Fears.....

I have a list.  As with the rest of my life, it is stored in my cell phone.  It is a list of songs.  Songs that when I hear them, I know that I need to write about them.  Unfortunately, this list just keeps getting longer.  Sometimes songs do not come off of there because it is not the right day for the song, sometimes because I am busy writing about other things, but sometimes it is because I struggle to put my thoughts into words.  The last reason is the one that bothers me the most.  I pride myself on being able to put things into words.  I can write about almost anything.  I can do it succinctly, but also with the needed emotion.  I think that the songs that I cannot write about are the ones that are the most personal.  It can be very hard to put your heart and your mind out there.....

Okay.  Back to last Monday night.

After Dan Godlin had finished (lots of sadness as I would have been happy to see him perform for hours), it was time for Curtis Peoples.  If I am remembering correctly, I found his music through Tyler Hilton.  I had gotten his album, The Fight, and fallen in love with it.  He was the reason that we were at this show.

As expected, his music is amazing.  His performance is amazing.  We enjoyed every second of it. I sang along with almost every minute of it.  One really cool fact was that Curtis had a ton of family there.  Turns out he spent almost every summer, while growing up, in this part of the country.  So lots of his family showed up to see him perform.  It's great to see that kind of support.

After the show, we gotta to talk to Curtis (yep, still really love Seven Steps Up).  While chatting with him, he talked about how he saw that I was singing along to most of the set.  I, of course, complimented his music - cause it really is awesome.  We talked about how some people don't ever know the music of the artists they are seeing, but that I really prefer to know the music prior to a show.  He told me that he really enjoys having people in the audience that clearly enjoy the music and are big supporters.

So of course, I then got him to sign his album.  :)

 
 Back to where I started.  I have had a song on my list for quite some time.  That song is "Afraid" by Curtis.  The second that I heard it, it was on my list.  It struck a chord with me.  I'm pretty sure it is because it speaks to the part of me that likes that hide.  Everyone has something that they are afraid of.  Everyone has fears.  I'm pretty sure that all of our real fears boil down to the same things.  Loss.  I mean, really, what are you afraid of?  Is it taking a leap for a change in career?  Is it telling someone that you love them?  Is it telling someone that you are scared for them and where they seem to be headed?  Is it of disappointing people?  Whatever it is, I believe it boils down to a fear of loss.  A fear that we will lose the person we love, a fear of losing our success, a fear of losing our safety net.  I know that is where my true fears are based.

This is why this song means so much to me.  So in honor of being pushed out of my comfort zone (which is always a good thing), in honor of an amazing show - I give you my song of the day.

"Afraid" by Curtis Peoples

Just a tease

So last night was another epic show.  I have really found that having the opportunity to meet and get to know your favorite musicians just puts things into a whole other level.  That opportunity does come with a price though - and today - that price is exhaustion.  I am still recovering from a late night (though soooo worth it!) so therefore I am providing you with a teaser of the show last night.

Thanks to my friend Beth & Lainie for the awesome company.
Thanks to Seven Steps Up for the best venue in West Michigan.
And thanks to Dan Godlin, Curtis Peoples, and Todd Carey for an amazing show and being really great guys!

 

So while I recover and write about this amazing experience - please enjoy the above videos.  And, of course, I have a song for today.  

I woke up this morning with "All I Want" by Curtis Peoples running through my head.  And for me - that is reason enough to make it song of the day. :)

Stand up and take a bow  

Your beauty deserves a crowd 

I said it once, I'll say for all time, all time  

No one's wanted you more, oh more

 

And I'm trying to hold on, trying to hold on  

Break all the walls around you  

And I'm trying to hold on, trying to hold on  

Til you feel me in your arms

 

All I want is you 

I've waited for forever to say the things 

that we both know are true

All I want is you

 

Your dark hair around me now  

The one kiss that you allow 

I hold the words until it's all right, all right 

Now I know what this love's about

 

And I'm trying to hold on, trying to hold on  

Til you wrap yourself around me  

And I'm trying to hold on, trying to hold on  

Can you feel me in your heart?

 

All I want is you 

I've waited for forever to say that things 

that we both know are true 

The only thing that matters is standing somehow  

Right in front of you  

Everything I do is because  

All I want is you  

All I want is you

 

Fighting for you  

Always for you 

Say the words  

Simple heart on a mighty mission  

Say the words

 

All I want is you 

I've watied for forever to say that things 

that we both know are true  

The only thing that matters is standing somehow  

Right in front of you  

Everything I do is because 

All I want is you

Favorite Things...

One of my absolute favorite things is finding new music.  My friends laugh at me because they regularly hear me say “Oh, I found a new album for you to listen to.”  I find it from all over the place.  The radio, friends and family, television shows, and lately social media.  I started my Twitter account so that I could follow some of my favorite musicians.  In the short time that I have had it, I have found so many new artists (or at least new to me!).  Sometimes they have added me, sometimes they have commented on tweets of those I am following, sometimes they are tagged in posts I see.  Whatever way I find them, I love finding them.  I love that I can pull almost anyone up on iTunes, listen to a bit, then in minutes have their whole album.  I love that I can instantly have a new favorite.  I love that I can share my love of music with those around me, with almost no transition time.

So today, I found a new artist.  He was retweeted (is that a word?) by Tyler Hilton, one of my faves.  They were playing a show together.  His name is Curtis Peoples.  I figured that if he was doing a show with Tyler Hilton, then he was worth a listen.

It was SO worth a listen.  I downloaded the album and spent all day listening to it.

So my song of the day is “The Fight” by Curtis Peoples

THE FIGHT

there's a strength
in your eyes
and it's keeping me going tonight
if I fall or back down
you're there helping me up off the ground
all the dreams that I've fought to keep
start to feel like I just can't hold
I'm torn apart and you can see
I'm losing control
when I'm down you're there to say
I won't let you walk away
so I promise baby, I'm not letting go

I'm still gonna fight
I may fall but I'll climb
I won't ever, ever, ever give up tonight

you're the flame
in my heart
and you're keeping me out of the dark
you believe
in me still
even when I've lost my will
to keep pushing through the walls again
I never thought it'd take so long
all the doubt I'm battling
but I wasn't wrong
all the years were not a waste
you showed me that it's all ok
so If I'm crashing, I'm going down strong

It's crazy the love that we have
your love, will always remind that

So, lesson for the day: Always keep your ears open for new music.  You never know where you will find it, and you never know if it will change your life.  And check out Curtis Peoples’ album The Fight.