Been a while, but I've been busy.

I realize that I've neglected my blog and keeping you all in the loop with how things are progressing in my music career. I sincerely apologize for not posting anything in the past few months. I've been very, very busy, and my mind has been focusing on what I need to do. So, it's been a while, but damn have I been busy!

From the first week of November through the end of December, I was working a seasonal job at a photo canvassing company. I worked about 55 hours a week during those 6 weeks of seasonal employment. The work I did was mindless, (working various stations that are involved in the complete mounting of the photo canvases to the custom wooden frames). But it still consumed a lot of time and energy. What energy I had left, I devoted to eating and maintaining my expertise on guitar and writing new material. Well, now I'm looking for new work. I'm looking for something that will pay the bills until I hit the road. I'm scared right now. I'm scared about how I'll pay the bills and survive next month. But I'm not stopping. I'm still looking for work and staying optimistic! No time for a pity party or for looking down. Gotta keep my head up.

While searching for work, I've been writing a lot of new material. There are close to 10 songs in the works. I love it when this creative flow hits me! It's such a rush of freedom, passion, and creativity. I feel I'm exercising what I was born to accomplish when I write and/or play out live. I feel true to myself. Life makes sense when I'm writing, playing out live, or rehearsing with the band. It's such a beautiful surrender. I use the word 'surrender' because I'm surrendering to my calling, to my creative path, to my true love in life. It's phenomenal!

While writing so much, I've also been working with my amazing manager and producer on my recordings, booking, and future plans. For those of you who aren't aware, my manager is Lisa Carter, of LC Music Management, and my producer is Ric Web. Both are located in Nashville, TN. Without them, I would not be as far along as I am in my career. They are very wise and truly an integral part of my team. I appreciate everything they've done, and can't wait to see what we accomplish in the future.

That all being said, there are a lot of things in the works for the 2013 year. Stick with me, cause you will see some amazing developments and I would love to continue sharing them with you.

I want to thank you, (as I will always do), whether you're a family member, close friend, someone with whom I've grown up, someone who knew me at some point of my schooling, someone who was a part of the life-growing moments in my life, or a fan... I want to thank you for supporting me and helping me mold into the man and artist that I'm continually growing to be. Thank you for the love, and I promise to grow old with you and incessantly share my passion.

Have an awesome week!

PS- I need your help!

If you could, would you please spread the word about my Facebook page and help me build my likes?

I need to boost the likes in order to land the shows that I want. If you could share my page on your timeline and ask your friends to like it, that would be more helpful than anything of which I've ever asked.

Here's the link: www.facebook.com/ericpaulsound.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR EVERYTHING!!! LET'S GROW OLD TOGETHER :-)

So close to the top and a push is all I need.

My lifelong dream and passion is so close to being achieved.  I can't believe how far I've come in just a few months.  All my hard work, dedication, determination, ambition, and love is about to be returned to me.  I'm so close, yet I just need some help in finishing it all up so I can launch.

Everything that has been completed so far is by the work of my hands and the sweat of my brow.  I've financed everything as well as put all the necessary things together that I'll need for the successful launch of my solo singer-songwriter career.  There are literally just a few things that need to be finished, most of which I've started.  I'm not the type to beg, and I'm not the type to expect things to be handed to me.  I believe strongly in working for what I want/need.  But with how close I am, this is the rare time that I need some assistance in getting to the launch of my career... and I hate having to ask for this.

My awesome manager/management team has set up some things and worked out some things that I need done in order to launch.  I trust my manager, and I trust that we will rise to the top of this industry.  I am so grateful for my manager.  This would not be possible without her.

Most of these things are a part of my EPK, (Electronic Press Kit).  An EPK is a 360 degree view of me as a singer-songwriter, performer, and artist.  It includes photos, music, my bio, show dates, a live performance video, merchandise, and other information pertaining to my work as a singer-songwriter.  The EPK is my big ticket forward.

Okay, the first thing that I'm needing to do is shoot a live performance video.  This video is literally going to be of me performing my song live.  But, it is a professional video shoot, and the quality will be phenomenal.  This video will be used for booking shows, landing endorsements/sponsors, gaining investors, and also promoting Eric Paul.  Record companies will also probably be looking at it, too.  Without this video, it will be much harder for all these interested parties to visualize what I do and who I am as an artist.  It is a key part of my overall EPK.  

