Just a little note to spread a tiny spark of Christmas Cheer to the masses! <3 

     Although I wasn't one of Michael Jackson's crying fans at his live shows that I managed to watch endlessly on VHS, I would've given anything and everything as a little girl, just to see him perform. One of my fondest memories of Michael came from Captain EO at Disneyland, a 3D show, uniting all different types of people, technology, animals, etc., on a mission to free people under a cold-hearted ruler.

     Sounds trite and cliche, but to me, even as a child, it felt like this was the epitome of Michael Jackson's mission as an artist, from Day One. With a past as fragile and broken as his, Michael had so much to offer, that the world fell in love with him. Literally, THE WORLD.

     Thank you Michael, for being one of my biggest inspirations, and despite any short comings, still managed to teach the world to be humble, love one another, and fulfill a purpose.  The video below is a clip from the Captain EO show...with the song, WE ARE HERE TO CHANGE THE WORLD. I love this song, I love what it stands for, and I love Michael Jackson for every last inch of his soul that he poured into his art. 

You will be missed Michael. RIP 6.25.09



Just another tiny glimpse of his impact...
    
.. Michael Jackson - New Music - More Music Videos

I don't write music to have that one hit song.
I don't create videos in hopes of becoming a YouTube overnight phenomenon.
I don't take pictures so people will think I'm pretty in hopes they will listen to my music.
And I most definitely did not build, create, and run my own show here, in hopes that you might purchase a t-shirt.

T-shirts fade after endless washes. Pretty faces are easy to come by with the creation of Photoshop. I see at least 10 YouTube videos a day and can barely remember any of them. Hit songs will eventually fall off the charts.

I write music and exploit my life through different mediums because I have a need to be heard, and an inherent need for things to be right and just.  I believe that if  in your core you know you have a message for the world to hear, and it burns in your innermost being, pulling at your every waking moment...you will most definitely find a way to send it.  You WILL find a way to reach people using the gifts and talents that you were blessed with, and if possible, you'll stop at nothing less than every last person on this earth.

I will never sign a record deal with a label that believes in a hit song, rather than the entire picture. I was created to question the norm, patterns, and sequences that cause us to live in mediocrity, and find a way to move popular culture in a direction that encourages everyone to be true to themselves, while being respectful of who others are as well. Music is merely my medium to do so.

SUBSTANCE.
I crave substance, knowledge, and originality. If only the music industry had a few players in it that would be willing to stand for these ideals during these tough times...then maybe music would not have as many people creating it to sell a mere t-shirt.

INSTEAD, we'd be creating music to inspire positive and intelligent CHANGE.

Change is so much larger than a hit song or a t-shirt. Change creates longevity, promise, and hope.

Change is Michael Jackson. Change is Garth Brooks. Change is Prince. Change is Madonna. Change is the Dixie Chicks. Change is U2. Change is Johnny Cash. Change is Elvis Presley.

Artists who stand for something, are respected, and have the ability to have heavy and substantial influence.

Dear Music Industry,
  Invest in the person, not the product. This is merely smart business practice. I'm starving for artists to care about. I want to fall head over heels for new, different, and INSPIRED. Artists, stay true to who you are and don't let anyone persuade you otherwise. No one can be a better you except for you.

This is a really difficult time for everyone across the board right now...

BUT PLEASE. HAVE FAITH.

Faith in knowing that ashes can be fertile soil to build a successful dream.

I will never make music to sell you a t-shirt...rather, I make music to sell change, that will inspire everyone to be a better version of themselves.

Thank you all for reading my intense novel-driven blogs...hope you made it through yet another one. :) New music coming soon. Hope everyone is having a wonderful 2009 so far, keep pushing and believing in yourself...no one can make your dreams happen, but you.

Love.Love.Love.

*Brittany McD

TONY.
LISTEN HERE!

Ahhhhh. Such a breath of fresh air. Finally, something other than one of my crazy up-tempo jams, right?

Well for some of you, maybe not.

Tony is a song originally performed by an amazing. Stop. phenomenal. Stop.
A brilliant singer/songwriter in which words become superfluous when describing her, the talented Patty Griffin.

