For June that is! That also means 2008 is at the half way point. Amazing isn't it? haha So has anyone heard Jordin Sparks' new single? It's called "One Step At A Time" and I absolutely love it. It's pretty much exactly how I feel at this point in my life. It's a great follow up to "No Air" which is a duet with Chris Brown and it's probably my most favorite song in a long time. Whenever I listen to music it just frees me. Freeing me from stress, from problems, from pain, and heightens my happy thoughts. I consider it my drug of choice! I need it every day! I can sing things that I wouldn't normally say. Even when I was a child I felt sorta like a loner and different and so I'd sing songs to cope with my feelings. Music is just in my blood and it's not something you can explain really. I'm so passionate about it that is sometimes it makes me cry. The hardest thing is pushing through this business to make it a lifelong career so it will pay the bills too. Unlike some people that have connections and an in without paying one frickin due... for me it's HARD WORK! BUT I LOVE IT! Be strong and go for your dreams everyone! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/30/08
There isn't really anything awesome to write about today except maybe this beautiful rainbow outside my window that I almost missed had my mom not yelled out to look! I get caught up with what I'm doing and nothing else matters sometimes. I had worked all day and before I was about to chill for the night, I was cleaning up a bit. I don't know if rainbows are for wishing upon but I made my wish. Before this day passes I want to give a shout out to all my fans!!! The fan mail has been extra awesome lately! So hopefully your weekend was fabulous and it continues to be so, for your week ahead. It's the end June 2008. Already forgotten. Will July 2008 be the month to remember? haha Who knows!?! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/29/08
(Sing it!)
Good thing I wore my hair up with this heat today. I had to work outside and I wish so bad I could jump in a swimming pool RIGHT NOW! One look at my white ass and you can tell I'm inside all the time. Did I tell you I never learned how to swim? Been to a beach like once in my life and going to Disney's Typhoon Lagoon for the day when I was 12 is barely a memory. It's not swimming weather where I live very often but today qualifies as one and I'm craving to be wrapped up in water! To just float and feel weightlessness. So yeah, a shower it is to refresh and then hit up the studio for some quality music time. Got a few things to go over business wise plus continued work on another awesome new song! So I'll keep swimming my way... upstream and out of the water! Dude, like whoa! haha xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/28/08
Caught Up
Caught up on some ZZZzzzzz’s this morning! Braided wet hair is my choice for keeping it cool. I must work tonight so the next few hours will go by fast I’m sure with all I have to get done. I was bumming a bit earlier because I had to refuse a gig offer because of the shortness of notice. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it does not. Scheduling is key with me, mostly because the guys in my band have other things going on and they have to be available too. These awesome musicians are working hard trying to make it their way too but are happy to block out time to back me up. We all just need more then a moment’s notice to pull it together. Well, I hope your Friday is fly! Best! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/27/08
P
I've been putting in a lot of extra hours at the job and at night I'm beat. This is called normal. WTF?!! I don't wanna do normal! While I'm doing all this normal shiz, my camp is picking up the slack for me and I'm feeling left out of the loop. But no one can sing for me and I did have rehearsal with my guitar player last night. It was one of the best where we both were on target. But I was home early to get to bed so I could wake up early for work. I guess this is God's plan for me till something awesome hits! The P in my patience is getting bigger by the minute!!! With a lovely fish dinner in my tummy, here I sit chillin' at the computer working myspace of course, and sipping on lemon water. Have a great night and I hope your frustrations are small and your patience pays off. xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/26/08
Sing Anyway…
Some days there won't be a song in your heart. Sing anyway. ~Emory Austin
Even if it’s a sad song. Besides... if you don’t lift yourself up with your own songs then your friends might try to sing to you and that isn’t necessarily a good thing! Hahaha My friends are awesome but… Haha At the opposite side of this sentiment, I thought of this one girl back in middle/high school that loved my voice and told me all the time that one day she thought I was going to be famous! She always asked me to sing something during lunch break and would even call me and have me sing something over the phone! She could sing pretty decent herself but didn’t have the desire or focus like me. She told me my singing made her happy and obviously her telling me that, made me feel great! We weren’t close friends really and I have no clue where she is today but I wish I touched everyone with my music that way. To reach the masses with my music…yeah baby…that would be a dream come true! You will find me singing sad songs & happy songs and everything in between....anyway… Try lifting your spirits with music! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/25/08
Tuesday
So today I finally have a day off..kinda. I don't really have time off because I will be spending some quality time on myspace today plus singing later with a voice lesson. I need to take advantage of this time since the rest of the week is gonna be jam packed with work and rehearsal time combined. My mom surprised me with pancakes & eggs for brunch today and of course I was pumped about that! haha My kitty is attached to me to make sure I'm not leaving him since I've been out and about nearly every day so I think we need to get in some cuddling. Well I've gotta say I have some really cool things in the works and once confirmed, you all will be the first to know. lol Okie dokie my delights, have a delicious day! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/24/08
Work, Work, Work
