Kick Drum [Official Lyric Video] by London Rose

The Women I'm in Love With

These are some of the women out there making great music, that I am in love with right now.  They are all fabulous in their own ways and I love that.  Check them out!! 

1. Serena Ryder

2. ZZ Ward

3. Raquel Rodriquez

4. Emeli Sande



5. Judith Hill

You're welcome :) 

105 Years Old and Happy

I saw a 105 year old lady on TV recently celebrating her birthday on which she renewed her driver’s license to become the oldest driver in America and you know what she said was the secret to her heath?  Happiness.  She said she was married for over 70 years.  She cherished her husband and tried her best to be happy every single day.  That the secret to longevity is to let go of the things you can’t control!!

That really hit me.  She has lived an incredible life but her priorities have always been so simple.  Now that’s inspiration. 

Edythe Kirchmaier - You Rock!

And yes, she even has Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Edythe-Kirchmaier/483401638384909

PROGRESS REPORT

With so much happening with my project, I felt I should do a progress report.  You may have already marked your calendar but just in case you haven't, my EP drops on Tuesday, November 12th!! 

That's 11/12/13! 

11/12/13!!

I can't wait for you to hear it. :)  

So, I just wrapped up the recording and have 6 songs ready to go.  They are being sent to be mastered this week.  

Also, I just did my first full production music video and man, I LOVED IT!! Last week I had the chance to work with an amazing team of professionals for the title track of my record, "Kick Drum."  It was a freakin blast! Owen Thomas of Absorb Me is an incredible director and I whole heartedly believe in his vision and his creative eye.  Brittany Terhune did the styling, Morgan Wright did the hair and make-up and a couple other people came to help.  I'll tell you what, everyone there were absolute pros.  I think it's going to be something that will be really high impact and a piece of art that will be worth sharing.  That's my hope at least, that when people see it they'll be compelled to want to share.  

Here are a couple behind the scene images.  

This week I need to get the graphics nailed down and sent off to manufacturing early next week so I will get it back in time for my exclusive listening party Monday, Nov. 11th .  For those of you that checked out my pledge campaign,you know that one of the packages was to get to hear the record before anyone else and be invited to a private party with dinner prepared by a locally renown chef!! It will be held at a private residence in Geist and I plan to make it an incredible night for everyone that signed up.  

The pledges helped me to make this possible so it's only fair that as a thank you, I make it a night to remember...plus I'm going to debut the KICK DRUM video at the party!!

Not to leave anyone out, it's not too late to pledge if you would like to join us at the party.  Here's a link if you want to check it out.  It's the $100 package and going over my goal, will just help me improve my marketing campaign.  Here's the link: http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/londonrosemusic.

With everything in full swing, the closer I get, the more anticipation and excitement I have.  I hope that people will enjoy my project as much as I do.  43 days and counting!! 

Cheers,

London Rose

SWEET LORRAINE

I recently heard someone ask,  "If you could describe the best night of your life in one word, what would it be?" The person replied, "LOVE, all of the best memories in my life are days and nights where I was overwhelmed with LOVE". 


That really touched me.  It stayed with me.  It made me think and realize that sometimes I put too much pressure on myself and my expectations.  Really, things can be quite simple and also quite perfect.  Then I heard this story and I was blown away.  Not sure I've ever heard a story about something more genuine and full of love.


This is the story of Fred and Lorraine.  Fred is a 96 year old man who  wasn't a songwriter but was moved to write a song for his late wife shortly after she passed.  He then sent the hand written lyrics into a songwriting contest and they were so moved by the passion behind the words, they produced the song. What he wrote is incredible. I hope you'll watch.  "Sweet Lorraine"

RECORDING WITH FRIENDS

Had a great time in the studio this past Friday! It's always great getting the chance to work with some of my talented friends!  

I went into the studio to record violin parts and some vocal parts on a ballad for my upcoming EP called NEVER BE THE SAME.  This time I went to a studio that has a special place in my heart because it's the first professional studio I ever recorded at!!  Yes, the Lodge Recording Studios in Indianapolis is one of my very favorite places to work.  Probably the best part about it, is that I get to work with my friend Corey Miller. One of the best recording engineers in the business.  I've known him for years.  He just puts me at ease and is always so much fun to work with.  

