My friend Bill Stonehouse sings there almost every Saturday night.  Like all of his fans, I adore him.  He’s exciting to watch because you can tell he’s having a really good time.

    A girlfirend I had not seen in months met me at the lounge.  Treggie’s on team Stonehouse, too!  We were there for hours before we knew it. We sang along with Bill, and later we danced along with Bill and his stunning wife Melissa. I am smiling as I type this, recalling the highlights of the night.  Most of them revolve arond the dancing part of the evening.  We really cut up!

   An unexpected highlight was my being invited to sing at the Voodoo. I had not rehearsed.  I didn’t bring along my backing tracks as I used to do with Bill.  I only wanted to enjoy the show. 

    Bill had me covered.  He had saved the tracks he’d downloaded when I sang with him on New Year’s Eve.  He said I should sing the 3 songs cued up and ready to go on his computer.

    I accepted Bill’s offer.  I am always happy happy happy to sing, so it was a big thrill for me.  I sang, Temptation, then Smooth Operator, and then The Wave.  No slip ups, no lyrics forgotten.   Again, I was asked to sing more, but I had given patrons all Bill and I had.

    What happened after that?  Just more good times with friends, and appreciation for talented artists passionate and fully dedicated to their careers.  Great artists like big, bad Bill.

–Napoleon Hill

I get happy and I smile to myself when I replay in my mind all the fun I had last night when I finally arrived at Sullivan’s Restaurant/Bar for its New Year’s Eve party.

Needless to say things were in FULL swing by the time I got through the traffic, which was nearly paralyzed along Glenwood South.. and finally got the car parked. 

I can say without hesitation that as I walked toward the back of the bar, I could see that every man and woman inside that place had found his or her happy place a long time ago.  Stick a fork in them, I thought. They’re done!

My excitment about singing took a turn south when I heard the music coming from the back of the bar.  It wasn’t the finger-popping sounds of Sinatra.  It sounded like a DJ was spinning the jams.  The music was loud and pumping.  I didn’t even see Bill or his beautiful wife Melissa. 

Inside I panicked. I thought they were gone!  I was all dressed up in my gown and sparkly jewels and was afraid I’d missed my moment.  I collected myself and began to calmly ask the staff if they’d seen Bill– the man performing tonight.  One guy thought he’d left (gulp).  A woman thought they were taking a break. (oh Lord). 

I went back to the back, and sure enough they were there.  I apparently just didn’t look closely enough.  I was beyond relieved!

I slowly began my shift– after I’d connected with Bill.  He had downloaded my songs and would call me up to sing as soon as he’d performed a few more songs.  I had to transform from news lady to singing lady.

Soon, I had the mic in my hand, thanked the crowd, thanked Sullivan’s and did my thing!

I started with a sultry song, called The Wave… then I sang Sade’s Smooth Operator. 

The party goers had been listening to a man’s voice for most of the night, so I had their attention when I started if only for the distinct difference in vocals.  They seemed to like The Wave, and then some of them danced in their seats and on the floor when  I sang the more upbeat Smooth Operator.

I danced to my music and connected with many of the men andwomen there.  At the same time I was in my own space– feeling deep satisfaction and pure joy for an opportunity to start 2010 singing.   That was my goal.  I don’t every want to forget those feelings.

Things worked out exactly as I had hoped. 

I will never foget Bill’s generosity.  This was HIS night.  He gave me a piece of it.  I am so thankful.

Also, I only gave Bill three songs.  The crowd wanted me to sing again, but I didn’t have the resources to make it so.

They say, it’s always good to leave them wanting more, right?  So that was good, too.

I spent the rest of the night/morning dancing.  Have so much fun… as Bill put his DJ hat on once more.

It was a great night, with super great people.

I am ready for all the exciting twists and turns I know await me.

Happy New Year!!!!

I’ve got some ‘’splainin to do!

Yesterday I went in for a colonoscopy.  It was my first time.

I will admit I was a tad nervous about the unknown.

I am a journalist and former health reporter.  I knew what ultimately was going to happen. I wasn’t so certain, however, about things that would occur between entering the medical office and being rolled into the “examining” room.

The answer is this:  Nothing much happens.  Nurses give you the third degree about your medical history even though you’ve filled out a form attesting to all the things they’re asking you.  I am sorry, but that irritated me. I had to work really hard not to give the staff “attitude” for doing their jobs… Part of which is to check and double check and cross check.

I just wanted to get the dreaded thing over with!

I  thought I’d be drugged and groggy once I was checked in, so I didn’t bring a book or music or anything to distract myself from my surroundings. Nothing.

That left me alone.. lying in a gurney wearing a thin dressing gown, curtained off for the illusion of privacy.  There must have been eight  beds pushed against the wall there.  I could hear many conversations.. Patients answering the same questions I did, while getting the 441 on what would happen and what could go wrong during the colonoscopy.

What did I do?  I started humming and singing.  I worked my way through a song I am going to perform on New Year’s Eve. Yes, I did!

