My son, Max, is an Associate Art Director for Gearbox, a video game company in Dallas, TX. He created the album cover for my last album, Gone Too Far, in one hour and I hope he can do the same for this next album, It’s Still Me. We will use the picture above as the basis for the cover. It really is an incredible shot of mountaintops, water, and the blue sky.

I always remind people that my music is a hobby and a form of creative therapy that soothes my traumatized soul. I haven’t talked to a therapist in months and, yet, I’m doing OK. What I put out on Spotify, ITunes, etc. may not be radio worthy, but the songs echo the sophomoric and intellectual dichotomy that is my brain.

It’s Still Me is a collection of fun and thought-provoking songs that may suit many musical tastes. I hope to record 6 of the songs with my band, Island Song, and the remainder with the same house band that we used on the last album. Island Song has always been my stage name and lately it represents itself as a solo act or as a duet, trio, or quartet. This summer, we met a quiet musician, Bart Kozar, who subs as a bass player or a drummer as needed. Recently, we discover he has talent as a lead guitarist…hence the quartet when there is room on stage. We are hoping to bring him in during the recording process for this new album.

We hope to record the following songs live at The Mohawk Studio in Sandusky, OH:

Playin’ All Day

Baby Come Over

Toe to Toe

Honey Do

Island Boyz

Old Friends of Mine

Using the house band, we will record the following songs in a more traditional manner, laying down bass, guitar, and drum tracks from my scratch tracks, and then adding vocals, etc. later:

An Island Town

Island Time

Key Largo

Summer Dream

It’s Still Me

Waitin’

Wanna Be Loved

If I Could

Love Second to None

Say You Will

I know…that is a lot of songs to include on one album. I am constantly writing songs and have the burning desire to publish them before I am too old to do so. Sunday I turned 71. Hard to believe. Although I am still very active, only God knows what lies in store for any of us. We could be struck down tomorrow with some fatal disease or get hit by a falling brick. I lost my 20-year-old daughter, Shannon, to Leukemia a few years back and thoughts of her short life constantly remind me that my time on earth is finite and limited. I intend to make the most of my time by writing about my life, my thoughts, my desires, my sadness, and my joy.
Talk to you soon.

Summer is finally over and we head into the quiet months(musically speaking) of fall, winter, and spring. We had 42 gigs this summer as either a solo act or as a duet, trio, or even quartet at times. The album Gone Too Far was released as 15 singles and will soon be released as an album. It shows the other sides of me as a songwriter as I stretch my talents a bit. Now that summer is over and things have quieted down somewhat, I will begin the process of recording my next album, It’s Still Me. It will be a mix of serious music and less-serious stuff that keeps it upbeat. Critics have told me it is by far my best music, yet…who really knows, as music means different things to different people. As an artist, I like the songs, and maybe that is all that matters in the end. I try to remind myself that playing music and writing songs is a hobby for me and not to take myself too seriously. I do know one thing, music has really helped my mental state as I have been very happy of late. While performing, we are surrounded by friends, family, and fans who help keep the hobby fun and exciting…how could one not be happy in this environment?

We just finished my newest album of more serious music. Check out all of the songs under Records/Music from the Home Page. You can now find 3 of my albums on Spotify and ITunes under John Crash Davenport. A special thanks to Mr. Shawn Daley who produced the album at the Mohawk Studio in downtown Sandusky, Ohio. Next up is a iced album of raucous and serious music. We should start the recording process in the next 3 months. Every time I think I have my best song, another comes along and tops it. I will give you a sample soon.

My producer, Mr. Shawn Daley has begun the process of uploading this new album to music outlets. So far, I have released 9 of the 15 songs in the album. The last 6 songs are still waiting to be mastered. There was some confusion on who the songwriter was on all of my music. The albums were listed under “Island Song Trio” and are being changed to John Crash Davenport. This has caused some delays. I hope you can find them.

This is a practice post as I learn to upload and post videos to my site. I recorded this song in my home office using a Shure desk mic and my IPAD. Once I refine the process, I will be able to introduce many of my new songs that I have written. I am always looking for someone with a better voice to take them to the next level…I am a song writer, not a recording artist.

