Hi from Seoul, Korea!

Christmas is only a couple of days away. I am trying to figure out ways to "invoke" the holiday spirit over here, even though I am far from most of my friends and family. So, with the new friends I've made here, I've been baking cookies, listening to Christmas carols, and wearing as much red and green as possible. :)

More importantly, I'm trying to count my blessings and make sure to express my appreciation for those blessings.

I am playing music, which is my love.
I am making a living playing music, in uncertain economic times.
I have people who love me, whether they are right across the street or thousands of miles away.
I am healthy.

I can't think of much else I need - and I realize that I also can't think of much to complain about, though there have certainly been difficult and lonely times here in Seoul. For every blessing I counted above, there are people struggling, and it's important to remember that as well. What can I do to help other people? My friend Mary and I are looking into volunteering at orphanages and women's shelters here in Korea. Something to bring myself OUT of myself will probably help me a lot when those lonely, sad times occur.

So, no matter your beliefs - I hope that during this holiday season, right before the new year begins, you count your blessings and also recognize your own ability to make the world a better place on whatever scale you can.

And - musically speaking, I'm finding the blues to be the best cure for my blues.

Well - many people probably won't find this blog for a while as I assume no one is following a blog that is more than a year overdue! I hope we can get you back on the site after sending out a notice in the next newsletter. I apologize for my blogging absence - but I hope to be back "on the wagon."

2008 brought about many changes for me personally and professionally. In the summer of 2007 I moved back to the northwest to be near family, sadly leaving behind a nearly seven-year run with the Hilary Scott Band, which I miss very much, and for a period of time had been focusing on writing and recording. I took three trips back to Columbia, MO between summer 2007 and summer 2008 where I played in shows with members of the Hilary Scott Band and worked on an album with Wes Wingate at Mansion Studios (the album will be released in summer of 2009). In April of this year, I was contacted by an agency called Premier Talent International, and offered representation by Vanessa Feltner, the owner of the company, who finds musicians jobs overseas. My first placement was for three months in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and now I am working my way through a six month contract in Seoul, Korea. I may have future placements in other areas in Asia, the UAE, and Europe. The job combines cover music and some originals, and I perform piano and vocals. I have found pleasure in developing this other aspect of my life as a professional musician. On the flipside, I recall with nostalgia the wonderful music the Hilary Scott Band made, and I still plan to return to the Midwest for shows with the band when possible.

Since this lifestyle is so different from what I had been doing previously, I have interesting stories to tell, which I will try to find time to blog about. Thanks for reading this and please keep checking in.