A couple of weeks ago we started the studio/office rearrange when the new lighting came. I still haven't been able to fit everything in, but this new video gives you an idea of where we're heading.
It's also the start of a new format for the weekly songs. I wanted to do something that was a little more inspirational AND educational, so that they didn't just come across as a bunch of cover tunes for no apparent reason. When I started the 300 songs project, it was about getting practice and learning how to operate the equipment in the studio. Over time, however, I've been blessed to have built a cozy following of people who actually enjoy watching the videos, not just listening to the rehearsal concepts.
We've even done a couple of virtual concerts featuring some of those tunes. During those shows, I always try to tie the songs back to an important moment in my journey or a "teachable moment" of some sort, because I believe that music can be educational as well as inspirational (remind me to tell you how the music of Billy Joel helped me win the city quiz bowl tournament in high school).
To that end, I'm launching this new format featuring the song "Hide" made popular by Joy Williams. Whenever I feel "not enough" in any respect, this song kicks my butt and reminds me I'm awesome. I hope it does the same for you. If nothing else, you'll get to see a rare moment of me wearing makeup!
You don't have to hide!
It's time for you to shine and show the world how awesome YOU really are. (Click to tweet)
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It's not an easy song for a woman to sing. It wasn't written for a woman to sing. Until we started the studio rearrange, I wasn't sure I'd ever attempt to sing "Piano Man" - since my low range isn't very strong, and I couldn't boost the signal enough for it to be understandable.
But it's certainly a song I enjoy - and one that became the signature piece for the sixth Gershwin Prize winner, Billy Joel.
The Gershwin Prize is the equivalent of a lifetime achievement award from the Library of Congress - as it "celebrates the work of an artist whose career reflects lifetime achievement in promoting song as a vehicle of musical expression and cultural understanding."
As I watched Kevin Spacey and crew honor Joel with their tribute cover of his song, it dawned on me that the world doesn't need another Billy Joel. The world needs YOU - and you can sing Billy's song, but like Kevin and the gang, you've got to sing it your way. And some people won't like it, or even understand it (Leann Rimes? What?), but you've got to do it your way for your audience to embrace you.
The other thing that caught my attention is that the best way to pay homage to your heroes is to do things your way. No one on that stage tried to sing it like Billy. Even Billy did his own thing in the moment ("It's a pretty good crowd here in Washington.") - and Kevin Spacey learned how to play harmonica just for the event - even if hitting the high notes wasn't as easy as he'd liked. He, and all the others, did it their way.
The world needs YOU to shine bright and sing your song - YOUR way. (tweet this)
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Tomorrow, I turn 40 (Bradley Cooper and I are the exact same age, thankyouverymuch!). This clip was taken from November's show, where I realized it was over 20 years ago that I wrote this song. As Billy Joel gets the Gershwin Prize for his song, "Piano Man", this week, I wondered what it is that makes some songs so timeless. And I wondered if I'd ever have a song that had that kind of effect. Then, I realized that I'd already written a song that I still sing even 2 decades later. It might not be a Billy Joel-caliber tune, but it's mine, and I love telling the story behind it.
My drama teacher, Mr. Jennings, gave me an opportunity to write and record this song for a play he was doing by the same name. He was known for being quite creative with the productions he mounted. He wasn't afraid to set Shakespeare in the 1950's, and was known for his color-blind casting policy, which sometimes got him into trouble. At the opening of this show, he wanted to have tableaus that looked like scrapbook photos that would come to life. It was a great opportunity to do something I loved in a meaningful way - completely outside the curriculum of the classroom.
Mr. Jennings was one of the first people to give me a platform for my music. He was willing to take a chance. The world needs people like that. The world needs people willing to share an unknown voice or an idea with a larger audience. I'm grateful he was one of those people for me. As I look back nearly 20 years, it's a thank you that's been a long-time coming.
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December is always a whirlwind for me. Holiday shows, the annual Give-back campaign, and my oldest son's birthday. This year, he turned 18! Now that my eldest is officially an adult, we can focus on "the other" holidays this month: Christmas and New Year's Eve!
This is one of my favorite Christmas songs. I was lucky enough to be able to share it at a Christmas sing-along for a local church last week. I've got a couple more songs from that event I'll be sharing this week, but the jingle bell hat was super timely for the Sunday before Christmas. Just a few days left, and we're STILL shopping.
Do you have the holidays handled yet? What are YOU hoping to get for Christmas this year?
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Judy Garland is one of my all-time faves. I don't sing a lot of her music, but two songs I love are The Man That Got Away and this song - both songs debuted by Judy in one of her films. This song is from" Meet Me in St. Louis" and has had a few lyric changes since the original was written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane. Regardless, it's a timeless holiday song, and all you could ask for any year - to have a Merry Christmas.
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This weekend, I was invited to do a short set for a local non-profit holiday party. So Des and I dusted off the road gear and delighted the ladies with a few Christmas favorites. Here's one I've not shared previously: Irving Berlin's 1940's classic "White Christmas."
It's fitting, since last week I did "Rudolph" and those two songs are the biggest selling Christmas songs of all time (White Christmas is #1).
It's still green here in Michigan, albeit cold - hanging in the mid
Wherever you are in the world, I hope your December is full of warmth and good cheer.
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This week, I'm pleased to welcome my pal, Jen Harris, back into the studio. We've performed this song a couple of times, and I wanted to get Jen back here to share it with you. Such a fun rendition of a classic 40's song.
Actually, the story behind this song is some kind of wonderful. Department store giant, Montgomery Ward, commissions a children's story book as a work for hire. Rudolph is born. Then, the author's brother-in-law decides to write a song about the character. It was more than 20 years later that Rudolph became the animated television classic we all know and love. The song became the first #1 hit of the
It just goes to show you that even when you think you're done with a project, it can take on a life all its own.
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It's not every day one of your heroes gives you a public acknowledgement. Perhaps that will change one day, but for now, I'll keep savoring the occasional tweets, nods, and virtual hi-fives that come from people I admire in the world.
Sometimes we forget that competition isn't always about "winning" in the traditional sense. In truth, there's often a slew of other lessons and gifts that come when we show up and do our best, regardless of whether or not we actually win.
Here's a story and a song that I hope inspires you to keep showing up and doing your best, even if you don't think you're winning.
Subscribe to Lisa’s YouTube Channel | More from the 300 Songs Project | Buy The Show Replay
Subscribe to Lisa’s YouTube Channel | More from the 300 Songs Project | Buy The Show Replay
Subscribe to Lisa’s YouTube Channel | More from the 300 Songs Project | Buy The Show Replay