 The Beauty of Holiday Sheet Music In The High-Tech World Of Today Jeff Pike December 2, 2024 FORWARD NOTE: When searching for sheet music these days, I regularly use and highly recommend Sheet Music Plus Happy Belated Thanksgiving to everyone, and since this is the first day of December, I wish you a very Merry Christmas Season. Throughout the Thanksgiving season, I have been partaking in some intense soul-searching and expanding my gratitude list for who and what I am thankful for. My list is long, and I assume it might contain much of what yours does. For all who know me, it would come as no surprise that music and all it entails is high on my gratitude list. As I pondered all the beautiful things about music I am thankful for, one seemingly obvious lifeblood of music came to mind - sheet music, especially holiday sheet music. I grew up in a musical family and started learning to read music at a young age when I began guitar lessons at 10. I started reading vocal sheet music when I joined my first school choir at 13 and piano lessons at 16. Throughout school and college, sheet music was a part of my daily life. Then, when I entered the "real world" and followed my career path, I slowly began to find that I did not rely on it as much. I was blessed with a very good ear and could listen to most of the music I needed to learn and figure out accurately and quickly. (NOTE - This was many years before the internet and YouTube) However, knowing I could easily track down the sheet music was a blessing if I couldn't. (ANOTHER NOTE - If you don't use it, you lose it) I believe this overlooked gratitude has come back to the forefront of my mind because this past year, thanks to some incredibly talented friends and the projects we are pursuing together, Gino Vannelli, Greg Goebel, Eric Baumgartner, Olivia Ivey, and Paul Tate have brought sheet music regularly back into my life. I have quickly discovered I am a bit rusty, but I am slowly getting back up to speed, and with the holidays now here, I may have some free time to practice more. I have deeply loved classic Christmas music ever since I was a small child. I have a lifetime of memories that revolve around singing in school choirs, church choirs, and community choirs, around a piano or organ with my Mother and friends, and, going back many years, my Grandmother and her family. Since there is so much good holiday music and many songs are only sung around one time a year, sheet music was a necessity for one reason or another. Sadly, as technology has grown, the sheet music industry is not what it used to be, and many titles are no longer easy or even possible to find. However, some online sheet music companies do exist. The one I use now regularly and recommend highly is Sheet Music Plus. I have been thinking a lot about this topic this past month, and in my new blog, I delve into why sheet music is a wonderfully beautiful musical and social tool during the holiday season. Enjoy, and never be afraid to sing loudly. The Beauty of Holiday Sheet Music In The High-Tech World Of Today In today's digital world, where almost everything can be accessed at the tap of a screen, it is easy to forget the simple pleasures and practical advantages of physical sheet music—especially during the holiday season, when music plays such an essential part in family gatherings, performances, and seasonal joy. While apps and digital platforms offer convenience, there is something uniquely timeless and satisfying about holding a piece of holiday sheet music in your hands. Here are some of my thoughts on why physical sheet music should remain a cherished staple for musicians and music lovers alike, even in this high-tech world. 1. A Tangible Connection to Tradition The holiday season is all about tradition, and what could feel more nostalgic than turning the crisp pages of a songbook filled with carols, hymns, and festive classics? Physical sheet music connects us to the past, recalling memories of family sing-alongs by the piano or playing in a school band concert. It is a bridge to the holiday magic of previous generations. The tactile experience of flipping through a favorite collection of holiday songs can evoke a deeper emotional connection to the music, something a screen cannot replicate. 2. A Screen-Free Zone In a world where screens dominate nearly every aspect of our lives, physical sheet music offers a rare opportunity to disconnect and immerse yourself fully in the music. This is especially important during the holidays when family time and mindfulness should take center stage. Whether playing "Silent Night" by the fireplace or performing a lively version of "Jingle Bells" for a holiday party, using a printed score helps you stay present in the moment, free from notifications and distractions. 3. Perfect for Ensembles and Group Settings Holiday music is often about coming together. In these settings, physical sheet music is much easier to manage than sharing a screen. Everyone can have their own copy, no one has to deal with the brightness of screens in a candle-lit room, and you can quickly make notes or mark specific passages as needed. Passing around digital devices can also feel impersonal—there's a community aspect to handing out sheet music and creating music together without the interruption of technology. 