THE BS BLOG

The other day I was listening to Cindy Alexander‘s Wobble With The World CD on my iPod, and thought to myself, “I wonder what Cindy’s up to, it’s about time she put out a new record.”

I visited her website and was thrilled to read the following:

June 3, 2011
 
Deep Breath. I’m Ready.
 
***Calling All Angels*** Most of you know that my cd’s have been fan funded since Angels & Demons. It’s because of YOU that I have been able to continue to make music, so I guess I have to credit my friends and fans for keeping me sane all these years. Yeah, you’ve funded my version of therapy. I’ve been 110% committed to being Mommy for the last 2 years and although my commitment doesn’t wane, I am reclaiming Cindy Alexander (besides being “Jette and Perry’s Mommy”). I’ve always strived for balance in my life, but I just have a few more things to balance these days. Since life is more expensive with a family AND a babysitter to support while I’m in the studio, I am once again reaching out for assistance in continuing to live my dreams. I’ve been a fountain of creativity recently so I’m heading into the studio TONIGHT with Dave Darling to lay the ground work on the new record. If you’re inclined, here are some ways you can participate in OUR (yes, you are included if you want to be!) project:
 
$15 Pre-order the new CD and receive free downloads and access to exclusive versions of new tunes as I progress. I will also keep you up to date with sneak peak videos from the studio. You will be the first to receive the autographed CD off the press.
 
$100 All of the above downloads and sneak peaks, PLUS – You will receive 5 autographed copies of the first printing of the new CD, 2 tickets to the CD release party, and a mention in the liner notes as my ANGEL.
 
$250 In addition to the downloads and sneak peaks, you will receive 10 autographed copies of the first printing of the new CD, 4 tickets to the CD release party AND a special swag bag with a T-shirt, guitar picks and home made cookies. And of course you’re an ANGEL.
 
$350 You get all of the above AND a personal skype/video chat serenade at a mutually agreed upon time.
 
$500 You will receive all of the above AND instead of a skype serenade, you can hang out with me in the studio during a recording session.
 
$1,000 You will receive all of the above AND appear on the CD ~ yes, we’ll find something for you to play even if you are not a musician (with proper credit in liner notes).
 
$1,500 All of the above AND you have the honor of shaving my producer’s head (Dave Darling needs a hair cut) or wax his legs – your choice.
 
$2,500 (only 1 available) Not only will you be featured somewhere on the CD (with proper credit in liner notes) and receive all the goodies above, you will also receive my personally owned Ernie Ball Music Man electric guitar – Lipstick Red with white pearl inlay, the Silhouette Special. It’s in mint, pristine condition and was played on stage by me at the world famous Troubadour. It was the night my guitar player (only used him once) knocked me off stage by smacking me in the butt with HIS guitar. A night to forget.
 
$5,000 A private acoustic house concert for you anywhere in the USA (I’m sorry to my overseas buddies – it’s just too much to fly these days!!!), autographed cd’s for all of your guests, and credit in the liner notes as EXECUTIVE ANGEL. This event would occur after the release of the new CD at a mutually agreed upon time. You will also receive the above mentioned swag bag & goodies, and tickets to the CD release party. You will also have privileges to attend any recording session of your choice and we can arrange video chat if you’re not in town so you can see what’s happening!
 
Feel free to get creative and offer up another package – I’m game.
 
HOW TO PURCHASE ANY OF THE ABOVE PACKAGES:
Paypal pnutsings@aol.com and please include your name, mailing address, email and telephone number.
OR preferably, you can send this information and a check or money order to:
 
Cindy Alexander c/o JamCat Records
2658 Griffith Park Boulevard #829
Los Angeles, CA 90039-2520
 
With my deepest gratitude for your continued support,
xo
pnut

I dropped Cindy a line and asked her where she was in the process, and how she was doing with the “Angel” thing. I had talked to Cindy in the past about doing some sort of feature here on the BS BLOG but never quite got to it…so I thought this might be a good opportunity to help spread the word.

I received this email in response:

STU!!  So great to hear from you! Been wanting to write you since Wednesday but my girls run me ragged and overtime….  

I was in the studio this week recording vocals – I’m about 1/2 way done with the record but I need to go back and re-record the first 4 vocals because I just didn’t have my voice back at that point (August/ September).  My production was severely halted because of health reasons.  I got whooping cough and Haemophilus influenzae (had to google to spell it right) last October and literally had a horrid cough and breathing problem until May.  Then I got Srep over the summer that triggered the cough. Basically my immune system was shot from a twin pregnancy that ended with H1N1 and then pre-ecclampsia.  It left me very vulnerable to a lot of junk that comes with exposure to parks, Mommy n Me stuff and the like.   Last week’s vocals are the first ones I’m happy with…..AND I’m finally feeling healthy :)  Knock on wood I stay this way!!!
  
SO, now it’s just about covering the project financially.  I still need to raise about $5,000 more to cover mixing, mastering, artwork, pictures and manufacturing.  SO many people have been hit in this horrid economy and although I’ve had a lot of participants in the case of pre-orders, I haven’t had as many angels.  Many past angels have done the pre-order amount rather than the angel amounts- and I TOTALLY understand and am grateful for whatever people would like to contribute to the project.  It may take longer to complete but it WILL get done.  I’m trying to sneak in some house concerts on nights that Chip isn’t gigging (my husband gigs almost every weekend night) so that he can babysit.  Those are much more lucrative than club shows and I have extra $ to put towards my record.  Chip  is my drummer but suffice it to say that I’ve been doing acoustic shows lately because by the time I go to soundcheck, do a show and stay after to greet fans, the babysitter makes more than my band members! 

I’m hoping to have a song or two to share in the next few weeks and will keep you in the loop.
 
How are YOU and what’s the news on your front?  I definitely plan on getting to the Northwest when the new CD is done.  If you or your friends are ever interested in hosting a house concert, they are EASY and affordable and don’t cost the host a dime.  I don’t care if it’s 15-20 people, we can make it work.   :)  

XO
Cindy

I know I’ve shared this story here before, but I first met Cindy when she was opening for Joe Bonamassa in Seattle and became an instant fan. She’s a tremendous singer-songwriter who continues to produce outstanding music, despite being relatively unknown outside her modest but intensely loyal and growing fan base. I’ve got every CD she ever released on my iPod, and will continue to do so.

Here’s a review I wrote on Amazon back in January 2008 regarding Cindy’s last album.

So there you go. Make it a point to check out Cindy’s website and her music. If you like what you hear, please consider pre-ordering her new CD (and if your budget allows, consider being an “Angel” at whatever level you are comfortable with).

The house concerts are also a great idea. Cindy’s done a number of them and they are always well received. If you’re interested in putting one together, drop me a line and I’ll put you in touch.