On your can buy our previous CD in the same place:

Oh yes and there is always my book.

One of the casualties of my chemo has been my lost of disgracefulmusic.com to some internet leech aided and abetted by the useless URL companies out there. Now I would not mind if the person who bought it was going to use it for music purposes (although I would be a bit annoyed at losing it). However as you would expect its now a spam site. This is a site I and my band built up over years.

How did I lose it you might ask? Well it was originally purchased as gift for the band by the much beloved Mommabear. Alas, she died a few years ago and I didn’t think/have the heart to have her transfer it to me while she was ill. Its terribly upsetting for me and I suspect other contributors to the site. But I promise you GoD’s site will be back in some other way. If you wish to hear any of our music please see the site panel of this blog.

Or just wait for our new CD that will be out sometime this spring.

Update: Long live www.growingolddisgracefullymusic.com

We just got a new mix from Rick of my song “Found”. Its the final mix for our new CD. Its quite impressive and sounds very full. Can’t wait to hear what he’s done with Kim’s song “New Moon Woman.” DK’s cover is pretty damn cool as well.

Chemo does not mean we can’t advance our creative life. Working hard to have a good collection of produced work by the end of my course of treatment.

Music saved my life
(Dodge/Dodge)

He fiddled against the devil
And barely won
Fought with Gods rival
And barely held his own
Walked to the chasm
Looked over the side

Music saved my life

He danced with evil
Came to reason in time
Backed with my rhythm and his rhyme
Came to his senses
Played it against his bones
Ended up coming back home

Music saved his life
Got him a lovely life
Yeah music saved his life

I danced with demons
Barely walked away
Back to where good lay
Withdrew from the chasm
Left its clever lure
So I can be with her

Music saved my life
Got me a lovely wife
Yeah music saved my life

We haven’t had time to even write the music for this. However this is the first draft of the song I wrote upon hearing I had colon cancer. My lovely wife Kim co-wrote edited and improved the lines.

Stalking Me
[Dodge/Dodge]

1)

Big C is after me
Not what you think
Nothing I did wrong
In me, it dont belong.

2)

Not Charlie or crack
No artificial means
For this attack
Here to end my dreams.

3)

Talking about the cancer
Thats the fact of the matter
It doesnt know class
Nor evil nor good

4)

Its a battle against the clock
For my ability to rock
A battle against the clock
So that I can rock.

Cry Freedom
(Dodge/Haithwaite)

Doncha run, just cry freedom
Dont let the bastards grind you down
Doncha run, just cry freedom
Theyll never take that from this town

Dont let fear get in the way
Courage will be there
Tellin you, tell you to stay
When things are too much to bear

They want us to be afraid
To live life all scared
Freedom is to be paid
Coming to those who dared

Band together in the face of fear
Rally round and be counted
Stand up for what is dear
We will not be routed

Doncha run, just cry freedom
Dont let the bastards grind you down
Doncha run, when you cry freedom
Theyll never take that from this ole town

Doncha run, just cry freedom
Dont let the bastards grind you down
Doncha run, when you cry freedom
Theyll never take that from this ole town

Hear it all its glory on Garageband. The song was written as a two-fingered salute to all those who would stop us living our lives the way we please. Its in memory of those who have died to Islamist violence where-ever they may be, but especially in New York & London. Its also a tribute to all those who day in day out go out and do their best to protect us from Islamist terrorism both official and unofficial; whether in Iraq, Afganisatan or our home countries.

Stay vigilant, stay safe and stay alive…

Update: Kesher Talk has a nice collection of posts; as well as one on Flight 93. David examines how the Germans tastefully remember 9/11. Ex-Muslims have used the date as well.

Well I was fortunate enough to be one of those who made it to the second round of the contest to star in a superbowl commercial.

FuelmyBlog and MyBowlAd.com are holding a contest to find a star of a Superbowl commercial early next year. As part of it I have been asked to write 300 words on why it should be me who flies to LA and makes a prat of himself stars in a Superbowl commercial with a potential viewership of millions and millions of people worldwide.

