Brief Update, and Words from Farrah Fawcett

I am heavy into the process of writing my one-man-show based on my music. About a month ago I thought I was nearing the end — and was getting very excited. However, the more I wrote, the more I realized that a large chunk of the play needed to be rewritten. I was talking to a writer friend of mine, and he said that is very common with writing a play or a story of some kind. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, given how my songs often change shape when I’m writing them. So I’m still writing away, and very happy with the direction it is taking! As a result of working on the show, I’ve been pretty behind on my blogs, my MySpace, Facebook and Twitter sites. I’ll do my best to catch up as the days go by! Just thought I’d update you on where I’m at at the moment.

Also, I was recently interviewed on the weekly ACB Radio Show, “Books and Beyond”. It was a one-hour interview and I was asked about everything from my acting, singing and songwriting, my days as a graphic designer (especially working on the O. J. Simpson case), and particularly about my creative process. Two of my songs will be played during the interview as well. It will be airing Saturday, June 11 at 6 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, and will replay every two hours until the next day at 6 p.m.. Here is the link: ACB RADIO

As we mourn the passing of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett, I thought I’d include a quote from one of them (knowing how I love quotes). Below is an excerpt from a letter written by Farrah to her “Charlie’s Angels” co-star Jaclyn Smith. Jaclyn read the letter during an interview with Barbara Walters. I found these words very inspirational. In addition, these words show her courage in the way she lived her life, and the way she battled cancer. Being a huge Farrah fan, I always admired her risk taking. She could have rested on her looks, but instead she challenged herself to go beyond her comfort zone with highly demanding parts in plays and movies such as “Extremities” and “The Burning Bed”. Thank you both, Michael and Farrah, for your contributions to my life. You both made the sun shine a little brighter for me….

“I want to thank you my dearest friend, for helping me take this ambiguous journey. Fear of everything seems just around the corner everyday and it’s my biggest test because I was never bothered by fear. I always felt that if I succeeded that was great, and if something failed my attitude was what’s the worst that could happen. A failure. So you just move on.”

– Farrah Fawcett.

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The Mix of Life

Life is pretty crazy. I guess because it is bigger than us, sometimes you just have to go with the flow. If there’s a mountain in your way, you need to realize it is there and deal with it. Not that there is any big mountain in my path at this time, but I do have hills to navigate. 

I am really blown away at the reaction of “Lonely Motel”, the country single I just released. I keep being told by people who say they don’t like country music, that they love the song, and that I should do a country album. I didn’t expect that reaction at all! The truth is that the song came into my head – lyric first – and any song with the lyric “I’m checkin’ in to a lonely motel”, just HAD to be country!! I don’t know that I have more country in me – we’ll see. Maybe someday…. Meanwhile, I’ve been hard at work with my one-man-show. It has been quite a challenge. I’ve never written a show before, and I’m having to flex brain muscles I’ve never used. Exciting and frightening at the same time. I seem to be almost finished with the writing, but I’ve found that (just like in songwriting – but on a larger scale) the writing has a life of its own. The great news is that the show is finally coming together, and I’m at the point where I’m interviewing directors. I truly cannot wait to perform this show!! 

I also briefly mentioned on my website, that plans are in the works for a music video. That is still the case, but it seems to be more out of my hands than in them at this point. It is definitely one of the hills in front of me – but I have hopes that a great, and original video will be produced soon! Again, stay posted to my website for updates and details. 

Perhaps some of the best news is that I have a new manager! And a great one!! I couldn’t ask for better support for my career! 

And lastly (just between you and me) I’m getting the recording bug again! I am really wanting to get back in the studio and start on a new project, but I have decided to focus on my show, and get it off the ground. Then perhaps, I’ll get back in the studio. More reason to get my show finished ASAP!!

So once again, life is a mix. A mix of great things, and hurdles to face. All encompassing, difficult, beautiful, wonderful, life!

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Finding My Voice, and Words from Goldie Hawn

I’m not sure what it is with me, but I have an unyielding need to create. And I’m seeing that when I’m not being creative, I actually suffer. If you’ve been reading my blogs for a bit, you know that I’m in the process of writing a one-man-show based on the music from both my CDs. It has been quite an undertaking. A labor of love though! I am creating something very different from a normal concert, or a normal one-man-show. And as I’m writing this show, doing other acting jobs, and writing songs, I am starting to get a sense of my “voice” as an artist. And I realize that a “voice” isn’t something you know (at least for me), but something you discover. And only from creating, creating more, and then creating more, does the sense of a “voice” start to emerge. I didn’t know that I’d ever get to this place – where I am finding a much greater sense of self. It is quite empowering! I do realize that just like all of life, I’ll keep evolving and changing. But it is refreshing to get a glimpse, for the first time, of myself as an artist. 

I was watching an episode of “Inside the Actor’s Studio”, and Goldie Hawn was the guest. For those who don’t know, it is a show where an actor (or occasional singer) is interviewed about their life and how they approach acting (or singing). At the end of this show, Goldie Hawn was answering questions from the students, she said some words about creativity that I thought were very beautiful and truthful. They rang true for me as things that I’ve felt and continue to feel, so I wrote them down, and must include them in my blog. Please keep in mind that this quote was from a spoken answer – so it is a little strange grammatically. i hope it translates well enough for you to get what she’s saying.

     “In terms of my work, I like to create things from all that I’ve seen and witnessed. So that becomes more frustrating when you don’t have an outlet. You can sit and write at home. You can do all this stuff, and you think, ‘what am I doing’? I’m writing for nothing. Because nobody’s interested in what I’m saying. Nobody’s interested in what I’m thinking. And it can be very, very difficult. It will always be difficult. It will be difficult when you’re successful. It will be difficult when you’re not successful. Because creating is a very solitary act. And it’s very lonely. And you think nobody’s gonna hear you – until someone does. And then they do. And then you worry the next time.

     What keeps you alive is creativity. That’s the life force. So that can’t leave you. You mustn’t ever allow that to leave you. You’ll be up and down. But I’ll just say this much: Take your ego and put it over here (gestures to the side), and just witness. Don’t be it. Don’t be a failure. Don’t be not perfect. Just witness your behavior. Witness your feelings. But these will change as everything does.”

– Goldie Hawn

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