Happiness Is...

Not a warm gun! Happiness, at least for an artist anyway,  is being able to pursue your passion and live your dream life. It's not always easy. In fact, the journey can be downright frustrating at times. You can't help but want to give up, esp. when you are faced with obstacles. But obstacles are an opportunity to learn and hopefully to grow. I remind myself of that often! 


Creative artist or not, everyone wants to be happy. But happiness is not a permanent state of being. However, as human beings, we all strive to be happy. Being depressed, sad or blue is a NO-NO. We are bombarded with ads for antidepressants. As soon as you feel down,  pharmaceutical drugs companies and society are shoving happy pills down your throat because they want you to believe that you can purchase happiness in a pill form and live happily ever after! Ha ha. Not the truth at all.


So rather than striving to be happy all the time. Strive for happy moments.  Put a smile on your face and enjoy!

Winds of Change

Lately, we have been experiencing some serious storms in the area. Rain, thunder and lightning galore. It's part of the summer season on the East Coast. It can be pretty scary sometimes to watch and hear the intensity of nature's wrath.  The change in the weather,  also reminds us that life itself can be scary whenever we are faced with turbulence.   Whether it be a change in jobs, finances, health or relationships, you can't avoid change!  It's inevitable.  The problem is that we often fight change because we are creatures of habit.  Even when things or relationships stop working for us, we often stay in the situation because we are afraid of dealing with new situations, new people, strange environments, etc.  It's natural to resist change, especially if the change brings on pain and suffering.  However, we also have to learn to "ride the winds of change." It's a  challenge. But if we don't challenge ourselves, we don't change! That's not a good thing. So here's to bringing it on and hopefully changing for the better! xoxo 

Rainbows and More

Weather-wise it's definitely been a challenging season in the New York area these last few weeks.  It's been raining, and storming more than it should.  Occasionally, the sun will make its appearance but doesn't seem to want to stay out too long. That's definitely a bummer.  On the bright side, we have had the special treat of seeing several incredible rainbows in the sky.  One on June 3rd and one on June 7th.  Both have been double ones!  Like many others, I feel like a kid when I see the rainbows. It's just such a beautiful sight. It's also a wonderful reminder that despite the storms in our own lives, despite the challenges we face,  "Somewhere over the Rainbow," is hope of something better!  We have to keep hopeful so that we can move forward in our lives, knowing that "the dreams that you dare to dream, really do come true. " 


Here's to rainbows and dreams...if you believe...it can be.

It's Not Your Mother's Genes

On Friday,  May 25, I will be performing at Gizzi's in the Village in NYC again. I'm looking forward to being there again and to being part of a great lineup. 


It's always good to expand your network and surround yourself with like-minded people.  Creative souls are definitely a unique group. We think a little bit differently than the average individual. We act (and react) a little differently than the average joe.  If you know a creative soul, than you know exactly what I mean! lol. 


Nonetheless, I wouldn't have it any other way. I feel very blessed to have that creative gene and hope that it continues to help me deliver songs, lyrics, and music to the universe... 


Blessings to you 2!

www.Legendsradio.net

Check out Evan Ginzburg's great show,www.legendsradio.net. He has a variety of awesome interviews with a variety of different talent on Legends Radio. Of course, listen to the entire show, but if you would like to listen to my interview, go to "download free episodes" on right side, then click on 5/02 date, and below Wayne Brady's pix, click on the audio mp3 bar and fast forward to 1:43:43, on the marker. 

My Interview with Cognac

While at Gizzi's Cafe last week, I was interviewed by Cognac Wellerlane about my music. Here's the YouTube link and you can find me at marker 6:53. Enjoy!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=saKLMl38UFs&list=UU_SY67ofyggbyDC7-8z8h2Q&index=2&feature=plcp



Here's to keeping the faith. No matter what your age, you should follow your passion and believe in yourself. 


: )

Happy Place

I really enjoyed my interview last night with Evan on www.legendsradio.net. If you missed it, the show will be up in a few days on the website.  Evan asked me a question about writing songs and how Norah Jones' new lp is based on a breakup with a guy. He asked if it easier for me to write when I'm in "pain." I replied that writing is easier when I am down and depressed. For me, songwriting/composing  when I'm d&d, is absolutely therapeutic. Inside of paying a therapist to work out my difficult emotions, I turn to my pen and paper and write it out. 


