Thank you to everyone who voted and a special thank you goes out to everyone who participated in the song writing game in 2014. I feel really honored that it's been able to sustain itself for so long and I look forward to the future of the game!
So, here we have it, ladies and gentlemen. To you, I present the 2014 SONG OF THE YEAR!
Kayce Kelly, Trever Wilkins and Brian Salapek
Farmer Brown
I've told the story before about this song but will tell it again. I wanted to collaborate with Kayce on a song, and country was the perfect fit. The original plan was to record this song one night while he was over for dinner, in December 2013, but it never happened. I wrote the music and Kayce had the lyrics done, so it was only a matter of time before it fit with a genre for the game. One night when the song was 90% done, I had Trever and his family over for dinner and asked him to record the guitar solo. And then it was done. I am really proud of the song, and my favorite part has to be Kayce's vocals that are half singing/half talking in a Johnny Cash kinda way "Cocaine, the good Colombian kind" lol
So what's the prize?! Well, first and foremost we have the annual prize of BEER! But this year is special because Danny Imig made a trophy for the game! Yes! A trophy! Each year, the trophy will be passed on to the new winner. Here are some photos of his amazing work.
Every year I sit down and re-listen to all the songs from the year and pick out my five favorites to go on to the Song of the Year voting! They didn't have to win the month they were turned in to advance. A lot of the time, my favorite song doesn't win. No problem, they get their chance again here! So here you are, the five songs that I deemed with my seal of approval. Have a listen and vote on your favorite. The voting is only for one week, rather than the normal two.
My comments: For the first month of 2014, we did New Wave songs with an optional subject of Bugs. Yes, Bugs. Danny turned in this gem that was actually recorded back in the 1980's while New Wave was at it's height. I really think this is a cool song and reminds me of something from The Cars. It didn't win best song of the month, but it was my favorite.
Kayce Kelly, Brian Salapek and Trever Wilkins - Farmer Brown (From April)
My comments: Kayce and I were talking about recording a song together for December, 2013 and it never happened. What did happen was Kayce writing these lyrics and me writing the guitar portion to the song. April featured Bluegrass songs with the subject "unintentional effects of alcohol." We spent some time and got the song finally recorded and I was very happy with the result!
My comments: Oh God, I don't want to watch this video any more. As I said before, I didn't know Crack Feet were a real thing. And now I will never forget. Never. Forget... Thank you, Eric. Don't let that distract you from the song, which is actually very good.
Brian Salapek and Aimee Loree - I've Got Good Credit (From October)
My comments: I just loved the Gangsta Rap songs from September/October so much that two of them made it to the Song of the Year voting. Aimee invited my wife and I to a party which had a subtitle of "Rap Battle." She actually did write a rap and performed it, so I did my old Stumblin' Nate rap as well and we decided that we needed to write a rap song together. This was the result!
My comments: Rene's long running Moptop series of songs has it's latest installment with the Christmas song (episode?) and it's by far my favorite. It has a bit of a mellow, somber and a little sad key to it, which really works for me. I have always enjoyed Rene's songs and there have been some great ones this year (Thunder Across the Planet) but this is my favorite one!
For the (probably) third time in the Song Writing Game, we have a tie! To make it more interesting sounding, I will call it a 4-way tie! With three people working on the one song, and one on the other, I can say that, right? I can say what I want, DAMNIT. Anyways! Check out these two great songs below if you hadn't already!
Jesse Denby, Joel Forsgren and Brian Salapek - Cornbread Red
Danny Imig - Garbage Santa
Congrats to the winners! And don't forget about the Songs for January!
With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season it can be hard to set aside time to do something as unimportant as participate in my song writing game. I am truly grateful that people continue to write songs and keep the game going! Because of the holidays, I've set the songs to "Whatever". The idea is to alleviate any extra work or stress that goes into the songs. So we have a nice collection of diverse songs for you to check out. Be sure to vote for your favorite below!
Laura Cardinal and Andrew Nicholson - Ho Hey
My comments: Laura and Andy did this great cover of a Lumineers song and had posted it on their Facebook account. I bugged them enough to have it included in the Song Writing Game. I am not real familiar to the original song but I really enjoy it. I always enjoy simplicity in music and love this stripped down version.
Jesse Denby, Joel Forsgren and Brian Salapek - Cornbread Red
My comments: This is a cover of a WEEN B-Side with Jesse on vocals, Joel on lead guitar and bass and I did the rest. I always have fun collaborating with people and this one was interesting since Joel and I have never met Jesse, we just started talking on the internet. I am glad we did, I love the vocals, and I am super happy to include Joel since he totally rocks at guitar!
Danny Imig - Garbage Santa
My comments: Danny gives us some great social commentary on gift giving for the sake of it in this song. The drums give it a cool surf-kinda feel to it that I like a lot. Some funky guitar work in the background would have been a good touch but the simplicity of it works well.
Rene Zansman - Moptop Christmas
My comments: Rene continues his MopTop series (here and here are two other songs he's submitted) with a Christmas song (episode?) and it is my favorite by far! It is his usual pop punk song but is in a sort of somber musical key. The piano and xylophone give it a great Christmas feel, too. Really great job, Rene. I love this song!
