Dear Everybody,

Happy New Year! It's been a long time. Here's a lil sum'n:

1) Music:

About a year ago I grew less happy with the requirements of
maintaining commercial viability as an indie singer-songwriter
without adequate representation or resources. Booking shows, managing
rehearsals, counting web hits and Myspace friends, etc. kinda started
to suck the soul outta my craft.

I decided to move on to other things, like consulting with CARE
(http://www.care.org) and the Gates Foundation
(http://www.gatesfoundation.org); and launching the Music National
Service initiative.

Of course song-writing remains a great teacher, practice and joy for
me. New stuff, better than ever, will trickle out. Here's one you may
not have heard, "Hold You on my Shoulders"
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhIaIvmPaRs) recorded live from Joe's
Pub, NYC, last May.

Thanks to BJ Barratt (http://www.myspace.com/thebjspace), ZUDE
(http://zude.com) and Rodanti Films
(http://www.myspace.com/rodantifilms) there's more video somewhere.
But it needs to get cut, tagged, up-loaded and all that. So, umm, not
sure...anyway, if you wanna listen to, buy or download my CD from
iTunes: http://www.kiff.com

2) Music National Service initiative:

PeaceLabs Inc. (http://peacelabs.org) was born to promote a
developing field of civic service through music. Our shows, website,
charitable activities and tag line "Music Saves Lives" are all about
the potential for music to play a more strategic role in addressing
important social goals rather than just commercial ones.

One of our most exciting ideas was the "musical Peace Corps" that
leverages the successful youth service corps model within a national
network of school and community-based music programs. Through
"Musician Corps" (as we called it), musicians would serve for 1-2
years in return for modest benefits and training.

In the second half of 07, the PeaceLabs vision started manifesting.
First and foremost, Jim Kurtz stepped up as a full time,
co-conspirator; then Clara Shin, a former colleague from AmeriCorps,
assembled a top-notch legal team (http://howardrice.com); finally, we
became blessed with a talented board of directors and advisors.

The result is a new organization called, The Music National Service
initiative (MNSi). In 2008 we plan to expand the field of
music-driven, public service through the corps and other activities.
Please stay tuned (coming soon: http://musicnationalservice.org). In
the meantime, a couple MNSi nuggets:

- Our friends at America Forward (http://americaforward.org) invited
a contribution to their blog on National Service and Social
Innovation: http://americaforward.org/content/blog/detail/850 Let us
know what you think!

- Later this month, MNSi is gathering at Aspen Institute in
Washington D.C. (http://www.aspeninstitute.org). The Chair of
Aspen's Advisory Council on Nonprofit Sector and Philanthropy, James
Allen Smith
(http://explore.georgetown.edu/people/jas239/?PageTemplateID=17), is
co-convening the day with leaders from the fields of public policy,
education, philanthropy, entertainment and community-based music
programming.

3) Thanks, Props and Thoughts:

Very Large Quantities of Thanks to:
Hahva Neff, Jim Kurtz, BJ Barratt, Clara Shin, Ann Galligan, Robert
Gordon, Ruma Bose, Mark Schulz, Mom, Dad, Caity, Nicole, Deb Jospin,
Andrew Eills, Rachel Williams, Jim Smith, David Ray, Joe Cerrell,
Cyndi Lewis, Gerschon Langenhoven, Rebecca Lake, Michelle Rogers,
Jocelyn Kane, Banjo

2007 Joy Found in:
- PeaceLabs/ B-Line Entertainment East Coast Tour
- PeaceLabs show at Primrose in DC
- Getting towed from Burningman desert
- Global health advocacy trip to Ethiopia
- New Orleans (Ms Antoinette and Tipitinas)
- Music National Service tours w/ JK
- "Banjo" -- the Christmas Beach doogie

'07 Very Special Props to:
Thomas Neff (http://thomasneffphotographer.com) - Check out his
awesome new book: "Holding Out and Hanging On":
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/105-4099512-0002027?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=thomas+neff+holding+out&x=0&y=0

'08 Quiet Concern:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/22/opinion/22herbert.html?em&ex=1198558800&en=f0ad50ab117d35f9&ei=5087%0A

or, if you don't have an NY Times account:
http://groups.google.com/group/alt.journalism/browse_thread/thread/d33b98ef46c343f0/011dce175555836e

Thank you.

