I’m so excited! This Saturday was the official release date of the album I recorded with my sister Sanya! You can buy it
here, or you can become our
Patreon and get CDs for free! 🙂
The album consists of jazz standards which we are performing on our tour. This concert tour stretches all the way until May 2020.
Check out our dates – and if we are near your are, please come! It’s a fun show!
As I was boarding my flight this past weekend, I noticed two young man checking in with their guitars too. A Delta representative told me on most flights out of Nashville they have at least one instrument. Often they have 20 guitars on a same flight!
I thought about that for a second – how many musicians come to Nashville, or LA or NYC to make contacts, play shows, feel awesome for sharing their music, and even hope for a big break.
And I felt lucky… very lucky… I’ve always had a steady music career, shows and gigs. Yes, I worked really hard on booking them (I haven’t had a traditional manager/ agent since I left Croatia in 1992) and I never sat around waiting for a phone call. I was always creating my opportunities. I had a business partner (my late husband Matthew) who was also very creative in making 1000+ concerts happen. No matter what was happening in my life, I kept going – and singing.
I feel lucky and I’m really excited about our amazing concert tour…
—
Before I left, I kissed my boys goodbye. I sat on each of their’s beds for a few minutes, soaking in their presence, watching them sleep so peacefully (I left at 4:30 am.)
I kissed their cheeks and walked slowly out of their rooms. I always had a hard time leaving them – and although they are bigger now and can take care of themselves, I felt the same ache in my heart… This is the first time I’m leaving them for five weeks! I felt that tightening in my throat, and took a big relaxing breath. I recognized the ache, let myself feel it, and then I released it. Everything is going to be fine. I have to go.
My mom is staying with them, and David is around – and they have their band family if they need anything. I recalled how many band parents were excited for my tour and assured me that they’d help take care of the boys. Not one suggested I should find a ‘more stable’ job I wouldn’t have to travel with, and many commented how cool it was that I am following my passion and sharing my gifts with the world.
I ran into another band mom at the airport. She was traveling for work too. I don’t think it was by ‘chance.’ she was like a confirmation to me that I was doing the right thing.
Before we took off, I texted my boys how much I loved them. And the ache returned – mixed in with the excitement for performing with my sister, singing my heart out and doing the work I so much love to do (and for getting paid for it too!)
So, I scribbled into my notebook:
Here is to all the working moms out there
who drop everything off when their kids need them;
but
who pursue their dreams and trust that the kids will be ok:
who peel themselves off at 4:30 am to catch a flight, when all they want to do is to curl up next to their little babies and never let go of the embrace.
Here is to moms
who miss the dance recitals, and band performances, and spelling bees;
who cry alone in their hotel rooms because they are too far away to kiss a boo-boo on their kids’ finger, or hold them close on a difficult day.
Here is to moms
who do this every day from 9-5 pm with only a week long vacation;
who work two or three jobs just to put food on the table;
who show up at work strong and put together, while falling into pieces inside.
We are doing it despite the ache… but with excitement and sense of responsibility.
And speaking of responsibility, I need to rest a bit… there is a five weeks of performing and traveling ahead of me!
Take care of YOU!
