The Oscars - continued from "Airport Preview"

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.

click here for NBC's article, "Joe Biden to Introduce Lady Gaga..."

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.

Namaste,

T

#BackToWork

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!

"Namaste" - said the dragonfly...

Namaste,
T

"Namaste" - said the chick singer...

#OFFICIALMUSICVIDEO - Only Way Home

IT'S HERE! IT'S HERE!!!

Thank you first to God for making all things possible...

I am absolutely filled with gratitude and love for everyone whose support and encouragement made this song, this video, and this album possible; and to all of you who click, like, tweet, post, share and leave heartwarming comments. Your kindness and love make my heart sing! My deepest thanks to all of you. It is a most amazing Blessing to be able to do what I love - and feel so good about being an artist. Here's wishing all the positive energy you give out comes back to you tenfold and that all you do, in pursuit of your heart's dream, be touched with the magic, power and strength of love...
Namaste!
T

Official Music Video: Only Way Home

"Only Way Home"

On my own in New York City

Missing home for far too long

It ain't how I thought it would be

Still I keep on pressin' on

Longing for the days gone by

Times I lay down and I cry

Thinking back on how it used to be

But I ain't gettin' nowhere

Wishin' for what's not there

Now I think I finally see

**Chorus**

Keep on taking on a new day

Don't look back upon the old way

That old place is lost

It's gone, gone, gone

Next phase, bring it on, ya got me

Steep pace, only way that I see

Boldly forward is the way back home

It's the only way to get back home

Back home, back home

It's the only way to get back home

Back home, back home

It's the only way to get back home

Everybody's got a story

But everybody's all the same

Gotta get to where we're going

But don't nobody know the way

Home is where you just can be

Friends are true and you are free

Overflowing with a sense of peace

But we ain't gettin' nowhere

Actin' like we don't care

When home is where we wanna be

**Chorus**

Somewhere along the way I swear I lost my mind

Panic-stricken in my haste I tried and tried to find

(Only empty places, unfamiliar faces)

Can't catch my breath, look right to left

(Runnin', runnin', searchin', searchin', searchin', runnin')

'Til I'm frozen still in time

Home is where you just can be

Friends are true and you are free

Overflowing with a sense of peace

But we ain't gettin' nowhere

Actin' like we don't care

When home is where we wanna be

**Chorus**

From: Nothing To Prove... Something To Say
Written by: Tanya Diona (BMI) and Russell Graham (ASCAP) / Produced by Russell Graham and Tanya Diona for Red Queen Productions / Lead and background vocals: Tanya Diona / All instruments and programming: Russell Graham / Recorded by: Russell Graham at Red Queen Studios, NY and Audio Magic, Buffalo, NY / Mixed by: Russell Graham at Red Queen Studios, NY / Mastered by: Gary Tole for Chelsea Sound Labs

Special thanks:
To Russ: My best friend, love and partner in everything - we did it! :) To Vincent Buccitelli, Meg, Qina and the New York Global Marketing Solutions team: for your continual encouragement to make things better and then even better, and for your swift and reliable ability to get it done! To Jim Bush: for your keen eye, photographic talents and warm spirit. To Chris Tringali and Leon Studio One: for always doing such a great job (and landing me so many hair compliments) - you're the best. To my most amazing band of musicians, vocalists and dancers whose talents make the live shows positively magical... Kenny Hawkins, Big Mike Porter, Richii Valentino, Russell Graham, Joey Diggs, Sharon Banks, Shelly Hirsch, Jenna Beth Stockman, Meghan Hinton - love you all! To Joey Diggs (Unka Doey): for your incredible talent, tireless dedication, awesome humor and true friendship. To Robbie Konikoff: for your constant encouragement and kindness. To all my family and extended family of most incredible supporters: you truly do make my heart sing and inspire me to reach higher heights! My most sincere thanks to you all...

