Birthdays represent the artificial time line that for some reason makes me reflect on where I am on that day.  So here I go publicly reflecting...
This has been a year where I haven't done as many "Live" solo and band gigs.  After nearly 30 years there has been a natural slowing down.  With the band rehearsing and churning out CD's it seemed natural to book and tour like crazy.  There are moments when I miss it immensely.  Many of my friends and bandmates are still in the game and I get pangs of wanting to get back in.   My truth at the moment is that I love sharing songwriting with others as a teaching artist.  Every day is incredibly rewarding and I feel I'm doing important work helping to spark creativity through the language of music and video.  With each song and lyric written, I'm reminded of why it's been my life work.  The hours are great as well.  So for the foreseeable future, I will continue along this path, but don't be surprised if you see some more "Live" gigs pop up on my calendar.   There's something to to be said for the phrase "Absence makes the heart grow fonder."

A little story dating back to Greenwich Village 1984 @The Bitter End... I was standing on the side of the stage waiting for my turn to play a set (there were 4 bands that night). I watched a lead singer belting out a song. She was wonderful but pretty old as I judged her to be in her mid 30’s. I swore to myself that if I wasn’t a super star with a huge record contract by the time I was her age I would definitely not be playing small clubs like this. There was no way that judgy self absorbed girl (me) could have anticipated the long and winding musical journey I was just at the beginning of that night. So here I am 37 years later with a cache of albums, experiences, accolades, heartaches along with a zillion little euphoric moments and I can’t wait to play at 3 small venues this week to usher in my 60th year around the sun. Stop by and say hi to this old girl. Thu. 11/18- Ricks Club American Congers NY 7-10, Sat. 11/20 - Torne Valley Vineyards 1-5 under the heated tent with Al and Jimmy Leahey., Sun. 11/21 Tin Barn Brewing 2-5

Been doing a bunch of thinking as I'm beginning the process of creating my next CD.  What do I want it to sound like.  What direction should I be headed.
I'm leaning toward organic simplicity with the focus being on my voice and lyrics.  I'm currently going through a ton of songs and am even considering re recording some of my favorites from the Alice Project CD's.   Lots to do, but finding my direction is the hardest thing.  Now...what 's my image going to be?  I'll definitely need to go shopping:)

You know how it is.  When you leave your house looking like a wreck to drop something off at the post office or pick up something at the dollar store, you tend to run into everyone you know.  Well to that point, I've been observing that most people look like a wreck.  It seems like we've given up or something.  Crazy hair, old sweats, flip flops, no make up...basically no effort.  I think about my Dad working on the lawn in the 70's wearing dress pants.  I see pictures of Yankee stadium in the 60's and everyone was dressed up.  Even going to a concert or the movies was something people dressed for. My Mom never left the house without make up on and my Grandmother always wore a dress.   I'm not saying that nobody cares...I'm just saying that less do.   I remember arriving at gigs in the 80's and 90's dressed up and bringing my "cool" stage wear. We all did.  Now it seems there is no difference between the audience in a concert setting (except big shows) and the band or performer.  Is this a bad thing?  I don't know, but today I put on a red dress ,gold platform shoes and put on make up just to go to Lowes to look at refrigerators.  Of course I didn't run into anyone I know, but I did feel pretty good and confident in the event that I did.  

Each year seems to go by quicker than the one before and this Summer was no exception. I reconnected with old friends and extended family and mourned the passing of two close friends.  My son's shoe size suddenly exceeds mine, and my NEW album is a year older. As time passes, I feel more love in my life. I acknowledge that I am blessed with a positive disposition and a hopefulness that the best is yet to come.  I've chosen "All that I wanted" as my Song of the Summer as it reflects that sense.  

Over the past month I lost two close friends...Larisa Vaynberg and Brett Walker. They were too young and still had so much to do.  They pre deceased their own parents and that is the most tragic part.  I am still in disbelief and refuse to believe they are truly gone.   I wrote a song called "Goodbye old Friend a number of years ago".  I wrote the words in a notebook and my friend Scott Monetti saw them and said they needed to be in a song.  It was so hard to write but I'm so glad I did as the words give me a little relief and ring true every time.  
"Goodbye old friend, guess we all can't stay...
Seems like all those years were compressed to just one day
A really good day...a really great day
Goodbye old friend
A really good day and you'll never ever know
The way I loved how you'd greet me with unconditional love
It was a really great day

I will carry your song away with me.. It was a really good day
Good bye old friend