Winding Down
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Winding Down

For me, December is about reflection, taking stock, disengaging, rejuvenating, cleaning out closets & giving away items I purchased in haste. Making room for the new. Donating to those who lost a home in a fire. Maybe taking time off is the best thing we can do for our creativity. A recharge is an investment for the future.

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Becoming Curator
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Becoming Curator

Something not so coincidental happened recently because, I believe, the Universe has been witnessing my Renaissance with music: Pandora asked me to be a curator — that’s a songwriter, producer, blogger, or music enthusiast with a desire to connect with their followers through well, music.

I definitely have a desire to connect. :) 

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Thank G*d For Music
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Thank G*d For Music

Today, whether you’re deliriously happy or morbidly miserable, Thank God for Music. Whether you’re afraid to go to yoga or your place of worship Thank God for Music. Whether you found your true love or lost the only one you ever had, whether you’re welcoming your child into the world or burying a friend, whether you’re still waiting to hear your first single on the radio or celebrating your fifth #1 Thank God for Music. Turn It Up!

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Can We Still Be Friends
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Can We Still Be Friends

In the course of ones life, friends can move around inside of a — well — a 'target board' and get closer to and farther away from the bullseye. We have to be open to the idea that the positioning between 2 friends, however dear — along with the depth of connection — can change over time.

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Rethinking Taylor Swift
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Rethinking Taylor Swift

I sincerely hope she didn’t share that post because it’s “good for business” but because she’s growing up and feels the need to stand up for what she cares about — whatever it is she cares about — because it matters. It matters as much as the music.

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We Did It
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We Did It

If music delivered to us by an invisible digital stream was here to stay (and don’t get me wrong, I love streaming—it’s versatile, convenient and an all-you-can-eat buffet), then laws had to change to bring digital royalty distribution into a digital age. But how?

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Bebe Rexha is a Classy Mess
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Bebe Rexha is a Classy Mess

Inquiring minds have been inquiring and the answer is yes. Meredith Brooks and I received co-writing credit on Bebe Rexha’s “I’m A Mess.” The writers, Justin Tranter, Jussifer & Bebe herself, felt the hook on Mess had enough of a likeness to “Bitch” to offer up a piece. Most writers would have gone into denial and skipped merrily along onto their next co-write.

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The Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project
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The Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project

I’ve heard it said, “those who can, dothose who can'tteach.” I reject that notion. I’m enjoying “doing” (writing songs) more than ever. I may not be making as much money as I did when physical albums were flying off the shelves but is that how we measure success?

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17
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17

Although my godsons’ high school graduation was a joyful event and I was beyond proud of both of them, the songwriter and mother in me couldn’t help but take a few minutes to put myself in the shoes of the parents who had these moments stolen.

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Join The Noise
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Join The Noise

If the business model of 20 years ago was as it is today, that favorite song of yours...the one you sang to your baby at bedtime ("Surfer Girl" for me), or danced to at your wedding, might never have been written because the writer who wrote it might not have been able to sustain themselves long enough to stay in the game. Well, things are about to change. Hopefully!

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Living Room Live
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Living Room Live

I’ve narrowed a 7 hour audio book down to an hour’s worth of the best bits. I put a mic and an amp in the corner of my office and every night I've been firing up the purple lights and running through the script. I'm enjoying myself immensely. So are my cats. I'm not sure how to proceed next, but I'll figure it out. One foot in front of the other. Like everything. If you build it they will come. 

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What's Next
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What's Next

Indeed, life, career, love have their ups and downs. Perhaps the lulls are necessary, albeit not as thrilling, as the excitement. I’ve always enjoyed unscheduled time to collect my endless thoughts. Examining is where we get material. We need to take time to replenish. 

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The Bluebird & The Bucket List
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The Bluebird & The Bucket List

I pondered the first blog I ever wrote, where I wondered if I should stay in the music business…if I fit in anymore. I was a different girl back then. Now, I’m having the time of my life conquering my fears, fear by fear. I’m doing the things I was too afraid to do when I was younger. (I recommend this highly, by the way.)  

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Confessions.