jaimes

This is Vicki Johnson. I met Vicki through Girls’ Rock Camp ATL, where we discovered we had two things in common: we were both new drummers and both moms to six-year-old girls. As you can imagine, this is a pretty rare combination to have in common. The motherhood community is not exactly flooded with drummers. But if Vicki and I can help it, it will be soon!

Vicki started playing drums at Ladies Rock Camp, a weekend camp for women to learn new instruments, form a band, and perform a show. The camp also acts as a fundraiser for Girls’ Rock Camp. The next Ladies Rock Camp Atlanta is February 18-20. Registration is still open, so if you want a chance to meet some amazing women and play music, sign up now!

You can read more about Vicki and her drumming adventures in my interview with her at Tom Tom Magazine. Head on over there. It’s worth the click.

Is it just me, or are the 90s making a comeback? Everywhere I turn, bands from the 90s are doing reunion tours. (In the case of The Pixies, reunion tours of reunion tours.) There’s a new book out by Sara Marcus called Girls to the Front: The True Story of the Riot Grrrl Revolution. And there’s even an entire television series dedicated to the 90s art and music scene, which is still alive and well in at least one American city. Hello, Portland.

Is this a sign that we’re discontent with the present time? Is the first decade (plus change) of the new millennium just not cuttin’ it? (more…)

One of the greatest surprises about parenthood is how children help us tap back into that purely creative spot of childhood- the place where our imagination and dreams are limitless. Where monsters hide in closets, instruments blow bubbles, swords are made of foam, and landscapes come in whatever colors we choose.

In adulthood, this spot that was once so fertile becomes overgrown with real-life practicalities, responsibilities, and expectations. But it doesn’t have to be that way. At least not every second of every day. And definitely not at bedtime when we tuck our little ones in and have a chance to squeeze in one last message that will set the mood for their dreams that night. And now we have a book to help guide us and our children to the magical place where dreaming big doesn’t stop when you wake up for school in the morning.

Dallas Clayton has managed to stay tapped into the fantasy well of childhood and dream up a book kids, parents, and teachers are loving. An Awesome Book is bursting at the seams with imagination, hope, adventure, love, and playfulness: all of the ingredients of a great children’s story, and the real-life story of a father-turned-author.

What I really appreciate about An Awesome Book is that it started as a pure DIY effort. Clayton wrote and illustrated the book for his son, and then decided to share it with others. The book took off big time. And after reading it, I can see why.

Check out Dallas Clayton describing how his day dreams, night dreams, and fantasies have all rolled into one incredible life. 

You can find An Awesome Book locally in Atlanta at The Seed Factory ,and read or purchase Clayton’s books online at a very awesome world.

Yay dreams!

Joni Mitchell
Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Producer, Artist, Mother of Kilauren

For those of us who are snowed in today or any day this winter, here’s a few ideas borrowed from Joni Mitchell on how to spend your time and unblock your creativity.

“At the point where I’m trying to force something and it’s not happening, and I’m getting frustrated with, say, writing a poem, I can go and pick up the brushes and start painting. At the point where the painting seems to not be going anywhere, I go and pick up the guitar.”

Donna Reed, January 27, 1921 – January 14, 1986

I had a dream the other night that I was in an old movie along with my best friends. We were stranded in a glamorous 1940s hotel where a murder mystery was being solved. But my friends and I didn’t care about the mystery; we were too excited about the ballroom. Leave it to us to ignore the troubles of the world and go dancing.

I’m a big fan of movies and television from the 40s and 50s. When I was growing up, I loved watching Lucille Ball and Donna Reed rule the roost in her own way. The Donna Reed Show was in syndication on Nick at Nite, and I watched it religiously along with I love Lucy, Bewitched, and Gidget. Of course there are plenty of criticisms you can throw at these shows for simplifying and idealising the American home life into caricatures of gender roles, family values, and stereotypes. But behind the scenes, these women were definitely ruling the roost. (more…)

I’m SO excited to announce that I am now a contributing writer for Tom Tom Magazine, a magazine dedicated to female drummers. I’ll be doing a monthly online post about motherhood and musicianship and also profiling female drummers in the Atlanta area.

Tom Tom is an incredible magazine offering everything girls need for inspiration, know-how, and information on playing drums. As much as I appreciate the tips and talent that is showcased in mainstream musician magazines and websites, females are not typically represented. Tom Tom is working hard to fill that void for girls who play drums, and I am seriously honored to be included in the magazine.

Head on over to Tom Tom to read my first post on how I finally got the nerve to play drums.