FranklinTaggart.com

Songwriters in the Round Show, April 28th

2012-05-04T13:12:00.002-06:00

Had a wonderful time with guests Sharon Glassman and Paul Kiteck of The Jamesons Co-Dependent Country Band, and Bonnie Sims of Bonnie & the Clydes last Saturday night. Small but mighty, and very appreciative audience was on hand. Terry Selland took a few pics: Bonnie Sims, Franklin Taggart, Sharon Glassman, and Paul Kiteck. Photo: Terry Selland Bonnie Sims of Bonnie & the Clydes. Photo:

Falling All The Way Now Available As Lossless Audio Download

2012-04-20T02:14:00.000-06:00

There are a lot of formats with which to obtain and listen to music. Bandcamp.com has made it possible now for you to be able to download high quality lossless audio files. These files are large, but many feel that the clarity that is possible with lossless audio is worth the extra space on your drive and extra time waiting for the download. If you'd like to have my album, Falling All The Way

FoCoMX 2012!!!

2012-04-14T22:37:00.001-06:00

Why is he taking pictures of his finger? Because my audience tonight was number one! Stage left, stage right, & front & center. Thanks to all the organizers, volunteers, bands, and especially the audiences. You keep local music happening!

Creative Capital Professional Development Workshop, Part 2

2012-04-02T21:47:00.002-06:00

As I've seen pictures of some of my fellow participants today, I've again been struck by how good these people really are, not only in their work, but in their genuine care and concern for each other. To be honest, Sunday is a blur to me. The images from that day are spinning like in a dryer, and every now and then one brief flash will push itself up against the door for longer than a second.

Exceptional Professional Development For Artists: Creative Capital, Part One

2012-04-02T00:12:00.004-06:00

A month or so ago, Beet Street, a local non profit arts initiative sent out an invitation for area artists to apply for a professional development workshop presented by an organization called Creative Capital. As I looked at the information I was tempted to go ahead and delete the message. I could think of too many reasons why I shouldn't apply. I'm new in town. I write folk songs. My art isn't

March and April Shows and Events

2012-03-19T14:30:00.001-06:00

Another February Roars Past

2012-02-29T17:45:00.001-07:00

This has been a busy month. Of course I'm happy for the busyness. I'm doing some interesting and exciting things. February 2012 included the first ever NoCoIndieShows Songwriters in the Round evening at Harrington Arts Academy, the second meeting of the Loveland Guitar Society, weekly turns at the Wednesday Night Hootenanny at Chillers, and a few other open mics and gigs around town. Mostly I've

Playing For Free

2012-02-17T11:52:00.000-07:00

This idea has been floating around various friends' facebook pages recently: While the sentiments expressed are ones that I've previously held, I think it's important to realize that this is an oversimplification of the problem. Over the many years that I've been playing there's been a huge downward shift in the number of paying gigs that have been available to musicians in many of the places

Songwriting Challenge

2012-02-01T00:26:00.000-07:00

Take the title of a popular song and write your own song to that title. Avoid using any other concepts or phrases from the original song.

Hum(When you don't know what to write, write about not knowing what to write)

2012-01-24T00:58:00.000-07:00

Hum – Franklin Taggart written in January 2012 This could be an interesting dayI’ve got your attention, but nothing to say I could take you for a tour of my psycheBut it wouldn’t be much of a rideI could spit out my deepest emotionsBut then I’d be empty insideI could sing you a story with a cut and dried moralBut preaching just isn’t my styleSo I wonder if you wouldn’t mindIf we look at each

Beginning Fingerstyle Guitar Workshop, Feb 18th at Loveland Music

2012-01-23T17:46:00.000-07:00

Contact Loveland Music to reserve a seat: 970-622-0080

Songwriting Challenge

2012-01-18T17:51:00.000-07:00

This week's challenge is: Write a four line verse or chorus(you decide) that has no more than five words in each line and doesn't use the word "the" in any line. Send me your example and I'll compile a collection to put up on the site. If any of you write a song using last week's exercise, send me an mp3 or a video and I'll put it up online. Thanks!

