Hello all.

It is coming soon! I’ve been working with a buddy of mine (and an amazing graphic designer), John Parker, on redesigning secretsinstereo.com. I wanted it to be cleaner, easier to get around on, and have a ton of cooler stuff on it that this design doesn’t allow me to have. I think we have accomplished that, and I will be unveiling my new home in a week or so. Stay tuned!

For now, here is a little snap shot of the home page…

joshua

P.S. A new “song for Twilight” blog will be going up in the next day or two!

Hey everyone.

As some of you know, I’ve gotten an overwhelming response to my song, “Again,” being used in this Youtube video. (Almost 700,000 views!!!!) Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of requests for the chords on the song. Just typing them in is so boring, so I scanned in a handwritten copy for you guys. (click on the image to blow it up and print it)

Enjoy!

P.S. If you guys make any videos of yourself playing the song, LET ME KNOW!!! I want to to see it!

When it comes to the future of the music industry, no one has a more innovative and forward thinking view than the founder of Nettwerk Entertainment, Terry McBride. I was reading his blog today, and he shared a story that made me really think. I think it will make you do the same…

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

‘The beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of Beers (or in my case, wine) with a friend.’

Take care!

josh

Yeah… I know. Thanksgiving was two days ago. But, it would have been so typical to make this post on Thursday, and that seemed kinda lame.

So, it’s a nice little Saturday. I’m sitting here watching college football. “Couchin’ it,” if you will. I’ve knocked out a few things on my “to do” list for the day. I’m feeling pretty relaxed. I’ve been busy the past few days with Thanksgiving and all, as I’m sure you have as well. With things finally slowing down, this question just hit me… “What are you really thankful for?”

I say “really” because it’s so easy and cliche’ to say family, friends, job, etc. Don’t get me wrong, I am, of course, thankful for those things. No doubt about it. But, those are no brainers. I don’t need a day of the year to remind me to be thankful for those things. The question made me dig a little deeper.

How about… the fact that my Tennessee Titans are 11-1 (woo hoo!), or that I’ve been allowed to reach so many of my goals in 2008. Well, yeah, I’ve thankful for those things as well. But, still, I grab a shovel and dig deeper.

The bottom line is that the answer I came to is simple, yet hard to find. What I’m really thankful for is… Today. Knocking off a few things on my “to do” list. Feeling accomplished and relaxed. Sitting here on the couch watching college football.

Pretty simple, huh.

Here’s the way I see it. Too often we get caught up in what happened Yesterday, or what might happen Tomorrow. And in the process, we take Today for granted. But, the reality is… neither exist. Yesterday is dead. And, Tomorrow isn’t born yet. All we have is Today.

Live it. Enjoy it. Be thankful for it.

joshua

Yeah… I know. Thanksgiving was two days ago. But, it would have been so typical to make this post on Thursday, and that seemed kinda lame.

So, it’s a nice little Saturday. I’m sitting here watching college football. “Couchin’ it,” if you will. I’ve knocked out a few things on my “to do” list for the day. I’m feeling pretty relaxed. I’ve been busy the past few days with Thanksgiving and all, as I’m sure you have as well. With things finally slowing down, this question just hit me… “What are you really thankful for?”

I say “really” because it’s so easy and cliche’ to say family, friends, job, etc. Don’t get me wrong, I am, of course, thankful for those things. No doubt about it. But, those are no brainers. I don’t need a day of the year to remind me to be thankful for those things. The question made me dig a little deeper.

How about… the fact that my Tennessee Titans are 11-1 (woo hoo!), or that I’ve been allowed to reach so many of my goals in 2008. Well, yeah, I’ve thankful for those things as well. But, still, I grab a shovel and dig deeper.

The bottom line is that the answer I came to is simple, yet hard to find. What I’m really thankful for is… Today. Knocking off a few things on my “to do” list. Feeling accomplished and relaxed. Sitting here on the couch watching college football.

Pretty simple, huh.

Here’s the way I see it. Too often we get caught up in what happened Yesterday, or what might happen Tomorrow. And in the process, we take Today for granted. But, the reality is… neither exist. Yesterday is dead. And, Tomorrow isn’t born yet. All we have is Today.

