Genny's Gettin' Up >>> #6 in a Series: Music Mentors

     Her big brother Matthew turned our music world around and set us happily on track in the children's recording business, and then she, Genny, made her appearance---along with her joyful creative energy and formidable influence.

     Ready for action from the start, Genny inspired such lyrics as: ♫ "Genny's gettin' up, she's movin' around, she's leavin' the house, she's goin' to town!  Well, Genny's only six months but whaddaya say, she's a tiny little girl baby on her way."  (Which her friend Rose says she still sings, 25 years later. :)
                                                   

Genevieve Grace St. Charles-Monet

     Raised in a home brimming with music, our kids often became the subjects of our songs.  "Goin' to a Restaurant", "My Best Friend", "Hearts and Hands", "Stop, Look and Listen", "Shake it Up" and the above mentioned "Genny's Gettin' Up" and many others.  From her perch nestled in our arms, Genny was a keen observer of her brother---age 5+---adding his vocals and learning about sound levels, editing and mixing.
                                                     
     Genny surely knows that all those family concerts we did were especially for her and her brother----a natural consequence of feeling ever-more creatively expansive thanks to them.  And that as their parents, we've grown so much and had so much fun singing and song-writing together, that we naturally chose to share it with others----thus the family performing/recording business!
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     By her middle school years and beyond she was finding her own genres and artists.  That's how we came to know---and thoroughly admire and appreciate---the huge talents of Daft Punk, Weird Al Yankovich, Talking Heads, and The Decemberists, among our favorites.  When we weren't listening to recordings, our home resounded with her own playing of violin, classical piano, guitar, electric bass and percussion.

     I adore "M'ija", my amazing daughter, and the profound influence she's had and will always have on me and my creative expression.  Very well on her way now, Genny is a world traveler, professional artist, animator, cartoonist, video producer----and drummer in a rock band. ♪ ♪ ♪


   


                                                  

Happy New Year and New Dreams!

I recently got asked to join a renowned singer/songwriter at a family concert he was doing in our area. I consider this a milestone in my music career. He’s a Grammy nominee and has traveled all over the world sharing his beautiful, life-affirming songs. Here’s more about him: http://www.redgrammer.com/ And he wanted to sing—with—-me.

I almost said no. It would be a stretch for me and take me out of my comfort zone. I knew I'd be feeling those stabs of adrenaline and pre-show jitters more so than usual. And I’ve been doing shows for many years. But then I thought, “if I don’t do it, how will I feel?” You know the answer to that. So I did it---gulp---and am so glad I did. The main reason? Meeting him, Red Grammer. He was so amazingly professional and gracious and grounded. A role-model, a gem, a loving co-creator.

This opportunity must have resulted from the goal-settings and raising-the-bar work and affirmations I’ve been doing : )

What do you aspire to? Do you spend much time thinking “in your wildest dreams” type thoughts? If there’s one thing I’ve gotten from connecting with all the positive movers and shakers in Social Media it’s definitely: Go for your Dreams! Focus on what you most desire in Life! Believe in yourself, and know that we believe in you too! Here is a community that knows the power of positive thinking!!!