Funny How Life Turns Out Sometimes

Hello Family!

It's been over a year since I've updated my blog. And what a year of surprises it's been! We're not going to get into "the year that was" today, but just know the roller coaster that called life was especially up down and round and round! But it's a new year now and time for bigger and better things.

Firstly, I want to thank each and every one of you for supporting my first CD project. You kept me going time and again when I wanted to throw in the towel and get a *shudder* "day job" *shudder*. You encouraged me to fight the good fight. And for that I am eternally grateful.

After the year that has been I've come to the difficult decision "Introducing... ME" has run its course. It's sold all it's going to sell through my efforts and yours. Strangely I'm not at all sad about it. Do I wish it had sold more? Of course. Do I wish I could have toured on the strength of the single, "I Feel Like Dancin'"? Absolutely. But life had other plans for me this past year. Had I been touring around the world I would have had to cancel everything when my mother had a heart attack. (She's fine now. For those of you who knew, thanks for your prayers and constant "checking in" with me. I love you for it.) Then I'd have to go through the difficult process of re-scheduling tour dates with bar and club owners who were pissed I bailed on them because I had to take care of my mother. And then with all the time away, the crowds I would have been able to pull in at one time may not have been there for "THE RETURN". And of course because I'm a DIY'er to the very end, I'd have the huge task of doing it all on my own.

But you know what? I'm not sad about it. Disappointed, yes. But certainly not sad. I learned so much about myself and what I can do. I learned more about this business of music than any book could ever have taught me. And I will take those lessons with me when I start on my next project. But for now, it's time to move on.

And move on I have. Back in August 2010 when I was still pushing my CD uphill I decided to take a little break and take an acting class. I hadn't been onstage to act since I ended my college career. I was too focused on singing onstage to do any acting. But I saw there was an acting class going on here in town. I thought, "What the hell. I'll give it a shot. The least it will do is give me more onstage chops than I had before."

Family, I'd forgotten how much I enjoy acting. I'd done it all though high school and college, but because music was my main focus I'd always thought of acting as a diversion. A fun diversion mind you, but a diversion nonetheless. That being said, because I enjoyed acting I had in the back of my mind for years that when my music career really took off I'd dip my toes back into the acting game. Now that my mother has finally recovered and I've laid "Introducing... ME" to bed I've decided to pursue acting and see where that leads. Music will ALWAYS be my first love. In fact as I write this I can't help but think how much I already miss it. And I am convinced this isn't the last musical endeavor I'll pursue. But for now I'm acting. And I'm LOVING IT!!!

To that end, I've been auditioning my behind off. And I've landed my first role. I am acting in the Carpenter Square Theater production of "Good 'N Plenty". All but one of the actors have dual roles in the play. I play Ronald Bridges/Tyrell Mayberry. "Good 'N Plenty" is a comedy about a high school teacher that constructs a game based upon the principles of democracy and how those principles are played out in everyday life. How does he do it? A drug game. What could go wrong when you have high school students and real drugs? PLENTY. Wacky hi-jinks, of course, ensue.

If you are in the Oklahoma City area do yourself a favor and come see this play. Not just because I'm in it - that's a bonus - but because the acting is truly top notch and the production is amazing. And it's funny as hell. For tickets, go to: http://www.carpentersquare.com/tickets_online.htm or you can call the box office at (405) 232-6500. "Good 'N Plenty" runs 'til February 5th. And drop me a note when you come so after the show I'll stick around to say hello.

I want to thank each and every one of you for consistently being in my corner. Through good and bad you've stuck by me. I hope you'll continue to stick by me in this new endeavor. As I've said, music will always be my first love. Therefore it aint gone, it's just taking a break.

I'll see you at the theater!

-Stephen