It is my wish that every mom out there enjoyed a wonderful Mother’s Day.  I did!

I wanted rest and relaxation… peace and quiet… a day of doing nothing.  I felt loved and honored.   My beautiful and talented daughter Ashley Marie sent me a dozen roses.  They are exquisite. Perfect.  Pink and White.  I have them front and center in my home.  I smile every time I look at them.  This was my Sunday.

Saturday was a different matter all together.   It was a day of possibilities.

I had the pleasure of meeting Luke Lucas.  He is the co-owner of the Icon Music Studio in Durham.  It is a small, fully-equipped operation.  Mr. Lucas says he designed it specifically for singers. Presently, his focus is on developing a local and younger pool of local talent.  I listened to some of the work produced by these young men and women.  They’re really good.

I learned that Mr. Lucas has visited this site and he’s heard my singing.  He shared his thoughts. He has a no holds barred approach in sizing up talent.  Among other things, he told me that I could sing, but that I had no style.  Yes, he did!

Believe me,  he did not hurt my feelings.  In fact. I concur.

For all these years, I have been singing other people’s music, and singing them in a way that pays tribute to THEIR style.  Sometimes I alter the style a ittle bit, but I essentially stay true to a song’s original intent.

I really liked the vibe I felt at Icon.  I am hoping that I’ll be invited back to actually begin some kind of project.

Then I was off to the next thing.  I am listening to a CD produced by Mr. Lucas.  Honestly I haven’t gone past the first cut.  It’s called Iconic . I have already downloaded it to my i-Pod.  You have to move when you listen to this song! I just love it!!

I also love the prospect of having a regular gig again. Yippee-Skippee!!   I will post details and dates just as soon as they are nailed down.   The club/restaurant is located in North Raleigh.  The lounge is cozy and intimate. There’s a lovely piano and there may be nights that I sing live, and not to backing tracks.

Over the moon?  You bet I am.  This musical journey just took another interesting turn.

"Uncertainty is the refuge of hope."

Henri Frederic Amiel

This singer hasn’t made a public appearance in nearly two weeks.  Truth be told, I’ve done nothing to advance my desire to perform.

Oh, I could make excuses. I have a million of them and they mostly center around my busy schedule.  Pish-Posh!   I am not going there.

The bad economy did have me take some action.  I cancelled my voice coaching sessions.  I also turned down a very talented artist’s request to work with me on voice lessons.   I told them both that when things turn around I will let them know what might be possible.

I am grateful for the volunteer work I do at the Durham VA Medical Center.  At least I know there will be singing on my menu at least once every quarter.. with the wonderful opportunity I have to honor and serve.

Guess all things considered, things aren’t so bad.  I am waiting to hear back from a booking agency.  They are looking for a singer to sing at a cocktail party in Charleston, South Carolina.  It’s a Piccola Spoleto event in June.  I tell ya, if that gig comes through, I’ll be truly over the moon!

Until I hear something.. I’m going with the philosophy that no news is good news!

My new good friend Wayne Free with the Embers has turned me on to a website that helps singers with their vocals.  It’s run by Brett Mannings at www.singingsuccess.com.

This website will assist me with my vocal work without having to pay a coach.  At least that is my hope.

Now that I’ve got this nothing shaking blog out of my system, I’m feeling better about the musical journey that I was thinking was growing kind of flat right about now.  Perhaps not.

Onward + Upward everyone…

"The obstacles you face are mental barriers which can be broken by adopting a more positive approach."

C.Blasier