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Waffle House Love Pat
Waffle House Love Pat

First, a huge thank you to my hosts Dale Pierce and Chuck Skipper in Charlotte for the fabulous shows last month.  I hadn’t been to the South in a very long time and in my entire career as a touring artist, had never before visited these two fine establishments:  The Cracker Barrell (introduced to me by my guitar slinging side kick and fabulous singer/songwriter- Kevin So) and The Waffle House.  Chuck treated us to a tasty breakfast as well as a spatula beating and spontaneous jingle writing session.  Witness it for yourself here:

Chuck & his staff at CGG Weath Management were fabulous to work with – I especially enjoyed having Chuck and his sons Cory & Jason sit in on a few tunes.   Dale Pierce hosted an amazing benefit for Different Roads Home with some of the biggest hearts in Charlotte.  Exploring the town and hanging out with my band mates Tina Trevino and Kevin So was a treat.  OH, and I would be leaving out a HUGE element of the tour if I didn’t mention Monk the blues singing fur child of Kevin.  Note to self: Singing Dogs will always steal the show.

Monk the Blues Singing Fur Child of Kevin So
Monk

Another highlight from the tour was a visit to i105.3 WFIV in Knoxville.  DJ Joe Stutler let me play a few songs live on air and just last week, played CURVE in its entirety.  Joe was the first radio program director to add CURVE to the playlist so as you can imagine, WFIV will forever have a place in my heart.  You can listen to this taste-maker station online at myi105.com.  Looking forward to returning to Knoxville, Charlotte, and adding Asheville into the mix in August 2015.

Me & Joe Stutler at i105.3 Knoxville WFIV
Me & Joe Stutler at i105.3 Knoxville WFIV

 

It was wonderful to see old friends in Nashville including Jenna vonOy Bratcher, Gary Harrison and ShowBiz Liz Morrin.  Special thanks to Aubryn Stevens for letting me play a featured set during her Monday Writer’s Night at Daisy Dukes.  A shout out to the Hotel Preston in Nashville for the pet fish, because everyone needs the comforts from home while on tour.  This little guy was very quiet and didn’t wake me up in the morning like my children.  I wanted to adopt him but alas, I had to give him back at the end of my stay.

Here's a pet fish per your request!
Here’s a pet fish per your request!

Home now for month or so, writing new songs, spending quality time with my family and friends, and playing a few local shows.  Last week I had a great time sharing the stage with Lisa Loeb.

Me & Lisa Loeb at Saint Rocke April 2015
Me & Lisa Loeb at Saint Rocke April 2015

Yesterday, I spent the afternoon cooking soup for a women’s shelter through an organization called SoupSisters.org.  They refer to the charity as serving up “hugs in a bowl.”   Together with my producer Dave Darling (who has some killer knife skills), Toni Profera and her sister Joy, we created a delicious batch of Butternut Squash, Pear & Parsnip soup.  Yummmmm.

Making soup for SoupSisters.org
Making soup for SoupSisters.org

 

 

 

Next up – Jette & Perry’s Birthday Bash.  I’ve been planning my daughters’ 6th birthday at Lego Land as thoroughly as I plan my tours.  Speaking of, I hit the road again in July (East Coast), August (South) and September (Midwest with Gabriel Harley).  Check my tour schedule and if you’re in the area and would like your home invaded for a private concert, hit me up!  I promise I’m “mostly harmless.” (<–according to Gabe)

‘Til later,

XO
p-nut

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Dude where's my Car?
Dude where’s my Car?

Thawed by the Warmest of Hearts ….

Picture of a selfie…Beth Hart and Me.

Although I felt like I walked into Disney’s Frozen movie (and Elsa must have been MAD), I melted 🙂  As always, I am so amazed and humbled by the incredible souls I meet on the road, as well as the profound connections created by music.  Thank you to everyone who hosted the house concerts, came to the shows and supported me along the way.

Because I was too afraid to drive to and from Ira Siegel’s rehearsal space in the “worst snow storm in 5 years,” I paid $83 to an Uber driver….but Mr. Uber Driver had just seen Beth Hart the night before in NYC, and reassured me that I was opening for one of my generation’s Masters.  Indeed – Beth rocks!  She performs with such rawness and abandon that I can’t imagine anyone walked out of the Birchmere untouched by her honesty and passion.  Here’s a fun picture of us.  I never got the selfie, but I got a picture of the selfie.

