Monday, February 28, 2011

Calling All Utah Musicians! - Soundcheck Series

So, this is my new profile picture on Twitter and Facebook (taken by my amazing friend, Jefra Starr Linn). And speaking of Twitter and Facebook, I'm really excited about a workshop I'm teaching for musicians on March 8th in Provo, UT! It's all about how to build your online following through social media as well as your own website.

One of my hopes for the Utah music scene has been that it would really raise the bar among musicians and be competitive with other top notch music markets in the world. And, bless my stars, I'm amazed at how this hope is becoming a reality right before my eyes. One of the cool things that has come to the music scene in Utah is something called The Soundcheck Series. The series is part of a non-profit organization committed to helping Utah artists achieve their highest potential. They offer expos and workshops that educate artists in:

songwriting
business organization
fan base building
leveraging social media
performance coaching
publishing
licensing for film and television
mentoring

The good people involved in the Soundcheck Series bring top producers, writers and artists from New York, L.A. and Nashville right here to Utah. So far I've attended workshops taught by powerhouses like Stuart Brawley, Trina Harmon and Tyler Glenn of the Neon Trees. I can't tell you how much money I've spent flying myself out to workshops like this and now there is finally a chance for musicians here in Utah to learn from professionals in mainstream music without always having to go out of state. Workshops are POWERFUL for your music career. I'll never forget when I was discovered at one and it truly was the catalyst that jump started my career.

Click HERE to found out how to become a member of the Soundcheck Series so you can start attending these events. They're running an amazing deal right now, so make sure to check it out. Sign up now so we can meet at my workshop on March 8th! I'd love to meet you and talk to you about how we can get you seen and heard in a professional light by more people on the web. See you soon!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Queen of the Castle

Guess what!!! Yes. I'm STILL filming scenes for the Whole Wide World music video. I've decided to pretty much not tell anyone when it's coming out until the first copy is SITTING IN MY HANDS. This video has taken so long to shoot, but by golly, I'm crossing my fingers that it will be a masterpiece. We filmed this scene at the Midway Ice Castles in the ever charming town of Midway, Utah, of course. If you haven't seen these marvels with your own eyes, then I highly recommend it before the begin to melt them on March 5th.
To see some magnificent photos of these icy blue wonders, click on this link: http://www.brentsicecastle.blogspot.com/

And stay tuned for the Whole Wide World music video!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Valentine's Day Pics

(Thanks to Jefra Starr Linn for these rad photos)

I spent my Valentine's Day with a full house at Velour Live Music Gallery in Provo. This time, my voice DID miraculously come back for the show and held out to the very end. Now, it's hashed again and tomorrow I will pay a visit to the doctor. But the show? Magical. In every way. I loved being with all of you who came so, so much.


And Stuart Maxfield, there on the right, was not kidding about his band being mentioned on Jimmy Fallon that night. You can help his band get on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine, simply by "liking" their Facebook page and giving them a rating out of 5 stars, here.
P.S. You won't want to miss their brand, new music video for Treasure These Moments.
Seriously. They deserve to get on that cover!


Thanks again to all who came to the show. xoxo

Monday, February 14, 2011

A Valentine Miracle

If there's one thing I've learned lately, it's this: when you resist and fear the obstacles in your life that you cannot control, you actually magnify them. So, when I woke up on Saturday morning (the day of my first sold out Valentine's show) without a voice, I told myself not to worry about it and I asked if the universe might be trying to teach me something from this experience.

I decided to just trust that the reason why this was happening would eventually be revealed to me. After the entire day went by and my voice worsened every hour, I did begin to fret about what would happen on stage when I opened my mouth to sing with no sound coming out. But I had made up my mind to trust, and that's really all I could do.

In short, I did get on that stage, and I witnessed one of the most beautiful experiences in my career as a musician. I asked my audience if they would support me and sing my concert with me. They were amazing and from start to finish they sang every song with me WORD. FOR. WORD. So, no, my voice didn't magically come back, but the people whom I hoped would find meaning in my songs when I was originally writing them, sang them to me. And through that experience, I understood that I needed to lose my voice in order to be reminded that it's never about me. As my friend Trina Harmon always says, "I am the faucet, not the water."
(SO happy that Joe Corcoran could come out from L.A. to play this show with me. Joe played all the guitars, horns and bass on my album).

Happy Valentine's Day, my lovely friends. I'm hoping to see many of you tonight at another one of these "sing-alongs" for my Valentine's Day Concert at Velour Live Music Gallery in Provo. Buy tickets HERE for $12 or at the door for $15. (Includes dessert!).

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

2nd Velour Valentine's Show Added!

2nd Velour Valentine's show added!
Photo by Cami Lynne Nelson

I've had lots of special requests for tickets to my sold-out Velour Valentine's show on February 12th. I've decided to play cupid for one more night and so I'm adding a 2nd Valentine's show on actual Valentine's Day, February 14th. Buy tickets now before these ones also sell out!


The Details:
Velour Valentine's Show with Mindy Gledhill
Velour Live Music Gallery
135 N. University Ave., Provo, UT
Doors open at 7:30 p.m., Show starts at 8:00 p.m.
Tickets are $12 online HERE
OR
$15 at the door

See you there!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Wax Paper Hearts: A Valentine Tradition

Every year when Valentine's Day approaches, we make wax paper hearts here at the Gledhill home. I love how easy, inexpensive and beautiful they are.
First, fold a piece of wax paper in half, then open it back up. Shave different colored crayons onto one half of the paper with a knife.
Fold the wax paper back over to cover up the crayon shavings. Gently place the paper on an ironing board that you have covered w/ a cloth. Place another cloth over the wax paper and iron it smoothly until all the crayon shavings have melted.
Cut out your heart with a pair of scissors. Then, hold your heart up to the light and examine it to see how the colors bleed and glow. (There's a metaphor in there somewhere).
Hang them in the window . . .
and notice how they warm up the tone in your home . . .
Happy Valentine's.

P.S. A lot of you have emailed me about my sold out Valentine's show at Velour in Provo, UT this Saturday. I am opening up a limited number of tickets that will be sold at the door only. So come early (doors open at 7:30) if you'd like to get in. Can't wait!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

A Random Story About Falling Asleep On the Job

I am showing you this picture for two reasons: 1.) I have been SO tired lately and 2.) I thought you would want to get a gander at the size of my nostrils.

The funny thing about this picture is, I have no idea where I am, but I apparently fell asleep somewhere in the state of Utah, and one of my kids snapped a picture of me with my phone. Reminds me of the time I fell asleep on the living room floor when my oldest son was a toddler. I was suddenly awoken by a sharp blow to the forehead. When I finally came to my senses, and a feeling of rage began to overtake me, I realized that the little guy had chucked a billiard ball at my head. I totally lost my cool and grabbed him by the shoulders and looked him straight in the eyes while yelling a heated "WHY DID YOU DO THAT???!!!!"

All he could do was quote Sid the Sloth with his adorable lisp, "I CHOOSE LIFE!"

I melted and engulfed that little body in my arms right then and there and told him how sorry I was and that I loved him. In conclusion, I'm not perfect, people. Especially when billiard balls are thrown at my head.