February 2005
I have always felt something inside that lets me know what is best in any situation; I have to be brave enough to listen to the calling of the soul. When I closed the door on some relationships that had been dominant in my life for quite a few years, I was surprised to find peace as the primary emotion. I didn�t feel like I couldn�t revisit those relationships or circumstances at some time in the future, I simply knew, somehow, that now was not the time.
The last few months of my life have been the best I�ve had in a long time. I have experienced consistent clarity and many doors have opened before my eyes. I am so excited by the prospect of every day and what it has to bring. The worries I used to carry into my dreams at night have seem to have been dramatically reduced. I am not questioning why as much. Even during the times when I feel alone and scared about what I am facing, I am graciously reminded that everything happens for a reason. So I put on my soundtrack of happiness and find the glow to keep moving as I do my dance of thanks for the blessings.
�Unknown, (taken from Making A Living Without A Job by Barbara J. Winter)
TIME MACHINE
My first Wedding/Corporate Cover Band! At the end of January, I responded to an ad for a female vocalist to sing with a Wedding/Corporate Cover Band. {If you haven't been to craigslist.org, just take some time and explore your local site, it's amazing what you'll find.} I anxiously answered as I have long dreamed of offering my talents to those special moments in everyone's lives...and being paid to do covers of great music. My wish was granted and I've been rehearsing with the band for 3 weeks now.
Time Machine is the name of the band. Looks like we're growing to be a group of nine musicians -- 2 female vocals, 1 male vocal, bass, guitar, drums, keys, trumpet, and sax -- performing music from the 40's through today. Everyone I've mentioned it to is excited about when they can come to a performance, believe me I'll keep y'all posted.
THE ORIGINALS PROJECT
Response to another ad brought another dream steps closer to reality. This was something I had placed not on the back burner but on the stand beside the stove if you follow me. I've done some writing and wanted to do more primarily in the r&b/neo-soul style however I thought it might take a certain amount of money to do so. Well I have come to find it takes the meeting of the right souls to make it happen.
Right now the project consists of myself, drums, and guitar with a promise of a keyboard guy (we'll find out about that this weekend). We're still looking for a NASTY bass player who can lay down the funk -- so anybody you know that might be interested, pass on my number/email. The drummer (John) and I have been talking for a few weeks and click so well in terms of influences and where we want the music to develop...then we meet this guitar player (Richard), boy oh boy, great gosh a-mighty -- he's baaaad! We met for the first time on 2/19 and we've already started writing the first 2 songs. It's serious!
MUSIC UNDER NEW YORK
In late May/early June of each year the New York MTA holds auditions for the Music Under New York program. This program presents music acts in the subway at various locations throughout the transit system. As part of the program individual artists or groups are given a banner with contact information and allowed to give out information and sell their cd's/products. I've always thought it would be fun to entertain thousands once or twice a week in addition I'd have the opportunity to jam with friends on a regular basis (as well as try out new arrangements and get an immediate response). Paul (drums), Jeff (bass) and I are re-working some old favorites and funking up some standards and plan to audition for this year's induction.
OTHER THINGS
The SONGS FOR SENIORS project is still developing as I am deciding the best route to pursue. The LIVE CD project is taking a lot longer than I anticipated, but I'm hopeful that there's a reason for that.
I Hope You Dance - Lee Ann Womack (Album: I Hope You Dance, 2000)
We Are Family - Sister Sledge (Album: We Are Family, 1979)
Holiday - Madonna (Album: Madonna, 1986)
A Bridge Over Troubled Water - Aretha Franklin (Album: Heavy Soul, 1971)
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www.actsofkindness.org
