PledgeMusic is 115% Funded! Also, New Video: Recording Vocals!

Hey everyone! Last week, with an army of family, friends and fans backing me, I surpassed my goal for my PledgeMusic campaign.  I just got chills as I typed that last sentence.  I am so moved and so deeply grateful to have a piece of all of you on this new album and to have also helped fund the Rooftop Concert Series this year.

I owe some very special thanks to these people for their help and support in the success of this campaign:

Courtney Kendrick and The Rooftop Concert Series
Sam Schultz of Sammy's Cafe
Stephanie Nielson
Ariel Hyatt
Wesley Johnson
Lyndsay Johnson
Jeff Yeats
Jared Platt
Jefra Starr Linn
Krista Maurer
Rachel Schutz (Darlybird)
Canela Limoine

And of course, the staff at PledgeMusic.

Many of you helped me Tweet, Facebook, Instagram and do giveaways to help spread the word.  I don't even think I could begin to fit all of the names into this post.  Please know how thankful I am to you.

So, what's next?  Today, I am shooting the photos for my album artwork.  In three days, I leave for New York to finish the mixing and mastering of the album.  Then the album will be manufactured in July and ready to hit stores by September 10th.  I'll continue to post videos of the album creation process.  Check out the new one above of recording vocals in the studio on a brand new song called, "Little Red Bike!" 

Music and Motherhood

Photo by Justin Hackworth.

I am a singer and songwriter by profession. I am also a mother (which should be a profession).  Someone on my Facebook page recently requested that I blog about how I balance these two roles.  And although I'd love to tell you all just how "balanced" I am, I'm not sure I've ever achieved that level of zen in real life.  But what I can do is tell you how I'm really just making it all up and writing my own story as I go along.

Stories are something I'm good at.  I've made up a lot in my lifetime about my limitations and weaknesses. There was a time when I thought that after I had kids, that would be the end of my ability to pursue a career or further my education.  Where did that story come from?  There was also the time when I bought into a story that being in the entertainment business would make me a bad mother.  Or how about the ones I've made up when I've been pregnant? No one will want to watch Jabba the Hutt sing songs about hearts with scars and little girls with great, big plans.  Thankfully, I've had some amazing mentors who have pointed out my story-making abilities and how they've proven to hold me hostage.  Why not make up stories where life is working for me, not against me?  I began to write a story where babies didn't mean that my own personal dreams were over.  But, a story that spelled out a plan where my children would be by my side as companions on my musical journey.  A story where I would wrap them up, and carry them to my college classes in a sling if I had to.  A story where they would toddle around during sound checks and eat the finger foods in the green room during concerts.  A story where people would find my big, round, pregnant belly endearing rather than offensive up on stage.  I have found that when I write stories that resonate with truth and lay them at God's feet that he always carves a path for me to accomplish them.  Does it all look perfect?  No.  Have I made mistakes?  Yes.  Have there been times when I've been self absorbed and lost my center?  Heavens, yes.  

So, if I had to sum up just exactly how I do both motherhood and music, I would tell you that I do a  reasonable amount of it with my kids in tow.  Yes, I write songs while I'm cleaning, driving or rocking a baby to sleep.  I do paperwork while my toddler dumps everything out of a drawer and onto the floor.  I let the camera crew hold my baby during shots and then I soothe him in between if he gets fussy.  At times it can be exhausting and as my career has grown, I've also recognized the need for help.  I have some amazing young ladies who come and help me with cleaning, answering emails, running errands and watching the kids when I need solitude.  My husband has also adapted in amazing ways to what our life looks like with me as a recording artist.  I'm not superhuman and I can't pretend like I do everything on my own.  I think the main thing to emphasize to you (and repeatedly to myself) is that your story doesn't have to look perfect.  In fact, it can't.  The beauty of it is, you get to write your own.

 

Photo shoot in L.A. for Zoe Magazine.

 Wrangling baby Griffin in between shots.

 

Backstage with my boys at the release concert for "Anchor." Photo by Justin Hackworth.

  

 Performing with the Teton Chamber Orchestra at six months along.  Photos by Krista Maurer.

 Filming the music video for "Eyes" at nine months along. 

Griffin was born exactly one week later.

On the Road to Kennewick (Part 4 of the Christmas Tour Recap)

Behold! The chariot on the left in the photo below drove us from Utah to Washington and back again. Notice how it is appropriately entitled the "Chateau."

Here's what Life on Le Chateau looked like:

Regardez notre chauffeur, Monsieur Gledhill.

