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Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2015
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Today is the third anniversary of the massacre at Sandy Hook elementary school. I wanted to make a Christmas song, but one that honored the sacrifice of those children and all who have died in mass shootings since then. ****** Song Summary ************* Title: Christmas in America File:Christmas in America.SGU Key=D , Tempo 130, Length (m:s)=6:03 No intro. 194 bar chorus, from bar 1 to bar 194. Repeat x1 chorus No Melody No Soloist track. Song is saved with Volume, Pan, Reverb, Chorus, Bank0, Song is saved with bar changes for Volume Changes, Style is M_80SYRK.STY (HardRockLA w 80s Synth[120MST]) PianoCustom Synth is Hi-Q 082 01 Synth, Analog, 80sPad SampleTank.tgs RealTracks in style: 995:Bass, Electric, HardRockLA Ev 120 RealTracks in song: 661:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm TexasRockCrisp Ev 120 (A:simple) RealTracks in song: ~1030:Guitar, 12-String Electric, Fingerpicking Ev 120 RealTracks in song: 698:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ElecRockDirty Ev 120 (A:muted) RealTracks in song: 657:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm TexasRockChop Ev 120 RealTracks in song: 2276:Synth, Rhythm DiscoElPianoHigh Ev 120 RealDrums in style: RockHardLA^3-a:Snare, HiHat , b:Snare, Bell Ride Christmas in America GGGG GADA D It's another Christmas in America GADA and old Saint Nick is packing the heat GA DAG You better take care, keep your hands in the air AGD when Santa comes rolling down your street DDDD DEmGA This song is for Jesse, for Dylan and for Grace DEmGA and especially for Noah, who was shot in the face DEmGA when the parents saw the bodies, they lost all control DEmAD cause a Bushmaster slug makes a two inch hole DEmGA In the nurse's office, Miss Sally heard a sound DEmGA Shooter! Stay put! She dropped to the ground DEmGA Miss Lauren hid her first grade in a bathroom down the hall DEmAD The shooter found them, he killed them all. CHORUS DEmGA If a bad guy can be stopped by a good guy with a gun DEmGA Well when it comes to good guys, Santa is number one DEmGA he travels alone, hauls a fortune on his sleigh DEmAD He's not looking for trouble, just stay out of his way DEmGA He follows the news, knows what it's all about DEmGA the hatred, bigots, crazy nuts, and that's just in the South DEmGA When Santa visits America, you know he's coming strapped DEmAD whoever crosses him will be sorry they attacked CHORUS DEmGA The 20 kids at Sandy Hook won't see Christmas again DEmGA So many die each day, tell me when will it end DEmGA America is in trouble, and can't tell right from wrong DEmAD Congress fears the NRA, all I have is this silly song CHORUS CHORUS https://soundcloud.com/willrockwell/christmas-in-america?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=facebook
ProTools 12, Faderport 8, Melodyne, JBL monitors, Novation UltraNova, Yamaha MX49, Stratocaster, Telecaster, Rickenbacker 12, Ovation 12, Vox VT20X amp
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Very well done. Love it when lyrics tackle a story relevant to the current times. A sad story indeed.
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Today is the third anniversary of the massacre at Sandy Hook elementary school. I wanted to make a Christmas song, but one that honored the sacrifice of those children and all who have died in mass shootings since then. Writing this review is hard. Probably the hardest review to write of any song I've given an opinion on. The children didn't sacrifice, they were slaughtered. This is a really, really hard topic to write about. It has to be done carefully, with forethought, and much discretion. Personally, I think this topic should have been handled with more taste. Sure it's a tough topic, and it can be addressed in song, but perhaps, in a more thought-out and tasteful manner. I don't see how Christmas and getting shot in the face go together or Santa "packing heat" and making people "sorry they attacked". In fact, it seems to be more biased to make guns and southerners look bad than to honor the children you claim it is about. Let me point you to a song about another hard topic..... domestic abuse where a murder suicide occurs and the child has to witness it..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiEPjwnbf_oOR.... wife/spouse abuse and alcoholism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VPpAZ9_qAwNotice that both songs are about murder suicide. You get the idea and understand it completely, but it's not in your face. Both are quite tasteful in their approach. Independence Day, in fact caused quite a bit of controversy despite it's intelligent way of dealing with a tough topic in a tasteful manner. I'm not saying don't write this.... just put more thought into how you are going to say something. The way things are said will turn many listeners off. Sorry if this review seems harsh. That's the way I see it. My 2 cents.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 12/15/15 03:58 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd 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.
