I DO think anything I do should have social value. I like making a difference in people's lives. Even when I'm writing SEO fluff, I take a part of what I earn and put it back into my community via The Peace from the Porch Project. If I were the CFO of my life, I'd fire me. I give a disproportionate amount away while leaving pretty much nothing for me. Funny thing is, I'm O.K.  I don't want for much. My bills are always paid. I have no debt. Zilch. None. I'm super healthy, and I have lots of time to make a positive difference in my universe. Naturally, I've done that via The Peace from the Porch Project. It has this mission that promotes independent music, and then uses money made on CD sales to support important community organizations; like The Children's Advocacy Center. What slapped me between the eyes at 81 MPH on I-35 South is this. Independent musicians don't think they have social value. I see very few internet stats that show any referral has been made to my website - which is about PFTP - from any independent musician. A few do. It's the same, well... 3 people. If I was a blind search engine, I would only see those music websites that are linking back to http://christyclaxton.com.

Part of supporting something like PFTP is helping to spread the word. It's really just marketing with a warm fuzzy. The ONLY way I can sell these CDs is if people know about them. The silly irony is that the part of the music world that wants to be on PFTP CDs does it for exposure as much as to social value. The kicker is that "there ain't no exposure without social value" in my universe.

It's good to create a link or two to PFTP. Whether you're a fan or a musician who has participated in some way, the very least and easiest thing you can do is share the project with your contacts. If you're embarrassed to do that, or you think it's spam, then I'm kinda sad about it.

The holidays are upon us. Give a gift with social value.

Every time I pay my internet bill, or my web hosting bill, or fill up my gas tank, I'm putting part of that money into PFTP. You should see me lift sound equipment. It's like my own little relay for life.  I usually feel like crap the next day (in my lower back). I can get a tiny sense of what pain feels like to little ones who suffer. If people make me unhappy or hurt me, I can pop a few ibuprofen for my back and walk away. That's a little gift that I like to pay back.

Shameless self promotion is necessary in the independent music biz. Gratitude is, too. What we do as entertainers can easily be trimmed from the budget. What we do as social activists makes that trim a little harder to justify. 

With that thought, I'd like to close by saying that I am deeply grateful to every musician who ever did more than send me a .wav file for some PFTP project. Any artist who ever asked his/her fans to buy a PFTP CD, or donated his/her time to the project.

Our country is in a state of unfocused discontent. Let's move away from the chaos and anger and start focusing on what we can do to change things.  If you think PFTP is a good mission with a properly focused goal, then please participate.

You know. Do something.

Folks are always posting inspirational advice about living outside of the box. That's apparently the secret to unparalleled success. Sort of like Lady Gaga. Most people who dress and act like her are considered the neighborhood pariah. Therefore, the genuine goodness and wit of our nature is only valued in less than 1% of our population. The rest of us run the gamut from harmlessly weird to dangerously outspoken and harsh.  At least the weird girl gets a data entry job in a back office that used to be a supply closet...

Here's what I want you to do. 
Share the good works, wit and human-ness of the people who make you feel inspired and happy. If they sell a product or service (even if it's music or comic videos or books), buy it. I mean, you love their Facebook postings! Why wouldn't you buy their goods? Jeff Foxworthy doesn't need your $20 as much as a local comic or writer.

If you're a business owner or hiring manager, and you're freaking out about the slippery slope your company is on, take a look around at the staff. What's your schmuck factor? Probably pretty high. If it scares you to throw away your cookie cutter, then I recommend that you start by canning the manager who keeps schmuck relevant in your work environment. Scrape some of that blood off the sidewalk and build a better manager. Then let that person build your team. You might surprised at what happens. Know why?

See paragraph #1. People like funny people.  Given the choice between, say, a quirky taco stand and the wall street version, I'm going for the one manned by the Lady Gaga wannabe. 

So where is all of this going? When people feel like they matter, they will bust their butts to perform. Support the outsiders. If you just laughed out loud, or heard a song at Central Market that resonates with you, THAT'S where you spend your fun money. 
If the transgender chick gives the best massage in town, THAT'S where you get your bodywork.

ummm...

crap.

My intention was to be nothing but funny with this post.

Apparently Sunday has a preachy effect on me...

Peace from the Porch Project Update

The Bear Creek Ensemble has been in the studio, and we've recorded an incredible tune for "Peace from the Porch, Vol. 3." We imported a Midwesterner to sing our lead vocals, and she made us Texas proud. You would think she grew up in one of those old Texas dancehalls right beside us.  Thanks, Jessi Lynn. We love you in Texas.

