"The Elephant Diet" Day 117 What Day Is It?

I hope you haven't given up on me. I'm so busy these days sometimes I really have no idea what day it is. Right now I'm in St Louis, MO to lead worship for a breakfast for authors and speakers sponsored by author and speaker Carol Kent. Carol does an amazing job of connecting people together and giving them a chance to network. I think this is the 4th time I've done this event for her. Over the years I now know some of the authors and speakers from attending each year. It's a good chance to reconnect and hear updates on their ministries.

I did have a little bit of time to walk the floor of the International Christian Retail Show (formerly known as the Christian Booksellers Convention). This is the place where hopeful writers connect with publishers and there are many book signings for newly released books. You can walk away with autographed books hot off the press. I usually come home with a suitcase full of free books signed by the authors. This trip is no different. I have a good book I'm anxious to read on the fight home. It's a story about a woman who spent 50 weeks in hiding in the Ukraine just to adopt a child from there. I ate dinner with her last night and heard part of the story. I hear it's a real page turner. Until We All Come Home is the name of the book by Kim De Blecourt.

Last week I traveled to Nashville, again, to do a photo shoot for the Christmas album. That was like playing dress up. I arrived at 11:00 am at the photographer's studio to have my hair and make up done. Then I started putting on the 3 outfits we picked out. In between every outfit was a hair and make up touch up. It was just like being a little girl.

I started that morning in usual fiasco style, however. After a wonderful early morning walk and jump rope routine through a lovely section of Brentwood, TN (the homes there were unlike many I've seen) I came back to the house where we were staying and as I was getting ready, bumped my new bottle of make up onto the floor, broke the glass and splattered foundation all over the floor, wall and my foot. Have you ever tried to clean up foundation off of your toes? It's not made to come off very easy - that's for sure!

Then, I put on my nice white capris and we headed off to meet my producer for breakfast before the photo shoot. At Meridees in Franklin, I spilled coffee, multiple times, on my capris. I just shook my head in disbelief. Nothing like coffee stains all over the white background of my clothing.

Fortunately the photo shoot was NOT a fiasco and was a very pleasant experience. I won't post any photos yet because there are over 500 to choose from and I have no idea which ones will be chosen for the project. We are thinking about calling the project "Christmas in Black and White". I can't wait to see the finished product now that I know what some of the photos look like.

The photographer had a 10 week old puppy that stole the show! He brought a lot of laughter during the shoot. I'll close with a photo of Eizio the dog and the beautiful grand piano I was able to use this morning at the Speak Up breakfast in the crystal ballroom in St. Louis.

Today I will fly to Grand Rapids MI to lead worship and do a concert for Carol Kent's Speak Up With Confidence Conference. The merry go round continues. But I've always loved merry go rounds.

"The Elephant Diet" Day 116 Smoke and Mirrors

Don't worry - I haven't changed careers from musician to magician. Although sometimes this music road can have a lot of illusions.

I'm in Nashville, TN working on recording the lead vocal parts for the Christmas CD. It has been such a grand experience......for the most part.

My girlfriend, who often travels with me, and I have a joke between us about Nashville fiascos. This trip wasn't much different, but I'm afraid the fiasco was partly my own doing this time.

By trying to save myself some money, I booked a hotel using Priceline.com. I must have missed the part where you mention what kind of room you want because I ended up with a smoking room. I was so focused on getting a room with microwave and fridge so I could do my own cooking that I missed everything else I guess. It took me a while to realize it. I kept thinking the room had a strange odor, but dismissed it until I saw the ash tray sitting on the kitchen table. My heart sank.

I called the front desk and they said they were completely booked full and had no open nonsmoking rooms. Then there was the "breakfast" they offered. I didn't see anywhere for them to host a breakfast? "Right there", she pointed. I looked behind me and there was a small black counter. I knew this was going to be less than continental.

Next morning, they were out of the packets of oatmeal when I went in to get what little they offered. I ate my fruit smoothie that I brought with me. It would have to do. No pool, no fitness center. Glad I brought my jump rope. At least I could keep up my exercise routine.

The first night was rough. I was concerned that I would go into the studio of a wonderful award-winning producer smelling like smoke and I guess it kept me awake. Then there was the dream where we recorded in a little store front with just a computer and cheap mic. I had a really bad cold. Fortunately it was just a dream.

