New
Call this book: “The anatomy of a miserable failure and the family that loved him.” I certainly failed at making money with my craft and/or art. Thing is, Chris and I are great songwriters, bad-ass guitarist and have written our stories faithfully well and true. I can’t say that I have found peace absolute but the pages within hold valuable insight toward that end.STREET MUSIC; Another Van Memoir offers vivid stories depicting the homeless experience firsthand while following my brother Chris and I through our various attempts to rise above a street musician’s fate. THE X-FACTOR television show is just one of many cattle calls we endured. 18,000 people showed that day and I was still standing with the last 1,000 after two call-backs. THE VOICE, AMERICA’S GOT TALENT, I have a few tales to tell behind those scenes as well. The Smith brothers also had their share of industry insiders whispering come hither, “This is your lucky day” that never panned out. There was Barry Levine from Radical Studious wanting that one song for a film; the two guys making a show about buskers did interviews, shot real-life footage, even put us in a professional sound-stage; Chris and I were paid well to a appear in a music video by rapper SKY-BLU; check out Andy Grammer’s video, BIG MAN IN LOS ANGELES, and 38 seconds in, there I am jamming in the streets. (Only goy paid 20 or 30 bucks for that bit.) Qualifying for the homeless golden ticket that is Social Security monthly benefits was no simple feat and not something Chris or I shout about with pride but nor do we shrivel away from the accomplishment in shame. The money was put to good use, financed a lot of quality work. This book carries our lovable losers from 2007 to 2016 when the brothers returned to their Chicago home conquered heroes. “I’m the luckiest guy I know and yeah…I got screwed” I often say. Along the way there were deaths in the family, friendships fading, a daughter’s wedding and the birth of my grandchildren. It has been an amazing life.(Cover photo by Ben Hur)
CLICK HERE TO BUY: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1081161086/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_e7v0Db4AETE1J