I was first introduced to her when I moved to Nashville, as she is highly respected around town.  My vocal coach, Janet Kenyon, had mentioned to me that the one record I needed to find and study was Patty Griffin's "Flaming Red" from 1998.  She mentioned that I especially needed to listen to the song, "Tony" along with songs from other artists like, "Stupid Boy" by Sarah Buxton and, "Heartbreak Town" by the Dixie Chicks.   She thought these songs reminded her of the type of ballad I would be attracted to, and eventually work towards writing. 

HOWEVER, I could spend my lifetime and yours trying to write Tony, and would never be able to even come up with the first dang line.

When I finally took the time out to really listen, I mean REALLY listen to this song, I fell to the floor. My roomates must have thought I was crazy, I was crying and babbling on like an idiot for a solid two days.

Most of you know that I have a decent sense of humor, I love poking fun at silly things that we as a society deem important, along with the ridiculous shenanigans that are my life.  Hence why most of my tunes are the way they are. But what most of you don't know, is that I am one of the most intense thinkers, and can actually overanalyze to the point that I forget to eat and sleep. Lol. Bi-polar? Nah. Manic? Maybe. In my own world?
Most definitely.

Bringing it back to Tony...this song encompasses an ideal that I have struggled with my entire life. Acceptance. I love concepts. I love writing concepts, and Tony said exactly what I've witnessed with my mind's eye all throughout my grade school years.

Watching so many friends, and more importantly strangers, get lost in the crowd and swallowed by juvenile "mean-ness" absolutely broke my heart and ripped it to shreds.  I knew that I was different; I wrote lyrics in class, was fascinated by liner notes in a record rather than the football team, and wore ridiculous clothes to the point that even my own friends were embarrassed to be seen with me in public. 

It is absolutely devastating to think that someone would be made to feel so out of place, so looked over, so UNLOVED, that they would feel as though their life was insignificant.

Too often we focus on our ACTIONS as if they determine who we are and how we affect one another, but more often it is our INACTION that has an even greater effect. Hence the importance of the line..."I knew that story I was, sitting right behind you..."

AS FOR TONY...

-You might not like the song.
-You might think the lyric is too harsh.
-You might disagree with me 550%.

But that does not negate the fact that this song is REAL. Tony is REAL. Situations like these are REAL. These kinds of
things happen everyday, and if anything we need to be aware of how important it is to encourage and embrace each other in times like these.

Life is only going to get tougher, especially for my generation and younger. 

Love one another. Stop.

Love one another. As cliche and lame as it sounds, it's what we're here for...and just maybe, one day songs like Tony will no longer be significant. But as of right now, I covered it because I feel that it is...and that it needs to be heard.

I hope this song can move you, as much as it has me.
TONY MP3

...........................................................................................................
***and now on to finishing up the coolest new tunes for 2009***

Get ready. A record is coming. Can you believe it?!?! 3 years in the making, and it's almost here...

XoXoX.

*brittany mcd

So I typed in Another Wanna Be on Youtube...and found this. I almost peed myself...so cool that the animation actually goes right with the lyrics!

I'm so grateful that you all are embracing my music, keeping my fingers crossed and down on my knees, praying that I will be able to do this for the rest of my life.

Check out the video below!

...... ....">

I've had a bunch of people from the UK, Germany, Italy, France...sending me messages and photos of my song ANOTHER WANNA BE on the new Sony MP3 Player! It's the first tune that is pre-loaded on it (just like U2 did with the iPod), and I'm so excited that I really, just can't hide it. :)
If you happen to be perusing the stores and see me...I would be oh so grateful if you took a pic on your phone or even a little video, and posted it as a reply here! I am so excited to see where and how you all are finding me... I could just pinch myself right now! Ouch. Okay, back to reality...Capture me with you in your state/city/country!!! 2009 is going to be one hell of a ride!!! My arms might be completely red after all the pinching. LOVE.LOVE.ALWAYSANDNOTHINGBUT.LOVE. *brittany mcd PS: I have a YouTube channel, finally! I know...took me long enough ;) youtube.com/brittanymcdmusic