Hello my Friends, Family, Fans!
Just a short 61 days until I go to Vermont and work with Will Ackerman and Tom Eaton at Imaginary Road Studios. I am SO excited, nervous, bouncing off the walls, emotional about this whole experience. I know this album is going to be one of my best. I know I have said this about all of my work, but this time its just me and the piano.
I would HONORED to have you join us already working to make this happen.. yes we are funded.. but EVERY little extra helps go towards marketing, manufacturing and promoting the album. Not only does it helps me, it helps Hearing Health Foundation. A percentage will go to them. I chose them to be a part of this project because I am deaf in my left ear. They are working on research to prevent and cure hearing loss. They are doing GREAT work!
Should you choose to come on board and journey with me to record this album, you have several exclusives you can choose from! For example: A signed album by Grammy Award Winning guitarist: Will Ackerman, Skype time with me for 30 minutes, original pieces of art from my friends Pat Sylvester and Barbara Ehlo Holbert. Fashion at its finest: vintage clothing from my cousin who works in the fashion industry. ALL of my previous albums signed. Also video blogs of my time at Imaginary Road. Sneak peeks of the music!
Hop on board today and pre-order your copy of "Fire in the Rainstorm" ~
Pledge Music: Fire in the Rainstorm
LOVE...
Kori
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Friday, February 21, 2014
Prepping for Vermont.. what is that like?
I have to ramble tonight... as this week has been one of the most inspirational weeks I have had in a LONG long time.
This week started a little rough..and yet I chose not to let it bring me down. Wednesday, I went to my friend's house and we had tea, and curled up in some warm blankets and watched "The Way" a movie starring Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez. It was a nice quiet evening which I really needed. My minions have been extraordinarily rascally. When my friend invited me over to her house, it was the perfect remedy and I was able to have some nice adult conversation and not only that the movie was extremely inspiring. I would suggest you rent it.. I highly recommend it.
Thursday, was the sloshing of the tea at Coffee Tea and Tulips. A lovely tea room and eatery. An establishment full of ambience of Europe. I was with a wonderful friend of mine reconnecting after our lives have kept us intensely busy. It was an inspirational meeting of minds talking about Fire in the Rainstorm and the photos and other cool stuffas and life.
Today, what an amazing day. I went back to the tea room, to meet yet another friend of mine... who has a very strong spiritual heart. Its one of those moments in life, where you go.. oh hey.. someone solid, understanding and un-demanding, giving and very accepting.
I have been able to rehearse so much this week... technically I have room for improvement... essentially I don't want to over think the music.. but timing and the fingering aka the technical aspects of the music is stretching me so I've been working on scales to help with my playing. Its been JOYFUL, painful, frustrating, RELIEVING, and I am able to face my fears and my inadequacies head on.. and cutting myself some slack at the same time.
My point of telling all of this, is that I firmly believe that God is preparing me emotionally, spiritually and of course technically for the session at Imaginary Road. I've never experienced such intense emotions, friendship, and learning...
Regardless of my religious beliefs, my idiosyncrasies.. I feel very comfortable with WHO I am. Lately I have really become aware that I am ok if people don't like me, and I am ok if I do make mistakes, I am a flawed human. I am not perfect and to expect me to be, is asking for serious trouble! I strive to be the best I can be and I do stumble and fall. I feel the stronger than I have EVER felt and more FOCUSED on my life, my family and my life's work. Its SO comforting to feel so confident in who I am and what I am striving for.
I wish I could give you the feelings and emotions telepathically to help you understand what lessons I have learned this week.
Most of all, I am SO thankful for the broadcasters, my musician friends, for all of you that have accepted me for who I AM and for sharing my music with your
audiences, your friends and family. This album could not be happening without you.. and I am SO grateful for that. I will NEVER forget... never.