I think my reasons are two fold. First of all it would be cool to see myself on worldwide watched telly as so far all I get to see is my wife Kim and her brother Perry in various British comedies and films. Why shouldnt I get a crack at having fans and the kudos like those two? Free drinks and admiration would be quite nice it has to said. As far as stalkers go, this blog has provided a few so I have no need of any of them. I want to get in on the family act(ing) thing and am too old to go through the whole acting school thing.

The other reason I would love to get this gig is it might be the highest level of exposure, me the singer of Growing Old Disgracefully, will ever get. I owe it to the lads and Kim to see if I can do the best for the band as possible. After all they have worked really hard on all our music and deserve some recognition for their toil. And you have to admit that doing a Superbowl commercial at my age is a supreme act of growing old disgracefully.

I think I got the quirky looks, the charisma (or so I am told) and the ability to get it right while filming. And after all I am one of those types who is willing to try anything once. Oh yes and unlike most people, even proper actors and musicians, I dont get stage fright at all. I get post-stage fright. It happens once I have done whatever I am doing, so it does not affect the performance.

Oh and as this is a blog post one last thing can you imagine the blog hits if I win?

Please vote for this post here every day for the next seven days!

My dear wife has written a farewell message to the David Beckham Academy after she left the place on Thursday. I have also discovered that her MySpace page has gotten quite a few hits and her music is getting listened quite a bit…three times as much as GoD’s stuff at this point. There might be something in this music lark for K T Dodge time will tell.

Theo seems impressed with some of her friends on MySpace as well. I wonder why?

Very gracefully it has to be said. He has written some very kind words about me.

There are a number of people I’d like to thank for their help and advice, many of whom I can’t here because of their day jobs. All in due course over a quiet pint. Above all, Andrew Dodge deserves to be singled out for some really sterling input, and thanks to the band G.O.D. for allowing me to use their fantastic anthem over the past year…

Put that in yer pipe (outside of course) and smoke it Evening Standard Londoner’s Diary.

The Evening Standard Londoner’s Diary has discovered the video and someone has not done their research about my band GoD being on the soundtrack with Cry Freedom, even quoting the lyrics. They seemed to have been unable to find the announcement on Lee’s site announcing his selection of GoD’s track as his theme-song.

A bit of basic research would have gone a long way on this one. As far as I am concerned its so pathetically wrong its amusing. Here is the complete wording of the piece.

Election Fight hits YouTube

Aspiring London Mayoral Candidate Lee Rotherham pledges to abolish City Hall in the unlikely event he gets elected. But that hasnt stopped Rotherham from becoming embroiled in a cronyism row over his bid being used to advance the musical career of one of his pals.

Rotherham has posted a video outlining his manifesto on YouTube. The five minute broadcast was produced and edited by Rotherhams friend Andrew Ian Dodge, and American London based computer games consultant and blogger.

The broadcast is accompanied by a rock song called Cry Freedom by an unsigned band Growing Old Disgracefully. (Sample lyrics Doncha run just cry freedom/dont let the bastards grind you down/doncha run just cry freedom/theyll never take this from this town.)

The lead vocalist and songwriter of Growing Old Disgracefully happens to be Andrew Ian Dodge.

Essentially, Dodge took advantage when making Rotherhams mayoral video to promote his band who, quite frankly, wont be number one on this Sunday Im told. Theyre mentioned in the broadcast credits but no connection is made linking them with Dodge. The whole thing is, well, extremely dodgy.

I believe Lee has asked for a clarification and correction of the blatant errors in the piece. We shall see if that comes about. I have also written to them expressing my disgust with the piece. It did not seem to make the “West End Final” on Friday.

Update: The ES has not seen fit to correct their libelous statements.

The Facebook site is picking up members as well. Thanks to all of you who viewed the video yesterday.

Please don’t forget the Facebook page.

Not only is G.o.D.’s Cry Freedom on the soundtrack, but I produced and edited the video.

I wrote these two sets of lyrics while flying high over the Atlantic in BA business class (highly recommended). Both sets seemed to come about with ease.

