Karla Anderson: Journal

The concert we recorded in
Lloydminster last month will be broadcast one week from tonight. That's
Friday, November 16th on "Live From Alberta Stages" - 8-9pm. Stephen's
Green is up first, then you. (The program is re-broadcast Sunday morning
at 4 - November 18th )

The gig at Blue Chair was great. Thanks to Rob And Jessica!! It's my favorite format really.....

Blessings to yoou Don...thanks for coming out and connecting. To all whoo were there, giving and receiving. thanks

karla

WOW!!
Been such a busy fall so far...between kids, work and music...ther's definately no shortage of things to do. Have some more gigs coming up this month. First off, thanks to the folks at Rose City Roots for featuring the C'mon in my Kitchen show. I was able to get out and play with those guys...and as usual..it was alot of fun. Last Friday, I had the priveledge of opening for Livingston Taylor(James Taylor's brother)...he must be tired of that introduction!! He was a very warm and humble soul. He teaches performance classes and was gracious enough to spend some time giving me some very positive feedback. Thanks Livingston! And great hanging with Becky! So....This Friday, I head out to Lloydminster with the fabulous Mike Lent for a show "Live from Alberta Stages" recorded by CKUA...and broadcasted at a later date. (Stay informed through the CKUA website) Then the Blue Chair on the 27th...sharing the stage with Jessica Heine and Rob Heath.
AND FINALLY!!!!!!!! I have an opening spot November 3 at my FAVORITE FOLK CLUB...opening for the FANTASTIC David Francey! YAY!!!
Then...it will be time to settle in for the Christmas rush....and we'll see you in the new year!!!!!
With a new record?????
Sorry to all those who are patiently waiting...i am not so patiently waiting.....
Blessings...

Karla

For the Fall to start creeping in.The leaves are already changing here...The nights are cooling off. Which is great at night to have to reach for an extra blanket and breathe in coooool air. The kids are getting ready to head back to school on Tuesday. I remember when I was a stay at home mum...homeschooling...I never understood why every other mother was so glad to get the kids back to school. :)
But now, the thought of coming home after work to kids at home all day making messes and beng "bored"...I,too,am lookin forward to having their days busy! :)
My oldest boy started driving today!!! He got his first car two weeks ago and has been fussing over it ever since!!! Got his licence on Tuesday (first try) and is a much more cautious driver than me! He has learned from me exactly how not to drive!!!!
Teeheee....
I realize...if you ever think you are out of the woods in the worrying department...you're not. As he pops his head in here tonight...smelling like that great cologne i bought him for Christmas, and says "see ya later mum" I think of all the things i want to tell him...like "drive carefully"...for the hundreth time today!!!!!
Thank you God...for the simple things in life. May i never lose sight of them.
Blessings to everyone out there who actually takes the time to read this.
hope this finds you well...and counting your blessings.
Karla

Well, I am back at home after the Edmonton Folk Festival. It was, as always, a privelege and a pleasure to be a part of it. I am always grateful for the opportunity to connect with a variety of people. From other performers, to people who come out and listen.

I was thrilled to meet Darrell Scott...and to re-connect with Kenny Malone. Kenny came up on stage for the last two songs of my concert. It was my festival moment. :)

I am pretty tuckered out today...I will gather my thoughts and write more...sooner than later. We did some filming and some recording at the festival. I will send a mailer out to you when we post some of those vids online.

Again, thanks to all the kind people who come out to listen, to share and connect. It's not about anything more than that. There wouldn't be any music if there was no one to listen...to receive. The rest is just details.....

God Bless.

Karla

WOW!! I keep waiting for it and then have to remind myself that it's here...and not to miss it!!!! teehee...for those of you who live in warmer climates, you probably can't relate to what i'm saying! Summer here is so short, and if the weather isn't great...you can miss it! :) Notice lots of activity(hits) on the site from Germany and from New Zealand. Did "Joan of Arcadia" Air there??? Always curious to see how people are arriving at the site. Don't forget to drop me a line in the guestbook when you do!
Had a wonderful gig in Canmore...it was so sweet to play with Cori and Jane. The folks that came out were so warm...great energy in that room. Thanks to all who came out. I always say, the music is only as good as those who receive it. And the folks in Canmore proved that! I did manage to finish the tune i wrote for our ailing community. It's called Angels in Graves. Pretty sordid...but the message is there i think...the story told. Story tellers...that's what we are. All of us have a story don't we?
Anyhow...blessings to you reading this.
karla

