Johnny: Thanks! What more can I say?

OOC: They were rather short though weren't they? lol..... And Laurelles, thanks man I appreciate the compliment. Can't wait to hear from Jason because he and Johnny are kindred spirits in a way. He also greatly respects his opinions and criticism. I think a collaborative album between the two of them may be the next route I take while doing all of this. Jason's new folky direction fits right in with his kind of stuff. I think them collaborating on an entire album as a duo could explode some heads.

Edited by user 03 October 2011 07:07:47(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

OOC: Yeah man, I'd quite like to do a collab album actually. I think it's a very good idea, so we should definitely work on some stuff for that :P

Johnny's studio blog:http://www.therockstargame.com/forum/default.aspx?g=postmessage&t=6954&f=3

Hey all you damned crazy kids! I've been hanging out at home in the studio and am just enjoying being with the family. I got to tell you it's real damned blessing to be at home. Joe's little boy took his first steps while we were recording yesterday! Just got up and toddled over to him while he was playing to get at daddy's guitar. I'm thinking it's a sign that we got another axe player in the family! It's so great to be at home so Joe could be there to see it. Also I've just finished recording the first 3 cuts of my Grandad's album. It is absolutely fucking stellar. He has not lost a step and still has that sound that just haunts my bones. I'm releasing them here for free and have to tell that everything so far has just been gold. He's also granted his first interview in so long I can't remember. So please stay tuned for that it's going to be a big feature in The Rolling Stone.

Without further hesitation I present to you "Ramblin'" Jack McDougal's album simply titled "Still A Rambler" 40 years in the making. It was well worth the wait.

1. A Train Robbery


I knew Grandad was not going to make an album without one good cowboy outlaw tune. Hearing him play and sing the chorus just gave me chills while I fought to keep tears back. That old cowboy was still just as good as he was 40 years ago and that chorus. It goes like this.

We will burn your train to cinders so throw the money on down
Open up your damned express car and jump down to the ground
But we won't touch that old Pullman she's Southern and they claimed
They ain't offered no reward for Frank and Jesse James
Frank and Jesse James

Hearing him call out that chorus in that familiar soulful howl he has just makes everybody stop and listen. When he hit that final line in the chorus and I was jumping up and down in the recording booth! Grandad was coming back and he was gonna do it like a bad ass. The entire song is just a complete gem that only he could write. I can't sing his praises enough here. Before he started the song he looked me in the eye and said, "If I'm gonna make one last ride. I'm gonna open up a can of whoop ass with this song and start this record off right!" He opened more than a can on this one. He brought a keg full of it.

2. False Hearted Lover Blues


I played the acoustic guitar parts for this. We had a good time doing it because this is the kind of stuff we sit around and play together. That real Appalachian stomp type stuff that has that bluesy moan in it. My Grandad's mandolin playing was just as good as I had seen it been. We really complimented each other and he just had this Cheshire grin on his face the whole time. That's the one thing he loves is when I play with him. He smiles so damn much you think his face would break. When we finished it he pulled out his silver flask of home made whiskey took a sip and handed it to me for a drink then just said, "We killed that one good grandson." Then nodded and I can't help but agree with him. He speaks you listen. He plays you listen. Everything he does just commands a presence he has that is amazing to me. Here is a man the knew Hank Williams when he was still living, 2 years from being 90 years old, and just has this vibe around him that you can just feel. Not only that but he's also a very humble man and a hell of a nice guy.

3. Growing Trade


This song was way unexpected to me and blew me away. Just because of the subject matter and the fact that he was mixing in a contemporary sound. It struck a chord with me because he was addressing two issues at once. Farmers that aren't growing marijuana as this song suggests and are actually farming the land are losing their once firmly held jobs and land to corporations that are forcing them to sell their land. The legacy of farming has strong roots that run deep because the land does become a sacred thing in a sense. There was blood in the soil. This is another song that I played on that moved me to tears.
When we finished I gotta look from him and he said "Hey now, stop crying and smoke this reefer. Besides that's what the song's about. Legalize the damn stuff." Grandpa was a weed smoker and a supporter for legalization? I had no idea. But I kind of always suspected.

I can't say enough about how rewarding this experience has been and really helped me see my Grandfather in a different light. I always knew he was a great musician. But really having my eyes opened was a thing of beauty. I respect him even more now and enjoyed every minute of this album. Recording and listening to it now. Until the next entry friends.

