When I first started touring right out of college, I knew that someday I wanted to focus on “giving back.” There was nothing I didn’t love about touring, but I certainly knew how deeply I felt about trying to be more philanthropic, and wished I could take time off to volunteer. It seemed as though the uncertainty of fulfilling the economics of launching a career hindered taking time off, and without a doubt, I was a work-a-holic. But this year, the freedom to say “yes” without reservation, is the most liberating feeling I’ve ever experienced. It gets even better when someone decides that your songs fit beautifully with “this” or “that” and all you have to do is show up, perform your songs and the folks attending these events, in return, give money! I remember when a representative from my performing rights organization came to one of my shows and complimented me on the songs but also threw in, that “perhaps the songs were too cerebral.” “Excellent,” I thought! Well, it turns out that this was a part of fulfilling my wish and somehow I knew it, even though it wasn’t until years later it revealed itself. All I had to do, was put the wish out there and voila! Even greater, my music was/is working not just for me but for so many wonderful organizations that do great things all of the time. Here are some of the organizations that I’ve given my money and talents to... Susan G. Komen Foundation, Angel Foundation, Holy Cross Anglican School, The American Cancer Society, Live & Give, Women In Music Minnesota, Raise the Rouf, Northeast Senior Food Shelf. You don’t have to be a Rockefeller to make a big impact, that I know for sure.
Why am I focused on this today? Well, next week, I’m part of a show for WIMMN, raising money and awareness for The Minnesota Coalition of Battered Women and for Women In Music Minnesota, helping to enrich and educated the lives of girls and women in the music industry. It’s pretty cool how many lives are touched by a simple song. How great is that?
Thursday, October 29, 2009
