Go Deeper - Mat Getsi - News

Still Working

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0800

Hello Everyone,

Last night I met with Josh Ott to go over some of the grooves on the Advent Album I'm working on called, "Waiting, Hoping." With his 4 years as a percussion major at Moorehead State University and Eastern Kentucky University, he has the technical savvy that I've been searching for. Needless to say, I'm very excited that this project will be incredibly fun and rewarding.
I will try to post some pictures as I work with various musicians on the projects that are underway. Though from looking at the web-site it would be easy to assume that there hasn't been anything going on for quite some time, that assumption would actually be quite wrong. I've actually been working for months on these projects and am very pleased with some of the results. But I want to have all three albums pretty much ready to roll before releasing anything to the public.
It's part of a marketing strategy (something entirely new to me) and with lots of prayer and hard work, will pay off. So thanks for checking in. And please don't forget about me...I'm still at it, though regrettably, progress has always been way too slow for my taste.

God's Peace!
Mat Getsi

Ready, Set, Go!

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Hello Everyone!

I have some good news! The new sound card / digital-audio interface should be arriving within the next 5 days, which will allow me to really dive in to the recording. Up to now, I've only been able to record midi tracks...no audio. But that will soon change.

In addition, the new transducers for the ddrums have arrived and just have to be connected and soldered into place for the drums to be up and running again. AND I have purchased the new Mojave Audio MA-200 tube condensor mic for recording vocals and acoustic guitars (basically anything else with strings).

My friend, Lucas and I tested this mic the other night and put it up against two others that I've used many times...no contest. So things are about in place for us to really make some progress.

Since it's been so long since I've added any news, let me remind you of what's in the works. I'm still working toward getting a meditative instrumental CD recorded with my brother, Jean Getsi. I am also working on an Advent CD that will hopefully be ready for release in November. And last, but not least, have yet another CD that will take daily situations and struggles and view them from a faith perspective.

In this day and age, it seems difficult for anyone to get a few spare seconds. Is life 20 times busier that it used to be?...or am I (and all my friends) just getting old? Regardless, if you could be so kind as to add a little prayer in for me every now and again, I would be grateful. This year's trilogy of projects is by far the most ambitious goal I've ever attempted.

God's Peace,
Mat Getsi

Another Delay

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Hello All,

I've got to say that no progress whatsoever has been made in the last week. Why? All because of a failed movie rental store. Making no sense so far? Well, let me explain.

Back in February '09 a friend and I went in together and purchased a movie rental store from it's previous owners. It is called, "Movie Warehouse of Mt. Vernon" and is located next to Save-a-Lot in Mt. Vernon, KY. I guess this was SERIOUSLY BAD TIMING as most movie rental places are struggling or closing altogether, which is what we are now doing. There's just not enough business to keep it above water.

With that said, I've been working everynight this week trying to get everything ready to box up and moved out of the building. But if you want some cheep movies (DVD), we have over 4,000 left and they're going for just $4 each. Today and Tomorrow (Sat., Dec. 12) will be our last two days. (Friday: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM) & (Saturday: 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM).

Hopefully on Sunday we can get what's left out of there and I can once again start working on music. So thank you for your patience and hey, stop by and pick up some flicks...that'll make for less boxing and sooner recording.

God's Peace,
Mat Getsi

Recording Update

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Hello All,
It's been a while since the last post. Sorry about that. We've been laying down tracks for three projects: 1) A Collection of Songs specifially for the Advent Season, 2) The third CD, and 3) A Piano/Instrumental CD.

We're using Sonar 7, which does so many things that it takes a whole team of brain surgeons just to find the "ON" button. What ever happened to the days where "Less is More." Oh well, the point of all this rambling is that the only thing I'm successfully recording at the moment is midi files...these are computer language files that capture what notes, durations and velocities you are playing and then can "play" the midi instrument (my keyboards) for you exactly as you did. So it doesn't actually record audio signal.

We're using live drums this time, as apposed to electronics (as we did on the "Deeper" CD. But we keep getting digital distortion for no obvious reason. So Ron Jackson and I are going through the long list of possible causes (conflicting settings in the computer program to hardware issues) and trying to solve this. Once done, we intend to move rather quickly.

So we are working and making progress, though riddled with minor irritations and set-backs. But if Roland, who makes Sonar 7 would send a tech to my house to teach me how to effectively use this overly complicated program...things would go much faster...but somehow I don't really expect "that" knock on my door. So we'll keep plugging away.
Thanks for checking in. I'll try to do better at keeping you updated.

