shakeh: News

You know...some days are so perfect that you have to comment. Here I am...gorgeous sunny day right on the water at Historical Cama Beach State park. The cabins all look like they're still in the 30s, I'm practically standing on the beach, the sun is out, the people are loving me, I sold some CDs and I go back and do it again on Saturday. Lucky, lucky me!

Last night was a blast at the Conway Muse. Owner, Alpha, has created a wonderful environment for artistic expression, 3 great performance spaces, with an eclectic decor. Lita keeps things rolling along with charm and grace and the food is to die for! If you're looking for a friendly open mic, Weds. at 7:30 you should check it out. I played for the "spaghetti feed" and then there was reggae/ska dancing upstairs afterwards. A very fun time was had by all.

Just got back from TEU which is the monthly Nuskin training event. They always have a drawing for 5 prizes. I bought $5 worth of tickets....I won 2 prizes worth over $600!!! Over 5,000 tickets were sold. Apparently, the person before me had bought $500 worth and didn't win anything. When I won that first prize, I knew the second was coming. I felt it so I hung out close to the stage and then it happened. What are the odds??? Yeah, I'm on a roll. All kinds of great things are happening, getting hooked into some bigger name folks in the music biz, calls from all over the country for gigs that I didn't expect, great energy when I play, and meeting so many fabulous people. Speaking of fabulous people, you reading this are one of those! Thanks for being on my site and in my life!

My last appearance at Norco I got to pair up with a drummer and bass player spontaneously and we really did well considering we'd never met before! Standing ovation and much appreciated as always. I'll go back in September.

I took a last minute gig last night, Monday, July 6th. to fill in a spot for Sheena Metal. I've done UBG (Universal Bar and Grill) before and it's a fun funky place that's been there a long time. On this night it was mainly locals and they were mainly buzzed. Once we got the boundaries clear...I'm the only one allowed on the stage...I started to have a good time. Then one guy gives me a crisp $100 bill. I'm feeling better and better. So we rocked it good and then he hands me another crisp $100 bill. So I did one 45 minute site on a Monday night in a divy Noho bar, got major kudos from the local crowd and made $200. Life is good!

I did a show last night with the Maurice the Fish crew including Nick Sandy, Susan Renville, Dave Sawyer, and the lovely, talented Ray as well! My "untethered" approach to performing seemed to amaze, excite, or terrify the crowd which is always fun. I had a great time with a great audience sharing the stage with other talented folks and it was a sheer joy. Tacoma is a ways...but it was worth it.

I had the best time at Boulevard Music and the Folk Music Center this weekend and got to share the stage with Cyril Pahinui and Dwain. Cyril's generosity in allowing me the priviledge to perform with him was so amazing. We had an especially good time on Sunday with 100 people and a sold out crowd. There I was, a few doors down from Yanni's where Donald and I had gone for dinner when I was a student at Scripps...that's another story....and the Folk Music Center is still there after all these years and I got to play there. Yes, I am a giddy girl today sitting at the Starbucks in Willows, CA. on my way up to Seattle. With one of my other jobs, I'm going into discussions with Microsoft so this is a big deal. Plus I'm helping people get rid of their wrinkles...But right now, I feel like a very happy musical artist who is in the conversation and still basking in the glow of the responses and the applause. Thanks to Dwain for doing a superb job on percussion, harmonica and ukelele....Thanks to Chelle my long time friend for bringing Cyril into my life .Thank you Cyril for your magnificent talent, bringing slack key into my life, and for giving me an opportunity to be on stage with you. Thanks to all of you most of all for friendships that I treasure.

Last night's gig at Boulevard Music was a blast. Dwain was in rare form playing percussion, harmonica, ukelele and singing and etc. We did some songs with Cyril and got a lot of great applause from the audience. I had one bad moment right before I started thinking.....they really didn't come here to hear this ...(meaning me!) but I dove on in and the water was more than fine...it was fantastic! Lots of people came up to me with compliments and I had a wonderful time. Doing a 40th birthday party tonight and then Claremont with Cyril again tomorrow. Best of all was having my friend Carol there in the front row beaming the whole time and my friend Meloney in the back doing the video taping and cheering me on. What lucky girl I am! Mahalo

I just got back from putting up posters for Cyril Pahinui concerts that I'm opening for the weekend of June 5th. Also snagged a private party in Agoura Hills that weekend so there will be a lot of playing and I can't wait! Opening for Cyril is an honor and I'm looking for some great nights at Boulevard Music and the Folk Music Center in Claremont. Oh yeah....will be playing some songs in slack key too!