Blessings for 08,

Still open for biz so please don't forget to say hello,

kiff

http://www.peacelabs.org
http://www.kiff.com

Dear Friends,

I hope you're well. It's been months since I've updated you.
Headlines below; dig in as you wish:

1) SF Show, 12 Galaxies next Thursday Aug 30

2) KIFF trio East Coast tour sells out! Blog, photos

3) "Weightless": New song (DC home video)

4) Pop Syndicate gives UCKiD a 4-Star review

5) PeaceLabs Music Presents:

- Music National Service Initiative
- Kiff, CARE & The Gates Foundation in Ethiopia (photos)
- Hugh Masekela speaks on "Indifference" (video)

6) Stock Market & Thanks
__________________________________

1) Aug 30th KIFF duo w/ Martin Luther @ 12 Galaxies.
Come join us in the Mission next Thursday before you head out for the
long weekend. dNerv and I open for Oakland soulster, Martin Luther. We
haven't played in the city for a while and its gonna be a party. Tix
and info:
http://www.12galaxies.com
http://www.myspace.com/martinluthermusic

2) NYC, Philly and DC shows sold out! What a tour we had with
sponsorship from B-Sharp Entertainment and PeaceLabs Music. Check out
links to BJ Barratt's awesome tour blog and great photos with Lucy
Woodward and Melody Gardot: http://www.kiff.com

3) Our video camara broke before the DC show, but the
ever-resourceful BJ.B. pulled out her digi camara for a live version
of my new, unreleased song "Weightless." I hope you like it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88Mq7IXsOTw

4) Calling You Can't Keep it Down "satisfyingly diverse and rich with
emotion," Pop Syndicate gives KIFF a 4-star review:
http://www.popsyndicate.com/site/story/kiff_you_cant_keep_it_down and
an interview:
http://www.popsyndicate.com/site/story/catching_up_with_kiff_gallagher/

5) PeaceLabs Music Madly Manifests

- Music National Service Initiative:

The PeaceLabs vision of leveraging the power of music for a better
world (http://www.peacelabs.org) has taken a big step closer to
reality. Jim Kurtz, a talented businessman and music-lover who's
passionate about music education and access, came across my site and
introduced himself to me at the Philly show. Too much to get into
here, but suffice to say that we've partnered to launch the "Music
National Service Initiaitve." To learn more about the ideas and
strategies behind MNSI go to http://www.peacelabs.org or just email
me. We're currently in biz plan and fund raising mode (if you can
help, let us know!). I'm very happy to have such an awesome partner
in Jim. Lots more going on here; much more to come...

- Global Health Strategy trip to Ethiopia, photos
In July, I went to Ethiopia with a small team of global health
experts from US AID and the Gates Foundation. I've been working this
summer as a consultant to CARE -- designing a project to support
better policies and increased funding for maternal, newborn and child
health in the developing world. Again, too much to get into here but I
wanted you to know what I've been doing with so few shows recently.
I'm still working on the proposal, but the Ethiopia trip was amazing.
Slide show w/ commentary: http://www.kiff.com/links/ethiopia

- Hugh Masekela Speaks Out on Darfur "Indifference"
When I returned from Africa a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to
see the wonderful S. African artist Hugh Masekela perform live right
here at the Stern Grove Music Festival in SF. I was re-inspired by
Masekela, and the potential for musicians to raise awareness, when he
spoke about our fellow human beings who are suffering in Darfur and
other parts of the world. I caught it on video, under 3 mins, it's
worth it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x97g-tlhnV8

6) Ups, Downs & Thanks

Finally, my heart goes out to those of you who've been following the
turbulent equity market as closely as I have (stock trading is how
I've supported my life, music and other money sucking passion
projects for the past 5 years). Keep in mind that the lessons we're
learning, however brutal and immediate, will serve us well beyond
financial markets...I believe risk management and change navigation
-- the art of staying on our toes w/out tripping -- is the required
survival skill set in our new wild world.

