I need to focus on the songs for our shows this week on The Soul Train Cruise!
I think I'm on hour 20 without sleep. I can't help thinking that it is NOTHING compared to what life is like for people in a war zone right now. I'm keenly aware that while we are dancing, smiling and singing this week, others are living in conditions of pure hell and horror.
I will focus and sing and share all the beautiful and joyous moments, while learning, planning and finding more ways to help.
I've seen the way music can melt hearts and minds countless times. I know the power of song and Love. A lifted Spirit can move mountains. We can create miracles by actions. NEVER (not a word I use lightly) underestimate your power to change the world.
If you have any song suggestions, please comment or message.
I'll start posting these as single posts as well, so forgive me if you see these more than once. If you're on TikTok (oh please go on TikTok, it's so much fun!), we'd love to be friends there too!
Here's wishing and praying for all of us to be a little better at kindness, understanding and Love in the weeks to come. People deal with stress and anxiety in so many different ways. A little compassion could go such a long way for others and might be there for us too, just when we need it the most.
This blog WAS going to be about Russ coming home from the Chic / Earth Wind & Fire tour, but then we went to see Green Day.
When I saw Matt and Christine a couple of weeks ago, we had been trying to think of something fun that we could do together. I love hanging out with my young relatives!!! Green Day was mentioned, tickets were bought and we all piled in the car to head to Darien Lake for the show.
The experience was priceless. The collective soul of the crowd was... (I can't think of a word good enough) how about... "POWERFUL." The energy was terrifically high and the musicianship was outstanding. I love how Billie Joe Armstrong said to look for the heroes in times of catastrophe - they can always be found. The mosh pit next to us was happening - even if I did think someone's shoe might hit us in the head a couple of times - lol.
Special thanks to Matt for the idea to go in the first place and for sharing his favorite band with us. Huge thanks to Matt, Christine and Russ for the journey! THAT was a really good time. Thanks for sharing it with me. xoxo
Of course he won't remember... but he'll always have the pictures.
WHO TAKES A BABY TO SEE A NILE RODGERS & CHIC AND EARTH WIND & FIRE CONCERT!!!??? - TWICE!!!???
A mommy who knows that his daddy is up there on stage playing keys.
"I play keys too Mommy!"
I was fully prepared to abandon the idea and go back home at any moment if he seemed overwhelmed. He didn't. He had his noise blocking headset. He was fed and changed and content. He slept on the way, was interested in the activity around him at the venues and was happy to see his dad backstage. I had braced myself for judgmental looks from people who couldn't possibly have guessed what we were both doing there. There weren't any. A lot of people smiled and said hello to him. One post from after the show summed it up nicely: "This kid has about a thousand Uncles and Aunts."
Meet and Greet, Keybank Center
I know that's right! #WeAreFamily
MSG
with Ray Chew and Vivian Scott Chew
with Joey and Val
with Donald and Sandra
with Nile Rodgers
A million thanks to all our dear friends and family! It was so great to see everyone in NYC and Buffalo who came to the show! I just adore all of you - truly. LOVE to all the people and musicians who make this life journey so warm and wonderful! Prayers for everyone's continued good health and well-being... Love is in the house.
xoxo
I've been so busy with baby and family lately. I felt a strong desire to get back to some music and singing (and not just baby songs - which I sing ALL THE TIME). I found a necklace pendant made from a "reclaimed singing bowl" and thought it would be the perfect thing to help me focus on singing and hold that intention close to my heart. I bought it and started wearing it, thinking of music every time I put it on.
I soon received calls from four different music associates that I haven't spoken to in a while! #Cool!
Then the song "Unwritten" popped into my head and wouldn't leave. It reminded me of an anonymous quote I read recently:
"On your last day on earth,
the person you became will meet the person you could have become."
- Anonymous
I started thinking of how tragic it would be if the songs that could have been - never were. So on a long drive this week, I wrote a new song. I didn't want it to go unwritten.
