82nd ABN Band + Me

    The General William Lee Celebration was last month, Sunday June 5th in Dunn.

    Everybody involved was so pumped for this celebration. 

   The planning was on point all the way, and from where I stood, everything was just perfectly executed.

   I was so excited to sing with such a gifted group of musicians.   I didn’t let their  talents fool me.  Know this.

   I am fully aware that these men (and women) have a unique skill set that allows them to become ferocious warriors at a moment’s notice. 

    In the weeks leading up to the show, I learned a good deal about the man whose life and contributions we were all honoring: General William C. Lee.

   The General, born in Dunn,  is considered the father of the United States airborne.

 Lee was known for his keen attention to detail.   He helped plan the D-Day drops into Normandy and he trained to jump with his men, but was sent back to the states a few months before the battle due to a heart condition.  He was replaced in command by another General, but his men did not forget him on that historic day.  To honor their “father”, the paratroopers yelled out “Bill Lee” as they made their jump on D-Day.

That loyalty to the General continues today.

Last month’s celebration began with a series of dramatic jumps.

From that point forward, the crowd enjoyed a night of entertainment… from rock, to jazz, to soul, to classical.

There was something for everyone!  Most everyone there had some tie to the military.

I had the honor of singing 4 songs with the 82nd Airborne Band.  I sang:  On A Clear Day, My Funny Valentine, Summertime, and Georgia.

I feel again so honored to have been in the company of these brave young men.  I am old enough to be a mom to most of them.  I often think of them and wonder if they are still at Bragg now or if they’ve been deployed to war zones.  My rehearsals with this band were brief and we got together only twice, but I connected with them. 

 From the heart, I think we owe our troops a huge debt of gratitude for the sacrifices they make.  This is an all-volounteer service and these men and women are stationed around the world defending our country or helping others defend themselves.

They are on the front lines for us, and they need to know we care.  That is perhaps one of the biggest reasons I have jumped on board so strongly for any event/occasion that supports our troops.

It was completely unexpected because I wanted nothing in return for my contribution to the celebration, but Dunn’s Mayor Oscar Harris would present me with a key to city that night.  His wife, Jean is the one who took all these pictures by the way!

The General Lee celebration ended with a big bang.  There was a huge + spectacular fireworks show with patriotic music.  So beautiful.  They just lit up the sky!

Army brat that I am,  I am without question in love with the military.  My love is unconditional, unrelenting and unending.

It was an honor and a privilege to be among the military at Fort Bragg.

Airborne All The Way!!!

“For years, people have written that I stood in the way of this song’s release. That must make for great reading but none of it is true.”– Berry Gordy, Jr.

I am continue the research process–  working on songs to produce for my next music project honoring the military.   So, I read with great interest this week an article in the Wall Street Journal about Berry Gordy Jr. and how he handled a Marvin Gaye music project back in 1970.

Gaye’s monumental hit single “What’s Going On”  and album was released 40 years ago.  It was reissued on Tuesday as a remastered anniversary package.

That song as most of you know expressed Gaye’s deep concern about the Vietnam War and the toll it was taking on American society.

In considering songs for my CD, I have been careful to read the lyrics and to make sure I am setting the right tone and staying as positive as I can.  The last thing I want to do is alienate anyone. I don’t believe a war protest song would be well received.

Berry Gordy did indeed have reservations about some of Marvin Gaye’s lyrics for “What’s Going On,” but he ultimately decided to take the risk and have the single produced and released in January 1971.

While I don’t plan to release any songs with a protest theme, I do want to decide on a set on songs that will make listeners think and appreciate the sacrifices made every sing day by men and women who serve our country.

Mr.Gordy says that he considers “What’s Going On” as one of Motown’s most prestigious singles and albums.  

I’m right there with him on that.

They certainly made Gaye an icon.

If you’re following these posts on my blog, I’d love to have your opinion on what songs you think I should seriously consider releasing on my album.

Onward + Upward!

“Nothing beats failure but a try.”

                –Pauletta Vaughn

 

 

Good news!   I made contact with the man who always has a plan:  John Kane of Kane Realty Corporation.

The conversation was short, sweet, and right to the point:  You’ve got the venues, I’ve got the voice. Let’s make something happen.   We were speaking the same language, and wheels are now in motion to put me in contact with a planner/manager to do a deal.

Folks, I needed this shot of opportunity.  I can’t say enough how much singing lights me up. 

In the meantime, I continue to polish up and smooth out the six songs I want to record.  I’m getting there and I like what I’m hearing so far.  I’m giving thought to asking my singing pal Bill to let me relieve him the next time he performs at Rey’s.  He’ll get to enjoy a much needed break, and I can work on giving my songs that finese it’s going to need.

Oh, and there’s another shot of good news I am happy to blast:  I have been invited by North Carolina’s Music Ambassadors, The Embers to join them again at the Summer Concert Series at North Hills.  Over the moon people, over the moon!!!

Yippie Skippie, that’s right.  One song we’ll do for sure: Baby, You’ve Got What It Takes.  Wayne Free and I are doing it Buble style.  I’m listening and practicing and loving it.  We’ll do a good job with it, I’m certain.

