Howdy everyone!!
For the past two weeks I’ve been immersed in the story of Babe Didrikson. For those of you not familiar with her, she is considered by many folks to be the greatest female athlete of all time. She was born in 1911 and already was a legend before her untimely death in 1956. She not only participated in sports that were not considered “acceptable” for females to participate in, such as football, but she excelled at every sport she tried. From Track and field, basketball, baseball, bowling, football, and golf.
As an excellent female athlete she endured ridicule and accusations that she was not really a woman. Instead of quitting, she was even more determined to win. When she was dominating the women’s amateur golf circuit they declared her a “professional” to keep her from competing. Soon after that she helped co-found the ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). For some fun facts about Babe, click here.
Babe’s story is compelling all by itself, but the musical written by Carolyn Gage (music composed by Andrea Jill Higgins) is so inspiring. Carolyn has been working on it for almost 20 years. I first met her when I was singing at the National Women’s Music Festival in 2006. She tells me that when she saw me perform, she knew she had found her “Babe”. She emailed me asking if I might be interested in auditioning for the role.
I quickly googled Babe and read everything I could about her. She even grew up just 30 miles or so from where I did in Texas. I felt so inspired by her story that I asked for the script and quickly recorded an audition tape.
Now, 2 years later, I can’t believe we’re about to bring Babe’s story to life. We’ve been rehearsing for the last few weeks for this concert/ reading of the musical. I am so excited, and I feel so honored to get to play the role of Babe. My hope is that my performance can inspire others with Babe’s story the way I felt inspired the first time I read about her.
It’s kinda crazy to be playing the lead in a musical when I’ve never acted before! I have to say I am having so much fun!! The cast and crew are so great and we’re having such a good time. I think it’s especially fun because the script and the songs are so good… In fact, we’re all lamenting that it’s just a concert/reading and not the full production because it really does feel like we’re bringing Babe to life.
Well, that’s all for today! I better go rehearse! I’m singing about 15 songs in this thing!! Wish me luck!
Peace and love,
Ellis
Babe! An Olympic Musical
a train, a plane, a bicycle, & a strange weather adventure!
Howdy Y'all!!
I just realized that it's been over a month since my last post! So, I thought I'd take a minute on this fine Tuesday to write a bit. It has turned into a bit more ;-) and very much an ADD train of thought... so, if you are up for said adventure... Beware the possibility of confusion and sudden topic change!!
I just dropped off my bicycle to get some work done on it! I can't WAIT to be able to bike around Mpls!! It's such a gorgeous summer here and (even better) gas prices for bicycles remain at the all time low price of $0 per gallon!! What a steal ;-) I've toyed around with the idea of a bicycle tour... however, I think I might sleep on the stage during my shows... and as cute as I might hope I am while sleeping... I'm pretty sure I drool... and I for sure don't sing and play guitar while asleep, which is what y'all really sit in those seats for anyhow!!
I just got back from the Festival of the Eno in North Carolina. What a wonderful festival!! The main purpose of it is to raise funds to put land immediately along the Eno River in a trust, so it's protected. As one of the festival volunteers, John, was telling me.. the health of the Eno river really has an effect on the sea life in the Atlantic ocean!! We are truly more interconnected than we know and the world we live in reflects that!!
I played along with a few of my musical friends you should know about if you don't already; Girlyman, Pat Wictor, and Jamie Anderson. (Jamie was instrumental in bringing me to the Eno!! Thank you Jamie!!) I may at some point have a little video of Pat joining me on a few songs during one of my sets!! Stay tuned for that!!
Speaking of Girlyman, we all had dinner the night before in Durham and we were talking about weather... in particular storms that have a "throwing water sideways" kind of intensity... you know... hurricanes, tornado weather... and as we were talking about it, it began to rain outside... you guessed it... sideways!! The power flickered in the restaurant before finally shutting off... the power was out on the street, too, and for a while it was kinda greenish outside and the trees were really bending and WOW sideways sheets of rain... Thunder Storm Extraordinaire (TSE)!!