After two great nights with Beth at The Birchmere, Ira Siegel (an amazing guitar player, borrowed from the Bacon Bros. and the orchestra of “Beautiful” and “Kinky Boots” on Broadway) and I met up with the talented and endearing Paul Guzzone (wonderful singer/songwriter in his own right, also the bass player in the Bacon Bros. band) for Part 1 of the Home Invasion Tour.  This is where the adventure becomes most exciting ’cause we never really know what each “venue” (Living Room/ Breakfast Room/Club House/ Whatever) has in store for us!  We couldn’t have gotten luckier in the draw.  Our trio, together with my Godbrother/Tour Manager/Magician Michael, zigzagged across PA where we did a house concert to benefit BreastCancer.org, on to WV, back to PA and then on to VA.  Each home was filled with the warmest, open hearts and delicious home cooked meals.  Thank you to BreastCancer.org, Howard & Missy, Arlene, Maggie and Veronika & Jeff – they were phenomenal hosts.  We filled the rooms with music, stories, laughter and yeah, a few tears (but in a good way), and hopefully we left smiles and the spirit of the songs behind, where they will continue to take on a life of their own.  If you are interested in hosting a house concert, don’t hesitate to email me.  I will be extending the Home Invasion Tour throughout the rest of the year – hitting as many States as I can!  

Coming up:

3/27 Charlotte, NC Private Concert

3/28 Huntersville, NC House Concert to Benefit Different Roads Home / Call for more info: 704-237-8804

3/30 Nashville, TN – Daisy Duke’s – Aubryn’s Open Mic – I will be doing a “featured slot” during this evening & hanging out to get inspired by other writers
2309 B Franklin Pike
8pm

3/31 Live on WFIV 105.3  in Knoxville, TN  Time TBA.  This was the first radio station to add “Heels Over Head” into rotation and I can’t wait to go meet my “First Love” at radio.

4/16 Hermosa Beach, CA Solo/acoustic opening for LISA LOEB at Saint Rocke
Tickets available HERE!  Tell your friends in the warmer part of the country 😉

I will be BACK on the EAST COAST in July – dates to be posted soon!   More Home Invasions – interested?  Hit me up.

More dates TBA.   You can find more info and tangents at www.facebook.com/cindyalexander.music  and “follow me” on Twitter ~ I’m @pnutsings. #HITour

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Me & January = Juggling the clutter I’m trying to move out to Good Will while pining over the ultimate release of things to which I’m inappropriately or dysfunctionally attached.  Meanwhile, I create piles and more piles of all the paperwork that didn’t find a proper place over the last year.  I avoid completing that task by making multiple trips to Office Depot to buy file folders, a label maker, and Junior Mints from the impulse aisle so that I can organize the year that hasn’t happened yet (on a sugar high).  Did I just admit that? So that I can avoid organizing ANYTHING, I thought I’d pop in and say Happy New Year to anyone who has taken the time to stop by my corner of cyberspace.   Some things to add to my Happy List:

I am honored to have received the L.A. Music Critic Award for Best Female CD for CURVE  (2nd half 2014) as well as be named Comeback Artist of the Year.  Although we did a “soft” release to our friends and fans in October, my team at Blue Élan Records knew that the holidays were a difficult time to promote an independent CD.  But NOW is our time ~ and CURVE is about to reach a larger audience.  We’re “going for adds” at radio next week!! Check back in to find out what stations will be spinning “Heels Over Head” but as of now, I’d like to thank i105 WFIV fm in Knoxville, TN for being the first to jump on board and give me an early add.   As this is my first ever radio campaign, I will never forget that leap of faith and show of support.

Although I love the writing and recording process, it’s playing live that gives me the deepest satisfaction.  I am thrilled to be able to tour this year and sing for so many of you in person.  Upcoming tour dates include the following:

January 24, 2015  Private House Concert – Studio 519, Redondo Beach

January 31, 2015 Vezer Family Vineyard, Fairfield, CA

February 1, 2015 Fenix Live, San Rafael, CA

February 14, 2015 Molly Malone’s, L.A., CA  Single’s Awareness/ Valentine’s Day show – take your pick!

March 2 & 3, 2015 opening up for Beth Hart at the Birchmere, Alexandria, VA

March 26-April 3 NC and TN dates to be announced soon!  The Home Invasion Tour of 2015 is coming together with house concerts all over the USA.  If you are interested in hosting one, by all means reach out by email or on Facebook, and let’s put something together!

Another happy note:  I’m cancer FREE and excited to being doing more work this year as Ambassador to BreastCancer.org.  More info on upcoming events and campaigns with BCO coming soon!  In the meantime, feel yourselves up (that includes MEN TOO) and let’s be reminded that although Drs. know the art and science of medicine, YOU know your body.  You’ve lived in it your whole life. 🙂

The Giving Key
The Giving Key

Love,

Cindy

PS:  Here’s a picture of The Giving Key.  I received one when I was in the hospital before my double mastectomy.  It meant the world to me – I hung on to it for a year before I gave it away.  It’s meant to be passed on – at a time when you realize someone needs it more than you do.  This is my own version of the Giving Key – one side says BELIEVE, and other side says CURVE.  They are available at www.blueelan.com and at my shows.