For Now, by Colin Forhan(written using yesterday's songwriting exercise)

2012-01-11T08:31:00.001-07:00

Songwriting Exercise

2012-01-10T10:29:00.000-07:00

Want to write a song and don't know where to start? Remember a situation. Answer these questions: 1. What happened? Be specific and describe vividly as much detail as you can. 2. How did you feel about it? Try to be as specific about body sensations as you can. 3. Then what happened? 4. How did you feel about it? 5. Why did you feel that way? 6. How do you feel about it now? The answers to

All you need to know about choosing a path

2012-01-08T20:30:00.000-07:00

This is as clear and concise an example of the considerations we all make in choosing our career(and other) paths. If you apply this you just saved yourself a $150.00 coaching fee(and a load of depression).

The Loveland Guitar Society

2012-01-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

For the past couple of months I've been attending the Cheyenne Guitar Society meetings at the Plains Hotel in Cheyenne(first Tuesday of every month). I've enjoyed my time there and have been mulling the possibility of starting a similar group here in Loveland. Today I met with Angela and Greg at Loveland Music and they have agreed to be the hosts of meetings. The Loveland Guitar Society is born!

Settling In

2011-12-06T11:19:00.000-07:00

We've been settling into our new home in Loveland, CO since November 7. It's a lovely place with more than enough room for our lives. Monica hit the road the day after we moved in and was gone for most of the next two weeks. Bodhi and I got busy with familiarizing ourselves with our new locale, finding such necessities as pizza delivery and sources of our favorite root beer. We welcomed a new

Moving

2011-09-20T21:45:00.000-06:00

I'vestayed longer at my current house than any other house in my life. 10 years. In other words, this is the longest amount of time I've ever gone without moving. We're getting ready to make the trip to Fort Collins, Colorado on Sunday. A new home with new possibilities, closer proximity to some family, further away from others, a chance for me to come back to where I am from, and for Monica and

MECA - Musician's Energy Conservation Alliance - REGISTER BANDS

2011-08-19T18:33:00.000-06:00

This is a great idea for musicians and foodies. Check it out and register today! MECA - Musician's Energy Conservation Alliance - REGISTER BANDS

Amy Winehouse Died From Flying Too Close To The Sun

2011-07-23T22:42:00.000-06:00

So much has been said today about the early death of singer, Amy Winehouse, that it seems pretty silly to even have a thought of my own about the whole thing. I enjoyed her music and did feel like she brought a unique fusion of classic musical styles into a very contemporary setting. I'm saddened that she refused help so consistently and that in essence led to today's news. I don't know if what I

Favorites

2011-07-05T21:30:00.000-06:00

My sister, Jane recently posted on her blog about not really having favorites(having to reach back to the early 80s to identify something that had been a favorite song). Great post by the way. Read it here Though I can certainly understand what she's saying and where she's coming from, I have to say that I have cultivated a few favorites over the years. The thing that's kind of cool is to

The things That Matter To Me

2011-06-20T23:38:00.000-06:00

I've been faced recently with having to choose the things that really matter most to me. Hear me out: Family--I can't get any more real than this. I would do anything to make sure that family members are thriving. Especially one Bodhi Jack Taggart. He defines my world every day. Freedom--I'm becoming more aware of how our individual freedoms in America are being compromised. I am afraid, angry

Stardust, 1975 Film Featuring David Essex, Dave Edmunds

2011-06-20T23:23:00.000-06:00

Was surfing on Crackle tonight when I found a film from 1975 called 'Stardust'. A movie featuring David Essex at the beginning of his heyday. I suspect 'Rock On' had recently or was yet to be released. Great fictional story about a Beatlesque band called Stray Cats. This was an amazing story that echoes the same line as the stories of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, and ultimately Jerry

Videos -- Washington Folk Festival, Glen Echo, MD June 4, 2011

2011-06-05T11:18:00.001-06:00

Join Me At The Washington Folk Festival. Saturday, June 4 at 6:00PM!

2011-06-02T22:05:00.000-06:00

Thanks to the lobbying of Jim Clark and the gracious acceptance of the selection committee, I'll be playing at this year's Washington Folk Festival at Glen Echo Park, Saturday, June 4 at 6PM. I'll be playing on the Yurt Village Stage which is right off the path from the back parking lot. Remember that parking for the Festival at Glen Echo is pretty treacherous, so take advantage of the free