January Music News

There is so much happening in my heart right now this moment as I'm writing this.... It's hard to pinpoint where to start. So I'm just going to type and see where it leads....

.....and it led to what is at the end of this post.    First however I want to share with you what's happening so far since the year started and this new website was launched.

PERSONALLY:
We "survived" the holidays!  We only had one day of "food coma" and that was Christmas Eve as we were invited at a friend's house.  We enjoyed a great time of fellowship, shared some great food and played music.  Christmas Day was quiet as we stayed home, so we took a lot of naps and just rested. 
Over New Years, hubby had surgery and we used that time for him to recover.
Beginning of January we got some major snow in the area three days in a row, so it was up to me to dig in with the shovel as hubs was still recovering and couldn't lift.  At least he was able to drive the snow plow truck and that didn't affect his surgery area.
He is also back to driving the school bus filled with energetic kids after the holiday break! :)
I also now have a shop on Etsy for my jewelry!!  Go check it out:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/NotesNBling.  The link to that shop is also on my websie under CDs/Book/Merch....or click the icon on the right side column of my website

MUSIC:
It's been quiet concert wise this January, but I usually try to take that month off from traveling.  It gives me time to work on booking for the year.  I'm also looking into possible festivals and many do their bookings for the year in January.

This late spring/early summer I'll be part of a real TOUR!  Yes, isn't that cool?!   The band Renewed from Denver Colorado has invited me and fellow musician friend Brendan Brooks to be part of their summer tour through SD, ND, MN, WI, IL, MI, KS, MN and CO in June.   So keep watch on the dates either on my Facebook page or on my website under "Tour Dates" as dates finalize and will be updated as soon as they are confirmed.  

You can also utilize the "TRACK" button up top on the left to receive my new concert dates alerts directly to your e-mail.  Sign up is easy and quick, just click on the button to do so.

I will also be attending the InspireSong Songwriter Conference in Aspen, CO in May again this year, so I'm totally pumped about that and seeing all the new friends I made there last year!  Brendan Brooks and members of the band Renewed are some of them!  So cool how we just connected and now we are doing the "Indie"-thing together!

I'm also working on dates in Wisconsin for February/March. 

Another exiting thing is that I will actually get to visit my "home" town Clovis, NM this year!  I've lived there for 23 years before moving away 11 years ago and still consider it home.   It will be exciting to see all the many friends there and I'm also working on a few music events/dates while I'm there, so be sure and watch for those dates as well.  Those will be sometime between May 23 and June 11.
If you are in Clovis, NM and you 'd like to have me come to your fellowship, church or event during those dates, please contact me!

UPCOMING EVENTS:
St. Cloud, MN area (March 25th)   .....for more info see my "tour dates" tab.
I've added a new tentative date on March 25th.  It's the Annual Fundraiser for Place Of Hope called Empty Bowls which will take place at Calvary Community Church.  That date is already listed, however still tentative as of this writing as I'm waiting to hear back from them on particulars.
That is what I have so far locally.  If you'd like to have me come to your biblestudy, church or event, please contact me!

IN ENDING:
.....here is what was on my mind earlier.
This morning I've been in a message conversation with a longtime dear friend who I miss very much since moving away to Minnesota.  We haven't seen each other in quite some time as she lives way south and travel is not always feasible.  However we do stay in touch and right now she and her family are going through a very worrisome time with the illness of a close family member.  It is a scary time, because it's serious.  I ache for her and for the patient.  I love them and care for them.

So in our conversation we talked about how the older we get the more we begin to realize how much death is an enemy like the bible tells us.  1 Corinthians 15:26.  The last enemy that will be abolished is death. 
Death truly is an enemy in many ways. Those who mean us harm are spiritually dead....we have illnesses that cause death....war causes death....even arguments cause death in our hearts as painful words grip us either in fear, worry, anger, frustration or feelings of unworthiness.
Then as you get older, you realize this truth as you begin to lose folks who have aged or gotten ill and passed on and this reality hits more home the older we get.

However there IS good news:
For those who are seeking God: they will find Him.
Those who receive the gift of Christ and who are saved:  they will inherit eternal life with God.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57  O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56.The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law;  57.but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:13-14. For He  rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Romans 3:23.  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 
Romans 5:8.  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 6:23.  For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

THAT is so amazing about God. I'm So thankful He is my Father! So, we do have hope .... and we pray for those who not yet have it.
Pray for our country, pray for our new president and pray for your church, your family and yourself.  May we shine the light of Christ in this dark world.
Until next time.  Talk to you guys soon.  Sam

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