A healthy fear of AI-generated music

By TERRY JOE WILES

I am going to be straight up. I have a healthy fear of “AI” — Artificial Intelligence! Here’s first-hand experience of AI’s mistake on transcribed medical records — Mr. Wiles is a 72 year old female! However, it seems to have some good, still mostly evil, in my learned opinion. I could let “AI” write this column, and it would not have such a limited vocabulary of Lum and Abner.

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“AI” wouldn’t have to have six cups of coffee to get all fuzzed up to be creative. No, sir! It would always be on time or Lawdy-Lawdy, the column wouldn’t need to be edited, but where’s the fun in that?

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“AI”-generated music has been around for a long while. There’s programs out there that, with just a little input, compose lyrics and music for top-10 hits — kind of like cheating. So, may there always be live music!

However, I have some friends that are using this tool to create music around their lyrics to get an idea if the song flows, the passion can still be felt and in common terms — “If you throw it on the wall, it sticks.” David Love, Randy Fennell and Dave Abbott, all talented musicians and wordsmiths, have taken to using their lyrics and letting AI help them lay out arrangements, instrumentation and tempo. They can do in a couple hours what would take days, many overdubs and a lot of coffee to achieve. They have produced several awesome tunes. Their tunes come alive just by a human putting pen to paper and sitting down at a keyboard. What a tool for songwriters. Songs can quickly be composed, shared and marketed (as AI-generated songs) to any music producers, working band or singers from the comfort of home. There are samples of their songs on Facebook, heard on a couple of radio stations and other streaming media platforms. Some of the songs are quickly written to follow current topical subjects, songs of faith and patriotism and, of course, songs about love (lost or found), too. These guys copyright their lyrics and are honest about the AI connection. I ain’t sure how it would work to sell this music, or how the “artist” would receive royalties. The only negative element to the creative process is that it sounds too perfect and a little dry. I really only noticed it in the vocals. The nuances of personal style, S fingers like Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Sting or Prince. I suspect that we hear more of this canned AI-generated music than we realize. There will never be anything like live music. The teamwork, energy and efforts on a five-piece band on stage is priceless, and the reward is the sound of polite applause to the roaring of a crowd. Thanks for supporting local, live music.

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One of the longest running country music shows, The Big Bear’s first and third Monday night open mic show, has relocated to Front Porch Theatre, just north of Alma, Arkansas The excellence in entertainment remains as many talented folks on both sides of the Arkansas-Oklahoma state line. You are invited to be a part of the house band or to sing a few country favorites. See you there on the first and third Mondays in Alma.

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As for live music this week, “Sierra Bravo” will be at The Vault in Van Buren, Arkansas, beginning at 7 tonight, then the band will be at Ava’s at Fianna in Fort Smith beginning at 7 p.m. Friday.

Crocky’s Cafe in Hackett, Arkansas, will have “Bourbon Rain” on Friday. There will be lots of great music from this bunch. Then, on Saturday, it will be “Oklahoma 59 South” playing songs of country and rock with an open mic portion, too. Both nights, the music will start at 6 p.m.

“The Libby Starks Band” will be playing at The Vault 1905 Sports Bar in Van Buren on Friday. This is a great venue in historic downtown Van Buren, and Libby will light up the room. The music will start at 8 p.m.

“Sidekicks Duo” will have a gig at Zapata’s Mexican Grill in Fort Smith on Friday. David Love and Floyd Adams can play more music and sing harmony like a couple of songbirds. The music will be from 6-9 p.m.

There is a Friday Night Dance at the Fort Smith Senior Activity Center this Friday with one of the best shows in town. “The Richard Rouch Band” is a band with some talented folks, but what stands out is this band’s passion for entertaining a crowd. The involvement with an audience is highly commendable. Heck, this band takes its instruments and serenade on the dance floor and at your table. This is a cool band and will be an awesome show. The dance will start at 7 p.m. sharp.

Muldrow City Limits will bring “Dusty Holster” to its more than 100 dancers on Saturday night. The newly-formed band has Roland Stephens, Larry Hight, Billy Wilson and James Zackary. They cover everything from Elvis to Merle Haggard to Bob Seger. This will be an awesome NS/ND venue, and it’s easy to find. The dance will start at 7 p.m.

“Rhythm Coalition” will take the stage and move the groove at Hero’s Irish Pub, located at 1002 Garrison Avenue in Fort Smith, on Friday. This is one of my favorite bands. Check out the band’s videos on Facebook, and you will hear why. This six-piece combo has no limits to music. This band has got class and style. Catch the show. The music will start at 8 p.m.

I have had several requests to hush, and I am taking it into consideration. Thank you all for your input. If anybody has something positive to say, call or text message me at (918) 649-5736, get with me on Facebook or e-mail me at tj.wiles61@outlook.com.

Thanks for supporting local, live music.

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