“Do it again.”  “What, you forgot the words?” “You sounded flat right there.”  “You need to hear it again?”

  I am back from recording again at Osceola Studios with the man who’s been dubbed the “career assassin”.  That would be Dick Hodgin.

   Today, I recorded Peel Me A Grape, As Time Goes By, and Cry Me A River.  All sounds that I just adore.  In the end, after recording each song three times, it all came out the way I wanted them to.

   I truly am in awe at the way the masters mix the work.  Dick picks the best of the 3 songs.. editing bits and pieces of each into one masterpiece– it’s going to get a little more magic sprinkled on it before it’s released.

    It’s good on my end that we aren’t recording and mixing all the songs at once.  I am getting a chance to think and reflect on what I brought to the session.  Today I am left with a feeling that I held back.. that I didn’t go full out.. that I played it safe. Still, it was better than the first time out last week. 

   The game plan for NEXT time:  To bring some more upbeat tracks to the studio.. and leave with no regrets.

    This will be a challenge for me.  At least that is what I’m thinking right now. I am not blown away by any of the more up tempo songs I’ve performed since I’ve been singing.  It might mean learning some new material before I go back in.

    Say, if you’re following this journey of mine, and can think of jazzy tunes that have a swing, I’m all ears!

   Onward + Upward!

-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.

I can’t stop thinking about all the fun that came out of performing with The Embers Thursday night at the North Hills Commons.   These mighty musicians really know how to put on a show!  They go big and even though I know they’ve played some of their songs over and over and over again… they perform them as if they’re new.  That is an effort that deserves major kudos!

You could not find a warmer, kinder group of gentlemen.  I had nothing to worry about. Nothing.  I knew before I touched the stage, that they had my back and that they wouldn’t let me fail. Oh, the comfort in those things.

That said, before the show I found myself fretting about the little things.. such as:  what shoes would work best with a red dress, and what kind of lip gloss would blend best with red lip stick, and accessories.  Stuff like that.

I have to give props to my beautiful and talented daughter Ashley Marie.  She hooked her mommy up.  We had this long distance phone call, with me in my closet, throwing shoes here and there… hunting for the ones that she described.  This young fashionista knows her stuff, I must say.  I was able to go comfortably into the night.

One day soon, I’ll learn to post pictures and all this describing won’t even be necessary: Red dress, black sling backs, black bold bangles, gold earrings.

So the show went on.

I was awed by the staging.. all the big electronics all over the place, the lights on top of the stage.. in the back and front.  This was a huge production… nothing I’ve been exposed to on this musical journey. In a word, WOW.

The people at North Hills could not have been nicer to me– before, during and after my performance.

They had a great night and so did I.  "A-plus", one woman said to me as I stood back stage.

I am up early and blogging, because I am still taking all of this in.  I can’t stop thinking about all the little moments that have made my heart so happy.  Little moments matter. Trust.

The vibe from The Embers is so positive…   And what they do– they do so well.  There’s nothing deep or  heavy or political about their shows.  They make happy music– fun songs that leave you lifted.  It works well for them.

Final note: I like what author Sam Parker writes about the essential fundamental of effort in his book: 212 The Extra Degree.

The bottom line goes like this:  It takes 211 degrees to heat water, but 212 to make it boil.  One degree makes all the difference… and in life, can separate the good from the great.  From where I stand, The Embers have that extra degree.

I am striving for that, too!

Onward and Upward and Loving !!!

See for yourself what I mean:

www.theembersband.net

What a weekend I had!  Busy as heck, but I loved her single minute of it. I jammed with the Embers on Saturday.. and got to sing the National Anthem at the Durham Bulls game Sunday.

No complaints. None at all.

I am actually developing a "relationship" with the Embers.  The Embers! North Carolina’s Official Musical Ambassadors.
I am blown away by their  talent and professionalism… and if that doesn’t beat the band– these men are downright friendly and just so down to earth.  They’re entertainers, so of course they have egos, but their fame certainly hasn’t gone to their heads.

So, my Saturday plans started out simple enough.  I thought I’d be stepping out to see The Color Purple at the Durham Performing Arts Center, and then calling it a night. Not so.  Wayne Free of the Embers contacted me about possibly dropping by their gig at Loafers in Raleigh to run through the songs that we’re going to do at the North Hills Commons this Thursday evening.  Sounded great to me. So I did it.

The band was in full band mode when I arrived—bright lights-big sounds- the musicians all suited up in gray and black. They sounded and looked terrific.

