As I write this midway through January on a quiet Sunday morning, I'm still listening to what has become known in my family as the "Christmas CD." Each year for at least the past 10 years, my brother, Todd Schwartz, hands out a CD of his music to anyone lucky enough to be at my parents' house on Christmas. It's one of the things that I love about the holiday, and this past year, Todd delivered his best gift yet. Simply titled Originals, his new CD is nothing less than the sounds of a guitar virtuoso at work.

Although most of Todd's recordings involve only a guitar or two, he has a bit of help on Originals--our sister (Kasha) and brother (Troy) provide keyboards and drums, respectively, on one track each. Ten instrumentals comprise the CD, and while some instrumentals we've all heard have seemingly random titles, Todd's song titles accurately describe the beautiful sounds we are hearing, sounds that evoke in each of us the mood of a moment. As examples, "After the Rain" perfectly captures the serenity that sometimes follows a spring rain, and the titles and thumb-picking styles of "Ghost Train," "Smoky Mountain Railway," and "White Lines and Diesel Smoke" make me feel as though I am riding the rails myself, riveted to the rhythm of the journey. Each song on this album delivers in timeless fashion.

It would be difficult to feature the whole of Todd's versatility on one album. His influences range from Bach to Segovia to Chet Atkins to Jimmy Page, and it shows. I doubt there exists a piece of music that he could not play if he wanted to do so, and the fact that Todd's songwriting and arranging skills are as good as his technical skills makes his music an absolute must-hear. So, if no one but my family has access to Todd's music, why all the fuss? That's where this gets good. Todd informs me that he intends to begin making his music available in 2012, and, in my humble opinion, that's good news for music lovers everywhere.

In addition to being an incredible guitar player and songwriter, Todd is a husband, father, and consultant in computer applications for small businesses, as well as a decent golfer and all-around swell guy. He also recently earned a master's degree in business administration.

I'll be sure to keep you posted when Todd's music becomes available. Trust me--it's worth the wait. Until then, listen to "Just Looking," an instrumental song by The Jerrys that features Todd on lead guitar. Happy listening!

Tweet

I played a song by The Jerrys last month at Tuesday Funk, an eclectic Chicago reading series hosted by Sara Ross Witt and William Shunn. The song, "The King of I Don't Care," originally appeared on Jerryrigged (CD-EP released 2003) and is now also featured in my novel, Pixels of Young Mueller, published by All Things That Matter Press.

Check out the video I posted on YouTube or the video posted by Tuesday Funk (you can also skip the reading itself and go straight to the song).

Stay tuned for more from The Jerrys. I hope to make an announcement soon on the availability of a CD version of Let's Groove!

Tweet

The Jerrys appear in the new book trailer for Pixels of Young Mueller, published last summer by All Things That Matter Press. Pixels of Young Mueller is the story of the growth and development of an artist.

In the novel, Klaus Mueller dreams of leaving tiny Southland someday to be a rock star. When he chooses stardom over college, however, he learns that his education is just beginning. He endures a series of god-awful jobs while his music is repeatedly rejected, and he wonders how he will ever achieve success. After moving to the city, where he finds a career and becomes a father, he is torn between the great happiness he has found and the success he still craves. Klaus must reconcile his dreams with reality or spend the rest of his life lamenting what might have been.

One of the unique things about the book is that readers can listen to and purchase Klaus' music online. In the next-to-last chapter, Klaus forms his own one-man British pop group, The Jerrys. "The King of I Don't Care," a song by The Jerrys, appears not only on Jerryrigged (CD 2005), but also in Pixels of Young Mueller.

Although the original song (download the mp3) is recorded using mainly keyboard and sitar, I adapted the song for guitar for the purpose of creating the trailer with drummer Robert Porche. In addition, I will perform the song solo as part of my reading from Pixels of Young Mueller at Hopleaf in Chicago on August 2. Pixels of Young Mueller is available at Amazon in paperback and Kindle Edition.