I am not so certain of the song or two that I’m going to sing solo.  The bandmembers had suggested Areatha’s Rock Steady.  I love love love the Queen of Soul.  Last summer I sang Chain of Fools.  Here’s the thing, though:  Areatha hits the high notes.  I just can’t go there naturally,  and feel good about what comes out of my mouth.  I must feel good about it.  I stretched really hard to do Chain of Fools, and I just don’t want to go there, this time. I’d like to be where I am nice and comfy.

I had suggested a litte ditty that is in the beach music genre called “Sweet Charlie Babe” by Jackie Moore.  It is a great song for couples who like to dance the shag.  I didn’t hear back about my suggestion, so I’m thinking the band didn’t much like it.  No worries. We’ll come up with something. 

I’d do some Gladys Knight before Areatha.  She has a range I can get in to.  Not sure if she’s recorded something beach music-y.

Hey, now that I got some peeps following me around with the blog, twitter, and all that.  you can help a sister out.

Any suggestions on some upbeat songs that you’d like to hear me perform with The Embers this summer?

Tell me all about.

This is an adventure!!!

Possible solutions are out there… I see them… but I have taken no action to make things better.

Way to be, right?

In this economy it’s not easy to land a regular spot at any of the local entertainment venues for many of us in the entertainment business.  The problem is, I’ve come to accept this new reality too easily without fight or protest.

That’s wrong.

What about the old saying, where there’s a will, there’s a way?

I believe in that saying, but I’m letting fear, doubt, and disappointment fill up too much of my thinking.  How I’ve allowed those feelings to creep into my passion for singing, I don’t really know.

I know I don’t like it.  I know the only one who can change this situation is me.

To that end, I’ve been thinking.. for weeks now.. about a man I know here in Raleigh.. An uber successful, savvy, forward thinking developer who could hold some answers to my immediate and lingering problem of landing a regular gig.

It is my intention to approach him THIS WEEK and have a conversation about venues in and around Raleigh.

What’s the worst that can happen?  He’ll tell me there is no suitable establishment that can fulfill my request.

What’s the best that can happen?  A hotel, restaurant or bar pops up straight way in his mind that he feels would be absolutely perfect for me.

Here’s to positive thinking and moving closer to the desires of your heart.

Stayed tuned, if you’re following this journey with me.

There will be news before the week ends.

     Dick calls it “product”–work that I can sell or give away to promote this new venture of mine.   Boy, am I ready.

     It didn’t take me long at all to come up with a song list of  great ones.  They are all songs that I have performed in the past that simply delighted me.  I of course wanted a mix of the slow and the upbeat.

     It was the widdling down process that challenged me. 

     I just had to record FEVER, THE NEARNESS OF YOU,  Latifah’s version of CALIFORNIA DREAMING BESAME MUCHO,  AND THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU.

     Those were givens.  For the sixth recording, I’d deided to add SWAY.

     Spending time with these six songs were pure joy.  Almost.  Over time, I just wasn’t feeling SWAY.  It had been one of my fun songs when I was a regular performer at the now defunct Rat Pack Lounge.

     The agreement was, if I didn’t love it, I wasn’t going to record it.  So, bye bye SWAY.

      I needed another upbeat song, and after purusing the list, I set my mind on CHEEK TO CHEEK.

     People, if you haven’t heard Eve Cassidy’s version of Cheek to Cheek,  then your ears are missing a true treat.  I say be quick like a bunny and do that i-tunes thing!  It’ll be the best 99 cents you’ve spent. Trust!

     My music tracks for this song is in the big bands style.. but I am borrowing some of  Eve’s flavor.  It’s a nice mix, I’m efforting to nail down now.

    Just as soon as I am good and comfy with all six of my picks, I’ll be heading into the studio to create my “product”.

     Life is good, and I’m feeling fine.

     If you’re like me, doing you and loving it,  KUDOS!

More than one hundred 8 -12 year old girls were gathering.  There was perpetual motion… peppered with yells, laughter, and cheers.

   The 6th annual Girls on the Run 5K and Fun Run in Memory of Will Beard was taking shape!!

At 9:00am, the participants were taking their places.   I don’t have the final figures, but I can tell you that last year our event attracted more than one thousand  5K runners and baby joggers, and about 30 one-mile runners.  We were all excited and ready to run!

   In previous years,  I have volunteered as a running buddy.  I’m paired up with a girl who wants a bit of encouragement along the course to keep running and keep having fun.   This year, I ran alone for the first time.  I had not physically prepared to run the 5K, but I am a pretty regular jogger.  What the heck, I told myself, “go for it.”

   I’m not sure how long it took me to complete the course, but what thrills me the most is that I jogged without stopping. It was my personal; goal not to walk.  I made it the whole way. Woooo-hooo!!! That is a huge accomplishment for me. A fine finish.

   I could not be happier with the awesome finish accomplished by each girl who participated.  For most of them, today’s 5K marked the completion of a program that builds character, encouraging emotional, social, and physical development.

   To all of those girls I say, Well done!

To everyone else, I say, Look at us go, and look at us grow!

I invite you to visit our website:

www.gotrtriangle.org