4. Reliability and Accessibility We've all been there: the app crashes, your battery dies, or the Wi-Fi goes out just as you're getting to your favorite song. With physical sheet music, none of those technical hiccups are a concern. You don't need a charger or a signal—just your instrument, your voice, and the music in front of you. It's a reliable option whether you're performing for a crowd or enjoying a quiet moment alone. 5. Customization and Markings Musicians of all skill levels know the importance of marking up their music. Maybe you need to slow down the tempo on that tricky run in "O Holy Night," or highlight a dynamic change in "Carol of the Bells." Physical sheet music lets you easily jot down notes, fingerings, and reminders directly on the page, personalizing the music to your needs. While digital apps sometimes offer annotation tools, they rarely match the ease and immediacy of a pencil or pen in hand. 6. Aesthetic and Sentimental Value There's something undeniably charming about the look and feel of holiday sheet music. Whether it's a well-worn book of Christmas classics with vintage illustrations or a beautifully printed score of modern holiday favorites, sheet music can be a part of the festive decor. It's not uncommon to find old music books passed down through generations, with notes from past players adding a layer of sentimentality to the experience. Those markings and doodles become part of the family's musical history. Digital music may offer instant access to an infinite catalog, but it lacks the tangible warmth of physical scores. 7. A Great Gift For music lovers, a thoughtfully selected piece of holiday sheet music or a festive songbook makes a wonderful, personal gift. It's a present that invites creativity, nostalgia, and joy. A beautifully bound collection of carols or holiday songs is a keepsake that can be revisited year after year, unlike a digital file that can easily be forgotten or lost in the shuffle. Conclusion: A Timeless Treasure in a Modern World In a world that's constantly pushing us toward the next big tech advancement, there's something special about slowing down and embracing the analog. Physical holiday sheet music offers a connection to tradition, reliability, and a more profound experience of the music itself. While digital tools have their place, when it comes to the holidays, sheet music's physical form stands as a timeless reminder of what the season is truly about—gathering together, making memories, and sharing in the joy of music. I hope all of you have a wonderful Christmas filled with the music of the season. Jeff Pike The Day: May 18, 2024 The Event: Just another nice weekend gig at Paris Mountain Vineyard in Rockmart, Georgia. parismountainvineyards.com/ Paris Mountain Vineyards is a beautiful Vineyard surrounded by miles and miles of gorgeous countryside. The countryside is perfect for growing grapes and where you can almost imagine wild horses galloping proudly and freely through the lush green fields. I was looking forward to this gig because it was the owner Scott's 60th Birthday, and the audience there is always receptive and fun, with or without adequate wine intake. Due to the cloudy weather, I was performing inside instead of the lovely covered patio they had. I always love performing outside, but being inside has its advantages. Aside from being protected from inclement weather, there was a sizeable, state-of-the-art big-screen TV on the opposite wall to keep my eyes busy while I strummed my music for my fans, friends, and patrons who came to see me. When I was ready to start performing, the place was packed, the mood exciting, and I was looking forward to a good show. Many A1A fans were there to see me, but I also noticed that everyone was paying much attention to the big screen. When I perform inside at venues such as this, which unfortunately is rare these days, I am more concerned with my music than what is on the big screen TV. Today, however, when I looked up and gave the giant LED wall a bit of my time, I became instantly engaged. I noticed that Preakness was being broadcast live. For those unfamiliar, The Preakness Stakes is an American thoroughbred horse race held annually on Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday in May, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. The Preakness Stakes is a Grade I race run over a distance of 1+3⁄16 miles on dirt. Colts and geldings carry 126 pounds; fillies 121 pounds. It is the second jewel of the Triple Crown, held two weeks after the Kentucky Derby and three weeks before the Belmont Stakes. I have never claimed to know much about horse racing, and I have never ridden a horse for longer than 10 minutes in my life. So, one might wonder why I was so interested in this race. In a very cool turn of events in my life, it turns out that Alisa and Glen Sloan, the parents of one of the singers in my band A1A, Olivia Ivey, had a horse competing in the race. Now, while I may not be up on the ins and outs of horse racing, I knew this was a huge deal. Like everyone else in the room, I was very interested in the race and felt they needed to understand why. So I grabbed the microphone, commanded their attention, and gave my attentive crowd the extent of the information about Olivia, Alisa, and Glen