I arrived Wednesday morning at 10:00 to start the 3 day adventure of recording. I was graciously greeted by Phil who came out of the house to walk me in and show me where he works on all his music. We meandered our way through the house up to the second floor to a little room complete with computer, speakers and sound room for recording. It's amazing what you can do with gear these days. Don't need a lot of space! I couldn't help but giggle with delight inside when I saw his Dove awards neatly placed on the little window sill. The only window in the studio.

We talked through the songs a little bit and how he typically works and then I stepped into the room. When I opened my mouth to start singing, the intensity of the microphone was so amazing it took me a couple times through the first song to get oriented. It was so meticulous that I felt like it was picking up my most hidden thoughts. When I expressed that to Phil, he told me that he's waited a lifetime to have a mic like this. I felt as if I barely needed to even open my mouth.

When we finished one song, he would send me away and I would find things to do in between songs so he could come up with the finished lead vocal. When I would return, he would play the finished piece back for me. It's like a painter who gets to choose the colors that you offer and when you return, you see the finished picture that he chose. It's truly an incredible form of art.

I'm about ready to head into my 3rd day of recording and we have only one song left to do. He pays very close attention to what I'm doing each take and makes notes. We then go back and do the song a few more times after he's made some suggestions. It's been great to work with him. When we would take a break between takes so I could rest my voice and he could kick the air back on for coolness (it's been really hot and humid here) we would talk about life, music, motorcycling and the 'wheel of death' that makes every computer operator shiver. (The little colorful pinwheel on the MAC computers).

Since there is one song that we don't have the music for yet, I will have to come back to do that song. At that same time, I'll add background vocals too. I say "have" to come back as if it's an obligation, but believe me, I'll welcome another chance to work with him.

I come back next week for the photo shoot, so I spent the evenings after we recorded finishing up my shopping for that. Of course, I also picked up a candle to burn while I'm in the hotel. The smoke alarm went off yesterday morning and I panicked thinking perhaps my candle burning did it.

I have kept my suitcase in the car so my clothes don't smell of smoke. I wasn't planning on living out of my suitcase in such vivid terms! I did try to switch hotels, but after stopping at 2 different ones and realizing how expensive they were, I decided a candle was cheaper.

So I've covered the 'smoke' part - now for the 'mirrors'.

Even though this is my 7th project, I am still surprised by how revealing this type of work is. A microphone is an audible mirror. You might think you know yourself real well until you step in front of the mirror and then you see yourself for what you really are. I can dream about how this will sound but the mic picks up who you are. No illusions here! Perhaps like a dancer who sees herself on video or an actor who sees themselves on the big screen.

I continually have to come to rest with who I am as a singer. You can certainly grow as a singer and learn new techniques and ways to approach vowels and consonants, but in the end, I will still always sound like me. Now for those who like 'me' that's a great thing - but when it's 'me' that's doing the singing, there is so much going on internally. That's why it can be helpful to have a producer. They listen with ears that are not attached to your heart. So they might love what I might be paranoid about in my voice and so I gain a little bit more confidence.

I certainly am much more confident today than I was when I started doing this over a decade ago, but I realize each time I do this that I have more growing to do internally.

Recording vocals is a final stamp on the song. You have to come to rest with the final print. I have been able to work with someone who has been such a cheerleader and advisor this time around and I can't wait to hear the results. Well.....maybe I can wait. It's like looking in the mirror and there won't be any smoke when it's all finished. It will be what it will be. Please understand that I am being painfully honest here with you. Others who never read this will probably never know, I'm just letting you into my heart and psyche.

Working with a producer can be like going to the doctor though too. On one hand, you want a doctor to help you with your health. On the other hand, it means complete vulnerability with someone and that can be uncomfortable. It's the same with singing. You want the producer to help you do your best - but that might mean he hears you try things that sound terrible at first. He hears everything you do. To find someone you trust and feel ok with is a very important part of this journey.

I'm thankful for Eric Copeland - Executive Producer of this project who has connected me with Phil Naish, the vocal producer of this project. It's been a rich experience!

Gotta go finish getting day for the last song today - "One Small Box."

"The Elephant Diet" Day # 115 Singing Your Heart Out

I spent all of today working on vocals for next week's recording.  I had a few moments of tears when I realized that this journey of recording these songs is quickly coming to an end.  You work so hard, takes years to write and then it seems like it's over so fast.  I had to stay focused and not get emotional!

Maybe you're wondering what on earth you practice when you sing? When you are a recording artist, it's all about how you deliver the songs as you are recording.  Every note, every syllable, every vowel and consonant matter.  You are painting a picture with the brush of your heart and voice.

