Take Note Tuesday: Boyce Avenue

Cover songs have a way of bringing unknown bands into the spotlight, but their own original songs are what keep them there.  Boyce Avenue happens to be one of those bands with a knack for doing cover songs.  One of their latest original songs, "Be Somebody" is at the top of my list of favorites, though.  I think it has a good message.  I myself am encouraged to be bold in pursuit of my dreams and goals as I listen to this song.

This band of brothers was formed in 2004 after all three of them finished pursuing their educational goals.  Daniel, Fabian and Alejandro are from Sarasota, Florida.  They are currently scheduled to tour cities across the United States in September and October of this year.  Check out their video collaboration for the song "Be Somebody" below.

Monday Memoirs: Creativity in a Spirit of FAITH

Ever since I was a little girl, I have possessed a belief in something bigger than myself.  Over time, this FAITH has never diminished.  It has brought me peace, hope and courage; even helping me face one of my biggest fears: creating and sharing music with others.  I know this love of music somehow stems from the creator of my soul.  A tender touch of respect and gratitude toward God is what further leads me to improve upon it.  Drawn to discover similar sparks of divinity in everyone I encounter, I thrill to see others talents and watch them grow.  This notion, is what causes my nervous and often shaky knees to stand and share amid possible jeers and indifference.

When I create music I try not to limit myself to one genre. The vehicle by which beauty and love from within are transported to someone else's heart should not be discriminated against.  My attempts are repeatedly exhilarating, exhausting and terrifying causing me to feel alive and completely undone all at the same time.

This week I had the privilege of working with a friend who came to me with any idea for a song one week before she wanted to perform it in front of a congregation of ladies for a special Women's Conference.  To say the task seemed daunting is an overstatement, but it felt right.  It came together so smoothly we felt a divine hand had to have been in it.  I made a home recording of the song to help prepare for the performance of it.  Here is a portion of that rough draft.  The song is called "Stand" by Candice L.  I hope you all enjoy it.  Until next time... Happy Songwriting!!

Click HERE to listen to a sample of Stand by Candice L.

“Dark Thundercloud On Summer Day” by radiant

I love the way this photo goes so well with some of the lyrics, "Stand Strong, hold on, though the winds may blow, yet I will guard you."

Take Note Tuesday: Amanda Ryan

My search for today's quality family friendly artist took me high and low.  I think I just get lucky some days, and others days I reach dead end after dead end.  Today's artist is a very talented vocalist and songwriter from Texas.  I really enjoy listening to her voice and look forward to hearing more from her.  Check out two versions of her song "Your Last Name" below.  So creative!!

To hear more original songs by Amanda Ryan click HERE.

Monday Memoirs: Too old or not too old.... that is the question

To listen to "Just Fine", an original song by Catrina Baum, by click  HERE.

Am I too old to do this sort of thing, I muse to myself.  Maybe, but I still find myself returning to an even bigger idea.... even if I am it doesn't matter.  I almost feel like the reason I feel so driven to do this is because it is something I should have done long ago and didn't have enough guts to do it.  Now I just want to prove to myself and the world that I can.  I am sure this will not be the last time I have to face this question.  I think I face it almost every day when I go to work on any new music project, but it feels good to put these statements in writing because, ultimately, I strongly feel that any talent we might possess in this life is meant to be grown and the only way we can grow is by putting ourselves in vulnerable places and overcoming our fears.

 So what kind of fears did I face this week?  Well, for starters I performed one of my new original songs at a talent show.  This song is one that I actually shared a few months ago with a guitar playing the main accompaniment chords.  I could not get a hold of a guitarist for this performance, though, so I came up with a piano version instead.  It seemed to need a little something to lighten it up so I added a bongo drum to the mix. This song is called "Just Fine", but I also like to call it the "Sunshine" song.

Listen to "Just Fine", an original song by Catrina Baum, by clicking  HERE.

How about you?  Do you have any original songs with several different versions?  I would love to hear.  Please share.  Until next time... Happy Songwriting!

