music

Ace of Space

| Chris

It was the summer of ‘88 at the Palace theater in Hollywood, I saw Ace Frehley (his band Frehley’s Comet, actually) in concert. I was front and center! Yes!! Resting my elbows on the stage platform, I could smell the smoke coming out from his guitar. It was surreal for a kid who grew up on all things KISS.

Surprisingly, for the encore, he brought out Peter Criss to play drums on Deuce. Anton Fig graciously got up his throne to make way for him. He even offered his sticks but he declined. Peter motioned that he was going to use his own.

At the end of the song, Peter, the rock star that he is, catapulted his sticks towards the audience… classic! They eventually reach their destination, but not before hitting a couple stage lights along the way. Whizzzzz!!! Bang!!! Bang!!! Buzz!!!! Buzz!!! Lights out! Ace looks back at him smiling like the proud brother that he is.

Meanwhile, us in the front of the SRO ballroom all took cover lest shards of glass from the bulbs landed on our heads. Good thing it was all clear. Whew!

Now, what goes up must come down. And the sticks promptly fell back down to Earth (see what I did there? Wink wink!). Lucky me, I caught one of them like a falling meteor (sorry!).

Looking back now, the Ace of Space could have tossed his smoking Les Paul instead. That would’ve been much more appreciated and… outta this world (oopsie!)!

Oh well… that’s my Ace Frehley story.

My Place is of the Sun

| Chris

One summer night back in the early 90’s, I was performing a solo acoustic guitar set at a coffee house in Venice, CA. One of the songs on my set list is Prince of Darkness by the Indigo Girls.

As I was playing and singing the line “My place is of the sun…”, I noticed a few young kids come in for coffee. Judging by their garb, it was a bit early for Halloween, I thought. After all, they were drenched in black from head to toe. Once I finished my set, I sat among these Goths to chat. Turns out they were Satanists. Or so they claimed.

One kid complimented me on my performance. We talked about everything from music to Satan to God. One of them articulated that Satanism is simply about questioning things. I replied… well, God might just be the answer to your questions, if that’s what you’re after. I must’ve piqued his curiosity as he paused briefly before bravely uttering… tell me more about this God of yours.

I thought he was just being facetious but the conversation actually lasted longer than I wanted. Next thing I remember, it was four in the morning and I had to go to work soon.

How Cool is That?

| Chris

Wow, what an incredible surprise! I just found out that my song Me and My Samsonite was included on the official 2025 Wyoming Road Trip Playlist curated by the Wyoming Arts Council and Wyoming Humanities. I honestly can’t put into words how honored and excited I am.

As an artist, you always hope your music will connect with people, but to know that my song will be part of the soundtrack for so many travelers exploring the beauty of Wyoming this summer is truly special. I love the idea that Me and My Samsonite (#21 on the playlist) might be playing as someone drives through mountain passes, stops at a historic site, or just soaks in the wide-open sky. After all, traveling is what the song is about.

My heartfelt thanks goes to the Wyoming Arts Council and everyone involved in putting this playlist together. It means the world to be recognized alongside so many talented Wyoming creatives. I mean, really… how cool is that?

So, if you’re hitting the road this summer, I hope my song, along with the rest of the playlist, adds a little extra joy to your adventure. Safe travels, and happy listening!

Turning Point

| Chris

It was the last day of April, 1992. In the thick of the LA riots, I had acquired my first Bible. As the city burned outside my Hollywood apartment, I diligently read the Scripture for the first time in my life. Soon after that pivotal moment, I made a decision to be baptized. Yet the years that followed brought unexpected spiritual hurdles. The truth has an uncanny way of doing that to you, I suppose.

Eleven years later, in 2003, God woke me up. Guilt and remorse began to engulf my conscience. Religiosity unraveled. Friends drifted away, some passed on, and my first marriage began to falter. It was a dark time, for sure.

Around that period, I felt compelled to write a song where every line was a jagged little pill. It took three years to finish it. Though it remains the hardest song I’ve ever written, it gave me relief. My soul could somewhat breathe again after. Today, well, I’m still a work in progress, but grateful for the lessons I’ve learned since. God is good!

Like Father Like Son

| Chris

On May 26th, it will have been my dad’s 84th birthday.

Time. Wow! Time can be so merciless. I can still vividly remember him taking me to the barber. And I hated it every time! Perhaps, I’ve always wanted my hair long.