This week started a little rough..and yet I chose not to let it bring me down. Wednesday, I went to my friend's house and we had tea, and curled up in some warm blankets and watched "The Way" a movie starring Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez. It was a nice quiet evening which I really needed. My minions have been extraordinarily rascally. When my friend invited me over to her house, it was the perfect remedy and I was able to have some nice adult conversation and not only that the movie was extremely inspiring. I would suggest you rent it.. I highly recommend it.
Thursday, was the sloshing of the tea at Coffee Tea and Tulips. A lovely tea room and eatery. An establishment full of ambience of Europe. I was with a wonderful friend of mine reconnecting after our lives have kept us intensely busy. It was an inspirational meeting of minds talking about Fire in the Rainstorm and the photos and other cool stuffas and life.
Today, what an amazing day. I went back to the tea room, to meet yet another friend of mine... who has a very strong spiritual heart. Its one of those moments in life, where you go.. oh hey.. someone solid, understanding and un-demanding, giving and very accepting.
I have been able to rehearse so much this week... technically I have room for improvement... essentially I don't want to over think the music.. but timing and the fingering aka the technical aspects of the music is stretching me so I've been working on scales to help with my playing. Its been JOYFUL, painful, frustrating, RELIEVING, and I am able to face my fears and my inadequacies head on.. and cutting myself some slack at the same time.
My point of telling all of this, is that I firmly believe that God is preparing me emotionally, spiritually and of course technically for the session at Imaginary Road. I've never experienced such intense emotions, friendship, and learning...
Regardless of my religious beliefs, my idiosyncrasies.. I feel very comfortable with WHO I am. Lately I have really become aware that I am ok if people don't like me, and I am ok if I do make mistakes, I am a flawed human. I am not perfect and to expect me to be, is asking for serious trouble! I strive to be the best I can be and I do stumble and fall. I feel the stronger than I have EVER felt and more FOCUSED on my life, my family and my life's work. Its SO comforting to feel so confident in who I am and what I am striving for.
I wish I could give you the feelings and emotions telepathically to help you understand what lessons I have learned this week.
Most of all, I am SO thankful for the broadcasters, my musician friends, for all of you that have accepted me for who I AM and for sharing my music with your
audiences, your friends and family. This album could not be happening without you.. and I am SO grateful for that. I will NEVER forget... never.
Friday, January 31, 2014
A Perspective..
Yesterday I was incredibly sad. I had to step away from everything for a while. I spent the afternoon with my kids and then when the hubs came home from work we hung out.
I've received many messages of encouragement. And you know, there is always HOPE... EVEN if things don't work out as planned, HOPE is always there. Thanks to my friend Heath Vercher for that inspiration.
The beach inspires me too...
Then, today arrived and while this trial is hard, this too will pass.
I am sure you are all dying to know what happened yesterday to put me in such a funk.. here it is:
I went up to Westwood in Los Angeles, and met with Dr. Gerald Berke. I went there to get a second opinion. Yes I do have Spasmodic Dysphonia.. and there are two options.. both I am not really keen about, but they are options nonetheless. Dr. Berke said I was a perfect candidate for the surgery. However, he did not want to rush the surgery option until we tried the botox injection(s). *sigh* I asked him if the surgery would help with me being able to talk AND sing. He said YES to the restoring of my voice to be able to talk like normal. He said NO to the singing part. Which I did not want to hear.
He also said the botox injection would allow me to talk like normal and sing normally. Its not a permanent solution.. but it is something. Its better than not having a voice at all.
All of Dr. Berke's team were very encouraging, and explained to me what the Botox does. So.. I took a DEEP breath and Dr. Berke administered the injection.. and WOW OW OW OW ow OW!!! He had to inject both sides of my vocal chords. He went in my neck with a syringe. He told me it would take a few days to kick in. I drove home crying. I have not cried since I was diagnosed.. and ALL the TRUTH that I learned yesterday just came crashing down upon me.
Then today I awoke with a better perspective. THANKS to ALL of you that have sent me messages of encouragement!! Even tho this is not the way I wanted my life to be at this time, it is what it is. I must adjust my thinking, and be grateful for many things I have. I am grateful for the month of APRIL!
