Hey there - hope you're having a great weekend...

So, we just released my new single "Beyond You" - you can listen to the song HERE.




...and if you purchase through that link (the Gavin Mikhail Store), you can choose either a cd or mp3-quality download (both versions also include cover art and lyrics).

The song is also available through iTUNES and AMAZON.

Two quick things to mention...  First off, thank you SO MUCH for your response to my request for artwork submissions.  More than a hundred of you offered up your artwork/photography for the cover, and quite frankly, I was blown away by your level of interest.  Thank you...  In the end, Kristina and I went with a painting by an artist named Marios Trichas - based in Greece, Mario's artwork is stunning, and I'm honored he allowed us to use it.  If you have a free minute, I highly recommend checking out some of his additional paintings/photography HERE.

(side note... because I'll be releasing a new song at least every month from now on, there will be MANY more opportunities for your work to be used.  We're already lining up the artwork for the next two releases, so if you're interested and haven't already submitted, please contact Kristina Katrus at kristina@gavinmikhail.com)

Ok, so the second thing is that this song is the first full-production track from our trip to Peter Gabriel's studios.  Given that I've released a lot of acoustic work over the past six months, I figured it was high time to return to the big sound of my first two records. :)  Huge credit goes Jeremy Lutito (drums), Paul Rippee (bass), and John Nathaniel (guitars/keyboards).  From a production standpoint, John especially shaped so much of the overall sound of the song.  From his layered guitar work to vocal effects to mixing and mastering the track, he did an amazing job, and I'm so thankful he offered to work on it.  If you have a free minute, you can hear more of his work as both an artist and producer on his MYSPACE PAGE and PRODUCER WEBSITE.  Thanks, John...

So, that's it for now.  You'll get an update on my songwriting trips to LA soon, but for now, thanks for listening, and if you have a free minute to leave an iTunes or Amazon review, I'd really appreciate it...

Thanks again, and have a great rest of the weekend!

Gavin

ps - we recently re-uploaded the video blogs from Peter Gabriel's studios, and you can see the tracking of 'Beyond You' HERE.


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Ok... if you're someone who likes to get right to it, I'll start this email off by letting you know that we've decided to bump this Thursday's song release 'Beyond You' to NEXT Thursday, October 15th.  I apologize in the BIGGEST POSSIBLE WAY for the schedule change, but given the unusual circumstances (detailed in the story below), hopefully you'll understand...  Ok, that said, onto the story we go... :)

So, over the past couple weeks, we've been wrapping up the first new full-production release, and this past Saturday was spent putting the finishing touches on the vocals.  Around 4 o'clock, happy with how everything was sounding and ready to take a break, I decided to call it a day and go get ready for a birthday party friends of ours were having for their daughter (side note: nothing says 'party' like a 2-year-old Disney princess themed soiree... awesome... :).  At any rate, as I was shutting down the studio, I figured I'd backup the files, a process that usually takes about 5-6 minutes.  So I hit start, turned around, and headed up the stairs.  Encountering my 2-year-old son, Renn, about halfway up the stairs, he glanced at me as if to simply say 'Hey Dad... just headin' down to the office... got some paperwork to catch up on...'  Now USUALLY... I never let him go down to the studio by himself.  Between the drumkit, piano, and various other pieces of gear, there are about a thousand things for him to destroy.  But we were already running late, and since I'm the REASON we're always late, I figured it was more important to just get ready fast and grab him on the way out.  And I mean... c'mon... how much could he destroy in 5 minutes anyway? (can you tell where this is going yet?)

Ok, so a few minutes later we're ready to go, and my wife (always leading the charge) is the first one downstairs.  In a moment that couldn't possibly have been more slo-mo-movie-esque had it been scripted, I hear Barb shout 'Oh, no NO, Honey!  That's Daddy's compuuuuuuuuuuter!'  Immediately rushing down the stairs, I see my son, huge smile on his face, banging his hands up and down on the computer keyboard. 'I play piano, Daddy!' he shouts at me in unadulterated glee...  Running to my computer (not unlike a gazelle fleeing certain death on the African grassland), I immediately notice something missing... two words... BEYOND YOU.  No files.  None.  Zero.  Gone.  Now, if you've ever had that moment when you're finishing the last paragraph on a 10-page paper and your computer crashes on you... you know how I felt in that moment. :)  My stomach dropped to somewhere around my ankles, and shaking, I began searching frantically for the missing folder. Scanning the hard drive, I noticed that although the folder was THERE... it was much SMALLER than it had been before.  i.e... most of the audio files were missing.  And, upon opening the project file itself, my worst fears were confirmed.  Renn had managed (in what HAS to be a statistically remote combination of keystrokes) to not only stop the transfer midway but summarily delete most of the original song as well.

