Musings About The Muse http://marthaannbrooks.com/blogs.cfm Wed, 02 May 2012 20:59:10 GMT http://bandzoogle.com Honored to be Named Writer of the Month http://marthaannbrooks.com/blogs.cfm?feature=495863&postid=2040605  I received a phone call this morning from the head honcho of Chattanooga Songwriters Association, Thom Cavin, informing me that I have been selected Write of the Month for April by the Chattanooga Songwriters Association. I am really honored because there were so many outstanding writers across four stages every week this past month. To be selected from that fine cadre is really something! Thanks so much, CSA!  If you live in the area of LaFayette, GA, and would like to help me celebrate getting the award, please make plans to be at One-Eleven Restaurant in LaFayette on Monday, May 7:00 P.M. It will be a good time, for sure!
If you live in the area of LaFayette, GA, and would like to help me celebrate getting the award, please make plans to be at One-Eleven Restaurant in LaFayette on Monday, May
7:00 P.M. It will be a good time, for sure!


]]> Wed, 02 May 2012 20:59:10 GMT A749B25107199DF619CF8C713647CCCF Facebook and Reverb Nation http://marthaannbrooks.com/blogs.cfm?feature=495863&postid=2019906  Hi there! Thanks for checking out my website and reading these bits and pieces about my musical forays. I find myself using my Facebook musician's page and also the Reverb Nation page more than this site, so if you're really wanting to keep up with my "status", those are the places to look. I hope you are doing well and that Life is being good to you. I wish you peace, illumination and joy. Oh, and, of course, happy trails! Martha Ann
I hope you are doing well and that Life is being good to you. I wish you peace, illumination and joy.

Oh, and, of course, happy trails!

Martha Ann
]]> Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:21:35 GMT C3188050D86801E8EBB76E2BB93D1D53 Catch Up! http://marthaannbrooks.com/blogs.cfm?feature=495863&postid=1075317 Wow, so much is going on with music these days. Kicked off summer with a trip down to Florida where I had a truly enjoyable gig at the Dandelion Communitea Cafe AND was able to do some jammin' with one of my bestest musical buds, Roy Powers, and his band, The Last Exit Blues Band, over in Auburndale. You folks in Floriday need to be going to American Joe's to enjoy the great music there on Saturday nights. Wednesdays are jam nights, also fabulous. My next gig is at The Terraces in Big Canoe, GA. Check out the link on my Events page. The band is ready to rock the house with a great mix of covers and my originals. We'll be doing more covers than originals this gig but no worries! If you're wanting a nice evening of original music and FUN, come join me and my gal pals at The Moonshadow Music Hall for "Southern Songbirds: Where the Song Begins" on August 19th in Carrollton, GA. I'll have more details about this show listed on my Events page as soon as all the details are confirmed. I'm looking forward to an onstage reunion with good friend singer/songwriter Shelia Quattlebaum.  I've been invited back to a truly fun festival, Pigs N Peaches BBQ and Blues Festival, in Kennesaw, GA. I had SO MUCH FUN at this gig last year. The folks with Pigs N Peaches are really excited about some changes they have made to the music program, the biggest of which is putting all the performers on the main stage. My friend Roger "Hurricane" Wilson has promised to sit in with me on some numbers so y'all make sure to come on by to grab some of the most excellent bbq prepared by pitmasters from all over the USA. I'll be hitting the stage around noon. I'll fill you in more on upcoming gigs as the time goes by. Drop me a line and tell me "how y'all are"! Until then, Happy Trails!
My next gig is at The Terraces in Big Canoe, GA. Check out the link on my Events page. The band is ready to rock the house with a great mix of covers and my originals. We'll be doing more covers than originals this gig but no worries! If you're wanting a nice evening of original music and FUN, come join me and my gal pals at The Moonshadow Music Hall for "Southern Songbirds: Where the Song Begins" on August 19th in Carrollton, GA. I'll have more details about this show listed on my Events page as soon as all the details are confirmed. I'm looking forward to an onstage reunion with good friend singer/songwriter Shelia Quattlebaum. 

I've been invited back to a truly fun festival, Pigs N Peaches BBQ and Blues Festival, in Kennesaw, GA. I had SO MUCH FUN at this gig last year. The folks with Pigs N Peaches are really excited about some changes they have made to the music program, the biggest of which is putting all the performers on the main stage. My friend Roger "Hurricane" Wilson has promised to sit in with me on some numbers so y'all make sure to come on by to grab some of the most excellent bbq prepared by pitmasters from all over the USA. I'll be hitting the stage around noon.

I'll fill you in more on upcoming gigs as the time goes by. Drop me a line and tell me "how y'all are"!