For believing and making it happen, I thank you: Jim Kurtz - MNSI; BJ
Barratt - BSharp Ent; Cyndi Lewis - Gates Fdn; David Ray & Michelle
Rogers - CARE; Gerschon Langehoven - Arcfyre Intl; Clara Shin -
Howard/Rice; Cinthia Schuman & Rachel Williams - Aspen Institute;
Grace Lesser - Wesleyan intern; Bruce Lindsey - Clinton Fdn; Joe
Chellman - Shoofly Design; Joe and Sara Cerrell. Congratulations to
Hahva for getting into Berkeley MSW and my Mom for her new ventures
of the heart.

Thank you,

Please come out next Thrusday if you're in SF,
Summer smiles,
kiff

http://www.kiff.com
http://myspace.com/kiffmusic

Get it all from the amazing and talented BJ Barratt right here: http://www.myspace.com/thebjspace thx BJ! you rock, xo, kfg

Dear Friends:

It gives me great joy to create and connect with people through
music. So I'm pleased to announce a string of upcoming shows with
some killer singer-songwriters. You may want to get your tix in
advance if you plan to come (we've sold out these venues in the
past):

- SF, Sunday 4/29, The Independent, w/ Josh Kelley and Alexa
Wilkinson, Doors 7:30, Show 8pm. My trio plays in the middle slot:
after Alexa and before Josh. Tix here:
http://independentsf.com/april2007.htm
http://www.myspace.com/joshkelley is poppin ;)
http://www.myspace.com/alexawilkinson

- NYC, Wednesday 5/30, Joe's Pub, w/ Lucy Woodward, Doors 6:30pm,
Show 7pm. Happy to be co-headlining w/ Loosi!
http://www.lucywoodward.com. I go on 2nd. Yes, this show is early,
straight from work. Prolly sells out: http://web.joespub.com/caltool

- Philly, Thursday 5/31, World Cafe Live, w/ Melody Gardot, 8pm.
She's wonderful and Philly's her home town so we should have a nice
gathering: http://www.myspace.com/melody. Tix somehere in here:
http://www.worldcafelive.com

- DC, Friday June 1, PeaceLabs Music Series, w/ KIFF trio. Doors at
7:30, Show at 8pm. We're playing this intimate show to support
"PeaceLabs MusiCorps" the greatest Music National Service program
that doesn't exist yet ;) http://www.kiff.com/peacelabs. This private
residence event, sponsored by http://www.sagawajospin.com, is about 15
mins from both Dupont Circle and Georgetown. Details after you buy,
advance tix only: http://www.kiff.com/peacelabs_concerts.html

- SF, Saturday July 21, PeaceLabs Music Series at Dharma Space w/
Elliot Randall opening for KIFF trio. I'm digging Elliot much, as he
emerges from the Bay Area w/ a new album. Check his soothing voice:
http://www.myspace.com/elliotrandall. We're both psyched for a
special evening at our sponsor's location:
http://www.dharmaspace.com. Tix and info:
http://www.kiff.com/peacelabs_concerts.html

Music Saves Lives,

Kiff
http://www.kiff.com
http://www.myspace.com/kiffmusic

Dear Friends:

I hope you're doing well. Here's the latest:

1) Shows -- SF 4/4; SF 4/29; NYC, 5/30; Philly 5/31; DC 6/1
2) On the Radio and TV
3) Proud Love for ma Peeps
------------------------------------------

1) Shows:

