What Inspires Me
Welcome to my Tumblr - I'm so happy to have you along for the ride! My debut Inspirational Romance novel, Never Forgotten You, is now available on Amazon. I am a writer, singer, and songwriter, and I want to share what inspires me on my journey. ...
John Lloyd Young At Cafe Carlyle - Iconic Performance At A Legendary Venue
John Lloyd Young and Cafe Carlyle are a classic pairing - like champagne and caviar. They are both magical on their own…but together, they are exquisitely enchanting.
JLY came into the room from the back and made his way up to the stage, wearing a stunning black tuxedo and his signature sunglasses. He removed the shades to sing “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”, and from that moment, nobody in the audience could take their eyes off of him. His versions of “My Prayer” and “Hurt” are more beautiful and spellbinding than ever, as he also captivated us with his voice.
JLY mentioned during the set that it’s his 10th Anniversary of performing at this historic club (TEN. YEARS!) and how he is not only thrilled to be back, but how how happy he is that the Carlyle did not become a casualty of the pandemic, since that was almost the case. He shared some of the long history of the hotel and the club - stories about the incredible Marcel Vertès murals that line the walls, and the iconic entertainers who have performed here, like Eartha Kitt, Bobby Short, Barbara Cook, and Elaine Stritch. He also told us that the first resident of the hotel was none other than Richard Rodgers, which led him into the lush, romantic “I Have Dreamed” from The King And I.
He donned the sunglasses again occasionally, to perform classics like “Show And Tell”, and in honor of Roy Orbison for “Only The Lonely”. But of course, some of the best moments throughout the night took place when he made eye contact with members of the audience, especially when he made his way around the room to sing “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me” and “Cara Mia”. It made the intimate setting of Cafe Carlyle even more so, which is one of the reasons why JLY’s shows fit so perfectly here.
For this residency, it was just JLY and musical director Tommy Faragher on piano and background/harmony vocals, which completed the intimate feeling on stage. Tommy also performed his soulful solo “Bring It On Home”, to the delight of everyone in attendance.
JLY told some other stories as well, both humorous and intriguing, about working with Clint Eastwood and Christopher Walken on the Jersey Boys movie, and a couple of the deleted scenes that they had worked on. In addition to his opening song, he performed several other Jersey Boys tunes, including “My Eyes Adored You” and “My Mother’s Eyes”. On the first evening of this residency, he did “Walk Like A Man”, then on the second night it was “Big Girls Don’t Cry” - complete with the charming story of when he taught young students in Havana the latter when he was part of President Obama’s arts delegation to Cuba.
We were also treated to an original song written by JLY and Tommy, which they had debuted here at the Carlyle a few years ago - “Slow Dawn Calling”. Back when it was first performed here, the New York Times made a special note of it in their review. It’s gotten even better with time…and not only does the Times approve, but we all do as well.
During the evening when he mentioned his upcoming shows, JLY talked about his international set that he will be performing at Vitello’s in May. In honor of that, he decided to include a different international song at each performance this week. The haunting “Ming Ri Tian Ya” was in the set the first night, and the breathtaking, emotional “Usted” on the second…both of which were done to perfection as only JLY can.
Nobody has the phenomenal vocal range that JLY does, which was displayed throughout each show, but showcased on the Stylistics’ “You Are Everything”. He then included a couple of our favorites - “Maybe I’m Amazed on Night #1 and “To Make You Feel My Love” on Night #2. All of these songs take your breath away every time he performs them, and this week was no exception.
Each evening concluded with everyone in the audience up on their feet and singing along with “Working My Way Back To You” and “Sherry” - including the Carlyle staff. It was the perfect way to cap everything off.
John Lloyd Young is iconic - just like the legendary Cafe Carlyle and all of the others who have done shows here. His performances are part of the history…included in the rich tapestry of this club as much as the murals that surround him and all of us as he performs. He continues to make history at the Carlyle - and I am so glad that we all get to be part of that with him. The best is yet to come.
John Lloyd Young At The Carmichael - Modern Classics From An Old Soul
John Lloyd Young may have been born in the seventies and grown up in the eighties…but his soul has been around for much longer.
In both the music he performs and the insights he shares, he reveals depth and wisdom beyond his years, all while entertaining an audience and holding them spellbound from the moment he walks onto the stage and sings the first note. That type of magic is rare to find - and he has it in spades.
