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

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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
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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

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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