Until then, Happy Trails!]]> Fri, 01 Jul 2011 22:35:57 GMT A715FE73F5E5F50E5CC5F9922B3631BC Video Sketch from Jan. 8th show http://marthaannbrooks.com/blogs.cfm?feature=495863&postid=691510 Friend Wes Rehberg created this "video sketch" of the January 8 songwriters round that took place in Chattanooga at Charles & Myrtle's Coffeehouse. It was an exciting evening for me. To share the stage with two hit songwriters who are also wonderful, wonderful performers was an honor and a privilege. This sketch is almost twelve minutes long but I think you'll enjoy the ride if you take the time get on board :)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNHz1qya5poHappy trails,Martha Ann Friend Wes Rehberg created this "video sketch" of the January 8 songwriters round that took place in Chattanooga at Charles & Myrtle's Coffeehouse. It was an exciting evening for me. To share the stage with two hit songwriters who are also wonderful, wonderful performers was an honor and a privilege. This sketch is almost twelve minutes long but I think you'll enjoy the ride if you take the time get on board :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNHz1qya5po

Happy trails,

Martha Ann



]]> Tue, 11 Jan 2011 04:41:00 GMT DE0AA7F1D78FAF969E71BCEF167C3326 Week Three: Piedmont Blues http://marthaannbrooks.com/blogs.cfm?feature=495863&postid=610801 I was lucky to pick up a copy of Roger Hurricane Wilson's Piedmont Blues dvd and book this past weekend at his Charles & Myrtle's Coffeehouse concert. He plays with a very cool and unique hybrid form of picking, using both a flat pick and his fingers, but I'll be sticking with my typical fingers-only style. This week, my challenge is to learn "Railroad Bill" . I don't think this will be an easy task at all, but I'm stoked and ready to give it my best. I can see already that keeping to my schedule of learning something new on guitar every week is going to be especially difficult during insanely busy December. My strategy is to make the guitar a priority so I won't fall behind with the goal I've set for myself. Wish me luck! I was lucky to pick up a copy of Roger Hurricane Wilson's Piedmont Blues dvd and book this past weekend at his Charles & Myrtle's Coffeehouse concert. He plays with a very cool and unique hybrid form of picking, using both a flat pick and his fingers, but I'll be sticking with my typical fingers-only style. This week, my challenge is to learn "Railroad Bill" . I don't think this will be an easy task at all, but I'm stoked and ready to give it my best.

I can see already that keeping to my schedule of learning something new on guitar every week is going to be especially difficult during insanely busy December. My strategy is to make the guitar a priority so I won't fall behind with the goal I've set for myself. Wish me luck!


]]> Wed, 01 Dec 2010 21:28:00 GMT 8068F554CD6008FA1FA3410AE52B7315 Lick A Week: Week Two http://marthaannbrooks.com/blogs.cfm?feature=495863&postid=595142 I really enjoyed learning that little rockabilly walkdown. I found a jam track that was adequate for practice and decided having an available jamtrack is probably a good place to begin before I decide what to learn next. Getting the lick, riff, chords, whatever - down pat is fine but, to my way of thinking, I can't really say I've learned it until I can play it easily with other music.This week, I'm digging into the blues by learning some new chords and a turnaround. Should be fun. I'm discovering that learning these new things to do with my guitar is opening up my songwriting, making me think of melodies and even lyrics that I haven't explored in the past. Nice to know that creativity doesn't decline in the middle ages.Until next week, have a Happy Thanksgiving and happy trails :) I really enjoyed learning that little rockabilly walkdown. I found a jam track that was adequate for practice and decided having an available jamtrack is probably a good place to begin before I decide what to learn next. Getting the lick, riff, chords, whatever - down pat is fine but, to my way of thinking, I can't really say I've learned it until I can play it easily with other music.

This week, I'm digging into the blues by learning some new chords and a turnaround. Should be fun.

I'm discovering that learning these new things to do with my guitar is opening up my songwriting, making me think of melodies and even lyrics that I haven't explored in the past. Nice to know that creativity doesn't decline in the middle ages.

Until next week, have a Happy Thanksgiving and happy trails :)





