Granddaddy Mack: News

A entertaining video by GDM Music Studio Productions.

This is a thank you note for all the special people that put up with me and my special requests when I visit their towns and cities. I love to travel and don't mind driving hundreds of miles. When I'm ready though to rest my body, I go to certain motels and lodges. The staff know when I'm coming so they make me feel special by granting my request. Thank you Tracie, Gamma, Ashley, Sarah, Shelia, Leshonna, Ed, Misty, Charlotte and anyone else I left out, sorry, but you know who you are. Thanks for making my stay pleasant and putting up with my wacky, but meaningful to me, request. You always make accommendations for me even if I forget to call ahead. GDM

I've noticed that some misguided fans, new ones to this site, are trying to post ads, baby blogs, come-ons, wrong info, all sorts of things on the "guestbook page". These messages will never make for the public to see. They will be deleted. This is NOT the place to post this type of junk. The guestbook is here to let me know that you visited the site and either liked what you saw or not. This is the first place 90% of the visiters go. If you want to post, comment, flame or any of that nature, email me. See where it says, "Email - join" ? on the opening page. Thanx.....GDM

Yes, some of my music clips are missing in action. Had to do some spring cleaning to get the older tunes out of there to make way for some brand new, hot, better sounding, better clarity, just better than ever before. I know some of you were getting used to going in there, clicking on your favorite ones and boom, you're there. Well, not trying to discourage you or anything, but as you know in the music world, things evolve and revolve all the time. The original CD's are still available in their full length versions. As I create more music, I like to give the listeners a wide choice. So, with all that said, take a listen to the "new" favorites. GDM

Went to the gathering at River City Brewing Co. Sunday to meet and talk with Chris from CD Baby and Mike from KDVS. They both had very good pointers for getting your CD's out there. Most of all and what stuck in my mind most was to follow through, after submitted your CD, instead of just waiting, call or email the person in charge of hearing you and ask what they liked or didn't like about your CD. Hopefully they liked it and will submit it to the musical director for play in regular rotation for that radio station. It all boils down to knowing "who" to send it to. I have several key personnel that I send regular emails to and they respond with a playlist for that week. I am usually on it somewhere. Its a good feeling to know that hundreds maybe thousands of listeners are diggin your sounds. Thats a giant step and what you want. Keep playing, keep on keepin on. GDM

Today, April 18, 2008, Granddaddy Mack is featured on the opening page of www.broadjam.com. This gives GDM Music Studio Productions exposure to millions of listeners and fans. Over 2.5 million visitors see this everyday, key music personnel, fans, music lovers, artist, radio stations. This is a great way to get more recognition and let people know you exist.
11 major radio stations all over the United States will get the opportunity to play and include the track," I Sleep Alone" in their regular rotation starting Monday, April 21, 2008. Again, this is HUGE !!

On March 18, 2008, GDM Music Studio Productions went worldwide. That is, the CD's are available in Europe, Japan, China, Russia, France, Bulgaria, etc. All a person has to do is ask for GRANDDADDY MACK and there it is. What a great concept ! Thanks everyone who purchased CD's and helped support GDM. I know I don't know everyone, but that's cool, you know me. Music is universal, you don't have to know the language its written or played in, the question is, DOES it MOVE you? Apparently so... I will keep on moving in this direction, so you can have what you want. GDM

People have been asking for info on how I make my beats. Now, you know I'm not telling all my trade secrets, but I will say this, you have to work at your craft to get it right. You have to be dedicated to what you do if you want to reap the rewards. I don't know how many of you are following my tracks over at Acidplanet.com, but so far this year, everything I brought to the table has done very well as far as ratings go. Other artist are judging and rating my music. That's a good thing because it lets the producer know how the music affects the listening audience. I rely on my fellow members to give me positive (sometimes negative) feedback and I use this accordingly. So, my friends and listeners, head over to "Acidplanet.com" tap music, choose genre, its "jazz" view by "current top songs then "go" and there I am, somewhere in the list...happy hunting...GDM

What if everyone who wanted a CD, got one. I've been thinking about this for a while now, this is what you can do, go to the MAIN page, in the upper right corner it says, JOIN, fill this out, (this information goes to a separate section that only I can access) tell me which CD (Granddaddy Mack's Only) you want, pay the shipping, a few dollars, and the CD will be on its way. Sounds crazy? I don't mind being crazy like that. I love my listeners and this is one way of returning something back to you for all support you've given.

