Ponderings

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***IMPORTANT UPDATE***You will hear more about this later but Chip’s Dad (my Father-in-Love) is in hospice. We are so grateful to have this sacred time to be with him and usher him as peacefully as possible through this transition. Unfortunately I have to cancel Saturday’s show but we have rescheduled it for Saturday, April 26. You will get a message from the ticket company about either just moving your ticket to that date, or getting a refund. We’ve also added a second show that night so that there will be room for you to bring your friends or purchase tickets if you didn’t get a chance to the first time. 🙂 You’ll have a choice of an early or late show. They are setting it up and you will hear from TicketWeb shortly if you already purchased tickets.

I am so sorry for the inconvenience and change of plans, but I’m sure you understand ~ my family comes first. Chip and I were on tour for our troops, on a tiny island in the middle of the Pacific when Joan passed (Chip’s Mom), and I will never forget the feeling of not being able to be with her or attend the funeral. And I still feel the twinge of my tour being responsible for Chip not being at his Mother’s bedside. This time it’s my honor and the universe’s gift to us both to be able to be present.

Thank you for your understanding during this difficult time. I will sing for you SOON.
XO
Cindy aka pnut

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We started the year out right ~ the show on February 8, 2014 is already SOLD OUT!  Thank you L.A.!  I will post some additional shows soon to accommodate those who were not able to get tickets.

I wrote my way through last year’s drama and I have 2 new body parts (they seem more like accessories) and 7 new tunes completed for a new record.  Once I finish cleaning up my cat’s hair balls (already got the little humans to sleep), I will go try to write the rest.  But I wanted to stop by my cyber corner first and wish you all a “Happy New Year” before the words become obsolete.

2014 is my Year of Authenticity, and although I may not be able to always write songs that make you feel good, I hope to write songs that make you feel.  This last sentence may be the result of watching all the SAG screeners for this year’s awards – what a depressing lot, but so inspiring and artful!  After a particularly tragic film, my Mom made a comment about how she goes to the movies to be uplifted and feel “good.”  She deserves that and I get it, but  I responded that artists/writers have to write their truth, that we have stories that need to be told, and those stories are not always funny or joyful.  I started worrying about the last batch of tunes I’ve written.  It’s not that they are gonna make you wanna slit your wrists, it’s just that they come from a darker place.   I had to face that darkness in 2013 in a different way than I had before.  It could taste it, touch it, smell it.  I experienced both pain and joy on a deeper level – physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  Sometimes I felt like I was on this pendulum between life and death, and not always in control of which way I could fall – but I had a good vantage point, and was able to see the depth, beauty and complexities of both.  As I read through my lyrics, I realize I am many times writing about death and re-birth.  The journey of healing is ongoing, I am still processing, and lucky for me, I have an outlet for that process.  Spoiler alert: I DO end in positive affirmation!

The songs are pouring out of me with little effort.  The effort is finding the time and funds to get them recorded, mixed and mastered, create the artwork and manufacture the cd’s.   This is where I turn to my fans, who have always been a partner in my independent record label, JamCat Records.  If you are so inclined, I have posted ways that you can become involved in my next recording project either by pre-ordering or becoming an Angel.  I’ve got some new perks to add this time around and I’m also open to hearing from you regarding ways you would like to participate.  Music is collaborative – the creator and the listener are equally important, as the magic happens when my songs becomes yours.

Love,
pnut

Angel***CALLING ALL ANGELS***

PRE-ORDER the CD for
$10, includes a digital copy of the new record emailed to you as soon as it’s released.

$20, includes an autographed physical copy from the first printing, sticker and a picture postcard.

$50, includes an autographed copy, sticker, postcard and a flash drive with a digital copy of the record as well as extra photos, video and bonus alternate versions of some tunes.

$100 – You’re an ANGEL – you will be listed as such with a special thank you in the liner notes of the CD,  receive FIVE autographed CD’s, sticker, postcard, flash drive with bonus materials, and one ticket to the CD release party.

$250 – You’re an ANGEL, will be listed with a special thank you in the liner notes, receive TEN autographed cd’s, sticker, postcard, flash drive with bonus materials, TWO tickets to the CD release party AND you get the limited edition swag bag with new record related T-shirt & my super duper delicious home made chocolate chip cookies.

$500 – You’re an ANGEL, will be listed with a special thank you in the liner notes, receive TEN autographed cd’s, sticker, postcard, flash drive with bonus materials, TWO tickets to the CD release party AND you get the limited edition swag bag with new record related T-shirt & my super duper delicious home made chocolate chip cookies, AND we will set up a mutually convenient FaceTime/Skype chat or phone call where I will personally serenade you with some new tunes, or your favorite oldies.

