"Physical Perfection"

Just now, as I got out the computer to write this blog (which was going to be about my “vacation”) I picked up the book sitting here on the table as the machine was booting up.

The book is called “Everybody’s Life Preserver” and this copy is about one hundred and forty years old.  I bought it at a farmer’s flea market and auction we attended a few weeks ago.  I don’t know… it looked interesting and it was clearly old.  I opened and read a few sections and wanted to read more.  So, although the guy wanted twenty bucks for it (which really seemed like a lot compared to most other things at this flea market) I gave him the money and brought it home.

The first paragraph on the page I opened up to just now said this:

“We may say, with great truth, that the material glory, permanence, and power of any community consists in the physical vigor of the individual men and women who compose it; for physical perfection gives mental energy and mental health.”

I was inspired.  I thought of those Olympic swimmers we were watching last night.  (While watching, my sister, who currently has three jobs, turned to me and said that watching those tremendous athletes made her feel like the laziest person in the world.  “Me too,” was my response.)  I’ve been trying to eat healthy and get in better shape, but something always seems to prevent me from eating and exercising the way I should.

I ran into the kitchen, where Mom was, and read her this paragraph aloud after proclaiming, “Listen!  Listen!  This is why we have to get up and exercise tomorrow!”

As she slowly turned from the sink, our eyes met and she never had a chance to speak.  The laughter was instantaneous for both of us…  I had forgotten that she was making s'mores…

:) :) :)

Cheers!  Hope you all are enjoying your summer!

xoxo

A Few of My Favorite Things...

Ahhh… home.  Family reunion time… summer heat… barbeque and homemade sausage… good friends… water balloon launches… laughter… children playing… smiling faces… salad fresh from the garden… (I could go on for a good long while here).

Anyway, I had an absolutely FANTASTIC time at our lovely event this weekend at The Book Nook!  There was something so perfectly right about singing “Only Way Home” here at home – like comfort food.  Like a bowl of hot chili on a cold fall night – or a cool glass of lemonade on a hot day – or that blast of cool air that hits you when you open the fridge to get it (I’m going on again).  It was just great.  Family was there, neighbors, good people, and new friends.  It was a beautiful day with wonderful folks and a benefit for a great cause.

Richard Donovan, Andreanna Dolce, Mark Balzer, Mary Beth Dolce, A.J. Dolce, Frank Zaccari, Tanya Diona, Russell Graham

 Want to know my favorite part?

How could there possibly be a favorite moment in a sea of precious moments?  There were really a few “stand out” moments for me.  One was when my little, nine year old cousin was amazed that my youngest sister was younger than me!  She thought for sure that I must be the youngest one – a statement for which I proclaimed her to be “my favorite kid” - but there were a couple of others that were tops too.

One was when a very nice lady was telling me about how she loved the song “Spend My Life” and that she planned on playing it for her special guy and how it could be “their song.”  LOVED THAT! (You all know who you are) xoxo!

But how about when during the song “Only Way Home” a gentleman smiled and made a phone call, talked hurriedly then held the phone up for the other on the line to hear…  He told me afterwards that the song spoke to him, mainly because it was exactly suited for a friend of his, who had recently returned home.  He bought a copy for her and I signed it with a quote from the song… “Boldly forward is the way back home.” 

Click here to play "Only Way Home"

There is something simply amazing that happens when a song does its job.  When people hear it and relate, when the pieces all come together and clarity shines down.  This is what a song is supposed to do.  This is why we write and record.  This is why we sing and perform – to touch people.  I am reminded of the reason for EVERYTHING.

Music has (obviously) had a profound and deeply moving effect on my life.  For me, those feelings are all too familiar - when the music we hear inspires us, makes us cry, gets us in touch with our own feelings, helps us understand others, provides an emotional release, or just inspires great fun and laughter, or love.  It’s just perfect when these things happen.  It’s even more perfect when you can see those things in action - when you can actually see a song come to life in the hearts of others.

Thank you to all who came and supported the event.  Thanks for all who listen and allow the music to somehow move you.  It’s my favorite thing in the world…

God Bless,

T

Click here for event announcement in The Dunkirk Observer

 Click here for recap of event in The Dunkirk Observer

Life Is Short...

Ninety-one years go by so fast…  Today, we celebrate the life of Grandma Bertha.  

Danielle, Grandma Bertha, Russell

In loving memory... we'll carry you with us everywhere.

Click here to play "Everywhere"

EVERYWHERE

In my solitude 

I sometimes think of you 

Where I am lost, you’d know what to do 

When I can’t break free 

Gripped by uncertainty 

I go searching for some truth to comfort me 

Deep in the night 

When the answers come 

I can smile 

Feel the warmth of love rush through my soul 

And I know, I know 

**Chorus** 

I know that you’re here 

I feel you in the air 

You’re everywhere 

And when I close my eyes 

I can see so clear 

That you are always here 

You’re everywhere with me 

I’m filled with gratitude 

Though you never truly knew 

All you have done for me 

Now I thank you 

You have blessed me 

Incredibly 

Because of you, faith guides my destiny 

I pray that you never doubt 

What your life was all about 

You touched us so 

And I know 

I know 

**Chorus** 

You stand with your wings 

And all of these earthly things 

Slip away, into the deep (Off to sleep) 

The true you stays the same 

You remain 

**Chorus** 

With me 

I know 

You are here 

In the air 

Everywhere 

I close 

My eyes 

See so clear 

Always here 

Everywhere

from Nothing To Prove​.​.​. Something To Say, released 04 July 2010
Written by: Tanya Diona (BMI), Lawrence J. Diggs (ASCAP), and Russell Graham (ASCAP)

Russell, Grandma Bertha

Coming Out of the Blender...