]]> Tue, 23 Nov 2010 22:21:00 GMT 7542BCF393D81DA65E9A33EA3E8B3C21 Lick a Day....Maybe http://marthaannbrooks.com/blogs.cfm?feature=495863&postid=579968 I've been on a quest to improve my knowledge of guitar and uke. It's going well but I think I need a kick in the seat or some sort of carrot out there to make me push it to the next level. My friend Charles Allison did a very cool project where he wrote a song a week for a year!!! and did amazingly well with that project. As I've been pondering how to get myself motivated, Charles came to mind, primarily because his work has always impressed me. His song-a-day project knocked that respect up to a whole new level. Now I'm thinking I'm not adding any more time to my life's clock so why not make this learning more on the guitar stuff interesting. Why not commit to learning a new lick, riff, turnaround, whatever, once a week. At best, I'll have a little library of 52 things I didn't know before and hopefully a brain that has eliminated some flab and amped up for me a bit. At worst, well, frankly I don't see a downside. Today is as good a day to start as any other day so this week I'll be working on a little rockabilly walkdown. I probably won't take the time to record my newfound guitar knowledge but I'll check in here just to keep myself on track.If you're doing something in your life that helps you feel connected, and not lost in the middle ages, I'd love to hear about it.I'll be posting again next Tuesday. Until then, happy trails! I've been on a quest to improve my knowledge of guitar and uke. It's going well but I think I need a kick in the seat or some sort of carrot out there to make me push it to the next level. My friend Charles Allison did a very cool project where he wrote a song a week for a year!!! and did amazingly well with that project. As I've been pondering how to get myself motivated, Charles came to mind, primarily because his work has always impressed me. His song-a-day project knocked that respect up to a whole new level. Now I'm thinking I'm not adding any more time to my life's clock so why not make this learning more on the guitar stuff interesting. Why not commit to learning a new lick, riff, turnaround, whatever, once a week. At best, I'll have a little library of 52 things I didn't know before and hopefully a brain that has eliminated some flab and amped up for me a bit. At worst, well, frankly I don't see a downside. Today is as good a day to start as any other day so this week I'll be working on a little rockabilly walkdown. I probably won't take the time to record my newfound guitar knowledge but I'll check in here just to keep myself on track.

If you're doing something in your life that helps you feel connected, and not lost in the middle ages, I'd love to hear about it.

I'll be posting again next Tuesday. Until then, happy trails!


]]> Tue, 16 Nov 2010 23:07:00 GMT EC7DF44C1283B87DD637C83EAC919F00 Thank You to efolk.org! http://marthaannbrooks.com/blogs.cfm?feature=495863&postid=574065 If you are a lover of folk music, please consider supporting www.efolkmusic.org by purchasing their new sampler cd (Christmas gifts, perhaps?). I was very fortunate to have two songs included from their incredible roster of talent, and my friend Jan Hauenstein has some songs on there as well. Thanks! Also, thanks to you folks who continue to purchase my cds and download my songs. You warm my heart and encourage me to keep writing and performing! Happy trails :)
Also, thanks to you folks who continue to purchase my cds and download my songs. You warm my heart and encourage me to keep writing and performing!

Happy trails :)]]> Sun, 14 Nov 2010 01:07:39 GMT ED94D4DDE8D65B3DA27A4F9573D79F11 Helping Our Veterans http://marthaannbrooks.com/blogs.cfm?feature=495863&postid=473702 I hope you will take a minute to visit this site, check out the info and &quot;like&quot; the page. Our combat veterans need all of the assistance they can get to readjust to life back in the world, away from combat.&nbsp; http://www.facebook.com/pages/Give-an-Hour/25681873498?ref=ts Also, you can find information here: <a href="http://www.giveanhour.org">www.giveanhour.org A huge thank you to Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen for spearheading this effort, and thanks to all of the mental health professionals who are giving of themselves to our veterans. Peace and Grace, Martha Ann ps/ If you haven't downloaded &quot;When Your Soldier Comes Back Home&quot; FREE in my Music Store, please get a copy and share it with anyone you know who might benefit from hearing it. I hope you will take a minute to visit this site, check out the info and "like" the page. Our combat veterans need all of the assistance they can get to readjust to life back in the world, away from combat. 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Give-an-Hour/25681873498?ref=ts

Also, you can find information here:

www.giveanhour.org

A huge thank you to Dr. Barbara Van Dahlen for spearheading this effort, and thanks to all of the mental health professionals who are giving of themselves to our veterans.

Peace and Grace,

Martha Ann

ps/ If you haven't downloaded "When Your Soldier Comes Back Home" FREE in my Music Store, please get a copy and share it with anyone you know who might benefit from hearing it.

]]> Fri, 01 Oct 2010 19:00:00 GMT 6C38BCBCB6498ABF554661EFD45ABCA2 Where's Martha Ann? http://marthaannbrooks.com/blogs.cfm?feature=495863&postid=466076 Hello, My Friends! We finally received some rain here in NW Georgia which has every living thing around here happier than&nbsp;it was&nbsp;a few days ago. As for me, you may be wondering where and when I'll be playing. I'm spending most of my free time these days working on new material, so I'm not actively seeking gigs for the rest of 2010.&nbsp; However, I'm lining up some very good gigs for 2011. I'll post more about those as details become available. If you would like to host a house concert with me as your featured artist in 2011, please don't hesitate to get in touch. I am trying to stay within a one or two hour drive of my home, but will consider an event outside of those time constraints. If you're interested, drop me a line and we'll see what we can work out! If you're not familiar with house concerts, Fran does a great job of laying it all out for you. Here's a link to his website: <a href="http://www.concertsinyourhome.com/">http://www.concertsinyourhome.com/ Looking forward to seeing you in the not too distant future. In the meantime, I wish you peace, love, harmony and, of course, happy trails until we meet again. Martha Ann
We finally received some rain here in NW Georgia which has every living thing around here happier than it was a few days ago. As for me, you may be wondering where and when I'll be playing. I'm spending most of my free time these days working on new material, so I'm not actively seeking gigs for the rest of 2010.  However, I'm lining up some very good gigs for 2011. I'll post more about those as details become available.

