Inspired by: Georgia Anne Muldrow

As a singer/songwriter/performer, it is deeply inspiring and motivating for me to come across the many artists that I have over the years. Georgia Anne Muldrow is one of them. I "found" her through myspace and added her as my "friend". I hope to one day share stages or creative space with this sister.

Georgia Anne Muldrow is fierce AND performing this song at AGAPE International Spiritual Center, a place I consider a spiritual congregational home of mine, led by Rev. Michael Bernard Beckwith.



For more info: go to http://www.myspace.com/georgiaannemuldrow

"So Mama, You Want to Live Your Creative Dream?" Workshop--Coming Soon!

It has been some time now that I have contemplated creating a workshop that was specifically geared towards mothers who are artists. As with creating this blog, the creation of this workshop came out of a need to have/co-create a "space" where mothers could feel safe and nurtured in articulating their deepest visions and dreams. Any of my closest friends and family members will tell you that I think and talk about mamahood/art/music/safe spaces/women/support structures a LOT.

Now, through this workshop, I am bringing the lessons that I have learned and am continuing to learn on this journey as mama/musician/artist/writer.

UrbanMamaSong's
“ So Mama, You want to Live Your Creative Dream?”
A Workshop for Mamas Who Create (or would like to)

Through art, creative self-reflection exercises, and community building activities used in my workshop, “mamas who create” will leave with useful tools to begin living their dreams or assist in the creative dream (s) they are currently living. Mamas will be able to:

• Articulate vision for work/art/life-work
• Create an action plan for doing life-work
• Identify and/or create systems of support
and more!!!

For more information on my workshops, please feel free to contact me at gabrillaballard@gmail.com

To Submit or not to Submit--my thoughts on Sonicbids

I am signed on to quite a few email lists that are specifically geared towards independent musicians and we self managing artists. One of the topics that comes up every now and then has been the services provided by Sonicbids.com.

I have been a member of Sonicbids.com since 2008. At some point between then and now, I have stumbled upon feedback of some of the other "clients" regarding Sonicbids' services. Actually, the feedback was more about the companies that use Sonicbids rather than Sonicbids themselves. Some of it has been less than pleasing. I have also had friends ask me if Sonicbids is a worthy investment.

As a self-managing music artist and mama, who does not have the time to go hunting all over the internet looking for gigs, I will give a resounding YES! Sonicbids has helped me to secure gigs and opportunities in places that I may not have had access to and the truth is, there are reputable companies that trust and use Sonicbids'database to find artists. Granted, everything has it's down side. For example, there was one opportunity that I had been selected for that has yet to be produced and there have been some opportunities that I have not been selected for--all a part of being in the music business. You win some, you lose some. But of all of my press kits that I have submitted, I can say that I have been selected for more than half--That makes me feel good. I don't mope too long when I don't get selected. Most times I submit and I forget about until I receive an email telling me to check on my submission. You gotta submit and release it. Keep working on your craft.

In the mean time I'll be sticking with Sonicbids. What has your experience with Sonicbids or a similar service been?

I will begin posting the opportunities that I have been selected for as they come up. Keep ya'll posted on the progress...