Summary: Title: M2B:) (Mission to be Happy) Author: Michael McLean Publisher: Deseret Book Published Date: November 2009 ISBN#: 978-1-60641-203-9 Hardcover, 88 pages, full-length CD included It’s hard to NOT feel happy looking at that cover. Author/singer/songwriter Michael McLean, well known for his Forgotten Carols, has written a handbook for those who are ready to go on a Mission 2B:) with him. Not only has he written the handbook, he has also composed a number of songs to go with it. So many things are working to bring us down these days – poor health, economic problems, environmental issues, relationship troubles – and Michael McLean offers a bit of brightness with his short encouraging chapters and the upbeat music included with the Mission 2B:) handbook. He’s also started a blog, missiontobehappy.com, to document his experiences on his own “mission.” The book is slightly larger than a standard jewel case, an ideal size for slipping into a purse or briefcase. The hardback cover ensures durability and provides a place to store the CD. Michael McLean was kind enough to do an email interview with me, and I’m glad to be able to share it with you below. My review and a sample song from the CD follow the interview: SHANDA: Once you decided to write the M2B:) handbook, how long did it take you to complete the project? MICHAEL: I started consciously pursuing the idea of M2B:) back in February of 2009. While waiting for the songwriter bailout package (which never arrived by the way. I only got a note from the government that said I, unlike Chrysler and AIG, was NOT too big to fail) I wondered what kind of an “Inspirational Stimulus Package” I could offer myself and my friends to get through difficult times. My first draft of the book and the corresponding collection of songs was submitted on June 11th, and then there was tweaking through the summer with the goal of an early release in time for the FORGOTTEN CAROLS tour, and then a full blown released starting January 1, 2010. SHANDA: Did the subject/chapters for the book or the music & lyrics for the songs come first? MICHAEL: The title track and a few of the other songs were written and scattered about without being given any particular focus until I started writing the book in earnest. Then, with the idea firmly in mind for a handbook, I mapped out chapters that begged for songs to accompany them. As I wrote more I found new ideas for songs and as I explored songs I’d been thinking about they would often inspire chapters. What I love about the CD that accompanies the book is that after reading the book (and it’s a short read) all of the songs are put in context SO when you’re jogging or driving or sitting on a plane somewhere the songs can remind you, over and over again, what the book was trying to communicate. SHANDA: Which song did you have the most fun writing? MICHAEL: All the songs were fun to write because I needed them to help me get over some of the obstacles a middle aged, clinically depressed, type 2 diabetic faces. I chose fun, upbeat, toe tapping, make-me-smile-knowingly or laugh-out-loud songs to make the point. The song WITH PAUL AND JOHN was a hoot to write and even more fun to record because we tipped our hat at all the Beatle-esque signature production ideas. I still crack up when I sing the “ooohs” in concert. But the TOODLE-OO song and the PILLS song were super fun as well. SHANDA: Which chapter or song holds the most meaning to you personally? MICHAEL: Since every chapter in the book comes from a very real chapter in my life they ALL have deep personal meaning EVEN WHEN it’s approached in a light hearted tone. Read between the lines and the real power of the book reveals itself. But as of this writing I believe Chapter 6 on FAITH and the song I DON’T NEED A SIGN THIS TIME would be my answer. Next week might be different. That’s the joy of creating a handbook that needs to be adaptable to your life as you life. (or [...]
