Terry Gomes: CommenTerry

Hello Friends,

I’m sorry that it has been awhile since my last post. Family matters have been keeping me occupied. Thank you for your kind words regarding my father. He is stable for the time being.

As for music, I’ve decided to forge ahead with a new recording. I’ve been waiting to record these songs for awhile now. Some of them were written 3 years ago and others as recently as last spring. I had always planned to do this project after I had released some of my older songs which you know as Gomesongs Side A and B. This endeavour marks a big change for me, or more accurately, a return to the ways of old. In addition to me singing all of the songs, the tunes will be recorded in Chelsea, Quebec with producer/drummer Ross Murray. Ross has produced a wide variety of acts including Bruce Cockburn and Great Big Sea and I’m really excited to be working with him. Another talented musician, Rene Gely is also going to be playing bass and some guitar as well so it will be the three of us putting down the tracks. It’s been a long time since I’ve played together with other musicians (as opposed to working alone) and I’m thrilled to be back doing this. There are 10 songs and the CD will be called “Loose Ends”. My goal is to record all of the bed tracks this summer and do the vocals in early fall.

Also, I have recently discovered that some of my music is being played on 98.5 The Jewel. I have been unable to find out what songs though. If you have the chance, please call or email them and request one of my tunes off of Gomesongs Side B—it’s the only one they have. It would be greatly appreciated. Their web address with contact information is:

http://www.985thejewel.com/contactus.php

In the meantime, I hope that you’re all surviving the summer heat and enjoying yourselves. I will catch up with you in August…

Take care.
Terry

Well, I can safely say that Spring is here. I hope you’re all out there enjoying the beautiful weather. As I write this, my father is not doing very well and is in the hospital. Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated as he is dealing with kidney deterioration and other complications.

I hope that you had the opportunity to listen to me on Pat Moore’s Weekend Warm-up show on CKCU last week. She was a nice host and we even found out that we share a cultural tie to Guyana. What are the odds of that?! If you didn’t catch the show, it’s now posted on my website under, “Reviews/Interviews”. Just scroll down and click on the link. There is a new photo as well.

Prior to finding out about my Dad, I was in the process of selecting some very talented people to work with for my next project. I’m a little tired of trying to do everything on my own. I’ve reached a point where I’m looking forward to working with others. This won’t be on songwriting but likely with production and some arranging. They will still be entirely “Gomesongs”. This being said, I will be recording everything in a studio as opposed to at home and I will also be working with a producer. This will help to give me a fresh perspective on my material. I’m also considering doing some performing in the future as well. It’s been a long time...

I hope all is well. Keep in touch.

Terry

Looking back at my last contact, I was remarking about the fact that spring seemed to be far away. I can’t believe that it doesn’t look much different!

March has been an interesting month. I’ve been invited to be on another CKCU radio show with Pat Moore. It’s called the “Weekend Warm-up”. She’s on the air on Fridays from 4:00-5:00 pm. She’s a talented local performer and songwriter that plays country and singer/songwriter-type material. Her show, however, features multiple genres of music. I’m thrilled to be on her show as it has a wide audience and is during the drive home. I’m slated to be with her on May 9, at 4:15.

I also had a promising interview with the program director at 93.5 The Jewel here in Ottawa. He auditioned 4 tracks on my CD with me sitting there and really liked 3 of the 4. I was left with the impression that the station would likely pick these up for regular rotation. Unfortunately, this requires approval from the head office in Toronto so we’ll see. As I mentioned before, nothing happens quickly in this industry.

I also received my first reviews for Gomesongs Side B. The Daily Vault is a website whose reviewers I have considerable respect for. They don’t pull any punches and rightly so. The only thing I do not like about their approach is the letter grade format. I believe that biases the reader. The bottom line is that you should take the time to read the text despite the natural inclination to look at the grade first. In the case of the reviewer who reviewed me, he rarely gives anything higher than a “B”, so I came off just fine considering. I agree with most of the comments regarding my CD reviews—especially the lack of cohesion in song choices for my second disc. I knew this going in, as they were compilations of a variety of music I had written in the past. It has also surprised me how many people are not very fond of country. It was almost a backlash after my first CD. The thing is, these songs represented a period of experimentation in this genre but I had already hung up my cowboy boots long ago. These two CDs were meant to introduce my songwriting ability to a larger audience in preparation for my first more personal project in which I sing everything myself. Many of you have suggested I do this. Some of the music will be quite different than anything on Side A or B. It will also be more streamlined in genre. At any rate, please take the time to read his reviews under my “Reviews/Interviews” section. I am very pleased that he recognized certain traits and other things, (like “Hey Sweet Shirley” being an Irish tune!), left me completely baffled.