If you would like to host a house concert with me as your featured artist in 2011, please don't hesitate to get in touch. I am trying to stay within a one or two hour drive of my home, but will consider an event outside of those time constraints. If you're interested, drop me a line and we'll see what we can work out!

If you're not familiar with house concerts, Fran does a great job of laying it all out for you. Here's a link to his website:

http://www.concertsinyourhome.com/

Looking forward to seeing you in the not too distant future. In the meantime, I wish you peace, love, harmony and, of course, happy trails until we meet again.

Martha Ann


]]> Tue, 28 Sep 2010 01:01:51 GMT 25B8CA0EB1AB1F309D237DE3119AACB5 Today's Show http://marthaannbrooks.com/blogs.cfm?feature=495863&postid=304895 Hi Friends! The show today at Center Post Community Center is an INDOOR show so the music shall be fine, rain or shine. I hope you can make it if you are in the area because we are being treated to some stellar talent today, IMHO. I'm looking forward to it because this is the kick-off to summer event for me! Hope to see you today. If not, I hope to hear from you soon. Happy trails, Mab&nbsp;
The show today at Center Post Community Center is an INDOOR show so the music shall be fine, rain or shine. I hope you can make it if you are in the area because we are being treated to some stellar talent today, IMHO.

I'm looking forward to it because this is the kick-off to summer event for me!

Hope to see you today. If not, I hope to hear from you soon.

Happy trails,

Mab ]]> Sat, 29 May 2010 17:41:09 GMT 96B75CDA7D5B8968729CD211AD6FF597 April 23rd Event http://marthaannbrooks.com/blogs.cfm?feature=495863&postid=241154 For those of you attending the Preview Gathering at Frolic at the Farm on April 23rd, expect a nice surprise ]]> Wed, 14 Apr 2010 19:22:32 GMT 5F545B07CE3EA8553FAE2CDADB62D812 Live Interview - November 17, 2009 http://marthaannbrooks.com/blogs.cfm?feature=495863&postid=123027 I will be doing a live interview on the &quot;Indie Showcase&quot; with Shashona, who is a DJ located in Sydney, Australia. &nbsp; She will be playing music from my cd &nbsp;&quot;Lately...&quot; &nbsp;as well as chatting with me (via SKYPE). &nbsp;You are all invited to join us and even participate by way of the station's &quot;chatroom&quot;. Mark Your calenders - it will begin at 9:00 pm (EST) on Tuesday - Nov 17, 2009&nbsp; (That's Wed - Nov 18th - 1:00 pm In Sydney Australia.) and it's scheduled to run for 2 hours. You can hear the program live on the internet by going to either www.indieshowcase.net &nbsp; &nbsp; or &nbsp; &nbsp; www.awesomeradio.net&nbsp; and then clicking the icon for the music player that you normally use (ie: &nbsp;Windows Media Player, Winamp, etc.) You can also join us in the &quot;chatroom&quot; while you listen. Just open a new page and go to www.indieshowcase.net or www.awesomeradio.net Then click &quot;Chatroom&quot; ; Type in your name ; &nbsp;Click ok/chat. That's all there is to it !!!&nbsp; &nbsp; Podcast: &nbsp;For those who cannot make it , the program will be recorded and set for a podcast on the website &quot;Indie Showcase&quot;. I hope you get a chance to listen live and participate with us through the &quot;chatroom&quot; or go back later to hear the podcast. Thanks so much for all your support!! &nbsp; I will be doing a live interview on the "Indie Showcase" with Shashona, who is a DJ located in Sydney, Australia.  

She will be playing music from my cd  "Lately..."  as well as chatting with me (via SKYPE).  You are all invited to join us and even participate by way of the station's "chatroom".

Mark Your calenders - it will begin at 9:00 pm (EST) on Tuesday - Nov 17, 2009 
(That's Wed - Nov 18th - 1:00 pm In Sydney Australia.)
and it's scheduled to run for 2 hours.

You can hear the program live on the internet by going to either
www.indieshowcase.net     or     www.awesomeradio.net 
and then clicking the icon for the music player that you normally use
(ie:  Windows Media Player, Winamp, etc.)

You can also join us in the "chatroom" while you listen.
Just open a new page and go to www.indieshowcase.net or www.awesomeradio.net
Then click "Chatroom" ; Type in your name ;  Click ok/chat.
That's all there is to it !!! 
 