See Matt sit. See Matt read. See Matt wear a cool thrift store coat with a fur collar at the Chateau dining table.

Griffin was a champ aboard the Chateau. His disheveled perma-bedhead was the envy of all the band members.

By golly, I think it even rivaled Joe's stylishly unruly coiffure.

Spencer has mastered the art of baby talk.

We knew we were in Oregon when we saw a valley of fog below us.

Pendleton, OR was where we made our stop for lunch and boy was it awesome.

We ate at The Rainbow Cafe. Great little place. I recommend the tuna on sourdough.

Inside The Rainbow.

We stopped in at an amazing old junk shop on the main street in town. I bought some vintage shoes for $10. They had some fabulous finds in there.

Not much more than an hour north of Pendleton, we found ourselves in Kennewick, WA loading in our gear for the show. Our sponsor, Marilyn Lott, greeted us, fed us and made her magic happen to make the night the best it could be. Thanks Marilyn!

We discovered some pretty badical props backstage at Kamiakin High School Auditorium and put them to good use in our set design. But the fancy red bunting was custom made for me by none other than Washington's own Danyelle Mathews of Dandee Designs.

A special thanks to Krista Maurer for all of these killer photos. How lucky can a girl be to have a tour manager who is also a photographer?

And that concludes this year's "Christmas Tour Recap." Thanks a million to everyone who came to the shows! May you have a happy new year. Signing off.

Christmas Tour Recap: Part 2 (Provo and Pocatello)

I'm going to be honest with you about something. My show at Velour in Provo last week was my worst performance of the whole tour. It definitely had it's shining moments, but there were a few times where I felt like a competitive figure skater who just couldn't quite land that triple loop. No. Triple sau cow (it's more fun to say). But somehow, the Gods smiled upon me that evening. Perhaps they took pity. For lo and behold, not one, but three fantastic photographers showed up in the audience that night and captured some great shots. Velour is a magical venue and if you haven't been there, then you you should run to their next show.

13 year old Faith Johnson left everyone's jaw hanging wide open during her opening set. I've never heard anyone that young have such control over their voice and command so much attention.

Then Ryan Innes came out and KILLED IT. Oh man, every time that man opens his mouth to sing, the audience is spellbound.

I was so lucky to have such a fantastic band this tour. Joe Corcoran on guitar, Matt Mayhall on drums, and Spencer Harrison on bass. Thanks to our tour manager, Krista Maurer for these first three photos.

Jefra Starr Linn took these next three photos and man are they CUH-RAY-ZAY. As in crazy awesome. They feel so warm and bright and I just want to jump inside of them and swim around in the glow. As a side note, Jefra took the photo of me on the cover of Winter Moon. Thanks Jefra!

When tickets were up for sale for this show, I saw Justin Hackworth's name pop up under the ticket purchasers. "Excellent," I said in my best sinister voice, while tenting my fingertips a la Mr. Burns. I speed dialed Justin's number to see if he'd be willing to snap some photos for me and he was so gracious to oblige. I'm so pleased because I got some signature clean and classic photos from him. You can see a few more and read his words about the show on his blog. Thanks Justin!

The next morning, we hopped in the Chateau and drove up to Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID to do a show with the Teton Chamber Orchestra. Oh, how I love playing with an orchestra! I nearly cried several times throughout the show, singing with a shake in my voice to hold back the tears. The conductor, Eric Wenstrom, is such an amazing man and his scores are gorgeous. I'm completely dumbstruck as to how I would be invited to play with him and his musicians. But I thank my lucky stars for it, believe you me. (Thanks to Krista Maurer for these three photos with the orchestra).

The set design came together so beautifully. Thanks to Fauneil and Luhi Purcell for making my paper snowflakes! Here's how they did it.

Many thanks to Corey Fox at Velour and George Casper at Idaho State University for making these two shows possible.

Christmas Tour Recap Part 1

I have been recovering from a post-tour coma these last few days. And while in my comatose state, I dreamed about my little Christmas tour over and over again because it was just THAT AWESOME.

On Monday last week, I picked up my band at the Salt Lake airport in a 31 foot RV complete with brown and mustard decals on the side and the word "Chateau" printed in enormous letters on the front. Upon climbing aboard, my guitarist Joe stated that he felt inspired to get a photo of himself sans shirt, in leather pants with a boa around his neck in the Chateau before the tour was over. But with his shirt still on, we drove up to Bountiful, UT to put on a house concert in Krista Maurer's home (aka our tour manager).

