Over three years in the making, a false start or three to figure out the best way to release the project; it’s finally arrived. I’m proud to say that the best album I’ve ever made is now available as a digital download. It wasn’t an easy process to complete but let’s go back in time and I’ll try my best to recall the story as it unfolded and give you a bit of the “behind the scenes” as to how this release finally became a reality.

The initial writings for the album began in the Fall of 2009 as we were preparing to stage a concert for the live in Austin DVD. I decided that we needed a few more upbeat numbers to add to the set list, I locked myself away in the studio for a day and came out with the first two songs that ultimately made their way to the Reaching Ground album; “Light it Up” and “Soldier On”. While “Light it Up” was completed in time for the DVD concert, for obvious reasons, “Soldier On” was put on hold until I could complete the entire suite. The real meat of the entire piece was written in that one day though. It wasn’t until November of 2010 that “Soldier On” was ready for the stage and was first performed at the Hard Rock Cafe in Nashville, TN. Another song that also saw it’s debut at this concert was the song “Vanishing Umbra”.

By early spring 2011, I had quite a few recordings ready to go and decided it was time to really start assembling a compilation. It was also at this time that I initiated the help of Gavin Harrison to perform a drum track for the song “Alpha and Omega”, which I had just recently finished writing. While I was writing much of the Reaching Ground material, I truly was hearing Gavin’s drums in my head and trying to emulate his style of playing on the demos, so it was truly a thrill to find out he was available to do the track. I was so excited when it was done that I decided to go ahead and release it as a digital single, so “Alpha and Omega” was released in April of 2011, long long before the album that it would appear on, would ever be released.

So as I’m assembling all of this new material for the album, I discover that what I really had in front of me was two different albums. I could also tell pretty quickly that the album that was going to become Reaching Ground was the one that still needed the most work. It was around this time that I figured out it was a concept album and the concept really needed some more time to gel. As hard as it was, I put aside all of the material for the Reaching Ground project and tried to figure out what the other material should be.

What I ended up with was the album Lighthouse. Since this album had material that covered a number of years itself, I tried to make the project a bit more cohesive by adding a drum loop production style to much of the record. It’s not my goal to just release the same sounding album over and over again so I took the production in this direction for that reason. What emerged was material that was in stark contrast to the other material that was on Reaching Ground, but it’s still an album that I’m very proud of none the less. In retrospect, it may have been wiser to barrel ahead with the other project and shelve the Lighthouse material, if I had, I don’t think the Reaching Ground would have turned out anything like it has. Everything in time and everything for a reason. I’m glad I waited.

Still moving forward after the Lighthouse release, I worked diligently to iron out the details of the concept for the album, trying many different ideas before arriving at the story that it is today. It was also during this time that I spent quite a few months trying to come up with a new name for the band and it was actually this process that helped reveal many of the missing pieces to the concept to me. By way of discovering the name Reaching Ground and by writing the last of the songs that would appear on the album; everything finally started to fit together.

Literally two-thirds of the album was written before I knew how the story fit together but I was able to write the remaining material and weave it all together into what I feel is a cohesive musical journey. At one point I began test marketing a lot of the material under the band name Reaching Ground but when all was said and done, it made more sense to keep my name on the release and use the title of Reaching Ground as a name for the album.

It’s been a long and sorted journey to say the least to get the project here, but I believe this album is truly my best work to date as a musical artist and I can only hope that things keep getting better from here. Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings. Thanks for being patient over the last two years as this project stewed and I tried many different things in social media. I know it all seemed a bit unfocused at times but that’s just the nature of the creative process I suppose and it’s all on public display now with Facebook and Twitter; you’re all along for the ride. One must truly take the time to nurture their ideas and let them mature; it’s a long process and not something that just happens on first draft.

It’s an all immersive process as well and while I wasn’t able to maintain a level social that I may have enjoyed, especially with all the other major changes taking place in my personal life, the artist isolating himself to focus on and complete a project does have to make some sacrifices. I have to do what I have to do as an artist and if it means hiding away and working like a Frankenstein, I suppose, for the finished projects sake, it was all worth it in the end and now I can get on with other things.

Until next time. Thanks for listening. I’m proud to turn the music over to you! Enjoy! – John

It’s been sometime since I updated on whats going on with the “Reaching Ground” project so it’s about time I gave some insight as to where the project is at and what state the band is currently in.

Tracking and mixing for the project is 98% completed. The artwork direction for the project has been decided on and development of various templates for CD & vinyl are underway.

