Blog

05.21.10

Hi there,

It has been a while since I've blogged. Been busy! We got home from Europe and had more gigs in the U.S., which have been going so well. We opened for the country music sensation, Sugarland! What fun that was! I'm not a country act, but it seemed to work pretty well. Jennifer and Kristian were wonderful to be around and work with. I sang a duet with Jennifer called "Very Last Country Song," which I believe can be seen somewhere on YouTube. They were so generous to have me sit in with them and have us open. Thanks to all involved!

Michael Urbano, our drummer, was off to Italy with Ligibue, so we had the great Jim Bogios do our last east coast run. He was fantastic! How lucky to have two such wonderful drummers! We played The Lilac Festival in Rochester, New York. I was talking with my son, who is now 4, and said "Do you know where we are?" I said "it starts with an R..." and Jim, my bass player, said "and ends with an ochester"!

Jim calls me his singer. So for the last little tour, we had two Jims and a James... our monitor mixer in N.Y.C. was named James... if we traveled together, all IDs would read James, except mine and my son's. A little riveting trivia for you.

New York was gorgeous on our day off! I could definitely live there again... if I were loaded! Ha! (For those of you to whom English is a second language, "loaded" can mean either wealthy, or drunk. I was referring to the former definition).

The gig at The Ram's Head in Annapolis, Maryland was a blast, as well. The last time I played there, someone complained that I didn't play long enough... so I think I may have overcompensated! We played an hour and 50 minutes. We always love going to the sweet Sellersville Theater... such a lovely atmosphere. So, thank you all for coming out again to see us! Lots of familiar faces.

We're back in L.A. now where, this morning, I awakened to that beautiful scent of summer on the horizon. There is a certain flower that blooms every year, blending with the sea air which always brings visions of running on the sand... pretending to be a decent volleyball player! I'm late on planting my garden, though the herbs are going crazy! Lots of oregano, parsley, mint, basil. I bought a compost bin, but have yet to fill it with banana peels.( This blog is now drifting into the realm of procrastination. I need to go work out!)

I sang a session before we left for New York for the upcoming Jake Gyllenhaal/Anne Hathaway movie. Got a call from James Newton Howard, who is the composer on the film, and with whom I worked in 1988 on my very first album! He produced a few songs on the album, including the original version of "Baby, Don't You Break My Heart Slow." Anyway, I'm going back to sing more for him today. I sang over the last scene in the movie, which was very moving. So thrilling to be involved in projects like this! Nice to be asked to the party.

One last thing... I got more requests for "Serious Richard" in N.Y. at B.B. King's. I hear you all loud and clear! I believe it is time to put it back in the set.

The next show is in Branford, Connecticut at The Branford Festival on June 18. Please come on down! We have lots of shows in August, so check the tour dates on the site... Also, I'm working on another European tour in the fall... we'll keep you updated.

That's all for now. See you soon!

Vonda

04.01.10

Hi friends,

Well, I'm sorry to say that we must cancel both shows this weekend up in San Francisco at The Rrazz Room. I have Strep Throat! I do not recall ever having to cancel due to illness...in fact we have only canceled a handful of shows in my entire career, but if you heard me sing right now, you'd definitely want a rain check! We have rescheduled the shows to August 6 and 7.

In the meantime, have a great weekend, and I really do look forward to playing some music for you soon.

Love,

Vonda

03.01.10

Hi!

We just finished playing at New Morning in Paris! What an incredible evening! This was one of my favorite nights of the tour.

As I signed CDs tonight, two things happened that made me feel a bit bad. Apparently, some of you have requested songs on my Facebook page and website, and I haven't had a chance to read them lately, as this tour is so demanding. I had asked for song requests, but didn't get some of the messages in time, so I am sorry about that. It's not easy to stay on top of everything... especially with my little boy out here!

Anyway, I'll try to check the requests more regularly. Also, I had promised a woman that the next time we were in Paris, I'd play "Serious Richard," but it has been a year, and I forgot! Sorry! She also requested the song on the Facebook, so I suggested that she yell the song out next time, but she said that she is shy.

So, thank you all for your requests, thank you for being at the show tonight and thanks for your amazing response!

See you tomorrow in London... last night of the tour!

Vonda

02.26.10

Hi all!

It's late, so this will be short, but I must say that our show in Koln (Cologne) was so special and wonderful! We played at a church, where they apparently do poetry readings, so it's pretty hip.

Before the show, I felt I needed to show a sort of respect for my environment and hold back a bit, but that mindset really didn't feel right to me, as I believe that we are here on this earth to be our fullest and best selves, so I imagined myself to be in a gospel church somewhere in the deep south where one certainly doesn't hold back a bit. It turned out to be quite the cathartic experience! It affirmed the fact to me that we are all connected... that music brings us together, whether we're sitting around a campfire, in a church, a club, a bar, a concert hall, at our grandmother's piano, or alone on a train.

