Feeling the Burn?

In the stillness of the last few weeks, the quietness before the plunge into the release, and promotion and a tour (hopefully) for "Fire in the Rainstorm", I've been thinking of everything I need to do. The hopes that this album will be an inspiration to you.The stories the music tells, are personal coming from my life and my friend's lives. When I listen to it, the renewal, the promises that these stories tell in musical form, help me to let go of the past, to LIVE in the present with love and peace, and to look forward to the future with hopes that I can be a better person. 

This is a "brave album" quoting my friend and producer Will Ackerman.  There are many fantastic solo pianists, and I hope to be among them.

I invite you to join me, as I take these steps to release this album, to share with your family and friends, to tell the world about the music you will come to love.

I will be writing and sharing stories from the recording, and will tell you about the songs from the liner notes. I will also be sharing comments from those that joined in creating the album from PledgeMusic.  I also have some reviews that have come in to share with you as well.  I am planning out videos as well! 

Your support and love have kept me going on this journey to share my musical soul with you.. and believe me, words are not adequate enough to express my thanks to you.

love...

k

Difficult times...

I was not going to post about this anywhere, but I have changed my mind.  This past year I've been struggling with heart issues, and female health problems.  Without giving you TMI... (too much info), I am scheduled for surgery on Thursday, December 18th.  I will be having a hysterectomy and pelvic prolapse repair robotic surgery. 

The last two weeks have been extremely frustrating.. WAITING for this to happen. I've been in constant low-grade pain, and trying to get ready for the holidays has been a real challenge. I went to my Urologist on Tuesday and while waiting, I had a full on panic attack when they told me what they were going to test. So my blood pressure went through the roof. That sent the Urologist into a tizzy, and she sent me to the ER.  I am rolling my eyes thinking about this.. but I know it was for the best.. but such DRAMA was very annoying.  The ER I went to was Hoag Irvine, and they were extremely on the ball.  Brought my BP down, and released me.  Of course they made sure I had an EKG, chest xrays, and gave me this wonderful medicine to bring down my anxiety.  I was able to sleep all night without waking up once.

The most insidious of this, is the amount of waiting I've had to endure.  I've been waiting to get this done since September.  Some of you know I am not the most patient person in the world, and so the anticipation has been causing a lot of anxiety.  To say that I want to be done with this whole thing is an understatement.

I know all will be fine once I am healed from the surgery, and I will feel 100% better than I have had this past year.

I also wanted to tell you about an inspiring conversation I had with my Mom. We both were feeling inspired to speak with one another.  I am so grateful she is still on this earth.  I cherish the relationship I have with her.  She has been my guiding force in my life. Lately, I know I have not told her how much she means to me.. and today I was able to express that to her. 

Love is an amazing thing.  It breaks barriers, it lifts us up in times of difficulty. I want to thank those of you that have messaged me, and called me to help.  You have no idea what a blessing you are in my life.  I feel the love and support from all of you, and it helps me get through these times.

Love one another, forgive one another and tell people you love them.  Cherish the time you have with each of your loved ones.. and open your heart. You never know how your love will help someone open their hearts as well. Its an incredibly inspiring thing to do.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, Hanukkah, or any traditions you celebrate. May you have a wonderful 2015...

Peace in Music,

Kori

Best Ever You BlogTalk Radio Show

Join Elizabeth Guarino and her co-host Walter E. Jacobson as they interview me tomorrow morning on the Best Ever You BlogTalk Radio Show! We will be chatting about the positives in spite of the negatives in my life!  This is your chance to call in and ask questions or just join us in the chat room while listening to the show.

Click on the link below:

Best Ever You BlogTalk Radio Show

Fear is the mind killer

Disclaimer - I am not a into Scientology, but I did enjoy the Dune series by Frank Herbert -

“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”


 Lately, I've been tossed a handful of trials. I know mine are not near as crazy as I have seen happening to my friends, but they are my demons. Mostly, the marketing and promo of my music. It takes SO much time. The effort to get my name and music out there is an enormous task. One that has almost taken me out. See, the past year I was working, creating a crowd-funding project with PledgeMusic. Everyday I had to post, everyday I was out talking with local businesses. It took so much energy out of me, that when the actual day all the exclusives were due to be shipped, I was exhausted. HOWEVER, we- you and me, were able to create a positive synergy between us. I am VERY grateful for that. I was humbled, and still am. I will never forget. Now, the REALLY hard work needs to happen, the marketing and promo for "Fire in the Rainstorm" needs to be set for the actual release of the album in May 2015. I will most likely be doing something creative to make this happen. As I began to THINK about this process, my mind melted. Asking for help is difficult. I do ask because I am not funded by a label.. and so I became fearful, to the point where I was having a difficult time motivating myself to rehearse. On top of all this fear, is impending surgery in December. I didn't want to say anything about it, because I don't want you to feel sorry for me. Its something that HAS to happen. If it doesn't, I will be in constant pain, and I need to be FOCUSED when the marketing and promo starts for this album.