For those of you who would like to just purchase one track, go to Itunes for a high quality (320 bkps) single track downloads or the whole CD. You can save yourself a few dollars. Thanks, GDM

Well good people, I am just walking on a cloud about now, my new #1 hit is currently riding the charts on Acidplanet.com acid jazz category (http://www.acidplanet.com/music.asp?M=0&V=0&G=43&t=3913). This is my second time holding down that spot. On this CD, is my girl, Ahjee on bass and her partner in crime, Cissy, on MV-8800. Man, are they ever good...I must say, its worth a listen, go to : http://Kunaki.com/MSales.asp?PublisherID=110807, to purchase this, since you really do like modern jazz. This piece reminds one of a soothing warm summer day or night. Peaceful, light touch of a southern breeze, just right. Its the ambience, the melody, the whole thing. Thanks all my fans and listeners for making this happen again.

I noticed that many of you have been shopping, that's good, so when it comes to actually purchasing the products, checking out, you stop. Well, all transactions on this website are very safe and secure.When you click on a link or ad, you go to the actual site we are sponsoring. These sites are also secure (look for the "Hacker Safe logo" or other safe symbol). We do not store, keep or track card numbers or shoppers personal data. Any information that is transmitted through each merchants website is through secure servers. Most use 128-bit encryption techniques, the same encryption banks used when you check your account balance or do any of your bank business online. If you have any questions or concerns, please call me @ (916) 484-5753.

Interview with Granddaddy Mack at LA North (GDM Studios in Sacramento)


Traci Keith: How did you get started playing music? And what instrument did you play?

GDM: I was 4 years old and I started banging on the piano that was supposed to be my sisters. She wasn’t the bit interested though, so I kept at it for many years.

Traci K: Did you have any music education?

GDM: No, it was just listening and playing what sounded right.

Traci K: Did you join any bands?

GDM: Yes, there were several that I formed but one band, Project Soul, as they was known at that time, was my first band that I wanted to really be part of. At practice sessions though, they didn’t seem as serious as I was, so I quit. They later on went to the Watts/Stax festival in LA and played on the stage with Isaac Hayes, Rufus Thomas, Chaka Khan, etc. They are now known as Con Funk Shun.

Traci K: Did you sing?

GDM: I never thought my voice was good enough for that.

Traci K: How did you get into jazz?

GDM: I used to go over to SF on Divisidero where all the jazz clubs were to listen to Miles Davis, Getz, Herbie, Monk, all the early pioneers of jazz play the circuits.

Traci K: What is the creative process when you make a song?

GDM: I just play a tune that I like and build on it. I like to start with the drums and bass parts. The melody falls into place with chords and accents. Then I put the instrumentation in the gaps to get that full sound. It’s sort of like making a meal, you have your main course and everything else is a bonus.

Traci K: Are you a songwriter?

GDM: To be honest, I try to write simple songs but they always end up being long multi-instrumental pieces that take on different flavors as they develop. So for simplicity sake, most of my tunes are inspirational. I start playing it like I own it, it grows from there. That’s when I take it to the next level.

Traci K: I noticed that your music keeps changing, sometimes its funky and bluesy, very urban. Then the next CD will be, almost classical, very clean but always fresh though.

GDM: I don’t like to be restricted in what styles I play. Narrowing down my mood at the time I’m creating is not an easy task. Different outside elements often effect my mood and it comes out in the music. You might say, music is my stress reliever. I try to prioritize my music time so that I’m dedicated to recording, mixing or creating and that is what’s going on at that time.

Traci K: The music in the background is mellow, when is that going to be on a CD?

GDM: That’s one of my new cuts from a yet unnamed album. It will be featured with 9 other tracks that are similar in style but not content. Mostly mellow stuff with a touch of ambience. Something you can throw on and press repeat for hours I’m hoping.

Traci K: Well, it certainly has my vote for that. It was nice chatting with you, Mr. Mack. I wish you well on your endeavors and everyone is looking forward to your impending live tour in ’08.

GDM: Why thank you Traci, you have a blessed day and I will be letting you know exactly when that tour is going to start.

Traci K: I see that you have a new studio. Who built it? And what are those machines and foam looking things?

GDM: I built this studio looking for an acoustically perfect space for my recordings. Unfortunately, I learned there is no “perfect” room. This representation comes real close though. It has everything, baffles, absorptive panels, quadratic diffusers, bass traps, broadband absorbers, “clouds”, panels that help the room’s frequency response and decay time.

