That Sinking Feeling.....

So...... I finally pick up copies of Gucci Mane and Angie Stone's new CD's. Anything I put my time and energy into always finds it's way into my collection. I also wanted to check the credits to see if they spelled my name correct............ gulp, uh.... wow. I'm not credited in either CD, so in their mind I was never there?

 I guess I didn't spend the 2 days at M Studio ATL with Angie, Sharon, Greedy, my wife Draya (who later worked with Sharon after meeting her there),  Jazze and Joey recording vocals for "Free", I must have been dreaming. The credits have it recorded by Jazze Pha (at least he was in the building) , not me so I will correct it here. Recorded by Kori and Will "The Weirdo" Wilson. Oh yeah, Kori cut the music and he got the no credit shaft also.

Gucci Mane was another snafu in it's own, I worked 81/2 hours on Gucci. I recorded the track while Chris cut the vocals, we were in the B room at Stankonia. The credits have it recorded by Chris and Moka, lol. I never saw Moka, he was not there, to this day I have never met Moka. There were only 7 of us there that night. Gucci, Coach K, Chris, Warren, Jazze, Greedy and me. Well not me, according to the credits I was someplace else, doing something else, with someone else. I think I should tell Gucci that the hour we hung out in the back didn't exist, and my dry jokes didn't make him laugh. At least Warren got his credit, he's great and It's good to see assistants get their credit. So.... Recorded by Chris Carmouche and Will "The Weirdo" Wilson should be in ink.

I do get all warm and fuzzy inside to think somebody else will be getting a Gold record for me, credit for my time and energy and ideas. The lost income and future work I will not get because I was not there will suck also. So what to do about it?

This is not an uncommon issue in the biz. My current assistant Six8 worked for Polo for 2 years, he cut many of Polos hits but he has no credits. Tony is the head engineer at Zac's and we all joke about the lack of or miscredited that goes on. It's like a lesson in Major Label apathy, who cares who did what, next......

The solution for me...... my youtube channel, with every session recorded and posted. My camera with pictures posted here and I plan on mixing because they always get the mix engineer's credits correct. Do I have to be in a takeover mentality just so I can get my time accounted for correctly?
Ok, gotcha... lesson learned.
So thank you music biz for another beautiful lesson, another reason why I WILL NEVER AGAIN have.... That sinking feeling!!

I feel a tremor in the force..........

Ok, this year is my 20th year recording/creating music. Over that time I have seen many changes, some easier on me and some harder. I have learned my lessons over time and I have come to understand a fundamental universal truth:

The Universe is change, you either change with it or you perish.

With that being the case, I'm here to let you know an insider secret...... the music biz is currently under a very huge shift right now. I see it, I know it, I feel it.......

As a long time audio quality guy I am currently mixing for songs that their final format is smashed MP3's.
I have learned to mix for the lowest quality format. If you are not doing this in 2010 you will be loosing your clients soon.
The major labels are almost at 50% sales from MP3's and CD sales are still dropping 15% per year. Many Malls don't have music stores in them any longer, Wal Mart, Best Buy and other bulk stores are dropping their music space daily. Major Labels are laying off quality people left and right........the End is here for the old system and I for one am happy to see it go.

Don't be sad, embrace the change, look to the future, be blessed and keep making great music.

2009 Discography

With my 40th just passed I reflected on the work I did last year.............

Artist:
K Michelle (Jive), K Brisco, Young Dose, Alja Jackson (Interscope), Bobby Valentino (EMI), Vawn (Def Jam), MJ (Juvy Hall), Raheem DeVaughn (Jive), Charnel, Yung Joc (Block Entertainment/Atlantic), Lil Gavin (Jazze Pha Presents/Juvy Hall Records), Stunna Kid (MTV Made), Roc City (Konvict), Angie Stone (Stax), Phillipine, TQ (Cash Money), Big Fub, Gucci Mane (Atlantic/Warner Bros), OJ Da Juice Man (Atlantic/Warner Bros), David Banner (Universal), Saint London, Lil Speedie (LSE), Reign (Jazze Pha Presents), Lil Twist, J West, Trick Trick (Koch), Kam Parker, Weirdos, Gaz (Jazze Pha Presents), Bun B (Rap-A-Lot)

Writers:
Harold Lilly, G White, Nez, Cheff Tone

Producers & Musicians:
Jazze Pha, Outsiders, Track Killerz, Nummy, D Nix, Don Vito, Parva, Free (Keys), Waneiac, Markeith (Guitar), Zane, Natural Disaster, Drumma Boy, Pat The Guitar Boy, Infinity, Johnny Bravo (Keys)

Studios:
DARP, 11th Street Studios, Stankonia, Zacs, M Studios ATL

Is it just me?

After long but great week of work, I must say I truely love and enjoy the creating process. The freedom of human expression, passion and connection still amazes me, even at my age..... and in 2 days I will be 40 sun spins young.

Is it me or is Chicago producing some of the most talent in the US these days. Daily I'm stunned at the level of talent I've had the pleasure of working with from the windy city. It's going to be another great year for writers, producers and artists from the Chi Town, so be on the lookout.
My sister lives in Chicago and it's always been my 3rd favorite city in the US. For the record my top 5 US cities are:

1- Portland
2- San Fransico
3- Chicago
4 - Atlanta
5 - Savannah

Thought for the week..... do "Real men wear pink"?, lol.

Twitter

You can follow me on Twitter at:

http://twitter.com/willtheweirdo09