Love, T

Unchartered Territory

At the beginning of the week I saw a few online posts like this...

"If you want something you never had, 

you have to do something you've never done."

- The Mind Unleashed (Facebook)

"An open mind allows you to explore and create and grow.  

Remember that progress would be impossible 

if we always did things the way we always have."

- Dr Wayne W. Dyer

So I started trying to think of things that I've never done, and then do them.  

I found a new gym and signed up for a trial membership.  I quickly decided to join and took a Zumba class (never did THAT before).  The gym membership included a complimentary physical assessment with a personal trainer.  I liked the session so much that I signed up for twelve weeks of personal training sessions (never did THAT before either).  The fitness routine with the trainer included many new exercises, some on machines that were new to me and which I was excited to learn about.  After realizing that Russ could be added to the same membership, I brought him to join too, and we both took a cycle class (spinning class) together.  THAT was new for both of us and was NO JOKE!  WHEW!!!  That was a serious workout.

Thursday and Friday included meetings in the city and in a spirit of adventure I went to two new restaurants that I had never been to before.

Waterfall art inside Rosa Mexicano restaurant - NYC

On Broadway

So, by week's end there were a number of new things I had done.  I soon realized that they had all cost money and wondered if I should do something new that didn't cost anything.  What about volunteering somewhere?

I Yelped "volunteer opportunities" but nothing came up in my area.  What did come up required advanced training and an application that would take time to process.  As "coincidence" would have it, my gig on Saturday was a fundraising event for an organization that is dedicated to developing and promoting volunteerism.  It was one of the same organizations that came up on the search!  The idea was reinforced, and I knew I was on the right track.  Although several meetings that I attended this week involved volunteering my time and efforts for various causes, I wanted to find something NEW, and to do something I have never done before.

At the gig with Joe (bandleader/guitar) and John (bass)

At the gig with Dean (drums)

Sunday brought with it just the opportunity I was searching for and I seized the moment.  After church service, I approached the gentleman who had made announcements, and introduced myself.  I knew that they had been looking for volunteers for various tasks in the past, and asked him what types of things I could help out with within the parameters of my usual "last minute" type of schedule.  He was very nice and welcoming and offered several suggestions of things I could help with - even though I am only a visiting guest to that congregation.  He insisted that Russ and I join the gathering downstairs for brunch and fellowship.  There we were met with friendly faces, hot food and a lovely sense of community.  There was a table near the door with signup sheets for various volunteer activities.  I smiled and stopped to sign up for a few before I joined Russ, who was conversing with a couple of people.  It just so happened that they were talking about the concept of "ask and ye shall receive" as I approached.  I smiled again at the recollection of just how true that had been for me all week.

Just as soon as I had looked for something new to do, I had found it.  Just as I (literally) had searched on Yelp for volunteer opportunities, circumstance had placed me directly at an event held by an organization at the top of the search list!  Just as I set out to find a more immediate opportunity to volunteer, I found several.

Today, as I sit here writing this, it occurs to me that there are many other new things that we can do that cost nothing.  We can forgive someone.  We can love greater.  We can care more.  We can shift something inside of ourselves to a new level.  We can strive to understand someone better.  We can let go of some anger or resentment we've been holding on to.  We can smile at a stranger.  We can go the extra mile on almost anything we do.  We can surprise a loved one with something unexpected.  There's always something new to learn.  All of these things would fall under the category of something "new."  They can cost nothing, require little time and can have great significance!

Russ surprised me with this bouquet :)

This week, I'll keep my eyes open for anything new.  I'll seize moments and take new steps forward.

Namaste!

T

Hot Flashes... Can You Blame the Dog?

Yes.  Here's how...

