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#737099 11/02/22 09:21 AM
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Hi All!

Funny story about this song. I created the music using ONLY Band In A Box many years ago....way before Real Tracks took off. Clearly Real Drums were available. I don't have the original BIAB file so I'm not sure what style I used. Band In A Box really changed my life as far as songwriting and performing goes!

Anyway, I was a fan of American Idol way back when I wrote this song. They had a contest...write a song for the winner of American Idol to sing on finale night! So I came up with "By My Side." I thought about the winner being so happy to have won, but the lyrics reach out the other contestants who did not win, as well as the viewers who voted for the winner! i.e. the winner graciously sings they wish the other contestants and viewers could be "by their side."

Clearly, I did not win the contest and I kept this song under wraps for years. Shortly after I wrote it, I ended up getting a great gig in Atlantic City, headlining my own show, and performed there every year for an entire month for 8 years.

Thought about it recently and realized how lucky I was to get that gig in Atlantic City, on the same stage as Frank Sinatra performed 23 times. I met so many fans and lovely people who attended my shows. So I decided to bring this song out the closet and make a video of my highlights in Atlantic City!

The Result: https://youtu.be/aY1MH611VNA


Songwriter, singer, performer
http://www.michaelmcgeehanmusic.com
mpmcgeehan #737114 11/02/22 03:00 PM
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Hi, Michael.

Nice song, fun video! Looks like you put on a great show.

Is that a Sonny & Cher bit at 3:58?

Glad you took it off the shelf.


-- David Cuny

My virtual singer development blog
Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?

BiaB 2025 | Windows 11 | Reaper | Way too many VSTis.
mpmcgeehan #737134 11/03/22 01:08 AM
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So good, Michael. Outstanding vocal, and I really like the idea of writing for the winner and nodding to the "losers." That only should have won you the contest. Very entertaining video.


Enjoy whatever happens!
marty

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@babumusic51
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/marty-straub
Band in a Box, Reaper, Cakewalk, Ozone 12, EZDrummer
mpmcgeehan #737135 11/03/22 01:14 AM
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Michael,
Neat song & fun video. Excellent vocals! Tasteful arrangement and very clear mix. Listens well and thank you for sharing.

Misha.

mpmcgeehan #737140 11/03/22 01:29 AM
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Great memory to have and you obviously have the entertaining personality for the gigs you did in Atlantic City. Excellent song BTW.

Dewey

mpmcgeehan #737170 11/03/22 04:10 AM
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Outstanding vocal, mix, and video.

That song should have won - period!


My boss calls me "the computer".
Nothing to do with intelligence. I go to sleep if left unattended for 15 minutes.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
mpmcgeehan #737179 11/03/22 06:11 AM
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Michael...that was really nice!...the song was perfect for a American Idol finally...(my daughter tried out for AI back in the day)...your vocals are great...I can see how and why you got the gig in AC...the video is fun and helps us get to know you...great write and great performance...hope we see more of your material here! 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.
mpmcgeehan #737197 11/03/22 08:08 AM
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Wow, great to have a career in music, that must be so rewarding. Good song and very good singing. And look at all the smiles you created in your video! That's gotta feel good. Thanks for sharing this.


Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
dcuny #737315 11/04/22 08:07 AM
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Haha, good observation! That is me being both Sonny and Cher...that outfit made for me by a very talented Drag Queen Seamstress! lol


Songwriter, singer, performer
http://www.michaelmcgeehanmusic.com
mpmcgeehan #737426 11/05/22 04:12 AM
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Hi Michael,

Great song.
You have a very good voice.
Video is fun!

Rob and Anne-Marie


We are Rob Meulman and Anne-Marie Bovenkamp from The Netherlands.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1gsdNLE7_Gy8qavoOplQow/videos
http://rnam.net/


mpmcgeehan #737436 11/05/22 05:40 AM
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Song with touching lyrics like this would be perfect for a winner of any idol contest. Sounds like an unjustly forgotten classic. Enjoyed the emotional video. Great vocals.

Janne


Hear My Music:

Soundcloud
YouTube

mpmcgeehan #737510 11/05/22 09:23 PM
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From the intro all I could focus on was how a rebuild with Real Tracks would make this incredible.


Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
rayc #738352 11/12/22 01:05 PM
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excellent vocals.great high notes.

nice stops.

superb song and production.

kudos.

om


my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..)
https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs
(90 songs created useing bb/rb)
(lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
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