Taking a look back at 2025, there are a few things that I learned about what I do related to music, both positive and negative. Here are some thoughts:
Freelance writing – I pretty much confirmed earlier this year that my last regular freelance writing gig dissolved. Fiddler Magazine hasn’t published online in over a year, and the print version left us about two years ago. I still have not heard back from the editor/publisher regarding what has happened, and I received a Christmas card form the former editor Mary Larsen checking in, which I truly appreciated. I am not sure how much more I will keep freelancing, as it is extremely difficult to find paying gigs thanks to AI. So many publications are folding, going online, or just keep their few contributing writers on. I loved writing, interviewing artists, reviewing releases, and networking. However, that outlet is drying up fast, and there is little motivation to pursue it further. This blog will at least keep my writing chops up.
Cirrus Guitars – After 40+ years of playing guitar, bass, and a few other instruments as a hobby and live on stage, it was exciting to have a guitar specially built for me. While my specifications were not elaborate, I loved the fact that it was my choice of what went into that acoustic guitar. The wait of three months was well worth it. Mike Frank at Cirrus was such a great person to work with, keeping me updated on the progress. My Martin D-28 is still my wife, but playing the shorter-scale Cirrus acoustic has got me playing bluegrass flatpicking leads a little easier.
Lutherie – While I’ve always done a lot of basic maintenance on my guitars, and have done simple modifications throughout the years, this year, I did a lot more hands-on work with repairs and building. It started with a major repair to a mandolin late last year that worked out well, and now getting DIY guitar kits that I could finish on my own. My first kit taught me a lot, especially with finishes and knowing that it takes a lot of time to get a good look. I have a few more kits that I got good deals on, including a P-bass kit that I plan to do a pickup modification. Another positive experience from this work is that I motivated a co-worker to get into the guitar-building hobby. She has done previous woodworking, but was so impressed with my last job that she has jumped right in. I got her a simple Tele-style kit, and within days, she was already staining the body. It does my heart good.
Suno.com – Now that I am recording my song demos on an 8-track digital recorder, I can do a lot more instrumental and vocal layering. When I was talking to Brent Baxter from SongwritingPro.com during my last trip to Nashville, he was praising Suno for its AI embellishing simple demos to sound like a studio recording. I joined Suno at their basic $10/month rate. This only allows you to upload a song and do basic editing of length. I decided to go for the Premium Studio rate at $200/year. Well, I downloaded a basic guitar/vocal song, and was not happy with with the results. First off, if you don’t have the most up-to-date computer (you cannot use it on a phone app), you cannot get into the Studio application. Next, it uploaded the lyrics it sensed, which were incorrect in a few places, but there was no way to correct them. Finally, this song is a fast-paced bluegrass number, but the Studio application (when I was able to get in) turned it into a mid-tempo pop-country number. I am totally disappointed with this program, and I am out $200 unless I get a better computer, which isn’t likely for a while. In short, Suno seems to be set up for people who write lyrics and need a ready-made studio band to put music on his/her words.
For 2026, I plan to do more guitar-kit building, songwriting and recording, hopefully more co-writing, and as a non-related goal, find another full-time job that is not as stressful as my current one.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, and that 2026 will be prosperous for all. Chew on it and comment.
Luegra 