Welcome to the Online Newsletter for Mary Byrd Brown fans and interested parties. Thanks for dropping by to read the news and for your support of independent music!
"The Mary Byrd Brown Project" Closed for the Season
JULY '04 NEWS FLASH! MBB Returns to the Studio! She's Alive!
Maryland State Arts Council 2004 Individual Artist Award
Mary's Battle with Advanced Lyme Disease
Have You Sent MBB Your CD for Review?
Three-for-One CD Sale
About the MBB Mailing List
Big Thanks to Our Website Hosts
JULY '04 NEWS FLASH!
MBB Returns to the Studio! She's Alive!
...a personal note from Mary...In an effort to reconnect with my music and to continue to financially support my independence, I am applying to the Maryland State Arts Council again this year for a 2005 Individual Artist Award in "Music Composition."
I decided to record songs that have yet to make it onto tape and to document new pieces that I wrote during my illness, in the past two years of my absence from performing. Not only was this a great opportunity to reacquaint myself with the studio environment, but it was also a great boost in my confidence.
I was excited to realize that this project was multifaceted in meeting multiple goals: 1.) to apply for a grant to help me keep a roof over my head 2.) to document old and new songs never recorded 3.) to, in a sense, start the "pre-production" process for a new *real* CD someday 4.) to gain the emotional fortitude that I so very much need to keep on keepin' on 5.) to remind me that nothing is lost; I still have *it.* 6.) to take a big, BRAVE step toward tomorrow.
My friend and colleague, Meg Murray, sweet soul that she is, generously tithed me some time in the studio on July 22. What a blessing; thank you, Meg. Meg's donation to my healing journey nourishes me in so many ways. It was a warm and fuzzy delight recording with her. And it was really manageable for me because she is practically my neighbor now and I did not have far to travel. I'm also totally comfortable with her.
It was truly a beautiful learning experience for both of us. It was really interesting, insightful and inspiring recording with a woman engineer, too! A first, as a matter of fact. I really noticed an entirely different energetic process. Her grin throughout the process kept me going, despite the fatigue and discomfort that my poor ole' body was experiencing. :) The thrill of it all outweighed the constant reminders that I haven't done this in a long time! It was the biggest expenditure of energy I'd experienced in a long time. I'm still happily recovering, and I'm grateful to be tired, if you catch my drift.
We recorded some old tunes that you may recognize: Confidantes, All the Time in the World, Parts, Maybe, Joy and Liberty. We also tracked two new songs (the only ones I've written since my illness, but I think they are super): Sofia and Under the Lantern. (I'm going to try to post some MP3 files of these tunes on my site, at some point.) Sofia is a tender tribute to my precious, kindred-soul, four-year-old niece. Under the Lantern is a testimony of sorts; the song addresses and questions present day health insurance practices and expresses both my reverence for healers and my concern for their welfare in the system. The composition draws on parallels between the healers of today and healers of yesterday, like Clara Barton, who's compassion, that "takes no sides," took her to the civil war battle fields to "tend to all in her sight."
We recorded the tunes live, and did not separate tracks. What we captured, despite my mistakes, was pretty amazing. I was impressed, after being in quite a few state of the art studios over the years, how a concrete/stone basement floor could foster such a great sound. I was not in an isolation booth, and very much preferred it that way because I need a lot of space. :) Meg opts for simplicity, and me, being a staunch supporter and believer in the beauty of simplicity these days, willingly and enthusiastically went along for the ride. We used a Beta 57 on the guitar (which recorded magnificently... what an instrument!!) and a 58 on the voice. No booth, just me, the basement, and the mics. The results were pure, just the way I like it. The recording is *true*, unadorned and glowing in its essence. I have always believed in my heart, and I still do, that if a song can stand alone, all by itself, then it's a worthy piece. It is the true test of authenticity, a test of a *real* tune.
I could have done better, execution-wise, but the most important focus is that I exercised the musical “muscle”and reconnected with what I do. I reunited with the parts of myself that I thought I had lost. I’m considering this experience a victory; the act, in itself, is a success, regardless of the results - - regardless of the recording -- regardless of whether or not I receive a grant. :) It's the *doing* that matters.
And this is just the beginning...
On January 24, Mary was thrilled to receive a letter from the Maryland State Arts Council. It began,
Dear Ms. Brown,
Congratulations! The Maryland State Arts Council is happy to inform you that you have been selected to receive an Individual Artist Award in Solo Vocal Performance FY 2004. The jurors reviewed all work submitted on the basis of artistic excellence and recommended you for an award.
MBB wishes to thank the Maryland Arts Council for their support of independent artists, of all genres. With the council's vital belief and investment in the fine arts, artists are able to pursue their dreams with the resources and encouragement each and every one of them need and richly deserve. Their gift, their art, is their gift to the world; it belongs to everyone. It is Mary's way of giving back, her way of offering and contributing to the collective consciousness -- to help others connect and to heal. Even if it makes the smallest difference, in the smallest way, to her, it is a huge victory.
This support will not only help to provide Mary with the financial means necessary to afford continual treatment for Lyme Disease and to cover her living expenses, but just as importantly, the award helps to kick off 2004 with a huge boost of confidence. Going on nearly a two-year absence from performing, this is a beautiful gift and reminder that nothing is lost ...
After many years of hard work, Mary feels very affirmed. And after many years of believing that our gifts recognized when they are manifested by truth, unconditional giving, integrity and authenticity, she feels very affirmed. She also acknowledges affirmation in her belief that letting go of fear (which she did when she submitted her application for this award); believing in oneself; believing in the Laws of Abundance; believing in the circle of giving and receiving, brings healing joy, peace, abundance and prosperity. Thank you.
Quite a few of you have sent me CD's either for my listening pleasure or for my review. I am honored; thanks for sending me the gift of your music. If you sent a CD to me in anticipation of feedback and I have not yet replied to you, I sincerely apologize. Truth is, before I became homebound, and when I was still working (or overworking, rather), my schedule made it really challenging to have the quiet focus and quality time that I believe your music deserves. And since I've been battling Lyme disease and been immersed in recovery, all I listen to, for the most part, is silence; both hearing disturbances ("hyperacusia") and my inability to concentrate have made it difficult, sadly, to listen to music. But things are getting better. So, thanks for your patience. If your music finds its way into my CD player and I push play? I'll let you know. :)
HERE'S THE DEAL:
My "live" CD, Live @ House in the Woods, is now on sale:
Two for One Special -- Buy One, Get One Free
Plus Free Special BONUS CD!
Two (2) MBB Live CD's for $10.00 (not including shipping)
Plus one (1) free bonus CD, Leaving Pretoria, by songwriter and "like-a-brother" friend, Christopher Russell. MBB does guest vocal tracks on this release. Thanks Christopher, for contributing to the cause. You are a sweetheart.
That's a 3-CD package deal for only $10! (not including shipping & handling).
MORE INFORMATION:
More musings about Live @ House in the Woods are on Mary's Music Page. For more description about Christopher Russell's great CD, visit his web site. You might want to check out his very cool gig diary,too.
HOW TO ORDER:
Please make check payable to: Mary Byrd Brown
Total $13.00 (= $10.00 + $3.00 shipping & handling)
For: 2 Copies of Live @ House in the Woods
PLUS 1 Copy of Leaving Pretoria, by Christopher Russell
Mail to: P.O. Box 301, Severna Park, MD 21146
Easy as that! Infinite Gratitude, MBB
We regularly send emails listing performance dates, tour schedules and current news items about Mary. Please send an email us at byrdbrown@juno.com to notify us of any email or mailing address changes so that we may keep up with you in your journeys.
If you'd like to be added to the Mary Byrd Brown mailing list, please Email us at byrdbrown@juno.com
Just a short but hearty acknowledgement of the work of two dear friends and website gurus, Dan Cumberland and Pat Lynch at Cygnus IO for their enthusiastic and skillful setup and support of the MBB.com website. I highly recommend these guys and their company to anyone searching for great web support and personal integrity - these guys are great! For more info, please drop Dan a line at dcumberland@compuserve.com.