Sooooo, yeah.  Let's just say I didn't make it to the birthday party, and the rest of the weekend was spent trying to recover files and rerecord lost tracks.  As I told a close friend last night... love my son, I really do.  But right now?  Mmmm... not so much. :)  At this point, the song is back on track, but we definitely need a bit more time to get it to you.  Thanks for your understanding, and if there's any moral you can take away from this story... here it is...

RENN + IMPORTANT THINGS = BROKEN

:)

Gavin

ps - when we have more time, I'll share the Renn-started-the-blender-with-the-top-off or Renn-thinks-colored-glue-enhances-our-white-couches stories.  2-year-old boys... oh so easy to manage. :)


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Hey there... hope you're having a great Monday...

So, I released a new song a few weeks ago, and as usual, you were unbelievably supportive (thanks for that)...  For the cover art, we went with a design originally created for my 'Like Normal People Do' album, but with so many new songs coming out over the next few months, I realized... we're gonna need a lot more artwork. :)  Which is where you come in!  The next few songs will be released on October 8th, November 12th, and December 10th, and we'd love to use those releases as an opportunity to showcase your work.  So, if you're an artist, graphic designer, or photographer, and you'd like your designs/photos to be considered for the cover art, please send an email to Kristina Katrus at kristina@gavinmikhail.com.  She and I will be working together to choose the artwork for each new release, and she can explain how to submit a sample of your work.

Thanks again for all your support, and we hope to hear from you soon!

Gavin

ps - if you yourself aren't an artist but know someone who might be interested... please pass this email along!  And, if you haven't already seen the artwork from my September 10th release, you can see it HERE.


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Hey there - hope you're having a great week...

So, as promised, my new single "Wrong About You" came out today...

You can listen to the song HERE



...and if you purchase through that link (the Gavin Mikhail Store), you can choose either a cd or mp3-quality download (both versions include cover art and lyrics).

The song is also available through iTUNES and AMAZON.

I chose to go with an acoustic track for this first single... no reason other than the fact that I thought you might like the acoustic version, and it just felt right to release it.  Have no fear, though... new full-production songs (drums/symphonic strings/guitars/etc.) coming soon... :)

As always, thanks for listening, and if you have a free minute to leave an iTunes or Amazon review, I'd really appreciate it...

Thanks again, and have a great rest of the week!

Gavin


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Ok.  So, I gotta say... you've been incredibly patient.  Amazing really.  I haven't put out any new songs for quite awhile, and yet, you've continued to stay loyal and supportive.  As an independent artist, that's an unbelievable gift, and I sincerely hope you know how much it means to me.  Seriously, thank you...

So to be perfectly honest, as I started writing this, I wondered... should I explain why it's taken so long?  Should I bring you in on the process in order to (somewhat) justify my ever-so-slow release rate?  Because yes, I have my reasons why it's taken so long.  And, even more so, yes, you're entitled to an explanation...  But at this point, none of that really matters, does it?  What matters is that I can finally say to you... here ya go.  New songs for you.  So, yeah... let's just go with that. :)

This coming Thursday, September 10th will mark the start of a new release schedule for me.  Something I've never tried before... (haha - yeah, that sounded a bit too Criss Angel Mindfreak... awesome... :)).  Anyway, in an effort to make sure you're never again asked to wait three years between releases, I'm giving myself... let's call it... a workout regimen of sorts. :)  From now on, I'll be giving you SOMETHING new on the 2nd Thursday of every month - one of the 15 new full-production songs from the Peter Gabriel studios trip... acoustic versions of new songs... live tracks from the Munich and Chicago concerts... SOMETHING.  Inbetween the monthly releases, time permitting, I'll be putting out extras - remixes, instrumentals, additional acoustic tracks...

The new material will be available through the usual online outlets - iTUNES, AMAZON, EMUSIC, etc.  In addition, the songs will be available through THE GAVIN MIKHAIL STORE both in mp3 format (standard-quality download) as well as in the much higher-quality wav format. (For you non-techno-geeks, a standard-quality mp3 song file is about 4mb... a cd-quality wav of the same song is about 40mb.  Both playable from any computer, ipod, etc.)

So, that's it.  For a more in-depth explanation of this new release schedule and how it came about, you can read my recent interview with Musicnotes on the MUSICNOTES BLOG.

Thanks again for everything.

Gavin

ps - if English isn't your primary language, you can now read these newsletters in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, and Spanish on MY NEW BLOG.  Just choose your preferred translation in the upper right hand corner.


