We finally got a piece of the pie...

Hey everyone -- I know, I know -- long time, no blog! I’ll dispense with the endless list of excuses I could come up with as to why I haven’t posted anything in so long, and just simply label myself as “blog-challenged.” I'm really not big into labels, but somehow, that one's pretty accurate...

I’ve been burning up the road for the last few months – considerably more than I have in years, really. It’s been a great ride, though, and I’m truly grateful to have the privilege of doing the things I enjoy the most – seeing new places, meeting new faces, and making music along the way. It just don’t get no better’an this!

One of the highlights from my summer adventures was having the opportunity to write for the soundtrack of the stage play, "Mama’s Sweet Potato Pie,” written and produced by Angela Barrow-Dunlap (who, by the way, is one amazing, CRAZY-talented woman). The play is currently touring in major cities across the country, and stars Sherman Hemsley (The Jeffersons / Amen) and “Miss Laura” Hayes (The Queens of Comedy). I had the privilege of being in Detroit during the first rehearsal, which was a total blast for me, watching it all come together. Angela even offered to write a part in the play for me, which I would’ve absolutely jumped on had I not had prior commitments. I can only hope to have such an offer presented to me again in the future. I love being a part of anything she’s associated with.

I’m normally not a star-struck kind of guy, but I really got a kick out of hanging with “George Jefferson,” having grown up watching his show everyday after school. (I used to record it on my Fisher-Price tape recorder and memorize the dialogue, and of course played and sang the theme song to every audience I had as a kid!) I was amazed at how genuinely funny and personable he is, and how absolutely tall I felt standing next to him!

With all the traveling I’ve been doing, it’s been a challenge to find the time to work on my own recordings, but I’ve managed to get one completed, and will have another one done within the next few weeks. "Time After Time" is a CD that contains songs that people had heard me sing at some of my performances and had requested recordings of. It’s a fairly eclectic mix of music, though most of it is pretty laid-back and recorded in an intimate setting, just me – playing and singing. I’ve got three of my own songs on there as well. The pre-release is available now on my Music Page, as well a few sound clips from the CD.

My next CD, tentatively titled "Absolute Surrender," will be finished in just a few weeks. It’s an inspirational project, featuring songs along the theme of dedication, commitment and worship. It includes some of my own songs, as well as my arrangements of some of my favorite hymns. While it’s not available yet, you can hear samples from it on my Music Page.

Right now, I’m at home catching up on everything that’s piled up from having been gone for so long, finishing up my recording, and gearing up for the last three months of the year, which always seem to be my busiest. I’ll be in Florida the whole month of October, and looking forward to spending some time between gigs with my best bud, my brother Sid. (He’s the coolest – I wanna be just like him when I grow up -- even though he’s my YOUNGER brother). I’ll really try to blog while I’m there, and share more from the road.

Until then, know how much I appreciate all the emails I get from you, expressing how my music has touched your life in some way. It’s really encouraging to me, and keeps a fire lit under me to push myself a little harder, to give a little extra in all that I do. You’re a blessing – thanks again.

Love,

Patrick

Happy New Year!

Father, forgive me, for I have sinned -- it's been over three months since my last blog... ;) So, granted it's MARCH already, let me take this opportunity to wish you and yours a Happy New Year -- I hope it's already everything you hoped for and more.

After a really busy but great December - including a wonderful Christmas with the family - my new year literally started with some much needed rest. I was asleep by 9:30 New Year's Eve and woke up about a week and a half later -- my own annual "long winter's nap." (Actually it wasn't quite that long -- I did manage to finish up my new piano cd!) I worked some more and then took some time to "reach the beach" to clear my head and have some serious quiet time. It made for a great prelude into February, when, for the most part, I was home reading, writing and recording material for upcoming projects.

I know a lot of you have been patiently waiting (others, NOT so patiently -- you know who you are -- stop the harrassment!) for me to finally have some vocal projects available, and I'm thrilled to be able to devote so much time this year to that. Stay tuned to my website for sneak preview samples from my new cd's. In the meantime, know that I appreciate you very much, and look forward to sharing more with you soon.

God bless,

Patrick

Sobering Realization

As we approach the end of yet another year, I'm once again astounded by the sobering realization of the brevity of life. It seems only a couple of months ago that I was celebrating Christmas with my family, and here we are preparing for it again. I am reminded that time is a priceless gift. No matter how much or how little money each of us has, time is a currency dispensed equally to all of us, while we're here. I, for one, am challenged on a daily basis to be a better steward of mine -- to make the most of every day, to endeavor to invest my time in things that have lasting value, which is basically people. Though I must admit at times I've failed miserably over the years to do that, it encourages me to see that lately I'm getting better at it, and that this year has been filled with a greater sense of purpose and perspective, rather than a lot of "busy-ness" that yields no lasting results. Just as we're affected by all the catastrophic events we've witnessed around the world this year, we're also challenged by the storms of life that come to us personally, and while I would certainly always opt for smooth sailing in lieu of the storms, I'm grateful in those times to be able to look deep within myself, to the One who's greater than myself, and witness His Power at work in my life. There's nothing greater to me than the peace that comes from knowing I'm never alone, that nothing and nobody can separate me from the Power of His Love. More than ever, I'm conscious of that love, which makes me want more and more to share that in everything I do. I'm not talking about religious political manipulation, but sharing the pure, un-messed-with, unconditional love with which I am loved. THAT's what I'm talking about. Incidentally it's also what I'm writing and singing about on the CD project I'm currently working on. It's called Set Apart, and will contain songs that celebrate the covenant we have with the One Who gave all so that we could experience the ultimate in love and freedom. I'm hoping to be done with it by the end of January and have it available soon after that, so pray for me if you think about it. In the meantime, know that I appreciate your interest in my music, and would love to hear from you. Patrick