and their horse, "Seize The Grey." I do not think everyone believed me at first, but I quickly earned the trust of all, and now everyone in the room was pulling for "Seize The Grey." I was surprised to learn that several people in the room had already placed official bets, and some were getting on their phones to place new bets or change the ones they had already made. All for "Seize The Grey." I was beaming with delight. Be that as it may, I assumed the odds of "Seize The Grey" actually winning were pretty small, and it was time for me to start singing. So, I started my set with some classic songs written around horses, "Run For The Roses," "Wildfire," "Horse With No Name," etc., and went on from there. My set was flowing nicely, and people were very attentive. I would glance back to the big screen now and then to see if the race was underway. When the big moment came and the gates were raised, I thought how cool it was to watch this race, knowing I had some lovely people close to me who owned a horse up there racing. But in all honesty, I never assumed that there was a chance that "Seize The Grey" would win. So I kept singing and watching when suddenly the entire room started getting louder and louder, looking back at me and shouting. In a brief moment when I had been concentrating solely on my music and had averted my eyes, "Seize The Grey" had taken the lead. Holy Cow. I could not believe it. At this point, I stopped playing, took off my guitar, and joined the rest of the people in the winery who were ALL pulling for "Seize The Grey." As each moment quickly passed and the end of the race drew near, the intense astonishment and excitement in the winery grew and grew. It was like we were all family pulling for the same horse. Then, at the moment "Seize The Grey" galloped fiercely over the finish line, the entire place erupted, and most of them looked back at me, cheering, smiling, and dancing with joy. I got the impression that a lot of money had just been won by more than a few people in the room. I was in total amazement that this actually happened and got on the phone quickly to text Olivia to tell her that her parent's horse won! The staff poured wine and champagne, and I took a short break to help everyone celebrate. I want to think that the massive positive energy our crowd sent through the cosmos helped push Alisa and Glen's prize beauty first across the finish line. Regardless, I am thrilled and proud of them. Scott's 60th Birthday was a huge success. Everyone loved my performance, and at the end of the day, the 'horse with no name' now most certainly had one - Seize The Gray!!!   Six years ago today, on November 21, 2017, we lost David Cassidy. David was only 67 years old, which may seem old to many, but it isn't, and no matter how you look at it, it is way too young to leave this world.
I am feeling very emotional today. It may seem strange to some, but like so many, I still feel the pain of losing David. For those touched by his life, music, and work, he meant so much to so many for many different reasons. As time passes and life continues to grow so busy and stressful, I try not to dwell too much on it, but it is always there. Recently, I lost another musician, long-time hero, and mentor in the passing of Jimmy Buffett. Jimmy, I knew, but David, I didn't, even though I felt like I did. Losing Jimmy was unexpected and very painful for so many, and his death has been difficult to process on many levels. While trying to come to terms with Jimmy's passing, his death got me thinking in anticipation of today. In dealing with the death of Jimmy Buffett at 76, also much too young to leave us, the fact that he lived a full, complete, and happy life helps many of us deal with him going unexpectedly, with still so much music and life left in him. Still, he accomplished everything he wanted to in life and so much more, but unlike David, I know Jimmy had an ocean of inner peace, happiness, good friends, family, colleagues, and an overflowing joy for living his life, which he so freely gave to the world, which I don't think David had for the majority of his. Like many entertainers who battle the inner demons and unforgiving life circumstances that being in the entertainment business can chain to your shoulders, I think David threw himself into his work until he couldn't take it anymore, and life got the better of him. Feeling this way is what continuously breaks my heart about losing David so young. David was my first. He was my first hero. David was the catalyst that made me want to be a musician my entire life. He was why I wanted to play guitar, sing, and entertain the world. David ignited that initial eternal flame in my soul. For that, he felt like much more than a close friend and family member to me. And like someone you love deeply, you want them to be happy and live a healthy life abundant with joy, love, contentment, peace of mind, faith, family, and gratitude. My heart is breaking again today, despite his enormous success, thinking about how unfair and painful so much of life was to David and how it led him to make some of the choices he felt he had to make. But to end this message on a bright note, David had strength, personality, fortitude, passion, the will to succeed, and a never-ending overflowing fountain of talent. Because of his strong life traits, he left us with a vast legacy of beautiful music and so much more to enjoy and share with future generations. So today, while listening to his music, I will once again thank him for giving us all he had to give and pray that wherever he is, he is at peace at last and that his big, beautiful smile is shining and lighting up the heavens. Cherish is the word... Jeff  FOLLOW IN MY WAKE