Well kids, can't sleep and maybe it's the full moon or I understand Mercury is in retrograde....Never really knew what retrograde meant, but it certainly sounds serious. So far 2009 has pretty much kicked my butt but the one thing that is emerging is a stronger, more passionate, more elated version of my artist's self. I feel like right now I'm in recreation mode (maybe even retrograde??!!) for money, happiness, and life in general. The other night my writer's brain started to tick again. It's been pretty quiet the last year or so with a few songs but not a lot. I'm ready for a lot....yeah....songwriting Gods take heed. Bring it, Baby... I want get back on a roll. For those of you who read this blog and support me in my musical quest, big sloppy hugs tonight from a restless, hungry soul in transition.

It was over 3 hours of driving, 6 hours of waiting, and 90 seconds to lay it down at the Tacoma Convention Center last Sunday. Did I do well? Yes, I did. I was within my 90 seconds doing a 311 song, Whenever I'm Alone With You, and every note was as it should be. However, I was not asked back for the next portion of the program and was kind of bummed about it. However, my goal was to do a great 90 seconds and I was prepared and on target. Guess they missed out not picking me huh!!??!!!

I was accompanied by T. Taclett Brown and we were followed by Doug Smith and his wife Judy. Both a treat to hear. People had a good time, Raine got money for the cause and I had a great time. Also snagged a gig to be back there June 26th. Hope to see some Washington people there this summer!

I had the best time with the coolest, most talented, most generous group of people I've ever met. I had been in touch with Ray, CEO of Maurice the Fish Records, great musician, and all around swell guy for the past few months. Since I'm up in the Northwest, he invited me to a party at his house to meet a bunch of people on the label as well as friends and fans. The food alone was worth the trip and the vibe was all about music, laughter, sharing and talent galore. It was a good 2 hour drive there and I almost flaked thinking I'd be too tired but I'm so glad I made it. The amazing Danielle Agnew who I'd met in LA was the first person I saw which was an added bonus. This lady can sing, play, and take you away to a happy place when she performs. I did a few songs with Russ on percussion and we were very well received. I left feeling I'd made new friends and was singing to myself all the way back to Arlington. Thanks Maurice the Fish Records for a great time!

Lost my day job over a week ago and I knew it was coming but didn't know when. Now the "when" is assured. Have two months severance and some irons in the fire. Feel at once freed up and terrified. This economy is destroying so many people's lives. I'm greatful for my wonderful Honey, Mom's cancer has not spread, my Honda has over 265 thousand miles and going strong, I had a standing ovation at Norco Prison last month, and am sounding better than ever. Will audition for America's got Talent in Seattle next month too. You never know....If I had a dollar for every time I've heard that one I'd be rolling in the dough! Am glad to be healthy and for having all that I have.

I opted for a last minute gig at the Universal Bar and Grill last night when Sheena Metal had a cancellation. This is a great funky place and I had great response and a wonderful time. It was Sheena's last night, but this girl has so much going on and I hope to do more shows with her including her radio show. It's inspiring to see someone build up as much stuff as she has single handedly.

What an experience...I needed a room full of men glad to see me and I got two of them. I rocked it big time and they were such great audiences. Will go back again in March. Activities Director, Violetta, even picked me up, fed me, and drove me home. Very rewarding day.

Back to my Alma Mater with Dwayne on percussion and we had a wonderful time. I always remember that I was sitting out there in the seal pond with my guitar and all I wanted to do was go out and play my music and now I'm back doing it again. The students were a great crowd and they want us back which is always nice. Dawayne saved the day playing and troubleshooting the PA. I swear, there is nothing that man can't do! It's always nice to have someone who can play, sing, drive, pack the car, fix the sound system and provide great company to boot! I'm feeling good and strong and we will continue to rock.

I decided that I need to get back out there to the open mics, schmooze it or lose it and etc. So I found this open mic close to my house, on Olympic and Robertson to be exact at the BP gas station. Yeah, that one that looks all space age and stuff. There in a gravel area with Bamboo I got to sing out and I was pumped...I had a gas...Well, you get the drift. I hate the really snooty open mics with the nasty hosts. But the host here, Heather, was a doll and I had fun and as long as the weather is nice, I'll do it some more. She wants to put on a "ladies night" and have me included. Left with a nice warm fuzzy feeling.

