May 30 “Love Rockets Over the Red Sea”

Our show at Pinehurst last night turned out to be a blast.  We had some issues getting there and getting home but we made it safe and sound at least.   Playing wedding gigs is always a lot of fun because it’s such a joyous occasion.   I played mandolin on about ten songs which I haven’t done in years.   Pinewild Country Club looked pretty nice and I’ve heard that it’s a good track as well.

Today’s song  is based on an old song I wrote when I was a governer’s page in Raleigh one week back in high school.  I remember spending most of my time reading Frank Zappa’s autobiography.

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May 29th “The Golf Gods and Pinehurst”

My band is playing in Pinehurst tonight at a wedding rehearsal, so I thought it was only appropriate to write a Pinehurst themed golf song.   The last few years I’ve had the pleasure of going to Pinehurst a few times a year to perform or to play in golf tournaments.   The Carolina Golf Hall of Fame is there as well and I’m hoping my friend Howard Ward, a wonderful writer who has carried the golf voice of Pinehurst will get the nod this year.

“The Golf God and Pinehurst” is about how if there is a golf god, he’s living in Pinehurst.

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Listen to the full ‘Golf Album’ and / or buy it here!   

Song for May 9th “She Could Be Waiting”

A lovely Sunday in the studio with lots of great sports to watch.  I love to have four different things going at once while I work.  I will literally be watching basketball on one TV, golf on another TV, be recording on pro tools, listening to iTunes, surfing the internet, writing a song on guitar and a song on keyboard and writing lyrics,  while designing websites.  For some reason I work a lot better when my work involves eight things at once.

Kind of like how I listen to a book on CD on my iPhone everyday while listening to music at the same time.

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May 6th “Work That’s Got to Be Done”

Today’s title is fitting, I put in a big week of work but it’s over now.    Now it’s time for a big weekend of work.  Luckily it’s studio time, which is a little less strenuous as curbside recycling.   Although it’s funny, my fingers actually hurt worse from using a mouse for 30 hours than from lifting 12,000 pounds in 30 hours.    Actually, since I’ve been taking a lot of Fish Oil, I hardly have any pain any more.   Maybe it’s mental.   Of course it’s mental.

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365 Songs for 2010 Vol. 1 & 2

Click Here to buy 365 Songs Greatest Hits for only $5

April 10 “100 Days to Say”

This is my 100th song so far!!!   I can’t believe I’ve written a hundred songs in a hundred days, plus a few more that I had to write for other things.   I don’t know how many songs I’ve written in my lifetime (probably around 500-600), so this is a pretty significant chunk.

The best part is that a lot of the songs are some of my best ever.  To me “Walking Around the City” and “Geometrically in Perfect Touch” may be my best songs ever.  And the funk stuff I’ve been doing is definitely my most funky.

Anyway, thanks for listening and helping to plug along and keep writing and recording.   Only 265 songs to go!!

100 Days to Say – Chris Cates’s 100th song for 2010!

April 8 “Tiger’s Back”

It’s Masters weekend again!!  Probably one of my top three sporting events behind the NBA Finals and the British Open.

Of course this is Tiger’s big week back and that’s all anybody can talk about.  I’m glad he’s back.   He obviously looks like he’s ready to kick some butt.   I’m not going to get into all of his stuff but it’s also good for people to remember that he’s not the only one out there doing what he did.   It would be cool to see him win but the Masters is great because it’s a good story, no matter who wins.

If Tom Watson would pull this one out.  That would be the greatest sports moment ever.

Anyway “Tiger’s Back” is kind of a synopsis of the first day’s events at the tournament and about how Tiger’s gonna be gunning for the win.

Click Below to hear  “Tiger’s Back”

For the lyrics go to chriscates.com/april8.html

Listen to the full ‘Golf Album’ and / or buy it here!   

April 7 “Do I Get a Prize?”

Today is my brother Bryan’s birthday!   We celebrated by recycling a few thousand pounds of curbside goodies.

My music flow is going a little better this week.  I seem to be able to create exactly when I need to which is nice.  I felt like it was a struggle a week or so ago.  I think it has a lot to do with getting proper sleep.

Today’s song is just another random act of wordplay.  Once again it just popped out when I sat down to write today.  Thanks for listening!

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365 Songs for 2010 Vol. 1 & 2

Click Here to buy 365 Songs Greatest Hits for only $5

April 5 “The Simple Idea of Love”

Today started off a little shaky after staying  up late watching Duke win it while mixing Metal songs for some friends of mine.   But I made it through a hot day recycling.  The first day I wore shorts.   They’re already asking when I’m breaking out the work sandals.   I said “Very soon”,  “very soon”.

“The Simple Idea of Love” seemed to flow out of me tonight.  I think this song might turn out to be pretty good.  I might come back and add a keyboard when I get a chance.

Thanks for listening!!                  Click below to hear “The Simple Idea of Love”.

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April 3 “Look For Hidden Meanings”

What a beautiful weekend.   We got a new puppy this week and have enjoyed having him outside and walking down town in Asheville.

Our internet has been down, so I’m just getting back to posting again.  I’ve got a few songs lined up and ready to go however.

Today’s song “Look for Hidden Meanings” is just what came out when I sat down to write.  I’ve had  a super busy work schedule, so I’m really looking forward to next weekend to really relax and make some relaxed music.  Instead of frantically writing and recording.  Anyway, thanks for listening!!

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April 2 “The Truth Might Hurt”

I unleashed my white legs on the world today.  Spring is officially here, the shorts are out!

I’ve now got a new studio mate, a new puppy named Mozart, to go along with Wario, my cat and long time studio mate.   It’s great to get moral support from them.  They always give me good feedback.   Lionel my other cat drops by the studio from time to time to lend imput but he’s heard too many loud noises in here and isn’t as keen on the studio scene.

Today’s song is “The Truth Might Hurt”  it’s the first thing that popped out after my bad outing in the money game at the golf course this morning.   Never play golf for money after four hours sleep and an out of town gig.

Thanks for listening!!!           Click the play icon below to hear it.  

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