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Putting the Lime in the Coconut
The Geoff Stein Project: putting the lime in the coconut
By Samantha Edmondson
Published: Monday, July 7, 2008 11:43 PM CDT
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Lake Sun Publications
LAKE OF THE OZARKS - For many musicians, life is a premise for songwriting. And Geoff Stein is no different.
However, Geoff did not thrust himself into a heart-wrenching ballad that in turn would make his audiences relive and empathize with his pain. He found the humor in his life's trials and tribulations and created positive, catchy and solid compositions, in which thousands of fans expressed 'have lifted their spirits.
'
More importantly, Geoff took a direct approach and positive attitude toward creating a project.
In January 2005, the Geoff Stein Project began when Geoff asked friend and fellow lake musician Baub Eis to help him record portions of his 25-year collection of original songs. It started with five, which grew to 12 tunes laid down. The two-man duo expanded to utilizing 14 local and regional musicians for various collaborations on one or more songs. Recording in a Baptist Church exploded into creating an in-home recording haven in Baub's home with top-of-the-line equipment.
For Geoff, it's more than just a vision realized with his recordings, but also a positive rebirth of his own spirit through musical expression.
'Crazy People'
Geoff has been writing songs for as long as he can remember. Born in Germany, he traveled quite a bit with his father as a Lt. Col. In the U.S. Air Force. While Geoff was in high school, his family moved to Hawaii where they lived for three years. At 18, he then was faced with the decision to claim citizenship either in Germany or the United States.
'Germany almost won me over, but I chose the U.S.,' Geoff said. 'Music has always been a part of my life and wrote songs before I learned to play guitar when I was 20.
'
In fact, one of the first songs he recorded for the Geoff Stein Project was one of his oldest compositions, 'Blue Water.' The lyrics reflect Geoff's love of the ocean and tropical atmosphere, something he longed for after moving to the Midwest. The song was completed with the help of Geoff's fiancée, Theresa.
In 1998, Geoff landed in a different type of waterfront haven ' Lake of the Ozarks. He became the vice president of Kelly Development. In fact, Mark Kelly, owner of the company, came up with the title, 'Saddle Up Your Broomstick,' which is one of GSP's popular tunes.
While with this company, he met Baub. Baub, owning and operating his own computer Internet and software business, Eis Computer Service, dealt with a lot of the same clients as Geoff. The pair became friends and found out they had much more in common than just their professional attributes.
'It's like we live a parallel life,' Baub explained. 'I was born in Hawaii in August 1968.
'
'He was literally born 15 minutes from where my family lived,' Geoff added.
'We both lived in Arkansas at the same time, and now we both live here at the lake,' Baub said.
After becoming friends, the pair soon found out their love of music, songwriting and recording was another major passion the two shared. Over the six to seven years, Baub and Geoff became friends, Baub also saw Geoff go through some traumatic, personal struggles in his love life. Through this time, Geoff wrote songs that reflected these hard times. And eventually, Geoff came to his friend to lay the tracks down for good.
In early 2005 when the project began, Baub and Geoff did not have an advanced recording studio, so they utilized a friend's studio in a local church.
'We actually recorded 'God Bless Jack Daniels' at the church,' Geoff laughed.
As local musicians and friends began to help Baub and Geoff with the project, it was time to move to a larger 'beach.
'
'Surf's Up'
Baub and Geoff decided to start building a studio in Baub's home. They began to buy computer software and hardware to increase the quality, flow and continuity of the Geoff Stein Project's tunes. However, what started as recording Geoff's songs turned into literally a project, as Baub helped bring in more than 10 lake area and regional musicians to round out the instrumental and vocal tracks needed.
Over the three year process, John Marsi and Dave Raithel (formerly of Baub Eis Band) Rich Robben (Jack's Cellar and also formerly of Baub Eis Band), Corey Duplechin and Chubby Carrier (Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band), Larry Cox (Boxcar Willie), Tim Perez, Carissa Dawn, Brian Herzog, Michael Vyrostek, Johnny 'G' Gibble, Mike Hahn, Kyle Wiles, Steve Landau, Julie James, Eric Petska, Theresa Jones and Ed Gaston all provided instrumental, vocal or production assistance to create the first Geoff Stein Project album.