AND my computer that I work heavily with, is archaic. I didn't even notice, until I tried to upgrade to OS X Mavericks. I called Apple and they did give me some bad news. Time for a new computer. I will need to research which NEW mac I will need. I don't have time for dis! LOL I ALSO plan on filming each week and uploading a track that I want to share and play on YouTube.. another social networking thing. I know I don't have to do that..but I am also planning some REALLY fun ideas to go along with it. ( REALLY OVERWHELMED BY NOW )

 Today, I looked at my piano and sat on the bench, lovingly touching the keys, telling my muse how nervous, anxious I am. I played for 2 HOURS!!!! I played my heart out today. Today, I gave up my pain, sorrows, fears to my music and played some amazing tunes.. new things, old tunes, classical tunes I learned long ago, Christmas music I learned a few years ago. As the music washed over me while playing, I cried, I smiled.. I felt at peace.

I know things will work out.. just as the recording for "Fire in the Rainstorm" worked out. I had my pity party, felt sorry for myself for 10 minutes, and what really made a difference, was my hubs. I called him in my state, and he didn't tell me what I wanted to hear.. he told me to get it done. I am SO grateful for that. I am one LUCKY, BLESSED woman.. and I KNOW it...

more to come...

Many Miles Music - Roads

Oh its FRIDAY!  Which means the weekend.  After yesterdays post, I thought I'd lighten the mood up with some music!

My friend Damon Buxton from Many Miles Music put together a compilation titled "Roads"... 18 artists I believe, that encompass some really amazing talent!  Many of which I am friends with, and have met and others I've only messaged through FB and other places.

I invite you to listen and if your ears are delighted with the sounds... please support us and buy the music as well as share with your friends!

Boundaries...

In my short life, I've met some good people, and some not very good people. For the most part, I've never had to place boundaries on anyone... simply because isn't a friendship based on mutual respect and common sense? Do I need to spell out to people and fans what common courtesy is or how to treat people? Just because you are behind a computer screen does not give you the right to threaten if I don't do what you want.  THAT my friends is NOT a friendship.. its a twisted view of how the world works according to selfishness and insecurity. When I go out of my way to help.. I do NOT expect people to cross over the lines of common courtesy and I will never EVER respond to threats.

Because of a few incidents, I've had to take pains to block people, and downright ignore emails from people that cannot have ANY common courtesy towards my life...

I have friends that I don't talk to every hour of the day, let alone skype every hour of the day.. these are life long friendships born of a healthy respect of one another's space and deep love.  When we DO talk it maybe once in 3 month time period.. it may be communication via mail or email or phone, sometimes we go 6 months without talking.  Its just how friendships are.

Please understand, that I really value comments, questions and conversations.  Just know that I will not always respond in your time frame, but I will.  Lets be clear though.. I will NEVER respond when I don't feel comfortable, or if I feel that the help I have given is taken advantage of and again.. never will I respond to: "If you don't talk to me, I will return all your music, or etc.." This kind of behavior only causes bad feelings and if that is what you wish to do, go ahead return whatever you deem as necessary.

ps.. I am NOT your licensed therapist....

Getting back into the swing of it...

Its been a busy summer with my children. I have not touched the piano in weeks. Yesterday I took some time out to play the piano.  I was able to get an hour in.. but it was not enough time.  I am doing some things this weekend that will keep me from the music, which I am a little out of sorts about, but its fun stuff!

Its so hard to stay balanced all the time, and I am really out of balance. My goals for the coming new week is to spend as much time on the piano and also finish up a project I am working on for a friend of mine. 

I also wanted to share a podcast I had the opportunity to be a part of.  A few years ago I traveled to Imaginary Road Studios to tape a radio interview with John Diliberto of Echoes.  I had the opportunity to perform with Will Ackerman, Scarlet Rivera, Jill Haley, David Cullen, Jeff Oster, Derrik Jordan.  We recorded a Holiday program, as well was interviewed. It was super cool.  So if you need something to listen to while doing the dishes, homework or just need to relax, check it out:

Echoes - Kori Linae Carothers  ( This is on iTunes)

If you can't find it there you can listen here via my website:
 
Echoes  

For more information on Echoes, please visit their website at:

Echoes.org