I’ve got a big CD release party coming up on February 20th at the Aladdin and it would be awesome if you could make it.  I wrote this little poem about it and I’d like to share it with you if that’s ok.....

.. ..

My CD release

Is coming up quick

And if you don’t come

I’ll cry til I’m sick

.. ..

Then I’ll come to your house

With puke in my hair

I’ll fall off your porch

And break your lawn chair

.. ..

The neighbors will think

That you’ve had an affair

As I moan and I shriek

“WHY WEREN’T YOU THERE?!?!”

.. ..

But you have the power

To change this fate

By getting a ticket

Before it’s too late

.. ..

Then I won’t be committed

Or a ward of the state

You’ll have a fabulous time

And think “My, that was GREAT!”

.. ..

The music will move you

Even if you can’t hear

The seats are real comfy

And there’s plenty of beer

.. ..

So do me a favor

And promise you’ll go

And bring all your friends

Even if they say no

.. ..

My sanity and career

Rest in your hands

So get off yer butt

And come see my band!

.. ..

.. ..

What do you think? Is it too much?

Many of these quotes I picked up from Napolean Hill, others I've learned here or there, some I just made up.  Can you guess which ones are which?

"Be Unreasonable."

"Be Unreasonable."

"Don't be afraid to ask for exactly what you want."

"If you are influenced by the opinions of others, you will have no desire of your own."

"Genuine wisdom is usually conspicuous through modesty and silence."

"Tell the world what you intend to do, but first show it."

"Success requires no explanation, failure permits no alibis."

"With persistence will come success!"

"Be unreasonable."

"Fear can be overcome through repeated acts of courage."

"The awards of achievement are not at odds with the rewards of a paycheck."

"...to know the difference between love and attachment."

Thanks to all who attended my chili dinner on Thursday.  I've had many many requests from folks who wanted a copy of some of the quotes that I have on my white board.  Since I'm getting ready to write new mantras up there, I thought I would post the old ones here for others to enjoy. Here you go:

"We are pushed by pain until we are pulled by vision." -Dr. Rev. Michael Beckwith

"What we obtain to cheaply, we esteem to lightly." -Thomas Payne

"Imagination is more powerful than knowledge." -Thomas Edison

"God doesn't call the qualified, God qualifies the called." -??

"Act as if."

"You can't get to it, you must come from it."

"Begin with the end in mind." (reverse visualization)

"What do you really want? Are you ready (and willing) to get it?"

"If I act on this idea will it move me in the direction of my dream?"

"You are the only person choosing your thoughts."

"What would you try if you knew you could not fail?"

"When you change the way you look at things, you change the way things look."

"I love you."

"To a sailor with no direction, no wind is favorable."

"I am the person best suited to be in charge of my life."

I've found or heard these quotes in various places.  If you know of any other fabulous ones that I should know about, please post them below.

~Amanda

My name is Amanda Richards.  I have some songs to sing and I am willing to be heard.  For the last 7 years I have worked as a professional musician.  For nearly 3 years it has been my primary source of income. Since I was a very small child I have always known that I was going to be a singer.  But very specifically when someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I would say "I'm going to be a star."

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Today I feel that I am closer to that reality than ever.  I have spent years studying, practicing and honing my craft.  I've got the skills, I've got the talent, I have the desire, the will and the strength to finally realize my dream.

I am currently preparing to release my 3^rd album this fall.  All of the tools that I have needed to be successful have presented themselves to me.  This has happened through sponsorship, dumb luck and the generosity of friends and strangers alike. 

By October 1^st of 2008 I intend to receive $20,000 to launch the release of my album and to throw an amazing CD release party that will generate lots of press and local buzz.

I have thrown such a party in the past when my band headlined the Aladdin Theater in ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Portland, OR with over 500 people in attendance.  I've done it before and now I can do it better than ever.  I feel the same way about my new album.  I have released 2 albums prior to this one and I feel that the quality and content of this project is superior in all areas.  My first two albums got great reviews and this album will be award winning.

For the $20,000 received by October 1^st, I intend market, distribute and sell my album.  It takes a lot of money to launch a project such as this.  But I have faith and I believe that a small sum of $20,000 will get the job done.

I have a team of people working with me to get this project launched. I have the experience of all my previous successes to fall back on. I have a clear vision of what I want and how I am going to get it. I am ready to share my music with the world and I am ready to receive all of the gifts that the universe has reserved for me.

Thank you.  Thank you. Thank you.

www.myspace.com/amandarichardsband

www.amandarichards.net

It feels like it took forever for the summer to arrive but now it's here and I am so thankful for the sun. I am also thankful to have such great friends and fans and to know there are so many folks out there who have my back and are willing to help out with some of the not so rock star stuff that has to be done in order to do some of the rock star stuff.

In particular, I would like to thank Duane for 9 months of engineering (I really can't thank you enough), Matt from NewCastle for the sweet Brown Ale, Justin from minuteman press for help with posters, Arran for volunteering his time to help with the door and all the folks who have offered up their time to help in some form or another.  Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

I am also grateful to have a great crew of musicians to play with and for the light and inspiration that I am renewed with every time we have a great practice or performance. I hope that sometime you get an opportunity to come down and meet these guys and hear what they can do.  Casey McBride has been keeping the beat for me for almost 4 years and there have been brief moments in time when he was the only other member of my band.  Owen Hoffman-Smith Joined us in August of 2007 on the Cello and upright bass and Chris Viola added his electric guitar, harmonies and charisma to the group earlier this year.  We are now welcoming Josh Feinberg and his upright bass and solid grooves into our circle as well.

There will be a good opportunity to come meet these guys this Friday at Imbibe.  This will be our 1^st show out with this particular line up and your support and feedback would be greatly appreciated. It'll be a free show from 9 to Midnight. I believe there is an opening act so we may not go on until 10pm.

Imbibe

2229 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, Oregon 97214

9 to midnight

Smoke free, no cover

We are also playing this Sunday and The Nike World Headquarters for the Lance Armstrong Foundation's Live Strong Challenge. We will be performing at the Post Event Party on the main stage in the Livestrong village. This is from 2 to 3pm in the afternoon.

The Live Strong Challenge

Nike World Headquarters

Beaverton, OR

On Monday, June 30^th, I will be performing with Skip VonKuske (an improvisational cellist who is a phenomenal player but not a member of my band) at McMenamin's Edgefield in Troutdale. This show starts at 7pm.

McMenamin's Edgefield

2126 S.W. Halsey St.
Troutdale, Oregon 97060

Since many people have asked, I should let you know that it is not too late to pre-order copies of the new CD.  In fact, it would still be very beneficial to the cause. You can do so by visiting this link: http://www.amandarichards.net/products.html

Thanks again for your support and friendship and I hope to see you soon!

Love & Light,

Amanda Richards

http://www.myspace.com/amandarichardsband

http://www.twitter.com/amandarichards

http://www.amandarichards.net