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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. ****** 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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Joined: Apr 2009
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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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Joined: Feb 2015
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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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User Showcase
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Joined: Feb 2015
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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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Joined: Apr 2009
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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
Posts: 325
Journeyman
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OP
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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User Showcase
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
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Veteran
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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Joined: Apr 2009
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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.
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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!
Video: Volume Automation in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®
Video: Audio Input Monitoring with Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®
Video: Enhanced Melodists in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®!
We've enhanced the Melodists feature included in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows!
Access the Melodist feature by pressing F7 in the program to open the new MultiPicker Library and locate the [Melodist] tab.
You can now generate a melody on any track in the program - very handy! Plus, you select how much of the melody you want generated - specify a range, or apply it to the whole track.
See the Melodist in action with our video, Band-in-a-Box® 2024: The Melodist Window.
Learn even more about the enhancements to the Melodist feature in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024upgrade/chapter3.htm#enhanced-melodist
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 DAW Plugin Version 6: New Features Specifically for Reaper®
New with the DAW Plugin Version 6.0, released with Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows: the Reaper® Panel!
This new panel offers built-in specific support for the Reaper® DAW API allowing direct transfer of Band-in-a-Box® files to/from Reaper® tracks!
When you run the Plugin from Reaper®, there is a panel to set the following options:
-BB Track(s) to send: This allows you to select the Plugin tracks that will be sent Reaper.
-Destination Reaper Track: This lets you select the destination Reaper track to receive media content from the Plugin.
-At Bar: You can select a bar in Reaper where the Plugin tracks should be placed.
-Start Below Selected Track: This allows you to place the Plugin tracks below the destination Reaper track.
-Overwrite Reaper Track: You can overwrite previous content on the destination Reaper track.
-Move to Project Folder: With this option, you can move the Plugin tracks to the Reaper project folder.
-Send Reaper Instructions Enable this option to send the Reaper Instructions instead of rendering audio tracks, which is faster.
-Render Audio & Instructions: Enable this option to generate audio files and the Reaper instructions.
-Send Tracks After Generating: This allows the Plugin to automatically send tracks to Reaper after generating.
-Send Audio for MIDI Track: Enable this option to send rendered audio for MIDI tracks.
-Send RealCharts with Audio: If this option is enabled, Enable this option to send RealCharts with audio.
Check out this video highlighting the new Reaper®-specific features: Band-in-a-Box® DAW Plugin Version 6: New Features Specifically for Reaper®
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 DAW Plugin Version 6: New Features Video
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