Their variety styles, talents and generosity made the CD possible. In fact, they truly helped enunciate Geoff's song with the right flair.
'There is amazing amount of talent in this small area that people don't realize,' Geoff said. 'You don't have to drive an hour across town to have someone stop by and record.
'
A mixture of emotions pours through the lyrics, but the Caribbean, tropical rhythm allows listeners to hear the message and groove the music with good vibrations.
'They all are upbeat and positive. The music goes along with the lyrics,' Geoff said.
'Some of the stuff is really country, others pull in a Cajun theme or 'trop rock,'' Baub added. 'We like to classify it as a third rock, third country and third surf, combined together on one album.
'
'Blue Water'
With Geoff Stein Project's first album, 'Coconut Coasters' set to release in mid-July, the three-year recording process is now complete. For Baub and Geoff it has been a learning experience in both handling new studio equipment, organizing recordings and building a newfound respect for each other.
'Our success (during the recording process) is my knowledge of recording and Geoff's enthusiasm and determination,' Baub said. 'I'm a slacker, but know a lot of stuff about the studio process and Geoff is very driven.
'
'I have A.D.A. ' Attention Deficit Advantage,' Geoff joked. 'I'm very detail oriented.
'
'It became a good balance. Sometimes we wanted to kill each other, but we worked together long enough now that we can get anything accomplished,' Baub added.
In February, the duo launched a Myspace site, allowing everyone to learn, listen and befriend the Geoff Stein Project. Now, the group has more than 22,000 friends, receive 150 to 200 comments daily and have a slew of people downloading tunes and pre-ordering 'Coconut Coasters.
'
'I receive 10 requests for the CD daily through Myspace,' Geoff said. 'Our biggest appeal is the Parrotheads (Jimmy Buffet fans), Deadheads and people that miss the ocean.
'
In fact, GSP Myspace friends have left comments for the group such as 'Have a day off here and am out sailing. Table Rock Lake ain't the Caribbean but your music mixed with a few Coronas makes me think it I'm there' and 'You make every day feel like a beach party.
'
For more information about the Geoff Stein Project, visit ww. myspace. com/geoffsteinproject.
By Samantha Edmondson
Published: Monday, July 7, 2008 11:43 PM CDT
E-mail this story | Print this page
Lake Sun Publications
LAKE OF THE OZARKS - For many musicians, life is a premise for songwriting. And Geoff Stein is no different.
However, Geoff did not thrust himself into a heart-wrenching ballad that in turn would make his audiences relive and empathize with his pain. He found the humor in his life's trials and tribulations and created positive, catchy and solid compositions, in which thousands of fans expressed 'have lifted their spirits.
'
More importantly, Geoff took a direct approach and positive attitude toward creating a project.
In January 2005, the Geoff Stein Project began when Geoff asked friend and fellow lake musician Baub Eis to help him record portions of his 25-year collection of original songs. It started with five, which grew to 12 tunes laid down. The two-man duo expanded to utilizing 14 local and regional musicians for various collaborations on one or more songs. Recording in a Baptist Church exploded into creating an in-home recording haven in Baub's home with top-of-the-line equipment.
For Geoff, it's more than just a vision realized with his recordings, but also a positive rebirth of his own spirit through musical expression.
'Crazy People'
Geoff has been writing songs for as long as he can remember. Born in Germany, he traveled quite a bit with his father as a Lt. Col. In the U.S. Air Force. While Geoff was in high school, his family moved to Hawaii where they lived for three years. At 18, he then was faced with the decision to claim citizenship either in Germany or the United States.
'Germany almost won me over, but I chose the U.S.,' Geoff said. 'Music has always been a part of my life and wrote songs before I learned to play guitar when I was 20.
'
In fact, one of the first songs he recorded for the Geoff Stein Project was one of his oldest compositions, 'Blue Water.' The lyrics reflect Geoff's love of the ocean and tropical atmosphere, something he longed for after moving to the Midwest. The song was completed with the help of Geoff's fiancée, Theresa.
In 1998, Geoff landed in a different type of waterfront haven ' Lake of the Ozarks. He became the vice president of Kelly Development. In fact, Mark Kelly, owner of the company, came up with the title, 'Saddle Up Your Broomstick,' which is one of GSP's popular tunes.