Anyway, it was a memorable night for sure! No worries, we all got to the hotel safe and sound after an extended restaurant hang! So I share this story not only because it was quite dramatic and I wanted to share, but also because... the weather drama doesn't end there!! The weekend had a couple of intense thunder storms, however, there was another greeny sideways TSE on Sunday evening (when I was flying back to Minneapolis) I sat on the runway for a good 45 minutes waiting for a "window" in the storm... I have to say I felt a little more vulnerable than I did at the restaurant a couple days before!!
So here are a couple things I learned...
#1 if you are hit by a lightening bolt in a plane in the sky... the electricity may flicker as the lightning goes through the plane, but there will be no real permanent damage! Why?! Commercial planes are made of aluminum, which is a very good electrical conductor. A lightning bolt's electricity flows along the airplane's skin and into the air. There really isn't anything to ground the lightning (no ground- It’s so weird to be happy about that!!)... Also, airplanes have built-in systems that ensure that a spark will not ignite fuel or fuel vapors in tanks or fuel lines... so no worries on the whole match to fuel cartoon visual!! Phew!!
#2 there have been no accidents due to weather for large commercial planes in the US since the 80s... I think the overall statistic for any kind of crash is something like 0.34 per million flight hours (Still, every time I fly I think my couple hours might win the lottery... however, the statistics have not let me crash down yet ;-)!!)
Finally #3 Planes are built for turbulence and even if you have crash scenes in your mind as the plane is dropping and catching due to updrafts and downdrafts, the little dinging noises keep dinging, and the engine revs up for speed and then revs down for a seemingly slowing effect, as long as the plane is still moving forward and not backwards you can be fairly sure this is normal behavior for a plane in turbulence!
Plus, commercial pilots have weather data available to them continuously and can track where a storm is and how best to avoid when it might be dangerous. They are trained to be over cautious and in general will wait on the runway for a safer window, cancel the flight, or once in the air, re-route to avoid any dangerous conditions!
I still tried to fly the plane from my seat on Sunday... however, I'm really glad there were experts involved! Phew! Aren't you glad you know some storm plane facts now?!!
Hope wherever you are, whether in stormy or sunny weather… you are happy and grounded… even if you happen to be in flight!!
Can’t wait to see you soon,
Ellis
Oh, and P.S. if you haven’t noticed, we re-named the Angel program to reflect the biggest feature; a brand new song every month- written and recorded by yours truly!! (and once in a while something cool from the archives). We’re calling it Song Of The Month program!! Check out all the updated info here!!
I just realized that it's been over a month since my last post! So, I thought I'd take a minute on this fine Tuesday to write a bit. It has turned into a bit more ;-) and very much an ADD train of thought... so, if you are up for said adventure... Beware the possibility of confusion and sudden topic change!!
I just dropped off my bicycle to get some work done on it! I can't WAIT to be able to bike around Mpls!! It's such a gorgeous summer here and (even better) gas prices for bicycles remain at the all time low price of $0 per gallon!! What a steal ;-) I've toyed around with the idea of a bicycle tour... however, I think I might sleep on the stage during my shows... and as cute as I might hope I am while sleeping... I'm pretty sure I drool... and I for sure don't sing and play guitar while asleep, which is what y'all really sit in those seats for anyhow!!
I just got back from the Festival of the Eno in North Carolina. What a wonderful festival!! The main purpose of it is to raise funds to put land immediately along the Eno River in a trust, so it's protected. As one of the festival volunteers, John, was telling me.. the health of the Eno river really has an effect on the sea life in the Atlantic ocean!! We are truly more interconnected than we know and the world we live in reflects that!!
I played along with a few of my musical friends you should know about if you don't already; Girlyman, Pat Wictor, and Jamie Anderson. (Jamie was instrumental in bringing me to the Eno!! Thank you Jamie!!) I may at some point have a little video of Pat joining me on a few songs during one of my sets!! Stay tuned for that!!