The song is called “the Wave”.  It starts like this:
“So close your eyes for that’s a lovely way to be. Aware of things your heart alone was meant to see. The fundamental loneliness goes whenever two can dream a dream together…”

For some reason I was having a good deal of difficulty staying on key on the opening line, and so with all that time to wait I was able to work it out.

I  went over and over it– again and again.  Humming at first and then softly singing.  Eventually it stuck in my brain.  I was able to nail it.

The woman in the next gurney over to mine likely heard some of it.

For the success I achieved, the time was well worth it.  Then I asked a nurse for a PEOPLE magazine.

In all seriousness, if you are a baby boomer over the age of 50 you owe it to yourself to get screened for colorectal cancer.

It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, and is preventable through regular screening.

I am glad I did it.  I would invite you to get your rear in gear, and do it too!

-Maya Angelou

A long time ago, my sister told me that if there’s a thing you really want to “be about” moving forward in a new year, then you should be sure to be in action– doing whatever that is, on the first day of the year.  Guess you could call it a resolution. For me, it is  much deeper than that.

I have never felt more alive about a passion or purpose than as a singer.

This year, like most years, all of my friends who entertain have gigs lined up for New Year’s Eve, and they are all lit up about what a great time they are going to have with all the folks partying in the new year.

I am actually working at my “real” job on New Year’s Eve.  I will be at the anchor desk, reporting on how others are ringing in 2010, along with the associated mayhem that goes along with it when people lose their grips on reality.

But there is more. There is MORE!!!

I came up with a way to follow my sister’s advice!

You see, my good friend Bill Stonehouse will be the featured crooner at Sullivan’s Restaurant in Raleigh on December 31st.  It’s located only five minutes from my job.

Know what I did?  I asked Bill if I could swing by the restaurant and do a few songs while the stars are still out.  I explained to him how much it means to me,  to be able to begin this new year, singing and feeling that inner joy I always get when I perform.  Generous as he is,  Bill told me, of course I could.

I am so excited about this opportunity.  My sister Teresa would be right proud!

My intention is to throw off the business clothes at 12:05am..  I will then slip into a black sequined gown and pretty stilettos, and sashay myself on over to the club.  I’ll probably only be there an hour before things shut down. I don’t even care about that.  Time is not important. Action is!

It’s gonna be a great night.  I just know it!

And to everyone reading this, I hope the dreams and wishes of your heart come true too.

“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.

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.

"A dreamless life is an early death!."

This weekend my daughter and her very good friend Tiffany took me to South Beach.. to a music lounge called,  the Van Dyke cafe.  It overlooks Lincoln Road, and is the perfect place to experience live music.

Believe me when I tell you this:  The moment I walked upstairs into this intimate warm room, I could not stop smiling and imagining myself on that stage getting ready for a show. The vibe was just that welcoming!

I joked around with the girls telling them that it was my night and started naming all the songs I would be performing for the crowd.  A gentleman at the bar smiled and nodded.

The Van Dyke is billed as a jazz club.. and that is how the natives describe it, but everybody in the know knows it is that plus more!

The musicians who touch that stage deal in everything from funk and latin to soul and R&B in addition to jazz.

On the night I was there with Ashley and Tiffany.. a six piece ensemble called "Lanzillas" performed. They were amazing.  Yes, I know that is an overused word, amazing– but they were on fire.  Their genre’s called world fusion.  I loved it!  I was dancing in my seat. Entranced.

The stage was small, but beautifully lit.. hot with red and yellow bulbs.  The Lanzillas appeared to pour everything that was in them in every song.  Their energy was way up there. They really put on a show and I was honored to have been there that night to see them.  You could tell, they love their jobs.

What they have, is what I want.

I will never stop believing it is possible… I just got to work harder on it.  There’s a saying nothing will work unless you do.

I get it.

"If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere."

F. Clark

Darn it, last night I missed my time to shine!   I signed up to sing at Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse, but it just wasn’t my night.

See, that’s a path down the interstate I’ve started taking lately with a good deal of frequency. Wednesday night is open mic night… But it’s also a school night.  In grown-up speak, I’m just saying that I’ve got work the next day and need to get to bed at a decent hour.

9pm gave way to 10pm. It got later, and I knew what I had to do. Exit and drive home.

Here’s the thing.. While I left the bar a bit disappointed, I also left completely entertained.

You can not help but have a grand time when you enter this little slice of the Louisiana Bayou.

I have come to enjoy the cast of characters who hit the stage on a regular basis to perform at open mic night.

I won’t call names— mainly because I’m not "regular" enough to know these folks, but I’m getting there.

Let me start with the man clutching his glass of liquid courage.  His voice is strong with a rich and sexy timber, but he seems to need to hold on to that strong little drinky drink to get the job done.  He’s heckled some about it, but it’s all in good fun. Whatever it takes, right?  He faithfully delivers.

Then, there’s the singing waitress… And lord hammercy can she sing!  That’s not all. She also plays a mean lead guitar.  I’m not done. She writes her own songs!   I must find out WHY she’s turning over tables and serving up incredible edibles. This one sings R+B, Blues.. And if I’m right, I do believe she can rock out as well.