I know the rest of you really want to hear that song, and soon... It's in the final mixing and mastering stages as I write this. The rest of the CD is close on its heels. We're talking some upbeat, boot scootin', toe tappin' good music from independent musicians around this country. I really do think this final project will be the very best.

In the meantime, if you're a radio programmer, DJ, internet radio host, or the likes, email me. I'll send you a pre-release of the The Bear Creek Ensemble's cut, "I'm Right Here." If you're a Texas radio host, I promise this thing will kick some serious traditional, classic country, dancehall ass. That's what this ensemble grew up on: REAL Country. Not some watered down, rocked up, LA infused, frat boy saturated Country, but the authentic sound we all long to hear more than we do these days. Needless to say, this is a very different approach for the Bear Creek Ensemble. But you know what? When I ask the best musicians I know to join me in the studio, we can pretty damn well do whatever we want.  I swear. You're gonna love this tune.

Thank you, Bear Creek Ensemble.
Jessi Lynn
Chris Cernocek
Mark Lehmann
Jean Synodinos
Misty Conn
Doug Martin
Christy Claxton

See all those Fayette and Lee County Texas names there? Austin? South Central Texas, y'all need to think about hosting some PFTP events in late September. Miss Lynn will be back in the area, and that's the perfect time to get a little dose of the porch. Contact me. 

Wine Lovers Work It

On July 10, I hope my fellow wine snobs will join me for a little down to earth grape harvesting, good food, fellowship, wine (of course), and music. Here's the skinny:

Paradox Vineyard Volunteer Grape Harvest

Sunday, July 10

8544 Bermuda

Industry Texas 78944

Breakfast 7AM

Harvesting (yes. you'll be picking grapes, so dress for it) 7:30AM

Lunch and drinks 12PM

Music with Christy 1PM

 Paradox owners, Doug and Linda Rowlett, are huge supporters of the Peace from the Porch Project. Join me on THEIR porch. They are so cool and so wonderful, and you just need to be there.

Since I've Pulled the Guild Out From Under the Bed

Contact me. I'd love to come play for your wine lovers, too.  No gathering is too small. The more funding I can busk up for the project, the more we can promote, produce and ultimately, donate to Children's Advocacy. You know the routine - email me!

peace from the porch,

christy

Have you met the new BCE lead singer? Well, meet Jessi Lynn.

She's got the voice and spirit to sell this project the way it was always meant to be pitched. She's a big heart, and I didn't have to prod her. All by herself, she said, "Hey. When the CDs done, send a box of discs my way, so I can sell them." Y'all go give her virtual hug.

Other ensemblers include a couple of local boys, Chris Cernocek

and Mark Lehmann.

Expect cameos from Jean Synodinos,

Also welcome back to the music, Misty Conn.

You probably remember her from my "Out of Nowhere" days.
And finally, Mark Hallman

is back at the controls, so the sound will be superior.

If you're as excited as I am, then consider keeping the project going by making a donation. Those little "donate" buttons can be found all over this site. We really need your help to finish up this project. I cannot stress enough that it is the ONLY way we'll get this thing completed. Yours truly is not in a position to foot the bill this time around. I really do need your help.

Now let  me say to those who are reading this. I really do mean it. If you're from La Grange, and you think you know this kid's parents, let them know that the foreign exchange student's host mother has that bully in her figurative cross hairs.

I get this from my parents.  Actually, I've always been this way. The only times I ever got sent to the prinicpal's office were because I played champion against a school bully. In the sixth grade, I defended my friend on the playground. I got sent to the office and was made to feel like a bad kid by a principal that I still don't like.  In high school, a bully hit me on the back of the head while I was shooting baskets. I turned to punch her back, and my friends caught me in mid-swing and drug me to the locker room. I'm sure I was trying to get a kick in while they were dragging. I got in trouble for that, too.  My mother got so mad, she filed charges on the bully, but the county attorney begged her not to do it. After all, it would be Mom's complaint that would send this girl away to prison...

Certainly, violence isn't the answer.  As an adult, I have a better handle on my lightening rod temper than I did as a kid. Today, I had to push my adolescent self down and be the parent.  I think there's a better way to give kids, like this La Grange bully, an attitude adjustment.

We start by making sure that our children never bully another. If we are told they do, we don't defend them. We make them suffer the consequences of their bad actions. I told David that if I find out that he's picked on any kid, I'll call his parents and tell them to pick him up at the airport in Budapest the very next day. He'll be done. No negotiation. I know he would never do that... or at least I think I know. At least he knows where I stand on it.

