(Scroll down for upcoming music performance dates!) Speechless I was always one of the "tall kids" growing up. It had some advantages (I could help my 5'0" maw maw reach top shelf pots by age 12). But even though I took up more vertical space than the average American female, in most ways, I've always been a late bloomer. I had no idea Kenny Washington was, too. At 65, Washington (who happens to be about as tall as my maw maw was...) has had a long, illustrious career as a jazz vocalist. He's...
2 months ago • 2 min read
(For upcoming music performance dates, scroll to the bottom of this email!) Sometimes when we're struggling to get to a new level of our talent, career, mindset, etc., it's easy to forget just how far we've already come. I recently digitized some old cassette tapes from my childhood and found this gem of a clip. It's my shy, quiet, pre-teen self trying VERY HARD to sing my favorite Christmas song, "All I Want for Christmas Is You." Click the picture of the cassette player below to hear the...
about 4 years ago • 1 min read
(For upcoming music performance dates, scroll to the bottom of this email!) Last weekend I visited the Knock Knock Children’s Museum in Baton Rouge with friends who have young kids, and I enjoyed seeing life through a child’s eyes for an afternoon. Take the joy of painting, for example. When kids see an easel and some paints, they often run up to it and start trying it out. They’re curious about it—maybe they’ve tried it before, maybe not, but they approach it without judgement or worry. They...
about 4 years ago • 2 min read
(For upcoming music performance dates, scroll to the bottom of this email!) As a kid I used to love watching the movie "Mary Poppins." The title character's beautiful voice, elegant mannerisms and calm confidence made me feel like everything would be OK in her presence. As a result, she gave off oodles of charisma. One of my favorite things about Mary Poppins was also her magic purse that seemed to hold absolutely everything she could possibly need (even floor lamps and carpets), yet it...
about 4 years ago • 2 min read
(For upcoming music performance dates, scroll to the bottom of this email!) "It took me a long time to learn this lesson, but the biggest obstacle between me and my goals has always been myself..." "Thanks so much to, Voyage Houston Magazine, for this fun recent conversation about my music, coaching and life perspective! I love interviews like this one because the questions go deep and really make you pause to reflect: What windy path got me to where I am today? Where I plan to go next?...
about 4 years ago • 1 min read
(For upcoming music performance dates, scroll to the bottom of this email!) I used to think I didn’t like sardines, but today I realized that I had never actually tasted them… All these years I have been confusing them with anchovies! So when my mom opened a can of sardines at lunch, I decided to test the story in my head and try them for myself. I leaned in past the very fishy appearance and took a bite. It tasted like tuna! For so long I had told myself sardines were gross that I never...
about 4 years ago • 2 min read
(For upcoming music performance dates, scroll to the bottom of this email!) This week I got an impromptu opportunity to share the story of finding my voice and how I now also show up more powerfully in my music as a result. I said yes to this unexpected virtual opportunity even though we're in the middle of planning and packing and moving to Louisiana (fingers crossed the process goes smoothly) because it was easy and I knew that it would bring me joy during a crazy week. So at 9pm Tuesday...
about 4 years ago • 1 min read
(NOTE: For upcoming music performance dates, scroll to the bottom of this email!) People tell me all the time that they're "committed" to doing something. And yet they don't do it...over and over and over. Why is this? Oftentimes, the hidden reason lies in their thoughts around "the thing." You see, there's a big difference between INTENTION and COMMITMENT. People frequently confuse the two. If you "intend" to go to a friend's birthday party, but you don't block out the time in your calendar,...
about 4 years ago • 3 min read
Can I tell you how good it feels to be doing regular gigs again around town? I can try, but words don't seem to accurately describe the wonderful feelings of excitement, joy, and energy swirling around in my body right now. So here's me "showing you" that feeling with this clip of a song I recently performed with my ukulele duo partner Kenneth Fowler at McGonigel's Mucky Duck in Houston (they recently restarted their Open Mic Night--Mondays from 6pm to 9pm)! After our 3-song set, the manager...
over 4 years ago • 1 min read