Live it. Enjoy it. Be thankful for it.

joshua

Enjoy and share the love !

More from secrets in stereo at Myxer

More from secrets in stereo at Myxer

Hello all.

I’ve been getting a huge amount of requests for me to post the lyrics to “Step Outside.” Ask and you shall receive…

“Step Outside”

Lee Hester/ Josh Ryan

Maybe
This is just pretend
We really haven’t lost our way
Baby
My heart is caving in
I don’t wanna hear the words you say

The air is getting thin
It’s hard to breathe
I think I need
To step out side
We..re both gonna lose
We’re both gonna win
Tonight
Cause it’s time to say goodbye

Crazy
How I miss the innocence
I didn’t know it could hurt this bad
Wish we
Had a second chance
But the first chance is all we had

Chorus

I’m letting you go
But I don’t want to
And won’t let it show
How it makes me feel
To say goodbye
Goodbye to you

Chorus

I don’t know what I should
I guess I’ll have to get over you
I don’t know what I should
I guess I’ll have to get over
I don’t know what I should
I guess I’ll have to get over you
I don’t know what I should

I guess we say goodbye

Goodbye,
josh

Hello all.

I’ve been getting a huge amount of requests for me to post the lyrics to “Step Outside.” Ask and you shall receive…

“Step Outside”

Lee Hester/ Josh Ryan

Maybe
This is just pretend
We really haven’t lost our way
Baby
My heart is caving in
I don’t wanna hear the words you say

The air is getting thin
It’s hard to breathe
I think I need
To step out side
We..re both gonna lose
We’re both gonna win
Tonight
Cause it’s time to say goodbye

Crazy
How I miss the innocence
I didn’t know it could hurt this bad
Wish we
Had a second chance
But the first chance is all we had

Chorus

I’m letting you go
But I don’t want to
And won’t let it show
How it makes me feel
To say goodbye
Goodbye to you

Chorus

I don’t know what I should
I guess I’ll have to get over you
I don’t know what I should
I guess I’ll have to get over
I don’t know what I should
I guess I’ll have to get over you
I don’t know what I should

I guess we say goodbye

Goodbye,
josh

This is an interesting question, and one I get often. The answer is… there really is no right answer. Many people have MANY different theories, formulas, and processes they go through in order to get what they want in a song. Is the melody the most important part? Is the lyric? It all depends on the writer and genre they are writing in.

I am by no means a great songwriter. I consider myself and infant in the art. But, I’m learning daily. Here’s my theory…

A song is a relationship. (stay with me) It’s a relationship between song and listener. And, it mirrors the relationship between a guy and a girl (or, guy/guy or girl/girl if you’re into that). Notice I say “song” and listener. Not “artist.” In this day and age of single downloads, the artist is irrelevant for this analogy. It’s all about the song.

The “hook” is the first impression. You only get one chance at making it. So, it better be memorable, and better make the listener want to come back for more.

The “melody” is the flirting between song and listener. It’s “the game,” if you will. Again, the personality of the melody better be memorable and it better peak the listener’s interest. At this stage the listener starts to feel something for the song, even if they don’t quite know what it is yet.

Next, the “lyric.” Ah, the substance. The listener gets to really find out what the song is all about. Where it’s coming from. Where it’s been. If you’ve done a bang up job on making a first impression and playing the game, (in my humble opinion) you can get a way with a lot here. Don’t get me wrong… lyrics are extremely important to the relationship. Sometimes the most important. But, let’s be honest. Pretty people (hook and melody) can be airheads and douchebags, and still get the girl or guy. That’s all I’m saying.

Where the relationship goes from there, is really up for grabs. The song could end up being your wedding song. Or, it could be a one that you hear 10 years down the road and brings back memories you’ve forgotten about (see pic above. Man, I loved Kelly). For this analogy, it doesn’t really matter. If the listener comes back to you enough to actually pay attention to the lyrics, then you’ve done your job as a songwriter.

And that’s my take!

J