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!
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!
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!
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
The video for Reckless Heart is done! It's my first official music video. It was a blast making it as well as a learning experience for me. I do know this now for sure, I love making videos! They're all so intense. They assist in everything coming together...the song...the music.....the lyrics....the story...my emotions.....all of it fits right into place and is realized with the release of the magical video! Wow! What a concept! You can visit my Youtube channel to see it. Or see it here below. http://www.youtube.com/user/OfficialVickiVann
I know that I chose this profession. I chose this life. I do enjoy what I do, and I believe I have God's Favor and a special anointing to get it done, but there are moments when I just want to bury my head in the sand, scream, and run for the hills! The journey gets really lonely often, not being able to trust all the sharks that enter into the pond, if you know what I mean. The sharks come in all forms, shapes, and sizes. They're often disguised as friends, lovers, sisters, brothers, lawyers, producers, songwriters, publishers, photographers, editors, record labels, etc., you get the picture, and they always want to steer you away from the anointing that you've been chosen to carry out. Why is that? Wow! We're sure going to have a lot of questions to ask of God when we meet Him aren't we? LOL. However, at any rate, don't cry for me Argentina! My head is still held high, and I'm pressing on....moving forward.....doing the thang....the thang I was born to do......SANG! SING! Oh haha! I know.....I made you laugh!! It's still a great day. I feel Blessed, grateful, thankful, and happy to see it! I don't even want to consider the alternative, no, not I! Case and point;
I walked into my local post office the other day, and they started playing my CD!! I was so happy. I tweeted about it on Twitter. I can't express how amazing it made me feel! I didn't even want to go into the post office that day. My hair was a mess, and I had no make up on, just big, dark sunglasses. It's almost like they wait for me to enter into the post office, and once I do, they play my songs and pump them through the loud speakers for all the people in the post office to hear while buying stamps, mailing packages, letters, and bills. It's such a positive move of support for me and my music and it's so greatly appreciated. It speaks volumes! Then I walked into the local supermarket and saw the current issue of Inland Empire Magazine and saw the article about me.
My picture is right alongside Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry. I think that's very fine company to be in representing country music as a new, up and coming artist to look for!! The article is titled "Music: GURL POWER How Fergie, Rihanna And Others Are Remaking Today's Music Scene." Now that's a feeling I'll always carry with me and remember all my days. Even more exciting news is that I'm ready for the next CD. I have such an exquisite collection of songs that I can't wait to share with all of the fans! In addition, we are setting up to begin shooting the next video. Wahoo!! It should be fun! Be sure and subscribe to my Youtube channel so you'll be among the first to view it. The next single is an uptempo track, and that's all I'm giving away for now....more later.
Enjoy the rest of your week, Loves!
p.s. Also be sure and follow me on Instagram and on Pinterest at https://pinterest.com/vickivann1/
I just returned from Las Vegas where I performed two of my first hosting gigs. I must say that even though I was in Sin City for an entire week, I wasn't altogether ready to leave for home at the end of the event. I had such a great time, and staying at the Venetian made it all the more sweet especially given all the sophisticated shopping and dining available there. Oh yeah!!...LOL. It was a little bittersweet however because the last time I stayed at the Venetian Resort and Casino it was Sept. 11, 2001......yeah, that dreaded day, that's where I was, and I hadn't been back until now. Where were you that day, on Sept.11th?
The Nightclub & Bar show was a blast of course! I ran into Toby Keith's booth for his new Mezcal, called Wild Shot, and yes, I did a shot but did not, I repeat, did not eat the worm, haha! The shot did make my throat a little numb but I guess that's to be expected when you're such a light weight type right? I also ran into Teresa Giudice of Bravo TV's The Real Housewives Of New Jersey, who has a sparkling wine called Fabellini. It was great to see her and sample her product. I liked it! Sometimes for me, it's all about the bubbles. They often go straight to my head.....Mmmm yummm. It's pure fun! There were so many great shows with music to see and hear. DJ's were scratching, and the music was loud. Strobe lights were flashing and everyone appeared to be having a great time. It was all audio visual candy. I fell in love with this band that played 'til late into the night, but all I wanted to do was jump on stage with them and sing along. Yeah right....I'm sure they would have gone for that. LOL!! The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers Of America (WSWA) show followed, and that's where I interviewed about 50 different products on video and of course they all wanted me to sample their specialties. I had terrific fun with that. Mixologists were mixing all kinds of concoctions for me to try. My feet were in pain and I think I owe my pedi gal a huge tip for all those extra foot massages she gives me. My Jimmy Choos were on fire!! Oh my poor feet. They ached until no end. I forgot all about the pain once I decided to go shopping at the Christian Louboutin store for my "job well done!" reward. Yes, I'm very much a girly girl. A new pair of shoes ALWAYS makes me smile. I do enjoy my hosting gigs. It's incredible to be in front of the camera. I so do love it there. I'm actually starting a new magazine and TV show that will focus on eating, drinking, traveling, and socializing. This is all supplemental to my singing career. I am in fact going in the studio for the next three days to record what will be my 5th CD. It will be released as an EP because it was released before but only in Europe. Now I'm recording and releasing the USA version along with the addition of five brand new tracks that haven't been heard before. The band is rehearsing regularly and sounding beautiful!! I'm still looking to fill the spot for a dobro player and pedal steel guitar. We're getting there! So far, everybody sounds great!
Yeah, this is me, working hard and feeling so Blessed to be able to do just that.
Wow! It's a brand new year and all the celebrations have been had and the decorations have been put away....but my music, my work, my passion, my gift, continues. What I mean by that is there is no stopping, relaxing and celebrating there! I've had some vocal rest which is always a good thing for a busy vocalist, but there is really no rest for the weary! I'm still practicing and rehearsing while the recording studio waits!! I have 3 full CDs and 2 EPs to record!! Yikes!! Did somebody mention vocal rest? LOL. The gym hasn't been fun either. Ugh! To say the least, I've been a little bit lazy and enjoying myself eating, cooking, and baking EVERYTHING! However, nothing a few kickboxing and spin classes can't fix. I must, I must, I must increase my ---- *workouts* Haha! The great news I have to share with you is, about my band! I've been compiling my band for a while now and they've been rehearsing, playing, and learning all the songs from my record "Reckless Heart", along with some of the songs from my debut CD, "Vicki Vann", and some material I haven't recorded yet but that I want to put on the next record and include in my live shows. Hopefully I'll have some dates for all of you soon! I can't wait, but all in good time. The players I plan to work with in my band are extremely talented and dedicated to good quality music, excellence, and professionalism. It's all a very big deal and I'm so thankful to my manager for helping me pull all these guys together! Whew! I think you'll be very happy with them and I do hope you can manage to come on out and see a show in the future. I'll keep you updated. We have everybody in place except a mandolin/fiddle player and Mr. manager already has someone in mind that we're meeting with next week! My songs have a lot of mandolin and fiddle...You probably already guessed I really like it that way. All the players sing background vocals too. How cool is that! Oh, and I almost forgot, a pedal steel player. Yeah! I gotta have one in my band! My manager plays the banjo and we'll be lucky to get someone who plays the Dobro because I just love the way it sounds immensely, with its tremulous, moaning sound and many of my songs have it. I'll continue to have fun with my tambourine on stage, a la Stevie Nicks, and I'd say we're just about ready to take this show on the road!I So, like my daddy used to say, "Whoooaaaaa Nelly!"
I think, it's all gonna be sweet Loves!
Happy New Year! Muah!
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!
