February 20, 2011

'Dream A Little Dream Of Me'

Messed around in rehearsal with this song, played it last week at my Hard Rock concert...enjoy.


February 18, 2011

FACE TO FACE

Yesterday I took my keyboard and spent time with a teenager battling a serious illness. When I got there, she was very unresponsive...cold, detached and quiet. I played my own music for awhile, and kept asking her to play for me...after several tries, I finally got her to take the piano and play. SHE WAS BETTER THAN ME! She played the most beautiful classical pieces, and with more feeling than I've heard many performers. She completely came alive with energy. We played for an hour, and by the time I left, she was bright-eyed, singing, and asking me to come for another musical visit.

I left the visit so inspired that I am still beaming. What a change I had seen! What beautiful music had come out of this girl, one who at first seemed uninspired. It was such a powerful experience, for us both.

Then last night I headed to a charity event for a children's hospital. It was held at a club-type venue, with a red carpet and gifting lounge for celebrities. Fun...entertaining...but does it have anything to do REALLY with getting face-to-face with someone in need? Listen, I am all for charity events, etc...but I do have an issue with people's shallow intentions. Most people head to these 'Charity Events' for the gift bag, for the red carpet, never digging into what real charity is. I have experienced this shallow intent for years in Los Angeles, and have even been guilty of it in the past. But let me tell you, there is nothing more powerful or SIMPLE than getting face to face with someone in need, and lifting their soul. Is it scary to see people suffering? Sure! Is it uncomfortable to care about a strangers life? SURE! But after just a moment, it is the most natural thing you've ever done. THIS is real work that will change you. THIS is what matters. Don't lie to yourself and say you do charity work by making appearances.

By all means, go to your parties, your fundraising galas with the amazing gifts and red carpet photo opps. But remember, that is NOT the meat of helping people. It is easier than you think to reach someone on a personal level...one-on-one. Whether its reading to an elderly person, coloring with a child, or playing a song for someone, the opportunities are all around you. I've even included some links at the bottom of the page to help you get started.

GO SHARE YOUR LIGHT.





February 16, 2011

BEHIND THE SCENES GRAMMY DAY!

I did a segment for the E! Red Carpet GRAMMY Pre Sow...and of course filmed behind he scenes for you. Enjoy.


February 11, 2011

YOU HAVE A GENIUS

Dear friends, this video was sent to me by a good friend, after she saw me perform a few nights ago. She said she was totally lost in the performance, and that it reminded her of this talk that Liz Gilbert gave. I did myself a favor and took 20 minutes to watch it, I hope you take a timeout and do the same.

It made me smile and cry to hear what she says about what 'happens' to different artists when they create their art...I thought of my own process. When I write a song, the song swirls above my head in a dense, furious cloud. Its up to me to reach up and snatch the pieces down. That is how its always been, every time. There, my secret revealed. What 'happens' to you?

WATCH WATCH WATCH and PASS IT ON.


Liz speaks of what 'happens' to certain artists when they create something, and it made me smile to pinpoint mine...when I am writing a song, the song is swirling above my head in a dense furious cloud, and I feel as though I reach up and pull the pieces down to me. That is how I write, there's my secret uncovered. How do you create your art? WATCH WATCH WATCH and PASS IT ON.

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