I have been awestruck by the SDMAs since I moved to San Diego in 2007. People that I’ve enjoyed listening to like Jason Mraz, Switchfoot and Blink 182 have all been a part of this celebration of San Diego music and I’ve admired them all from afar. It’s strange and surreal to suddenly find myself following in the footsteps of all of these San Diego musicians before me. I won’t go as far as to say that we are now peers, but I feel like I’m one step closer to my heroes.

I see this journey like a small-town kid’s move to a big city. I look at all of the things that I’ve done in the years leading up to the present with a childlike wonderment. Not much has been lost on me and everyday I wake up in disbelief that this is actually my life. It’s been a crazy, strange trip and I will do everything I can to keep going!

On August 1, people will be able to vote and I would love it if you took a few minutes to vote for your favorite/deserving San Diego music/musician (I’ll post a link soon). It would REALLY be icing on the cake if you decided that I was that musician! After everything you’ve given me, I would be content for the rest of my life.

Thank you again from the bottom of my heart. While awards are a wonderful way to validate my passions, nothing comes close to the love and support all my family, friends and fans give me every day.

See you soon!

****UPDATE****

Voting has begun for the San Diego Music Awards! If you have a little bit of time, please check out the wonderful music the nominees have made and vote! Hope to see you all soon!

A few years ago, Radiohead implemented the idea of “Pay What You Want” for their outstanding album “In Rainbows” which people went onto their website and had the option to literally pay what they wanted to pay for their new album. It was revolutionary, not just in concept but in exposure and implementation. Radiohead’s decision as one of the biggest and most respected rock band of the last two decades to practically give away their music in an era when pirating is a major source of concern for the music industry has galvanized many artists of similar statures and even those who haven’t gotten there yet (like me).

What I am planning to do from now on is to sell my CD’s at live shows in a similar fashion. Any CD from here on out. There will not be a price on the CD’s. Just pay what you want. It could be $20 or it could be free. You decide. Unfortunately, I can’t promise the same for digital downloads or in physical stores yet but as soon as I figure that out how, I’ll let you know. All that I ask is if you do take a CD for free, that you share it with someone you love (or like).

I don’t make music to make money. I make music to make music. I’ve always been conflicted about the idea of asking people to buy my music and I still am. I’ve made a fair amount of money selling my music but it just doesn’t sit well with my ideals. I know that it is necessary to make money to extend the longevity of my career and to keep recording. Someday, I hope that money is not an obstacle for me but in the meantime, I feel that this is a good compromise.

Hope to see you soon!

Yes, it’s already 11 days into the year but I’m going to keep saying “Happy New Year” until I stop accidentally writing 2009 on everything.

I’ve already had a busy year with “Live from Lestat’s” CD release, a few BIG shows later on in the year and the big media push for the last few weeks (not to mention a very successful show in San Francisco at the Hotel Utah at the beginning of the year). Oh, did I mention that I’m finally assembling a backing band? We’ll probably start performing in late February. Keep those ears open!

As always, my whole perspective on my music career is shifting and I’m on the verge of what may be my most important self-discovery to date. I think I’ve finally found a way to reconcile my love of music, my desire to succeed as a performing singer/songwriter and my disdain for promotion and the music industry. It’s really no big secret or grand, inventive scheme. But it is a revelation to me.

I know what you’re thinking… at least I think I do. It could be, “tell us this new idea” or “who cares”. Either way, I think I’ll hold onto this thought for a bit longer. Besides, when was the last time people were thrilled to hear a marketing plan for someone else?

What I will share is that in order for this to work, I’ll need your support. You don’t have to send your friends mass text messages about shows or RT anything that I say. In fact, you don’t have to do anything! I just need to be sent good vibes! Come hang out once in a while at a show. Or drop me a line on any of the social media sites I’m on. If you feel inclined to share my music, that would make my day! Just help me feel like what I’m doing is appreciated and I’ll keep returning the favor.

On a different note, “Live from Lestat’s” is going to be here this Friday! I’m really excited to show you where I’ve gone in the last year and a half.

Hope to hear from you soon!
Kenny Eng (BETA)

A grand total of 25 shows in 30 days.

Wow, that almost sounds like I’m a professional musician. That also probably explains why I got so sick a few weeks ago. Interestingly enough, I still can’t shake this cough… Here’s to hoping that my body beats it in the next week or so.

Being back in San Diego and not having quite as many shows to do allows for a lot of time to think about what the next steps for me are. If you’ve made it out to any shows, you’ve undoubtedly heard some new songs, new covers, saw some new dance moves (?), etc.

For the next few months, my primary focus will be to keep playing shows and becoming a better entertainer/guitar player/singer, but perhaps not as often so I can focus on writing new and better songs. I want to start working on a new album by the end of this year. That gives me a few months to screw around before I start panicking about not having enough songs for the new album. I already have a the name of the album, so the hard work is done.

I’ve been having a lot of fun posting videos on YouTube. When Michael Jackson died, I learned two Jackson songs- one was “The Way You Make Me Feel” which I play live and the other was “Man In the Mirror” which I posted to YouTube that night. But that’s purely for fun (and primarily out of boredom). Look out for new ones anyway. I promise not to do any Plain White Ts covers but I retain the rights to cover “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus.

I’m also thinking about making major changes to the way I operate and exist on MySpace and FaceBook. My conscious is still fighting with the notion of shameless mass advertising but unlike in the past, my conscious is at least considering it. If I only had people to work on that side of the music business for me… Someday.

There’s a lot on my mind right now and though you may not see me quite as often, I promise that I’m working. I’m working hard. Either on my stuff, with other bands that I’ve been invited to join or just having a good time playing music.

I hate having to plan out career strategies because I feel like talent should be able to move me forward. And to an extent, that couldn’t be further from the truth and it is absolutely the truth. I hate that. But as I approach it from a new angle, I realize that I can’t just move myself forward on my own. Friends can also move you forward. With out your love and support, I’d be nowhere despite all of the trying I might do myself. So thanks to you, my friends. I hope we can hang out soon!

Kenny

I’m not sure if I mentioned that my good friend/singer/songwriter Ivan Cheong will be joining me on the tour. We’re unofficially calling it the “Just Friends” tour. Hope to see you all out on the road soon!

-Kenny