His success allowed him to release 5 solo albums that have since sold over 80,000 copies and were well received by the strong audience he has built.
He was choosing his own road and had interest from almost every major label. Naturally, he had expectations of "making it" with national tours, the swank tour bus, and a big record deal. He thought he needed something slick for his next album, 3 Different Views, so he took out a second mortgage on his house and enlisted players from John Mellencamp's Band to record and play on the CD.
Major labels showed some interest but didn't bring a deal to the table. 3 Different Views was his most expensive CD to make and is his lowest selling CD to date. Mahoney's dream of "making it" was alluding him.
Depressed, he did the only thing he knew how to do--he focused on the music. Ultimately this was an eye-opening and therapeutic learning experience. He continued to write and started to play solo acoustic shows. This was the beginning of the evolution of his opinion and attitude toward his career. The reception was overwhelmingly positive.
So he released a solo acoustic CD Full Circle and in just 9 months had already sold over 4,000 copies.Proof that the comfortable rasp in his voice and the bittersweet lyrics are still winning people over. Full Circle was his least expensive CD to make and it is on pace to be one of his best selling CDs.
And after showcasing at a NACA (National Association of Campus Activities) Conference, he has performed solo acoustic shows at over 40 colleges in the Midwest and continues to expand nationally. He plays over 150 shows a year between full band and solo acoustic.
He moved through disappointment and disillusionment to the realization that he has been LIVING his dream for 10 years. He has built a business and is making a living doing something he loves.
But now Tim is more focused, more mature and more appreciative of his fans. And in turn, his fans have remained loyal and faithful in supporting him. He is enjoying the journey to longevity in the music business.
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Chad Whittaker is no stranger to the music scene. Self-taught on the bass, keyboard, guitar and vocals, Chad has no problem keeping busy in and around Minneapolis. In 2005 alone, he has played well over 100 shows with twelve different bands, and even recorded two albums. Chad first explored the Minneapolis music scene in 1994 joining the already successful pop band Charlie's Cafe. Their first self-titled album was released in 1996, and was nominated "best pop album" later that year by the Minnesota Music Awards. Just after the millennium, Chad had an idea to start a cover band that would emulate entire shows performed by the jam-band Phish. He called it Taboot, and it won him a second nomination by the Minnesota Music Awards in 2001. In 2000 he was asked to tour with the Beach Boys as a rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist. Chad has also had the privilege to play with the popular "Kung Fu Hippies" in 2003, and share stages with the Allman Brothers, the Big Wu, O.A.R., and Widespread Panic. The Hippies also found time that year to record an original CD in which Chad wrote and sang about half of the album. Chad joined the Tim Mahoney Band full-time in the fall of 2003, but was an occasional fill-in as far back as 1999. In addition to the Tim Mahoney Band, you may see Chad around town sitting in with Dazy Head Mazy, Concentual, Red Dot Garage, and many others. Ask Chad who his biggest musical influence is, and without blinking he'll tell you it's Joni Mitchell. He's also very fond of the Beatles, Dylan, and the Grateful Dead. Oh, almost forgot ... Chad and Tim went to the same middle school in Mound together when they were kids, so that's pretty cool.
Don't Stop Believin'
Tim Mahoney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Livin' in a lonely world
She took the midnight train goin' anywhere
Just a city boy
Born and raised in south Detroit
He took the midnight train goin' anywhere
A singer in a smoky room
For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on, and on, and on
Strangers waiting
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching in the night
Streetlights, people
Living just to find emotion
Hiding somewhere in the night
Working hard to get my fill
Everybody wants a thrill
Payin' anything to roll the dice
Just one more time
Some will win, some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
Oh, the movie never ends
It goes on and on, and on, and on
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to the feelin'
Streetlights, people
Don't stop believin'
Hold on
Streetlights, people
Don't stop believin'
Hold on to the feelin'
Streetlights, people
The lyrics of "Don't Stop Believin'" by Tim Mahoney narrates the story of a small town girl and a city boy, who are seeking for adventure and excitement. The girl is yearning to escape her lonely existence, and takes the midnight train to an unknown destination. Meanwhile, the city boy who was born and raised in South Detroit, also decides to take the same train, hoping to find a more fulfilling life. As fate would have it, their paths cross, and they embark on a journey together.
The story continues with a scene of a singer in a smoky room, surrounded by people searching for happiness and love. The night seems endless as it goes on and on, and on, with strangers waiting on the boulevard and shadows searching in the night. The streetlights and the people seem to be living just to find emotion, hiding somewhere in the night.
The final verses of the song highlight the fact that life is a journey filled with high stakes and potential heartbreak. Everyone is seeking the ultimate thrill, paying anything to roll the dice one more time. Some will win, some will lose, and some are born to sing the blues. Yet, despite all of these difficulties, the movie of life never ends, and we keep on going. The chorus simply states that one should not stop believing and hold onto the feeling, to keep going through the ups and downs of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Just a small town girl
There is a woman from a small town who is searching for something more in life.
Livin' in a lonely world
She feels isolated and alone in her current situation.
She took the midnight train goin' anywhere
In pursuit of her dreams, she boarded a train going to an unknown destination.
Just a city boy
On the other hand, there's a young man from the city.
Born and raised in south Detroit
He was born and raised in a specific area of the city.
He took the midnight train goin' anywhere
He, too, is on a journey to find something more than his current situation.
A singer in a smoky room
The scene shifts to a bar where a singer is performing in a dark and smoky environment.
A smell of wine and cheap perfume
The singer can smell the combination of wine and cheap perfume in the air.
For a smile they can share the night
Despite the surroundings, the people in the bar are there to connect and enjoy each other's company.
It goes on and on, and on, and on
The night and the energy of the bar seem to continue without an end in sight.
Strangers waiting
Next, we see people waiting on the street.
Up and down the boulevard
These people seem to be scattered around the area, searching for something.
Their shadows searching in the night
The darkness is a symbol of the unknown and they are searching in this darkness.
Streetlights, people
The city and the life it represents is both beautiful and tough.
Living just to find emotion
The people in this song are all searching for something that will give them emotion, feeling, and meaning.
Hiding somewhere in the night
They don't know where they will find this meaning and feeling, but they continue on their search.
Working hard to get my fill
The first person perspective returns and we hear about their efforts to make their life better.
Everybody wants a thrill
The desire for passion and excitement is universal.
Payin' anything to roll the dice
Sometimes people will risk everything in order to get that taste of excitement and possibility.
Just one more time
After experiencing the rush of something new and exciting, people want to experience it again and again.
Some will win, some will lose
In the game of life, some will succeed and some others will fail.
Some were born to sing the blues
Some people seem to be born with the struggle and hardship of life as their constant companion.
Oh, the movie never ends
Life continues on relentlessly, like a never-ending movie.
Don't stop believin'
Despite the hardships and struggles, the song encourages people to keep going and never give up.
Hold on to the feelin'
By holding onto the positive emotions and feelings that life occasionally brings, it can make the hardships more bearable.
Streetlights, people
The repetition of this phrase at the end of the song drives home the idea that the city and the people in it are both beautiful and tough.
Contributed by Sarah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.