I Want to Love You Tender

Lately I have been researching music videos in an attempt to find cool ideas for the one I'm going to make this year. My friend Jessica Cope sent this one to me. The choreography is simply astounding. See for yourself.

Wannabe

I am a wannabe. A wannabe recording engineer, a wannabe interior designer, a wannabe anthropologist, and lately:
a wannabe photographer.

This is Justin Hackworth. He is the real McCoy.

On Friday afternoon last week, I glanced at Twitter for a split second and saw this tweet from Justin: "Anyone want to assist me at a photo shoot today? Sure could use some help." Without hesitating I posted back a "Yes." These are not Justin's photos (his are WAY better) but rather my documentation of that photo shoot on my iPhone camera.

After seeing the genuine interest and patience that Justin has and the way he makes his subjects feel so at ease, I knew I could never do what he does. I'll stick with writing songs tucked away in my office like a hermit, thank you very much.

I told Justin that if I could get married all over again, I would spend the large part of my budget on the photography. "Everyone always tells me that!" he replied. It's one of the very few tangible things you walk away with to remind you of your wedding
for the rest of your life.

Do you remember this? Maybe you are smack dab in the middle of it right now. How beautiful. Enjoy every minute.

But even more beautiful are my red Converse. Don't you think?

Thanks for the lovely time, Justin and for the portrait you took of me at the very end. To see more of Justin's work, click here.

Courage to Shine

(First time meeting fan and new friend, Jane Marie Smith.)

The "Courage to Shine" benefit concert for Bulgarian orphanages was one of the best performance experiences I've ever had. The crowd was awesome. Thank you so much to all who came and supported this cause. I thought you might like to see the evening in photos.

Scarfed a Gandolfo's sub backstage inbetween songs. I was starving!

Ryan Tilby delivered the goods on his sparkly, silver bass.

Who doesn't love Peter Breinholt? Always a favorite.

Jeremy Barron - the man behind the curtain.

Russ Dixon makes a surprise appearance.

Sam Payne: one of the most talented and genuine people I know.

Deborah Gardener, CEO of One Heart Bulgaria (left) and Kelly King Anderson, founder of Startup Princess and board member of One Heart Bulgaria (right). These are the ladies with whom I traveled across the world with and visited the orphanages. Find Deborah on the cover of "Wasatch Woman" magazine in news stands right now!

P.S. I posted a brand new song on the music player to the right. My friend Aaron Ashton wrote this song for his album, "Split the Difference." If you don't know Aaron, you MUST hear his work on the violin. He is unmatched in talent and you will love his music. Check it out on itunes!

The Winner Is . . . (and a Farewell to Music Success in Nine Weeks)

WEEK 9!!!!!!

Business is a daily subject of conversation in our home. My husband and I are both business owners and the boys are quite the entrepreneurs themselves. Last week the boys set up a grocery store in the living room several times and over the weekend my youngest was intent on earning enough money to buy a "pillow pet." Saturday's cookie sale boasted a total earnings of $8! (Thanks to all of our neighbors.)

This last week of Music Success in Nine Weeks has caused me to reflect on the business strategies I've been learning about. How will I tie all of these together? Certainly a plan of continuum for the things I've implemented is in order. I'll be piecing that plan together during the next few days. I'm envisioning some cool events to keep things alive around here. How about a private concert for my main blog readers where you can hear my new songs before the upcoming album is released? A podcast could be cool. Ooh, I've always wanted to do a tour where I throw a benefit concert for someone in your town . . .

Here's an idea:

Post a creative idea of your own on how to keep my fans involved and I will mail a free CD of my album "Feather in the Wind" to a randomly selected commenter.

(McCann Purcell: was the client of the day . . . until he threw a rock at Thatcher.)

One Heart Bulgaria Benefit Concert!

Remember when I went to Bulgaria with Sam Payne? We toured a number of orphanages during our stay and fell in love with the children and the country. This Friday, along with our friend and fellow artist, Peter Breinholt, we will be sharing videos and photos of that trip during a benefit concert for those orphanages. All proceeds will go to the non-profit organization One Heart Bulgaria who puts the money into programs, medical supplies, facility improvements and much more for orphanages throughout the country.

Where: The Wilkinson Center Ballroom, BYU, Provo, UT

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Tickets: Single Student: $8, Date Night Special: $15, Group Rate (6 tickets) $35, General Admission: $10, Family Pass: $40
Tickets sold online at www.oneheart-bg.org
Questions? Call (435) 764-3093

The Deseret News featured an article today on One Heart Bulgaria and the benefit concert. Read it here!

This will be the perfect way to celebrate the end of my chapter by chapter chronicles of Music Success in Nine Weeks. See you there!

P.S. Can I just tell you what a pleasure it was to read through all your comments on that last post? I was so pleased to learn more about you. I hope you feel comfortable enough to leave a comment here anytime. I have the BEST readers.

Week 8: People Skills

This reminds me of a social situation when I met a celebrity. He was a gentleman and asked me all about myself and I was too dumbstruck to speak. Then, a mean French lady told me to leave, so I basically got escorted away. Yeah, it was awesome. But the Russian chick seems to be doing a great job.

Wow. According to my calculations, next week is the last week of my literary quest to conquer Music Success in Nine Weeks. Week 8 has been all about real live networking, which really comes down to one thing:
PEOPLE SKILLS, PEOPLE.

The biggest goal when it comes to networking is to be memorable. How does one accomplish this? It's pretty simple: the more you allow THEM to talk, the more memorable YOU will be. My dad has always taken a sincere interest in the people he interacts with. If we've ever been in a social situation together and he can't remember a name, he will whisper in my ear and ask me if I can remember. He always likes to greet people by their first name and tries to mention something he remembers about them. (I'm super sweet on my dad in case I've never mentioned that before.) I actually really enjoy getting to know people from all walks of life. Remember the New Orleans cab driver I once told you about? I wanted to talk to that man for hours. It's not like I don't have my narcissistic moments, but I do adore meeting interesting people.

There have been times when I've read comments here on my blog that go something like:

"I feel like I'm intruding . . ."
OR
"I've been a blurker here for a while . . ." (that word cracks me up, by the way.)
OR
"I've never commented before . . ."

Allow me to let you in on a little something: I made this blog so that I could interact with people from here to Kalamazoo. I don't know most of you, but I love that I at least know your blogger identities (that's right Liahonajourney, Amber, La Yen, Stephers, Gerb, Team Harris, Becky, Dana, and all of you other awesome people who leave comments). I want to know you better. If you are reading this right now whether we know each other or not, will you please leave a comment introducing yourself and telling me something interesting about you? I would like to comment back to each of you who does. Ready, set, GO.