May 5, 2006
Happy May Sweet Souls,
I hope this month’s newsletter finds you all well on your way up the path to your higher
selves during this month of re-creation and renewal! I know this creative woman feels as if
I have traversed quite a distance since the last newsletter. Shall I recap?
On The Road...
April was the month for covering a lot of miles…mostly alone. (Urg!) Little did I know
when I set up all these out-of-town gigs what was lurking around the corner. One never
knows…on this path of willingness! If I would have known, I’m sure I would never have
booked them all in one month. So as it was, I ventured out as a solo musician on this
Maiden Voyage to venues that I had always wanted to play but never included in the
dream that I would have to do these as a solo artist. What a lesson in trusting (something
greater) faith, courage and self-doubt.
First on the schedule was The Otter Rock Café in Morro Bay, CA. My very first solo gig
was a grueling 4 hours long. That’s a ton of singing and playing for a solo performer.
What was I thinking??? (You can read more about this gig in the April newsletter)
The next weekend held my standing gig at Coffee Etc. in Springville, CA. After that last
gig I was sure this would be much easier. It was (somewhat) but it was not sans glitches.
First of all I left too late, and then I had more traffic on 65 than I’ve ever seen. Anxiety built
to a condition not conducive to solo playing, as a result of my lateness, and it didn’t help
that the sun decided to hide behind the clouds most of the day. Not many wanted to
come out and sit in this location that is typically warm and friendly. Needless to say…I was
not “In the pocket.” Thank goodness Mark and Laurel proved their loyalty, for it was not
my best work, but the day ended up being a great day of friendship and soothing balm for
this bruised up heart. I was deeply touched and healed by their selfless invitation to join
them for their anniversary dinner at The Springville Inn. (If you’ve never eaten there give
it a shot. I had the salmon and it was quite yummy.) It also healed my heart to see my
sweet friends Lawanna, and Dennis, and what an added gift to find that Cory had sold
quite a bundle of my cards at her shop A Novel Idea! What a gift to have such love and
support and what that can do for a ragged soul.
Then back to the Otter Rock Café for Easter Sunday brunch and this time a much more
doable 3 hours! And what would Easter Sunday in Morro Bay be like without …Rain???
Huh? Crazy. It was a fun gig and I made sure I left early enough to drive home while it
was still light so as to miss most of the traffic coming home on such a holiday. But no
planning could have predicted a recall fuel pump failure for my 2003 VW Passat on Hwy
46…just out of cell phone range!!! Technology!!! So after 3 hours of waiting in the gusty
wind and cold a tow truck finally showed up and towed me and my car back to B-town to
the tune of over $300. Happy Easter Dude! (Family joke!)
Needless to say when the next weekend rolled around the corner I was ready to hide
under the covers…but…I didn’t. Nope…this time I was scheduled to play at Sugar
Magnolia’s (a great little venue) in Lompoc, CA. I had originally booked this gig months
back when my friend in Lompoc had lot’s of spare time and I thought it would be fun to
hang out on his home turf for the weekend so he could show me around. Well, this
particular weekend the rocket at Vandenberg hadn’t launched in 7 tries and so he was not
available to “hang out” and once again …this gig found me alone, in a not good (at all)
hotel room…with no familiar faces. By now I had figured out that The Universe in all her
wisdom has been trying to teach me something about "aloneness" and "acceptance" and
so...I was ready…braced for whatever challenge came my way…4 weeks on the
road…challenge after challenge…what the hell was I doing all this for???
But just prior to this gig my sister sent me one of those silly little e-mails about a little boy
who sang to his baby sister while she was in the womb and after she was born with a
severe condition that would undoubtedly take her life, the mother took him to the hospital
so he could sing to her one more time before she took her final breath. To the dismay of
the hospital staff…the little boy sang…”You Are My Sunshine” and his little baby sister
miraculously began to recover. Her heart slowed its rapid beating and her breathing
returned to a relaxed paced. While reading that little story the morning before heading
out, I began to tear up for I realized…this is the power of music and song. When music
comes from the soul the message in the song can soar to places in people’s hearts and
heal in ways that nothing else can. I’ve known this "magic" for a very long time but I had
forgotten it with all my technical training that left such a bitterness me so very long ago.
