Planes, trains and chasing dreams!! That seemed to become my mantra in 2015. Man, oh man, oh MAN! This past year was clearly one of the most remarkable years of my life on every single level. Many of you reading this know me as "artist" Kenya and have most likely witnessed this incredible music journey this past year. I'm so immensely thankful for the incredible opportunity to share music. I love everything about music and to be able to create it, collaborate with others and share it with the public surpasses the amazing feeling I thought music could bring. I believe in the power of music- its healing, its beauty and its vastness. I really could go on and on...
But... (yup, there's a "but") along with every triumph comes trials and God knows I am not exempt from this concept. I have never been this pushed in my life. From every angle, something was happening that caused anxiety, doubts, fears, worries, questions, and MORE anxiety, doubts, fears, worries, and questions! Pursuing my passion for music definitely caused other aspects of my life to get challenged in some ways that I expected, but in some ways that I truly underestimated. Learning about the music business, touring, and how to navigate the minutia of branding, marketing, promotions, royalties, development, etc. MY GOD!!! I was in HEAVY learning mode and I must thank my incredible mentors and team members for their support, education, listening ears and supportive conversations.
The most challenging aspect of this year musically for me was producing my own USA concert tour. Oh...JE- SUS!!!! That right there ain't for punks, PERIOD!! I've never been more challenged in the space of music. I was my own road manager, booking agent, roadie, event planner, concert promoter...oh, and let's not forget, I was the ARTIST!! So rehearsals with different bands/musicians as well as performing new material was more than a notion. Don't get me wrong, I have been blessed to perform with some of the BEST musicians out there and each musician was a pure delight to work with, but even with the best intent, challenges arise. Thankfully, the challenges musically weren't an issue. Logistics and the "cray cray" of putting shows together in 7 different cities in a limited amount of time was what typically caused anxiety and exhaustion. Still, every show was amazing! Like literally, the stage and I had a BALL!! And then to perform abroad in the UK and the Netherlands....my goodness....that was magical. I admit, part of the magic was that I was relieved of the many roles and hats previously worn during the USA tour due to having a promoter and my producer assisted with all of the logistics. I was able to settle much more in my "artist" role and that was God's gift at the end of the arduous tour journey.
Beyond the music, my "me" was challenged...learning how to create boundaries, reinventing "privacy", negotiating relationships, and taking that big ole mirror and staring deep into the reflection was so overwhelming some days that only a box of Kleenex could offer support. I have had to re-evaluate my values and beliefs yet AGAIN. I gained so much, but also lost a whole HECK of a lot! The gains were mostly positive, but, boy...those losses. They were tremendous and I've had to rebuild how I approach my life. I'm in the midst of rebuilding, regrouping, and recuperating; I thank God for His everlasting grace and His constant love that he offers at every moment and every step along the way. I not only survived the trials, I approached and met each conflict head on. No, I didn't win every battle, but I didn't avoid the battle.
And so, I feel incredibly clear and certain. I know that I am living in my purpose, on purpose, and with purpose! No question about it. So many lessons received and now I'm feeling very ready to regroup and improve both professionally and personally. But, this will require much more stillness and recuperation. I have a family that needs me more than ever, I have a new artist development service, Creating Crimson, that is waiting patiently to be fully launched, and believe it or not, I have more music to be released and more shows to perform. I will be intentional in making this a more paced year, but the horizons are growing even higher and there are even more amazing opportunities waiting at the door. I'm simply making sure my head and soul are in order so that when that door opens, I embrace all that is being offered in a healthy and productive manner.
I initially thought, "Kenya, things can't get any better musically than it was in 2015"...but, not true. As long as God is in charge, He's saying "Child, PLEASE! This is just the beginning. Fasten your seat belt and let's GO!" With God as the ring leader, I'm confident in His hands. They're the best hands to hold. :-)
Whose hands are you holding? What is your next move? Is it your truth or someone else's? Have you taken the time to get still enough to make a plan of action? Please take a moment first to be clear. Regroup. Be still. Listen. Plan. Love. Have faith. Recoup. Begin. LIVE!!
Happy New Year! Welcome to 2016 and I look forward to hearing your stories as I share mine.
Love, light, & abundance! #NewYearNewHorizons2016
But... (yup, there's a "but") along with every triumph comes trials and God knows I am not exempt from this concept. I have never been this pushed in my life. From every angle, something was happening that caused anxiety, doubts, fears, worries, questions, and MORE anxiety, doubts, fears, worries, and questions! Pursuing my passion for music definitely caused other aspects of my life to get challenged in some ways that I expected, but in some ways that I truly underestimated. Learning about the music business, touring, and how to navigate the minutia of branding, marketing, promotions, royalties, development, etc. MY GOD!!! I was in HEAVY learning mode and I must thank my incredible mentors and team members for their support, education, listening ears and supportive conversations.
The most challenging aspect of this year musically for me was producing my own USA concert tour. Oh...JE- SUS!!!! That right there ain't for punks, PERIOD!! I've never been more challenged in the space of music. I was my own road manager, booking agent, roadie, event planner, concert promoter...oh, and let's not forget, I was the ARTIST!! So rehearsals with different bands/musicians as well as performing new material was more than a notion. Don't get me wrong, I have been blessed to perform with some of the BEST musicians out there and each musician was a pure delight to work with, but even with the best intent, challenges arise. Thankfully, the challenges musically weren't an issue. Logistics and the "cray cray" of putting shows together in 7 different cities in a limited amount of time was what typically caused anxiety and exhaustion. Still, every show was amazing! Like literally, the stage and I had a BALL!! And then to perform abroad in the UK and the Netherlands....my goodness....that was magical. I admit, part of the magic was that I was relieved of the many roles and hats previously worn during the USA tour due to having a promoter and my producer assisted with all of the logistics. I was able to settle much more in my "artist" role and that was God's gift at the end of the arduous tour journey.
Beyond the music, my "me" was challenged...learning how to create boundaries, reinventing "privacy", negotiating relationships, and taking that big ole mirror and staring deep into the reflection was so overwhelming some days that only a box of Kleenex could offer support. I have had to re-evaluate my values and beliefs yet AGAIN. I gained so much, but also lost a whole HECK of a lot! The gains were mostly positive, but, boy...those losses. They were tremendous and I've had to rebuild how I approach my life. I'm in the midst of rebuilding, regrouping, and recuperating; I thank God for His everlasting grace and His constant love that he offers at every moment and every step along the way. I not only survived the trials, I approached and met each conflict head on. No, I didn't win every battle, but I didn't avoid the battle.
And so, I feel incredibly clear and certain. I know that I am living in my purpose, on purpose, and with purpose! No question about it. So many lessons received and now I'm feeling very ready to regroup and improve both professionally and personally. But, this will require much more stillness and recuperation. I have a family that needs me more than ever, I have a new artist development service, Creating Crimson, that is waiting patiently to be fully launched, and believe it or not, I have more music to be released and more shows to perform. I will be intentional in making this a more paced year, but the horizons are growing even higher and there are even more amazing opportunities waiting at the door. I'm simply making sure my head and soul are in order so that when that door opens, I embrace all that is being offered in a healthy and productive manner.
I initially thought, "Kenya, things can't get any better musically than it was in 2015"...but, not true. As long as God is in charge, He's saying "Child, PLEASE! This is just the beginning. Fasten your seat belt and let's GO!" With God as the ring leader, I'm confident in His hands. They're the best hands to hold. :-)
Whose hands are you holding? What is your next move? Is it your truth or someone else's? Have you taken the time to get still enough to make a plan of action? Please take a moment first to be clear. Regroup. Be still. Listen. Plan. Love. Have faith. Recoup. Begin. LIVE!!
Happy New Year! Welcome to 2016 and I look forward to hearing your stories as I share mine.
Love, light, & abundance! #NewYearNewHorizons2016