August 17, 2008

Out and About with Good Charlotte:

So on our quest to learn more from other identical twins regarding how to deal with all these freaky things they do that we simply can't understand we found ourselves at sound check with Joel and Benji Madden from the kickin' band Good Charlotte. Candi and I had Brendan and Jaden along, with their silencing headphones on, and they were just banging their heads out front during sound check just like I do while onstage (must be in the gene pool).

After sound check, Joel and boys came out to say hello and hang. These guys are some of the nicest people we've met. Candi let Brendan and Jaden run around the arena (their running now when their not killing each other and stealing each other's toys) and Joel was filling Candi in on the wacky identical twin things that are to come (Joel and Benji are identicals). We need help!!!! Here's a picture of Joel whispering secret identical twin corrupting advice on how to torture your parents into Brendan and Jaden's ears. Haaa haa ...There are plenty of twins out there due to the fertility drug explosion, but having identicals/mirror image can only be by the blessing of God. 
 
One thing we'll remember from Joel well into the future is his advice to "Never Ever Separate Them". He suggested that when in school or any other setting where the authorities at be suggest separation is best to instantly choose the opposite. Thanks Joel (with the Jesus tattoo's...hmmmmm I wonder.....is he?).
 
After such a nice warm welcome from the band we decided we would return to see the show later (we live near the arena). My youngest daughter, Lianna, and her roving pack of friends were going to the show as well as they are big fans of Good Charlotte. She was so excited to meet them.
 
The guys even made a space for our giant stroller on stage... and took care of Lianna with a pass, meet and greet with signed pictures (she was so excited). It seems Paris Hilton said hello to her as well so she was stoked! I guess Daddy came in handy this night out?
 
Candi also got a little more information from Joel on the Richie-Madden Foundation which is adding a Baby Registry section for under privileged families in the near future.  Such a brilliant idea to directly help those in need!!!  As Candi is currently endorsed by many baby product companies (Baby Sherpa, Tommi Guard, and many more...) we will be contacting them to hopefully lend their support as well.  Check out: http://richiemaddenfoundation.com
 
All in all they don't come any nicer than the guys from Good Charlotte.  We would also like to give a BIG thank you to their Manager, Mark!!!  

I have one more picture from our night out as a family. It's a silhouette of me on side stage going nutzo' for Good Charlotte and dreaming of hitting the stage next summer myself.
 
ps:
Brendan and Jaden were headbangin' during the live show again in their stroller!!! Haaaaa haaa..... we're in trouble soon...

 

July 24, 2008

Brendan and Jaden:
From Anthrax to the Blue Lagoon:

Well I said in my last blast that Brendan and Jaden were hard at work thanks to our incredible agents, Debbie and Lisa Ganz, at Twins Talent.... They just finished a national commercial for Volkswagen (VW) http://www.vw.com .
 
They went from playing Maggie Gyllenhaal's (The Dark Knight) kid in next year's block buster film with multiple Academy award director Sam Mendes at the helm, to playing a principle role along side Brooke Shields in this new commercial. Yes, I said Brooke Shields. Everyone on set in Brooklyn was so kind to both Candi and I. We had a blast (except for the heat wave we are having here). Brooke had here kids in toe so we felt quite comfortable having Brendan and Jaden running around having fun. I remember watching her in the Blue Lagoon many moons ago as a young child so to see her standing on a street corner in Brooklyn with my kids is kind of funny. Well God's blessings keep pouring out in all areas don't they?  
 
We get the usual "how do you tell them apart" all day from the huge crews and great people around us and as usual Candi can tell them apart... and I still have no clue. I'm with them 24/7 and still can not find a way to tell them apart. Don't laugh at me because if I do meet you with them in toe you will be quizzed at their names as well after one introduction and a quick "shell game".  :-)
 
More in the works for Brendan and Jaden soon for all who follow their career.
 
New Music Announcement at Cornerstone Festival:

I had such a blast at the Cornerstone Festival http://www.cornerstonefestival.com . The warm reception and gracious people (John Herrin and family, Tom Lavin, and many more) that helped our family feel at home amongst so many in attendance (around 100,000) goes beyond our expectations of hospitality.
 