I also went down the list of usual victims and told him it is not OK to pick on any kid. That includes the gay ones. I know he'd never do that either. He has no issue with gay kids. He has no issue with poor kids, or Mexican National kids, or fat kids or handicapped kids.  David loves everybody, but we can't clone him and put his heart into every kid and every family.  I firmly believe that bullies are either bullied, abused or neglected at home. I believe that conflict resolution in their homes is done with violence or verbal abuse. There's a reason David's a loving kid. There's a reason the bully is who he is.

Adults. Always think before you speak around children. You are the model, and you will be imitated. If your kid is a bully, and he gets called on it, you really should take a good hard look at yourself as a parent. If your kid doesn't learn to be kind from you, he may never learn it, and he will always have a hard life emotionally. Bullies suffer, too. They're alienated by others. No one wants mean friends.

You know, one of the things this third Peace from the Porch Project will do is talk to kids about how beautiful they are for exactly who they are. And I might call down a bully or two.  I mentor a kid who is the school bully. She fits the home life demographic I described. With the right adult supervision, she's a really sweet kid. But a messed up family life wipes the good slate clean daily.  You want to help the porch dwellers help kids on both sides of the school yard BEFORE they end up in foster homes?  Think about making a donation so I can do the right thing by our children. 

Find the donate button.  Even $10 is big when you're the little guy getting pushed around on the playground.

I really have to avoid any woo woo assumptions. I also have to avoid any pre-programmed religious ideas about predestination. A house built for openness and comfort isn't what most weekend home buyers are looking for. It's not big enough. It's not suburban enough. It's really cool, but...  Just goes to show you they have no mojo.  Fine. I'm going to love this place every minute I'm living in it.

This weekend, I'll put David and his friends to work moving around furniture while we turn my over-sized office back into a bedroom. Then we're going to rearrange the guest house and take a shot at renting it as a corporate suite by the week. No day jobbers. Weekly. Then I think I'll turn the boys loose in the woods and command them to surprise me with walking trails. I need the existing ones cleaned up and new ones carved out by new and curious eyes.

I have to admit that I haven't taken down the stage lights. It's been two years, and they're still hanging. I just can't bring myself to climb up there and do it. Some of the bulbs are burned out, but taking them down sort of feels like going to work without wearing pants. I am, however, doing some private, invitation only, dinner and a song style concert gatherings. I invite a singer/songwriter out during the week. I personally invite about 12 of Bear Creek Concert's most loyal supporters or some of my dearest friends, and I cook dinner for everyone. Then the musician gives us a very intimate little performance.  If you want to get one of these invitations from time, to time, please email me and let me know.

O.K. Nuthin' on the sale of the place, but I have been writing up a storm. I have a book of short stories that I just need to get proofed, and I'll be listing it for sale via Kindle, iTunes and Barnes and Noble. If you want to help me get that done and continue to present and support artistic expression, why not hop over to the bookstore on this site, and order a monthly subscriptions of shorts and essays from me? Don't forget to visit Stave, too.

As for this life as a full time writer? Let me tell you! I have not had a dry cleaning bill in six months! I feel like I could give about half of my clothes away. I have only lost my legendary temper once! That's when 30 mile an hour gust of wind blew the storm door off the kitchen. I've played a few concerts of my own, and they've been super. I should probably do it more.  It's just tough to find the right venue for someone who has no idea how to be vapid or happy in the presence of drunks. So email me if you've got a little gathering of thinkers, and you'd like some music.

...you know what I'm doing?  Do you? I'm not saying a damn thing. I don't like to watch TV, and I'm bored, and I'm not ready for bed, but I'm too distracted to read or write anything that requires skill. So I'm bothering you and wasting a little time. Thanks for hanging out with me. I think I'll just go sit on the porch and star gaze. See what pops up in my head. Who knows how much longer I'll have to manifest inspiration from the porch. If you've never sat out here with me, you better hurry up and get over here. This porch is sumpthin'.

So far, all good things have come my way. I'd like to sell Bear Creek, but the economy probably will keep that plan in a stall motion. Here's the deal. There's no point in taking a low ball offer if it only keeps my outflow the same as it is now. The idea is to sell it, downsize and fatten the bottom line. We'll need to get a certain amount of equity for that to happen. In the meantime, I'll hunker down in the country.

I'm really missing my city. This isolated country life is a little too existential for me. It's been charming, but I wonder if it was the right thing to do?  My higher self says that it was. So I'm glad I'm here.  Now I'm ready to move on. I know it's time because the Peace from the Porch Project is in a state of frozen motion. It's just been a tough year to raise the money to produce it.  I have two choices. Throw in the towel and give the money I've raised so far to Children's Advocacy or simply create a digital download album. I'm thinking just giving the money away would be the most effective.  Here's why. It takes a large group of dedicated people to constantly remind people to buy the download. It takes Facebook sharing, email campaigns, and Tweets. We live in an instant society. It comes and goes in an instant. Most people won't remember to consistently pitch a digital download. It's also getting harder and harder to stage a live show to support the thing. I have to believe it's time to let it go.

