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As the season of thanksgiving and joy is upon us, I pause to think
of what an amazing year this has been and of all the things for
which I am grateful. With the release of my debut CD More Than 12 Stories Under The Sun, these last months have been full of adventures on the road and
many a concert given. I have discovered the daunting task of marketing
my CD to the world at large and to some ever-growing niches throughout
America.
I think of the many friends, new and old, who have harbored the
traveling minstrel I've become while on tour from Bellingham,
WA to Baton Rouge, LA; Dayton, OH to Kihei, HI; Palo Alto, CA
to Alpine, UT, to name just a few. I feel a special warmth in
my wanderlust heart for each of these friends who has extended
their open arms of support, and spare sofabeds!
I think of the many new faces I have seen and met at my concerts
as you've talked with me after my show, asked for my autograph
on the CD, or simply given me a beaming nod of thanks and appreciation
for my songs as I've played away on that old piano and sung a
piece of my soul out to you. Each of you means so much to me!
Your words, expression, letters, e-mails, and your own love of
music and life make the fuel that keeps the fire burning for me.
I can only encourage all of you to continue reaching out with
your arms open wide to make the lives you live truly special.
As you may have gathered, most of my touring this year has been
solo--just me and a piano and boxes of CDs in tow. That has made
for an intimate soul-bearing setting, yet I especially treasure
the gigs in southern California with my band. Blake Windal continues
to burn those drumsticks in the most tasteful and powerful way.
His sister Jodie has joined us with her amazing harmony vocals,
after Margaret McIntyre moved to Dallas, TX (Margaret, we miss
you).
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I have to say, something really magical happens when Blake's and
Jodie's voices blend with mine. It takes you into another world--large,
sweet, and inviting. It becomes especially grand when the wonderful
Bart Samolis joins us on bass for several of our regular summer
concerts at Rusty's Surf Ranch on the Santa Monica Pier. One of
my big hopes for 1998 is that I will be able to do more touring
WITH the band. So get ready for an "all together now" act on the
way.
I have felt really moved by ALL the people out there in the music
world who have been so supportive this year. I send gratitude
and joy to all the owners/bookers of the clubs, cafes, folk festivals
and bookstores at which I have performed, to the folks at the
record stores carrying my CD on consignment, and to the new distributors
like Excel who are getting my CD stocked in many stores! I send
thanks and cheers to the amazing folks from TV, radio and print
media, and all the radio programmers and djs at the stations airing
"Della's Cafe" and other tracks from the CD. And, of course, a
big hurrah for the staff at Cannongate Records--Carrie, Karen
and sometimes publicist, Dianna Bybee. You guys are awesome!
As for my plans for 1998, I think it can be summed up in three
words--tour, tour, tour! Plans are brewing for a series of East
Coast concerts sometime in the spring or early summer. No official
announcements yet for the follow-up CD. Suffice it to say, I am
writing, experimenting with and performing many a new song in
fresh directions. So, hopes run high that it won't be too long
before we head back into the studio. As for all of you, may the
best things in life come your way in this season of celebration
and joy--and for all of 1998! And I hope to see you this next
year at one of my concerts!
My love to all of you,
Lisa Cannon
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