Well, that’s a wrap on release week promotion for Born and Raised. It’s so phenomenally weird to wake up this morning at home and not in the back of a bus somewhere. On the bright side, releasing this album and getting back in touch with my fans has been something I’ve been waiting to experience for a long time now. I’m finally at a place in my life where I can truly appreciate the kindness and support, and you have shown me lots of it. Thank you for that.
As I understand it, the album is set to enter the charts at number one, which is just incredible on all your parts because there has been very little I’ve been able to do to promote it. In a world of schemes and strategies when it comes to selling something, you guys just bought music you trusted you’d like. You picked it up in the same way I made it… from the heart, no trickery. That is so cool and rare and all the marketeers in the world together can’t manufacture that. I am very grateful to you.
The making of this record was purposely undocumented, but there are a few iPhone videos and some photos to share. I figure I’ll do that here, and more often than I usually have in the past. Even if this album slides off the charts in a month, it doesn’t make it any less special to me, and we should all be digging this music together, like we would have (and will again) on stage.
Stay tuned…
with thanks and love
John
The official release copy of Born and Raised (just opened) next to the track list on my refrigerator since 5/11. Keep working for that final product. You will get there.
Edited to add: The song ‘Helpless” isn’t a cover of the classic CSNY song… it was a tune I wrote that I really like but something about it didn’t match the DNA of the album. Same with “Living Proof.”
The incomparable David A Smith working on the Queen of California single cover…
Listen to Entire Born and Raised Album for Free
click here to go to the iTunes store and stream the record now. Pre-order if you dig it.
I listened to the record last Wednesday on my flight to Los Angeles. Gave it one more go round before it went out into the world… one last little listen as being just mine. It’s brought me so much joy and company and peace, and I hope it will do the same for you.
JM
“ To photograph is to hold one’s breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality. It’s at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy.
Source: life





