Coming to America!

Greetings everyone!  I wanted to let you know that my friends Fiona Joy Hawkins and Trysette Loosemore are coming to America from Australia to perform all over America.  Both are lovely women that are very talented musicians.  They will be performing here in Orange County and they have asked me to be a guest musician on their program here.  Please watch their video and lets make this happen!!!

Two Grand I'm Yours Tour

MORE to come...

Local SoCal Residents ...

Here is some information on my concerts coming up in May 2012.  I hope you can make it!

My Concerts in May 2012

More to come...

k

April showers...

I've been getting ready for big changes in my home life.  My oldest daughter will be leaving after she graduates in June.  She will be going to boot camp in July.  It is amazing to me she is old enough to leave home.  This is the reason why I am quiet with the blog(s) lately. 

Oh and I have discovered Pinterest, Tumblr, aboutme.com, fandalism ( which I am not sure I really like or not) can we have more social networks? BAH! 

What about the music?  Well, lots of interesting changes going on.  If you are wondering where you can get my music, go to koritunes.com and you can purchase from my shop page! ;)

I am working on the new album every day.  What am I doing exactly? Well, as you all know I am still looking for funding.  While Spock searches for funding( a little dorky humor there) , I continue to get the songs ready to record.  Waiting for this album will make it worthy of waiting.  Why? because I have learned when you work for something, even though going through set backs, and other things get in the way. Working for something you really want, will make the journey worth it.  So while waiting, I am staying productive, focused and sure that good things come to those who wait!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and new week!

More to come...

K

Concert on May 20th, 2012 Sculpterra Winery

Just a heads up for all of you, I will be the featured performer at Sculpterra Winery on May 20th, 2012 hosted by Songwriters at Play!  The winery is in California's central coast. Paso Robles. You can stay in Atascadero or San Luis Obispo.  Its a GREAT area to explore and just enjoy a quiet weekend with us.  Diane Arkenstone and Tim Pacheco will be joining me.  More info to come.

Songwriters at Play  and Sculpterra Winery

More to come!

Very Personal thoughts tonight..

I have not opened up in very long time. Mostly been keeping what is inside of my heart to myself as of late.  As I sit here, I am listening to music that is new. I am touched by all that I am listening to tonight. The strength in all of the sounds, the stories being told, is inspiring me to stay true to my path.

Production for Fire in the Rainstorm is on hold.  Am I sad about that? I can't lie, I am a little. I had plans, and they were derailed by a few things. Not that I am depressed and not complaining either. Just realizing what I need to do in order for it to happen. If the album takes a few years.. then so be it. I am not giving up by any means. I can only hope that I can get things back on track so this album can get recorded.  If you know any millionaires.. PLEASE do me a favor and send them my way!  :^P

Other things in my life I am watching play out. Watching my oldest daughter turn 18 this month is going to be hard. Already been dealing with the tears.  I myself don't feel that old.  To have her turn 18 blows me away.  She is a gift to our family, and I am so thankful that she entered our lives all those years ago. Now she is on the thresh hold of living her own life.  I often wonder if we have taught her enough? 

Then lately, so many of my friends are struggling with so much opposition. I have to wonder why so much pain and suffering is part of their lives, when I struggle with my little problems.

Then there is the positive things going on, meeting new friends, cherishing good friends, understanding the friends that need that understanding, husband that is so supportive, learning lessons that continue to help me to grow, music, concerts with musicians that are quite amazing in my book. There are the people that are silently supporting me, sending me emails, encouraging me to keep making my music. To keep taking this journey.

To have your support this way, is a gift to me.  Thanks so much for your support of what I do, whether its monetary or its emails.. just knowing that your support is there, makes me keep walking forward, not falling back...

more to come...

Sculpterra Winery, Paso Robles CA

Claire and I drove up to Atascadero, CA ( 15 miles south of Paso Robles) and stayed at the Carlton Hotel there.  I need to say that it was an incredible hotel.  The staff was on the level, and the rooms were pristine, and the beds were a dream.  What amazed me the most was how QUIET it was there. 

The concert was great! There were a lot of musicians that came and performed.  Thanks to Steve Key and Sculpterra Winery.  Mike Swan started out first, then Banjer Dan, both very diverse, but fun to listen to.  Then me. Well, it was fun and I was roasting.  I think I have played better for sure.  I unveiled a few new songs, then Tim Pacheco was next. I really enjoyed listening to him. 

The featured artist was Diane Arkenstone and friends, Pj Sawyer, Robb Lawrence, Colin Break, Carl Weingarten and Jeff Oster, and I believe Russell Green.  Her music is inspirational.  Talking with Diane was fun. She is very beautiful, and I admire her spirit as well. I hope to perform with her again.

The trip was an all around success to me.  Just being with Claire and having her be with me during a performance was good for me.  One of the last times we can be together this way.  I love her and appreciate the beautiful person she is.

Thanks to all of those that came out to the show, and again my thanks to Steve Key.

More to come...

If you want to see photos click on this link:

http://www.johnpatrickimages.com/sculpterra/

So, how do you ask for payment when you perform?

I have met a lot of musicians and have read about musicians trying make gigs profitable. Some of them have told me to play for free.. wait what? I used to think that way too... and now the first thing I would tell you is to ask for what you are worth.  Whats the worst that can happen?  Not getting hired? Well that would be a good thing because you don't want to be hired at a gig that you don't receive payment. The venue and people will treat you poorly.  HOW do I know this? Its because two years ago I performed in Coto De Caza at a house concert. I was treated like crap because they did not pay me.  Imagine if you will it was 95 degrees out. The host would not allow me in the house ( I must have been some kind of animal or something) to cool down, and I had to change in this really bad smelling grotto like bathroom they had by their pool. There were other musicians, that they allowed in the house because they were paying for her, AND no cold water for me. Thank goodness I brought my own water and my gear.  I am always positive and I did make a few connections that night.. but for the most part, it was insulting. It was the last time I decided to play for free.. unless it was a special circumstance, and it has to be a pretty amazing circumstance. 

So before you say yes to a non paying gig, or a venue that wants you to bring in people to their venue. THEY should already have an established following of their venue. Always ask about the particulars, whether you can bring in your merch and sell it.

Most of all don't sell yourself short, because you are totally worth the money. Here is a fabulous article about this very subject:

Musicians and Venues, READ

Peace in Music