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Hey there... hope you're having a great Friday...

So, I realized yesterday that the last few blogs have all been non-music-related, and as much as I enjoy writing those... time to give you a quick update! :)  Two quick things to mention...

First off, your response to the new sheet music has been fantastic (thank you so much for that), and as a result, Musicnotes not only did an interview and feature on my music (you can read Monica Valentinelli's article on the MUSICNOTES BLOG), but also added another one of my arrangements to their catalog ('I Will Follow You Into The Dark').  For those of you who may not know, the song was written by Ben Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie, but because my piano arrangement is a significant enough departure from his acoustic guitar version, Musicnotes felt it would be a great one to offer.  Given that I'm a huge fan of Ben Gibbard's songwriting, if my having a version means more people might get to hear or even play such an amazing song... I'm happy for it.

You can purchase the sheet music through MUSICNOTES.

So, the second piece of news is that, along with the Musicnotes article and sheet music, we've just released the video for 'I Will Follow You Into The Dark' on my new YouTube channel.  As with the video for 'Brave,' it was shot at Peter Gabriel's studios, and my video producer Kyle Meek did an amazing job with it. (thanks, Kyle)  Hope you enjoy it...

I WILL FOLLOW YOU INTO THE DARK (VIDEO)

Ok, that's it for now.  I hope you're doing great, and as always, thank you so much for listening...

Gavin

ps - In one final note... ever since 'I will Follow You Into The Dark' appeared on my Real World Sessions release back in April, I've been fortunate to receive quite a few emails from fans of 'Twilight' saying they think it fits Edward and Bella's story perfectly and that they'd love to see it on the soundtrack to the sequel 'New Moon.'  If you're one of the people who've written in to say that... thank you.  As a newly converted fan of the series (despite having mocked my wife continually about her obsession with it :))... I take that as a huge compliment.  Thanks...


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Hey there... hope you're having a great week...

So, as promised, this is the first re-post of some of your responses to my recent blogs ('What can Josh Groban do for YOU?' and 'It's Your Reality').  Beneath each response, you'll see either just the name of the writer or the name + email address (if they've ok'd their email being reprinted).  Reason being that, aside from the enjoyment I get writing these oftentimes odd meanderings, part of the bigger picture to me is that they might become a way for you to connect with one another.  As in... 'Hey!  Look what Angela wrote!  I TOO have a pet chinchilla who loves Josh Groban!' (chinchilla pic)  And, there you have it.  My work here is done. :)

Seriously, idiot humor aside, thank you so much for taking the time to reply to these.  I'm overwhelmed by your responses and honored that you even take the time to read the blogs in the first place.  And, if you do connect with what someone else wrote (and their email is listed)... take a minute to tell them as much.  I can say firsthand... it's a great feeling to hear someone else shares your experience.

Last thing - if your response isn't listed here, it isn't because it wasn't good.  Just had to draw the line somewhere. :)

Ok.  With that... enjoy.

Gavin

(you can see the original blog posts at: blog.gavinmikhail.com)



******WHAT CAN JOSH GROBAN DO FOR YOU?


This is just too funny!  Let me just say, though, that you have it made with your son liking Josh Groban.  I think if I see my 4-year-old son dancing around in his underwear and singing along with Hannah Montana's "The Best of Both Worlds" one more time, I am going to hunt down Miley Cyrus myself! :))

Janet

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When I read your blog about how your son Renn is "addicted to Josh Groban" I laughed so hard. You are a great story teller but what got me was that my son Xavier is having a similar reaction to you. He is transfixed by your song "Go On". I introduced the song to him in my car one day and now every time I mention going anywhere in the car he says "Dad, can we listen to "Go On"". I obviously love the song but little Xavier is driving me nuts about you and "Go On" just like you said Renn is doing to you with Josh Groban. How ironic,huh? You are the soundtrack to my drive on a daily basis. My wife has tried to ban you by asking me to remove "Go On" from my iPod playlist but Xavier has got your back. I guess you have the same magical powers over kids as Josh! I've attached a video of Xavier singing "Go On" because you need to witness your powers in action. Feel free to post it on your blog or email it to friends. Keep making great music!

Xavier sings 'Go On'

Darren Sherrill

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Hi Gavin!!

Awesome story. My daughter (Lindsey bless her heart) at the age of two loved Jurassic Park, Barney,  and Tom Hanks!! So we were either watching people getting their heads ripped off, A singing, dancing  purple dinosaur or Forrest Gump doing his thing. (In fact as i write this we are watching people getting their heads ripped off:) If only Josh had been around then,  or you for that matter!!

Have a great weekend!

