I hope August treated you well. I have been traveling quite a bit
and won’t really slow down until mid-September. I’m excited to report a
new addition to my schedule: Teaching at the
Americana Song School in Sisters, Oregon and then performing at the
Sisters Folk Festival . I am filling in for
Terri Hendrix,
who is unable to attend because of health issues she’s having. I’m both
excited to participate and also sending lots of healing energy her way.
If you know of her and her music, please send good healing thoughts and
wishes. I really do think it helps!
Speaking of Song Schools...this year at the Rocky Mountain Song
School (where I am both a teacher and student every August), I was
reminded of a book I’ve had on my shelf for a couple years now. Mary
Gauthier reminded me about it when she made it required reading at her
song school workshop. It is a book by Brenda Ueland called "If You Want
to Write: A Book about Art, Independence and Spirit". You probably
already know who Mary is, but I've attached a link to
her website just in case you haven't!
I love this book! Brenda Ueland is so accessible in how she talks
about art, the work and joy of creating it, and how to make the act of
being creative a part of your everyday life. I don’t think it’s just
about writing. It’s about living with an open curious mind and heart.
One of my favorite quotes is, "you must practice not perfunctorily, but
with all your intelligence and love." What if we did everything in life
with the intention to do it with all of our intelligence and love?!
That quote is definitely going up on my post-it quote wall. One of
these days (when it is over-flowing) I will take a picture and post the
post its!
I am writing this journal entry at a friend’s house in Nashville,
TN. I’m here for one more day and it’s been quite a joyful trip. It’s
always fun to visit music city and this time around I came to
participate in the
"Just Plain Folks" Awards Show.
The folks from this organization are committed to helping cultivate and
make a space to honor a wide range of musicians and genres of music (as
they say, the other 98% of musicians). The show itself was very
entertaining and fun. I had such a wonderful time playing and I even
got to take home one of the awards!
“Break The Spell” was picked as the Just Plain Folks 2009 Best
Female Singer Songwriter album! Yes!! I was in the back chatting to a
fellow musician when my name was called and I didn’t hear it. Do you
remember the movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”? If you do, remember that
teacher saying in a monotone voice: Bueller... Bueller... Bueller...I
kinda have that image in my head, except instead of a classroom… it’s
an awards ceremony and perhaps 500 people in the audience... Ellis...
Ellis... Ellis...
Anyway, I felt the combination of embarrassment that I was late for
my cue and also elation at being “picked for the team” (you know the
middle school playground kickball... hoping you’re not left as the last
one…!) In the midst of those clashing feelings all I could think to say
was "I didn’t know!" and "Thanks!". After the fact, I realized that
what I really wanted to say is to you (all of you):
Thank you for helping me make “Break The Spell”. You sent emails
that held such care and support all along the process. You helped me
remember who this record was for, and that focus helped me record it
with nothing to prove and with everything to offer. I feel that support
from you and I’m so grateful. The songs I write, the live performances,
and the recordings are all things I am offering. It’s not really about
me. It’s about the effect it has on you (which does end up giving me
more than I have words for: purpose, meaning, and incredible connection
and joy).
As I get ready for my next studio adventure, it is perfect timing
to be reminded why it is I do what I do. I feel like the luckiest
musician out there because of you. You won this award as much as I did.
I ask myself pretty often the question: Does the music I make matter?
So far, the overwhelming feedback I get is Hell Yes! So, thank you!