As you start seeing the on-line advertisements for Heroes of Kung Fu, the next big web game from http://www.webmmo.com/, you’ll hear a familiar voice behind the beautiful visuals.  Yep, it’s yours truly.  I’m flattered to be the music behind their most anticipated on-line game.  I hope that individuals among their 30 Million Players who aren’t familiar with me, will soon discover my unique sound.

Last tuesday’s Kevin Burdick Musician Party for local L.A. musicians was a great night of networking.  Club Trip in Santa Monica let us have our run of the place as we had musicians big and small from all over Los Angeles come in and spend some time with me and my team.  From these events we will drill down to three or four guys who have the talent, chemistry, and commitment to tour with me next year.  I’m sure I’ll also have the opportunity to work with others via the studio or on bigger shows - below are some of the photos from the event.

Big thanks to the “Burdick Girls” who helped bring sexy back to the event and all of the musicians who attended.  I sincerely hope that everyone that came had a good time and I’m certainly looking forward to spending more time with you.

This week I was able to pick the tourbus up from Salt Lake City where Jared Rice repaired the several thousand dollars of damage we did to the back last year, and Schmidt Signs upgraded the exterior with a slightly improved wrap.   The new wrap is simpler with the tagline “North American Tour” and featuring the easier-to-remember website – www.pianorockstar.com (which simply leads people to my main website).

The thrill of picking up the tour bus was quickly forgotten as a couple hours outside of Salt Lake City one of the four back tires blew.  Luckily, the three other backtires continued to carry me all the way to Las Vegas.  A couple days and several new tires later, I was on the road again.  In the meantime, I made a couple hundred bucks in Vegas and had a lot of fun.  Check out the photos and big thanks to Discount Tire.

As I sat with my chicken dinner tonight next to a couple of college students, I couldn’t help overhear the conversation they were having.  They were reading a text message that the boy had received from an apparent ex-girlfriend.  The text went on to tell the boy how completely, “shallow and insecure” he was.  There was a number of expletives in describing the boy’s mental state and his prowess in the bedroom, all of which were not flattering.

It’s always interesting to me, with all of the means of modern communication available, how often I myself resort to text messages.  My busy schedule involving strange hours, sometimes text messages are just the easiest and simplest way to get a message to it’s hopeful destination.  Still, in this modern age, it seems that we have traded actual connections with people for the “McDonald’s Happy Meal Form” of talking – we like our dinners fast and our conversations even faster.  160 characters rarely sum up anyone’s feelings and are a poor substitute for, what our ancestors used to do, and that’s actually talk face-to-face.  Wow, remember those days?

According to Nokia, nearly 70% of people send at least 1 text message per day.  I’m not saying that text messaging doesn’t have it’s value – it does.  As the quick form of getting a short important message to a friend or colleague, there’s nothing better.  The problem is when people begin substituting “texting” for actually “connecting” – and we wonder why we sometimes feel so isolated. 

It’s even worse when you think of how cowardly a text message is for “negative” communication.  Remember when Britney Spears informed Kevin Federline she was divorcing him via text.  A commitment they made face-to-face was easily dissolved by a simple 160-character message to his cell phone.  I believe a face-to-face commitment deserves a face-to-face resolution – we’ve got to get back to the days of looking someone in the eye and really letting them have it: the good, the bad, and the virtually ugly.  It’s too easy to hide behind our cell phones and our computers and pretend like we are truly connecting with someone – we aren’t.  Case-in-point, my mother discovered text messaging a couple years ago (God Bless Her) and now our preferred method of communication seems to be the text message.  The good news is we text way more than we ever called each other - the bad news is, now we have little reason to call.  Well, little reason except for the simple process of “connecting.”

I’m writing this rant because I am part of the problem.  I’m guilty as hell of wasting my own precious connections on a series of text messages and twitter updates, e-mails and emoticons.  That’s why, as I type this, I’m also making a list of things I need to pack.  Tomorrow night I load up my car and drive the 8 hours to my parent’s house where I will spend a couple days, for no other reason than just to hang out, visit, and talk face-to-face, just like our ancestors did. 

Oh, s#%t – I just remembered I need to text my mom and tell her I’m coming.

• Face to Face.  Talking, touching, intimate.
• Phones.  Voice to voice contact.
• Mailed Letters – the intimate, thoughtful, written word.
• E-mails, Chat Services, Facebook, Myspace – the sterile written word, in real-time.
• Text Messages, Twitter Updates – 160 characters of modern connection

One final thought – I’ve started scheduling Sunday nights as my ‘call-people’ night.  It was nice.  I had my first one on Sunday at caught up with a couple old friends.  It felt good.

Well, if you missed the short performance LIVE from my bedroom, I recorded for you.  In it, I uncover my top-secret songwriting processes and give some tips to young songwriters (hope they help), plus I performed Basket Case, Never Let Go / Jump, and Camelot.  It’s about 17 minutes long, I’m fully clothed, and you can fast forward any of the boring parts… Hope to see you at the next one.

Check out this cool photo of me posing with fans from the July 5th Washington Times by staff photographer Allison Shelley.  Great photo, so I had to share it with you guys.  (for the original, see http://www.washingtontimes.com/photos/2009/jul/05/49833/)

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On another note, tune in on-line to next week’s Bedroom Sessions for another private acoustic concert from the comforts of my own bedroom.

Register For:  The Bedroom Sessions with Kevin Burdick
Next Show:  Episode 3, Tuesday, July 14th @ 6 PM PST

If you missed the Bedroom Sessions this week, you weren’t alone.  At least a billion people missed it, maybe more – LOL.  Luckily there were a good number of fans and friends who saw it LIVE and seemed to really enjoy it.  A big thanks to everyone who attended and for all the real-time shoutouts I got in the chatroom and on my cell phone.  You guys are the best!!

