News of Life: KJ's Newsletter

Welcome to LIFE!

From time to time, as life allows, I enjoy telling you all about what happens in the music life of KJ.

I feel incredibly honored to be able to entertain for and with so many age groups...so many generations of special people. My life is never dull and I often wonder what the true concept of BORED is anyway!

The summer's been filled with fantastic special needs camps for those with hearts the size of this world. And I've had the chance to sing with underprivileged kids who often don't have any role models in their lives that will encourage their dreams. We work together to be sure they get "fed" to the core of the soul. I'm not ever sure who the teacher really is...I oftentimes feel like the student in all of this. So powerful.

I recently had a great opportunity to visit the Hameau Farm outside of State College, where young girls are given several weeks of farming/agriculture experience, including taking a tractor completely apart and rebuilding it from scratch. We've written songs together about their adventures and will continue to sing these in years to come, I'm sure. There are special lifetime bonds created here. Congratulations to Gay for such a great concept!

I also have worked with the PA Farm Bureau and PA teachers to produce the Ag in the Classroom weeklong educational event. Even though I worked with teachers each day in songwriting and thinking outside the box, again, I was filled with so much that they gave to me to continue on this fun, educational road. Go to www.marketplaceforthemind.com for more info regarding this.

And the churches where I have participated with peace music, well, they continue to give me the energy to take with me to pass on to any or all who need it. This is certainly a blessing. I never take any of this for granted. I so enjoy being this messenger, taking your ideas for lyrics and speaking for all of you through song. I'm so glad you trust me in this. I can't say enough about the privilege in also being able to share life stories in the hospitals where I sometimes get to ease a frightened child to sleep or share the last hours in someone's life. Truly a privilege. I don't take this lightly.

I look forward to more school programs coming up, more fairs, more coffeehouses in singing solo or with our lovely band, The Sweet Nothings and dear bandmates Joey DeCristopher & Henry Koretzky. They know too much about me to ever let them go! I'm honored to play with such talented musicians during these times. These park and gazebo concerts throughout the states are great nights to meet great personalities. I do hope you'll introduce yourself at the next one in your area.

And I look forward to more motivational speaking engagements for conferences throughout the nation or the UK. Check out this new section of the website regarding this part of my work. When I return from England and Scotland, I'll have more to share with you all.

And lastly, stay tuned for two new CDs coming out early this Fall...one will cover songs of life and travels...the other will be a new kids' CD in taking Ag in the Classroom to a new level. We're excited about all of this and look forward to sharing our stories with you.

Enjoy each moment. And "Be The Change You Want to See In The World." (Mother Teresa)

Peace to you along life's road....Cheers! kj