Bentley

Step 1: Leave a roll of packing tape on the floor, well within reach of your dog who sometimes has separation anxiety.
Step 2: Go to church.
Step 3: Come home to find that dog has eaten much of the roll of tape.
Step 4: Travel by car for eight hours with said dog in the back seat.
Step 5: When dog throws up in back seat, stop at an exit ramp to let him out and clean up the car.
Step 6: Arrive at destination several hours later to discover that you've been bitten up by mosquitos while walking around on a strange exit ramp with dog. Apply Hydrocortisone cream and deal with it.
Step 7: When symptoms don't go away four days later, go to a clinic where you discover that you do not have mosquito bites, but poison ivy (from the dog tramping through it on that exit ramp and transferring it to you).
Step 8: Go to the pharmacy and fill the prescription they gave you for Prednisone.
Step 9: Accept the fact that a potential side effect of the steroid medication is hot flashes.

Did this actually happen?  Yes, except I didn't want to start the oral medication until I arrived back home from the gig in West Virginia, where the clinic diagnosed me.  So, I have the hot flashes to look forward to this week.  :)

The week prior had been a long one - with rehearsals, meetings and a flat tire incident that had me wandering through Jersey looking for a gas station with a working air pump.  Then there was VERY EARLY morning travel and a serious lack of sleep.  By the time I arrived at the airport, got on and off two planes, ran (about five miles) from one end of the airport to the other to make the connecting flight, and rode two hours in the van to the hotel (where the room wasn't ready yet, so we went to eat lunch before finally checking in), the last thing I wanted to deal with was bright red itchy spots on my arms when I took off my sweatshirt to take a much needed nap.

Classic band shot - en route to hotel

As I looked down at my arms and said, "This doesn't look right," I could hear the voice of my friend Paul Anthony echoing (from his TV episode of "Unsung") in my head.  He said, "You MUST be proactive.  You don't wait."  I considered waiting until Monday when I would be back in NY and could see my own doctor.  "You MUST be proactive.  You don't wait."  OK FINE!  I looked up health care facilities and spoke to a lovely hospital nurse who guided me to a clinic that was less than a mile from the hotel, and walked there.  Poison ivy.  I'm glad I listened.  Thanks Paul Anthony.

I laughed out loud at the pharmacy counter wondering if life could get more ridiculous.  I should've known not to ask that question.  As soon as I did, the pharmacist told me my prescription coverage had expired.  I laughed harder, waited while they looked up my coverage another way, and eventually bought the medicine.  I walked back through the rain to the hotel, applied the topical cream they gave me, wondered if makeup would conceal the red marks on my arms, thanked God that I'd thrown a long-sleeved dress in my suitcase as an option for the gig, and tried not to scratch.

The gig was great and the band was awesome!  I was one of five singers on the bandstand and they are all amazing performers!  I wore my long-sleeved dress and put a little makeup on my splotchy arms.

with the super-talented singers:  Brian, Chevonne, John and Charles

I recalled the chain of events and realized the humor in the fact that because Bentley had eaten a roll of packing tape, I had poison ivy and was facing hot flashes.  When I rewind the tape of my memory further though, I remember that I was the one who had left that roll of tape on the floor.  There was that brief moment when I saw it there and thought of picking it up, but I had been in a rush to get out the door and left it there instead.  If I had made a different choice in THAT moment, poison ivy may never have entered my life.

It looked like Heaven outside my airplane window on the way home

On the way home, when people asked how I was doing with regard to the poison ivy, I responded that it was a real exercise in mental discipline not to scratch like crazy.  (It really is too!)  It reminds me of the "blame game."  Oftentimes it's easy to place blame.  We do it all the time.  Sometimes it's hilarious!  Sometimes it's not.  While it might be funny to blame hot flashes on the dog, sometimes it's a real "exercise in mental discipline" to take responsibility for our own actions, consequences, happiness or unhappiness.

I'll remember that this week.  I may play the blame game from time to time (we're all human) and sometimes it's all just too funny, but I'll take responsibility for my own happiness and create my own destiny accordingly.

Today's calendar page from Louise Hay

Let's make it a GREAT week!

Namaste
T