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23

May

The Answer Is You

Many cry change
But their voices are weak
Who cares if you’re chosen
If the call you won’t heed
Can’t win the war
With soldiers asleep

It won’t be a wizard
Or some indifferent God
Don’t need no guru
To guide you to your heart
Looking to find
What you feel is lost


But the answer’s in you

You can paint a lie up
Dress it in gold
But you know the truth is life
Even when it’s not told
Ignore that writing on the wall
Still the answer is you

So go on eat it up
Water down the lies
That can’t feed your soul
Still won’t be enough
To dim the light
Of the stories you left untold
Funny how the mysteries unfold
When you start telling your truth

You see it with your own eyes
But your mouth won’t admit the same
Those politicians
Aren’t the only ones to blame
You’re pointing in their direction
While the answer is you

Confession’s such an easy thing
That pride makes hard to do
Freedom is yours to take
But you can only unlock it with the truth
So what are you gonna do?
The answer is you

Yeah…it’s you

Won’t you set your supernatchul soul free
The answer is you
Step into a new world realizing
The answer is you
No more waiting, don’t you feel it’s time to…
The answer is you
The answer is you

© Freedove Music 2013

22

May

The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all

The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all

20

May

I love this song. Sending it out to Oklahoma.

(Source: Spotify)

28

Mar

Stay focused!

Stay focused!

23

Mar

Heard it again last night at a show so… here goes… To the fans and patrons who ask, “What are you doing here” or chide “You need to go on American Idol and make it big,” or “You sound better than what’s her face…”

I never have to be rich or famous. It wasn’t the goal of getting into music. I wanted to be a lawyer -but I chose music bcuz it was my passion and nothing made me feel like it does. I’ve been blessed to travel and see many parts of the world and play with some really accomplished musicians well known and unknown. I am fortunate to have been able to make a living solely doing what I love and I honestly cannot imagine life any other way. If I died tomorrow, having known the love of my family, tried & true friends, a personal relationship with God, sharing my love of music w/audiences worldwide through my calling, and maybe being lucky enough to touch some lives through my gift, that is MY definition of a blessed and successful life. The only thing to top that, in my opinion, is being a mother.

Truthfully, I hate cameras (hence my lack of video) and too much attention. And to the surprise of some, I am an introvert. I’m working on that. But when I get on stage, I forget about who’s watching and I let the music happen. I am not a jealous person or ever competing with anyone else. My journey is my journey. Just as another has his/her own path and destiny. I have worked with singers who inspiringly sing circles around me as well as those I’ve wished would practice more. The beauty is I learn something from all of them. And some, may even learn from me. We all have something unique and beautiful to offer.

Each time I perform its about the JOY of what I can learn about my instrument that I haven’t learned times past. If I am connecting with that audience on a positive level. Growth. And we never stop learning as long as we truly love it.

Having several industry executives as friends I know a bit about the game and how its ever changing, the scarcity of positions to go around. At one point, a well known publishing house had a mere two employees staffed in office to handle their NY York branch. So the music industry is changing for everyone, not just music artists…

Back to the subject at hand, even if I were to be offered a major label deal again, it would more than likely not be a golden deal of eras past. Heck, I have friends tied to major deals with no release in sight that would PAY to get out of them if they could. Not to mention the number of famous recording artists starting their own label or going indie.

There are also other avenues for vocal talents to make a living behind the scenes, such as voiceovers, songwriting, sub-publishing and publishing deals and of course, back ground vocals. So the stage may not be the only income revenue for a performing artist.

So to club and venue patrons, I appreciate your vote of confidence, and though I got the call back for ‘The Voice’ I did not make it thru to the next round. image

image

But—-if you believe in my talent and you really want to help me on my journey, an easy and direct way to do so is to purchase my music either at a show or via digital retailers worldwide or my website.

It goes a long way not just in encouragement but it also helps fund future recordings & projects. Don’t underestimate the power of one single purchase. Imagine if 100,000 or 250,000 ppl bought just one 0.99 single! Your support counts. And it keeps independent music going.

Thank you to those who have thus far supported me and my music via shows, sales or telling others about me and my music. I have some new music coming for you this year.

As always, I thank, appreciate and love all of you, immensely enjoy sharing the music experience with you. And I will with a happy and full heart, see you at the next show!

Peace, love and music,

Freedove
www.freedove.com

On Spotify, iTunes, Amazon and digital retailer worldwide.

21

Feb

Freedove, ‘The Good Life’ movie

I am uber excited to be attending the pre-screening of The Good Life movie tonight with the title track co-written & sung by yours truly! I would like to personally invite you to ‘The Good Life’ movie premier/release party on March 10, 2013 in New Orleans, La where I will be performing the title track live. It is sure to be a night of fire!! Inbox me. I’ve got your ticket! And I’d love to see you there. Don’t miss out on The Good Life! Find out more here»>http://ow.ly/hVDRz

05

Jan

Nonresistance

There can sometimes be an inclination to change that which surrounds us when wisdom is asking us to change ourselves, or better, not allow what surrounds us to change who and what we are. Effectively grasping and practicing this concept is when the words “Greater is he is that is in me, than he that is in the world,” can become life.


