Although my life seems very ordinary on the outside in many ways, it's really not. It's quite extraodinary in fact! I'm not merely dreaming or wishing for things to happen, I'm intentionally making them happen. I feel empowered at times when I give voice to what I'm thinking and I haven't always done that. That damn fear of wanting everyone to like me... I've kept quiet far too often but no more. Show respect to me and what I'm about and I will show you the same. Very simple. We have one life to live...and I'm gonna live it my way! I am enlightened...not angry. I am happy, not bitter. I am woman.....hear me ROOOOOOOOOOOOOAR!!!!!!!!!!! and on that note....have a nice day! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/30/07
Outlook
Just a week ago I was in the thick having my CD Release Party Concert and today I'm working like a dog. haha Wow, isn't life grand?! Of course the bigger picture is only visible to me and the people closest to me, so it's all good! It's like being behind sunglasses....my eyes are smilin' and I see everything around me but you don't have a clue what I'm looking at! It leaves everyone guessing, just the way I like it these days. Make no mistake....I'm solid as a rock and the real deal. The path I'm on is full of determination and patience! Outlook is good! I hope you have a kickass rockin' weekend! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/29/07
FANS
I have some awesome fans already and as my fanbase grows my appreciation grows too! It's pretty exciting and I'm flattered of course! It's cool if they know me too but when comments come in from around the world from people already hearing my music and say they love it...that's a wow feeling!...because for them it IS all about my music! It's just the beginning! Just a note...thanks to everyone in the Dena camp for being there for me and watching my back. I've always said "I don't do normal" (which sometimes separated me from my peers) but it's also a good thing! Now I understand why I am this way and I'm so glad I always knew what I wanted and never swayed from that. This rings more true today than ever before because I don't have the time to waste with people that don't "get" me! My wish is for everyone to follow their dreams because it will give your life meaning and a purpose! I am truly blessed! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/28/07
Who Knows What Could Happen
Last night at the Cyber Cafe' I had a lot of fun! When I first got there I didn't know what to expect since I had never performed there. Jeff, the MC for the night did a great job and everything he said about me was really, really sweet. There was a really good crowd and I enjoyed the other performers because they were all different from each other. Somebody very special showed up to see me too and that made the night even better! Ya know even though I've worked very very hard to get where I am at I still feel so blessed at the opportunities that lie ahead of me. Many in which I am unaware of as of right now. Like Avril says, "Who knows what could happen, do what you do, just keep on laughing! One thing is true, there is always a brand new day. I'm gonna live today like it's my last day" I often think of that line and I think I should really take that advice more! haha So I'm gonna do my best to enjoy today and you better do the same! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/27/07
Tonight at the Cyber Café
Yesterday my aunt and uncle came to drop the cat off and around his neck was tied this CD that had a purple ribbon and butterfly with musical notes on the wings. I didn’t notice at the first that it was titled…Forever Yours! I was so shocked and so happy! I know they love that cat as much as I do, so never did I think they would let me keep him! I feel so lucky! haha I’m going to be working this afternoon and then I have a gig tonight at Cyber Café. I’ve not sung there before and I’m looking forward to it! WSKG will be there to shoot and record the show for some future TV program, possibly also for a radio broadcast. I’m only singing 4 songs, but it still should be fun! It's local and a relaxing place to hear some great live music and grab a bit to eat! Hope your day rocks and hope to see you there! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/26/07
"If we're growing, we're always going to be out of our comfort zone.” - John Maxwell
ok...honestly...I'm so done beating myself up for the things that could have been better about my show and it's now in the "lessons learned" file in my brain! I'm ready to go to the next level and with the backing I have, it's totally going to happen. I just have to listen close(r), pay attention and execute! I have a half day of work, my voice lesson, the cat is coming back for about a month's stay with me (smiles), then rehearsal with my guitar player tonight! I've been on myspace off and on plus making a list of things I want to accomplish in a short time. I am looking for inspiration from the people I most admire and I'm once again in a happy state of being! Hope your day is awesome! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/25/07
Back to Business
I can't believe the show is over! It seems surreal now. I had gone from an anxiety like pressure, to a performance high, to a pressure release with overwhelming tears and happiness, to party animal time and now it's back to business as usual. As crazy as things got, and I know it wasn't perfect, I felt it was pretty damn good! Lot's of stuff in the works for "Mirror" and I can't wait! At some point there will be some reviewing with my producer and manager to go over mistakes and start making improvements. It's like the coach and his players do after each game, really. I am preparing now for a small gig at the Cyber Cafe this Wednesday night, which is basically a singer/songwriter showcase that will be on WSKG - public television. Should be cool! Alrighty...have a magnificiant monday if you can get it! haha xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/24/07
