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Joe Robinson live at Turner Field

Nashville is always fun. Connections from work I’ve done over the years give me a free place to take a weekend trip into Music City and cover some of the greatest performers in the world. This last adventure was about to come to an end the day before I even left. The main artist I was going to cover canceled on me so I had to either kill the trip or find something more to cover. I had already lined some other musicians up tentatively to shoot that trip. But, they weren’t enough to justify being gone from home long, for free, and for seven hours of driving one way.

I made a last minute decision to ask the main artist I was going to cover if anyone else may want me to video them that was playing that night. About an hour later Joe Robinson’s personal manager called me. The trip was on!

I had no idea what I was walking into. This venue, 12th & Porter, was the most awesome venue I’ve ever shot live music in. The stage, lights, and sound were pretty much perfect. With a full in-house production team what did they need me for? After shaking some hands and getting the green light I was given about 10 minutes to tap into the board, set up 3 cameras and start shooting solo. Here I am  in a crowded venue I’ve never been in before shooting a kid from Australia I’ve only heard to songs from via videos online and I knew he won Australia’s Got Talent in 2008.

About 2 hours later the show ended, shook hands again, packed up my neofilm gear, then helped the band pack up and wished them farewell. The night before I had covered Rory Hoffman at the Wheel on Broadway and Nick Columbia at the Commodore and man, I was done. I stayed one more night anyways to meet Lanndon Lingerfelt’s team and they were awesome honor to hang with for the day. Rory Hoffman one night, Joe Robinson the next, an unbelievable weekend it was!

Immediately after arriving back home Saturday night I started editing and put one video up from Joe’s show at 12th and Porter. His manager loved my work and not even two weeks later Joe Robinson and his manager came to visit me in circuitous route of their tour. Finally over a decade of selflessly working to help artists is finally evolving into something awesome. I grew fast to realize that meeting Joe would be one of the greatest things I could ever achieve in my lifelong journey through the world of music.  We shot a few videos while they were here in Shelby, just impromptu stuff here and there. They may be using one to share with some people in China and Japan through his channel to help him set up for his upcoming tour there.

The next day I drove to met them in Atlanta and shoot his band playing in the Plaza area of Turner Field during the Braves opening game. And at the end of the game before the fireworks show a stage was rolled out into the green between home and the pitching mound. There Joe Robinson also performed two songs solo in front of the largest crowd he’s ever performed in front of. I was allowed out into the field to shoot him from there too which was wild standing between cameras worth over 200K each.

Joe Robinson

The night after the game I shot some documentary video of Joe Robinson before his show at Eddie’s Attic in Atlanta. I covered his show later that night as well and then about 2am started my 4 hour journey back home. I’m anxious to share some of the video of Joe Robinson and setting him up on Live in the Music!

Since first hearing about Joe Robinson approximately a month ago I’ve just learned more and more about this kids story that just blows me away. The people he’s played with and for, the places he’s been, the things this kid has done, he is the utmost pure talent. Perhaps one of the best guitar players in the world! Incredible things will keep coming out of this artist as he evolves from the most awe inspiring acoustic roots that set the premise for the most powerful electric skills. Smooth vocals while simultaneously laying down the most incredible licks, solo Joe can captivate and amaze any crowd more than anyone I’ve ever experienced. Schooled by Phil & Tommy Emmanuel and a world of great players beyond, like Les Paul, Joe Robinson is destined to be an icon in the world of music among the greatest players of all times.

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Moses Jones is a N.C. based blues band infused with southern rock, soul, and power percussion. The unique sound of our band is rooted in gospel, rhythm & blues, rock, salsa, soul, and country.The combination of these diverse styles creates an instant connection between the band and any type of audience.

The stories that Robert Johnson (lead vocal/guitar) tells through his songwriting speak of the fabric of life growing up in the Carolinas and have a flare that make you feel a part of the songs themselves. Songs such as “Carolina Days”, “Ole Dirt Road”, and “Won’t Do You No Harm” take you for a ride down memory lane via South I-85.

The name Moses Jones has been around longer than the band itself. Moses is the name of a prophet and Jones is a common name and represents us all. Together the name symbolizes the connection between the music, the band members, and the audience.

The formation of the band had its beginning in a local church. Band members Robert Johnson and Michael Rone (percussion) met while playing in their Christian worship band. Soon after Robert met Rodney Wallin (bass) through common music circles and enlisted him to join in developing songs that he had written. After a series of players passed through the ranks, Moses Jones finally met their destiny when Kennon Knight (drums and vocals), and Dom Val (organ and keys) joined the band and created the sound for which Robert had been searching.

