“Time Standing Still” is coming soon and should be uploading. I started this album out as acoustic only, but several songs required drums (Chris French) to fully appreciate the seriousness of the subject matter. Speaking of subject matter, these songs are of a more hardened nature, reflecting the tough times I was going through as I put them down on “paper”. This includes lost loves, failed relationships, marital squabbles, world chaos, and being surrounded by those less fortunate in my community.

I want to thank my son, Max Davenport , for contributing to the title track, Time Standing Still. His lyrical contribution of “…an hourglass in zero gravity…” set the tone for the song. Special thanks to my guest guitarist, Keaton Rood, for adding his special talents to the album. As always, thanks also goes out to Shawn Daley, owner of the Mohawk Studio at my music venue in Sandusky, Ohio, called HALO Live.

I have already laid down scratch tracks for my next album that I call “ Songs From My Desk Drawer”. Songwriters know that there are songs that take a long time to perfect…or at least make good enough to record. Having written over 250 songs now, I know quite well that some songs I write are inane, silly, simplistic, or just bad. Over time, improvements can be made to rhythm, lyrics, key, and chord structure, allowing them to come into their own over time. This next album includes many of these songs, with only 2-3 songs that are relatively new from my keyboard.

Unless you make a living from song writing, you probably don’t get much feedback, good or bad, on your music endeavors…at least in my small world. I am not a well-known musician or song writer by any means. By I do know that I am passionate about what I write and know in my heart that it mostly comes from my life experiences. When I am in my depressed state of mind, I tend to write very deep and meaningful songs that can tug at the heart strings of any normal listener (I certainly no not wish to define the term normal in this blog, because who in God’s name knows what that is). On the other hand, I have written many bawdy “drinking” songs regaling the island party lifestyle here in the center of the Lake Erie islands’ entertainment district. These songs put me in a happy mood, reflecting on the beaches, water, sunshine, and atmosphere that goes with living here in Port Clinton, Ohio.

Since I get few accolades for my musical talent, I decided it was time to celebrate my own music by throwing a party highlighting my latest album release, “Reflections”. Good or bad, I love my music. I make that statement despite the fact that I hate listening to my voice and knowing that my guitar skills are less that adequate. Mike “Mad Dog” Adams once told me that his original songs were his babies and to be kind when I listened to them. They meant something special to him as well. I now have 58 songs on various streaming music sites, not a small feat considering the expense of publishing even one song.

Think about how few people that you know who actually write novels, short stories, poems, or songs. We are a rare breed, and as such, we need to nurture our talents and our fragile egos. An album release party allows me to share the intimate details of my music with friends and family. I recently listened to Billy Joel Radio on Sirius FM and was fascinated to hear his stories about where each song came from and how and why he wrote them. I realized that this musical journey for most songwriters is deeply moving and personal. I would love for each of you to come and listen to one song writer’s story and share with me my personal journey through this rarified land of recorded music. (more below)

During this event, I will have another opportunity to perform my music with my band, the Island Song Trio. My good friend, Timothy Barrett, plays bass and cello. Our newest member (and good friend) of the band is Bart Kozar, our drummer, who plays so many other instruments that I can hardly mention them all. Last season our band played 42 summer gigs, mostly for fun and charity events. Joining us on stage is my new friend and recording studio collaborator, Keaton Rood, who is playing backup guitar for my next acoustic album currently is studio production. He is a talented musician, vocalist, and songwriter in his own right. I hope you can join us!

On February 25th, 2023, I will host an Album Release Party at HALO in Sandusky, Ohio. HALO is a 110-year-old stone church founded in 1848. HALO is also home to The Mohawk Studio where 3 of the 4 albums I have made were produced.

HALO (805Wayne Street in Sandusky) features a sound stage complete with lights and a bitchin’ sound system. I also managed to find an old 22’ oak bar from which to serve food and beverages. The COVID pandemic put a stop to all concerts for over two years and my partner and producer, Shawn Daley, and I are attempting to revive the business.
The party will showcase many of the 250 songs I have written, including some from my 58 songs currently available on Spotify, iTunes, etc. My band, the Island Song Trio, will play two sets with me, featuring my songs that we perform live for audiences along the north coast of Ohio on Lake Erie. Performing in the band and playing bass and electric cello, with me is Timothy Barrett, a retired elementary school principle and former member of the Akron symphony. Playing drums, keyboards, lead guitar, etc. is Bart Kozar, whose claim to fame has been hanging around with Neil Young. Tickets are available for a $10 donation with money raised going toward art programs for kids in Ottawa County. Tickets also available at the door. As the President of the Rotary Club of Port Clinton, this “fun”-raiser helps to highlight our club’s motto, “Service Above Self”.
My latest album, “Reflections”, is an eclectic mix of genres, capturing my very diverse song-writing style and multi-faceted life. Click on “music” on my home page and you can preview some of them. For additional information, contact me at colonelcrash@yahoo.com. Bring a friend and help support your local music industry.

New album coming this month.

After a year of hard work at The Mohawk Studio and my home studio, ”Reflections” is ready to hit the streets. The album is an eclectic mix of genres, reflecting my many moods (and there are plenty of those), events near my home on Lake Erie, and world events. Here is what you can expect:

“Bloody Fingertips” creates a lyrical picture of those who have given up hope in this world and are hanging onto life by their fingertips

“Forgive But Not Forget” evolved through my yoga practice. A family member uttered harsh and cruel remarks about me and my family. I am learning to forgive…but I will never forget…”the damage has been done”.

There has been much sadness in my life and this is reflected in the song ”Frozen”…that cold feeling that permeates your soul when someone you love chooses another.

“I Rue the Day” takes a ball bat to a former spouse, having a little fun with the words ”rue” and ”ruin”.