Susan Johnston
risemboolranger@gmail.com

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While I have to say I've never had to deal with listening to Josh Grobin over and over again, there's a family story along the same lines: When I was four or five I became transfixed with the Disney movie "Bambi". I would watch it three or four times a day for months on end. When the movie hit that point, I would always ask "Why did Bambi's mommy die?" and then cry uncontrollably for a while and repeat the process. This went on for about six months. My mother thought she was out of the woods, until my brother (eight years younger) when through the same fixation. With the same reaction. For another six months. Needless to say, I think if we NEVER watch Bambi again it will be too soon. Other than that, thanks for the newletter! It did bring a smile to my face. Hope inspiration strikes!
 
Missie

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Thanx for the smile! Renn should be able to recite verbatim every word Josh says or sings! My niece was addicted to Adventures in Babysitting and could act out most every part. Same with Jim Carrey movies...over and over till the funny lines became part of her vocabulary! Chin up...he could be obsessed with Barney...I love you, you love me...Have a blessed weekend.

Norma

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HAHA When my daughter was around a year and a half old, I introduced her to the Glass Tiger 20th anniversary DVD...  and all I heard for 6 months was "watch Alan!!!"... Alan Frew is a good friend of mine, but after hearing him over and over again, I was ready to gag him and throw him into my trunk...

Jody Pedersen
silversun7@shaw.ca

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I've been dancing to "You Raise Me Up" with my daughter since she was only a few months old.  I still cry pretty much every time I try to sing along while looking at her.  Thanks for sharing.

David Reed
thezencowboy@gmail.com

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That has to be one of the cutest things ever. But I feel your pain. A few years ago we would have to play Some Guys Have All The Luck by Rod Stewart to calm my younger brother. I loved the song but having to hear it at least six times a day, I wanted to, as you put it, 'shove a fork in my ear to end the suffering.' Haha (: Well, hope you have a great day.

Alyssa

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While shoving a fork into your ear might solve your Groban problem... I doubt that will help any when trying to write new music. Yet again, Beethoven was deaf right? And if anything, your kid might find the attraction of shoving the fork in your ear for you... that would SO beat Bob the Builder in my book...Just a thought :-)

Best Wishes!

Dakota

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You had me in stitches.  Not only could I envision the exact scene, LOL, but I had a similar experience.  Oddly, I plopped in Chess in Concert, another Groban dvd, and watched a 3-yr old become totally mesmerized. It was weird. BTW, Angelique Kidjo is on the bill at the Hollywood Bowl's opening night along with Groban.  I'm assuming they will sing Pearls ... it will never be the same.  Thanks for the laugh,

jeannie

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Hi there! I just had to send a quick "thank you" for your newsletter/blog that you sent out. It had me laughing to myself as I read a story that I had seemed to already know...well except for the kid part...and the artist part. I have a Pomeranian, Budward, (Buddy for short) who absolutely adores music.  I recently graduated with a music degree from Louisiana State University so music is a huge part of my life. Whether it was me playing violin, piano, or singing through one my classical arias once more before a performance, Budward has been there for it all. Just like any child, Budward has his good moments and then he has awful, loud, and "moody" moments. Yes, I said it...Moody. My dog has mood swings like a small child and does not hesitate to throw a barking tantrum to let you (and the neighbors) know. I have a playlist which consists of music belonging to yourself, Gavin DeGraw, James Taylor, Marc Broussard, and Counting Crows....eclectic mix...I know. Anywho, it doesn't matter how much of a tantrum Sir Budward is throwing, when that playlist comes on, at any given point, on any given song, he goes into a complete trance and just lies down regardless of where it is. When the music is over, he is either, a.) passed out from either the previously thrown tantrum or the music or b.) goes right back to his barking ways. It's the craziest thing I've ever seen and he makes a liar out of me when guests are over or when I try to record him doing it...perhaps just like children do! Ha! Anyway, I thought I'd share my story since you shared yours with all of us! I also want to say thank you for sharing your music with us. I love analyzing the complexities of it. It's so refreshing to hear music that isn't just chords in root position moving from one to five! I guess that's the music nerd in me! But seriously, thank you for writing the music that you do. I have been an avid listener of yours for a while. In fact, I have a signed piece of paper from you that you sent with your first cd that hadn't been finished yet before the "real one" came. Thanks again!

Happy music writing/playing!

Jennifer R

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OMG! Be Thankful its JOSH Groban! That Michael Buble Is EVIL ;-P  I'll Stick with that Gavin Mikhail , he is Pretty damn good! ;-P

Jim

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Well, Gavin, if you are at the point where you can't bear listening to Josh anymore, just remember...Don't give up. It's just the weight of the world....OOO I had to go there, huh?  LOL...  Funny story, loved it!