In an effort to better an environment, person, or situation we may offer to others what we consider to be good, solid advice or suggestions, not realizing what looks like could use some improving to you, is actually a warm, cushy bed of a comfort zone to another and by persisting, we actually lessen the energy of the light we are and increase the power of that which we seek to change.


My meditation and prayer today is on nonresistance. Resolving to bless an adverse situation can be hard to do and upon close examination something that needs to change in me and to resist, can be an even greater tormenting hell. The game of life can be so tricky because often you find that the greatest opponent you must conquer is your self.


God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference. 

01

Jan

2012 

2012 was a year of risk for me in which I left my comfort zone, and a life or normalcy and security to answer a call in my heart. Though I believed I had made the right choice, I also believed that firm conviction inherently had built in troubleshooters and problem deflectors. Foolishly I thought that the level of faith I had developed thus far would be enough to sustain me on my new journey home and that somehow having a covering and covenant with the Almighty would somehow render me exempt from any overly annoying or inconvenient trials, since I BELIEVED I had paid my spiritual dues already. HA! Well I am here to tell you that when God appoints you to task, he also requires that you arm yourself with NEW, fresher anointing and to reach that next level, you will definitely have to earn , yet again, more stripes.

But God is so awesome all the time. His grace is so sufficient. His ways never cease to amaze me. And he is the love of my life.
While I experienced situations that had to stretch me beyond my level of patience, faith, and tolerance, I am unregretfully grateful for them all. God used every single one of them to mold me into a better. stronger, wiser and more faith-filled ME.

Some of the things I learned and relearned in 2012 were:

Losing loved ones this year reminded me that so much time passes by, and that time should be, must be infused with love and purpose.


Though I am a trusting person by nature and try to believe the best of people, I learned that just because you have evolved to a certain point doesn’t mean that others have as well and vice versa. You cannot always expect people to do what you would do simply because that is your perspective on how things should be. You must set, verbalize, communicate and accept nothing short of your personal or professional standard bcuz “expecting” what seems to be a simple, given standard without communicating it, only gives those with low or no conscience, license to use and abuse your good intentions at will. That was a hard one for me and one that saddened me but taken, though not so gracefully at first. ;0)


I learned that no matter how kind and sincere you are with some folk, they will not like you for whatever reasons. It may be just because you are there, alive. It is wasted energy trying to convince insecure people that you mean them no harm. If people are threatened by what you have, who you are, your gifts and talents, blessings, accomplishments, there is absolutely nothing you can do to make them feel secure or better about themselves short of extinguishing your light. It is a call for them to grow and to better themselves and make the most of what God uniquely gave to them.


I was reminded that while things may look one way to the naked eye, God’s promises do not return void and that he is working it all out for our good if we trust him.


I learned that for me, hope is more important than faith though faith is needed. Hope is that seed in you that helps you grow faith. I was recently ministering to a homeless man and he didn’t know if he could make it but he wished one day he could have a normal life again. My response was, the fact that he still envisioned the prospect of things possibly being another way, that he hadn’t resigned himself to the notion that that was all there was for him meant he had hope. And as long as we have hope, that hope feeds our faith. Never lose hope, for without it, you cannot have faith.


I learned that it does not matter where you are, God will bring your gifts and talents before great men. I have recently been involved in amazing music and ministry projects coming out this year with ppl I tried in other places to meet that I never would have met had I not been where God appointed me to be. It doesn’t matter where you are as long as wherever you are, you are connected to the Source.


I learned that when you are loving self and living in love it is impossible for that which is the opposite to be a part of your inner circle or life. The two simply cannot co-exist. The closer you get to God, the more that which is not of him has to go. If the relationships or your inner circle is discordant, put more of the love of God in it and watch what happens. They will either heal and strengthen or be released and removed.


Today, I am, well, ACTUALLY for the past few months I have been BEAMING with happiness because God has really caused this year to be one of my greatest on so many levels, and I also see how what he has so meticulously worked out in me, has been so as to position me to help and empower others which was the whole point to begin with. All that we experience and overcome is for his glory and to help others. If not, it has been in vain.


I am thankful for so much, new music, new people and experiences, new vision, new church home, new friends, new perspectives, a new mind, but especially thankful that I have a new and wonderful love in my life besides God and music that loves me for all that I am. I am grateful that not only can I be love, live in love, give love but also experience the beauty of being in love with someone that God appointed just for me. I could not have planned it, for you just can’t write these things but if you remain faithful, you’ll never have to look for love. You will attract that which you are. And today I am ebullient in it and grateful and happy. I love you Juan.


I wish you all the very best this year, every happiness, and abundance and that it is your best one yet! I love you all. Peace love and music. And God at the center of all things. Happy New Year!!