Three weeks ago today, I woke up to a world that was much less colorful, happy, and musically joyous than when I had laid down to sleep just a few hours earlier. The night before, the band had performed a very entertaining and successful concert in Tucker, Georgia. Everything was as it should be. The weather was beautiful, and a large audience was smiling, dancing, and singing along with the band, who were feeling great and playing wonderfully. All that was forgotten when I turned on my phone at 7:00 a.m. to discover that Jimmy Buffett had passed away the night before, most likely while I was performing one of his songs onstage. The 24 hours that followed were an unexpectedly painful, frightening, heavily emotional, and confusing blur. As you all know, we had a show at The Boot Barn Hall that evening, which I was prepared to cancel as late as 1:00 p.m. that afternoon. Thankfully, prayers and some words with Mike Davis and Peter Mayer brought me to my senses, and I went on with the show as Jimmy would have wanted. Our show that night turned out to be one of the most inspired, emotional, and best performances I, and possibly the band, have ever given. All our spirits in the room came together as one with the music to sing through the pain and confusion we all were feeling. It was all very difficult, yet magic, cathartic yet heavily draining on me. But when it was all over, I felt we had all sent Jimmy on his way in style and that the evening could not have been orchestrated any better than it had been. I felt that Jimmy may have even stopped by for a minute to help me through some very difficult moments I had onstage. In the three weeks that have followed, like all of you reading this, my heart and soul have been on a strangely unprecedented, painful rollercoaster. I am on a little steadier ground than I was three weeks ago, and even though it is far from over, my eyes are dryer, and I see how important it is that A1A continue. I have had thousands of messages from fans near and far to drive that point home. To all of you who were at The Boot Barn Hall show on September 2, all of you know how special it was. It will be a day and a show I will remember and cherish for the rest of my life. Now, in accordance with Jimmy's dying wish, it is time for us to have fun and keep the party going. There's still so much to be done. Bubbles up, Jeff Pike www.a1a-live.com www.linktr.ee/jeffpikeanda1a I Spent Four Lonely Days In A Brown L.A. Haze And I Just Want You Back By My Side September 21, 2023 Believing in the reality of coincidence in this magical world of life varies and fluctuates. I think it can depend partly on emotion, mood, ego, insecurity, religious views, and possibly even immaturity. But that is a discussion for another day. I go back and forth on coincidence and whether things happen for a reason or just how our cards are dealt at any given time. With the passing of Jimmy Buffett, these past few weeks, for many of us, have been highly emotional. I know it has been for me, and with all the stories I have been reading by people here on Social Media about their experience with Jimmy and his music, today, I believe. It is no secret to any of you that Jimmy came to us through his song 'Come Monday' and left us at the beginning of Labor Day weekend. He was ready to leave the brown L.A. haze and return home to his baby. With my deep, lifelong connection with Jimmy Buffett, his music, and especially the song Come Monday, I find it coincidental that my new single and video, 'Sunset On L.A.,' is about the same thing. It is doing very well at the moment, and part of me wants to think that maybe even Jimmy's spirit gave it a push. 'Sunset On L.A.' was released on August 25 and just now hit 25,000 views on YouTube, and I hope to make it to at least 30,000. I would sincerely appreciate you watching it and leaving a comment on YouTube and here, letting me know your thoughts. Did someone up there arrange this coincidence, or am I just being over-emotional like I tend to do? I don't know, but either way, I feel fortunate. God bless all of you this weekend. Fins and Bubbles Up, Jeff Pike  Come Monday, It'll Be Alright
