Hello Forum friends, and a belated Happy New Year!! Also, congrats to all of the showcase award winners.....a wonderful and talented group! My Mac internal HD died around December and I've fought to get everything set up again....an amazing nuisance! I also did not have my PG password (on the old HD). Anyway, here is my latest release, a song I wrote last Summer, but may be even more timely now. I would love to know what you think, and I will catch up soon on listening. Take care all. Greg
The Great Divide
It’s hard to know where the fault lies Hard to see where things went wrong Not so long ago we were united And we were strong
Maybe it’s just human nature A mistake we must repeat From the jaws of victory Somehow we will snatch defeat
Everyone better run for the trenches Show your loyalty and pride This is your call to action Your own midnight ride We must gather all our defenses Time has come to pick a side Choose your truth and choose your weapons In the great divide
Money flows from DC to Wall Street Barely touching main street hands And they both will spin their message Say they understand
And the media thrive off the damage Of the war they help create Like parasites They feed off discontent and hate
Everybody, run for the trenches Show your loyalty and pride This is your call to action Your own midnight ride We must gather all our defenses Time has come to pick a side Choose your truth and choose your weapons In the great divide
We’ll pit brother against brother Let go of all we had before So keep your head down or take some shrapnel In this uncivil civil war
We must gather all our defenses Time has come to pick a side Choose your truth and choose your weapons In the great divide
Hi Greg - great song! I love the use of 'ooo' backing vocals and also the slide guitar solo - reminded me of George Harrison's style. The vocals also remind me of Randy Stonehill - not sure if he's around the place nowadays.
I found it interesting the contrast of lyric theme with the musical style. The lyrics can be interpreted as a call to arms, whereas the music is very calming - the latter being something we all need right now. I am commenting from the southern hemisphere, but these issues bleed over to here as well. I think the real solution is the messy middle - coming together to recognise differences and find some common ground. Music is one of those things that can bring us together.
Greg, cool throwback to classics like "Eve of Destruction". Really well sung. Very nicely arranged for emotional effect. Sounds like all BiaB backing, is this right? Love your song!
DC Ron BiaB Audiophile Presonus Studio One StudioCat DAW dual screen Presonus Faderport 16 Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
Greg, you often remind me of Jackson Browne, and the comparison is particularly apt here. (I will say that I think you're a somewhat better singer than he is.) This sounds like it came from the "Lives in the Balance" era. Then you add the David Lindley-like slide guitar and the illusion is complete. Great track, thoroughly enjoyed it.
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
I think it's a beautiful song and you sing it really well. I like the contrast between the soft and positive musical style and the critical lyrics. Well done!
"And the media thrive off the damage Of the war they help create Like parasites They feed off discontent and hate"
Yes sir! That paints an accurate picture! Greg your voice is one of the best anywhere, not just here in this forum! The background vocals are also really great in addition to your lead vocals! Love that slide stuff going on. You've put together a great sounding track! Here's hoping you get all of your tech issues sorted and that it doesn't hinder you sharing more beautiful music!
Greg, what a fantastic song. Great vocal and outstanding lyrics and mix
[quote=Greg Johnson..................................... And the media thrive off the damage Of the war they help create Like parasites They feed off discontent and hate ................................. [/quote]
Those lines are so true. If the main stream media were just honest journalist and quit pushing hate it would be a much better place.
I got banned from Weight Watchers for dropping a bag of M&Ms on the floor. It was the best game of Hungry Hippos I've ever seen!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
It's a very pop song reminiscent of late 60's folk rock. The subject matter of the lyrics also vividly expresses the current world situation. Your jazzy songs are wonderful, but your folk songs are just as great. Your vocals are also very comfortable. Enjoyed my listen a lot.
Greg...as usual you have created a great piece of music stylistically and lyrically...your vocal work is always stellar and your musical sensibilities are always spot on...I agree with the sentiment of the song except for one line..."Not so long ago we were united"...not sure when that would have been...I recently watched a documentary about Thomas Jefferson and it seems to me that we have always been divided on one thing or another...one of the inevitable by-products of "freedom" is division...it's always been that way in the United States...it's incredible that we "manage" it as well as we do...okay off the political commentary...really nice song...love everything you post...best regards...Dan
www.soundclick.com/firesong BiaB 2024, Steinberg Cubase Pro 13, Wavelab 11.2, SpetraLayers Pro 10, Audacity, Steinberg UR44 Interface, Yamaha Genos, Roland FP60 and FP10, Windows 10
You are who you are because you do what you do because of what you believe.
Great protest song musically and lyrically. I like the lyrics "In this uncivil civil war", plus the use of the term "parasite" is very apt as I use that term myself for the same kind of persons!
Some favourite Waoist Adages: #1: Play on the Way. #13: Ask not for whom the flower blooms, it blooms for you. #58: Bring consciousness to it. #63: On the road to effortlessness, effort must be made. #92: Be Love Now, the rest will come on its own.
I appreciate your amazing nuisance in resetting your computer. But, man, not as much as I appreciate your talent for writing and singing great songs. A terrific mix, too. Excellent lyrics. Man, I'm right with you on all you bring out with those outstanding lyrics. Sensational sounds. Your best song, Greg, but I say that with whichever one of yours I'm listening to.
I also got Jackson Browne vibe, always nice to hear an enjoyable and melodic pop song with meaningful lyrics. "Maybe it’s just human nature/A mistake we must repeat/From the jaws of victory/Somehow we will snatch defeat" nicely expresses the unfortunate dilemma.
Your smooth voice and the carefully constructed band create a winning combination to present the message. Those backing vocals sound also great.
This is a pretty cool song man. As others have said, it does sound kind of Jackson Browne! Very nice!
I myself am actually feeling pretty positive about the potential for some pretty awesome changes this year, which will give more freedom to creative people to return to their own creative individuality and constitutional rights without a sense of fear. Live and let live. I actually feel the country is lightening up a bit, people are laughing more, comics are being funny again, nitwits are being ignored and mass insanity is on the decline.
Whenever someone tells me it's time to pick a side I say sure that's easy. I think I'll go with the creative and happy people.
But enough of my yakking! Spring time is here and it's time to get happy!!!
😃
Anyway a great Jackson Browne type song man! I really enjoyed it.
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
Greg, you have always had one of my favorite voices on the forum. You certainly have not lost a step. The style is reminiscent of JB as is the social political commentary. Very well written and performed. I liked it a lot! Stay well.
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
Playable RealTracks Set 4
RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean