Hit play to hear what inspired my song H.O.P.E. and what I hope you get out of it! And be sure to share this video with those who you think need to hear it!
Lost? Not sure where to go next?
How To Find Hope
"I think we all could use some hope."
Life is stressful. People are tense. The political climate in our country is volatile. And I don't think I have ever seen so much division in our country as I do now. I think it's great that people are speaking up and sharing their truth. But it's also frustrating to see so many people talking but not listening. There is so much finger pointing going on, telling us who to blame for our problems. And if you aren't careful, you can be easily swept up in this ball of stress and start to believe the world is doomed. It's so easy to just focus on all the negativity, the bickering and the chaos. It's everywhere. It's on Facebook, Twitter, at the grocery store, at church. Everywhere. I've seen so many friends get lost in anger to the point it's hard to even talk to them any more. And I think a lot of people are so consumed with the darkness that they can't see the light. But I'm here to tell you, there is hope. The world is still full of wonderful, caring people. There are people doing amazing things every day to make the world a better place. The world is still full of love, wonder, and adventure. None of that has changed. It's all still there but we've gotten so lost that it's hard to see it.
"If you just open your eyes you'll see it's not so hard to cope with the bad now if you see it somehow."
Every day we have a choice. What are we going to believe today? Are we going to believe it's the end of the world? That there is no way we can fix the damage that has been done? That there is no way to find unity in such a divided world? Or are we going to choose hope? Are we going to choose to believe in people again? Are we going to believe that love can truly conquer all? Are we going to believe that we are going to be ok? It's up to us to choose it every day. We can't let someone else's agenda derail us. We have to choose the enlightened path and stick to it. Because we know at the end of the path, is all the hope we can stand.
"And if you want it then you got to give it."
Once we choose it, we can help change the climate around us. How do we change it? By giving. If you want hope, then you have to give hope. We have to share kindness with others around us. We have to encourage the checkout person at the grocery store and tell them they are doing a great job. We have to help the homeless man standing at the side of the road asking for money. We have to smile. We have to find joy. We have to stop arguing on Facebook and start having face to face conversations. And most of all, we have to LISTEN. We need to stop talking and start listening. Because we all want the same things. We all want peace, joy and a happy life. The only way we get to have those things is if we swallow our pride and listen to the hearts of those around us. If you choose it, believe it and give it, hope will always be there promising a better day. If you don't give up on hope, then it will never give up on you.
"You don't have to close your eyes no more, just look and see the dream you wished for."
H.O.P.E - The new single from Chris Swan.
Coming May 1, 2018!
Lost? Not sure where to go next?
New Singles From Chris Swan Every Month!
Yep, you heard that right. Starting May 1 2018, I will be releasing a new single every month up until the release of my new album in November. Oh yea, I have a new album coming out in November! I'm so excited for you to hear it. It's all about the simple joys and complex heartaches that we all go through in life. This album is me talking to you about the struggles I have as well as the moments of victory. I want you to know you are not alone. And I want you to know that there is always H.O.P.E.!
I know you will find peace, comfort and encouragement in these songs just like I do. And with the power of music on your side, you are destined to live the amazing life you deserve!
H.O.P.E.
The new single from Chris Swan
Coming May 1, 2018!
Lost? Not sure where to go next?
Can Hip-hop Be Positive?
When I use the term "positive hip-hop," I get some funny looks. First of all, there are the hip-hop haters who still believe nothing good can come from hip-hop. These are the people who heard a 2 Live Crew song in the 90's and think that that song represents everything that rap is. And as much as 2 Live Crew has its place in the rap history books, hip-hop is so much more than "Me So Horny" and those of us who are real fans, know that. But I also get funny looks from hip-hop heads when I use the term "positive hip-hop." I think a lot of the heads think that hip-hop can't say anything meaningful if it's positive. Like putting the term "positive" on something makes it corny and therefore meaningless.
Can you be positive and still keep it real?
Hip-hop began as a way to get the party started. It was music that was used to put us in a good mood. That's why a lot of old-school hip-hop is so corny. It was just a bunch of dudes (and, yes, a few girls too) having fun, partying, trying to out-do each other with words as they began to figure this new style of music out. It was a good time. One might even say it was "positive." But then that style became cheesy. It wasn't cool enough anymore and hip-hop had to fight back to remain relevant. Hip-hop had to grow up and be cool again. Hip-hop had to get real. And it did. This music told us stories that some of us lived every day and some of us couldn't believe were true. Hip-hop showed the world what was really going on. All the violence. All the injustice. All the ugly. Hip-hop turned on the spotlight and pointed it right at the things we didn't want to think about. It made us face it. It made us deal with it. It made us talk about it.
Hip-hop had to tell these stories. Music needs to be real. Music needs to speak to our hearts and minds and so hip-hop can't just be a party all the time. It needs to have all of its voices heard. But somewhere along the way, we forgot that hip-hop can still be a positive force. It can show us the problems, but it can also show us the solutions.
The music we love should not just be lost in a sea of frustration and anger. It should not just be a tool to exploit our sins and give us an excuse to give up. There is so much power in music and we can't forget to use that power for good too. HIp-hop can show the world the way to freedom. It can open up our minds and create a dialogue between all people. It can be used to remind us of all the amazing things that happen in this world every day. It can show us the possibility in our lives. That's why hip-hop needs a positive voice. We shouldn't look down on "positive hip-hop" as being a subpar form of music. It should be lifted up as a hopeful resource that can bring the changes into our world that we really need.
Hip-hop can save the world.
There is a place for all voices to be heard in the world of music. If you are a hip-hop hater, take a second to remember the millions of people this music speaks to daily. You don't have to like it, but you have to respect it and believe it is a crucial instrument of hope for a lot of people. If you are a hip-hop head who thinks all positive music is corny, remember, the world is a harsh place. And even if you don't feel like you need it today, the day will come that you will need a positive voice in your life. And that voice would best be delivered through the music you love. You don't have to like it, but you have to respect it. Because somewhere right now positive hip-hop is changing someone's life, and it may just change yours someday too.
Embrace Music Streaming: Stop Fighting It!
Music streaming sites like Spotify and Apple Music have the music business in a panic. Most independent artists think it is impossible to make a living with music these days. But I am here to tell you that is NOT TRUE! Yes, the music business is changing, but there are lots of people making good money in the music business and there is no reason you can't be one of them.
I did a Facebook Live video about this subject and discussed the ways that artists can use streaming to their advantage. This video is full of tips on how to make money with music streaming and how to use streaming to further your music career. Streaming is here to stay so it is time to embrace it and use it to take your music to the world!
Lost? Not sure where to go next?
How I Learned To Love Music Again
It's weird how being a musician can actually make you hate music. That sounds crazy, right? But it really does happen to a lot of musicians. It happened to me. And it made my life so miserable. I knew that I needed to change that. And quick!
Just hit the PLAY button below to see how I learned to love music again!
The Making Of "Music To Succeed To"
I thought it would be fun to pull back the curtain and show you some footage from the making of Glossy Soul's "Music To Succeed To album!"
Just hit the PLAY button below to check it out!
What They Don't Tell You When You Want To Become A Musician
Being a musician is awesome but it comes with a lot of challenges. I wanted to share a couple things I wish I knew when I was starting out.
Just hit the PLAY button below to check it out!
Top 10 Smooth Jazz Pianists
I have been a fan of smooth jazz since college. That feels like years ago now. Oh yeah, it was a lot of years ago, I guess. Anyhoo, I remember when I started listening to smooth jazz. It was overwhelming trying to figure out where to start. Who should I listen to? Who are the great artists? Who should I avoid? I don't want to waste my time with lame artists, right? Obviously, the best thing to do is just to dive in and find what you like. But where do you start?
I got you covered. Here is a list of my 10 favorite smooth jazz pianists. I'll also include some key tracks and albums to start you out on your smooth jazz journey. So light a candle. Dim the lights. And get ready to groove with the best of the best!
#10
Gregg Karukas
Key Tracks: Soul Kisses, Manhattan, Blue Touch
Key Album: GK
#9
Jonathan Fritzen
Key Tracks: This Way That Way, Temple of Dreams, The Standard
Key Album: Diamonds
#8
David Benoit
Key Tracks: Freedom at Midnight, Drive Time, Kei's Song
Key Album: Heroes
#7
Brian Culbertson
Key Tracks: On My Mind, You're My Music, Modern Life
Key Album: Dreams
#6
Gene Harris
Key Tracks: Sittin' Duck, Losalamitoslatinfunklovesong, Everything Happens To Me
Key Album: Gene Harris and The Three Sounds Live at the 'It Club'
#5
Bob Baldwin
Key Tracks: Summer Breeze, Stand Tall, I Wanna Be Where You Are
Key Album: Standing Tall
#4
Bob James
Key Tracks: Bali Run (Fourplay), 101 Eastbound (Fourplay), Since I Fell For You
Key Album: Fourplay
#3
Joe Sample
Key Tracks: Street Life (The Crusaders), Chain Reaction (The Crusaders), Spellbound
Key Album: Spellbound
#2
Ramsey Lewis
Key Tracks: The "In" Crowd, So What You Wanna Do, I'll Always Dream About You
Key Album: The In Crowd
#1
Jeff Lorber
Key Tracks: Ain't Nobody, Grasshopper, Do What It Takes
Key Album: Kickin' It
Want to hear more from these guys? Get our secret playlist called "Smooth Jazz Piano's Best" featuring all of these great players! Available absolutely free for Apple Music and Spotify users. Just click the link below and start listening now!