Had a really lovely gig outside on the Terrace at Cottonwood Canyon Winery with Dwain on percussion. With my Taylor guitar and new list of cover songs, we really had a lot of fun and a lot of variety to explore. Attendance wasn't what they had hoped for but we carried on blissfully as per usual. Apparently, other musicians didn't want to play when there was no one outside and the band that was supposed to show yesterday just didn't come at all. I don't get it.....Paying gigs are not easy to come by and one's word is one's word. The upshot is that they were really appreciative of us and we will go back again for more events in the future. I'm in my Motel 6 room writing this and will head back to LA in an hour. Life is good and I'm glad I'm out playing and feeling strong.

Boy, what a trip....Here's the low down. First of all, my Honda Accord with over 258 thousand miles on it performed without a stutter. Motel 6 is still my home away from home as long as I bring my slippers and a big towel. Those tiny thin white things do not do it for me expecially if I need to wash my hair!!!
First gig was at Pyramid Ale house in Walnut Creek. Cool outdoor setting but it was really, really hot and my first time playing solo in 3 months so it felt odd not to have Rich there. The crowd varied from table to table...people with kids, people with cocktails, people talking...in short I managed to be as much as I could be to everyone and did a fine job though I was pretty tired. This great guy, Kurt, took my picture and emailed to me and I did have a good time and they loved me. Then it was time to go back..I got lost...probably for about 45 minutes....then I get to my offramp and it's closed due to construction. So I go up the 80 and turn around. Offramp on that side is also closed. Grumpy moi said I've had enough and barreled up the shoulder, through the cones and onto my street. Get into the motel, dying for a shower and walk into the bathroom where I fall on my keister because there's an inch of water all over the floor and seeping into the rug. Call the office....no I don't want to move to an upstairs room at 12:30 AM with all my stuff. And there is a lot of stuff. So we slip and slide into the shower and get clean and go to sleep.
Next night is Downtown Joe's in Napa and I rocked out and had a blast. There was a guy there who played the spoons with me and he was amazing. I had a wonderful time and made a lot of tips and with cash in my pocked and a smile on my face headed out the next day for San Luis Obispo.
Sunday afternoon for the 4 hour stint at Cisco's. Beautiful setting and I had a great time doing my stuff, covers, making up songs for the kids and etc. Made a lot of tips and got a lot of strokes. Broke a string on the last song and that felt like the best way to finish my little foray back to LA.
One really nice lady gave me some earrings she had made for a tip. Cool with beads and elephants. So that's that kids. The saga continues as do I. Appreciate all the kudos along the way and am greatful that I can cruise and play and do the Shakeh show wherever I go.

Have had a great summer with some memorable performances and working hard with Rich to learn a bunch of tunes. Fall is in the air so this pigeon is ready to fly south on Tuesday and do dates in San Luis Obispo, Napa and Walnut Creek on my way back. I know people bitch about I-5, but I love the drive because I zone out and focus on what I want to do once I get wherever I''m going. Somehow, it alls seems so clear out there....

As those of you on my email list know, my song "Brazos De Amor" went out to thousands of instructors all over the world this month via the Zumba Dance Cool Down CD. I got my first email off of my My Space page from an instructor in Texas who loved the song. That felt so good! I'm looking forward to seeing more!

This has been a truly golden time. Rehearsing the duo with Rich, playing some cool outdoor concerts and etc. The Bite of Seattle with the Band is this Sunday and should be a blast. Life is good. :)

I was supposed to come up to Washington the weekend of May 30th. but got really sick. So I had to cancel my gig in Seattle on June 6th. but am up in Arlington now rehearsing with Brad and Rich for the Edmonds Arts Festival this Friday from 7-9 PM. We're going to sound really great and I can't wait to play "Never Been Cool" live with this group as well as the other Shakeh songs. If you're in the Northwest I hope I see you soon!

I played at my first Village fest on Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs and will be back on May 22nd. What I learned is that I need to have someone selling the CDS while I play and get some lighting going on. I had a good time and while on break saw Huell Hauser who does California Gold on KCET. I grabbed a CD and a card and dashed into Ruby's Diner to give it to him. I almost didn't do it but I did. Let's see if we get a song in a segment or a call. He thanked me and said he'd play it in the car and let me know. Made me think of how many times I've dashed after someone and also how many times I decided not to dash. Sometimes I think I live by that line...."You never know"