Twelve years ago, I had never bellied up to a microphone with guitar in hand. I was 45 years old when I first muddled my way through John Prine's Let's Talk Dirty in Hawaiian and The Beatles' Blackbird at an open mic hosted by Jason Hanks in Baton Rouge, LA. You could have cut the tension with a knife!!! Everybody knew I was a first-timer and they really wanted me not to suck! (Which, admittedly, I kinda did...) When I struck the final chord, the applause was DEAFENING, and I could see everyone who had held their breath for me suddenly get color back in their cheeks.
See, it was my dream to play music out in the world, after coming out of cancer treatment the previous month. Twelve years later, I make my living as a musician. I do music therapy with Alzheimer's patients and seniors with dementia; I perform as a children's musician; I am a songwriter; I am a jazz guitarist; I am drawn to any stringed instrument, and continue to try out new ones. But it all started because a few people encouraged me to go for my dream*...
I have a new dream, y'all, as of mid 2014. I want to travel throughout the United States and play songs I've written at open mics and gigs in every single state of the union. I live in Louisiana, so I can check that one off. I've played a bunch in Texas, and once in Indiana. About 10 years ago, I got to play in Potlach, Idaho with my first duo partner. I'm heading east this next trip. Savannah, Georgia, here I come!!! Because of the kindness of 2 wonderful friends, I have a chance to play twice this coming week in their new community! And mid-February will find me in Nashville, TN! I cannot believe it! Y'all, I'm 57 and I'm living my dream. Color me grateful and excited and at times a bit intimidated...but I've got a special mission in my life and it feels right!
I wrote a song called Wake Up and Dream. I am planning something really special with this tune, and I'll share more in the next WAKE UP AND DREAM installment. I wonder if anybody out there is chasing a dream. I would love to hear about it...
Until next blog post, peace and love to you...
dorothy
* No way I can thank everybody who encouraged me, but here are a few who have helped me in my travels: Catrina Rogers, Terri Hendrix, Lloyd Maines, my Life's a Song Friends, Beth Harvey, Mike and Debi Chambers, Karen Kelley, Daniel Lee, Renea Hanna, Sally Morgan...and so many many more. Another special thank you to my buddy and long-time duo partner, Mike Whitney, who did quite a few Louisiana 'road-trip' gigs with me! Thank y'all...
Showing posts with label songwriter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label songwriter. Show all posts
Friday, January 30, 2015
Monday, July 28, 2014
The Tree of Soles in Ossun, LA...a place to lay your burdens down
I have these moments as a mother to grown sons that I'll always remember...first day of preschool, kindergarten graduation, first Scout summer camp, first time standing on the pitcher's mound, getting braces off, putting letter jackets on, graduating, getting that first job. You get my drift. A year ago, I think I topped them all, down a gravel road, at the base of a tree, in sleepy little Ossun, LA, in the heart of Louisiana's Cajun country.
I'm no stranger to depression, and the apple did not fall far from the tree. While both sons battle depression, my youngest son has fallen victim to depression, anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) as an internal manifestation of Tourette's Syndrome. Yes, he takes medicines that do help, and there are alternative therapies, but at some point, you have to accept your reality and strive for the most effective way to live inside this body that you inhabit. Reading is one of his escape routes, and a book in the clearance section of a favorite store led us both on a life-altering excursion!
Let me back-pedal a bit...I've raised my kids in the Christian tradition. I taught them prayers that I was taught as a child, including one en Francais. We attended church regularly, including religion classes that were age-appropriate. That said, depression, anxiety and OCD tend to muddy the waters. How do you give your burdens to a loving God when your mind is constantly whirling in a million directions, second-guessing, questioning? My life-long struggle, passed on to both of my sons...
Now, back to the book my son was reading...a travel book featuring off-the-beaten-path destinations in Louisiana. One day trip caught his eye and spoke loudly to him. He asked me to accompany him to the Tree of Soles in Ossun, LA (right outside of Lafayette), to lay his burdens down. In a poignant gesture of faith, you bring shoes you've worn during a particularly burdensome point in your life and lay them at the base of the tree, or hang them from the tree. At that point, you're asked to pray for peace.