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Very well done Will!! But, a bit dark. You did a great job on everything-vocals, mix, and arrangement/production. Very good work! Take care. Greg
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 325 |
Today is the third anniversary of the massacre at Sandy Hook elementary school. I wanted to make a Christmas song, but one that honored the sacrifice of those children and all who have died in mass shootings since then. Writing this review is hard. Probably the hardest review to write of any song I've given an opinion on. The children didn't sacrifice, they were slaughtered. This is a really, really hard topic to write about. It has to be done carefully, with forethought, and much discretion. Personally, I think this topic should have been handled with more taste. Sure it's a tough topic, and it can be addressed in song, but perhaps, in a more thought-out and tasteful manner. I don't see how Christmas and getting shot in the face go together or Santa "packing heat" and making people "sorry they attacked". In fact, it seems to be more biased to make guns and southerners look bad than to honor the children you claim it is about. Let me point you to a song about another hard topic..... domestic abuse where a murder suicide occurs and the child has to witness it..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiEPjwnbf_oOR.... wife/spouse abuse and alcoholism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VPpAZ9_qAwNotice that both songs are about murder suicide. You get the idea and understand it completely, but it's not in your face. Both are quite tasteful in their approach. Independence Day, in fact caused quite a bit of controversy despite it's intelligent way of dealing with a tough topic in a tasteful manner. I'm not saying don't write this.... just put more thought into how you are going to say something. The way things are said will turn many listeners off. Sorry if this review seems harsh. That's the way I see it. My 2 cents. Thank you for your considered thoughts, they are greatly appreciated and well written. I haven't attempted to write my thoughts about this song, I'll try now. Last week when the San Bernadino shooting occurred, I decided to write something topical, and frame it as a Christmas song. I noticed the anniversary of Sandy Hook was coming up, and set myself a deadline, write and record a Christmas song about Sandy Hook and release it on the anniversary, December 14. I had five days. As I researched the Sandy Hook shooting, the details broke my heart. There were fifteen first graders, hiding in a bathroom with their substitute teacher. Adam Lanza (whose name I refuse to mention in the song), found them and killed every one. Little Noah Pozner took three shots from a Bushmaster assault rifle, his parents left the casket open at his funeral so people could see how his face was destroyed. I could not just write a song about the horror, no one would listen twice. It had to be catchy, repeatable, even funny in parts, with a dark side. I wanted to swing your emotions all over the place, and leave you with the feeling that America has a serious problem with mass shootings, but will move on and celebrate Christmas regardless. So I focused on Santa. Of course he would be carrying when he comes to America, who knows what idiots would try to shoot him down. I wanted the chorus to be catchy enough that you want to hear it again, and will hear the verses about Sandy Hook along the way. By the way, I recorded and mixed this on Pro Tools, my first effort. This was an automated mix, and I am enjoying the new flexibility. All my previous songs were recorded and mixed on a Tascam DP24, and pretty much had to be mixed in the arrangement.
ProTools 12, Faderport 8, Melodyne, JBL monitors, Novation UltraNova, Yamaha MX49, Stratocaster, Telecaster, Rickenbacker 12, Ovation 12, Vox VT20X amp
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User Showcase
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139 |
Today is the third anniversary of the massacre at Sandy Hook elementary school. I wanted to make a Christmas song, but one that honored the sacrifice of those children and all who have died in mass shootings since then. Writing this review is hard. Probably the hardest review to write of any song I've given an opinion on. The children didn't sacrifice, they were slaughtered. This is a really, really hard topic to write about. It has to be done carefully, with forethought, and much discretion. Personally, I think this topic should have been handled with more taste. Sure it's a tough topic, and it can be addressed in song, but perhaps, in a more thought-out and tasteful manner. I don't see how Christmas and getting shot in the face go together or Santa "packing heat" and making people "sorry they attacked". In fact, it seems to be more biased to make guns and southerners look bad than to honor the children you claim it is about. Let me point you to a song about another hard topic..... domestic abuse where a murder suicide occurs and the child has to witness it..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiEPjwnbf_oOR.... wife/spouse abuse and alcoholism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VPpAZ9_qAwNotice that both songs are about murder suicide. You get the idea and understand it completely, but it's not in your face. Both are quite tasteful in their approach. Independence Day, in fact caused quite a bit of controversy despite it's intelligent way of dealing with a tough topic in a tasteful manner. I'm not saying don't write this.... just put more thought into how you are going to say something. The way things are said will turn many listeners off. Sorry if this review seems harsh. That's the way I see it. My 2 cents. I have to go with Herb on this one. Please understand, I will fight for your right to express your opinions, as a fellow American. However, indicting the entire "South" in a tragedy that occurred in Connecticut (a State with draconian gun laws), and perpetrated by a madman, is a bit disingenuous. I've lived all over the country, and choose to live in the South. I find less racism, bigotry and arrogance here. Merry Christmas!
