If you've seen me anytime in the last couple of weeks, you might have noticed that I've been riding the lighting. I'm antsy with positivity. I'm giddy with life.
About a year and a half ago, Jeremiah Jordan asked me when I was going to do my first stand up album. I told him that I didn't know and that I was probably going to wait until someone asked me to.
I'm paraphrasing but he said something along the lines of "I'm asking you to. Let's do it."
It had never dawned on me that I could just take a big step like this on my own.
Christ, I guess I've got the resources and the material. Why not? And there I went.
I was half way to becoming a true Western Masochist.
I contacted management at the beautiful Majestic Theater in West Springfield (my home town) and they were extremely accommodating. We scheduled two shows on September 29th and we recorded both of them. What resulted is an hour long album / special which will be available for full video download through Vimeo Pro and a modified audio version of the special which will be available for download on many audio platforms. The album drops on Valentines Day. I think that's appropriate for the masochists out there. Each version of the album will be $10. You'll also be able to buy individual audio tracks for 99 cents.
I'll be teasing and promoting the album for the next two weeks before its release.
In the meantime, I have to share overwhelming gratitude to the people who helped make this happen.
Jeremiah Jordan is an incredible friend and the owner of Clyde Media Productions.
Without his push, his expertise and his undying support of his friends in entertainment, Western Masochist doesn't happen. He was the direct catalyst for this project. Everyone needs a shove like Jeremiah in their life. I'm happy he shoved me. While we're talking about him, if you watch the video and wonder how it looks so professional, Jeremiah and Clyde Media are how it looks so professional. Check out Clyde Media's website for some of the other amazing projects they produced.
Steve Sarro is a remarkable artist, musician and composer. He's an extremely talented music director at ImprovBoston and an absolute wonder of a human being.
He mastered the audio on both the audio and video versions of the album.
If you're wondering why it sounds amazing, that's on Steve.
Calvin Swaim, unbeknownst to me prior, was contacted by Jeremiah to create the intro and outro graphics for the video download. Calvin and I did some improv and theater together about 10 years ago at ImprovBoston and now he's kicking ass down in NYC. I was blown away by how much I loved the original graphics he made.
Tristan Tash is my best friend. He's also the deviant behind Acid Zoe, an electronic music project born in Springfield, MA. The tune you hear behind Calvin's graphic is an Acid Zoe original. Many thanks to T for his musical contribution.
The album cover is a picture of me when I was young trying to cheerlead. It was taken in Cape Cod in 1984 or '85. Boston comedian Justin P. Drew told me that's the picture I needed to go with and he was spot on. Western MA comedian Julie Waggoner discovered the perfect font and we landed on the cover.
I want to thank the Majestic Theater staff for believing in me enough to give me their theater for a full night. If you've never been, it's a big enough space that it feels like a production and it's an intimate enough space that you feel like you're one with the audience.
I want to thank my Mom. Man, oh, man. What we put each other through to get to this point and here we are. Thank you, thank you, thank you for supporting my insanity. It's not always easy but it's always real. Your heart bleeds for your children and everyone knows it. I'm a very fortunate son. I love you.
I dedicated this album to the memories of my Uncle Joe, my Nana and TC Cheever.
Three people who built me, believed in me and inspired me and ultimately still do every single day.
Beyond everything else, I want to thank my family, my friends and everyone else who came out to the recording. The support I've felt in the last two years has been life changing. The way you people lift me up keeps my blood flowing, keeps my heart beating and keeps my smile wide. I'm proud to be a part of your circles. I'm lucky to know each and every one of you. I promise to stay grounded and have your backs through and through on my journey. The people in my life are a constant source of light, an unconditional source of motivation and a bottomless source of happiness. I am filled with love.
I've got your backs. #DJBThereForYou
Love yourself, take care of each other and follow your fucking dreams.
#DJBLove
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