One of the reasons why I went was to check out a talent I’ve recently heard about named Chris James. He’s a very talented singer out of the IE. He closed out the event and definitely worked the crowd and the stage, backed up by his live band and background singers. You gotta love live music! At the end of the show I had the liberty to talk to him a bit. If you DON’T know who this guy is, definitely check him out:

http://www.myspace.com/chrisjamesworld

http://twitter.com/chrisgetsbusy

http://www.youtube.com/chrisjamestv

Alright everyone, it’s time to get to work! Have a safe Labor Day Weekend!

Aim To Inspire

I figured it’s been a while since I’ve been to the movies so after knocking out my work for the day, I went to check out “The Other Guys.” I thought it was an alright movie, some of the humor was a little random, but overall I thought it was ok. I especially liked the closing credits. If you go see that movie, stay through the closing credits. There’s even an outtake once the credits end. I would say more about the movie but I don’t want to ruin it for anyone. Just go watch it.

The next couple weeks I’ll be pretty busy getting ready for the production part of the ZAG project so I’ll most likely be heading back to New York sooner than later. I’m really excited about this project. I’m sure a bunch of you are reading this and asking “what’s with this ZAG project he keeps mentioning?” I can’t really say any details about it yet but when the time is right, I’ll make sure you all are the first to know about it!

Well I’mma close this now and get ready for tomorrow. Thank you to everyone who always stick by me. I appreciate it more than I can express! Until next time D.Siders, keep grindin’ and always Aim To Inspire!

Friday, woke up and went to St. Paul to get a hair cut at Sharp Cuts. I had to travel quite a ways because there were no barbers in the area I stayed. The drive was worth it. After that, I just spent some time in my hotel in Edina before heading to dinner at Tavern on France. At that place, I was able to customize my own pizza. The serving size was huge but I finished it all. I ate a lot these past few days so without a doubt I’ll be hitting that gym in the morning. Didn’t stay up too late that night because Saturday was the big day.

So Saturday, woke up and grabbed some breakfast at a local McDonald’s and then got ready for the wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony which lasted maybe about 20 minutes. I provided the music as the parties walked in and at the end of the event. The weather was gorgeous that day, not too hot, blue skies, a light breeze: perfect. After the ceremony, everyone then went to the reception which was held at Jun Bo Restaurant in Richfield. A large crowd of about 400 people filled up the restaurant and everyone had a good time. That night went on for a while. The place cleared out at about 1am at which point I went back to my hotel and called it a night.

Sunday was spent sleeping in and then the later part of the day I spent at the State Fair. Honestly, that was my first STATE fair and it was nothing like any other fair I’ve ever been to. There were floods of people there and any food you could think of that could be served on a stick, was. People were eating Bacon on a stick, Corn on a stick, Salmon on a stick, Pork on a stick, Gator on a stick, Twinkies on a stick, Cheese on a stick, etc… The first night of the fair, 100,000 people showed up and Boyz II Men actually performed there on Friday and Saturday, but I missed all that. I had a good time even though I didn’t eat anything on a stick… I had their cookies which were bomb, but that was about it. After the fair, I joined the bride and groom and their friends at a celebration for them, held at a house in Lakeville. We all had a good time there but a few of them were surprised when they had us all playing Smash Bros, the ORIGINAL Smash Bros on Nintendo 64, and I was whoopin on everybody! I usually don’t play video games, I used to when I was in High School, and I wouldn’t even call myself a gamer, but when it comes to Smash Bros, whether it’s the original, Melee, or Brawl, I get it in!!! They soon learned that. Haha. That night went on till the early hours of the morning and that next day, Monday, I caught my flight back to California.

It was a long trip but it went by very fast. I had a really good time in Minnesota these past few days but now it’s time to get back on that Cali grind. Congratulations to the newlyweds Tony & Lisa Nguyen! Well, it’s time to get to work so until next time D.Siders, keep grindin’ and always aim to inspire!

Well tomorrow, I’m back on the Cali grind and I have to prepare for my trip to Minnesota next week. Really exciting things going on D.Siders, and I appreciate you all for riding with me. Time to clock out now, until next time. Keep grindin.’

Aim to Inspire.

After the meeting in the office, we all relocated to talk about the project more over dinner at Sushi Samba, a Japanese restaurant. It’s a great spot and their California Rolls and Pacific Rolls are very good. (By the way, the other night I was eating at STK in the Meat Packing District, and that place has AMAZING food!!! Go there and get the Steak Parmesan Crusted, the Mac ‘n Cheese, the Sweet Corn, and the Broccolini, and I promise you will NOT be disappointed!) After eating at Samba, some of the guys and I walked off some of the food we ate by walking around the city. The weather was perfect for that. Ended up back in the Meat Packing District and hung out at The Standard, where I actually saw Russell Simmons yesterday. Tried to go talk to the man, but by the time I found parking, he was gone. That woulda been hot if I could have at least met him. Oh well, next time.

