Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Winter Tour 2012


Winter Tour 2012

This last tour was so amazing. It's hard to know where to begin. 

Such a deep relaxation occurred as I let go of being the "doer," allowing everything to simply be as it was.

The concerts and workshops continued to confirm that everything and everyone is in their proper place. How can it be that everything actually unfolds by itself? 

There were miracles happening daily. Often, just before going to sleep at night (wonderfully exhausted) I would reflect upon the fullness of the day. "That couldn't have been this morning" I would think. And yet it was! There were simply too many amazing sychronicities (miracles) to ignore.  

And I connected with so many beautiful souls. Thank you to everyone who helped, participated in workshops, made food for the recording sessions, arranged event venues, and drove me safely to the next event (Ralph)...no amount of thanks would ever be enough....still.....Thank you. 

Even when challenges arose, as they did a few times with  sound systems etc. (often the bane of touring musicians) it became clear that as I relaxed and allowed things to be as they were, by concert time, everything worked itself out. 

My experience in the studio was like a dream come true. My new producer, Ulli, has worked with some of the greats, including Michael Jackson, the Rolling Stones, and Neil Young.  He continued to invite me to enjoy myself in front of the microphones (of which there were at least 8 recording just my guitar). I've never heard my old Washburn sounding so good. It was like an orchestra all by itself. (We'll have some photos for you soon.)

And....Ulli wonderfully reminded me again and again to "play". Not simply to play the guitar, but to play like a child plays; to relax and enjoy this process of self discovery that will be this new CD. It didn't matter so much what I had imagined myself to be in the past.  What am I now? What wants to be expressed now?  What does my true voice really sound like? Again I saw that the way to stay awake is not to have all of the answers, but to continually be willing to live all of the questions. 

Thank God for Ulli's divine invitation. I recorded slide guitar, shaker, and this one's amazing....drums! 

I had been telling Ulli that I could hear certain drum parts to my songs. Sometimes I would play "air drums" in the control room as we listened to different "takes" to simulate what I was hearing in my head. The next thing I know, Christian (one of the greatest recording engineers I've ever met) and my dear friend Ralph are moving  a full drum set into the studio. Even though I've rarely played a full kit, (probably a total of a few hours in my lifttime) it all sounded surprisingly good. I had a blast!

I returned home to California a few days later to find a full drum set for sale right across the street. Yes....It's now sitting in my music room. 

I've been enjoying my new instrument so much (often playing for hours a day) and hope to record some great drum parts when I return to Germany this summer.  

This was a huge reminder to never limit myself.....ever! 

And...who would have guessed that dance would become a major part of my life? 

I've been sharing an experience I call non-volitional movement with people. This occurs in both private sessions and in workshops. It's proving to be the most powerful transformational tool I could have ever imagined. (You can read more about this in my blog entry "Only The Dance. Healing Movements.")

Please remember friends, it's never too late to start something new. I love the fact that I no longer think of myself simply as a singer/songwriter, but now also as a drummer and dancer! I hope this little story inspires  you to stretch beyond your horizons and to try something completely new. 

And.... remember.... 

Don't focus on what you don't want. Focus on what you do want. 

And what do I want? 

I want to PLAY....in so many ways.  

What gets your cells tingling? 

What thrills you when you think about it?  

All Love, 

Steven

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