Plus, throw in the very talented (and funny) Bob Ridge getting some behind the scenes video footage and Nathan Klatt from the band My Yellow Rickshaw, you have the recipe for a great session.  Here are some pics from the day:  

BREATHLESS MOMENTS

You took me to breakfast and I urged of the question,
You tried to stay calm, no facial expression.
Greeted with delight, as we sat in the front row,
The historic theater, no idea of the show.

You asked for some water, a strange request indeed,
For you were about to change my life, down on one knee.
My heart seemed to stop, hoping it wasn’t a dream,
Your wife I would be, "Yes, Yes!” from my scream.   

The ring on the wrong hand, wasn’t really sure,
With shock and delight, everything began to blur.
Grinning ear to ear, tears of joy flowing free,
That moment is kept and is always with me.

These years have flown by, a blur in many ways,
Except for the moments, that took my breath away.
The proposal, the vows, and many in between,
These moments, never fading, just love. 
A promise and a ring. 

VIDEO BLOG: THE DRESS

When I was younger, after watching the Grammy's for the first time I sat down and drew a dress so that I would have something to wear and I would be able to go.  This is the story of my dress...

The Staircase: Part 2

"You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." Martin Luther King Jr.

I love that quote!! It makes you take a second to realize that where you are is just fine.  You don't have to be on the top of the staircase and you don't have to see all of it, you just have to be able to take the first step.  It is so fitting for me and my life right now.

I left my band.  Became a solo artist.  Put together a team of professionals, and am now taking the step to put some music out there!

How am I going to do that you ask?  By pre-selling the music! I don't actually have enough money to fund the rest of my project myself, so I've teamed up with PledgeMusic for a campaign that allows people to buy the music now!!  I get the money to finish my project, and the Pledgers get the music before anyone else!! Plus I'm offering some other great exclusives including autographed merchandise, one of a kind photo albums, personal concerts and more, available only to the people that Pledge.  

How great is that?!?  You spend $10, get my EP and I get to finish it! It's as simple as that.  The catch though, is that I only have 30 days to raise the money (only 22 days left) and if I don't reach my goal, I don't get anything :(  So, if you are thinking about buying my music when it comes out, why not do it today and join my journey?

Not familiar with PledgeMusic, here's my video explaining the process (check it out, it's funny!). 

Click here to Pledge: http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/londonrosemusic

Cheers,
London

:: Join the Journey! :: Pre-order my EP and actually help FINISH

As you may know, I've been hard at work trying to record my debut record! A lot of great progress has been made, but now I realize I am in need of help if I hope to finish the record.

I have been working with very talented musicians and producers in NYC who have helped me bring my ideas to light. It’s been a great start – but that’s just it; it’s only a start! To complete the project, there are a lot of expenses that still need to be paid for including: producer / musician fees, studio time, promotion, and much more.

So now I've teamed up with Pledge Music, which is a "crowdfunding" platform much like Kickstarter.  The real difference though, is Pledge only focuses on music endeavors, plus it allows artists the chance to give back to charities they believe in.

By clicking on the picture below (or this link: http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/londonrosemusic), you will have access to my official Pledge Music page where I have setup a 30 day campaign. Basically, you can help me finish making my record by pre-ordering it! In addition, there are LOTS of other incentives and rewards depending on your level of pledge!

Unique, one-of-a-kind prizes include a signed physical copy of the EP, a London Rose behind the scenes photo book, exclusive invite to the listening party dinner, a personal happy birthday message, or even a London Rose acoustic house concert -- at YOUR house!

Also, for the past 5 years, I've been a part of a wonderful event called the Cancer Sucks party which helps raise money for cancer research. We may be in the 6th year of this party, but it's no secret that Cancer still sucks, and I'd like to help the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) do something about it. With that, once we reach our Pledge goal, 10% of everything raised will be donated directly to the LLS thru Pledge Music.

For everyone that pledges, you will get a free download of my first song "Shoulda Been Me", which I co-wrote with Leonard (my husband) and Greg Camp, guitarist for Smash Mouth. It's actually the very 1st song I worked on several months ago when we initially came to NYC. Again, it's only available thru Pledge Music, so I hope that you choose to join this journey and enjoy the music as well!

