Larry Whitler - 12 String Poet: Blog

On March 16th I'll be performing a concert for the students at Full Sail University near Orlando and, in exchange, they will create a DVD of the event.  This is something I am greatly looking forward to.  Not only for the posterity of having a show like that recorded but also because it provides me with a great tool for my press kit.  The students at Full Sail enter the "real world" with skills that will land them the best paying jobs in the entertainment industry so I'm honored that they have included me on their roster.

And, if that isn't exciting enough, my son, Alex will be singing "Sailor And Sculptor" with me!  For those who don't know, I wrote "Sailor And Sculptor" when I was about Alex's age (in my mid-20s).  It is a song about a father and a son.  The father is the sailor and the son is the sculptor.  The father wants his son to follow in his steps but, of course, the son has his own path to follow in life.

When I first wrote "Sailor And Sculptor" I envisioned singing the son part and asking my Dad to sing the father part.  That never happened.  I think I chickened out because back then I never thought my father liked my songwriting.  

Just for the record, my Dad later asked me to write a song for him to sing to my Mom for their anniversary.  That song is "We Really Did Alright" and remains a favorite of mine.  By asking me to write that song I realized that he must have appreciated my songwriting more than I thought.

I attempted to do both parts of "Sailor And Sculptor" myself but I never liked that version at all. 

A few years ago I asked Alex to sing the son part of the song in a new recording I was doing.  I recorded my part at home and he later recorded his part while I was at work.  When I heard the finished recording I...   well, I was going to tell you that I cried, but I won't because it might destroy my "manly" image!  (Just kidding.  Yes, I actually did "tear up" - that sounds better than "cry")

Anyway, I've always thought it would be awesome to somehow get a video of us doing the song live somewhere.  We had considered the Orange Blossom Opry which has an awesome stage and is so very professionally managed.  But there were two problems: 1. The Opry doesn't allow video-recording and 2. If they did waive that rule I'd have to pay a small fortune for a video crew to get the job done properly.

That is why this opportunity to perform at Full Sail University is such a blessing.

Thank-you, Robin, for so many of the great ideas that have lead to the progress we've seen these past three years.  This latest idea to include Alex in the live show is so great I can't thank you enough!

I have less than a month to prepare!  

In addition to rehearsing at home I would like to have some "live audience" rehearsals.  So, if you're in the area and you would like a free concert, let me know.  Or, better yet, contact Robin because I'll never be able to keep a calendar!  (Robin's email is robnonair@aol.com and her business line is 352-873-0007 (Quill And Keyboard Productions) or 352-732-8000 (during the day at WOCA AM and FM).