I can say without a doubt, that this New Year’s Eve was one of the best ones ever for me.

   I was surrounded by people I care about deeply, and I was doing that thing that really lights me up.  I was singing.

   The Voodoo Lounge at Rey’s Restaurant in Cary was packed!  Everyone was happy and having a great time.

   Now that all the celebrating is pasot, I’ve done some reflecting on the things that went well, and the things that flopped for me during the night.

   Let me start with the highlights.  I love to sing jazz tunes and standards.  However, more and more people are asking for motown, beach music, dance songs.. that kind of thing.  I listened and responded.  Among the new songs I offered up:  My Guy, Your Precious Love, Lovely Day, even Boogie Oogie Oogie!! 

   Further, I upgraded my sound system.  I now have the Bose that I have coveted for years.  This has heightened my vocals as well as the music that is played through my iPod. 

   I also worked hard with help from a dear friend to make sure the music I played during my breaks was pumping and fitting for a New Year’s Eve celebration. The obvious hits included: I Gotta Feeling, Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It), Everybody Have Fun Tonight, even Here for the Party.  It made a huge difference in keeping spirits high (pun intended!).

   Also, I tip my hat to me for actually taking the break time!  That may sound weird, but truth be told, in the past, I never fully give myself  that 15 or 20 minute break.  I would feel, that that time frame was too long– that people were there to hear me sing and I needed to hurry back to perform. Slowly but surely, I am taking that “Pam” time and using it fully. So, see? Kudos to me!

   Okay, time to wag that finger.. at ME!

   The first list contained the wrong music!

   I had in my head, that I wanted to open with fanfare.. like I was in Vegas or some such place.. and I wanted to hit ‘em hard.   In reality, Rey’s was indeed packed.  It was loud.  People were in the bar for the evening, and others were there waiting for tables to dine in the restaurant.

   Simply put, I needed to go with more of my slow – to medium tempo songs.

   Oh no… not me!  I had planned to start with a big number:  Light my Fire done by Shirly Bassey and The Lady is a Tramp. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

   I had to immediately flip that script and I begin a mad scramble to find the right songs.  What a way to start, right?

   Something else that went south:  My competence in knowing all the words to the new songs I brought to party.  I repeated some of the lyrics to:  To Make you Feel my Love.  Willie Nelson would not have completely appreciated the way I presented You Were Always On My Mind.  I had rehearsed Copacabana, but blew it in the soundcheck, so I didn’t even attempt to sing that one.

    A couple more:  I didn’t fully check each backing track that I added to my playlist.  More than once during my performance the teaching vocals began, instead of the full musical background tracks.  I could only apologize and move on to the next song.

   Finally, there were some songs I should have edited out of the dance music playlist.  I put: Willow Smith’s Whip My Hair.  A bartender hailed me and said “hurry, skip that song!”   I later asked why and he explained that people near the dance floor wondered who was playing that crappy music. 

   There.  I’ve put it out there:  My highs and lows.

   It’s a learning curve.. this music journey of mine.

   I have learned so many lessons over time.  These lessons will serve to make me better.

   In 2011, I want to think big.  I resolve to complete another CD project.  I would like to do a better job of communicating and keeping fans up to date on what I am up to, and I have a goal of nailing down commitments from venues here and on the coast that would keep me singing and performing on a regular basis.

   Happy New Year everyone.

   Onward + Upward!

p.s.  I will post pictures ASAP

-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.