The world is again on the brink of a world war, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine threatening to ignite the fuse. “Knocks the Raven” demonizes Putin as he inflicts misery and death upon those people.

I found out that one of my childhood sweethearts was brutally murdered in a jewelry store. “Looking for Mary Lou” is for her.

I am constantly wrestling with the aging process, watching the years swiftly pass by as my life is now being reflected through an ” Old Man’s Eyes”.

I suffer from PTSD, having served 20 years in the military in some very nasty places. I have an explosive temper that reveals a hidden demon inside me. “Screamin’ at the Demon” is written for that second personality that sometimes escapes to wreak havoc on those around me.

I wrote ” Sea of Sadness” as I watched many around me succumb to the ravages of COVID complications.

Our emotions we share with lovers in the night change as darkness slowly recedes and sunlight once again reveals the colors in our lover’s eyes. It is a magic time ”Til Color Comes Around”.

I wrote ”Time Standing Still” with my son, Max Davenport, during a father-son expedition to Yosemite National Park.

Several years ago, my wife, Diana, and I flew down to our condo in Clearwater Beach near Tampa to get out of the cold for a few days. I awoke the first morning to a temperature of 31 degrees. We went out and purchased winter slippers and I wrote ”Song of the Sea”.

As things go in life, so they also change within the musical spheres of musicians and their bands. Due to an unfortunate misunderstanding, we bid farewell to David Altman (drummer), but we have a new band member to announce for the summer of 2022. Please welcome Bart Kozar. I met Bart while performing at the Gristmill in Port Clinton last summer. Our “old” drummer had injured his hand and couldn’t perform that evening. While lamenting the loss of percussion over a glass of bourbon at the bar before the gig, the stranger sitting next to me mentioned that he played drums. I turned to him and offered him $50 to sit in for the evening. Acknowledging my request, he walked the few blocks to his home down the street and returned a few minutes later with his home-made “suitcase” drum kit.

Bart went on to sub for us periodically last summer and has now become an integral aspect of our new sound. Here is what is amazing….despite some severe physical work-related injuries, he manages to perform brilliantly in several roles. We soon discovered that Bart Kozar was an accomplished drummer, bass player, lead guitarist, and keyboard player, with years of musical experience playing with many bands. Like manna from heaven, Bart dropped from the sky and into my life. I am so lucky to have met him.

The Island Song Trio’s sound just keeps improving. Two years ago, while taking my wife’s yoga class, I met this guy, Timothy Barrett, who played cello (years ago he reminds me) for the Akron symphony. We got together for a quiet cello/acoustic guitar yoga-music gig for Soul Stretch Yoga and the rest is history. Tim has been with me ever since as our band’s bass and electric cello player.

Somehow I have surrounded myself with “real” musicians who make me sound good. I am always humbly reminding them and everyone else that I am a mere amateur with very limited guitar skills and a mediocre once. I am truly blessed as they really appreciate all of the songs (over 200 now) that I have written. This is one skill that I am really working to improve as my 4th album of original songs is now in studio-production.

let me introduce to you…the Island Song Trio….

My son, Max, is the Associate Art Director at Gearbox, a video game company. He created the album art for my next album, initially titled “It’s Still Me”. “Reflections” more aptly reflects this album’s examination of where I live and how I perceive the world around me. Thank you Max. Some of the names on the album will probably change once it is completed. Until then, follow me on most music download sites like Apple Music and Spotify under John “Crash” Davenport.

p.s. Max and I hiked the guitar to a mountain-top lake in Yosemite National Park for this photo-op.

I recently joined forces with Soul Stretch Yoga in Port Clinton, Ohio, to offer a wonderful evening of Yoga Nidra at the Catawba Island Club. Working with Rose Sabin and my wife, Diana, I played over an hour of what Rose called “lullaby music” to place participants into a deep, relaxing state of consciousness. Perhaps musical versatility is something that musicians should strive to achieve? It was fun, a paid gig, and gave me the opportunity to introduce some of my own instrumental compositions.

I apologize for neglecting this site for so long. I am giving new meaning to “staying busy”. Tim, Dave, and I (as the Island Song Trio) are refining the 6 songs that we recorded “live” at The Mohawk Studio. Tonight we worked on “balance” and adding various percussion instruments to the mix. Shawn Daley, co-owner of the recording studio and our producer, is seen with my drummer, Mr. David Altman, discussing the nuances of sound and the variety of microphones that can be used to obtain different sounds.

Summer may be over, but the music is just beginning. We had two last incredible gigs at the Gristmill Bar at the Drawbridge in Port Clinton, OH. Beautiful weather and wonderful crowds.

The Trio is getting ready to live record 6 songs from the next album as soon as Tim returns from Italy.

Sunday, October 24th, is World Polio Day and, as a Rotarian, I wanted to find a way to donate some money to Rotary International’s main service project…wiping out polio in emerging nations for good. Yes, polio is still crippling and killing children around the world because people can’t afford the vaccine. Although each dose only costs $3, many people can’t afford it. That is where Rotary Clubs around the world are helping out. they asked each Rotary Club to raise money through some fundraiser on World Polio Day.

Here is my idea…hold a concert with donations going toward the Rotary project. This is a little easier for me than most because I own a concert venue called HALO in Sandusky, OH. Located in a renovated 108-year-old stone church at 805 Wayne St. in Sandusky, it has been quiet for almost 2 years due to COVID restrictions. This concert will hopefully rejuvenate the concert business while generating funds for polio.

The concert will be jointly sponsored by both Port Clinton and Sandusky Rotary Clubs and will be from 4-6:30pm on October 24th…World Polio Day. The Island Song Trio will be performing along with several other bands. The venue is incredible and the cause is righteous. Find a way to give if you can.