We're back again Lately we've done a lot of gigs and I've also been pretty busy with a Speech Recognition software add-on I created. We are very happy to be among the 2018 showcase winners and would like to congratulate all other winners!
We're kicking off this year with one of my favorite RnAM ballads. I wrote it a while ago but it was never posted. Let's say the lyrics are semi-autobiographical
As always comments are encouraged!
Rob
Style is _12-8PNO.STY (12/8 Solo Acoustic Piano ) PianoCustom Synth is Synth/Plugin Loaded Style MIDI Instruments are : Acoustic Piano (Kontakt), 1922:Bass, Electric, TexasBluesRockSlow12-8 Sw 060 895:Piano, Acoustic, Solo-Accompaniment PopSlow12-8 Ev 060 529:Guitar, Acoustic, Strumming Hank Sw 065 2267:Synth, BellPad, Rhythm 80sPopPads Ev 085 2650:Guitar, Electric, Background DreamyPopBalladFillsBrent Ev 085 RealDrums: Nashville128^01-a:SideStick, b:Ride
We are Rob Meulman and Anne-Marie Bovenkamp from The Netherlands.
So nice to have you back on the fortum. I've been rather spotty with my attendance, too. But i get here as much as I can.
This is just so good! You two post of the most professional sounding music on the forum. It's always a pleasure to click onto one of your songs. I really enjoyed this - the video, too! Terrific work!
Great work here RnAM! You guys really nailed this one. It sounds truly sincere and heartfelt, and definitely gives an emotional vibe. It’s got a great groove, and those melodies got stuck in my head after one listen. I’d imagine this sounding phenomenal played live at a wedding. Plus, the production is top notch. I wouldn’t bat an eyelash hearing this on the radio.
You should be proud of this one - thanks for sharing with us
This song had me actually swaying at my desk. I can feel the emotion in it. I love whenever you listen to a song and can feel moved. I think you guys did a great job, and congrats on your win!
Rob & Anne-Marie, There`s so much to enjoy in this song - others have mentioned the production which is tasteful and professional (as ever!). My interest was taken by the emotional depth here - the cameo vocal by Anne-Marie making such a nice contrast to Rob`s sweet lead and addind something mysterious. Though they are easy to hear it would be nice to see the lyrics. One of my favourites from your repertoire.
Very very good Rob and Anne Marie!! You are absolute professionals at what you do. The vocals are stellar and nobody on the forum does video any better! Great! Thanks, Torrey
Nice one. Classic RnAM style with the very interesting and unique chord changes you seem to like. It is one of my favorite things to listen for when I am listening to one of your songs. This one did not disappoint.
It's been a while since I heard some of your work. I enjoyed this one.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 02/01/1804:54 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Truly a RnAM classic. Beautiful melody and chord progression. Excellent vocals, including backing and Anne-Marie's part. Great use of instruments, I like especially the piano part at the end and the solo guitar.
Beautiful song. The stereo field is fantastic in the headphones. Super vocals and I also listen for your signature unexpected chord changes. As usual they are there and you always make them work. The production is pro all the way. As a long time waterman and diver I enjoyed the video, Tom
I'm not surprised by your admission that the song's lyrics are "semi-autographical", because the title, "How Are You?", is an intimate, concerned way of addressing a human being, which suggested that the songwriter(s) was/were referring to, and recalling a personal experience wih someone who must have mattered a great deal to him/her.
The RealTracks/Drums you selected to adorn your lyrics -- and the singer's voice -- lent an Elton John-ish feel to the song, while sustaining a dreamy, starry-eyed sound that was reminiscent of the more passionately emotive 50's pop ballads such as, "I Only Have Eyes for You."
The backwards-in-time-looking lyrics really command the listener's attention as they describe feelings such as regret, dashed hopes, and the painful effort of offering wishes of well-being to someone your heart cannot let go of.
That the song was so brief heightened its dramatic effect.
Sweet!
Sincerely,
LOREN
"Music is what feelings sound like."-- borrowed from a Cakewalk Music Creator forum member, "Mamabear".
It’s a beautiful song with great vocals as Robert very eloquently stated, “My interest was taken by the emotional depth here - the cameo vocal by Anne-Marie making such a nice contrast to Rob`s sweet lead and addind something mysterious.”
The production and particularly the piano add to the melancholy feel of the lyrics and melody.
As always your choice of video clips and their arrangement well support the lyrics and mood.
Kudos you two!
J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
zplane recently interviewed Peter Gannon, the founder and creator of Band-in-a-Box, about the software's early days, what sets it apart from AI, how zplane's audio algorithms are used in Band-in-a-Box, and more!
Special thanks to the team at zplane for their continued support.
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Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
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Lately we've done a lot of gigs and I've also been pretty busy with a Speech Recognition software add-on I created.
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