God's Peace!
Mat Getsi

Getting Started

Sun, 13 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Hello All. The recording computer has arrived...of course I had to pick up a few add-ons like a Bluetooth Keyboard & Mouse and a 22" wide-screen monitor. That gear should be here in a few days.
I had my first rehearsal with James Allen Stanley (drums) the other day. We've started on a song that has an odd time signature...7/8 and 9/8 intermittantly throughout the song.
I'm pretty excited about getting started again with recording. It's been too long and I must say, I feel a passion for recording that I haven't known in many, many years. Perhaps this is a good sign that God is urging me on so that He can do something new through my ministry. I certainly hope so.
That's it for now. Take care and God Bless!
Mat Getsi

Shopping for Musicians

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Hello Everyone! Ron Jackson (writer/artist/producer) has informed me that the new recording system is ready to go. So I hope to start laying down the first tracks of the third CD in a week or so. I have already talked with Chuck Getsi, who did some bass guitar and back-up vocals on the "Deeper" CD, and he is available to help with this project as well. Yeah!!! He had been working recently in a Police Tribute Band with some other phenominal players. I've also invited his stellar guitarist to join in the sessions. One big hurdle will be a song that I've yet to name...mostly because it doesn't have the traditional music "hook" to use as a name. But what it does have is a very powerful emotion content and an odd time signature that bounces between 7/8 and 9/8. This particular song wants to be HUGE! What I mean is that I need an entire orchestra on this one, in addition to the regular band. This will not be easy to arrange, or cheap, for that matter. Even though this is not a commercial song, so to speak, it's my favorite so far and I'm extremely excited about it. Many people have asked also about whether I still intend to record an instrumental (mainly soft piano) CD. And yes, I do intend to do that. I'm working on those songs as well, but really don't want to rush this. I really want to do something worth doing, and this often requires a great deal of time. But rest assured, there is movement on both of these fronts and I hope to have some real progress reports coming to you in the very near future. Until then, God's Peace! Mat Getsi

CD-3

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Sometimes I'm emberrassed by how slowly things go...and by the fact that I forget to put news on the website until events have come and gone. Take the Freedom Fest, for instance. On Friday, July 3rd, I had the priveledge of jamming with the Northside Baptist Church praise team for the 7th annual Freedom Fest in Brodhead, KY. There were several other bands there as well that I really enjoyed hearing.
But did I tell anyone about this beforehand? Of course not. I admit that one of my serious weeknesses for which I desperately need prayer, is memory...or the lack thereof.
SOOO! before I forget, I'll let you know that Ron Jackson (Producer & Friend) has been working diligently to put together a monster of a recording machine for me. It is all together except for a few software updates. So "Soon & Very Soon" we will start recording for album # 3. What will it be called? I have absolutely no idea. What I do know is that my main focus for this project is to address common situations and feelings that all people share and address them from a faith perspective...hopefully teaching or reminding people how best to respond to the daily happeings in their own lives. The writing has been under way for a while and I'm excited about some of the songs.
So hopefully soon we'll start laying down tracks and get things rolling. Please pray that Satan doesn't find ways to impede progress on this. Thank you and God bless you all.

GEARING UP!

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Hello All!

At present, it looks like recording on the new CD will commence in June...2009. Hopefully we won't have any further set-backs or delays. It currently looks as though things are falling into place, though. Please pray for me and all those involved, as Satan has really been on the war-path lately and always fights us hard when it comes to recording music that will give praise to God.
Rich Blessings!
Mat Getsi

INUNDATED!

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Is that really a word...I know I've heard it somewhere.
Anyway, life has been on the verge of overwhelming lately...way too much going on to try to retain some sense of peace and tranquility. It seems everyone knows this feeling anymore. But try not to let it get you totally down. Remember that JOB was down for quite some time, but God raised him up and blessed him abundantly for his faithfulness through hardship.
No matter how many things you are juggling, take a couple of minutes out, as often as you can during the day, to be quiet and remember how many times God has come through for you already...then it gets a bit easier to trust him to come through yet again!
Peace!
Mat Getsi

HOLY CONFUSION!