Traci K: Yeah, okay, what you just said sounds VERY technical. I suppose though it all boils down to you are attempting to achieve the best sound possible for your CD’s.

GDM: That’s why I hired you, you are so smart.

GDM: You see, its like this, when you hear sound waves coming out of the speakers, and you’re directly in front of the speakers, you also hear sound reflected off nearby walls and other surfaces and that sound depends on how far away the nearest surface is the reflects the sound back to you. As the direct waves and the reflected wave combine, the time/phase delay can cause cancellation and reinforcements in the sound waves, changing the tonality of what you’re hearing, comb filtering. Since sound travels about one foot per millisecond and any reflective surface within 10 feet or so of the listening position will cause problems. (Side walls, ceiling, equipment, mixing console, etc.)

Traci K: This space has an odd shape is there a special reason for that?

GDM: Again, its all for that certain sound, Where absorption uses various materials to absorb the sound wave’s energy, diffusion scatters the sound wave, breaking up a single reflection into many smaller reflections. The odd shape is like a stealth bomber, no surfaces reflect directly back to the listener. Because there are no big reflection going back to the listener, first reflection problems are reduced and flutter echo is eliminated. While reverberation won’t be eliminated, scattering and breaking up the reflections tends to result in smoother reverberation at a lower level. Better sound overall.

Traci K: Wow ! You say you’re a producer, but you sound like a professor at college. How did you learn all this diffusion, reflection stuff?

GDM: After graduating from high school, I got serious with my music. Every chance I got, I read book after book on sounds, mastering, mixing, producing, everything music. I got to watch some of the masters at work. Some of the material I remembered, some things, I have to go back to the books to refresh. Then again, music is my life, my life is music.

Gotta go, my 2 o’clock is waiting. Caio

Well good people, what I thought would be an experiment in marketing has grown into a full blown advertising monster, (A good one at that! ). I was going to try a few advertisements to help companies attract a few new customers and WOW !!! Check out the "Buy" section. Now have people waiting in line for their turn. Companies like: Enesco, Blue Dolphin, Ligthing by Gregory, Black Hound, ShutterFly, Montgomery Wards, Home Vision, Medicus International, Good Times Entertainment, Luggage OnLine, Easy Comforts Vision Direct, Drugstore.Com, Beauty.Com Jillian Michaels, South Beach Diet, Picaboo and many more. I gotta clean out a closet - make room for them which is not going to be a problem. I got PLENTY of room here. So, thank you people, where every you are, for helping GDM and they above mentioned end the year with over 10,000 hits a day? or is it a week? or a month? I don't know, but the stats don't lie, all I know is this thing is ballin into a giant shopping mall. One BIG fantastic place to go when you want to window shop and actually purchase something. Feel free to go ahead, buy something. Have it shipped right up to your job/door when the UPS/FedEx person comes to pick up your outgoing, he can leave your little something, something. That way nobody, knows you got it. How clever !!
Love ya, GDM.

Yes, this is the season to be ....what good? Well, I think you should all be good all the time. Why? Because your KARMA, that thing that follows you around always, will come back and bite you. Just when you think you got away with something, BOOM, something happens, something you didn't expect. THAT'S karma.. there's good karma (like winning a lottery or something like that) and there's bad karma, (like your car breaking down just after you paid all your bills and got no money left for repairs). Anyways, watch what you do and SAY to people, it just might come back and bite you...happy holidays...GDM

I noticed that most of my devoted fans and visitors are looking for products, goods, merchandise, etc. People love to shop, I do anyway, so I put a few links up of places that I use. Go to "Buy" section of the website. I would like for all of you to use them as well. Its the shopping season, so not to be a scrooge, I thought it would be nice to share with you. Enjoy your shopping experience, please let me know if any of the links are not working for you, I'll check it out/fix it right away. GDM

Well, after we all got "Stuffed" on Turkey day, I looked around the next day and noticed, hey where is everybody? Vacation, man, " no bodies " minding the store. So, here I am, 2 other people, the most dedicated ones, reporting for duty. You know we, at GDM have a lot to be thankful for. We have our good health, can still afford to "drive" to work, and have hope, hope that everything is going to be fine this day and the next. I love this time of year because I have the rare opportunity to see most of my family together in one place, talked to and enjoyed the company of each and everyone, caught up on old times, just had a good time. This frame of mind, a happy spirit, I'm hoping will stay with all of us as the year plays out.

