Friday, November 15, 2013

#Confession Friday

#ConfessionFriday  

 I remember when my friend use to speak with me  about organic food, gluten allergies and holistic living. I was intrigued  but never payed too much attention.  I was convinced It was all hype and I thought I was pretty healthy considering I didn't eat junk food and I loved veggies. I started watching documentaries, reading more on the subjects and conducting my own  physical experiments to see if there was any connection with these holistic philosophies. I didn't want to be wrapped up in others beliefs but I also didn't want to deny my self the knowledge if it could benefit me.  I started challenging my own logic that same logic we all use the logic  passed down to us by our friends, family and TV commercials. I use to believe that if I had a salad at Chili's I was doing better then others. I know now that a salad from Chili's has anywhere from 800-1,500 calories in it and it's full of dead food. I learned iceburg lettuce has no real nutrients. I saw that milk and other dairy products made me itch, gain weight and feel shitty so I stopped using them... Except stinky cheese I'm still working on that one!  I was taught that the food business is just that it's a business and most every product on the shelf at Von's, Ralph's and Albertsons has been modified for a longer shelf life. The chemicals and process they use  to extend these products shelf life cause cancer, digestive, neurological and physical damage and disease that will eventually cripple, hinder or kill you.   There was one doctor that said something that changed my life "If you eat dead food how do you expect to feel alive?" ...Shit. "When you eat something that has no nutrients in it you use the enzymes and nutrients from your body to break it down. Therefore taking away the good that's in your body instead of replenishing it."  That's why your tired after you eat a burrito, white bread, chips or soda.  


I'm sorry if this comes across as braggy or preachy  that is not my intention. I am guilty of falling victim to cravings and addictions. All I''m saying is give it a chance if you haven't already.   Open up to the possibility that we can fix common aliments by changing our diet changing the way we view each other and view the world. Consider that we can change our lives from changing our thought process. Don't become an extremist though and be better then everyone else just listen to your body. By taking care of yourself and those around you.... you become that change you wish to see in the world.  I have been in denial about gluten for....3 years and I finally have come to a cross roads where I am having serious issues due to a little bread here and there. I absolutely hate giving up things I love or old habits that make me feel comforted but what's my other option. I didn't know my grandparents and quite a few family members because they all died from cancer or some other self inflicted disease they could have avoided through healthier thinking and behavior. 

I am on a life long journey of enlightenment but it doesn't mean I don't back slide and give in here and there it means I don't ever stop trying to improve. I love the people in my life that inspire me to think healthier wether they realize it or not.  Many Blessings!

Thursday, October 24, 2013

PROJECT HOMEGROWN - How Paul Cannon is Using Music to Make a Difference

I have always been deeply connected to music and I think it's because I recognize that it's more then just notes that  I'm hearing. When I listen to music I  hear peoples struggle, life experiences, hopes, dreams and drive to create. Music helps me navigate through this sometimes jungle of an existence and reassures me that I am connected to others. The most fascinating stories are those of artists that have persevered through their struggle and what became of it. In return this is my goal to be an inspiration in my craft and nurture that craft the best I can. Did you know Madonna quit attending her Ivy league Collage to move to New York to work at a doughnut shop? She was determined to become a dancer/ singer but after a week of being in N.Y. a man came down her fire escape and raped her. This would have been enough for anyone to re-think their current life direction but as we all know she has gone on to make monumental moves in the music business and in supporting and starting hundreds of charities.

So what is my story going to look like? Will I have a grand story to tell VH1? Will VH1 still exist? I feel I have survived a great deal in my life but now I must survive my life in the music business. I know one thing and that's what my professor told me when I was in school "The opposite of success isn't failure, the opposite of success is when you quit". 

Well I don't know what my story will be in the future but I know what I'm trying to do now. Through all my past experiences I have come to realize that I'm here for a reason and the only way for me to feel ok about my life is by giving back. That's why I set out to make music for those that don't have hope, that need peace or just need some good vibes. I not only believe I  can make an impact on my people  but I have developed relations with others that believe the same...and together we have seen this come to life. I have a heart for healing and helping those that can't help themselves. I do what I can when I can and even by just doing a little it adds up in the long run. Let me let you in on the ways I and my brand give back...

I donate my time to good causes whether its the big names like Susan G Komen or the little guys like Students Heal. I'll help you mow your lawn if that's where you really need help. Something I try to do on a daily basis is support the little guy and that's usually the local guy!!  I use local recording studios, I rock a Taylor Guitar (which is a local eco-responsible company), we hire/ support local musicians, we use organic cotton T's from a local distributor, we make our own merchandise or contract out local artists for merch, we eat local and organic (wether in a restaurant or farmers market), we support our local Surfrider Foundation Chapter by donating time, services or money, I ONLY rock gear from Hippy Tree Organic Clothing which is a sustainable clothing line. But the main way I
give back is by "keeping my side of the street clean" in other words  we encourage positive attitudes and good vibes which we believe is the starting point to any positive growth in us as a people.

