Happy Rock & Roll Anniversary to me!

40 years ago tonight my bro, Charlie, & I had our first band club gig together.  He was already a young veteran, having drummed in 1 (or 2?) other bands in Newport, RI.  I flew to Newport after recruiting him and we drove back to California ready to rock.  This was after Doug Duncan & I had started to work as a duo at the Old Port Inn in Avila Beach (following my first California job there filleting fish in the fish market and then bartending when the bar was built, thank you Barry Cohen).  Our PA was Doug’s guitar amp and, of course, the “I can’t hear your voice” saga began. It almost didn’t matter then.  I was in heaven.

Doug & I had tried to rehearse in his place but because the presence of others in the house was too intimidating for me, we hiked into a canyon in San Luis Obispo to the geodesic dome and learned our first song, “Stairway to Heaven.” And so my journey/ascent began.

But I digress. The BAND was always my heart & soul.  The energy, the synergy, the chemistry of guitar, bass, keys, drums, horns, vocals, whatever combination, some better than others but always bringing the power of more than 1.

Since releasing my CD, Peace of My Heart, last year, my goal has been to bring that dynamic to life again.  But as most of my musician network is in Los Angeles, what’s a gal to do in Florida? Well, it seems the time has come to go it alone for the first time and for the moment.  This anniversary week brought some big suggestions & powerful encouragement from friends & strangers. So I’m shopping for a PA system right now, deciding on the tracks, working up the set lists… getting ready for the Me, Myself & I band.  The new adventure begins!

Happy 40^th!!!

Peace out.

Happy Freakin’ New Year!

2012 was a year of a whole lotta “Really,” “Oh man,” “WTF!” and always “Thank you, God.”  Or perhaps better known to my psyche as, “Well, f**k me and the horse I rode in on.” My friends who find me to be a bit Pollyanna may be shocked that I’m actually writing this, but my year was as challenging emotionally, spiritually & physically as any I can remember.

But I made it through and so I must testify. Have I grown?  “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” certainly resonates. I know I have a biological gift… more serotonin production than most even on a difficult day.  And of course my regular skate-dancing is responsible for more endorphins than any other exercise regimen I’ve ever experienced.  So once again and every day I’m grateful.

I finished & released my very first solo CD, “Peace of My Heart,” which brought me the kind of professional satisfaction/happiness that’s almost indescribable.  I spent weeks in my hometown, Newport, RI with my Shves and was a musician again.  I finally saw my Cali bro & nephews for the first time in over 2 years.  After 4 fab Gsons our first beautiful granddaughter was born this year. In a Los Angeles 30 year reunion I partied like it was 1999 with the Red Onion gang & my gorgeous niece. The gifts & blessings were joyous.  The trials & tribulations were monumental.  Gospel music became a powerful source of inspiration, comfort & soul soothing in my skate-dancing.  The first half of the year Kirk Franklin’s “I Smile” was my anthem (the links are to YouTube) and Paul Porter’s “I Made It Through” was my celebratory chant in the second half.  I’m not a Christian although I’m guessing had I lived back in the day & place, Jesus surely would have been my rabbi.  Whatever you call God… He, She, Lord, Allah… and this will not be a dissertation on my beliefs… the passion, vibrancy, power & joy of gospel music is undeniable.  And I was lifted & expressing gratitude daily.

My family & friends have been challenged in profound ways this past year.  But we’re strong stock and most of us made it through. I Thank You, God.

My dad, Robbie Robin, might’ve said, “It’s gonna be keen in 2013” or maybe serene.  I hope & pray for those things & more for us all.  And I wish you a very happy, healthy freakin’ new year!  With all my love ~

Caryn

Peace out.

My Musical Bosom

I want you to lay your head on my MUSICAL bosom.  You dig? You feel me?  I am SO serious.

Take it…  Peace out.

Do you believe in magic?

The magic of the universe, “the secret,” angels, God’s miracles, visualization, meditation, manifestation, whatever you wanna call it, I believe!!!

My CD release yesterday meant it was time to focus on the next tasks at hand today, and one of those urgent tasks is finding a music director. So I posted, I conversed, made calls and got more info earlier today. And then tonight while taking Sadie out for a walk, I heard live music down the block.  Now we’ve lived here for 3 months and I’ve NEVER heard live music, let alone soulful, rockin’ music.  I was led & with Sadie in my arms, knocked on a garage door and said I was a neighbor, which of course sounded ominous to the band.  But they opened the door and let me in and saw my excitement.  It was a young group of musicians & singers preparing for their church performance this Sunday and it was beautiful!  So I went home, got some of my CDs, came back and listened & watched.  And then I saw a music director in action, showing the singers part, playing the parts, the chords and it was beautiful! Lol.  I was in heaven.  I told them about my day, we smiled & laughed & exchanged info.  I told them I don’t know what it means or what might be but that it was beautiful!

I believe!

p.s.  Yesterday was an incredible day… launched my new website www.CarynRaeRobin.com , released the CD, felt so much love, celebrated.  Once again, I Thank You!

Happy early Valentine’s Day to you & me! And one more thing…

“Peace of My Heart,” my new CD, has a real release date and yes, it’s February 14, 2012! Jake Carvey (http://jakesville.com/), friend & fab videographer, came to Miami to shoot the video for the almost title track, “Piece of My Heart” and rocked it!

The one more thing… I’m looking for a musical director…pop soul, AC, cool groove stuff. Anyone know an available one in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area? The first gig looks like it’s gonna be VERY cool.

Piece of My Heart

Here’s my mid skool version, circa ‘95 and still my favorite vocal of any recording I’ve ever done. I thought we had an R&B track then but we’ll be in the studio next month to finish the CD, and then we’ll have a very new & dramatically different R&B version, slower, sparser and 15 years of living later. Be still, my quickly beating heart.

I’m In A Trance

Just got a track of Piece of My Heart from my producer, Raphael Ramos from the band City of God, AND OMG. It’s taken my speech away. It’s not in the right key yet and guitar & vocals are still to come but did I say “OMG?” OMG.