While with this company, he met Baub. Baub, owning and operating his own computer Internet and software business, Eis Computer Service, dealt with a lot of the same clients as Geoff. The pair became friends and found out they had much more in common than just their professional attributes.
'It's like we live a parallel life,' Baub explained. 'I was born in Hawaii in August 1968.
'
'He was literally born 15 minutes from where my family lived,' Geoff added.
'We both lived in Arkansas at the same time, and now we both live here at the lake,' Baub said.
After becoming friends, the pair soon found out their love of music, songwriting and recording was another major passion the two shared. Over the six to seven years, Baub and Geoff became friends, Baub also saw Geoff go through some traumatic, personal struggles in his love life. Through this time, Geoff wrote songs that reflected these hard times. And eventually, Geoff came to his friend to lay the tracks down for good.
In early 2005 when the project began, Baub and Geoff did not have an advanced recording studio, so they utilized a friend's studio in a local church.
'We actually recorded 'God Bless Jack Daniels' at the church,' Geoff laughed.
As local musicians and friends began to help Baub and Geoff with the project, it was time to move to a larger 'beach.
'
'Surf's Up'
Baub and Geoff decided to start building a studio in Baub's home. They began to buy computer software and hardware to increase the quality, flow and continuity of the Geoff Stein Project's tunes. However, what started as recording Geoff's songs turned into literally a project, as Baub helped bring in more than 10 lake area and regional musicians to round out the instrumental and vocal tracks needed.
Over the three year process, John Marsi and Dave Raithel (formerly of Baub Eis Band) Rich Robben (Jack's Cellar and also formerly of Baub Eis Band), Corey Duplechin and Chubby Carrier (Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band), Larry Cox (Boxcar Willie), Tim Perez, Carissa Dawn, Brian Herzog, Michael Vyrostek, Johnny 'G' Gibble, Mike Hahn, Kyle Wiles, Steve Landau, Julie James, Eric Petska, Theresa Jones and Ed Gaston all provided instrumental, vocal or production assistance to create the first Geoff Stein Project album.
Their variety styles, talents and generosity made the CD possible. In fact, they truly helped enunciate Geoff's song with the right flair.
'There is amazing amount of talent in this small area that people don't realize,' Geoff said. 'You don't have to drive an hour across town to have someone stop by and record.
'
A mixture of emotions pours through the lyrics, but the Caribbean, tropical rhythm allows listeners to hear the message and groove the music with good vibrations.
'They all are upbeat and positive. The music goes along with the lyrics,' Geoff said.
'Some of the stuff is really country, others pull in a Cajun theme or 'trop rock,'' Baub added. 'We like to classify it as a third rock, third country and third surf, combined together on one album.
'
'Blue Water'
With Geoff Stein Project's first album, 'Coconut Coasters' set to release in mid-July, the three-year recording process is now complete. For Baub and Geoff it has been a learning experience in both handling new studio equipment, organizing recordings and building a newfound respect for each other.
'Our success (during the recording process) is my knowledge of recording and Geoff's enthusiasm and determination,' Baub said. 'I'm a slacker, but know a lot of stuff about the studio process and Geoff is very driven.
'
'I have A.D.A. ' Attention Deficit Advantage,' Geoff joked. 'I'm very detail oriented.
'
'It became a good balance. Sometimes we wanted to kill each other, but we worked together long enough now that we can get anything accomplished,' Baub added.
In February, the duo launched a Myspace site, allowing everyone to learn, listen and befriend the Geoff Stein Project. Now, the group has more than 22,000 friends, receive 150 to 200 comments daily and have a slew of people downloading tunes and pre-ordering 'Coconut Coasters.
'
'I receive 10 requests for the CD daily through Myspace,' Geoff said. 'Our biggest appeal is the Parrotheads (Jimmy Buffet fans), Deadheads and people that miss the ocean.
'
In fact, GSP Myspace friends have left comments for the group such as 'Have a day off here and am out sailing. Table Rock Lake ain't the Caribbean but your music mixed with a few Coronas makes me think it I'm there' and 'You make every day feel like a beach party.
'
For more information about the Geoff Stein Project, visit ww. myspace. com/geoffsteinproject.