Currently we are at the infant stages of launching a national campaign that will directly benefit The Cultivate Foundation and Farm Aid. Our intention is to bring awareness to the benefit of supporting your local farming community and how this practice will not only nourish your body and stimulate your local economy but re-connect people to their land in their hometowns. We are working with awesome companies and organizations like: Farm Aid, Chipotle, GoPro, Hippy Tree Organic Clothing, Taylor Guitars and Amy's Organic Kitchen...who also carry this vision. Stay tuned as more details unfold and on how you and your community can get involved with this exciting project!!! So exciting.

Paul Cannon Band is going to keep doing everything we can to become a positive force in our community and we would like you to join us. When you support us in any way you too become a part of our "people". Love & Respect!

-Paul


Sunday, June 16, 2013

How Becoming a Father Changed My Life

When I first found out I was going to be a father I was pretty nervous and stoked. I ran around Santa Cruz  yelling “I'm going to be a father!!!!”.  I was living in Santa Cruz, Ca., I was in a surf rock band (Don’t Bother to Knock) and didn’t have a care in the world ;)

Having a child brings up your greatest fears. When my wife was pregnant I was worried if he would come out “normal”, when he was born I was worried about accidentally hurting him. When we drove from the hospital we drove 3mph all the way home….and we were terrified! I was worried if he would grow up like I did? Would he have the same troubles as me? Would he be subject to the cancer that runs through my blood line? Would he be prone to the addictions that have plagued my people?

For the first 3 months I don’t think I slept and for the last 5 years I have jumped out of bed every day at 6am consistently….why? It first started because we would check the crib every 20mins to make sure he was alive. Then once he was a little older he would get up so early that the latest I could sleep in was 5-6am. When my son was 3 months old one of our greatest fears came true. He was diagnosed with craniosynostosis which if left untreated would cause brain damage and eventually death. So at three months old he went in to have a 6 inch section cut out of his skull. So we did what we do best, we kept peace and stayed positive. He had to wear a customized helmet for months after. We would do custom ghost flames and other rad themes on them. Instead of people feeling bad for him they would stop us to ask us where we got the little skater helmet!!

Being a father is a trip. It brings out your greatest fears but it also created a sense of purpose, ability, stability, structure, hope, peace and strength all the things a wild animal  needs in his life. Fear will either beat you down or lift you up and for me it brought out the best. Yesterday my son almost stood up on a surfboard! He just learned how to push with one foot on a skateboard. He finally is singing with me. He swims like a fish. He’s super clever and is all around a huge blessing in my life. When I took him on tour I remember I just got off stage in SF and we sat to watch TP and when I looked down he crashed out on the floor. It was probably the coolest feeling the feeling that he was with me on this journey of  positive change and that this would stay in his memory bank forever. Yesterday he was listening to an ipod and he said “listen dad I like this song.” I said “that’s Tristan” he said “No it’s that girl we went on tour with?”I replied “Yes, that’s Tristan…”  



So my point to this blog is…I was super nervous and now I’m super stoked!! Being a father has brought out the best because I was afraid of the worst. And it has also allowed forgiveness, peace and balance in my life. Thanks Ashland Irie Cannon for being my little bro!!

Friday, February 8, 2013

West Coast Tour w/ Tristan Prettyman :)

  When TP first asked me to go on the road with her I lost my s*** with excitement!!!!  Not only am I a huge fan of hers but I was going to be playing  all my favorite cities up and down the west coast in support!! (Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and back home for a double date at the Belly Up Tavern)  This was my first tour  and yes TP took my tour virginity but she was gentle ;)  You always remember your first and while on the trip I found an analogy of what it felt like.  

         
Great American Music Hall-San Francisco
   I was driving (Lacey was) from Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz and we drove right through a rainbow!  I remember Lacey saying "I've never seen the end of rainbow before?.." and I thought "neither have I?!!"  It got me thinking of what it would feel like being in the middle of a rainbow, have you ever been  super close to a rainbow? It seems that, like most things we want in life, the closer you get the further they appear or they might vanishe all together. At first when you see a rainbow in front of you, you think about what it would be like to find the end. Will it vanish? Will there be gold? Where does the leprechaun come into play? This time it was happening for real and I was at a loss for words. When your in the middle of a rainbow you think "Wow, is this really happening it feels so surreal!" Your captivated by the thought of it all happening while feeling pressure to soak up as much of the color as possible. Not only are you distracted by all thats going on but time seems to be going even faster. If you look around the image is a bit blurred, your senses are heightened but you still recognize this is happening and then all the sudden......it's over. You pass through and then almost immediately you start looking back. The image is once again strong and reassuring of the fact that this just happened. This was the best experience of my life. I got to see TP kill it night after night, I got to see wonderful friends, fans and family in the most awesome'est cities on the west coast and all with my wife and son.                 


 Tristan is the kindest most balanced and full of life person I have met. Not only did she allow my wife and son to come along but she embraced me as an artist and brought so much light to my path.  It was a memory for the books. Thanks for being you, Love & Respect :)


I would like to acknowledge that we had tremendous support from local companies like; Perfect Foods Bars & Jlab Audio. and from our incredibly awesome fans, you know who you are ;)  Thanks everyone....Much Love!!!