I feel like our Island Song Trio is finally taking off as a serious contender for local entertainment venues. We have received very good reviews with a unique blend of sound and music selection. Mixing our original songs with island favorites, Island Song appeals to venue owners as an entertainment package that keeps the customers’ interests and has them asking for repeat performances. As an example, after listening to us play at Paddle and Climb on June 24th, the owners asked us to perform there every Thursday through Labor Day. An incredible compliment to our hard work and hours of rehearsals. We booked every available Thursday with them. Thanks for reading this and spread the word please.

When it is 4:00AM and you can’t sleep, your mind begins to wander. Sometimes these meanderings take you where you really don’t want to go. When my brain tends to dwell on the bad things in the world, incredible political aggressionism (I made up the word), and the wrong decisions I have made throughout my life, I seek refuge in my music. Or the thoughts surrounding music. Or what I believe music to be. For me, music is poetry. It is a way of expressing the feelings that I have that are based on my life experiences, all of the bad decisions I have made, politics, and the state of the world. Here is an example:

The last day of my life. Last day of my life,

Back where I began. Forgiveness in my heart.

I’m just a mortal man.

The best day of my life. Best day of my life.

My thoughts of holding you. No words can ever voice.

A love, that’s oh so true.

You were my only love. You my only love.

I gave you everything. Just wanted you to know.

You made this old heart sing.

Those are partial lyrics from my song called, “Last Day of My Life”. A beautiful, yet haunting melody describing, perhaps, the final words to his wife from my best friend as he succumbed to the ravages of cancer.
Try this next one:

Should I take a drink, or take a pill?

Answers that I seek, testing of my will.

Call me crazy, border the insane…

Drunk or sober, feel the same.

I lose my trust, want to be alone.

Scratching through this life, facing the unknown.

Smiles I seem to wear, mask a hidden frown,

Ordinary people, weigh me down.

They offer little hope, placing chains on me.

What I am today, is what they want to see.

World surrounding me, changing once again.

No ordinary peace found within.

Making me so angry, living life this way.

Now I wonder, can I make it through the day?

Crawling through this world, praying things will change,

Oh so ordinary, oh so strange.

Sometimes I’m happy, mostly I’m just sad.

Find myself alone, somehow makes me glad.

People say, give thanks for what I’ve got.

Deep inside, I know I’m not.

I wrote this song called “Ordinary” for a friend of mine (also a musician) who is a recovered drug addict. His music is wracked with the same pain and anger. Recovery is a lifetime journey.

Well, I could go on and on, but I think you get my drift…think of music as poetry and listen to the words that sometimes come from a place where few people would choose to venture. Thanks for reading. I’m sleepy…think I’ll go back to sleep.

Max Beal, music major, laying down some keyboard tracks at The Mohawk Studio for my album Gone Too Far. He dropped in to work on his band’s own album and offered to bring his musical talents to my album. He will also begin working at the studio as an intern along with his other two band members to learn the business. Shawn is producing the album and layering the music to produce a richer sound. It seems like we have been working on the album forever, but 15 songs is a lot of music to master.

The Island Song Trio just added its 27th gig for this summer. There is no excuse for not getting out and enjoying great music throughout our region. All three of us in the trio have had both vaccinations and we are ready to entertain you at numerous fun music venues. Check out our gig schedule and come support your local musicians.

Shawn and I met again (every Monday at 6:00 pm) at our own recording studio (The Mohawk Studio) in downtown Sandusky to work on several of the 15 tracks on the upcoming album, Gone Too Far. The photo above was taken from the second floor recording alcove, looking down onto the main floor of the 106 year-old church wherein lies HALO and the studio. BTW, anyone can stop in and watch the studio recording process first hand…just give me a call. All of the vocals are done except for several harmony tracks that John is working on. Mastering is a long and tedious process, selecting the best tracks from the many that we record for each song on the album. Shawn is able to fix my sharps and flats (to some degree) from my vocals while adding several specialty instruments for a fuller and more vivid sound. Remember, my goal through this musical hobby of mine is to sell a song to someone. You will hear a variety of music from across several genres, demonstrating (I hope) a flexible song-writing talent. I certainly don’t expect to be discovered as a singer ( I don’t like my voice) or a musician (my guitar playing is mediocre at best. Much of what we do in life can be called excellent if our hearts are into it and we go after our dreams with gusto and fervor. Thanks for reading. Please spread the word to get more followers on this site.