Today I was reflecting on the fact that it has been one year since I met Brad Prosko at Break Out West. Well eleven months actually. I had been planning my second CD and trying to decide who I would work with. Then Brad and I had a chat in January and I knew that we could work well together. He was open and receptive and I felt I could trust him with my project. I had set time aside for writing and I wrote two songs that are on this new album in March while I was in the continue reading…
What's New
More Stories about Creativity
Two weeks seems like such a short time and here I am chatting to you again. One of the things I have done in the last couple of weeks is read a great book called Big Magic by Liz Gilbert, which is a book about creativity. It feels like it came along at exactly the right time. I needed a reminder of what creativity is all about. Do the work and then magic can happen is one of them. As well, Liz had so many interesting ideas about inspiration. Like the idea that inspiration goes around looking for someone who continue reading…
Fabulous Days
I spent two fabulous days in the studio with some superb musicians. These guys put the most amazing tracks down for my songs. It was a time of magic, respect, trust and a whole pile of laughs and fun. This is experience is right up there with the top four experiences in my life so far. I won’t say too much more about the details because I would like you to listen to the finished product when it comes out, hopefully, in the fall. P.S. There is some banjo! I’m so excited! I have been working on a digital business continue reading…
Songs to Write
I am putting my first grant proposal in the mail this morning. I feel like I have joined the land of the musician, asking for money to do music. As I asked colleagues to help me out, I was touched by their willingness to help. They wrote me thoughtful letters of support. And hopefully this grant will help support my upcoming project. As a part of my upcoming album, I am heading out next week for a 10 day writing retreat. I am looking forward to dedicated time away to write, to improve what I have already written, to finish continue reading…
2017 Begins
I have some thoughts that I wanted to share as the New Year begins. As the world is talking about how challenging 2016 has been, I keep thinking about the fact that I have had one of my best years ever. My summer was especially good with a songwriting retreat where I co-wrote two songs that I still love. As well the silent retreat I attended this past July that was spent in nature and was both empowering and nourishing. There was a contrast between the songwriting workshop and the silent retreat, but both were so enriching. I have spent continue reading…
Connections Fall 2016
As I reflect on the summer I don’t think I have ever enjoyed one so much as this past one. It was a season that was full of inspiration, from the hills I got to hike, to the songwriting retreat I took part in and the silent retreat I attended in Moose Jaw. I did some nursing work in there as well, but I’m told that my facebook feed looked like I was spending a lot of time reflecting, resting and rejuvenating, which I was. I have been writing new songs for a CD which I hope to record some continue reading…
Spring and Summer 2016
I keep meaning to write updates more often, they are even in my calendar but I see I am managing an update every few months so perhaps four times a year is a more realistic time frame for a blog post… hmmm well that is really not your problem is it. I have had bursts of activity this spring with more contemplative times in between. I had four shows in March, two out of town with two in Regina. The show in Elkwater, Alberta at the 12-24 Cafe and Pub was a great deal of fun with friends joining me continue reading…
2016 Begins
I seem to be constantly deciding how often I will blog and then it doesn’t happen. I have excuses from not having enough time to needing to find all my fans before I start. A new year has just begun and so I begin. Last year I had the privilege of doing ten shows, starting with a small house concert in Montreal and ending with a show this past November in Dawson Creek. I started last year by attending a weekend workshop with Tom Jackson which changed everything for me as far as how I had been thinking about live continue reading…
Music in Vancouver
I have been planning a trip to Vancouver for awhile as I have a friend there who is keen to have me out to do a house concert. I have tried to book some other shows on the way there or back and that hasn’t worked. Not yet at least. I had an old friend try to hook me up in Canmore but that didn’t work. I am learning that a lot of lead time needs to go into planning shows. People take time to return emails and there isn’t always an easy understanding of what I might want them to continue reading…
April 10, 2015 What’s New
For the last three months or so I have been making decisions about how to present my music, both songs from my CD and others. I was lucky enough to attend a workshop by Tom Jackson who gave information about how to do a live show with the most impact. The weekend was very informative and inspiring. This weekend inspired me to learn the accompaniments to my songs so that I could do my show myself. I hope at some point to find a guitar guy to join some of my shows. I had a small house concert in February continue reading…