Podcast:  For those who cannot make it , the program will be recorded and set for a podcast on the website "Indie Showcase".

I hope you get a chance to listen live and participate with us through the "chatroom" or go back later to hear the podcast.

Thanks so much for all your support!!

 ]]> Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:05:03 GMT CC94C0B406BA07888E386B4E80453171 Middle-Aged Songwriters That Are Better Than Ever http://marthaannbrooks.com/blogs.cfm?feature=495863&postid=44345 Notes on the "Amplified" Songwriters-in-the-Round ShowBluebird Café, May 5th, 2009Too bad if you missed this show. It was a classic in my book. Mary Gauthier(Go-Shay), David Olney, Cam King, Jon Langford and Robbie Fulks, supported by a couple of mighty fine guitar pickers whose names I never could catch. I liked the other three writers but I was there for Gauthier and Olney so that's where my attention focused. Tommy Womack, an artist I have only discovered in the last couple of months (shame on me), was attending the show, and I was fortunate enough to meet him afterwards. I include a little info about that meeting. FYI, I made the notes below after riding back home that night from Nashville, arriving at 4:00 a.m. I didn't want to lose the vibe. Hope I captured a little of what the night was like for you. Here goes:Mary Gauthier has a light that pulses from within her. If I could read auras, hers would be blinding. Here we are in this tiny listening room, packed to the gills with people, seven singer-songwriters and supporting musicians in the round, and Mary just shines. Her ability to command a room is no small thing. I wonder if it's strange how much pride I feel. It's as though I was her older sibling in another life, and now I get to see her blossom and grow into this incredible, incredible artist. I think she at her best when it is just Mary playing that blue Taylor, little bit of support from another musician or two, and that's it. Mary's work is so good on it's own that trying to dress it with too many accoutrements is akin to screwing up a good basic recipe with fussy additions. Leave her work unadulterated, and you have something classic and beautiful. She amazes me with her insight, her ability to condense a plethora of words and images into a single line. Yes, I am biased. I am a huge fan and hope to bring many people who fall within my six degrees into the circle of Mary's gift of song. My favorite Gauthier song of the night: "Sideshow".David Olney is the master craftsman. No song is an ordinary ditty. Every piece is special, and you can't help but feel privileged when you hear David perform his songs live. He is the consummate showman, knowing just where to go in a songwriter's round, although later on he said it wasn't easy to follow Mary. As I told him, he danced with beautiful elegance and grace, playing songs that tell their stories with their symbolic hands around your throat. You don't go to the bathroom if David Olney is playing; you know you dare not miss a syllable. He never disappoints and, apparently, he doesn't slow down. He has so many new projects coming up that I can't keep track. It's as thought he has actually thrown a saddle on the little mustang and taken off on a wild ride, leaving those of us who want to experience it to try to keep up. Good luck keeping up with David Olney. Personally, I don't think it can be done. My favorite Olney song of the night: "Jerusalem Tomorrow".Tommy Womack is one cool person: brutally honest songwriter at times, published author, and lifetime learner. He's big stuff, Peeps, really big stuff. I kept hoping if I stood close enough, some of that mega-creativity would rub off on me. We're chatting outside when I have a moment a realization. By the time I'm talking with Tommy, I've had four, five cups of caffeine, and I'm not used to it. My brain catches up to the fact that my mouth has been running amuck for who knows how long. By then, it's too late to shut it up. The mouth has grabbed the proverbial bit and is galloping at a dangerous pace. The brain does it's best to slow it down by making a big circle. That works. Hallelujah. Lord only knows how much I blabbered, and about what scintillating topic(s). Anyway, I'm listening to his music every chance I get these days. Can't listen to it in the background. I have to be able to tune in and absorb it. He's the real deal, worth any investment you can make, be it time, money or both.What a night! What a perfect, perfect birthday present. Bluebird Café, May 5th, 2009
Too bad if you missed this show. It was a classic in my book. Mary Gauthier(Go-Shay), David Olney, Cam King, Jon Langford and Robbie Fulks, supported by a couple of mighty fine guitar pickers whose names I never could catch. I liked the other three writers but I was there for Gauthier and Olney so that?s where my attention focused. Tommy Womack, an artist I have only discovered in the last couple of months (shame on me), was attending the show, and I was fortunate enough to meet him afterwards. I include a little info about that meeting. FYI, I made the notes below after riding back home that night from Nashville, arriving at 4:00 a.m. I didn?t want to lose the vibe. Hope I captured a little of what the night was like for you. Here goes:
