I'm so tired and so happy!!

I am seeing cross-eyed I'm so tired. But so many things are happening that are validating this journey. I mixed down a couple more songs today, organized rehearsal schedules and worked on my CD graphics, and Dana came over and played saxophone on Walking Shoes and Circling the Drain. WOW!!! He made the songs so energetic and gave them such a fun personality, JUST what I was hoping for!

I worked till the last possible second (I'm averaging ten hours a day in the studio) and then I had to go to work. This CD is making my finances all wonky, but I just close my eyes and plow on forward. Sort of the "If you build it they will come" thought. Only instead of a baseball field I'm making a CD, on a shoestring budget. And you know what? I just keep on having a balanced budget, though extra unexpected work. People have been coming out of the woodworks with their talents and my low budget, to the point that I could cry with gratitude. But instead of getting all blubbery I'll just say THANK YOU to all who are helping me make this happen!

Tomorrow after my engineering crash course, I meet my graphic designer extraordinaire, my own daughter Shannon, and we're going to design the album cover. Then the biggest news of all,

MY STEP DAUGHTER IS HAVING A BABY TOMORROW!! Kathy, I wish you love, a safe and easy delivery, and I can't wait to meet little Kylie!!! XOXOXO

I'm On The Radio!! THANK YOU KPRI & KATHRYN BEEKS!!

Woo hoo! Last week I sent my song "Lo Recuerdo Todo" to KPRI (102.1 FM, "Rock without Rules"), for Kathryn Beeks' "Homegrown Hour." I emailed her today to follow up, and she said "I played it last night! Check the playlist!" Sure enough, there I was!

COOL!! Too bad I didn't hear it, I was in the studio recording. From now on I'm tuning in!! Thank you Kathryn Beeks! Thank you, KPRI!!

Today I mixed the guitar for "San Diego is Where its At" and "Walking Shoes". Chad Quist is such a talented guitar player, I'm so lucky and proud to have him on the album!

Tomorrow Dana Garrett (Kid Tater) is coming for a sax session. He's phenomenal! And Charlie is bringing his gravelly, golden voice for a session too! LUCKY me, this is going to be a killer album, and a killer show at the Belly Up!!

Juggling, Juggling

You know how a dog chases his tail and whirls in a few circles before laying down? Thats me right now. I think, "I have to get another song done today! No wait-- I have to do the CD cover graphics and pick the photos! No wait! I have to chart the music for the rehearsal! No wait! I have to book radio time and put up posters! No wait! I have to practice for the rehearsal Tuesday!

Think I'll go sit in the sun and have a cup of coffee with my baby. Five minutes can mean a magnificent, romantic vacation. A kiss, a chat about relaxing things, a warm hand to hold, a beautiful view of the ocean. See? Thats what I need. A vacation. I'm going to savor those five minutes. Then I'll be refreshed. And I think I'll do another song today, because thats the biggest, most pressing task. See? Even the thought of a five minute vacation clears the mind. I'll be right back (in the studio that is) and I believe "Corazon Espinado" gets recorded today. That's a really cool Mana tune. Maybe I can get it to a latin radio station, along with my song, "Lo Recuerdo Todo." Who knows? A girl can dream; that's the only way to get things done, to start with a dream and say "Okay, I'll give it a try."

Wish me luck!

My Eyes Adored You

Cindy from Red Tractons likes this song, and it was my favorite back in the day, so I decided to record it. Its sounds cool so far, but wait til Charlie sings it as a duo with me-- WOW it'll be amazing!

I'm midway through my vocal tracks but I'm getting sleepy (burning the candles at both ends= sleep deprivation). NEVER FEAR, "Power Nap" is here! (Here I come, to save the da-a-a-a-ay!!"......zzzz

I'll be back in the studio in 20 minutes. Yes, STUDIO, not blog! I have a CD to finish in less than two weeks!

Having a Peri good day!

I just did a rough mix of my original, "Infinite Patience." My friend Glenda likes that one so I decided to put it on the CD! Thanks Glenda! And peri peri peppadrops are awesome (Glenda just gave me a jar.) They're just spicy enough to get my nose sniffly, that's the perfect amount of fire! Maybe I should write a song called "Peri Peri Peppadrop" -- I think its catchy, don't you? (Knowing me, I WILL write it!) Oh goody, a CHALLENGE!! Mwa-hahahaha!)

Countdown to CD printing!

Just mixed down my first CD tune! Wait til you hear the guitar! Song # 2 gets mixed down today. November 26th it goes in to be printed so off I go to pillage and plunder! (Actually off I go to edit and mix!) I emailed KPRI today, I'm hoping to get some radio time before the Belly Up December 12, or maybe they'll do a Homegrown Hour Dec 12? Here's hoping!

I had SUCH a nice time Friday, my last night at Albies (I'm at Tuscanys starting this weekend) There was so much love I even got flowers and a card! I was a sentimental sap, but I held it together. I MISS my Albies buddies already! If you're reading this, BIG HUGS TO YOU!!!!!! X0X0X0

P.S. I think the title of the CD will be "San Diego is Where its At" in honor of the song I wrote about this AMAZING town that has been so welcoming to me!

I'm all mushy today because I'm SO excited about my CD! AND on top of it all, my sister in law just walked in and handed me a blueberry coffee (only the best flavor there is!!) so Tonights gonna be a Good night....

By the way I'm at Casa Blanca tonight. Ok, done blathering. X0X0!

My Roots, my Heart, My Parents

Last night my parents came into Tuscany in Carlsbad and listened to me play for a couple hours. Its very rare to be able to play for them, since they live in another state. They enjoyed their linguini pescadori as I played them their song, "Victoria," about their lives together and the full circle of meeting in Victoria and returning many years later.
Then I played a bunch of eclectic stuff, from Lady Gaga's Alejandro to Besame Mucho to Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog, because my parents were very open minded about music when I was growing up. I remember hearing everything from Roger Whittaker (the whistler) to nose flute (which as you can imagine totally cracked us kids up at the time), from Bolivian school girls' haunting yodeling to Opera, from Zorba the Greek (dancing required) to the Beatles (also dancing required.) I can still hum the whole Blue Danube Waltz, and Louie Prima's Winnie the Pooh was a singalong that cracked us all up. They had an Eagles album (cool) and a Mary Poppins album (cool because how DID she get all that stuff out of her bag?)

I am so grateful to my parents. They taught me about love, hard work, honesty and loyalty. And they taught me about music. Thank you Mom and Dad, I love you!