Bad Feeling
(Dodge)

I gotta a bad feeling
Things are a changin
All this parading
Its a great danger

War clouds are brewin
Best start a runnin
Or stay while preparin
For evil mens designs

Gather the forces round
Stand up and be proud
Not part of the crowd
Ignore the prayer

Murderous soul on the prowl
Like Hyenas in full growl
Fevered mind and sweated brows
Theres a comin danga

Stay wise and be free
But watch the gatherin skies
Stay wise and be free
Be wary or our kind all dies

Return
(Dodge)

She prays for his embrace
Not some national disgrace
Humiliated and utterly defeated
Morale and pride depleted

A mission gone wrong
Ends with a pressed throng
A normal naval control
Ends with loads of vitriol

Taken without a fight
None of that majestic might
Captured and violated
Paraded and humiliated

Remember the noble profession
Before expressing your derision
Their orders forbade
Lest they looked to invade

Forgive their plight
Sapped of their might
There in an Arab Sea
Unable to do their duty

As you probably all know I have a band and we have a few tracks up over at Garageband. Well a wee song that was written by Kim (mostly), John and I seems to have gone down well with the harsh punters over at the site.

Beckham don’t bend it
I can tell you I did not identify with a lot of this humor since I hate soccer with every fiber of my being. I laughed with my wife at the references to Beckham because we have an onrunning gag about how she thinks he’s hot (okay, it’s not really a gag…) That said…I get happy whenever I hear somebody who put some thought into his lyrics, since so few seem to do that on GB. and you did that. Vocals were easy to listen to, nice harmonies, and exceptional production quality. I enjoyed the song, and it kept a smile on my face even though I didn’t get some of the humor! Thank you
Reviewed by: usaknucklehead from Hoboken, New Jersey

Its interesting to realise that an added voice in the songwriting process can really help things along. Kim seems to have quite a interesting take on songwriting that differs quite a bit from my lyric writing. Needless to say all my lyrics will at least go through her filter before being done.

Go have a listen to England, Please Lose It.

When it rains…now our track Blogging Blues is track of the Day on Garageband for comedy.

This one was written by Kim & I and I mixed it.

Our track England, Please Lose It is doing rather well over at Garageband in the Comedy section. At this point its top 50 all time in the comedy and as you can see above it has been selected as Track of the Day for this Satuday. This was the track that John, Kim and I wrote as an entry to the infamous fixed Virgin World Cup song contest. It was a lot of fun to write and I am glad people are enjoying it.

Incidentally my tale over at the weekly challenge is in the lead. It could use your votes still however.

Quite a week for this here singer. First of all I find out that GoD’s music is up on iTunes finally and yesterday I started my voice training. I was rather pleased when I found out that all those days in chorus with Mr Esposito at Palmer were not lost in the sands of time. Much of the warm-up stuff was right there and I was able to do most of it with more problems. It was rather fun to have my betrothed along as well so I could do all my vocal task with someone, even better our coach, Jennifer May made us face each other and do them. She is really rather good ,both made me feel at ease and got quite a bit out of me. I am rather looking forward to our session next week. Even an hour of vocal training has done quite a bit for my vocal confidence.

If you are singer, especially one that is older, it never hurts to go back and doing a bit of tweaking. I am positive that the sessions we are doing with Ms May will be time well spent.

Yes shockingly the band finally has Cry Freedom: Rough & Ready EP up on iTunes! About bloody time that is for sure! It has taken a hell of a long time to finally see our tracks up on Apples venerable site. I have to admit to have given up hope it would ever happen. It is a nice feeling to finally see my music up on the site. Irony is that I start singing lessons to help my range and voice this Saturday.

After all you need something to play on your iPod phone.

And we will have a song mixed by a professional mixer via Sellaband! This offer will end by 1 jan this year. Naturally if you were to give us the whole lot we would be happy to have the song of ours that you prefer mixed. That would be only fair.

And remember you s go a hell of a lot farther right now thanks to the exchange rate. What better Xmas/Saturnalia/birthday (for me) present than a song professionally mixed and mastered?

Here are some lyrics that I wrote inspired by the kind description of me in The Business when commenting about Pamphlet for the Economic Resource Council about the British Music Business.

And its called MySpace and its on um…MySpace. He has other MySpace exclusives there as well. Mitch is doing two gigs in London this Satuday. More details on his site as well as other dates round the country. His MySpace profile is quite good and its a great source of info about the rather clever and damn funny man. Why the hell do they not give this guy a telly show? Lord knows it would better than the pants that was Jam & Jerusalem.

Head over Dodging Reality page or just shove this into your iTunes (itpc://rss.mac.com/lagwolf/iWeb/Dodging%20Reality/Podcast/rss.xml).

