Songs from the Sax Shed

Weekend #21 in 2013: Sax-rageous!

2013-05-16T17:26:00.001-07:00

In KJ mode on Friday, May 17, hosting Adventures in Karaoke at The Junction Lounge. (Get Outta the Shower and SING!)

[Hint: Click on photos for more event details.]

Saturday morning I'll be providing Hi-Octane Entertainment with Foster Campbell and Friends for the 5th Annual Biggest Baddest BBQ at the Kern County Fairgrounds. Revved up from our CSUB Spring BBQ debut and ready to roll! Approximate Show Time is 11:30 A.M. to 1:30.

Saturday evening I'm saxafyin' with The Blue Deacons: Steely Dan Tribute Ensemble at On the Rocks, 1517 18th Street, from 9 P.M. 'til we're done. Great music for rock and jazz fans alike. Get there early for best seating.

On Sunday, May 19, I'll be performing with East Bakersfield's legendary party/fiesta band, Thee Majestics for St. Phillip's International Fair at St. Phillips Catholic Church, 7100 Stockdale Highway from c. 4:00 P.M. to 7:00. Fun and entertainment for the whole family.

Check out my event calendar to the right for more details and for future events. Upcoming: The Media Music Jam on June 22nd with Thee Majestics; the family friendly Concerts by the Fountain at The Marketplace on June 13, July 4, and July 18 with FCnF, Thee Majestics, and The Blue Deacons respectively.

Sax Assured!

Thanks for your support,

Mac-->

Mac’s Shows: 2013 Week 19

2013-05-07T19:34:00.001-07:00

Hi-Octane week ahead. Sax Assured with Foster Campbell and Friends on Thursday and Saturday.

Thursday, May 9, 2013: CSU Bakersfield’s 41st Annual Spring BBQ.

♫ Theme: The 80’s.

♫ Showtime is 7:00 P.M.

Saturday, May 11, 2013: Prime Cut Meats & Eats’ 15th Annual Crawfish Festival.

♫ Family Friendly.

♫ Tentative Showtime is 12 Noon.

Click on an event for more details:

Learn how to get your music heard at ReverbNation.com

Oh Yeah, AND I’m hosting Adventures in Karaoke at The Junction Lounge on Friday & Saturday, May 10 & 11, from 8:30 P.M. to Close.

Hope to see you soon. Sax Assured,

Mac—>

2013 Week 15 (Blue Deacons on Friday)

2013-04-08T15:04:00.001-07:00

2013 Week 15: In KJ mode Tue, Wed & Sat at The Junction; Sax Assured Friday with The Blue Deacons. ? lnkd.in/AusAQW
— Mac McClanahan (@The2nsmith) April 8, 2013

Blue Deacons: Round 2 at B Ryder’s Mar 29

2013-03-29T15:08:00.001-07:00

Call Alabama what you want. Sax Assured with The Blue Deacons at B Ryder's. Reservations [recommended] to see this 14 pc Steely Dan Tribute Ensemble.
— Mac McClanahan (@The2nsmith) March 29, 2013

#1 in Bako! Thanks for the Boost

2013-01-28T22:27:00.001-08:00

Hi Folks:

I've made it to Number 1 on the ReverbNation R&B/Soul charts for Bakersfield, CA. http://www.reverbnation.com/SaxAssured

To update you: Through March my next few Sax Gigs are at private events. I will be posting my public appearances as I receive all the specifics. On the Tunesmith front, I'm currently working on three horn arrangement commissions.

It feels nice to have my efforts recognized.

Thank you so much for your support,

Sax Assured,

Mac-->

This Saxman’s January 2013

2013-01-15T13:33:00.001-08:00

First: Thank you all for your support in my varying endeavors during 2012.

This month I’m in Saxman mode exclusively for private and corporate events. But, you can catch me live in KJ mode hosting Adventures in Karaoke Tuesdays – Fridays at The Junction Lounge, Bakersfield for Redhouse Productions. (Yup, my day gig is at night.) Show times 8:30 to Close with No Cover Charge. Get Outta the Shower and SING!

Riffing with Tomás and Dandy at Adventures in Karaoke

Tunesmith mode: I’m currently polishing off a couple of horn arranging commissions. The big project is Operation January -- re-scribing some of my older compositions into digital manuscripts.

I hope to see you out and about in 2013.