~London Rose

LYRICS: Flaws & All

Decided for this weeks blog to share some lyrics I'm currently working on.  This is a song called "Flaws and All" which was inspired when I heard someone say "Beautiful Imperfections" recently.  Here's a snippet:

Flaws & All

c. 2013 London Rose

I'm not the barbie type

no plastic here 

I'm often a mess

if I'm being real

I'm missing some on top

but that's alright

my body still makes 

for a damn good sight 

PRE:

I'm not gonna wear someone else's size

I don't need to tell myself those lies

because how i am, fits me just fine

flaws and all, I'm just right

CHORUS

Just what you see

is perfectly me

I'm standing tall

my flaws & all

The pieces you see

they add up to be

exactly me

with, flaws and all. 

VIDEO BLOG: New York Nights :: Writing "KickDrum"

This was taken while I was finishing an original song called "kickdrum" with Greg Camp at his apartment in NY.  A fun night, hope you enjoy.

VIDEO BLOG: New York Nights :: Working With Jeff Franzel

Footage from one of my favorite nights in NY.... nothing like being purely creative.  I might not say "real" words all the time, but when writing it's all about emotion.  Whether that be excitement, or joy or sadness or whatever it may be.  It's about pure emotion.  

Getting to work with Jeff was such a joy. He's is a true musician.  He can feel the pulse, feel the direction, and feel the emotion exuding as he plays.  It becomes like a slow dance....and you all know I like to dance :)  

This is a night I won't soon forget!

VIDEO BLOG: New York Nights :: WRITING WITH GREG

The songwriting process is an integral part of starting a new project.  I already have quite a few songs written but getting the chance to collaborate and write with others, often times results in the best songs.  Together, you inspire one another to make something completely new.  This video is footage from one of the writing sessions for my upcoming debut release.

NY PHOTOSHOOT: Preview

Rooftop photoshoot in Washington Heights, Manhattan.  Overlooking the Bronx, Queens and downtown Manhattan.  Amazing views on a beautiful night, taken at dusk.  Photos courtesy of Leonard Patterson. Stay tuned to LondonRoseMusic.com for more to come!

NEW WEBSITE UP! www.LONDONROSEMUSIC.com

Hey everybody, today I am happy to announce the London Rose website has officially launched.  At LondonRoseMusic.com you can get updates, photos, videos, new music, sign up for the email list, and more! Right now, I've uploaded a few exclusive clips of some of my new songs! Just a little tease ... much more to come.  I hope you'll check it out and bookmark it. Now that's it's up, LondonRoseMusic.com will be the place to go for the most up to date information and content.  Thank you for your continued support and love.    Hope you enjoy the new site!  

Much Love,

London Rose

www.LondonRoseMusic.com

The STAIRCASE

"Ok, you’re leaving your band and going solo as London Rose, so what’s the plan?  You DO have a plan right?  Do you have a record deal?  You must have a deal, other wise, what do you have to leave for?"  Well, I don't have a record deal, and I don't have a big pile of money. I’m taking a leap of faith, knowing that doing my own music is what’s in my heart! I’m trusting that Martin Luther King Jr. was right when he said, "You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."

Ok then, what's Step One? Make myself available! Leaving the band was a difficult decision.  I'm close to the guys in Living Proof and realized just within the last month how much I've learned by being on stage for the last 10+ years. It's an awesome family and so many good things have come of it. At the end of the day though, this leap of faith is assuming that there's another stage to this journey! But just like Living Proof couldn't survive without it's supporters, I'm quickly learning that London Rose is no different! 

So, of course that leads to Step Two --- Ask for Help!  I’ve never been very good at that.  I’ve never wanted to have to lean on someone else.  From a very young age, I was extremely independent.  “I want it like this, I like it like that.” I’m sure my parents loved all my little opinions (by the way, sorry mom), but it’s true.  I am both competitive and independent which creates quite a focus and drive.  I was driven to do well in school, I was driven to strive for the best and I was concrete in my opinions the second I formed them.  Over time, I’ve learned to not be so quick to form opinions but my competitiveness still pushes me to want to keep moving forward! I think it's that drive that forces me to glance up the staircase and see what obstacles might be in the way.  It is how I know where I am going ... but just like the saying goes, it takes a village to launch a record! That's how it goes right? No? huh. Anyway...

  

Step Three: Put together a great team! So far, I've been able to get a really good start. I'm working very closely with Steven Beer, an awesome Entertainment Attorney in NY (thanks Carol!) who has worked with many major and independent artists! I'm also fortunate enough to be working with Greg Camp from the band Smash Mouth and Jeff Franzel, an incredible piano player and songwriter who has collaborated with American Idol and penned songs for NSync, Clay Aiken and several others. On my last trip to NY, I was able to connect with a great team of producers called EMW Music Group, whose most recent project was picked up by VH1 and released for their Save the Music project. Seriously -- couldn't be more excited! The pieces are falling into place but the reality is: it costs a lot of money to get a step in the door in this industry. So where do I find it?

