There Are Good Men Too

Dear Lovely Ones,

It’s many thanks to a lovely lady by the name of Melissa Hocking that I find myself creating this piece. It’s not easy, sometimes, being female in this big world of ours. Recent events have had a global impact probably more so with the social media platforms we have now. What’s apparent, and this is thanks to Melissa, is that most of this has been focused on the sadder element of human relations. It’s a pretty bad situation to be sexually harassed and I don’t believe there is one woman on the planet who hasn’t been subjected to it: some on a regular basis. Equally there must be many genuine men out there who are having a bad time at the moment as they might feel like the world’s female population hates them for simply being male.

Anyway, I’d like to take a moment to focus publicly on some of the men in my life who have been a positive and uplifting influence on me rather than the countless who haven’t. I’d rather do that than remember all the bad times. So here we go:

Firstly, there is my dad, who was encouraging to all of us regardless of our gender. His idea was that we could all grow up and be independent and happy adults. No matter what course my life has taken he has been there to support whatever decision and direction. As the eldest he wanted me to “go live my life and be happy”. I kinda think I am really, don’t you? 😊

My darling beautiful man is a constant gift to me. He’s someone who has been the biggest surprise in my life. As we’ve gotten to know each other more I understand why I was attracted to him in the first place. His smile on that first day still beams at me each morning, afternoon and evening. His consideration of me is like no other, sometimes I’ve had to shake my head and stop so I can take in what a big beautiful and gentle heart he has. I am fortunate that I recognised, in time, the happiness I would have bringing him to my side. He believes in me totally and is a great influence on me continuing with my music career when I feel a little sad about things.

The more I sat and thought about it, the more men who came to mind who had been a significantly positive influence on my life. In fact, amongst all the negative men I’d crossed paths with were more lovely men than I had first thought. These men all respected me for my knowledge and character rather than any physical attribute. They understood and practiced social etiquette and professional boundaries. I learnt much from these professional colleagues and mentors and owe them much for the time they freely gave so that I could move forward. What makes these men special is that they are on the rarer side of common. They see the world in a special way and have a broader view of what really matters. I think it’s rather cool that I can remember these significant men more than those who hurt or harassed me. I feel blessed and fortunate to have had them in my life.

Melissa is right, we could all put our thinking caps on and come up with a #truementoo story. We all must have at least one positive male in our life: even if it’s the postie or the butcher or someone we might see occasionally. I think it’s time we celebrated the men in our lives who have made up for all the a-holes who have tried to bring us down.

Lots of love

Susan xx

How Do We Know When We Choose Wisely?

Dear Lovely Ones,

My grandad used to say things like "you're a long time dead" whenever I wrangled with a decision.  He also used to laugh a lot, tell heaps of silly jokes and seemed to be unfazed by whatever life threw at him.  He was also a survivor of the harsh times of the depression.  Born in a tent just outside of Balranald in far western NSW he went on to become my favourite person in the world.  I, thankfully, spent 6 months living within his influence when I went to college to study Medical Imaging.  

My pop was gifted in so many ways and yet wasn't allowed to have his one great love: music.  My grandmother, for some reason, did not like him playing the piano.  Instead he would sneak outside with me, when we could, and play his piano accordion for our entertainment.  He never lost the ability to laugh at the world and to make good of what he had to.  Through his encouragment I've tried many things; some that worked and some that didn't.  

He's long gone now but I still feel his influence, especially when I am in need of direction for myself.  It's as though he is still with me, encouraging me to grow and to continue to give the level of attention to my needs that I sometimes forget.

Today I had to make the tough decision to turn down something that was not the right fit for me.  I chose me.  It's fair to say that it's taken me some time to get to the point of not being afraid to turn something down in the hope that something better will arrive in its place.  That is what I have started to do more and more lately; turn down things that either made my head hurt or my body ache.  To feel good about saying "no" and then taking the risk that comes with it will always feel a little awkward to me.  Yet the more I take the courageous steps to define to the world what I want the happier I feel inside.  Is this what my grandad meant when he used to tell me that saying?  I'd like to think so.  My body is relaxed and my mind is ambling along instead of running in circles.  My day is brighter, and I hope yours is too :)

love 

Susan xxx

The Butterfly is Blossoming

Dear Lovely Ones,

It was 6 years ago today that I excitedly experienced my first album launch.  Held at Hardimans Hotel in Kensington, I had a wonderful time with so many gorgeous folk.  Some are still my friends and others I often think of fondly whenever I take an album out or someone requests a song of mine on radio.

