1 00:00:11,544 --> 00:00:14,414 Lakeland Public Television presents Common Ground 2 00:00:14,414 --> 00:00:17,584 brought to you by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund 3 00:00:17,584 --> 00:00:20,620 and the citizens of Minnesota. 4 00:00:20,620 --> 00:00:23,323 [music] 5 00:00:23,323 --> 00:00:26,760 [music] tool pounding 6 00:00:26,760 --> 00:00:29,763 [music] 7 00:00:29,763 --> 00:00:32,866 [music] high pitched clank, tractor rumbling 8 00:00:32,866 --> 00:00:35,902 [music] 9 00:00:35,902 --> 00:00:38,972 [music] 10 00:00:38,972 --> 00:00:42,142 [music] 11 00:00:42,142 --> 00:00:45,145 [music] 12 00:00:45,145 --> 00:00:48,314 [music] 13 00:00:48,314 --> 00:00:51,484 Welcome to Common Ground, I'm your host 14 00:00:51,484 --> 00:00:54,487 Scott Knudson. In this two-segment episode 15 00:00:54,487 --> 00:00:57,524 listen as singer-songwriter Amanda Grace 16 00:00:57,524 --> 00:01:00,460 plays music for children and people of all ages. 17 00:01:00,460 --> 00:01:03,630 Then visit a gallery in Brainerd where 18 00:01:03,630 --> 00:01:06,599 children exhibit their skills in the visual arts. 19 00:01:06,599 --> 00:01:09,702 [music] 20 00:01:09,702 --> 00:01:12,439 [music] 21 00:01:18,445 --> 00:01:21,781 indistinct talking 22 00:01:21,781 --> 00:01:24,951 I'm Kate Carlson 23 00:01:24,951 --> 00:01:28,021 and I'm in the Crossing Arts Alliance gallery 24 00:01:28,021 --> 00:01:31,157 in Brainerd, Minnesota and we are featuring 25 00:01:31,157 --> 00:01:34,127 our "Celebrate the Young at Art" children's art show. 26 00:01:34,127 --> 00:01:37,197 Our annual show that we have. This is our 10th annual 27 00:01:37,197 --> 00:01:40,233 show that we hold each April. 28 00:01:40,233 --> 00:01:43,403 We accept artwork from all 29 00:01:43,403 --> 00:01:46,506 Brainerd area schools, from kindergarten 30 00:01:46,506 --> 00:01:49,542 through high school. And we like a variety of media, 31 00:01:49,542 --> 00:01:52,679 original artwork that the teachers select and each school 32 00:01:52,679 --> 00:01:55,648 is invited to choose 10 pieces of artwork 33 00:01:55,648 --> 00:01:58,885 and contribute to the show. 34 00:01:58,885 --> 00:02:01,921 We have different students every year and so every... 35 00:02:01,921 --> 00:02:04,958 when they come to our little reception here there's always probably 36 00:02:04,958 --> 00:02:08,094 the first time they've come here because every year they're 37 00:02:08,094 --> 00:02:10,864 different students of course that are chose to have their artwork displayed. 38 00:02:10,864 --> 00:02:14,100 Well the Crossing Arts Alliance that 39 00:02:14,100 --> 00:02:17,136 we have, we want to make everyone aware of the arts 40 00:02:17,136 --> 00:02:20,306 available in our community. It's kind of an umbrella 41 00:02:20,306 --> 00:02:23,309 organization that we feature. We have 42 00:02:23,309 --> 00:02:26,479 news letters that show all of the different opportunities 43 00:02:26,479 --> 00:02:29,516 and I'm actually the coordinator of the youth program 44 00:02:29,516 --> 00:02:32,652 which we call Flip Side and we like to showcase 45 00:02:32,652 --> 00:02:35,655 the artwork of children and many of the schools 46 00:02:35,655 --> 00:02:38,758 their...their art...artwork 47 00:02:38,758 --> 00:02:41,761 the arts have been cut in some ways because of budget 48 00:02:41,761 --> 00:02:44,864 so we, our organization, the Crossing Arts Alliance 49 00:02:44,864 --> 00:02:47,967 likes to give as many opportunities as we can for children. 50 00:02:47,967 --> 00:02:51,004 to do their art and to show their art. 51 00:02:51,004 --> 00:02:53,940 Well when we started the Flip Side program 52 00:02:53,940 --> 00:02:57,110 one of our areas was our 53 00:02:57,110 --> 00:03:00,146 displays for children and available places to display 54 00:03:00,146 --> 00:03:03,082 children's artwork. That was just one of the, one of the 55 00:03:03,082 --> 00:03:06,252 venues we pursued and so that's 56 00:03:06,252 --> 00:03:09,322 why we started doing art shows and we've had them in 57 00:03:09,322 --> 00:03:12,325 locations and now we are in this building so it's a nice 58 00:03:12,325 --> 00:03:15,261 gallery setting that we enjoy. 59 00:03:15,261 --> 00:03:18,464 If you notice there's 10 gold stars on 10 different 60 00:03:18,464 --> 00:03:21,334 pieces of artwork and those have been selected by our committee 61 00:03:21,334 --> 00:03:24,537 to be ah, matted and framed and then we 62 00:03:24,537 --> 00:03:27,707 hang them in the YMCA for one year 63 00:03:27,707 --> 00:03:30,643 and then the child at the end of the year, they get to take them home. 64 00:03:30,643 --> 00:03:33,680 And we have a little plaque with their name and grade level 65 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:36,916 on them. So it's quite an honor for them to have 66 00:03:36,916 --> 00:03:39,786 a display in a very public place. 