4/4 SF Cafe Du Nord w/ Austin Willacy CD Release 9pm: My duo will
open this Wednesday evening before Austin and his band take over
(http://www.austinwillacy.com). Late night will feature
freak-of-beat-box-nature, Kid Beyond (http://www.kidbeyond.com). It's
an honor to support Austin's celebration. Come party and pick up the
new cd:
http://cafedunord.com/?temp=calendar&cal_view=month&cal_date=4%7C2007%7C25&so1=0

4/29 SF The Independent w/ Josh Kelley 8pm: KIFF Trio (w/ D-Nerv and
Mark Calderon) will support guitar-soul-popster Josh Kelley
(http://www.joshkelley.com). We're stoked for this show. Alexa
Wilkenson will open (http://www.myspace.com/alexawilkinson). Tix,
etc: http://theindependentsf.com/april2007.htm

5/30 NYC Joe's Pub w/ Lucy Woodward 7pm: Yes the Early Show (7pm!)
gets the worm cuz Lucy Woodward has one of the most powerful voices
and pop-soul sounds I've heard in a while
(http://www.lucywoodward.com) and we can't wait to get back to NYC!
We sold out Joe's last year and strongly recommend that you buy tix
and table rez's in advance:
http://www.joespub.com/caltool/index.cfm?fuseaction=detail&performanceID=2913
see also http://www.myspace.com/bsharpshowcase

5/31 Philly World Cafe Live w/ Melody Gardot 8pm:
I'm totally psyched for our first ever Philly show. And you'll be
able to hear a pin drop at this one -- Melody's voice and stage
presence do that. Check the Philly native flygirl here:
http://www.myspace.com/melody. More:
http://tickets.worldcafelive.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=1792 and
please tell your philly crew to join us!

6/1 Wash DC PeaceLabs House Concert w/ special guest 8pm: PeaceLabs
Music is my micro-indie record label and music publishing company.
But it's also a vision. I hope one day PeaceLabs can be a sort of
musical Peace Corps, supporting a network of singer songwriters as
they share their music worldwide with folks in need. Learn more,
spread the word and/or join us for this special evening in DC:
http://www.kiff.com/peacelabs_dc.html

2) TV and Radio:

I just signed a bunch of licensing agreements for MTV's Real World,
Road Rules and other TV shows to use songs from my album, "You Can't
Keep it Down" (PeaceLabs). Stay tuned. Also, tracks "Now", "How it
Feels" and "Die 4 the Cause" have been playing on over 100 college
radio stations nationwide (http://www.kiff.com/radio.html). On
several, UCKiD is charting in the top 30 with big name, big label
artists...Thanks to Tinderbox Music for the support and hustle:
http://tinderboxmusic.com

3) Proud Love for my Peeps:

Lauren Ferrone, my cousin and wicked baker-cookie maker, starts a
yummy new biz, get some here: http://summerhousebaking.com/

Tony Deifell, conceptual artist and service warrior, is releasing a
visionary new book and film. Save the Date in SF, May 17th, 111 Minna
Gallery: http://www.seeingbeyondsight.org

Jason Jurgens, writer, entreprenuer and music stud, celebrates 2nd
Anniversary of The Owl Mag. Save the Date, 4-13 in SF at Mezzanine:
http://theowlmag.com/

BJ Barrett, indie artist soul saver, author, spreads love at
http://www.myspace.com/thebjspace

Vanessa Castro, inspirational and talented artist, launches cool
website: http://vanessa-castro.com

Joe Chellman, web guru and drummer, kills it every time:
http://shooflydesign.org

Thank you for keepin it poz,

kiff

http://kiff.com and http://www.myspace.com/kiffmusic

thanks for those who let me know : )

i guess you never know what's happening on your myspace while you're scoping organic broccoli and eating cheese popcorn at Trader Joe's. i hope the problem is fixed...great way to make and keep friends huh?

whatever, myspace,

kiff

Dear Friends:

Here's the update --

1) I learned yesterday that I won the 2006 International
Singer/Songwriter Award, presented by We Are Listening. "How It
Feels" was selected by some pretty cool judges
(http://wearelistening.org/judges.php) from a submission pool of
several thousand. See, listen, and download FREE!
http://wearelistening.org/winners2006r2.php

2) The PeaceLabs House Concert this Sat. 1/27 feat. KIFF trio w/ Mica
Lee Williams is totally Sold Out. 80 pre-sold tix make walk-ups
unrealistic. Sorry to those who won't be able to join us and big
thanks to everyone who will!

