The Mouthpiece Story

So I told the "Mouthpiece Story" to a bunch of beginning band students. It is actually a true story but I tell it to encourage students to clean their mouthpieces. I do not plan to tell it here....it could be the last time that anyone reads this blog. Just let it suffice to say mouthpiece hygiene is important.

On Friday I told the same story to a few band teachers. A couple of them turned green. I think I won't tell that story again for another year.....

Maybe I should include it in book 2?

Programming is everything.

Last year my principal told me she needed to observe me teaching class a couple of times so she could record her official evaluation. So I invited her to come on the day I was teaching beginning band clarinet players how to play high notes. She only lasted ten minutes. Later on she mentioned I was doing so well she wouldn't need to return for the second evaluation...

Code of Silence

OK. I am breaking the code of silence. Once I finished my summer tour, school started, I started doing a lot of gigs, went fishing and wrote a little on book 2. Blogging dropped in importance, hence the code of silence. However, a person needs to sometimes say stuff. Like...

It's kinda fun getting royalty checks from Amazon. I mean, I won't be buying a yacht soon but the book seems to be doing ok. People are starting to hear about it, there have been some nice reviews, and it beats delivering pizza at my age.

Also, every day that the school band meets I am reminded of the stories I wrote and why I wrote them. My psychiatrist felt it was a good way of helping get rid of the stress created by the beginning band. On mornings that I would write I was more apt to actually show up to school. And I think writing actually helped with the shakes, as well.

BTW: some Everett people have been asking where to get the book locally. You can find it at Solid Rock Coffee Company, 10025 19th Avenue Southeast #102  Everett, WA 98208.

A week off.

I have had a week off of book stuff, music stuff, and work stuff. Been sailing, working around the house and will be golfing tomorrow. I haven't written anything on book 2 for 6 days. Do I feel guilty? No.

Auntie's

Today marks the end of my book signing tour. I will be at Auntie's Bookstore this afternoon between 1 & 3PM. Any Spokanites are welcome to come down and say "Hi." Then home!!
It's been fun for a little over a week but I am reminded why I left "the road" for more permanent digs.

I really enjoyed eating at Abrosia Bistro out in the Spokane Valley last night. Had the short ribs and the chef, Mitch Thomas had it nailed! If you are out that way it is a MUST for dining.


Tonight I sleep in my own bed!!   : 0)

"and Books, Too!"

I'll be at the "and Books, Too!" store today in Clarkston, between 4 & 6PM. You can see the story here: http://inland360.com/event/book-signing-by-washington-author-gregory-metcalf/.

Book and Game today.

I am excited to be at the Book and Game store in Walla Walla for my book signing today. I'll be there from 12 noon to 2PM.
I also enjoyed playing with the John Moawad All-Star Band this last Sunday at the Jazz In The Vally Festival in Ellensburg.
So I'm on the road and this is short.................

Ellensburg

Headed to Ellensburg on Saturday morning (7/28). Started doing book signings at Pearl Street Books & Gifts beginning 10AM. It was a pleasure to meet owner Michelle who is into horses, skiing, and books, among other things. The store is very nice, homey but new, and they have various club meetings and events. I just love the Indie book stores. If you get a chance to stop by Michelle's store, say "hi" from me.

I also played with Jake Bergevin's Javatown Swing Orchestra that evening at the Jazz In The Valley festival. What a lot of fun!

Whirlwind

Wow! This is my first opportunity to write about this short whirlwind tour and since it is late, it won't be in detail this time. It is now Monday at 12:18 AM. On Friday, I woke at 3:30 AM to get ready to cruise down to the Bookworm in Richland. I enjoyed talking with owner, Cindy. She was concerned about the cancellation of the "farmer's market" style event usually held on her block due to the Allied Arts show. However,  37 copies of Help! I'm In The Band! were signed in Tri-Cities, with most of them being sold in her store. It was also great seeing a few past friends during that signing.

It was also a blast playing with Frank & Debi of ThreeJazz at Bookwalter Winery. The trio was "on it" and Frank was at the top of his game. Can't wait to return.

I'll talk more about the rest of the weekend after some sleep.............

A New Review

The book, "Help! I'm In The Band!" received a nice review from James A. Cox from Midwest Book Review. He makes the comment, "An offbeat tale blends humor, fishing, and those with their own dreams of band membership, "Help!" I'm In the Band" is a fine and much recommended pick..." You can read the rest of the blurb at Midwest Review.