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700

The other day in church, someone mentioned that God wanted the whole world (all nations and all beliefs) to be one as Jesus and the Father are one. The basis for the assertion was what many have come to know as “The Jesus Prayer” found in John 17.
But the Scripture does NOT say this at all. In verse 9 Jesus clearly states, “My plea is not for the world, but for those you have given me because they belong to you.” In verse 14 he says, “And the world hates them because they don’t fit in with it, just as I don’t.” Further clarification comes in verse 20. “I am not praying for these alone but also for the future believers who will come to me because of the testimony of these.” Notice he wants “believers”, Christians to be of one mind and heart”¦not the whole world.
O:K, you might say. So what? What difference does THAT make? A HUGE difference.
Consider that if a person’s need to feel love and acceptance drives them to see God the way they “need” to see him, things can get pretty screwed up. You can try to imagine the vastness of God according to your experiences, knowledge and needs, but how you “view” or “see” God does not change the reality of who he really is. God is still God, whether you can deal with it or not. He is a God of infinite love, but also a God of Justice. But beware, there is a danger here!
In the above example, this person has placed their personal longing for a world of peace, harmony and good will toward all (which, by the way, is not at all bad of itself) in a position of higher importance than the very will of God. Now that’s bad. In fact, it’s heresy. And this person ended up changing God’s words to fit their personal view. After all, Jesus plainly stated that he didn’t come to bring peace, but a sword. He said that because of him, Father would be against son; daughter-in-law against mother-in-law, etc. (Matt 10:34-36).
If it ended here, there’s relatively little damage done, but it doesn’t. When we put our personal agenda ahead of God’s (even in this seemingly harmless way), things go haywire. If everyone in every nation and of every creed, living in perfect harmony with each other becomes your main priority, then you start to compromise the faith in order to reach that goal. Somewhere along the line, the Word of God is really going to get in the way. Why? Because it shines a light on sin and convicts the world of it’s guilt. Jesus didn’t tell us to cuddle up with the world in a warm, fuzzy hug. He told us to be salt of the earth and a light in the darkness. If we overlook sin, we are not being salt to the earth, we are in fact, letting it spoil. We’re not being light, but are blending in with the darkness in an effort to keep the peace. This is NOT at all what Jesus asks of us. He asks us to stand firm in the faith and live it out with all our strength. And he promised that if we do, the world will hate us as it did him”¦really bad news for the person who really just wants to be loved and accepted by others.
But here’s the immediate danger that I see on the horizon. Here in the United States of America, it’s just weeks away from voting day. We will cast our votes at the polls for our nation’s next leader. It frightens me to think that many Christians will go to the polls and overlook sin in order to get something that has become more important to them than pleasing God.
At this point let me state that I know I will lose many visitors to my website because of this article, but feel in good conscience that I cannot remain silent”¦too much is at stake. But please, finish this article, as I am writing insights I’ve learned in the Bible, and not just my own ramblings.
We have two basic choices: McCain & Palin on the Republican side and Obama & Biden on the Democratic side. And though some would think badly of me for it, I am not committed to either party for party’s sake. I have been Democratic, Republican and Independent since I came of age to vote. This comes from a firm belief that no political party allegiance is more important to one’s allegiance to God.
The first and most blatant difference between these two parties is their stance on life. McCain & Palin support the protection of life and highly value it’s sanctity. Obama & Biden have a track record quite the opposite. Abortion is the killing of a human life, wanted or unwanted. This is clearly against God’s law, which says, “Thou shalt not kill.” I cannot overlook Obama’s strong commitment to supporting and making me (and you) pay for such an ungodly practice.
Some would say with great indignation, “You simpleton! You’re just a one-issue voter. There are many more factors to figure in than just abortion.” And I agree that there are other issues as well. Let’s look at a couple.
War: Obama will end the terrible war and bring peace, some say. First off, let me say that war is never kind to anybody. It is a tragedy, though sometimes unavoidable. I don’t know the presence of U.S. troops is helping Iraq or whether our boys are over there being shot at for nothing. I’ve heard too many stories on both sides of the fence to say for absolute certainty that the “war on terror” is completely wrong. I do know that the death toll from this “war” has been in the thousands, or even 10’s of thousands. The death toll from abortion has been over 50 million lives lost.
Economy, for instance, is a major issue right now. Some avid Obama supporters would declare that it’s “republicans” who ruined our economy. It’s a convenient assertion, though impossible to prove. I submit to you that it is all of us who have ruined the economy. Our nation’s stiff-necked commitment to sin (in all its forms) is what has caused the backbone of our economy to break, not a mere party’s administration. And no mere administration has the power to fix it. As long as we continue to ignore God’s statutes for the sake of convenience, our economy will never heal.
I beg you to read 1 Kings & 2 Kings in one sitting. It vividly illustrates that an entire nation is blessed or cursed by the good or bad deeds of its leaders. When the kings served God, the whole nation prospered. When they abandoned God to serve man-made gods, the entire nation suffered. Do you think God will overlook our sin because we’re Americans? He didn’t overlook Israel’s and they were and are his chosen people.
I can’t make you vote for godly candidates. But please note that you’re decisions not only affect you, they affect everybody. God is a God of Justice”¦and in this nation’s case”¦it’s long overdue. Perhaps the reason this nations hasn’t been totally destroyed already is that enough Christians voted their conscience the last few elections.
No, I’m not saying George W. Bush doesn’t have his faults. He does. But he is a man that supports godly morals and family values. So you can blame him all you want for the current crisis in our nation, but don’t forget that things could, and probably should be a lot worse than they currently are. When you finally reach heaven, you can ask to be shown what life would have been like for the last 12 years if pro-life leaders had not been elected. But then, you might be told, “I’m sorry, we don’t have horror films here in heaven.”
Pray hard before you vote”¦take time to listen to God’s voice. Thank you.

Peace & Blessings!
Mat Getsi