Happy Happy Everything My Friends!
May this find you all with cups more full than empty... gazing at sunsets... and looking into the eyes of humans more than computers!
May you find the balance between the bustle to make time for special moments with those dear to you! (including yourself!)
May this hopefully not find you thinking I'm tacky for sending this photo of me seeing if Santa really tastes like red & white striped candy canes;)
2014 in a nutshell…
Wow! It has been a year of incredibly difficult times. Maybe my most difficult ever. And for whatever reason, many close to me had similar years as well. But it seemed that each time I felt the most beaten & I wondered if Hope would ever visit me again, some glimmer of sunshine snuck through :)
Sometimes it came by way of a simple word or note from one of you, and that made all of the difference. I learned to celebrate & cherish little things even more than ever. I looked for every gleam of good, because I had to to keep perspective…
So huge thanks to all who shined beams of light... in my direction & on the paths of those I care about.
It TRULY meant so very much!
As songwriter Chuck Brodsky says so beautifully
“We are each other’s Angels”…
Thank You Angels!
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On to the scoop…
1- NEWZ
2- GIVING
3- CD'S
4- CONCERTS
5- THANKS & TATA’S
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1- NEWZ
Professionally it’s been a wonderful year, & for that I’m gratefully ‘kissing the sky’!
I released a shiny new all instrumental CD “RAIN ON BARE SKIN”produced by me & my most amazingly talented friend of many years & recording projects together, Tom Prasada Rao!
I'm SOOOO proud of every note of the recording and thanks to many of you, the CD flew off the shelves & folks said all sorts of great things about it! That totally rocked my galaxy!
Then I had a blast this spring & summer at my favorite festival & teaching gigs, followed by a fall writing break!
I signed a contract with a publishing company that places songs with photographers, videographers & film makers, and some of my writings were published on online press.
That means I can continue to play at my longtime favorite festivals & teaching places, but that I can spend more time writing at home for a living, (& less time driving around where I cant put my bare feet in the grass or sand or mud! :)
Lastly, it was HUGE HUGE honor to find out that a song I co-wrote with my good friend Jaime Michaels, “Dirty Wine”, won #1 “Song of the Year” in the New Mexico music awards!!! :)
What blew me away most was hearing that the judges were 2 of my most loved writers of all time, Paul Anka (“My Way”, “Diana”…) & Tony Asher who wrote "God Only Knows”, "Wouldn't It Be Nice” & most of the songs on the Beach Boys “Pet Sounds” record! WooHoo!
So like the rest of life, it was a year of the worst of times & the best of times… & we learn & grow from all of it & I’m still here… so in the end, all is good!
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2- GIVING IDEAS
For any who can’t ready my mind (its scary in there;)
A reminder that I absolutely do not need any holiday gifts!
But if you’re burning to give something… here are some thoughts...
*Find out where your local foster home office is & ask about giving to kids who SO need love & so many things!
*Local food banks can ALWAYS use a donation!
*I’m a HUGE fan of supporting community, so if you do like giving something tangible, consider shopping at/or giving a gift certificate from your local gallery, salon, buying from your area farm stand or musician or artist!
*Make something for someone!
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2- CD’S~ BUYING MY MUSIC
IF you’d like to share music… I just happen to have CD’s for sale;)
At special end of year prices!
*I'm offering Special DISCOUNT RATES if you’d go direct thru me.
If you live in the US & buy 4 or more of any or a combo of the below listed CD’s…
CD’s are just $10 each plus $1 per CD for shipping!
Email me & give a time for me to call so we can run a credit card # through my square.
Probably ASAP is best if you’d like it in time for Christmas :)
The CD’s I have available for the 4 or more deal:
“RAIN ON BARE SKIN” (NEW all instrumental CD)
“RIDE THE SKY” (Heard on SirusXM radio & Citipark in NYC!)
“WINDS OF THE WORLD” (All Instrumental)
*As always, my CD's are available securely online at CDBaby (actual CD or download) Click on http://www.anniewenz.com
Then click on “Buy my music” where you can even listen before you buy! (check out the new CD there!)
CD’s are 10% off when you buy more than 2 :)
*In the Fort Myers/Pine Island, FL area, CD's are available at:
*WILDCHILD ART GALLERY http://www.wildchildartgallery.com
* NETSHOPS USA http://www.netshopsusa.com
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3- CONCERTS
After months on the road, I’m finally home in Florida :) where I lay back & write & share music close to home & sling clay & sell my pottery!
What that means is that I’m back to performing at my “Pine Island Potters Guild” monthly hoopla-la’s where you can “Shop for pottery & sing with Annie & ask all you want about slinging clay!” :)
*THIS Saturday, TOMORROW 12/13 10am- 2pm
Koucky (Koo-sky) Gallery & Gardens
http://www.kouckygallery.com/
Pine Island Potters Guild Holiday Pottery SALE & Bash!
5971 Baypoint Road Bokeelia Florida 239.283.4414
Admission: FREE
!!!I'm SO EXCITED!!!
I’ll be performing, & there will be pottery for sale (mine included:) , Jewelry, Hand painted silk, Barefoot Child Mailboxes & More!
(THERE WILL BE SOME REALLY SPECIAL DEALS!)
PLEASE TELL YOUR ART LOVIN FRIENDS!
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And the fun continues at “Pine Island Potters Guild” monthly sales…
Same location, same time (10am- 2pm)
On the SECOND SATURDAY of Jan/Feb/March
*JAN 10, 2015- KOUCKY GALLERY & GARDENS 10-2
*FEB 14, 2015- KOUCKY GALLERY & GARDENS 10-2
*MAR 14, 2015- KOUCKY GALLERY & GARDENS 10-2
Im starting to book my usual busy spring & summer dates, and will post more winter gigs at my website as they confirm, so check back there for updates! www.anniewenz.com
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4- THANKS & TATA’S
I’ve been incredibly fortunate in my life & travels!
I’ve had the honor of meeting people from so many different cultures who celebrate in so many ways! And as one of my favorite books “One Heart” points out, we all have more in common than not :)
Most of us pray &/or dance &/or chant for the same things in the end…
So however you celebrate the season, I wish you all the warmest of blessings & joy & magic!
CELEBRATE, GIVE THANKS, GIVE LOVE!
Thank You One & All for being lights in my life!
Annie