Also, I am encouraging any who are willing to write a review about the book at Amazon. The more reviews that come in, the better chance to get distributors to look at it. You can also "Like" it on the Amazon link.

Getting ready for the short book tour in less than a week!

Eastern Washington

I have wrapped up the schedule for the first part of August. Unfortunately my schedule doesn't quite work out with the Wenatchee/Leavenworth area...they like the Friday-Saturday thing and I just won't be able to make that work this time. So here is the plan for my book signings:

July 27, Friday, 10AM to 12PM.  -- The Bookworm --  Richland, WA
July 28, Saturday, 10AM to 12PM.  -- Pearl Street Books & Gifts --   Ellensburg, WA
August 1, Wednesday, 12PM to 2PM.  -- Book and Game --  Walla Walla, WA
August 3, Friday, 4PM to 6PM.  -- and Books, Too! --    Clarkston, WA
August 4, Saturday, 1PM to 3PM.  -- Auntie's Bookstore --   Spokane, WA

There are a few performances that go hand-in-hand with the signings:

July 27, Friday, 7PM to 10PM.  -- Bookwalter Winery--  Richland, WA

July 28, Saturday, 8PM to 9:30PM.  -- Jazz In The Valley --  Ellensburg, WA

             (w/Jake Bergevin & the Javatown Swing Orchestra at the Moose Lodge) 

July 29, Sunday, 2:30PM to 4PM.  -- Jazz In The Valley --  Ellensburg, WA

             (w/Jazz In The Valley All-Stars on the Main Stage) 

August 2, Thursday, 6PM to 9PM.  -- Roosters Waterfront Restaurant --    Clarkston, WA 

So if you live in Eastern Washington, you have no excuse for not coming out and saying "Hi" at some event! I've tried to get around to all of the regions. Besides, you might actually enjoy the music or get a laugh out of the book. You're probably in one of the chapters. If you are one of my ex-students, I know you are in chapter two. 

Put a date or two on your calendar and I'll see you soon. - gm

Books will be arriving!

So Auntie's (Spokane) wants books. University Book Store (Mill Creek) wants books. So if you haunt those places or those places haunt you, plan on the books being available in those stores by the middle of next week. Hope to see you at Luca's tonight. I'll be the one with a soprano sax.

A Day Off

  So yesterday was my first real day off since....ok, I don't remember. I probably should have been organizing for the jazz camp I direct, or maybe do more work on the book tour in Washington State, or possibly practice for the upcoming gig on Sunday, or vacuum my car, or clean the garage, or update my   book's FB page.
  Instead, I went sailing with Cap'n Jack. I made the mistake of calling him Captain Jack and almost had to walk the plank, if you could fit a plank on my 15 foot sailboat. I found out that Cap'n Jack is the correct vernacular if you don't want people to know you're a landlubber in the first 60 seconds. Cap'n Jack is at home commanding the vessel. In fact he is so at home that he wanted to go after some pirates who had their rap sounds cranked so loud you couldn't hear the bald eagles right over our heads. I told him that ramming the craft was not what my sailboat was built for, especially since the winds were too light for ramming speed.
  And.....we finally have summer in the Puget Sound!!! So, I spent the morning today (67%) on the back patio, having breakfast and writing. Family still in bed. Ahhhhhhhh.

Who's busy?

OK. So I've been a little "overscheduled" lately. That's a new word that I am writing into my dictionary because I couldn't find it there. I looked. I have no doubt that I've been "overscheduled" but my dictionary doesn't think so. My trust relationship with my dictionary is has taken a turn for the worst. I mean, how can you trust a dictionary that doesn't have the word, "gooder" in it? I thought my dictionary was gooder than that.

So my wife asked me when I was going to fix that table leg. This caused me to think about all the extra time I have. Except for school, my lesson schedule, jazz camp auditions, and my book schedule, I am totally bored with all the extra time. Arrrgggh....why am I blogging?

Bookworm - July 27

For all you Tri-Cities peeps....I will be signing books at the Bookworm in Richland on July 27, starting at 10AM.  And because you can't have a book with the strong theme of music without the real deal....my trio, ThreeJazz, will be performing at Bookwalters Winery that same evening. Many of you know the talented Debi Eng and Frank Eng, who make the other two-thirds of ThreeJazz. Let's parrrtyyy!

Reviews!