Joe

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Gavin, I thought nothing would make my heart melt faster than Josh's voice, but hearing ANOTHER favorite artist speak so highly of him, well there's no hope for me now. Josh's music (as well as yours) has been an incredible source of beauty in my life. I saw him from the front row in Omaha, and am truly in awe of his voice. Usually people do not know who is his, so it makes me so happy reading this e-mail of your words of praise and referral for Josh and his music. Not only is he a talented musician, but he's a great humanitarian and activist, with a great heart and sense of humor! His music has such a great healing power....everyone should listen! So thank you for this e-mail. It made my night, that's for sure! And no worries about the comments on Pearls. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and every now and then, even though I love him dearly, I have to venture away from Josh's songs. But they still hold a special place in my heart. Hahaha anyways....back to work...just had to share that with you! Have an AMAZING night! :)

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That's hilarious, and I think that mythical place is called "Grobania".

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i know exactly how you feel! my sister is two..and every single day its spongebob squarepants. and no offense to him or the show..but i can only take his laughing and that phrase "im ready, im ready im ready" so much longer!! haha at least your stuck with some beautiful music! I get stuck with a headache of a sponge and a starfish. i feel like i get dumbed down evertyime that show comes on. hahaha. theres one thing you can learn from your son...he has good taste in music. thats all from you =] ttyl!

Sarah M

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******IT'S YOUR REALITY


Thanks for the email, Gavin.  I, personally, do not think I am living my life to the fullest.  I am way to caught up on the present and way to worried about the future and what is going to happen tomorrow or a week from now.  Reading this email really makes me think on things and gives me hope to live my life as it should be lived.  So thanks again and hope you are doing well. Thanks,

Jered Davis 
jereddavis@gmail.com

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As I read this I was reminded of all those happy days on my grandmothers front patio eating icecream and playing with my dog. Those were some of the best days of my life and now that they are just memories it helps to remember. I had a nasty childhood riddled with abuse at every turn so my grandmothers patio became my safe haven. It wasn't until I was grown with children of my own that I realized how fortunate I was despite the abuse. I had an angel for a grandmother whom I will always cherish. Thank you for reminding me that no matter what happens, there is always goodness in life, You just have to open your eyes and hearts to find it. As always Gavin, Your words of comfort like your music soothe souls and bring smiles. Big hugs and Bright Blessings to you and your family.


Rachael Bailey
rachael_bailey_1975@yahoo.com

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I just wanted to let you know, that your last newsletter totally made my day. It really put my life in perspective.. except instead of living in the future, I'm in the habit of living in the past, and it's the little things like your message that bring me to my senses and make me realize that I need to leave the past behind and move on. Thank you for that :)


Amy Carlson
amycarlson@live.com

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wow Gavin... thank you for taking the time to write this! it's perfect timing actually, as it's my 18th birthday tomorrow. it's the beginning of my life as an adult :p and it has really made me think about my perception of things in my own life... my home etc. To be honest, i share a similar view of things as you confess to here. I think about the way in which what i'm doing in the present will effect my future, etc, and what i will be thinking about when i'm 70 of this day... i'm definitely a romantic, without a doubt! i'd just like to say thanks for the  message, and God Bless :) xxx


Serena Francis
xx_xx_sf_xx_xx@yahoo.co.uk
 
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This letter has given me the opportunity today to just stop. The hustle and bustle which my life has become , flirting with schedule's and appointments. Being in a state of hurry hurry reading emails, setting playlists, handling all things that all seem to have "urgent" applied to them....  . I came to your letter and was swept within your memories and thoughts of life. I just stopped.... took a deep breath... made a cup of tea.. and called my family. For this, I Thank you. Sometimes it only takes the thoughts of people you respect to re-evaluate your situation in life. Although I love this life I am participating in...  the important thing is not "what" you do its "how" you do it. Our past is as important as our future, the two inter-twined to make us whole. Our elders have taught me that when we need a teaching, a teacher will present themselves. Sometimes in the form of a child, a freind, an animal or life itself. You gave to me this day , a much needed reality check. A reminder that life is dear. Family is dear and love is all.  Thank you so much for your words Gavin. When you write the book, I will be your first client. You hold within you wisdom with these words. Though you may not have thought beyond your own teachings with these, I am hear to tell you you have touched a part of me that was too busy to notice that I was missing something. Thank you my freind.


