Discover Top Posts Tagged with #ryanoneilmusic

I love cartoons and I love making music. Who knows, maybe I’ll start to love editing. Enjoy.

#ryanoneilmusic #ryanoneilandthebandits #ryanoneil&thebandits

“I’d rather be a free man in my grave, than living as a puppet or a slave.” -Jimmy Cliff

#TunesonTuesday #ryanoneilmusic #Ryan-O'Neil #Jimmy Cliff #Willy Nelson #cover

In response to the lack of indictments in the murders of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO and Eric Garner in Staten Island, NYC, I decided to play a cover of Bob Dylan's "Only a Pawn in Their Game." The words are as true today.

#ryanoneilmusic #handsup #blacklivesmatter #ican'tbreathe #Bob Dylan #dylanblack

Kids Keep You On Your Toes

Part of being a DIY musician is using your talents in many ways to get pizaid (paid would've worked just fine here, but the zzzz really puts the emphasis in there). I consider myself a jack of all musical trades. I've taught guitar, given voice lessons, conducted choirs, DJ’d private parties, and because of my experience working in early childhood education, I've played quite a few kids' birthday parties. Playing a kid's party can be a fun and quick way to utilize one's musical talents. But be warned, kids are nuts and parents are even nuttier. This is specifically for the 5 and under crowd. While this does not go for every single birthday party I've ever played, it is the rule not the exception. Parents don't give a fuck at a birthday party! I swear they (reluctantly) come knowing some poor clown, or princess, or dude with a guitar will be in charge of entertaining (read: wrangling) their kids. And when they notice their child hopped up on cookies and entitlement acting like maniacs, the worst ones (parents) give this face like "oh I'm so embarrassed lil' Conner, Cooper, or whatever did that," yet they NEVER intervene. Recently I played a 5 year old's party. It was held at a skating rink. The kids were bonkers, hitting each other with balloons and screaming. After pizza it was my turn to do my thang. I start playing my usual songs and activities; most of the kids are into it. They're singing along and following the instructions to the activities. Then I notice there's a loud banging noise that gets louder and louder. I look to my right to notice 3 boys banging on the glass that separates them from a 2 story fall. Besides that, it was loud as hell. With all the parents and caregivers around not a single person asked, no TOLD the boys to stop. It was up to me to play entertainer and teacher at the same time. Luckily the boys were close by and listened to my instruction after the 3rd time. It might not be ideal, but keeping a group of 20, 5 year olds entertained all while wrangling the lose ones with no help will teach you how to think on your toes and improvise. And what entertainer doesn't want that?

#ryanoneilmusic #DIY #DIY musician #gigs #DIY advice #private parties #kids' parties #funny story