Music Diary November '14

Some thoughts from this month's musical endeavors...
Nov. 1 - What Love is All About turned one! Happy Birthday, sweet record. You will always be my first.

Nov. 4 - The Band of Men and I are working on arranging my new songs for the next full-band record. Tonight we just focused on one song, a new song called 'Love/Hate'. Those Men sure are something special. I went in with one idea and they came up with something completely different and better. Can't wait for ya'll to hear.
Nov. 7 - I was honored to be a part of Ben Salem Presbyterian Church's Anniversary Celebration. They brought 5 female musicians in for a worship service of various styles of worship. There was rap, gospel, jazz, and me:)

Tawana Ross, me, and Catina Reese
Nov. 12 - Wrote a new song, 'In The Dark'. The theme of the song is that sometimes I prefer not knowing things. Sometimes staying in the dark means you don't have to change anything. Not my typical subject to write about but there's been a lot of that lately. Yes another one I'm excited for you to hear.

Nov. 14 - I put my percussionist hat on and joined Charlie King at Zoe's Coffeehouse in Gastonia, NC. I always love playing there, nice people and great vibe. I truly, truly love playing with Charlie in any formation but there does seem to be something special when we play just as a duo. Maybe because we are limited at what we can we do so we have to be even more creative AND we have to really pay attention to our dynamics. I love a good challenge and trying to get a semi-full band sound with only two people is most definitely a challenge. Hey The Nester, what's that you always say about Lovely Limitations? Works in the music world too:)

Nov. 15 - Hope*ologie Live, I told you all about my takeaway from this event but here's a little pic of me and Gary taking a small break during set up.

Nov. 19 - I had the privilege of getting to record some parts on the new Christmas Album for Grace Church. It was so much fun...but more on that later.
Nov. 20 - Finished another song. I think this one will be called 'Mine All Mine'. This one came pretty fast and that always makes me feel like maybe it's not good enough. Like it didn't take that much effort and maybe that's bad. But I don't think that's always the case.

Night Owl came fast and people love it, I love it. It doesn't have a bridge and while it was still an infant - some folks told me that it needed one, that the song just wasn't finished. I politely disagreed but worried those people would think I was just being lazy. Now, I'm not worried - I am the artist and I get to decide when a song is finished and when it needs a bridge AND when it doesn't. This new song is, I guess, my take on a love song, sorta. I sat down to write a love song but ended up writing a "take me back" song. I think I'm just allergic to love songs.

my co-writer
Nov. 22 - Once again I joined Charlie King. We took the show up to Salisbury, NC and played at Cartucci's Grapevine. I've never played a set with a space heater onstage (at least never inside) but we were all very grateful for it. The folks at The Grapevine were so kind and I can't wait to go back - actually that's on Dec. 12th with a few of The Band of Men.

see the heater?

Nov. 28 - I joined a bunch of other folks at The 3rd Annual Levon Helm Tribute the day after Thanksgiving. It's always such a fun night jammed packed with amazing talent. Here's a video of Blake Christiana (from the band Yarn) and I singing 'Helpless' with our hosts, The New Familiars and The Midwood Horns. If you are interested you can check out the entire concert HERE.

so many friends...

All in All - a great month of music.