The Chrissy Morgan Newsletter
Volume: 4
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*****CHRISSYTOPIA*****
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Hello There!!!
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If you really know me, you know that I'm a prius driving, discounted perennial buyin, tree huggin, peace lovin hippie who needs to camp in the middle of the woods to connect with her true self. There's almost nothing more humbling than a dark cool night amongst the tall trees and a bright open sky. It reminds you that you are never alone in this world and that (for me) true spirituality comes from within. We are all on this "pale blue dot" together. No matter how we choose live our everyday lives or how we choose to destroy them. This is what we got folks. We have each other. We have sunsets and we have scented flowers and we have a bajillion tiny deer ticks and we have those who like to shame bad drivers with pictures on facebook. Amongst all of this craziness... we have heroes. Let me tell you about some.
---1 in 22. One veteran of Twenty-two. That One of 22 is a veteran or active duty soldier who has taken his life....... I perform backup vocals for the band Joe Jaber & The Last Divide and we were offered a gig to perform for Victory Gym in Brownstown, MI for their grand opening. The premise behind this non profit gym is so cool. Free membership for veterans so that they have a healthy and safe outlet for release amongst a family of those who can relate. It's a huge facility and the people there were welcoming and gracious that we were willing to donate our services. I was also also asked to perform the National Anthem before the official ribbon cutting ceremony that day. I've performed the National Anthem for plenty of events around town, but the pressure I had put upon myself this time was intense. There was just something about the "land of the free, home of the brave" part that struck me. I knew that when I performed those lines, it meant something much different to me
than it did to those present. 1 in 22 is such a horrible statistic that has stuck with me. Those who have such courage during battle feel defeated and worthless when they come home. Fast forward to this past summer when the gym had awarded the band with a certificate of appreciation for support of our nation's veterans. I could have never imagined I would be recognized for, what was to us was another gig, but to them was an important acknowledgement of support. You are never alone. This is what we got folks. We have each other.
---"It's a good day". That's what it says on the cover photo for the Facebook page of the late Ortheia Barnes. I really have to thank bluesman, Paul Miles for introducing me to such an amazing talent. We recorded together with The Original Vandellas and Eliza Neals for his "Save Detroit" project. It didn't take me long to realize what a presence Ortheia had that day. She was a queen. And lord... that voice!!! I felt all of her history, her love, and her patience in just a simple melody that she soloed. Paul knew that Ortheia was a true treasure of Detroit and wanted the people know that she still had that voice and that she was still movin. He wrote an album for her to record her voice...one last time. I was grateful to be asked to record backup vocals on this album. As morbid as it all seemed, it was really quite joyous the whole time. I won't forget her tune, "Heaven Bound". Mind you, she was recording lyrics about her upcoming death BEFORE Bowie had. Amy Saari, Maria
Wade, and I were in a tiny cold recording booth doing our ohhs and ahhs, and she kept wanting us to re-record. She wanted us to sing our backups with a sound of peace and joy and NOT in a depressing and sad way. Going to "the light" was to be a joyous event!!!! Fast forward to the 2016 Detroit Music Awards. Her cd, " I Was The One", had won for Outstanding Gospel/ Christian recording!!!! Being that I was on the recording, I was entitled to a trophy. It now proudly sits on my shelf amongst other honors, but hers always reminds me that despite all of the craziness, that "It's A Good Day".
I don't perform for awards, though it feels good. I don't perform for applause, though I like that too. I mostly perform for myself because I like the challenge and I live for the joy that it can bring to others. A break in our day that takes us out of the world of media and out of that rat race called life and into a space of peace and love.
Please tell me how you are. It's been a while. Find your passion and find ways do it everyday!!!
Movin on up,
Chrissy Morgan
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*SING*STRETCH*SAVE*INSPIRE*
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** ********************Good INTERNET Karma*********************** CLICK HERE!!! Listen to this video and make a donation to Victory Gym. Please direct a veteran you know to VHC for a free gym membership. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=698k2aMtvJQ)
** **********************INTERNET FUN*********************** CLICK HERE!!! To hear a story from Ortheia about LOVE! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Du6bt70IJrY)
** Ortheia Barnes-Official Video-2016-Detroit Music Winner-"Heaven Bound" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHDdM0l_PPE)
Listen to Ortheia's song, "Heaven Bound". Purchase her CD at ** https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/i-was-the-one/id1112119694 (https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/i-was-the-one/id1112119694)
When Can You See Chrissy Morgan Perform Next???
Wed, Oct 26 -- Chrissy Morgan, Susie Woodman, & Pete Peltier jazz trio -- Tom's/ Detroit
Sat, Oct 29 -- Chrissy Morgan & Susie Woodman -- Riviera Cinema/ Farmington Hills
Thu, Nov 3 -- Chrissy Morgan & Susie Woodman -- Cork/ Pleasant Ridge
Sat, Nov 5 -- Chrissy Morgan & Bruce Farrell -- Dragonmead Brewery/ Warren
Wed, Nov 23 -- Bricktown Station -- Cabbage Patch Saloon/ Grosse Pointe Park
Wed, Nov 30 -- Chrissy Morgan & Susie Woodman -- PJ's Lager House/ Detroit
Sat, Dec 3 -- Chrissy Morgan & Susie Woodman -- 8 Degrees Plato/ Detroit
Thu, Dec 8 -- Chrissy Morgan & Susie Woodman -- Cork/ Pleasant Ridge
Fri, Dec 16 -- Chrissy Morgan & Susie Woodman -- Botsford Senior Center/ Farmington Hills
For an updated list or to find more information about any show: ** www.ChrissyMorgan.com (http://www.chrissymorgan.com)
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** (https://www.youtube.com/user/cmorgan75)
** (http://www.twitter.com/chrissynowknows)
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