So this is day 2. I can feel a difference in my vocal chords. They don't feel tight.. and I can talk fairly well. There still is some dropping of syllables when I talk, but it feels right.
Life can sure toss us monkey wrenches and wreck our plans if we let it. I won't let this take me down and wreck my life. Instead, I will see it as a time for me to grow and feel hope that all things in my life will turn out just fine in spite of the negativity. I will turn the negative into a positive. Besides.. GUESS where I am going in April? To record my album with Will Ackerman as producer of "Fire in the Rainstorm"!!!
Love to you all and my thanks.. MORE TO COME!
k
I've received many messages of encouragement. And you know, there is always HOPE... EVEN if things don't work out as planned, HOPE is always there. Thanks to my friend Heath Vercher for that inspiration.
The beach inspires me too...
Then, today arrived and while this trial is hard, this too will pass.
I am sure you are all dying to know what happened yesterday to put me in such a funk.. here it is:
I went up to Westwood in Los Angeles, and met with Dr. Gerald Berke. I went there to get a second opinion. Yes I do have Spasmodic Dysphonia.. and there are two options.. both I am not really keen about, but they are options nonetheless. Dr. Berke said I was a perfect candidate for the surgery. However, he did not want to rush the surgery option until we tried the botox injection(s). *sigh* I asked him if the surgery would help with me being able to talk AND sing. He said YES to the restoring of my voice to be able to talk like normal. He said NO to the singing part. Which I did not want to hear.
 |
| This is the trail I'm on.. my life filled with hope, in spite of the fog trials. |
He also said the botox injection would allow me to talk like normal and sing normally. Its not a permanent solution.. but it is something. Its better than not having a voice at all.
All of Dr. Berke's team were very encouraging, and explained to me what the Botox does. So.. I took a DEEP breath and Dr. Berke administered the injection.. and WOW OW OW OW ow OW!!! He had to inject both sides of my vocal chords. He went in my neck with a syringe. He told me it would take a few days to kick in. I drove home crying. I have not cried since I was diagnosed.. and ALL the TRUTH that I learned yesterday just came crashing down upon me.
Then today I awoke with a better perspective. THANKS to ALL of you that have sent me messages of encouragement!! Even tho this is not the way I wanted my life to be at this time, it is what it is. I must adjust my thinking, and be grateful for many things I have. I am grateful for the month of APRIL!
 |
| Imaginary Road - The Steinway B |
So this is day 2. I can feel a difference in my vocal chords. They don't feel tight.. and I can talk fairly well. There still is some dropping of syllables when I talk, but it feels right.
Life can sure toss us monkey wrenches and wreck our plans if we let it. I won't let this take me down and wreck my life. Instead, I will see it as a time for me to grow and feel hope that all things in my life will turn out just fine in spite of the negativity. I will turn the negative into a positive. Besides.. GUESS where I am going in April? To record my album with Will Ackerman as producer of "Fire in the Rainstorm"!!!
Love to you all and my thanks.. MORE TO COME!
k
Sunday, January 19, 2014
My Story..
Most of you know I am on a musical journey.. a journey that has brought you with me. Here are a few things you might not know about me:
Did you know, that when I was born, I was born deaf in my left ear? We didn't know that I was until I was 5. So many tests, this doctor and that doctor exclaiming "Oh hey did you see that? Come and look" That did not deter me from listening to music. I would lay down right next to the record player and put my right ear next to the speakers and listen to everything my parents had. Do I know what stereo sounds like? Not really. I only knew what sounded right to me, what really mattered was how the music made me feel.
Did you know that ,when I was 11 I had salmonella, and I was so sick.. I almost died? I was in the hospital from October until after Thanksgiving. Clearly I was meant to stay on this earth for a reason. Even though I was extremely ill, I did not give up. I knew that my life here on this earth was not at an end. I knew the doctors and nurses that were trying to figure out what I had, and how to treat it were topnotch. I remember being in an isolation ward. NO one could get into the room without being covered with hospital garb, and masks. It was kinda scary to a young girl such as myself. However, with the help of the many medical professionals they were able to figure out what I had, and they were able to treat me and I recovered.
Did you know that when I was 12 I broke my left arm? I was thrown from a horse. I was in a lot of trouble that day because I was NOT supposed to be riding him. I ended up in the ER and MAN my arm hurt.. A LOT.. but it has never interfered with my ability to play the piano.
When I was 14, I was in a car accident with my eldest brother. The police thought I was his wife! LOL... I always thought that that was VERY weird. Did I look old enough to be married and REALLY?, they thought my bro and I were married? Lucky for us, we were ok.. SCARED to death but ok. I remember being up all night. I don't remember how we got home, my parents took me to the ER and I remember them taking alot of x rays to check my neck. Apparently I had whip lash.
I was VERY shy in school. People used to think that was a weakness, and I was teased mercilessly at a Jr. High in Minnesota an in High School. Those were painful times in my life, and that is when I started writing music. I wrote so much on this piano:
The piano that started it all. This is when I heard about Windham Hill Records. In my college years, I heard about George Winston, Phil Aaberg, Liz Story, Will Ackerman, Michael Hedges.
I have had some incredibly painful lessons in my life in the past 5-6 years. This is what "Fire in the Rainstorm" is about. My story, the ups the downs, watching my friends suffer too. We are ALL in this together. Even now.. I am struggling with my voice. My vocals chords are a mess. I can't sing now, and I cannot tell you how this feels to me. I won't give into to despair, because I know YOU and many others are there walking with me. God is there too.
I will continue to walk on my journey. With all of you being a part of it.. what a blessing it is for me to have you there by my side.
For those of you that want to be a part of my journey - I invite you! Yes YOU!
Join us here at PledgeMusic.com:Fire in the Rainstorm We would be HONORED to have you come on board!
Peace in Music ! ¡Paz en música! 音楽の平和! Vrede in Muziek! Frieden in der Musik! Ειρήνη στη μουσική! Pace nella musica! 음악에 있는 평화! 在音乐的和平! Paz na música!
kori
Did you know, that when I was born, I was born deaf in my left ear? We didn't know that I was until I was 5. So many tests, this doctor and that doctor exclaiming "Oh hey did you see that? Come and look" That did not deter me from listening to music. I would lay down right next to the record player and put my right ear next to the speakers and listen to everything my parents had. Do I know what stereo sounds like? Not really. I only knew what sounded right to me, what really mattered was how the music made me feel.
Did you know that ,when I was 11 I had salmonella, and I was so sick.. I almost died? I was in the hospital from October until after Thanksgiving. Clearly I was meant to stay on this earth for a reason. Even though I was extremely ill, I did not give up. I knew that my life here on this earth was not at an end. I knew the doctors and nurses that were trying to figure out what I had, and how to treat it were topnotch. I remember being in an isolation ward. NO one could get into the room without being covered with hospital garb, and masks. It was kinda scary to a young girl such as myself. However, with the help of the many medical professionals they were able to figure out what I had, and they were able to treat me and I recovered.
Did you know that when I was 12 I broke my left arm? I was thrown from a horse. I was in a lot of trouble that day because I was NOT supposed to be riding him. I ended up in the ER and MAN my arm hurt.. A LOT.. but it has never interfered with my ability to play the piano.
When I was 14, I was in a car accident with my eldest brother. The police thought I was his wife! LOL... I always thought that that was VERY weird. Did I look old enough to be married and REALLY?, they thought my bro and I were married? Lucky for us, we were ok.. SCARED to death but ok. I remember being up all night. I don't remember how we got home, my parents took me to the ER and I remember them taking alot of x rays to check my neck. Apparently I had whip lash.
