Tomorrow I will get on the road and head west to Portland.  I’ve been in Idaho for a few weeks soaking in all that small towns have to offer.  A few years ago I remember listening to Robin Thickes demo that had a song called “Shooter” on it.  I loved the vibe of that song, and then loved it more when I heard the back story to that song.  Robin was working at a bank as a teller when a bank robber came in and held him at gunpoint.  Go listen to the song to get  what happened…great work! So… I was at this small bank in Nampa Idaho picking up a check from one of my clients.  I walked in with a long black coat, and a black hat, and the tellers froze.  They thought I was going to rob the bank.  How do I know that?…because I went back to the bank to deal with the same client a week later and the teller at the bank said she remembered me because she thought I was going to rob the bank.  What?!?  Seriously….awesome….go small town! I’m so looking forward to Portland!

AZ

How much butter can one consume on Christmas Day?  I mean….butter in the pumpkin cheese frosting, puff pastry, sweet potato mash, lemon streussel bars, green beans, crescent rolls.  It’s crazy..Paula Dean would be proud.   Every year I set out to create a massive Holiday meal for the family.  I kinda got sick of the funeral potatoes and ham that most large families tend to pull out because it’s what they know, and easy to make for the masses!  I don’t fault them at all.  If I was  cooking everyday for a family I’d probably do the same thing, but since I’m not then, the skies the limits on Christmas Day..especially when your cousin is a chef.  I can never take a serious picture when a ton of cameras are around… 

Butter...it's what's for dinner!

Stuffed mushrooms and cucumbers anyone?

Yum!

What a lush!

So getting to hang with my niece and nephews can be a riot sometimes.  It’s fascinating what can create hours of entertainment…take this picture for instance. 

What would you rather have?

These little guys didn’t move a muscle for about thirty minutes as I played the “What If” game.  I love this game because it makes people choose between two horrible choices, and believe it or not…you can learn a lot about someone based on their choices, and how they rationalize things.  For example, I asked them….”Would you rather have a forehead completely covered in hair, that you couldn’t shave away, or a hairy tongue?”   This is the response I got…. 

That's gross Ash!

Classic… they like being grossed out, they’re boys!  My next question was, “Would you rather eat a dirty shoe, or a dirty armpit of a shirt.”  I know, I know…you are gagging right now.  But seriously….which one would you choose, if you had to choose! =) 

Then you got this little peanut…. 

You know you want my crown!

Remember the days ladies when you just napped and played dress-up!  This little thing walked around the house all day pulling her pink princess chest filled with costumes, changing every couple of hours into a new outfit…I still have days like that!  My favorite thing that she says when you ask her if she is a princess is…. “Yes, I am…all girls are princesses”!  Amen sister… 

Happy Holidays everyone!  I hope you took the time to be fat and happy with those you loved.  If not, then you still have time…it’s a New Year right around the corner.AZ

It’s week two of my December adventure, and I’ve finally made my way to Idaho.  I didn’t have enough time to pull off the side of the highway to capture some cool shots, but I was able to grab this from the driver’s seat. 

Somewhere between Twin Falls and Boise

Sunfall

I haven’t gotten much of a chance to play the guitar anywhere.  It’s still sitting in the back of my car, enjoying the ride.  My guitar is just sassy and awesome.  It’s got this great boom, and action to it.  It’s seen a little bit of trauma with the dry weather, and the top of it has cracked a bit…I’ve had it patched up, and it has split again.  Lucky for me it’s just on the seam, so it doesn’t seem to be affecting the sound at all.  I’m just totally stoked to have “Martinelli”.    My friend Brian’s guitar is named Margarita….what a great name!  I joke that mines a good time you can remember in the morning. 

Oh forgot to mention….I stopped  to Pow Wow with Joel Hales , the Cellist I work with.  We hung out for a good six hours talking about music, writing, projects…and creating a really cool cello/piano/guitar show.  I can’t wait to see what we turn out this year.  I love working with Joel.  He gets it before you say it, and he’s incredibly passionate about playing.  Better than that, he’s my cousin, and playing with all that history makes it beyond cool!  Stay tuned for that…..

Today I watched a Christmas program with a butt load of kids…hilarious!  My favorite kid in the show was this little 5 year old boy having a total melt down, yelling at his mom while 200 other little dudes were yelling, and singing at the top of their lungs.  It was comedy!   I don’t have children, and I’m totally…totally cool with that!  I love other people’s kids, and then I love giving them back.  I love holding babies if they are under 3 months, and I respect all the mom’s and dad’s in the world that totally give, give, give everyday.   I think Relief Staff is the coolest role ever for me!  It’s like being the D.D. (Designated Driver).  It’s feels great to come to the rescue!

Tomorrow I will get up and paint some walls.  It’s perfect for thinking about absolutely nothing!  Just what I need….Here’s to getting high on paint thinner! 

