Reckless Abandon on YouTube - Offering Ringtones - Upcoming Shows

Reckless Abandon has now made it to the world of youtube. That's right - as you can see in the videos below, Ryan Hampton & Jef Park put a video of the band practicing on youtube. The video is not high-quality, nor is it the full capability of the band, but it is enough for you to get a general idea of what the band is like.

Also, Reckless Abandon is now offering ringtones. You can get them very easily - so long as you have texting. Contact Jef or Ryan and they will be glad to assist you receiving your free and legal Reckless Abandon ringtone.

Ryan Hampton said "I have the 'Will You Be There' ringtone, and I must say, I miss phone calls sometimes because I get sucked into the ringtone that I do not answer the call in time."

Reckless Abandon is currently practicing for a possible benefit concert for children in Africa, and the band is also practicing for recording their first full length CD hopefully sometime in the summer. "We do not know for sure that the concert will work out, but we would like for it to" says Jef in a recent interview.

"Right now" says Ryan, "We still have a long way to go. Getting on youtube is just a small step in a long journey. Next for us is some sort of gig, a CD, and possibly a music video of some sort. When we get these done, I will be happy."

Only time will tell how this goes. Please enjoy the video of the practices below. One is of the song "If Only They Knew" written by Ryan and Jef in September and October of last year. The other song is "We don't need no more Dr. Grant," a song written by Jef out of humor and love toward Christian lecturer Dr. George Grant. "We watch his videos for school, and although I love him dearly, his lectures are boring. I hope he can see this himself on youtube, and laugh, wondering who in the heck I am!" says Jef.

Nontheless, although this is great for Reckless Abandon, they realize they have a long way to go.

Back To Practicing!

Just when you thought that Reckless Abandon had abandoned their music, the band is back to practicing, and is sounding better than ever. The band has devoted their off time to work, school, and writing more songs. The new songs, just as the old ones, fit right to the heart of the band's philosophy and influences.

Lead singer Jef Park has been working on his song, "Everything and More," which tells the story of his relationship with his significant other. The smooth chord progressions and touching lyrics fit right into the soul of Jef's relationship. Some say that this song even beats the previous love song wrote by Jef, "Forever And A Day."

Along this way, though, Jef has seen many relationships fall with other couples, and this has inspired him to right yet another song. "Eyes Say Otherwise" is a sad and yet catchy song, fitting well with the band's musical roots. "I wanted to write a song that shows how strong the eyes can be, yet how easy it is to overlook the eyes of someone when you think that you are in love with them" Jef said in a recent interview. "This song still has work to do, but I'm liking the way it is going right now."



But Jef is not the only person to be writing music. Ryan Hampton, as seen on the left, even in his time working, doing school, and trying to keep a clean house, has also been writing music. "Just when I think I can not write anymore songs," says Ryan, "I come back and continue writing. I just can't help it."

Ryan has been working on "Calling in Life" for a while now, a songs that portrays his outlook to life, and how his songwriting allows him to see the world better. "I was just in bed thinking one night," says Ryan, "About all of my mistakes and how my faith in God seems to die away so easily, and I come to realize that this is what my songs are about. They help me put things in perspective, and at least make an attempt at telling others what I see through my eyes." As Ryan continues, "Sometimes these things I attempt at explaining are unexplainable, but yet somehow, whether you call it magic, power, love, or whatever, the unexplainable seems to make a little more sense through music, at least that is how it is with me." This is where the line of the song in the chorus, "Oh, can't you see this is my calling in life: to explain the unexplainable" comes in at. This poetic, literary, and emotional song reminds many of the poetic style of Ronnie Van Zant, lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd.


