The date was November 5, 2009.  It was high noon.  What's going on here?  Are we looking at the birth of a "hick" hop scene in Bakersfield?  What does rap music have to do with the Bakersfield Sound anyway?  Before the Bakersfield Sound purists (if there are any) protest, please listen to Merle Haggard.  Listen to Mark Yeary, whose genre-busting influence, artistry and craftsmanship is behind many of Merle's best songs.  Listen to Buck Owens.  You won't hear any rap (though you will if you listen to Johnny Cash), but what you will hear is adventurous spirits, constantly crossing country boundaries into rock, rhythm and blues, blue grass.

Black Santa (original sample, first recorded in 1992;
first charted at #21 at mp3000.mp3 in 2005
Dr BLT and Michael C.
words and music by Dr BLT © 1992, 2008, 2009

 

Left to Right: Dr BLT and Ghost; Photo by John Q. of Epixx

Furthermore, if you've followed my musical journey, you'll notice thatfor me, it's always been about a struggle between the country and urbanlife.  I attribute this, in part, to the fact that, as a child and asan adolescent, my family was constantly moving around from the countryto the city.  One moment I was driving in pick-ups, surrounded withcattle, horses, and chickens, and the next, I was walking down citystreets, surrounded by rush hour traffic, honking horns, sky scrapers,and bustling shops.

Well today, my journey, (marked by the constant tension between urban and rural life), led me to the home studio of Ghost aka Eddie Brock, of the rap act, Epixx.  Ghost is part of a plan to re-make up to three of my best rap Christmas songs: Black Santa (one of my only songs to chart, heretofore, though not on Billboard); Homeless for the Holidays; and It's New Year's Eve Eve (that's not a typo). 

Black Santa and Homeless 4 the Holidays were originally recorded with rapper, Michael C., originally from Oakland, California.  I lost track of him over the years and wanted to bring these songs up-to-date with a 2000s take. 

I found Ghost and the other host, John Q., also of Epixx, very hospitable.  The meeting, from my perspective, went very well.  I went over the lyrics with Ghost and John as a first step.  Everybody seemed to get into the flow, especially with Black Santa.  I made it clear, I was inviting Ghost to appear on any or all of these songs---original songs which will serve as bonus tracks on what will eventuate into a mega-medley (produced, along with Rock n Roll Christmas by Mark Yeary) with bonus tracks, an EP or a CD, collectively entitled The Bakersfield Sound of Christmas, all for the purpose of raising awareness of the needs of the homeless in Bakersfield this Christmas. 

If you want to hear the medley, and appear on it, scroll down one.  You'll find a link to it, with lyrics included.  In addition to the material I'm planning on working on with Ghost, Brian Benson, a highly skilled rock guitarist and producer will be producing some of the tunes for the project. 

Other artists who have either made a commitment or expressed a strong commitment to this recording project (centered around the piece Mark Yeary is producing) include Kama Ruby, Jerry Rothberg, Walter Stormont, Pat Frase, "Yukalaylee Zach," The Councilmen, Fatt Katt and the Von Zippers, Soulajar, Kim McAbee and Dave Wulfekeuler (both members of the Buckaroos). 

Stay tuned (literally) right here at BSU for more exciting developments on this recording project.