Where does the time go? I worked almost an 8 hour day at the job and it was non-stop moving around and getting it done! When work is busy there is no time to look at the clock and think about time. It's like when I'm writing songs with my producer, we are so focused we lose track of time. That's when it's the absolute best! This month I've been on this new schedule with waking up early and even though it's kinda rough, I feel very accomplished. I can do anything I put my mind to. However, I forget to eat sometimes and it's messing with my journal entry timing too. haha But I finally do end up eating eventually and my computer is ready for input at a moment's notice. Maybe someday I'll have a blackberry, which would be cool!!! I truly hope your Monday was awesome! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/23/08
Busy Saturday
Saturday came and went in a flash! I worked the job several hours early in the day and then had a private party to sing at in the evening! I barely had enough time to eat and between warming up the vocals and getting ready I found sitting at the computer was nearly impossible so I missed dropping you a hello. For starters I’d like to express my thanks to the birthday girl, Cassandra, and her parents for asking me to perform. You and your peeps are a pretty classy bunch! Today I have to work again but my night will be crashing in front of the tv and I don’t care what’s on. haha Have a wonderful day everyone! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/22/08
Multi-Tasking
Great day today! I worked the job and brought home 2 paychecks because apparently I had a check in the drawer I overlooked from when I first started. Pshhhh, that's pretty cool! It's like finding money you didn't know you had! I've got to run my set now before I do anything else tonight. I did however get the garb laid out and nail polish on now cuz tomorrow I have to work the job besides my gig at night so I'm multi-tasking. I love staying busy! I hope your Friday rocks! The rain outside is cold and gloomy but the sunshine is here in my heart. Yeah!!! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/20/08
I'm Particular
Awesome acoustic rehearsal last night. I love having back to back performances. It keeps me in the zone and my music gets heard! Also, put together some mix minus’s for the private party this Saturday as an added bonus. Talk of an outdoor show over Labor Day Weekend is in the beginning stages and it would be so cool to rock out with a full band for a change of pace. I hope it pans out. Lots of gigging opportunities come in but I’m pretty particular about what I accept. I’m not into playing bars like most local bands do on a regular basis. I don’t sing cover songs either so weddings are out. It’s really not about conquering my home turf anyways…it’s really more about leaving my home turf. haha Soon as my music takes flight I’ll be the happiest girl alive! No, these baby steps are not killing me because slow and steady wins the race but my wings are on!!! haha Come fly with me! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/19/08
"I know it's sad that I never gave a damn about the weather, and it never gave a damn about me."
So where did the heat go?! It's like in the 50 degree range today and everyone is in shock. Not that I loved the 95 degree weather with a side of humidity either, but how bout something in the middle? The weather is kinda like life, we are never satisfied with it!! Actually now that I think about it, Panic! At The Disco wrote a song using weather as a parallel to love and life. It's quite clever, but I think all their lyrics are. Did I ever mention that I LOVE THEM!! Yep, Yep, ever since I Write Sins, Not Tragedies came out on the radio I was hooked! I like how they use elements of theater in their music along with major influences such as the Beatles. How could you go wrong with that?! Well, it's pretty different, but hence the name of their new record, it's "Pretty. Odd". haha Well I have so much to get done and the day is already slipping away from me. Acoustic rehearsal tonight should be good times though! Happy Wednesday... xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/18/08
GOOD
So what's good everybody? For starters, I'm good! Another early start to my day, plus working with some cool people make the time pass quickly. Dinner and a voice lesson filled in the later part of my day. What's on tap next is most likely music related but unscheduled. My journal, fanmail and myspace are always my deal...but seriously, thank God for my camp to help with all the rest!!! Support is very key and not everyone I meet is honest. No surprise there right? Sifting through the lot of fanmail and requests takes some time too. It's a balancing act for sure but I'm keeping focused and on course! hehe I'm happy for what I have accomplished so far. I hope all is good with you too! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/17/08
Dues
6 AM...awake in my bed, starting thinkin again...oh sugar! I have to get up for work early today. hahaha I am such a night owl that it's a bit of a struggle to rise and shine with the early birds. I do it without complaints because I do like my part-time job. It's all about life experience, paying my dues, meeting people and making a few $$$. Music comes first and that will always be. Talk about paying my dues...today's mail brought me JURY DUTY for the first time ever. I'm curious how this whole deal works. All normal stuff happening with me in the whirl of trying to make it big! Everyone's success story has a beginning and I'm not any different. I hope your day rocks and rolls! Thanks for looking in! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/16/08
The Dena~Tini
-----------------
Yesterday was a very hectic day with putting in an extra rehearsal and getting ready for my gig. Last night's gig was fun and I wanna say thanks to everyone that made it to my show! I threw in a couple pics here of my guitar player, Joe, and me and the Dena~Tini drink that Antonio made up special! It tasted so awesome and there was also another one called The Pink Escape that was pretty delicious too!!! We named it after my song Escape and go figure..my fave color is pink! haha Well, another gig has come and gone but I am looking forward to singing at a private party this coming Saturday evening, the 21st! Have an awesome day everyone but especially for all the father's, since it is officially dad's day! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/15/08
LIVE TV
I did my thing, and Joe, my guitar player kept it pro too and together we rocked my song "Taken"! The news crew mixed it on set and it sounded great!!! It's funny how the news people worried if I would fill 4 minutes and yet my song got cut off! haha But it's cool! It's live TV! Nastassia Tamari and all the crew at NewsChannel 34 were awesome! Many thanks to all of them! You can watch the video of my spot on TV from yesterday here! 