Edited by user 05 October 2011 08:07:51(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Jimi to me was the original progressive guitarist with the things that he did that just still blow my mind. I knoe I speak on Bradley Nowell being an influence for me but that was generally musically wise. I respect him as a guitar player too. But as guitar players go my main influence is Jimi. He did things with sound and distortion that just was so ballsy. But his technique was second to none. He could write beautiful songs and then use his guitar to take you along for the trip. Also he could play forwards, backwards, and sideways. There's a book I read where he could hear a song backwards in recording and be able to play it normally. He could do this within his own songs as well. Jimi was a musical genius that expanded what the guitar was regarded as. I remember listening to Little Wing for the first time and going I want to play like that. I want use my guitar as something more and beyond just a piece of wood with metal. Jimi opened that door for me to show me that it could be done. Every time I listen to Jimi again it's like reopening an old attic then finding new stuff among the old. I'm always finding something new with Jimi's work. I think he still has a lot to teach us axe men if we just open our ears some more. Jimi may be dead but he's very much alive to me. His legacy will always be alive and all we have to do to resurrect his music to experience him for ourselves. The Jimi Hendrix Experience was really a fitting name. You had to and still have to experience him to understand.

Naturally I played Little Wing for the live set and wanted to be put on the album to be recorded at the festival. But I wanted to do something that was going to blow people's minds and would've made Jimi proud if he were here today.

Sounds Like:


OOC: When I heard this my head nearly exploded from the epicness.

Johnny: I agree man. I wouldn't be holding a guitar if it weren't for Jimi.

Joe: Johnny and I both have always had an affinity for Jimi. The things he did with a guitar still just fucking amaze me. He was just on a whole different level than the rest.

Edited by user 04 November 2011 19:50:33(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Erica: we looked for an "i'm sorry you od'd " card,but i guess they were all sold out.

Nina: you know how the holiday season can be,love. So we got you one of those fruit things made to look like flowers. It was in poor taste, but we couldnt pass up making all the flowers poppies.

Erica: you should excpect nothing less from us.

Erica :cheap?! That basket was like 200 dollars. Fruit doesnt naturally grow in the shape of flowers,some artisan has to craft them to look that way. You cant just buy some kit off the telly and do it yourself.

Nina :i knew you'd love it.i wanted to send you the girls night out package. All the fruit was shaped like wangs. They were very...detailed,love.

After some time away on recovery from a recent overdose. Johnny McDougal put on a secret show that was listed as a private function at in one of his local haunts for a crowd that filled to standing room only. He also sent out a few invitations to some of his musician friends who have not yet been confirmed as attendants. Joe Anderson is also sitting in for a few rather memorable instrumentals. Drummer Clyde Bonner also showed up to provide percussive support on the bongos and hand drum. Here is the show in its entirety streaming live.

The stage is set with a small stool and amplifier while a loan Martin acoustic sits on a stand untouched. A few people are milling around drinking, some are eating, and others are just sitting at their tables waiting for the show to start. Those that weren't able to get seat were of course standing in the darker corners their features lit up by the glow of orange as some puffed on cigarettes making a haze of smoke in the air. There is a buzzing din in the air as the people chat back and forth and whatnot. But then there is a shout from off camera, "and now, Johnny McDougal." It was more of a matter of fact announcement that really didn't have any fan fare to it.

Johnny took the stage being dressed in a blue flannel shirt, a black fedora, a pair of baggy black pants with suspenders hanging down from the sides, and a pair of Chuck Taylor sneakers. His silver wallet jingled a bit as he sat down and looked around a bit nodding at the crowd to acknowledge them who were applauding, yelling, and whistling. Not much of his features have changed besides the fact that he had grown in some sideburns. He rubbed his thumb on his chin a moment before picking up his guitar and strumming it. Starting to tinker with it as he put it in tune.

Johnny: Soooooo, I wanna thank everyone for coming out here tonight. It means a lot to me of course and I appreciate everyone's support to help me out through this. I also want to thank two female friends for the cock shaped fruit basket. While I know fruit is good for you and all. It was kinda hard to put down when it was shaped like a dick.

The crowd chuckles and a few people make odd faces. Johnny just huffs through his nose and smirks a little. He then finds the chords on his guitar that he was looking for and gives it a couple runs to make sure it's in good. Then he makes a little small talk as he starts to strum the song he is going to play.

Johnny: I've been getting the question a lot lately. Why did you overdose? What made you want to do that? I can't really say why for sure. But there was an underlying reason for my drug use. There's an undertone to everything that affects everyone. I think mine was more mental. This song may shed some light on the answers you seek. It's the best way I can provide an explanation.