I was VERY shy in school. People used to think that was a weakness, and I was teased mercilessly at a Jr. High in Minnesota an in High School. Those were painful times in my life, and that is when I started writing music. I wrote so much on this piano:
The piano that started it all. This is when I heard about Windham Hill Records. In my college years, I heard about George Winston, Phil Aaberg, Liz Story, Will Ackerman, Michael Hedges.
I have had some incredibly painful lessons in my life in the past 5-6 years. This is what "Fire in the Rainstorm" is about. My story, the ups the downs, watching my friends suffer too. We are ALL in this together. Even now.. I am struggling with my voice. My vocals chords are a mess. I can't sing now, and I cannot tell you how this feels to me. I won't give into to despair, because I know YOU and many others are there walking with me. God is there too.
I will continue to walk on my journey. With all of you being a part of it.. what a blessing it is for me to have you there by my side.
For those of you that want to be a part of my journey - I invite you! Yes YOU!
Join us here at PledgeMusic.com:Fire in the Rainstorm We would be HONORED to have you come on board!
Peace in Music ! ¡Paz en música! 音楽の平和! Vrede in Muziek! Frieden in der Musik! Ειρήνη στη μουσική! Pace nella musica! 음악에 있는 평화! 在音乐的和平! Paz na música!
kori
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
January... wait what?
Hi Everyone!
I hope you had a FANTASTIC Christmas, Holiday, Hanukah, Happy New Year celebration! We certainly did. My family and I did some geocaching ( google that) and gokarting, silly family games... and relaxing!
Now.. I look at our new calendars and cannot believe it is January... again.. but a NEW Year! wow! Time has passed SO quickly.. I don't even know HOW that happened?!
Monday, reality hit again. Kids went back to school, and the next chapter of working on "Fire in the Rainstorm" begins. 2 hour a day rehearsal starts. THAT is my goal, and if I have learned in my life, I know that some days I won't be able to get 2 hours in, but THAT is where balance comes in to play.
I want you to know how grateful I am to all of you. Broadcasters: thanks for getting my music heard on your shows and the interviews. I am SO thankful that you play my music! I also enjoy interacting with you via the web, and phone. Its fun to connect with you.
Those of you that have come on board at PledgeMusic.com:Fire in the Rainstorm I could NOT have done this without you!! What a wonderful blessing it is to have you with me on my journey to recording, releasing and YES promoting the album. Whether you pledge, share the links to the project with your friends, it all helps. YES we hit our goal, but we also have 114 days until the project is released. This means, you have time to pre-order the album, AND you can pick up a few exclusives.
Did you know that each exclusive is very unique? There are gifts you can pick up for you and your friends! You can have you name immortalized in the liner notes, you also can get a SIGNED copy of my producer/friend Will Ackerman's Grammy winning album "Returning". I have some super talented friends that have created some unique art items, like a water color print that has a really beautiful mat with it. Also a necklace that was created just for the PledgeMusic campaign! My cousin works in the fashion industry and donated 2 very special fashion jackets items that are one of a kind. New, never worn!
Click here to listen to a preview track from "Fire in the Rainstorm". Again, my thanks...
Peace in Music,
k
I hope you had a FANTASTIC Christmas, Holiday, Hanukah, Happy New Year celebration! We certainly did. My family and I did some geocaching ( google that) and gokarting, silly family games... and relaxing!
 |
| Up on Kolob Mountain, Southern Utah. |
Now.. I look at our new calendars and cannot believe it is January... again.. but a NEW Year! wow! Time has passed SO quickly.. I don't even know HOW that happened?!
 |
| photo from Dreamstime.com by Jojjlk |
Monday, reality hit again. Kids went back to school, and the next chapter of working on "Fire in the Rainstorm" begins. 2 hour a day rehearsal starts. THAT is my goal, and if I have learned in my life, I know that some days I won't be able to get 2 hours in, but THAT is where balance comes in to play.
I want you to know how grateful I am to all of you. Broadcasters: thanks for getting my music heard on your shows and the interviews. I am SO thankful that you play my music! I also enjoy interacting with you via the web, and phone. Its fun to connect with you.
