Actually a coda to our last conversation. Glenn Frey. David Bowie. So much death in rock and roll lately. Every artist has multiple lives. More on aging gracefully.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-utsqR7zdyM

Roger CortonBowie last week. And now Glenn Frey?

JCHTransitions! (laughs) Yeah, they’re droppin’ like flies, baby.

RCAny thoughts?

JCHLook, the world isn’t waiting on baited breath for anything I would have to say about these guys.

RCBut that never stopped you before, so…

JCHSo, I will say I was never a huge fan of Bowie. I have probably actually enjoyed more Eagles music over the years.

RCSeriously? I’m surprised. I thought you dug T-Rex and Roxy Music the most so I guess I just assumed…

JCHYOU ASSSSSSUMED!!!? No, I never dug ‘glam’ all that much. Great songs? Always. But all the androgyny and especially those honky guitars? Naaahhh. But with regard to Bowie, all the different personas seemed a lot more important than the actual notes.

RCAs […]

Slowly I turned. Step by step. Inch by inch. Epic Release Party Niagara Falls Saturday February 27th 2016. Martin Luther King Day. Schipperkes.

Roger CortonIt is so on, baby. Niagara Falls. Saturday. February 27th. 2016. 8pm. I am there.

JCHPlus about a hundred and twenty of my closest friends so far. I’m pretty excited too.

RCAny nerves?

JCHNerves? Sure. You’re talking to a guy who’s already been stopped at zee border plenty of times, señor. But aside from that not really. So long as I get to practicing, like yesterday.

RCOK, so any news?

JCHWell, if you signed up, you’ve got yer details. If you haven’t? There are prox. thirty seats remaining. The show part will be an hour of the old school solo format, followed by a break and then thirty minutes with Sasha, Nick and Timo.

[…]

Epic ships 01/25/16. Uncle Ciaràn ate the same lunch every day for ten years. And liked it. How mixing is like that. Repetition can be good. And bad. Elvis. Hound Dog vs. Holst.

Roger CortonSo you’re done with Epic?

JCHYep. Unfortunately, I have to wait until after the holidays to get it mastered, but then it’s off to the manufacturer. So DV, the CDs should be shipping the third week of January.

RCCongratulations! I’m sure you’re relieved.

JCHI am, for several reasons. First off, I’m so sick of listening to the same songs over and over and over and over and…

RCLet me stop you here because I think I get the point. Silly me, I was thinking you might start on a positive note.

JCHSilly you. But as much as I like these pieces,

RCWait, you still like these pieces (laughs)?

JCHAbsolutely. I always tell people: I make the music, I wanted to […]

Slowly I turned. Step by step. Inch by inch. The Three Stooges. Plans for a fan party in Niagara Falls in February 2016. Great questions: CD Release Party or tragic marketing mistake? Is Roger for real? And if so, are there any other prog fans in Atlanta?

Roger CortonNiagara Falls. Slowly I turned. Step by step. Inch by inch.

JCHDamn. You beat me to the punch. I wonder if anyone under fifty will get that reference.

RCIt’s a sad day for America when you have to explain who The Three Stooges were.

JCHPreach, brother.

RCSo the upshot is that you want to revive the annual Niagara Falls Fan Party at Spring Break February 2016? Right on, man! It’s about time. We haven’t done that in six or seven years.

JCHNot since THE ICY HAND OF DEATH!

RCI […]

Not just in time for Christmas, the new album is Epic. Marketing failures and success. Compilations and complications. Robert Plant’s voice may not be able to hit the high notes, but JC’s hand still can! Shredding. Beautiful Sounds. Oceans Below. Why not Compartments? Reaching that base of constituents.

Roger CortonWhen you emailed me before this chat, you told me the subject was ‘Epic Fail’. When I hear that I think about some girl in a bikini falling off a diving board. Epic Fail! A guy tries to do some fancy moves on the half pipe and gets smacked in the balls. America’s Funniest Home Videos! On steroids.

JCHThat is, if steroids kicked you in the balls.

RCExactly. So… aside from the obvious pun, what’s the point in using that reference to announce Epic, the new record?

JCHAs we discussed in The Plan, I had planned to get a new record out early next year. But from a marketing standpoint

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