Some Celebrities With Solid Marriages

When it comes to pursuing music as a career, my main fear may surprise you. It's not the people and pressure that most scare me.

It's success!

I'm afraid of success because of the seemingly endless examples of the music industry's propensity to tear apart relationships. So, to counteract my fear I sought out some good examples of some marriages that have stood the test of time (at least 20 years), despite the pressure of limelight.

I hope this list can encourage you too. It's no secret that media puts emphasis on negativity. You'd be surprised how many great marriages exist in showbiz. I know I was!

My favorite couple in showbiz is Gloria Estefan and Emilio Estefan. They were eachother's first girlfriend-boyfriend and truly seem to be an ideal match. I love it! There picture is featured below.

Gloria and Emilio Estefan

Celebrities with successful marriages (20+ years!)

 Denzel and Pauletta Washington

Faith Hill and Tim McGraw

Tom and Lois Bergeron
Jerry Stiller and Ann Meara

Jon Bon Jovi and Dorothea Hurley

Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson
Ann-Margret and Roger Smith
Suzanne Somers and Alan Hamel
Mark Harmon and Pam Dawber
David McCallum and Katherine Carpenter
Tom Selleck and Jillie Mack
Frankie Avalon and Kay Diebel
Richard Benjamin and Paula Prentiss 
Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward
Tom Laughlin and Delores Taylor
Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft
Bob Hope and Dolores DeFina
Ozzie Davis and Ruby Dee
 Charlton Heston and Lydia Clarke
Tony Martin and Cyd Charisse
James Garner and Lois Clarke
Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan
Robert Sterling and Anne Jeffreys
Larry and Maj Hagman
Rance and Jean Speegle Howard
Alan Alda and Arlene Alda
Kirk Douglas and Anne Douglas
Jamie Farr and Joy Ann Richards
Bill Cosby and Camille Cosby
Jimmy Stewart and Gloria Stewart
Rosalind Russell and Frederick Brisson
Ozzie and Harriet Nelson
Julie Andrews and Blake Edwards
George Burns and Gracie Allen
Billy Crystal and Janice Crystal
Susan Lucci Huber and Helmut Huber
Fred MacMurray and June MacMurray
Regis And Joy Philbin
Donald Sutherland and Francine Racette
Vicki Lawrence and Al Schultz
Charlie Chaplin and Oona Chaplin
Ron Howard and Cheryl Howard
Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi
John and Elizabeth Larroquette
Sidney Portier and Joanna Shimkus
Suzanne Somers and Alan Hamel
 Paul and Linda Mc.Cartney
Meryl Streep and Don Gummer
Jay Leno and Mavis Nicholson
Jeanette MacDonald and Gene Raymond
 Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach
Lucille Ball and Gary Morton
Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas
Juliet Mills and Maxwell Caulfield
Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman
Chevy Chase and Jayni Luke
Dan Akroyd and Donna Dixon
Henry Winkler and Stacey Weitzman
James Earl Jones and Cecilia Hart
Martin Short and Nancy Dolman
Jeff Daniels and Kathleen Treado

May this list inspire you to keep your relationships strong no matter what the pressures of life bring you. As a unit, you are more powerful, let nothing come between you! <3

I'm a 1920's Flapper! Jazz ~ Jazz ~ Jazz!

Preparing for this 1920's themed show has been a jazz and blues vocalist's dream come true. Along the way, I've been learning a lot about the music and fashion that shaped the jazz age. It was during this time that the Flapper style emerged, and not just the style- but a whole new type of woman.

The flapper was at the epicenter of the culture war that forever changed the way society views women, and set the tone for the women's suffrage movement.

The "flapper" was a term for a woman who cut her hair in a short bob, wore a good amount of makeup, and wasn't afraid of defying the rigid Victorian social norms that women of the day were expected to adhere to. They were known for listening to jazz and carrying themselves with a unique confidence and independence. Sound like someone you know? I hope so.

The way I see it, the 1920's were the American Woman's teenage years. Boundaries were tested and pushed. Swearing, drinking, carousing were the behavior of a woman who could be seen as "of the times". While I don't fully identify with the characteristic "flapper girl", I admire the spirit that was necessary to counteract the serious discrimination that women endured for so long.

At my show, I'll be proud to represent the women of the 1920's who threw off the shackles of yesterday, and made way for women like me who can perform onstage, kick butt in the office, and make an honest living without being dependent on a man to get by. I'm married and so happy, and part of my biblical view of marriage is that the woman should not a burden, or merely a child-rearer, rather a go-getter, and a financial team-mate in the household, just like it says in Proverbs.

This flapper fad died away with the Great Depression. Like one of life's hard lessons- a death of a friend, a broken heart, the Great Depression became the antidote for a generation experimenting with sometimes unweildy amounts of hedonism. But, they came out the other side with new value systems, which included greater respect and broader definitions for the female's role in society.