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 325 |
I have to go with Herb on this one. Please understand, I will fight for your right to express your opinions, as a fellow American. However, indicting the entire "South" in a tragedy that occurred in Connecticut (a State with draconian gun laws), and perpetrated by a madman, is a bit disingenuous.
I've lived all over the country, and choose to live in the South. I find less racism, bigotry and arrogance here.
Merry Christmas!
[/quote]
the line about the South is a joke. I was born in the South, my great grandfather fought for the Confederacy. That said, the South has a higher percentage of gun crazy nuts than the rest of the country.
ProTools 12, Faderport 8, Melodyne, JBL monitors, Novation UltraNova, Yamaha MX49, Stratocaster, Telecaster, Rickenbacker 12, Ovation 12, Vox VT20X amp
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“...the line about the South is a joke. ...” “...the hatred, bigots, crazy nuts, and that's just in the South...” Yeah. I probably misread that. It is pretty funny. 
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the line about the South is a joke. I was born in the South, my great grandfather fought for the Confederacy. That said, the South has a higher percentage of gun crazy nuts than the rest of the country. Been to Chicago, NYC and DC recently?
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd 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.
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User Showcase
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Joined: Feb 2015
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 325 |
the line about the South is a joke. I was born in the South, my great grandfather fought for the Confederacy. That said, the South has a higher percentage of gun crazy nuts than the rest of the country. Been to Chicago, NYC and DC recently? I live in NY, but will forever be a son of the South. As a genuine Florida cracker, I feel entitled to comment on aspects of the culture that seem to be invisible to most of those still living there. I wonder if, were people able to see the photographs of the children, torn apart by Bushmaster slugs, they might sympathize more with the humanity of mass shootings and less with the second amendment.
ProTools 12, Faderport 8, Melodyne, JBL monitors, Novation UltraNova, Yamaha MX49, Stratocaster, Telecaster, Rickenbacker 12, Ovation 12, Vox VT20X amp
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Joined: Apr 2010
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139 |
the line about the South is a joke. I was born in the South, my great grandfather fought for the Confederacy. That said, the South has a higher percentage of gun crazy nuts than the rest of the country. Been to Chicago, NYC and DC recently? I live in NY, but will forever be a son of the South. As a genuine Florida cracker, I feel entitled to comment on aspects of the culture that seem to be invisible to most of those still living there. I wonder if, were people able to see the photographs of the children, torn apart by Bushmaster slugs, they might sympathize more with the humanity of mass shootings and less with the second amendment. What does the Sandy Hook massacre have to do with the 2nd Amendment? Are you saying that because some deranged punk committed mass murder that law-abiding citizens should forfeit their 2nd Amendment rights? Sounds like faulty logic to me.
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.... I wonder if, were people able to see the photographs of the children, torn apart by Bushmaster slugs, they might sympathize more with the humanity of mass shootings and less with the second amendment. What does the Sandy Hook massacre have to do with the 2nd Amendment? Are you saying that because some deranged punk committed mass murder that law-abiding citizens should forfeit their 2nd Amendment rights? Sounds like faulty logic to me. +1000 Will Rockwell....If you'd like to have a discussion on guns and the 2nd amendment, we should do that in the OFF TOPIC forum.....I have exercised great restraint on my comments on your post since this forum is for song reviews and not general discussion topics.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd 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.
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!
The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!
The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!
Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.
This free update is available to all RealBand 2024 users. To learn more about this update and download it, head to www.pgmusic.com/support.realband.htm#20245
The Band-in-a-Box® Flash Drive Backup Option
Today (April 5) is National Flash Drive Day!
Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!
For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.
Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.
Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!
Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.
Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!
With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!
Learn more about this free update for Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1111
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!
If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.
A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."
"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."
"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."
Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!
The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!
There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.
If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.
We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!
Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.
Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed!
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