       WARNING!
This email is BIG! ...and has alot of exclamation marks! Sorry, not sorry!
9 YEARS!
This week 9 years ago, I cleaned out my desk, packed up a few boxes, and left my marketing job at a small publishing company outside of Pittsburgh...to make music. It was and still is the scariest and more certain decision I have ever made. As I was reflecting on this last week, I thought about the fact that many of you of been here since the very beginning. Supportive, encouraging, and who knows, maybe even skeptical and confused...watching silently from a distance. I dunno.
It's been a ridiculously crazy 9 years.
Thousands about thousands of miles, plenty of grace notes (that's what i call wrong notes you hit on stage), and tons of new friends in different cities all across the country. If i said, "I wouldn't change a thing", I'd be lying! hehe. But there's not a doubt in my mind that I made the right decision. It's been a huge learning curve with so much more to learn. But yep, this is the hardest best thing I have ever done!
Take a deep breath. I'm not about to say goodbye or call it quits or anything. All of the above suddenly hit me like a stone last week, so I wanted to share and just say thank you for being with me all these years. I have a really good feeling about year 10!
  3 YEARS!
As I was reflecting on the above, I also realized that this week also marks 3 years partnering with my dear friends at Food for the Hungry (yes, there's a number theme going on here)! It absolutely floors me when i realize that 58 children have been sponsored at shows over these past several years, because of your generosity. That's exponential change, ya'll!! What you've done has not only affected these children, but their whole families...and ultimately their whole communities! If you're like, "huh, what?" you can visit my website to check out the video I made when I was in the Dominican Republic with Food for the Hungry. I share a glimpse into meeting my sponsored child, talk about the work FH is doing, and how/why i partner with them.
and now that i got all that off my chest...
 I HAVE A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!
Can you read my smile? It says, I've had an album growing inside of me for 4 years and its finally ready to come out!!! Wow! I've been waiting alllll year to say that!!! *exhales deeply* After a ridiculously long and thorough search, I can finally say that I have found the right producer for these songs! The right words, melodies, timing...etc. And maaaan, this one's got a life of its own! This thing is gonna be big, bold, beautiful, and raw. It might even hurt a little, but the pain will actually be cathartic and you'll thank me later :)
You'll be hearing a little more from me in the coming weeks as I plan to "kickstart" this endeavor (hint hint), but just know that i am in the very early stages of planning, refining arragements, and making sure this thing is done right! There's so much more to say, but for now I'll just settle with, "I can barely wait!!!"
There, I said it!
 UPCOMING SHOWS
Last but not least, here is a list of upcoming shows over the next few months.
Maybe we'll see you? Band dates *** | Duo dates **
May 26: Philadelphia, PA | Private House concert
June 2: Camden, NJ | Private House Concert
June 3: Norristown, PA | Calvary Baptist Concert Series **
July 7: TBD
July 8: Willow Street, PA | Hans Herr House Music in the Orchard Series - details TBA ***
July 9: Washington D.C. | Bossa DC - Second Sundays Supper Club - details TBA ***
July 15: Clinton, NJ | Black Potatoe Festival [details] **
July 16: West Chester, PA | Turks Head Music Festival - [details] **
Aug 9: Greencastle, IN | Greencastle Summer Music Festival [details] ***
calendar + details: www.joyike.com/shows
There! we made it to the end. Thank you for reading. I know it was long, but I hope it was worth it! :) -Joy
|