Step Four: Ask for MORE help? I know I can't do this on my own. So here's a question for you, what fundraising ideas might YOU have? I'm open for ideas! So far, I've gone through just about everything I own that I don't really need as Leonard and I are becoming close friends with Craigslist and preparing for our first garage sale EVER! We're selling a bunch of music equipment, clothes, movies, art, etc. I have NO idea how we accumulated 1/2 this stuff, but I know how we're going to get rid of it!

I'm also thinking about doing a fan funded project to help with some of the expenses. I'm seriously considering a Kickstarter.com campaign where an artist puts up their project and people contribute whatever they can ($5, $10, $20, etc.) and get fun, exclusive gifts in return. The catch is that if you don't meet your "goal", you don't get ANYTHING! (Ahhh! no pressure, right?) So I'm curious, in addition to any ideas you might have, if we actually started a Kickstarter campaign within the next couple of weeks, would you be interested in contributing?

I know it's weird and often uncomfortable to talk about money, but I'm definitely thinking outside the box and would love to hear from you! If you have any ideas, send me an email at LondonRoseLive (at) gmail.com or send me a private message on Facebook. Thanks so much guys -- I couldn't do this without your love and support!  

Staring at the Staircase.... 

~London Rose

CREATING THE PERFECT DRESS

Step one: Write a song.  Step two: Record the song.  Step three: Done with the song???? 

The answer is no.  That is not where the creative process stops.  In my world, the songs have just begun!

What happens next? 

I like to think of it, as the shopping phase. 

Think of it like going to the mall.  You go store to store, looking for the perfect look.  Trying to find items that fit you well, have something a little different, but are still in the current fashions. 

That’s a lot like trying to pick the sounds for a record.  When you’re making music, you get to decide how everything little thing will sound.  How much low end the bass guitar parts will have, if the keyboard will be a fuzzy synth or maybe a grand piano, or both! You decide.   

So right now I’m collecting a wardrobe to mix and match, to try on and alter. In the end, I just need to make sure I’ve got the look I need.

When my night at the ball comes, I want to be ready with the perfect dress.  

VIDEO BLOG: SONG PROGRESS

A little video to let you know how things are going here in NY.

LIKE A MOVIE

A month ago today I was in Indiana, thinking about what my days and nights might look like by the end of May.  Thinking to myself, will I be mailing out Demo’s?  Will I be making cold calls? Will I be wasting my time?

Flash forward a month, and WOW.  I’m in NY, in my apartment that I’m leasing for the month, I've got a notebook lying next to me with notes for the producer I’m meeting with tomorrow, I've got a folder underneath that with a stack of lyrics, I’m going into the studio at the end of the week to record a couple of those songs, all that going towards an upcoming EP, and what does all that equal? 

A whole ton of emotions!

Good emotions (OK, except for the occasional freak-out)…but still, a whole ton of emotions.

Then it struck me, wouldn't it be great if we could take a step back and watch like a movie?  

To be able to pause, and rewind, and skip ahead during the slow parts?  

To know who are the good guys and who are the bad guys by the music playing in the background?

To be able to see ourselves as others see us, rather than the expectations of perfection we place on ourselves?

In a movie, you get a preview ahead of time and a summary of what’s to come.  It’s like a little cheat sheet.  You get clues and sets to tell you the story and how you’re supposed to feel.

Without the cameras though, it’s hard to see sometimes. It’s hard to know how your movie will turn out. It’s hard not to want to skip to the end just to know if it’s worth watching!

Is MY movie going to be worth watching?  I don’t know, but at the very least it’s off to a good start.

COVERS

Today, I thought I would just share a few videos.  Hope you enjoy!

Time

Time. Why is it that time is supposed to be something concrete yet it feels like one of the most fluid things around us?  One minute can last forever, then followed by one gone in a blink. Right now, they are all blinks. 

I'm sitting here in a little cafe in Manhattan, thinking about the minutes swirling around me. I'm not sure who said it but I feel myself thinking of the words, that the journey is more important than the destination.  If that's the case, I want to remember the journey!

