A month has flown by since I broke my disappointment over postponing my Nevermind Me video. I keep waiting for good news to share, but theres been a drought over here. Several weeks ago I auditioned to sing in Code Zero led by a Detroiter, Ron Allen. Ron moved to Los Angeles several years back and began to call me to prod me to move there from the D. I then landed hours away and Ron, poet and playwrite, often egged me on to get involved in various projects of his, but I always declined because of the distance. This time, aggressively searching for a home, I felt optimistic about being available and its been my lifelong dream to be in a band, but none Ive been in stick. Though I didnt sing their original so well, I sang my cover, Summertime, better than Id ever sung before, I think. Rarely, if ever, have I walked off stage believing I really nailed a song, but this time I was proud. Truly proud.
Very quickly, the band decided I was in and then I was optimistically off with our pups to meet prospective landlords and neighboring dogs. Househunting distracts me the most lately, but Ive turned up nothing that really makes sense for us. I thought this lower-level unit might be the one, but even though our dogs behaved wonderfully, the owners raised the monthly rent per dog nose and wed just seen a place twice the size for $200 less. While we were out seeking a new address all over the greater Los Angeles area, Ron called. I couldnt answer, but hed left an encouraging message about how pleased he was with my voice having never heard me sing like that. Me, too.
I hoped to sit down and write you that weekend to tell you how excited I was. I tried to call Ron Allen back to let him know how thrilled I was, too. Unfortunately, director Joe pushed me into shooting a simple video for a song I hadnt intended to release as a single. We lost our actor for Nevermind Me due to the scheduling changes and now need to regroup and audition actors. For our Plan B, or C, or D, we used the environment of the Sequoia National Forest and Kern River, but we didnt have time to explore the 16 miles of craziness in the canyon. Unfortunately, Joe went home in the dark so he never really experienced the mesmerizing venom of the Kern.
I held off on writing you then, because I expected to receive some footage from Believe or stills of our shoot to send to all of you with good news. I still have nothing and life continues to rapidly disappear. After a busy summer of work, Joe left for a trip with my friend, Jenna, to New York so Im on hold, again. While gone, I agreed to keep an eye on Jennas forgetful father who would pretty much be alone in the house. The night before I left for SoCal, I found out my future band leader, Ron Allen, had been in a coma since probably a day and a half since Id seen him last. Im still trying to figure out how to tell of his passing, but havent yet determined the impact its had on me.
Ive barely had a moment to process whats happened. While staying at Jennas, I thought Id be able to improv, take tango, and visit friends, but the aging mans loneliness and confusion pulled on my heart strings so I found myself trying to balance his needs while finding the time to drive to LAs Cedar Sinai to visit with Ron and to share the love Detroiters sent through me. On my third visit to the hospital, we bid Ron Allen farewell. During this time I managed to work several days having to travel four or five hours a day. Im still winding down and wondering whats next and irritated that I havent had time to reflect. Ive heard nearly seventy voices naming Ron as their mentor or sharing how hed changed their lives. I wonder if I was next. Or am I still next?
Ive got nothing.
Ron, predominantly a Buddhist, and an ordained clergyman, perhaps might think nothing is exactly what I need right now.
be limitless,
Amy
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Article source: http://www.amyarena.com/node/64