3) Saturday February 2, KIFF duo (w/ Dan Nervo) will be opening for
great friends LUCE at Sweetwater in Mill Valley, CA. Show's at 9pm.
Meet the fellas: http://luceband.com + check the venue:
http://sweetwatersaloon.com

4) Friends and Family: Love'm, can't live without'm. Recent trip to
SB and LA was case in point. My cousin Mike & Maria turned out the
fresh SB crowd and crashed Dan and Me. My wicked Socal bassist Derek
played generously cuz i'm low on $. Then, a couple world class
drummers sat in just for fun in LA. Another cousin, Andrew, in LA on
biz, hooked us up with the hollywood hotel. Manager Jim D. kept us
moving and cool. Bro Ned made a nice intro...And this Saturday
wouldn't be possible without sweet HD, Moto Productions, Rodanti
Films, 280 Soul Sisters and more. It goes on and on...thank you,
thank you, music saves lives, kiff

Dear Friends,

Happy holidays and blessings thru the new year. Here's a little
end-of-'06 update and headstart for '07. Sorry it's longer than
usual; you know I try to keep these few and far between!

1) "I'd like to thank the Academy...":
Had a blast playing for over 400 attendees at the SF Grammy's Annual
Celebration last week. See kids in action (3-piece w/ D-Nerv, Mark
Anthony & Red Pants):
http://www.kiff.com/images/news/KIFFAtGrammys.jpg

2) UCKiD in Music Connection's Top-10 in '06:
Music Connection magazine receives thousands of CD's for review every
year and only a few hundred get critiqued. I was pleased to learn
recently that my album "You Can't Keep it Down" tied for 2nd best
critique score of 2006! The year's top-25 are listed in the December
issue (on stands now).

3) Holy Holiday Deals! Free Shipping, Bonus CDs, Discounts:
Anyone looking for last minute gifts? You can get the CD, signed,
directly from me here: http://www.kiff.com and when you purchase
directly, I'll also send you Awarestore's 15-track Fall Sampler CD
"Ear Snacks" which has my single "Now" on it.

You can always buy UCKiD at Itunes, CDbaby and Awarestore (w/ free
shipping!) here:
http://www.kiff.com/links/itunes
http://cdbaby.com/all/kiff
http://www.awarestore.com/artist6009 (free shp'g promo code:
NEMO2006)

If you want a bunch of CD's to toss around like holiday frisbees or
to bring w/ a bottle to year-end parties, pls hit me at kiff@kiff.com
and we'll work out a bulk discount!

4) Peace, Love, WHAT?:
Ever wonder where the "genius" brand guys at big ad firms get their
ideas? 9 outta 10 times they steal'm. That's right. And I'm making
the bold claim -- right here, right now -- that SF-based Gap, Inc.
ripped off SF-based artist KIFF's t-shirt design for their holiday ad
campaign: "Peace, Love, Gap." See "Peace, Love KIFF" design from last
spring here: http://www.kiff.com/images/news/KIFFGap.jpg

Those who bought my T's, fret not. Random myspace fans have informed
me that "Kiff" goes along with Peace & Love more than Gap, Inc.
Apparently, "Kiff" is French, Israeli and South African slang for
"cool" (it's also a verb in Germany and Morroco meaning, "to go get
high." But we digress. KIFF T's (w/ PeaceLabs logo and tagline "Music
Saves Lives" on the back) are also available directly w/ PayPal:
http://kiff.com/pop_shirts.html

