Finished Recording

Today was a wonderful day of recording. We had hoped to finish most of the recording last Thursday, but we needed to record the strings today. It was a miracle I was even able to make it there today. Thankfully my oldest daughter "happened" to have the day off school (Teacher prep day?!) and she was willing to watch the the kids for the morning.

What an amazing experience to listen to my song with sounds that I have only dreamed and imagined being added. Greg Hansen did an amazing job. As I heard the orchestration for the duet, I couldn't stop the tears from falling. It is beautiful. I'm so happy with how it sounds. My only fear now is that I will be overcome with emotions as I perform this song at Women's Conference.

One of the other songs, "Living Water", also was deeply moving. Rebecca Lopez sings this song, and I can't imagine anyone singing it better. There were parts where we had added cello, and decided to drop it out so it wouldn't detract from the beauty of her voice. Her voice is just gorgeous, and the message of the song is deeply moving in the way she sings it.

All of the vocals turned out really well, and I'm very happy with the whole album. Steve Lerud was the engineer for the CD, and he is absolutely fabulous in making everything sound rich and warm. He also helped with my added piano song. It was fun to do some of my my own orchestrating for that song. I have so much to learn, and it was a privelege to learn so much from Greg, as he shared with me the reasons why he chose to do different things, and use the different colors of the orchestra. Someday I hope to orchestrate the way he does.

So I'm just excited. All that's left is the back and cover of the album. Once that's done, it will be sent off to the duplicators. April 15th, is really not that far away. What a thrill! I'm hoping to make a preview track of atleast "Living Water", that people can listen to before the album is released.

Below is a picture of Rebecca Lopez
recording "Living Water".

Happy Easter

These last months have been months of miracles for me. I have seen the hand of the Lord in my life so much, and it continues as I have selected vocalists to sing the songs on my album, as I have balanced things with my family and as I find direction in all that I am doing. I am constantly amazed at the people that have come into my life, and opportunities that have brought me growth and knowledge. Even in the disappointments of life, I have come to believe that there are lessons to learn and ways that I have grown. I have no doubt that God is there, actively part of my life.

Today, this Easter, I found some time to read my Bible, about the atonement, and especially of Christ's resurrection. There's so much I don't understand. I wish I did. I watched a movie today that depicted scenes from Christ's life, as He healed and performed miracles for the people of His day. Many of those miracles strengthened the faith of those around Him. Many believed in who He was. Others, of course did not.

I can't help but reflect on the miracles that have happened in my life. These are no different from the kinds of miracles He performed then. They have strengthened me. I believe in Him. I know that there is a God and that He loves me. I want to know Him better. I'm so grateful for His atonement and for the opportunity I have to live with Him again.

More miracles

It had been about a month since my experience in the Relief Society building, and although things were looking wonderful for a new CD, I hadn't heard anything from Sister Lifferth. I began to wonder if all this was just too good to be true. Maybe things wouldn't work out, and Greg Hansen wouldn't want to produce the album if I didn't end up singing at Women's Conference. It was dumb to even think that way, especially since I had no doubt that the Lord was helping along everything that had happened so far, but still I was insecure. I hadn't even told my family about my experiences. I don't know exactly why, but I wondered if telling people would somehow make the experiences stop. I decided to call Sister Lifferth and ask her.

She returned my phone call enthusiastically telling me that she was excited for us to sing! I was so grateful. I asked her if it was okay to tell people that we would be singing, and her response was, "Of course!" It was funny how relieved and freed I felt to hear that! I wanted her to know that I would have a CD available, and wondered if she preferred us singing to a backup track or to a live piano for the performance. She said she'd leave that up to me, and then mentioned that if I had a CD to sell, she could make sure that there was a spot reserved for it at the bookstore. I couldn't believe it. Wow. That was my goal! I was so happy.

