Summer Vacation Is Coming To An End...

I am finishing up my long weekend at Starr Pass Resort. I hope to get back to playing as I miss my keyboard! I have been so busy the last few weeks with vacation related things that I haven't even had time to play. Summer vacation is almost over and I will have more time to spend on what I enjoy! I plan to write more songs as I am so tired of the legality of doing covers... This that I have featured today is one of my own originals! So kiss my ass lol ( you know who you are)...

What a wonderful vacation. So relaxing and enjoyable with family! Britt and family came to join us yesterday. We are so enjoying Starr Pass Resort! This is our 3rd year of enjoying this particular resort. 

Overdone in the sun. We have been living at the lazy river

This resturaunt had its own herb garden

Ak-Chin Yahoo Live Chicago And Earth Wind And Fire!

The Earth Wind And Fire/ Chicago concert was phenomenal last night. At first both bands were a little off vocally until they warmed up. Boy do I know the feeling! Warming up takes a while but once you are, it's all good!
 They were beyond good and midway through both bands just turned on the energy! I can tell both bands like bringing the fans their best. I think they always sound better when they are being televised! Yahoo Live presented this concert online!  They played at Ak-Chin casino in Phoenix. We live in the Phoenix area and decided against sitting for hours in the heat. I was worried for all of the guys when the concert first started because it was 103 degrees still at 8:00 pm when they started!

Both bands were exceptional! They are so tight and true pros. When they got together at the end and played each others songs I was so touched that I cried tears. They are both soooooo good!  It is amazing how many hits and the amount of content these bands have contributed to the history of music! I can only imagine what that would feel like. Imagine reflecting upon what you did in this life. I'm so proud of these bands and I'm only a fan! Wow just wow. I thourghly enjoyed the three hours I spent in the comfort of my own home watching this live on Yahoo Live! What a great way to see concerts!

I was sad to see that Walt Parzaider was not there. He was one of four original Chicago members. Now only three original members remain. It was interesting and fun to see the exuberance and the amount of energy these well seasoned veterans can still generate. It is clear to me that they are still passionate about their life work. Sharing an amazing talent and distinct musical style that sets them apart from the masses. I was so touched by this concert. They were genuinely having fun and I was thrilled to feel that from them! They know how incredible they are and that pride is infectious!

I love you Chicago! I carved this when I was about 14. It still sits on my childhood piano in my living room lol.

Earth Wind And Fire you are the best at making us get up and move! What tremendous talents!

Adoration Falls Deaf On The Compassion Impaired

Nothing drives me more nuts than being ill perceived. It humbles me to my core. Being misconstrued is most frustrating! I haven't the energy to chase people around and prove my intent or my life mission statement.I have had a very humbling experience with trying to find my niche in music. Lots of doors slammed in my face, tons of rejection and a lot of humbling silence. For someone like me who doesn't like to compete, I sure have put myself out there and into a huge shark tank. A virtual free for all for recognition and acceptance. It's not as much fun as I thought it would be!
What started as a desire to do something more than nothing has proven to be a bitter pill... I got an email full of discouragment from someone in the biz whom I truly admired. This artists manager let me know how this artist feels about covers of his music. If it were up to this artist he would take down all of the cover artists on YouTube. He apparently hates people to cover his songs. This mans manager inplies that the whole music industry is about to quash any and all covers done by indie artists. Slapping copyright infringements on all cover artists. She also eludes to a takedown of all of the covers on YouTube!
I was told in no uncertain terms that I should remove all of my cover videos in an effort to protect my channel on YouTube and SoundCloud. This particular hired mouthpiece comes via one of my most highly regarded artist. Here is a letter that I wrote:

Subject: Cover use of a few Roger Hodgson songs...

Dear Ms. Gianotti,

I am a housewife who plays piano by ear. I'm asking permission to cover a few of Roger's songs for my YouTube channel. It is mostly for my own enjoyment. I am not looking to make money and have
not received monetary compensation on anything that I cover. 

I have three of my own originals that I hope to do something with! I cover various artists and if you 

would like to check out my channel please feel free to do so under  the name, Tyna J. Metzner. I also 

have a SoundCloud channel in the same name. I am and have been a fan of Roger's music for 35+
years. What an incredible songwriter/ artist!

The songs I would like to cover of Roger's are of the following...

Fool's Overture

Dreamer

Don't Leave Me Now

Hide In Your Shell

I would very much like to be able to post my covers of these songs on my YouTube channel!

Please let me know if and how I might be able to do so...

Thank you for your time! 

Sincerely,

Tyna J. Metzner

Here is the response that I got back...

Hello Tyna,

Thank you for your message and thank you for being such a big fan of Roger Hodgson’s.    Regarding
uploading cover videos on YouTube, you may or may not be aware that anytime a video or audio 

using copyrighted lyrics and/or composition is uploaded on YouTube or any other video site/website,
a sync license is required.   Whether or not a monetaray profit is made from the video(s) or audio is
not relevant.  Universal Music owns the publishing rights to Roger’s songs and therefore they would need to grant such a license.   As a side note and to protect your channel and other sites, please be aware that labels and their representatives are in the process of removing thousands of unlicensed videos and audio files from YouTube and other sites for copyright infringement.   

We wish you the best of luck with your endeavors and hope you continue with your musical aspirations.  

Best to you,

Linda Tyler

 Needless to say,  many thoughts ran through my mind after I read this. I really resent the tone of this. 
Condescending and so territorial! The farthest thing from wishing someone good luck in their 
endeavors. 

Never mind the spirit and adoration in which prompted my covers of  this mans songs. If I'm honest I 

admit feeling crushed! Crushed in spirit and my loyalty as a devoted fan. I guess in someway I was hoping that Roger Hodgson's camp would find my adoration to be sweet or charming?

