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May, 1997 Dear Friends and Fans,
Well, it's been about 5 months since the release of my debut album More than 12 Stories under the Sun. These five months have opened up a whole window into the marketing and promotion side of music -- something I didn't know that much about. But when an artist puts out a record on her own label, it's a necessary thing to sink into. Radio promotion, retail sales and marketing, publicity, etc., etc., etc. The good news is that our efforts are starting to reap some successes. One of the songs from the CD ("Life on the Mississippi") was included on a CD sampler (along with Paul McCartney's new single) that was sent by the Album Network to all the triple A radio stations across the country. Already we have discovered a number of stations starting to air that song and others (i.e.- "Della's Cafe") from the CD! I am especially grateful to Laura Ellen Hopper, the music director of KPIG (Monterey, California), for her support. And I'm really excited about some upcoming interviews I'll be giving at KROK and WRKF in Louisiana later this month. The only danger I've noticed as an artist on her own label is that the days start getting filled up with the business of promoting and distributing the CD. So now I am trying to turn that over as much as possible to other people so I can focus on what I do best -- being the artist. I think the months I spent making the album last year were the best moments I have ever felt as an artist. The creative process was incredible, even jubilant -- and I felt so at home in the studio. Now I have a feeling that hitting the road to perform is going to be my home for the remainder of this year. I'll be playing throughout Los Angeles and Southern California, as well as at a number of coffee houses, book stores, and festivals all over the western United States. Be sure to look at the "Tour Dates" page of this Web Site for specifics. As a final note, it's always fun telling people about my music. It just sort of comes out of me -- whether it's on the airplane, at a social gathering, or even at the grocery store. The best thing about it is that we get into these great conversations -- like the one I had with the checkout stand guy at the Irvine Ranch Market. When I showed him the CD, he asked what compelled me to make it . . . what compelled me to write the songs? The first thing that came to my mind was hope. Hope to spread a little kindness, a little love . . . and a whole lot of sunshine (especially on endlessly rainy days). I guess I write songs because they fuel my own hope and keep me going when life offers some real rough spots. As I said something to this effect, I noticed a glimmer of excitement in the eyes of the checkout stand guy. He then revealed his own aspirations as a musician, gripped my hand, and wished me the very best. To all of you --- here's wishing you the very best in your own walks along life's journey. And a special thanks to all of you who have shared your enthusiasm for the CD with me and with your friends. This is what keeps me going. My love to all of you, Other Letters: |
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