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51 days ago
I'm headed to the Durango Songwriters EXPO this weekend - which, inexplicably, is no longer held in Durango. I know exactly one person who will be there, and I can legitimately only call her an "acquaintance". The songwriting contest happens ahead of time, so I already know I didn't win (although the head guy was kind enough to take time to email me and tell me my songs were in the final screening process - and then a few days later told me I had broken the top 25). I'll take it. Networking. My favorite. Circling the room like a lioness stalking some antelope. Then moving in for the kill - I mean - some conversation. And never ever approach a group of 2 - only if there are 3 or more. Etc. These are the kinds of "tips" circling in my brain. I may or may not pay any attention to them, however! .... Mostly I prefer the advice to simply "be friendly". This quote seems appropriate: "You gain strength, courage and confidence by every ...
69 days ago
Ace. The Helpful Place. We even have pink duct tape. Don't get me started.... Signed, Stiep Lur Ning Kervv
78 days ago
These days I'm especially thankful for last month's GMA win. That "bright spot" keeps me believing. Keeps me dwelling in possibility. Keeps me focused on the future. Definitely easier some days than others.... My husband and I closed on an Ace Hardware store on Aug. 26. I suspected the ensuing days would wreak havoc w/ my writing schedule. Amen to THAT! But there's still absolutely NO question in my mind that "writing" is what I'm meant to do. I may have to take a break for a bit, but I WILL be back! And in the meantime, I do what I can. I write down ideas constantly. I listen to the radio critically when I'm in the car - noticing what I like and don't like - analyzing why that's the case - and brainstorming about the next song. I listen enthusiastically - even desperately - when my teenager wants to play a song for me. I find myself distracted by the store's background music (today it was Taylor Swift, one of my favorites) when I'm supposed to ...
104 days ago
A few weeks ago I attended Immerse 2009 (formerly Music in the Rockies, Estes Park, CO). I didn't originally intend to, but....I'm so glad I did! Two of my three song entries made the finals. One finalist was "Nothing" in the American Bible Society Scripture category, which ended up taking 3rd. And the other song did better yet: GMA SONG OF 2009 GMA Semi-Pro Class “She Said” by Bev Herrema, Highland Ranch, Colo. :) !!! I was totally unprepared for that to happen. And I mean totally unprepared, folks. (Guess I learned a lesson or two about that.) If you want to hear the songs that made it to the finals, you can go to www.myspace.com/bevherrema. ("She Said" and "Nothing") Or hear the winning song in its proper "setting" by visiting my co-writers (Nikita Odnoralov & Ruslan Odnoralov of the band Everfound) @ www.everfoundmusic.com. I actually have 3 co-writes on Everfound's new CD - She Said, ...
131 days ago
It's really important to me that I keep moving forward, one step at a time. Yeah, maybe a single step doesn't seem like that big of a deal all by itself. But those steps add up! Tonight I'm feeling overwhelmed by God's goodness - remembering and rejoicing in some steps He's given me the courage and opportunity to take. Steps like picking up and practicing the guitar after so many years of piano, or learning to use Nuendo in the studio, or breaking out a new database for songwriting, or flying out for the first official Immerse event in Nashville, or attending a co-writing retreat new Louisville, KY, or braving the world of tween pop (which I happen to love), or heading downtown for some live jazz to soak in the incredible gift of music and rhythm. Each one brings it's own challenge and occasional discomfort, but also joy ! Where have the steps of the last 5 years taken me? One tangible result would be "cuts" this past year in multiple genres, including ...