I will always remember how I felt, driving down this gravel road, when I finally spotted the 3 trees from the book. I've had many spiritual experiences in my 56 years, but this was special. We stopped the car, and my son picked up his black shoes he'd been wearing during a difficult year in his life, opened his door and slowly and methodically walked toward the middle tree, reading the sign welcoming him to the Tree of Soles. I had brought shoes as well and joined him. A million thoughts came to mind as I spotted baby shoes, cowboy boots, lady's pumps, tennis shoes...each telling a painful tale of struggle and an accompanying need for peace.
We spoke no words. I tearfully pondered the moments in life that had brought us both there. Time stood still. Slowly, my son found the perfect spot near the base of the middle tree for his shoes. I followed suit. Eventually we walked back to the car. Still no words. Just a quiet knowledge that we had, in truth, physically laid our burdens down. What a powerful experience to share with my grown son as we both tried to faithfully lighten our loads.
I'm no stranger to depression, and the apple did not fall far from the tree. While both sons battle depression, my youngest son has fallen victim to depression, anxiety, and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) as an internal manifestation of Tourette's Syndrome. Yes, he takes medicines that do help, and there are alternative therapies, but at some point, you have to accept your reality and strive for the most effective way to live inside this body that you inhabit. Reading is one of his escape routes, and a book in the clearance section of a favorite store led us both on a life-altering excursion!
Let me back-pedal a bit...I've raised my kids in the Christian tradition. I taught them prayers that I was taught as a child, including one en Francais. We attended church regularly, including religion classes that were age-appropriate. That said, depression, anxiety and OCD tend to muddy the waters. How do you give your burdens to a loving God when your mind is constantly whirling in a million directions, second-guessing, questioning? My life-long struggle, passed on to both of my sons...
Now, back to the book my son was reading...a travel book featuring off-the-beaten-path destinations in Louisiana. One day trip caught his eye and spoke loudly to him. He asked me to accompany him to the Tree of Soles in Ossun, LA (right outside of Lafayette), to lay his burdens down. In a poignant gesture of faith, you bring shoes you've worn during a particularly burdensome point in your life and lay them at the base of the tree, or hang them from the tree. At that point, you're asked to pray for peace.
I will always remember how I felt, driving down this gravel road, when I finally spotted the 3 trees from the book. I've had many spiritual experiences in my 56 years, but this was special. We stopped the car, and my son picked up his black shoes he'd been wearing during a difficult year in his life, opened his door and slowly and methodically walked toward the middle tree, reading the sign welcoming him to the Tree of Soles. I had brought shoes as well and joined him. A million thoughts came to mind as I spotted baby shoes, cowboy boots, lady's pumps, tennis shoes...each telling a painful tale of struggle and an accompanying need for peace.
We spoke no words. I tearfully pondered the moments in life that had brought us both there. Time stood still. Slowly, my son found the perfect spot near the base of the middle tree for his shoes. I followed suit. Eventually we walked back to the car. Still no words. Just a quiet knowledge that we had, in truth, physically laid our burdens down. What a powerful experience to share with my grown son as we both tried to faithfully lighten our loads.
I knew at that point that I needed to spread the word about the Tree of Soles. A couple of months later, I asked my producer and videographer Daniel Lee to go with me to the tree and shoot some video. (I had another burden to lay down as well.) Turns out that many songs have flown through me, all because of the sleepy Cajun town and those 3 trees at the end of a gravel road. I'd be so honored for you to watch. I hope it moves you like it still moves me, whenever I watch it. Here's the link:
My prayer for you would be that each of you find your "tree of soles"...and that your burdens would be lightened.
As always, until next blog entry, peace and love to you.
dorothy
Monday, July 7, 2014
Sometimes only a trip to the beach will do...
