“One thing life has taught me: if you are interested, you never have to look for new interests. They come to you. When you are genuinely interested in one thing, it will always lead to something else.”
-Eleanor Roosevelt

Conversations at the beginning of the week to enhance my website have unleashed some new ideas about how I can move myself further along on my musical journey.

I have a webmaster who also happens to be a life coach.. Specially trained in calling people out on their “stuff”  I didn’t feel I needed him to use THOSE skills on me. I just wanted him to complete some work done on my site, but I was challenged on what I doing creatively to make the most of all the new things people are able to do with modern bells and whistles.  That’s just the way the man’s wired, I believe.

The answer to his query is..  to put it simply:  Not much.
I was invited to explore other weblogs created by people just like me– who are trying to make their dreams come true.  I could see that I’ve been left behind in some respects, with no one to blame but myself.  There are no YouTube performances on my site, very few pictures, and no music projects for me to promote.
This is not the journey I envisioned.
So, I’m making some moves.. Taking some actions that will better position me among the rest of the singers who drive their own websites on the internet.

As my webmaster and I prepare to launch my new and improved “singer’s life” blog, I’ve started connecting with people who can help me produce a CD.  For years, I’ve wanted to put out a disc of jazz lullabies… songs that babies and their parents would love.

There’s more.  I have heard that I have songs on youtube and there were times I knew a performance was being recorded. I will effort to find them.  If they look/sound fine, I’m posting them!

Further, I am getting rid of that years old photo of me on my homepage.

Know any top-notch photographers?  Got any songs you’d like to hear on my CD project?

Talk to me, because I sure am sure willing to listen and act.

"Truly to sing, that is a different breath."
-Rainer Maria Rilke

My spirit was lifted last night.  And boy, was some goodness and light in order! After a long day at work screening news videos and copy that revealed way too much about the ugly sides of human nature, I was in desperate need of something completely different.

I didn’t have to travel far to experience some sweet relief.   I just had to drive about three miles from the office to Saint Ambrose Episcopal Church in Raleigh.  The church’s Jazz Mass Quintet was hosting its annual Evening of Jazz Celebration.

I was one of the featured performers, but I didn’t have to do anything right away.  When I walked in, the band leader told me they wanted to put me in the second set.  I told him that was not a problem at all.   I have participated in the Christmas program before at Saint Ambrose, so I knew what to expect:  Gifted musicians rocking the house, in the house of the Lord.  The quintet is modern, bold, and jazzy, yet it remains a music ministry.

The waiting gave me a chance to catch my breath.  I was able to sit down, relax, and just allow the sounds of holiday jazz to wash over me.  I was especially touched by the lead singer and sax player Bobby Moody when he sang a song called "My Gift to You."

The message of the song is essentially that love–one’s heart and soul– should be the gift we give at Christmas time for those who are dear to us.  Bobby sang it with such a clear and pure voice.  He made those listening really feel the words and emotions behind the song.  I will be adding that bad boy to my song list this weekend, for sure!

Among the other songs presented to the standing room only audience:  Santa Baby, Drummer Boy, My Favorite Things, Let it Be, and Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

I sang "I’ve Got My love to Keep Me Warm" and "The Christmas Song".

The musicians were flawless and the sound engineer was a master. They reminded me of the huge difference between singing with musicians and my custom of being a slave to musical backing tracks. The difference is night and day, and so I appreciate every opportunity to sing with a live band.

In a word,  the Evening of Jazz was great!

If I don’t get to sing another Holiday song this season, then I won’t be upset. No, I will be just fine.

My body and spirit are refreshed after a musical service that  took me away from the worries of the world to a place of sheer bliss.