Shashona Goodman
shashonadj@gmail.com

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I just read your email and it hit home so resonantly that I have decided to enjoy my life more and live for the present. As such I have decided on the spot to do something I've been thinking about for a while and go to teach English in Indonesia. I am currently a Primary School teacher but I am not living, just surviving. Thank you Gavin for inspiring me when I needed it most,

Jozanda Parkinson
jozzyp@hotmail com.

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Wow that is so awesome and well said. that is so true too. and yes i believe i could and i try to everyday because living in the present instead of worrying about the furture is the most precious time. something could happen or a memory go by and if we are constantly focusing on the furture we will miss it.. i try to live more in the present than what is to come in the furture everyday.. but I do get sidetracked.. i used to only worry about the future but then realized i am missing out on what is actually going on around me and life's precious gifts. Like i could miss out on my friends and memorys that we make and can share with each other and other people. So i will continue to try liveing more in the present while peeping an eye open for the furture. you are absolutly right. Its about the moments now in the present while living. Not about what is allways to come becasue when it comes we will get through it or keep going! I am greatful that you shared this with me. its a constant reminder about who we are an d what living is all about!!!

Jessica Wright
britelitej84@yahoo.com

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I think I live like your wife. Focusing more on the today and here and now, but always keep an eye out for the future. For me, it's worrying if I'll make it through college, if I'll pass all my teaching exams, and be teaching within the next 5 years. I sure hope so. Then, there's always focusing on the romantic aspect of my life; I'm currently single and I want to be a wife and mother so badly it hurts sometimes. Not right now, but later in life. Within the next 10 years preferably. And part of me thinks "Who on earth could ever want and love me? Who would want a family with me?". I was hurt very badly by my last boyfriend (I'll tell you if you want to know; it doesn't bother me anymore but only if you ask. I don't want to bore you lol) and so I just don't know if anyone will ever want me again. That was 3 years ago. So, I always worry about the future, but I try and not focus too much on it, because there's really nothing I can do about it. The future will happen how it happens and we can't really change it. I think everyone has a destiny and we can change small things, but in the long run, we can't run away from or change our destiny. :)


Brianna Reynolds
bella.cantante@hotmail.com

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Very interesting thought I must say for starters!  It's one I talk about with people on a regular basis.  I am a here and now individual.  I live day to day for the most part but have to keep a watch on the NEAR future only for my children's sake.  I have lived "LIFE" in the past and missed entirely too much to express.  Life is too short to be miserable and I run my days with the quotes "Everything Happens for a Reason" and "It is what it is" I unfortunately do not have parents to reflect with as you do.  I lost them both very early in life and I think that had allot to do with my changing thoughts of how I lived.  Not paying enough attention to the here and now and the simple things that are presented to us on a daily basis.  "Days Gone By" :-) should not be forgotten and should be remembered with a smile and no regret when possible.  Everyone has their up days as well as the down. They are meant to be as such so that we can learn lessons and to know what works and what does not so that we do not repeat the things that do not.  Repetition of the unworkable leaves us in that never ending Mobius Strip.  Going round and round with no end in sight.  Isn't that the definition of insanity?  I believe it is! lol Enjoy your family Gavin and know that one day you will reflect again when you are much older and feel comfortable with the choices you made throughout your life with no regret. I feel that you are on the right track.  Just try not to plan too much for the future so that you do not need to make adjustments that aren't necessary from unforeseen setbacks.  

Emily
franniefrannie@gmail.com

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I am most certainly living for today.  I spent 20 years raising 3 children and everyday was about what they were doing that day, taking them to school, cheerleading, swimming, soccer, making sure homework was done, planning events, the last game, graduations, birthdays, leaving for college, coming home from college.  Until they were all adults and had their own life, and I found I no longer knew what to do with my days, I tried to think of the future as my husband works long hours, so I thought I could plan for retirement, but that was too far off,so I felt pretty lost.  Then one day I saw an ad in the newspaper for a house on the river (that would make a good bed and breakfast - so it said), and I went to look at it, and I knew immediately how I wanted to spend my days again.  Now I take care of travelers as they stop off in Redding for a rest.  Everyday is exciting meeting new people and having conversations about all kinds of things from politics to God.  I love living for today, this is my reality, it's very satisfying and so this is what I'll do until we need another change.

