Live Your Truth 🥁 🎤
Welcome to another edition of my monthly musings - a little dose of inspiration to fill your cup!
I'm excited to share the latest in my coaching, songwriting, and inspiration of all flavors.
Please share this newsletter with a friend if you find it inspiring.
Onward we go! Dave 🥁 🎤
Happy June all!
Here’s my monthly newsletter. Hope you find some inspiration!
New Music: Drums of Compassion Collaboration
My lead story this month is that a track I created over 20 years ago with my friend and mentor Michael Shrieve was finally released. Check out this fabulous new album: Drums of Compassion, which features many musical legends including Nigerian percussionist Babatunde Olatunji, Jack DeJohnette, Zakir Hussain, Airto Moreira, Trey Gunn, and Amon Tobin. I strongly recommend picking up the CD here and why not get Michael to autograph it for you? I am beyond honored to be a part of this release! https://michaelshrieve7d.bandcamp.com/album/drums-of-compassion
On that note: Michael Shrieve Interview coming soon
Michael is a unique voice musical innovator. He is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work as the original drummer of Santana. And yet, there is so much more to Michael’s career that people should know about. I’m scheduled to interview Michael this week and will share more about the story behind this track and our history of collaboration. Here’s the track I wrote and played drums on alongside Michael playing brushes. https://michaelshrieve7d.bandcamp.com/track/the-fierce-energy-of-love-2
Audiobook Coming Soon!
Big news from me: The Doubt Riding Shotgun Audiobook is DONE and will be available any day. I spent much of April and May recording and editing my own audiobook. I could have had AI do it for free according to Amazon or hired a voice at Findaway Voices for less than $1000 but NOPE. It was deeply important to me to record this myself. I wanted it to be in my own voice. I believe there is an energetic transfer when you hear another’s voice and that listeners will sense my authentically. This was hard work. After countless hours of editing, I have a new relationship with my lip smacks, mutters, slip-ups, inhales, and exhales. I left a few in and even joked about them but I removed 97% of the distractions. I hope you will consider picking up a copy (and reviewing it!). If you liked my book, I think you will LOVE this audiobook that features bonus content and a few guided practices.
Here’s what early listeners of the Audiobook say
"The Doubt Riding Shotgun audiobook is a riveting, inspirational listen; a metaphor with seemingly endless legs on the subject of the inner critic. I've done my fair share of reading on the subject, yet Doubt riding Shotgun offered me an entirely new lens, alongside some accessible, yet powerful tools to tinker with. Worth every listening minute, and then some!" Giles Orford
“Besides being a great book full of very practical and simple ideas, it is also extremely conversational. It’s like you’re having a conversation with the author. I feel like I just got a big piece of the puzzle, but my own doubt voice is being a bully. In the end, we will coexist, me and my uncle doubt. I highly recommend this audiobook if you’re also searching for another piece to your puzzle.” Elijah Shaheed Shabazz
Recent Videos and Blog Posts
Here’s a recap of new videos from me on Youtube. Please subscribe to my Youtube if you like this content
Songwriting demo and breakdown of my song Over the Line https://youtu.be/P39VJUzMGHI?si=O421aEXM-4HhoE99 where I talk about my process and lessons learned. Here’s the blog post to go along with the video.
WTF is an executive? Inquiring minds want to know, so I made a video about how most of us are required to do executive type work even if we don’t call ourselves executives.
3. Speaking of executives, I’m working on my next book and for now calling it “The Accidental Executive” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-fbr-xyQPM
Are you interested? I’m looking for other Accidental Executives to interview. I want to hear what you wish you knew before you became an executive or what you are struggling with now. Write me if you are interested. dave@davehilljr.com
4. Imperfection is 100% me, you, and the world we inhabit. Can we embrace it a little more and accept (nay, LOVE) ourselves in the process?
5. And for the music nerds out there, here’s a post with my favorite music theory helpers for songwriting.
6. Finally, a blog post about sharing our talents at an Open Mic: Open Mics Can Open Your Soul. I’ve been working hard at sharing this year and it is still hard for me.
Speaking of OPENING UP… I’ve been finding my edge in weekly Facebook Livestreams (Friday’s at 2:30 Pacific)
To further lean into my edge and inspire anyone daring to watch, I’ve started doing weekly livestreams where I talk about my songwriting process, play a song or two, and answer questions about any of the areas I commonly coach or study. These sessions have been super fun and supported by a small group of new fans. Please join us online if you like. Or if you want to catch up, here’s my livestream from May 31st: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYmKenwTMp8
My First Ever Book Signing Event
I was asked to attend my first “Indie Author Night” ever at Redmond’s Brick and Mortar books (a great bookstore I frequent with this cute well-read woman I live with: The Literary Sipper). It was a fun night and thank you to the folks that came out to support me. Thanks so much! If you know a local bookstore that might like a talk about my book on self-doubt, please let me know.
Where is May’s New Music Release? Short story = I Am Behind!
I have a goal to release one song per month. And I plan to catch up very soon. I’ve recorded several songs and am just trying to pin down final mixes and session musicians that are adding their love to the music. In case you missed it, here’s my April release. More news on this in July’s newsletter.
Drummer At Large
I don’t often have time for other groups but this past month I did a couple odd jobs that were a lot of fun.
Live drums
I joined my friends in the band Science for a fun gig in Olympia
https://www.facebook.com/jim.elenteny/posts/pfbid02uFxNNgrGR2jNYjaok28WEj8hmNWvKwb4MFrAuS5bAWwotqo6pKDsSUBjFDDJX9selStudio drums
I also recorded drums on this song called “One Fire” for The Go2s in my home studio with some upgraded mics.
Hoping a GREAT summer for you and I’ll be back in July with more music and inspiration to share.
Please pass this newsletter along to others if you feel inspired!
Tell me what’s inspiring you too!
Thanks for riding shotgun with me!
Stay courageous out there 💪,
Dave Hill Jr.,
PCC Certified Executive and Leadership Coach
Learn About My Coaching www.davehilljr.com
Check out my book: Doubt Riding Shotgun www.doubtridingshotgun.com
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