First they came for the Socialists
and I did not speak out–
Because I was not a socialist
Then they came for the Trade Unionists
and I did not speak out–
Because I was not a Trade Unionist
Then they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out–
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me–
And there was no one left to speak for me

As I work to pick myself up off the floor and embrace the realities of our American Democracy, I find that with every few steps I take down the challenging but necessary road of acceptance, these words are lurking behind every corner that I turn, making me question my every outlook.

Continue reading “To ALL The Kind Hearts Of The World”

Exposing Your Flaws

The other day on Skype, Brandon and I had the pleasure of catching up with a friend and musician from Seattle; Mr. Darin Jones of Jones and Fischer, aka, our wedding band and the loves of our life!! We discussed many music business idea’s to help further each of our DIY careers, one of which really stuck with me. So much so that I chose to ramble on about it in this week’s blog!

He and his bandmates are currently doing an exercise called “Exposing Our Flaws”. They have drawn on a white board the many components that go into growing a great business and brand in the music industry. Then they methodically researched the bands & musicians that they admire and from there they look at each component on the white board, rate those bands on each element and then rate themselves in comparison to clearly expose where their flaws are and to see what really makes them different from the musicians that have “made it.”

Continue reading “Old Man Take a Look at My Life…”

As a singer/songwriter/blogger I spend my days looking for creativity under every nook and cranny. I find that with any dramatic experience, comes the possibility for more material. So when life throws me a curve ball, I welcome it with the hopes that I can at least get a solid song or blog out of it.

However, the challenge then becomes finding good material when life is easy breezy! What’s a girl to write about when there’s no drama to inspire her?

I recently met my good friend Kyle for lunch to help him brainstorm some lavish ideas for his girlfriend’s fast approaching birthday. While he was naming off various idea’s like sky diving or a trip to Vegas, the only opinion he got from me was a big ol’, “Hell No! Don’t ever get ME a gift like that. I’m not adventurous and I don’t care!”. He then asked one of the most profound questions I have heard in a very long time; “Jackie, when was the last time you did something for the first time?”

Continue reading “The Last First”

I’m sure by now most of you just assumed you were somehow deleted from our mailing list since you haven’t heard from me in months. Well, I’m here to say that this was not the case, I just suck. 😉 Like most women, I set out to plan a major life event, like a wedding, while simultaneously conquering the world without missing a beat…YEAH, RIGHT! #EpicFail

I realized through this experience, even the most un-bridelike bride can get swallowed up in this celebratory chaos and find herself very lost after it’s all over.  Last week as I was stuffing goodie bags, all I could think was “I can’t wait for this amazing day to come, but I REALLY can’t wait to have my life back!” 

Continue reading “Time To Get Famous”