The Rock Star Declaration – Day 1

I woke up this morning and decided to claim “I am a Rock Star!” I posted it on Facebook and decided I was going to act the part of a successful artist in advance of actually having the career that matches that statement.

I’ve watched enough “law of attraction”, “positive affirmation” and “I am” programs now, that I thought it might be the next level of action that would help me evolve into this person. I am supposed to stake my claim!

Now, I’ve had, over the years, enough fear and doubt around my music to fill up the Milky Way, and it is a constant effort to remind myself “I can do this.” “I can be this.” “I can handle this.” Particularly without real solid support personally, from a manager, family, agent or significant other. I am truly out there, doing this, on my own. And, quite frankly, no one really understands what this means for me and I’ve quit trying to explain it.

Do I have what it takes to build my music business? As a small business artist? On my own? The way other organizations are built? With a limited budget? Winning the 2011 British Airways Face of Opportunity Contest truly gave me the confidence to believe I could build my business, without a record label. I parted ways with my UK label, in part because of the confidence I gained during the competition and in part because they were unable to move my music career forward. I proved to myself I could handle much more responsibility and proved that my business building skills were more solid than I ever realized. That is what a win and Top 10 Video designation got me! It also reminded me of an old saying from my mother, which was “never let anyone do for you what you can do for yourself.” And, I think taking my foot off the pedal to have a label step in and work with me with no results, is a great example of this statement. Technically I lost time, but in reality it was a wonderful experience, moving me forward still to this place I am today.

So, today I :
1) decided to saunter to the Subway instead of schelpp.
2) decided to dress up in my white denim GAP jeans, black lace a-line blouse, Pianegonda sterling silver rock star necklace, Prada sunglasses and vintage Louis Vuitton back pack and look like a Rock Star (I got a few compliments today!) – translation – DRESS like a Rock Star!
3) spent the day: sorting out my photos for retouching on my album insert for the physical CD I will produce, working with an editor on my album insert, drafting an email to fans to announce my upcoming album release, contacting NARAS (The Grammy organization) to learn about entry dates and release dates for Grammy consideration for this year versus next which will clearly impact my release date, speaking with British Airways, creating a better draft of my Night Flight to London music video treatment, sending off photo/bio/mp3 files to UK internet radio station who wants to play my music, obtaining directions to radio station in New Jersey on whose show I will be interviewed on August 1, 2011, tweeting, foursquareing, facebooking, and blogging.

It is fair to say I absolutely love what I do. I am really excited to finally be able to share my music. I can’t wait to get some reaction, as it is completely untested, untried and unknown. It is going to be a singular experience for me as I find out.

Haiti Program Seeking to Air on PBS Needs Your Help!

Michele Mitchell of Film@11, is a dynamic young women whom I met during the British Airways Face of Opportunity events in New York and London. As a fellow winner for 2011, she was headed to London for meetings and to further expand her content to international markets along with the group. She formerly worked for Bill Moyers and even won a Gracie Award and also anchored for CNN at one point. She has authored several books and worked on Capital Hill. And, she has reported extensively from Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Israel, West Bank, Jordan, Morocco, Libya and just about all 50 states. A very accomplished young woman! That background makes her an ideal person to create a program on what is happening in Haiti, after the tragic earthquake.

Michele, upon learning I work as a fundraising consultant (when I’m not singing!), asked me to become involved in her Haiti project. Essentially this Haiti project is really a TV program. Michele is seeking funding in order to return to Haiti to film one last bit of the show (a lot has changed recently) and also pay the fees required to air the program on PBS. Since the focus of the program is that the money individuals have donated is not exactly getting to where it needs to, it is a timely piece and gets the viewer to question the system and think about how donor dollars flow. It also makes it tough for companies to donate toward this project, since they are the same people encouraging employees to donate, according to Michele Mitchell.

Currently, a fundraising campaign is live using the new crowd sourcing platform, IndieGoGo. And, as fate would have it, Danae Ringelman, one of the Founders of IndieGoGo, is a fellow British Airways Face of Opportunity winner whom we both met on the trip to London. We wanted to support her platform with our first crowd sourcing efforts.

All that said, I’d love it if you would take 3 minutes and watch this video. I think it is compelling and Michele makes a great case for supporting this type of program, especially while the situation in Haiti runs the risk of falling from people’s minds. Also, this donation is tax deductible!

Check out the Listing here:

http://www.indiegogo.com/project/widget/28647?a=70956

I appreciate your support. If you like what you see, be sure to share with others who may be interested and via social media. We want to go viral! And, of course, reach our goal, which is $7,000.

In addition to this crowd sourcing campaign, I will be helping Michele Mitchele with two private fundraising events in Miami and New York City. I will keep you posted on those also!

Jennie Walker
www.jenniewalker.com

Announcing JennieGirl (TM) Music

Today is the official announcement of my new record label, JennieGirl Music. This label will release my debut album “Night Flight to London” as well as create branded merchandise and products around the JennieGirl TM Brand. There will be fun games, stories, music, merchandise and more. Check out the new LOGO, created by Cornwall England based Eliot Eastman of Eli Designs.

Move over American Girl, JennieGirl (TM) is here!