Ashton Z.

Have you ever wanted to get in the car and just start driving?  I have day dreamt about doing this for a few years.  So I got in the car and started driving….I’ve taken my guitar with me, and maybe I’ll stop and play a few small coffee shops for fun along the way. 

On my way out-of-town I grabbed one of my favorite hikes in Malibu.  Went hiking with some random German Photographer I met on the trail.  We hung for a couple of hours.  Some great shots from the canyon!

Malibu Trail

Malibu in the fall

Bonfire anyone?

Headed off to Vegas.  Haven’t been home for 2 months, so I am driving through, taking a couple days to grab some dinners, and meetings.  I decided to take a hike with my friend Darren.  We have worked together for the last couple of years, and one thing we love to do is find cool trails to hike.  Red Rock canyon is amazing!  This day it is actually snowing, but we were able to get in and out of the canyon before it started to really stick.   

Darren...taking the boulder challenge!

Moss in the desert! Florescent MOSS......

Possible future home?=)

It comes with windows!

Just hangin'

What a cool day that was!  My butt was killing me after all the climbing…..now I’m headed north.  Here is one pic from the drive… haven’t bothered to take more pictures outdoors, I’m freezing my butt off, how do people live like this!

Heading north....

I drove 7 hours today!  No music for about 6 hours!  I made a cool mix to play..little Pete Yorn, Sting, Ella Fitzgerald, Blue October.  But couldn’t bring myself to pull it out.  Silence for many hours, can force you to deal with yourself….something we often put off for days, months, years.  By January 15th when I’m done driving it will be interesting to see where I land.  

Cheers,

Ash 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

You know, my Grandma Zeyer used to say everything is better with chocolate.  Being a women who lived through the Great Depression she seldom had the opportunity to eat chocolate, but when she did she would be the last one to finish, as she slowly savored each bite.  Her technique was rather interesting.  She would take a toothpick and just slowly shave bits of chocolate away, when most people would gobble their chocolate in one bite.  I’ve thought about that moment more than once over the last year since her passing in August of ‘08.  Those times brought very few joyful moments for many, as the unemployment rate was at 50%.  I could imagine that finding joy in the journey was probably next to impossible for many,  but Grandma seemed to find it here and there, and enjoyed it to its fullest. 

This year as I think about gratitude, I ask myself the question..”Did I maximize what I had”, “Did I, like Grandma take the time to make it last, or did I gobble it up without fully enjoying it.”    It’s been hard for many, I know!  I am one of those lucky 12% unemployed, sleeping on a blow up mattress, squeezing every last penny, hoping that it all works out in the end.  It’s been hard enjoying the little things that have come along, because the big things seem so overwhelming, but I’m learning to do so. I’m thankful for her this year, for her example, and for the things she is continuing to teach me.  So for Grandma Zeyer on this turkey day, I will have my turkey and my hint of chocolate too…and I will try to be the last woman standing! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ashton Zyer

So here’s the new logo Heidi built for our last show and the shirts.  Word has it that some peeps were bummed out I wasn’t selling my two shirts from the show, you know, the one that says “You’re not in my range”, oh and the other one was “I cannot be emotionally responsible for you.”  If you want to buy that shirt let me know.  I’ll figure out a way to get it to you. 

So I’ve been working on a new song this week.  It’s been a bit challenging because I am writing from the guitar, with the intention of never using that instrument in the song.  I am having to create everything pretty much in my head.  It will be interesting to see how it translates in the studio.  This year is the year for all uptempo songs.  I’ve decided I need to put my ballad skills to rest and start working on some other chops.  Now I’m playing with textures and fighting myself every step to not do what I’ve already done.  Creating is a real pain sometimes….but totally cool when you come up with something worth sharing. 

I’ve noticed a few people have voted on which song I should write on my myspace page.  So far it looks like Jazz is in first place.  I salute the person who voted for Salsa! =) 

Thanksgiving is just around the corner!  I hope you all have a stellar time eating yourselves into oblivion!  I’ve already got a spin class scheduled for Thursday morning…..gotta make room for some Pecan Pie!

Ashton Z.

I had to do it…Just found this in the Library…too cool to pass up the post!  This is my friend Kim and I kickin’ it “OL’ SCHOOL STYLE.”  Don’t hate…you know you love the glasses and the pink bow.

To everyone who attended the Outward Bound Los Angeles concert in Santa Monica you rock!  It was an amazing cool time.  For all of you who missed it here are some shots from the show.  I will post more as they start to come down the pipeline.  Anyway, we gave out music, it was like I was Oprah or something, our peeps from Liquid Catering rocked, as well as our cookie bar!  People are still talking about Loraine’s sugar cookies, and it was great meeting some of the kids from Outward Bound.  If you haven’t had a chance to go and check out their organization you need to.  Better yet, volunteer..  You can check them out at www.outwardboundlosangeles.com

As for our next concert, many of you are already asking!  Well we will do another benefit in 2010, so check back with us later for more details, and we’ll be in Vegas in the spring if you don’t want to wait that long!   I know, I know….I’ve already gotten emails about doing more shows.   I promise to start when I win the lotto! =)  Seriously, a 7 member band is a hefty payroll…and I’m not Bono.  So…until then, we will do as many as we can!

