BG> -> So you been busy?
BG> Yes, busy, but not as profitable as I would like to be, most of
BG> the
BG> projects have been "future" work that may show a profit and
I don't think any of us can say we're "as profitable as I would like to be!"

BG> I've also been collaborating with other songwriters, writing
BG> some
BG> material of my own (both musical and "essay" style articles for
BG> publication on audio topics), and in preproduction for an album
I haven't been collaborating but I've been in studio in the last month (on my 
own stuff).  Some of the songs are about ready for final mixdown... Since 
I've got unlimited access to the studio, we've basically taken our time with 
the songs and have had several musicians' input on the tracks.  Just a few 
more tracks laid on a couple of the ones down so far - The musician 
contributing the most (other than myself) broke his hand (being a guitarist, 
fiddler and steel guitarist/slide that can make a slow down a necessity.  He 
laid part of the tracks within 2 days of breaking his hand (in a car 
accident) and even played the gig he was traveling to when he had his 
eck...
BG> occasional IATSE calls when they get to the bottom of the call
BG> list.
I know about being on the bottom of a call list - that's what I'm facing with 
the decorator's call list.  Jeff (other half) worked for IATSE this last week 
here (as a decorator for GES) and he might get to work as security for some 
up and coming shows.  (He's big enough to do it!).  Hopefully, we're both 
gonna get some more opportunities with some of the stuff IATSE is doing (he's 
had more experience as a decorator - already got the hours in for that and 
working on the apprentice level hours.  He already has the knowledge... just 
not the hours.).  Anyway, most of the stuff has been centered around my own 
stuff (getting those uncopyrighted copyrighted and all of 'em published and 
making up a decent demo of 'em all.)  So far all response has been 
positive... It's just getting all the musicians involved in the studio at the 
same time.  We all live about 40 miles or more away from the studio (in 
different areas of San Antonio and even areas outside of San Antonio) and 
weekends are out as far as the studio is concerned - as well as some of the 
musicians having gigs.
I've set in a few times with the fellers but don't really wanna go to Turkey 
with them in late October for six weeks.
BG>  So, that, in a nutshell, from this nuthouse is about all that
BG> is
BG> happening.. lots of promise, future looks good.
And busy as a beaver!  We've got a lot going on later on in the year... most 
of which is speculative at this time (I learned not to put all my eggs in one 
basket!) 
BG> some more work to  get closer to my idea of perfection, but as
BG> a demo,
Don't tell me you're like me: Your own worst critic!  I knit-pick the whiz 
out of my work... I've had the musicians say, "Gee, we'll just blend out any 
mistakes in the final mix..."  As long as it's not vocals, that theory works 
pretty good most of the time, cause unless the mistake is because two voices 
or instruments aren't harmonic ( or wrong words, stutters!).  In fact, on one 
song, I just wasn't satisfied with the vocals on the first cut... So I redid 
them, under protest from the musicians, who said, "Sounds fine to us!"  The 
next cut, they agreed was much better than the first!
BG> for people in your area.. Showco, Freeman, etc. from what I've
BG> seen
BG> recently in the trades. Been keeping busy yourself?
Freeman may be saying they're looking for folks around here but I can tell 
you that as decorators, they can't keep the folks that are around here (on 
the call list, union even) in work.  Just talked with the co-ordinator today 
and there were several employers this week asking her for references for 
prospective employees who haven't gotten to work for the union in a while.
Freeman has Audio Visual Works (a Freeman Company) doing all their sound 
work. Haven't heard from anyone whose been working with them.  But we do have 
the rodeo and a bunch of other stuff starting up here soon.  There is a 
series of shows (country) which started last weekend and should go through 
October at Fiesta Texas... plus it seems that folks around here will throw a 
party (citywide) at the drop of a hat!   So it is possible.  Maybe 
I need to get on the horn tomorrow (I've talked to IATSE here and to several 
audio folks around town and most of them are leery of 1) putting a woman on 
("Are you sure you can handle it?" is a common phrase...- Something you 
probably have heard a lot in the last 15 years..) or because I worked in 
Florida and TN as owner of my own business, they think I don't have hands on 
experience. I think they think I wanna walk in as a supervisor or as an 
apprentice or something... I told 'em "I'll pull cable, carry speakers, you 
name...  I can *grunt* real well!"  and then I'll *grunt* for 'em! 
Nancy     email: brooksie2@juno.com
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