Do you want a song to be loud, soft, gentle or demonstrative?  What words should be emphasized and how? There is so much to work on when you sing.  Keeping a good pitch, while delivering the words with passion is a never ending skill set to work on.  Especially when they are new songs that have never been recorded before.

My producer asked that I send demos of what I'm working on to Phil Naish who will be producing the final vocals and so I recorded my ideas for background vocals and harmonies and did multiple takes of each song - picking the best of each.   This will give us something to start from and talk about when I arrive.  We can listen through what I've done and talk about changes I could make in how I approach the songs.

I am so excited for this opportunity to learn again.  Each recording brings about new experiences and techniques that I can apply to my singing career.  Working with someone new usually adds many more tools to my toolbox.

I am so excited about heading to TN next week to sing my heart out.

"The Elephant Diet" Day # 114 Rhubarb, Sleighs, Ear Buds and Cats

While I was cutting up rhubarb to make sauce on my back patio, I was practicing the song "Ride in The Sleigh" for next week while listening with my ear buds and soaking up some sun.

I guess that's called multi-tasking.  It's the best way to keep at these vocals and still get my 'home' work done.

My cat seemed to want to help - until my husband told me rhubarb leaves are harmful to animals.  No more of that!

"The Elephant Diet" Day # 113 Christmas in June

When I was buying my dresses for the photo shoot, the sales clerk asked me what it's like to record Christmas music when it's not Christmas.  She wondered if it's difficult.  "Not at all", I said.  "In fact", I continued, "it's actually quite delightful.  Somehow you feel the music in a whole different way.  There are no emotions attached that can sometimes be a distraction at Christmas.  The holidays can be electric with so many triggers and lots of stress, so to sing the music now in the middle of the year is very refreshing.  I can see and hear the music for what it is."

Today I squeezed in a rehearsal of the songs I'll be recording next week.  I practiced as I drove to church and before my meeting tonight.  

Yes - I will be recording final vocals next week!  When I got back from Nashville recently, my husband told me he really felt like I shouldn't do the vocals here in my own studio (which is what we were leaning toward doing).  I have the chance to work with a Grammy award winning producer and he didn't think I should pass that up both for the musical experience and the relationship side of working with someone like Phil Naish.

Relationships mean so much in Nashville.  For instance, I get the chance to work with Phil simply because I've worked with another producer and built a relationship with his label over the years.  Because of that relationship, the opportunity to work with someone on Phil's level has come to my door.  Tom didn't think I should pass it up.  So we have now rearranged my schedule and I will spend 3 days in TN next week at Phil's studio recording 8 songs.  I am spending my spare time rehearsing all of these songs as much as I can to prepare.

Yes - it's fun to work on Christmas in June!

"The Elephant Diet" Day # 112 Rainbow colors

Today I'm working on more vocals for the songs Portraits of White and Sing a Song of Joy.

I thought perhaps you might enjoy seeing a picture of what it looks like on the computer screen.  I'm now up to 106 total takes. Some of those are just short phrases in the song.  I couldn't fit them all into one photo, but at least you get the idea!  Very colorful.

Using an iMac, Brauner mic and the software Digital Performer.

"The Elephant Diet" Day # 111 Stacks of Vocals

I spent the morning in my studio correcting some things my producer suggested I change after hearing the vocals I did for him the other day.  When the band recorded one of my songs, they played it with a different rhythm than I originally had in my demo.  Because of that, I changed the way I sang it, but my producer wanted me to keep singing the song the way I did before.  I sent the corrected version back to him this morning.  Waiting to hear if he likes this better.

I also re-did some vocals on another song because there were a few spots that weren't quite right.  It's the Enya style song and if one or two of my s's or t's aren't together, it shows up pretty quick.  I don't know exactly how Enya does her 'stacked' vocals, but from what I read, they just keep working with a song until they get what they want and they might not know until after they've tried a few things which works best.  Apparently one of her songs has 90 vocal tracks.

I started with 32 tracks and decided since I have the studio, equipment and time (though that's so limited these days) I could experiment with as many takes as I want.  So I doubled it and sang the whole song 64 times.  You really have to tune into yourself when you do this.  If you vary your tone too much or use vibrato from one take to the next, it gets real sticky and you can't keep singing more and more takes without trouble.

The first time I heard a recording of Enya, I stopped what I was doing and went searching for who this amazing artist was.  I am so excited to have finally written a song in this genre.  I'm learning a lot as I work on this particular song.  I can't wait to hear what TN does with it!