So last night I can’t sleep…I go to my cupboards thinking I have something fabulous to munch on, and nothing!  I think this cycle happens about five times before I finally realize I’ve gotta go to 7/11.  So I’m busting out, pajamas and all because I’m trippin’…oatmeal and organic fruit rollups are not quite cutting it these days!   As I roll into 7/11 the Indian man who runs the store is talking shop with the Asian donut shop owner…and here comes the White girl with her chocolate craze at 2am.  It makes me think about the funny labels and stereotypes we often create for each other, and why we do it…I mean why do we as humans feel the urge to label and categorize people?  Another blog theme perhaps…the real important thing is my twix bar…to supersize or not! Nah..we’ll just get a kit kat bar too.  So I take my chocolate to the counter and have some interesting banter with the store owner…about how I just wasn’t right in the head and needed a fix.  He smiles, and then asks me if I want a bag for my chocolate….como?  Seriously “DUH”…I’ll be lucky if I make it to the front door with chocolate still in my hand.  Good thing I only bought small bars and left, because by the time I got home, I had just about eaten both…and I wanted more.  Had I been at the store I would have gone back for…”Fat guy in a little coat!”

AZ

Side bar…our concert is next week…buy your tickets at ashtonzyer.com.  The 7pm is sold out, but I have a few tickets left for the 9pm.

Holy cow…you guys..we are closing in on a sold out house, almost four weeks before the show.  How awesome are all of you! 

Bursting with Excitement!

Now if I can only get those donors to come through I could stop biting my nails, and really start to rehearse! 

Speaking of rehearsal, this weekend will be packed with good hangs and practises.  I will be on the road again Friday…back in LA for a while banging down doors, trying to get all the pieces to come together!  I’ve been really stoked about Outward Bound.  The more I learn about them the more I want to hang out on the trails with their crew.  Zach and Steve totally stepped up and donated some cool stuff to the show this week that will help us make everything come together.  You guys are awesome!   I had my last meeting with Bart and Michael (Show Director and Production Manager) before Bart headed to Japan to put together the holiday parade for Universal Studios.  As an artist, I am overwhelmed when really talented cool people want to help!  I try and pay them back with heart stopping food.  My roommate makes this thing they like to call the Devils Ring..and it kinda is.  You want to stop at  one piece, but inevitably you are up in the middle of the night like a total sugar slut stealing pieces of gooey cinnamon death!  Bart admits he wraps it in bacon, or ham.  Something salty.  This last week it was cake balls…I gain weight just looking at that stuff!  Thanks Bart and Michael..it’s gonna be a great show!

AZ

I’m back in Vegas working from my office on our upcoming benefit concert.  It’s amazing how much work a little thing like this ends up being…..everything from finding your donors, to rehearsing, to selling tickets, to PR, to ordering tables and chairs, putting together media for the day of, booking flights and hotels….crazy!!  I’m really thankful for the people who show up each day to give, create, and be part of this great thing we call “Giving Back”.  I got an e-mail from our cellist Joel Hales who said he is ready to rock and roll at our next rehearsal in LA on the 17th.  I’m really stoked about his effects pedals on his electric cello.  It will be a cool new layer of sound to add to the mix.

I have 10 tickets left for the 7pm show, and 30 for the 9pm show.  I’m really looking forward to a nice intimate crowd in this theater.  I have always wanted to do a show where I could literally say…”What up yo”..to the person in the front row and maybe get up and sit in their lap! =) 

I finished a new song for an artist i’m working with.  It feels good to move through pieces, and now i’m trying to wrap up the lyrics to one of the pieces I will play in November.   The song is called “You Don’t Know”, and I will probably open the show with it.  Dave and I started this song a few years ago.  He came up with this really cool riff, and we just crafted the song together.  I hope the peeps like it.  If you want to hear it you have to just come to the show, because it’s not recorded….dang!

It’s the end of the day, and chocolate is totally in order!  I gotta hit the sack so I can get rocking and rolling tomorrow.  Oh I almost forgot…Next thursday morning I will be on the radio again at xradio.biz I love the guys over there, and they are super good to me.  Last time I had this random improv session…it was great.  

Thought for the day:

“If all you could change was change itself, what would you change?” 

I’m gonna head down to the clubs and ask the totally boozed up tourists this question and see what they say.  Should be good times!

Ciao Ciao,

Ashton Z.