This week we have a few tales: one from Laurence read by Kim and one by me read by me, a love song (of sorts) from Growing Old Disgracefully and a few other things.

My dream business is either doing a daily radio show (probably with Laurence Simon) on a major network or touring the world with my band Growing Old Disgracefully. The band can already have our logo on my business checks but we haven’t really sold enough to need them quite yet. Althought we could probably use some cheap business chachkas to pay our bills with. That said we are selling EPs on CD Baby but what we lack is exposure. Once the mayoral campaign gets moving it is possible our selection as official theme-song for Dr Lee Rotherham will help the cause. I am gonna see if I can sneak back into the studio soon as well; we got a few new songs that need recording as well as proper version of Found.

London’s own Arnie, Sargeant Dr Lee Rotherham, has chosen a GoD track for his campaign theme song. Can’t wait to hear it blaring out of the speakers on the campaign bus.

Bands have tshirts; most are pretty tame or pretty lame. What ever band wants to have is a t-shirt that people want to wear that don’t necessarily know the band. I have been trying to think of a clever saying for my band’s t-shirts for quite a long time. The latest idea is Growing Old Disgracefully beats dying young & innocent. Another possible one is Why be young and naive when you can grow old disgracefully? Any ideas along this line would be most welcome so give us a suggestion in comments.

We have 4 tunes on the new Coke Music site. Thanks to Mater for pointing the site out to me.

This week our contributors have chosen to have a rest; well Lair is around in the guise of 100 word host, so its down to me, Marty and Growing Old Disgracefully to pick up the slack. Enjoy some editorialising, some music and a whole lot of beer.

Follow this link to be taken to our page in iTunes music store.

Slap this (http://homepage.mac.com/lagwolf/podcasts/DodgingReality1.xml) link into your iTunes.

As always if you want to do us a piece of less than 5 minutes and in mp3 format send it to the address to the left.

NB: I found out Sen Collins rant about mail-order tobacco from this thread on As Maine Goes.

A good time was had by all at the GBBF. Ironically Wolfie and I spent some time avoiding all the people we know at last night’s session. He was there for the beer but I was there to see M3 and raise a few jars.

In keeping with the beer festival; the band had an hour break between two sets: one 45 minute and the other about an hour. The first set was made up of songs from Company of Snakes original album Burst their Bubble. I have to admit that I was probably one of the few people to recognise the tracks for this release. We got to hear both Marsden and Moody do solos to show off their amazing guitar skills. Neil Murray was his normal stoic self as he gave them the awesome bottom line Whitesnake blues needs.

Jimmy Copley did the job on drums who has done time with Paul Rodger’s & Tony Iommi’s band and on keyboards Mark Stanway (Magnum, Grand Slam) showed why he is so respected. Speaking of respect; a young lad asked me if they were a cover band. I had to explain the band’s origins. He was impressed with their skill and really liked the band.

The second set was 100% vintage Whitesnake with ‘Slow & Easy’, ‘Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City,’ ‘Crying in the Rain’ and cracking finale ‘Here I go Again’ amongst others. I, like quite a few others in the crowd, sang along with every word. My only gripe with Stefan Bergrren who handles the vocals is that he does not seem to have the low-end that Coverdale has with his vocals. He handles the high stuff fine but does not do the bottem end as well.

In the end it was the perfect band for a night of real ale drinking. Most people went for the beer and got to see a cracking band. I went to see a band and got to drink some damn good beer.

Payperpost.com has allowed me to Get Paid For Blogging. And they have asked me to ponder what I would pay someone else to do for me. Well its pretty damn simple. If I could muster the moolah I would engage my mates at WorkHardPR to plug GoD’s Cry Freedom: Rough & Ready EP to the usual outlets. I would love to see if we could get some traction here in the UK. I am trying to do it myself and it is bloody hard work I can tell you. It is amazing how often people, even most bloggers, are keen for you to plug their efforts but seem to turn a deaf ear when you got something to push. And the excuses for no being able to help are sometimes, especially in the case of bloggers, most innovative and amusing. Yes, like Santa, I am keeping a list and checking it twice of who has helped and who hasn’t.

Latest colum is up over at Blogcritics.