RE:Marketed

One day, some higher-up at a prestigious clothing company turns to his buddy and says. “Hey Joe, you see that package of plain cotton undershirts?”

“Yeah, those things we sell for 2 bucks a shirt. Why’s that?” says Joe.

“Well, how much do you want to bet I could get a whole bunch of skinny rich kids to buy those for $40 a shirt!”

Joe laughs. “Ha, you’re on. No one would be dumb enough to pay 40 bucks for 2 cents worth of cotton.”

And so was the birth of American Apparel.

RE:Marketed

One day, some higher-up at a prestigious beverage company turns to his buddy and says. “You know what Fred, remember that 3.2 beer we used to buy when we were in high school?”

“Yeah, that stuff tasted like dirty water. Why do you ask?” says Fred.

“Well, how much do you want to bet I could put it back on the market and get people in their 40’s to actually buy it!”

Fred laughs. “Ha, you’re on. No one of the legal age would buy that watered down junk.”

And so was the birth of MGD 64, and Bud Select 55.

New Shows Coming To Your City

Hey Ya’ll. So we haven’t been blogging (well I haven’t been blogging lately) so I thought that I would catch you up on what’s been going on over the past month or so.

As you may or may not know, while Dolson has started very much as a solo endeavor, it was never my intention to remain a solo act. We’ve been working hard to put a solid band together for a year now, and I think we seem to have stumbled on something that’s pretty great. The last 2 shows, Philly, and NYC, were the first shows of many with the new line up. JCK, (Maid Myriad, Apres Vous) is playing Guitar, Zac Hall (Chasing Chariots) is tearing it up on the drums, and Andrew Cushman (Blush, End Times Band) is layin down the bass. The 4 of us traveled for the first time together out of state in my 15 year old station wagon pulling a 1/2 ton trailer filled with gear and Coke Zero. For those of you who don’t know of my Coke Zero addiction, it has recently caused much pain and frustration as the freezing weather caused the cans to explode all over everyone’s luggage but mine. haha. sorry guys.

Well we’re back in Akron for a bit, but gearing up to hit the road again in less than a week for Pittsburgh and NYC, but we’re most excited about our next show back in Akron. We’ll be opening up for one of our favorite bands Green River Ordinance at Musica on February 18. If you were at the Album Release show in November, you know that the place was packed. We really appreciate your support for making that night amazing, and. . .well we want to do it again. Here’s how you can help. Advanced tickets are on sale now at ticketmaster. Here’s the link. Order your tickets now and help us pack that place again!

Oh, and while you’re waiting for your ticket sales to process, check out these highlights from last week.

Here’s Zac repacking the trailer on a highway exit ramp. We heard the tires rubbing on the wheel wells, so we figured we might need a little better weight distribution.

JCK pullin a DiCaprio somewhere off the Penna Turn Pike

Murph’s “A Comfortable Place To Be”

Gettin schooled on our nations history. Did you know the Liberty Bell is like 260 years old! Geez.

Yeah, that’s a Marlin.

Strawberry Fields Forever.

leaving Manhattan, just before JCK hit a cop with the trailer

Velvet Paintings!? This truck stop had everything!

Thanks again to all of you who came out to the shows in Philly and NYC. A Special thanks to Mr. Santos, Nat, Lyndsay, and friends, for showing us such tremendous hospitality. It was great meeting all of you.

-Andy

“Mall Santa” The 80’s Power Ballad music video

So, the tradition began 5 years ago. I was wrapping everyone’s presents late Christmas Eve through early Christmas morning when I stumbled upon an old car stereo that would make a perfect gift for my brother-in-law. I decided, “I don’t need this anymore,” so I wrapped it and wrote Eric on it with a black Sharpe. At that moment I realized that there were many things in my room that would make very practical, yet humorous gifts for my family. I found my dad’s screw drivers from around the house, for my mom it was pen’s and nail clippers (these were gifts that were already theirs, but had been missing for quite some time. The best gift that year was, however, my sister’s diary from 6th grade I found under the bed, which I wrapped and gave to her, only after reading the best parts myself. I left a note from Santa, about how he lost all of the presents from the NE branch due to hurricane Katrina, and that these gifts would have to do. My family loved it, and so the tradition began.