I love this white dress that I found with the event organizers at the Missoula Children's Theatre. If you're ever on the hunt for great vintage clothing, make sure to check into your local theatres and playhouses! That's where I find the good stuff for my shows.

What I love best about this dress is that it makes me feel free- the fringe flaps around and is a whole lot of  fun, and still the dress isn't too revealing.

I would love to see you at this show. There's so much more to it than just this dress! With some great local musicians, I've created a line-up of songs that are both reminicient of the 1920's and modern at the same time. I can't wait to sing it for you!

Please connect with me on my facebook: www.facebook.com/laura.sings.jazz
And subscribe on the sidebar to keep getting my updates!

Jazz on, my friends!

Big show on Saturday the 23rd!

It's been a fun few days as I prepare for my next big show! It's a 20's themed event, and I will be performing songs old and new with Missoula's Keaton Wilson on piano, Ed Stalling on drums, and Pete Hand on bass. These are some of the best players in town and it's an honor to be sharing the stage with them, and especially for such a good cause.

Get tickets here: Get tickets for Many Faces of Women 2013

The event is a fundraiser for WORD (Women's Opportunity Resource Development). It's a charity dinner and acution to support their vision to model and actively promote ways of working that:

• Value and celebrate women’s experiences and contributions;
• Respect individual dignity and honor diversity;
• Ensure accessibility for those with the least access to resources, value and power;
• Are holistic, client-centered and strengths-based;
• Encourage creativity, community and openness to change 

I've lined up a great set list and will even be doing a little decorating of the stage. I can't wait to help you cut a rug!



I invite you to connect with my Facebook!
www.facebook.com/laura.sings.jazz
Come "like" the WORD page to show your support:
WORD facebook page: www.facebook.com/WORDMissoula

Red Candy Heart

My latest song, "Red Candy Heart" recorded live with Keaton Wilson on Saturday is available for free download, click here: Red Candy Heart free download

Promote your mixtape at ReverbNation.com

The recipe called for some spicy sweetness with a dash of craving, and I think it came out just right. Please take a listen and if you like it, leave a comment right here to let us know we've done good!  

I wrote this song for the Renee Grant-Williams Valentine's songwriting contest. Entries are now closed. Winner gets a free 1 hour voice lesson with this vocal coach of the stars. She's in Nashville and some of her clients include:  Miley Cyrus, Tim McGraw, Linda Ronstadt, Jason Aldean, Faith Hill, Huey Lewis, Martina McBride, Chicago, Dixie Chicks, Ben Folds, Scott Stapp (Creed), Kenny Chesney, Pam Tillis, Keith Urban, Hank Williams III...

Naturally you can see why I'd be very psyched indeed to win this competition, however I have to say that win or lose, I'm very happy with having a new recording out to share with my people.

 

Lyrics:

Red candy heart, spicy sweet and just for me

You are my favorite Valentine treat
Mmm, Red candy heart, God formulated you
Up in heaven for my Earthly tounge, taste and see
the Lord is good!

You're good to the last little bite
I ought to ration you through these troublin' times
But I took you for granted, lost my self control
Now I'm empty handed and scroungin' for more

Mmm, red candy heart, please supply me by the ton
So hard to find by Summertime, I'll stock up this Valentine's
MMm, red candy heart, God formulated you
Up in heaven for my Earthly tounge, taste and see
the Lord is good!

My Jazzy Love Song Collection and a Special Dedication

I'm building the perfect collection of  jazz love songs because I have something very special planned for my next show.

The show is this valentine's day at Missoula's Montgomery Distillery and pianist Keaton Wilson and I are planning to create the most romantic and classy environment for your valentine that Missoula has ever seen.




I would love to fill this show with songs that are truly special to all of you, and to let your love stories create the energy behind my delivery of these songs on the day of the performance.  

So, Keaton Wilson (pianist) and I are working together to provide a list of songs you can choose from as a dedication at our upcoming show: Valentine's Day Jazz at the Montgomery Distillery. 

Is there a song below that you would love to hear sung especially for your valentine?

You'll just need to tell us: the name of your valentine, the song from the list, and bonus!!: how long you've been together.

A Time for Love

Alright, Okay, You Win

Autumn Leaves

As Time Time Goes By

Come Fly With Me

Comes Love

Corcovado (Quiet Nights)

East of The Sun’

Estate

Every Time We Say Goodbye

Fever

Fly Me to The Moon

A Foggy Day

I Could Write a Book

I'm Beginning to See the Light

It Had to Be You

I've Got You Under My Skin

I've Got The World on a String

Just in Time

Just the Way You Are

Lets Fall in Love

Misty

My Favorite Things

My Funny Valentine

My Old Flame

My One and Only Love

My Romance

Old Devil Moon 

Peel Me a Grape

Our Love is Here to Stay

Sway

There Will Never Be Another You

They Can't Take That Away

This Can't Be Love

Unforgettable

What A Difference a Day Made

What A Wonderful World 

Witchcraft

When I Fall in Love

You Made Me Love You

You Go To My Head

A song doesn't have to reflect a certain person to make it memorable, it can also remind you of a certain time in your life, or a certain day, or just a feeling you once had that you can't quite put into words.

