Hello there. Have you been enjoying the free christmas music I’ve posted? Would you do me a favor…? If you have a myspace/blog/website/basically anything that takes HTML code… would you consider copying the code below and including the banner on your web area?
I want as many people as possible to download these songs and be exposed to my music and you could really help spread the word! If you’re interested in helping… the code is below for you copy and use. Thanks!
Tyler from the most excellent blog “The Album Project” has done two nice little write up’s on my record. Check it out:
“Those who have an obsession, or rather passion, for this indie folk music which has become overwhelmingly popular in recent times are the people who should be writing down the name Joel Rakes. The songs are simple but in a way that shows his true ability for crafting a lasting song. The nearly amazing EP only faults on occasionally diving too far into the obscurity of the scene.” http://thealbumproject.net/2008/11/1-liner-joel-rakes-a-sudden-change-in-the-atmosphere/
“I’ve said it quite a few times before but I love it when good quality artists or bands find me rather than the other way around because it just makes things so easy. Very quickly I knew Joel Rakes was the real deal and his album, ‘A Sudden Change In The Atmosphere’ is definitely a contender for one of the years best EP’s. Acoustic and understated much like another Album Project favorite Jeff Caylor, Joel Rakes takes things slower but is always paying attention to keeping the listener interested. I can’t recommend this record enough, please give it a chance.” http://thealbumproject.net/2008/11/daily-rec-1120/
My Grandpa Grady passed away a few months ago on September 25th. It was very sad as you can imagine. I was able to see him before he died, even though he wasn’t able to talk or interact at that point. I also was able to go down to Clemson, SC for his funeral. I sang the song I wrote for him “Grampa Grady” at his funeral. It was really neat to hear so many stories about him when he was younger and how he was as a father, a worker, etc. He was a really honorable man.
My mom mailed me letters that my Grandpa actually wrote me when I was four or five years old… like back from 1991. I forgot how cool handwritten letters are, and to have in my hands a letter that he wrote me over 17 years ago was beautiful. I scanned some of the letters in… you can see some of the letters here.
My brother-in-law Ryan put together this beautiful video tribute with pictures of my Grandpa with all of us grandkids.
My friend Pat called me today and told me to check out my CD on iTunes for an amusing little treat.
It didn’t take me long to figure out what it was…
The “Listeners Also Bought” section is hilarious. Apparently someone who bought my CD also bought the Camp Rock soundtrack. Funny. You can tell that I was the guest musician at a junior high camp for two weeks last month eh?
If you haven’t picked up the album yet - it doesn’t get much easier than iTunes and its only $6.93! If you end up buying the album please leave a review on there afterwards! That goes for people that have the CD already too, I’d love to have more reviews up there!
