac Pro 8-core, Mackie 624 powered, near-reference monitors, Korg Triton Studio – 88, Goodrich Volume pedal, Hoehner B-six Professional Bass, Fender/Schecter Telecaster, Fender Princeton Reverb amplifier, Ovation Legend Deluxe, MOTU 896 and MidiExpress XT interfaces, MXL microphones, Monster and Core X2 cables.

Wow! Last week was chock-full of great stuff! There was the HD Expo for all of us entertainment technology buffs on Wednesday and Thursday…and then there was the annual TAXI Road Rally for all of us who can’t get enough music/songwriting/artist fixes – what a whirlwind of exciting experiences in just a matter of 5 days!

My goal for this site, in the very near future, is to put up photos and video of some of these kinds of things – so you can actually participate vicariously (or should I say, “VIRTUALLY!”)…Seriously, folks…we can do this, and it is so cool!

I’d like to put in a very heartfelt plug for TAXI and Michael Laskow (who does an amazing job every year) for the success and wonderful community that is brought together at this event. If you are serious about your craft, and you are a contender in the writing world of songs and music…you NEED to get involved with TAXI on various levels. Become a member, hone your songs, and GROW! If your material is already there (on the professional level) – TAXI can get you to the next level (or even…LEVELS!!!). If you’re not “there” YET, then TAXI is one of the few real places you can go to GROW to that point. And, if that wasn’t enough already…you will want to plan to catch/attend this amazing convergence of wonderful and talented artists from the world over…and be a part of the community! It happens every November…for the past 13 years. Don’t miss the next one! If you’re serious, go to www.taxi.com and find out more!

I’ve got to get back into the studio, so I’ll catch up with you again soon. Please contact me whenever you like, and I’ll get right back to you. MAKE IT HAPPEN NOW! Get to it! Talk to you soon, PW :-)