I have decided to do a ambitious year-long music project for 2011. The idea is to help my sons (and myself) learn more about the history of popular/rock music by looking at one song per day for the entire year. The scope is to chronologically cover the history of rock and pop music from 1955 to 2010 by playing and discussing one song per day with my sons.
Here’s how the calendar will work. Each year in music will span six days, with five “miscellaneous” days for the end of each decade. This will cover exactly 365 days! I’m really going to try and stick to the actual years the songs came out too, though I’ve got a little wiggle room if a single from an album was issued in the year after the album. Still, this will take considerable organization especially for musically-rich years like 1957, 1967, 1971, and 1983.
Here’s where I need your help
As stated above, the idea came about to give my sons a musical education. But then I thought maybe I should blog about the pick each day. Then it was suggested that I could record the discussion and make it available as a podcast (with the song in question maybe or maybe not included in the audio, depending on how much I thought this might get me in trouble with the RIAA). The blog post idea certainly makes sense because I’ve got figure nearly every song I’d select has some sort of video on YouTube that I could include as part of the post, or album art at the very least.
So, help me define the scope of the project. Please look and these choices and let me know where you think I go with this.
- Just a discussion with the kids
- Blog post on Kevdo.com
- Blog post on dedicated blog (e.g. SongADayForAYear.com)
- Audio podcast on dedicated blog (these episodes would be approximately 5 mins long)
Looking forward to hearing your comments about the scope of the blog. Also, if there are songs/artists (especially non-obvious choices) that you think I should cover I’d welcome that feedback as well.
I think this is a great idea. I like option 3 the best. An audio podcast would be neat, too, but I would most likely just read your posts. So coooool!
I like this. I am torn between the thought of just reading about your discussion or actually hearing you and your sons together. Depending on the song, it might be entertaining to hear what the kids have to say, good or bad. Also, will you be releasing the list of songs in advance so we can give suggestions you may not have? Good luck with everything!
I think this is a great idea, as well. I also agree with the audio podcast. I think this is a great thing that you’re doing for your kids, with, or without the blogs and podcasts.
Yes, please leave suggestions for songs/artists that I should cover.
I like choice 4 with a list a week or two in advance so folks can suggest adds/subtracts. Podcasts are best for music. How would you incorporate YouTube videos? Just a link in the daily blog separate from the podcast?
As I’ve noted earlier, this is a great idea and I’m looking forward to it.
Once the list is locked I probably will leave one slot open during the “miscellaneous decade” section (i.e. one free slot per decade) but leave that to the kids to decide if they want an extra track from a previously discussed artist, a novelty song, or something else. But otherwise, once the list is locked it is going to have to be pretty locked.