About this project
Groove Duke is going into the recording studio to record his first full album. The task is straight forward, but I'm working under a deadline. I've been in remission from lymphoma for not quite 6 months. Unfortunately, the cancer is again active and I'll be entering a clinical trial in early August. I want to have most of the recording done by then.
The going rate for a local recording studio is 35-60/hour. The Rule of thumb is allow 1 hour of recording per song per person. I have 12 songs and an 8 piece band that's an estimated 96 hours. I'll be recording the rhythm tracks in the more expensive studio but the rest will be done in the cheapest studio I can find. We'll average the cost at $45/hour. If we round it up to $4500 to cover Amazon's fees. That should be about right.
Groove Duke's band is a great mix of experienced hands and young lions. We've met with enthusiastic response and this album should be a great start of many fine future projects. Included here is one demo we've done and a bit of our recording session.
The funding incentives are fun and I'm totally serious about all of them. Any extra funds raised will go to pay my musicians and make good on my incentive commitments. I would have incentives beyond what I've listed here. But you get the point, right? Although, I am certainly willing to hear any other offers! ;) Remember except for the limited offers, you get all rewards below your level of backing.
I am not waiting for this funding drive to finish to start the recording. The Album won't be done before the funding deadline, so there will still be plenty of chances to visit the studio, but if you want to see us lay down the rhythm tracks, you might want to finance early. An invitation will be extended as soon as you pledge.
I do have Cancer, but I am not near death. I am going to beat it. But chemo can be energy draining so I am recording now. Nevertheless, I don't really want any pity sponsorships. Dig me. Dig my music. Back the album.
Live Funky, Love Strong,
Groove Duke
FAQ
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41
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$4,520
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on September 1, 2009.
Pledge $1 or more
Video Updates on site.
Pledge $5 or more
High quality MP3 of our flagship single, Stick Boy as well as our opening song, Say What You Want.
Pledge $10 or more
Full Album Download (on Completion)
Pledge $25 or more
"Official Bootleg" live recordings of the band from Special download website.
Pledge $50 or more
Exclusive weekly updates of our progress in the studio as well as MP3s of the rough mixes of that week's work. (Off site) and a B&W Groove Duke T-Shirt.
Pledge $90 or more
I call this the 2% solution, since $90 is 2% of the total budget. Send me an email with your phone number and your usual bedtime and I'll call and sing you a lullaby.
Pledge $100 or more
Invitation to our VIP CD Release Party. Reserved table for 4. Signed Copy of the CD.
Pledge $225 or more
This is the 5% solution. Send me your phone number and I'll tell you a bedtime story and sing a lullaby. Plus, I'll put your name in the CD booklet.
Pledge $250 or more
Band member for a night. Play tamborine (or other suitably funky instrument) on stage for a full gig with the band.
Pledge $500 or more
$500 VIP - Year long membership on our guest list any gig anywhere (you provide your own transportation) we'll either get you seats or get you backstage. Plus special private all you can eat cookout with the band.
Pledge $500 or more
Mark will write a song on the topic of your choice to be featured on the album.
Pledge $750 or more
Honorary Band member. We'll learn a song of your choice to sing on a gig. Plus VIP rewards.
Pledge $1,000 or more
Credit on CD as a leading Backer. Daylong Studio Pass and VIP status
Pledge $2,000 or more
Surrogate Father Package: Credit on CD. Spend the Day with Mark and his Boys. Craft project: We'll buy an instrument and make a lamp out of it for you to take home. The we'll play catch & Frisbee at a family cookout.
Pledge $3,000 or more
Gypsy Moth package. Credit on CD. We drive as far as a tank of gas will take us in any direction (where we rehearse our selection of TV Theme songs) eat a picnic lunch wherever we land and sing the greatest TV Theme Songs in a local park. Fill the tank again and come home.
Pledge $4,000 or more
Chemo Therapy Package. Credit on CD. Come on, you’re curious as to what it’s like to get chemo. Now you can experience it vicariously while keeping Mark company. Trip with Mark to a Chemo Therapy Infusion. (Date to be determined) Keep me company and we can talk about anything you like. Take Pictures and record a Video to post on You Tube.
Pledge $5,000 or more
Executive Producer Package. Full Credit as Executive Producer of the Album. Open Door Studio Policy. And We’ll have a private release party at your house, just for you and your friends where we’ll play all the songs from the album. Lifetime VIP. Anytime We play just ask for tickets.
Pledge $10,000 or more
Fishin’ Musician Package. We’ll take a fishing trip to Canada where we’ll write a song together and sing it to our largest catch before we dress it and fry it up. To be filmed and edited together as the promotional video for the said song.
Project By
Connected
When I got lymphoma, I decided to suspend work on my thesis and form another band to record my original tunes. The tunes were mostly written while I was on the road with The Doctor Wu Rock and Soul Revue. I recorded that first album "Heavy Mariner" with funds raised here at Kickstarter!
Among the adventures we've had, at our first session to lay down rhythm tracks we followed Gin Blossoms drummer John Richardson into the studio. He was so cool, he let us borrow his drums to record our tracks. How cool is that?
Two of the tracks off that album "Three Speeds In Reverse" and "You Better Believe It" made the long Grammy Ballot in October. I won't know if I got a nomination until December.
Band membership has been fluid and daws from my many musical friends who were willing to work for free.
As far as the cancer goes, I've been on a clinical at MD Anderson for about 2 years and as long as the results are stable, I will maintain that Status Quo. I will eventually need a Bone Marrow transplant, so I am trying to do everything that is important to me before that day comes!