Mary Gauthier has a light that pulses from within her. If I could read auras, hers would be blinding. Here we are in this tiny listening room, packed to the gills with people, seven singer-songwriters and supporting musicians in the round, and Mary just shines. Her ability to command a room is no small thing. I wonder if it?s strange how much pride I feel. It?s as though I was her older sibling in another life, and now I get to see her blossom and grow into this incredible, incredible artist. I think she at her best when it is just Mary playing that blue Taylor, little bit of support from another musician or two, and that?s it. Mary?s work is so good on it?s own that trying to dress it with too many accoutrements is akin to screwing up a good basic recipe with fussy additions. Leave her work unadulterated, and you have something classic and beautiful. She amazes me with her insight, her ability to condense a plethora of words and images into a single line. Yes, I am biased. I am a huge fan and hope to bring many people who fall within my six degrees into the circle of Mary?s gift of song. My favorite Gauthier song of the night: "Sideshow".
David Olney is the master craftsman. No song is an ordinary ditty. Every piece is special, and you can?t help but feel privileged when you hear David perform his songs live. He is the consummate showman, knowing just where to go in a songwriter?s round, although later on he said it wasn?t easy to follow Mary. As I told him, he danced with beautiful elegance and grace, playing songs that tell their stories with their symbolic hands around your throat. You don?t go to the bathroom if David Olney is playing; you know you dare not miss a syllable. He never disappoints and, apparently, he doesn?t slow down. He has so many new projects coming up that I can?t keep track. It?s as thought he has actually thrown a saddle on the little mustang and taken off on a wild ride, leaving those of us who want to experience it to try to keep up. Good luck keeping up with David Olney. Personally, I don?t think it can be done. My favorite Olney song of the night: "Jerusalem Tomorrow".
Tommy Womack is one cool person: brutally honest songwriter at times, published author, and lifetime learner. He?s big stuff, Peeps, really big stuff. I kept hoping if I stood close enough, some of that mega-creativity would rub off on me. We?re chatting outside when I have a moment a realization. By the time I?m talking with Tommy, I?ve had four, five cups of caffeine, and I?m not used to it. My brain catches up to the fact that my mouth has been running amuck for who knows how long. By then, it?s too late to shut it up. The mouth has grabbed the proverbial bit and is galloping at a dangerous pace. The brain does it's best to slow it down by making a big circle. That works. Hallelujah. Lord only knows how much I blabbered, and about what scintillating topic(s). Anyway, I?m listening to his music every chance I get these days. Can?t listen to it in the background. I have to be able to tune in and absorb it. He?s the real deal, worth any investment you can make, be it time, money or both.
What a night! What a perfect, perfect birthday present.
]]> Sat, 09 May 2009 01:58:00 GMT E4F26791F2F5EFDE9540E1D72912C675 New CD "Lately" Now Available! http://marthaannbrooks.com/blogs.cfm?feature=495863&postid=39703 I'm so pleased to tell you that my new cd&nbsp;is hot off the press and ready to be shipped. We&nbsp;hope you will agree that it is reasonably priced at&nbsp;$9.75 U.S. When your cd arrives, I hope you will set aside about 45 minutes to just sit and listen. The songs have been arranged to provide you with a listening experience&nbsp;akin to a performance; I think you'll enjoy the ride if you set aside some &quot;me&quot; time for yourself to just &quot;be&quot; with the music. If you&nbsp;enjoy&nbsp;&quot;Lately...&quot;, please come on back to my website and post your thoughts in my guestbook. Your comment might be just what somebody needs to hear in order to become a new fan! Feel free to&nbsp;tell your friends about me, too. I'm always glad to meet new people who are fans and supporters of indie music. As always, I sincerely thank you for your encouragement and support. I wouldn't be anywhere without you in my corner. Happy trails!
When your cd arrives, I hope you will set aside about 45 minutes to just sit and listen. The songs have been arranged to provide you with a listening experience akin to a performance; I think you'll enjoy the ride if you set aside some "me" time for yourself to just "be" with the music.