$750 – You’re an ANGEL, will be listed with a special thank you in the liner notes, receive TEN autographed cd’s, sticker, postcard, flash drive with bonus materials, TWO tickets to the CD release party AND you get the limited edition swag bag with new record related T-shirt & my super duper delicious home made chocolate chip cookies, we will set up a mutually convenient FaceTime/Skype chat or phone call where I will personally serenade you with some new tunes, or your favorite oldies, AND you are invited to visit me in the studio and watch the process at a mutually convenient time.  If you don’t want the serenade via skype, I’ll do it in person when you visit the studio.

$1000 – You’re an ANGEL, will be listed with a special thank you in the liner notes, receive TEN autographed cd’s, sticker, postcard, flash drive with bonus materials, TWO tickets to the CD release party AND you get the limited edition swag bag with new record related T-shirt & my super duper delicious home made chocolate chip cookies, we will set up a mutually convenient FaceTime/Skype chat or phone call where I will personally serenade you with some new tunes, or your favorite oldies, AND you are invited to visit me in the studio and watch the process at a mutually convenient time. (If you don’t want the serenade via skype, I’ll do it in person when you visit the studio.) AND for being so amazingly generous,you will BE ON THE RECORD.  Don’t worry if you can’t sing or play an instrument, I will find something so that you can leave your indelible mark on the project.

**Add-on**

For an extra $150 I will take a request to do an acoustic cover of your favorite tune, make a simple home made video and send it to you with a dedication.

** Do you have another package or add-on in mind? Try me! **
Note: The reason I am not using a platform like Kickstarter (and never have) is because they take a nice chunk of change out of the pot!

HOW TO PURCHASE ANY OF THE ABOVE PACKAGES:

You can PayPal your contribution to pnutsings@aol.com, or preferably mail a check or money order to the address listed below. You can also pay with a credit card at one of my shows. Kindly add $10 to any orders being mailed outside of the USA.

Cindy Alexander c/o JamCat Records
2658 Griffith Park Boulevard
#829
Los Angeles, CA 90039-2520

With any and all of your contributions, you have my heart felt, never ending gratitude. I am able to continue to share my music because of YOU.

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Me and Chip on the way to the show at the Canyon Club with Rick Springfield
Me and Chip on the way to the show at the Canyon Club with Rick Springfield

As we approach the holiday season, I shall pass on the turkey breast.  I’ll take sweet potatoes with a side of painkillers, thank you.  Why, because my anticipated meet and greet with the Booby Fairy was postponed to November 20th due to an unanticipated run in with a preschool Germipalooza.  No one should go under the knife with a cold/flu  if they have a choice!  So everyone, please don’t breathe on me, my husband or my kids – I’m hibernating until November 20th 😉  I truly look forward to ending this chapter of my life and turning the page to Good Health, Lots of Love and New Music.   With cancer came a Blessing.  Yes, a Blessing.  I am more appreciative of each breath I take, each hand I hold and each heart that holds me.  So many of you have helped me through a really tough year, and the outpouring of kindness, support and prayers from old friends, new friends, and complete strangers both amazes and humbles me.

One thing that truly helped me heal, both physically and emotionally, was having a special show on the calendar.   Eight weeks after the double mastectomy I got up on stage and opened for Rick Springfield.   Extra special care by Dr. Orringer during the expansion process, hard work with physical therapist Nicolette (Nicky) Theard and sheer determination from all three of us made this happen.  Special thanks to Geoff Pearlman, Paul Trudeau, Harvey Lane & Tina Trevino for rockin’ it with me.  And a shout out to Rick’s drummer of 13 years: Rodger Carter, for thinking of me for the gig.  It was an honor to share the stage with my friends and an ultimate rock star.  Rick really knows how to put on a show. Of course I was in seventh heaven watching Dave Grohl jam with him.  See below for my up close and personal encounters.

Me & Rick Springfield. I always wanted to be Jesse's Girl!
Me & Rick Springfield. I always wanted to be Jesse’s Girl!

I’m writing new music.  It comes from yet another place I didn’t know existed until I got there.  Hope to share the new setS with you starting in February 2014.  I have another 8 week prohibition period after surgery from Dr. O.  Since implants are now microchipped (bet ya didn’t know that), he will know if I disobey a doctor’s orders!

Me: Hi I'm Cindy Alexander, the opening act for Rick. Him: Hi I'm Dave Grohl. Me: Um. Uh I love you. I mean I love your work and I really admire you as a person. Him: Why? I'm an asshole.
Me: Hi I’m Cindy Alexander, the opening act for Rick.
Him: Hi I’m Dave Grohl.
Me: Um. Uh I love you. I mean I love your work and I really admire you as a person.
Him: Why? I’m an asshole.