Janelle Pierson
bridgehouse1455@sbcglobal.net

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Ok, kids... quick story for ya. :)  About three years ago, as the exposure to my music was starting to build online (thankfully)... I got the first request for something I never in a MILLION YEARS thought someone would want from me. (mmmmm... no, dirty bird... not that... :)  It was, in fact... for sheet music.  A fan, wanting to play my songs on the piano, emailed me kindly asking where she could buy the printed staff sheet music.  Whuh?  Really?  I mean..... really?  Although I was blown away and excited at the prospect... and despite the fact that requests kept coming in... it continued to get pushed further and further down the get-to list. (eventually landing somewhere between My Personal Beauty Needs beachballs and Gavin Mikhail Snuggies :))

Anyway, fast forward to the current day, and I've FINALLY done a deal with Musicnotes.  As the largest online sheet music retailer (as well as just a bunch of really cool people), I'm thankful to have them in my corner now.  And, although sheet music may not seem the sexiest of all music merchandise... honestly... it's exciting for me.  Not just because I can finally give you something you've been patiently waiting for, but even more so because I remember what my favorite artists' sheet music meant to me as a kid.  Growing up playing classically, the rigidity of that structure... although incredibly useful to learning piano... often felt stifling.  And, every once in awhile, I'd bike the twelve blocks down to Von's Music to buy the sheet music for one of my favorite songs.  Mind you, my favorite songs at the time... mmmm... not so much. :)  But, nevertheless, there was something about rockin' the theme song from The Greatest American Hero that just... I dunno... it made me feel... cool. (haha - yeah... that's self-deprecating sarcasm in case you missed it :)).  But, seriously, learning the songs by some of my favorite artists was a highlight to my early years in music, and to now have sheets of my own songs?  Truly truly awesome.

Anyway... it's now officially been 3 years, 2 months, and 23 days since that first sheet music request came in... and I can proudly say...

Sheet music now available.

www.musicnotes.com

Thanks for setting a new landspeed record for patience, guys. :)

Gavin

ps - even if you don't play piano, guitar, or care about sheet music... you gotta check it out just to hear the panflute substitution for my voice.  Seriously, Musicnotes has a great software setup where you can not only print the sheets but play them back as well (for learning purposes).  But, they swap out my vocal for a panflute.  As my daughter exclaimed through raucous laughter when she first heard it... 'Daddy!  Why does your voice sound so funny?!!!'  You have to download the free software to hear it, but oh how it does make me smile.  Makes Musak sound positively soulful. :)


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So, a few weeks ago, I visited my hometown with my daughter...  Went to see my parents, just me and her...  It's been a long time since we made the trip, and I'm so glad we did.  Had an amazing time, and I was reminded just what a cool little person she is... :)  Anyway, aside from spending quality time with her, as so often happens when I return home, I found myself thinking back on my childhood... reliving old memories...  Probably not surprising given the fact that I typically sleep in my old room, or that... (let's be honest here)... my parents have changed pretty much ZERO about their house since the mid-70's... orange vinyl couch and all... :)  But, regardless... I spent some time thinking back on things.  And, through that process, one idea in particular really hit home.  That life... for each and every one of us... is about our own reality.  It's about the infintesimal details only we know about.  Those little things only we've lived and how they shape our perception of the world...  For me, it's about skipping the last step on the stairs in high school to avoid the creak that nailed me as having come home after curfew...  It's about the drain in our basement sink that, having broken, was jury-rigged open for ten years with the bottle opener I bought on a study trip to Rome my sophomore year of college...  It's about the two inches my Mom expanded the ivy in our backyard every year since I was a kid... bringing it ever closer to the edge of our patio... to where now, 25 years later... there's no grass left.  Only ivy.

It's the way we use our formal dining area as nothing more than a storage room... the way the chime clocks all sound the hour at ever-so-slightly different times... the way the sun hits the bay windows in the kitchen and strikes the linoleum just the right way... that in an otherwise cold, stark room... it feels warm.  It feels right.  It feels like home.

As my wife has so often pointed out to me, I'm a romantic.  I focus on the passage of time, the beauty of life, and the heightened emotions that come with... everything.  I can't stand to imagine that I may reach the end of my life and think, for one INSTANT... that I lived a life not-lived.  And, believe you me, that life approach has it's ups and downs, for sure.  Sometimes, I miss the actual event for living the perceived one, and oftentimes... I live for the future.  I live for the day I'll be lying on my deathbed analyzing who I was and what I did instead of just... LIVING.  My wife, in her infinite wisdom, knows how to live in the present.  She thinks about the future, most definitely, but wisely focuses most of her efforts on the here and now.  She thinks 'what are we doing with the kids TODAY?'  Not, as I often do... 'how will they see us when we're 80?' (haha)  But, seriously, what I think matters here is that we, as people, do both.  That we recognize the need to live in the present but keep one corner of one eye on the future.  Because that corner... it reminds us who we are.  That the years pass quickly and we'd better be enjoying our lives.

So, here's my question for you... are you?  And, if not... could you?

Gavin


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Hey there... hope you're having a great week...