Hi Everybody!  It’s so good to be back!  Whew – what a whirlwind I have been in…

Let’s see… we moved to L.A. with our two dogs, I became a vocal arranger for the number one show in America, worked as a vocal producer for the record company (one of the biggies) affiliated with the show, we lost both of our cars (one to a freak accident while it was parked overnight, one to a costly repair job that just wasn’t worth it), packed up our entire apartment in a day, said goodbye to all of the most wonderful people that we’ve worked and lived side by side with over the last four months who have become our family, shipped a pick-up truck full of boxes through FedEx, installed a trailer hitch on my new car and rented a trailer, hauled our butts back across the country in five days after twice having to stop for antibiotics because we both got sick, arrived back in New York in time for Russell’s rehearsal for the Apollo Theater’s Spring Benefit Gala, unpacked and returned the trailer, and went to the vet for the dog’s heartworm medication.

On the way to L.A.

Sadie and Bentley outside our apartment door in L.A.

Me and Russ at the studio

With Ray Chew of "Ray Chew Live"

With Napoleon and Tabitha of "Nappytabs"

With some of our favorite studio guys... Pete, Jose and Phil

Bye to our lovely little courtyard... and little doggie friends...

"Bye for now" to our GREAT neighbors... Robert and Dan

Sadie and Bentley trying to drive us home

Can I take a nap now?

:)

It was a strange sensation coming home.  After being gone so long, and working so hard in what felt like another life, home felt almost like a stranger.  I just stood and looked around the house, taking it all in for a few minutes thinking, “I remember this place.”  Maybe it’s time to move from here – our other place near Buffalo feels so much more like home for me.  Well, that’s another story.

Thank you for understanding my absence for a little while.  This sure is a crazy life.  There are times when I wish for a steady, predictable, safe and comfortable lifestyle where I can just rock on the front porch, drink lemonade and read a book.  Maybe I could go to the farm stand and buy some corn to cook up for dinner… Maybe I’ll hitch up the trailer and take that old snowblower in to Monte’s Small Engine Repair to get it all tuned up and purring like a kitten. 

In short, I can hardly wait to get “home” home again.  I’m watching “American Pickers” on the History Channel and dreaming of the “sometime soon” when I can get back to my Western New York, small town roots.

At "Panama Rocks" last year

Xoxo

Much Love,

T

I'm Here! I'm Here!

Hi All!

Just wanted to let you all know that I am thinking of you.  I have become very busy working - which is a GREAT thing!!!  But I am plagued with guilt for having no blog last week.  Russell and I are in our element when we are working ourselves like mad though, and so here we are.

We are both very proud to be a part of Season 11 of "American Idol!"

I will try to make sure - no matter how busy I am - to at least drop you all a line here, to let you know things are good.  :)

Much Love and appreciation,

T

xoxo!

Backtracking to Carnegie

Backtracking to Carnegie…

I realized that I never put up these pics…

In February, Russell and I were fortunate enough to be a part of the band for Ray Chew’s “A Tribute to the Music of Motown” show at Carnegie Hall in New York.

Here are some pictures from the show – and rehearsal.  It was an absolute honor to be there and to sing background vocals for such incredible performers. 

Tanya and Ray Chew outside Carnegie Hall

Ray Chew, Tanya, Russell after the show

Russell, Alyson Williams, Tanya

Tanya, BeBe Winans

Stefano and Tanya at rehearsal

Eric Roberson, Tanya

Tanya with "Kindred the Family Soul"

Paul Shaffer, Tanya, Dennis Edwards of the Temptations

Tanya, Martha Reeves

Other performers included Dionne Warwick, Boyz II Men, Melba Moore, Ryan Shaw, and Kelli Sae.

Xoxo!

Today's Miracle...

“Today’s Miracle is tomorrow’s standard.”

Russ heard this from somebody this week and it seems to be true.

Did you ever work so hard at some seemingly impossible task that the end result seemed like a miracle?  Did anyone notice?  Then did they come to expect that kind of performance from you all the time?  Did you expect more of yourself?

Clearly, Russ can lift boulders...

I remember working very hard on songs that I can perform easily now.  I remember feeling Blessed that I had people around me who pushed me to strive for more. 

It’s not just in musical performance.  It applies in any kind of work performance.  What about if you make an absolutely delicious batch of cookies?  Don’t people know you can do it then – and expect that level of deliciousness the next time?  (I know we all anxiously await my mom’s batch of chocolate-mint brownies at Christmastime.)

Chocolate-mint brownies?  (Hint, hint)  Do we really have to wait for Christmas?

Anyway, the point is… well you get the point…

Note to Self: 

Set your standard for yourself high.  Once you get there – set it higher.  Keep going.  You know you can do it – and so does everyone else.