My Journey Continues
Written August 18, 2020
Today marks one year since the Castella launch!! The journey continues for me! What a year I’ve had! Looking back on my year, I’ve made so much progress in the right direction. I’ve had a few hiccups along the way, but I pressed my way through...through tears, anger, disappointment, confusion, more anger, sadness... I found joy, some light in my tunnel, because certainly, I am not at the end.
So what in the heck happened?
The first blow was being asked to resigned from my Executive job of about two years. Things had become weird, political...not cool, but I never envisioned someone completely giving up on me. It stung, it hurt, it still does... it was unimaginable because I, had always played it safe, taking the job was risky because the person in charge could come in one day and essentially say, I don’t like you anymore, please leave. That happened to me and I was shocked by it, but not surprised. Especially when you’ve seen what you’re dealing with. But there I was, faced with the decision to go look for another HR job or put a bow on this career and do something else. But what else am I good at? I had just finished the EP. I’ll admit, I was a little afraid to put myself out there and start performing, but I had no choice, this was my time, my window had opened, the door hand closed, a giant hole had been blown out and well, it was time to make the exit, escape from my safe career...I escaped.
A few things happened... I started hanging out in the music community, meeting people, introducing myself. Hanging out with my good friend Charlotte mostly...she let me tag along... it was awesome! Me out, at a bar, on a Monday night, a Wednesday night, sometimes Thursday, shoot everyday, supporting other singers and musicians. No one had really heard me sing, except Char and she always pumped me up. This went on for a bit, until Darryl said, your EP has been out for a while now, you need to get out there...he had complete confidence in me and gave me the sweet nudge I needed. I believe it was September or October 2019, my Sorority sisters went to an event at a local jazz spot and took pictures with the artist afterwards. He looked nice, after all, he took pics with my Sorors!! So I took it upon myself to send him a message asking to open up for him. To my surprise, he responded! Oh shoot!! I wasn’t ready! What if he says, come open up Saturday...I didn’t call him!! Once I got myself ready, fear set in a bit. Fast forward to church one Sunday, I believe this was late October, my pastor’s message touched me. He said, take action, that action could change your life! It was time to call, so Monday morning, I got up the courage and I called him. He called me back! Even after I failed to follow through on two occasions! I nervously introduced myself...and it was as if he was waiting there to help me...and help me, he did! He put me in touch with his radio promoter and an international DJ. I called them both...
The promoter listened to my stuff and urged me to promote one of my songs, I was hesitant, but I decided to go for it, but had to wait until the end of March!! The DJ played my entire EP starting January 1.
Meanwhile, I had started doing open mics at the Mixx In Pasadena and Sofitel in Beverly Hills while jamming with my new friend Bill Grisolia in Long Beach! Meeting absolutely amazing musicians and people along the way! I started being asked to sing with my good friend Lester Lands who I met through Bill... mostly the blues, but it was working! I was out there performing, on stage! I had actually booked my first gig, April 24, 2020... if not for the pandemic, I’m not sure what would be going on with me.
The radio promotion went well, the song “No Ordinary Love” made its way on to the Smooth Jazz charts and I suddenly found this whole new world of artistry and I, me, was a part of it! Thanks to making that one phone call to the National Recording Artist who found it in his heart to help me. Because someone had helped him. He further changed my life by allowing me to sing as a featured artist at my Sorority Gala with his band, it was absolutely amazing!! First time with a live band of amazing musicians... I was hooked! Other possibilities had opened and I was ready! I’m still ready! Just waiting for the world to heal.
A year later, I’ve grown so much both as a person and certainly as an artist. I at first felt fear and maybe undeserving, now I feel confident and ready...validated! Yet humble, ever grateful!
I finished a single that I wrote in August 2019, with new people on my team... I never imagined any of this. Never! The acceptance is overwhelmingly amazing! I’m on a projectory that is satisfying, something I finally feel I’m good at. I have my moments of doubt, but someone quickly says something to snap away any negativity. On the horizon, I see great things ahead...my new day continues... I’ll check back in and continue more of this journey I’m on... It has been AMAZING so far...just another part of the journey...continues.