For those who might make it to one of this summer's book signings: I will be posting the schedule as soon as more dates are locked in. Expect to see me at the Bookworm in Kennewick, "andBooks, too!" in Clarkston, then Ellensburg, Spokane, Wenatchee, Bellingham and some others.

Also, the distributor is mentioning that there are not many reviews on my Amazon release. He says that having a lot of reviews is a good thing for getting the right people to carry it. I guess I am noting this to y'all because I am hoping to get more people to add a review to the Amazon page. I am not one to typically write reviews, but now I see the necessity of having reviews, especially if this book has a chance of going national.

So if you have a moment, don't click on FaceBook, yet. Instead, click here and post a quick review. Thank you from your local tonal manager.

Summer Tour

As of now I will be performing at the Bookwalter Winery in Tri-Cities on July 27, Ellensburg's Jazz-In-The-Valley on July 28 & 29, then head to Clarkston for August 2. These performances will coincide with author presentations and book signings. As I know more I will let you know. If I get somewhere near you I hope you will come out to one of the events and say "hi." - Greg

More stores to come....

Lake Forest Park and Clarkston, Washington are being added to the cities who will participate in the grand opening. Things are starting to move. Now if I could just get my cat to move...off of my favorite easy chair! Anybody else have an animal as demanding as ours?

Village Books

I am excited about the official release of "Help! I'm In The Band!" in July. An author presentation is being looked at for Village Books (Fairhaven) in Bellingham during July. Hoping to make it one big party!

New Ideas

I have been coming up with many new scenarios for book two. It just amazes me how many ideas just pop up from everyday life....at least in the life of a teacher. Even though education is of paramount importance in my classroom, the space I teach in sometimes becomes the laboratory for the growth of new ideas. There is no better place to find new concepts and unimagined experiences than in the middle school classroom...especially the "band" room.

For example, my intermediate band was learning a style of music called the tango. Of course, I had to demonstrate the tango while they were playing the piece. Instantly, one of my clarinet players pops out of his chair and wants to tango, too. That made think of ways to keep kids in their seats. I came up with
velcro
contact cement
super glue
bungie cords
and
duct tape.

Instant material for a chapter!

Maybe I missed a better way of securing said student? If you think of one, feel free to comment. Please leave out any dangerous ones :).

The business of publishing

So the book has grossed almost $1,000 and I figure I'm only in the red about $150 after advertising. Who would have figured? All-in-all, some of the people in the business are telling me this is actually a good start. I guess we'll see. I think making a Parachutes Adams fly for fresh water casting might be easier. Or even making a goose call out of a clarinet mouthpiece. I'm hoping the book will pick up in July or else I'll just head to my favorite fishing holes.

Washington and California Journals

If you are a member of Washington or California Music Educators look for the book ad in the summer issue of your journal (Voice magazine for Washington). Getting closer to the July 1 opening in stores!

Coming soon to a store near you...

As a sign of respect, I decided to come down with what is keeping 20% of students out of schools. I hope they appreciate.

It is interesting to note that one can do a lot of writing when one is prone. I guess that's a good thing? Oh, well. I was able to get some business done as well. Three more reviewers are looking at the book and I have come close to locking in the release date for stores.

We are now looking at the official release in stores as a possible July 1, 2012. This will coincide with some of the ads that will be out in late June. The digital release should be about the same time or slightly earlier. I know I was trying to get that going a little quicker but the I guess the promotion machines move a bit slower.

Of course, the hardest thing is getting the word out and maybe the ads in May and June will be a boost. This blog alone has had over 850 hits since it came out a month ago. There I go being optimistic again!

Murphy's Law

A Murphy's Law: 

The amount of writing one does is inversely proportional to the time left before taxes are due.

New Day - New Material

So I have already begun work on book #2. I am having a lot of fun picking on those fictitious characters. Ragweed is back along with Cranky, Blap, Tom, and a whole bunch of the notorious from book #1. Just when I think all of the stories that can be written about Lost Hollow and their infamous band have been written, a new spark emerges. Of course, there are some new characters introduced, and I DO mean characters.

I have been getting quite a few emails and FaceBook messages with good reviews on book#1. Solid Rock Coffee Company says they need more books and Amazon is starting to pick up. Maybe this book just might start moving out of the NorthWest?

Signed quite a few books!