September 4, 2023 I cannot fathom that in five short months, 'Come Monday' will turn 50. I still vividly remember the summer of 1974 when I worked for my Grandfather, helping with construction in Inman and Spartanburg, South Carolina. My job was to sand, caulk, putty, clean up, and paint. I worked nine to five, Monday through Friday, and made $50.00 a week. That was a lot of money to me back then. I was a mere 13 years old and happy to work as hard as possible, for I was saving up my money to buy my first electric guitar. While at work, I listened to the radio all day long, WORD from Spartanburg, South Carolina, to be exact, and Come Monday graced the airwaves a lot that summer. I can still close my eyes, smell the sawdust, caulk, and paint, and feel the putty and sandpaper beneath my fingertips. I remember one house we worked in that summer for a few weeks. It was a two-story in progress and sat close to a beautiful home next door. The home was attractive, but my eyes were drawn more to the beautiful swimming pool in the backyard. Yes, it was a hot summer, and I loved to swim, but I was more interested in the attractive young girl who lived there, who would swim with her friends every day. I worked hard to impress my Grandfather, but the girls and the music were distracting. (Some addictions start early.) In an odd coincidence, all my memories of her, which have stayed with me all my life, revolve around 'Come Monday.' Jimmy's beautiful melancholy love song embedded itself deeply in my heart that summer and has never left. In case you are wondering, I never had the opportunity to meet her. I would have been too shy to say hello anyway. I have been listening to Jimmy's music all day today while working, but when 'Come Monday' began playing early this afternoon, I had to pause, look out the window, listen, and reflect. Upon doing so, I suddenly realized that the lyrics would never feel or mean the same to me again. For 49 years now, whenever I listened to my 45, cassette, 8-track, album, CD, MP3, or stream of 'Come Monday,' it filled my heart with many emotions; even when some were sad, I still gained comfort, because I knew things would be alright once the long Labor Day weekend was over. Then came today. For countless people like myself, whose lives were deeply touched, changed, and even guided in part by the music, lyrics, books, and lifestyle of Jimmy Buffett, the Monday our then-young Troubador sang about will never again feel as carefree and comforting as it did just four short days ago. The L.A. haze will remain, and from now on, we will all have an aching space by our side that will stay unfilled, for our hero will not be returning come Monday. The Hemisphere Dancer has flown its last voyage into the sunset and taken our beloved Frank Bama with her. Those of you who have followed my writings and concerts with A1A this past weekend know how difficult this has been for me, as I understand it has been for those who have taken the time to read this far. So much has changed in three short days - three short days that have seemed like a month. I have spent Labor Day 2023 listening to Jimmy Buffett's music and continuing to go through endless emails, messages, texts, voice mails, and social media posts addressed to me. It is nearing the end of the day, and unexpectedly I am starting to see a distant ray of light. No, we will never again have the chance to see Jimmy work his magic in concert. As heartbreaking as this is, today, I have been thinking deeply about the music, magic, friendships, relationships, laughter, tears, and endlessly beautiful memories he gave all of us. These memories are treasures and can easily last for generations. Ah, the stories we can tell, and eventually, we will, through smiles without tears. In time, the storm shall pass, the heart of Margaritaville will beat again, and there will be songs to sing forever in tribute to a man who touched millions. No, the coming Labor Day weekends will never be the same. The following Mondays will sting, but eventually, the blender will start to spin. We will once again find our one particular harbor, and all live happily ever after every now and then. Count all your blessings, remember your dreams.... Jeff Pike September 4, 2023  It is amazing what 24 hours can bring. I woke up yesterday to the crippling news that Jimmy Buffett had left us, and today I opened my exhausted eyes to a beautifully written article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution mentioning me, A1A, The Atlanta Parrot Head Club, and discussing Jimmy's passing and how Atlanta was dealing with it.
For so many of us, yesterday was devastatingly difficult. I am humbled, flattered, surprised, and deeply moved by the viral response to my Facebook post yesterday paying tribute to the passing of Jimmy Buffett. You will also be happy to hear that our sold-out A1A show last night at The Boot Barn Hall in Gainesville, Georgia, was a phenomenal success in every way. I have so many people to respond to and much to share. Everything has changed overnight, and it is hard to take in. I have an emotional hangover today, the size of Texas, but please know that I am reading your emails and texts. Each one is special, and I thank you for taking time out of your life to share your thoughts and deepest feelings with me. Please enjoy and share the article, play Jimmy's music all day, hell, all week, and find joy in the music, legacy, love, and friendship he left us with. Love to everyone.  Last night, like so many countless nights before, over the past 40-plus years, I went to bed with a Jimmy Buffett song playing on an endless loop in my mind, and like always, it kept me from sleeping. I no longer consider that a bad thing when my insomnia has a good soundtrack. I haven't in years. I just roll with the tide. Yet, when I awoke this morning, the wind had unexpectedly shifted, the tide was rolling in, and I felt an instantaneous realization that an unprecedentedly dreadful and unavoidable hurricane had finally made landfall.