Whew! Sorry for the delay in catching up... I finally unpacked my suitcases from the last month, paid my bills, ate a home cooked meal (thanks Russ), and took a nap! :)
Singing background vocals behind Lady Gaga at The Grammys for the David Bowie tribute was so amazing. I wondered what experience could ever come close to that level of awesome. Then came another opportunity to sing behind her at The Oscars...
Outside the Dolby Theater
It was announced that Vice President Joe Biden would introduce Lady Gaga's performance of "Til It Happens to You" (nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song). The song was featured in the documentary "The Hunting Ground," a film about sexual assault on college campuses. Her performance proved to be a very powerful and moving statement about standing up against sexual assault.
I am still at a loss for words about how incredible it was for me to be a part of that performance. In case you missed it...
(And now here I sit staring at the blog page, the same way I did when I first posted from the airport... I don't know what to say next. It seems entirely inappropriate to post happy pictures and tell about the amazing experience of being backstage at the Oscars... Isn't it something how this performance and the story it tells, makes the experience of singing live on The Oscars seem utterly insignificant?)
The fact is - it is beyond what words can describe to be a part of something so much bigger than yourself. "Amazing" and "incredible" hardly capture the sense of fulfillment and purpose that comes from working collectively toward understanding and love. To be able to do that - in front of an audience of millions - is extraordinarily precious.
I'm so grateful to have had some outstanding and remarkable moments in my professional musical life, with audiences large and small alike. I began this journey in a reggae group called "Positive Force." That is precisely what this Oscars performance felt like, a positive force. Something truly magical happens when we stand together with our brothers and sisters in unity for positive change. What is REALLY amazing is the power we have when we unite.
Endless thanks to Lady Gaga and to all those creative souls who unite us through music and art. It was such an honor to be a part of that night's family of musicians...
BGVs, Musicians, and Conductor/Orchestrator
BGVs
BGVs
With Instrument Techs Mark and Raegan
As the big lights dim and I return to the quiet of my own thoughts, I'm reminded of the incredible power that can ignite when human spirits join together. We can do amazing things in the world, and connecting with one other soul can be just as meaningful as connecting with many. We often forget our own strength.
Words can scarcely express what an honor it is to be singing on stage for The Grammys, behind Nile Rodgers and Lady Gaga, for the David Bowie tribute, with a group of incredibly talented people.
I am absolutely filled with gratitude, appreciation and love for all the amazing people I've worked with over the years. I am truly Blessed to have found the very special musicians, singers and bands that have become family to me. It's been a most extraordinary journey.
Each of us has been touched by the spirit of music and its profound inspiration. When I sit and think of all those artists who have led our hearts and lives with their creativity, I am blown away. The world has lost many beautiful souls, many whom we have known personally.
Tonight, we'll remember David Bowie - and all those who have inspired us artistically.
Thank you. Thank you for all you have given us. You live on in our hearts.
During the "in memoriam" segment of tonight's show, our social media sites will post an a cappella portion of our song "Everywhere." It's our own personal tribute to those who have meant so much.
With all due respect and appreciation for times of reflection, relaxation and introspective examination, last week was all about getting back to work.
There were workouts, video production, travel, song writing, studio recording, a very interesting photo shoot with a dragonfly, strategic marketing development sessions, contract execution, more travel, vocal practice, song learning, and a gig. It was a pretty full week.
My view in the studio...
With Russ and Joey
With Russ and Robbie
Yes. I can get hair done, have a production meeting, and color at the same time... LOL
With Vincent and Russell at NYGMS
L to R: Harvey, Bobby, Me, Jim, Doug, Bill, Chandlar, Paul
I feel good about everything happening, and there's a lot happening!
This week, as I plow through the ever-mounting pile of tasks, I'll keep a steady pace and remember to enjoy the process as I go. I know that if I keep balanced and make sure there's room for laughs and quiet thought (or pictures of dragonflies), I'll get an amazing number of things done AND feel rested and strong as well. :)
Here's wishing us all a successfully balanced back to work/school week!