Speaking of Girlyman, we all had dinner the night before in Durham and we were talking about weather... in particular storms that have a "throwing water sideways" kind of intensity... you know... hurricanes, tornado weather... and as we were talking about it, it began to rain outside... you guessed it... sideways!! The power flickered in the restaurant before finally shutting off... the power was out on the street, too, and for a while it was kinda greenish outside and the trees were really bending and WOW sideways sheets of rain... Thunder Storm Extraordinaire (TSE)!!
Anyway, it was a memorable night for sure! No worries, we all got to the hotel safe and sound after an extended restaurant hang! So I share this story not only because it was quite dramatic and I wanted to share, but also because... the weather drama doesn't end there!! The weekend had a couple of intense thunder storms, however, there was another greeny sideways TSE on Sunday evening (when I was flying back to Minneapolis) I sat on the runway for a good 45 minutes waiting for a "window" in the storm... I have to say I felt a little more vulnerable than I did at the restaurant a couple days before!!
So here are a couple things I learned...
#1 if you are hit by a lightening bolt in a plane in the sky... the electricity may flicker as the lightning goes through the plane, but there will be no real permanent damage! Why?! Commercial planes are made of aluminum, which is a very good electrical conductor. A lightning bolt's electricity flows along the airplane's skin and into the air. There really isn't anything to ground the lightning (no ground- It’s so weird to be happy about that!!)... Also, airplanes have built-in systems that ensure that a spark will not ignite fuel or fuel vapors in tanks or fuel lines... so no worries on the whole match to fuel cartoon visual!! Phew!!
#2 there have been no accidents due to weather for large commercial planes in the US since the 80s... I think the overall statistic for any kind of crash is something like 0.34 per million flight hours (Still, every time I fly I think my couple hours might win the lottery... however, the statistics have not let me crash down yet ;-)!!)
Finally #3 Planes are built for turbulence and even if you have crash scenes in your mind as the plane is dropping and catching due to updrafts and downdrafts, the little dinging noises keep dinging, and the engine revs up for speed and then revs down for a seemingly slowing effect, as long as the plane is still moving forward and not backwards you can be fairly sure this is normal behavior for a plane in turbulence!
Plus, commercial pilots have weather data available to them continuously and can track where a storm is and how best to avoid when it might be dangerous. They are trained to be over cautious and in general will wait on the runway for a safer window, cancel the flight, or once in the air, re-route to avoid any dangerous conditions!
I still tried to fly the plane from my seat on Sunday... however, I'm really glad there were experts involved! Phew! Aren't you glad you know some storm plane facts now?!!
Hope wherever you are, whether in stormy or sunny weather… you are happy and grounded… even if you happen to be in flight!!
Can’t wait to see you soon,
Ellis
Oh, and P.S. if you haven’t noticed, we re-named the Angel program to reflect the biggest feature; a brand new song every month- written and recorded by yours truly!! (and once in a while something cool from the archives). We’re calling it Song Of The Month program!! Check out all the updated info here!!
No to MTV... yes to what?
I've been thinking lately that there is going to come a time when I may need to limit my touring... I'm guessing that all touring musicians are facing this due to the real environmental effects of driving or even flying across the country...
In addition to the costs to the environment, when I'm on the road I don't do much songwriting. My tax person tells me that last year I was on the road almost 200 days... no wonder I hardly wrote any new songs in 2007!
So, my plan is to come up with ways to tour more responsibly (hybrid? bio-diesel?) when I do tour, and then to find ways to limit the number of days I'm on the road so I can focus more time on songwriting.
I know that nothing can replace the connection that comes from me sharing my songs with you sitting nearby and smiling! However, I am trying to think ahead and also be creative about other options we haven't thought of yet... or maybe YOU have thought of them :-) at least that's what I'm hoping!!
That leaves me with two questions:
1) how can I continue to reach new people with my music if I tour less;
2) what are other ways I can stay connected to people who already know my music?