Of course, the challenge lies in writing from a "happy place." Writing songs when you're on the opposite of the emotional spectrum isn't easy but necessary because you don't want to just write solely sappy songs! So I force myself to write when I'm feeling good too. 


Wishing you all a happy day!

NYC

Got to play at Gizzi's Cafe last Friday night. So much fun! It was so energizing to be surrounded by all these creative types; artists, singers, film producers, actors, etc. As in most businesses, networking is key. And the music business, besides being a creative outlet, is also a real business and you have to treat it as such. 

Following Gizzi's performance, I was interviewed by the very unique Cognac Wellerlane (check her out on YoutTube) and tonight, will be interviewed by Evan Ginzburg's Legendsradio.net.. If you listen in tonight around 9 pm, you'll hear the interview live, otherwise please go to it another day and check out the archives for the May 2, 2012 show. 

You can listen in at: http://www.legendsradio.net

Last week,  I had the pleasure of being interviewed by music lover Paul Wein for his wrestling show "Fever Keeps It Real" that occasionally interviews original music artists on his web-based radio show. 

Here is the website link for that episode (listen in at the 46 minute mark and 74 minute mark for my happy and stern-like interview)

www.blogtalkradio.com/feverkeepsitreal/2012/04/19/this-week-in-professional-wrestling

Looking forward to continued positive publicity and hopefully, sharing my thoughts, and my music with others around the world. 


Thank you to the universe for opening new doors! Thank YOU for listening.

Wow!

At the end of March, there was a huge MegaMillions lottery that was beyond belief. $656 millions dollars was distributed to some very lucky winners. But money doesn't bring happiness or peace of mind! After all, you could have all the money in the world, but, at the end of the day, still feel empty, lonely and depressed. So what is the point of having a fat wallet if you have a sad heart? Leading a satisfying life isn't about money. Leading a good life is about finding out what brings you the most joy and tapping into that. Hopefully, by creating a joyful life, you help others around you feel inspired and happy. What a great gift!

Love Playing in NYC!

I'm so excited to be playing at Gizzi's Cafe in the city next week. It's in the West Village for a film promotion party called "The Nowhere Room." I'm thrilled to have been invited to do this. Any opportunity to play my originals in a new venue is truly a blessing! Lately, I'm been fortunate to be able to connect with new people that are opening new doors to press and publicity and playing in different places. As a working musician, every little bit helps and support is key to taking it to the next level.

Wishing you much happiness!

Florida

Just got back from a short Florida trip. R&R were in order. Relaxed and soaked up the sun in beautiful Anna Maria Island. Didn't get to the resort until late at night so it was such a surprise upon awakening, to see that the unit in the resort was a corner unit that overlooked the beach at all angles. Every morning, the bedroom was drenched with glorious sunshine! it was such a great treat to wake up, sit in the balcony chair and see the ocean right there! Such amazing views, such amazing sunsets. I love the ocean. I love its sounds, its ability to force you to be present to its beauty and power.

Went out to eat a lot and got to listen to live acoustic music in all the restaurants. Live music is king in Florida. But to tell you the truth, by the end of the 5 day trip, I was a little burned out from hearing Margaritaville performed about 15 times. Let's shake up that set list a little boys! And I say boys because the number of men acts outnumber the female bands by ten to one. Why is that???

Anyway, it was great to get away. Sometimes you need to just detach and go with the flow...

Don't mind me...musician's mind

I'm really glad that God blessed me with a musician's mind but truth be told that it's not always a pretty picture in here. I really don't mind but sometimes my mind can be just like a land mine, so to speak. I can attest that being and thinking like a musician can sometimes be challenging. Not only to myself but to others as well, who cannot always comprehend what is going on in this little mind of mine. But as with all musicians, this creative and quirky side is sometimes too sensitive for its own good. I can also be set off rather easily. I can cry at a dime. I can cry about nothing at all. I can over analyze, over sympathize, and over qualify and drive myself over the edge... lol. well, I really don't mind it at all because if it weren't for this musician's mind, than my music and songs would never have been born. Lucky them!