The track listing is set and is as follows:

Incoming
Without a Sound
Battle Scars
Soldier On (parts 1-6)
Reaching Ground
Outpost Down
Stars are Falling
Light it Up!
Sanctify
Vanishing Umbra
Your Own Worst Enemy
Prelude
Alpha and Omega

As for the band, we are currently in process of locating and auditioning a new drummer to complete the group. At this point, this is the biggest holdup on getting the project released. Until we have the right drummer in place for the live show to promote this release; things are pretty much on hold. So if you know of anyone that might be interested and capable of fulfilling this role, feel free to drop us a line at info@blueroomdigitalmusic.com.

We are continuing to play small shows around the Austin area from time to time as a three-piece to stay fresh and tryout new material and these shows have given us an opportunity to explore more striped down versions of the music, which has been great fun. Look for a few more of these shows in the coming months prior to the Reaching Ground release!

This album is without a doubt, the finest piece of work that we have completed and I am super excited to have this project released so that you all may enjoy it in entirety. Soon! We’re still shooting for an August or September release if all goes well.

The concept behind the album has evolved along the way as well and turned into a story that is just as much autobiographical as it is open to interpretation. Obviously, for me the artist, it sits pretty close to my heart and resonates strongly in regards to my personal life. Yet there is another side to the story and another perspective if you will, that I believe allows anyone to interpret the journey based upon their own personal experience discovering this world in which we live.

This album could have just as easily been called “The Awakening” or “Soldier On” (as it was originally titled, after the epic center piece of the album), but Reaching Ground is actually the perfect title for this recording. When I first came up with the title I truly believed I had come up with a name for the band itself but it’s actually better suited to just represent this particular chapter in the life of the music.

So until this project has indeed “Reached Ground”, I’ll sign off promising more updates soon as they develop. We’ll get all the pieces in place soon and this truly promises to be the start of an awesome chapter in this life through music. Until then,
Peace! – John Orr Franklin

The statement could mean many things. It could relate to the progress towards a goal or it could also possibly be a symbolic meaning for a place. For me the name simply means “striving”.
Reaching Ground

It’s a statement that seems to be resonating deep in my soul every time I meditate on it or think about it. It’s a concept that I almost always write about in my songs. What it takes to try and what it means to believe in yourself.
Reaching Ground

The concept for the name came to me one evening this week after a stressful day, quieting my mind and thinking about where I am in life, what I’ve accomplished and where I’m going. I was a bit confused overall to say the least. The encompassing feeling that I had at the time, was that of not being able to tell if I was arriving at something, or if I was walking away. Everything in my life right now has that kind of crossroads feel to it and while I’ve certainly chosen a direction and have started plowing down the path; I’m not entirely sure if I’m arriving at what is new or walking away from what is old.
In all reality, the answer is obviously both.
Reaching Ground

Awhile back I wrote a blog entitled “What’s in a Name” where I declared the search for a real name for the band was underway. So after almost a solid year of searching and trying to discover a name that described what I feel my music is about and the overall vibe of what the music sounds like; the quest is over! I give you the name of the new band!!
Reaching Ground

Reaching Ground defines a hope and possibly even defines the taking of a stand, in realizing who I am, what I stand for and where I want to go. I hope people are able to relate to it and put themselves behind this rallying cry and feel a true kinship with the concept. It certainly has much more depth than calling the band “John Orr Franklin Band”.
Reaching Ground

There is already an online push to test market and brand the name online and there is even some NEW MUSIC to coincide with the launch. We hope you enjoy the new direction and we’d love it if each and every one of you that have kept up with the music of John Orr Franklin over the years will visit the new pages and connect with us there as well. Thank you for the continued love and support! See you on the new pages!
Reaching Ground

http://www.reachingground.com

a new start, a new way, a new day, a new focus, turning the page
Reaching Ground

Rg is the 111th element of the periodic table of elements, officially approved and added November 4, 2011.
Read more on this here!

A New Adventure in Internet Radio
A couple of months ago I was approached by Nick Katona of Melodic Revolution Records (owner of my indie label) about co-hosting an internet radio show with him. Even though radio is something that I’ve often thought about doing, at the time, I really didn’t think that I’d have the time to dedicate to a show and give it the attention it deserved. This blog is all about how this new venture came about and about how I discovered that in the process of doing the show, it could potentially help to further our long-term goals while also  possibly helping others at the same time.

Development
When I first signed with Melodic Revolution Records, Nick and I began spending many hours online talking shop via Skype. Literally, we would talk for hours on end about the state of the music industry and how we could work to make the label and the overall family of artists more successful. What we both agreed on almost immediately, was that the issues were industry wide problems and not just problems facing the label. The music industry in a massive state of flux and no one really knows yet where things might ultimately be going.