This album took a while to become a finished project too.  A labour of love, it took 2 years to be finished.  During that time I learnt much about songwriting, recording and leading a band: all things that were mentored by a fabulous guy and my producer Paul Norton. We worked diligently whenever we could in his studio, and I gained more than I paid for I believe.  I will always be thankful and grateful for the guidance Paul and his gorgeous wife, Wendy Stapleton, gave me.  They are truly generous people who gave me so much and continue to inspire me whenever I find myself with a newly finished song or do a great show.

I had the BEST time that night.  My dad came down to be there with me and I'm so grateful he did.  He loved every minute of it.  I had a great bunch of musicians around me and I also had a surprise visitor who almost knocked me off my high heels.  That was a beautiful moment I will always treasure.  Seeing the smiling face of a man I treasured as a friend and now treasure in my life was the biggest and best surprise of the launch (even though I didn't realise then where I would be now).

Me at my album launch

Today is also the birthday of my favourite twins and a mate from home.  What a fabulous date to have in my life!

Happy sunday everyone xxx

What Makes a Diamond Day?

Dear Lovely Ones,

I got home today and couldn't help but tune in to the song that was spinning round in my brain.  It's a John Denver classic..."somedays are diamonds, somedays are stones...." It's a good reflection of the times we can't wait to leap out of bed and those days we'd rather stay under the doona.  Today was a diamond day in so many ways and reminds me of the value of life, breath and loving all the moments we have.  Today I felt I achieved something again,and that's one of the things that inspires me to continue.

I also had some good news about more work that will help me fund my forthcoming album.  That's what I like to do, invest in myself and hope that it rubs off around the globe.  I'm really excited about this second album.  Not only am I working with a different team than the first album, but I'm also a better song writer (well I think so).

So, today was a diamond day and I'm hoping tomorrow will bring more challenges and similar achievement.

thanks for reading and I'd love to hear from you about what makes your day a diamond day.

love

Susan xx

Winter/Summer Solstice 2017

Dear Lovely Ones,

I hope this finds you all well and enjoying the delights of winter here in the southern hemisphere.  For those up in the Northern Hemisphere I hope summer is bringing you a fresh perspective.  

I've been working on the creation of my second album for a number of months now.  In case you don't know, I'm working with Anthony Stewart (Red Brick Music) on twelve unreleased tracks from my own pen.  It's all starting to come together and we have mapped out the final stages for its completion.  Exciting times!!!

I've also, in the last few days, completed studies that will give me a new set of qualifications in coming weeks.  Spring time is going to be a busy time for this gal!  In the planning stages is a whole new pathway for me to 
1. earn a living in a different area and,
2. keep doing what I love... helping people :)

The album is on track and so am I.  I hope with this winter/summer solstice is also bringing you positive changes and new directions.

Lots of love

Susan xx

When Life Is...

Dear Lovely Ones,

I've had a bit of time to ponder about some recent events; how I've felt, grown and, dealt with them.  The statement “Life is as hard as you make it” comes to mind.  Not a bad one and one that each of us will view differently depending on what is happening in our lives.  Some will say it is a challenge to us and continue to strive for happiness and others will simply succumb to the literality of the words and feel that things aren’t worth doing or pursuing. 

So, where do I see myself in this?  I’m somewhere in the upper middle third towards feeling grateful each day and continuing to forge ahead with my dreams.  Yes, sometimes they feel somewhat crushed by things I cannot control and yet they also bounce back.  Sometimes the bounce back feels greater than the fall as I gain a new appreciation of how far I have come since I began consciously acknowledging my path. 