The next thing I need is to finish recording 4 more songs to complete my first studio-recorded album as 'Eric Paul.'  I have already financed and recorded 8 of the 12 songs for this album, but I just need those final 4 so I can get the album done.  Once done, I can use this album to spread my name and sound to the world.  Some of the songs will be featured in my EPK, too.  But the album will be available at all shows and online.  It's essential that I finish those as soon as I can.

The final things that I need are to replicate my EP, (Extended Play - basically a disc that has 3-5 songs that I sell at shows and online), and print my T-Shirts.  I have been working with the most uniquely talented graphic designer for the designs of my first EP and T-Shirts.  Through the hard work and genius ideas of this designer, I now have my EP art ready for replication as well as the two designs for my T-Shirts to be printed.  Those are in place and ready to go, all I need is the financial resources to push them through.

All of these functions/tasks are imperative to my successful launch.  I'm so excited!

I've been finding some part-time work in the meantime, rehearsing as much as I can with my band, and rehearsing on my own with my guitar and vocals.  I'm working at it all.  I've been applying to more part-time jobs in hopes of landing something to continue helping me with my bills.  

I've been struggling lately, though, and that's why I'm asking for your support in donating to the final push of my successful launch.

There are gifts that I am offering for certain pledge brackets, too.  

If I don't reach my goal, all of the pledges that my friends, family, and fans have made will not be accepted, and I'm back to scraping for loose change.

I would love for you to join my team, to be a part of my crew, to become a part of my rise to the top of the industry.  

To become the rise and change of the music industry, please visit:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ericpaulsound/join-eric-pauls-rise-to-the-top

I sincerely appreciate all of your continued love and support.  Without you, I would not be able to do what I do.  I promise to give back to you for the rest of my career.  I love music, and I love writing and performing my music.  This is my calling.  This is where I'm supposed to be.  Help me with one final push to make my dream come true.  Be a part of my rise, and I will return the favor.

Thank you so much, and God Bless.
      

Inches from a Life Dream Turning to Reality

It's the second day of the month of October and the weather is rather nice.  I'm really enjoying the moderate temperatures, and the brisk fall breeze.  This world is an amazing place, and I'm so grateful that I get to experience it.

So the very first launch of "Eric Paul ~ singer-songwriter," is coming up very soon.  I'm literally inches away from my life's dream and passion becoming a reality.  Once this is achieved, I don't know what I'm going to do with myself!  I'm so excited!  I can't believe that I made it all happen for myself.  By the work of my own hands, and with the drive and determination inside my heart and mind, I've almost achieved what has been a lifelong dream.  It's still surreal.  I'm still trying to grasp the reality now that I'm this close.  I'm so blessed, lucky, and grateful for everything that's happening.

I'm still just slightly weary, though, because I'm not there yet.  I haven't accomplished it yet.  I am the closest I've ever been: on the doorstep of my career, getting ready to knock on the door.  Everything I've accomplished so far during this trek has been through my hard work, the love and support of my family, the love and support of my friends and fans, and the love and support of a very dear friend of mine.  If it weren't for these things, as well as my awesome manager, my amazing producer, and the talents and gifts that the Lord has blessed me with, I would not be on the doorstep of my career preparing to knock.  

I'm so damn lucky that I have all these support and/or motivational backings in place.  Everything is starting to fit together now, like a bizarre puzzle.  When I reflect upon the past couple of years I realize that all the crazy, weird events that happened which I couldn't understand at the time, were just a piece of this puzzle.  At the time, yes, they were so incomprehensible and confusing, but now they make complete sense.  I am so grateful for those pieces coming into play, no matter how much those events or experiences hurt or confused me.  I feel bad and I am very sorry for the couple of times where others' feelings were hurt, and they were left confused.  But, I look at their lives now and notice that they are far better off and happier than they were when those events took place.  Everything is a part of God's plan and the universe brings harmony when you least understand it.  Life is beautiful.

My manager and producer have been phenomenal.  They are so knowledgeable and wise when it comes to the music industry.  With their years of experience and observation, they have and continue to guide me in the proper direction to help mold a successful career with my talents and passions.  I am the luckiest singer-songwriter on this planet.  I have the best team on my side.  I have no doubt in my mind that we will be very successful.

So, with that all being stated, I'm so damn close to my life-long dream coming true.  I can taste it, feel it, and just visualize how epic it's going to be.

