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 ASUS I9-12900K DAW, 32 GB RAM 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.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
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.
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
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.
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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):
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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.
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