I like to think that new experiences for me will be positive ones, not perfect though, just positive.  My recent foray into a new arena has had its issues and perceived setbacks.  What I mean by “perceived setbacks” are those things that we feel are important to succeed in: yet turn out to be insignificant to our personal journey. It becomes that we must do these things in order to get to where we perceive we ought to be.  For instance, with marketing there are a series of things that people want to do during eg a festival.  Though there are standard methods of marketing, who’s to say that everyone is going to make their own choice via the mass marketing methods?  A major percentage of the people who came to see my Fringe Show only knew me from the guide, my appearances on the unfold fringe stage, social media campaign or the small handful of flyers and posters I distributed.  In that regard I’ve learnt much about what I need to do next year and what people notice more than not.

I feel that people choose something because it resonates with a part of their life and self.  Marketing will succeed when there is a genuine gift to those who participate.  That is the best lesson I’ve had in the past few months.  The other one is to refrain from being caught up in other’s negative experiences and opinions.  After all, we all see the world uniquely and thus the world will do the same to us if we give them the chance to see our unique and genuine self.  That is the best part of what I’ve gained from this new adventure into the world of festivals.

I’m looking forward to seeing what unfolds in coming months.  Thank you universe for teaching me to trust and to keep going.  Life can be easy when you know how to stop it feeling hard.

lots of love to you all

Susan xx

We Did It! #ADLfringe 2017

Dear Lovely Ones,

I've just completed my debut at the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2017 and I am so overwhelmed with the love received from those close to me and also to people who took a chance and booked tickets to my show without knowing me at all.  To say I feel blessed is an understatement indeed, for this has become another great step in my life and my career as an entertainer.

I took a chance meeting last August to accept the offer of a venue to support me doing a show and then let my imagination run away with me as to the possibilities that could be brought to life.  At first I was hesitant to delve back into my comedic roots, however I am so glad I did.  Not only did I revisit a part of my life that I'd longed to do, I'd surpassed my own expectations as to performing as a story teller and standup comic.

They say that the truth of your own life will resonate with others and by sharing real stories a new and fresh bond can be woven with both old and new friends.  That seemed to be the case with my show.  It was raw and real and my own take on the world as a child in outback NSW.  It felt so natural to revisit a comedy character and then to be interacting with her in front of an audience felt like the most normal thing in the world to me.  I remember during the first show how scared I was that I would fail somehow and stuff up.  A mate of mine and I had been talking a week earlier about a man who had made a big impact on our comedic lives.  This man has been sadly gone from earth for 7 years now, but we still feel his presence every so often.  Well, that night, in the midst of my internal dilemma he "came to me".  His name popped into my head suddenly and, as I looked out into the crowd, I felt he was saying something like "it's alright, you're doing great.  This is you".  A fleeting moment yet poignant.  From that moment onwards I've simply gotten up and done the show.  No fuss, no more than normal nerves, as I traversed through my script.

I'm so glad I took a chance on me: so glad I did more than just my music.  I feel very much alive and like I am really here again.  I've not felt that for a long time.  It's brilliant to be honest.  The funnest thing is that some of my Adelaide friends have learnt a little bit more about me in the process. It's been a win-win situation and I couldn't be happier.

The show would be nothing without my support team though.  The following people made this event a beautiful success:

I have much to thank my darling man Graham Burkin who helped with set design and provided a great sound and lighting rig as well.  His business, AMPit has been developed to provide local and interstate bands live production facilities.  On top of that he is also an awesome bass player and quite the comic in his own right.

Many thanks to Elisa Franzon and the team at the Hilton Hotel in Hilton.  Fedora's restaurant was the perfect setting to have the show in.  We had table service throughout the show, making things easier for patrons to simply sit and enjoy the experience.

Lovely to have John de Michele working with us on sound engineer duties.  Amongst his many talents that are musical, he is a great sound engineer and also a wonderful human being.  Very loyal and genuine, it was a pleasure to work with him on this project.

To my gorgeous friend and "sister from another mister" Carol Hancock a big thank you!  Another of my happy accidents in life has been meeting and getting to know Carol.  A beautiful soul with a wonderful heart.  I can't thank her enough for all the support she gave me during the show.  The role of box office/merchandise is a vital part of any team.