Did you know that each exclusive is very unique? There are gifts you can pick up for you and your friends! You can have you name immortalized in the liner notes, you also can get a SIGNED copy of my producer/friend Will Ackerman's Grammy winning album "Returning". I have some super talented friends that have created some unique art items, like a water color print that has a really beautiful mat with it. Also a necklace that was created just for the PledgeMusic campaign! My cousin works in the fashion industry and donated 2 very special fashion jackets items that are one of a kind. New, never worn!
 |
| Original water color by Barbara Ehlo Holbert |
 |
| Fire in the Rainstorm necklace by Pat Sylvester |
 |
| Take Charge Jacket size Small |
 |
| Arabesque Jacket Size Small |
Click here to listen to a preview track from "Fire in the Rainstorm". Again, my thanks...
Peace in Music,
k
Saturday, December 14, 2013
A gift of a lifetime...
Did you know that you can gift pledge? Give your friends and family a gift of a lifetime! And here is how:
Go to my PledgeMusic.com project site:
Fire in the Rainstorm
Watch the video, and then decide what exclusive you want to gift. Lets choose "KoriTunes Overload". This is an all inclusive pack of my music: "The Road Less Traveled", "The Journey - Remastered", "Trillium" AND all are signed by me. You will also receive a digital download of the new album ( when is recorded AND a signed copy of the physical album, when it is available).
We are set to record in April 2014!! Keep watching the blog, FB and my website!
My thanks to those that have pledged already!
Peace in Music,
Kori
Go to my PledgeMusic.com project site:
Fire in the Rainstorm
Watch the video, and then decide what exclusive you want to gift. Lets choose "KoriTunes Overload". This is an all inclusive pack of my music: "The Road Less Traveled", "The Journey - Remastered", "Trillium" AND all are signed by me. You will also receive a digital download of the new album ( when is recorded AND a signed copy of the physical album, when it is available).
We are set to record in April 2014!! Keep watching the blog, FB and my website!
My thanks to those that have pledged already!
Peace in Music,
Kori
Friday, December 6, 2013
The People That Came Together - Part 1
I wanted to write about those that I asked to help with the PledgeMusic campaign. Now that things have slowed a little bit, this is a great time for me to write about this.
Once I chose Pledge to work with, I then turned to my "internet family" for help. I asked Pat Sylvester if she would be willing to donate one of her pieces of jewelry that she has created. She went the extra mile and created something SO wonderful for the campaign. She made a special necklace called "Fire in the Rainstorm" as one of the exclusives for pledgers. Her husband also created this amazing flute bag for my Native American Flute. Pictures of their art is below.
What is really amazing about all of this, we have ONLY connected via Facebook. I've never met her outside of the internet!!
My thanks to Pat and her husband!
Pat has a shop on Etsy, that you can visit!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/centerofbalance
When you pre-order Fire in the Rainstorm there are some goodies you can pick up. I would LOVE to have you on board throughout the journey to record the album:
http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/fireintherainstorm
Once I chose Pledge to work with, I then turned to my "internet family" for help. I asked Pat Sylvester if she would be willing to donate one of her pieces of jewelry that she has created. She went the extra mile and created something SO wonderful for the campaign. She made a special necklace called "Fire in the Rainstorm" as one of the exclusives for pledgers. Her husband also created this amazing flute bag for my Native American Flute. Pictures of their art is below.
What is really amazing about all of this, we have ONLY connected via Facebook. I've never met her outside of the internet!!
 |
| Pat's husband HANDMADE this!!! |
 |
| Fire in the Rainstorm Necklace by Pat Sylvester! |
My thanks to Pat and her husband!
Pat has a shop on Etsy, that you can visit!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/centerofbalance
When you pre-order Fire in the Rainstorm there are some goodies you can pick up. I would LOVE to have you on board throughout the journey to record the album:
http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/fireintherainstorm
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