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.
I'm in a fitness protection program. I'm been hiding from exercise.
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 11, 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.
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
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MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
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Join Tobin as he takes you on a tour of the new user interface in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®! This modern GUI redesign offers a sleek new look with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, and a smoother workflow. The brand-new side toolbar puts track selection, the MultiPicker Library, and other essential tools right at your fingertips. Plus, our upgraded Multi-View lets you layer multiple windows without overlap, giving you a highly flexible workspace. Many windows—including Tracks, Piano Roll, and more—have been redesigned for improved usability and a cleaner, more intuitive interface, and more!
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Windows Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
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Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 21 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.
Introducing XPro Styles PAK 10 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 10 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 28 RealTracks and RealDrums!
Few things are certain in life: death, taxes, and a brand spankin’ new XPro Styles PAK! In this, the 10th edition of our XPro Styles PAK series, we’ve got 100 styles coming your way! We have the classic 25 styles each from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, and rounding out this volume's wildcard slot is 25 styles in the Praise & Worship genre! A wide spanning genre, you can find everything from rock, folk, country, and more underneath its umbrella. The included 28 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Here’s just a small sampling of what you can look forward to in XPro Styles PAK 10: Soft indie folk worship songs, bumpin’ country boogies, gospel praise breaks, hard rockin’ pop, funky disco grooves, smooth Latin jazz pop, bossa nova fusion, western swing, alternative hip-hop, cool country funk, and much more!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 10 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.
Introducing Xtra Styles PAK 21 – Now Available for Mac Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher!
Xtra Styles PAK 21 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 Xtra Styles PAK installment—the all new Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher)!
Rejoice, one and all, for Xtra Styles PAK 21 for Band-in-a-Box® is here! We’re serving up 200 brand spankin’ new styles to delight your musical taste buds! The first three courses are the classics you’ve come to know and love, including offerings from the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres, but, not to be outdone, this year’s fourth course is bro country! A wide ranging genre, you can find everything from hip-hop, uptempo outlaw country, hard hitting rock, funk, and even electronica, all with that familiar bro country flair. The dinner bell has been rung, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 21 today!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Energetic folk rock, raucous train beats, fast country boogies, acid jazz grooves, laid-back funky jams, a bevy of breezy jazz waltzes, calm electro funk, indie synth pop, industrial synth metal, and more bro country than could possibly fit in the back of a pickup truck!
Special offers until December 31st, 2025!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 21 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 21 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 21 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.
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