Then it was my time to shine.  Wayne called me to the stage.  My first song was My Guy by Mary Wells and then Wayne and I performed our duet Precious Love by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.

I could have been better. I know this.  Right out of the gate, I forgot the words to the beginning of the first verse to My Guy..  and started singing parts of the second verse.  I just kept smiling and singing as if nothing had happened  I think I pulled it off.

Precious Love was smooth sailing, and a lot of fun.

We received warm applause, and I got to see and hear the areas where I’m weak and have to work harder to nail.  It was a fantastic dry run because it exposed my flaws.

I am confident I will be better on Thursday.  I have one more rehearsal with the "ambassadors" to prove it.

Onward and Upward and Loving It!

]]> http://www.PamSaulsby.com/index.php/2009/05/18/whew/feed/ 0 http://www.PamSaulsby.com/index.php/2009/05/11/a-weekend-of-possibilities/ http://www.PamSaulsby.com/index.php/2009/05/11/a-weekend-of-possibilities/#comments Mon, 11 May 2009 09:08:46 +0000 Pam Saulsby http://www.PamSaulsby.com/?p=179 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.

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

For the next several days I’m channeling Motown singer Tammi Terrell .  It’s preparation work actually for a duet I’m performing with Wayne Free. He’s the multi-talented lead vocalist for the The Embers.

Sometime this spring and summer we’ll be singing "For Your Precious Love".  It goes something like this:

[Marvin:]
Oo-hoo-oo.
Every day there’s somethin’ new,
(Oo-oo-oo, baby.)
Honey, to keep me lovin’ you.
(Oh-oh-oh, honey.)
And with ev’ry passin’ minute.
(Wo-oh-oh, sugar.)
Ah, baby, so much joy wrapped up in it.

[Tammi:]
Oh-oh-oh, heaven must have
Sent you from above.
Oh-oh-oh, heaven must have,
[Both:]
Sent your precious love.

Really, what serious music lover DOESN’T know that song?  Come on! It’s among his all time greatest hits!

I’ve been a Marvin Gaye fan since the 1970′s. My love for his music has grown stronger over the years.  I mean, I can listen to one of his hits today, and hear something new!  The musical arrangements were just genius. Thank the Funk Brothers.

But back to Miss Terrell.  What an amazing singer/song writer.  She was just 24 years old when she died.  It was a brain tumor. She collapsed into Gaye’s arms onstage during a performance.

I have googled her.. I have watched You Tube Videos of Tammi and Marvin.. I’ve done the wikipedia thing.  I’m just doing my homework. She was a stunningly beautiful young woman.  So much promise.. The future looked so bright for her.

I will be thinking of this strong and talented young woman when I sing For your Precious Love.  I will have to sweep the cobwebs off my heart and recall all those tingly, romantic feelings when love was new– when I thought I had met the man of my dreams, blah, blah, blah. That’ll be a challenge, but memory does serve me well when I need it to.

Marvin Gaye scored duet hits with Mary Wells and Kim Weston but those hits paled compared with his successes with the late Tammi Terrell.

She’s the real deal. I am beyond happy to sing her song.

]]> http://www.PamSaulsby.com/index.php/2009/04/06/channeling-tammi-terrell/feed/ 0 http://www.PamSaulsby.com/index.php/2009/03/23/smoldering-w-the-embers/ http://www.PamSaulsby.com/index.php/2009/03/23/smoldering-w-the-embers/#comments Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:45:41 +0000 Pam Saulsby http://www.PamSaulsby.com/?p=164 "Whatever you are meant to do, move toward it and it will come to you."

Gloria Dunn

They are North Carolina’s official musical ambassadors:  The Embers.

Oh yeah… everybody knows them for performing "Beach Music"… but to me they are much much more than that!

The Embers sing the songs I remember from back in the day.. when I was a young girl growing up in Riviera Beach Florida.   Oh I can get real specific with this.  They perform songs such as: OH GIRL,  COWBOYS TO GIRLS, I’LL BE AROUND, STUBBORN KIND OF FELLOW,  and  LOVE WON’T LET ME WAIT. Those songs.

I have had many brushes with their greatness here in the Triangle… at several festivals and fundraisers.

They are the perfect band to book especially in the summer time… when people are outside enjoying themselves.  I swear this band is everywhere!  What a gig to have!  I mean this is their job– PERFORMING– it’s how they make a living full time out in the world.  These are some lucky, lucky musicians in my book.

