I'm Back

Life has been interesting lately. Ups and downs. To sum it up simply, I'll quote the great LCD Soundsystem.

New York I Love You, but You're Bring Me Down

However, I was still productive over the past month or so since my last post. Mostly resulting in this:

www.shawnconnellysound.com

169 Bar

After my first performance in New York City, at Penny's Open Mic, I was ready to have my actual first gig, a jazz set at the 169 Bar. It's been a while since I've sat down with a group of musicians with whom I have never played, said alright here's the key and tempo, and then away we go. It was nerve-wracking. Especially because these were some fantastic musicians. Band leader and pianist Isamu McGregor plays some mean keys, while keeping the tight drummer and ridiculous chic bass player grooving in the right direction. All three were very chill, welcoming people.

My set with them was only three songs long. But that's all I needed to get my feet wet in NYC's jazz open mic world. We did the standard Honeysuckle Rose, a Kurt Elling chart called In the Winelight, and finished up with Michael Bublé's version of How Sweet it Is. A fitting ending cause it was pretty sweet to look out into the audience and see some good friends of mine, new and old alike, supporting me. Thanks guys and gals.

A Penny's Worth of Music

There are two audio tracks here.

(1) Acoustic Open Mic - New York, New York

(2) Penny's Open Mic Podcast

Be sure to check out both. (Excuse the low quality on the podcast, had to make it fit on the site)

Thanks to Penny and all the open mic performers.

Entertainment

As I approach this weekend I can't help but feel that something is amiss. Last weekend I felt the same thing. Like there was something I missed, forgot to do..... ah, that's it. I didn't work last weekend, and I don't have to this weekend either.

But really, was it work? It occupied my time much like a job does, taking 3 hours out of four nights a week. Plus, I did get paid to do it. However, a part of me can't justify going on stage, acting like a moron, and singing a few songs a real job. But part of me thinks, "it is a talent." It really boils down to quality. 

Entertainment, specifically music and theatre, is a touchy subject when it comes to quality. It's all in the eye, and ear, of the beholder. Personally, I'm a critic. Not that everything has to be perfect, but for me to be entertained a performance needs to encompass real talent, skill and noticeable effort. Though, not every entertainer strives for either of those. 

Not every sloppy strumming, slack jawed "singer/songwriter" you hear in a coffee shop considers themselves a professional player. They are just doing it to do it. I respect that in the highest regard. I, on the other hand, want to be something more.

I'm rambling so let's get down to it. The long and short of it is this: Entertainment is a Release. An audience member pays good money to be taken out of their life for a while. Forget about everything but the show that's in front of them. If a performance doesn't take the audience member on a ride, if it doesn't move them in some way, then the performer did not do his/her job and I believe they have no business calling themselves a quality performer. 

Harsh? Maybe, but I've struggled a lot with this topic recently. Whether or not performing is a viable career path, or whether I should just stick to a community theatre performance every so often. We'll see. In the meantime, I'm perfecting my chops. I just finished two runs with Daddy D productions. The completion of the 80's Show also completes my time with Daddy D's as I begin to look east. But here's a taste for what we did there. I'll let your ears determine the quality:

An 80's Show Review

Sometimes even the jobs you love feel like work. Here's a review from the latest performance I've been doing with Daddy D productions:

Parts of Daddy D Productions' latest original show — songs and stuff from the 1980s — are a whole lot of fun:

A nerd and a gonzo guy get in a rapture about heading out on spring break, and out comes the Beach Boys' wonderful "Kokomo." The nerd (Shawn Connelly) "dances" in a hilarious rhythm, while the frizzy-haired gonzo guy (troupe leader Darren Johnson) grooves on his own.

The Sweeney Sisters return to their alma mater to entertain 10 years later (lying by 10 years) and do loopy, giddy send-ups of "We Are the World," "Maneater" and more. Anna Snyder and Shelley Emmer romp, with Emmer soaring as a comedienne.

"The Devil Went Down to Georgia" flashes extra talents as Connelly sings and Laura Asma lets fly on the fiddle.

Because people want him to, Johnson tosses in a song with meat for his remarkable voice, and he digs into "If I Could Just Hold You Again."

The band — Jeff Hinnendael, drums; Ryan Sette, guitar; Adam Bunn, bass; and Dr. Stephen Asma, keyboards — spans the pop tunes nicely and is featured in such instrumentals as the creamy theme from the movie "Chariots of Fire."

