Wednesday, November 26, 2014

On their way to their dream...

I love to support artists that inspire me. This story is about a family that has inspired me to "Keep moving forward."

I first heard the 2 Steel Girls sing while watching an episode of NBC's The Voice, season 3. When they came on stage for the blind audition, I remember thinking, wow they look nervous. Then I heard them sing and said out loud. WOW...these girls are good!!! They were selected by Blake Shelton to be on his team. Their dream did not start or end there. It was a long time coming.

Allison Steel's dream of having a career in music started at a very young age. "Since I was a little girl...I have always dreamed of singing on a big stage. I love people and I love to sing...one of my favorite things in life is to share something or sing something that touches some one's heart, encourages them, etc." Like so many artists, she grew up singing in church.

I was lucky enough to meet Allison at my first fundraiser early last year. She shared their music with me in the form of one of their CDs. I listened to it nonstop for days. I was so pleasantly surprised at how awesome it was. I remember thinking, this is what I want to hear on the radio. I wanted to hear more of 2 Steel Girls, so I started following their journey.

A few months later we saw them perform live and was blown away again. That's when I really got a taste of how good these ladies were. I also found out that this dream involves the whole family. With Aaron Steel on guitar and vocals and Todd Steel on drums, this dream is a family affair. I then learned that they are incredible songwriters as well.

So at this point I was officially on board the 2 Steel Girls fan wagon. I was lucky enough to have them perform an acoustic set at my next fundraiser. So many people told me after the show that 2 Steel Girls were their favorite. I can understand why. They have excellent songwriting, vocals, a great high-energy show and they are truly some of the nicest people I have ever met. What's not to love??

They are in the studio again after a very successful Kickstarter.com fundraising project. Working with producer Trey Bruce at Blackbird Studio is the high point in their career according to Allison. They are putting it all on the line again to take this thing to another level not only for themselves, but for their fans. Allison told me how inspired she is by their fans. "It is incredible to us that people we love and also people we've never even met believe in us and support us! We don't want to fail them. We hope to inspire them the way they have us."

Well Allison, Krystal, Todd and Aaron, you have inspired me and I am positive your new music will be a huge success. I told them recently that Country music needs 2 Steel Girls right now. In my opinion Country music needs their sound, their passion and their spirit. I truly hope I am not the only one that feels this way. "We are so excited for y'all to hear what's coming out of the studio!  Our 1st single from this project will be released the 1st quarter of 2015.", said Allison.

I asked them where do they see themselves in five years. Allison replied, "We hope to be headlining our own tour by then and have a top 30 hit on national radio. And to be on the road full time with a bus...that'd be pretty cool too!" I agree!! A bus would be pretty cool!! I can see it now. A huge tour bus with 2 Steel Girls plastered all over it. But I think it will be a top 10 hit on National radio. I can hear it now.

Peace and love,

Phil

Monday, November 24, 2014

"Wild Geese" by Mary Oliver

Wild Geese
by Mary Oliver


You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting —over and over announcing your place in the family of things.

The House of 1000 Mirrors

I love this old Japanese Folk tale.

The House of 1000 Mirrors 

Long ago in a small, far away village, there was a place known as the House of 1000 Mirrors. A small, happy little dog learned of this place and decided to visit. When he arrived, he bounced happily up the stairs to the doorway of the house. He looked through the doorway with his ears lifted high and his tail wagging as fast as it could. To his great surprise, he found himself staring at 1000 other happy little dogs with their tails wagging just as fast as his. He smiled a great smile, and was answered with 1000 great smiles just as warm and friendly. As he left the house, he thought to himself, "This is a wonderful place. I will come back and visit it often.

"In this same village, another little dog, who was not quite as happy as the first one, decided to visit the house. He slowly climbed the stairs and hung his head low as he looked into the door. When he saw the 1000 unfriendly looking dogs staring back at him, he growled at them and was horrified to see 1000 little dogs growling back at him. As he left, he thought to himself, "That is a horrible place, and I will never go back there again."

All the faces in the world are mirrors. What kind of reflections do you see in the faces of the people you meet?

Peace, love and FUN,

Phil

My favorite Songwriter Joel Shewmake

Quote of the year...

“Be not the judges of men, but love your brothers and sisters, and find ways to reach out to them in common goals and aspirations. Where there is love in common, the divisions of creed will melt away and reveal the true nature of man’s eternal destiny -- one of unity in purpose, to be perfect as the Father is perfect."

Author Brilliant but Unknown

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