JLY began each evening with a rich, impassioned “My Prayer”, then moved into the pure joy of “Oh What A Night”, inviting all of us to clap along as he scanned the room for faces both familiar and new. He mentioned how much he loves the lighting and setup of Feinstein’s At Hotel Carmichael, because he can actually see most of the audience throughout the night, no matter where they are seated. There is not a bad seat in the house - from the perspective of both audience members and performers.
He performed “Hurt So Bad”, and shared some great Little Anthony stories to go along with it. He then donned his shades again to perform “Only The Lonely”, making the Roy Orbison tune his own, as he does so well with all of the classics that he performs. He breathes new life into each of them, with his gifts of both impeccable vocals and pure emotion carrying them to a new level.
Next up was “You Are Everything”, which has only recently been added to his sets, but is already done to perfection, as he moves seamlessly to falsetto and back throughout the song. His vocal range is like no other - those who only know him for his Tony-winning performance and starring movie role as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys are in for a surprise and a treat when they discover that he can truly sing anything, in his own abundant voice.
Speaking of Jersey Boys, JLY shared several fun, entertaining stories from the movie set, and the wisdom earned from leaning how to play Frankie and working with Clint Eastwood and Christopher Walken. He performed several songs from JB in conjunction with these stories - “My Eyes Adored You”, “Walk Like A Man”, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”, and more. Especially poignant was “My Mother’s Eyes”, which was done in its entirety…and it was mesmerizing to watch him move right into every single facial mannerism that you see in the movie - both muscle memory and the emotions of the character kicked in as we watched an actor who truly embodies his craft bring the scene to life.
Musical director Tommy Faragher had his opportunity to shine as well on Sam Cooke’s “Bring It On Home To Me”, showing why he is a true soul singer in his own right, in addition to the many other hats he wears in the music industry.
At different points in the evening, JLY came out into the audience to greet everyone up close as he did “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me” and “Cara Mia”. We were all delighted to have him back among us as he worked the room and sang individually to all of us, and you could tell that he enjoys it as much as we all do. And whether he is in the middle of the room or performing from the stage, he finds ways to connect with everyone…which is another special gift that he possesses.
On the first night, he performed “Say No More”, an unreleased Roy Orbison track that is now truly JLY’s song - and powerfully done. It’s so good to hear it again in the set. On the second night he sang “Just One Smile” - a Randy Newman tune made famous by Gene Pitney and Dusty Springfield. This is another favorite that we are glad to hear again…and nobody does it with more emotion than JLY.
Each night he performed his out-of-this-world version of “Unchained Melody”, and concluded the set with everyone on their feet for “Working My Way Back To You” and “Sherry”, with all of us singing along and ending the evening on a high note.
Every time I experience a JLY performance, I always think that there’s no possible way that he can improve on the perfection of the performance before - but each and every time, he finds a way to do just that. He has truly come into his own, and even the sky is not the limit for him. I can’t wait to see what’s next on this magical journey…and I’m so happy that we are all on it with him!
John Lloyd Young At The Carmichael - Modern Classics From An Old Soul
John Lloyd Young may have been born in the seventies and grown up in the eighties…but his soul has been around for much longer.
In both the music he performs and the insights he shares, he reveals depth and wisdom beyond his years, all while entertaining an audience and holding them spellbound from the moment he walks onto the stage and sings the first note. That type of magic is rare to find - and he has it in spades.
JLY began each evening with a rich, impassioned “My Prayer”, then moved into the pure joy of “Oh What A Night”, inviting all of us to clap along as he scanned the room for faces both familiar and new. He mentioned how much he loves the lighting and setup of Feinstein’s At Hotel Carmichael, because he can actually see most of the audience throughout the night, no matter where they are seated. There is not a bad seat in the house - from the perspective of both audience members and performers.
He performed “Hurt So Bad”, and shared some great Little Anthony stories to go along with it. He then donned his shades again to perform “Only The Lonely”, making the Roy Orbison tune his own, as he does so well with all of the classics that he performs. He breathes new life into each of them, with his gifts of both impeccable vocals and pure emotion carrying them to a new level.
Next up was “You Are Everything”, which has only recently been added to his sets, but is already done to perfection, as he moves seamlessly to falsetto and back throughout the song. His vocal range is like no other - those who only know him for his Tony-winning performance and starring movie role as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys are in for a surprise and a treat when they discover that he can truly sing anything, in his own abundant voice.