I called Greg Hansen to tell him the news. He couldn't believe it. Another miracle, but that wasn't all. Greg decided to call some people he knew. He called me back only an hour or so later to tell me that Sounds of Zion would distribute the album, sight unseen, and that it would be available in Deseret Book stores and wherever else LDS products are sold. Believe me, when I tell you that I couldn't sleep well that night!

My Relief Society president called me that day to ask me how things were going, and I just had to tell her the good news. She was actually calling from her cell phone out of state, helping out with a new grandchild, but she asked me if I would share my experiences with the women in our ward. That was difficult, but having the encouragement from Sister Lifferth, I told her I would.

As I shared my experiences with the women in my ward, I was able to bear my testimony of how much I know the Lord blesses us. Sometimes more than we ever hoped or expected. I haven't always been this blessed, but there is no doubt in my mind, that these blessings have all come from Him. I'm so grateful. I hope that everything I have the opportunity to do now and in the future will bring Him glory.

A new opportunity

Knowing that I was going to be singing at Women's Conference, I recognized that more than just the chance at being able to share my music in such a neat venue, there could also perhaps be many people who would want a recording of the song.

I've struggled with wanting to make recordings of my songs for many years. Not because I haven't wanted to, but because I wanted to record them 'well'. Perhaps I've been too picky, but I didn't want a recording that I didn't love, to be available on the web where I would never be able to get it back.

I have a neighbor who has written an LDS musical. There is hope that he will be able to have it performed in the near future. He worked with Greg Hansen, an incredible record producer, arranger, and composer to help record and arrange the music. I was fascinated with all he could tell me about the process. I love to learn, especially anything having to do with music and musicals.

I had done some arranging/transcription work for this friend, and he emailed me to ask if I would be interested in doing another project. Because I was thinking about making a CD, I was hesitant to start a new project. His email also started me thinking about Greg and his friendship with this friend. In my mind, I started thinking about possiblities. Maybe if I told this friend about my opportunity to sing at Women's Conference, he might say something to Greg, maybe he would want to help...

My friend's response was encouraging, he told me not to worry about the project until after May. I was grateful, but wondered what else I should do. After that, my mind kept thinking about Greg Hansen. I decided it couldn't hurt to email him myself. I had emailed a producer before, and the worst thing that happened was that I was rejected and told that I should read some books about the music business and how to approach a record producer. I was wary, but still felt like it was the right thing to do.

Finding Greg Hansen's website, I discovered that Greg offers a mentoring program. For just $25, Greg allows artists to submit a demo and they receive a song-review, advice and feedback on how you are doing as an artist. For those that are ready, Greg will also help produce singles, miniCD's, full albums, or for top artists that Greg discovers, be a part of his label, Eagle Springs Records.

I've been to enough music workshops to know that I wouldn't be willing to give up my life, family, and kids for a label opportunity, but I was definitely willing to pay $25 to get Greg's opinions and insights on what I should do.

I sent Greg a home recording of the song we were to sing at Women's Conference. I spent 2 hours writing an email to attach with it. I have a really difficult time writing emails (and blogs for that matter), especially since my last 'producer' experience. I had faith though that if this was what the Lord wanted me to do, it might have a better ending this time.

Greg's reply was fast. If I could afford it, he thought I should do the miniCD. He was willing to orchestrate and produce the album. He told me that of all the artists he'd worked with, none of them had been able to have the opportunity to sing at Women's Conference. It felt good to tell him that it had all come about because I was using my talents in filling my calling as a young women's music leader, nothing else.

So now a new journey begins. So far, it has been fun and exciting. I have loved being in the studio and meeting with new people. Greg, in particular, seems like a spiritual giant. I look forward to things I can learn from him both musically as well as spiritually. Over the last several years I've had the chance to know many LDS artists. In fact, it gets a little embarrassing when people keep asking, "So when are YOU going to have an album"? In the past, I'd just smile, and shrug my shoulders, but finally, I have a release date! The CD is set to be released April 15th. Two weeks before Women's Conference!
Yay!