On my two mile powerwalk This morning I had time to ponder this humbling confrontation...I realize  that things and people are never what you think they are. Perception is subjective with a ton of varibles. You can't try to impose yourself on people even if your intention is to make them smile. People don't give a damn about anything or anyone other than their own agenda. If you don't fit within thier opportunistic venue to them you don't belong. The egos of big name artists kill me! 

 I will continue onward but with an understanding that nobody in the music biz wants to see me do well unless I pay them.😞

*Adoration falls deaf on those who are campassionate impaired. What happened to humility and humanity?
* I suppose part of me feels like a jilted lover whos affection is not returned. Silly that a 35 + year adoration of music can make you feel that way! Maybe I would understand this discompassionate thinking if I was a successful artist? Would I treat my fans like this?

I think this stinks!  What an eye opener and a huge disappointment!

Yet another ephinany and humbling experience to add to  my PhD in life experience.

Vacation Staycation You're In My Sights

I just finished my week together with all of these G-kids. I watched two of them while Mom and Dad vacationed in Mexico. I am worn out to say the least lol. They kept me on my toes! We did a few fun activities and I took them to the pool a few times. I hear that they had a good time. The youngest, 3 year old Kadee has been conveying her Gram experience to her parents referring to me as "YoMama" 

Lol I will forever be known to her as "YoMama". So cute!

Korbin and I had a nightly routine of sitting together with my iPad, watching cat videos on YouTube. I love that these G-kids inherited my adoration and love for cats! My poor kitties were loved on so much they became annoyed. They survived and are back to themselves today.

Clarice and Twink

I love these creatures so much and they know it!

I can't imagine not having cats in my home.

So now I can get back to creating some music! I haven't even turned my keyboard on for a week! I'm looking for my next creative project. I think I want to write another song. Nothing is as rewarding in music as writing. 

We are getting ready for our Tucson Staycation. Every year we go to Starr Pass Resort for 3 nights. It's nice to lounge around in the lazy river. By the third day you wear your T-shirt in the pool to give your back and shoulders a break from the intense AZ sun! Plenty of exercise and being with family. My daughter Britt and family join us for a day and night. I love this vacation! It is predicable and serene. The hydration stations are charming as can be with every kind of infused water you can imagine. If you get dehydrated, 

it's on you for the resort has made drinking water so inviting!

In the evening they have live music, tequila shots at sunset and Smores by the fire . The food is good. The breakfast buffet is spectacular. The grounds are lovely and  full of wildlife. From your balcony you can see wild javelina walking through the resort in the early morning hours.  The grounds people are forever chasing them off property.

Zoe and I intend to take the guided  morning hike the resort offers. Zoe has been bringing her BFF Paige for the last three years. She has much more fun and we adore having this gal join our fun. Tucson is about an hour and 30 min drive from Phoenix. Just the right amount of distance to feel like you are on vacation! I'm really looking forward to the down time!

You're Making Me Old Kid Slow Down!

For the life of me I've been trying hard to figure out how to get something going for myself in music!
I wish I could hide in my shell for awhile lol. I'm tired from entertaining toddlers, a seven year old boy and my 13 year old all week long!

I've had a busy and laborous week. Three have my G-kids have been staying with me for the week. One I am raising currently. The other two I am watching while my daughter and her husband are on vacation in Mexico for the week. They are returning tomorrow evening! It's been an interesting week trying to keep everyone entertainined and the house in order. Two toddler girls keep you on your toes!

Needless to say, I haven't had any time to play my keyboard.

Today is my oldest daughter Brittany's birthday.  I can't believe how fast the years are going by!

Not fancy but as far as I can tell, it tastes really good! I made this for Britt's family party this eve. I will take this over to her this eve. Just a yellow cake with Buttercreme frosting. I toasted coconut and sprinkled it on top. I will take a container of squirtable whipped cream for extra adornment lol. 

I enjoy baking for my family! B-days are fun! Will purchase candles that spell out Happy Birthday to adorn the cake. Viola, fancy enough?

This daughter is a wonderful gal. Always helping her family, her sisters and me as well. I appreciate all that she does and I'm so proud!

Happy Birthday Britt! 

Thirty one? Omg,  can I just push pause for awhile? I haven't gotten to do what I want to do yet lol! 

Kickin It In Sedona A Day Trip From Phoenix

Sedona, AZ!
We only live a few hours from Sedona so I'm not sure why we don't go more often! We enjoyed the drive and even drove through a downpour that sent a car behind us spinning out and into a ditch. Quite a storm for about 20 min. Monsoon season in the mountains is pretty intense. Thank goodness the storms are quick and pretty localized!

Some of the scenery in Sedona. So very pretty!

One of the shops we visited while in Sedona.

Alissa had fun with this metal dino.

Zoe started the hat craze...

The rest of us continued the hat craze...

Alissa 

Even Howard found a hat to try on!

Let Them Eat Cake

My finished Red,white and blue Facebook cake. 

Click on the arrow...

My daughter Zoe reminded me that this 4th of July was indeed on a Saturday just as in this song, Saturday In The Park written by Chicago.

This is a patriotic cake recipe that had been going around Facebook. It ended up being a fun cake to make and see all over the internet. I have a few other lady friends on Facebook that made and posted 

pics of their masterpiece lol.  

Plated cake with red, white and blue frosting / sprinkles. 

 Using a white cake mix, I divided the cake mix into three parts. Added red food coloring to one and blue to the other bowl. Easy but different enough to be fun.

I made a homemade potato salad and a fruit salad also. 

 It was probably the most laid back quiet 4th I've had in years. 

I hope you had a wonderful 4th as well!