CRAYCRAY MCGEE AND THE "PIMP & HUSTLE"

It's been a while since I've actually blogged about anything other than cheesy viral videos and pop idols. It's time for a check-in.

It's been kind of a wackadoodle year for me. I moved back to Chicago from NYC... a move that was the catalyst for one of the more difficult transitions I've made. Those of you who know me know that I am no stranger to the occasional "transitional period" or big change. Apparently I like change and, to a certain degree, crave upheaval. As time has progressed, I've become more and more accomplished as an artist and creative. I've been producing my own music for the last few years and can see and feel the improvements I am making every day. I can honestly say that the countless hours of time I've spent submerged in my own creative little world were well worth it. At the same rate that I have progressed creatively, though, I have also withdrawn in other ways. I think there are various factors that this can be attributed to, namely: my unhealthy obsession with the unfortunate sterilization of pop culture and the realization that with a solid portfolio of work, I had to start what I like to refer to as "The Pimp & Hustle" part of the creative process... one that I was in no way prepared for. The sum of the aforementioned factors (multiplied by my uncanny ability to over-analyze anything to the point of complete and total annihilation) had become this mind-numbing fear-based paralysis.

Luckily, though, I have the best family and friends ever. Because of their support, creativity, and faith in my vision and ability, I am now well on my way to putting on my first show, a one-off concert to celebrate the spring release of my album. At this point it is all still sort of surreal to me how everyone has been so incredibly selfless with their time and energy. Even though the results are attractive to me and, maybe for the first time, are tangible enough to me to emotionally invest in, it is the process in which all of this is coming together that I am truly enjoying. It's been a rewarding and affirming experience thus far, and I can't wait to see what the future holds.

I have been looking to go back to school as well. I've already been to school for music, which was a great experience, but applying to the recorded music program at the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU has been something I have had on the back burner for quite a while and I am finally getting to a point where I feel that it could work. Now I just have to get accepted into the program... I am also looking into programs at Northwestern, Columbia (Chicago) and elsewhere.

In the interim, I plan on finishing my album and show. I would love to get out there and try to tour the album in some hodge-podged small-scale way. I love the idea of performing while traveling. The only issue is that the production of the show, dancers, crew, etc are all very much Chicago-based at the moment. Must think of way to make this work...