Ryan has also been working on his song "Drink to Remember" which has been called a "Presbyte-rian drinking song." "I don't want people to get the wrong idea of this song, though," says Ryan. "The song is funny, but it does have a driving point to it. I do not glorify drinking, much less getting drunk. I simply am saying that instead of drinking to forget about the past, as many do, we should remember the past when we drink." Ryan even quotes from Scripture at the beginning of the second verse, where it says "Jesus said 'Do this in rememberence of me,'" which was Jesus' words at the Last Supper where He took bread and wine. "I am simply wanting us to drink with joy to the blessings God has given us. Along the way in the song, particulary in the first verse, I show forth many facts of life that just make things seem unfair. But I turn them around in the chorus by basically saying, instead of drinking away the past in guilt, remember the past with joy. It puts things of today in perspective. One day you will probably miss these very times today. Life is a grand ole story, who's story book rests in Heaven."



Finally, Ryan has been working on the song "Why Does It Have To Be?" This songs, similar to Jef's song "Understanding," deals with a man who only wants to do what is right in helping somebody or some people. But in this case, it seems that his good intentions only go so far. In the first verse, a literary approach shows how someone tried saving someone and made thigns worse. The second verse deals with how this person gets out of the way, only to be cursed by the family of a fatal victim. "There is a fine in how we should help others, and just step back and let God take care of things. Certainly we want to be missional and get ivolved in someone's life, showing them the good news. But sometimes we have our own problems to work out, and rushing into something may make things worse," says Ryan. "That is what this song deals with. Where is that line? Why do our good intentions only go so far? Why would God give us wisdom to see when someone is in bad condition in need help, but not go ahead and give us the wisdom to be able to help them?"

There are more songs the band could be working on, but for now, they will stop with these. Ryan has in the back of his head songs "But Then Again (I could go home)," Finsish What I Started," and "One Philosophy." The first two songs have been songs that have already been written by Ryan in complete form, but the duo wants to wait a while before the finishing touches are added, and Jef takes over the vocals to the songs.


"We are in great shape" says Jef. "Just give us time and any attention you can, great or small, and you will find the lyrics relative to your life." The band looks to begin recording again perhaps sometime in the summer when school dies down, either by CGStudios Inc., or perhaps by purchasing their own recording studio.

Actors Please?

Reckless Abandon is in need of any of their friends who would be interested in acting slots for music videos produced by the group. We shouldn't need to many, but if you are a good actor and would like to get your acting carreer started on a good note, feel free to comment on this blog or let me know (if you know how to reach me). You do not have to be a member of blogspot to comment on this blog.

Merry Christmas from Reckless Abandon!!!

The Advancement of "Will You Be There?"

Will You Be There is advancing as one of Reckless Abandon's greatest songs. The poetic literature, outpouring of emotion, romantic irony, all topped with a moving guitar solo is sure to make this a great song. The original lyrics to the song were written about two and a half years ago by Ryan Hampton. While working on a cassette tape in his private studio at his home in Alabama, Ryan changed the chord progression, and advanced the words.

Since, he has been performing the song with Jef and Timothy, and once even by himself as the singer at a local gig. "They encouraged me not to sing, and they were probably right, but I felt that this is the one song I could pull off" said Ryan, who is not really known for his singing talents. Since then, Jef has been working on more advancements for the song as well. Both him and Ryan have developed guitar solos, and it is only a matter of which one would be the best. The irony is held by doing a duet with Jef's girlfriend Abbie. When doing the chorus the final time, the words change to the affirmative, "You Will Be There," only to show these as optomistic hopings and not a definate proof, by ending with the main "Will You Be There" at the last line of the chorus the final time through.

The setting of the song is of a man leaving to go somewhere he goes to from time to time. He is looking foward to seeing a particular person there. He feels things just aren't the same, but is reminded of what happened one year ago. He is anxious to see if this person will be there, not as true love, but as a true friendship he does not want to die. Little does he know, the girl is feeling the same way, as capped off by the duet. The music video to come to this will make the song all the more moving and revealing.

This song is moving as one of the most powerful songs produced by Reckless Abandon. It is only a matter of time until people all accross America are in love with it.