I’m glad to be back in my room now, getting ready to call it a night so I’ll be prepared for tomorrow and my long flight back to Cali. I’ll be stopping by the BBH office again to do a little more work with the team before heading to JFK. I’m very happy with how today’s meeting went and I’m looking forward to wrapping up the final stages of this project and sharing it with the world! Until next time D.Siders, keep grindin!

Aim to Inspire.

I’m not gonna lie, it was getting pretty hot in Cali before I left this morning, so I’m actually glad to be out here where it’s a little cooler. I’m actually right down the street from Central Park, so I’ll probably stop by there tomorrow or Time Warner Mall if I have some down time. I was at Warner the last time I came out here about a month ago and it’s a really nice mall. I’m very excited about this meeting tomorrow night, as well as some of the recent developments with this project and I can’t wait to fill you in on what exactly is going on, which I will soon, just keep in touch with me here and via twitter so you can be kept in the loop.

Well I’m going to end this blog now and get ready for dinner. I’ll get back in touch with you all soon with more updates on this trip.

Aim To Inspire.

I was also introduced to the youtube sensation: Antoine Dodson. If you do not know who this man is, you need to youtube him ASAP!!! I am still thinking about getting his single on iTunes. I might have to do that so I can bump it next time I’m cruising down Hollywood Blvd. I have a busy next couple of weeks coming up, both of which include traveling. I’ll be in New York for a couple days next week attending a business meeting for the ZAG Project, and then the following week I’ll be in Minnesota for about 5 days attending a friend’s wedding. I’m looking forward to both trips!

One other bit of news before signing off and getting to work: to anyone in the Inland Empire on October 17th, stop by Cal State University, San Bernardino to help me support the “Save The Children Benefit 2010.” It is a great charity showcase designed to help raise funds to support youth organizations which mentor, train, and educate disadvantaged youth. I’ll be there providing part of the entertainment for everyone who attends in support of this event. For more details, check the event section of this site or email: wadcinc@gmail.com
Hope to see you there!!!

Alright everyone, I have to get to work now so until next time D.Siders, keep grindin’ and keep inspiring!!!

Before stopping by at the event, I spent some time at LA Live in downtown Los Angeles. Believe it or not, it was my first time checking out that place. The atmosphere there was very nice and with all the lights and large crowds, it kinda reminded me of being in New York. Funny side note, I stopped to grab some grub over at Yard House and I was seated at the table right next to Silkk the Shocker. No Limit in the building! There was also a T-Pain impersonator there taking pictures with different people. That was a funny moment.

I was glad to run into some familiar faces at “The Mixer.” Who knows, maybe I’ll be hosting one of my own. I’ll be sure to keep yall posted with the details of that, whenever it goes down.

Before closing, check out and follow Mike’s twitter at:
http://twitter.com/Mikeyphotog

Also ran into my man Michael Ferrera of “Michael Ferrera Custom Clothing” at the event. To anyone who needs a good suit tailored for you, hit him up! I got one from him. Quality work. Check out and follow his twitter as well:
http://twitter.com/MichaelFerrera

Here’s a couple pictures taken with the gentlemen. Young entrepreneurs. Let’s go!!!

Send them to: fan-pics@themusicofdavidsides.com

I finished an interview with Rawburry.com last night. I thought I would post up the Q&A’s for the fans to read.

Rawburry: What up!?

David Sides: Hey, what’s going on?

Rawburry: Any plans for the rest of Summer ‘10?

David Sides: I’m actually going to take a trip to Minnesota the end of August to attend a friend’s wedding, and maybe a trip to Africa. Besides that, I’ll just be working as usual.

Rawburry: When did you first start playing the Piano?

David Sides: I first started playing when I was about the age of 10.

Rawburry: Are there any Pianists you look up to?

David Sides: Actually, I don’t really listen to, or follow pianists heavily. I might hear a song or two that have a piano melody in it that I like, but I don’t really look up to or aspire to be like any pianists in particular.

Rawburry: I haven’t seen anyone incorporate Rap and R&B songs into the Piano like you have — do you model your style after anyone?

David Sides: I don’t think so. When I get on the piano I really just be myself, do my own thing. So far I think it’s worked because I have yet to have someone tell me “hey you sound like…” which is good, in my opinion. You never want to sound like someone or something else. You want to stand out on your own.

Rawburry: Where did you grow up?

David Sides: In a small town on the West Coast called Oxnard, California.

Rawburry: Any David Sides albums coming out soon?

