The Mother Road...

photo by Julien Reneaud

Spent time with my son shooting more pic up shots for the Route 66 video...  Get your kicks!

Cool truck on Route 66...

photo by John Reneaud

Had to take a photo of this cool flaming truck while shooting video for the song Route 66... (oh, and happy birthday Rene'e).

Working on the video for Route 66

My version of Route 66 is complete and I have begun working on the video elements of this song.  Expect to post a completed music video by early July.  Thank you Ed and Mike for making this one happen!

- the Dresden Cowboy

Life On Mars

Info: Life On Mars

After recently seeing/hearing Mr. Bowie's performance of this song on a Fashion Rocks Youtube video, I was inspired to attempt a simple, yet, hopefully, elegant version of the tune. Life On Mars has been described as Broadway meets Salvador Dali, due to its well stated musical structure blended with a jumble of lyrical images. This version features piano by Los Angeles musician Peter Adams. I am mostly satisfied with the vocal tracks... Upon playback I merely struggle with the fact that, yes, it's not Bowie singing the song (For those who my not get it - My use of the word "Merely" is intended as a sarcastic underplay of how immense Mr. Bowie's talent truly was). Regardless, it is my homage to the guy who presented me with my first real vocal/music lesson in life. And, I would add, he was a dear friend, though, I never personally met him. I dedicate this song to Tracey and Karen for all those times we called Detroit radio stations requesting Bowie from the end of street on Barilane Drive.

All video used was pulled from the Internet Archive and was indicated to be in the Public Domain. I make no claim to the publishing rights to this song, nor do I claim any rights of the video clips presented within - some of which are presented for satirical purpose. Also, I have no intention to commercially profit by presenting Mr. Bowie's music in this manner, I simply did it because I thought I would enjoy the process. It was such a splendid delight.

Money Live w/ Marty & Elayne

A bootleg video via the Dresden, Hollywood, CA.

With Marty & Elayne on their 35th

This photo is from last Friday night's 35th anniversary of Marty and Elayne performing at Hollywood landmark, the Dresden.  Over the past several years I have been afforded the privilege of singing blues with this dynamic musical duo, and, I cannot thank the Dresden staff enough for supporting this epic event. Those who managed beyond the velvet ropes - we all enjoyed being pressed to the wall in an over capacity crowd. It was a magnificent night. Thank you to Heidi Cuda and Susan von Seggern, your work provided and inspired amazing media support for this event. And mostly, thank you Marty & Elayne for allowing all of us to be a part of your mythical Dresden adventure. I’m pretty sure everyone was listening.

(video: a snippet of the cake's arrival for Marty & Elayne.)

Route 66 w/ the Dresden Cowboys

Michael Madill of L.A. based MadSound music.

Looking forward to this - Ed laid down some great musical vibe, now, Mike is currently working on the music mix of Route 66.  We put together a rather contemporary arrangement of this classic song.  I expect to lay down the vocals for this song in early April.  Maybe a video later in the month.

(thank to Edward Donnelly and Michael Madill for advancing this project.  It is a sincere act of faith.)

Vocal Files

Sent my vocal tracks to Ed and Mike for them to create an arrangement of the background vocals through the chorus of Route 66.  This brings me very close to setting my lead vocal track. Interesting creating music in a virtual setting. More power to these two for working with me on this project - and lucky me.

the producers stopped by...

Marty & Elayne perform Tues-Sat @ the Dresden.

Michael and Ed came by the Dresden tonight to discuss the project....  Crap, I should have had someone snap a photo.  One day I'll get the hang of what it is to be a star.  Or not.

Route 66

Got a rough mix/arrangement of my version of the classic song Route 66 over to Michael so that he can begin the production aspect of the song.  I expect to be in session by mid March.  Yes, so it seems my slice of the cosmic Americana adventure is starting up.

Music Meeting...

Met with Michael to discuss recording the Dresden Cowboy project.  He ordered the Tuna Melt with fries, as did I - apparently, great minds eat alike!

Painted Birds (Ode to My Father)

Painted Birds by John Reneaud
(A song about loss... )
© 2015 John Reneaud All Rights Reserved

Painted Birds up above in blue
I miss you yes I do
And I sing this song to you
For you are no longer

And I curse the clock
That ticks until it stops
Of it’s own volition

Thank you so
I hope that things are well
The time we spent
Was lovely

And I know that
That my words can never tell

The complete story

So like a prayer
I talk to you
Somewhere in the distant nowhere blue
I miss you

And the funeral pyre
Burns it all away
On this dark black day
You’ve gone away

Like painted birds above in Blue.

the Dresden Cowboy

John's Album Cover.