one good year

Hello, loved ones!
I've been out of touch for the past couple of months...
Not for any good reason. Just letting the ideas simmer for a while before I talk about 'em.
I find myself at the beginning of a fresh year, for which I have Grand Plans, and a good feeling in my gut.
Not that the last few years haven't been "good", but, it's been an intense learning curve, to say the least.
Anyway, 2010 is brand new, and the potential is limitless.

I am both finishing and beginning projects this year, which is always exciting.

Let's start by talking about albums:
I am so thrilled to be able to say that we will be wrapping up Family Album, after two years of travel, production and love. We started that record in December of 2007, in Boston, MA, and will track the very last vocal next week, at my home in Nashville! The title says it all, as it is a project that documents the many and varied musical talents of those I consider to be my family. I share the songwriting credits with my mother, brother, father and the late Fred Neil.
It was so brilliant to be a part of.
It is mine to release, so I will be working hard in the coming months to find the proper channels for it to go through.
I hope to have it available to all of you this coming summer!

As far as other albums go, I do have some projects floating around out there, that I have co-written and co-produced with other artists.
As I am not responsible for how and when these records get released, I will leave that a vague, grey area for now.
But, don't be surprised if you see my name next to someone else's, on a CD here or there.
Yes, it's me.

Now, for the live performances/art projects:
I have two tours (of sorts) that I cannot live without doing this year.
In no particular order, they are the Pizza Dream Tour, and Ringing Bell Project.
The majority of the shows I play this year will be part of The Pizza Dream Tour. They will be solo shows, similar to what I did last year; I will just run around the nation in the van with some crazy dresses and instruments. I will talk more about the Pizza Dream, and the concept(s) behind it, as we get closer to the shows.
I hope to cover much more ground this year, and actually make it West, a.k.a The Great Unknown.
I've never played farther West than Nashville.
No, I'm not kidding.
I'm hoping that the hot air balloon floats me that way.

The other project that I will take on the road this year is one that I will have a hard time describing here.
Ringing Bell Project has been born out of a very pure and simple inspiration. I am making work that is directly based on my interpretation of The Bell Jar, the only novel by the poet Sylvia Plath. The work involves clothing, songwriting, performance, AND an ensemble. That's right, I will actually get on stage with other people again. That's what I know so far. I am actively working on the elements of that project, and will post any progress I make with it here. I'm aiming for a series of performances in the Northeast, as the story is based there, between New York City and varous parts of Massachusetts. I am completely committed to the work, and can't wait to see it through.

In addition to my art, here are some other things that make this year special to me:
1. After May, I will be able to walk down the street with my bother Boey, and do simple things, like have a coffee with him. Profound gratitude.
2. After focusing all of my effort on the interior of my home for the past twenty months, I will now start to work on the outside. I have plans for roses, strawberries and mosaic tiles.
3. On January 31st, in a galaxy far, far away, my name may be among many others, for having won an award for the gospel compilation Oh Happy Day.
That would be neat-o, in a Salvador Dali kind of way.
Even if we don't win, "it's an honor just to be nominated".
Like, for real.

That's all I have for now.
I wish magic, moonlight, art and love to each of you this year.
I am so grateful for all of the pieces of my life, and that includes each of you.
Rock out.
xoxo, bu