This leads me to mention that I am seriously re-evaluating my approach to recording, working with other musicians, etc…I’ve worked alone for so long now that I feel it’s time for change. The music for my next project is already written. I just need to narrow down my song selections and begin rehearsing them. I hope to get working on the recording in the summer.

If you haven’t already been on iTunes to listen, or commented on my last CD, please take the time to do so. It is always appreciated. Thank you to those who already have.

We’ll talk again in May when the snow is a distant memory—I hope!
Terry

As I type this, we are being bombarded by a snow and ice storm here in
Ottawa. It doesn't look much like spring at this point but I am
hopeful things will change soon.

Since my last note on Valentine's Day, this has been a time period of
waiting; waiting for reviews, waiting for radio stations to get back
to me, waiting for feedback and more waiting. The phrase, "Hurry up
and wait", could not be more relevant to me right now. While I wait,
I've been continuing to promote my songs and working on my next
project. The only breakthrough to report is that my songs are now
being sent to many of the digital distribution sites. They are on
iTunes right now! Here is a list of others sites they are either at or
will be at soon:

Ruckus--You gotta love this one, Shelley!
Tradebit
MusicIsHere
Inprodicon
GreatIndieMusic
AudioLunchbox
Verizon
PayPlay
GroupieTunes
BuyMusic
Napster

When you have some spare time, please visit at least one of the sites
and listen to some of the song clips--even if you have heard them to
death. They are only 30 seconds long. Please tell others to listen as
well. This includes family, friends, neighbours, and yes, even your
pets. Anyone or anything with the ability to hear or sense vibrations
is welcome! Even just listening without purchasing makes a difference.
Of course, if you want to buy a track that helps too!

That's it for now. I hope the next time I write, the rivers will be
flowing and the snakes will be winding through the grass...

Take care.
Terry

Hello Everyone,

I hope that you are enjoying the winter. As for me, I’m strictly a warm weather person. I follow the example of the reptiles, bears, and other creatures during this season. Ahh…hibernation!

I hope that you have enjoyed my latest CD. If you could please leave me some feedback on my guestbook, it would be greatly appreciated—even if it’s just to say you like a particular song.

In addition to plugging away at promotion, I’ve already begun working on my next project. This will be much different in that I will be singing all of the songs. Yes, I do listen to you! It is my hope that it will be ready in early 2009. The working title is “Loose Ends”. It is looking like a 13 song project as this point. I will post a song title list soon.

I am still waiting for confirmation for the digital distribution of my songs. It's a painfully slow process. When it is done, my music will be available on iTunes, Rhapsody, Napster and many more digital sites.

I am also planning some things to be posted on Youtube. I'm going to tell the stories behind some of my songs and play some of the guitar parts. If you have any particular songs you would like to see or hear me covering, please let me know. I hope that you will find it entertaining and interesting. And besides...how often do you get to see a guy playing a pink paisley guitar?!

In the meantime, stay well and stay warm.
Terry

P.S. Have a great Valentine's Day!

Wow! I really enjoyed my time at CKCU again today. It was nice to have the "Window of Opportunity" to discuss the stories behind some of my songs. Thanks again Laurie-Ann for having me as a guest!

My radio interview on CKCU 93.1 has been postponed until Friday, January 18. They are putting down new flooring at the station. This being said, host Laurie-Ann Copple will play one of my tunes on tomorrow's show. Please tune in if you can!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas and I wish you all the best for 2008!

Hi again,

It looks like I will be on CKCU again in early January! This time I will be on Laurie-Ann Copple's show that broadcasts on Fridays from 3:00-4:00 in the afternoon. I'm very excited about this opportunity and time slot as it will allow me to talk more about my songwriting and the stories behind some of my songs--as well as to play some more tracks. The tentative date is January 11. Please check back for updates....