I want to thank you, whether you are a family member, friend, acquaintance, dear friend, or fan of mine.  Without you, none of this would be possible.  You are a truly great person, and I am lucky to have you in my life.  Thank you for all your love and support.  I hope you understand how much you mean to me.

So, how bout this: let's grow old together.  I promise to give you a lifetime of music; to open my heart and soul and share the experiences that we will go through together as we age and explore this world, through the expression of song.   

It's been Rough, but it's been Real.

Things have been very rough for me lately.  I'm in a very tough spot right now.  I'm waiting for certain things to take off, (potential tour), and I have only a few months that I have to bear with all the prep work and waiting.  The only problem is, where do I draw income?  How do I sustain my financial stability so I can survive happily enough because I'm able to get by without worry?

It scares me that I'm waking up every day not knowing if I will be able to afford a meal, afford my shelter, afford gas; just afford to live without unnecessary financial stress.  There, I said it, unnecessary financial stress.  Yes, I feel it's okay and part of life to have your basic, everyday financial stresses.  But not the stresses of, "will I be able to eat today?"  "Am I going to lose my apartment?"  "Can I even afford to drive anywhere?"

Those questions have been plaguing my mind.

On the bright side, being this poor has really been teaching me to not take life for granted, and to cherish the relationships in my life.  It's also taught me to take better care of things, and to love the talents and graces with which the Lord has blessed me.  

I am not typing this in hopes of your pity, rather, I'm typing this to express the struggles you will most-likely endure when following your dream.  But this makes it all completely worth it.  I already know that the Lord has something really big for me in store pertaining to my music.  I have faith in him and the talents he has blessed me with, but also the manager with whom I have signed.  She is awesome.  She will get things done.  Would I prefer that everything be happening already for me? - YES.  But would it potentially jeopardize my chances of becoming a timeless artist with a life-long career if it were all happening now? - YES.  All in all, I'd rather take an extra few months if it means a life-long career with my music.

I'm going to take this opportunity to thank a few people, (this is not in order of importance).  First, I want to thank my manager and producer for everything they are doing.  They are the best team any one artist could have.  Without them, I'd still be playing the coffee shops in hopes of gaining a crowd, (not that I don't enjoy playing coffee shop shows).  Second, I want to thank the band that will be supporting me when I play full-band shows... they are busting their butt, and they help enhance the sound and will add to the experience that you will witness when my first full-band show occurs.  Third, I want to thank my parents for their encouragement, support (throughout my life with lessons, attendance at shows, financial help, equipment purchases), and the unconditional love they have given me since I entered this world.  I owe them a lifetime of gratitude and love.  Fourth, I want to thank my Dear Friend.  Without this person, I would not be able to feel free in the endeavors that I partake.  I would not feel like home wherever I go.  This person is my best friend, and my biggest inspiration.

Lastly, I want to thank you. Yes... you, the person reading this very post.  Without you, I would not be able to do this... make a career out of the biggest passion in my life.  Whether you know me personally or not, are a friend or family member, or just someone who enjoys my music, it doesn't matter; without you, I would not be able to do this.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart.  You're the reason I can be free in my art.  I promise to grow old with you, and deliver a lifetime of music.  

God Bless.
     

New day, new feel, new shoes, new thoughts.

So, I recently bought some new tennis shoes so I wouldn't trip over the huge flap where my treads are completely detached from the fabric/shoe. I really like what I bought... Awesome arch support, cool look, very breathable, and lightweight. With new shoes always comes a new attitude. It's like a complete break in life. It's the moment you realize that change is necessary, that you are lucky to be able to afford and have the luxury/ability to venture out and purchase new shoes whenever you want or need. It's honestly such a good feeling. Now I can work out, run, play tennis, or throw the frisbee with more comfort, ease, and support!

Change is a part of every day life for us as human beings.  It's amazing.  We live, learn, and adapt to whatever situations are thrown into our lives.  We are truly amazing creatures, and the complexities of our make up are truly summed up in our abilities.  My entire life has changed recently.  Upon my signing with LC Music Management in Nashville, TN, I've become a career singer-songwriter.  FINALLY!  Hell yea!  Life if great!  The money will be coming in soon, but for now, it's all work.  I don't mind that though, cause the work is with something that I love to do.  It's been a crazy trip!  I've been going back and forth between home and Nashville, TN.  It's such a weird feeling to finally almost be exactly where I've been dreaming for so long.  I'm not there yet, but, I'm closer than ever, and I feel I've jumped 20 steps in a matter of weeks, the same 20 steps that take other people 10 years to reach.  I'm so lucky and excited, nervous too.  But this is my new life, and I honestly can't wait to be touring and performing my heart on stage.