Speaking of Jersey Boys, JLY shared several fun, entertaining stories from the movie set, and the wisdom earned from leaning how to play Frankie and working with Clint Eastwood and Christopher Walken. He performed several songs from JB in conjunction with these stories - “My Eyes Adored You”, “Walk Like A Man”, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”, and more. Especially poignant was “My Mother’s Eyes”, which was done in its entirety…and it was mesmerizing to watch him move right into every single facial mannerism that you see in the movie - both muscle memory and the emotions of the character kicked in as we watched an actor who truly embodies his craft bring the scene to life.
Musical director Tommy Faragher had his opportunity to shine as well on Sam Cooke’s “Bring It On Home To Me”, showing why he is a true soul singer in his own right, in addition to the many other hats he wears in the music industry.
At different points in the evening, JLY came out into the audience to greet everyone up close as he did “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me” and “Cara Mia”. We were all delighted to have him back among us as he worked the room and sang individually to all of us, and you could tell that he enjoys it as much as we all do. And whether he is in the middle of the room or performing from the stage, he finds ways to connect with everyone…which is another special gift that he possesses.
On the first night, he performed “Say No More”, an unreleased Roy Orbison track that is now truly JLY’s song - and powerfully done. It’s so good to hear it again in the set. On the second night he sang “Just One Smile” - a Randy Newman tune made famous by Gene Pitney and Dusty Springfield. This is another favorite that we are glad to hear again…and nobody does it with more emotion than JLY.
Each night he performed his out-of-this-world version of “Unchained Melody”, and concluded the set with everyone on their feet for “Working My Way Back To You” and “Sherry”, with all of us singing along and ending the evening on a high note.
Every time I experience a JLY performance, I always think that there’s no possible way that he can improve on the perfection of the performance before - but each and every time, he finds a way to do just that. He has truly come into his own, and even the sky is not the limit for him. I can’t wait to see what’s next on this magical journey…and I’m so happy that we are all on it with him!
The Faragher Brothers - The Best Years…May Still Be Ahead Of Them
The family that sings together, stays together. And no matter how many years have passed, when they get back together on stage the magic is still there for all of us to experience and enjoy.
Tonight’s special presentation of “The Faragher Brothers - The Best Years” took place at Feinstein’s At Vitello’s, and was also livestreamed for those of us around the world who couldn’t be there in person. The energy was off the charts, from the opening “Get Ready” right through to the encore.
The lineup was all relative - with a couple of honorary family members. So many talented Faraghers…originals Jimmy (vocals), Danny (organ/trombone/harmonica), Davey (bass), Tommy (keyboard/piano) and sister Pammy (percussion in various forms)…the next generation, Daisy on alto sax and Charlie on drums…and rounding out the group, the incredible Marcus Watkins on guitar and Danny Moynahan on tenor sax/flute.
Many of us already know Tommy as John Lloyd Young’s musical director and producer (among the many hats he wears in the music industry), and the Faraghers also worked on JLY’s album My Turn. JLY has often mentioned the “blood harmony” - the special sound of the family’s voices together that can never be matched. That tight bond was evident on every song in the set - both the bond of the siblings growing up together and the perfect blend of their voices.
Next up were two of their hits from the 70′s - “It’s Alright” and “Please Hurry Up”, which brought back a lot of memories. At this point Pammy joined them onstage and performed a beautiful, soulful “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me”, followed by Tommy’s passionate “Stay The Night” and heart-stirring “You Touched Me”.
They all traded lead vocals throughout the evening, which showed the strength of each of their individual voices along with their impeccable harmonies. They also traded some interesting and hilarious family stories, which added to the joy of the performance.
Several of the songs performed were other selections from their four studio albums…”Baby When You Make It With Me”, “Open Your Eyes”, “Never Felt Love Before”, “Never Get Your Love Behind Me”, and more - all taking us back to the time of soul and style (including the 70′s fashion that everyone was sporting onstage) and moving us with the music.
Other standouts were “Treat Her Like A Lady”, “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” and “Soul Shake” (and I would like a bottle of Pammy’s energy, please!), “Standing On Shaky Ground”, and the Faraghers street acapella selections. Blood is thicker than water - especially on those harmonies!
The most moving song of the night was “The Best Years Of My Life” - and I predict that the best years of the Faragher’s lives are still ahead of them. With two sold out shows this weekend, and two more performances on the way in July at Vitello’s, the momentum is building again. And I’m excited to see where this leads. The Faraghers are back…and our lives are much richer for it. Thank you to everyone involved for making this amazing reunion happen!