Thank you also to Elton Gregory for designing a beautiful poster for me.

Thank you to the many shopkeepers and cafe owners who allowed me to put my posters up in their windows.  

Many thanks also to the Adelaide Fringe Festival Headquarters team for all their help, support and advice.  It's been a fabulous journey of discovery and learning.

Thank you to Print Mint for giving me great posters and flyers in a timely manner.

I'd also like to thank Anthony Sims and Jim Manning from WOW FM, along with Steve McNally from Coast FM, and Lisa Harper-Campbell from Radio Adelaide for their interviews.

Before I finish I'd like to share with you the opening sequences from the show: the naughty Loretta one and then the one I did dedicated to my late Grandfather, Ronald Waring.  Thanks pop for giving me the genes that lead me to comedy and music.  I'm so glad you passed them on.

This is the real intro:

Have a great week everyone and thanks again to those who either help me make the show or who attended.  Bless you all.

love

Susan xx

Latitude and Longitude

Dear Lovely ones,

I saw this image on twitter just now and feel compelled to weave my own experiences into it.  Quite simply it reads...

Would you agree with me?  How many of you have made changes to your life because you 

a. wanted to

b. could do and

c. felt driven to

My story began in a little outback town and I had dreams to change it from the age of 14.  My first was to strive to become the best Radiographer (Medical Imaging Technologist) and I did that.  I was given the opportunity to share some of my knowledge, which I took.  That changed my life.  I grew tired of the city I was in and so changed my latitude and longitude.  I wanted to try being a standup comic and found places I could hone my craft.  Then I discovered that people liked my singing voice and somehow I have ended up on a path that I always wanted to, but never thought I could.

We ARE the authors of our lives.  Change can and does happen, some of it by us and some by the universe.  I'm not saying that to change your story is easy, heck no.  Is it worth it?  Absolutely!  I wouldn't be doing my first Adelaide Fringe Show if change wasn't worth it.  I wouldn't be changing if I didn't think I was worth it.  We are all worthy of lives we direct and star in.  Go and get your staring role today

love

Susan xx

"Look After Each Other...That's What It's All About"

Dear Lovely ones,

We are a long time gone once through the pearly gates and what better way to leave our mark by sending out love to all around us.

Wherever you are in the world, take a moment to look around you and see the love that is coming to you.  Feel it, embrace it, want it, get it.  Leave all the naysayers and simply believe in what makes you happy.

It's been 7 years since the comedy world lost a wonderful man, and very funny comic to cancer.  Prior to that Dave Grant was a gifted and clever comic who poked gentle fun at himself and the world around him in such a warmhearted way that we were all swept along with his joy.  He was a significant influence on who I have become as an entertainer and I treasure, each day, those years I spent sharing a room or a stage with him.

At the end of each set, he would end with

 "Look after each other, brothers and sisters.  That's what it's all about".

Here is a snippet of how great a comic he was

It would be nice to think that we could keep that sentiment going and extend it further each year.  How wonderful would it be if we all looked at the important things like love and prioritised them over the sadder things like hate.  Bringing love in has more health benefits than the alternative.  Love can help us to aspire to achieve things that we never thought we could.  Love will help us to accept the harshness of life and, love will guide us when we need it.

Take a moment today to love yourself and anyone you come into contact with.

Smile at your bus driver, thank your barista, and find a positive thing about a co-worker.  It's all there and ready for you to find it.

the time is now

lots of love from me,

Susan xx

My Adelaide Fringe Journey - Poster Drop

Dear Lovely Ones,

It's been a fun journey so far, with lots of help from so many people!  The Adelaide Fringe team have been superb with all their advice and assistance.  I'm so grateful already!!

So here is a little photographic representation of my poster drop journey last week.... enjoy!

the first stop was in the city to the printers to collect my first lot of flyers and posters!  Can't begin to tell you what a joy it was to finally do this!

flyers and posters all ready for me to collect.  Many thanks to  Print Mint for a stirling job done!

Next stop, Fringe Headquarters

Front entrance and box office

Is this the cool car that will be adding my posters to the pillars around town?