If you enjoy "Lately...", please come on back to my website and post your thoughts in my guestbook. Your comment might be just what somebody needs to hear in order to become a new fan! Feel free to tell your friends about me, too. I'm always glad to meet new people who are fans and supporters of indie music.

As always, I sincerely thank you for your encouragement and support. I wouldn't be anywhere without you in my corner.

Happy trails!]]> Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:15:12 GMT 32BE030B9BEDF0A0CFA6588C35CEE959 Unfamiliarity http://marthaannbrooks.com/blogs.cfm?feature=495863&postid=38153 Ah, me. Where to begin? I am a singer/songwriter, a composer of songs about love and life, written from a mature point of view, primarily mature by nature of the number of my winters. I draw from all the music I've ever heard and held inside my heart. How do I stick that in a box and put a label on it? Someone said that Americana is the genre of every type of music that doesn't fit anywhere else, so I guess that's my label (I understand that having one helps people quickly draw a bead on where my music lies in the spectrum but that doesn't mean I like it).I feel like I'm "lost in the middle ages" because people look at me and see a gal who is on her way down the other side of the hill, and I see myself standing on top of that hill planting a victory flag. I see the world as my oyster, and marketing people see the world, particularly the world of entertainment, as a domain belonging to artists whose sexuality is wrapped in dewy youthfulness, not people who are sporting wrinkles and the beginnings of those blasted age spots. These folks seem to think, "You haven't made it to stardom by now, shouldn't you just stay home and play for your family? After all, you're old, and the world isn't interested in hearing the kinds of songs you're writing." Gotta tell you, People, I am NOT the kind of person who can be content to write a batch of songs just to sit on them, and I'm happy to say that there are a ton of excellent, talented artists who feel the same. We're all out there, doing our thing the best we can, some of us more noticed than other, but all of us pursuing our bliss.Why would I want to hide my light under a bushel just because I'm over thirty years old?? Why would you?? Why should you?!! What if you're a late bloomer, and all your best efforts are still in front of you? People, we need to keep following whatever dreams we have, whatever our passions are, to the best of our abilities for as long as we can, no matter how unfamiliar this middle-age landscape is. Who knows when we're really through shinin' our little lights? Maybe part of the answer to coping with the unfamiliar is to shine the light brighter than ever. Sure, it gets tougher the older we get, but haven't you heard? Old age ain't for sissies.I'll leave you with this quote from Brenda Ueland, who left a legacy of inspiration to people of all ilk and age:"This is what I learned: that everybody is talented, original and has something important to say." <a href="http://www.marthaannbrooks.com/">http://www.MarthaAnnBrooks.com Ah, me. Where to begin? I am a singer/songwriter, a composer of songs about love and life, written from a mature point of view, primarily mature by nature of the number of my winters. I draw from all the music I've ever heard and held inside my heart. How do I stick that in a box and put a label on it? Someone said that Americana is the genre of every type of music that doesn't fit anywhere else, so I guess that's my label (I understand that having one helps people quickly draw a bead on where my music lies in the spectrum but that doesn't mean I like it).

I feel like I'm "lost in the middle ages" because people look at me and see a gal who is on her way down the other side of the hill, and I see myself standing on top of that hill planting a victory flag. I see the world as my oyster, and marketing people see the world, particularly the world of entertainment, as a domain belonging to artists whose sexuality is wrapped in dewy youthfulness, not people who are sporting wrinkles and the beginnings of those blasted age spots. These folks seem to think, "You haven't made it to stardom by now, shouldn't you just stay home and play for your family? After all, you're old, and the world isn't interested in hearing the kinds of songs you're writing." Gotta tell you, People, I am NOT the kind of person who can be content to write a batch of songs just to sit on them, and I'm happy to say that there are a ton of excellent, talented artists who feel the same. We're all out there, doing our thing the best we can, some of us more noticed than other, but all of us pursuing our bliss.

Why would I want to hide my light under a bushel just because I'm over thirty years old?? Why would you?? Why should you?!! What if you're a late bloomer, and all your best efforts are still in front of you? People, we need to keep following whatever dreams we have, whatever our passions are, to the best of our abilities for as long as we can, no matter how unfamiliar this middle-age landscape is. Who knows when we're really through shinin' our little lights? Maybe part of the answer to coping with the unfamiliar is to shine the light brighter than ever. Sure, it gets tougher the older we get, but haven't you heard? Old age ain't for sissies.

I'll leave you with this quote from Brenda Ueland, who left a legacy of inspiration to people of all ilk and age:

"This is what I learned: that everybody is talented, original and has something important to say."

]]> Mon, 30 Mar 2009 23:04:00 GMT 690B89718582D25E15A00E5B9AC79E90 Thanks to Those Who Were There, Recap for Those Who Couldn't Make It http://marthaannbrooks.com/blogs.cfm?feature=495863&postid=35566 Just want to thank everyone who made it to the Friday night show at Dalton Little Theater. It was not officially a sell-out because we had two chairs at the ends of the front row empty :) I enjoyed speaking with many of you after the show and hope to see you again in the not-too-distant future. I have to say that I enjoyed this&nbsp;concert to the max. Lisa, Linda and Louisa put on one heck of a high-spirited show full of fantastic original songs and some excellent musicianship. These three ladies know how to accentuate the strengths of each member which makes for an almost overwhelmingly beautiful experience for the listener. Earl and David did a great job, again, although I have a bone to pick with David because one of his songs remains stuck in my head even now!! Betsy Blankenship(upright bass) &nbsp;and&nbsp;John Boulware (fiddle)&nbsp;provided mighty fine musical support. Once again, my song &quot;Little Mama&quot; (upcoming CD cut) elicited shouts from the women in the audience and laughter from everybody. It's so fun for me to perform that song live because I never thought I could do it. You'll understand once you hear it. Guess that's it for now. Still working on getting the CD mastered so it's looking like mid-March for release. We may try to do a little CD release show somewhere in Chattanooga. Sign up for my email list if you haven't already because I'll be letting the list know all the details as things come together. Thanks again for being there, supporting me and supporting quality concerts in a listening environment. As always, happy trails!
I have to say that I enjoyed this concert to the max. Lisa, Linda and Louisa put on one heck of a high-spirited show full of fantastic original songs and some excellent musicianship. These three ladies know how to accentuate the strengths of each member which makes for an almost overwhelmingly beautiful experience for the listener. Earl and David did a great job, again, although I have a bone to pick with David because one of his songs remains stuck in my head even now!! Betsy Blankenship(upright bass)  and John Boulware (fiddle) provided mighty fine musical support.

