Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Ron Jackson Solo Pick Fingerstyle Electric Guitar Ballad

First recorded by Judy Garland, another one of my favorite Christmas tunes. This is my arrangement with a reharmonized chords, bass pedals and modulations. This was also recorded by Christina Aguilera Gloria Estefan Kenny G The Jackson 5 Neil Diamond and Bob Dylan among many others.
http://www.ronjacksonmusic.com/
Buy CD's and Mp3's
http://www.cdbaby.com/all/ronjacksonmusic

"White Christmas" by Irving Berlin Ron Jackson Solo Swing Cover Pick Fingerstyle Electric Guitar

http://www.ronjacksonmusic.com/
Buy CD's and Mp3's
http://www.cdbaby.com/all/ronjacksonmusic
Made famous by Bing Crosby, one of my favorite Christmas tunes written by Irving Berlin also sung by many others including Frank Sinatra.This is my arrangement of a swinging Christmas classic!

"A Christmas Song" Nat King Cole Ron Jackson Solo Pickstyle Fingerstyle Electric Guitar Ballad

My arrangement and rendition of a tune I have played many a time during the holidays. A classic ballad that's one of my favorites!

How to survive in the music business when it's always up and down.

In the music business it's either sink or swim!When it comes to gigs, either it's dead or it's crazy busy! You know the saying, "How do you make a musician complain?" ---"Give them a gig" I prefer to have a gig!! Sometimes I'll do some crazy things to make a gig. Here are some examples of some things I've done recently........
1.) Play a gig in the evening in New York,then drive 3 hours that same night to play in Maryland the next morning @ 7am then drive back 3 hours to Brooklyn,teach for 3 hours then make another gig that night.
2.) I was playing 3-5 gigs a day when I was performing at schools for Jazz at Lincoln Center a couple of weeks ago, the call times were so early, that I had to wake up @ 6am, sometimes drive for an hour, then play.
3.) Wake up with only 4 hours of sleep, teach for 7 hours, then play a duo gig(guitar and saxophone for 5 1/2 hours, while driving to make each gig.

It's rough trying to make all these jobs, I run on steam, trying to rest in bed in between some days so I don't get sick.
Here's the question?
"Is it worth it?"
Damn Right!!!!!
This is my career, not a job. I am one of the lucky musicians who can say when some straight 9-5ver asks, "What kind of work do you do?" I can proudly say, "I play music". They always look surprised!!!!
It's a tough business, it's takes more than just being a great musician to make a living. I'll write about that soon. Peace, Ron
http://www.ronjacksonmusic.com
http://www.youtube.com/balladmanbrooklyn
http://www.cdbaby.com/all/ronjacksonmusic

Checkout my Reverbnation TunePack featuring tunes from my New CD,"Flubby Dubby"!!!

http://www.reverbnation.com/tunepak/1869626

Summer's Over! The vacation is over!

I had a great summer. I did a lot of of work in the home studio,practiced more than usual, traveled to Pittsburgh and Martha's Vineyard for vacation, went to amusement and water parks and the beach.More summer fun than usual. Now that fall is here I am going back to my educational programs that I am involved with, The Brooklyn Conservatory, Wachovia Jazz for Teens, Music Outreach, The New York Pops and Jazz at Lincoln Center. I'll be also busy with recording sessions, gigs and some traveling. I'll still try to take some time enjoy the things that I like to do, see movies, concerts, exercise, relax and get enough rest. Let's see if that happens!!!!!!!

"A Calypso Party" Ron Jackson Pickstyle Acoustic Guitar Original Composition

http://www.ronjacksonmusic.com/
I was born in the Philippines. This tune is inspired by my Filipino roots and experience traveling to and playing in the Caribbean as well as performing and recording in Caribbean jazz bands here in New York.
Ron Jackson - Acoustic Guitar
Composed by Ron Jackson Roni Music SESAC

"Every One" Ron Jackson Pick Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar Original Composition

http://www.ronjacksonmusic.com/
Ron Jackson - Acoustic Guitar
Shohei Narabe- Keyboards and Percussion
Composed by Ron Jackson Roni Music SESAC

Prince, The Stylistics - "Betcha By Golly, Wow," Cover Ron Jackson Solo Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar

A very intricate and beautiful ballad, really fun to play on the guitar.It was a challenge to play this piece and say something from the heart. Prince, The Stylistics - "Betcha By Golly, Wow," Cover Ron Jackson Solo Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar

Cyndi Lauper, Miles Davis -"Time After Time," Cover - Ron Jackson Solo Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar

I knew the Miles Davis version of this tune first because I actually saw him play it live. I listened to Cyndi Lauper's original version later. My arrangement is based on Cyndi's version.

John Lennon - " Imagine," Cover - Ron Jackson Solo Pick Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar

My peaceful and tranquil rendition and arrangement of one of my favorite songs ever. I played in the key of G so I could use resonating open strings. John Lennon - " Imagine," Cover - Ron Jackson Solo Pick Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar

Jackson 5 Stylistics "People Make The World Go Round" Ron Jackson Solo Fingerstyle Acoustic Guitar

My solo arrangement and rendition of the classic 70’s tune that I have performed many times live and recorded on one of my CD’s. Usually this tune is played with a full band with its recurring ostinato bass line.It's always time consuming and a challenge for me to write,practice and perform these pieces. I really love the time and key changes in this composition. Originally recorded by the Stylistics and then the Jackson 5.

Just back from Virginia and Maryland.

I just played a corporate jazz event for Sleepy's. Had to drive to Alexandria, Virginia and Columbia, Maryland to play at 7am tues . and wedn.That's too early! Anyway it was fun and challenge to play at brink of dawn. It was hard to wake and play like it's the evening. I realized that I've played so many types gigs and situations in my career. I could write some great stories. Anyway back in Brooklyn. I am getting ready to tape another youtube video for my solo guitar channel "balladmanbrooklyn" .......... I am trying to improve my videos every session. I'll let you know how it goes............. and what I'll lay down next..................

My Birthday today!, Travel to work 2morrow

I am going to go to the beach today,get dinner and then the movies for my birthday! Tommorow I must drive to D.C. and Maryland for a couple of private parties and then to Monclair on Thursday for a concert. Alot of running around to do but I am glad to be busy!

Recording and making 2 gigs Today.

I video taped a tune with my daughter today for youtube. We had to play along with the audio we performed. It was really difficult to sync with the audio. I have really hard time faking playing the guitar. We got most of it like the tune. Right after I had to rush to central park boathouse for a wedding ceremony and cocktail. Now I'm back home and getting ready to my jazz gig with the Greg Lewis trio at Night Of The Cookers in Brooklyn. Alot of running around today. That's all for now!