This was the event I chose to announce what had been so secretly quiet since my departure from Anthrax. The new music and the people who have been quietly recording on my creations were announced. Those in attendance got to see me speak both on the Main Stage, as well as a wonderful question and answer Press Conference during the day hours. I felt such a warming embrace to those who were there to listen to what God has placed upon my heart to achieve. Creating this new kind of music brought me both closer to Christ, as well as closer to so many aspects of music creation. I do feel (as I did in the past) that I have created an entirely new sound never heard by the human ear before.
 
Of course the biggest part of the music announcement people seem to want to know more about is my singing. Yes, I am singing on all the new music and those who have heard it are just loving it so very much. I worked so hard at perfecting my voice for this music. Who better to relay the message set forth within me, than me....  I actually really like singing and can't wait to hit the stages doing so.
 
Some close friends, and of course record company executives there at Cornerstone, were amongst the first to be blown away by what is to come to the Christian heavy metal genre.  My brother Peter Baltes, from the legendary band "Accept", (who has tracked all the bass on the project) stood alongside me at the festival as well. Matt Thompson from the band "King Diamond" did some drum overdubs and will be my touring drummer, but was not available to attend.

Of course I had a great time watching Brian "Head" Welch from Korn speak  on the main stage as well. I can tell he is blessed in so many ways. I'm very much looking forward to the both of us bringing forth the talent we have been blessed with forthright into the community were it belongs.  
An uplifting and next level is about to appear in the Christian music scene and those who know, do in fact "Really" know what God has in store.
 
Back in the studio now for more work!
 

Master Watchmaker stuff:

So the ever expanding repair facility is taking shape and more machines have arrived. The luxury "Leviev" http://www.leviev.com timepieces I have here for service are simply incredible works of human art. Carved from solid blocks of 18K gold with the finest La Joux-Perret mechanical complicated movements available placed within. I find myself so blessed and honored to have the ability and Swiss master watchmaker schooling degrees to peer inside and take them apart piece by piece. Perfection at its finest hour on my bench. I think these models on my bench now start in the price range of $20,000 - $30,000 USD currency if you are interested in obtaining one or two or.......
 
Being the master watchmaker of complications specialist for all of North America for the Leviev group has brought more Swiss tools on my bench. So many tools that I'm designing a new watchmaker bench and will keep you all posted as to it's comfort upon arrival. I simply just need a bit more real estate, as I do have in Switzerland when I work on perpetual calendars and the like.
 
If you get a chance swing by Leviev on Madison Ave. in NYC or London or Russia or soon to come Dubai.
 
 
D

 

June 26, 2008

Music:

So it's about time some of the hard work and secret sauce of the new music comes to life!

I have been invited to speak at one of the largest Christian music festivals of the year (alongside Brian Welch, formerly of Korn). The attendance will be approximately 100,000+ so it should be a wonderful time for me, as well as the twins and Candi. The festival is called "Cornerstone" http://www.cornerstonefestival.com . We are making a family adventure out of this engagement, as well as bringing along Brendan and Jaden for support. Haaa haaa.. After two years of searching for a new type of music and sound to create (as I did in the past) I have what is to be quite the next level of my inner most being to share with the world. All this because of my best bud Dave Mustaine of Megadeth yelled at me on the phone and said  "play your guitar".

In addition, I will be announcing some of the players that are involved with the project. One of them will be at the festival and with me during the press onslaught. You won't believe who this metal legend is. Get ready for a very long and creative pounding adventure to begin again. I will have many songs completed and mixed in my IPOD and some very select individuals will get to hear what is to come.

I have been quiet for a long time regarding when my guitar and writing skills would sing again. Now it sings for all of you once again.. . .  .    I hope my love and his love will give you all love.

Master Watchmaker Stuff:

My new service center is almost complete and expanded to handle the duties of being the sole master watchmaker of complications specialist for all of North America for the luxury group "Leviev" http://www.leviev.com . I will be taking care of some of the world's most complicated and expensive mechanical timepieces known to mankind in my private facility. The need for my rare Swiss pedigree and skills in this country has led me to help others as well. The new service center will give me the ability to train other watchmakers. If you are not familiar with Leviev please do know they are the largest producer of diamonds, as well as mining and holding the largest diamond pieces on planet earth. They supply most of the other luxury groups there diamonds. Quite incredible to see the size of their diamonds.