With that, I move on to writing. I'm in a budget finding process with a book of short stories. Once I know how much I need to self-publish, I can get on with it.  It will be the compilation of a twenty year process. I'll be curious to hear what everyone thinks. On a more grindy note, I do copywriting, social media management, and freelance writing for various organizations. It ebbs and flows. The online stuff is a little spotty and some of it's just downright misleading. That means lots of work for little return.  It's a blessing when I land a solid contract. However, contracts don't last forever, so the hustle is ongoing.

When it's slow in the contract front, I try to add things to Stave. I just gave it a make-over to make it easier to read. The previous design took too long to load and it was a little tiring to look at, so give the new site a peep.  I'm also getting caught up on CD reviews, so check in from time to time to experience new music. I think I'm featuring some really wonderful talent. Some you've heard of, and some will be new to you, but I hope those new ones excite you the way they excite me.

Here's something to know about Stave. It is a labor of love. Music has always been the seed from which my many projects spring. Not only does Stave offer an editorial view of emerging and established independent talent for those who love music, but it also gives the musicians a positive forum to shine from. The site is not set up to accept advertising. I'm not focusing on big numbers of visitors who only care about the big trends in music. I focus on the quality underneath all the hype. I hope the quality of the content is better than most, too. If you appreciate an independent music site that keeps the content professional, positive and unbiased, consider making a little donation when you read. Think of it as putting a few coins in the paper machine to get your daily. Just toss a few Lincolns through the donate buttons that are sprinkled throughout the site.  As a freelance writer, I don't have the disposable income to continue to maintain the site without impact on my livelihood, so... Thanks!  And invite your music loving friends to read it, too. It means a lot to me, but even more to the featured artists. They want you to know them.

So that's it. Just a little update on what appears to be a wind down before I wind up again.  I'll keep you posted on the book.

It's an overstatement to say that the Christmas has lost its meaning.  We all know that, but we just keep falling into the consumerism hijacker's bottom line.  Come on!  This year, don't do it!   Honestly, I would love, love, love if you would consider making a donation to the Peace from the Porch Project in honor of someone special.  Do you know that as community oriented as I am, that no one has ever given me a gift of making a donation in my name?   Surprising, huh?

If I just gave my loved ones a good idea, then I'll tell you that I'd be happiest if that donation came to PFTP.  I want get this third volume finished and into the community working for those that will benefit.  And let me ring a bell and hawk a little bit more.  House concerts!  Christmas parties with music!  I can come do that for you!  Those donations in the form of either cover or performance fee actually help me help other people!  

I am making a deep commitment to making the project my life, my pretty minimal livelihood, and my obsession... like it already isn't...  Branding this thing requires an enormous amount of leg work, finger cramps and planning.  And that's before we ever start the first click track. 

I hope you'll consider it.  You'd be surprised at what I can do.  Heck.  I can even throw an alternate tuning on one of my guitars and sit in a corner and just be an ambient addition to a winter cocktail party.  Not your thing?  Well, then, browse around this site, find a "donate" button, and do it that way.  I'll send you a PFTP custom card to put a little message in that notifies your special someone that a donation was made in their honor. 

Give, give, give!  But don't forget about Christmas.

Bonus pay?  A spontaneous hug from a boy who has more rhythmic talent than most working drummers.  I told him so, and I encouraged him to push himself because he really did have the right stuff.  Suddenly, his arms were around me.

Is that what I can do? 
If it is, then I'm finally finding my path, and it is a wonderful one.

If you're an educator, email me.  I'll come to you school, too.
If you're a youth leader, let's do it for your kids. 
My next workshop challenge will be to address bullying and self-esteem.

I'm also doing a little freelance writing for a couple of online marketing companies.  I'm hoping that becomes my bread and butter.  Y'all know I love to write!

In the meantime, PFTP3 is still in the works.  Just slowed down a little during this life transition.

Want a house concert?  Would you even consider it?  I'd love to come your way and give a portion of the proceeds to this volume of PFTP.

And finally, on a sad note, I am selling Bear Creek.  I need to downsize.  The place is too big for one person to manage. I need more time to develop this new life of mine.
Anyone interested in owning a piece of American music history can give me a shout, and I'll point you in the direction of a very cool real estate agent.

Peace, y'all.  I can't wait to run into you on this new adventure of mine!

christy