[PraiseTracks]

On peter said

We’re here. Many of us know each other from various forums. We all share a common love of music and making music. So let’s start by sharing just a little bit of ourselves with others.

1. What country do you live in?

The United States Of America

2. What musical instrument(s) do you play and when did you start playing?

Keyboards (Piano, organ, Casiotone), I am willing to try to play just about anything, even tried trombone in beginning band but was quickly moved to Chorus where I made all-state that year!

3. Do you sing?

Yes, sometimes while doing livestream reviews, I just can’t help myself. ;^)
It is funny to hear older recordings and notice how my tone has dropped over the years.

4. What level of experience do you have with audio engineering?

Nothing too crazy to speak of, just an in the trenches sort of experience. You tend to learn a lot when you are out on the road. Each church our venue has a story to tell, and you quickly learn to find similar things you can do to bring the sound to where it needs to be for a night’s performance.

5. What genres of music do you play?

My main area is Christian music, which includes Praise and Worship, as well as what might be considered CCM. I also love to play Gospel, and taking classic hymns and worship songs to bring them into a different setting.

6. What are some of the musical artists and music that inspire you?

Being raised in the church, hymns mean a lot to me. One artist who truly inspired me was Leon Patillo. I saw him in concert by himself playing a CP-70, with a MINIMOOG on top, surrounded by Oberheim Matrix 12s, DMX machines, and the Oberheim SYSTEM (which was pre-midi). He would have to play a slower song or do a monologue while he loaded up the next song using the cassette tape interface of the Oberheim sequencers, it still inspires me. Check out Dance Children Dance (LIVE Experience):

In high school Jazz band i was placed behind a suitcase Rhodes and could not read music, and he band director “Skip” Frank, sat with me during study hall and taught me how to read basic chord charts. I was introduced to Weather Report, Spyro Gyra, and my friends who played Bass and Drums thought they were Neil Pert and Alex Lifeson, so I heard a LOT of RUSH (Tom Sawyer and Subdivisions anyone).

I am inspired by Oscar Petersen, Antonio Carlos Jobim, the swinging bands behind Frank Sinatra, the smoothness of Diana Krall, Vince Guaraldi, Carl Stalling, and too many others to count.

7. Do you do music as a hobby, semi-professionally, or professionally? If you’re a hobbyist did you once do music professionally or semi-professionally?

I have attempted to make a living at following the desire to inspire and minister to others through traveling with Grammy Award winning artist Larnelle Harris for 20 years, along with helping various local artist bring their songs to life by helping them to arrange and produce them. I also try providing assistance and consult with local church music ministries. Most recently I have been recording audiobooks for a client which is definitely something new for me.

BONUS QUESTION

Do you have any musical goals you hope to accomplish?

I never want to stop improving. There will always be someone in front of us who inspires us to keep running the race. I never want to be satisfied and get sloppy, which can be a very difficult task in the culture we find ourselves in. I want listeners to always know that they are hearing a REAL musician and not some sort of AI generated caricature of its interpretation of a music collective.
If I can bring comfort, or elicit a smile, if I can illuminate hope again where it is lost, if someone receives courage to continue on their journey from listening to anything I have played or produced, then I say that is a life that has been well spent.
I can truly be grateful because I know that what I have has been gifted to me, so I must in turn share my experiences with those who would happen to hear.

Joyfully Yours,
Simeon

 

Simeon Amburgey
PraiseTracks.com
Visit My YouTube Channel:
https://YouTube.com/PraiseTracks

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