Mission accomplished for fringe dropoff

 From there I went back to my venue, Fedoras at the Hilton Mybar Hotel in Hilton to drop off posters and flyers to the management team there... then I couldn't help myself and did a drop at my local coffee place

The Local Coffee and Lunch Bar, Grange rd, Allenby Gardens

you will also find one of my posters in Scootz cafe in Pulteney street, Adelaide city

also in the back part of Queen Street Cafe :)

plus you will find them in at Hawker Street Cafe in Bowden

also at the Welland Plaza Cafe

Town Mode in Welland Plaza

Cafe Primo at Welland

and adorning the outer windows of FB's in Welland too

Even my gorgeous hairdresser has offered to put up a poster!!  Palladeum Hair, Croydon

I'm so grateful to everyone for their support!  It means the world to me and I cannot wait to bring you Butterfly:  When Country Meets City

2016...Another Year of Firsts

Dear lovely ones,

This year has been one of big change and high end learning so that I am set for a MASSIVE year in 2017.  Sure it's been a challenge, but what better time to be alive.  So many new things to explore:

 A fun Tamworth CMF in Jan 2016 

I performed for my biggest audience ever when I chanced up on the Country Music Cares Concert in the Town Hall mid week... Graham and I had got chatting with a lovely man in a cafe Wednesday morning and he turned out to be the organiser behind the charity event.  So he asked me to busk out the front to entertain people as they waited for the doors to open.  As fortune would have it, someone pulled out of the night so the MC offered me a spot to sing one song... I chose "Daisy Jane" and sang to 650 people...my biggest crowd to date x

photo by Vickiree2016

Sadly, Kalesti Butler's father passed away just as the festival was in full swing and we did not get our annual catchup.  My darling friend gave her spot in the cavalcade to me and I will always be grateful for this opportunity as it was great fun! Even though we did get belted with lashing rain just as we began our journey :)

Oh, ok then... selfie time!

Lovely open top car with a moment of respite from the rain. Photo courtesy of Graham Burkin

So, I arrived back home in time to get ready for my support spot with the very talented Adelaide songwriter Samantha Edge.  Together we launched her long awaited album "Moments" at Nexus Arts Centre on Jan 30th.  What a beautiful night that turned out to be.  Thanks Samantha!

Then suddenly it was Adelaide Fringe time!!!  I'd been asked by Steve Charles to join him in a show all about water/the sea.  Staged on the permanent ketch in the SA Maritime Museum we performed 3 shows to almost sellout capacity.  I got to dress up and have fun curling my hair the oldfashioned way (with socks tied into my hair), acting somewhat and singing my heart out each night.

Also in February I recieved a lovely surprise of a number 1 spot in an online publicly voted chart.  Spectrum Radio Petts Wood is in the UK

My mate Darren Scott and I had been in the Iceman's New Country Top 40 for 23 weeks and reached into the top 20.  We were the only Australian act to do this in 2016 and it's something I am very proud of to this day.

During the Adelaide Fringe (Feb-Mar) I joined in the crazy fun of working for a comedy group at the Griffins Hotel in town.  I met a great deal of wonderful Fringe goers each night at the box office and saw the world from a different perspective.  Thanks again to the hotel and to Terry North for a great month.

Another highlight during the fringe was being a special guest of Kylie Brice for her EP launch in Salsbury Secret Garden.  The Salsbury Institute will never be quite the same after my set of entertainment.  I gained so much more than anticpated and met a beautiful group of people that night.

The fun in February did not end there.  I was also invited to join forces with another songwriter/entertainer called Steve Charles.  Steve had moved down from Tamworth (via Melbourne)  a few months before and, to my delight, had wanted me to join him in singing sea shantys and other nautical songs to complement the open tallship "One and All"

This was our stage tent :)

this was us enjoying our break and some coffee and pancakes .........

Also during the Fringe I met these two gorgeous gals from Canada and went to as many of their shows as I could so I could learn about etiquette.   In short the word of the festival was "quality" and, if you look really closely at the back right of the photo you will see my darling man Grahan (hat), myself, my sista from another mista Michelle Walker and her hubby Steve.  What a joy to host them both for a few days.  As some of you will know, Michelle and I have forged a wonderful relationship both musically and in life.  She's an awesome friend and mother to 3 wonderful children.  Plus she's scored a number of charting songs this year and won an award in Tasmania recently.  