Heading out to the Canmore Artspeak Festival this weekend to play. I'm doing a songwriter in the round with Jane Hawley and Cori Brewster. It's my first time seeing or playing with them, so it's a new discovery for us all. Should be great! Always good to get the sister energy going! And in the mountains to boot! Been lots going on in everyday life here...My oldest son is graduating at the end of the month. It's so hard to believe how time flies....how it takes you beyond the limits of your love. Our town has been rife with local struggles...I've been working on a song...or rather a song has been working on me. Trying to sum up the angst and sorrow of some of the kids and parents here...A series of unfortunate events. For sure. And tornadoes touching down here yesterday too!! Youch! I think we better start prayin for this little town! Anyhow...for those of you that come out to the show in Canmore, I willhopefully be ready to share the new song. Have a few of them for you. Blessings to you, wherever you are.
Karla

i'm so slack with my entries...
forget to make an entry the for the weekend of the 13-15...did that c'mon in my kitchen show....in my hometown. It was great!!!! I love playing with those boys!! Also had a special trip to Calgary on Friday where i met some special gals..and got to sing for them and talk to them. They are so young and have already seen to much of the dark side...i wish them well...they know who they are. Stay strong girls...i'm thinkin about you...and prayin too. Hang on for that brand new day...
blessings.
karla

THE ALBERTA SESSIONS!!!!
Hats off to John Rutherford...to all of his volunteers...who make this show so special. I had the great fortune to have
Kit Johnson join me on bass for the show. Everything felt right...you know? Jack does sucha splendid job on sound...it feels like you're in the living room.. ..It's the way to hear it. The audience was wonderful...giving back to us their energy and connection. Thanks to everyone who played, and listened and had a part in making another very successful Songwriter Session series. Took my son Matt with me...we were on a date for his birthday...which was back in January. I had a gig on his birthday, and promised him a special date...just him and I. Dinner, a movie...so that's what we did! We drove into Calgary and saw a movie...skipped dinner for swimming at the hotel (where we met some folks from Medicine Hat who recognized me from their winter folk fest...small world!!!) Anyhow...we went to the gig...went back to our room fell asleep...got up had a great pillow fight...went for a swim...went to Nellie's for a terrific breakfast!!! With terrific company..Jesse and Carmen. Thanks for getting the table! Teehee...drove home. Feeling that those moments are what make life so precious. Matt fell asleep on the way home, I sang to my John Mayer Continuum CD...and had sunshine and tears in my eyes at the simple things that are so beautiful, and easily missed. Thankful for feeling every moment...for not being asleep, or too numb to feel. Any how...I'm really going on now!!!! :) Blessings really to any of you who are taking the time to read this. My heart goes out to this world of friends...
blessings
karla

Well...just wanted to drop in to say thanks to everyone at the Braeside Hall for making me feel so welcome. Had a nice time at your 30 year old folk club!!!! WOW! It's a community unto itself! And what a great line-up shaping up for next year! Good Work Chuck! Anyhow...must get back to work here. The balancing act continues.... k

January was such a great month.... I got to connect with so many great folks. Starting with the Nickelodeon Folk Club, thanks to Nancy and the gang for driving ALL the way from Saskatoon to see the show. WOW!!!!!
Then to the Engineered Air Theatre with the C'mon in my Kitchen show...great night with the boys!!! Beautiful audience! And finally to the Medicine Hat Tounge on the Post Festival. What a great time!!! Thanks to Ron Mason..for givin me three chances. To jessica Benini for steppin up to the plate and killin the ball!!!! :) to Paddy for the great words of wisdom...and to Darla and the gang for all their hard work!!!!
I am blessed!
and send it out to you.
karla

Here we are...2007. What will this year bring? A new record I'm thinkin... Went to Bluebird North last night. Good to see those songwriters out there. We are all connected we are. Any how...Have a couple of dates i need to add to my schedule...waiting to hear back on other stuff...mostly thinking about recording. It is comin on...
blessings to you
karla

