I Don’t Know Where To Begin

My mind is going a million miles a minute with all of the things that I would like to accomplish today.   I want to be able to get that video done of me practicing one of my favorite songs in the car…it may be easier to tape it after I get home;-).  I’ve been singing a song that my Dad wrote for me years ago called Where were You.  It’s definitely a challenging song to sing.  It really works the range of my vocal ability but definitely can get my vocals in shape with a consistent practice of it.  It’s a jazzy R&B, love ballad, similar to the songs in the likes of Anita Baker ( another great black female singer i haven’t mentioned in the past).  My dad wrote it when I was recording at the age of 16 years old.  There were live musicians in the studio…a baby grand piano, live drums, and even an upright base.  My voice, even at 16 was thick, low, and strong.  I re-sang that song again when my sisters and I recorded our self titled debut full lengthed CD, Nik-Tash’Ta.  I think it’s track # 6.  Check it out at www.cdbaby.com/niktashta .

I also want to be able to get a run in, put a wireless router on my computer, get into my email newsletter system and work on some stuff, and upload some pictures into my, Nichole Ayanna website here, BUT, I would be spreading myself too thin.   Doing all those things would be a little…ambitious.  We’ll see what thinga I was able to accomplish by the end of the day and I’ll update you on it tomorrow.  Hopefully, you are able to that video in the next few days or so.  Oh yeah, happy day 3 of the 90 day challenge.  How are you doing on the challenge, if you are doing it with me?

Music Mama – How to Be A Successful Indie Artist and a Mom

There are so many of my friends now, who are singers, songwriters, and musicians who are also mothers of young children. We all talk about continuing to make our livelihood with our passions for music, but how do we juggle the working in the music business without the long days, months, or even years on the road, away from our kids?

Many of us are turning to our local markets for tour dates, and performing on the weekends, taping our shows, then airing the performances via YouTube. We also connect the video to our individual websites. So, our fans that we have developed around the globe can still get a taste of our live performances. Here are some of the steps these Music Mamas are taking to keep their dreams alive and still be great moms.

1. Scheduling productive tasks and Every Day iInclude some “me” time in there mommies.
2. Write your 30-60-90 day, 1-3-5 year goals.
3. Perform at least once a month.
4. Build a website to showcase your music. If you can do it yourself use www.homestead.com or www.vistaprint.com on top of your myspace page.
5. Start a blog about you and your music. Sign up for www.thenicheblogger.com to learn how.
6. Video tape your performances or your recording in the studio and post on YouTube and your website.
7. Sell your music online using www.Tunecore.com and www.CdBaby.com
8. Read and sing to your children almost every night.
9. Include a date night each week with your significant other.
10. Always be your authentic self and don’t overwhelm yourself. You can still take baby steps to reach that milestone.
Tags: Authentic Self, Baby Steps, Dreams, Globe, Homestead, Indie Artist, Live Performances, Livelihood, Local Markets, Mama, Milestone, Mom, Music Business, Musicians, Passions, Productive Tasks, Showcase, Singers, Singers Songwriters, Songwriters, Tour Dates, Video Tape, Youtube
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