For those who missed it, here’s a little peek at what you missed:

Last week’s Bedroom Sessions was a wild success as we had people from all over the world logging in during and after (on playback) to watch the short 3 song performance from my bedroom.  Personally, I enjoyed it so much that I’ve scheduled another one.  Hopefully you can make it.  This time, I’m even going to brave an improv song based on audience suggestions.

Register For:  The Bedroom Sessions with Kevin Burdick
Next Show:  Episode 2, Tuesday, June 16th @ 6 PM PST

And for those of you that missed it.

With my performance schedule slowing while I write my 5th album, there won’t be very many opportunities to come see me perform this year - Thursday, June 25th in Hollywood is one of those rare exceptions.

The Viper Room, originally started by a group headlined by Johnny Depp, is an icon on the Sunset Strip.  Adding your name to the list of artists that have performed there is a right of passage for any musician.  Hope to see you there before 11 PM on June 25th when I take the stage and add my name to that list!!

Print the flyer below to save money at the door: 

Note:  ….Hollowbody LA presents acoustic Thursdays at the Green Room, the downstairs lounge at the Viper Room. 21+, $8 w/ flyer. Guests will have access to the entire venue. The Green Room bar offers serious drink specials for its guests. Makers Mark, Tanqueray Gin, all flavors of Sky Vodka, Wine and many other premium brands are only $5. Pabst cans are only $4. Free street parking is easy for the early shows. Yellow, loading zones are safe parking after 6pm, as are any green curbs. Otherwise there’s a pay lot on property, which is only $5 after 11pm.  8852 W. Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069

While my performance schedule has slowed for the writing of my 5th album, my love of music has never wained.  Of course, while I love Muse and Ben Folds, classic Elton John and Queen, here are a few of my favorite bands/musicians that you may not have heard of.  Regardless on what type of music you love, you will definitely want to check out these touring bands and send them some love.  Tell ‘em Kevin sent you.

Broke City- It is no secret that producer/musician Joel Pack is one of the reasons that my music has gained traction and popularity since he started working with me in 2005.  I’m a much better singer/songwriter because of my experience with having worked with him as my producer.  What a lot of people may not know is that Joel’s band, Broke City (formerly of Maverick Records), tours and performs constantly.  They have several amazing albums on iTunes and their music is both intense and real.  Joel’s lyrics and voice are beyond comparison.  I would also be remiss if I didn’t take the time to thank Broke City’s drummer, The Rob (who played drums on 3 of my albums) and bass player Brad Verrier (who played bass on 1 of my albums and toured with me for a time).  Great guys, all of them.  Check ‘em out!

Dean Fields – A couple years back when I went out to Nashville to perform at the world famous Blue Bird Cafe, I had the pleasure to meet and perform with singer/songwriter Dean Fields.  Dean, an acoustic guitarist and folk songwriter from the east coast, has a voice like John Mayer and plays the guitar like James Taylor.  Bottom line, he is just one of the real good guys making music out there.  His stories in his songs are beautiful and his song-writing is deep and meaningful.  You’ll love him, especially if you like music that tells a story.

Royal Bliss- I owe Taylor (guitars) and Neal (vocals) from Salt Lake City’s Royal Bliss a lot of gratitude.  While working my way as an up-and-coming musician in Utah, Taylor mentored me and booked me for several opening shows at the popular club Liquid Joe’s – the entired band was a source of inspiration and support for me.  I have the utmost respect for these guys and wish and hope for their huge success now and in the future.  Their new album is available on iTunes and in-stores via Capital Records.  Personally, though I love their new album, I still prefer the comfort and memories of the two older Royal Bliss albums I own.

SuperSoFar- Not too long ago, I had the real pleasure of performing in Utah with James (vocals) and SuperSoFar at Salt Lake City’s Huka Bar.  Not only are these guys great people, they make great music.  James has a unique voice that is unmistakable; and their songs are both accessible and unique.  They have several albums available on iTunes and continue to put out radio ready music all over the web.  See what you think.

Spencer Nielsen- A few years ago, and as a new solo artist, I stumbled onto Spencer in one of my favorite venues in Salt Lake City, the now defunct “Cabana Club.”  He was also a rock pianist, but his style was a little more like Jack Johnson mixed with Eddie Vetter (imagine that).  Soon we began to perform together all around Salt Lake City, sometimes sharing a drummer (thanks Dan Pectol) and often switching back and forth between sets.  My days with Spencer were a golden time for me – back when things were just fun and when the business side of music was the last thing on my mind.  If you haven’t heard his tunes, check him out.  You will enjoy him.

Chris Trapper- I discovered Chris Trapper on a podcast that was featuring both him and I, specifically his 2006 song, “I Wish I Was Cool” which I strangely identified with.  Chris is a product of Boston, and like me, was originally in bands before breaking off as a solo artist back around 2002/2003.  He is an exceptional singer/songwriter who writes songs that are as cool as they are personal.

Opal Hill Drive- One of my last shows out of Utah, before moving to Los Angeles, was a 2 night performance with one of my favorite local Utah bands, Opal Hill Drive.  Jedi, the lead singer, handed me a copy of their album before I hit the road and it has been on my regular play-list ever since.  Gritty, raw, and real – their music is a reminder that life can be a beautiful challenge.  My favorite song of theirs, “I Don’t Wanna Die” is a regular inclusion on mix CDs I make for myself and friends.

Anyway, hope you love the adventures in discovering new music as much as I do.  These groups I listed are all comprised of great people and talented artists.  Enjoy the musical journey.