5) PeaceLabs Music Series at 280 Granville Way:
I've got a house concert planned for Sat January 20th in SF. Doors
7:30pm, Show 8pm. KIFF trio will play fireside w/ wine, beer and
munchies on hand for you. Special guest, Mica Lee Williams will open
(luv her: http://www.myspace.com/micathefolkdiva). Seats at this
intimate show will sell out so get tix in advance:
http://www.kiff.com/links/housetix or send a check, $12/ticket, to
KIFF at 280 granville way, sf, ca 94127. For more: info@kiff.com

6) KIFF Joins Left Coast Management:
Early last summer, wonderful friend and fan, Monica Douglas tried to
get me a festival gig by sending my CD to Cali-based Primetime
Entertainment. Turns out, Jim Douglas (no relation), the President of
Primetime, really dug it and had recently started a new management
firm, with partner Steve Belkin, called Left Coast Music Group. Many
good conversations and a few meetings later, Left Coast finally took
over KIFF's music management. To learn more, see Jim's recent
interview as well as the Left Coast site:
http://westcoastsongwriters.org/JimDouglas.htm and
http://leftcoastmusicgroup.com/

7) Expect New Music in '07:
Yes, I do have more songs in the shop! Loving the new babies
actually. Some will debut at the Jan 20th show. For those who still
haven't heard all of UCKiD, I've put up another couple tracks,
"Coming Home" and "Follow the Leader" at myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/kiffmusic

8) Crazy Thanks to:
James Taylor, Jim Cramer, Jack Bauer, Jim Douglas, Trader Joe, Joe
Cerrell, Joe Chellman, Steve Belkin, Hahva Neff, BJ Barrett, Dan
Nervo, Karris, Rob Figarola, Erin Maguire, Paul Lizewski, Merl
Saunders, Kaitlin McGaw, Justin Winokur, Cindy & Cliff Lange!, Susie
Cadd.

Peace, Love, Kiff

http://www.kiff.com

What happens if you mix Motley Fool with Facebook? You get Hedgestop.com, a fun social networking and news site for young entrepreneurs and market mavens. Hedgestop features KIFF as "Artist of the Month" for their official launch later this week. Join Hedgestop's community and check the interview here:
http://hedgestop.com/music.php?artist_id=2

__________________
Here's the full, unedited, unspellchecked interview (only the song descriptions were edited down for the site):

Good morning Kiff,

We're going to feature your songs Now, How it Feels, Lies, and Coming Home. Can you tell us a little about them.

Now
As the title suggests, I wanted something urgent and straight-forward, rather than subtle or complex. I started with a driving bass line and piano part to match the intensity of raw physical desire. Everything else made sense pretty quickly with this song, it knew what it was right away.

Lies
I tweeked the melody and arrangement for well over a year, playing different versions live and on demos. It got to the point where I'd call out "Lies" to the band, and they'd laugh and say, "which one?" When that somber piano line finally emerged, I realized all it needed was space to breathe and acceptance of the sadness inherent in lies and the relationships that sustain them...

How It Feels
This track has a slightly chippy and almost silly attitude. I discovered that women, not just men, can be sneaky, self-serving predators. I used to carry a sort of post-modern male guilt, like, "dudes are cruel with a one-track mind and women are sweet and sensative." But when I was single, I noticed how many chicks check out other guys, even when they're walking down the street with their boyfriend. You little she-devils, I know how you are. Don't try to make me feel bad for being a bro.

Coming Home
This melodic shape -- the build and release into the chorus -- was instantly satisfying to sing. My struggle came with lyrical content. Should I take a universal theme and make it autobiographical? Would less personal be more powerful? I went for a bit of both, intense individual experience and possibility that has meaning only in a shared context. Whatever I've done, whatever I'm gonna do, it's all good as long as I'm "coming home" to you. Hopefully everyone can relate to that.

1) You left a career in business & politics (more specific on what you did if you would) to sing, take us through that difficult yet inspiring decision?