Tweet

As well as being a very talented writer, you are also a musician. You are the man behind The Jerrys, a Beatles-influenced pop/indie band. Are you a one-man band, or are there other musicians involved in The Jerrys?
Thank you, Maria. For the most part, The Jerrys are just me. I love being the whole band, as members always agree on everything and there are no conflicts with schedules. I do enjoy bringing in other musicians from time to time. Robert Porche (drums/vocals) has appeared on a few songs, as well as in a few videos. In addition, Tom Clishem (vocals) and my brothers Todd (guitar) and Troy (drums) have each appeared on one song.

Pixels of Young Mueller is quite original as it’s almost interactive. Klaus Mueller’s songs can be heard on The Jerrys’ website, and some of the lyrics appear in the novel. Since publishing the book, have you noticed many readers becoming fans of the band?
Thousands! Just kidding. Curiously, I am getting a lot more MySpace fans, but I don’t know whether that has anything to do with the book. I thought MySpace was supposed to be dead already--what’s up with that?

How has the book been received by existing fans of The Jerrys?
So far, they are still fans, so I’m taking that as a good sign!

I have seen from The Jerrys’ website that you have produced quite a few CDs. How would you describe The Jerrys’ sound?
People describe The Jerrys as Beatlesque, and that’s probably as good a start as any, but I don’t think it’s the best description. I’m probably not the best person to ask, but when I think of The Jerrys, I think of trebly guitars, Vox amps, harmonies, power chords, and a DIY attitude.

What bands influenced you most when you were growing up, and what was it about their style/music that you liked?
I grew up listening to The Beatles, The Kinks, Paul Revere and The Raiders, The Who, The Monkees, The Rascals, etc. Actually, I never just listened to them--I lived for them. Their music was my life, and there was nothing more exciting than electric guitars and drums and good singing. At times, I cared about nothing else.

What was the first album you ever bought?
The Beatles 1962-1966

What kind of music do you prefer to listen to?
I listen to a lot of music, but I prefer music that is upbeat and that makes me tap my foot. Ideally, the main instruments are guitars and the singer has an attitude.

Do you keep up to date with the current music scene? If so, what new bands have caught your eye recently?
I have a teenage daughter who LOVES music, so I’m pretty familiar with what is popular, at least. I hear a hook or two once in a while that sticks with me (usually Ke$ha), but as far as the current band scene goes, I’m disappointed...I don’t understand the success of some of these bands. In terms of recent releases, I’m listening to comeback albums from the Smithereens and the Cars. My favorite current band is the Dandy Warhols.

Is there a book you own that you’ve read more than once?
The list of books that I have read more than once is too long to include here. I have always thought of books as being like albums in the sense that I would never think of listening to a good album only once. Each reading or listening brings new rewards.

Tweet

Here's the new video for "Bigger Than Oprah," which is the first song on The Jerrys' new album, Let's Groove.

Let's Groove was released on May 9, 2011, and is now available at iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby. The ten new tracks include seven original songs in addition to covers of the Beatles, the Dandy Warhols, and Utopia. Download "Bigger Than Oprah" now!

Tweet

The new full-length album, Let's Groove, is now available on iTunes and at CD Baby. Be sure to check out the seven new original tracks (download "Bigger Than Oprah") as well as covers of the Beatles, the Dandy Warhols, and Utopia!

Copyright 2011 by Jerry Schwartz.
Produced by The Jerrys.
All instruments and vocals by Jerry Schwartz except Robert Porche on drums.
Cover by Jerry Schwartz. Cover art by David Whitsett.

Tweet

The new album by The Jerrys, Let's Groove, will be available shortly via iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby, but you can preview the album now. [UPDATE: The album was released on May 9, 2011.] Listen to "Bigger Than Oprah"! Here are the lyrics:

Bigger Than Oprah

Me and my girl after a while started a family.
We became this little team.
A mom and a dad, a boy and a girl living in the big city
Living out this perfect dream.
If only you could see us now
When we are laughing
When we are having a time.
If only you could be us now
Bigger than Oprah. Bigger than Lindsay.
Bigger than Google. Bigger than Disney.