Had all kinds of great plans today...y'know...finish wrapping kids presents, write cards etc...didn't do a darned thing!!! Except grocery shop (what a zoo) and bake mini-quiches....hmmmmmm,
I have been meaning to make a note regarding the United Arab Emirates. There has been a LOT of activity on the website from your neck of the woods....What's UP??? How are you connecting with the music??? It's always interesting to know, so, if you are reading this and you are one of the many visitors from UAE...Send me an email would you please. The UAE is close behind Canada for activity...and I think that's great! The next in line are Brazil, Germany and Russia...Again...drop me a line and let me know how you are finding the music... I imagine it is through Joan of Arcadia...as well as some radio play. The Netherlands has been great as well...Someday I will come and play for you Jordy!!!!!! :)
And again, thanks to all of you who have been sending mail now that I have managed to re-connect with you....my dream is to come and visit each of you...play in your area...connect, and bridge the distance between the hearts of the world.
Hope that all of you are able to find meaning in this crazy time of year. I know for some people, Christmas is a very painful time of year. I send out a hug to you now...Everyone talks about being happy...being with family, being warm and cozy...but it's not for everyone is it? We are all in this together really....so you are not alone!!! I send out a Christmas prayer to you.
Blessings
Karla

I just spent a few hours updating some of my email info...I lost so many great emails and addresses from my last website disaster. Thank God for Host Baby (my new website folks) So any of you who haven't heard from me (mostly in US and Europe) don't be shy to send some mail or sign the guestbook!!! Thanks for staying connected and glad to have you back in the circle...
Blessings.
K

Had a couple of great gigs this weekend...thanks to Peter North, Marc Stirling, Ron Rault, and Stuart Mcdougall...It was a great night at the Northern Lights Folk Club! Headed to Calgary for the Christmas in Alberta celebration with the Rosebud Theatre School. CKUA recorded the event and will be airing it Christmas morning. It was a beautiful program. Hats off to Paul Muir!!! And many thanks to all the wonderful, budding students. They so inspire me. If you haven't gone to Rosebud, Alberta before, check it out!!! They have a wonderful dinner theatre and school where they do 7 shows a week! These kids (and teachers) are working hard!! Their performances are TOP NOTCH!!! Give yourself a treat any time of year!! Check out their website on my links page.
As many of the folks at Northern Lights discovered on Saturday...I am not a big fan of the season. (my chosen "Christmas song" was Christmas in Prison, by John Prine)I still would like to wish you all out there the very best...to be your very best...live your very best life...count your blessings. Send your prayers out to those who cannot believe, who have no hope left...this is what we are called to. To care, to love, to connect, to give...I have met so many of you beautiful people out there. And everyday it renews the spark in me. Thanks
Karla

Hey everyone...
The weather is trying to keep us in...but we need to get out and support Homefest 2006!!!! Lets all get together and make beautiful music...and beautiful change and awareness for those who have nowhere to come in from the cold. I'm looking forward to playing and to seeing you all out!!! Keep warm...keep someone you love warm...help someone you don't even know get warm!
Blessings
Karla

Went out to see Bonnie Raitt last night with Maia Sharpe. All I can say is...music bliss....
Wow! What a great show! Inspiring to say the least. Big Thankyou to them for making the treck to the North West. I'm sure there are warmer places they could play...but I'm so happy to have seen the show...Hope all is well with you...
k

Rosebud, AB...
My favorite little town in Alberta...
Little town (population 92) with the LARGEST heart. An experience...The only place I'll play where I can say Half the town showed up! TeeHee...Thanks to the folks who drove out from CAlgary as well.... It would take too long to describe my affinity to Rosebud...It's an artist town...full of Budding actors...kids with conscience...making art...making music. A community of adults who step alongside and encourage them to fly...to be their best (Paul and Tom). The cafe where they all pull up a chair after the gig...grab a guitar, pull out a saxophone, have a beer or a steamer, and play music till 2 am. Where a young man (17) steps up and sings the most beautiful opera piece..strauss... he apologizes that he has a cold and can't sing tonight...(OH MY GOD) It is beautiful...
beautiful...beautiful...
If Tom hadn't have bought that cafe, I would have...and lived there till i was 98. God Bless Rosebud.
K

Hi All...
Well the leaves are in their full glory...it was so beaautiful today...The sun was warm. Mmmmmm. I have been trying out the sending of emails to my list...to the new folks who sign up etc... I really appreciate that people take the time to sign in. Hopefully we all stay connected to the purpose and to one another. The Embassy Sessions was nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award. That is a great honor. Not sure if I will be able to make it to Winnipeg for the conference happening there and the awards night....but all the best to everyone in my category...Pretty sure Corb will take the cake!!! Hats off to that Alberta Boy! :) Expect mail from me real soon....
k