WOW :-)
Thanks to all of you that came to my show! My band came through 110% when it counted the most! The sound system had the freakin' walls vibrating and the love from everyone involved was like I've never felt before! My fans are AMAZING! oh my gosh! Bottom line is...none of this would have happened without the number one man in charge of my music career, Jeff DaBella! And to have someone as important in the music industry as Reid Whitelaw working with me, is just as good as it gets right now! Thanks for coming Reid to see me perform up close and personal and for believing in me now more then ever! When I finally get rested I will be posting pictures of my concert so keep checking back! I did a lot of dancing last night at my after-party and thanks Matty J for playing Backstreet Boys for me...even though you didn't want to! haha I stayed out till the wee hours of the morning celebrating and let go of all the stress and pressure that had been building up for this one very important event in my life! I hope this is just the first of many celebrations! To all the fans that came to my show....thank you, thank you, thank you! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/23/07
THE TIME IS NOW
Today is my party and there will be no crying! hahaha Tickets are going fast so be sure to get yours! This concert is gonna be off da hook and if you read the press release you will realize it's BIG. The sound system will be vibrating the walls! haha First class baby! Be sure to wear your winning smile cuz you just might be seen all over the world when we release the footage! After all the rehearsing and all the planning I can't believe the day is finally here. I really can't even explain what I'm going through right now emotionally. I've probably never been so excited and nervous in my entire life. Everyone has worked so hard and I know none of this would be possible without my Dena camp. "US" being most important!! It's going to be a really amazing night and loads of fun so YOU BETTER BE THERE!!! Well, it's time to get crazy people! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/22/07
Media Attention
My day was soo full and the pictures only give you a lil idea of what I was doing on Friday! From radio interviews with Star105.7 and Wild 104 to singing at the mall on Channel 34 News! It was a whirlwind day and I missed entering my journal on schedule! It's all good though! Thanks to the fans that keep showing their support and to the media for their time and attention! Believe me it takes a lot of people coming together to make it smooth sailing! haha Thanks so much everyone! Special thanks to my voice teacher for the beautiful flowers and card! That was definitely unexpected and I'm honored! :-) xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/21/07
Humpty Dump Dump Dump
I tried to sleep in and I did get a few extra zzzzzzzz's but it never seems enough. Therefore I rely on Red Bull to jump-start me! I was off and running up to STAR 105.7 for an interview this morning which will air tomorrow morning at 6 AM. They were super cool and I really appreciate the love they are throwing my way with promoting my music and my CD Release Party/Concert on Saturday when we never even asked them to! Also tomorrow I'm looking forward to being live on air at WILD 104 at 7:10 AM with Matty J and Tanya! I'm a bit weirded out right now over all there is to accomplish and I am trying to just go with the flow while my camp is dancing it out for me! haha Well it's time to shut down the noise. Like a surgeon I need to concentrate on what's in front of me and all the outside distractions have got to go!!!!!! I hope I don't fall off the wall and crack up. Wish me luck and say a prayer or two please.... and thank you! Have the best day wherever you are! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/20/07
Hump Day
Great rehearsal last night for the most part! When everyone is on target, that's when it's best. As long as my band is in the zone on Saturday for the show, then rehearsal is the place to work out the bugs! We have another rehearsal tonight too! We have been having to get together earlier because the neighbors keep calling the police on us to quiet down. My street team leader is kicking a$$ on selling tickets and promoting me! I am in the thick of kicking a$$ myself and I need to keep it going and going like the -e- bunny! Have an awesome day everyone! Thanks for the love! xoxo Feel free to write me here anytime: contact dena
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/19/07
Hair and Things
Today it's hair day and I always enjoy that! Later I have my voice lesson! I'm expecting to see my name up on the marquee at EPAC sometime today and I can't wait! This time it's just me up there and not the name of a show I'm performing in! hehe The butterflies are kickin' in a lil bit! I'm so excited though and it always makes for a better performance to be like this. Although people around me get annoyed because I'm zoned out from what feels like useless chatter going on around me! haha NewsChannel 34 is having me on their show once again this Friday so be sure to watch! Sometime between 6 and 6:30 PM! You will see me also on their Wednesday show called "Stepping Out" too!!! Even Star 105.7 is mentioning me and my show and that is so cool of them! Anyways..have the best day! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/18/07
I'll Give You Prizes ;-)