Here this very day…I was reminded again of the magic and healing powers of music/song
and so..it has been with this new remembering and renewal that I have found the source
that makes it possible to continue to share the gift of music with the world. And that even
means sometimes people I don’t know in places I’ve never been. For it is a healing gift to
even me to share my life’s experiences expressed in my lyrics/music.
Sugar Magnolia’s had such a charming homey feel with a lit fireplace and sweet old
quilts on the walls, the mismatched table and chairs, and the wonderful aroma of
homemade pasta and pesto being served for dinner. The guests were so sweet and
gracious. We chatted in between songs about the content of the lyrics. This was a
songwriter’s dream venue.
The next morning was a beauty and so Patrick and I took our pups to Jalama Beach for a
burger and a walk. Oh, my goodness was that ever the most fun I have had with my little
Buddy Boy. Off leash he ran like he had just made it to heaven. We were sure that I’d
have to carry him on the way back but that little 7 lbs of love had more joy of living than I
have ever seen in any one human being ever! The day was beautiful…the sky blue, the
perfect temperature for bare feet and t-shirts. Then we said our good-byes to Lompoc,
CA. Exhausted and content Buddy and I headed back to B-town and had a beautiful and
safe drive home down Hwy 166 past Aliso Park, New Cuyama and Taft.
Homecoming (..or Coming Out) at The Village Grill...
Somewhere early that next week I got a call from my son Jake saying that he and his
girlfriend Jill were coming to B-town for the weekend. Now my sons have heard me
perform their whole lives and usually they listen politely to about 1.6 songs before they
come in and let me know that they have other stuff to do. You know…I’m just their
Mom…it’s no big deal. Well after a most wonder weekend of catching up and loving on
Jake and Jill, they helped me set up at The Grill on Sunday. The garden at The Grill
had been transformed with a new fountain, table umbrellas, wonderful yellow calla lilies
and other colorful flowers. Friends began showing up and walking past and the music
flowed as my heart beat and propelled my songs so effortlessly with so much joy.
Like catching waves at the beach, there were all my favorite ingredients...my kids, my
friends in a beautiful garden as my songs carried the soundtrack of my life. Click Click
Click…snapshots of this amazing life I get to experience with such amazing hearts to walk
this path with…all along the journey…this creative path…sharing music, life,
experiences…so very exposed and so very present. Breathing…seeing…being seen and
heard. Amazing and oh, so grateful to be home…in Bakersfield, CA. Who me???
Grateful to be in B-town? Yep!
New Songs...
...and now that this solo path is well on it’s way it has been necessary for me to write more
originals. Many of you have asked for me to post my lyrics on the website. I have
hesitated to do this because some of these new lyrics have come as a way of processing
some great sadness and hurt that I experienced after the events that lead to my playing
solo. But I realize that this is all part of being transparent and living in the “now” that I
actually convey in my songs. So, I will post them as time permits and I want to say thank
you for asking. Also these are the songs that will be on the CD that I will be working on
recording this summer as a result of your many request. Please be patient with me for
this is another venture that I will continue to practice great courage and faith to walk
through...ever reminding myself that this is a gift of service…and to quiet that silly little
critic in my head.
Upcoming Gigs…
I am happy to announce that I will be adding a second standing gig at The Village Grill
(thank you to the most gracious owner) and that will be on the Second Sunday of each
month beginning in June. I’m also really happy to be able to play again at Dagny’s
Coffee Co. Here are the events so far for May and June.
May
Saturday 13th Coffee Etc., Springville CA 12-3pm
Friday 26th Dagny’s Coffee Co., B-town 6-8pm
Sunday 28th The Village Grill, B-town 10am-1pm
June
Saturday 10th Coffee Etc., Springville, CA 12-3pm
Sunday 11th The Village Grill, B-town 10am-1pm
Sunday 25th The Village Grill, B-town 10am-1pm (this will be the day after I return from
my 3rd trip to Miraval…should prove interesting ;-)
So stay tuned to more coming events and announcements but this is what I have for now.
Thank you all for walking along side and sharing your creative paths with me.
Namaste,
Angie/Anjlart
www.anjlart.com
“One of the most valuable gifts you can give to others is simply a sense of life’s
endless possibilities.”