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/13/08
NewsChannel 34 is Awesome!
At approx. 6:25 PM today I'll be singing at the Oakdale Mall (by Macys) at the close of the local news broadcast on Newschannel 34. I believe this is my 4th time and I know the drill. It's quick and fun but very pro! I will be singing all afternoon hopefully knocking out this damn irritating mucus that is relentless. I need to get in the zone asap before time slips away. I would love to have a make-up artist and hair stylist to fuss over me while I concentrate on my vocals but that's an experience I've only had once so far. It was a treat for real! Hope your day is awesome and fun!!! I'm smilin' and singin'! Be sweet. xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/12/08
The storms passed yesterday and no tornados hit. Voice lesson went well but mucas is my enemy right now. Ewwwwwwww sorry! Truth. This morning I was up early for the job and found the weather to be perfect for once! Cooler, low humidity and a sweet breeze! I have acoustic practice tonight and preparations to make for my TV appearance on tomorrow’s Newchannel 34, 6 PM newscast! It’s LIVE at the Oakdale Mall and I expect to sing one song with a quick interview. Maybe I can squeak in some shopping while I’m there too! I am happy today and I hope it’s a happy one for all of you! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/11/08
Tornado Warnings
This heat wave is possibly bringing about severe storms and we have tornado warnings. I'm packing up my "SAW" collection and heading for the basement with my cat! haha I'm seriously hoping nothing comes of it and until I hear alarms going off I'm gonna be here singing. Also I have to comment about the great response I'm getting on my new song "Wonderful Things"! I had a good feeling about it and apparently you do too! Thanks! I'm giving my vocals a workout today besides having my scheduled voice lesson later! I need to get through the residue left over from last weeks cold! No coughing allowed! haha Alrighty...hang on tight incase of high winds! Smiles! :-) xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/10/08
NEW SONG UP ON MYSPACE
My newest song "Wonderful Things" can be heard as of today on myspace!!! Woo Hoo!!! I am so excited to have it up finally for all my listeners! It's KILLER with a hint of many genre's running through it! Told ya my producer and I make an awesome song writing team! haha But okay...if we have to keep proving ourselves..we will! I hope my fans continue to appreciate my dedication and hard work! Feedback is key also so be sure to write me HERE! I have to work the job this afternoon for a few hours but I'll be back on my musical side of my day soon and no one will even know I was gone! haha Keep cool! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/09/08
Onward and Upward
I was sick all last week with a cold but worked through it. Last night I finally got back in the studio to write songs with my producer and we kicked butt! We often listen and critique new records that are released which is important and fun. Today is for family and friends. I have plans for both! I am looking forward to this week as I prepare for my gig on the 14th at Antonio's Galleria and Cafe'! I hope you're planning ahead to stop in and see me! Maybe tune in this Thursday to see me on newschannel 34 around 6:20 PM. They like to put the music at the end to close out the show! Hey if you live in the area, come down to the Oakdale Mall and watch me live! Ok my lovelies...have a joyful day! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/08/08
As I continue to follow my hearts desire ~ })MUSIC({ ~ I've learned there is no direct path to get what I want. There are rules and guidelines of course but the path is different for everyone. In each of us hard-core believers is the strongest drive to be unstoppable and just take the fork in the road if need be. I'm not talking about anything specific but sometimes I just think how my friends chose college (even if they didn't want to go) and have no clue what they want to do with their lives. I feel very lucky to know without question even though it's risky business. My faith guides me and my passion will get it done. I haven't traveled far yet but I have a feeling once I do, it will be hard to come back. The people that have touched my life and made me a better person will be with me wherever I go. I'm working hard for the money today and tomorrow there will be glory. Follow your heart now..because there is "No Other Day" but today! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/07/08
Power Outages
