Reflections on Love & Life- An Interview about the new CD

February 6, 2014 by Leave a Comment

REFLECTIONS on LOVE & LIFE…….

 

How would you describe your upcoming record?

 It’s romantic and fun. It celebrates marriage relationships and also being a  mid-life female.

How would you compare it to your last album?

Stylistically, it is similar. It’s soft jazz. This one is more danceable than the last one. The first was romantic mood or dinner music. You can samba, do the 2 step or waltz to this one. The last CD was all cover songs except one original.  This time, I wrote every song but still worked with the same jazz pianist for the arrangements. He’s brilliant.

 When did you start writing songs?

I’ve been writing songs since I was 12 years old. I didn’t do much with them. I didn’t know WHAT to do with them. Back then we didn’t have this global access via the Internet like we do now. My very first song was about an apple tree. LOL! Probably not much market there…

 How do you go about writing songs?

I don’t have a particular way, sometimes I get a melody first; sometimes I get a lyric. Chicken or the egg? It varies!

 What things inspire you to write?

My observations of life, my relationships and the world around me inspire me to make a statement. Everything I write is not biographical. Sometimes it is just a response to a story a friend shares that touches me deeply.

 What’s a favorite lyric from one of the songs on your CD?

“Live the life that we dreamed of instead of throwing that dream away” It’s from Kiss and Make up. Sometimes we hold and internalize resentment over the tiniest of things, especially we females. Self included. I’m learning to let those things go more quickly- life is much more pleasant!

What’s a song of yours that has really touched people?

How much I love you- penned for my husband and recorded on my first record has been very well received. Chocolate on this upcoming CD is a close 2nd !  It’s about women and chocolate -what’s not to love?

If you could co-write with anyone living or dead, who would it be?

Bryan Adams- he has a way with melodic & emotional/ lyrical connection that makes me swoon.  He’s still touring and I think he’s a fabulous artist as well as songwriter. After that, it would be Alan and Marilyn Bergman. The Great American songbook is filled with their songs and they are always a piece of artistic beauty.

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Creative way to say I Love You

January 30, 2014 by Leave a Comment

All about Love!

It’s almost February! I can hardly believe the first month of 2014 is gone. Alas… time flies when you are busy and having fun! It’s that special time of year when we celebrate romantic love! Romantic jazz is a perfect way to set the mood…so….want a creative way to say I LOVE YOU this year?  Gentlemen…a creative marriage proposal? Send me with a singing telegram!

I enjoy celebrating life…dinner with family, friends. Going out of my way to make my loved ones feel special is a joy. I was truly honored when a dear friend asked me to make her husband’s birthday special by delivering a singing telegram.

Singing to Archie

Here I am singing at his 50th birthday dinner party! Boy was he surprised….

I do a limited amount of private performances each year. Recently, I’ve been receiving so many requests for singing telegrams  I thought I would offer them in February in honor of Valentine’s month. Limited times available for Valentine’s day so book today!

If you are out of state -singing telephone grams are also available. Or you can fly me to your piece of the world…just sayin’

For more info, pricing send an inquiry to debbie@debbiecunninghamjazz.com

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Unexpected Angels…..

December 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Christmas preparations have been keeping me busy and alas, I am a little behind in posting my blog. Enjoy!

Last year during the Christmas season, I had the privilege of singing with my family…yes, husband, daughter and son! We dressed as Angels and walked around our church reminding everyone that angels sang glad tidings of joy. Interestingly enough, some people smiled but most went about their conversations or bustled on their way to somewhere. The children, however, stopped what they were doing and ran to the doors to see and hear what was happening. Their faces were excited and eyes twinkling as this misfit band of “angels” strolled the corridors of the church and sang “Hark the Herald Angels Sing, O Come all ye faithful, and Angels we have heard on high.”  Mostly, they seemed expectant that something exciting was happening! I was struck by the difference in response of adults vs children. Life is hard, we have seen that  with the horrible tragedies that have happened around the world and the economy, loss of jobs and houses continues to affect many. Even so, all the more reason we should take a moment and celebrate that which we DO have in this moment and run expectantly to see what is coming down the hall with the eyes of a child. Just something to ponder…I am hopeful for the future  even with all the struggles of this past year and delighted to celebrate the Christmas season with my family and friends!