Hi everyone,

This is just a short note to let you know that my CDs have arrived! It's hard to believe that it took a year to get it ready. I haven't got it into the stores as of yet but some of you can contact me directly if you would like a copy. I've already sold quite a few to my very supportive work colleagues. They are $9.99 each. I will try and have it at CD Warehouse & Legend ASAP. I hope you enjoy it!!

Well, that was quite an experience yesterday on CKCU (93.1). For those of you who missed it, I have posted an edited version of about 13:50 minutes on my website under, "Reviews & Interviews". Please take a listen to it when you have the chance. I have also posted short song clips of all of the songs soon to be available on Gomesongs Side B. I am told that I might possibly have the finished product in my hands by December 14.

I hope all is well...
Thanks,
Terry

I'm sure that everyone is really feeling the pace of life quicken as
it gets closer to Christmas. I'm sure feeling it! This is a note to
let you know that I will be on CKCU (93.1 FM) on November 28 from
6:00--7:00am. It will be an opportunity for me to talk about my music
and songwriting as well as play some tracks from my upcoming CD. I
hope you can tune in and I hope that I am somewhat coherent at 6:00 in
the morning. As for my new CD, I should be able to send it for
duplication (which takes 10-12 days) by the end of this week. I tried
my best to avoid having this ready in the month of December, but it
was not to be. As it is, I will be promoting it most strongly in
January.

Hi everyone!

I hope all of you are well. It's hard to believe that it is almost the middle of October. I really enjoy the fall. As a matter of fact, I have written a new piece about this time of the year which will be featured on a future release after Side B is completed. The song is an introspective ballad entitled, "A Pile of Leaves". As for my current project, I have just approved the CD layout (graphics and text), and the proofs are in the process of being made. I hope to have all of the printed material ready before the actual CD is done. On the musical side of things, I am nearing the end of the mixing process. All is going well and I'm still hoping to have the CDs ready by sometime in November. I am also planning on having all of my songs available on ITunes as well for those that prefer to purchase individual songs. I hope you will enjoy this second compilation!

P.S. I am still waiting for my CD to be done before I do the radio show.

Back again. I have been offered a radio spot on the "World Famous Dan Shields" show on CKCU some time this fall. I have been trying to coordinate the time for this with the release of my next CD. I am thankful for this opportunity to have some of my music played and be able to talk about songwriting and music in general. More information will follow.

Thanks to all for your support!

Hello everyone! It's been a very short summer. I've been busy writing some new material for future recordings as well as working on completing my second CD. I'm hoping for an October release date on Side B. It's almost at the mixing stage now. Also, after receiving a few requests from some of you, this CD will have lyrics included. It looks like the new CD will be selling for $9.99 at this point and Side A will also be reduced to this price. Thank you to all who have helped in getting my music heard by others!

Now that summer has begun, I just spent my first day at the studio in Cornwall. Today I had the pleasure of working with a terrific singer from the Ottawa Valley named Tammy McRae. We worked together several years ago recording some of my songs. Today she recorded the vocals for my song, "Lonely Together" which is coming up on my next CD, Gomesongs Side B. She has a beautfiul voice and is a lot of fun to work with. Next week she will also record my song, "I Dream of Boats" which is her favourite song of mine. I'm looking forward to working with her again. Until then, please take a look at some new photos...

In the last month or so I have received two positive reviews from online publications, as well as comments from friends and colleagues. Getting reviewed is not an easy process so I am very thankful to have had some feedback written about my CD. If you haven't left any feedback as of yet, please do so when you have the chance.

In other news, I was at Silver Nichol Studio on Friday going through some of the songs for Side B. I am hopeful that this project will take less time to complete. The two and a half months I spent redoing all of the guitar and bass parts has made a big difference. I am also looking into having the original singer re-record one of the Side B songs. This particular song has been very well received by most people who have heard it. It's one that I am especially proud of as it was intended for a female singer.

I'm back!

I've been away for awhile working on material for Gomesongs Side B, my second compilation. I've just completed re-recording most of the guitar and bass parts for all of the songs. Because it's just me playing, it takes a quite awhile to get things done. Soon I will be off to the studio to begin putting it all together. I hope you will enjoy the results! In addition, I would like to thank all of you who have supported my musical endeavours by purchasing my CD and telling others about it. It is much appreciated!

Hello everyone!

My CD is now available and posted on CD Baby. You can listen to some audio samples there and on my website for most of the 10 songs.

Thank you for all of the positive feedback I've received so far!