We All Need an Occasional Musical Recharge - I was lucky to find mine in Alaska

It is easy to lose momentum, friction and gravity are too strong. If you miss a day here and skip a thing there, all of a sudden you find yourself back to a standstill searching for a recharge. I am no different than you, and I too need to find a creative way to get going again. Fortunately for me, I am blessed to have a strong connection to Fairbanks, Alaska, no better place to find my way again.

1) Meet Up And Reconnect With Old Friends - They want to hear about what you are doing. They want you to succeed. They want to be part of your creative process. Telling your story as part of catching up is quite energizing because it is all new to them. Feed off their enthusiasm - it is catching!

For 10 days I was running around town meeting up with people, going to old stomping grounds, and sharing meals and drinks with friends. Sadly, there were also too many that I missed amidst the mayhem of the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, Golden Days Celebration, and getting into the quiet wilderness (shout out to Jeff, Terri, Patrick). However, those I did connect with shared stories and laughter as if I never left.

2) Make New Friends - It can be all too easy to get into a rut with WHO you hang out with, too. Getting out and engaging with new people brings new energy all its own. Those new connections just add to your tree of people that want to hear from you.

As a participant in the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival for the first time since 2015, I met many new singers that pushed me with their talent, energy, and support. The live performances of the Sing Your Song Cabaret Workshop were stellar. The workshop focused on being open and vulnerable to the process of performing your song. It brought us all closer together as humans and friends, not just singers. I am grateful for the new people that pushed me and encouraged me (yes that means you JT, JoAna, Josh, Diana)

3) Kickstart a New Project - Don’t get me wrong, we all have to do better at finishing the tasks at hand and shipping our work to the world. But a new and exciting idea or twist on a current project may just be the thing to get you going again.

Sharing stories with friends like Ron, June, JoAna, and Kaylee have all inspired me to get in gear and put on a house concert myself. Be on the lookout for more, but Mike’s Open Mike is planning a live show sometime in September!!

Just the recharging I was looking for!!