A highlight of a Moses Jones show is when the band distributes drums and percussion instruments to the audience and allows them to join in on the fun. The band establishes a beat and encourages the audience to play along before taking off on a wild medley ride of songs ranging from “War” to “Use Me” to “Rapper’s Delight”. More than a crowd pleaser, the drum circle is inspired by Kennon Knight and his involvement with drumSTRONG, an organization that raises awareness & funds for important cancer initiatives globally.

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Music Styles – Rock, Funk, Blues, Grass

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A few years back I was in a couple of bands. I was the lead singer for my trio and a back up rhythm/backup vocalist for 30 Aut Sixx. I have always loved singing but one day I started having problems.

I was often tired from staying up way too late and working all day, I would over sing because the trio I was fronting was so loud, I was even dehydrated because I just didn’t know how hydrated I should be and drinking way too much coffee. Then I got a cold, but I that didn’t stop me! Not until my voice was gone.

Some time passed and I just couldn’t get my voice back. Finally I went to a voice specialist and they ran a camera down to my vocal chords. I may post some video from it, I got to take it home:)

Basically, I developed a callus of sorts on my vocal chords that would affect a certain part of my range. The only cure was either surgery or possibly I could reverse it with a lot of sleep, vocal rest, consistent vocal exercises, and good hydration habits.

It cost me a couple grand to figure out what I was doing wrong. So, if you aspire to sing be sure to:

1. Get plenty of physical rest.
2. Learn and practice relaxation techniques. This is so good for overall well being and stress management too.
3. Eat healthy, I’m vegan, and that’s extreme, but a lot of great people are, like one of my favorites Anthony Kiedis. Exercise too! I was taking Karate during the time I was singing in one band and the exercise before practice really pumped up my diaphragm adding power and control to my vocal performance.
4. Learn and practice vocal exercises frequently before and in between vocal practice.
5. One doctor told me to drink half my body weight in fluid ounces of water a day. Drink more if you drink caffeine, beer, or anything else that may dehydrate you. Drinking a full glass first thing in the morning is a great way to flush your body first thing and get the hydration process going. Drink throughout the day. This also helps you loose and control your weight. When doing vocal exercise and during a performance drink room temperature water.
6. Get plenty of vocal rest days before and after performances. If you ever feel like you’re loosing your voice, maybe you’re sick or were out screaming the night before, try not to talk as much as possible. Avoid places where you may talk louder, and be conscientious of your vocal volume. Like when some people are on the phone they tend to talk louder. Don’t practice too loud and use good monitors!
7. Don’t drink alcohol before or during performances. You may think you’re doing good in the process, but inevitably it will eventually bite you hard.

For vocal lessons and exercises I highly suggest trying something like “Sing with Impact”. It’s only $15 and you can do it over and over forever, it’s like having your own private instructor instantly whenever you need it! You can find it here: click here

I used Sing with Impact and man, it works! I didn’t even go through the whole program. But, I did the first few sections often when I was singing alot. I also worked hard to do the 7 things above and it absolutely worked wonders. I’ve since seen documentaries about artist like Ozzy, where they show him behind the scenes doing the same techniques only customized to his name. Steven Tyler has to do these too and even has a surgical procedure before gigs to remove red veins on his chords and help prevent further damage.

If you can afford them and find a really good instructor then definitely take a few lessons at least so you can be sure you’re practicing correctly. Some of the best singers I’ve ever heard totally took voice lessons and continue to. Some of the venues in Nashville pay for their artists to take lessons regularly.

Other things to think about, your band room and gigs. You need to hear your vocals, if the band is too loud you’re not too old, you just need it at a manageable level. It has to sound good, not loud. Consider ear monitors or some sort of vocal monitor that will enable you to hear vocals well without having to push too hard.

Singing correctly and keeping your voice is a technique that takes time to learn. It’s easy to pretend to sing, and sound pretty good at it. But, you need to learn a technique otherwise you may loose it. Technique comes from how you breath and use your body, your posture, your throat, mouth, and facial muscles. You’re entire body needs to be relaxed, that is you shouldn’t be tense anywhere or have to strain or be too loud, ever.

If you have any suggestions, let us know in the comments below!

Get Sing with Impact here!

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