Today my agent from Premier Talent International sent me my flight confirmation for Japan in September when I am slated to be artist in residence at the Grand Hyatt in Fukuoka from late September 2010 to early January 2011. It reminded me how quickly the year is flying by and how much I have to look forward to musically this year!

In three days I leave for Italy, where I will start in Rome working with producer Euro Ferrari on my song "And Just" which is the song that got me into the finals of the international songwriting competition, Festival Degli Autori, in which I will be competing after recording in Rome. On the 20th of June I head up to northern Italy, the Italian Riviera to be exact, to Sanremo, and on the night of the 22nd I present "And Just" live to a large festival audience. The recorded version of the song, produced by Euro Ferrari, will appear on a compilation CD to be distributed nationally in Italy. I have a chance to win a recording contract with Sanremo Productions should I place in the finals.

After my performance on the 22nd in the competition, I take a long and winding train ride to France to meet my new European booking agent, Agnes Dautraix, who represents several artists through Miss Lucy and Co. Booking Agency. Agnes has booked two shows for me this summer in which I will share the stage with French artist Norfolk, and I will also appear in a French TV program performing live. These shows are an exciting preparation for summer of 2011, when Ms. Dautraix will be booking me as a headliner for my own shows in theaters and venues around France and in music festivals around the area as well. One of the artists she represents is James Taylor's sister, Kate Taylor, and I may perform as an opening act for Kate at some of the larger festivals. I'm thrilled with all of the possibilities!

Now it's just time to get down to packing....and to remember all the vital electronics for the trip! FlipVid: check! Computer: check! Camera: check! If I am able to keep up with it, you can expect You Tube videos of my performances abroad as well as scenic "movies" of the places I am traveling through, as well as plenty of photos and blogs.

Au revoir and arrivederci!