Whether you can make it to the show or not, I invite you to place your dedication below in the comments. We will still perform the song and will make an announcement in your valentine's honor as a thank you for being our faraway fan. I appreciate you so much!

To stay in touch, the best place to be is my facebook page: www.facebook.com/laura.sings.jazz

Happy Valentine's Day, to you and yours!

My vocal coaches, and my first lesson in years, with Eden Atwood

Lola, my microphone.

Can you put a price on a good vocal coach? Beginning from a very young age, my mom always did her best to connect me with great teachers. Now it's my turn to start seeking one out for myself, and I must admit, I've been delaying it for far too long.

In my life, finding a great teacher has been as much a product of divine providence as dumb luck. I was lucky as a little girl living in Niskayuna, NY to be shaped by Holly Johnston, then known to me as Mrs. Peirce. Her passion for music and ability to make music fun really made an impression on me, as you can probably tell.

After learning that I had chosen to pursue music as a career, Holly invited me to lead a Rosendale Elementary School assembly featuring me and my band, and later perform with the kid's choir. But it wasn't over yet- there was a second assembly at my high school, Niskayuna High School where I was able to show my love of jazz before my entire peer group- forever emblazoning my pursuit of jazz as legitamite- and maybe even cool. 

It was my first glimpse into life's greatest mystery-  its tendency to circle back and make sense of itself over time. When we look carefully, life rhymes like a beautiful song. Holly and I are still in touch today and she regularly cheers me on through my facebook fan page. She is a teacher who really cares, and I am blessed to have her in my life.

I've had other great teachers, Sylvia Kutchukian, Sasha Dobson, Laurel Masse, Eileen Bush, Jobelle Yonely. I wish I could say I made the most of all of the learning opportnities I've had over the years, but I can say that my life has been blessed by coming into contact with these great women of music.

After booking a few upcoming performances at some new venues, I realized... I'd better get practicing, and although I've been a bit shy of being taught again, I heard about Eden Atwood 
and knew I had to reign in my little crazy horse self once again for life and music's next big lesson.

I'm looking forward to my lesson- it is my first voice lesson in over two years. But I'm more ready than ever to learn about the art and business of music. Can't wait to report back!

Never stop learning, growing and reaching.

~Laura
www.facebook.com/laura.sings.jazz
Twitter: @NowItsLaura

2013's Best New Shops in Missoula

You know I'm all about a good deal.

Best new store in town... Scored some Express jeans and an Angora sweater for less than $10/each. With the prices going sky-high at Goodwill, this is a great alternative.

Things I Believe

I believe in the power of uncompromising feminine class, I found that this ideal has been mostly lost to this generation, especially in the music world. I endeavor to create some of that good music here to fill the gaping void I almost fell into years ago. This world and this life are what we make it.

I believe in an awakened society of people who are true to themselves, freely expressing and celebrating a different kind of beauty that eminates from within.

I believe in an ultimate †ruth, and it guides me.

I believe that great music has healing powers... the power to make a bad day good, and to make a good day better. I believe that no matter how poorly someone's day has gone, they can come to one of my shows and get their night saved. That's what I'm striving to create with The Salvation Blues.

Announcing: Valentine's Day show at the Montgomery Distillery

Join me at the Montgomery Distillery in Missoula for a beautiful night of love songs this Valentine's Day. The talented Keaton Wilson will be on the piano to help me make this a night you won't forget. I'm so excited for this performance! If you'd like to dedicate a song to be sung in honor of your loved one on this special occassion, please visit my Facebook page: Montana Jazz Vocalist and see how to request a song. Or, see my blog post with my song list right here: (coming soon!)

More details to come. The Montgomery Distillery is located at 129 W. Front St. in Missoula, MT and music will be between 6pm-8pm.




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Nobody Tellls This to the Beginners (Quote by Ira Glass)

Some quotes are too good not to share.

Ira Glass

“Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.” ― Ira Glass

How true is this statement? When I shared this on Facebook, it really resonated with my fellow musicians, and the dancers, and the writers. All of us who create know this feeling.

Just because you feel what you're creating now isn't good enough, doesn't mean you should stop.

It's good to have lofty goals and visions for what your work can become, but you need to keep going. Even if you do a little bit every day, it adds up.

I promise.