Seize the Moment. (Part 1)

 "The opportunity of a lifetime only lasts for the lifetime of the opportunity. 

Seize the moment." 

– Dave Hess

Dear Kirstin,

I know this week is difficult. After all, it's been exactly one year since we took a big step and hopped in the van to go to Nashville to seize the moment and follow your heart's desire to do a Christmas album. From the moment you suggested the album idea, I was ALL IN! 

And we did it. We recorded Midwinter's Gift. 

As the project was released to the world, later in November, you poured out your heart in frequent posts to help people get a sense of the monumental trek we took, geographically, musically and emotionally. I sat back and watched how unreservedly you shared your part of the story. I felt like I was a little kid who was invited to go on an adventure with you. I wanted to squeal with delight, but I let you take the lead in releasing it. 

But now, knowing how hard it can be to move on after such an experience like we had, I wanted to give something back and share with you some excerpts from my journal – from that week in Nashville. So here's my unedited version, as I wrote it that week in Tennessee. Since it's history in the making, I've decided to make it a blog post so that others can savor the memories with us.

                                                                 ♬

Tuesday, August 2, 2022: (The trip down to Nashville)

Lovely ride down in the van. Alternated drivers – made good time

Cracker Barrel for lunch. Road trip. Listened to music

Ended up at Bristol Town Hall (City Hall) while looking for Cracker Barrel

Cowboy at Cracker Barrel – looking for land and/or roadkill?

The Red House @ The White Oak Farm 

Wildwood Studio, looking at the deer (after we realized they had a surveillance camera)

Kroger's groceries

Cows in the yard

Deer P,

"We're in jail"

"We need air conditioning"

"Do you have a place we can stay?"

"The Pennsylvania van"

"Will there be crickets in the recording?"

♬ 

Wednesday, August 3, 2022:

Leisurely morning while Kirstin tried out and adjusted her reeds.

I ironed, went for a long walk, sang through the oboe parts – yet another way to connect with the music. 

Sat by the pool. 

Hard boiled eggs and salmon, yogurt and granola for breakfast around noon. :-)

♬

All the way down here, I felt rather numb. It's been over four years since I've been here. So much has happened. COVID, for one thing. 

I've aged ... and I feel it. I've lost something. 

I thought I'd never be back to this town, and I was honestly okay with that. I had a good run. I gave it all I had. 

I'm loving the new season of house concerts and being home. 

I have to let go of what was. Embrace new special moments. Make new memories. 

A new friend in my life – Kirstin. 

I don't know her well, but we seem to fit well together. It's not forced... it just slowly unfolds like a rose. I like it. Easy to work with and travel with. Forging new territory – piano and oboe. New producer, arranger, engineer, studio – it's all so different. 

I need to just let go and let be. Unfold. Build new experiences. Don't mourn the old. 

Love the little Airbnb – very quaint. Perfect for us. Out in the country... little horse farm... dogs... pool... two miles from Ed [previous Portraits of White conductor], two miles from studio and about five from downtown Franklin.

When we got near the Nashville city limits, my heart responded. When we passed exits where I've stayed, Seaboard Lane – where we did Inside Things and Fieldstone Parkway (Ed's territory) – my heart leaped. 

Yet, I realized I've moved on. I've been forced to in some ways. 

It's better to let go of what was and anticipate new things.

I never thought I'd be back. But here I am – and I love why I'm here. I love that Kirstin and I met through Portraits of White, but we're doing our own thing – like she says, it's an offshoot of the Portraits of White tree. It's not the tree, but it's a branch from it.

♬

I'm about to go do a photo shoot with Erick Anderson [and Kirstin].

Gray hair – I've kept my natural color. Tempting to color it for this, but it was pretty clear – I need to embrace my age and season in life and part of that is the gray hair.

♬

We're so happy we did the Christmas in July events. Gave us real practice. Almost feels like the fans are with us. They've been part of the journey. 

Now we get to enjoy this moment in time. Making music in August, in the town I used to love. 

 ♬

I believe something beautiful is at work here. I don't know what and I really don't care either. I'm just enjoying the ride. The music. The practicing. 

I've learned so much as I've really tried to practice and find new approaches to learning the music. I can feel the mindset shift–from being easily distracted, to learning how to focus and stay in the moment. I overcame the mental hurdle of using the AirTurn pedal to turn pages. I'm on my way to memorizing and I've loved using my 3X5 index cards with various practice approaches.

I think a big indicator of how much I've grown is the dream I had the other night where for the first time EVER, I actually played the piano in my dream and it went super well. Nothing weird happened to the instrument and it felt so natural to play. Perhaps that shows how much I have overcome mentally, as I've given myself to this project for the past six months. And oh... I've lost about 8 pounds in July!

The icing on the cake will be to walk away (or drive away) on Saturday feeling really happy with my performance the next two days... 

... and to look pretty today. :-)

Dear Kirstin, what are we supposed to be doing?

♬

Thursday morning, August 4, 2022

Photo shoot was fun! Kirstin is a natural – beautiful girl! She's just one of those... 

I love my silver hair. I'm glad I kept it.

My thoughts frequently turned to the realization that I thought I'd never be back and there I was, doing a photo shoot with a friend (who's gorgeous) – getting ready to do a beautiful instrumental project.

I just can't wait to do this and hear the final product, and see the photos...

TODAY!

Phillip Keveren

Kent Hooper :-)

Best Yamaha C7 in Nashville

Midwinter's Gift

Kirstin suggested this order for the day:

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

What Child is This?

O Holy Night

Keep Carol of the Bells, Ships and Sing We Now for Friday morning

Today I will go to the studio with a  heart to serve Kirstin and her dream. This recording is something she has on her bucket list. It's my pleasure to serve her and help make this happen AND make it great! This is about her today.

To be continued...

P.S. Midwinter’s Gift can be found on all major streaming services. Digital downloads and CDs can be purchased here.

The Memory Jar

When my mother started experiencing dementia, my sister suggested we create a memory jar for her. A glass mason quart jar started to fill up as we'd write down little moments we remembered and put the memories in the jar. At any moment, she could randomly select a memory and savor it.

As we approach the tenth year of the "Portraits of White" Winter Concert, I find myself reminiscing about the beautiful memories we've created together over the years. This led to an idea.

Would you help me fill a memory jar as an expression of gratitude to one of the prominent sponsors of the concert – Martin's Potato Rolls?

It Started with Sundaes and Radios

My journey as an artist has been deeply intertwined with Martin's Famous Potato Rolls. During my teenage years, Martin's Family Restaurant and Martin's Famous Pastry Shoppe (on Lincoln Way in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania), became a beloved spot for my mother and me. The moments we spent there, savoring hot fudge sundaes or pastries, became treasured memories.

Lloyd and Lois Martin, the founders of Martin's, not only delighted customers with their pastry dough (and hot fudge sundaes), but they also played a crucial role in helping minister Charlie B. Byers fulfill his vision of sharing a radio broadcast with Chambersburg. In addition to baking, the Martins had a love for music and radio.

Lloyd and Lois supported Charlie by building a studio in their home, equipped with recording equipment for the broadcast. Charlie's radio show became a cherished part of my mother's family Sundays. Between the radio broadcast and the pastry shoppe, you could say that Lloyd, Lois, and Charlie supplied nourishment to souls and tummies.

Many years later, thanks to Charlie's broadcast, I got my first chance to do an official music recording in a studio near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. That experience changed my music life – forever.

From Rolls to Flakes

Fast forward to "Portraits of White" 2017, year number four of my vision to bring my Christmas album to life on stage, accompanied by a full orchestra. Excitedly, the dream was materializing – at a hefty cost of over $50K a year. Ticket sales never covered the cost of the event so I had to find ways to make up for that deficit. To help give you some perspective, in 2022, ticket sales covered 65% of the cost of the event. In those days, I was paying for it by doing smaller concerts and working part-time at a church.

When a friend noticed the financial weight I was carrying, he suggested that I find sponsors – and in his kindness, offered to help me. He got the snowball of sponsorships rolling. Eventually, under the direction of a wealth advisor, I put together a plan that would enable me to find sponsorships to keep my dream going every year. 

I eventually let go of the part-time job so I could focus solely on my dream. Merry Christmas!

Enter Martin's Potato Rolls. In 2017, Martin's became one of the premier sponsors for my "Portraits of White" event. Lloyd and Lois Martin's legacy rolls on! And once again, Martin's has agreed to be a prominent sponsor for "Portraits of White" 2023. That's seven years in a row!! 

So . . . In honor of Martin's steady support, would you help me show gratitude in a special way?

Fill the Jar By:

🎵 1) Write down a fond memory you have connected with Martin's Potato Rolls. Do you fill your roll with some kind of fancy food? Snow Mellows perhaps? Let us snow!

Or, if you've never had the famous rolls, you could still thank Martin's by:

🎵 2) Writing a fond memory you have from the "Portraits of White" annual event and how it has touched you and your family.

Send your reflections to FrancesDrostmusic@gmail.com and include your first and last name.

Then, we'll compile the notes, put them on individual papers and deliver a jar of gratitude to Martin's for their many years of support!

Thank you for being a part of my Christmas journey and for sharing your memories with me and Martin's.

With a jar full of gratitude,

Frances

P.S. Feel free to share this invitation with your friends and family. The more memories, the merrier!

Here's a little video I made in 2020 when "Portraits of White" had to stay home. Since we couldn't hold the event live, I created a collection of video footage from previous years' concerts. Martin's still sponsored me that year, keeping the tradition going with the DVD we created, even while "At Home." 

225 Guests Strong! Celebrating the 40th Musical Notes & Root Beer Floats House Concert

 On July 14, 2023, something truly special happened – we celebrated the 40th edition of the novel "Musical Notes & Root Beer Floats" in-person private house concert series.

Ever since the inception of Notes & Floats, this unique concert series has drawn an impressive crowd of 225 music enthusiasts, hailing from both local and distant corners of the U.S. (including Arizona!). And what's even more remarkable? A staggering 34 of these passionate fans have eagerly returned, not once, but multiple times, to revel in the magic of these unforgettable gatherings!

From the very beginning, these intimate and soulful concerts seem to have deeply impacted all who attend, offering a meaningful and uplifting connection that resonates genuinely with each guest. What an honor to host each of you who have attended.

Here's what others have said about this one-of-a-kind experience:

🎵 “I particularly liked the way she interspersed her life story with her music making. It is so inspirational. She gave us time to react to the music. Lover her humor too.” — Robin Liebersohn

🎵 “The music for me was extremely powerful. I never experienced anything like it. I could feel it, at times my eyes were full. I tried to hide it. It was an experience that I will never forget. Very emotional for me. The fact that she asked each one of us about ourselves said a lot to me and she seemed as though she really cared and wasn’t just making small talk. She was very genuine.” — Nicky Gough

🎵 "Frances was just who she is, no pretense, no hiding issues. She didn’t mind when we asked a question. I loved the give and take. The music was inspiring and/or comical, enough of both. A sense of humor is important to me. I left feeling comforted and inspired."

🎵 "I think it met all of us on a very personal note so that we all walked away with a different message and that is a gift from the Holy Spirit.” — Kathy Temple

🎵 “For me, spending time with Frances in her piano studio/living room was an intimate way to get to know her and the stories of her life behind the music she writes and sings. We were up close and personal as she shared and sang and played the piano. She even invited us to stand right behind her in order to see her fingers “tickles the ivories!”

🎵 "If you have something to celebrate and are looking for the perfect way to do it, or if you just need a little outing with friends; Notes & Floats is a perfect venue for it. You will come away inspired and encouraged, not to mention filled from the conversations and delicious root beer floats afterwards.” — Ann Judd

🎵 “It was a little foretaste of heaven. Every time I’m in your presence, I walk away uplifted and inspired. Notes and Floats did not disappoint!” — Tracy Mertes

Thank you to all who helped to make this vision a reality.

Enjoy this little celebratory Notes & Floats "album" we put together.

Scoops of Reflection: A Dollar General Encounter and the Bittersweet Comfort of Klondike Bars

Yesterday, as I stood in the checkout line at the local Dollar General, eavesdropping like a professional conversational spy, I found myself completely engrossed in the animated tales of the woman behind me. She was practically a stand-up comedian, regaling her friend with heartwarming stories about her students. I mean, seriously, who needs Netflix when you have Dollar General checkout entertainment?

"Some of those kiddos were shedding tears today because it's the last day of school. So, to avoid a tiny rebellion, I promised them an ice cream sandwich and now I'm on a covert operation to fulfill my sweet promise," she confessed to her captive audience.

I had a sneaky suspicion that she might be one of the teachers at the school just across the street—the same school that shaped my childhood. Call it detective intuition or just plain nosiness, but I had to confirm my theory. I slyly turned my head and caught a glimpse of her long, flowing blonde hair, sky-high heels (who wears heels in Newville?), and a dress so vibrant it could rival a disco ball. It was like she embodied the spirit of fun and excitement. And lo and behold, her arms were overflowing with what I can only assume were ice cream sandwiches. A frozen treasure trove, if you will. No biggie, just a casual stockpile of frozen delights.

Unable to resist the urge to strike up a conversation with this lively ice cream smuggler, (a woman after my own ice-cream-loving heart!) I mustered the courage to ask the burning question: "Are you, by any chance, a teacher at the school across the street?" To my surprise, she revealed, "Actually, I'm a student counselor."

Realizing the gravity of her "undercover" mission to satisfy the ice cream cravings of her little minions, I decided to play the hero and offered her my spot in line. With a gleeful acceptance, she swiftly took my place at the checkout counter, revealing her secret stash of frozen goodness. And that's when I saw the brand—Klondikes. WHAT?! Those were my father's absolute favorite ice cream bars. It was as if the Spirit conspired to deliver a bittersweet reminder right when I least expected it.

Just the day before, we had commemorated the twenty-second anniversary of my father's passing. Coincidentally (or maybe not so coincidentally), I had recently uploaded a songwriting video on my YouTube channel, delving into the intricate realm of grief and sharing my personal suggestions for navigating it like a seasoned veteran. Talk about perfect timing? It's like God said, "Hey, remember those grief tips you shared? Time to put them into practice!"

In that video, I soft served five practical suggestions for dealing with the whirls and twirls of emotions, even long after bidding farewell to a loved one.

G - Be Gentle: Let yourself indulge in those somber moments. It's okay to have a good cry, trust me.

R - Remember: Dust off those memory banks and relish in the beautiful moments shared with your loved one. Let nostalgia be your guide.

I - Intake: Surround yourself with reminders of their presence—their goofy photos, favorite hangout spots, and of course, their cherished foods. In my dad's case, it's Klondike bars all the way.

E - Embrace: Acknowledge that missing them is part of the journey and embrace the swirl of emotions that come with grief. Embrace those tears, my friend, and let them melt in release.

F - Find Fun: Share hilarious anecdotes and lighthearted memories with your trusted ensemble—a sibling, a parent, a friend, or even a coworker. Laughter, the irresistible topping is the perfect medicine when sprinkled with cherished memories of your loved one. 

Speaking of lyrics and ice cream bars, I had a little secret of my own. When I first penned the song "Missing You" as a tribute to my father, I actually included a cheeky reference to his ice cream obsession. Sadly, my producer thought it didn't quite fit the song's vibe, so it ended up on the cutting room floor. But between you and me, those ice cream bars will always be an unsung hero in the first draft of the song.

As I got in my van and drove away from Dollar General, a mischievous urge led me to make a detour to Sheetz. After all, I am my father's daughter, and ice cream runs in my veins. There, I treated myself to a glorious Klondike bar, relishing each creamy bite as a sweet reminder of my father's ever-present spirit in my life. Who knew that a simple trip to the checkout line would turn into a whirlwind of emotions and ice cream adventures? Life truly has a way of surprising us when we least expect it.

Unlock Your True Potential: Join Us for an Exclusive Eagles Open House with Kevin Miller

In January 2021, I took a significant step forward in my personal development by joining 48 Days Eagles: an empowering online community of entrepreneurs founded by the esteemed career coach, Dan Miller. Seeking to invest in my growth each year, I initially planned to join for just one year. However, here I am, over two years later, still an active and enthusiastic member of this incredible community. It speaks volumes about the tremendous value and lasting impact it has had on my journey.

Since joining the community in 2021, my life has been profoundly impacted. I've gained invaluable knowledge and experienced the personal and professional growth I was craving. There are many resources to choose from within the community and I find the weekly online Monday Mentor sessions to be especially helpful. 

Normally reserved for Eagles only, Dan is generously opening up our Monday Mentor sessions to the public on Monday, May 22, 2023 at 2:00 CT. The Monday Mentor Liftoff Calls are a great way to see if this community might be for you. This upcoming session will feature special guest, Kevin Miller.

Kevin Miller is the son of Dan Miller and is often labeled a “serial entrepreneur.” Drawing on the 200 (and counting!) thoughtful and lively discussions he's conducted with thought leaders including Dave Ramsey, Michael Hyatt, Tom Ziglar, Patrick Lencioni, and Seth Godin on his "Self-Helpful with Kevin Miller" podcast, Kevin will offer profound insight on how to identify the roadblocks that are keeping you from reaching your true potential, and practical steps for finding the elements that will create your unique brand of success.

Dan Miller is the author of the widely acclaimed 48 Days To The Work – and Life – You Love, No More Dreaded Mondays, Wisdom Meets Passion and An Understanding Heart. He hosts a weekly podcast that is consistently ranked #1 under Careers on iTunes.

Don’t miss this chance to experience the magic and camaraderie that defines our amazing community. Join us on Monday and get a taste of what makes us truly special and why I keep showing up every Monday afternoon.

Sign up here to reserve your seat for our May 22, 2023, Eagles Open House with Kevin Miller.

As an affiliate member of this 48 Days community, not only am I experiencing personal growth, but I also have the privilege of earning a commission on every sale. If you decide to join the community after Monday’s session, not only will you have the opportunity to experience your own personal growth, but you’ll be supporting my music as well. Thank you!

Sheila Davis (L), Joanne Miller (Dan's wife) and Dan.

Meeting other Eagles in person for the first time on April 27, 2023 in Franklin, Tennessee.

Double Keyed Wins Classical Crossover Album of the Year Spot Award

Some days I wonder if all the effort of writing, rewriting, practicing, crafting, stretching and even straining my music muscles will ever pay off. I argue with myself about what a payoff even looks like. Is it financial, emotional, physical, musical?

One of my songwriting heroes, Molly Leikin, encourages writers to reward themselves for small accomplishments along the way – even writing just one good phrase deserves a reward, in her experience. She believes that the creative five year old inside of us is encouraged to show up more often when we pause to celebrate.

So in the spirit of Molly's advice, last Thursday, I put down my pen, closed the piano lid for an afternoon, got a frilly hair do and went to celebrate at the Hershey Theater where Kirstin Myers and I walked the red carpet at the Central Pennsylvania Music Award Show.

Highlights . . .

Classical Meets Rappers and Rockers

On Thursday, March 30th, Double Keyed felt proud (and to be honest–a tad shy) to mingle with rappers, rockers, country, jazz and pop artists (and the list goes on) . . . at the Hershey Theatre in Hershey, Pennsylvania. We were excited to be part of the parade of artists who were nominated for their creative projects and artistry. These are the moments when an artist can take a deep breath and feel grateful for not giving up on making music.

Piano Teacher Shows Support

Kirstin and I were hustling to get to our seats and voilà...there she stood, at the bottom of the steps, about to ascend to the balcony of the Hershey Theater to watch from above. Donna Houser, my 7th - 12th grade piano teacher (who turned 80 in February), surprised me by coming to the show!

As a young pianist, I'd sit at Donna's beautiful Kawaii grand piano for my weekly lessons where she challenged me to be more than I thought I could be, insisting that I learn to read the notes and not just play by ear! If it weren't for her, I'm sure I wouldn't be part of Double Keyed, and that would be sad.

Double Keyed Wins Classical Crossover Spot Award

Kirstin and I keep trying to get back to our regular music life, but Midwinter's Gift keeps tugging at our skirts. It was fun to give the project a bit of attention.

Double Keyed was nominated for Instrumental Album of the Year and won a Spot Award in the Classical Crossover Album category.

Thank you for your votes, cheers and encouraging words.

Midwinter's Gift Nominated For Instrumental Album of The Year

Just when we thought we were done with the Christmas season hustle and bustle of releasing a new album… Kirstin Myers and I, as Double Keyed, were nominated for Instrumental Album of the Year. 

On Sunday, (January 15, 2023), in another shocking turn of events, 𝕄𝕚𝕕𝕨𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕣’𝕤 𝔾𝕚𝕗𝕥 was announced as a nominee for the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame “Instrumental Album of the Year”!! We give a HUGE thanks to whoever put us in their Board of Director’s radar because this certainly wasn’t on ours!

One really great thing about this is that YOU can tangibly help us because…

There is a fan voting component!

Click HERE to vote for Midwinter's Gift. 

ANYONE CAN VOTE! Fan voting runs from through 11:59 am on 1/31/23. One vote per person per device. 

"The CMPAs are not designed to be determined solely by the popular vote. The 42-person, professional panel of CPMHOF Board of Directors and the Advisory Committee vote based on overall quality and 2022 accomplishments." — CMPA website.

𝕄𝕚𝕕𝕨𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕣’𝕤 𝔾𝕚𝕗𝕥 has literally been the gift that keeps on giving. We are so proud and grateful to have had the opportunity, experience, connection and recognition that this album has brought us. From cookies to Billboard…we are simply stunned.

Please vote (and share!) if you feel so moved and THANK YOU so much for your continuous support