At 8 AM this morning you would have caught me at WILD 104 FM dropping off gift bags full of Dena merch and VIP Passes for their listeners to win! It's always exciting to enter the Citadel with all the DJ's each in their caves spreading the music and latest news! I barely had time to get back in my car when Matty J was waiting for the 10th caller to win my stuff! They are giving away one Dena prize package every day this week so be sure to be listening in to win! So exciting!!! I will be at the station this coming Friday morning singing live on air also! So tune in as early as 7 AM so you won't miss it! haha I also dropped off Dena prize packages at WICZ. Their contest ends tomorrow and winners will be picked! So hurry up and enter! I'm in readiness to slay it at my concert/party on Saturday and it would be awesome to see YOU there! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/17/07
Certain People :-)
Well normally on Sundays I like to kick up my feet and watch the TV shows I missed during the week on my DVR, but today that doesn't seem likely. I was exhausted waking up this morning after finishing up a long night of working on stuff for my show this coming Saturday! I think we finally called it a night after 2 AM or so and it was 3 AM before I zonked. At noon today I had a wedding shower to go to for a very, very special friend of my family's and I have to say I'm so glad I went. It's amazing how certain people we meet in our walk through life that can fill our hearts with that kind of love that you can't put your finger on but you just feel it. These people, you carry in your heart forever, even if you don't see them for months at a time. In fact, I get teary thinking about it! Ah well, I have lots to prepare for today so that things run smoothly this week. I can feel the butterflies in my stomach already!! hehe ok guys enjoy the rest of your weekend! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/16/07
SOUTHERN TIER HARLEY DAVIDSON GIG TODAY :-)
I bought the jacket...but not the bike! haha Fun gig for sure! Hope your day was cool as mine!!! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/15/07
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff
The past few days have been so crazy busy and I feel like time is in fast forward. It's not gonna slow down anytime soon either! Being super busy leaves me with little time to sweat the small stuff. So with that said, I have to get in rehearsing before my band practice later tonight. Gotta prepare for my gig at Harley Davidson tomorrow morning! Yes I said morning!! haha Check my "Shows" section for details! Southern Tier Harley Davidson knows how to rock their customers! Yeah baby! Have a fun friday!!!
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/14/07
Multiplicity
I knew things would start catching up with me and time would become even more precious. It's a challenge to stay focused on what is most important and be happy about it when I'm pulled in different directions at the same time. Some of the misdirection is unavoidable and even necessary but its one of those times when I wished there were 2 or more of me! haha I'm very fortunate to have so many caring people in my corner and I surely don't tell them enough how much I appreciate all that they do for me! I'm getting a kick out of hearing people say they saw my commercial on FOX 40 and My 8! And throughout the day on Wild 104 I have a 60-second spot that really rocks too! My gratitude is spilling over to those of you that have given your support and love! Throughout the day I'll be singing/working and tonight I have rehearsal. Therefore I'm doing this journal earlier to make up for missing yesterday and also I don't plan on taking any breaks! haha Keep the faith everyone and have a great day! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/13/07
Got Time?
I’m actually writing this wicked early and submitting it to my manager to post for me. I have little time to get much done today. I have to work at my cousins new place today, then get to my voice lesson and straight from there to rehearsal with my band. (not to mention 2 different drummers so that means 2 separate rehearsals on the same night!) There won’t be any down time for me today, nor any time to worry about my flaws! haha I did start my day singing and stretching the vocal chords first thing. Such as it is… I have tons on my mind and the day is young! Today is 9/11 and I remember it well. (sigh) Everyone stay happy! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/11/07
Let the Media Blitz Begin!
My grandma was the first in my family to catch my commercial, at noon, on FOX 40 today! YaY!!! It's pretty exciting I must say! Between WICZ FOX 40 and MY 8 it will be airing many times over the next couple weeks! Woo Hoo! Tomorrow my spot for Wild 104 FM will begin for the next couple weeks also! I'm helping my manager put together gift bags for all the lucky contest winners! Everything is really pro! Thanks to everyone working for me, it's all working out nicely! Today we are ordering shirts for SECURITY and STAFF too. I'm so caught up in the administration side of stuff when I really need to be focused on singing so this is where my journal entry ends for today! haha Time to sing a happy love song! Have a great day! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/10/07
A Closed Mouth Gathers No Foot
hahahaha… That’s not to say that I’m not paying attention … but I never miss a good chance to shut up! Silence is golden, ‘they say’, but even that can send people buggin’ just as much as a shouting match. I know for sure that the surest way to fail is by trying to please everyone. Everyone that puts 110% in what they do isn’t always going to be recognized or rewarded in the way they think they should be, but if they LOVE what they do then they will do it anyway. And someone very smart told me if you listen to the praises then you must listen to the negatives too. And if the truth be told, if you feel you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted! I love what I do and even if no one cared I would do it anyway.