David Sides: Yes, I actually have two albums out right now, both of which are on iTunes and my official website (www.TheMusicOfDavidSides.com) and I’m working on getting another one done by the end of the year.

Rawburry: If there was anyone you could do a collaboration with, who would that person be?

David Sides: You know what? I’m asked this a lot and I’ve never really felt strongly about an answer until now. If I could do a collaboration with anyone, it would be film composer Hans Zimmer. He composed the music for movies such as Dark Knight, Inception, Prince of Egypt, Gladiator… the list goes on. He’s a really great composer and I would love to hear some of my piano music being played over some of his orchestral arrangements. That would be epic.

Rawburry: Is there anything  you want to say to all the entrepreneurs out there?

David Sides: Just be patient. Not everyone has the drive and the courage to go out and do their own thing, make their own mark, and anyone who does earns a great deal of my respect. Unfortunately a lot of entrepreneurs, primarily young ones, lose patience and in turn lose sight of their goals which then results in them giving up. Patience is a very important, in life, and especially in being an entrepreneur.

Rawburry: Keep doing your thing David, big things are in your future man!

David Sides: Thanks man, and once again, I appreciate the opportunity. Be sure to stay on my twitter (twitter.com/davidsides) and my official website (www.TheMusicOfDavidSides.com) for updates. Take care.

More on David Sides:

http://www.TheMusicOfDavidSides.com

http://www.youtube.com/kemlye1

http://www.myspace.com/davidsides

http://twitter.com/davidsides

http://www.facebook.com/davidsidesfan

• Go to your “Subscription” section on your YouTube account
• click on “kemlye1″ on your subscription list
• click on “edit subscription”
• then click on the box that says “Email me for new uploads!!!”

This past weekend I went to see “Salt,” starring Angelina Jolie. The movie was a little similar to The Bourne series, but with a different twist. Overall, I liked the movie, but I think it was unfortunate that I saw it AFTER watching “Inception.” I remember leaving the theater thinking “It’s good, but Inception was better.” Sorry, Angelina. By the way, is it just me, or has anyone else noticed how skinny she’s gotten in comparison to her “Tomb Raider” days? Oh well.

Monday, back on the grind. Headed out to Van Nuys to meet up with a couple artists in a studio. The studio is really nice, and the artists are very talented. I must say, the highlight of my time there was probably standing in front of the Grammy Award on display in the recording room. I never realized how small those things were, but nevertheless, I can’t wait to get one of those and put it up in my house! I’ll be heading back out there Thursday to do work with the artists there, I’m looking forward to that. In the meantime, I’ll be working on a few other projects and enjoying the beautiful weather we’ve been getting here in Southern California. I know that a lot of you have been waiting patiently for more piano videos (solo videos) and they’re coming soon. I’ve actually just been really busy with other project opportunities that opened up to me, one of which is the ZAG project. To any of you who follow my twitter (twitter.com/davidsides) I’m sure you hear me talk about this project all the time. It’s a really huge project that I’ve been working on since the beginning of this year and I can’t wait to finish it and make it available to you all!!! By the way, if you’re NOT following me on twitter, shame on you! I’ll give you a second to go and follow me right now:

http://twitter.com/davidsides

Well it’s time to head down to the gym and get the rest of this day going. Lots of exciting things coming up for us! Team D.Siders in full effect!!! Let’s go!!!

The event was a birthday party for the grand daughter, Nesta, of the President of Gabon. Gabon is a country in west central Africa with an estimated population of 1,500,000. I performed on a baby grand piano, as a surprise guest for her birthday and for the guests in attendance. It was held at the Hotel Affinia in Midtown Manhattan.

Every time I head to a place like NYC, I was hoping to be able to network with some people. My manager and I actually got the pleasure of meeting some good contacts at the birthday party. We met the person who booked us, “Buzzy” Williams, a representative of Violator Management, as well as a few other musicians and people involved in the industry.

The day after the birthday party, we went to The Source magazine office located in the Financial District. We met up with Mike LaSalle, a member of the staff, who is also a friend of ours. We got caught up on their projects, as well as filled him in on ours. Before leaving, I went and took a couple pictures for an editorial page wearing Parish Nation apparel. The meeting was brief, but it was very hopeful and inspirational.

Overall, New York City was fun. I was able to experience some of the tourist areas such as Times Square and the Time Warner Mall. The food, hotel we stayed at and transportation was great. I loved walking around Times Square at night and during the day, being able to see the city lights and overall atmosphere. I also was able to check out their social scene in the “Meat Packing District.” I spent the first part of the trip, being a surprise guest for a birthday party. I spent the second part of the trip devoted to networking and relaxing in Times Square.

New York City, hope to see you soon again!