There's something incredibly personal & tangible about writing a blog, its almost like an online diary..so I thought I would share some of my thoughts & feelings with you as I go over the last 11 months of my musical journey.
I started 2010 with a definite purpose and that was to finish my album, so from the outset myself and my production team set to work writing, recording and remixing the songs that have made the final cut. The album which I have entitled 'Fairy Tales & Stepping Stones' has been an 18 month journey of creativity, self discovery and a reflection of my own life, thoughts and feelings about the human condition and the world at large. I wanted a piece of work that would speak to people on more than one level, something that would provoke thought outside of oneself, and encourage humility in others and myself to realise that our lives are full of blessings if we choose to acknowledge them., hopefully this album is a piece of work that many will identify with and will enjoy.
Over the last year I have grown as an individual and musician thanks to the support and love of a multitude of people. The overwhelming generosity of the people who took time out of their day to vote for me in 'The Peoples Music Awards' meant that I won not one but two awards this year for 'Best Female Solo Artist and Best Soul/Funk/Blues Artist' from hundreds of entrants, made me feel truly humble, and I have a huge amount of gratitude to every single person that voted and also to The Peoples Music Awards for all the support and encouragement I have received over the last year, they have been amazing! I have always had quite a personal relationship with the people that support my music and come to my gigs. I have always believed that an Artist is 'Toe to Toe' with thier audience, you have a personal exchange with them. Without an audience behind you, it doesn't matter how gifted a Musician, Singer, Songwriter, Performer you are, you are nothing without them, they are part of what you do and who you are as an artist, thay are respeonsible for any success you achieve as much as you are, so never underestimate, or under value them. To all of you guys, I give my love, respect and unending gratitude x
I am lucky enough to have cultivated a full professional band of members and musicians that I love and respect. It has really come together over the last 12 months., we have the kind of chemistry that usually only comes after years of working together. These guys, hold a very special piece of my heart, and I would like to thank them for their commitment, loyalty, unwavering support, love and musicianship, I am blessed to have them on my journey and am excited about spending the next 12 months with them. Over the last year we have played some amazing shows as well as smaller intimate ones for charities such as Nordoff Robbins, Banardos and The Youth Arts Festival, where I have met and worked with some incredible people, Amy Winehouse, Matt Lucas as well as Ian Matthews (Kasabians drummer ) and the lovely boys from Issacs Aircraft.
So as we near the end of the year, my thoughts have become reflective of what an incredible year it has been and how lucky I am to be able to do what I love. This ever evolving backdrop of modern music, fresh innovative productions and the constant stream of the next generation of very talented artists appearing on the scene almost daily has had me considering my place amongst my peers & in this industry as a whole, sometimes it feels like i'm riding the crest of a gigantic wave, exhilarating, exciting and sometimes a little scary to say the least, then in the blink of an eye there are times when I feel like I'm treading water and getting nowhere fast...so I ask myself ' Do I measure my success or failure by how much I have managed to achieve in the last 18 months or have not achieved in that time? The glass is half empty, half full senario...Personally I have always tended to lean towards the latter 'From Acorns oak trees grow'
So looking forward into the new year, I can confirm that I will be embarking on new management, the release of my album, launch and a tour. I am also involved in putting together an outdoor festival for next summer which will be amazing! Glastonbury also beckons, as well as Monmouth Festival, so here's to a year filled with Music, Love, friendship, Good health and laughter! let the good times roll! :D xxx
Reaching Your Dreams Takes Courage
Courage is admitting that you're afraid and facing that fear directly. It's being strong enough to ask for help and humble enough to accept it.
Courage is standing up for what you believe in without worrying about the opinions of others. It's following your own heart, living your own life, and settling for nothing less than the best for yourself.
Courage is daring to take a first step, a big leap, or a different path. It's attempting to do something that no one has done before and all others thought impossible.
Courage is keeping heart in the face of disappointment and looking at defeat not as an end but as a new beginning. It's believing that things will ultimately get better even as they get worse.
Courage is being responsible for your own actions and admitting your own mistakes without placing blame on others. It's relying not on others for your success, but on your own skills and efforts.
Courage is refusing to quit even when you're intimidated by impossibility. It's choosing a goal, sticking with it, and finding solutions to the problems.
Courage is thinking big, aiming high, and shooting far. It's taking a dream and doing anything, risking everything, and stopping at nothing to it make it a reality.
~ Caroline Kent ~
