A Dream Coming True

If you have been following my blog, you already know that I have been planning to do a big Christmas concert this year.  The time is fast approaching and this week I sent out a press release to the local newspapers to announce the show.  I thought I would include this release as one of my blog entries.  It tells the story so well.

Whether December heralds a joyous or not-so-joyous holiday season, Frances Drost, singer, songwriter, and storyteller, invites you to join her and guest conductor, Ed Kee, to a one-night only concert, December 6.  Portraits of White: The doors open at 6:00 and the show starts at 7:00 pm, at the Rose Lehrman Arts Center, HACC Harrisburg’s Area Community College, One HACC Drive, Harrisburg, PA.

Frances writes mostly at the piano, with orchestration added later, to create scenes that are rich in story.  Take depression and loneliness, for instance, tough emotions especially during the “happiest time of the year” and Frances weaves story and music together, taking you with her on a journey back to the heart of Christmas. 

“There was a Christmas not too long ago when I found myself disliking almost everything about this holiday. I think there is something to be gained by looking at the conflicting emotions we feel.  What I do is give permission (to the people that need it) to stand up and say “I am not alone!”

“Behind the songs there are stories, which you don’t get on the CD, but I have seen how people connect to my stories so I expand on them in the concert.”

Based on the music of Portraits of White, her seventh CD project, released in December 2013, this concert is sure to delight the senses, with a live orchestra and multi-media production. The title track is music set to images onscreen featuring the beauty of snowy landscapes.

Frances’s music will warm and encourage you to take another look at your own relationship with Christmas.

Frances has been connecting with audiences both locally and across the U.S., for over a decade. Her commitment to traveling from her home in Newville PA to Nashville TN regularly to build her career has connected her to musicians that have helped shape the course of her life and music.  

Ed Kee, from Franklin, Tennessee, is one of those musicians. Frances is delighted that Ed accepted her invitation to be guest conductor for the Dec 6^th concert. Ed has been a highly visible creative force on the Nashville music scene for over 30 years, where his music career finds him in such roles as studio singer, arranger, orchestrator, producer, record label executive and music publisher.  Frances and Ed have joined their professional skill and talents over the last year to bring about this one-night musical journey on December 6th.

Frances has held the dream of a concert like this for a long time, — in fact, since childhood.Portraits of White, the title track, sparkles with Frances’ childlike delight of a new snowfall. She vividly remembers the birth of this song in 2000:  driving through snow blowing like angel-hair across the road, to record Big Blue Sky, her very first CD project in 2000 in Chambersburg, PA. 

It has taken 14 years for Portraits of White, the song, to find its way to its own CD project and finally now, to a bigger stage and live orchestra - it is a dream come true for the little girl who loved snow, ice skating on her farm pond to music and putting on ‘shows’.  After all, there was a time when she loved the holidays, so it’s not all sad and she has found a way to laugh at herself and bring others with her in the laughter.

Frances was the winner of the Momentum Award for “Female Artist Of The Year” and was also nominated for “Inspirational Artist Of The Year” at the 2009 Momentum Awards ceremony in Nashville.

So get your tickets now (there aren't many left) - this is a one-night event that promises to be not just a concert, but an experience that Frances believes will impact how you feel about the holiday season.

Visit http://www.francesdrost.com/events to get your tickets and more information about Portraits of White.

"The Elephant Diet" Day 90 Possibilities!

"If you want to conquer fear, don't sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy." - Dale Carnegie

I saw that posting this morning and thought to myself - well, that's exactly what I've been doing! I certainly think about many things, but I am putting feet to my thoughts. It is definitely one way to confront fears.

I got home very late last night from the event that I did and decided to blog today instead.
The venue I did last night was a packed event! It was amazing to hear stories from the mother of Tim Tebow. What an inspiration.

But even more touching than that, was the fact that one of my fans and now friend who also reads this blog was there and came up to my table asking me if I needed help, just about 3 minutes after I thought to myself, I sure could use some help! Thank you Gary and Annette! What a blessing at just the right time.

Now on to the time I spent at HACC, looking at their performing arts theatre. Lori has been very helpful and prompt in all of our communication so far and yesterday was no exception. It was easy to converse with her and ask lots of questions. That is a very key element for me in the venue I choose to use. I need these people to be on my team and I certainly got the feeling that she would be there to support me all the way.

They only advertise events that they have sponsored. That means all advertising is up to me (although they will hang posters on their campus if I supply them with posters). I asked if there is a possibility that they would sponsor me if I fill the venue and put on a quality show. I let her know that I'd like this to be an annual event and hope to build it over the years. They have never done that before and don't plan to in the future. I would like to see that change. We'll see.

Later on in our time together, she told me that if I could get the Christian student group on campus to sponsor the event, I wouldn't have to pay anything for using the Rose. Now isn't that an interesting possibility? I have not told her that I'm a Christian artist. Apparently she has been visiting my website. My goal in every encounter I have with people in this endeavor is to be professional and deliver quality in every way. If that sets a great example, so be it.

So as you can imagine, my mind is spinning some more and I already emailed her this morning to ask her what the name of the Christian student group is. I think I'll find out who the leader is, take them to lunch and see what comes of it.

The white cyst in my throat is gone, thank God!!! Still have a sore throat, but it doesn't seem to be getting worse. Today, I must turn toward my New York trip.

Thanks for your prayers and support. Things continue to move forward. I close with 2 photos from the event I did last night.

Faith Mayfield was one of the dancers at the banquet for Morning Star Pregnancy Services.
Her older sister used to dance to some of my songs for various events.

850 + people attended the Morning Star Pregnancy Services dinner.
Pam Tebow was the speaker and I did some of the music.

"The Elephant Diet" Day # 84 The Rose

I met with the sound company today!  It actually happened.

It helps that he came highly recommended by someone I trust.  His top suggestion?   The Rose at Lehrman, located near the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, on the campus of Harrisburg Area Community College.

What do you think? Let me know fans.  Would you come to a show located in Harrisburg, PA...right off of I-81?

 Take a closer look here.