CAISO Steel Drum Band: September 2012

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09/27/2012

15 Moments In TV History That Still Make Us Smile

No matter how many times we watch these classic clips, we can't help but smile. Check out the new line of cars from Volkswagen.

See our new photos and video click here...

Posted in Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

Music, Me and the iPhone 5: Is it worth the switch?

If you are an avid user of Apple products then no doubt you had the arrival date of the new iPhone 5 marked months ago on your calendar. Even if you don’t own an iPad, an iPod, or an earlier generation of the iPhone you likely heard about all of the buzz surrounding the new release. People camped out for weeks, social media was drowning in posts, tweets, and pins, and tech bloggers were all trying to be the first to put out the newest and juiciest bit of iPhone 5 news on the market.

Apple has loyal followers and fans and there is no question that they have made a major impact on how our world looks today. Isn’t that an amazing thought? They revolutionized how we enjoy music and made it possible to have it when and where we want it all in a simple technologically advanced way. I couldn’t do without my iPod – truly. Yet, the iPod is a mere fraction of their “gifts” to the world.

Being a music driven consumer I wanted to know more about how the newest Apple product could enhance my life. Perhaps it could also offer me more in the way of enhancing my professional life as well. Because I wanted to know more, I went in search of information that could enlighten me as to why someone would camp out for days or longer for a smartphone. My guess is that it was to get what others could not and make a few bucks on the secondary market or perhaps their social identity was driven by the opportunity to say “I have the new iPhone 5”.

I found plenty of high tech listed pros and cons that while sounding fantastic probably wouldn’t have made a difference for me one way or the other. It seemed like the points to be made were all issues that frankly would have escaped my perception of the device anyway. I rarely make observations as to how my operating system is doing today or that my downloads are mega-seconds faster at Wi-Fi spots now or at least something to that effect. The search wasn’t in vain though as I did learn a few things and it sparked my interests in a few minor details. I now have it marked on my “to do” list to learn more about the “adaptive bit rate” and its relevance to music streaming. See, I did learn something that makes me a bit more “techy” and “Yes!” I will be using that bit of information in my future dinner conversations.

I found so much information about the pros and cons of getting the new iPhone 5 that I could start reading today and would never read it all in a week even if I went without sleep. I just checked and in doing a Google search there are over 63 million results for “new iPhone 5”. Oh, and if I narrow down the search to “music on the new iPhone 5” it actually results in 565 million results!

I did find a few good articles of which in my opinion the best one was New Apple Stuff: What Music Fans Need to Know (Updated) at evolver.fm and I have read it more than once. The other best source of information was surprisingly not from the tech blogs but from Apple which is good news for their marketing department and it was entitled For all the things you do and all the things you can’t do without.

In summary, I think the new iPhone 5 is slick and cool. In its design music was a key consideration and I like that. Do I wish I had taken part in the frenzy and energy of the iPhone 5 release? No. Just like my music preference I prefer life less hectic and chaotic than that.

I’d be interested in hearing if you have the new iPhone 5 and what you think of it. Sound off in our comments section. If you waited, if you switched to be a new user of an iPhone, well, tell me that too. I’m still gathering info to make my informed decision as to get one or not.

Meanwhile, if you like your music live when you can get it that way, come on over to Clyde’s in Chevy Chase coming this spring. Hope to see you there!

Posted in Music | Permalink | Comments (0)

09/25/2012

CAISO SteelBand Kosovo Goodwill Video

The members of the Band that traveled to Kosovo have returned! It was an honor to perform for US Military and Internation Peace Stabilization troops at Camp Bondsteel & Film City. We want to thank Pro Sports MVP and the MWR for sponsoring our trip. The video also contains a tribute to Michael King Sr., former member of BWIA West Side Steel Orchestra & my Dad. We miss you, Pops!