Well it’s officially the hottest day the year so far, here in Emptycott, NY. AC is my best friend today! Not that I’m complaining but deadly heat that can make you sick or pass out is so not cool! At work today the power went out too with hundreds of us indoors, so you can imagine the chaos that can cause. I just wanted to jump in a pool somewhere. Then when I got home I was made aware that the cable, phone and internet were out. AHHHH….So, hence why I’m posting this journal so late! (sorry everyone) Well, I’m feeling a little bit better today and staying positive that my cold is on it's way out the door very, very soon! I will probably rest tonight, but my mind will be thinking musically for sure! Hope you have a fabulous Friday and stay cooooooool! :-) xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/06/08
Cocktails
Sometimes plans change and last night mine did just that. I didn't have acoustic rehearsal after all because I didn't remember my guitar player was out of town. My throat was killin' anyways from this cold. I'm drowning in Vitamin C and hot tea with a side of chlorasecptic! Work keeps my mind occupied so my symptoms aren't getting the best of me. Unfortunately I've passed my cold onto people I'm close to (sorry mom) but at least we can drink airborne lemon-lime cocktails together and toast to antioxidants! haha I'm not too delirious I don't think. haha I hope relief comes fast and I'll be back in the zone firing it up!!! Be happy everyone! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/05/08
Ahchoooo
It's official. I have a cold. However I still worked today and the next couple days I'm scheduled to work too so unless I'm dying...I'm there. Tonight I have acoustic rehearsal as well so in-between here I just may rest as much as possible. Soup sounds good. I'm sitting on some exciting news until I have more details but it's pretty sweeeeeeeeeet! I can't wait to officially reveal it but it sure makes me feel good even though my head kills from this head cold! Hope your hump day is totally rockin'! Best! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/04/08
Outside The Box
It’s summer and I decided that I need get outside more. I spend way too much time indoors and I don’t call it getting out when it’s from the house to the inside of a car to the inside of a building and back again, as getting outside! Haha I’m talking about just floating in a pool or hiking to see a waterfall or picnic on a lake. An amusement park with rollercoasters! Oh yeah!!! I guess I will just have to force myself to take a break for my own well being. So enough of the day dreaming and back to work. Actually, I’m feeling a summer cold coming on and I don’t wish to miss my voice lesson today. Am I pushing too hard? I don’t think I’m pushing hard enough! Haha Enjoy your day whether it’s inside or outside the box! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/03/08
Open
Please don’t try to change me or even worse…don’t think for me! I know what’s best for me! I know what I’m capable of and by golly, I can think for myself and I do believe I make some really awesome decisions! I’m not about to let anyone take advantage of my good nature either. I have my eyes and ears open and you better think twice because you are suspect! Haha Does that sound horrible or empowering? I guess it depends on which side of the fence you are. One shot at showing your true colors to me should be enough. No, I’m not jaded (yet), so I might give you 2 shots! hehe I’m just getting smarter and I’m able to read between the lines better. I’m off to work on my music for the day! Hope your day is really awesome! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/02/08
Hooky
Nooo, I'm not playing hooky...actually I'm working the job today and no, I'm not talking about a bunch of fishing hooks going after Sponge Bob either.. lol... but what I am talking about are songs that are hooky! My songwriting partner in crime and I worked on the hook for our next song last night. At first, it's really about what excites and appeals to us and then BAM, we have take off! Really good song lyrics can stand on their own but every song I ever repeat a zillion times in my head has a hook! Come on...I can't pick up an umbrella without repeating "under my umbrella...ella, ella, eh, eh, eh",.. thanks to Rihanna and her songwriters! haha Ideally the goal is to have songs that will be stuck in our heads forever, not just be the flavor of the month. Forever music - need I mention just about any Beatle song ever written?! Alrighty my peeps...have a happy, happy day for your first day of June! I'll be singing...even if you can't hear a note or see my lips move! hehe xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
06/01/08
~ Past Journal Entries ~
Sept. '08
Aug. '08
July '08
May '08
April '08
March '08
Feb. '08
January '08
Dec. '07
Nov. '07
October '07
Sept. '07
August '07
June '07
May '07
April '07
March '07
February '07
January '07