Happy May Sweet Souls,
I hope this month’s newsletter finds you all well on your way up the path to your higher
selves during this month of re-creation and renewal! I know this creative woman feels as if
I have traversed quite a distance since the last newsletter. Shall I recap?
On The Road...
April was the month for covering a lot of miles…mostly alone. (Urg!) Little did I know
when I set up all these out-of-town gigs what was lurking around the corner. One never
knows…on this path of willingness! If I would have known, I’m sure I would never have
booked them all in one month. So as it was, I ventured out as a solo musician on this
Maiden Voyage to venues that I had always wanted to play but never included in the
dream that I would have to do these as a solo artist. What a lesson in trusting (something
greater) faith, courage and self-doubt.
First on the schedule was The Otter Rock Café in Morro Bay, CA. My very first solo gig
was a grueling 4 hours long. That’s a ton of singing and playing for a solo performer.
What was I thinking??? (You can read more about this gig in the April newsletter)
The next weekend held my standing gig at Coffee Etc. in Springville, CA. After that last
gig I was sure this would be much easier. It was (somewhat) but it was not sans glitches.
First of all I left too late, and then I had more traffic on 65 than I’ve ever seen. Anxiety built
to a condition not conducive to solo playing, as a result of my lateness, and it didn’t help
that the sun decided to hide behind the clouds most of the day. Not many wanted to
come out and sit in this location that is typically warm and friendly. Needless to say…I was
not “In the pocket.” Thank goodness Mark and Laurel proved their loyalty, for it was not
my best work, but the day ended up being a great day of friendship and soothing balm for
this bruised up heart. I was deeply touched and healed by their selfless invitation to join
them for their anniversary dinner at The Springville Inn. (If you’ve never eaten there give
it a shot. I had the salmon and it was quite yummy.) It also healed my heart to see my
sweet friends Lawanna, and Dennis, and what an added gift to find that Cory had sold
quite a bundle of my cards at her shop A Novel Idea! What a gift to have such love and
support and what that can do for a ragged soul.
Then back to the Otter Rock Café for Easter Sunday brunch and this time a much more
doable 3 hours! And what would Easter Sunday in Morro Bay be like without …Rain???
Huh? Crazy. It was a fun gig and I made sure I left early enough to drive home while it
was still light so as to miss most of the traffic coming home on such a holiday. But no
planning could have predicted a recall fuel pump failure for my 2003 VW Passat on Hwy
46…just out of cell phone range!!! Technology!!! So after 3 hours of waiting in the gusty
wind and cold a tow truck finally showed up and towed me and my car back to B-town to
the tune of over $300. Happy Easter Dude! (Family joke!)
Needless to say when the next weekend rolled around the corner I was ready to hide
under the covers…but…I didn’t. Nope…this time I was scheduled to play at Sugar
Magnolia’s (a great little venue) in Lompoc, CA. I had originally booked this gig months
back when my friend in Lompoc had lot’s of spare time and I thought it would be fun to
hang out on his home turf for the weekend so he could show me around. Well, this
particular weekend the rocket at Vandenberg hadn’t launched in 7 tries and so he was not
available to “hang out” and once again …this gig found me alone, in a not good (at all)
hotel room…with no familiar faces. By now I had figured out that The Universe in all her
wisdom has been trying to teach me something about "aloneness" and "acceptance" and
so...I was ready…braced for whatever challenge came my way…4 weeks on the
road…challenge after challenge…what the hell was I doing all this for???
But just prior to this gig my sister sent me one of those silly little e-mails about a little boy
who sang to his baby sister while she was in the womb and after she was born with a
severe condition that would undoubtedly take her life, the mother took him to the hospital
so he could sing to her one more time before she took her final breath. To the dismay of
the hospital staff…the little boy sang…”You Are My Sunshine” and his little baby sister
miraculously began to recover. Her heart slowed its rapid beating and her breathing
returned to a relaxed paced. While reading that little story the morning before heading
out, I began to tear up for I realized…this is the power of music and song. When music
comes from the soul the message in the song can soar to places in people’s hearts and
heal in ways that nothing else can. I’ve known this "magic" for a very long time but I had
forgotten it with all my technical training that left such a bitterness me so very long ago.