Posted in CAISO Events | Permalink | Comments (0)

09/10/2012

You Can Have a Career in Music: Making Music and Money

Music is important to most people. Thinking of not having music in their life is incomprehensible. How important music can be to people can be seen by just considering the success of Apple’s iPod and other music players. Music is expected to be a part of people’s lives from birthday parties and graduations to weddings. It connects cultures, religions, communities, and people in general.

There are those that love music so much that they want to have it a part of their lives every day. They learn to play instruments or sing and they make their own music.

It used to be thought that the only way to make music a career would be to make it big someday as a recording star or play in a band or orchestra. The only other choice was to teach music. The world has opened up to musicians and singers and there are no limits. With some imagination, perseverance, and hard work anyone that wants a career centered on music can have it.

There are of course possibilities of music careers from the very obvious such as being a recording artist to being a member of a faculty in a prestigious music department. There are other jobs as well that are less known but just as fulfilling both in being able to be around music while being able to make a comfortable salary. Many musicians play in bands that record for movies, short films, commercials, and back up bands for upcoming artists. Some musicians aren’t members of a permanent band but rotate doing recordings and tours with top recording artists. You could be playing the guitar or drums for a country music star in a recording studio one month and then touring with a top rock artist around the world for the next 10 months.

With the Internet available there are many ways to make a career from your own home making music. Freelance photographers to small business real estate agents and others enjoy having music play on their Web sites. Musicians can write and record original music and make it available for this sort of use by loading their music onto royalty purchased music sites. Songs can then be purchased from amounts of $60 to $1,000’s of dollars by those that need music to play in the background of their Web sites or videos. You still own the song and the music but you are selling a license for that person to use it where they want to use it on the Internet or in a video.

Other ways to sell music and make a very lucrative paycheck is by recording and editing music that can be used for dance studios, cheerleaders, and gymnasts. Song writers are always looking for ways to get their lyrics to music and those that can write music can make good money putting the songwriter’s ideas into written music. You don’t have to live in a music capital like Nashville or LA to do it either for there are many sites on the Internet that serve as a matchmaking service for songwriters and musicians.

There is of course no shortage of ways to share your talent on the Internet and reach potential clients. Using YouTube and social media is an easy way to reach anyone in the world. Just remember that you are trying to build a professional business so conduct yourself on social media and the Internet as a professional. Stay focused on talking about your talents and career goals versus what you are watching at the movie theater or how you feel concerning the latest political race. Make sure the videos you upload are of a professional caliber and the visual background and audio are as good as you can get them.

Music is a wonderful part of our human existence and if it moves you to make a life’s work of it then with hard work, some imagination and the total dedication to your dream it can come true.

Posted in Music | Permalink | Comments (0)

09/04/2012

Our Deepest Sympathy in the Passing of Steelpannist Michael "Mickey" King, Sr.

As everyone is quite aware, members of the CAISO band are traveling and performing in Kosovo on a Military Goodwill Tour. Michael King, Jr. has been very vocal in explaining how much this trip means to him due to the fact that his father was a Vietnam Veteran and Bronze Star recipient.

It is with great sadness that we pass along the news that Michael's father, Michael "Mickey" King, Sr. passed away on September 1, 2012 at the Veterans Nursing Home, Charlotte Hall, MD. Mickey was also a steeldrum player and no doubt would be very proud of the current tour of the CAISO Band and his son, Mike.

We express our deepest sympathies to fellow band member Michael, Jr., the entire family, friends and the Steelpan Community in the loss of this special military hero and man.

Funeral arrangements:

You may view the obituary here: Michael King, Sr. View a slide show dedicated to my dad.

Posted in Current Affairs | Permalink | Comments (0)

09/03/2012

CAISO is in Kosovo on Goodwill Tour for US Military Troops

CAISO will be in Kosovo on a Military Goodwill Tour through September 5th. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Pro Sports MVP for this fantastic opportunity. We would also like to thank those in the media that so graciously provided coverage about the Goodwill Tour. We are proud to have the opportunity to give back to our military and we look forward to sharing pictures and information with you upon our return. My dad, Mike King Sr would have been so proud of us. RIP Pops. We love you always. We'll be home soon!