Before I begin, I want to encourage to you to actually SUBSCRIBE -- that way, you can follow my updates as they happen. Just click on "Join" or "Follow" at the top-left of your screen.
Anyway...
I've started this blog because I'm off on a great adventure, and I wanted to include anyone who wants to join me! Well, not technically JOIN me on the plane (though I guess you could), but join me in spirit. The reason I'm going to France is to attend the world's largest music industry conference, called MIDEM, which happens in Cannes starting January 18 2009.
Now why is this such a big deal? It's not because it's costing me a small fortune (though it is). And it's not because I've never been to France before (actually, I have -- a long time ago, but that's another story).
It's because of what my mission is. And because of what this trip means for me, on multiple levels.
I've wanted to attend MIDEM for maybe 7 years now... I've just never had the nerve / cash / available time / fill-in-the-blank-with-your-favorite-excuse :-) But this year has been a year of major shifts for me. I've been singing my inspirational music around the United States -- traveling a lot (seriously, a lot) (did I mention, a LOT?) -- and at the same time I've moved my life down to Orange County CA, from West Hollywood and Santa Monica where I've lived a combined 10 years. AND, I've also been recording a pop-rock CD called Waiting For Betsy, which has caused me to stretch in every way - financially, professionally, vocally, stylistically, songwriterally, performanceally & producerally (not real words, but you know what I mean). It's been INTENSE. And I'm coming out the other end of the project now, the CD is being mastered and it'll be manufactured in just a few weeks.
I love pop music, and I'm loving my new CD. I've already sold some (preorder here), which is cool, and the initial response from the music industry has been extremely positive. So that's exciting. I'm thrilled about it, actually. It's already been on the radio. It's got a good shot of ending up on TV and film. I'm hiring a publicist next month to drum up some press... these are fun plans.
And yet, there's another part of me, as an artist and a human being, that's had my eye on something bigger. It's the part of me that sings "One Power," that took 3 months off in Utah, that volunteers in hospitals and prisons, that wrote "Last Song." That part of me. It isn't quite fed by the smartass, in-your-face, loud pop music. It's fed by singing for humanity. Being of service. Doing good work, straight from my heart, straight to someone else's heart.
So what does all this have to do with MIDEM? Well, my initial thought was to finish my pop CD, grab a bunch of copies, hop a plane, and walk around all over the conference handing them out, telling people about this Santa Monica-based pop-rock thing, and see if anyone around the world (radio stations, distributors, record labels, etc.) is interested in it.
But then I got to thinking: What do I really stand for? Who am I? What kind of music do I make, what kind of music do my supporters appreciate the most? What do I do that has the greatest impact, the makes the greatest difference?
And I returned to myself. I am going to France as a recording artist. Someone who sings songs for humanity. Someone who brings love, compassion, connection and inspiration with him. Someone who does not check membership cards before accepting and supporting -- not race, not religion, not language, not country. Someone who brings the walls down for a few minutes at a time. Someone holding a vision, like "Imagine" and "You Raise Me Up," of music that can do more than just entertain, but also uplift and inspire. Someone who has found, throughout the United States and Canada, that people are hungry for more music of love, the deepest kind of love, God love, unconditional love. Peace. Serenity. Trust. A turning away from fear and division, a turning towards each other. Facing the past without burden. Facing the present without judgment. Facing the future without the need for (or illusion of) our control.
I'm going to France, my friends, on behalf of everyone I've ever sung for, everyone I've ever met, everyone I've ever supported with my music. And I'm going to see how I can reach the rest of the world with my music and message. Among other things, I'm putting in my name to actually PERFORM "One Power" at the Conference...
More about the exact process later. There are songs to prepare, CDs to burn, experts to consult, travel to book, and on and on. Truthfully, if I'm gonna level with you, I don't know what I'm doing... basically, I'm following the advice of my own Water songs -- and going where the Ocean says to go. In this case, it says, "get thee to Cannes". And so I go. Thanks for supporting me. I'll keep you posted.
With love,
Daniel
If you'd like to sponsor Daniel on his journey to MIDEM in January 2009, click here to send your gift of any amount. Thank you!
3 comments:
I am so glad you are going to Cannes with your inspirational message. I was a little afraid something got lost with the "Pop detour"
I love that you are sharing with us your human side through your soon to be released “Waiting for Betsy” CD—and cannot wait to hear it. I believe that it is all good—and serves us in one way or another. Absolutely! Meanwhile, “Thank you, God!” that you have decided to head in this direction as far as the music you are bringing to France with you—because what you wrote is true. Every day, I see people hungry for us to see their best—remember who they really are—and treat them with deep love and respect. They brighten up and step into their best selves when we see them for who they really are—beautiful, amazing souls. And your music helps us remember that this is who we are and who everyone else is as well.
Since I was a child I have felt called to somehow get across to others—on an experiential level—how much God loves them, because I have felt this love so clearly and deeply—and this has helped me throughout life. And singing your music is one way that I am able to do this. (Thank you.)
Your songs get us in touch with God’s unconditional love for us so beautifully. (I’m thinking about “Already Good” at the moment). So, I cannot wait to hear, upon your return from France, about all the chills you gave to those who listened to ONE POWER—and how you touched their hearts and reminded them—on a deep level—of the important things in our blessed lives. I see this kind of thing for you and your music all the time, Daniel, and I just know that it has got to happen. Even the other night as I saw Obama so humbly receive the majority vote—I turned to David and said—“Oh my gosh. I just wish Daniel was there to sing ONE POWER.
So, congratulations on all the major changes and successes this year and I pray with all my heart and soul that 2009—with your “France Adventure” to start it off—brings even more miracles and joy-filled moments. It is such a good idea to keep us posted as you prepare for this most triumphant experience! This way we can hold the vision that you have—times a gazillion—and cheer you on! And you can feel our love and support as we pull for you—and all of humanity! :)
Oh yeah…and it is soo the best thing ever that you do not know what you are doing! :) "Thank you, God!" This always seems to work best! At least that’s been my experience. :)
Take Good Care, Kathy
Stick to the knitting Daniel. Your passion will always serve you. (and let me get you on a better blogging platform that actually gets picked up by the search engines before you have too many subscribers.)
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