The final version of the Wake Me Alive Music Video has finally been released.  It is beginning to make its rounds around the web starting today.  Hope you enjoy it!  Feel free to share it with your friends.

As I sat across from my friend Shelly at the Bayou in Salt Lake City, I began explaining to her how easy it is to reject some or give someone some bad news about themselves.  She was having the most difficult time breaking up with a guy that was so clearly not right for her, because she “didn’t want to hurt his feelings.”  Maybe it’s because I’m jaded or maybe it’s just because I’ve had to explain to too many women in my life ”why they aren’t the one” that this method just developed naturally for me, but after talking with Shelly, I figured I’d share it with all my friends in hopes that it might help others out there needing some help delivering bad news.

The Sandwich Method (a Kevin Burdick original) – This is my method of delivering bad news, breaking up with a girl, or genuinely being an ass without actually being an ass.  It is the perfect delivery for news that is hard to deliver to a boyfriend, co-worker, or family member.  The Sandwich Method includes two nice fluffy pieced of white bread (metaphorically speaking) and a big slab of greasy meat in the middle.  When delivering criticism using the sandwich method, your employer might try this: 

Bread Piece 1 (Positive):  You are a great person Steve.  Well liked by all your co-workers and a really hard worker.

Meat Hunk (Negative):  But to be honest with you, some of your co-workers have started complaining that you smell a little weird, kind of like a dirty baby’s diaper or a monkey’s armpit – I am going to have to ask you to get some cologne and work a little harder on that in these close quarters we’re in.
Bread Piece 2 (Positive):  Don’t take this personally, like I said, everyone here likes you a lot.  You’re the hardest worker on the team, an enormous asset to the company, and the guy here with the biggest heart.  No one will even remember this in a few weeks.

So by starting with positive statements and finishing with positive statements, the meat of the discussion (i.e. criticism) is a lot easier for the employee to swallow.  Now let’s look at this example from a boyfriend/girlfriend situation.  Let’s say you are trying to break up with your girlfriend using the sandwich method: 

Bread Piece 1 (Positive):  Look Jane.  You are a beautiful girl, sexy, intelligent, and funny.  Everyone knows that.
Meat Hunk (Negative):  I have to be honest with you though, you aren’t the girl I’m looking for and I don’t want to sit here and try to change you into someone else.  You deserve to have someone looking for your qualities – I need someone who is less controlling, somewhat mentally and emotionally stable, and someone who allows me more independence.
Bread Piece 2 (Positive):  I know there is someone out there who is going to fit better with you and who will gel with you.  I’m sorry it’s not me, but knowing all of your incredible qualities I am confident that your dream guy is still out there – you just need to go out and find him. 

The Sandwich method of delivering tough news is good for almost anything.  Feel free to adapt it to your own tastes – maybe you like mustard on your sandwich or maybe you like your sandwich with smaller pieces of bread.  Regardless, a sandwich just isn’t a sandwich without a little bread - so soften the blow with a little bit of positive before and after your bad news.  Hope this helps!!

A few months after losing my daughter some 5 1/2 years ago, I took a walk in the cemetery where she was buried.  I was surprised by how many of the children’s graves did not have headstones.  It was that walk that inspired the foundation I began in her name.  Since then, the Dempsey Burdick Memorial Foundation has helped needy and grieving families provide permanent grave markers for their lost children all over the U.S.  I am very proud of the work that we’ve accomplished in helping other grieving parents have some closure with the loss of their own children as well.

We currently have been approached by several families who have requested assistance in getting headstones for their own children’s grave-sites.  These families have been unable to afford a memorial marker for their lost child.  As you may know, the headstone is one of the most expensive parts of burying a loved one, but is also one of the most important for providing closure for a grieving family.

This week, for every dollar donated to the Dempsey Burdick Memorial Foundation, I will personally match the donation penny for penny with my own family’s money.  The Dempsey Burdick is a 501C3 non-profit charity and all donations completely tax deductible.  For details on making donations, please go to:
http://www.dempseyburdick.com/donations.html

I speak for all grieving parents when I say that I appreciate any help that you can give.  In exchange for your generosity, I’d like to give you a free mp3 of the song I wrote for her from my 2005 album:  Too Good For This World (Dempsey’s Mix) 

Thank you. 

Sincerely,
Kevin Burdick

There are those that say “it can’t be done in this current market…”, there are those who throw words like “success”, “drive” and ”fame” around like common buffalo nickles.  As Kevin Burdick’s business manager it is my pleasure to address you loyal and loving fans at this time, although the circumstances of this blog are not the most favorable. 

Kevin has diligently spent this recent year in hardcore dedication to finding a happy medium of the above mentioned beliefs.  We both feels that it can indeed be done… success, drive and fame… that is.  In fact we believe even a greater potential for his music as well as his very name and reputation. 

The search for this has come at a great “cost” and it is my responsibility to deliver the “bill”.  I regret to inform all of you that Kevin Burdick will be canceling his October shows at Hotel Utah in San Francisco and The Quarter Note in San Jose.  The mental, physical and spiritual strain on Kevin and the sheer time it involves has pushed Kevin into an emotional hibernation.  His Filling Station shows in Magna this past week were essentially the tail end of a one year road tour across the western states.  Living in a tour bus and traveling daily is just a fraction of what had Kevin virtually collapse from the wear and tear last week.  It’s a culmination of all things; financial expenses with touring, dealing with untrustworthy people in the industry, releasing his new album and the loss of friends. 

Sitting in mental, emotional and physical pain, and after a moment by himself last Saturday, August 23rd, he sought the advice of a close friend as well as his Medicine Man and Shaman.  The desire for a break turned into a “need”. 

The great news is that if most of you know Kevin as I do, he will soon awaken and the musical juggernaut will emerge from its slumber to again perform and bring you the music, passion, and entertainment you all love. 

A special thanks to Overtone Records and Media in Hollywood, CA.  Christian Ashton, CEO, is a blessing.  He is a huge support for Kevin in his time of rest, stating “Kevin is the next big thing…”.  Mr. Ashton’s professionalism and grace are unmatched, as he has gone out of his way to accommodate Kevin in a beautiful home in Hollywood, 3 blocks off Sunset Strip… The perfect place for a Rock Star to recollect and relax.  With that kind of support from industry greats as well as incredible fans I believe Kevin’s hiatus to last only a short while.

Kevin will still be playing his Los Angeles shows at The Cat Club on the 5th and 12th of September, The Nocturnal (Club TRiP) on the 11th of September as well as a special show on September 9th at O’Brien’s Pub in Santa Monica.  Please stay tuned for news on his recovery.  Again, we love and care for you all and hope to feel your support, prayers, and best wishes.

Best regards,
Kenneth Gray