I will also start to open certain service center areas of repairs / sales for luxury timepieces to the general public in the coming months. This will be done in a new creative way, however.

The new service center has been expanded to include a full polishing / satin finishing room (in addition to the complication room), complete with a special micro miniature lathe and special 4 jaw German watch case holding chucks for satin finishing duties, at expenses valued upward of $24,000 just for these two pieces. The buffing / polishing machines / ultrasonic tanks are top of the line as well and I feel so blessed to have the ability to have them here.. Switzerland is in my shop now. No difference between being in a complication room in Switzerland or in my service center.

Feel free to contact Candi if you have watch needs or would like to sell your timepiece via consignment. Running or not I will service and sell your luxury timepiece for you. If you're in a famous band you'll get extra special attention, of course, only I could understand.

Brands that can be serviced / sold on consignment with my guarantee of stability include:

Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Chopard LUC specialist/certified, Panerai, Jaeger LeCoultre, IWC, Breitling, Omega speedmasters and most luxury vintage chronograph timepieces circa 1900-1970 

(my specialty).

 Master Watchmaker Credentials and incredible pictures of the mad master watchmaker:

Credentials / Diplomas / Swiss Certifications:

http://www.spitzwatch.com/credentials.html 

Working on some of the worlds most complicated wristwatches both in Switzerland and USA:

http://www.spitzwatch.com/rac.html

Warm Regards to All,

Daniel

May 18, 2008

Well we're back from filming in picturesque Connecticut and still a bit exhausted. Our identical twin boys, Brendan and Jaden, had us tag teaming on the babysitting duty on set once again. Daddy Dan had his Baby Sherpa diaper bag in full use this time. One diaper, two diaper, three diaper more, please. ... ... .. .

Brendan and Jaden have now finished shooting their scenes for the upcoming movie "Farlanders."  We would like to thank Sam Mendes for choosing our twins for his upcoming project.  It was incredible just to watch the genius at work.  We would also like to thank Jennifer and all at TJ Productions, John Dunn and his wardrobe team, and the rest of the crew ( Anthrax freaks included ) for making the boys' first movie such a wonderful experience.  The boys had all of their toys loaded up inside their trailer and had a blast with all of the wonderful cast and crew who came to play with them.

Brendan and Jaden would like to thank Bailey Harkins, who plays their big brother in the movie, for running endless laps around some trees keeping the boys cracking up (as well as the rest of us). Hey Bailey, wipe the sweat off of your brow and we will see you on the next film together.

We would also like to say a very special thank you to Maggie Gyllenhaal for being so sweet to Brendan and Jaden.  She is such a kind hearted person and the boys just adored her.  We hope to work with her again on future projects.

Stay tuned as Brendan and Jaden have more projects in the works.  And a very special 1st BIRTHDAY coming up on MAY 29th :)

Now back to making some killer music in the studio for all of you.

Dan

May 11, 2008

On the watchmaking front:
I have agreed to help one of my wonderful business associates Mr.Thierry Chaunu ( former president of Cartier and Chopard ) bring his new luxury group's service of high end timepieces to Switerland levels, right here in the USA. I will be the sole master watchmaker for all mechanical complications for North America for the new luxury group "Leviev" http://www.leviev.com/. If you are not familiar with the Leviev name please have this wonderful read from the NY Times http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/16/magazine/16Leviev-t.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1. Mr. Leviev is believed to be the richest man in Israel with a net worth of 8 billion dollars, Forbes list #210 and owns the largest diamond mines / cutting business in the world. What a pleasure it is to be a part of this incredible new journey with them.
 
On the music front:
I am doing some music for an upcoming Nickelodeon cartoon along with my orchestral composer partner Mr. Kevin Manthei. Some other scoring for other projects that can not be announced, as well as the continued forward motion of my own project, of course. Lots of Grammy nominated musicians involved so far.  
 
Warm Regards to all,
Dan

February 29, 2008

October 23, 2006