Summer....and a summary

I've neglected this blog for a long time...partly due to confusion over accidentally creating TWO blogs, and partly because so much has happened it makes my head spin. In March, I had the opportunity to go to Japan, accompanied by Ted Moniak, for what turned out to be the most spectacular trip of my life. We were there to help promote the UP IN THE AIR movie, and I did scores of interviews for press, radio and television, all of which were fantastic. The Japanese people were so incredibly nice and respectful, that I fell in love with the whole country. I was absolutely fascinated by everything. I will hopefully post a detailed essay at some point about the trip. But the highlights were: performing my song at two amazing venues (The Blue Note and the Cotton Club), meeting adorable Anna Kendrick, eating amazing and unique food every day, staying at a fabulous luxury hotel, exploring the legendary Harajuku neighborhood (the pop culture mecca of Tokyo) and experiencing the high level of intelligence and charm of the Japanese media and people in general. I loved every minute of it. In Dallas, Ted and I performed for an American Airlines-sponsored event at the C.R. Smith Museum, for which I composed an original song ("Hats Off to AA Administrative Pros"). My debut CD, "Close To Something Beautiful" was released, with 12 songs and a hidden bonus track. People seem to like it, but I haven't yet promoted it very aggressively and we certainly haven't sent it to the press yet. I need to get on this, and soon. Considering the limitations I had, I think the disc is fairly strong...but it certainly isn't slick or polished. On April 23, we played with a full band for the first time at the Hwy. 61 Roadhouse in Webster Groves. Drummer Larry Perlmutter and sax player Angelo Shaw really helped make this gig memorable, and people complimented us on the sound, even though I thought it was rough. On Mother's Day, my dear friend Annalise Raziq joined me for a "Songwriter's Showcase" at the Globe Theater in Greenville, Illinois. This was a magical gig, played on a beautiful stage under optimal circumstances, and the audience was attentive and enthusiastic. Annalise added unique, memorable harmonies and spirit to songs of mine like "Cry. Hope. Lose. Sleep. Repeat.," "The Woods Around That House," "The Horse on the Old Brown Card," "Everything Reminds Me of You" and others. Oh, we had such a special time! Then on June 6, Ted and I had the opportunity to perform at a small venue in New York City, Bar On A. I had a bad cold for this event so I wasn't at my best, but the staff told us they liked us, so that was great. Finally, Ted, Ned and I opened for national touring artist Pieta Brown at the Old Rock House in St. Louis. There wasn't a big crowd, but the sound system at this venue was extraordinary and I considered it one of our best gigs ever. It felt really, really good to be up there, and I think all of us gained confidence from this performance.

So...I've stayed busy, but there has been alot of stress in my life. Finances continue to be very tight, my dad's health is declining, I still miss my mom horribly, and progress is slow in this music career I so badly want to cultivate. The songs keep coming, though. I keep getting ideas, and I have finished roughly a dozen new songs since March. Among the most promising, in my opinion, are "A Question For You," which we performed at the Old Rock House, "Promise Man," an uncharacteristically funky tune for me which we debuted at the Hwy. 61 Roadhouse April 23, a song Ted and I wrote together called "The Box It Comes In," and a melancholy but graceful little song that I'm calling "Out of Town." I've reached 112 on my list of finished compositions, and many more are in the works. I feel very creative and assured in my compositional instincts these days, and I can hardly wait to share the new songs live. But getting gigs remains a challenge. And so does simply maintaining confident through the daily struggles of life. Any of you reading this, let me know what you think about my journey. If you haven't ordered my CD yet, please do...it will help support me and you'll be getting a nice set of songs in the deal. Come to the shows when they are listed...I really want to play for bigger crowds. And always, always remember--don't take things for granted. Life is fast-moving, unpredictable, exciting but also heartbreaking. Appreciate the people in your life and the good times you have. I'm certainly trying to appreciate what is happening to me these days, and hoping that the best is still to come...