The music, lifestyle, and global community that surrounded the man and all he stood for and gave us is that of legend. Jimmy Buffett was responsible for bringing an unfathomable amount of people together. Be it for fun, community outreach, relationships, careers, sharing memories, fantastic music, concerts, and a good story, or to simply sit on a boat or beach and look at the sunset while his music plays softly in the background. I find it difficult to believe that this morning, September 2, 2023, anyone who followed in his wake can fully process what Jimmy's departure profoundly means, what a lifetime lived, unprecedented, and like no other. Like the universe, the ripples in the ocean of life that his drop made will expand forever. It is impossible to measure. He gave you a personal island in your soul, like no other where you could retreat to when the world was just a little too much to handle or whether you just wanted to blow off steam, smile, enjoy life, turn up the radio, and crank up your blender. I have had the distinct honor and pleasure of making a living performing my tribute to Jimmy Buffett's music for the past 34 years. I cannot even imagine how my life's songline would have played out or where I would be today had it not been for the man and his music. I haven't the words to describe how the ripples of his music affected my journey. Perhaps in time, they will come, but this morning, I feel adrift at sea, alone in the doldrums and praying for the wind. Jimmy Buffett, the man, all his band members, and his organization have always been very kind to me, stood behind the band, and given us many great opportunities. I have so many spectacular memories. We had a fantastic gig last night in Tucker, Georgia, and unfortunately, or fortunately, it is how you look at it; we have a show this evening at The Boot Barn Hall in Gainsville, Georgia. If I could, I would cancel, for I have no idea how to get through it in one piece, but the show must go on. I am sure Jimmy would agree. If you can make the show tonight, that would be wonderful. We can all say goodbye to an old friend together. I could definitely use a shoulder. Ironically enough, tonight is our official Labor Day Weekend show, and Jimmy set sail for the last time yesterday evening, probably while I was onstage singing one of his songs. One of my fondest musical memories of my youth is falling in love with 'Come Monday' at the tender age of 13. Little did I know how far the love of that song would take me in life. It seems poetically fitting that Jimmy came to us through his first hit and pulled the curtain down for his last bow, heading out full circle for the Labor Day Weekend show. My deepest sympathies and condolences to Jimmy's family, friends, bandmates, the entire parrot head nation, and the thousands of people I have had the honor to get to know and to perform for through the music and life of Jimmy Buffett. His was a life well lived, a long and memorable lovely cruise. September 2, 2023 Jeff Pike  Listen On Spotify
With the recent vast public attention around the catastrophic and tragic fatal accident of the Oceangate Titan Submarine, which occurred on the way to visit the wreckage of The Titanic, I was reminded of a song I wrote and recorded some year ago which deals with the ignorance selfishness of man and the harshness and beauty of the ocean. In 2008, I was commissioned by The Save The Manatee Foundation and The Tampa Bay Parrot Head Club to write and record a song to be included on a CD that was being produced by The Save The Manatee Foundation entitled "Saving Paddy Doyle." The CD's objective was to bring awareness to the rising danger of man to the Manatee. I was given the topic of "The Steller Sea Cow" as my topic. The Steller Sea Cow was a forefather to today's Manatee and was discovered by Georg Steller in 1714 in the Bering Straits in the North Pacific Ocean. They were docile, friendly, family-loving, and trusting creatures, which soon led them to complete extinction due to humanity's greed. I encourage you to read all about The Steller Sea Cow by visiting this link. - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steller%27s_sea_cow When setting out to compose "The Steller Lines," I wanted the lyric to be relatable to those who knew the story of Steller's Sea Cow and those who did not. It is a sad story of loss and greed that takes place in the ocean for the Sea Cow; however, we all experience loss, death, and greed in some form throughout our lives, so I wanted to make sure it would resonate with everyone and in doing so, I might be able to encourage some to gravitate to learning about The Steller Sea Cow and the danger of which our saltwater and freshwater manatees face today. I pray for the lost souls who perished at sea while traveling to see the Titanic. I hope this tragic accident will encourage the scientific community to treat the power and boundaries of the ocean with the respect it deserves. Know when to say no. Life is so fragile, and our world is so unpredictable