The Record Machine

Brian Brewer Formerly of Cheyene

Introduction: Brian Brewer was one of original touring members of Cheyenne. I always had a blast hanging out and talking to him when Cheyenne would come to Kansas City with the band. He is no longer playing in the band but that is what is fun about this series.

How have you been spending your days?

I think I am pretty much done playing in bands. It started to be a pattern, I would be asked to join a band, I would give them warning about not wanting/being able to tour, they accept, it becomes a problem down the road. I have a career in the IT field, I currently am the Video Conference Administrator for a large law firm in Portland. I have always put my career and paying bills before any idea of a music career. Had I not taken a student loan, or learned the benefits of a savings account, health care, normal working hours, and being home all the time, I might have done more in the music field. I am also unsure about the passion. I love listening to music. I can be passionate about a song or an album. But playing music seemed more like a technical exercise most of the time for me. There were occasions where it really seemed to be a way of expressing myself in a cathartic performance, but those were not the norm. I also am not the type to sit around and play the guitar at home, never really have been. Again, i don’t think I have the passion for it that others do. I think trying to be a “professional” musician is a very risky gamble. You have to be willing to be broke as hell for a long time, possibly for your lifetime. I was never comfortable with that. Congratulations if you read this far.

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Over the years we have gotten to work with really great creative people. After doing this for five years we want to give you guys some more insight on who has helped be a part of this label and make it what it is today. First off we have an interview with Danny Gibson of DJG Design. Danny has always been behind the scenes at TRM. He has helped create almost all of our logos and helped us with a lot of art direction and design since the begining. He also designed our very first release for Jame Dean Trio.

Danny and his wife Millie with one of their kitties

- Introduction:

I was at the historic first official meeting of The Record Machine held at McCoy’s in West Port of Kansas City, MO over half a decade ago. My say didn’t amount to much. I think my mouth was full as I was mostly positioned to eat free cheeseburgers.

- How have you been spending your days?

My days are spent. Creeping on the Crow’s Feet I find that time is more easily measured in flap jack format than ever before. Something big has always been beaming and beating and I find myself blind peeping to see how far back the dogs with prickly sticks in their mouths yip, kick and nip for my heels. I do beat the crickets up at 5 am Monday thru Saturday in order to pinch a bit back. Evenings and weekends find me down slide sliver squeezes as well. I engage in making things and find some peace through all the pieces with my maker in the act of doing so. The handful of women I share space with enlightenment my walk as well…kitties and wife. Walks are good too and Fall time is the best for comfortable living in Kansas City.

More after the break
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