Hi Everyone!
Yes, it's been quite awhile since I've sent out a newsletter. (And I have a few gigs coming up this weekend in Medford & Mt. Holly, so be sure & check them out later in this letter!) Anyway, after all of my promo and PR efforts related to my new album and the grammy ballot, I basically took a step back to regroup and refresh, with both my teaching and my playing. The life of a musician in today's economy involves wearing many hats, and when you also take on the role of record producer, PR firm - both publicity and distribution, as well as all the tasks that fall on a business manager in the business (including copyrights, mechanical licenses, etc.) things can become very daunting. The immense amount of details when you're doing it all yourself is amazing!
I recently updated the 'News Feed' on my website, because while I was going through everything this past year I was just adding notes to my home page, and clearing things away to put up the most happenings. I was really surprised when I viewed everything in this timeline going back to the beginning of July - it showed me the big picture again of what I had actually accomplished with this CD, rather than getting caught up in what did or did not take place commercially with it. After all the work and doubt as an artist when you put something out there that's different, I can say I am very proud of "My Red Car" and what I have done as an independent artist. I want to thank all of you for the support you have given to me!
I have posted a new video on YouTube of "Blue Bayou", with me on flute, Jack Prucella on guitar, and Michael Ronstadt on cello. One result of a very great CD Release Party was that there was such a crowd there having such a great time, that my video of the music didn't have the clarity of sound I was hoping for. In fact, this song was at the end of the night, and there was a pretty good pool game going on in the background - I think I can even see a reflection of a pool stick in the picture on the wall behind us! But this song was a real pleasure to play with Michael. I have played this song for many years with Jack in my flute/guitar duo, and the third "solo" verse I had developed thinking of Linda Ronstadt not only singing this song, but also of her Tejano albums, so it was an honor to be able to play it with Michael (and he is just improvising - it's the first time he heard us play it!). Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa_7DAKK1Nk
Now on to current happenings - some of you know that I am playing Saturday nights at Charley's Other Brother in Mt. Holly, NJ from 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. This is an ongoing gig that I love. The music is piped into the restaurant rooms and I am in sight of the large bar, where a number of people have been coming in to relax and have dinner as I play. So if you're around, please keep it in mind. You can always check my website to make sure I'm there, but at this point it's ongoing - it's such a pleasure to have a playing home!
Next on the calendar, Sunday June 2 I'll be at Medford, NJ's Music Art & Wine Festival with Jack Prucella, guitar. I'll have keyboard & flute (and probably ukulele!) on hand. [And here's a teaching plug if you're in South Jersey - I teach flute, piano, voice, music theory, ear training, beg. ukulele, and now also beg. banjo, in case you're wondering.] We will be on the porch at 62 S. Main St., Medford (formally Heather Fine Furnishings) for the entire festival - 12 - 4 p.m., give or take 1 or 2 breaks. So come on out and enjoy - it's a free event, but $10 for a glass for the wine tasting.
Upcoming events include traveling to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for Musicians on Call, and then playing locally at the CoffeeWorks Too in Voorhees, NJ on Friday, June 27. I also will be involved with a recording project by opera singer Bri Cooper, which I am greatly looking forward to.
So as I stop worrying about trying to promote myself, I find myself busier than ever. Is there a lesson in that somewhere? Did all the ground work of the past couple years actually set the foundation for this, or is it just good not to worry - things will happen as they're meant to?
Have a wonderful summer, and I hope to see many of you in the next few months!
Take care,
Lore Constantine