67 00:03:39,786 --> 00:03:43,022 indistinct background chatter 68 00:03:43,022 --> 00:03:46,259 indistinct background chatter Well, 69 00:03:46,259 --> 00:03:49,295 that is my artwork. 70 00:03:49,295 --> 00:03:52,265 It's a Zentangle butterfly. 71 00:03:52,265 --> 00:03:55,401 It's supposed to have a 72 00:03:55,401 --> 00:03:58,371 cooler colors in the background and 73 00:03:58,371 --> 00:04:01,608 warmer colors on the butterfly. 74 00:04:01,608 --> 00:04:04,644 Kind of. And it was where we were supposed 75 00:04:04,644 --> 00:04:07,714 to draw an animal and then we had to put 76 00:04:07,714 --> 00:04:10,817 like designs and patterns into it. 77 00:04:10,817 --> 00:04:13,886 I've really enjoyed art. It's 78 00:04:13,886 --> 00:04:16,789 fun to me. It makes me pretty happy 79 00:04:16,789 --> 00:04:19,926 that my artwork was selected 80 00:04:19,926 --> 00:04:22,762 to be shown in public. 81 00:04:22,762 --> 00:04:25,832 I mean, I didn't, I didn't 82 00:04:25,832 --> 00:04:28,968 know it was really that good. 83 00:04:28,968 --> 00:04:32,105 I'm Lisa Jordan, 84 00:04:32,105 --> 00:04:35,275 the artistic and executive director of 85 00:04:35,275 --> 00:04:38,311 the Crossing Arts Alliance in Brainerd and we are 86 00:04:38,311 --> 00:04:41,247 here celebrating the Young At Art. 87 00:04:41,247 --> 00:04:44,284 This is our 10th year of putting on this exhibit. It's 88 00:04:44,284 --> 00:04:47,353 an exhibitive artwork from local school children. 89 00:04:47,353 --> 00:04:50,390 And it is probably our most 90 00:04:50,390 --> 00:04:53,393 colorful show and certainly one of our most 91 00:04:53,393 --> 00:04:56,596 anticipated. We at the Crossing have an 92 00:04:56,596 --> 00:04:59,499 amazing group of volunteers. Many of the 93 00:04:59,499 --> 00:05:02,669 people who work on this particular exhibit and who love to work 94 00:05:02,669 --> 00:05:05,672 on this exhibit are retired educators themselves. 95 00:05:05,672 --> 00:05:08,708 So, we have a whole committee with our nonprofit 96 00:05:08,708 --> 00:05:11,577 who gets together to hang the artwork, 97 00:05:11,577 --> 00:05:14,747 they communicate with the teachers, they make the wonderful 98 00:05:14,747 --> 00:05:17,850 hors d'oeuvres for our kids who come to the exhibit 99 00:05:17,850 --> 00:05:20,853 and they're here tonight, most of them. 100 00:05:20,853 --> 00:05:23,956 The Crossing Arts Alliance works to 101 00:05:23,956 --> 00:05:26,959 bring all sorts of arts to the Brainerd Lakes Area. 102 00:05:26,959 --> 00:05:30,029 That's our mission, to make arts accessible 103 00:05:30,029 --> 00:05:32,999 to our community and to make our community stronger 104 00:05:32,999 --> 00:05:36,069 through the arts. We do programming at the 105 00:05:36,069 --> 00:05:39,072 Crow Wing County jail, we have children's programming, 106 00:05:39,072 --> 00:05:42,175 arts exhibits, concerts, 107 00:05:42,175 --> 00:05:45,311 um, we run the full gamut. 108 00:05:45,311 --> 00:05:48,481 I think we get excited because this gives kids a 109 00:05:48,481 --> 00:05:51,417 chance to experience having their art in a 110 00:05:51,417 --> 00:05:54,387 formal gallery setting. And we put on a 111 00:05:54,387 --> 00:05:57,523 a formal opening which is a lot of fun. 112 00:05:57,523 --> 00:06:00,860 The kids get to come and show their work to their parents 113 00:06:00,860 --> 00:06:03,896 and their grandparents and really feel special 114 00:06:03,896 --> 00:06:06,866 about their involvement in the arts. We have 115 00:06:06,866 --> 00:06:09,936 quite a variety. We have mixed-media, 116 00:06:09,936 --> 00:06:12,939 we have pencil drawings and painting, 117 00:06:12,939 --> 00:06:15,908 wonderful black and white self portraits, 118 00:06:15,908 --> 00:06:18,911 and we have some torn paper pieces, 119 00:06:18,911 --> 00:06:21,881 some paintings, and some pixelation. 120 00:06:21,881 --> 00:06:24,984 It's really a nice mix. The art teachers 121 00:06:24,984 --> 00:06:28,121 who've worked with these children have really explored a 122 00:06:28,121 --> 00:06:30,923 number of different media. So, that's really fun 123 00:06:30,923 --> 00:06:34,193 and interesting for us too. 124 00:06:34,193 --> 00:06:37,263 The selection process is left up to 125 00:06:37,263 --> 00:06:40,266 the teachers actually, so the teachers go 126 00:06:40,266 --> 00:06:43,336 through and I'm sure it's a very difficult job to chose 127 00:06:43,336 --> 00:06:46,305 just a few select pieces from their classes but 128 00:06:46,305 --> 00:06:49,442 they bring us something that fits the theme 129 00:06:49,442 --> 00:06:52,345 that they're hoping to explore or 130 00:06:52,345 --> 00:06:55,414 work that really speaks to them. 131 00:06:55,414 --> 00:06:58,451 For me, this is the next generation of 132 00:06:58,451 --> 00:07:01,521 arts, artists, and arts enthusiasts, 133 00:07:01,521 --> 00:07:04,424 and arts supporters. So for them to be able to come in 134 00:07:04,424 --> 00:07:07,660 and share what they've done, what they're excited 135 00:07:07,660 --> 00:07:10,696 about, is just a tremendous introduction 136 00:07:10,696 --> 00:07:13,766 into the world of art. And you know I think we're 137 00:07:13,766 --> 00:07:16,669 really lucky to be able to do this for our kids and our community. 