I want to remember this weekend of having my first meetings and official writing sessions. I want to remember what I was feeling when I wrote the lyrics and first heard the melodies in my mind. I want to remember what it felt like before anyone else had heard anything. What it felt like when they were just mine.  

Then to have that moment when everyone else gets to hear! I don't want to blink, I want to remember it all. This is more than just a journey. It's my life!!! And I plan to make the most of it!!!

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

It’s 6:30 in the morning, the smell of eggs and toast coming from the kitchen.  Your clothes are already laid out, your book bag filled with brand news supplies, and you rush down the hall to get ready.  It’s the first day of school!

You’re thinking about who will be in your class, if you’ll have any friends, whether or not your teacher will like you, and you feel a little anxiety about the upcoming challenges you know you’ll face.  Even with that, you can’t wait to go.  You can’t wait to get started.  It’s the first day of school!

You get on the bus in your crisp new clothes and look around for someone that might welcome you.  You see two girls with their hair done exactly the same, snuggled together giggling, then you see four or five boys with their heads down in the back of the bus unaware you are even there.  You begin to panic but just as soon as you start to doubt, you see a young face staring right back at you so intently it’s as if you are the only one around.  With that one gesture, you know you’re all right.  It’s the first day of school! 

You get off the bus, to a brand new building that seems like a whole city.  You can see the evidence of others before you in the scuffs on the sidewalk and the scratches on the freshly cleaned doors.  You walk in with the echoes of the past ringing in your ears.   It’s the first day of school! 

Walking into your new classroom, you know that you will have much to learn, yet you feel comfort in knowing it is the beginning of what will be a wonderful year.  You know you are where you’re supposed to be, doing what you’re supposed to do, and that makes it exactly the right time.  There is nothing to fear …

It is simply the first day of school.

LISTENING TO CARLOS SANTANA!!

Late in the fall, I had the chance to go to an industry event in Las Vegas called the Sunset Sessions.  It's a great event centered around launching new artists to radio programmers and music supervisors.  I wasn't there to perform, rather I was there to do some networking and see if I might be able to perform in the future.  I do hope to return at another session, but even if this was the only piece I get...it was incredible!  At the end of the day, Carlos Santana came to the sessions to give a very intimate question and answer session.  I'm not sure how it all worked out, but for some reason I ended up right in the front with an incredible view and got to witness a conversation that was literally life changing for me.  He spoke very intimately about his career, struggles, musical influences, the Grammy's, faith, and much more, including some great stories like the one in the video.  After sitting there for a few minutes, I realized I should get my camera out and start video taping.  This is one of the stories I got on camera...enjoy!

THE MAGIC

Being a musician is more than just being someone that makes music.  Most people wouldn’t consider their job to be inseparable from who they are as a person, but that’s what makes musicians different.  It’s not a choice as much as it’s something that is just part of you.  It’s what you HAVE to do: to be balanced, to be happy, to be fulfilled…You MUST make music. 

That is me.  There are a lot of people that really don’t understand that about me.  Even though I function well when I’m not making music, if I don’t have it, it’s like I start to lose a piece of myself.  I feel lost. I feel uneasy.

It’s hard to describe what it feels like to share songs and moments with an audience to someone that has never done it.  That high you get from the energy of a show, the pulse of the music that resonates through ever piece of your body.  It’s incredible.  It’s unlike anything else. 

It doesn’t matter if it’s a dance track, a slow emotional ballad, or an experimental jam type song.  The style is irrelevant.  The power, is in making someone feel it. It’s about sharing an emotion.  In that moment, you let yourself be consumed with that emotion and in return, the whole room becomes consumed by it too.  That is magic. 

To be perfectly honest, that’s what I live for.  Those moments when you get to feel that.  It’s like falling in love, over and over again.  It’s what makes me a good wife, it’s what makes me a good friend, it’s what makes me a stronger person.  Living for that little bit of magic….

It’s what makes me, ME.

Sunrise

Sometimes it seems I try to live my life as if I can control how the sun will rise.  I plan the colors that will spread the sky, the exact time it will make it's entrance, the level of heat radiating to the ground below.

Having a plan can be critical to success but can't it also be the exact thing blinding me?  

I love a good plan but right now I'm figuring out how to break out.  How to be scared.  How to be unprepared.  How to just go with what's in front of me, even if I have no plan for what's ahead.  

I'm letting my dreams be big enough that they scare me!

I'm letting my sun rise, according to the way nature unfolds.