I was recently offered the opportunity to place all of the songs from Break The Spell with MTV... the catch being that I'd have to give them blanket permission to use any of the songs, on any show, without checking with me first. I spent some time trying to decide what didn't feel right about that... and I realized it meant that it was possible that they could place one of my songs in a context that might not fit in with my values... So I said "No, thank you". Which means none of my songs will be on MTV shows - it was an all or nothing offer.
I do believe it would be wonderful to have my songs placed in films, or even commercials if I was excited about the company or product. So that is one idea, but surely there are other ways I can get my songs out there without giving up my ability to determine where they go, and without touring 200 days a year.
So back to this idea of evolution and exploring ways to share my music besides through touring.
What other ideas are out there?
Do ya'll have thoughts on how I can keep doing this music while possibly touring less and/or utilizing new resources?
If so, please, send me your ideas. Should I film a concert in my home and sell "tickets"? Should I expand the Angel Program in some ways? If so, how? Other ideas?
You can reach me at ellis@rubberneckrecords.com. I'll be home for the next week, and so will actually be able to read and respond without a 5 month lag... so please do get in touch!!
Thank you for reading this far! Can't wait to hear from you!
big love and laughter,
ellis
In addition to the costs to the environment, when I'm on the road I don't do much songwriting. My tax person tells me that last year I was on the road almost 200 days... no wonder I hardly wrote any new songs in 2007!
So, my plan is to come up with ways to tour more responsibly (hybrid? bio-diesel?) when I do tour, and then to find ways to limit the number of days I'm on the road so I can focus more time on songwriting.
I know that nothing can replace the connection that comes from me sharing my songs with you sitting nearby and smiling! However, I am trying to think ahead and also be creative about other options we haven't thought of yet... or maybe YOU have thought of them :-) at least that's what I'm hoping!!
That leaves me with two questions:
1) how can I continue to reach new people with my music if I tour less;
2) what are other ways I can stay connected to people who already know my music?
I was recently offered the opportunity to place all of the songs from Break The Spell with MTV... the catch being that I'd have to give them blanket permission to use any of the songs, on any show, without checking with me first. I spent some time trying to decide what didn't feel right about that... and I realized it meant that it was possible that they could place one of my songs in a context that might not fit in with my values... So I said "No, thank you". Which means none of my songs will be on MTV shows - it was an all or nothing offer.
I do believe it would be wonderful to have my songs placed in films, or even commercials if I was excited about the company or product. So that is one idea, but surely there are other ways I can get my songs out there without giving up my ability to determine where they go, and without touring 200 days a year.
So back to this idea of evolution and exploring ways to share my music besides through touring.
What other ideas are out there?
Do ya'll have thoughts on how I can keep doing this music while possibly touring less and/or utilizing new resources?
If so, please, send me your ideas. Should I film a concert in my home and sell "tickets"? Should I expand the Angel Program in some ways? If so, how? Other ideas?
You can reach me at ellis@rubberneckrecords.com. I'll be home for the next week, and so will actually be able to read and respond without a 5 month lag... so please do get in touch!!
Thank you for reading this far! Can't wait to hear from you!
big love and laughter,
ellis
Goodbye snow in April
Howdy Everyone!
It is finally Spring!! Can you believe it?! For those of us in Minnesota we were reminded of the Prince song (sometimes it snows in April) Oh yes… and did it ever snow!! Yup, April 1st we made a snow woman! Really!
Julie (my new rockin’ tour manager) and I are driving to Whitewater, WI for a show tonight. I’m so thrilled to be writing a little note to you while we’re on the road driving!! Why ?? Because I’m not driving!! Yay!! Thank you Julie ☺!
I think springtime always puts a little more light in my heart and in my step too. I definitely feel more open and free (perhaps it’s taking off the claustrophobic jacket- phew!) Also, this sense that things are changing- the shift of seasons is exciting. New possibilities right here in the blue sky and softer temperatures!
I hope wherever you are that spring is treating you well and inspiring an awakening of all the joyful things that might have hibernated for a while in your heart! Goodbye winter!!