and powerful. Both should be highly respected and handled with great care. I also placed the song on the A1A 2008 CD release, Beachwrecked. I hope you enjoy my song and will share my music with your family and friends. Jeff  Around this time every year, I still find it challenging to decide how much to share about the year that has just passed so quickly. I do not want to come off as long-winded, yet I like to share as much as possible; well, providing my news is worth sharing. Ok, I am already ascertaining that I am writing unnecessary words, so I will get to it. First things first - Happy New Year to everyone. For those who are alive to read this, God bless you, and congratulations - we made it, and many did not, so please take time every day to express gratitude and thanks for just being alive. While I am giving thanks for life, I want to thank my creator from my hands and knees for the blessing of still having my mother and father alive to share this past year and Holiday season. We have had two extraordinarily long years of caretaking and moving back and forth, which has taken most of our time, patience, energy, and resources. But when all is said and done, and we are together at Christmas, regardless of what walls surround us, we are deeply grateful to have the opportunity to care for our parents. On a more positive note, many good things happened in 2022. My year started in January as it has for the past eight years by hitting the road with MANIA - The ABBA Tribute Show. I cannot believe eight years have passed since I first put on my platform boots and satin pants. We toured North America from January 26 to March 14. It was very successful, and I made many more happy memories to cherish as the years pass. If you want pictures and videos from my MANIA tours, check out my Instagram and TikTok accounts. You can find the links under the Social Media Page here at JeffPike.com. You can also find detailed and personal tour blogs filled with pictures and videos under the Ramblings From Jeff page at JeffPike.com. Enjoy.        Keeping in the spirit of routine, as it has for the past 30 years, when springtime arrives, it is time to don my flip-flops and get ready for spring and summer of fun with A1A. I never cease to pinch myself onstage and revel in gratitude for all the incredible musicians who comprise A1A. I am incredibly blessed to have some of the best musicians in the country in my band, and I am very proud. We had a great season this year and once again had more fun than one should be allowed to get paid for. I will repeat it - I am very lucky. It is a bit too cold to be out by the pool now, but stay calm, A1A fans and Parrot Heads, springtime will be here before you know it, and we will be back out playing live again.                     One of the highlights I had this year was returning to perform at Sharky's in Panama City Beach, Florida, for the annual Parrot Head Rendezvous Trop Rock Music Festival. My good friend and ace harmonica player, Dave Matchette performed with me. Jeff Pike folklore still floats around the panhandle for all the years I spent performing at Sharky's back in the 1990s. I have not performed there since 1997, and it was surreal and joyous to return. Everything felt full circle, and I am excited to say I will be returning in April of 2023.        In other long-awaited news, I will finally release my new album, which I did with Gino Vannelli, 'Right Where I Am,' later this year in 2023. (www.ginov.com) We have been working this past year with Ross Vannelli on music videos to promote the album. (www.rossvannelli.com) Presently we have completed four videos, with more on the way. We are thrilled that 2023 will see the release of what I feel is the best music I have ever recorded. It is beyond a lifelong dream come true, and I am anxious for the world to hear this astonishing record. It is a departure from what most people have listened to me perform, but I am confident that, like it or not, you will be very impressed. This is going to be spectacular so stay tuned.       In another beautiful coincidence, while out in L.A. working with Ross Vannelli on videos for 'Right Where I Am,' Ross quickly came to know Kathy Mullen and all about her non-profit, Mullen's Miracles, with which I am also involved. Being very sympathetic to the ever-growing problem of mental health and suicide, Ross wanted to become involved and help as much as possible. As of this writing, we have completed two original songs and videos for Mullen's Miracles. I perform the vocals and acoustic guitar, and guitarist Chris Blackwell plays the electric guitar. Ross Vannelli performs, produces, and engineers the rest. All of the songs were recorded at his studio in L. A. Our goal is to eventually have an album of at least ten songs with accompanying videos for a potential band or me to perform at speaking engagements and benefit fundraisers, at which Kathy Mullen and other guests will be speaking. We head back to L.A. on January 8 for two weeks to work on more new songs and videos. We have a lot of great things in store, so stay tuned, and if you want to volunteer and get involved with us, visit our website at www.mullensmiracles.org. We are always looking for passionate volunteers.       