John Lloyd Young at 54 Below - Set List and Weather Roulette - and Hitting The Jackpot
Experiencing John Lloyd Young’s shows at 54 Below this past week was like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates - you never knew what you were going to get. But that box was filled with quite a few sweet surprises.
JLY had mentioned several times before this week began that it was going a be a game of “set list roulette”…he was going to perform different sets each evening, with an audience member pulling a slip of paper out of one of his hats to select the following evening’s set. He then signed each hat and gave it to the person who had participated in choosing the set. The only night that we knew for sure what was going to happen was the Broadway set on the 29th - or so we thought. Mother Nature decided to play a game of her own with us as well.
On the first night of the week, he did a set of his own choosing, then someone in the audience chose Most Requested for the second night. I was not there for those first two shows, but fellow JLY friends and fans shared with all of us how wonderful they were. I was there for the rest of the week’s festivities, which were nothing short of phenomenal.
The third set of the week was Mostly Soul. JLY began with an incredible Sam Cooke medley, since both he and Tommy have been musically influenced by him. Some of our favorites from over the years from the My Turn album have made it into this set, like “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me”, Since I Fell For You”, “Hurt So Bad”, “Only You”, and others.
He told the story of performing “Ooh Baby Baby” for and with Smokey Robinson in Cuba, then performed it for us. We haven’t heard it in a while, and it was so good to finally hear it again. He also included “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”, which is always welcome, since nobody does it better than JLY.
A couple of JLY’s soulful originals also made this set - the gritty, angst-filled “Slow Dawn Calling”, which should become a classic one day, and the beautiful anthem of hope, “Almost There”, which he revealed will be the title of the new album when it’s released this year. It really is almost there!
Three of the newer songs to this set were the biggest hits of the night. “You Are Everything” and “Kiss And Say Goodbye” showed how effortlessly JLY moves into falsetto and back, all while capturing the raw emotion of the lyrics. And “So Amazing” was - well, amazing…and breathtakingly beautiful.
This evening ended with JLY telling us there was a reason why it’s called “Mostly” Soul…as he treated us to “Working My Way Back To You” and “Sherry”, in anticipation for the Broadway set to come.
Most Requested was chosen again for the next night, so JLY and Tommy added in a few songs to mix things up a little - ones that are definitely requested often, but hadn’t made the original set list. On this night JLY performed “I Have Dreamed” and “Hey There Lonely Girl”, both definite favorites, along with “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”, “Slow Dawn Calling”, and “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me”. He told us about “My Prayer” being his parents’ song, and dedicated it to his own existence.
He made the audience swoon with the classic “Let’s Stay Together” and fan favorite “Cara Mia”…and then even more so with “Usted” - proving that he sings in the language of soul through his fado-style expression of this stunning Spanish ballad. And the showpiece of the evening was his ethereal, heart-piercing “Wicked Game”…which never fails to take our breath away. He also performed a strong, heartfelt “Maybe I’m Amazed”, in honor of his dedicated and supportive friends and fans.
The Broadway set was scheduled for the next show, along with a livestream…but of course we all know that NYC had a major snowstorm on the 29th, so that day’s show did not take place - but was moved instead to the 30th. Not only am I happy that we still got to hear the Broadway set, but I’m so glad that it was still livestreamed for everyone who couldn’t be there in person with the rest of us at 54 Below. And on both counts, it was beyond worth waiting for.
JLY began with “So You Wanted To Meet The Wizard”, which is a favorite of his from the role he would love to play in The Wiz. He told special stories about some of the songs he performed as well - “My Heart Stood Still”, “Till There Was You”, “I Have Dreamed” and more…and his rich, warm baritone shone through on every song.
He has added a few songs to his usual Broadway set - some fun for all of us with “Magic” from Xanadu, and “Who’s Loving You” from his album My Turn, since it is also featured in the new Broadway show MJ The Musical. And he hits those unreal notes just as well as the original King Of Pop.
Of course he sang several songs from Jersey Boys, including “Walk Like A Man”, “Working My Way Back To You”, “Sherry”, “My Eyes Adored You”, and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”. A recent addition to the group is “My Mother’s Eyes”, and it’s so incredible to hear him perform this in person.