Oh geez, do you have an hour? Basically, I worked on the '92 Clinton campaign and wound up in the White House. I was a young legislative aide helping to create the bi-partisan AmeriCorps program. I got particularly turned on by some cool companies that supported the work of our "domestic PeaceCorps" volunteers...I wanted learn more about how business could be a force for positive change in the world. I landed on the management team of a publically-traded natural juice company...(soon I was in the middle of a food-borne illness tragedy and Grand Jury investigation which led me to guest-lecturing at business schools on corporate crisis management, a story for another time) . A couple years later I became president of a network of CEO's and investors in so-called "socially and enviromentally responsible" businesses...another crazy chapter. Finally, even though I had bands in college and in DC while I worked at the White House, I realized I had never fully dedicated myself to my lifelong passion of music. I knew that if i didn't drop everything and go for it, I may never forgive myself. Like most of my "big" decisions, the process was fuzzy-fuzzy-fuzzy, then clear as a bell. I had to do it. The emotional risks of neglecting my music were far greater than the financial and status risks associated with letting go of my career as a young entrepreneur.

2) What is your favorite song on your current album "You Can't Keep It Down" and why? Would you ask a parent which child is their favorite?
Would you ask a parent which child is their favorite? Seriously, and sorry
for the corny metaphor, my "song babies" are so needy during their
gestation and infancy -- not to mention the time that goes into
production, mixing and mastering -- I rarely listen to them once they've
been printed to CD, after they "leave home" (so to speak). Of course, a
song will mature and evolve over time. Each live performance becomes it's
latest expression. Like real parenting (i'm guessing!), I can't always
choose which kid I wanna "talk to," I end up playing most from the new
album at live shows.

3) So I hear you are an avid stock trader, tell me more about that.
You can take the boy outta the business but you can't take the business out of the boy, right? Albums and touring cost money, not to mention rent, food, health care, etc. When I decided to learn pro-tools (music production software) and buy my first keyboard, I figured I better open an Etrade account. I had never traded stocks before, but I knew if I failed, I'd be looking for a job very quickly. Ain't no trust fund safety net under this artist. I learned the ropes with some early success as well as tough blows, the story of my career. The miracle is I'm still alive, still paying rent and still writing songs without a boss. Who knows how long it will last. I'm not a "day trader" per se. I consider myself an active trader, executing about 100 trades/quarter.

4) While we're on the subject, do you have any stock picks or stock advice for our readers? I assume if you're reading this at hedgestop.com, then you're already relatively market savvy. I tell my friends who figure it must be pretty easy to pull off profitable trading, to beware and venture humbly. The market can be a brutal and unforgiving teacher. You're not a genius when you win or a loser when you get smacked down. I think it's critical to maintain your discipline and listen to your gut at all times. That said, I'm more wary of the market right now than I've ever been. Markets like certainty and the world seems a little sketchy right now -- our collective direction unclear. That's why I sing and write songs. Music helps me to make sense of it all, and stay positive.

5)Kiff, your music rocks! One last question, Jessica Simpson or
Jessica Alba? Thanks! Um, since my music has been ccompared to John Mayer
and Maroon 5, maybe I should go with Jessica Simpson (didn't she date
those guys? is she the one on the zit cream commercial?). How bout this:
check out my friend Jessica Callahan. She's a 20 yr old singer-songwriter
who's also blind.

i took down the song "Lies" (track 3 on my album) and put up "In this World" (track 11) -- a very different vibe and sentiment, a chill-out track. i hope you like it. remember: you can always click thru to "kiff player" (below) or go to kiff.com to hear clips of the full album.

AND

as the world braced this week for the administration's new war positioning and response to Iran (in short, we're pro oil crisis -- $100/barrel -- so we can pass the failed energy bill which expands drilling, offshore and in the arctic refuge, and refinery capacity), my bro, Andrew, sent me a good ol' Abe quote. i think it's true:

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's
character, give him power."
- Abraham Lincoln

have a great labor day wknd, kiff