Wishing you all happy Holidays. GDM

Every one is trying to make their own music. This is a good thing, but there are a few things you should know first. First of all, you have to have a program that will play wav, mp3, ogg, and other musical files. I would suggest Sony Acid to start. You can use loops or record your keyboard and other instruments. Second, you need a program to master your mix. I would suggest, CD Architect, also by Sony. With these two programs, the door is open. Learn everything you can about mixing, blending, and finally burning your mix onto a CD. (if you want to submit your work to a company. Most companies don't accept or like MP3's.) You must experiment until you are satisfied that your creation is ready for the world. Try it on several different systems (and in a car) to see how it stacks up against factory produced CD's. You may have to go back and tweak your mix until it comes fairly close. (it takes a lot of experimenting and practice to get a home grown CD to sound like what you buy in the stores). So don't expect your first creation to be perfect, don't give up,keep at. Listen to my first CD, "Funkamatic", then listen to "The Best of GDM", big difference. You need to purchase plugins or other specialized software that can boost/enhance your tracks.The first thing I do is equalize the tracks so they have that punch. Then add the ear candy. Don't just turn the volume up, this will give you distortion. Pay attention to the db meter. Better yet, record lower than what you think is maximum, that way you have some "headroom" to tweak your mix. Keep the overall level just below zero. The better your equipment and knowledge of what you're doing, the better you music will turn out. It helps if you can watch someone who has been doing this already. Look over their shoulder, ask questions as to why they do what they do. Be patient, you will get there. GDM

Hey, we got a new category in the building, Gospel, yes, the word, good old fashion honest feelings, down to earth gospel music. As you can tell I'm excited about it and proud. This is the one area we need to concentrate more than ever. We NEED this category, understand me..It makes me feel good to talk about it and sing about it. I find a certain peace when listening to gospel music, its where I started and I surely don't need to stray from it. So, listeners, feel free to venture there, listen, be inspired, be touched. I know I am...GDM

The CD,"The Best of GDM", is now available from Kunaki.com. It features some earlier hits, remastered, and a coupla new joints, never published until now. I urge you to pick up your copy, its heading for "platinum" status. Be one of the first to get your copies of the first run. (These will be the most valuable). Thanks again for all your support. GDM

Yep, been away, makin beats and re-mixes for, T-Pain, Akon, & Public Enemies remix contest. Check out http://www.jamglue.com/people/granddaddymack for all the latest joints. Tell all you friends about this site. Vote for and choose this for your favorites, the winner will get their mix played by Akon and Public Enemy along with other prizes. Vote for Granddaddy Mack...

Well, good people, I know you guys missed me, I had to come back. Tracy did a fair job, but I kept hearing people say that she didn't keep it real enough. She didn't write enough often, so I re-assigned her to another task.
Well, I've been to Canada to check out the jazz festival facilities, Monterey, ditto. I have been corresponding with Martin in Portugal about their Jazz Festival. Our listenership in Russia has increased 20 fold, WOW !!!, we here at GDM Studios love you, and thanks for being faithful listeners. Keep telling your friends. Almost 70 countries now are following GDM .New stuff is in the works, purchased some vintage gear to achieve a different sound for the next CD Project. The big swim party has been cancelled. Dust is settling , people are getting serious around here. Work, Work and more work. Smile, it helps...I'll get back to you..promise...GDM

There's page on this site that I would like you to look at, it's the press/review page. On this page is a subject called "stats". This means that there are countries that listen to, follow, subscribe to, buy CD's and would also like LIVE performances from GDM studios. This is a very important issue because it lets us know where our fans are, and how often they visit the site, what country shows the most interest, and where we are likely to go when the world wide tour begins. So, things are still perculating, our street team has distributed over 25000 cd's and counting, things are going quite well.

GDM is working on a collaboration with Black Star Entertainment which will add HipHop/Rap to its category. These young men have opened for several well known rappers and we feel they will be an asset to GDM Music Studio Productions. Look for a possible single in the very near future. Also, on another note, the up and coming spoken word artist, Chinare, is putting the finishing touching on her premier release which should be dropping around the holidays. Look for these exciting new artist that have joined GDM Music Productions.

They're playing "I Don't Understand" right now (3:00-PM Pacific) on Live 365.com Today's Jazz.. This is one of internet stations that play my music 24/7, no commercials. Give it a listen, they are very good. Become a VIP listener..
GDM