A NEW YEAR A NEW DOOR…..

So I was feeling a little bummed just before I started writing today. You see, I had to say goodbye to someone that I thought would be a part of my life in 2008 and years to come. So yes I was a little sad at the thought of being single again!!! It is tough out there in this Jungle of dating. Monkeys are swinging from all sorts of trees with bananas in hand…not a pretty picture!! It hasn’t been easy finding someone who’s honest, genuine, grounded and non materialistic!

I had written an entire blog that was melancholy to say the least. Then as I was proof reading it, I had an epiphany. OMG…I thought wait a minute, change is inevitable and more often than not very good. Every beautiful thing that has come about in my life has come about because of a change, a shift in the paradigm. One door closes and a new door to step through appears, if only I exhibit the courage to walk through. So I am walking through this new door and claiming a wonderful new year and all sorts of wonderful new love experiences. So here’s to changes and new doors! Happy New Year!!

I’m partying in Times Square at ABC Studios’ Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Years Eve!!! Bring the year in with an astounding blast…..I know I will!

See you in 2008!

SOULTRACK AWARDS AND URBAN ORGANIC FESTIVAL

First of all let me just say…I know I’m late!!! I am sometimes a little like a turtle when it comes to getting on the computer!!! But non-the-less, I am here. So I was in Detroit and had a blast at the SoulTrack Music Awards. So glad that I finally got to meet the man behind SoulTracks, Chris Rizik. He looked exactly like I pictured him so cute and cuddly. Met so many amazing people, Monica Blair, Amp Fiddler, Roy Ayers!!! The crowd in Detroit was amazing!! Can’t wait to come back and jam with you guys full out!!

Yes I know it seemed like I was just having fun but I did some work also! Anyway, gotta say thank you to my girlfriends Sistahs of Harlem, who dressed for the entire weekend. Thank you, love you guys. If you get a chance check out their designs at www.sistahsofharlem.com. See picture below for a glimpse at what they do…. New York City, I’m headed your way…….!!!! Shout out to Eric Roberson and Anthony David who both put on amazing shows in Detroit. I am always truly inspired when I am in the presence of you two guys. Oh and Frank McComb, I had a blast with you man…we have to do it again!

Peace
Melissa

San Diego

-Okay first let me say just how much I love San Diego!!!! I felt really blessed to be able to close my tour (short, but sweet) with Dwele in such a cool town. The people are kind, pleasant and they just plan rock! First off the drive down from Oakland to San Diego was long but gorgeous. There is a part of the highway that is called the grapevine, it is absolutely beautiful! If you ever get the chance, take the ride and enjoy the view.

The controlling side of my personality would not let me take back seat, so I insisted on jumping in one of the vans and driving most of the way down to San Diego. I know, I know….I heard it big time from the promoters for this one! Anyway it was worth it and quite fun!

Our entire trip was filled with funny little moments and colorful characters. From the crazy hotel clerk on the midnight shift who kept getting upset because we disturbed his nap to the night time security guy who kept following me in the lobby asking “so you are an actual singer?…Sing something!?” It was 3am!

Thanks Crystal for sneaking the van and getting lost with me while we looked for a 24hr fedex! HaHa, bet you didn’t know I could drive a van that fast and furious! The fish tacos were to die for!
If you haven’t seen Dwele live….well what are you waiting for???!!! The boy is phenomenal, hot, smooth, cool, …..I’m running out of ways to describe him…just get your butts out to see him!

—-Blessings
Melissa

Oakland

-Why do people steal? Damn! If it ain’t yours, (yes I said ain’t), then don’t touch it! Didn’t everyone’s mom teach them that? So sad to say, some things were stolen from the green room at the Oakland show. Shout out to all the camps that ended up with some stuff missing… it just disgusts me! Just beware that we know what our stuff looks like and if we see you in it, we will splash you with yellow paint so quick that you will think we are from PETA!!!

Other than that, I loved Oakland. The weather was cool. The people still get down and dirty with it! Big up to the top- hat wearing brother, who bought me a pretty nice bottle in the club. Like your style, you drank the entire bottle but I still like your style!

Oh… and to the slightly taller than me, drink of chocolate with a gorgeous smile, thank you for introducing me to Petron Chilled. I truly enjoyed sharing my first shot with you….yes Oakland was nice…

I’m living on the edge!! Woohoo!! First shot ever!!! J

SACRAMENTO

-So I finally made it to Sacramento. My flight from LA was cancelled twice. You see, I had to be a smarty pants and change my departure airport from LAX to Burbank. Now while it seemed convenient to my location, little did I know that they just cancel flights all Willy-Nilly up in Burbank! Needless to say, I got here in just enough time for sound check and a nap before the show.

Kinda wanted to kill the sound guy in Sacramento!!!!! But boy, it was good to see my regular musicians!!! I love you guys so much!!! Chris and Ryan thanks for holding me down! ! So now that I’ve bragged about my guitar players, now I want to talk about other musicians….

I want to talk about musicians taking gigs and not learning the music. I understand why James Brown was a firing maniac! I am paying you to learn and play my music the way that I need it played. If you can’t do that then don’t take the gig!!! Yes I am sensitive about my shit!! Don’t be getting your ass up on stage playing what you want to play!!! Damn! We are all learning and growing, so if you are not playing it right we can work it out and practice it, but don’t start bragging about who you played with before!! That doesn’t mean anything to me!!! If you can’t play my music right then I could care less about who you played for in the past! Egos man, Egos….Damn!!!

So yes anyway…I say all that to say that I love myself some Chris Harris and Ryan Waters. They are professional players, who learn the music and delivers it in the manner that you need them to, each and every time. Love you guys! See my babies in the picture below!!!