The expectations were high for the next Christmas. How could I top wrapping my sister’s diary and giving it to her for Christmas. The only thing I could think of would be to somehow have Santa actually make an appearance. I thought about leaving sleigh tracks in the front yard, but there wasn’t enough snow. I thought about doing something on the roof, but I also had visions of falling off in the dark, and that didn’t seem like a good way to top last years fun. I decided to film a short video about why Santa didn’t show up that year which starred myself streaking as drunk santa through the streets. Some of you may be familiar with this video. (don’t worry, I was wearing shorts, sort of)

The next Christmas was right around the time that Tay Zonday’s Chocolate rain had become the youtube sensation, so I recorded a Christmas version with lyrics that my family would enjoy, and last year I did a green screen video with a short news clip showing Santa being arrested for public indecency and public intoxication.

This year Santa came again with gifts, only this time they were pretty much junk from the thrift store, but his excuse was the fact that he’d just been let out of prison on probation, and that he was a recovering alcoholic. (My, I have a dark sense of humor).

Well, to keep up the video tradition, I had extra help. With my sister, her husband, and one of our best friends we composed an 80’s power ballad about the tribulations that every Mall Santa must face. We shot and edited the video in just under 24 hours, and it is now up on youtube for your enjoyment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU_nCKLY7Ns

In memory of Grandma

Some of you may have met my grandmother over the years, whether as friend’s of the family, students of hers, neighbors, or life guards at life center plus who took the heat from her potent distaste for splashing kids in the pool. She was a strong willed woman, and very blunt, but she was a great woman.

The best memories have from my childhood will always be from summers at the cottage on Atwood Lake, ski trips to Peek ‘n’ Peak, and weekly dinners at Red Lobster, where she would let us pick out which lobster she would eat that evening. I owe so much of where I am today to her. My first piano, and guitar were from her and my grandpa. They came to every concert from elementary school through high school. She and my grandpa were the reason I could afford to go to college, and why I am truly a Blue and Gold Akron Zip through and through.

She truly has a remarkable life story, and I thought I would share that with you as a memorial to her life.

STOW Irja (nee Tiits) Piirma, Ph.D., died Dec. 5, 2009.

Born in Tallinn, Estonia, she left her homeland during World War II for Germany, where she and her husband survived the Dresden fire-bombing in 1945 and as a post-war displaced person, she completed a diploma in chemistry from Technische Hochshule Darmstadt and immigrated to the U.S. in 1949. She received an M.S. in Chemistry in 1957 and became the first woman granted a Ph.D. from The University of Akron in 1960. As professor of Polymer Science at U of A, she spent her career advising masters and doctoral students. A lifetime member of the American Chemical Society, she published in many professional journals and her 1992 book Polymeric Surfactants remains in print. She was a Stow resident for over 50 years and a member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church.

Preceded in death by her husband, Aleksander in 2002, she is survived by her daughters, Margit Codispoti of Fort Wayne, Ind., Silvia (Gerald) Dolson of Stow; grandchildren, Emilie (Lee) Fairbanks, Adrianne (Eric) Hays, Alika Codispoti, Andrew and Peter Dolson; great-granddaughter, Kendall Hays.

Friends may call Thursday, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Redmon Funeral Home. Funeral service 10 a.m. Friday at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 3725 Kent Rd., Stow, Rev. Arthur Cubbon officiating. Burial at Stow Cemetery, Memorials may be made to The Irja & Aleksander Piirma Fellowship in Polymer Science care of the Dept. of Dev. The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-2603. Dr. Piirma’s video tribute will be available at www.redmonfuneralhome.com

(REDMON, STOW, 330-688-6631)

Eightynine Package Deal! CD + T-Shirt Only $25

For a limited time Dolson is offering their newest album “Eightynine” and Limited Edition T-Shirts together for only $25.

Listen to clips from every track on the album at this link. But you only receive the special reduced price by ordering through dolsonmusic.com.

The Limited Edition Flower T-shirts were pressed specifically for the album release. The shirts are natural tinted (off-white) ring spun cottom Unisex slim fit, with the look and feel comparable to American Apparel. They come in sizes Small-XL while supplies last.

Live Footage from Dolson’s CD Release Show

If you can’t see the embedded video check this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu3T1b7Z-iQ&feature=related

Great Show! thanks!

Hey,

Thanks so much everyone for coming out tonigh. . …well last night, for the album release show. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your support. I hope you’re enjoying the new album!

Check out some pictures from the show courtesy of Nate Smith and my brother Pete.