Here this very day…I was reminded again of the magic and healing powers of music/song
and so..it has been with this new remembering and renewal that I have found the source
that makes it possible to continue to share the gift of music with the world. And that even
means sometimes people I don’t know in places I’ve never been. For it is a healing gift to
even me to share my life’s experiences expressed in my lyrics/music.
Sugar Magnolia’s had such a charming homey feel with a lit fireplace and sweet old
quilts on the walls, the mismatched table and chairs, and the wonderful aroma of
homemade pasta and pesto being served for dinner. The guests were so sweet and
gracious. We chatted in between songs about the content of the lyrics. This was a
songwriter’s dream venue.
The next morning was a beauty and so Patrick and I took our pups to Jalama Beach for a
burger and a walk. Oh, my goodness was that ever the most fun I have had with my little
Buddy Boy. Off leash he ran like he had just made it to heaven. We were sure that I’d
have to carry him on the way back but that little 7 lbs of love had more joy of living than I
have ever seen in any one human being ever! The day was beautiful…the sky blue, the
perfect temperature for bare feet and t-shirts. Then we said our good-byes to Lompoc,
CA. Exhausted and content Buddy and I headed back to B-town and had a beautiful and
safe drive home down Hwy 166 past Aliso Park, New Cuyama and Taft.
Homecoming (..or Coming Out) at The Village Grill...
Somewhere early that next week I got a call from my son Jake saying that he and his
girlfriend Jill were coming to B-town for the weekend. Now my sons have heard me
perform their whole lives and usually they listen politely to about 1.6 songs before they
come in and let me know that they have other stuff to do. You know…I’m just their
Mom…it’s no big deal. Well after a most wonder weekend of catching up and loving on
Jake and Jill, they helped me set up at The Grill on Sunday. The garden at The Grill
had been transformed with a new fountain, table umbrellas, wonderful yellow calla lilies
and other colorful flowers. Friends began showing up and walking past and the music
flowed as my heart beat and propelled my songs so effortlessly with so much joy.
Like catching waves at the beach, there were all my favorite ingredients...my kids, my
friends in a beautiful garden as my songs carried the soundtrack of my life. Click Click
Click…snapshots of this amazing life I get to experience with such amazing hearts to walk
this path with…all along the journey…this creative path…sharing music, life,
experiences…so very exposed and so very present. Breathing…seeing…being seen and
heard. Amazing and oh, so grateful to be home…in Bakersfield, CA. Who me???
Grateful to be in B-town? Yep!
New Songs...
...and now that this solo path is well on it’s way it has been necessary for me to write more
originals. Many of you have asked for me to post my lyrics on the website. I have
hesitated to do this because some of these new lyrics have come as a way of processing
some great sadness and hurt that I experienced after the events that lead to my playing
solo. But I realize that this is all part of being transparent and living in the “now” that I
actually convey in my songs. So, I will post them as time permits and I want to say thank
you for asking. Also these are the songs that will be on the CD that I will be working on
recording this summer as a result of your many request. Please be patient with me for
this is another venture that I will continue to practice great courage and faith to walk
through...ever reminding myself that this is a gift of service…and to quiet that silly little
critic in my head.
Upcoming Gigs…
I am happy to announce that I will be adding a second standing gig at The Village Grill
(thank you to the most gracious owner) and that will be on the Second Sunday of each
month beginning in June. I’m also really happy to be able to play again at Dagny’s
Coffee Co. Here are the events so far for May and June.
May
Saturday 13th Coffee Etc., Springville CA 12-3pm
Friday 26th Dagny’s Coffee Co., B-town 6-8pm
Sunday 28th The Village Grill, B-town 10am-1pm
June
Saturday 10th Coffee Etc., Springville, CA 12-3pm
Sunday 11th The Village Grill, B-town 10am-1pm
Sunday 25th The Village Grill, B-town 10am-1pm (this will be the day after I return from
my 3rd trip to Miraval…should prove interesting ;-)
So stay tuned to more coming events and announcements but this is what I have for now.
Thank you all for walking along side and sharing your creative paths with me.
Namaste,
Angie/Anjlart
www.anjlart.com
“One of the most valuable gifts you can give to others is simply a sense of life’s
endless possibilities.”
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