“Sun On White Background. Illustration” by lekkyjustdoit from www.freedigitalphotos.net

Take Note Tuesday: Celine Rae

In my research this week I came across a producer from the Netherlands, Mike Attinger.  He is a composer/songwriter who arranges and records instrumentals for youtube artists.  I was impressed with all of his work.  One of the artists he has worked with is Dutch singer-songwriter Celine Rae.  Her single "He Said" was released on i-tunes last October.  Her youtube video of the original song has had over 10,000 views.  I was impressed with the "We Don't Talk Any More"video she worked on with Mike.  Check it out:

I am always on the lookout for upcoming artists who offer family friendly music.  Please let me know what you think about this week's artist AND if you know of anyone please comment below.  Until next time... Happy Songwriting!

Monday Memoirs: Living life to the Fullest

When I first started to pursue my long time dream of creating and making music, I was so overwhelmed that I would lie awake at night petrified at just the thought of performing in front of others; afraid of making the biggest mistake of my life by becoming the ultimate FOOL.  The only thing that helped me face this fear was deciding that even if I DID make a fool of myself it didn't matter because I would at least be living my life and fulfilling a dream that had been a part of my childhood heart for as long as I could remember.  What did it matter that I was 38 when I finally decided to face this fear.  I was ready for the figurative roller coaster ride of my life.  Now, almost 5 years later, I am amazed at where this path has taken me.  Starting off as a classically trained pianist, I had no idea that I would find myself creating modern pop/folk style music, including covers of top 40 songs as well as original songs, let alone recording them and sharing them publicly on sound cloud.  I especially never dreamed I would be making music videos to share on youtube.  This has all been, at times, a little more than I could fathom.  I just keep telling myself that I don't care if I seem like a fool.  Living life to the fullest is more important.

This month I would like to focus my blog posts on this topic of facing fears and pursuing dreams.  I would love to hear from you.  Do you have any dreams that require an extreme amount of courage to obtain?  How about dreams that took you a long time to decide to pursue?  I would love to hear all about them.  Please share.  Until next time.... Happy Song Writing.

“Error Stamp” by Stuart Miles from freedigitalphotos.net

Take Note Tuesday: Olivia Penalva

I am just getting back into the routine of finding fresh, up coming, family-friendly talent, after taking a month off for spring break.  To my surprise, it didn't take me long to find a voice I loved from the moment I heard it.   She is singer/songwriter Olivia Penalva, who sings with her whole  heart.  The first song I ever heard her sing was cover of "One Call Away" by Charlie Puth, getting over 54,000 views on youtube.  This almost 17-year old girl from Canada, also just came out with a new, original song called, "Outshine the Stars" just two weeks ago.  Check it out below:

Please let me know if YOU want to share any new and upcoming, family-friendly talent.  I love it when you share your ideas with me.  Until next.... Happy Songwriting!!!

Monday Memoirs: Slow Motion Pieces of Me

Right now, I feel like pieces of my life have been thrown up in the air and millions of tiny shards  are falling down around me in slow motion.  Each piece seems to be going in a different direction and I, in a sloth like manner, am scrambling to gather them all to put back together again.

My attempt at songwriting, this morning, seemed to be just as difficult and slow in motion, and yet I still find myself wanting to keep track of these moments.  Every day, the good moments as well as the  bad ones, are a part of my life and my songwriting experience.  Each moment of each day has value.

When I first started writing a song this morning, I thought that I might have something worth sharing by the end of the day, but all the other millions of slow motion pieces of my life got in the way and I never returned to my morning attempts.  I am sure that something will come of it eventually, but not today.  Thankfully tomorrow is a new day with a whole 24 hours worth of opportunities.

How about you?  How does your life FEEL right now?  How are you fitting your songwriting hobby into your life?  Please share your experiences.  I would love to hear.

Until next time.... Happy Songwriting.

“Shattered Pieces” by Stuart Miles from freedigitalphotos.net