Mood:
a-okToday has been one of those days where I wish I were more organized...because if I was, then I would have easily accomplished everything on my list, with time to spare...but alas, I am what I am, and it is what it is...but I am making time to blog...after some prompting by readers!
Now to the Looking Forward portion...
There is lots going on...this weekend, on Saturday, January 17th. I'll be hosting the first Songwriter Gathering at Tipitina's Musicians' Co-Op in Alexandria. The plan is to Dream, Work, Play and Inspire each other to write better, play better and work to reach our dreams! Kinda grandios, but with support from other songwriters and musicians, anything is possible! I can't wait to see who shows up! This has been something that I've wanted to do for a while, but didn't think that I was the person with the skills and knowledge to pull it off...but now, realizing that things happen the way and when they are supposed to...this opportunity has dropped into my lap, through luck, timing and cooperation of great people...Aaron Sibley, John & Claudia Velona, Tommy Polk, The Rev. Charley and too many others to name! This thing, a songwriter's group, has become a reality...or will become a reality on Saturday, January 17th.
Then the same seredipity came to visit again in the form of John & Claudia and the three of us are planning a Musicians' retreat May 7-10, 2009. The retreat, Woven Harmonies Musicians' Retreat, will be at the Wesley Conference Center in Woodworth. Check out the web site www.wovenharmoniesmusic.org to register today!
Still looking forward, but backwards from May, I'll be headed to Memphis in February to attend the Folk Alliance Conference. Hoping to find my niche...maybe me & my music will find kindred spirits...Then headed to Nashville in March for Spring Training....songwriter style hosted by NSAI (http://www.nashvillesongwriters.com/)...I'll attend their Spring Training and the Regional Coordinator training that will enable me to start a NSAI chapter right here in Central Louisiana! I've got to get my Songwriting muscles in shape!
Yep, you guessed it our little Songwriter's Gathering that we're starting this weekend will then turn into a NSAI chapter will all the benefits that come with being associated with an International organization! That is of course if I cut the mustard at Spring Training! I gotta get my Songwriting muscles in shape! ;-) That's where you come in...come to the January 17th Songwriter's Gathering, then to the February 17th Gathering and help me tone up my songwriting muscles so that I can breeze through Spring Training!
Well, I think I've run out of the time that I've made for this blog...so I'll end now with a promise to make more time and continue to look forward! Thanks for tagging along!
It was a wild and wooly weekend, it started with the Big Open Mic in New Orleans hosted by Barbara Cloyd (the host of the Open Mic at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville), that was part of the Songwriter's Fest. 94 songwriters signed up for the Open Mic and at midnight, they were on #43. I was lucky number 64...so I chose not to stay and play. The night was fun and it was an AMAZING turnout for the First Annual New Orleans Songwriter's Fest!
Then Saturday morning we got up and had breakfast with a friend at the Chartres St. Bakery, go there if you get a chance, 2440 Chartres St, NOLA. Breakfast was awesome and the place just had a nice feel to it. It was a local Saturday morning crowd, lots of young families and people from the neighborhood. The kinda of place where the staff knew the names of all of the regulars. We'll definitely be back.
After breakfast, we hit the road back to Alexandria and I headed to the Red Hot Jam at the Tipitina's Co-op. There was a good turn out and I had a blast! We have some real talent in the Central Louisiana area! I can't wait for the next time we can all get together. Thanks to everyone for coming out!
Then I left Tips and headed to Louisiana College to see the production of "Letters Home at Christmas". Franki our student worker was singing in the choir. The production just topped off a weekend of music and talent. The LC Chorale is AWESOME! If you get a chance to see them, take it.
From there we went out to eat and then helped Katie, Zeb, Toby & Yo decorate their Christmas Tree. Then home finally.
Now, as I'm typing this, we've just finished putting the lights on our house and in our yard. And if I do say so myself it is beautiful! You can read the newspaper sitting in my front yard at midnight! Well at least at 10:30 pm since the timers go off at 11 pm!
I'll be posting pictures to my MySpace and Facebook from the weekend soon. So go check them out!
And now I'm typing a little blog update...and hoping that if you're reading this you had as wonderful a weekend as me and are fortunate to be as blessed!
Til we type again...
DC
Mood:
happyLast night I had a gig in Breaux Bridge at Cafe des Amis. It went really well, it still amazes me that I have 2 hours worth of material that is good enough to play in front of people! But that's not what this is about.
I was reminded that I am truly blessed by great family, friends and fans that show up and support me, wearing their t-shirts, passing out postcards and putting $$$ in my tip jar. Wow! Thanks to all you Fabulous Flock of Folks
While I was playing, watching folks walk in, order, eat and then sometimes leave. There was one couple who walked in, the woman of the couple had some cool boots (which later I found out she bought off of Ebay), and they walked to the back and sat down at a table behind a beam so I didn't have a clear view of them most of the night. But they ordered, got their food, ate and stayed for the entire show. There was something about the man that looked familiar and they know lots of people in the restaurant that knew them and talked with them. Cafe des Amis is a friendly place so that didn't really spark my interest too much.