Johnny tapped his foot and closed his eyes while he strummed his guitar. In the quiet the crowd picked up on the tap of his foot then began to clap in time with his rhythm. He held up his hand and quietly said, "Shhhhhhh." The crowd took heed to his request and the silence again took hold until Johnny's voice spoke up into the microphone filling the air in the room.

Sheets of empty canvas, untouched sheets of clay
Her legs spread out before me as her body once did
All five horizons revolved around her soul
As the earth to the sun
Now the air I tasted and breathed has taken a turn
Ooh, and all I taught her was everything
Ooh, I know she gave me all that she wore
And now my bitter hands chafe beneath the clouds
Of what was everything?
Oh, the pictures have all been washed in black, tattooed Everything...

His voice picks up a bit as he crescendos a bit and hits a high note for the next few lines. His voice has its signature moaning growl but he does manage to crank out the high note. Though his voice isn't accustomed to it.

I take a walk outside
I'm surrounded by some kids at play
I can feel their laughter, so why do I sear
Oh, and twisted thoughts that spin round my head
I'm spinning, oh, I'm spinning
How quick the sun can, drop away
And now my bitter hands cradle broken glass
Of what was everything
All the pictures have all been washed in black, tattooed everything...

All the love gone bad turned my world to black
Tattooed all I see, all that I am, all I'll be.

The crowd seemed to know this Pearl Jam song as he stopped and led the crowd along in the background harmony "doo doo" parts. Then got quiet and held up his hands in mock conductor style as the voices joined as one to sing. He smiled a little and nodded while speaking into the mic as the voices filled the air. If one looked close you could see a few restrained tears in his eyes as the emotion of this song and the backing of the crowd got to him a little.

Johnny: You guys sound pretty. Now I know how Eddie Vedder feels!

After speaking he continued playing his guitar and picked up on the lyrics on again. Screaming out the lyrics when they came.

I know someday you'll have a beautiful life, I know you'll be a star
In somebody else's sky, but WHY, WHY, WHY
Can't it be, can't it be mine?

WE BELONG TOGETHER! WE BELONG TOGETHER!

He kept the crowd going in the harmony part as he listened and held up his hands in mock conductor again for a moment to lead them. Then he picked up the guitar again and started playing once more. Hitting the opening intro to Black once more but the n he twisted it around into another familiar song. Clyde Bonner slid on to the stage behind him playing the bongo drums which elicited a few whistles and shouts from the crowd.

I saw her today at the reception.
A glass of wine in her hand.
I knew she was gonna make her connection.
At her feet was a footloose man.

You can't always get what you want.
You can't always get what you want.
You can't always get what you want.
But if you try sometimes, you might find.
You get what you need!

He strung together a nice little solo and introduced Clyde to the crowd as he played again while singing the chorus to the famous Rolling Stones tune. Then he once again held up his hands to the crowd and lead them along in the chorus. Stopping to listen to them sing it back to him nodding his head. He then sang it back to them and strummed the chords a few time to finish the song. The crowd applauded, yelled, and a few whistled their approval. There was also a lacy bra thrown up on to the stage as well. Johnny picked it up and checked the tag on it.

Johnny: Thanks so much everybody! Also, 38DD, those are pretty nice. Can I keep it or?

He laughed and whipped out a marker then signed it. Throwing it back into the crowd. Then he sat back on the stage and talked to the crowd for a few minutes while asking for a glass of water.

Johnny: The Kids were on tour with Mind a while back. We had a fucking blast and a hell of a time.

A few people in the crowd cheered.

Johnny: Guess you were there huh? Well one morning after some heavy partying Joe and I sat around playing around outside our buses while drinking some cups of coffee. What came out of it was a pretty damn improvised tune that just came out of nowhere. Thankfully one of the guys in the band had the presence of mind to record it so we could remember it later. We couldn't think of a proper name so we just called it The Coffee Jam. Anyway, I'd like to introduce my good friend Joe Anderson! He'll be sitting in with me on this one.

Joe walked up on to the small stage with his guitar in hand to another round of applause. He waved at the crowd then sat down as another stool was set up for him to sit on. Then he looked over at Joe as he plugged in his guitar. It seemed he had already mic'ed himself up by way of a wireless.

Joe: Good to be up here jamming with you buddy.

Johnny: You too man. Kind of funny how this tune just evolved ain't it?

Joe: Yeah, it's amazing we cranked this out on barely no sleep and had nothing but caffeine in our systems. The end result was a beautiful improv piece though man.

Johnny: Agreed, my friend. We're also going to do another one that we put together a few night's ago. It's another collaborative acoustic instrumental that we wrote together.

