bad jokes + coffee + a little man stink and maybe some good tunes= one successful day in the studio

11:40am

I am SO excited- and a bit relieved- to be back in the studio today! It's day one for the new stuff we're recording- for now just three songs. We're tracking drums and bass in the studio for the first time with Alexander and Zachary. And it's already been a morning filled with stupid jokes and man stink (the BEST combination for a day in the studio!) which is what you get when you work with a bunch like this. But of course I wouldn't have it any other way.

Being back here almost exactly one year after I was recording "The Way Down" feels incredible. Last year I had no idea where I would be in 3 months, let a lone a year from now. I could only pray that I would be coming back with more good tunes and some fans again next year. And here I am. I've got gigs under my belt, some awesome fans, support from family and friends, and an incredible opportunity with Radio Disney. I am BLESSED!

My song writing has taken on an even more distinct sound in this last year, but it stays true to my pop roots. I can't wait to hear how these new songs sound after they're all laid out. Joel and Aaron know me well after all the time we've spent together. So I don't have to say much for them to know what I'm hearing in my head. And they never fail to rock my socks off.

Eating habits always seem to go south on studio days. So far this morning I've had dunken donuts coffee (pictured with above/left), cottage cheese, cheerios, dr. pepper, chocolate covered raisins, and red sour straws. And it's not even noon yet. But once again, I wouldn't have it any other way.

.........................

4:46pm

So to further on through the day...

We ate Panera for lunch and it was delicious. Aaron had to eat a good chunk of their baked goods to fill up. And by a good chunk I mean approximately half of all they had. We are now on the second song for the day. And I have seriously crashed from the caffeine and sugar high that I had earlier. I'm about ready for a bath, PJ's, and a good episode of CSI in bed. (It's only 4:56pm at this point.) Tomorrow is vocals and it's going to feel amazing to be behind the mic again.

Well, now back to tracking again.... :)

DID YOU HEAR?!

It's official!

I am the newest addition to Radio Disney's "NBT" contest!

What does that mean you wonder? Glad you asked!

It means that I am one of 11 artists (found all over the country) who were selected to compete on Radio Disney's Website in hopes of winning a slot in the lineup of artists performing at a Disney concert! Each artist gets their own two week slot in which they are the sole featured contestant on the website and on the radio.

During my slot in March the website (http://radio.disney.go.com/artists/nbt/index.html) will feature two of my songs, my bio, and my blog. At that same time the radio will run bits of an interview done with me that will include clips from my two songs.

You can vote for me during my two week spot in March (specific dates soon to come) and then again during the 3 week open voting period that goes from April 4th through April 23rd. You vote by ranking each of my two songs 1-5 stars (5 being the best!) I need your support! So vote vote vote! Let's get 5 stars! You can vote every day as many times as you want!

Winning would be incredible! Quite frankly, a dream come true. But I know I'm the underdog in this competition. (And that's ok!) The other artists are all very talented and seasoned in this industry. To even have been chosen to compete with them all is the greatest complement! I am honored to have this opportunity and am grateful to be apart of the NBT feature on Radio Disney. So I am going to make the best of this time working with and amongst the other artists and the Radio Disney team. And hopefully whatever comes of this- whether I win or not- will be a dream come true!

Stay tuned for updates and new info!

I'm so excited to share this experience with you all!

DT

It's not always as easy as taking off the bandage.

I had a 3 millimeter black scar removed from my nose yesterday and had to wear a big white bandage across my nose afterward. I ended up running errands all day yesterday and people went out of their way to make me feel like I looked pretty dumb. It was great! I mean, I knew I looked a little goofy. It wasn't exactly small. But I didn't look that weird. All I had was a white bandage on my face. No crazy deformity that would justify them needing to stare long enough to figure out what was wrong with me.

And I'm not sure why, but I think I just assumed it wasn't that strange. I've sure seen stranger things. But I caught people looking at me with empathy. When funny enough, I really didn't think it was a big deal. Some people would sputter something about liking my hat if their gaze was frozen on me long enough to make even themselves uncomforable. When my brother saw me he asked what happened. And I said, "What happened to what?" After a while I forgot it was there.

But I got to take the bandage off today. Some people don't get to take their scar off once they're tired of having it. They can't just put their arm back on or make their limp go away. It's ok to look. We look at people we think are gorgeous, or who have pink hair and tattoos. We look to learn, to remember. To satisfy our mind's appetite for all things new and interesting. But watch and look respectfully. We can't all remove our weird once we're tired of being looked at.

The grass on the other side... is looking a little more brown these days.

I'm pretty sure that the grass on my side of the "fence" is looking pretty green right about now. It's well fertilized and has not a single dandelion. But have you ever seen grass that is fertilized to the point that there are actually some spots where the grass is greener than every where else? Every few yards there are these lush, dark masses of turf amongst the otherwise appetizing, but brighter blades of green. I think my side of the fence looks like this. The dandelions blow in, and though the seeds brush across the surface of my manicured lawn, they never take root.

Parts of me are well fed and lush with every bit of what I need. But there is more yardage of pretty blades aching for just a bit more- of something. At times my creativity longs to find the most wicked new hook for a song. Or my heart is thirsty for someone to laugh with. But yucky junk that floats in and out of our lives never gets to do more than brush along my surface. Irritating? Absolutely. But not crippling. And to be honest, I'm not sure why that is. I am just very grateful for the people and things in my life that keep my grass greener than whatever is on the other side of this said "fence"- whether my blades are evenly greened or not.

DT

A little green...

I may be a little green to this whole blogging thing. Which is funny considering how much I love to talk AND write.
I'm the type of person who talks things out- even to myself at times. But it's better when there is someone listening who can give you the confirming nods and "mhm's". So hopefully I'll get a response from people.
Regardless, I think I'm going to enjoy the idea that people find me and my life fascinating enough to read about it.

And let's hope it's not for the birds.

- DT