We both found it extremely comfortable talking to each other and found that our conversations were, if nothing else, hard to stop. We’re both very passionate about accomplishing the same goals and we are constantly trying to develop ideas about how to get the music heard and develop the fan bases for everyone on the label. It was these conversations and this team spirit, that would later inspire the concept for the show.

I should back track a bit here and elaborate on our original introduction to AiiRadio.net. It was around the time that we released the digital single for “Alpha and Omega” that Nick was introduced to Tony Romero (aka DJ Tony) and discovered AiiRadio.net. When DJTony picked up the track and started playing it, Nick and I started logging in and joining the chat room during his show. What eventually evolved was a monthly Melodic Revolution Records special hosted by DJ Brian Dade, featuring all of the artists of the label, that brought us even more into the fold of involvement with AiiRadio. It was shortly after this time that Nick was asked if he would like to do a show of his own. Since he had never done anything like this and didn’t much like the concept of doing it solo he started to wonder if there was anyone that would be interested in doing the show with him. ultimately, he posed this question to me and I, at first, was fairly hesitant about it.

Concept
It wasn’t until Nick and I had a Skype conference call with Tony Romero and Fred Inman (aka DJ Mountainman) of AiiRadio.net (Artist Independent International Radio) to discuss the possibilities of doing a show, that I truly began to see the potential of what we could do with this show. It was on that conference call that the concept for “Inside the Music” truly came into focus.

The concept we decided on would focus on topics surrounding the music business, something that Nick and I are obviously quite passionate about and had already been discussing together in great lengths. Our plan is to talk about using New Media to promote and distribute music and all of the pros and cons that come with the territory. We will also be talking about many other aspects of the industry such as music production, do it yourself techniques, getting gigs, making videos and virtually anything else that may come up during the course of the show. We’ll be having special guests on from time to time that are involved in all facets of the industry, giving their own unique perspectives and sharing their personal experiences.

You might think it’s just a talk show but we actually do all of this while still promoting and playing independent music from independent artists. Not just Melodic Revolution Records artists but artists that we come across that are unsigned and have talent and passion for what they are doing. Our goal is to keep the shows organic by letting the conversations unfold naturally, hopefully passing along some useful information that others can benefit from and in turn sharing what we believe to be some truly great music. Bands interested in having their music played on AiiRadio should complete the following form and then submit their music to the station. All genre’s are played by different shows on the station. Our show focuses mostly on rock, pop and prog.

So the reality of what Nick and I do on our show, is truly just an extension of the Skype conversations we have been having on our own but by integrating them into AiiRadio.net, we bring into the conversation a global audience that can respond and interact with the conversation.

Equal Voices
AiiRadio.net truly shines by also incorporating a chat room into the show which allows anyone that wants to, the ability to actually become part of the show! Anyone in the chat room can talk to each other as well as to the DJ’s that are on the aiir during the course of the show.

Let me just say that the people who I’ve met and interacted with in this chat room are beyond welcoming. The overall vibe is like walking into a party full of friends that you’ve known for years. It was like that for me the very first time I logged on. Everyone that hangs out on this station is there for the love of the music and it’s always a respectful environment. If you’re leery of chat rooms or you’ve never experienced what a cool one is like, I encourage you to give this room a go! Come on by and join us and our friends from all over the world! It truly is an awesome time!

In the event you’re on the go, possibly out and about having lunch, you can also tune in via your mobile smart phone at http://mobile.livestream.com/aiiradionet

So that’s about it on how this whole thing came about. I do hope you can all join us from time to time. The show truly shines when we have participation. The more the merrier!

We are currently on every Wednesday at 12 pm to 2 pm (EST) 11am (CST) 5 pm (UK) 6 pm (CET) 9am (PST)

We also have a Facebook group where the conversation goes on 24/7! Join Us!

A big thanks to everyone at AiiRadio for your help and support in this new endeavour! Kat, Tony, Fred, Yorkie, the Aiir Street Teamers and everyone in the chat over the past few months!! Much love and respect music lovers!

Inside The Music Radio Show

A Time for Reflection
I’m thrilled to announce the release of our first ever LIVE DVD! How cool is that?! I am SO PROUD of this product and the work that it represents! It really feels as if, with the release of this video, I’m closing out the first chapter on this adventure in music. What’s coming next is always a mystery but one thing is for sure, the times they are a changing and a new era and a new way of doing things is imminent. It’s time to turn the page and to quote one of my songs from an album that’s still in the works, Soldier On.