So for now,  I will just sit and watch the sunrise as it will rise with the colors it wants, the speed it feels is right and the warmth it has to give for that day.  I will sit in amazement at something that works perfectly, even without my help. 

LETTING PEOPLE IN

Sometimes the hardest thing isn’t letting go, it’s letting people in.  

Letting people in, doesn’t really come naturally for me but I realize that if I am going to be a good musician I have to be able to be vulnerable and honest.  That is one of the reasons I am doing this blog. It is forcing me to do that. It’s forcing me to let people hear my struggles and understand that neither myself nor my life are perfect. I don’t have everything figured out and I don’t know exactly what I’m doing. I’m taking risks, going on a journey that has no clear path, entering into a business that is very judgmental, and pushing myself harder than I have ever done before.  And for what?  To live a harder life? No.  For fame and glamour?  No.  It’s actually a lot simpler than that.  It’s because I realized that I’m not trying to take over the world, I’m just trying to find my little piece of it.  

Brand New Me (VIDEO)

I love when you find a song that just really fits where you are at!! When I heard this, I knew I needed to sing it.  It's a cover of Alicia Keys "Brand New Me."  Now given the fact that I am moving away from the world of covers and into the world of being exclusively original, I hesitated on whether to do this or not but after listening again it was clear Alicia wrote this for me and would be disappointed if I didn't do it ;)  Hope you like it!  (Also, special thanks to Leonard for recording the footage on my iPhone...yes, it was all on my phone!!..and also for just being awesome.)

WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES, ANOTHER DOOR OPENS

When one door closes another door opens. 

We’ve heard it a hundred times, the question is: IS IT TRUE?  It’s usually used by a friend or loved one when we are going through periods of change.  It’s meant to be comforting, and in it’s essence it is.  But I have to ask myself, is that what is motivating me?  Is it just a saying that has me convinced I can open another door? 

I’ve spent time thinking about that and asking myself some powerful questions.  Where DO I get my strength?  How AM I going to do this?  What makes ME ready?  And AM I READY?  

I’m walking away from a job I’ve had for 10 years, where I’m supported, making a steady income and surrounded by people I love.  Now I'm stepping out on my own and potentially becoming the person I know in my heart I’m meant to be or possibly failing miserably only to be back to square one.  How am I going to do this?   

Forcing myself to look introspectively and look at my life has been really challenging.  When it gets down to it, I’ve had a little voice deep inside me telling me I should be doing more. I’ve heard it but I’ve ignored it.  I didn’t want to hear it, I didn’t want to use it and I especially didn’t want to feel it.  If I felt it, that would mean I would have to act on it. If I didn’t act on it, then I would be letting myself down. 

My solution???  I came up with other projects to satisfy that voice.  I recorded a song here, a Christmas album there, a girl group after that.  I enjoyed those steps, I really did.  I’m proud of them even, and I was able to take away great experiences, memories, and lessons learned but the problem is, I was still ignoring that little voice. MY VOICE. 

I convinced myself I was doing something about it but now I realize I was always surrounding myself with other people to share the work and go through it with me because I was scared.  I was scared of being exposed, scared of failing, and especially scared of just being MYSELF.  If you go out there all alone, there’s no where to hide.  If people don’t like it, it’s a part of ME they don’t like.   

That is why it is so scary.  That is why I wasn’t ready…until now. 

This past November, I had the opportunity to hear Carlos Santana speak in a very intimate setting and it was my “Ahh. HA!” moment.  He is a very spiritual man and he basically challenged me to picture my life without fear and to picture myself without other people defining me.  What did I picture?  I pictured myself singing my songs on a large stage in front of a packed house and them singing along to MY words.  Santana said to me (and a room full of 50 other people ;) that it is up to ME to live my life the way I SEE my life.  He talked about his experiences and challenges (he wasn’t invited to the Grammy’s for over 30 years but then on his first time there, won 8 awards) and didn’t sugar coat the hardships. Sitting there, he looked right in my eyes and said, “Lose the fear.  Lose the negatives.  Get up, feel the music, and go!” 

In that moment I felt more peace than I had felt in years.  I knew he was right.  I knew in that moment exactly what I am meant to do.  I’m meant to sing.  God gave me a gift to use and it is my responsibility to use it.  I have prayed and prayed on what my path should be and I feel like my answers were there all along, I just wasn’t ready to listen. 

But now, for the first time I’m listening.