138 00:07:16,669 --> 00:07:19,772 I think it gives us a moment 139 00:07:19,772 --> 00:07:22,708 to stop our busy lives and really come in 140 00:07:22,708 --> 00:07:25,745 and celebrate um, what kids 141 00:07:25,745 --> 00:07:28,815 do best and that's just, they work in 142 00:07:28,815 --> 00:07:31,984 an explosion of color and form, and 143 00:07:31,984 --> 00:07:34,854 it's just really nice to be able to celebrate 144 00:07:34,854 --> 00:07:38,157 what they do. Well I 145 00:07:38,157 --> 00:07:41,027 think art have many benefits. Um, 146 00:07:41,027 --> 00:07:43,996 you know, for them cognitively, developmentally, 147 00:07:43,996 --> 00:07:47,200 and it's a way to, to really 148 00:07:47,200 --> 00:07:50,236 communicate and bond with other people without 149 00:07:50,236 --> 00:07:53,272 sometimes, when we're younger we don't have the right words to 150 00:07:53,272 --> 00:07:56,209 convey our feelings and through art they can 151 00:07:56,209 --> 00:07:59,412 often do that. So I think it's, it's 152 00:07:59,412 --> 00:08:02,348 tremendously helpful for, for kids of all ages. 153 00:08:02,348 --> 00:08:05,585 indistinct background chatter 154 00:08:05,585 --> 00:08:08,788 Ah, I'm Jed Klang, 155 00:08:08,788 --> 00:08:11,791 and this one's my 156 00:08:11,791 --> 00:08:14,894 art piece. And 157 00:08:14,894 --> 00:08:17,864 it's about a bird and 158 00:08:17,864 --> 00:08:20,766 we researched about this 159 00:08:20,766 --> 00:08:24,003 this, um, artist 160 00:08:24,003 --> 00:08:27,106 that does dots when he paints 161 00:08:27,106 --> 00:08:30,076 and so my teacher made us do dots 162 00:08:30,076 --> 00:08:33,145 on when we, on when we painted 163 00:08:33,145 --> 00:08:36,315 and so I used a marker when I did mine 164 00:08:36,315 --> 00:08:39,352 and I just did multiple colors 165 00:08:39,352 --> 00:08:42,355 on my wing. OK, my name's 166 00:08:42,355 --> 00:08:45,458 Alexia Mullen and this is my Mona Lisa 167 00:08:45,458 --> 00:08:48,427 I drew in Pod B, Forestview. 168 00:08:48,427 --> 00:08:51,531 Um, we just made it for artwork 169 00:08:51,531 --> 00:08:54,534 and she chose mine because it was unique and it looked 170 00:08:54,534 --> 00:08:57,703 like water going down the side of the Mona Lisa, 171 00:08:57,703 --> 00:09:00,640 right down there. It's like a warm or cool, 172 00:09:00,640 --> 00:09:03,876 I chose to do cool because like 173 00:09:03,876 --> 00:09:06,979 little bit of dark colors and then I did 174 00:09:06,979 --> 00:09:09,916 um, light colors for the Mona Lisa hair. I've been 175 00:09:09,916 --> 00:09:12,952 interested in art for long...while. The first 176 00:09:12,952 --> 00:09:16,055 time I did it, was when I just started 177 00:09:16,055 --> 00:09:19,091 just drawing randomly on a piece of paper 178 00:09:19,091 --> 00:09:22,228 and then I just seen like cool designs so I just started 179 00:09:22,228 --> 00:09:25,197 doing that and that's what sparked my interest. I'll keep doing art 180 00:09:25,197 --> 00:09:28,134 after this because it's really fun to do. 181 00:09:28,134 --> 00:09:31,370 It seems to me, I'm a retired 182 00:09:31,370 --> 00:09:34,340 art teacher so I know that in the past I've taught 183 00:09:34,340 --> 00:09:37,376 art for many years and I know students come back to me 184 00:09:37,376 --> 00:09:40,446 and saying one little lesson you know, impressed them 185 00:09:40,446 --> 00:09:43,349 and it made them go on and want to do more artwork as 186 00:09:43,349 --> 00:09:46,585 either a career or hobbies. It's a 187 00:09:46,585 --> 00:09:49,589 it's just giving them the materials, good materials 188 00:09:49,589 --> 00:09:52,692 and inspiration to pursue their art. 189 00:09:52,692 --> 00:09:55,795 whether or not it's for a career. 190 00:09:55,795 --> 00:09:58,864 Well I think, ah, the students when they come into a gallery 191 00:09:58,864 --> 00:10:01,701 setting like this, it's, it's, their self esteem 192 00:10:01,701 --> 00:10:04,837 has to be increased because they see their work of art 193 00:10:04,837 --> 00:10:08,007 among all the other works that are exceptional 194 00:10:08,007 --> 00:10:11,177 with talent and skill so I think and they bring 195 00:10:11,177 --> 00:10:14,013 their families, it's very rewarding to see them come in and 196 00:10:14,013 --> 00:10:17,116 bring their families, they're dressed up, and proud of their work 197 00:10:17,116 --> 00:10:20,353 and we have them all displayed 198 00:10:20,353 --> 00:10:23,456 in different places so they have to walk 199 00:10:23,456 --> 00:10:26,325 around and look for their artwork so that makes them enjoy everyone 200 00:10:26,325 --> 00:10:29,395 else's work as well. 201 00:10:29,395 --> 00:10:32,531 I hope that all of the children who come here 202 00:10:32,531 --> 00:10:35,501 who are exhibiting or even those that just come 203 00:10:35,501 --> 00:10:38,637 to see the exhibit, really start to feel 204 00:10:38,637 --> 00:10:41,540 that art has a place and that 205 00:10:41,540 --> 00:10:44,710 it is important and it isn't just something 206 00:10:44,710 --> 00:10:47,813 you do on the side for fun, that it 207 00:10:47,813 --> 00:10:50,783 really can be a part of you're daily life. 208 00:10:50,783 --> 00:10:53,986 That's how we feel about art and it would be 209 00:10:53,986 --> 00:10:57,089 gratifying for us to feel that we're instilling that 210 00:10:57,089 --> 00:11:00,059 into the next generation. 211 00:11:00,059 --> 00:11:03,162 indistinct background chatter 212 00:11:03,162 --> 00:11:05,965 indistinct background chatter 213 00:11:21,280 --> 00:11:24,550 I think live music is important because 214 00:11:24,550 --> 00:11:27,586 I've noticed especially for doing shows 215 00:11:27,586 --> 00:11:30,623 for kids, there's just nothing more inspiring for them to see 216 00:11:30,623 --> 00:11:33,459 someone holding a guitar, a violin, or a cello 217 00:11:33,459 --> 00:11:36,629 and giving their gift of music to them. 218 00:11:36,629 --> 00:11:39,699 And I think just that seeing it is different from 219 00:11:39,699 --> 00:11:42,802 a video, it's different from listening to a song 220 00:11:42,802 --> 00:11:45,938 on the radio. It makes a real impact. 221 00:11:45,938 --> 00:11:48,974 My name is Amanda Grace, I'm a singer-songwriter 222 00:11:48,974 --> 00:11:51,944 and I'm here at the Boys and Girls 223 00:11:51,944 --> 00:11:55,047 Club of Bemidji, just going to put on a 224 00:11:55,047 --> 00:11:58,017 short concert for the families and their kiddos. 225 00:11:58,017 --> 00:12:01,087 My family's here. We just spent the 226 00:12:01,087 --> 00:12:04,190 4th of July in the Brainerd area and just thought it'd be a great 227 00:12:04,190 --> 00:12:06,992 opportunity to make some more friends I guess. Hi guys! 228 00:12:06,992 --> 00:12:10,329 How are you? 229 00:12:10,329 --> 00:12:13,332 I'm Amanda Grace, aren't we lucky to 230 00:12:13,332 --> 00:12:16,435 be outside today? That's so awesome! 231 00:12:16,435 --> 00:12:19,538 Super nice day. I'm gonna sing you a 232 00:12:19,538 --> 00:12:22,641 new song, it's called "Music Makes It Right." 233 00:12:22,641 --> 00:12:25,611 Hey you guys before we get started, lets always show our manners 234 00:12:25,611 --> 00:12:28,747 and our appreciation by giving a huge shout out 235 00:12:28,747 --> 00:12:31,884 lets go whoop whoop whoop whoop to Nate our sound guy. 236 00:12:31,884 --> 00:12:34,854 Ready, whoop, whoop, whoop, whoop! Are you guys ready?! 237 00:12:34,854 --> 00:12:38,124 Alright, lets have some fun, you can jump to your feet 238 00:12:38,124 --> 00:12:41,093 on this one if you like to dance. I started tinkering 239 00:12:41,093 --> 00:12:44,196 around on the piano as young as four 240 00:12:44,196 --> 00:12:47,299 or five and I started probably noodling out 241 00:12:47,299 --> 00:12:50,302 some of my first little songs and that's my primary 242 00:12:50,302 --> 00:12:53,239 instrument. I love the piano. Even now, I see one and I 243 00:12:53,239 --> 00:12:56,175 just get all excited. In college I just picked up 244 00:12:56,175 --> 00:12:59,311 the acoustic guitar. 245 00:12:59,311 --> 00:13:02,515 [music] When the rains pouring down, 246 00:13:02,515 --> 00:13:05,551 [music] when the rains pouring down and I need 247 00:13:05,551 --> 00:13:08,587 [music] to lift up my soul 248 00:13:08,587 --> 00:13:11,657 [music] I'll grab my guitar 249 00:13:11,657 --> 00:13:14,760 [music] and sing myself a song. 250 00:13:14,760 --> 00:13:17,863 [music] 251 00:13:17,863 --> 00:13:21,066 [music] Can you say music makes it right? Say music... 252 00:13:21,066 --> 00:13:24,103 If I'm writing songs to make kids happy then I 253 00:13:24,103 --> 00:13:27,072 want to perform for them. I think about 254 00:13:27,072 --> 00:13:30,142 being a kid, I think about my own kids, for children, 255 00:13:30,142 --> 00:13:33,112 and for the love song stuff, I just think about my experience, I'm 256 00:13:33,112 --> 00:13:36,248 happily and luckily married to a wonderful guy 257 00:13:36,248 --> 00:13:39,318 and he's my rock and so a lot of the songs 258 00:13:39,318 --> 00:13:42,354 that I've written are just sort of based off of my own 259 00:13:42,354 --> 00:13:45,324 reality and reflections I guess. 260 00:13:45,324 --> 00:13:48,661 [music] La la la la la la la 261 00:13:48,661 --> 00:13:51,697 [music] la la la la When I'm writing a song 262 00:13:51,697 --> 00:13:54,667 usually what happens is the music comes to me 263 00:13:54,667 --> 00:13:57,770 first but that's not always the case. I've had the pleasure of 264 00:13:57,770 --> 00:14:00,806 teaching some young writers conferences and I talk a lot 265 00:14:00,806 --> 00:14:03,776 about writing titles and how when you're sort of in a dry 266 00:14:03,776 --> 00:14:06,779 spell, writing a creative title can get you started on 267 00:14:06,779 --> 00:14:09,848 whatever you're working on. Sometimes I'll just get a title 268 00:14:09,848 --> 00:14:12,751 idea and then kind of sit down and when I have some time 269 00:14:12,751 --> 00:14:15,854 carve out some space to use that title as 270 00:14:15,854 --> 00:14:19,124 the theme of the chorus and then writing verses that 271 00:14:19,124 --> 00:14:22,228 in a bridge that connect to that idea. 272 00:14:22,228 --> 00:14:25,231 [music] If I want to start my day right 273 00:14:25,231 --> 00:14:28,267 [music] I play my favorite stations 274 00:14:28,267 --> 00:14:31,403 [music] that I feel like...inside... 275 00:14:31,403 --> 00:14:34,473 How many of you are kind of crazy like me 276 00:14:34,473 --> 00:14:37,476 and like unicorns? 277 00:14:37,476 --> 00:14:40,279 OK, perfect. 278 00:14:40,279 --> 00:14:43,616 I'm at the right place. 279 00:14:43,616 --> 00:14:46,752 Right there, that little girl right there helped me write this 280 00:14:46,752 --> 00:14:49,755 song. [music] 281 00:14:49,755 --> 00:14:52,925 [music] A unicorn, there's your part, 282 00:14:52,925 --> 00:14:55,961 [music] a unicorn... 283 00:14:55,961 --> 00:14:58,897 [music] 284 00:14:58,897 --> 00:15:02,001 People keep trying to give me this advice that I 285 00:15:02,001 --> 00:15:05,070 need to just pick a genre but I keep 286 00:15:05,070 --> 00:15:08,007 remembering my childhood dream which was 287 00:15:08,007 --> 00:15:11,176 a funny one. I had a radio station. It was an imaginary 288 00:15:11,176 --> 00:15:14,213 one called, "Any Kind of Music" and 289 00:15:14,213 --> 00:15:17,283 I made up my own jingles, 290 00:15:17,283 --> 00:15:20,352 songs, and even wrote news stories cause I... 291 00:15:20,352 --> 00:15:23,389 that's just what I did and so when I came back and 292 00:15:23,389 --> 00:15:26,358 started the children's CD I just thought 293 00:15:26,358 --> 00:15:29,395 you know, I guess I'll do kid stuff and then I 294 00:15:29,395 --> 00:15:32,531 didn't think that I would do anything else and then all of the sudden 295 00:15:32,531 --> 00:15:35,534 my sister went through this other, this whole other part 296 00:15:35,534 --> 00:15:38,437 of a darkness in her life and so then I was just feeling 297 00:15:38,437 --> 00:15:41,607 like I was writing all this other stuff so it had to be, I felt like it had 298 00:15:41,607 --> 00:15:44,710 to come out whether it made sense to others 299 00:15:44,710 --> 00:15:47,880 or not. [music] Say we'll see the world, and we'll see 300 00:15:47,880 --> 00:15:51,050 [music] the world on your back. Say 301 00:15:51,050 --> 00:15:54,086 [music] on your back, I will 302 00:15:54,086 --> 00:15:57,089 [music] know just where 303 00:15:57,089 --> 00:16:00,192 [music] to go! 304 00:16:00,192 --> 00:16:03,362 [music] Unicorn... I hope when I tour 305 00:16:03,362 --> 00:16:06,432 to just do, to do both the children's show and 306 00:16:06,432 --> 00:16:09,301 stuff for the adults too. I'm actually working on some new 307 00:16:09,301 --> 00:16:12,304 surprises for a totally different genre next so. laughs 308 00:16:12,304 --> 00:16:15,474 [music] Unicorn... 309 00:16:15,474 --> 00:16:18,477 [music] I'm happy to see you 310 00:16:18,477 --> 00:16:21,547 [music] go, just so you know 311 00:16:21,547 --> 00:16:24,616 [music] say... 312 00:16:24,616 --> 00:16:27,619 [music] Say do do 313 00:16:27,619 --> 00:16:30,723 [music] do do, la de da 314 00:16:30,723 --> 00:16:33,892 [music] do do do do 315 00:16:33,892 --> 00:16:36,929 [music] say la de da do do do do 316 00:16:36,929 --> 00:16:39,998 [music] say la de de da 317 00:16:39,998 --> 00:16:43,035 [music] I'll be walking 318 00:16:43,035 --> 00:16:46,138 [music] down the street, with 319 00:16:46,138 --> 00:16:49,208 [music] the sun beaming down on me 320 00:16:49,208 --> 00:16:52,311 [music] if I get tired I'll lay down 321 00:16:52,311 --> 00:16:55,247 [music] and sleep, on a sum, 322 00:16:55,247 --> 00:16:58,350 [music] summer day, on a sum, 323 00:16:58,350 --> 00:17:01,520 [music] summer day. 324 00:17:01,520 --> 00:17:04,490 [music] If it's hot, I'll stay in the shade 325 00:17:04,490 --> 00:17:07,593 [music] I could make my own lemonade. 326 00:17:07,593 --> 00:17:10,596 [music] I could sell some and give 327 00:17:10,596 --> 00:17:13,832 [music] the rest away, on a sum, 328 00:17:13,832 --> 00:17:16,802 [music] summer day. I like that. 329 00:17:16,802 --> 00:17:19,838 [music] On a sum, summer day... 330 00:17:19,838 --> 00:17:22,841 Well I think we're pretty lucky now with cell phones that have 331 00:17:22,841 --> 00:17:26,078 video and recording abilities. 332 00:17:26,078 --> 00:17:29,047 I try to keep my cell phone with and I am doing more where all of these 333 00:17:29,047 --> 00:17:32,017 where I'll have my guitar and just record and sing right into it so I don't forget 334 00:17:32,017 --> 00:17:35,120 it. But I do always write stuff 335 00:17:35,120 --> 00:17:38,290 down, just scratch it down on paper too just so I don't forget 336 00:17:38,290 --> 00:17:41,360 and carving out time to song write 337 00:17:41,360 --> 00:17:44,430 as a mom and other responsibilities has been 338 00:17:44,430 --> 00:17:47,499 important but I try not to put too much pressure on myself because 339 00:17:47,499 --> 00:17:50,602 life is busy and family comes first and so 340 00:17:50,602 --> 00:17:53,605 usually if I'm paying attention, I'll find a little window 341 00:17:53,605 --> 00:17:56,675 of time to kind of get my thoughts out on paper. 342 00:17:56,675 --> 00:17:59,711 [music] 343 00:17:59,711 --> 00:18:02,748 [music] 344 00:18:02,748 --> 00:18:05,918 [music] 345 00:18:05,918 --> 00:18:08,954 [music] 346 00:18:08,954 --> 00:18:11,890 [music] 347 00:18:11,890 --> 00:18:15,227 [music] And I know no matter what I do, 348 00:18:15,227 --> 00:18:18,297 [music] I'll be great as long 349 00:18:18,297 --> 00:18:21,300 [music] as I'm with you, better than 350 00:18:21,300 --> 00:18:24,336 [music] a thousand shades of blue, say 351 00:18:24,336 --> 00:18:27,406 [music] on a sum, summer day. 352 00:18:27,406 --> 00:18:30,542 [music] Again, on a sum, summer day. 353 00:18:30,542 --> 00:18:33,512 [music] Say 'everything', we know everything's 354 00:18:33,512 --> 00:18:36,515 [music] OK, everything, 355 00:18:36,515 --> 00:18:39,585 [music] everything's OK, good singing. 356 00:18:39,585 --> 00:18:42,554 [music] We say everything's OK, 357 00:18:42,554 --> 00:18:45,557 [music] on a summer day, hey, 358 00:18:45,557 --> 00:18:48,827 [music] on a summer day, hey, 359 00:18:48,827 --> 00:18:51,930 [music] on a summer... Well as a kid, I was a big fan of Mariah 360 00:18:51,930 --> 00:18:54,933 Carey, and I would try to sing like her. Vocally that's what 361 00:18:54,933 --> 00:18:58,003 she inspired me. Also, the cranberries was one of my favorite 362 00:18:58,003 --> 00:19:00,973 groups. She writes a lot of songs about 363 00:19:00,973 --> 00:19:03,976 or she did, about a war and what it does to children 364 00:19:03,976 --> 00:19:07,312 and what, you know, what is...what our responsibility is. 365 00:19:07,312 --> 00:19:10,182 We just know more and more. We know what's going on. What can we 366 00:19:10,182 --> 00:19:13,352 do and how can music change that? [music] do do do do 367 00:19:13,352 --> 00:19:16,388 [music] say la de de da 368 00:19:16,388 --> 00:19:19,458 [music] one more time, say 369 00:19:19,458 --> 00:19:22,594 [music] do do do do, say la 370 00:19:22,594 --> 00:19:25,631 [music] de da do do do do 371 00:19:25,631 --> 00:19:28,600 [music] say la de da do do 372 00:19:28,600 --> 00:19:31,803 [music] do do say la de de da 373 00:19:31,803 --> 00:19:34,773 [music] on a summer 374 00:19:34,773 --> 00:19:37,809 [music] day. 375 00:19:37,809 --> 00:19:41,013 [music] 376 00:19:41,013 --> 00:19:43,782 Thank you, you guys were awesome! I'm going to give you guys a round of applause. 377 00:19:43,782 --> 00:19:46,952 clapping 378 00:19:46,952 --> 00:19:50,155 I'm going to play a song that's a little bit sad but it kind of 379 00:19:50,155 --> 00:19:53,425 it ends up in a...you know it's kind of like a movie, sometimes they start a little 380 00:19:53,425 --> 00:19:56,328 bit sad but then they get better, right? 381 00:19:56,328 --> 00:19:59,498 Some of the songs I wrote are sort of like a movie that 382 00:19:59,498 --> 00:20:02,701 ends well and this song is, was inspired 383 00:20:02,701 --> 00:20:05,704 by my nephew Bryce who had leukemia and I felt like 384 00:20:05,704 --> 00:20:08,740 this is his song 385 00:20:08,740 --> 00:20:11,977 that I had to write for him. 386 00:20:11,977 --> 00:20:14,780 Goes like this. [music] 387 00:20:14,780 --> 00:20:18,050 [music] I will look for two days 388 00:20:18,050 --> 00:20:21,119 [music] rainbow, although it's raining 389 00:20:21,119 --> 00:20:24,156 [music] it could still be 390 00:20:24,156 --> 00:20:27,159 [music] peaking out behind 391 00:20:27,159 --> 00:20:30,228 [music] the shadows of 392 00:20:30,228 --> 00:20:33,365 [music] this half sunny, half 393 00:20:33,365 --> 00:20:36,401 [music] cloudy day I have 394 00:20:36,401 --> 00:20:39,438 started out my music journey 395 00:20:39,438 --> 00:20:42,407 by doing a children's CD called, "Trains, Cars, and a Trip to 396 00:20:42,407 --> 00:20:45,477 Mars" in memory of nephew Bryce who had 397 00:20:45,477 --> 00:20:48,513 passed away of leukemia and was sort of an 398 00:20:48,513 --> 00:20:51,683 inspiration to me, I hadn't taken my 399 00:20:51,683 --> 00:20:54,753 career very seriously and just sort of enjoyed it 400 00:20:54,753 --> 00:20:57,856 but then became a stay at home and just sort of...life 401 00:20:57,856 --> 00:21:00,859 takes through an interesting path. 402 00:21:00,859 --> 00:21:03,895 And then I was inspired also just 403 00:21:03,895 --> 00:21:06,932 kind of by being, writing kid songs 404 00:21:06,932 --> 00:21:10,135 and writing lullabies for my kids that some of their stories 405 00:21:10,135 --> 00:21:13,171 are also on that CD. I didn't know if I would continue recording but 406 00:21:13,171 --> 00:21:16,174 I started to perform for kids bit a little in 2010 when it was done 407 00:21:16,174 --> 00:21:19,211 and then I started writing a lot of love songs 408 00:21:19,211 --> 00:21:22,147 and the same sister who lost her son to leukemia 409 00:21:22,147 --> 00:21:25,217 then lost her husband to a sudden brain aneurysm so 410 00:21:25,217 --> 00:21:28,053 there's some songs on that CD which is called "Embrace" 411 00:21:28,053 --> 00:21:31,223 which is sort of like acoustic rock and 412 00:21:31,223 --> 00:21:34,393 those songs are inspirational love songs and 413 00:21:34,393 --> 00:21:37,195 some of...couple of favorite cover songs. 414 00:21:37,195 --> 00:21:40,399 [music] two days rainbow, though it's raining 415 00:21:40,399 --> 00:21:43,502 [music] it could still be 416 00:21:43,502 --> 00:21:46,705 [music] peaking out behind 417 00:21:46,705 --> 00:21:49,708 [music] the shadow of this half 418 00:21:49,708 --> 00:21:52,778 [music] sunny, half cloudy day. 419 00:21:52,778 --> 00:21:55,714 So I just have been kind of 420 00:21:55,714 --> 00:21:58,850 performing for kids and 421 00:21:58,850 --> 00:22:02,054 also this love song stuff and 422 00:22:02,054 --> 00:22:05,090 then I just started a women's band about two years ago called Wild Flower 423 00:22:05,090 --> 00:22:07,859 and we do contemporary folk so really just a mix of things 424 00:22:07,859 --> 00:22:11,096 and it's keeping me on my toes. 425 00:22:11,096 --> 00:22:14,199 [music] Say I will 426 00:22:14,199 --> 00:22:17,202 [music] look for two days rainbow 427 00:22:17,202 --> 00:22:20,305 [music] although it's raining 428 00:22:20,305 --> 00:22:23,241 [music] it could still be peaking 429 00:22:23,241 --> 00:22:26,378 [music] out behind the shadow 430 00:22:26,378 --> 00:22:29,481 [music] of this half sunny, 431 00:22:29,481 --> 00:22:32,484 [music] half cloudy day. 432 00:22:32,484 --> 00:22:35,520 [music] And although 433 00:22:35,520 --> 00:22:38,623 [music] I know you'll say 434 00:22:38,623 --> 00:22:41,626 [music] that things 435 00:22:41,626 --> 00:22:44,629 [music] will get me 436 00:22:44,629 --> 00:22:47,666 [music] down, I 437 00:22:47,666 --> 00:22:50,902 [music] choose to view 438 00:22:50,902 --> 00:22:53,939 [music] everyday 439 00:22:53,939 --> 00:22:56,842 [music] of my life 440 00:22:56,842 --> 00:23:00,078 [music] through the clouds, 441 00:23:00,078 --> 00:23:03,115 [music] I'll look for rainbow 442 00:23:03,115 --> 00:23:06,218 [music] skies. 443 00:23:06,218 --> 00:23:09,354 [music] 444 00:23:09,354 --> 00:23:12,357 [music] 445 00:23:12,357 --> 00:23:15,427 [music] 446 00:23:15,427 --> 00:23:18,630 [music] 447 00:23:18,630 --> 00:23:21,633 Got the drum, is it sitting there? So this is that one that goes 448 00:23:21,633 --> 00:23:24,569 'I will sing, sing a new song today' 449 00:23:24,569 --> 00:23:27,706 OK? So one, two, 450 00:23:27,706 --> 00:23:31,009 ready play. [music] 451 00:23:31,009 --> 00:23:34,045 [music] 452 00:23:34,045 --> 00:23:37,015 [music] 453 00:23:37,015 --> 00:23:40,385 [music] OK sing with me Say I will 454 00:23:40,385 --> 00:23:43,355 [music] sing, sing a new 455 00:23:43,355 --> 00:23:46,525 [music] song today, can you say that? 456 00:23:46,525 --> 00:23:49,661 [music] Say, I will 457 00:23:49,661 --> 00:23:52,664 [music] sing, sing a new 458 00:23:52,664 --> 00:23:55,667 [music] song today 459 00:23:55,667 --> 00:23:58,837 I have decided the last year too 460 00:23:58,837 --> 00:24:01,773 as the kids are getting a little older and 461 00:24:01,773 --> 00:24:04,910 are wanting to be more involved with the shows, 462 00:24:04,910 --> 00:24:07,946 they are coming along me to, I'd say, half of them 463 00:24:07,946 --> 00:24:10,882 if it's...it works for everybody. 464 00:24:10,882 --> 00:24:14,052 I try not to burn them out too much, I've tried to not be too pushy 465 00:24:14,052 --> 00:24:17,088 about it but now our son is starting to play drums 466 00:24:17,088 --> 00:24:20,158 a little bit. He played at Rochester Fest and that was 467 00:24:20,158 --> 00:24:23,161 so fun and a great experience as a mom 468 00:24:23,161 --> 00:24:26,264 and now he wants to be my merch guy and he's sitting 469 00:24:26,264 --> 00:24:29,234 there covering the tables, so he feels, he feels like he's 470 00:24:29,234 --> 00:24:32,270 carrying a responsibility too. So it's a real pleasure. 471 00:24:32,270 --> 00:24:35,340 It was harder when they were little and when you have toddlers they're 472 00:24:35,340 --> 00:24:38,310 just everywhere and trying to keep them out of the 473 00:24:38,310 --> 00:24:41,413 chord bags and from yanking a mic stand over, 474 00:24:41,413 --> 00:24:44,416 it's not easy. [music] Dance, dance 475 00:24:44,416 --> 00:24:47,485 [music] a new dance, today. 476 00:24:47,485 --> 00:24:50,488 For my tours 477 00:24:50,488 --> 00:24:53,525 the last year, I've decided to 478 00:24:53,525 --> 00:24:56,661 kinda do a new direction. My kids are getting older and more active in sports 479 00:24:56,661 --> 00:24:59,531 and every parent knows that stage of the 480 00:24:59,531 --> 00:25:02,934 game and so what I'm doing is, we are kinda saying 481 00:25:02,934 --> 00:25:05,971 "hey we want to visit Mount Rushmore" so for instance 482 00:25:05,971 --> 00:25:09,074 in a couple of weeks we're gonna go see the sites 483 00:25:09,074 --> 00:25:12,077 and I'll be doing a couple of shows on the way and 484 00:25:12,077 --> 00:25:15,080 then other than that I'll stay locally, regionally, 485 00:25:15,080 --> 00:25:18,183 and when I do like a conference for instance I'll just try to 486 00:25:18,183 --> 00:25:21,286 get a couple shows while I'm in the area, kinda to make the most of it 487 00:25:21,286 --> 00:25:24,256 and so to kinda balance that being gone 488 00:25:24,256 --> 00:25:27,292 too much thing at night. [music] Say I 489 00:25:27,292 --> 00:25:30,328 [music] will paint a 490 00:25:30,328 --> 00:25:33,465 [music] new picture For independent musicians 491 00:25:33,465 --> 00:25:36,501 we need other people's help, it's just like any other business. 492 00:25:36,501 --> 00:25:39,571 It's really word of mouth and people sharing your stuff 493 00:25:39,571 --> 00:25:42,541 on Facebook, following you, Instagram, just connecting 494 00:25:42,541 --> 00:25:45,610 and really finding your way forward 495 00:25:45,610 --> 00:25:48,647 through others is really what it's about and I find 496 00:25:48,647 --> 00:25:51,750 that every year that goes by, I find more and more support 497 00:25:51,750 --> 00:25:54,753 from my family, friends, fans, and I 498 00:25:54,753 --> 00:25:57,689 am very overwhelmed by all that, that love 499 00:25:57,689 --> 00:26:00,892 so. 500 00:26:00,892 --> 00:26:03,962 Thanks so much for watching. Join us 501 00:26:03,962 --> 00:26:07,032 again next time on Common Ground. If you 502 00:26:07,032 --> 00:26:10,068 have an idea for a Common Ground piece that pertains to 503 00:26:10,068 --> 00:26:13,038 north central Minnesota, email us at 504 00:26:13,038 --> 00:26:16,074 legacy@lptv.org or call us 505 00:26:16,074 --> 00:26:19,210 at 218-333-3014. 506 00:26:19,210 --> 00:26:21,980 To view any episode of Common Ground 507 00:26:21,980 --> 00:26:25,216 online, visit us at 508 00:26:25,216 --> 00:26:28,286 lptv.org. 509 00:26:28,286 --> 00:26:31,323 [music] 510 00:26:31,323 --> 00:26:34,392 [music] 511 00:26:34,392 --> 00:26:37,495 [music] 512 00:26:37,495 --> 00:26:40,498 [music] 513 00:26:40,498 --> 00:26:43,568 To order episodes or segments of Common Ground 514 00:26:43,568 --> 00:26:46,638 call 515 00:26:46,638 --> 00:26:49,641 218-333-3020. 516 00:26:49,641 --> 00:26:52,744 Common Ground is brought to you by the Minnesota Arts and 517 00:26:52,744 --> 00:26:55,747 Cultural Heritage Fund, with money from the vote the people 518 00:26:55,747 --> 00:26:55,146 November 4th, 2008.