Joe: Pretty proud of it. We seem to really go outside of the box of what people expect of us. So it's always cool to blow some people's minds. So they go, Holy shit I didn't expect them to do that!

Johnny: It sounds good too! Meaning that it doesn't sound like shit!

They laughed together as Joe lit up a cigarette and then Johnny began to play a harmonic and percussive laced rhythm while popping his hand on the body of his guitar. Joe would come in with some chord patterns to compliment that flowed naturally with Johnny's playing. Johnny would then begin to throw in some note progressions with the ringing harmonics while still slapping out the beat on his guitar to give those strings a certain ring to them. Joe kept up with keeping his chord progressions in time with Johnny's smooth ebb and flow as he worked the neck of his guitar. The instrumental was very well put together as both musicians knew each other very well as the piece began to sound more and more like a solo effort than something collaborative. The song then ended to applause along with Johnny and Joe fist pounding each other with hugs that followed.

The previous song would sound like:



They would then go right into the second song that was faster than the other. Though Johnny's notation patterns were quicker and had a more funk infused bass vibe ringing out on the lower strings. Joe naturally caught on to Johnny's rhythm through instinct and played his part with chord progressions. He'd follow after Johnny with a few little notations of his own which result in a two part of harmony of the guitars that would again seem to just melt into one. There was a very funky and grooving pace to the entire piece with Johnny keeping his signature percussive slap of the guitar body as he finger picked. They nodded their heads to the beat of the song until it finished. It was met with applause as Joe stood up and Johnny hugged him.

That song would sound like:


Johnny: That's my good buddy Joe Anderson! Also one of the best guitar players I know and am pretty damn lucky to have as a friend. This next song is actually a cover of a Lily Abbott song. Shame. I fell in love with it when I first heard it and knew I wanted to try to take a crack at it. Naturally some words have been changed due to gender issues. Haha. Anyway, here we go.

He grabbed his guitar and began to play on a bit more of a minor scale. While pulling up a page of lyrics so he didn't forget. As he strummed in time he began to sing while keeping time by tapping his foot on the ground. Naturally he didn't have Lily's voice so his version was a bit deeper and less operatic. Not to mention he took out the screams and gave it is own touch by breaking up the chorus by shivering his voice a bit as he intoned with his natural singing voice which was more of a tenor sound.


Just a little boy
With a big old heart,
Analyzing the world,
From it's lonely start,
Seeing all of the lies,
Hearing all of the tales,
I'm feeling disgusted with myself

I've held it in too long,
Too much time has passed,
Time to open that voice,
Hopefully the lives won't last

Cuz we're holding no secrets
When we talk there's no regrets
You can try to pretend you don't see
But I'm gonna show you why you love me
Nobody likes the innocence
All they want is pain
They've taken away from the music
It's just a shame
It's just a shame
Uh huh

You may hate me now,
But you'll thank me later,
They've taken all the music,
Now look what they have made him,
I just can't hold it in,
Closed my mouth can't be,
They may not admit it now,
They are blind to see

I've held it in too long,
Too much time has passed,
Time to open that voice,
Hopefully the lives won't last

Cus we're holding no secrets
When we talk there's no regrets
You can try to pretend you don't see
But I'm gonna show you why you love me
Nobody likes the innocence
All they want is pain
They've taken away from the music
It's just a shame
It's just a shame


Don't call yourself something that you're obviously not,
I've heard the word love so much now it can finally rot,
Where it belongs
Because you murdered all it has owned
You've lost control
So now our turn to speak right out

Cuz we're holding no secrets
When we talk there's no regrets
You can try to pretend you don't see
But I'm gonna show you why you love me
Nobody likes the innocence
All they want is pain
They've taken away from the music

It's just a shame
It's just a shame
It's just a shame
It's just a shame
It's just a shame
It's just a shame
It's just a shame
It's just a shame
It's just a shame

It's just a shame

He gave the song the best touch he could even adding some flourishes on his acoustic by soloing here and there but he mostly just kept at a progression of chords and kept it simple. Then he nodded as he got applause from the fans but shook his head.

Johnny: No, no you should be cheering for Lily. She wrote that song. But I do appreciate that you like my version. Though it's as stripped down as much as possible. I like the integrity and brutal honesty she put into it. It takes a really brave artist to do that and I admire her for it. I'm gonna have Joe back up here to help me out with an older tune that I like to do every once in a while. It's one of those pretty but sad songs. Long Black Veil......

