Hey Blog people!

Easter break is always fun. I have tons of people waiting on things and I have a little girl that gets bored easy and needs to get off the stupid TV for some of every day!

Monday was spent finishing a recording session and  fighting computer stuff that inspired the blog post bashing HP. I was working on the Pro Jam for Sunday and tried to scan a simple chart to send out - I DID finally get it sent. <But HP SUCKS!>

The Pro Jam is at Gentile's in Coto de Caza CA. - This is going to be a huge show this month. My son Ben Vail is going to Zambia for the Summer and he is raising funds for his trip. Ben will be working with an Orphanage in Zambia that has been over run by orphans due to the HIV AIDS epidemic devastating African nations all over the continent. Ben is an awesome kid and he has taken on a project most of us never could do - both due to time/life and youth/ability. I know I could not make a all Summer commitment like that and doubt I have the strength to survive 3 months in a harsh living environment like that.

I am happy to help our youth go to hard places to help in situations I know need help, and that I could not help in any other way. I am proud of Ben because he is my baby boy, has a huge heart for humanity, and responds with passion to be apart of the answers to difficult problems. If you would like to help send Ben to Zambia - email Ben Vail now - all support is tax deductible if you do it thru the agency and put Ben's name in the subject. Email Ben Vail direct for info on his trip. He will have a blog set up to follow his work while in Zambia and is supposed to have weekly access to the web to update his parents <haha> and y'all.

BENS EMAIL - benvail62@gmail.com <copy to a email write box>

For support - he needs a quick response. To just send a note of encouragement - not as time sensitive.

SO - Pro Jam at Gentile's SUNDAY 3-7pm April 11th
Ben Vail will be a guest musician - play some bass - be available to talk to about Zambia - will take the mic for a minute - tip bucket will go to Bens Zambia trip - Vanessa Vail Singing - THANKS FOR COMING!!

Extra treat for me and many of you - Vanessa has only sang 1 time at the Pro Jam <my baby girl> I plan on having Ben, Vanessa and Dad together on a song <Vanessa Vocal, Ben Bass, Dad Flute, Bobby Cruz Keys> I am excited to have Ben and Vanessa perform a song together for the first time!!! With a 10 year age difference - they are not together very often and I have no idea when that will ever happen again!! Ben and I have only performed in public 1 time before so this is a double treat!!!!

You can imagine the place is gonna be packed! We are hoping Ben can make a dent in a huge bill for travel and expenses for a long summer! Thanks for indulging me the space on the Sax Blog!

WHAT ELSE??????

Tuesday I spent the morning working on an essay for a book about the Arts and Christians in the Arts. I love this topic and was quick to commit but slow to get anything sent!! I saw a follow up email and felt I needed to just start writing. I normally would take a few days before sending something important out - but knew we would be editing it for space and topic based on the project direction. SO I just sent a rough that morning. I always enjoy the opportunity to contribute to topics of interest and passion!! I will post the outcome of this project and - assuming things go as planned - I will update and announce the release!

Nomination has posted and the website will have Voting set up soon. American Smooth Jazz Awards - Greg Vail - Gospel Jazz!!!

Contract issues are yet unresolved for Greg Vail Smooth Jazz CDs - I need to get some time working on the contract again today!

I am feeling better since my accident in February - still seeing the Chiropractor but only 2 times a week now!! Very happy about that. Of course, once I get a clean bill of health from the Doctor we will start the hassle with the insurance company and I am ready for a fight if needed. Many of you might not know this, but Dave Guardala didn't end up in a US prison without my ability to fight when needed. I will get the doctor covered and some cash for the down time and the truck fixed! I will hire the baddest attorney on the planet if needed. By the time I am back feeling good, I will gladly take on whomever I need to, and do it with great joy!!

Last in the Greg's world business news - I got an email from YouTube telling me I am eligible for setting up videos on YouTube for making some money. I am sure many of you have seen youtube stuff that has a commercial at the beginning of the video or has sponsored ads on the page. I will be exploring the options and will finally be moving my You Tube channel and videos in the direction of making a few dollars. I spend a lot of time getting pics and video everywhere I go, loading and editing, and even recording music for clips if I don't have the music I wanted recorded already. I am really excited about the possibility of being able to justify the time and expense of doing what I have been doing for 2 years now! 45 videos - over 660,000 views - top rated clips and an average of 1800 views every day! That took a minute to get going!!!

My Easter Video was the #25 video viewed in India on Saturday!! How cool is that?? India has Sax Players!! I get lots of video search and views form India, Pakistan, and Indonesia! WELL - can't forget Brazil and Mexico!! Number 25 for a day with a US sax player playing church hymns???? I thought that was amazing..........

Gotta get to some stuff checked off the to do list now!

Happy Spring!

Drop over to the Sax Video Site - Sax Video dotTV
or visit the YouTube Channel - gvSAXBOY and
please feel free to leave a comment or a thumbs up if you like a clip!!

<The purpose of this BLOG is for news and information on Greg Vail and Greg Vail Music - The goal was to share with the world the day to day activities of a Sax Player in the US - West Coast / LA guy - since no one seems to understand what goes into playing a good show before the show ever takes place. QUESTION??? Is this topic of interest? Does the BLOG cover it well? What would you like to see included on the BLOG to make it more interesting or more informative?? More Posts? Any side topic covered more? More Focused? Shorter - daily posts? Weekly update posting? Looking for your input....>

ALWAYS LOOKING FOR INPUT FROM MY ONLINE FRIENDS - THANKS!!!!!