I got a blog award!!

I received a blog award from vintagewindow.blogspot.com.

If you've never visited Kristi's blog, take some time to go over there.

She is a wonderful artist and blogger.

Here are the rules of the game...For Bloggers who show great attitude/gratitude:

1. Post the lovely picture

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show Great Attitude, Gratitude and creative spirit.

3. Link to your nominees within your post.

4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

5. Share the love and link this post to the person from who you received your award.

Here are my 10 blogs:

http://bedelighteddaily.blogspot.com/

http://www.angelahart.org/

http://h31n0us.blogspot.com/

http://mitchsfootballnews.blogspot.com/

http://theriverrunsnorth.blogspot.com/

http://theshysinger-songwriter.blogspot.com/

http://brandonjane.blogspot.com/

http://steponitart.blogspot.com/

http://myvote-americanidol.blogspot.com/

http://seventhrowmusic.blogspot.com/

http://phillville.blogspot.com/ Ha Ha, I put in a plug for my other blog. I try to make that one more entertaining, so check it out sometime.

Peace to all,

Phil

The Listening Room...

My fiance and I got invited to The listening Room in Nashville the other night by Caleb Maitland. Caleb is a friend of mine and a fellow songwriter.

Now it's not really fun to get out on a cold Monday night, but I am so glad we did. It was an amazing show featuring some great writers.

I suggest you check it out for yourself. Each night they feature a different group of writers...from the new writers to the ones that have had their songs recorded by major artists. Caleb is great, Annie Craddock is awesome, David Bradley is wonderful and the other writers are amazing as well. I meet somebody new everytime I go.

The place has a nice vibe, happy staff and great entertainment. Click on the link above to get directions and show information. Whether you are a writer, singer or just a music lover...check it out.

Peace,

Phil

When our ship comes in...

When I was a kid and would ask my Dad for something like a new toy or a bike, his response was always the same.

"When our ship comes in, we can get it."

Now we lived close to the Mississippi river and I just knew one of those barges coming and going carried all the things I dreamed of. It was filled with toys, bikes, GI Joes and games. What a dreamland of childhood delight.

Even though I know now that there isn't a magical dream vessel holding all the treasures of my childhood, I do have hope that my ship is just beyond the horizon. I know my ship exists, because my Dad would never lie to me. So, even though I am happy, healthy and abundant now, I still keep my eyes on the horizon. Because I have hope that my ship is coming. What is in your ship?

Our job is to believe...

This is a repost from about a year ago, but it is one of my favorite inspirational posts of mine.

As songwriters, we spend way too much time and energy worrying about "how" we are going to get to where we want to be. We read books, do market research and worry about how to get our songs in the right hands. Here's the problem from a songwriter's perspective.

Now my ultimate goal is to write a song that 1) Gets recorded 2) Gets released 3) Gets to #1 4) Gets nominated for song of the year 5) WINS!! So now that I have that settled, I have two things I must do; write that song and believe it will happen. It is really that simple.

For example, I can waste an entire day/week creating online profiles, uploading music and networking. It's beneficial to have an online presence and you also need an EPK (electronic press kit) for your business card or correspondence, but I forget sometimes to get in my quiet room, write and just simply believe.

I don't care if you say God/Spirit/Universe/Allah/Jesus, there is a spiritual aspect to our lives and we cannot afford to get so busy that we forget to simply believe. If you believe in your music, believe that God will supply the rest.

I believe in Divine intervention. I believe God will put the right person on my path so I stumble over them, a demo CD falls out of my coat pocket and lands on the radio. It's that simple.

You are not climbing this mountain alone. In the words of Wayne Dyer, "If you knew who walked beside you at all times on this path that you have chosen, you could never acheive this fear and doubt again".

Pick a dream...be specific...and BELIEVE.

Until next time, keep the faith.

Phil

songmaker11@gmail.com

Beauty is everywhere...

I woke up this morning to the birds singing and chirping in the trees behind our house...I smelled the coffee brewing...I saw the sun trying to come up...I took in a deep breath and said, "Thank you".

All you have to do is look out your window and see what God has given us. Today I choose to not just think occasionally about how blessed we are. Today I choose to focus on the beauty in the world, my blessings and my happiness. It is that simple.

There is beauty everywhere! There is peace, love, harmony, abundance and joy all around us. Turn off the TV...go outside and just watch the clouds float by. Watch the birds go about their chores. Watch the trees sway with the wind.

Whatever your passion...whatever your goals in life...take time each day to be grateful for the beauty around us. It will make you a better songwriter, business person, wife, husband, father or mother.

Just say thank you for this wonderful world we live in.

"Thank you!!!"

My grandkids...

These amazing dogs are my grandchildren...they belong to my daughter and her fiance.

Lucy & Libby.

They are so well behaved and beautiful. I just wanted to share some pictures of them that I took over Christmas.

I cannot wait to see them again.

This year I will...

Happy New Year to all my family and friends!

I don't really believe in New Year's resolutions, but I do think it is a good idea to sit down often and write out a few goals. Goal setting is at the top of the list of the most successful people in the world. It causes you to stop and focus on what it is you do want...instead of worrying about what you don't want.

Well, I want to take the time to write down what I want to happen in 2009 in terms of my songwriting. My friends and family know I love them and wish them the best of everything, but this is about my songwriting career.

First, I want to continue writing good music. I think that the stuff I am writing lately is better than anything I have written in the past. I want to continue that trend and keep devoting more of my time to writing.

Second, I hope to record a lot. I want to be able to record each song as soon as it is done. This is one of my favorite things to do. I love recording in the studio!! I will record a lot in 2009.

Third, I hope to collaborate with some other writers in town. I think sometimes it is a good idea to write with other people and see what happens. Plus, it is always good to write with up and coming artists. I will meet a few this year and hopefully write some future #1 hits.

Finally, I just want my music to get to the right people. It is that simple...write it, record it and get it in the right hands. I know it will happen this year.

So, there you go...simple and sweet. It sounds perfectly wonderful.

Have a great year,

Phil