I’ve Got Butterflies!

When was the last time you had butterflies in your stomach? Was it for a good reason? For a new love or because you were excited/nervous at the same time? I have something special for you at the bottom of this email.

Last week I released a performance of “Sweet Morning Sunrise” (which will be featured on the album). This week, I am sharing a NEW live video of the song that started this whole album! Here’s some backstory first:

The song is called “Butteflies” and was inspired by Cayman Grant’s script for her film “Butterflies”. When I sent the song her way, she absolutely loved it and wanted to use it as the soundtrack song for the film! How exciting – this was an entirely new direction for my music and I loved the idea of writing for film.

“Butterflies“, inspired by true events, is about a teenage cancer survivor who learns to live life to the fullest with a new friend who is facing his own battle with Leukemia. A compelling film about teen-angst, love and loss, it truly reminds us that our time on this planet has an expiration date.

She later introduced me to Toronto based Producer Kenny Munshaw who I would then record “Butterflies” with. When I met Kenny, I truly felt blessed to have met someone with an incredible work ethic, a big heart and a sense of humour that can rival most stand up comedians.

Here’s a pic of Kenny and I laying down arrangements:

You always hear stories where people warn you about those “Producers” in the Entertainment industry – trust me – it’s happened a lot where people have warned me about the evil lurking under pinstriped suits and flashy rings. I pride myself in having a really good judge of character (thanks to my wonderful parents that have taught me to see the good in everyone but also check under every rock).

I was so excited to have not only an amazing producer who really “got” my music, but a pianist who has been in the music industry since he was 17. Kenny’s arrangement and production skills have been essential to this album and I couldn’t have done it without him. He’s worked with Justin Bieber, The Tenors and Miss America to name a few!

Here’s a pic from one of Kenny’s gigs that he played when I was in town recording “Butterflies”. Pictured to the far right is Steve Hogg. When I met Steve, I knew we would work on music together but at the time, I had no idea when or what that would be.

Fast forward to June 2014 when we started laying down the bed tracks for “Savannah Soul” in Savannah, Georgia. Ron (an engineer on the album), Kenny and I drove from Toronto, Ontario to Savannah, GA, but en route, stopped in Pennsylvania to pick up Steve Hogg! Steve was playing a big show with Jeans n Classics – a rock orchestra from London, Ontario who was playing a Pink Floyd tribute show! After little sleep, he eagerly hopped in the vehicle with us between 4 and 5am, and continued on this epic journey!

Here’s a photo of Ron, Kenny and I before we left Canada and headed stateside to get Steve! The drummer, Roger Travassos (JackSoul, Remy Shand) would meet us in Savannah.

It was through this song, “Butterflies”, that I realized Kenny was the perfect Producer to help me record my debut album! As an artist, this is the first step towards discovering your sound, style and uniqueness.

A huge thank you to Cayman Grant who believed in the song and felt it was the right fit. Originally from St. Martins, NB, Cayman is now based in LA where she focuses on writing and directing anything from short films to features to tv shows. She just recently was awarded an Emmy for her documentary “Playing For The Mob”. She’s truly an inspirational woman who can do it all – somehow her and her husband Terry find the time to raise their two wonderful little boys.

Here she is with her recent Emmy win: