HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year!

It's still January and therefore not too late to still wish you a Happy New Year!
I hope you've made huge plans for the year, as have I.....and you're sticking with all your resolutions, and I won't comment on whether I have or not, LOL!
It's all good and let's go..2015....BRING IT!  Are you ready?

Kisses Loves!  Do whatever it is you're wanting to do, and do it now, don't wait!  Tomorrow may be too late!

~ta ta....until next time,

V V

New Record

The record is coming together, Aww it's so official!  I have 12 songs that I want on this one, but my producer and I keep going back and forth regarding a decision about a few of my choices.  He wants an EP....thinks that would be best and I want an LP, just because, well....Just Because!  Ha!  Every song that I sing is like a gift for me.  My job is to take that gift, manipulate it with my own special gifts, and then return it back, and give it back, this time to you! ❤ It's a magical recycling process that is a miracle in and of itself.  Now, I can't blog too much about it either way, but whether it's 12 on a CD/LP, or 6 on an EP I'm excited and over the moon about it!  I'm doing some live rehearsing today which for me means no dairy, no wheat, no sugar, and no fun!  Ugh!  I just started working on releasing a Christmas EP this year too!  I'm hoping to do a brand new song and throw in a classic too of course.  Singing Christmas songs in July/Summer is always an interesting dynamic.  Well at least when I sing about the frosty, cold winter weather outside, the air conditioning will be cranked up in the studio!

~ta ta....until next time,

V V

Spring has sprung!

So...Yay!  It's officially spring and I couldn't be happier!  Longer days, more time, or so it seems to get stuff done, warmer weather, even though it's always warm in Southern California, more smiles on faces, and more blooms in the garden!  For me, spring also means it's almost Easter....and I get to make my annual Meyer Lemon pound cake with fresh thyme, also from the garden.  Well, maybe I will not make it this year, haha, because I usually end up eating the whole darn thing!  That's not good since I have videos to make, and outfits to squeeze into, lol.  Oh well, I think I'm going to focus on enjoying the season and not so much on squeezing into stuff, but wait!  It's my job...oh well!  It was a nice thought anyway while it lasted.  The thought is still lingering in my mind however, making my mouth water!  Yum!!  Seriously, you'd have to be crazy not to indulge once in a while!  How could you not!!?

Speaking of indulging...I've been indulging and immersing myself in my next project with a positive attitude, but the songs just aren't coming that easily to me.  They have to be right with me...ugh!  The key word being "right".  It really is a tedious task at best.  I've been at work now for two years on this project and just when I feel I've made progress, I feel like I'm starting all over.  I just want to make a good record and a sufficient follow up to "Reckless Heart".  It doesn't have to be the best record all around, it just has to be the best for ME!  The songs have to speak to what I want to say, and in the way in which I want to say it, and that has nothing to do with my last record.  The music as of lately is somewhat lacking, in my opinion, of several key elements that make me want to listen over and over, sing along in the shower, in the kitchen, or in the car, and eventually go out, or click, and buy!  I can't wait forever, but sometimes next week seems like forever....but patience is a virtue, and this I know for sure!
I am looking to bring some qualified musician players together for some upcoming shows I have in the future, and that makes me very happy.  I don't really care where they come from, whether it's here or Nashville, Vegas or Chicago!  I just want them to jam with me and give me chills down my spine because they're just that good...because I strive to be just THAT GOOD!  Being on stage is like being in my bedroom.  It's one of my most favorite places to be on the planet.  It's where I feel the most relaxed and at ease with the world, yet I can be extreme and sing as loud as I want, jump, or scream, and express the most authentic ME that I can be.
I can't wait to post those upcoming show dates for ya hopefully soon...and the new music project, well, that will happen when the time is right, and not a moment before.  Thanks for waiting with me.  We'll get there...I promise.

~ta ta.....until next time,

V V

Gong Hey Fat Choy / Gong Xi Fa Cai / Happy Chinese New Year!

How's your New Year shaping up so far?  Did you make any resolutions?  Have you kept them?  I always say I'm not going to make them, but I always do, and so in keeping with one of my resolutions, I'm posting more blogs than last year! xoxo

I'll leave you with this resolution;  Don't live in fear and all of its repercussions in your life.  Welcome the Holy Spirit to come into your life and equip you to fulfill your destiny!  Amen.

Happy Chinese New Year!  It's the year of the Horse!

May you have a prosperous and happy new year, and lots of good fortune!  Keep your head up, and never, ever give up on your dreams!

~ta ta.....until next time,

V V

Not too shabby..huh?

I just returned home from being on the road down to San Diego for "The Great Whisk(e)y Debate!" In a word...."Awesome!"  I cannot believe how much fun we had!  We boarded the train at Union Station in downtown LA, and then we were off on a scenic route that included coastal portions of the majestic Pacific Ocean along with some of my favorite spots like, San Juan Capistrano, Solana Beach, and The Del Mar Race Track, all while being served lunch with several wonderful whiskies to try.  I must say that I had a grand time being on the train being wined and dined and staying at The Lafayette Hotel in San Diego was an extra treat!  I logged in a few miles walking "The Gaslamp District" checking out all the cool eateries, clubs, and shops.  Afterward, hailing a cab made me feel like I was back in New York City, but with better weather..haha!  The weather in SD always makes me feel amazing, so I of course did some shopping and found the cutest headband among other things, from BCBG!  I can't wait to wear it...pics will follow soon:)
Oh yeah, just before my road trip I visited my favorite hairstylist for my very first Brazilian Blowout, and I AM HOOKED!! I'll never have my hair another way ever again!  No, it just won't do!!  I love it!  All I have to do to maintain it is go see my buddy with the magic fingers once a week to blow out my tresses, and Presto! Wow!  Instant ga-ga-ga-gorgeous hair!! You have to try it if you're looking for an easy way to manage your hair and keep your locks healthy and shiny....trust me, you'll love it!

Thank you Francisco!  I love you!! xo

~ta ta.....until next time,

VV

Happy Birthday America!

Just recently released two new singles, "In The Shadows Of My Steeple" and "White Lies And Picket Fences".  This is great because that means I now have a total of three (3) singles so far from the "Reckless Heart" CD!  That's exciting!

I just released a new website, http://www.vickivann.net/, although it's been there for a while it rather needed a few updates, but it's a work in progress.  I like the way it's coming together.  Check it out and let me know what you think.  It's a Tumblr account so you can follow me which is very cool, and it has links to all my social media pages, so there are a lot of places where you can find me to communicate.

My Fourth of July was rather quiet and rightfully so because tomorrow it's back to work as usual.  Ugh! I go back to the gym with spin class at 8:00 a.m., and back in the studio in the afternoon.  It seems like there are days when it feels as though all I do is work out, and then work out.  My life consists of a series of different work out routines, and only the location changes.  I do love it though most days.  It makes me feel alive, healthy, and strong.  Typically my day begins at 6:00 am which is quite unusual for any entertainer, but I love the quiet mornings.  It's my favorite time of the day.  It's so, so quiet, and I meditate, drink lemon tea with ginger, read scripture, pray, and write in my journal, and by 8:00 a.m. I'm off to the gym for 2 hours.  I work out with a trainer for an hour and then I spend an hour on the treadmill or the elliptical machine doing my own cardio.  I usually run 3 miles, and I always finish with the stairclimber.  I spend the afternoons practicing and singing and working on music.  It's always fun for me to look forward to social networking in the evenings while I watch TV and get ready to start all over again the next day.  Of course if I have an event, or an appearance, everything gets thrown out of whack completely, and I have to alter the schedule to accomodate everything.  My favorite workout with my trainer is kickboxing, and my favorite rehearsal is when I get to sing all my old songs.  It always makes me feel good to warm up with vocals to my old songs.  I could do that for hours.  My guitar player and I have the best time with that.  He loves it too.  Learning new songs is fun and always welcomed but it can be a challenging.  I keep hydrated with lots of fresh coconut water and I always eat Lays Potato Chips.  It's true!!  I really do.  I just have to count out how many I eat.  It's so easy to eat the whole entire bag isn't it?!  That would easily mean another mile on the treadmill....ya think?  Just sayin'!  It's worth it cause they're so good!

