Colleen McFarland: Blog

So...my first big question for the day is..when did people start making babies so they could start a baby clothing and accessories line? ie...Blue Ivy (Beyonce and J.Z)...is it me, or is there something fundamentally narcissistic and 'over the top' capitalistic about this?  I am always fighting with myself about not promoting myself, music, etc. enough, because to tell you the truth, it just gets tiring, after all, I am trying to convince everyone, including myself, that I am worthy of this non-stop promotion and devotion, even though I'd really just like to relax and write a song or read a book, watch a movie, or eat a piece of chocolate.  I beat myself up constantly over this nonsense.  Then I hear this crazy story on the radio about the new Blue Ivy baby line of crap, and my jaw dropped.  I almost stopped driving my car, just so I could let the full impact of this statement settle into my brain because my brain did not want to accept it...I thought 'no, it's not true, [...]

Finally, just chillin' out at home in Nashville; did some much needed yard work today, planted flowers, put down some pretty red lava rocks, trimmed up the shrubs, felt good getting the muscles working feverishly, hands and knees on the ground, digging in the dirt.  Made a late brunch for me and JP, and a delicious dinner and dessert.  I love fall, it's the most inspiring time for me creatively and spiritually.  The summer was a little stressful traveling back and forth to Norway, and then to Ireland even though we had so much fun and the From Nashville to Norway festival was a blast, especially singing with Kicking Stars with JP, Reeves, Jon Anders, Arild, Nils, and Harry.  I felt like I was on another planet at the concert, pulling energy from the universe since I had no idea where I was going to get my energy to sing like that after being exhausted and having a pretty full week, but God was smiling down on me that night.  Now it's time to cook and clean, and [...]

Just catching up on some updates to my various sites.  So time consuming, this promotion and marketing stuff.  Got to visit with family last weekend in St. Louis, very nice!  Also getting ready to go to Norway again for the From Nashville to Norway festival on September 9-10.  We're bringing David Olney, Sergio Webb, Dave Gibson, Daisy Dern, and Reeves Gabrels, then Peter and I head to Ireland to do some shows, fun, fun, fun, I've never been there, so this will be a wonderful experience getting back to my roots so to speak.

looking forward to a writing session with John Hadley, David Olney, and Peter Nova (aka J.P. Ringvold from Norway) soon.  John, JP, and myself co-wrote a fun little tune a few months ago and all of those guys are wonderful writers so I'm so honored to be working with them.  Just when I'm convinced I'm tired of Nashville, something cool happens.  Getting ready to take a trip with J.P. to Norway soon, going to relax and do some fishing, writing, recording, and brushing up on my Norwegian with J.P.'s family and our friends.
Taking a break from teaching voice, piano, and guitar for a couple of weeks.  I get so tired of the 'battle' with summer lesson scheduling, even though I ask my clients to take a certain number of lessons (so I can pay my bills throughout the summer) they still 'diss' me' and are totally clueless as to the difficulty and commitment of what I do; so hopefully there will come a time when it is not a necessity to teach, but a luxury for the students who [...]

There are so many types of sites I'm on these days including My Space, Facebook, Bandcamp, ReverbNation, etc...it's a bit overwhelming at times.  The last year has had its ups and downs.  'Ups' being playing in Norway last fall and this winter for some great shows.  The From Nashville to Norway festival was really fun and I not only did I get to perform as Colleen McFarland, Americana/Folk singer/songwriter, but I also got to sing my behind off on some blues and soul numbers with my band "Kicking Star"s featuring my hubby Peter Nova (aka J.P. Ringvold)on keyboards and B3 organ, Reeves Gabrels on lead guitar, Jon Anders Narum on rhythm and lead guitars, Lewi on bass, Harry on saxophone, and Nils Malum on drums.  What a band!  J.P. opened for Bon Jovi in Norway tonight with a band called the Sowing Circle from Nashville.  I haven't talked with him yet about it since Norway is 7 hours ahead of Nashville.
I just got back from a tour of the Northeast [...]