Greetings, family!

I admit that I have yet to go to the beach this year. That’s sick! And one of the best Labor Day weekends ever just passed … and I was inside for almost all of it! Well, that’s the price of commitment — my commitment to finishing my very first real music album this month for release in October! After all, music is the language of that reaches everyone and empowers so many people. I started making music seriously some 43 years ago because the Reagan years seemed so bad. Well, we definitely need a TON of music — old and new — during TODAY’S challenging times. There is music in your heart, as well, so let it out and let it sound like the roar of the ocean!

Yes, PREACHER MAN- VOL. 1 is almost done! (I have to keep saying that to myself because this world of distractions is out to keep me quiet!) But it is indeed true! Ten (10) songs — eight of which have not been released as singles! This will be a real “album” experience released on CD and vinyl as well as digitally (of course).

With multiple studio sessions completed — and several yet to be completed — the shape and sound of this work has emerged, and I am so excited! It is important that I thank, in advance, all of the people who have been putting up with my obsession this year. I will name everyone when the release happens, but you know who you are!

This was the first PREACHER MAN - VOL. 1 recording session for background vocalists that was held at the Sheriff Bob studio in the south Village. The “session boss”, besides me, was our fearless engineer, Kat Lewis. Do you know any of these people? If not, then you should! [L-R] Debbie Goodridge Quinn, yours truly, Pam Hamilton, Yanitza Lee, Liz Dreyer, Amy Kessler, Ellen Mendlow, Elijah Dixon Owens, and M. Vern Woodhead. Some folks met for the first time. Some folks were recording in a studio for the first time! (Guess which ones …) Some folks had sung with me before. Some folks even came back for more sessions! :)

BTW, my other creative endeavor this summer was the launching of Chris Oledude’s Substack. Honestly, I am not sure if this is the right medium for me, but it is easier to compose something of substance to publish on Substack than on Facebook. For the foreseeable future, my writings will be available to subscribers at no charge, so please feel free to sign up and check me out, if you have not already done so.

These past few months have indeed been times that try our souls in so many ways. Democracy and decency are under attack at home and abroad. (Have you listened to my song, “No Crowns for Clowns” ?) As a wise lyricist wrote, however, we’ve “got to keep pushin’… pushin’, Lord"! And, as my newest ballad proclaims, “together, we’ll get through this. I know!”

Now, children are returning to school — and some are met with gunfire. Many experience gunfire in their lives every single day. But our future(s) are in the hands of these children. Whatever you and I are enduring, we owe it to them to be good, to be strong and to be forward-thinking. And that is why I write my songs.

Thank you for reading, thank you for listening, thank you for marching and speaking up for humanity and social justice … and get ready for the album “pre-order” opportunities coming up in just a few weeks!

Peace and love always,

Chris

P.S. — Tap into the anti-Trumpocracy efforts going on in your area! CLICK HERE FOR INDIVISIBLE

To commemorate the 70th anniversary of Emmett Till’s murder this past August 28th, I released my song “White Lie: Carolyn’s Story” as a single. It has been distributed to all the usual suspect streaming services. In addition, a lyric-oriented video is available on YouTube. The video features the lead singers, Wendy A. Ward and Lindsey Wilson, as well as two other vocalists, my son Elijah and me (just a bit).

As you know, if it’s September, then it’s the new season at the Peoples’ Voice Cafe! Most Saturday nights between September and June you will find fans dedicated to quality lyrics and great music at Judson Memorial Church’s Assembly Hall (239 Thompson Street). The PVC encourages contributions, but pay what you can; no one is turned away (even on-line!). As a proud member and supporter of PVC, I am happy to encourage you to check out the PVC website and attend (in-person or virtually) this year’s opening concert on Saturday, September 6th (and many more thereafter)! Two outstanding singer-songwriters are on this program, Mario Cancel-Bigay (from Puerto Rico) and Ruben Gonzalez (from Argentina)! I guarantee you that these two powerful artists will thrill and inspire you.