Me and my peeps every eve dine as a family,
It's when we talk about the day.
It’s good to see you! How did it go? Any good bus stories?
All my worries wilt away.
If only you could see us now
When we get goofy
When we are having a ball
If only you could be us now
Bigger than Oprah. Bigger than Gaga.
Bigger than Elvis. Bigger than China.
Bigger than Oprah. Bigger than MJ.
Bigger than Beatles. Bigger than You-Know-Who.

Me and my girl, a boy, and a girl—together a family
Living life from day to day.
We’re digging the good, taking the bad, trying to keep it steady.
We help each other make our way.
If only you could see us now
When we are singing
When we are doing our thing
If only you could be us now
Bigger than Oprah. Bigger than Jeter.
Bigger than Everest. Bigger than Bieber.
Bigger than Oprah. Bigger than Buddha.
Bigger than Twitter. Bigger than You-Know-Who.

Music and lyrics ©2011 by Jerry Schwartz.

All instruments and vocals by Jerry Schwartz except Robert Porche on drums.
Cover by Jerry Schwartz. Cover art by David Whitsett.

Tweet

Tweet

Two years ago, I replaced my second guitar--an acoustic--with a hollow-body electric guitar, an Epiphone Dot. As I've never felt the need to own more than two guitars at a time and my first guitar is always a Fender Telecaster, my choice for a second guitar is a big deal. I had grown tired of the acoustic guitar I owned, and I reasoned that not only would the Dot eliminate the need to mic guitar when recording, but I could play it without amplification when I felt like it.

As far as gutsy tone goes, the Dot was awesome, but one problem persisted. The Dot, or, to be more specific, the "335" body shape, was simply too big to suit me. It was not long before I realized that I would never feel comfortable playing that guitar, so I sold it.

I began playing my son's Epiphone acoustic guitar. He had put it on a stand in our living room, and it seemed I could not pass through without picking it up. After using it on a Beatles cover ("You've Got to Hide Your Love Away"), I began looking around for an acoustic guitar of my own, one with a cutaway design and electronics to better fit my needs. I soon found just the thing--the Fender CD60CE dreadnought guitar.

I have nothing but praise for my new Fender CD60CE, which features a Fender FTE-3TN preamp with chromatic tuner, volume, bass, mid, and treble, 20-fret sonokeling (Indian rosewood) fingerboard, chrome hardware, and die-cast chrome tuners. I have even come to love Fender's coated Dura-Tone strings (though I soon went to a smaller gauge). My search for a second guitar is SO over.

Tweet

As mentioned previously in this blog and elsewhere, The Jerrys are featured in Pixels of Young Mueller, my debut novel. In the next-to-last chapter, Klaus forms his own one-man British pop group, The Jerrys. From Jerryrigged, as well as from Pixels of Young Mueller, here is "The King of I Don't Care." For those inclined to sing along, here are the lyrics:

The King of I Don't Care

You can call me what you want to,
Sling your arrows about me.
Even if every word is true
And said with certain flair,
It's just this thing that's in the air;
Nothing you say could compare.
I'm The King of I Don't Care.

You can label me any way,
Think me stupid and lazy,
Slander me any time of day;
I've nothing to declare
And if I did I wouldn't share.
It's like I'm walking on thin air.
I'm The King of I Don't Care.

You can sell me off on eBay,
Zip me up or delete me,
Execute me like JFK,
And I won't even care.
I'll dance around like Fred Astaire,
So put away your questionnaire.
I'm The King of I Don't Care.

Incidentally, this song marks the first time a sitar was used on a Jerrys recording. Listen to or download "The King of I Don't Care" now. Want more? Check out The Jerrys on iTunes! Pixels of Young Mueller is available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle Edition. Jerryrigged cover art by Michele Mata.

Tweet