God is great, but sometimes life ain't good
And when I pray, it doesn't always turn out like I think it should
But I do it anyway, I do it anyway. - Martina McBride
Peace be with you! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/09/07
Sweatshop
I ended up only getting one radio spot done and it's really slammin'! We were going to make more but my promoter took off without saying a word and that ended our session rather abruptly. It was such a hot day and the evening air was dead, so in the studio it was like a sweatshop with no AC. The temperature today is excessive again and it's affecting so many people in a sick feeling kind of way. I am trying not to think about missing the cat and until the cat hair is completely gone in my place I will have hairy memories to remind me! (meow) hahaha Keep cool and enjoy your day! Smiles! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/08/07
WICZ Wants You to take YOU to my CD Release Party!
I worked all day and when I got home I found out my Aunt is picking up her kitty! After "cat sitting" him all summer long, I am so bummed about giving him back! I claimed him as mine in my mind (haha) I am pretty tired but glad to have some spending money for a change. Tonight I have to go into the studio to do the "spots" for my CD Release Party that will start airing next week on Wild 104! Those are always fun to do! I love the finished 30-sec. commercial too that FOX 40 put together yesterday. Be sure to look closer at the info on my home page to learn where you can enter a contest at WICZ to win limo transportation and tickets to my show! Plus other prizes! Woo Hoo!!! You gotta be in it to win it! haha Alrighty everyone...I hope your day was awesome and your weekend will be too! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/07/07
A Day of Appointments
I had a crappy night of sleep and I had to get up early to make a VIP meeting! It was going very long and was still going on when I had to leave for another appointment! I am home for a short time and have to go out once again for a few more hours! It's just one of those days. I am however going to fit in some time (what's left of it) with my band much later. I need some wings! haha Bring on the Red Bull! Hope your day is killer! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/06/07
Cat Scratch Club
I had a great rehearsal last night and came home happy! Then while trying to sleep the cat scratched me and gave me a lite bite on my arm for the first time ever! He apparently didn't want to be removed from my face in the night....well I couldn't breathe so yeah I had to...and he got mad that I disturbed him. haha I put him out of my room after that and he pouted. I was gone all day today so he probably thought I abandoned him! haha but we forgave each other and now he is purring all over me once again! I have to rehearse on my own tonight and also fit in a short conference. Tomorrow I'll be away all day and night so if my kitty wants to sleep with me tonight he best give me breathing room! haha Meow! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/05/07
Order of the Day
My CD Release Party is less than 3 weeks away and I'm starting to get butterflies in my stomach. Normally that wouldn't happen until like the day of, but this is a very important show! As each piece of the puzzle comes together it's more nerve racking and very exciting! The simple side of me shows I am smiling right now cuz I started off my day with pancakes! haha Singing is the order of the day (no surprise there) with a voice lesson and rehearsal tonight! No time to be bored at all! Hope your day is GREAT! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/04/07
Labor Day Weekend
It's Monday and even though it's still a holiday I'm just so over killing time. It's funny how we are desperate sometimes for a break in routine and after a couple days I need order! Just sitting around shooting the bull, taking the paddle boat out on the lake at my aunts campground, then enjoying the campfire in the evening was great, don't get me wrong...but now let's get back to work! haha I have an appointment to see a seamstress to alter a dress of mine this afternoon and some administrative things to tend to but I'm definitely going to be practicing! In fact I have been already! Just a quick stop here to update you and grab a bite of lunch! Be sweet! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/03/07
I Love Autumn
I know it isn't here just yet, but it's my favorite season! It actually begins on September 23rd (haha I know, I know another coincidence right?!) but all the signs are there! With my new CD coming out, post season baseball, Saw 4, the new BSB record, Halloween... how can I not be excited!! Trust me there is more... but I can't give away everything!! haha This afternoon I'm gonna chill by the lake at my aunt's campground and do absolutely nothing!!! It will be nice to get away and take in some fresh air!! Have a nice day everyone!! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/02/07
Hello September
I don't think I will miss you August! (night, night!) It's a new month and I'm celebrating! The smell of fall is in the air and I love it! It's about turning points, the right connections and new beginnings. Kids are going back to classes and everyone is back into keeping a schedule and I'm still moving in a forward direction with my music. I'm letting go of the things that weigh me down and I'm personally happy with who I am. I hope whatever you have attached yourself to is making you a better person and happy at the same time! I wish for everyone to have confidence and don't let your insecurities get the best of you! Hopefully your day will rock out and you are feeling positively fabulous! xoxo
Always Love and Music, ~Dena~
9/01/07
~ Past Journal Entries ~
July '08
June '08
May '08
April '08
March '08
Feb. '08
January '08
