musician/pederson/steve

If you’ve ever stood up in a wedding as an attendant, you know that one thing they always tell you is, “Don’t Lock Your Knees! We don’t need anybody fainting during our ceremony!” (Not to mention it wouldn’t be good for you either!)

Turns out the same thing is true no matter where you are or what you’re doing. Locking your knees is a bad habit, yet we do it way more often than we are aware.

Now, I’m not expert in the matter. All I know is that I had been experiencing some pretty intense knee pain in my left knee in the last several months. At times it was so bad that I nearly collapsed as I was walking. I went to see a chiropractic doctor who told me that, because I was locking my knees and not walking or standing with good posture, I was creating musculo-skeletal strain on my knees. The doctor had me begin some squatting exercises to strengthen the muscles that interact with my knee, and of course, she did some manipulations as well.

The result has been significant. I now go for long walks on a regular basis without a bit of pain. What’s more, I am much more aware of how I tend to lock my knees almost all the time. With that awareness I can change those actions.

One way that I noticed this, in regards to how I play guitar, is that, when I stand and play guitar, I usually stand with all of my weight on my left leg and with my knee locked so I can have my right leg and foot available to constantly monitor my volume and other pedals on my pedal board. That burden and pressure becomes even greater when you have a 10 pound Les Paul strapped across your shoulders!

With this knowledge and with these exercises I am developing an awareness and a muscle tone that is enabling me to perform with proper posture and saving my knee from unnecessary wear and tear and possible further knee injury. Now, if I could just get somebody to lug all my gear around for me!

On Thursday January 28th, 2010 The Steve Pederson Progression made its debut at the RootsRoom at 5203 N Kimball in Chicago. There was a great crowd of about 20 people there. The staff at the RootsRoom commented on what a great group it was – very supportive and very attentive. Among the performers participating in this event were Deb Buscemi (flute), Goza Parks (flute), Rick Heath (guitar, vocals and shaker), Letroy Jackson (vocals) and Jerome Collins (vocals).

Another debut was the song Can’t Wait, written by Steve Pederson. Here is a video of the song from the gig. Please stop by the YouTube channel for Steve to catch more videos from the gig.

The RootsRoom, at 5203 N Kimball Ave in Chicago, is the home of the Chicago-native reggae band RootsRockSociety. It’s a social club that is open to all who wish to enjoy some chill time listening to up-and-coming artists showcase their own new material.

I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of the crew that is making the RootsRoom happen. My job has been working on the website. As an active participant, the owner has granted me the opportunity to perform at the RootsRoom every 4th Thursday of the month. My first gig there was actually on November 12, 2009 operating with the title Midwestern Roots: Steve Pederson and Friends. That evening, I had Lennell Reynolds join me on percussion, David Fowlie on vocals and harmonica and Jerome Collins and Sara Balsom on vocals.

After having my first rehearsal with Rick Heath today, I’m eagerly anticipating the upcoming gig on January 28th. I’ve got at least a dozen original tunes that we’ll be performing, and Rick has some original material that we’ll be adding to the set as well.

Overall, I’m pretty excited about this opportunity at the RootsRoom. It’s challenging me to grow in several areas as a performer. As a musician and as a songwriter it’s giving me deadlines, forcing me to finish my material. With a cover charge at stake, it’s challenging me to make sure my material is worthwhile. As a producer I have to make sure that the entire show flows smoothly and makes sense.

We’ll see you at the RootsRoom!

Yesterday I had the awesome opportunity to introduce my church to a new congregational worship song that I wrote called Great is Your Name. Not only was it a privilege and an honor, but it was also a lot of fun. The sample that I have below is just guitar and vocals. When we performed it live yesterday, the band really filled out the song – giving it a rich full sound. Given the sound of the band, I felt a little bit like Tom Petty. It was pretty cool. I was grateful to get a lot of positive feedback about the song.

Here is a sample of the song: This is the chorus.

(I have a sample of the song here, but I’m having trouble posting a link to it the way I want. I tried the Audio-Player plugin for WordPress, but it doesn’t seem to work. I’ve also tried inserting the media file into my post, but nothing shows up. I’ve found the online help documentation and support forums useless, so if anyone has any practical solutions, they are welcome here.)

I was fortunate enough to be able to see U2 on the opening night of their 360 Tour in the US – in Chicago at Soldier Field on Saturday, September 12. This was the first time I’d seen U2 live and the first time I’d seen a concert at Soldier Field. I guess I need to get out more.

I commented to a friend of mine who had got me the ticket that I never realized how much of a U2 fan I really am. It was so much fun jumping up and down – in my 11th row, upper level seat – and screaming out the songs along with the band and 65,000 other fans. What an amazing and unifying sensation.

I’m sure everyone had their own experience and their own story to tell, but I will tell you one thing, in addition to several other things – this concert renewed my faith in Rock ‘N’ Roll. How? How indeed! When you see/hear something done right, it inspires you. When you see something done by a legendary band that has enough money and creativity to pull off a show like that, it makes you a believer in…possibilities.

There were a number of things I loved about the show; singing, nay shall I say screaming, along with the song Elevation, watching Bono swing around on a microphone suspended from a cable, watching the screen expand down to the stage like a big monster and on and on…for 3 hours. Lots and lots of ear and eye candy. It was a riot.

I think the biggest thing that impacted me, though, was just what a difference it makes listening to a band live with thousands of other people. That’s a dynamic you just can’t get from an iPod. I mean, just try singing along with your iPod when you’re on the train. People will – at best – look at you strange. When you’re alone at home or in your car you can crank it up and sing along – and know that there are fans out there who are singing along with you in spirit, but hey…there’s nothing better than the real thing. And this really borders on the spiritual. I only knew a handful of people in that congregation of 65,000, but when we were all there together singing along, we were a brotherhood. There was a connection. That is the power of music.

One of the things that contributes to this for U2 is that their music is very easy to sing along to. If you don’t know the words, it’s okay. You know at some point in the song there’s going to be a bunch of “Oohs”, “Ah-ahs” or “Ho-ohs”! It’s like everybody’s hanging out in a pub with a pint raised up high in one hand and their other arm around the next person. It’s community.

What does all this mean for me as a musician?

It means I have a greater appreciation for the power of live music. It means that, as much as I love to sit in my studio and practice or work on sequencing some new material until it’s “perfect”, at some point I’ve got to get out amongst people and play live, because that’s where music really lives. It means that, eventhough I have a CD, and people could just buy that and listen to it at home and in their car – which I hope we’re all doing – I have to make it real. The only way to do that, and really connect with others, is to play live. It’s good for you and it’s good for me. There’s nothing like real-time feedback. I know when a song is really connecting with people when I’m there to experience your response. I can’t do that when you’re listening to a CD and I’m taking a nap at home. Of course, you could always send me an email or write a review and let me know what my music means to you – which happens and is very encouraging as well.

Lastly, I will say that if you’re looking for ways to make extra income as a musician – don’t forget to sell a bunch of over-priced tour paraphenalia at your gigs!