Two songs were the true showstoppers of the night. “Empty Chairs At Empty Tables”, with JLY’s beautiful, haunting voice filling the room and everyone’s hearts - which I’m sure it also did when he played Marius for many thousands of people at the Hollywood Bowl. I so wish I could have seen that. And there was “Being Alive”, which completely came alive for JLY and all of us. I know it made me cry, and so many of us got chills when we heard it. I hope 54 Below kept a recording of this one from the livestream, and that they will release the video on their YouTube and social media. It’s THAT good, and it will move you as you’ve never been moved before.
It was also pretty amazing to be there in person while the livestream was happening, and to experience it from that perspective. JLY found the perfect blend between giving his attention to the audience at home and the audience seated in front of him, and did it all without missing a beat. There was a special energy in the room last night for this Broadway set, and I know several of the people who watched from home said that they could feel it as well.
The gamble paid off this week at 54 Below, and even with one bad card dealt in the form of a snowstorm, JLY played his hand well and came up Aces. Thank you to JLY, Tommy, and everyone at 54 Below. I can’t wait to see what else is in the cards!
John Lloyd Young at 54 Below - Set List and Weather Roulette - and Hitting The Jackpot
Experiencing John Lloyd Young’s shows at 54 Below this past week was like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates - you never knew what you were going to get. But that box was filled with quite a few sweet surprises.
JLY had mentioned several times before this week began that it was going a be a game of “set list roulette”…he was going to perform different sets each evening, with an audience member pulling a slip of paper out of one of his hats to select the following evening’s set. He then signed each hat and gave it to the person who had participated in choosing the set. The only night that we knew for sure what was going to happen was the Broadway set on the 29th - or so we thought. Mother Nature decided to play a game of her own with us as well.
On the first night of the week, he did a set of his own choosing, then someone in the audience chose Most Requested for the second night. I was not there for those first two shows, but fellow JLY friends and fans shared with all of us how wonderful they were. I was there for the rest of the week’s festivities, which were nothing short of phenomenal.
The third set of the week was Mostly Soul. JLY began with an incredible Sam Cooke medley, since both he and Tommy have been musically influenced by him. Some of our favorites from over the years from the My Turn album have made it into this set, like “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me”, Since I Fell For You”, “Hurt So Bad”, “Only You”, and others.
He told the story of performing “Ooh Baby Baby” for and with Smokey Robinson in Cuba, then performed it for us. We haven’t heard it in a while, and it was so good to finally hear it again. He also included “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”, which is always welcome, since nobody does it better than JLY.
A couple of JLY’s soulful originals also made this set - the gritty, angst-filled “Slow Dawn Calling”, which should become a classic one day, and the beautiful anthem of hope, “Almost There”, which he revealed will be the title of the new album when it’s released this year. It really is almost there!
Three of the newer songs to this set were the biggest hits of the night. “You Are Everything” and “Kiss And Say Goodbye” showed how effortlessly JLY moves into falsetto and back, all while capturing the raw emotion of the lyrics. And “So Amazing” was - well, amazing…and breathtakingly beautiful.
This evening ended with JLY telling us there was a reason why it’s called “Mostly” Soul…as he treated us to “Working My Way Back To You” and “Sherry”, in anticipation for the Broadway set to come.
Most Requested was chosen again for the next night, so JLY and Tommy added in a few songs to mix things up a little - ones that are definitely requested often, but hadn’t made the original set list. On this night JLY performed “I Have Dreamed” and “Hey There Lonely Girl”, both definite favorites, along with “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”, “Slow Dawn Calling”, and “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me”. He told us about “My Prayer” being his parents’ song, and dedicated it to his own existence.
He made the audience swoon with the classic “Let’s Stay Together” and fan favorite “Cara Mia”…and then even more so with “Usted” - proving that he sings in the language of soul through his fado-style expression of this stunning Spanish ballad. And the showpiece of the evening was his ethereal, heart-piercing “Wicked Game”…which never fails to take our breath away. He also performed a strong, heartfelt “Maybe I’m Amazed”, in honor of his dedicated and supportive friends and fans.
The Broadway set was scheduled for the next show, along with a livestream…but of course we all know that NYC had a major snowstorm on the 29th, so that day’s show did not take place - but was moved instead to the 30th. Not only am I happy that we still got to hear the Broadway set, but I’m so glad that it was still livestreamed for everyone who couldn’t be there in person with the rest of us at 54 Below. And on both counts, it was beyond worth waiting for.