Then as we were putting everything into the car, I hear a voice from behind me saying, "Nice Job, DC" Not really looking, I say, "Thanks" as I push my PA system into the car. Then again my sister says "you know who that was don't you?" And I say, no, he looked familiar, but I couldn't put a name with the face. To which she said, "That was Sonny Landreth." Sonny Landreth, came to Cafe des Amis to have supper with his wife or girlfriend (I don't know his marital status), ate and sat through my whole show. Wow! And all I could say was...Thanks, as I was lugging equipment. In hindsight, it was probably better, so that I didn't grovel at his feet, but I might have gushed a little more!
It just reminded me that while I try to treat everyone that comes to a show with respect and show gratitude for their support, I should really pay attention...and give everyone more attention. Because, as the song says, "You can always make more money, but you can never make more time"...And you never know who is in the audience.
Hopefully next time it will be YOU!
Mood:
a-okWell, the "G" man Gustav has past us and I'm sitting in my church's shelter working the 6-11 pm shift and feeling very blessed! No damage at my house, slight damage to our office...no air condition, but the weather's great.
While working at the shelter a few nights ago a friend texted me and said that she felt like she was living "We'll Be Fine". She could hear her neighbor's generator humming and had just had shrimp to eat. When I wrote those lines back post Katrina & Rita in 2005, I was thinking that the song would only ever fit that moment in time.
But time has proven me wrong and Gustav has given almost the entire state of Louisiana stories to share with their grandkids and all future generations. And working in this shelter has reminded me how fortunate I am and that no matter what happens, with hope, prayers and love...We'll Be Fine...even if Gustav's cousins Ike & Josephine come to visit.
Because there's a hurricane out in the Gulf
And they swear its gonna be the end of us
They'll bring the wind
And they'll bring the rain
Blow down the houses
Wash the coast away
But we'll be fine
We'll be fine
'Cause life goes on.
And on I go to visit with my Gustav Friends from across Louisiana as they prepare to head back to their homes. God Bless them one and all!
Mood:
celebratoryWell, it's been a while since I've blogged...and since I'm enjoying one of my God-son's blogs this summer while he's interning in Illinios and dogging him when he doesn't blog...which by the way, he owes us all...since he's now at Nashville Star in Nashville...filming for the finale...he's interning with State Farm and was selected as the "understudy" for the face of State Farm during the State Farm sponsored events during the Finale of Nashville Star. B, can't wait to hear and read all about it...
But, I digress, this is my blog...not B's...so here's my thought for the day. This past year has been one of growth for my day job...we've actually hired employees...what a new world it is...but one that I'm thankful for. One of our employees brought into the office a book called the "Dream Manager". It's one of those self help, touchy feely books about an organization that helps it's employees to pursue their dreams and reach their dreams. And the loyalty of their employees grows, and everyone helps each other to fulfill their dreams...see now you won't have to read the book!
Anyway, I started this process along with our employees...I wrote down day job dreams and songwriting dreams. It just hit me a few days ago that even un-beknownst to me, the things that I wrote down have started to begin coming true! Pretty amazing and heady stuff...
One dream that I wrote down was to have an artist other than myself record one of my songs...and this past week, my friend and power vocalist, Beth Trepagnier contacted me and asked if she could record "I'll Wait Forever" and "Let You Back In" on her next CD! That's one down...makes me want to start writing down all my dreams and goals...and then opening myself up to letting it happen.
Thanks Beth...little did you know that by following your dream you're actually making one of mine come true! My "children" couldn't be in better hands! I am humbled and blessed!
Now Playing: Heaven Knows
Hey gang,
Found out tonight that I can archive all my Scoop! So, you can click on the link below and read or re-read all the Scoop from the past 2 years. I couldn't believe when I started archiving all the Scoop that ever there was, that it all started in 2006...WOW! for 2 years now, you Fabulous Flock of Folks have read my rantings, rovings and ruminations! Amazing!
Now, on to Elvis. I played my song, "Path of Paul" today during our Sunday School Class...for those of you who may not have heard it yet, it's a song about how the Apostle Paul kept the faith through everything he endured after the death of Christ and it was his faith that got him through...well, after class a nice little lady walked up and shook my hand and said, "You're just a female Elvis my dear!" I reckon it just doesn't get any better than that eh? Never had anyone tell me that one yet!
Back to my original subject, you can find all the archived Scoops by clicking:
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs004/1101367093778/archive/1102066612568.html
Mood:
happyWell, March 12th finally arrived...my first time to play Spirits here in Alexandria...and it was the most nervous about a gig that I have ever been.
What if no one showed? What if I put the wrong time on the post cards I sent out (which I did at first), what if I sounded horrible, what if the PA system didn't work...what if, what if, what if? The only what if I didn't consider was...
What if there were soooo many folks there that there was no
t enough room for everyone to sit! And that's exactly what happened. The place was packed...with Spirits regulars and with my Fabulous Flock of folks! Truly amazing and humbling...
Everything went off without a hitch. Charles was a great sound guy...Lee was an excellent host...The wait staff was working their @#@$@'s off all night...the kitchen kept the food cooking...folks flowed in and out and finally by around 8:30 pm, everyone was sitting down.