Wonderful to see.

the gals from Canada also painted my face :)

As the months flew by, many more things happened that have made this year a wonderful one for me.  I had some dayjob work in a a great environment.  In May/June I successfully completed the radio presenter's course for local community station WOW FM in Semaphohre.  Since then I've programmed over 80 hours of music and have interviewed quite a few Australian artists.

WOW FM in Semaphore SA

I now have my own fortnightly show "Melody Sunday" 6 - 8 pm wowfm.org where I showcase new and recent releases from SA, the rest of Australia and, some from overseas.  I love it!  One of the best things that's happened to me.  I feel I am giving back to a city that has given me chances and opportunities

The fun did not stop there either!  In July I was taken to the Entertainment Centre where we saw one of my favourite overseas bands play! 

The Cure - awesome show!

It would not have been possible with out my darling Graham's help.

Myself and my lovely man Graham, as we await the concert to start

In August I received my first passport and, together with my darling Graham, travelled to New Zealand for the first time.  What a great city Auckland is!!

View from my lunch space of the great harbour and the tall ships moored outside the Maritime Museum there.

View of Auckland from the 360 Orbit restaurant

View of the tall ships moored near the New Zealand Maritime Museum in Auckland.

Brilliant museum to visit if you get the chance.

They have 1 hour harbour cruises when the weather is good and there hasn't been any earthquakes

We travelled across the North Island to Napier, then Taupo where we stayed with a view of Lake Taupo.

One of the biggest surprises for me was to go see the snow and play in it.  

Even more surprising was the changing landscape as we drove closer and closer.  It actually becomes semi-desert looking, with spiky natural foliage that obviously can withstand the extremes of temperature.

Here I am with my darling Graham my cheeky monkey Coops (who had also never been overseas until this trip), 

posing for a happy snow selfie :)

In late September my fortunes changed again for the better when I was called upon to bring my band to the main stage in Harts Mill on Sunday 2nd October at 3 pm.  I was originally booked to play on the acoustic stage and was now to bring my music centre stage.  Excited, nervous and grateful, we stepped onto that stage and owned it!  What a brilliant feeling and many thanks to Debra Thorsen for taking a chance on me.

Once again, through chance, I entertained the travellers on the train from town to Glanville station on the saturday of the festival.  Someone had not been able to take the 10 am spot so I stepped up and did my very first train entertainment.

More "firsts" were to come along, with my successful application to Moorook Riverstock Festival with my backing band.    The wind was high and we had lost power overnight after a spectacular electrical and rain storm.  Ensconced in the caravan park dining area we shared the space with some funloving bikers who gave us some light.  I had a friend curl my hair using ties and in the morning had lovely curly locks to perform in.  We had a blast and again, I'm forever grateful to Lance and his great crew for a wonderful day.

What a great birthday month I had!!!  I also was chosen to become the resident acoustic act for Port Adelaide's "The Boat That Rocked" summer series.  On November 27th I played the top deck and The Incredibles ensured the lower deck was fun and lively.  Many thanks to Samone Wear and Platinum Event Agency for these opportunities

Our Stage setup on the top deck...complete with Hacker Girl :)

I will have 2 more dates:

Jan 21 with "Clearway" and

March 18 with "Rumours"

However, that is not ALL the wonderful things that have happened to me.  As some of you may know, I've not been able to afford to record any new music for the past few years.  It was also coming up to the tenth anniversary of my debut release "Got The Monkey Off My Back" to radio across the nation.

In October I released the title track off the "Butterfly" album and to date it's reached a high point of #11 on Country Tracks Top 40 and is now sitting at #21 as the best christmas present ever!

I've also got some other projects in the wings and a relaxing NYE to look forward to.  All in all, 2016 has brought me some more "firsts" and some beautiful times with my darling Graham.

Thank you 2016, You rock!

love 

Susan xxx