Merry Christmas from Reckless Abandon!!!

A Week off for Thanksgiving and Back to Work

Reckless Abandon took the week of Thanksgiving off of practicing to be with their family. Also, Ryan needed to catch up on school. "The band had drug me behind in school some, and I felt the need to catch up" said Ryan. The band went back to practicing Monday, one week after their first recording session, hoping that they would not miss a beat (no pun intended). "We could tell we had our week off, but it didn't take long before we felt right back and ready in the music" said Ryan. "We had another good practice session" said Jef.

Ryan is now anxious for future recording. "Last time, we got a little nervous, had to rig the drums due to temporarily-misplaced mic cables, and was a little unsure exactly how our recording would work best. Next time, we will now more of what system works best for us, have a few wrinkles ironed out, and should have the mic cables. It should go faster and easier." Until next recording session, the band is simply desiring to iron out these wrinkles. "We have our songs down pat as far as the general gist of it goes, but we just want to 'iron out our wrinkles' so to speak" said Ryan.

The band has been wanting to begin working on more songs as well, but feels that for now, it is best to work primarily on the stuff ready to record. "We have more stuff - almost too much stuff - we can work on, but we focus on the stuff we have the best now" said Ryan. Jef added, "I have a lot of lyrics Ryan has given me, some good chord proggression ideas that we just need to fit to the lyrics. We also have some already written songs we just aren't really doing much now. I am trying to get the hand of Ryan's song 'Calling in Life' but am primarily working on the main stuff." There are five songs the band is working on now. The band is also supposed to be playing at a friends Christmas party this December.

As one fan said, "This could be one big move in the music industry. Ryan can do anything he puts his mind to. He's even an Eagle Scout for crying out loud! Jef is pretty dang serious about his music as well. Timothy is one of the best violinists around. The lyrics sung are touching to the common American. 'One thing that keeps me going is the fact of knowing, I can express myself in the songs that I write,' 'Do you remember the day Satan seemed so close,' 'Let me finish what I started,' 'I want to love you forever and a day,' 'Lord please help me to do what is right,' 'All I can do is think about them times, and ponder on what might have been,' 'If only they knew the prays I pray at night,' and so on. You get the point. These are songs about real life, real stories, real feelings, and are played by real people. They touched me, and they can touch you. Ryan adds, "We play American music. We play people music. We play Reckless Abandon music."

Yes, it really is that simple. And with the winning attitude, beatiful music, and touching lyrics the band provides, it is only a matter of time before they heavily influence the music industry, whether they are popular or not. Some things happen despite inpopularity. After a week off, the band is ready and exited for any more possible opportunities.

The First Recording of Reckless Abandon

"It was a good start." That was the reaction for Ryan, Jef, and Clifton after doing the first recording session. "It was not as fast as lightening. We did not get tons of stuff done. But we did get some done, got to learn some about recording, and got a good idea of what will work best for us" said Ryan. "It was fun to me" said Clifton. "I really enjoyed playing Jef's guitar. It rocked. I love guitars."

But a scare came when Clifton realized that his mic cables had mysteriously gone missing. "Oh, no," said Clifton in a concerned voice. But there was no reason to fear. The technological skills of Clifton were here. He was able to get just enough mics and cables to make it work at least well enough. "It's not perfect- it may sound somewhat like it comes from the fifties." But Ryan said, "That might add something to it."

The group recorded their song "Forever And A Day." We were between "Do You Remember" and "Forever And A Day," but we figured since most people know "Do You Remember," that "Forever And A Day" would be best to do first" said Jef. "Forever And A Day" is a love song. Jef has a lady friend who he was getting to know well. She wanted him to write a "cheesy love song." About that time, Jef wanted to write a song with the same title as their band name- which at that time was "Forever And A Day." Jef combined the two ideas, making a love song called "Forever And A Day." "Y'all impress me. Y'all write songs about girls, where I just write songs about other guys and everything!" said Clifton. All of its reviews have been great thus far.