The book signing was lots of fun last night although one of my signatures looked like it was going on a credit card bill. Lots of folks showed up, Nikki sounded great, and a bunch o' friends were having a party time! Chef Chris was on the top of his game...had the Filet Mignon. The reduced sauce was amazing! I wonder if I show him one of my favorite fishing holes he might share that recipe???? The staff at the Wild Vine were just wonderful, as well. Thanks all. We'll have to do it again, just to get everybody together.

By the way, if you would like to follow this blog or have emails sent showing the latest of the "Help!" goings-on, sign in down below. 'til next time Happy St. Patrick's Day. Watch out for Leprechauns and green Sasquatches!

Tonight! Book Signing Party at Wild Vine Bistro.

Yours truly will be signing books at the Wild Vine Bistro between 8 & 11PM. Stop by and get a scrumptious meal prepared by Chef Chris Feller and hear Nikki Schilling sing and play piano. Who knows, I may have to read my favorite excuses from Chapter Two. And just maybe you'll find out if those wild and crazy characters in the book were based on......YOU!


See ya there.
Tonight: March 16, 2012

Wild Vine Bistro

18001 Bothell Everett Hwy
Bothell, WA 98012
Reservations (425) 877-1334.

http://maps.google.com/maps/place?q=Wild+Vine+Bistro&cid=5845839498643276693

The REAL Field Trip

Today I was at a local music competition, which is similar to the one from the first chapter entitled, "The Field Trip." We didn't get to see Barney Wertelmeyer or even "Blap" but the essence of the trip was there. Instead of the snooty "evil" queen running the show, there was a very nice guy who was quite supportive as organizing chairman.

The bus driver was actually able to reach the pedals and nobody forgot their music. One school DID manage to forget some of their percussion gear, however. So, if you've ever witnessed one of these music competitions, you will enjoy "The Field Trip" so long as you can enjoy it vicariously!

Seeds

I have mentioned before to some readers that the "seeds" of my stories come from actual events in my career. It's amazing how many new kernels of arm-chair wisdom just keep popping up. I have already begun work on my second book. Later on, I'll be sharing some of the chapter titles of my second book in this blog.

As you notice some themes from story lines emerge, you might be tempted to think, "Wait a minute! That's about ME!" And you would be right...all 428 of you, or 723 of you, or.... It never fails to impress me how often students think that a certain event happens to them alone, when reality states that there is not much new under the sun. However, when I write my stories I like to go back to that first event that I witnessed. It tends to give me much more freedom in a technique I call "conjuring."  : 0)

More coming soon to a blog near you.

I Forgot

So one of my student's parents said that her kid uses the "I forgot" excuse quite a bit, lately. Anybody remember what number excuse that one is out of the 200 excuses listed in Chapter Two?

Book signing on March 16

If there is a choice between watching another reality tv show or hearing Nikki Schilling sing at an awesome restaurant, there is no choice. But what if you got to hear Nikki, eat a meal prepared by Chef Chris Feller, and get your book signed by yours truly? When and where is this event, you ask?

Friday, March 16, between 8 & 11PM at the
Wild Vine Bistro,18001 Bothell Everett Hwy
Bothell, WA 98012
Reservations (425) 877-1334.

I mean, really, if you're going to sign books with the title, "Help! I'm In The Band!" shouldn't there be music along with it? I am so looking forward to it mostly because Nikki will be singing. But I think I'll get that "Fruit of the Sea" pasta dish to complete the experience unless somebody comes up with a better choice for my entree. Hope to see you there. -gm

Chapter One is posted

I have placed Chapter One, "The Field Trip," as one of the pages of this blog.  I hope you enjoy. If you do, feel free to leave a comment. If not, then accept Stan Kenton's usual reply, "The heck with ya!" Stan's words might have been slightly more colorful than that.

A couple more venues.

So, if you want to get your paperback now and avoid waiting, "Help! I'm In The Band!" will be available at Solid Rock Coffee Company.

You can also get yours at Tula's Jazz Club and Restaurant this Sunday evening, Feb. 26, 2012, during the performance of the Jim Cutler Jazz Orchestra.

Conference was good.

I arrived back home after another conference. Various performance groups were on the top of their game. All-State Jazz Band, under direction from Chris Vadala, was awesome. Improv clinic was a good time but it sure blasted by fast. Both Tony and Dan from CWU did a wonderful job, along with Alec Wilmart. Zachary did a great job demonstrating. Now for sleep....