JLY began with “So You Wanted To Meet The Wizard”, which is a favorite of his from the role he would love to play in The Wiz. He told special stories about some of the songs he performed as well - “My Heart Stood Still”, “Till There Was You”, “I Have Dreamed” and more…and his rich, warm baritone shone through on every song.
He has added a few songs to his usual Broadway set - some fun for all of us with “Magic” from Xanadu, and “Who’s Loving You” from his album My Turn, since it is also featured in the new Broadway show MJ The Musical. And he hits those unreal notes just as well as the original King Of Pop.
Of course he sang several songs from Jersey Boys, including “Walk Like A Man”, “Working My Way Back To You”, “Sherry”, “My Eyes Adored You”, and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”. A recent addition to the group is “My Mother’s Eyes”, and it’s so incredible to hear him perform this in person.
Two songs were the true showstoppers of the night. “Empty Chairs At Empty Tables”, with JLY’s beautiful, haunting voice filling the room and everyone’s hearts - which I’m sure it also did when he played Marius for many thousands of people at the Hollywood Bowl. I so wish I could have seen that. And there was “Being Alive”, which completely came alive for JLY and all of us. I know it made me cry, and so many of us got chills when we heard it. I hope 54 Below kept a recording of this one from the livestream, and that they will release the video on their YouTube and social media. It’s THAT good, and it will move you as you’ve never been moved before.
It was also pretty amazing to be there in person while the livestream was happening, and to experience it from that perspective. JLY found the perfect blend between giving his attention to the audience at home and the audience seated in front of him, and did it all without missing a beat. There was a special energy in the room last night for this Broadway set, and I know several of the people who watched from home said that they could feel it as well.
The gamble paid off this week at 54 Below, and even with one bad card dealt in the form of a snowstorm, JLY played his hand well and came up Aces. Thank you to JLY, Tommy, and everyone at 54 Below. I can’t wait to see what else is in the cards!
Word Of The Year For 2022 - THRIVE
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” – Maya Angelou
It’s time once again to choose a focus word for the new year - a single word that will inspire you every day as you remind yourself of it on both good days and challenging days, to help you have the best year possible.
First, I will revisit my word for 2021: Create. I definitely did a lot of creating during this past year…I got more work done on my novel-in-progress, worked on a good bit of poetry and songwriting, and took a course to update my skills as an interviewer and journalist. I also had the opportunity to be the one who was interviewed - on a live YouTube show and a podcast, and both of them were instrumental in helping me share about my published novel, speak about writing and the process, talk about my inspirations both growing up and now, and so much more. Travel and concerts thankfully started up again, and I am grateful that I am able to write about those shows and get to explore different cities while there for them. In the middle of all of this, we downsized and moved into a smaller place, and my son graduated from college. So it’s been a busy year on all fronts!
That brings me to my word for 2022: THRIVE. The Maya Angelou quote at the beginning of this post has always been one of my favorites, and now it’s time to fully put it into practice. During the past two years, we have been thrown into survival mode for much of the time…and in some ways, we still are, because the pandemic is still going on, and there is still fallout to deal with from that. But during 2021, many of us have been masked, vaccinated and boosted, and that helps us get back to doing our jobs, seeing friends and family, and doing other things we love. So we are beginning the move past survival into something more.
For me, in 2022, it’s time to not just survive, but THRIVE. To find a way to do what I truly love full-time, and not have to work retail anymore. (Even though working in a bookstore is awesome - it’s still retail madness!) To get this second novel finished now that we are settled in our new place. To increase my work with poetry, songwriting, interviewing, and more. To continue to promote my first book while working on the second. To enjoy concerts and travel to an even greater extent, and time with friends as well. To rise above the toxic people and negativity while continuing to navigate the pandemic, and be my best in every way that I can.
And…to do it all with the passion, compassion, humor, and style that Ms. Angelou spoke about. I am up for the challenge - ready to focus - ready to THRIVE.
Have you chosen a word to focus on for 2022? I would love to hear what your word is! Here’s to an even more improved and amazing year ahead for all of us!
Word Of The Year For 2022 - THRIVE
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” – Maya Angelou
It’s time once again to choose a focus word for the new year - a single word that will inspire you every day as you remind yourself of it on both good days and challenging days, to help you have the best year possible.