She had the place decked out like a magical winter fairyland what with a doily-clad bunting, hanging gold stars and a wall wrapped in bright, red paper. People were squished in the living room like packing peanuts in a gift box, and believe you me, the evening truly was a gift. I left feeling ecstatic that my first show in Bountiful was sold out.


The next morning we headed up to Good Things Utah where we were interviewed about our "Winter Moon" music video with "puppet friends." The highlight? When my drummer Matt Mayhall acted as the puppeteer for Simon (left) and later confessed that he forgot to move Simon's mouth for him while he was talking. Perfect.

After our segment on Good Things Utah, we scurried over to Channel 2 News to sing a few Christmas songs.

The next night was a private concert hosted by Christian and Stephanie Nielson at The Great Salt Lake Guitar Company on Center St. in Provo. What an amazing little venue. I would definitely love to do some more shows there. The room sounds fantastic and it looks incredible with handmade guitars all over the walls. (And if you're still looking for a stellar Christmas present, one of their guitars would be a dream come true for your special someone).
But the best part of the evening was when CJane came up on stage with me to sing The Christmas Song and she basically peed her pants. Read all about it here.

Check back tomorrow for Christmas Tour Recap Part 2! You won't want to miss some amazing photography by Justin Hackworth, Jefra Starr Linn and Krista Maurer.

P.S. All photos by Krista Maurer except the last one, which was snapped by Mr. Christian Nielson.

Feel the Rhythm. Feel the Rhyme. C'mon Everyone, It's Concert Time!

Photo by Krista Maurer of Island Belle Photo

I have no idea why I'm channeling "Cool Runnings" right now. Maybe because Winter is upon us? Maybe because it's late and I'm delirious. Or perhaps because I'm going to sing a Jamaican tune at my next show. Who knows?

But the real reason for this post is to tell you that next week I'll be doing a string of concerts, performing songs from both Anchor and my new Christmas album, Winter Moon. I just might be coming to your town! See details below:

• 12/12: Bountiful, UT // House Concert (limited seating) // 8:00 PM // For tickets, contact Krista at (801) 360-1235 or kristaqm@gmail.com
• 12/13 Private concert hosted by The Nie Nie Dialogues
• 12/14: Provo, UT // Christmas Concert at Velour Live Music Gallery // 135 N. University Ave. // 7:00 PM // Buy tickets now!
• 12/15: Pocatello, ID // Mindy Gledhill Christmas Concert w/ the Teton Chamber Orchestra // ISU Stephens Center // Tickets or call the box office at (208) 282-3595
• 12/16: Boise, ID // Christmas Concert to Benefit the International Rett Syndrome Foundation // The Rose Room // 718 W. Idaho St. // 7:00 PM // Tickets
• 12/17: Kennewick, WA// Kamiakin High School Auditorium // 7:00 PM // Tickets

Even if you don't live in within 60 miles of any of these places, could I ask you a favor? Will you tell your friends that live near these cities about the shows? That would make me so very happy. Merry Christmas my friends.

P.S. If you can't come to a show and you want to listen to my new Christmas album, or give it as a gift, there is FREE SHIPPING on my website on all purchases, now through Christmas!

Dear Idaho Falls . . .

A special thanks to Krista Maurer of Island Belle Photography for these lovely photos.

Dear Idaho Falls,

It's a good thing that I love the retro vibe of the Civic Auditorium so much. It's a good thing that the Teton Chamber Orchestra is so rad. It's a good thing that more than 1,000 of you came to the show. It's a good (miraculous, really) thing you bought every last CD I had. It's a good thing that you had so much energy and were one of the best crowd's ever. It's a good thing I had so much fun and that I love you, because on my drive home the next day, the engine in my Dodge Ram seized and I had to abandon it, plus my trailer somewhere north of Malad. Then, two days later, our one working car died in a parking lot. But you, Idaho Falls, YOU, are worth it and more! Seriously, thank you so much for making the evening so magical for me. I'm really looking forward to coming again!

Hey look: this is a good profile shot of my belly.

The set and lighting by Jay McGregor were once again, breathtaking.

The Teton Chamber Orchestra? Also breathtaking.

Jay Tibbitts on the drums, ROCKED my world. Yes he did.

Andrew Burton on bass is a big sweetie pie. I had girls emailing me about him afterward.

And Joe Corcoran is a champion on guitar. I can always count on him to deliver.

Some may scoff, but secretly, they are jealous of my Yamaha keytar.

Some may scorn, but really, they wish they could wear wings just once in their lives.

And I hope they do.