My first memories of the beach (mid-to late-1960s) revolved around a prime fishing and crabbing destination in Louisiana, Grand Isle. Rising early each morning, my dad couldn't wait for the sun to come up so he could grab his hand-held crab net and wade in the shallow water, coming up with those soon-to-be-boiled Louisiana delicacies. My mom loved to crab, too, but as a native Louisiana Cajun, the pull of the Gulf meant so much more than merely crabbing. She actually learned how to swim in Vermilion Bay as a child in the 1920s and early '30s, so wading in the the dark, salty waters of the Gulf of Mexico was wonderfully familiar to her, a return to her roots.
As a child, I loved searching for treasures, thinking every shell (or remnant thereof) was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. I also remember the feel of the sand on my (tennis-shoe-clad) feet. My parents' rule: No walking barefoot on the beach at Grand Isle. Taking just a few steps on the sandy shore made their reasoning perfectly clear. This was a destination for sportsmen, and the beach collected many a fisherman's bent hook, just waiting to work it's way into the barren sole of an unlucky passerby.
My parents taught me to embrace the Gulf safely, to marvel in its majesty, to smell the air and feel the salty, healing water on my skin. What a feast for my senses, in contrast to chlorinated pools, the only places where I had swum before. Swimming at Grand Isle meant riding the waves, feeling sea animals pinch my toes, dodging jellyfish, and being unable to see the bottom! I will always remember our yearly excursions to Grand Isle, LA and my earliest fascination with the mysteries of the Gulf.
As an adult, I make a yearly pilgrimage to Port Aransas, TX for a songwriter workshop led by Terri Hendrix and Lloyd Maines, called "Life's a Song". In truth, they can and do hold these workshops at other non-beach locations, but I am drawn to Port A. There is just something about the beach to awaken my senses, clear my mind, and give me peace. I guess it's MY turn to return to my roots, of sorts, even though only for a couple of days.
Shortly after my return home from my 2012 Port Aransas weekend, totally re-energized, I decided to write a song that celebrated the 5 senses. I'd love for you to take a look at the video of my song, entitled Seaside Symphony. Pictures and live footage were taken in November 2013, during my yearly "Life's a Song" weekend. The video was masterfully created by Daniel Lee of Boonelight Productions.
Special thanks to Betsy Braud (on flute), Dave Hinson (on bass), and Daniel Lee (production and lead guitar) for helping bring my song to life. I hope my video brings back fond beach memories for you as well!
until my next blog, peace and love to you...dorothy
As a child, I loved searching for treasures, thinking every shell (or remnant thereof) was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. I also remember the feel of the sand on my (tennis-shoe-clad) feet. My parents' rule: No walking barefoot on the beach at Grand Isle. Taking just a few steps on the sandy shore made their reasoning perfectly clear. This was a destination for sportsmen, and the beach collected many a fisherman's bent hook, just waiting to work it's way into the barren sole of an unlucky passerby.
My parents taught me to embrace the Gulf safely, to marvel in its majesty, to smell the air and feel the salty, healing water on my skin. What a feast for my senses, in contrast to chlorinated pools, the only places where I had swum before. Swimming at Grand Isle meant riding the waves, feeling sea animals pinch my toes, dodging jellyfish, and being unable to see the bottom! I will always remember our yearly excursions to Grand Isle, LA and my earliest fascination with the mysteries of the Gulf.
As an adult, I make a yearly pilgrimage to Port Aransas, TX for a songwriter workshop led by Terri Hendrix and Lloyd Maines, called "Life's a Song". In truth, they can and do hold these workshops at other non-beach locations, but I am drawn to Port A. There is just something about the beach to awaken my senses, clear my mind, and give me peace. I guess it's MY turn to return to my roots, of sorts, even though only for a couple of days.
Shortly after my return home from my 2012 Port Aransas weekend, totally re-energized, I decided to write a song that celebrated the 5 senses. I'd love for you to take a look at the video of my song, entitled Seaside Symphony. Pictures and live footage were taken in November 2013, during my yearly "Life's a Song" weekend. The video was masterfully created by Daniel Lee of Boonelight Productions.
Special thanks to Betsy Braud (on flute), Dave Hinson (on bass), and Daniel Lee (production and lead guitar) for helping bring my song to life. I hope my video brings back fond beach memories for you as well!
until my next blog, peace and love to you...dorothy
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