Day 25 in the Studio

Walked out of the Studio today like I was walking on a cloud. What amazing day! Yeah, I'll say it again what an amazing day. We are embarking on a new song, kind of retro, Motown feel but with modern sounds. What's that, well it's fun, energetic, get up and dance kind of music. I remember when I was around 14, 15, 16, our Saturdays were dedicated to house cleaning. We did the works; dusting, sweeping, mopping, dishes, bathrooms...and the first thing we would do is put on the music. Really it's the only thing that made it fun. And for some reason I still like to have music going when I wanna get motivated. It works for me, I guess everyone has their own way to groove, for me it's the jams. I love music and how it can make you happy, silly, funny, sad, melancholy, make you sing at the top of your lungs while your driving, does anyone else do this? I know you do, and really feel like you sound just as good or better than the artist, that's ok

. Back then I wanted to sing like Donna Sommers, than it was Barbara Streisand, Minnie Ripperton, Chakka Kahn...then I became more mature lol and I wanted to sing like Natalie Cole, and Diana Ross, well as you can see the list goes on. I love the different eras, it is amazing to me with all the years of recording history that people are still able to create new songs. I know it hasn't all been said and done, there are a lot of talented people out there. And I think the key is knowing who you are, your abilities, and of course your message. My music is about who I am, where I've been, and where I'm going. The guys are doing such an incredible job of building that timeline through music.

I wanted to have a small kids choir come in and sing on Good Times. Sam had asked me to come back into the Studio around five o' clock and re-sing one small part on this tune. It just so happened that I left the Studio around four o'clock, went to pick up Rocky, then to pick up Dusty from school, then back to the Studio with the crew, Felice met us there, the kids and I had a quick bite to eat. Then it was time to get to work. I sang the small part Sam had requested, then I thought well Dusty knows the words to the song...why not let him sing on the chorus. Not exactly a kids choir but he was so excited about it. We filmed him and Rocky in the Studio and yes even Rocky got in on the recording. Oh so precious, it was so cute to hear their lil' voices singing out. Rocky called out Dusty's name so we just built on that for our intro. Totally cute! I just can't wait for y'all to hear it!

I have in my hand my practice cd for our ballad which we have appropriately named "I Do" for you know who...you guessed it my Sissy and Nandy. She has decided on a wonderful Fiesta theme for her wedding. So bright and festive, full of life just like her. So I have been looking at a lot of different ideas for projects that will be hand made such as: napkin rings, ring bearer pillow, anything that will add a special touch to that very special day. My joy is full and God never ceases to amaze me by His goodness.

And finally our first six songs are off to be mastered, we are so close, and what a joy to be able to upload the songs so you can hear them. It will mean our dream, our vision, for this project has come to fruition. If I have not told you lately, let me say thank you for reading, commenting, supporting this project. I am having the time of my life, thanks for sharing it with me.

<3 Lizzi

Day 24 in the Studio

Good Morning, today is gonna be a great day. We have some friends visiting from Aguas Caliente Mexico and we will be showing them San Francisco. Sometimes we take for granted the beauty that we are surrounded by. And they have waited their whole lives to cross the Golden Gate bride and experience one of our beautiful cities. I am so excited to see it through their eyes. Pretty sure the weather will be perfect, since we've had a couple of scorchers. I don't know about you, but I hardly slept last night.

So, weird, unexpected things happening in the Studio. We met yesterday around one o'clock and were determined to complete our lovely ballad (musically) and possibly start a new song. The guys asked me what direction I would like to go for the next song, it's wide open for any style. Wow, honestly I don't know! Well John went out for a break and came back with some chords and a beat. But...the system just wasn't cooperating, they tried to shut everything down and start again, reconnect everything to make sure wires weren't crossed. The MIDI just wasn't recording, by this time it was around three o'clock. All of a sudden the light, the fan, and the video production system turned off. Now it doesn't take a genius to understand that this just is not gonna happen today. I was disappointed but I know there are things that just can't be controlled. Today was one of those days and it was squelching hot. I don't know about you but this heat makes for a fussy Lizzi.

Sam went straight to the Studio from work and set to figuring out the problem. Not even sure what time he rolled in (it had to be past 1am), I guess the beauty and reality of the project is that "this is real life" and we all know it's not always smooth skating, we come across hiccups in the road and it may shake us or even knock us down, but we get up and keep moving forward. And that's what we'll do...keep moving forward, hang in there with us you'll see it'll happen.

In the meantime we are off to San Francisco to enjoy some nice fresh air, and enjoy the beautiful sight that is San Francisco.

<3 Lizzi

Day 23 in the Studio

Hello, seems like forever since I've sat and written my blog. Last week the boys worked on a couple of things, where my presence wasn't needed. Then they went to Las Vegas to watch the WEC championship fight between Cruz and Benevidas at the Palms. So I haven't been in the studio for a week. I know we are behind schedule because Sam has told me several times. But my daughter Felice is back in school so I no longer have the luxury of going into the studio daily. Really we are about fifty percent complete with the recording. Sam is nearly ready to master the five songs and release them. Song number six is almost ready, so I went into the studio on Friday around 2:00 pm and we worked on lyrics for the outro of our ballad. This took about 15 minutes if even that. The song resolved itself beautifully with the simplest of phrases.

Then John went in the vocal booth and laid down the scratch vocal for me. To finish up our session we decided on the right key for me to sing the song in. The boys will be on a video shoot on Monday so on Tuesday they will complete it musically and make me a cd so I can begin practicing it. I'm pretty sure inspiration will start us on a new song. But my question is what do you follow a ballad up with, we'll see right. So time wise for me I'm not really sure how we will schedule our studio time. Maybe evenings will work better now. But, I'm sure it'll all work itself out.

<3 Lizzi