Sax Assured,

Mac—>

Sax Assured: 2012 Week 40

2012-10-02T18:13:00.001-07:00

Busy week. Wished my Mom a Happy Birthday on Sunday (Sep 30th). Performed with Rockamole for the Bakersfield Raider Nation. We had a great time with Guest Percussionist Marcos Reyes from WAR.

Rockamole f. Marcos Reyes after the game for the Raider Nation. Sax Assured!

Friday: Sax Assured with Thee Majestics in Delano for the Harvest Festival Friday, October 5, 2012 from 7:30-10:30 at Memorial Park, Delano, CA.

Saturday: Sax Assured with Thee Majestics at a private event on Saturday.

And of course, I’ll be hosting Adventures in Karaoke at The Junction Lounge, Bakersfield on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 8:30 – Close. No Cover. All fun.

Get Outta the Shower and SING!

Thanks for your support,

Mac—>

Mac’s June 2012 Saxman Shows

2012-05-31T18:54:00.000-07:00

My scheduled Saxman adventures in June start Downtown in the heart of Bakersfield and conclude in beautiful Santa Ynez, California.

June kicks off with a return to my Jazz Fusion roots with the Jay Smith Group at Riley’s Tavern on Friday the 1st.
I’ll be busy with several Private Events throughout the month including a Solo Saxman gig and a variety of “casual” & corporate gigs with Thee Majestics of East Bakersfield.

I return with Rockamole to Club Tam at Manny’s Tam O’Shanter on Saturday, June 9th, with our
"Dial R-O-C-K-A-M-O-L-E for a Tam Good Time” show.
(Yup, Los Locos are at it again.) I perform Dance/Baile music with these cats: Old School, Cumbias, Rock, Latin Soul, R & B. Fun guaranteed.

June 14th marks the return of Foster Campbell and Friends to the Concerts by the Fountain series at The Marketplace. (Lawn chairs recommended.) Hi-Octane fun for the whole family.

Saxman meets Shufflin’ Nick at The Marketplace

Here’s the bona fide Mac McClanahan Event Schedule. You can also find it at Reverb Nation ~ http://reverbnation.com/The2nsmith or my Artist’s Page on Facebook ~ http://facebook.com/SaxAssured

The month ends with a road trip as Foster Campbell and Friends journey to Santa Ynez for a Hi-Octane Rhythm and Blues Show at The Maverick Saloon.

Thanks for your support, Mac—>

Opening Act: Live, Loud & Lovin’ It

2011-12-12T19:19:00.000-08:00

Had a great time with Foster Campbell and Friends opening for Elvin Bishop and B.B. King at the Majestic Fox Theater, November 26, 2011. For us, this event was the highlight of 2011. Thank you friends & neighbors for your encouragement and support.
The gig was awesorific. FCnF connected with the audience and received a very enthusiastic response.

Load In:
Danny Lipco & the Fox treated us well, gracious hospitality & steaks for dinner. (But, the Heinekens were, of course, for Mr. King.) I got chance to chat with some of Elvin's band members including Trombonist, Eddy Earley, & Guitarist, Bob Welsh as well as Mr. King's drummer, Tony Collette. But, we weren't able to meet w/Elvin or Mr. King themselves. We set up and had time for a line check. The opening act always get the lowest priority when sound check time comes around, but we were treated like headliners by the venue and sound crew.

Showtime:
Pac West provided us that professional, Big League, sound befitting a juggernaut band like ours. Our goal was to ably represent Bakersfield on a stage preceding high caliber artists like Roadhouse Warrior, Elvin Bishop, and Blues Legend, B.B. King. The set ran like clockwork. Tanner Byrom (drums) and Brett Seaton (bass) kept the pulse in check while Dave Sands (bari) anchored The Double Stuff Horns. My band mates nailed all our marks. Geri Campbell sweetened the mix with her tasty vocals. Foster delivered the blue-eyed soul captaining our band into to Hi-Octane mode. Kudos to Chuck Seaton, Chris Neufeld, Dennis Wilson and John (Jam Master) Hollins for their stellar solos.

Fan footage of the end of our set during the B.B. King/Elvin Bishop Concert.

It felt like the audience was pulling for us to do well and THAT gave us the energy to succeed. Thank you Bakersfield!