The Embassy Sessions is Nominated for Outstanding Roots Recording this year...I'm honored to be in line with Corb Lund, Steve Dawson, Angela Harris and Harry Manx! WOW! Best of Luck to all....
check out www.westerncanadian musicawards.ca

Kids are talking about going back to school...half ready and half not! I'm loving the summer we've been having...finally a summer of warm days. Feels good to soak up the sun into the bones...getting ready for the coming season. Not much to mention...just wanting to make the connection. Blessings to you
Karla

Just got home from the festival...it was really a great thing!! Beautiful people, music, weather...how can you ask for more? The highlight for me was the last workshop with Chip Taylor and Carrie Rodriguez. We ended the workshop singing Angel of the Morning together....there i was on stage with one of the greatest songwriters on the planet... a beautiful and amzing group of musicians...singing Angel of the Morning. Time stopped a bit...i looked out at the mountains. How beautiful. Thanks so much to Ken Rooks for all the dedication and hard work. To all the volunteers...to Mike and Marc. To all folks who came up and chatted...who bought cd's in support of the music. It all says keep goin...to where??? Who knows. The journey is the destination. Blessings all...
Karla

Been so long since i've made an entry...no, I haven't dropped off the face of the planet. Went out to the Island Music Fest. It was a terrific festival. Great to be out on the coast...connecting with all the great folks I met there. The highlight of the festival for me was watching the Darrell Scott concert on Sunday at 4. He blew me away. The tears wouldn't stop comin. It reminded me of the first time i watched Martyn Joseph...that kind of heart wide open. Anyhow, I bought his CD and after the festival took a drive up to Campbell River, listening. It was a much needed and beautiful drive. I'm lookin forward to The Canmore Festival coming up. It'll be great to play with Mike and Marc. Hope to see you out...Hope this finds you well...
Blessings.
Karla

WOW!!! I think we'd better think about plans for and ark. Not used to so much rain...Building site is like mud soup. House isn't quite finished...livin like gypsies. Wanted to touch base to let youknow how things are going. The Southern Alberta dates were really great. Thanks toThe Stop in Black Diamond for their commitment to live music and to all the people who come out to support. Main Street Cafe in Nanton too, was such a treat. The chili was delicious!!!! The room was full of warm hearts...thanks to all who came out really...As I always say...If there weren't people to listen and receive, we wouldn't be able to do what we do. It's a two way deal. I tried uploading a copy of the Boston Globe chart on the Pics page. I know it didn't show up very well..for reference...it reads Radio Play for WUMB 91.9 in Boston for the week ending May 26
#1 Karla Anderson-"Out From Under"
#2 Grace Potter & the Nocturnals- "2:22"
#3 Josh Ritter- "In the Dark"
#4 Bruce Springsteen-"Jacob's Ladder"
#5 Mark Knopfler & Emmylou Harris-"This Is Us"
#6 Kieran Kane and Kevin Welch- "Satan's Paradise"
#7 David Wilcox- "No Doubt About It"
#8 McCoy Bros.-"Lighthouse Dream"
#9 Elvis Costello & Allen Tousaint "Tears, Tears and More Tears"
#10 Dave Alvin "On My Way Downtown"

Thanks to WUMB for giving us such awesome support...And to all who have signed into the guestbook. I will be replying to you as I get the time...and adding your addresses to the mail list. Still trying to figure out how to operate the site!! Please stay in touch everyone.
Blessings to you, wherever you are, whatever life is dishing out...
blessings.
New Quote of the week.
"We can live our lives two ways...One as if nothing is a miracle, the other as if everything is a miracle." -Albert Einstein
PS. -- Hallo to all the great folks who were brave enough to come out to our 20 year reunion last night!!! It was great fun to see you out. If you get a chance...come out to a show! :)

Hi all...
Well, I just want to say a big thankyou to everyone who has been responding to the CBC Alberta Bound special. It was a great honor to be among so many terrific performers. I am looking forward to getting out and playing some more this spring/summer...Been contracting a house all winter and I'm beginning to feel like I want my life back!!! No more phone calls to contractors...no more things to pick up no more no more no more. Just move in...have a glass of red wine and thank God it's finished!!!! I'm packing and getting ready to move as we speak (type). Thanks to everyone who have been so patient while I drop out of site!!! Friends...family...my orphan children :) , my boss(!), mymanager Neil.... I'll be baaaaackkk...soon!
Blesiings
Karla