Once again, my song "Little Mama" (upcoming CD cut) elicited shouts from the women in the audience and laughter from everybody. It's so fun for me to perform that song live because I never thought I could do it. You'll understand once you hear it.

Guess that's it for now. Still working on getting the CD mastered so it's looking like mid-March for release. We may try to do a little CD release show somewhere in Chattanooga. Sign up for my email list if you haven't already because I'll be letting the list know all the details as things come together.

Thanks again for being there, supporting me and supporting quality concerts in a listening environment.

As always, happy trails!]]> Sun, 01 Mar 2009 21:10:00 GMT DB001E47FDC9EC05A12C5801B04E43EA Learning How to Use Windows Movie Maker http://marthaannbrooks.com/blogs.cfm?feature=495863&postid=35428 Last week, I decided to try my hand at learning to use Windows Movie Maker. Making a video slideshow as a backdrop for my song &quot;Lovers In Love' was my goal. Surprisingly, at least I surprised myself, this slideshow has turned out to be quite complimentary to the music. I was attempting to make something beautiful that would accentuate the quality of the music, but leave the listener free to interpret the images as they wished. Of course, my photo choices are all subjective; I picked what I liked, but I think most people will like these pictures, too. All of the photographers graciously allowed use of their photos from the website <a href="http://www.sxc.hu">www.sxc.hu . These photographers are located from all parts of the world, which makes them even more special to me, because love is something experienced worldwide on our little blue planet. This makes my little love song&nbsp;seem like more of a universal&nbsp;story than just an American&nbsp;tale to me.&nbsp;&nbsp; I am in the final stages of putting this thing together. I'll post the YouTube link when I put the slideshow up, either today or tomorrow. If you go watch, be sure to leave a comment either on youtube or here as a Blog comment. Happy trails, Mab Last week, I decided to try my hand at learning to use Windows Movie Maker. Making a video slideshow as a backdrop for my song "Lovers In Love' was my goal. Surprisingly, at least I surprised myself, this slideshow has turned out to be quite complimentary to the music. I was attempting to make something beautiful that would accentuate the quality of the music, but leave the listener free to interpret the images as they wished. Of course, my photo choices are all subjective; I picked what I liked, but I think most people will like these pictures, too. All of the photographers graciously allowed use of their photos from the website www.sxc.hu . These photographers are located from all parts of the world, which makes them even more special to me, because love is something experienced worldwide on our little blue planet. This makes my little love song seem like more of a universal story than just an American tale to me.  

I am in the final stages of putting this thing together. I'll post the YouTube link when I put the slideshow up, either today or tomorrow. If you go watch, be sure to leave a comment either on youtube or here as a Blog comment.

Happy trails,

Mab

]]> Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:36:44 GMT D2EC0BFA40D3AF9037ECF37EE870E5F8 Bluefolkacana http://marthaannbrooks.com/blogs.cfm?feature=495863&postid=35279 As the new cd gets closer to actually being released, I am finding that most marketing outlets want me specify a genre for this particular project. This attitude totally dismisses the fact that many artists today cross the lines of more than a couple of genres, making it difficult to put their music into a specifically labeled little box. With that in mind, I have come up with a genre for my music on&nbsp;the upcoming cd.....Bluefolkacana. I hope you enjoy it. You'll get the chance to find out sometime in March! Happy trails, Bluefolkacanites!
Happy trails, Bluefolkacanites!]]> Tue, 24 Feb 2009 20:30:00 GMT C86BCFE66E620EFE7E628392951AE63A What's Going On Lately http://marthaannbrooks.com/blogs.cfm?feature=495863&postid=35232 The radio interview went great and the response so far has been good. The mixing of the CD tracks is almost complete. We expect for the mastering process to be completed sometime this week, so there is a good chance the CD will be available around the second week of March. Stay tuned and stay in touch! I love to hear from you folks. Happy&nbsp;Trails!
Happy Trails!]]> Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:29:24 GMT 527DAB8552099D7F91722F77A35AF771