First, I will revisit my word for 2021: Create. I definitely did a lot of creating during this past year…I got more work done on my novel-in-progress, worked on a good bit of poetry and songwriting, and took a course to update my skills as an interviewer and journalist. I also had the opportunity to be the one who was interviewed - on a live YouTube show and a podcast, and both of them were instrumental in helping me share about my published novel, speak about writing and the process, talk about my inspirations both growing up and now, and so much more. Travel and concerts thankfully started up again, and I am grateful that I am able to write about those shows and get to explore different cities while there for them. In the middle of all of this, we downsized and moved into a smaller place, and my son graduated from college. So it’s been a busy year on all fronts!
That brings me to my word for 2022: THRIVE. The Maya Angelou quote at the beginning of this post has always been one of my favorites, and now it’s time to fully put it into practice. During the past two years, we have been thrown into survival mode for much of the time…and in some ways, we still are, because the pandemic is still going on, and there is still fallout to deal with from that. But during 2021, many of us have been masked, vaccinated and boosted, and that helps us get back to doing our jobs, seeing friends and family, and doing other things we love. So we are beginning the move past survival into something more.
For me, in 2022, it’s time to not just survive, but THRIVE. To find a way to do what I truly love full-time, and not have to work retail anymore. (Even though working in a bookstore is awesome - it’s still retail madness!) To get this second novel finished now that we are settled in our new place. To increase my work with poetry, songwriting, interviewing, and more. To continue to promote my first book while working on the second. To enjoy concerts and travel to an even greater extent, and time with friends as well. To rise above the toxic people and negativity while continuing to navigate the pandemic, and be my best in every way that I can.
And…to do it all with the passion, compassion, humor, and style that Ms. Angelou spoke about. I am up for the challenge - ready to focus - ready to THRIVE.
Have you chosen a word to focus on for 2022? I would love to hear what your word is! Here’s to an even more improved and amazing year ahead for all of us!
John Lloyd Young - The Heart And Soul Of Christmas
There is nothing quite like the feeling you get when you hear classic Christmas songs, and the rush of memories and good tidings that they bring.
These songs are even more emotional when sung by the one and only John Lloyd Young, whose voice was made for this kind of music. Add the elegance of a jazz pianist and string quartet, and you have the perfect combination to stir the holiday spirit.
The evening began with Tommy Faragher, who was the musical director for this special show, introducing Jacquelyn Schreiber on piano, and Quartet 405 (Eliza James, Kaitlin Wolfberg, Jayna Chou, and Danica Pinner). The ladies started the music with a beautiful holiday medley, then JLY joined them onstage, looking happy and festive in a gorgeous tuxedo.
He kicked off with “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year”, which it is, especially when JLY is performing these holiday tunes. Next up was “The Christmas Waltz”, which I was especially thrilled to hear, since it’s one of my favorites that you don’t get to hear too often anymore. JLY should record this one and release it as a holiday single - his version rivals Sinatra’s (my hand to God) and makes it current, besides being stunningly beautiful.
JLY spoke about wanting to bring out the beauty and magic of the season through the stories of the classics that he chose, and to evoke the feeling of a fireside chat with the audience - both present in person and through the livestream at home. He and the talented ensemble who accompanied him did just that throughout the evening, where it felt like a cozy, intimate holiday gathering with friends expressing the joy of the season.
He performed several traditional Christmas carols, and made us feel like we were hearing them again for the first time while still bringing back memories of growing up on these songs. You could tell that it also brought back memories for him as he sang “O Come, All Ye Faithful/Adeste Fideles”, “The First Noel”, and “Joy To The World”.
One of the surprises of the night was “Christmas Time Is Here”, best known through the TV special, A Charlie Brown Christmas. JLY’s rich, warm vocals made this extra special, and I could hear him recording this one as well. He then performed his beautiful rendition of “Silent Night”, with vocal accompaniment from Jacquelyn and Eliza making it even sweeter.
JLY took a short break while the ensemble got a chance to shine. Jacqueline’s piano and voice were the perfect jazz blend on “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”, and Quartet 405 performed a flawless, ethereal “What Child Is This”. It was such a pleasure to hear all of them doing what they do best, and makes me want to hear more.
JLY joined everyone again on stage and performed a unique yet classic version of “White Christmas”, then mentioned he was moving into a different color as he sang “Blue Christmas”. His smooth, wistful version of the latter brought out so many emotions as he put his own spin on it.
