The calendar year of 2011 is filled with music and the celebration of life, which is what I feel live music and performances should be, a reflection of the celebration of life.

I am currently, as of January, about half way through recording my new CD project, "Broken String."

I am book ending my NEW original compositions with something, if feel is interesting...the first song AND last selection on the project will be songs written by two good songwriting friends.

What will be peculiar, to some, is that I am having these performers actually SING their songs on MY CD while I will be singing harmony and playing acoustic lead guitar on both offerings.

Persons, especially in the music BUSINESS side of the industry I am in...would and WILL cringe.

The reason, they claim, is a music project is product to sell...why confuse your target market?  Why would you have SOMEONE else sing TWO songs, highlighting THEIR talent, THEIR musicianship, and THEIR music?

My reason is this:  I am inspired AND a fan of the craft of songwriting and outstanding songs AS well as a FAN of both these folks I am including...so, It is MY project and it makes sense to me, period.

The benefit to all listeners is they will get to enjoy TWO other songwriters of some note in addition to all the great new original songs I have written for the CD.

In addition to the above, I am currently refining and honing a book that I have been writing of asides, commentaries, and essays on life, music, and true life stories that will be titled, "The Gospel According to Regency."

Many of you reading this have enjoyed some of these short pieces on a couple social internet sites I am a member of.

I have been accruing, writing, and putting a few of these out for feedback for the past two or so years...testing the waters as to whether what I have in mind for this "gospel" is a viable and interesting collection of non fiction ramblings.  I think yes.

(I mean, hell those fellows back when wrote 'gospels' so I thought, why can't I?  The answer is of course...there is NO reason I can't.

YOU can as well, just write a 'gospel' and see what happens...you never know, they MAY be reading YOUR 'gospel' 2,000 years later, whose to say)

In April of each year, for the past FOUR years, Alton and Sue Watson in concert with myself have hosted and offered to the public the songwriter festival, "There's Something in the Water."

This April 16th 2011 will be the best line-up to date and honestly we (Alton, Sue and Myself) are just NOW figuring out how WE want this festival to be.

This year we are limiting SOLD tickets to only 100 persons.  This will accomplish TWO things.

1. It will keep it small enough so everyone will enjoy a relatively intimate and personal festival experience.

2. Alton, Sue and Myself will be able to ALSO enjoy the weekend and fulfill our duties as hosts to a more efficient degree.

Regency Texas on Alton and Sue Watson's land adjacent to the Regency Suspension Bridge is very special place and must be kept that way.

The fact that I have been allowed to help with this fantastic event AND have been accepted into Alton and Sue's hearts is meaningful and moving to me on a variety of levels.

You can visit a lot of places...none are like Regency and that is the gospel truth.

For any information from me, you can always e-mail me at the address below or just call me anytime at 512-434-9479 joelmeltonmusic@austin.rr.com

Joel