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Yah, I let it go alright 

Two Saturdays ago, Set 2 at the Blue Star Lounge-Palm Desert CA. At a real nice Marriott resort - Conventioneers and families alike.

A pair of young moms sit in front me with their respective 2-3 year-old daughters. And, oh, I know what's coming. (This after we sing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" together)(Guys at the bar raise a glass!...umm, no, not really...I made that part up)

...The visiting youngsters would like to hear, "Let It Go". 

Unbeknownst to them, I have already spent an afternoon one day months ago mapping out the chords to this animation anthem of the century (Maybe ten centuries!) and placed it in my iPad of tunes. I like the song personally and also, as a songwriter, I really wanted to see how the song was written; how it "works". Plus, yah, I'm an Idina fan.

Yes, I sang it. The room sounds great there. I'm sure it echoed in invisible wisps of Disney animation pixie dust up the staircase to the next floor. And of course, I have a speaker as well place outside for all the lucky diners!! 

It was THE hit of the night. Moms got there iphones out for photos. One dad in another party was brave enough to tell me said it gave him the chills.

Blessed to just do my job, folks. 

I'm playing there again tonight. Go ahead someone, asked me if I know it! He he.

Old Dog - New Trick: Good Dog! 

I have been working and traveling with Hotel California going on 9 years now. It continues to be a rewarding journey in stage performance.

So hey - I've discovered a new thing! It's called: "Warming up your voice". Have you heard of it?
 

A spot of tea at the Florida State Fair - Tampa, FL

After spending a good amount of months lightly going through any old song backstage, warming up before a show, I have allowed the old dog in me to learn a trick - Plain old fashioned scales and annoying but performance strengthening buzzings and stuff.

I'm pretty much tired of warming up during (as opposed to before) the show.

A typical beginning to a 90 minute show, with all it's "Steve challenge points", will go like this:

1. TAKE IT EASY: Lot's of high harmonies to get to throughout, and then I sing a high harmony above the melody during the second verse. Not really the place to start your warmups! I want to be ready to go when I get there.

2. WITCHY WOMAN next. Singing the lead vocal here, I want to be ready when I get there. No more wondering if my voice will answer back "Ooops, dang; why didn't you warm me up?".

3. ALREADY GONE: More high harmony!! Second verse harmony, etc, etc...

4. SEVEN BRIDGES ROAD: This is where a noticeable difference caused me to say, "Okay, I think this warming up thing is working" I notice I have much better pitch (extreeeemly important) and breath and resonance here on this one!  ¡Muy importante! - a lot of acapella

That's just the first 4 songs.

In conclusion, being the old dog with a new trick, I have become... my own best friend? (Get it? Dog = Man's best friend)

That's it for now.... ruff!