On December 18, we had an invitation-only fundraiser for an early preview of our first official and, for now, private music video, 'I Keep The Light On,.' We also auctioned off a guitar signed by Ross Vannelli, Chris Blackwell, Kathy Mullen, and me, and those who made donations were given a private link where they could download their video copy. The event was beautiful and successful and was the perfect way to take out 2022. I will write more about that and share more pictures in an upcoming blog later this week, for we have big plans for 2023.  Amidst all the work this year, we did get out and see some live concerts, something I have loved since I attended my first concert in 1972. (FYI - My first concert was David Cassidy in Atlanta, Georgia. My second was The Carpenters later that same year.) Due to not being able to see many live shows over the past couple of years, I made up for it a little this year. Bob Dylan, Elton John, The Atlanta Rhythm Section, Daryl Hall, Todd Rundgren, Chicago, Brian Wilson, Rod Stewart, Cheap Trick, Ringo Starr, Alice Cooper, Larry Carlton, John Waite, Mannheim Steamroller, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Ticket To The Moon and Meet Loaf all had the pleasure of having me in attendance at their performances in 2022. :-) Time is marching on, and I have seen quite a bit of it go by. I have been blessed in many ways and experienced many beautiful and magical events in my life. However, if I combined all of them, their beauty and emotional impact on me would not come close to how I felt this past year on October 14, 2022, when my daughter, Ashton, got married to Blake Schuck. It was a perfect day, and dancing with my daughter at her wedding was by far the most emotionally satisfying and joyful 3 minutes of my life. I mean that with all sincerity. The years passed quickly, and this memorable day arrived much sooner than I had expected, but it was a journey well worth taking. I don't anticipate that anything else I experience here on earth will top it. Thank you to the great spirit and Ashton for giving me the gift of a lifetime of being her father.     MANIA - The ABBA Tribute hit the road once more in October for a month. For me, it was a perfect tour. It started for me at The Peoria Civic Center in Peoria, Illinois, where the spirit of Dan Fogelberg accompanied me. It ended in Atlanta, Georgia, surrounded by countless friends and family. In case you missed it a few paragraphs up, if you want pictures and videos from my MANIA tours, check out my Instagram and TikTok accounts. You can find the links under the Social Media Page here at JeffPike.com. You can also find detailed and personal tour blogs filled with pictures and videos under the Ramblings From Jeff page at JeffPike.com.     I sit here astonished at how this past year and ten years have so quickly flown. I tell you honestly that I have never felt the quickness of time and the brevity of life quietly intrude into my soul as much as I have this past year. To quote a classic song by The Allman Brothers, 'I ain't wastin' time no more. Cause time goes by like hurricanes and faster things.' I have a lot yet to do. I have much to think about, amends to make, dreams to dream, and new music to write and record. For more detailed updates, check out current 2023 projects at JeffPike.com. I come from a family of procrastinators, and after spending years thinking about it, I believe this dreadful disease may be embedded in DNA passed on from generation to generation. But then again, it might result from too much time spent at the bar and onstage in the past. Or if you believe the immortal words of Jimmy Buffett, there might be a woman to blame. Hmm...now that I seriously sit here and think about it, in my case, I believe it is a hybrid of all three. At any rate, it is time to leave past times behind and get on and dig in with what life I have left to live and what I still have to offer the world. Assuming you have read this far and are interested in my music, here is your call to action. If you still need to get on it, please sign up for my mailing list by emailing [email protected]. As for Social Media, please "like" and, most importantly, "follow" my Facebook pages so you will not miss any important updates. I am also on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, etc., and all of the necessary evil social media. You can find links to all these under the Social Media Page at JeffPike.com. I look forward to seeing you there. I wish you happiness, good health, love, and a spirit filled with compassion, empathy, and beautiful music. Happy New Year, Jeff Pike January 1, 2023  |
ABOUT"Ramblings From Jeff" - is a dedicated personal blog page within JeffPike.com written and posted by Jeff Pike. 
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