Tomorrow we play live on the radio in Frankfurt... please be sure to tune in at 8 p.m.

Goodnight from Frankfurt! (Heading to Paris tomorrow night... yayayayayyay!!!!!)

Vonda

02.23.10

Hi friends!

Well, we have about a week left on tour. We all finally caught up on rest, after the grueling four in a row and crazy travel days. The show in Juchen, Germany, the other night was by far our best show... the whole band felt it. Some nights all of the elements just line up, and they did that night. The audience was fantastic, we all were rested and had lots of energy, the sound was great, the food was great (very important!), we all just played our hearts out. I needed a show like that, personally.

Sometimes the road kicks your ass so badly, but nights like that, and actually, just the shows, in general, make it all worth it. Thank you to everyone who stays after to get CDs signed.. .don't you have to get up early for work? I'm impressed!

The show the next night in The Hague was also really fun. It was the second smallest crowd, but still incredibly lively and energetic! The people of The Netherlands are so sweet and kind (did I already say that???) Did you know that the reason it's not called Holland is because The Netherlands is made up of 12 provinces? This is sort of an inside joke from the show that other night.

I have been getting requests for songs, and I really appreciate that and want to know what you want to hear. A woman requested Finally Home, which I played part of for her, as I hadn't practiced it in awhile. I had learned it for the original tour, but when it was pushed back to 2010, I sort of forgot that I had wanted to play that one!

The truth is, I'd be happy to play the entire new album (From The Sun - I'm still calling it the new album!), but I feel that I want to have variety in the show, in case some people don't have the record yet. I'm still doing some Ally songs, as you can see, but I'm more into the new stuff. (All artists are into their new songs!)

Some of you don't ever want to hear Tell Him again, and others of you would be disappointed if I didn't play the nostalgic part of the show... so it's a balance, I suppose. Hope you are enjoying it, nevertheless. I will read more of your requests before the shows. I have my little boy out here with me, so there isn't much time for anything besides preparing for the show and taking care of him... and not in that order!

Tonight we play in Koln, Germany. It's a rainy day...

Bye for now!
Vonda

02.19.10

Hi everyone!

We're out here, on the road, as you may know. It really has been great to play for you again & to see your enthusiasm!

This tour, so far, has been very intense in terms of the schedule, especially in Romania, where we didn't have our bus, so we traveled during the day and did four shows in a row. I did a lot of press during the day, as well, but the actual shows were really fun. I appreciate how you all got up and danced at the end!

We are in Holland now... played in Haarlem last night, where the people are so sweet and kind! We are heading back to Germany tomorrow for a show, then back to Holland. Germany was great too.

The beginning of the tour is always so emotional - it is all so new, so the feelings we put into the music are very strong. Tonight we play Tilburg, where my friend, Stevie Ann will sing a song from her new album, which is not yet released. She's wonderful!

I'll give you updates soon...

Have fun!
Vonda

01.07.10

Hi!

There have been so many changes in the tour since I last wrote. Due to many circumstances, the economy being the #1 reason, we are only doing one tour of Europe at this time. The countries we won't be visiting on the first leg of the tour in Jan/Feb/March, we will try to get to in either summer or, at the latest, September. I was so sad about this... there are so many countries we were planning to come to, including Spain, Italy, Portugal, The Czech Republic, Finland, Ireland, Scotland and many others... but I'll have to be patient.

In the meantime, we are absolutely thrilled to be coming to the countries posted on my website. We just added Romania to the first part, which will be completely posted in the next two days. We also managed to add a show in Paris and one in London. These will be at the very end of the tour... they will be posted late tomorrow.

Thank you for hanging in there with us on these changes! You can pick up the new Live album... It was recorded in San Javier, Spain on the last European tour. It really shows what a lucky person I am to have such a fantastic, soulful band and crew!!!

Also, there is a new Best of Ally McBeal with a previously unreleased track called "Something About You." It's high octane. We should learn that one for the tour...

We leave in three weeks to come play for you again! I've begun my own rehearsals at the piano... getting my voice in shape, as well. Any song requests???

I'll be in touch before we get out there on the road. See you soon!!!

Love,
Vonda

10.07.09

Hi!

I just wanted you to know that our German dates will be confirmed tomorrow and the rest of the tour will be confirmed in the next couple of weeks! As soon as we have these, we'll be posting them on all of our sites. Germany is first, because that is where we are starting the tour. It's all coming together... Yay!

I've been spending the last few days doing many interviews for the release of the Ally McBeal box set and the Best of Ally CD. So far, so good... although I'm not a fan of waking up at 5 a.m. to call the east coast! Had to be energetic on the radio... coffee is a good invention.