This DVD truly represents many years of hard work, determination and perseverance. It hasn’t been an easy journey to get here and I have certainly learned allot about myself, about my music and a great deal about the business that is the ever-changing music industry along the way. One thing is for sure, I would not still be doing this if I did not love what I was doing. So calling it a labor of love, well yeah, that would be the perfect description.

Years, Months, Weeks, Days, Hours, Minutes & Seconds
When I sat down in my living room to screen this DVD outside of my studio for the first time, it truly began to dawn on me just how much work went into this thing. They say baby steps will get you to your larger goals, well I can certainly attest to the fact that there were indeed thousands of necessary “baby steps” along the way to make this DVD a reality. For the past two years, I had only seen this footage in terms of individual song clips on Youtube and seeing it in its entirety, as one concert production, had quite a different effect on me.

It’s truly amazing to think about how many hundreds of hours were spent, writing the songs, engineering the recordings, designing the album artwork, making the music videos, assembling the band, learning how to technically pull off a live show like this, rehearsing the songs, planning and promoting the live show, preparing the video projections for the show, staging the event, producing and editing all of the footage recorded at the concert, prepping all of the material for DVD, printing and shipping it to market….. I could go on but that is just scratching the surface on the amount of work that had to be done for this one event and this one product to materialize.

When you finish a studio album you get the same sense of accomplishment but there is something quite different about seeing a concert performance on the screen in front of you. It testifies to the amount of work that was involved in the project both visually and sonically. It’s almost as if a concert video removes a bit of the “Wizard of Oz” kind of mystique that can surround studio albums and replaces it with a greater sense of “reality”. Of course, maybe that’s just my point of view as the artist?

Like a fine wine, life unfolds and evolves in ways that you can never totally plan or prepare for. While you may have an educated guess of how to get there, you can steer things along the way but usually the end result is not always exactly what you had in mind. Sometimes it’s better, sometimes it’s not but all in all, it brings you to where you are today. Where am I today? Well, today I am truly thankful.

Thankful
I’m thankful for everyone that has helped and supported me over the years to nurture this dream of making music. I know that sounds like some rehearsed speech from an award ceremony but it is the truth. At first glance, looking at many of the physical products we now have in the catalog, you might think that I’m taking most of the credit myself. The reality of this is actually quite different. As with all of the works that I have taken on, without the people around me supporting and inspiring me; I could have never accomplished all of the things that I have done.

The unsung heroes are the people in my life that keep me motivated, keep me humble and help me by ensuring that the work has merit and is not all an ego trip. Let’s face it, the work is tedious, self absorbing and time-consuming. It hardly makes you the type of person most would want to hang out with on a day-to-day basis. Much of the time it hardly seems worth all of the fuss and sacrifices that are involved. Yet with a support system of family, friends and colleagues, as well as a sincere belief in what you are doing; things can happen, dreams do come true and the work is worth it in the end. It’s the love for the work and the love for those around you that keep the wheels of progress turning.

The Future
I really feel like the future has great things in store.  With the continued help and support of everyone around me; I know I’ll be able to enter into the next chapter with new determination and new resolve to keep working on the dream. At the same time, hopefully without sounding pretentious, I truly hope that along the way, I can help others’ with realizing their dreams as well.

Thanks for taking the time to read the blog and for supporting the music we are making. Without all of you that buy and support the music, none of this would be possible. – JOF

Press Release
Now available for PRE-ORDER the FIRST LIVE DVD from the John Orr Franklin Band! Recorded in October of 2009 at the Long Center for the Performing Arts in Austin, Texas, this DVD contains a 75 minute long concert performance as well as music videos and many more bonus features.

The LIVE DVD serves as a testament bookending a trilogy of albums released by John over the last four years. Containing live performances of material from all three of the releases (Pathways, Transformation & Lighthouse), the LIVE IN AUSTIN DVD reflects the overall body of work that John and the band have accomplished and is the ultimate souvenir for fans of John’s music.

The DVD was produced by Blue Room Digital Productions in association with Austin Media Productions.

 The John Orr Franklin Band is:
John Orr Franklin – Vocals & Guitar
Ryan Redfern – Bass Guitar
Roberto Palladino – Drums
Chris Cribb – Keyboards

All DVD orders via bandcamp.com include the immediate download of the digital single “Out of the Zone”(LIVE).

For more information visit johnorrfranklinband.com or melodicrevolutionrecords.com

The direct link to pre-order the DVD is http://johnorrfranklin.bandcamp.com/album/transformation-live-in-austin-dvd