A couple of weeks ago in late Sept. I had a fantastic experience in West Palm Beach , for what turned out to be a super fun photo shoot for my new CD ! My CD will be released in late 2012 but it is important to start the graphics early. So, I had the pleasure of working with the talented photographer Claudia De Rubeis. Cheryl Maeder an Internationally renowned photographer in WPB is a dear friend, and put us together. What a day! It was an idyllic clear tropical setting of 94+ degrees! Other than the excessive humidity that made for a LOT of hydration and "sponging" on my forehead , it was an unforgettable experience. Claudia and her makeup artist Ariane were so accomodating and made me feel so at home. This production shot of Claudia and I shows one of the many beautiful public locations we used . Stay tuned for the final choice! For more details pingg.com.
10 years ago I commissioned my friend Miles McNamara, a talented filmmaker, to video my daughter Ashley’s birthday party for a gift for my Mother, Kay McCullough , who lived in ON. Miles bravely appeared with no gear and no crew and his small GL2 – DV25 camera. Over the course of the afternoon braving the buzz and mayhem that comes with a parcel of excited young girls, he managed to capture the flowering innocence of my kid, her friends and that magical island day. It became a labor of love as several hundreds of hours later; Miles presented us with this jewel of a video that has now become a favorite family ritual and highlight for every succeeding birthday. And yes, my Mother loved it.
Ashley and her friends are now young teenage women, yet they still watch it with glee shouting with delight at themselves and the happy memories it recalls from our puppy Riley somersaulting with the bubble wand to the Harry Potter cake presentation. (I so enjoyed making Birth Day cakes! ) Who knew that this video of simple family moments would become such a treasure? It was never meant for public use yet many friends who we have viewed it with have encouraged me to do so… so here it is.
The music, is Ashley’s Lullabye from Late Bloomer, that I wrote while driving on a car trip to Wells BC, a long 9 hour drive, for a guitar camp. That’s right, with a pen and paper on the steering wheel- going very slowly while Ashley who was three, was in the back car seat sleeping . I suddenly had a compulsion to tell her how much I loved her, in this song. I was a sobbing fool by the time I had finished it, three hours later, when she awoke from her nap. Perfect timing! I proudly performed the tune at the guitar camp with teachers, Doug Cox and Ken Hamm’s able assistance and it has now become my fans favorite song from L B. It is a simple melody that comes straight from the heart of this very sentimental Mother. Hope you like it.
Well it is a crazy story but unfortunately I missed a very unexpected & amazing opportunity to audition for Lilith Fair last Jan! How? …the email notification of the audition went into my junk mail and by the time I found it in April! It was too late! After an emotional call to Nettwerk I admit, this grown woman broke down and wept! Yes, I should have followed up and not just relied on the email process. Lesson learned! However, I also have sent out hundreds of press kits over the years, with no response, even with follow up. So letting go each time is also self-protection, as this is how the music biz goes.
However, there is still one last chance through "ourstage.com" to be judged among by anyone for Vancouver singer songwriters-this month- MAY- on line. SO! "WEST COAST GIRL" ( it was sooo hard trying to decide which 1 song to enter!!!) is being judged for the single Vancouver Lilith spot. If you feel so inclined, and you like what you hear - I'd appreciate your support. Here’s how it goes:
Go to: 1. www.ourstage.com 2. Go to the Judge link, near the top just below the banner (click it) 3. Go to: Lilith Fair Channels (on the far right click it) 4. Go to Lilith Local Talent Search: Vancouver in the right column near the bottom. (click the link) 5. Page opens to "Listen, Sort + Lock".
Here you vote from 4 random singer/songwriters. Unlike Canadian Idol it is not allowed- to directly just vote for me. Here you have to wait till my song comes round the queue. So... if you have 10 min (or more) to do this- great! If not... no worries. However, if you do, this is a cool way to hear ALL the local independent musicians in the running. Regardless of what happens I am content to know my music was appreciated for an audition opportunity!
Yes, the weather gods did not co-operate and we were rained out- ... however, Daryl and I performed anyway! ( as they had special shut off protection for potential electrocution!) . Afterwards, we were told the sound "was magical" ...and we sure enjoyed ourselves. Thanks to the devoted crowd that gathered ...and to the seagulls!
During the week of July 1,3 and 4th SHAW TV 's Travel Guys aired their special feature on BOWEN ISLAND. Kayaking was listed as the #1 reason to visit Bowen and my studio , was listed as the #3 reason ! Michael Creber ( baby grand piano) , Rene Worst ( bass) and I performed " West CoastGirl"at my CG Studio at Artisan Square . Reruns will occur in future andthe show will eventually be uploaded to their site. www.travelguystv.comTravel Guys is hosted by long-time Vancouver radio and TV personalities Jim Gordon and Darren Parkman. The show airs nationally on SHAW TV , in 38 markets in over four million homes, and features a humorous take on destinations like Australia, Thailand , Japan and Bowen Island, BC.
This unique opportunity originated last May 2007 at an established Vancouver Restaurant's cocktail party on trendy Robson St, where amongst all the fun, my publicist, Debbie Walker of Translucent Publicity and I, met Jim Gordon . Initially, I was not aware who Jim was as I "waxed poetic" about my wonderful island life, and my newest CD project, CONTEMPLATION, I was recording at the time. In a nutshell, Jim quickly offered to bring the show, over to Bowen and I said - "cool"! This apparently was unusual as they primarily focus on international features. So I was jazzed! However -to make it all happen- they needed someone to handle all the extensive, organizational leg work which, Debbie and I volunteered for. With minimal prep time and a specific framework the efficient, focused crew of 4, showed up last June 2007. It was an exciting yet brief whirlwind , as we sought to make everyone happy . Impossible! We had no influence as to their approach to Bowen, (as is the case with all media) except to amiably encourage the bridge of communication between Bowen and it's producers. All said, it was a fun, memorable experience that Debbie, Sarah Pocklington- (my then assistant) and I enjoyed having a small hand in.
