Music to the SOUL!

Ever have one of those moments that magically transports you back to this other moment in time in the story of your life?

When I first met Stephen it was February of 2002. I had just made the solo journey from Michigan to Santa Monica, California. I moved in with two guys whom I didn’t know, against the best wishes of my mother. When I arrived in SanMo, Dave was out of town and Eric was still out of the country. Dave had left a note, and said if I was up to it, his friend Stephen was playing at this little venue in Hollywood – and that if I liked bands like Dave Matthews and Jack Johnson…I’d totally dig Stephen. So I went.

Immediately I adored his energy. His voice. His music. I’ve long since said that if a man can sing or play the guitar, it ups his sexy quotient – Stephen Clarke could do both.

As the next couple of years went on, I became a bit of a fixture at Stephen’s shows in the LA area. And every time I heard “Dark Green Light” it’d take me back to the very first time I drove my Jetta down Ocean Avenue and breached the top of the hill and saw the sunshine and the Pacific Ocean staring back at me. It reminded me of that Anna, the brave one who left it all…to live a dream. It would take me back through all of those moments in between that moment and the moment I was standing in now. This song does this to me EVERY time I hear it.

Last week I was in Austin – which is well known as the “Live Music Capitol of the World.” No doubt on that, folks. Both times I’ve been to Austin, there’s been some live music mixed in…and live music, well that’s one of the things in my life that I cannot live without.

While I was in Austin last week, I had the serendipitous luck to be able to catch my friend, Stephen Clarke perform in his new band, Second Day Red. It was strange. Seeing him there. Seeing him nearly five years after he left Los Angeles and headed back to Austin. Seeing him there, while I was in this new stage of my life.

But it was comforting. Comforting to know that no matter where I go, how I grow there will always be those people in my life to remind me of those moments, and that growth.

That night, Stephen closed with “Dark Green Light” and dedicated it to me.

Though so much in my life has changed, that song still makes me want to ‘fly with my arms out wide” – this time I got to fly with five extra years under my belt…and with Liana flying right next to me!

Thank you Stephen!! No matter where I’m at, I’ll always be a ‘super fan”!!

P.s. Check out Stephen and Second Day Red on Itunes!!