Tim Stopulos

Here's "Professional", one of our newer songs , taken from a practice a few weeks ago:


Professional- Drums.mp3 - Tim Stop Trio

Important firsts in Michigan history:

1872 - Elijah J. McCoy, an African-American inventor raised in Ypsilanti, patented the first automatic lubrication system for locomotives and other machinery. The device was so effective it was difficult to sell imitations that were not "the real McCoy"; McCoy's name became synonymous with anything genuine or authentic.

1913 - The Ford Motor Company introduced the first moving automobile assembly line at Highland Park.

1927 - First commercially-prepared baby food was invented by Daniel F. Gerber of Fremont.

2009 - The Tim Stop Trio plays their first show in Michigan.

It's crazy to think that Michigan has been a state in this great Union since 1837, and waited until 2009 to stage its first TS3 concert. You may blame a majority of that drought on the fact that Tim wasn't born until 1983, but we here at timstoptrio.com hardly find that a palatable excuse.

In any case, I think all those in attendance would agree that it was worth the 172 year wait.

The Livery, which is a microbrewery in Benton Harbor, is a fantastic place to play. Beautiful sound in the room, and the crowd was wonderful (thanks, "Steady" Sara Liebscher). They were such a gracious and receptive group that we decided to play 2 new songs for them, "Unconditional" and "She's Gone".

Other highlights include:

Malaga
Angie Rae
Pride and Prejudice

Playing all the bars I have in the past, I've gotten very used to talking to the crowd and asking for requests, almost dependent on it. We had planned on doing all originals, but after a few songs, I felt like I needed to open the room up a little and throw in something they knew. That led to:

I'm Yours
Big Shot
Sweet Baby James (acoustic encore)

Thanks to everyone who made it such an awesome night! You guys were so much fun to hang with, and we can't wait to get up to see you again!

Talk soon.

Earlier today, Justin alerted me that, once again, someone is contemplating suing Coldplay over their Grammy-winning record "Viva la Vida". This time it's folk legend Cat Stevens, who now prefers to be called Yusuf Islam:

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/cat-stevens-may-sue-coldplay-it-depends-1003969208.story

The band decided to weigh in on this issue.

(as taken from our email string)

JUSTIN: So if you guys get a chance listen to cat stevens' foreigner suite 2. The same riff as viva la vida and the satriani riff is in there too!

SEVILLE: Would everyone using the twelve-tone scale please stop creating "IMMEDIATELY" pending Cat Stevens' and Joe Satriani's posting their "Plea for Permission to Steal Our Work" application which, in the spirit of fairness, they intend to make available online for free download. You're on your own for postage though.

TIM: If this is grounds for legal action, why hasn't One Republic sued the Fray? Why hasn't Oasis sued Green Day? Do we realize that in the 50's, there was only one rock and roll song???? Little Richard wrote it. And to get a new song, people just used a different girl's name. Lucille, Maybellene, Miss Molly, Long Tall Sally, Peggy Sue, etc. Little Richard could sue EVERY musician from the 50's (and 60's for that matter). So Coldplay should pay Cat Stevens cuz he wrote a four chord song? Come on, Yusuf.

JUSTIN: Lol

SEVILLE: Has Yusuf declared a fatwah on Coldplay yet?

JUSTIN: No, a jihad.

SEVILLE: You and Mikey (Justin's brother) can't ululate anymore by the way... not without Cat Stevens' permission.

As promised, here's the first of the live recordings we hope to release each week.

This song is called Count Me In. The recording is a take from a practice we had last week.


Count Me In - Tim Stop Trio