Many things happening since I last posted. Potential for expanded growth with Songbird Sings. Meeting with very interested people who are very interested in helping to take SS up to the next step. Benefit, more funding opportunities enabling me to do more programs and to finally set up retreats where I can teach the teachers the methods I have learned over these last 10 years that help trauma survivors express themselves through songwriting in a safe and nurturing enviornment. It is so important that participants feel safe when they do the songwriting workshops. These workshops are not about me or anyone else who teaches them. Those that have lived through traumatic experiences need to realize their own potential for growth and change to occur and that healing transformation is possible. I say especially through writing your story or even part of your story in song. I never knew my own songwriting was what kept me alive through a painful childhood that I didn't even realize was painful. I internalized everything but put all that into mys songs. These memories only come to the surface later in my life. I kept them well hidden from myself until I was way into my 40's, even 50's. Only through working with these survivors did I come to a deeper understanding of my own issues and truly begin to heal. I'm not saying I'm healed yet but peer to peer programs such as mine do wonders as there is no judgment, we have all been to those dark places, the holes that suck us in and threaten to extinguish any life we may be grasping to hold on to. The sheer joy in music and song is responsible for my survival. Songbird Sings programs are an opportunity to be validated for what you have gone through by others in the workshops who say "me too." This community that builds over time allows for healing and change to occur.
A few weeks ago I appeared on Mark Veau's radio show out of Worcester. He is on a mission to eradicate Domestic Abuse. Great interview. I will post back when the it will be aired.
Yesterday I facilitated a Songwriting workshop at Whole Music in Amesbury, MA. From what I hear the participants got much out of it and later most of them came to my performance. It was a splendid time. I recommend E J Ouelette's Whole Music for anyone who wants to learn more about songwriting and recording. http://www.wholemusic.com/
I've also played a couple Thursday evenings at Tavern At The End of the World in Charlestown with Natalie Flanagan band. Very impromptu. Asa from Chartbusters sits in as does Pat Wallace who plays bass, Marnie Hall on violin, Tim Jackson on drums, but there is a lot of improv on the spot as we're doing some here to for never heard songs. Is that how you say it. Ha!
I'm currently doing a program at Howard Street prison in Springfield. Took last week off as they were recovering from the tornado which blew out the windows of building and took the roof off. WOW. Can't wait to see this. I guess I'm a geek for weather...truly.
Saturday went to the VIP party for Hot Stove Cool Music at Fenway. This was to celebrate and raise more funding for the organizations the Red Sox help out. Some of which I am working with, helping the young people, inner city youth in need write and record songs. They all get the CD in the end to forever be a reminder of their accomplishment. John Pfister (Ringo Studio) and I are having more fun than a barrel of monkey's, becoming rap producers. Seriously this is such a brand new artistic experience and is compelling us to be sooooooooo creative. I love it. The songs these girls who had been trafficked wrote are simply drop dead incredible.