After our set, The Lovely Diane and I got a chance to "chillax," just sit back and enjoy the rest of the concert, as if we were on a date.

Elvin Bishop Rocks:
Elvin and his band have honed their skills to a World Class level. Elvin Bishop’s sextet brought an impressive mix of blues, wit, energy, humor and chops.

Elvin Bishop takes it to the Bakersfield audience.

One of the highlights of the set came when Elvin walked out into the audience. He was generous throughout the course of the set giving his musicians ample time in the spotlight. This set was well worth the price of admission on it’s own.

B.B. King Rules:
The set started out featuring his band, a well oiled Blues Machine indeed. The King of the Blues entered the stage to a raucous ovation. B.B. King shared a few tales and delighted the crowd with his subtle blues lines. All in all it was a great experience.

“Props”:

Thank you to Dennis Mulelady and Foster Campbell for getting us this gig. Thank you to Danny Lipco and the Bakersfield Fox Theater for including us on the roster and for all their hospitality. Thank you to the Pac West sound & stage team Bruce Milburn, Al, Power, Loren, Jason and the rest of the crew for all their expertise and hard work. Looking forward to the next event.

For more info on FCnF go to:
http://www.fostercampbellandfriends.net or http://facebook.com/FCnFBand

Foster Campbell and Friends: Fox Theater Line-up

Leader/Guitar/Lead Vocals: Foster Campbell

The Tasty Vocals: Geri Campbell

The Seaton Sound Machine:
Lead Guitar & Solo: Chuck Seaton
Bass: Brett Seaton
Keyboards/Lead Vocals: Chris Neufeld
Drums: Tanner Byrom

The Double Stuff Horns:
Trumpet: John Hollins
Alto/Tenor Sax: Dennis Wilson
Tenor Sax/Horn Arr: Mac McClanahan (Lead vocal on Them Changes)
Bari Sax: Dave Sands

Stage Sound: Pacific West Sound

Foster Campbell and Friends in Hi-Octane Mode:

Thanks for listening.

Mac—>

2011 Week 49

2011-12-05T01:50:00.001-08:00

Here's my week ahead. (Week ending December 10, 2011)

Tunesmithing throughout the week and initiating Project Update.
Prepping for upcoming events on Monday.
Hosting Adventures in Karaoke Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at The Junction Lounge from 8:30 to Close.
Hi-Octane Rhythm and Blues with Foster Campbell and Friends at a private venue on Wednesday.
RaiderNation Holiday Event at Noble Park with Rockamole from 6 pm –10 on Saturday the 10th.

Sax Assured!

FCnF open for BB King & Elvin Bishop (newsreel)

2011-11-22T13:59:00.000-08:00

In case you missed it, here's KGET-17 News story on Foster Campbell and Friends opening for Elvin Bishop & B.B. King, Saturday, Nov 26, 2011

at The Majestic Fox Theater, 2001 H Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301-3919 ~ (661) 324-1369 ~ http://g.co/maps/jcee2

Foster Campbell and Friends, Hi-Octane Rhythm and Blues

We're all revved and rarin' to open for these Blues Legends.

Saxman, Mac McClanahan

Hi-Octane fun. Sax Assured!

Saxman Meets Shufflin’ Nick

2011-10-15T00:17:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the audience is as fun as the band. I was performing with Foster Campbell and Friends at The Marketplace, Bakersfield, CA for Via Arte on Saturday, October, 8 2011 when I saw Nick kickin’ up his feet to Chris Neufeld’s performance of Mustang Sally. When my ride came up, I walked over to him to give him a little something extra for his shuffle. The band and the audience had a great time. I dug his shuffle.
Here’s a clip of that moment posted by Christa Hunt, thatsomefunny, on YouTube.

Saxman meets Shufflin’ Nick

Thank you, Ms. Hunt, for posting the video clip. Also, thanks go to Foster Campbell, Chris Neufeld (Vocal/Keyboard), Chuck Seaton (Guitar), all the other cats in Foster Campbell and Friends and the responsive audience at Via Arte.

Hi-Octane rhythm and blues!

2011 Week 34

2011-08-23T14:26:00.000-07:00

I'll catch my breath in September.

Hosting Adventures in Karaoke Tue, Wed & Fri at The Junction.
Saxafyin' for Rhythmm Epkins & Mind, Body and Soul on Thursday at Sandrini's.
Rehearsals-cubed!
Deep into tunesmith mode this weekend.

