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Strive to find happiness! 

March is a month for happiness! Winter is wrapping up and spring is the light at the end of the tunnel. 

I have written a new song about the subject of happiness. One day while I was riding in the backseat of my parents car we were discussing the word of a family friend. She was very well off, she had nice cars, a big house, loving family, but still found herself hiding in a closet at night crying. 

I joked that her closet was probably big enough to have a tv, lounge chair and small fridge in it. 

We all laughed at my humorous observation. Then the discussion took a serious turn to what it really means to find happiness. 

When is enough...enough? Is happiness measured by how many things  you have? How many friends? Or how much love you have? 

Then my mother said something profound, “I think happiness is finding the mighty peace of God in your heart” 

This conversation led to a song which will be in my next album, “Grace and Grit”.

Obstacles Are The Cost of Greatness  

I read a saying called "Obstacles are the cost of greatness" by Robin Sharma. I thought about this as I thought about my life, which by no means have I reached "Greatness," but like everyone else, I strive for it often. 

This brings me to current events, I am releasing a new single this month on April 10th, a Grammy award-winning song was written by Julie Gold. It was recorded by powerhouses, such as Bette Midler and Nancy Griffith, called "From a Distance." 

I was very hesitant when the producer (guitarist, dobroist), Mike Pokalsky, invited me to sing the lead on his latest collaborative recording of "From a Distance." The song is a classic and a challenge to pull off live as well as in the studio. To top it off, how would I reach greatness with a tune that has already been iconically performed by an iconic vocalist? 

Mike convinced me that this arrangement would be acoustically treated and that many other artists would be joining in the event, such as Claire Lynch, Irene Kelley, Jim Hurst, Becky Buller, Frank Sullivan, Mike Munford, and more! I decided that I could not miss the opportunity to do this song even with the obstacles that I saw in front of me. 

iPhone in hand, I downloaded as many versions as I could find, learned the song, fought with the range issues. I just was not nailing it! I sent my recordings to Claire and Irene, I was ready to wave the white flag and surrender the lead to Claire or Irene for the better good of the record. The obstacles seemed too high for greatness. 

Claire Lynch nor Irene Kelley gave up on me. They cheered me on, sent me helpful notes, and constructive feedback. I kept trying and fighting when finally I got it! 

Was its greatness? I don't know, it was great for my abilities! I achieved a song that I never thought I would ever perform or record. 

On a side thought, I think through this obstacle of COVID-19, we are going to reach greatness. We are going to find our better selves by finding our not so better people. We are going to learn to love stronger, live healthier, think differently about the world, and be more mindful. 

As in the song "From a Distance." God is watching and guiding us as we fight through this current massive obstacle, COVID-19, to find greatness within ourselves. 

Stay safe, in good spirits, and healthy, my friends! 

Good Times in New York  

That beautiful young lady in the photo is my daughter, Josie, she is 16 years old and I am so proud of her. Yesterday she passed her driver's license learner's permit and I am excited for her! I guess I will be riding shotgun next to her as she drives to school. 

We ventured to New York City a few weeks ago and had a grand time. I was nominated for "Alternative Country Music Song"  at the IMA's (International Music Association) with a Gillian Welch tune, called, "Dry Town". I recorded the song in 1998 and it was never released. At the time, the label felt that it was inappropriate for a lady to sing about drinking, so the song was put on the shelf. Well, years later, I brought it out of the shadows and released it. What a fun time it has been that the song has been so well received this year! 

I did not come home with the title at IMA's, but I brought with me great memories! Josie and I painted the town in Manhattan. She loves to experience the Korean culture, so we went to Korea town, then off to 5th Avenue....then to Sara Beth's (my favorite breakfast place). Times Square was crazy and crowded, but we managed to see people dancing, and people doing yoga, actors demonstrating stories in the street. Anything you can think was there among the big lights. 

I am getting ready to do a lot of recording this month. Next week I will be with Steve Harris of Circa Blue in the studio, recording a song called, "I Sing My Song", then a session with Tim Carter, Irene Kelly, Claire Lynch, and Jim Hurst, "From a Distance", produced by Mike Pokalsky of Midnight Mountain Music, and onto a session with Donna Ulisse this summer, a session with my company, BuckleDown Productions. I continue to do videos and release music for other artists. I will keep you posted! 

 I am so happy to be feeling well and on my feet. I'll be sure to write again! Please keep coming back! 

Val Smith 

Challenges and Setting Goals  

Summer is coming to a close and fall will be at our doorsteps. When I see the first line of geese flying south, and as I dig my favorite sweaters out of the bottom of my drawer, I also reminisce about the wonderful experiences and challenges during the last few months. 

One of my challenges was to improve my songwriting skills, so I moved my pen, paper, and computer in an office away from any distractions. Maggie Vaughn, our famous poet laureate, was kind enough to allow me to write in her hideaway that is filled with art, books and things of inspiration. I had the pleasure of reading and singing my songs with Maggie, she challenged me daily with the rule, "Every word counts, honey, every word counts." She is an amazing mentor and I was able to finish several tunes for my upcoming project, "The Boxcar Journal, The Story of Maggie Brooks." 

My goal has been to write as many songs for this project as possible. So I began to think outside the box for inspiration, I was lucky to run across a post from the award-winning Donna Ulisse and Jerry Salley that they were sponsoring a songwriting workshop. I decided to sign-up and attend the class. No regrets, I learned a great deal from the experience and became hopeful about finishing the "The Boxcar Journal." 

The great news is that a new door has opened and I have since written with Donna. She has been an amazing mentor as well as a co-writer! Challenges and goals, never give up on them, it’s worth the fight and there is always a way to reach them. 

That was my lesson this summer! Can’t imagine what’s to come! 

I will be keeping you posted on "Maggie Journal" information and details are to come soon!