It must be said that a lot of the '80s hits that are in this show, while catchy on the surface, are paper-thin and repetitive, not giving the performer much to do theatrically. It's not that the songs aren't likable, but they leave you wanting something more.

Multimedia bits include flashes of MTV, the full "Thriller" at intermission and a look at the cast in the '80s ranging from a photo of Johnson in a tux for a prom to nothing for Connelly, who says he probably was being nursed.

Pick an era, and Daddy D is entertaining.

-Warren Gerds, Green Bay Press Gazette

Falling Slowly

Remember that last video blog which was disappointingly unentertaining? Well, I felt extremely compelled to redeem myself, so I made this:

I wanted to include some footage of the backup instrumentation (piano, strings, vocal harmonies), but conflicting video formats made that impossible. This was my first attempt at using Garageband's video feature. The next one of these will be better, promise. I'm just pumped I got the youtube wide-screen to work. 

And no, I am not wearing lipstick. My lips were just rather chapped. 

Four Stars for Country

Here's a review of my latest performance with Daddy D productions, written by Warren Gerds, critic for the Green Bay Press Gazette:

Darren Johnson and a countrified Daddy D Productions lineup has a particularly entertaining show going in "Classic Country."

A lively audience that cheered practically every song and skit on opening night Friday added oomph.

The show opens in high gear with "Rocky Top" and continues with zip from there.

For a sample of the variety, here's a winning sequence:

• After a comic bit as NASCAR types, Shawn Connelly as bit dim racecar driver and Doug Dachelet as a pit commentator romp through "Beer Run."
  
• Johnson strolls out as a scruffy guy pushing a broom to drawl-sing the spoof, "King of the Road."
  
• Anna Snyder and Dachelet bicker a bit as a live-in couple to set up "You're the Reason Our Kids Are Ugly."
  
• Changing pace, Shelly Emmer pours on glamour in a lovely gown as she croons "You've Been Talking in Your Sleep."
  
• Johnson returns as buck-toothed Skip Church, the Sunday morning drive time DJ on WMOO Radio, No. 1 in Krakow. Out from the astounding character fly hilarious jokes, stories and rooster squawks.
  

In the band are Ryan Thompson, who is nimble on guitar and mandolin and in song; Ryan Sette, bass; Jeff Hinnendael, drums; and Jeni Funk, keyboards.

The ensemble scores with good stuff in country songs of 30 or more years ago — corn, love, dance zest, melancholy, comedy, faith, harmony, warmth, fun, heartbreak and more.

Big pluses are Johnson and Thompson for their versatility and Connelly for his flair for building a story into a song, such as "Kaw-liga."

And yes, in that picture I am wearing a snowmobile suit...

Back in the Saddle Again

This past Thursday I went back to my roots and did what I did best, rocked. 

It's been quite some time since I've gotten in front of an audience with a guitar, drums, my bass, and some raw voices. I had the opportunity to sit in with Magna Cum Loud for a gig in Winona, Minnesota. Their bassist couldn't make it. So I soaked up his glory, along with cheap drinks and a free hotel room.

Cum Loud is an adrenaline filled rush of rock straight to your temporal lobe. Being on stage with them for that hour and a half was certainly an experience for all eight people that were listening....

Despite the attendance, the gig revitalized my rock senses that I've missed so much over the years. Since Thursday, I've been playing too much guitar and looking for more opportunities to get on a stage with it.

One of which will be this Tuesday at Ned Kelly's in Green Bay. I'll be sitting in with an open jam, so if you are in the area, swing on by. If you're not around, this is just the beginning. I must satisfy this craving. 

Country....

I'll be honest, I've never really enjoyed country music. That is until I got involved with Daddy D productions out at the SC Grand in DePere, WI. Now, I truly despise country....

Ha, kidding!!! It's a brilliantly fun show! What don't believe me?!?

Look at me. Look how excited I am....

Look how....country I am

Wow, this picture makes me want to throw up.....

Anywho, in case that poster is a bit too small to read, here at the details. Come check it out!

6:30 Coocktails

7:00 Dinner

8:00 Show

Come for the dinner and the show, or just the show!

Preferably just the cocktails and the show. That's when it's the funniest.

(yes, funniest, not most funny)

January 30th - February 21st

Matinees February 11th & 21st

See show listings at left for complete details