Life is amazing when you make your dreams your reality, stick true to yourself, endure tons of struggle, strife, and trial and error, and work hard.  Never give up folks, never.

God has blessed me, and now I'm going to give back to the world what God has given me.  I'm one lucky man.  I thank God every day for the people in my life and the spot in which I'm standing.  It's surreal.  But it won't completely hit me until I'm on tour... that I can guarantee.  But man, I sure can't wait!

God Bless, and thanks for keeping up with me!  I will be posting soon with updates and show dates!

Thanks so much everybody!

Just Sign Your Name By The "X"

So, I finally am really getting things moving.  I just signed with LC Music Management, LLC in Nashville, TN last week.  I went down on Wednesday night and stayed till very early Friday morning.  While down there, I signed a management contract, then tracked out my 5-song EP with a truly talented and completely genuine producer.  This EP is going to sound so amazing.  There are other things in the works as we speak that I cannot mention right now, but when I'm able to, I will be sure to fill you in ASAP.

It's so surreal still.  All these things are working for me.  I'm making it happen.  I'm so excited.  But at the same time, it really hasn't hit me yet that I'm a career singer-songwriter.  I mean, I've been dreaming of this for my entire life, basically.  This is everything for which I've been working, dreaming, and rehearsing.  This is my life.  It's so bad ass!

There is still a plethora of mental, emotional, and physical work that I need to undergo for me to be EXACTLY where I want... but I'm so close now that it is only a matter of time.

I've got so much going for me that sometimes I get a bit scared.  There's so much on the line, yet, I have faith in God and myself that I will get things done, and that things will be okay.  My faith in the Lord has become much stronger the past few months than it ever has.  For the strenuous situations I've been faced with, I find myself grateful because they've pointed me in a better direction, and made my faith in the Lord much stronger.

It's crazy how things work out, though.  Literally, a year ago I was still feeling stuck and wondering how to make things happen.  Now, I find myself unstuck, happier than ever, and so close to my life's goals and dreams.

I love and am fascinated by life, human interaction, human emotion, and the power of faith.  These things alone keep this world turning at a healthy pace.

I want to take a second to thank everyone who reads my blog, follows me on Facebook, Twitter, or any other site of mine, is friends with me, is part of my family, has downloaded my music, has come to my shows, or has supported me in any sort of fashion.  Because of you, I have been able to completely pursue my passion for the entirety of my musical life, and for that, I thank you.  You are awesome.  I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you guys.  You are an imperative variable in this equation of my success.  You are awesome.  For all you've done, I assure you I will repay you with a lifetime of expression, passion, music, and other surprises you will be pleased with... I promise.

For those of you who don't follow me on twitter or "like" my Facebook page, I ask that you do, for it would be really appreciated and awesome of you:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ericpaulsound
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ericpaulsound

Hope you have a phenomenal day, and I will post soon with more details and career/show updates!

Until then, keep it classy - keep it real.

Things Are Looking Up Today.

So my solo work is finally starting to take off and shape to a great mold.  Things are definitely looking up today.  I am about to sign with a management company in Nashville,  LC Music Management.  From here, things are going to skyrocket.  There are certain things in the works right now that are going to be AWESOME.  Eric Paul is going to be a household name VERY soon. 


I'm so excited.  Everything I've been working towards is finally about to pay off.  Don't get me wrong, I'm still going to have to bust my ass, but this means I will be doing music FULL TIME, and loving EVERY minute of it.  It's so amazing.  I'm just still trying to gather myself after all of this.  I can't believe I've made it to this point... the point where all I have to worry about is writing songs and playing out live.  Oh - also going to photo shoots, video shoots, and the studio to record, of course, :)


Well, this is really all I wanted to update you on... 


OH - my newest single, "Bring You Home" is available to download for FREE or you can buy it by naming your own price!  It's a pretty cool concept.  I'd really, REALLY appreciate it if you would check it out, download it-( I don't care if you do it for free or pay), and then spread the word to your friends and family about it.  If there is one thing I would ever ask of you, it's to spread the word about Eric Paul.  I really appreciate all of your help, love, and support.


I will be posting soon with more details on my career developments now that it's taking off!


Thank you for everything, and I hope you have a stellar week!