I realize how undeserving of God’s kindness I am. He’s been so good to me all my life. And I am complete today because of him.

Yet, if there was one regret I have in life, it would be that I failed to forge a meaningful relationship with my earthly father. A dreadful iniquity on my part. And the aftermath will no doubt continue to weigh on me for as long as I live.

This song I wrote is not so much a tribute as it is a confession. A longing. A moment in sackcloth and ashes, if you will. It was a difficult one to write, for sure.

I wish I could tell my dad, for both the first and last time, that I love him. Because I truly did! But it’s a bit too late now, isn’t it? I was given countless chances and I blew them all.

Indeed, time’s up.

Meat or Manna

| Chris

Today’s contemplation…

“If only we had meat to eat! … But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!” ~Numbers 11:4,6

Discontentment. Ingratitude. If we’re truly honest, we’ll admit we all have these in us to some degree. They can be elusive, invisible or incognito even. A bit hard to spot at times. I don’t know about you but I struggle against it just about everyday. Even when I try not to show it, I can be a grouch deep inside.

Sometimes, our choice between meat or manna can be a matter of life and death. It’s a tough battle. Choose wisely.

@2002 Chris Alma Jose

Someday

| Chris

Heaven.

It seems distant, yet it’s near. It feels far away, yet it’s here.

It’s a promise. It’s my hope.

And hope does not disappoint.

It will come.

Windows Section Panaorama

Someday.


Change these colors of blue and grey
I can’t stand it anymore
The sun keeps rising on the wrong side of town
Don’t you walk out that door
I can’t breath, I can’t see
I call out your name
It’s alright you say, I can’t wait
I will be home someday

Have you been there, my friend
Searching high and low
Imagine closely a painless world
How can you say no

Don’t you run, don’t you hide
Don’t turn your back away
It’s alright you say, I can’t wait
Oh please come home someday

Let me take you to a land
With no castles in the sand
While there is still time
Won’t we do it today
Let me carry you away
From the scene of the crime

Take this rainbow away from the dark
Clear these clouds away
Let me smell your roses again
Send forth the light of day
I can’t breath, I can’t see
I call out your name
It’s alright you say, I can’t wait
I will be home someday

©2000 Chris Alma Jose

Songs about Heaven, part 5 (Someday)

| Chris

agua!There comes a time when all there is left to feel is sorrow.

Have you been there, my friend?

I mean, the kind that never ceases. Or so it seems. I know it may sound cliche but it’s true. It happens. And if it hasn’t yet, it’s just a matter of time, I’m afraid.

It’s quite ironic too, sometimes, that the discomfort can, in fact, make you feel numb. And lost, too. You forget who you are. The real you. And worse, the people you know and care about, you forget who they are, as well. Yet, there seems to be no way out. You have wandered away from where you belong and your eyes have failed to show you the way back.

Though, a glimmer of hope never fails to reveal itself, in due time. Yes… always in due time. Ready to offer some comfort like an oasis in the desert, it leaves a reminder that all will be well, one day. You may not know when this will be, but the gift of hope carries you through your journey in the hot desert sands of life. The cruel sun may pound on your restless soul like hammer on a nail, but you keep walking as you stare into the horizon. Every step, taking the pain. Accepting the pain. You keep pushing through. With your dream, in tow. A dream that someday… someday, you’ll be home.

Someday

Change these colors of blue and grey
I can’t stand it anymore
The sun keeps rising on the wrong side of town
Ooh, don’t you walk out that door
I can’t breath, I can’t, I can’t see
I call out your name
It’s alright you say, I can’t wait
I will be home someday

Have you been there ooh my friend
Searching high and low
Imagine closely a painless world
How can you say no

Don’t you run, don’t you, don’t you hide
Don’t turn your back away
It’s alright you say, I can’t wait
Oh please come home someday

Let me take you to a land
With no castles in the sand
While there is still time
Oh won’t we do it today
Let me carry you away
From the scene of the crime

Take this rainbow away from the dark
Clear these clouds away
Let me smell your roses again
Send forth the light of day, yeah
Cuz I can’t breath, I can’t… I can’t see
And I call out your name, yeah
It’s alright you say, I can’t wait
I will be home
I will be home
Yes, I will be home
I will be home someday

©2000 Chris Alma Jose