He'd start to strum lightly playing a light pattern down on the neck a bit as he summoned up his best singing voice for the song. He blinked a bit almost startled that it came out of him but then kept singing as he strummed his guitar. You could hear a few others quietly singing along as he sang.

Ten years ago on a cold dark night.
Someone was killed beneath the town hall light.
There were few at the scene but they all agree.
That the killer who ran. He looked a lot like me.

She walks these hills in a long veil.
She visits my grave when the night winds wail.
Nobody knows. Nobody sees. Nobody knows but me.

Oh, the judge said son what is your alibi?
If you were somewhere else then you won't
have to die. But I spoke not a word, though
it meant my life. For I'd been in the arms
of my best friend's wife.

Oh she walks these hills in a long black veil.
She visits my grave when the night winds wail.
Nobody knows. Nobody sees. Nobody knows but me.

The scaffold is high, eternity is near. She
stood in the crowd and shed not a tear.
Sometimes at night when the cold winds moan,
in a long black veil she cries over my bones.

She cries. She cries.

She walks these hills in a long black veil.
She visits my graves when the night winds wail.
Nobody knows. Nobody sees. Nobody knows but me.

Nobody knows. Nobody sees. Nobody knows but me.

Sounds like:


Amidst the applause Johnny and Joe stood up together. Though Joe insisted Johnny take a bow first. Then Joe followed suit. Joe got off the stage as Johnny called for another glass of water and then twisted some nobs on his amp. Then he started fooling with some pedals and played around a little.

Johnny: I can't finish the night out without playing one good rebel song. So I'm going to finish with this new one I wrote called You're A Bastard! It's got a real country twang to it and I just love the hell out of it.

He strummed and began to sing changing his voice in pitch as he began to pick. Inviting the whole band up on stage to join him as he put a slide on his finger.

Standin' at the juke box drinkin' a mojito.
My libido, bean burrito.
Bartender said I had too much.
You know that pissed me off a touch.
I said buddy, you don't know me at all.

You're a bastard. Can't you see.
You keep on buggin' me.
You're really gettin' on my nerves.
These old blues they gotta go.
Nobody likes you don't ya know.
I'm no saint but I think you're
a bastard!

The whole band picked up and began to play a real one two country blues jug band style as Johnny continued to play.

This guy cuts in front of the check out line.
Guess he really needs that box of wine. It's
9 am and he's already plastered.

So I leaned over hit the intercom and said
ground control to major tom. Attention shoppers
you're all a bunch of bastards!

You're a bastard. Can't you see.
You keep on buggin' me.
You're really gettin' on my nerves.
These old blues they gotta go.
Nobody likes you don't ya know.
I'm no saint but I think you're
a bastard!

Johnny took a cowboy hat from a guy up front and switched off his fedora for it as he played a quick little slide solo to the enjoyment of the crowds. It seemed those meddling kids were back and not losing a step.

Got a bill collector on the phone.
I'm watching the game man leave me alone.
I try to cut him off but he keeps talkin'.... faster!
Told you twenty times the check's in the mail.
You gotta believe me I remember it well.
Because when I signed the thing I made it out
to bastard.

You're a bastard. Can't you see.
You keep on buggin' me.
You're really gettin' on my nerves.
These old blues they gotta go.
Nobody likes you don't ya know.
I'm no saint but I think you're
a bastard!

The song slows down a bit as Johnny hits some one strums after each verse.

Soccer mom in an SUV. Talkin' on the phone but she don't see me.
I'm on my way to meet my master.
North bound truck in a south bound lane.
Cut right through my body like an old freight train.
Dead in my tracks, you're a bastard.

The song resembles it's normal tone as the crowd stomps and claps along with Johnny leading them as he picks up the next verse.


You're a bastard. Can't you see.
You keep on buggin' me.
You're really gettin' on my nerves.
These old blues they gotta go.
Nobody likes you don't ya know.
I'm no saint but I think you're
a bastard!

You win the spelling bee.
B-A-S-T-A-R-D! You're really
gettin' on my nerves!

Bastard a hundred percent.
You might as well run for
president. The votes are in
looks like you win for bastard!

Now everybody knows that you're a bastard!

No matter where you go you're a bastard!

Johnny cranks out the last chord to a loud raucous noise of applause and screams as he leaves the stage. The rest of the band follows suit though. He seems to be lingering a bit. He leans against the bar and has himself a drink and a smoke while the crowd yells for more.

Edited by user 03 December 2011 03:00:51(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Lily: Saw the show and I'm satisfied with that cover Johnny :) and thank you. We should catch up some time, but great performance.

Edited by user 03 December 2011 02:51:26(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified