Memories of Halloween come “trick-ling” back to me this time of year. My family lived in a small town where traditional Trick-or-Treat was entirely safe. I especially liked going to the Eminheisers’ house where we were invited in to see the extravagant decorations (nothing to “freak-out” little children in those days). The grand tour ended in the dining room where a large table was loaded with homemade sugary treats. Yum! Well, that was then, and this is now: I don’t get kids at the door in my neighborhood. Not one single knock in 32 years. Maybe it’s because this area is partially industrial, and very few youngsters live around here. But, it would be fun to set out something for my students. Hum-m-m. So many parents these days are concerned about sugar intake. Maybe nuts? Nope, peanut allergies abound. How about a big black bowl of tangerines on the piano? Sounds pretty boring. Maybe a more exciting idea will come “trick-ling” into my brain…..

As it turns out, the audition video for America’s Got Talent can now be 2 to 3 minutes instead of the previous 90 seconds. (I never did figure out how I was going to do the “minute and a half thing” without hacking my precious original to death!)  Once the song could be a little longer, it was a “piece of cake” to put an abbreviated version together.  So, the shoot was a week ago, and extremely fun.  Two days later we edited the visual, making decisions about which camera view to use where.  (I’ve never been a part of the edit before, and was surprised to find it quite amusing!)  Tomorrow we mix the audio.  (I’m kind of an old hand at adjusting  sound levels, but it’s always exciting to “frost the freshly baked cake”!)   Then, off my submission will go to A.G.T.  Shortly after, we’ll have it up on You Tube.  Go to “Cynthia Bythell Channel” and look for my song, The Wish Planet.  Hope you enjoy it….

I’ve been hit with a sudden urge to audition for America’s Got Talent.  Apparently the desire to share my inspirational originals with the world at large is filling me with some serious chutzpah.  So, it’s time to sit at the piano for hours, somehow cutting my precious jewels down to 90 second finely facetted gems that will magically bring even Bigger Bling!  It’s hard to imagine the Reader’s Digest versions of my envisioned classics measuring up.  But, I think I can. I think I can. I think…. each performance on T.V. will reach about 50 million people.  What if just a few of them hear something in my song that helps them?  This is my dream.

 

Photos of Mom & Dad are proudly displayed on my mantel in honor of their special days.  I like to believe they’re watching over me, and trying to help from the other side.  Hopefully they feel as proud of me as I felt when “my” kids played their pieces at the Annual Spring Recital last month.   My personal music project is going well, with recent videos and new photos now up on the website. (Exciting!)  I made the hard decision to cut the upcoming album from 14 songs to 12, which are all copyrighted and ready to launch.  (Good for me!)  My last album had a lot of originals, but this next one will be my first all-original recording, and I’m currently enjoying continued development of the songs. (Fun!)  It’s a challenge to figure out all the “hows”, “wheres” & “whos” in regard to doing the project, but I love watching a puzzle unfold.  (Giant jigsaw!)  Just so you know: It is my deepest desire to share the joy and power of music with everyone, and I’m filled with gratitude for this amazing musical life of transformation, love, laughter, and creative adventure….