The band laid down the basic track for "Forever And A Day" but did not put in the full version of violin, bass, and piano. "The violin goes great on this song" said Ryan. The band hopes to get semi-member Timothy Winstead in to dub over a beautiful violin harmony. "It would add a lot" says Ryan.

The band is looking foward for a full demo CD, and is greatly appreciative of the support.

The Philosophy of Music

Music is music. But what is music beyond that? Music itself is natural sounds of beauty through arrangements of harmonies and melodies in certain frequency ranges and timings. Music is used to express what so often, words can not express. But many songs have words that go to them. This is because songs lyrics are essentiall poetry, most times, and poetry is a way of deeply expressing words- perhaps the most powerful way to express words. The words and the music go together to tell a story, support a philosophy, and tell of the deep emotions of life.

And largely, the music can be played to where one can identify with the emotion or philosophy presented. Some of this may be absolute and some may be relatively based on culture. Rap and heavy metal may get someone pumped up and wanting to fight, while classical music may help someone relax and concentrate. There are times we need to fight, and there are times we need to relax. There are times we want spiritual war, times we want physical war, and times we want no war at all. There is a large sense of propriety we are missing in society today. It is not good to so much be against any sort of music, but we should know how to put them in their proper place- and all music, at least as far as Christians go- should be consistent within a Christian worldview.

And most people's music will be consistent within their worldview, and if not, then they contradict themselves, and destroys what is considered to be the dignity of music. When people sing songs or write songs that are against their pressuppositions, or that are not relative to their life, the dignity of music is destroyed. Each person has a pressupposition and philosophy behind their music.

And Reckless Abandon identifies itself with those of the same general philosophy behind the music- both musically and, especiall, lyrically. It is hard to directly quote from our overall pressupposition to this universe in every song- though we can get to the general core of it through songs directly about the pressupposition itself- that is, Christianity. But the general and imidiate philosophy behind the music of Reckless Abandon is that the songs played is songs that fit into the overall worldview of Christianity in songs about our own lives. It is songs about good people who are misrepresented. Songs about the deep emotions that many people feel, but have not heard it due to the disgrace-of-dignity in modern music. We play songs that identify to the line in Lynyrd Skynyrd's song, "Freebird" that says, "If I leave here tommorow, would you still remember me?" It is songs that tell us the haunting fact that "All I can do is think about them times, and ponder on what might have been" (The Absolute of Love- Ryan Hampton). It is about constantly and consistently writing songs, even against the tide.

For this reason, Reckless Abandon considers Ronnie Van Zant, the founder, and once lead-singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd, to be one of its musical, particularly lyrical, icon and inspiration. He wrote of the "concrede slowly creeping," and asked the Lord to "Take me and mine before that comes." Ironically, not long after the song was written, about half of the band, including Van Zant, was killed in a plane crash.

All of this is to say, that behind every song you will hear from Reckless Abandon, has a meaning and philosophy behind it. It may be a simple song, but even yet, it shows support to that life in some form or fashion. Also take heed to remember that the band is filled of sinful people. Writing songs about sin does not mean that the band supports sin- it may show the regret to it, and a plea for grace.

So remember that any song written is written from our philosophy and our view of the dignity of music. "You may not like my music or the words that go to it, but I think you can relate if you start with me" (Calling in Life- Ryan Hampton). The past is important- "For at last I have found the past and thus eternity" (Calling in Life- Ryan Hampton. You will be finding out soon, as our demo CD comes up- hopefully finished before Christmas. For now, I will leave you with this moving song:



"A brief candle- both ends burning, and endless mile, a bus wheel turning. A friend to share a lonesome time, a handshake, and a sip of wine. Say it loud, and let it ring, that we're all apart of everything. The future, the present, and the past- fly on proud bird...You're free at last." -Charlie Daniels