So, a few weeks ago, I mentioned to you that I was gonna start using this newsletter/blog for non-music related writings (along with continued new music announcments, etc).  And, after having spent the last couple weeks writing whenever the urge struck, I figure it's time to start throwing some of them out to you...  Hope you like 'em... :)

(By the way... just so I'm being clear here... the point of these new blogs/newsletters is nothing more than hopefully making you smile a bit.  Maybe get inspired from time to time...  Like you, I love getting the random funny video or inspirational email that makes my day easier, and if these can serve that purpose for you... awesome.  Thanks ahead of time for reading...)

That said........ 

My son is addicted to Josh Groban.

There.  I've said it.  My work here is done... (haha)  Seriously, it all started a few weeks back when I was watching my son, and (drum roll, please)... I ran out of material.  To those of you who have kids, have ever watched someone else's kids, or have ever even MET kids (which, barring you having been raised by the Unabomber in the deep recesses of the Montana mountains, is all of us), you know what I'm talking about here.  We all have our go-to material.  That thing you do when meeting a kid for the first time - a funny voice, a goofy gesture, SOMETHING that gets you by so you can seem at least somewhat interesting and engaged. (my material of choice, incidentally, is the 'mishearing the age' bit... 'How old are you Katie?'  'I'm seven.'  'You're NINE?'  'No, I'm seven.'  'Fourteen?  Really?  You don't look old enough to be fourteen...'  'No, I'm SEVEN!'  Inevitably, they're giggling as they try to convince you of their real age, but the bit only lasts a minute or two and then I'm back to square one...... man....... I gotta get some new material... :))

ANYWAY, I digress...  Once you have your own kids and they're yours 24/7, the few go-to bits stop mattering for the most part.  But, on days when you're really tired and rundown, and your kid is looking to you to entertain him or her... out they come.  And, on this day, I'd used up whatever meager tools I had in my arsenal.  Which left me basically staring at Renn thinking 'Oy... we're hanging out for another two hours... what now?'

Enter Josh Groban.

I'd Tivo'd the Josh Groban 'Awake' concert a few days prior (mainly just out of passing interest in seeing his stage setup) and for some reason it popped into my head.  'Nice...' I thought.  'I'll put that on and it might hold his attention for a few minutes.  Long enough for me to get a cup of coffee, at least...'  Had I realized the maelstrom of Groban-infatuation that would inevitably take over my life as well as the lives of my unsuspecting wife and daughter... I would NEVER have put it on.  But, I didn't.  And, I did.  So, out it came...  The first few notes filled our living room, and as the glorious music hit Renn's ears, I can only describe his reaction as... well... damnit, I'll say it... it was magical.  His posture slackened, his eyes glazed over, and you knew, just KNEW... he'd been whisked away to some mythical place where rainbows sparkled, birds sang, and Josh Groban himself crooned from the top of some far-off mountain...  I swear, had there been a Hugh Hefner smoking jacket and a snifter of brandy nearby, they wouldn't have looked out of place on Renn in that moment.

So, Groban's singing, Renn's transfixed, and all is good.  But, in my haste to pacify, what I didn't REALIZE was that the Grobe-man was working some centuries-old magic I'm, as yet, unaware of.  Driving his sweet operatic-twinged melodies deep into my son's cerebellum, he was, by all accounts, taking over my son's psyche.  Not a day passes by now when Renn, entering our living room, doesn't jet straight for the remotes, pick them up and start shouting (in an increasingly frantic tone) 'Osh?  Osh?  Osh?!  Osh?!!'  The only solution to which is to let him watch part of the concert.  The problem therein being that he always wants to watch the SAME part of the concert... the Woman in Somalia.  God bless America, if I were granted one wish right now, I think it would quite possibly be to remove that song from the face of the earth.  I'm not ripping on the song, by the way.  It's fine.  And, before any of you diehard Groban fans start thinking I'm tearing into the Grobe himself, I promise I'm not.  He's an incredibly talented and accomplished guy... but, in my opinion... something best taken in doses.  And, if I have to hear 'Woman in Somalia' one more time, I swear on my kids college tuition that I may have to shove a fork in my ear to end the suffering.

Anyway, after weeks of this ritual, we've become somewhat accustomed to the sounds of Josh's voice flowing through our household, but it doesn't change the fact that Barb and I are longing for a newfound love of Bob the Builder sometime... ANYTIME soon.

So, kids... the moral of this story?  Go listen to Josh Groban.  Judging by my son's reaction, no matter WHAT'S going on in your life... Groban's good for what ails ya.

:)

Gavin


Pearls (Woman in Somalia):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0l6uhqamjA


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