Tag Archives: jeff

WCJM Free Internet Radio Station: “The Second Show” – 1999

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By WCJM Free Internet Radio:

On April 29, 1999, Jim Fusco received a sound mixer for his birthday. He was so excited about the possibilities this mixer could have, that he called up Chris Moore to do another radio show sometime after his birthday (probably in the summer), Chris, Jim, and Mike took the air once again. This time, Chris brought some of his CDs over, and the three each got to pick their own songs to play.

The content of the free Internet radio show was fine, with Chris’ rendition of “Moron Jeopardy”, (you have to admit you’re a moron to play), but something was very wrong. Jim was using the mixer for pretty much the first time, so his inexperience dragged the quality of the tape down. He had plugged in one microphone and two CD players into the three microphone slots because he did not have the correct wires to hook the CD players up to the “CD In” slots. But, because microphones are only a low level input, and the CD players are high level inputs, the power of the CD players made the levels fluctuate up and down throughout the show. The next problem was that Jim could only be heard! Mike and Chris got their own microphones, but they were hooked up to the karaoke they used. The karaoke’s volume was up all of the way, making Chris and Mike’s microphones seem too loud. So they turned down the levels of the microphones so low, that on the tape they cannot be heard when the music is playing (on very low levels)!

But this didn’t deter them from going onward, for it only was a stepping stone to perfection, which the next tape almost achieved.

This show and all the other great installments from the WCJM cast and crew are available online for your free Internet radio listening pleasure!

“Hey Jealousy” (Gin Blossoms Cover)

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By Jeff Copperthite:

Good evening to you on this Friday.   Jeff Copperthite here today with your latest edition of The Laptop Sessions.  Today I am bringing you another song from a previously covered band.

From their album “New Miserable Experience” I bring you my acoustic cover video of Gin Blossoms’ hit song “Hey Jealousy”.  Again from Colchester, VT (for the last time this year) as you can tell by the background.  Acoustics are interesting in the room to say the least.  Also, the lighting isn’t the greatest, but I view that as a plus – you don’t have to look at my ugly mug in as much detail!

The song came out fine, although I did time some for the vocals a bit differently than the recording.  I also used  a capo when I could’ve gotten away with doing it in standard position.  However, the song is much much easier to play on 2nd fret capo.  I hope you enjoy it.

I would’ve posted earlier but my wife & I attended a casino night in the hotel and came out only down $20 after 3 hours – a win in my book.  However, I did miss the thrilling Michael Phelps’ 7th gold medal by .01 seconds on TV.

Stay tuned tomorrow for the latest session from Jim Fusco!

Editor’s Note: Unfortunately, Jeff’s acoustic cover song music videos are no longer on YouTube, but we decided to keep his cover song blog posts up.  We figured these music blog entries would be good for posterity’s sake and because Jeff always gave such insightful posts each Session.  We hope to see Jeff’s impressive catalog of acoustic rock songs here on the Laptop Sessions cover songs and origianal music blog again in the future.  But, for now, please make sure to check-out hundreds of other acoustic cover songs from all of your favorite bands here on the Laptop Sessions music blog!

Where has the summer gone?

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By Jeff:

A couple of months ago, I was going into school to clean out the classroom. I had had the busiest of my 3 years at my school, being a coach, a moderator, and of course a teacher. Thankfully I didn’t have to move too many things, or take much down. I even arranged the desks in a configuration i’d like to try for the new school year.

But after that last day, I had a field trip to Boston with the Saturday Program students the next Monday. That was fun and busy, but exhausting.

Then a week later, it was off to UNH for 2 weeks of training. Training for a course it doesn’t look like i’ll be teaching this year. It really is a shame, though. This past year I taught a Saturday program at Fairfield University for high school freshmen. It was like a TAG program (Talented and Gifted). The students were very smart, with-it, and fast. The course was a lot of fun to teach, and the kids loved it. Attendance was exemplary for a saturday program that draws from the inner city.

But it looks like we are unable to continue the program this year because G.E., who was the source of our funds, decided to cut our grant – despite basically giving a 4 year commitment.

So these poor kids who had such a good time with the first year, cannot continue.

Despite this, if the program DOES continue at some point in the future, i’ll be ready to teach it.

So after that, I had a couple of weeks off which included a trip to the ever famous and heavily reported Jim Fusco’s wedding. And it lived up to expectations.

Then a nice week-long vacation at an all-inclusive resort (see my post last week for a couple of thoughts about that).

But I am realizing that, holy crap where has the summer gone? I go back to school in 2 weeks. It really goes by way to quickly.

It almost (emphasis on almost) makes me want to work all year so I don’t have an extended break to look forward too. I think I’d appreciate vacations a little more.

I didn’t get a chance to record a whole bunch of videos and I have not gotten any writing done. All my time spent playing guitar has been for the purpose of learning and recording songs for this site.

Unfortunately for me, while I feel relaxed and energized, I still feel like I’ve got nothing done. It’s a terrible feeling.

And my immediate future is going to be busy as well. This semester I’ve been asked to teach 4 classes instead of the usual 3 (for a nice pay boost), and at some point during this semester my life is going to change forever.

Yeah it’ll be a very exciting next few months.

But in conclusion, I really dislike the fact that time feels relative. The upcoming year, while it will be exciting, will move at a much slower pace, as opposed to the breakneck speed of summer I have experienced.

But at least you’ve got us for entertainment all 52 weeks of the year!

“The More You Stay” (Masters of the Universe Cover)

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By Jeff Copperthite:

I love bringing you original music in our videos – even if it is a couple of days late.  But thankfully, I have my memory card back, so I’m able to bring you your weekly dose of original music, even if it is a couple of days late.

Today I am covering a song by Masters of the Universe, from their recent 2008 album “Homestead’s Revenge” is the final track from that album.  It has been one of my favorites that hasn’t been covered yet (Jim & Chris have already covered some of my favorites, such as “Gonna Be There”).  The song is called “The More You Stay”.  It has a great beat and a cool personal, thought provoking message that is very common to the last track of an album Jim and Chris are involved in.

In this cover version, I tried to improvise the solo section, and while it isn’t as clean as i’d want it to be, I have to realize I can’t be a perfectionist when doing these videos.  If I’m having fun doing it, then no biggie.

After all, if it’s any video that is proof that I like to have fun doing these things, it’s this one.

Tomorrow I will be back with a new acoustic cover to appease you with.  I hope you enjoy tonight’s session, and report back tomorrow (and beyond) for brand new, fresh acoustic covers from Jim, Chris, and myself!

Editor’s Note: Unfortunately, Jeff’s acoustic cover song music videos are no longer on YouTube, but we decided to keep his cover song blog posts up.  We figured these music blog entries would be good for posterity’s sake and because Jeff always gave such insightful posts each Session.  We hope to see Jeff’s impressive catalog of acoustic rock songs here on the Laptop Sessions cover songs and original music blog again in the future.  But, for now, please make sure to check-out hundreds of other acoustic cover songs from all of your favorite bands here on the Laptop Sessions music blog!