This month was not so action packed!
OPEN MIC TOUR
I was supposed to go to Detroit on Sunday, May 27th. Plans changed when
I realized that there weren't any Open Mic venues that seemed worth while.
So, I decided to go to Cleveland instead. I thought it would be nice to
see the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame - no better way to close out the Open Mic
Tour. Unfortunately, I was not feeling well during the Memorial Day
holiday weekend, so we did not travel anywhere. Thus, I have no news to report!!!
I will not be continuing with these monthly trips. I feel like I've done what I set out to do. Typically, when a new artist is signed to a major label, they go through a period which is called "artist development." During this period, the artist may play at state fairs, corporate events, and small venues as an opening act. The goal is to condition the artist to become comfortable on stage in any setting.
Clearly, I do not belong to a major label or any label at all, for that matter. And, although I play music in front of an audience four nights a week, it is in a very controlled setting that I am used to, and almost TOO comfortable with. Playing the same venue night after night, year after year, seeing the same faces, etc...has been a privilege and has prepared me on many levels. But, when it comes to performing songs that I have written, in a new room, before strangers to whom I must prove my worth - it is a horse of a different color. This is why I was hesitant to just dive in and book myself around the country. I was terrified!
I got the idea to do the Open Mic Tour, because it would allow me to perform in other cities, without the pretense of being a pro - so if I suck, it's no big deal, because nobody has to sign a check over to sucky me. This was my independent version of "artist development," and it WORKED! When I did the first Open Mic in Nasheville, I was so nervous I was literally sick to my stomach - couldn't eat and was constantly in and out of the bathroom all day. I thought my heart would beat right out of my chest when I was called up to the stage! By the time I got to New York, I had become accustomed to the process. It was like the voice in head went from saying, "Mayday! Mayday!" to saying, "Alright, I get it, I'm nervous - who cares! I'm gonna rock it!"
RECORDING
I recorded a jingle with Tuneplant Music Productions this month. It was for an Australian race horse company called Grand Syndicates. This puts my singing in two other countries now - Italy and Australia. So cool!!!! Thanks to Chris Seal for bringing these opportunities to my doorstep, and for being such a talented and savvy composer!
THE FUTURE
From here on out, I will not be updating you with monthly emails. I will continue to write the newsletter, but it will be on a quarterly or as-needed basis. It is a joy for me to share myself with you through writing, whether it be in song or email. I just want to make sure that I am offering something worth your time.
I have some exciting performances coming up in late 2012/early 2013 that I can't wait to boast about, so don't worry, I'll be around! I also plan on shooting some music videos, and you will be the first to know when these are ready to be viewed.
GREEN TIP OF THE MONTH - Get yourself some reusable shopping bags. I am happy to report that I've noticed more and more people toting these sustainable totes. I find that it is waaaay easier for me to carry my groceries in, because these bags hold more - instead of me trying to grab 18 grocery bags (some of which are double and tripple bagged to prevent breakage), I can grab 4 (but, yes, it's still really heavy). If you have pets, get the recycled plastic kind, because the cloth bags will get fur all over them when you are unloading your groceries at home, and you might cause the kid bagging your groceries to sneeze next time you shop!
THANKS FOR READING!! HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!!!!
OPEN MIC TOUR
I was supposed to go to Detroit on Sunday, May 27th. Plans changed when
I realized that there weren't any Open Mic venues that seemed worth while.
So, I decided to go to Cleveland instead. I thought it would be nice to
see the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame - no better way to close out the Open Mic
Tour. Unfortunately, I was not feeling well during the Memorial Day
holiday weekend, so we did not travel anywhere. Thus, I have no news to report!!!
I will not be continuing with these monthly trips. I feel like I've done what I set out to do. Typically, when a new artist is signed to a major label, they go through a period which is called "artist development." During this period, the artist may play at state fairs, corporate events, and small venues as an opening act. The goal is to condition the artist to become comfortable on stage in any setting.
Clearly, I do not belong to a major label or any label at all, for that matter. And, although I play music in front of an audience four nights a week, it is in a very controlled setting that I am used to, and almost TOO comfortable with. Playing the same venue night after night, year after year, seeing the same faces, etc...has been a privilege and has prepared me on many levels. But, when it comes to performing songs that I have written, in a new room, before strangers to whom I must prove my worth - it is a horse of a different color. This is why I was hesitant to just dive in and book myself around the country. I was terrified!
I got the idea to do the Open Mic Tour, because it would allow me to perform in other cities, without the pretense of being a pro - so if I suck, it's no big deal, because nobody has to sign a check over to sucky me. This was my independent version of "artist development," and it WORKED! When I did the first Open Mic in Nasheville, I was so nervous I was literally sick to my stomach - couldn't eat and was constantly in and out of the bathroom all day. I thought my heart would beat right out of my chest when I was called up to the stage! By the time I got to New York, I had become accustomed to the process. It was like the voice in head went from saying, "Mayday! Mayday!" to saying, "Alright, I get it, I'm nervous - who cares! I'm gonna rock it!"
RECORDING
I recorded a jingle with Tuneplant Music Productions this month. It was for an Australian race horse company called Grand Syndicates. This puts my singing in two other countries now - Italy and Australia. So cool!!!! Thanks to Chris Seal for bringing these opportunities to my doorstep, and for being such a talented and savvy composer!
THE FUTURE
From here on out, I will not be updating you with monthly emails. I will continue to write the newsletter, but it will be on a quarterly or as-needed basis. It is a joy for me to share myself with you through writing, whether it be in song or email. I just want to make sure that I am offering something worth your time.
I have some exciting performances coming up in late 2012/early 2013 that I can't wait to boast about, so don't worry, I'll be around! I also plan on shooting some music videos, and you will be the first to know when these are ready to be viewed.
GREEN TIP OF THE MONTH - Get yourself some reusable shopping bags. I am happy to report that I've noticed more and more people toting these sustainable totes. I find that it is waaaay easier for me to carry my groceries in, because these bags hold more - instead of me trying to grab 18 grocery bags (some of which are double and tripple bagged to prevent breakage), I can grab 4 (but, yes, it's still really heavy). If you have pets, get the recycled plastic kind, because the cloth bags will get fur all over them when you are unloading your groceries at home, and you might cause the kid bagging your groceries to sneeze next time you shop!
THANKS FOR READING!! HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!!!!
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