Diamond Jubilee

So I am hanging out at the WMEA Conference (Diamond Jubilee). I gave one of my books to Chris Vadala, who is the director of the Washington All-State Jazz Band. He says he'll read it on the plane home.   Speaking of the jazz band, they are cooking! It will be an awesome concert on Sunday night at the Capitol Theatre.

Books at Solid Rock Coffee

Beginning Tuesday, Feb. 21, "Help! I'm In The Band!" will be sold at Solid Rock Coffee (on 19th near Costco).

Too Late

So thought I would have some books for the WMEA Conference. Turns out they will show up one day after the conference is over. :(       Will just have to give out a few bookmarks... :)

BTW: I'll be posting the first chapter of the book soon.

Tula's

The gig at Tula's was fun today and a few books were purchased. I got a kick out of James reading some of the excuses from Chapter two's Excuse List.

Solo & Ensemble today.

I will be at the MPMEA Solo & Ensemble Contest today. Unfortunately, I won't have any books with me because all that I had were sold...except the ones that will be at the Jazz Police gig tomorrow. Of course, one can definitely order from Amazon. I'll have another batch in about a week. Just didn't think they would sell this fast. :)

It will be fun to see some of the student musicians who were an inspiration for some of the stories. I hope they all do well at the festival!!

Wow - 135 speechless page loads today...literally.

So Blogger tells me that there has been 135 page loads to my blog, yet not one person leaves a message? Not even a "Hi...how ya doin?" "How's the fishin'?" "Run into any bison lately?"
Don't get me wrong. I'm glad for the interest in the blog, but I'm nervous that my fingers might get arthritis if they don't type somethin'.....

The Few are here!

So my small batch (for quality control) have arrived. Way too excited about this after three years! If you want to order from Amazon, here is the path:

Go to Amazon.com and type this ISBN in the search window:  9780615586229

Even though there are more on the way, I just ordered just twenty for my quality control use. I have kept five of the paperbacks but will be selling the other 15 at the Jazz Police gig at Tula's Restaurant in Seattle (www.tulas.com) this Sunday, Feb. 12. Of course it will be first come - first served but please, no riots from either of the two of you who show up! Jazz Police plays from 3:00 to 7:00 PM.

If you want to have one of the first 15, be there.....or be....

  ^  ^
\____/

The Few & The Proud

So I ordered just twenty books to make sure they are all in good condition, fonts look fine, and the physical look is right. If they are good, then I will make the larger order. Thinking about actually selling the first 15 of them at the Tula's jazz gig on Feb 12. Just sayin'......

First books to arrive.

So I am excited that the first books will arrive on Wednesday for my scrutiny. A few have asked about a book signing. Even though talk of such a thing is in the works, I'm thinking of having a book shower instead. You know, maybe with an announcement about how much it weighs, the length, wether it's a boy or fiction or nonfiction. I could have party favors like bookmarks, book covers, book bags, reading glasses.....

Final Proof

I have requested what may be my final proof. Book may be available sooner than later. If you are interested in getting one of the first of twenty expected copies, comment below and let me know. - Yours, Greg.

Received 2nd proof

Received 2nd proof yesterday. Not many corrections so I already submitted my new pages and a slight tweak to the cover. Maybe this is the one!

2nd proof mailed today.

So I just got word that my second proof is in the mail. Hope this one is right or else I won't make my Feb 10 target date for the release. Hoping for the best.....

Proof is finished!

Done with the proof book. Will send to the printer today!!! :)

Welcome!

I am so glad you landed at my blog. So far, this site is devoted to my soon to be released book, "HELP! I'M IN THE BAND!" Feel free to check out the pages listed above for more information.

I started this book project in the summer of 2008. With my teaching and gigging schedule, it was a cram just to get this done in three years. But I figured I needed to write this book to warn parents of the possible events and sounds they may have to endure as a band parent. Alas, my students found out about the writing of this book and have taken great care in hiding any mention of it whenever their parents get too nosey. So this blog is for you, parents. If you don't read this book, don't say I didn't try too warn you about your band parent future!

Finally, I finished in August of 2011. That's when I actually started this blog. I converted my notes to pages in January, 2012. Unfortunately, being adept as I am in blogging, I lost the few comments that I had when I adjusted this page. But I am having fun now!

There is information about the book in one of my pages. Also, as I worked through how to get this book out I dealt with agents and publishers. To see my decision on publication, you can read the page on publication.

Let me know what you think!