Original #2

Here's my latest demo featuring the incomparable Chris Bennett on lead guitar. A million thank yous to my producer (husband) for the countless hours he dedicated to bringing this to life.

Counting Stars (soundcloud) or via the youtube link below. The sound quality on Soundcloud is better; youtube compresses the hell out of sound files!

Written in memory of the women who comprised Dr. Charles Pickering's human computer (circa 1885), especially Williamina Fleming.

cover w/very special guest

My special guest is Dillon (or "Dilly", as I call him). Dillon was a guitar student of mine for many years when I lived and taught in SK. Though we've kept in touch, we haven't actually seen each other since June of 2005. Dillon visited me in TO while he was on holiday and had the idea that we make a video to reprise our years of making music together.

The video is here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yx6kK0JB5Qw


And it was only take 3...not 42! :-)

gig

The gig on the 17th with Andy Griffiths went very well. I was a total wreck all day until we got to the venue. Hands started shaking at 9am, stomach would not stop flip flopping. It was awful. Once I was able to survey my surroundings, I calmed down quite a bit. Having my sister and husband there to entertain/distract me helped too.

Another good distraction was making friends with the lovely and talented Harpin' Norm who just happened to be sharing the banquette with me. He was full of advice, stories and anecdotes to help me work through my stagefright. He was a huge help. I had no idea who he was, aside from the chatty gent sitting next to me, and then he asked if he could play harmonica with me on Knockin' On Heaven's Door. Andy and I both said yes (he's played with Andy lots before) so he did. I was blown away. What talent! And so encouraging and lovely. I'm happy to know him.

The first set went great. It was so much fun to look into the audience and see my sister's giant blue eyes staring at me, big smile, two thumbs up, dancing in her seat. I screwed up the first line of the song because I broke my own rule of never making eye contact with audience members but I just smiled and continued on. No biggie. I sang lead on "Yer So Bad" and "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" and then did harmony vocals on "Throw Your Arms Around Me". There were some brief but wonderful moments when I felt like "hell yes, I'm doing this! I was born to do this!" Those felt nice especially in contrast to the "ohmygodwhatamidoingthisisterrifying" feelings I had too!

At the end of the set Sean reminded me to "always remember how you feel right now." So I sat there and was totally mindful of how I felt. I was happy, at ease, a little euphoric. My body felt relaxed and warm. No stomach ache, no shaking hands. Totally at ease. I felt really good. Despite that, when set 2 began I got extremely anxious all over again. By that time, a few more friends had shown up (it's always easier singing for strangers) but I did my best to pretend I was fine.

I sang "Cuts You Up" and when I finished a guy at the bar screamed "GOD, YES!" It was great. ha! We then did "Better Be Home Soon" which didn't go super well. I wasn't used to Andy's phrasing so my harmonies all went to hell. Whatever. I lived. No one threw rotten tomatoes at me. It was fine. Later we did an impromptu version of "Free Fallin'" for which I could not remember the backing vocals but it all worked out in the end. Not bad for on the spot at the end of the night, I guess.

Overall it was wonderful. Great having my people there, wonderful reception from the audience, a great experience all around. I left there trying to figure out how to make it happen again soon! It was just what I needed.

almost famous (haha)

This is me singing last week with Tin Roof Rusted. I'm so grateful for the experience.

Last night I walked into a bar to see a friend's band play and two women ran up to me and said, "Oh, YOU'RE here! Please tell us you're singing tonight!"

I had no idea who they were so I automatically assumed they had me mistaken for someone else. They explained, however, that they heard me sing with the guys the other night and were hoping for more. Too cute.

stuff

1.  I sang with Sean's band the other night. The band's singer and primary songwriter is hugely supportive of me and wants to help me get out there in any way he can. So he added a wonderful duet by Weddings Parties Anything to the set list to give me a chance to get up and practice being on stage. I was nervous but not sick about it.  I actually didn't get nervous about it until Reid told me where in the set our song would be. It came and it went and it was fine.  I couldn't hear myself but the boys said I did well (what else would they say?) and Reid has it on the set list for next time too.  I'm so grateful for the experience.

While singing, I couldn't look at the audience so I mostly looked at Reid.  People probably thought were a couple.  ha.

2.  A lovely singer-songwriter shared a bill with Sean's band a few weeks ago.  We got to talking and he took an interest in my music and my stage fright and asked if I would send him my youtube channel.  I did and he immediately responded with a request that I do a video with him and that I sit in on a few songs at an upcoming gig.  I said yes to both.

3.  I've started pricing CD sleeves for my upcoming demo release and Sean and I have been working on photos for that and for my new website.  It's starting to feel real.

yes!

Well...it was great.  I didn't choke.  I was nervous but didn't choke.  We actually had a great time, worked really well together and are already talking about "next time".

And I can't wait.

meeting

The guitar player in one of Sean's bands is one of the best players I've ever heard.  Ever.  My plan has been to work on my music and playing out for a few years and then work up the nerve to ask him to play with me.    he plays almost every night of the week and does lots of session work.  He's a busy guy and he's an amazing guy so I didn't want to bring anything to him that wasn't really ready (for his sake and mine). He beat me to it and offered to play with me.

I'm overwhelmed and delighted and terrified.  We're meeting today and I'm sick about it.  I didn't sleep much last night, our meeting is 5 hours away and I'm already shaking.  I don't want to ruin this opportunity.  I don't want him to think I'm awful.  And when I get this nervous I am awful.  My hands don't work and I fumble around on the guitar like I've never held one before.  My voice goes flat and gets squeaky.  I forget words and I choke.  I just choke.  It's terrible and embarrassing and it has happened too many times for me not to worry it will happen again. It still happens sometimes when I'm playing for my husband.  Bad.

So part of me wants to tell him it's too soon but another part of me can't wait to get it over with.  I don't know what's best.  I guess I won't know until it's too late.

Wish me luck.