May 2008:

I am delighted to report that I have finished primary work on my upcoming album! There is a sense of freedom that comes over me when I am done with such a project. This is mainly because working on an album, as many of you who follow my process know by now, takes nearly a year of intense focus and dedication. During that time, I try very much to expose myself to things that will maintain the feeling that the project is centered upon. As such, I avoid that which will take me away from that focus.

As I work on an album, the pile of books by my bedside waiting to be read begins to rise to ridiculous levels. Also, as acting was my first career, I relish watching movies as well as attending theatre and opera performances, many of which must wait as well.

I now enter a phase on this project that is mainly technical, like meeting with the engineer for the final mixing and mastering of the album. This too can be an arduous process but it is very different than the creative one because the work is now shared with my sound engineer. I am happy to be working again with André Maquera of West Street Studios in Vermont.

Next comes the photography for the album and I am thrilled to work once again with John Young, with whom I worked with for my first album 'Shadows.'

The advertising and marketing work then begins on this never ending creative cycle.

I can't wait to share with you what has been for me perhaps my most involved work yet.

February 2008:

Last year was filled with hard work as I finalized the album POETA and prepared for its release. As usual, when work on an album is done, work on its promotion begins as well as work on a new project. Both seem to go hand in hand. As a person who cherishes closure, it is not always easy to have one foot in the old and one in the new. This is especially true as POETA has been getting so much wonderful attention. I was honored to receive an award from Mystic Soundscapes radio for my song 'Quest for Orpheus.' POETA garnered the number 2 spot on the Producer's Top 10 list at KCCK Radio. Tennessee's NPR station featured POETA in their Membership Drive for the month of October and may do so again in their upcoming drive in early 2008.

While all of this is truly exciting, I also must maintain focus on my next project and leave most of the business to the Shadowside Music team. I will share with you more on my next project in an upcoming news update. For now, the album's scheduled release date is October 7, 2008.

December 2007:

The end of the year is approaching and as I look back on 2007, I can see a year that was filled with hard work as well as amazing people. With my new project underway, I sometimes like to step back and take stock of what brought me to the music on my last album and how it has helped bring forth the new music I am creating. As artists, we always hope to grow, change and evolve with our work. Yet, the work is reflective of our own personal inner journey.

POETA continues to receive wonderful attention. Recently I was interviewed by Mike Gruenberg, from JamBands.com. Interviews are always a great experience for me, as they allow me to share my musical journey more deeply with people.

October 2007:

Last month saw the official release of my new album POETA. For me, it was the culmination of a year's worth of intense emotional and physical work, even though efforts continue with publicity, marketing and other aspects of my career. Meanwhile, I have begun my new project to be released in the fall of 2008.

POETA has been very well received and its popularity continues to grow. The album entered at number 44 in the New Age Reporter top 100 Album chart. Radios and reviewers alike have welcomed it warmly. Later this month, NPR station WUTC-FM in Tennessee will feature the album during its membership drive campaign while reviews and interviews are being prepared for other venues.

As work progresses on the new project, I am bolstered by the many good wishes I continue to receive about POETA.