Just one more talent story before I hit the publish button.  The musicians themselves.  This band of merry men do it all. I’ve seen the horn player and host beat the drums. I’ve seen the lead guitar player sing backup vocals like it was his job. I’ve seen him also play the drums. It’s a show within a show, I tell you!

I show up on Open Mic Night  to do my thing on the stage floor.  However, while I wait I am fully finding my happy place.  There’s no better space I’ve found to spend a Wednesday night.

If you’re curious about all the goings on at Mojos.. you can visit their website:

www.papamojosroadhouse.com

"To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong."

Chilton Pearce

Last week I had one heck of a time hanging out with singers and musicians at Papa Mojo’s

Roadhouse in Durham.

If you are not familiar with the area, it’s a tough little spot to find.  That’s why they call it a Roadhouse.

I love the layout of Papa Mojo’s.  It’s a little taste of New Orleans tucked away in a nondescript shopping center of Highway 55.

It felt good to see familiar faces around the stage and on the stage.  The signup sheet for performers was front and center.  I put myself in the lineup and found a seat.   It was a bit before 9:00pm and the place was packed.  I had to make some new friends quickly because there were no empty tables.. just a few open seats here and there.

Once I got myself settled, I began to think about what song(s) I would sing.  Fever’s always a good one.. bands always know that one.  Misty, The Nearness of You, Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans– so many good tunes ran through my head.

The first singer up was a lady in black.  She was excellent and looked comfortable on the stage.  She sang the two songs that I wanted to sing: FEVER and SMOOTH OPERATOR.

No worry, I thought.  There were still lots of musicians in front of me.  I’d come up with something.  I settled down with my glass of ginger ale, and just enjoyed the show.  And believe me, it was a SHOW!

There was talent touching the stage.. on so many levels.  All sorts of people having a good time.

One thing I did not expect was the level of audience participation.  They talked back to the talent, they’d talk about the talent,  and if they loved the song being performed.. heck, they’d sing right along.  It reminded me a little bit of Showtime at the Apollo.

I told myself I would not let that bother me. Just do what you do.. I told myself.

In about one hour’s time, Brett Chambers.. who hosts Open Mic.. called my name.

I was warmly welcomed. I joked to the patrons, they might want to wait until they heard me before they gave that kind of applause.

My first song was a Jill Scott tune called "The Way".  Everybody knows THAT one… and I had a good time singing it.  One of the lead guitarists is a fellow I know from way back, and he was the one from the band harmonizing with the singers.  He was great.  I was well received.. and just happy to have a chance to sing.

I was on my way to my chair, when Brett stopped me, and said every performer does two songs.  I did notice that others had done that, but I just assumed that was their choice.   I came back and sang Smokey Robinson’s Oooo Baby Baby.  That one went down well, too.

Finally at my seat for good, I was happy to get some high fives, handshakes and words of encouragement. It was a good night all the way around.

Better yet.. Mel Melton– who is the Top Food + Music Guy at Papa Mojo’s approached me with his business card and yelled, "You’re hired!"

Made my night!

Friends, I got a call from Mel the next day.  He and others at the Roadhouse are working on doing something different on Thursday nights– some singing.. some comedy– they’re tinkering with the big picture.  I don’t know how it’s going to turn out, but I hope and trust my name is associated with it.  Stay tuned for more on that!

In the meantime, I know where I’m going to be on Wednesday nights for awhile.  That’s open mic night at Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse.

You can find out what else is cooking there and how to get there by visiting their website:

www.papamojosroadhouse.com

What’s that new saying everybody’s using these days? Don’t talk about it. Be about it!

Well, that’s how I intend to live my musical life.

If a singing career is what I want to achieve, then it’s going to take me beating a few bushes and introducing myself to men and women who are looking to expand their talent line-up.

That’s what I did before I landed the Saturday Night Slot at Prime Only.. but that’s ancient history now.

I have had two people recently approach me about a couple of bars/restaurants in the Triangle.. venues they thought would perfect for my personality and style of singing.  I listened, but took no action.

I mean I googled both places and put a mental bookmark in my brain to check them out– one day, some day.  That’s not good.  That’s not action.

The first place is called The Prime Smokehouse. It is in Garner.  There is live jazz there. REAL GOOD music I’m told.  Some of the big names in the area show up there to perform. It sounds like one of THE places to be.  When I "field trip" there, my intention will be to ask about week night possibilities.  To me, that would better suit my setup of singing with backing tracks.

The other spot is Papa Mojo’s Roadhous e in Durham.  Don’t you just love the name of it?  I know I do!!

I have an associate who plays at Papa Mojo’s on open mic night.  I’ve not had the best experiences in the past with participating in open mic, but it could be just the way to slip into  restaurant and get introduced to the right people.   Again, I’d be inquiring about week night gig openings.

What’s stopping me?  Why am I only now blogging about taking a field trip?  Call me silly. Call me crazy. But I kindof didn’t really want to go it alone.  I didn’t want to show up in a  crowded bar by myself.

I will from time to time throw a question/invitation out there–  asking around among friends who’s free on any given night, who wants to go out– and when plans don’t come together– well I just stay at home and do nothing.

No more!