‎2011 Week 33

2011-08-15T01:49:00.000-07:00

Here's my week ahead.

AVP Live Music meeting at Trouts
Hosting Karaoke Tue-Fri (yes, Thursday too) at The Junction from 8:30 to Close
RaiderNation at Noble Park w/RockaMole + Special Guests Saturday 11 A.M.
Saturday 8 P.M. with Thee Majestics at The Eagles Car Show
KCF on Sunday 11 A.M.-4 with Thee Majestics for the 17th Annual KCHCOC Business & Consumer Trade Show

...and a lot of coffee.

Tuning Notes for Jazz Band Horns in mp3 Format

2010-12-14T05:52:00.000-08:00

While in my Saxman alter ego, I was searching the web for tuning note tones in mp3 format that I could download for my phone and iPod. (Yup, I have a phone AND an iPod, but I don’t own a tuner.) I didn’t find much that was useful and free. I did find a blog post by Mike O’Connor,

~ Tuning notes — MP3 files for your iPod or player, ~ http://www.haven2.com/index.php/archives/tuning-notes-mp3-files-for-your-ipod-or-player ~

which included tones for orchestral and guitar tuning using the pitches A, D, and E Concert. I found the mp3 files straightforward, well-done and easy enough to download. [Thumbs-up Mr. O’Connor.] Oh yeah, …and I loved the price (free.) Still, as a Tenor Saxophonist, I was looking for pitches that would help me center the intonation of my axe. So, I booted up the ol’ Finale music notation program to generate the pitches I really wanted and convert them to mp3’s. Well, once I saw the manuscript paper I was in Tunesmith mode. I couldn’t just stop at four whole notes of Concert G. Time to tinker! Even though I realize as a practical matter most musicians can tune their horns in 8 to 16 beats,I decided to take things a little further by adding a second pitch and additional reference devices to help center a performer’s intonation on the same track. Needles on tuners are nice and usually very accurate, but during performance we rely upon our ears to stay in tune. It’s better to check more than one note, as a horn player, to be certain you’re ready to play in tune. Naturally, I couldn’t leave my section-mates hangin’. So, I forged similar tracks for Alto, Bari, Trumpet and ‘Bone. Remember: Tuning aids are nice to have, but the best performers make time to WARM-UP and KEEP Their EARS ON. Listen! Listen! LISTEN! Following are links to the Tuning Note mp3s. The tracks are geared for a quick reference for seasoned players or as a training tool for newer instrumentalists. If there is sufficient request, I’ll forge more of these for different instruments. Many thanks to Anthony (Tony) Aguilar and Phil Blass for their invaluable input. Thanks again to Mike O’Connor Here’s a sample I posted on YouTube:

Any instrument can use any track for tuning. I hope you find them hepful.

Links & Description - Free Downloads
Tuning Jazz Horns_ Concert A & Triad 1.mp3 Reference tones for tuning Jazz Ensemble Wind Instruments: Concert A - A Major Triad - Concert Bb - C Major Scale.
Tuning Alto Sax_ Concert Bb - Bb Tri.mp3 Reference tones for tuning an Eb Alto Sax: Concert Bb - Bb Major Triad - F Major Scale.
Tuning Tenor Sax_ Concert G - G Maj.mp3 Reference tones for tuning an Bb Tenor Sax: Concert G - G Major Triad - Concert C - C Major Scale.
Tuning Bari Sax_ Concert Bb - Bb Tri.mp3 Reference tones for tuning Eb Baritone Sax: Concert Bb - Bb Major Triad - Concert F Major Scale.
Tuning Trumpet_ Concert A - A Maj Tr.mp3 Reference tones for tuning Bb Trumpet: Concert A - A Major Triad - Concert Bb - Bb Major Scale.
Tuning Trombone_ Concert Bb - Bb Maj.mp3 Reference tones for tuning Trombone: Concert Bb - Bb Major Triad - Concert F.
Tuning Jazz Horns mp3 Pack.zip This Zip Folder contains the 6 Jazz Ensemble Horn Tuning mp3s.

Sample of Tuning Jazz Ens. Horns… manuscript.

Anvil of a Tunesmith

2010-10-31T22:24:00.000-07:00

Music is a language more
Universal than most.
Keep Singing no matter what
your Instrument!
Mac—>