We'll be updating you very soon!

Love,
Vonda

9.30.09

Hi everyone! (everyone who is reading this...)

So, as you may have noticed, we have some big changes to the schedule. I am aware that we still have an announcement for the European dates. The tour has officially been pushed back to January. We didn't have enough time to book and promote the tour properly with the release of the new Best of Ally McBeal CD and with the DVD box set that is coming out next week in the U.S.

I know that some of you are very disappointed, as was I when we had to push the tour, and I once again apologize for the inconvenience. I talked with my agent today, and this is what we are thinking: We will be coming to Europe in late January for about four weeks, then heading home to rest for about three weeks, then back for about six more weeks in the middle of March. This way, we'll be able to go everywhere in Europe and the U.K. We already have a preliminary schedule for the tour, but I don't want to post it until we confirm the dates. It is on the way, I promise! My estimation is that it will be wrapped up within the next three weeks.

Following the Euro tours, we have a few shows in the States in May. I'll post those tomorrow. I know that BB King's is in there... in New York City, but I can't remember the date! We are discussing a possible Asian tour in late May, or June.

Also, well... I'll tell you later. It's sort of a secret...I will tell you soon.

We played a really fun gig in Boston last weekend for the Brigham Women's Community Hospital. It was a benefit, and they raised $1,040,000!!! Isn't that fantastic? They serve the under-served. I felt so honored to be part of the event. We played lots of R&B cover tunes, and people danced the whole time!

Tomorrow I will be filming another episode of Tracey Ullman's State of the Union. Last year I was on with Julia Fordham, my pal, and we were characters from one of those polygamist cults. We looked hot.

I've been doing lots of interviews for the upcoming release... mostly online media so far, but we will be doing some of that national T.V. stuff soon. Will keep you posted. We may do Oprah, or Good Morning America. (sort of low-profile, underground stuff..)

Welp, that's the news from lovely Los Angeles, California. How are YOU? As I always say, can't wait to get out on the road again!

Bye for now...

Vonda

9.19.09

Hi everyone,

Just want to tell you the update. First of all, I have been getting all of your emails asking when we are coming to your countries. We were in the middle of booking this extensive European/U.K. tour when another project came along changing our time frame a bit. The box set of all five seasons of "Ally McBeal" is finally coming out in America, along with a "Best of Ally McBeal" CD, which will be released all over the world and which includes the song "I Know Better" and a previously unreleased song called "Something About You" that was on the show. Due to this release, we needed more time to set up the tour. We are working with Sony and their promo team, and we just needed a bit more time to do this properly.

I am so eager to get back out on the road, as is my band. We have decided to push the tour to January/February. The only shows that were confirmed were the German shows, and we already have new dates which will be announced within one week. I do apologize for having to change the dates. I know that many of you have already purchased tickets and made your plans. I hope that you will still be able to come to the shows at the new time.

These things sometimes happen, but this is a first for me. I hope you understand. In the meantime, this may explain to everyone else in other countries why we haven't posted dates yet for the rest of the tour.

We will be letting you know the update within a few days. Thank you all for being so understanding.

Can't wait to see you out there!

We are also releasing a new CD which was recorded on the last European tour. It is a live CD titled "From the Sun Tour Live." It sounds pretty rockin'!!! This is the best band I've ever played with!!! This will be a special release for the next tour.

See you very soon... it's only a few months away!

Love,
Vonda

6.11.09

Hi!

We are getting lots of inquiries about which other countries in Europe we will be visiting on our tour. We are in the process of booking:

Spain
France
Romania
Bulgaria
Greece
The Netherlands
Ireland
Scotland
England
Austria
Norway
Sweden
Switzerland
Finland
Hungary

And YES, we are trying for ITALY this time!!!

Does that sound good to you? It sounds great to me.

Bye for now!
Vonda

5.5.09

Hi!

Just wanted to say hi. We're busy planning the European fall tour and I am thrilled that we will be coming back! We are also planning a LIVE,"FROM THE SUN TOUR" CD that will be released in the fall. Most of the CD will be from the show we played in Murcia, Spain... (It sounds pretty cool!)

Anyway, I'm writing the next album and, as always, the process is fairly arduous and lengthy, but it's coming along. I always read Anne Lamott's "Bird By Bird" when I'm struggling with the writing process. One of the first chapters is titled "shitty first drafts"!!! Truer words were never spoken. So much of the writing is perseverance, patience, sitting there waiting for inspiration to hit, whilst trying not to be overly critical. Editing is a huge part of the process. As you can see by this blog, I am at present not sitting at the piano, but finding more interesting things to do!!! It's Monday! I need to WORK!!!

Bye!

Vonda