Here’s my big news about "Smoldering with The Embers":  I have been in communication with the lead vocalist: Wayne Free.  He and I participated in a huge event founded by the late Kay Yow at NC State University. It was the Kay Yow Hoops For Hope basketball game at Reynold Colliseum held in February.  At the half time celebration for breast cancer survivors, the Embers performed a song called "Never Give Up:.  They dedicated it to Coach Yow.

Wayne’s heard about my journey and desire to sing professionally, and so he’s invited me to sing with the Embers at some of their upcoming performances during this spring and summer.

There’s one song we’re definitely going to do: A song by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell: Precious Love .  I could have melted when Wayne suggested that song, because I am a huge Marvin Gaye fan and that song’s on my i-pod playlist.

It just feels like good things are flowing, and falling right in place, at the right time.

If you love the Embers like I do, and want to read more about them and their performance schedule check out this link:

www.theembersband.net

"Whatever you are meant to do, move toward it and it will come to you."
Gloria Dunn

The deal’s been struck, folks!

I am one of the featured performers for a wonderful philanthropic organization that’s about to celebrate it’s 25th anniversary on April 2nd.

I made an exciting connection recently with the President of the foundation at a conference celebrating women in leadership roles.  Andrea Bazan.  She is a real dynamo.  Delightful. We connected on so many levels.  I left that conference hoping that our paths would cross again soon.

Then. POW! TCF began planning for its gala and they wanted a singer to kind of set the tone for the evening applauding the generosity of people who have given abundantly to TCF in the past.  Andrea wanted me!!! Yay!!!

My contribution is going to be two songs.  For sure one will be "Get Happy" Think Charlie Chaplin.  The producers for this main event really want to have some fun with this, and so they’re going to tweak the lyrics a little so the tune’s about TCF and what it does in a fun way. Am I game?  You bet I am!

Now, the other song is still to be determined.  My voice coach Lisa Blair and I will come up with something that fits the theme of the gala.

I am excited about the night and because I am a girly girl… I am also thrilled about picking out an outfit for the night.  The colors that will predominantly adorn the Durham Performing Arts Center are silver and aqua.  You’ll never guess:  I have a silver colored cocktail dress and aqua sandals. What the what, you ask? Yes, people, I have the theme colors in my closet already, thank you very much!  I will ask my hair stylist, to make some glamor magic happen, and voila! This chica will be ready to rock.

A big night to celebrate and give thanks– to generous souls and new partnerships.

Here’s to another 25 years for the Triangle Community Foundation.

Here’s a link if you’d like to learn more:

Http://www.trianglecf.org/

"Progress always involve risk.. You can’t steal second with your feet still on first base."

–Frederick Wilcox

I am deeply humbled by the reviews that are coming in from music lovers who showed up at the  Irregardless Cafe over the the weekend.

It was certainly different singing with a real live band, after so many months of performing to backing tracks.

There were wobbles on stage to say the least, but we worked through them, and most important of all, everybody had fun.

Here are some of the things people are saying about the show:

"I was at the Irregardless Cafe Saturday (3/28) and saw your performance… GREAT job, wonderful voice and stage presence!!! I was the one with gray hair dancing to the tunes… great selection and super band… had a great time!!!"

"I just wanted to let you know that we had a great time listening to you at the Irregardless Cafe. You were fantastic. I am the person who spoke to you a few minutes prior to you going up on stage. Talking with you will help make my Jazz review paper go a little easier. Thanks and I hope to hear you again soon."

"I had an absolute blast! You sound great. I haven’t heard you since I came to see you at Club Kiroko (when it was still a classy joint)."

"I was one of the dancers out at Irregardless Saturday, and I really enjoyed your music! You were a great complement to the Moment’s Notice band — which is top-notch in its own right. What a treat! I’ll be back to hear you again."

"Pam – First let me say that you were amazing last night. You looked and sounded great and also looked like you were having so much fun! Irregardless is a great place and I’m so glad we came by. You’ll have to let us know the other dates you’re there."

"Please just know that I was impressed with your energy, your relevance, the packed dance floor and your great voice on stage – and you just make me want to sing again!"

" You guys were terrific Saturday night!  We loved you all.  What a crowd!  Pam Saulsby was terrific. Arthur and I are so appreciative of you and your musicians.  Thank you for sharing your talent with the Irregardless Cafe – we really appreciate you."

Thank you so much everybody, for making my heart sing!