Speaking of unexpected Angels… Below is a picture of Virginia Stubblefield. She was our winner of the November Thankfulness contest! Her daughter, Phyllis Nichols nominated her and she was delighted that she won! I am re-posting Phyllis’s entry as well.

May your holiday season be filled with love, laughter and most of all the peace of the season.

Merry Christmas from My house to yours….

-Debbie

OUR WINNING ENTRY FOR THANKFULNESS CONTEST!

Debbie,
I too am thankful for my mom. She’s one of the nicest women you’ll ever meet and she’s one of those people who doesn’t know a stranger. She’s the first one to make people feel welcome and make sure they know how much they are appreciated.
She’s always positive even when things aren’t going as planned. When I was growing my dad was in the Air Force and my mom always chose to make each move a positive step for our family. I think that’s why to this day, I kinda like moving!
She’s a force when it comes to organizing and she’s a great cook. To this day, she takes requests from anyone coming to visit to be sure she cooks their favorite meals. And believe me, no one is shy about telling her exactly what they want!
She’s a great person, and a great mom. I’m lucky to have her in my life still cooking for me when I visit!

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And the Winner is…..

December 3, 2013 by 1 Comment

Congrats to Phyllis Nichols and her mom … the winners of our Thankfulness contest!  Phyllis and her mom will be receiving the Chocolate truffles and music Gift package!

Thanks to everyone who entered and shared their stories. It was fun to hear who you were

thankful for and why. As a thanks to ALL of you,

please go to http://www.reverbnation.com/debbiecunningham

and download your free songs. Including  a Christmas classic-O Holy Night.

 

 

 

 

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November Thankfulness contest!

October 23, 2013 by 5 Comments

Happy November!

THIS Month I am launching my THANKFULNESS CONTEST! Got someone you are thankful for in your life?  Nominate them in my contest and if they win, you BOTH get a fabulous prize package of gifts and yummy goodies!(yes, yummy goodies = food and yummy food always includes chocolate!)  Each week I will add something to the prize package – music, food, maybe gift cards …. so check back weekly!

You must post  your nominees here in the comment section below. My team will read and we will choose a winner. EVERYONE who enters will also be in a DRAWING for a secondary prize.

Here are the details:

1) Their  Name (first name is fine for now) If you win, I will email you for last name and address or location. If it’s your favorite waitress or nurse at your doctor’s office that’s ok. as long as I can verify a name and address to send prize package.

2) Why you are thankful for them. Did they help you or do a kind deed? Are they a source of inspiration to your town? Neighborhood?  School? Do they greet you with a smile or go the extra mile with their service to you? Keep it brief but tell us the story.  Here’s your chance to say THANKS and win them (and yourself) a  gift bag full of goodies!

XOXOXO

-Debbie

You must post  your nominees here in the comment section below. Here are the details:

Each week you can nominate another person you are thankful for until Nov 27!  We will reveal the winner on December 1, 2013 and send them their goody basket that week. If we have more than 100 entries,  we’ll give away a few more prizes …. so share this post on FB/Twitter and share the love! Let’s fill November with an attitude of gratitude

Happy “Thanks” Giving !

XO Debbie

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New Beginnings….

August 9, 2013 by 2 Comments

My youngest child started high school today and my oldest child leaves for college in a week. Hmm…change seems to be a theme in my life right now. Change can be wonderful or it can be frightening, depending on your perspective. Some see an ending of an era when their kids grow up. I see that, but simultaneously, it is a new beginning for all of us. I now have 2 freshmen  getting ready to have lots of new experiences and beginning to grow wings for their hopes and dreams in a fresh way. My husband and I have a new state of being as well. With 2 independent kids…our son is active in marching band and show choir and will be seldom home this fall except for evenings and Sundays. (seriously) Our daughter will be away at school. We certainly will be involved in their lives but also be courting a Pseudo-empty nest. At least our son will sleep here! Strange after having kids in tow for 18 years. I am finishing my next album..er..CD and working on a book and all that needs my attention. My dear husband has a corporate job that occupies lots of his waking hours but he will have a bit more time for his own creative endeavors, which have been on the back burner for a while. We might just have a little more time to spend together too. Which in a marriage is so important and takes a lot of intention in our busy society. Although I expect a few tears and have already shed some in this process of letting go, I am excited about the prospect of New Beginnings for all of us! What change is happening in your world and how do you feel about it? Comment below, I’d love to hear from you. 🙂

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