Hope to see you at a show soon!!
Much peace and love,
Ellis
It is finally Spring!! Can you believe it?! For those of us in Minnesota we were reminded of the Prince song (sometimes it snows in April) Oh yes… and did it ever snow!! Yup, April 1st we made a snow woman! Really!
Julie (my new rockin’ tour manager) and I are driving to Whitewater, WI for a show tonight. I’m so thrilled to be writing a little note to you while we’re on the road driving!! Why ?? Because I’m not driving!! Yay!! Thank you Julie ☺!
I think springtime always puts a little more light in my heart and in my step too. I definitely feel more open and free (perhaps it’s taking off the claustrophobic jacket- phew!) Also, this sense that things are changing- the shift of seasons is exciting. New possibilities right here in the blue sky and softer temperatures!
I hope wherever you are that spring is treating you well and inspiring an awakening of all the joyful things that might have hibernated for a while in your heart! Goodbye winter!!
Hope to see you at a show soon!!
Much peace and love,
Ellis
What if loving what you have...is everything?
I just wrote a song called "Something More". It’s a light-hearted look at the very human idea that there’s something out there that we could buy that would make us happy. I don’t think it works that way, but sometimes I get caught in the idea anyway...That I need something more, or I would be happier if only... and at those times I'm convinced that someone else would be doing a better job at this career than I am.
There is a model of "success" (or was anyway) in the music industry. It involved record labels and executives and business plans and price points and bottom lines. It meant making music that had mass appeal and "being discovered" and "beating out the competition."
I've managed to avoid getting on this treadmill, but it has always been in the back of my mind. A little voice that wonders if I'm missing something.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about people like you. Many of you have been with me through the years on this musical journey. You joined the email list, you've driven several towns over just to catch one more show, you've posted messages on the guestbook page, and sent emails letting me know that a song of mine made a difference for you.
If you've wondered if these things have made a difference for me, wonder no more. They have. You've helped me feel encouraged and not alone... and to believe that it is not naive to take this small-scale approach where I define my success by whether or not I've helped to open hearts.
I really do think that happiness is loving what you have.
It's something I sing every night after night "What if loving what you have is everything?" and I'm finding that sentiment has really taken root in my heart.
So, in reflecting about "success" as a musician, I'm more certain that ever that I didn’t make a mistake. I may not have fame and fortune, but I do know how lucky I am. I know that it's a big deal that you choose to come to a show and spend your evening with me (when there are so many other demands on your time).
And enough of you do it so that I can cover the tour costs... and still the shows are small enough that I can stay after and talk to every single person who wants to talk to me!
What else could I want?
peace and love,
ellis
There is a model of "success" (or was anyway) in the music industry. It involved record labels and executives and business plans and price points and bottom lines. It meant making music that had mass appeal and "being discovered" and "beating out the competition."
I've managed to avoid getting on this treadmill, but it has always been in the back of my mind. A little voice that wonders if I'm missing something.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about people like you. Many of you have been with me through the years on this musical journey. You joined the email list, you've driven several towns over just to catch one more show, you've posted messages on the guestbook page, and sent emails letting me know that a song of mine made a difference for you.
If you've wondered if these things have made a difference for me, wonder no more. They have. You've helped me feel encouraged and not alone... and to believe that it is not naive to take this small-scale approach where I define my success by whether or not I've helped to open hearts.
I really do think that happiness is loving what you have.
It's something I sing every night after night "What if loving what you have is everything?" and I'm finding that sentiment has really taken root in my heart.
So, in reflecting about "success" as a musician, I'm more certain that ever that I didn’t make a mistake. I may not have fame and fortune, but I do know how lucky I am. I know that it's a big deal that you choose to come to a show and spend your evening with me (when there are so many other demands on your time).
And enough of you do it so that I can cover the tour costs... and still the shows are small enough that I can stay after and talk to every single person who wants to talk to me!
What else could I want?
peace and love,
ellis