I finis
hed up around 9:30 or so then sat and visited with those people who hung around. What a great night!
There were too many of you to thank individually here...but you know who you are! Thanks to you all!!!! It wouldn't have been the same without you!
Mood:
brightSee, thought that the title might get you here to read this...and it's not false advertisement...I'll get to the signature part soon.
This week has been plenty busy, got back from Vegas on Friday from Bryant's 21st birthday trip. No, no boobs yet...But we had a great time saw Mamma Mia, Stomp and the Cirque show LOVE. Just Awesome.
Then on Saturday I sat in on a jam session with the Friends of Bluegrass (FOB) in Pineville. I had a blast! The players were great, generous and fun to pick a little music with...and I was told that the "A" team hadn't even arrived yet. I left around 2 pm, but heard that folks were still playing after 5! Can't wait to go back next month!
Now, we're almost there to the boobage...On Monday, I had the wonderful opportunity to play at St. Frances Cabrini Hospital and Rapides Regional Medical Center as part of the Arts & Healthcare program run by Judy Ginsberg. This program puts artists (musicians, poets, visual artists) in the waiting rooms of each outpatient center to entertain those waiting. It was really like busking on a street corner...folks walking by some stopping and listening, some continuing on their way. But everyone seemed really receptive. And everyone smiled! At Cabrini artists play on a carpeted area just inside the front door...at Rapides, artists play in the artium of the Women & Children's Center...and I've always wondered what a person singing in there would sound like. It was awesome! Great acoustics, my voice traveled well and from what everyone said, it sounded pretty good too! ;-)
Now for your big pay off...if you've read this far, you'll know get the story on my first Boob Signature. As I was wrapping up at Rapides, a friend that I used to work in the ER with another lifetime ago came out of the Women's Surgery area (where she now works) and ran up and asked for my autograph...so Sharpie in hand, I penned "DC" right there under the "V" of her scrubs on her...you guessed it...her boob!
Thanks for reading about my adventures and or misadventures.
Type atcha soon....
DC
| Terri Hendrix |
I saw an awesome show this past Saturday night! Terri Hendrix & Lloyd Maines at Fairfield Studios in Shreveport. Which by the way if you haven't beento A couple of months ago (November I think), Terri was the cover artist of Texas Music Magazine. In that article, she talked about how she runs her own career. She owns all her masters, runs her own record label (Wilory Records) and works to make music that has meaning. From reading the article, I thought, "Man, I like her music, but now after learning a little more about her, I really like her!" Here's what Texas Music Magazine had to say: You Gotta Be Strong — Terri Hendrix and the Art of the Spiritual Kind: Terrie Hendrix balances art and "the part that's not art" while bringing joy to an audience as life tests her threshold for the blues. For more than a decade, this self-proclaimed "scrappy cat" songbird from San Antone has done it all with a smile and come away with the deed to her own universe. How could you not like that?! So, back on track now...Saturday night, Feb. 2nd (Yes, I skipped Reba & Kelly Clarkson...thanks Janice for not being mad that I made you miss Reba too)...I got to see her play live. It was great! Not only was the show awesome, it was in an intimate space (Fairfield Studios seats only about 100 folks) where the audience really felt like part of the show. At intermission, I had a chance to get Terri to autography my copy of her CD "Spiritual Kind" and she took time to chat with me. We both shared the philosophy that it's not about "me" when it comes to music, but it needs to be about more than that...it needs to reach out and be about the music and what it can bring to other people. I thought wow, she really gets it...or at least validates what I think I "get". That's a pretty good feeling. Her other words of wisdom were: "Just do what's right for you in this business, there are alot of folks out there with lots of talent who aren't doing it for the right reasons, you just gotta grow some big cajonas and don't let those people sway you...stay true to yourself." Pretty big words there...Terri... ;-)
Thanks to Terri & Lloyd for taking time to chat after the show. You are who and what I strive to be musically! My bar has been raised. |
one of their House Concerts, you should go...check them out at: 
Then after the show, I took a picture with Terri, which you can see embedded in this blog. And also took a couple of pics with Lloyd Maines. Who had the cutest picture of his grandkids on his guitar...they were all dressed up for Halloween...very sweet. And what a nice guy he is as well. And an amazing guitar player!
| DC a Hero? | |
This is something that still blows me away! But if you look on Louisiana Organ Procurement's website (www.lopa.org)  and click on the Heroes page, you'll find me there. It is definitely not deserving on my part. The real heroes are the people who have lost loveones but had the courage to donate their organs to save someone else...and the receipients of those organs and tissue. Those are the HEROES! I am truly humbled to be listed on the site. If Justin Harrison's story (along with this Mom, Libbie, and Marilyn) as told through "Heaven Knows" can help one person make the right decision when it comes to organ donation, then that is woth my inclusion on the LOPA website. But I am truly humbled to be associated with such a wonderful organization and to call Libbie Harrison my friend! You will never find a more passionate advocate for any cause! Don't forget to let your wishes be known to your family and friends. And talk to your parents and children about organ donation. | |
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