Now it's 1:11 a.m. and if I'm going to make my 6:00 a.m. wake up call, it's off to slumberland for me....Night all, for now....I wish you all sweet dreams.

Happy Independence Day!!  Happy Birthday America!  I love you!

~ta ta.....until next time,

V V

Ready...Let's go!

Ok, I know it has been a minute but please forgive me.  I have been busy, but mostly, I've been Blessed!  After wrapping the "Reckless Heart" video last summer I just sailed along into promoting it along with the entire CD and I am SO proud of that video along with the entire CD.  In fact, we're still planning to release additional videos from the record.

The holidays were grand with lots of time with family, friends, and baking of course, haha!  Now that we've entered into 2013 with a bang, and all the preliminary necessities are out of the way, celebrated, and fist pumped like New Year's, The Presidential Inauguration, Dr. Martin Luther King Day, Superbowl, Chinese New Year, The Grammys, and Valentine's Day most recently, I feel more than ready to get back to work.  Essentially, I'm always working, because since we wrapped the last CD in 2011, I immediately began compiling the songs for the next one which brings us current to today and my brand new project.  My new baby!  Ooohh Baby...come to momma!!  Oh, and I forgot to mention I was voted "Country Music Artist Of The Year", by the fans, for Take 2 Radio Indie Artist Awards, and that was so exciting for me! http://take2radioindieawards.weebly.com/country-artist-of-the-year.html Believe me!  The key is that it was the public that voted which means EVERYTHING to me!  I did not expect to win!!!!  I was completely shocked but most of all thrilled beyond words to just be nominated, and then winning just put me over the top with excitement!  I sincerely would like to thank each and every person who voted for me and a special Thank you and Shout Out to Take 2 Radio Indie Music Awards and DJ Delta Dawn at Jammin Jukebox Radio Show for supporting me and my music!  I'm especially grateful to you for playing my songs and for having me on your show! You've made me very happy and just so excited and eager to get back in the studio to start cranking out more music!

I was a little bit nervous because It's two hours earlier here than in Nashville, and singing in the morning is always a little challenging for me, but preproduction on my new CD began today and I needed to just make some hot green tea with honey & lemon, (my fav) and just get on with it, after all, it's what I do!  I often get a little anxious before a meeting or a rehearsal and I so overanalyze everything, (I can't help it.  I majored in psychology, lol).  I should be able to handle this in my sleep, right?  Haha!  EVERYTHING I do takes much preparation!  I even have to prepare myself just to go to the gym!  I need to eat breakfast, I need to warm up, I need my gloves and my wrist bands, etc.  Sometimes I'm too organized for my own good.  Anyway, I always love this part of the music making process.  It can be tedious and much patience is required, but I love it just the same because it's all so intimate.  It's just me, my band leader, my manager and the guitar.  We literally start to put the CD together, piece by piece, and bit by bit.  Slow and steady wins the race, or gets the songs cut:))  So, here we go.  We're officially off and running!  By the way...I think I did great:))  The keys are all set, for now, and let me just add that it all begins with the songs being in the RIGHT key!  I'm so in love with my band leader, Dave.  He's a true professional and he gets the job done.  My manager knows me all day and night.  He knows the right key before I do.  So fasten up, get ready for this next ride with me.  I'll tell you more later, Loves! XO

~ta ta.....until next time,

V V