He then sang another song you don’t hear that often now - “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear”. He joked about keeping the lyrics straight with this one, because of the Old English language in it…then proceeded to sing it perfectly, without missing a beat. And he performed “Oh Holy Night” with so much passion that you couldn’t help but tear up.
JLY and the musicians told some funny stories about how they met, and also talked about how they had been planning this collaboration for well over a year. I’m so glad that it finally came to fruition, because the results were absolutely amazing. They all sang “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” together, then JLY finished up with a touching rendition of “The Christmas Song” The evening concluded with the ensemble performing “Silent Night”.
I wish I could have been there in person for this special show, but I am so thankful that it was livestreamed so that we could all be a part of the hope and spirit that is much needed during another unusual holiday season. I hope that JLY will record a Christmas album in the future - and that Jacquelyn and Quartet 405 will be a part of it. In the meantime, I am grateful for their stellar collaborative efforts, which paid off with a Christmas to remember!
John Lloyd Young - The Heart And Soul Of Christmas
There is nothing quite like the feeling you get when you hear classic Christmas songs, and the rush of memories and good tidings that they bring.
These songs are even more emotional when sung by the one and only John Lloyd Young, whose voice was made for this kind of music. Add the elegance of a jazz pianist and string quartet, and you have the perfect combination to stir the holiday spirit.
The evening began with Tommy Faragher, who was the musical director for this special show, introducing Jacquelyn Schreiber on piano, and Quartet 405 (Eliza James, Kaitlin Wolfberg, Jayna Chou, and Danica Pinner). The ladies started the music with a beautiful holiday medley, then JLY joined them onstage, looking happy and festive in a gorgeous tuxedo.
He kicked off with “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year”, which it is, especially when JLY is performing these holiday tunes. Next up was “The Christmas Waltz”, which I was especially thrilled to hear, since it’s one of my favorites that you don’t get to hear too often anymore. JLY should record this one and release it as a holiday single - his version rivals Sinatra’s (my hand to God) and makes it current, besides being stunningly beautiful.
JLY spoke about wanting to bring out the beauty and magic of the season through the stories of the classics that he chose, and to evoke the feeling of a fireside chat with the audience - both present in person and through the livestream at home. He and the talented ensemble who accompanied him did just that throughout the evening, where it felt like a cozy, intimate holiday gathering with friends expressing the joy of the season.
He performed several traditional Christmas carols, and made us feel like we were hearing them again for the first time while still bringing back memories of growing up on these songs. You could tell that it also brought back memories for him as he sang “O Come, All Ye Faithful/Adeste Fideles”, “The First Noel”, and “Joy To The World”.
One of the surprises of the night was “Christmas Time Is Here”, best known through the TV special, A Charlie Brown Christmas. JLY’s rich, warm vocals made this extra special, and I could hear him recording this one as well. He then performed his beautiful rendition of “Silent Night”, with vocal accompaniment from Jacquelyn and Eliza making it even sweeter.
JLY took a short break while the ensemble got a chance to shine. Jacqueline’s piano and voice were the perfect jazz blend on “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”, and Quartet 405 performed a flawless, ethereal “What Child Is This”. It was such a pleasure to hear all of them doing what they do best, and makes me want to hear more.
JLY joined everyone again on stage and performed a unique yet classic version of “White Christmas”, then mentioned he was moving into a different color as he sang “Blue Christmas”. His smooth, wistful version of the latter brought out so many emotions as he put his own spin on it.
He then sang another song you don’t hear that often now - “It Came Upon A Midnight Clear”. He joked about keeping the lyrics straight with this one, because of the Old English language in it…then proceeded to sing it perfectly, without missing a beat. And he performed “Oh Holy Night” with so much passion that you couldn’t help but tear up.
JLY and the musicians told some funny stories about how they met, and also talked about how they had been planning this collaboration for well over a year. I’m so glad that it finally came to fruition, because the results were absolutely amazing. They all sang “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” together, then JLY finished up with a touching rendition of “The Christmas Song” The evening concluded with the ensemble performing “Silent Night”.
I wish I could have been there in person for this special show, but I am so thankful that it was livestreamed so that we could all be a part of the hope and spirit that is much needed during another unusual holiday season. I hope that JLY will record a Christmas album in the future - and that Jacquelyn and Quartet 405 will be a part of it. In the meantime, I am grateful for their stellar collaborative efforts, which paid off with a Christmas to remember!