Detroit December 2018. At the holidays, we miss so many who have passed away. It can be really hard. We want to thank Donne in Musica and Patricia Adkins Chiti for all our shows/tours in Italy. We were honored to perform in Rome, Frascati and Fiuggi in 2006, 2011 and 2014 with Donne in Musica. Patricia was a huge proponent of women’s music, women’s rights and woman musicianship throughout Italy and Europe and a great artist. Donne in Musica is a multi-cultural Italian and European music foundation of which we were really honored to be a part of – they are continuing on the work. Patricia and I last talked early this year, and I’m sad to hear she has passed away. We had a beautiful stage every time, where we performed and were cheered on by beautiful crowds and by Patricia and the outstanding organization, Donne In Musica. Also, on request, I sang “The Song of Fiuggi” in Italian on one of the shows. Thank you, grazie, for everything, hope to meet up again when we play back overseas! http://composeralliance.org/in-memoriam-patricia-adkins-chiti/
This year has been a fast one. With much airplay for my previous catalogue and our recent album “Afterthought,” which was again nominated for several awards and also on The Grammy Awards First Ballot 2018 for Best Rock Album (thank you!) I’ve begun checking out my new songs and recording for a new album with Scott Dailey. The first song which is getting closer, “14 Miles of Bad Road,” is the beginning of a new adventure.It really is an unusual album and the songs are taking on new personalities and changes as we’re finishing up several more. Scott and I are readying up for the studio again soon.
January started fantastic! As mentioned, we were honored to be on the Grammy Awards First Ballot 2018 for Best Rock Album for “Afterthought.”And I was in New York City for the RoundGlass Music Awards, which were magnificent. There were so many great performers, including Grammy winners Ricky Kej and Wouter Kellerman. My sister and I were at The Edison Ballroom party in Manhattan and throughout Greenwich Village, where I used to be quite a bit. There are many memories of so much there to be included soon. Grammy Weekend 2018 was great in Manhattan.
In February, Scott Dailey and I were back with Detroit Unplugged at Ferndale, Michigan’s Otus Supply with Barbara Payton, Mary McGuire and Ron Wolf – what a great night at Valentine’s week at Otus Supply – a great club with big sound adventure.
In March, the Detroit Music Awards called for us to perform at The Music Stand Detroit at a DMA Acoustic Showcase with many great artists – a good time. And I was nominated for Outstanding Rock Vocalist at The Detroit Music Awards – it was another big time in May at The Fillmore Detroit.
And in May, I also met with a publisher for working on my book in Detroit. It’s a big undertaking to be writing a book, and with new poetry and lyrics, some of the memoir is getting closer.
We also performed at PJ’s Lager House in May, which was a cool Memorial Day Weekend in Corktown, Detroit. Then moving to June, Scott Dailey and I were invited to perform at Detroit Music Weekend, where the beautiful Aretha Franklin had performed on the main stage the year before. It was pretty wild hearing The Jackson Five over on the stage as we walked out from our show at Music Hall Detroit. Aretha passed away in August, and it was an emotional time for everybody here in Detroit. We will miss you, Aretha.
In July, the new film by Chicagoan Mary Sommers (and former Detroiter) was brought to Detroit “Tough Luck: Detroit Stories” premiered at Cinema Detroit and also screened in Chicago. Featuring our song “Honesty” and interviews with playwrights, writers, artists, activists and musicians, including myself, it was a great opening.
In July, we were invited to perform back in the U.K. and it was a stellar trip! An honor always to be asked to perform in Europe, Scott and I performed in the U.K., where we had played before, but this time new venues! We were at Isle of Wight’s Rhythm Tree Festival in July and also in London, and at Hope and Anchor, the legendary punk rock bar in Islington, London where The Police got their start! Amazing shows, and we had good times onstage for our shows and off. We may be back in the U.K. performing next summer and are also looking at New York City and over in Eastern Europe.
We’re so grateful to The Isle of Wight and Rhythm Tree – performing with such great bands as The Brand New Heavies, Morcheeba and more – and to London’s Loud Women, and Hope and Anchor. See you soon again!Coming back to Detroit, we just missed our favorite, The Concert of Colors this year, but we had a great show with Detroit Unplugged’s Midsummer Night’s Dream at 20 Front Street with the fabulous Barbara Payton and marvelous Mary McGuire again. A sold out night at the magnificent 20 Front Street -thank you.
In August, I was on the Cranbrook Art Museum and Third Man Records Detroit’s Punk Rock Panel with Robert St. Mary – an honor to be at Third Man, with my previous (vintage) 
music possibly being re-released on a Third Man Records’ compilation album next year.
music possibly being re-released on a Third Man Records’ compilation album next year.August brought us to performances at the new Motor City Muscle Festival in downtown Detroit at the Spirit of Detroit Stage, and then a return to a fresh Arts, Beats & Eats show with guest violinist Leslie DeShazor – an eclectic Saturday in Royal Oak, Michigan.
In September, I also performed at the State Fair Michigan Mega Jam with Nadir Omowale, The Gasoline Gypsies, Laura Rain and so many more Detroit artists. It was so hot and the carnival was in full swing! With Three Chord Bourbon sponsoring our shows there, it was a goodbye to summer State Fair day in Michigan. It was also the start of a new school year and radio DJ shifts at Ferndale Radio at The Rustbelt Market. My students went on great field trips this year with me, including the Detroit Auto Show, Little Caesar’s Arena, the Detroit Zoo and MCTI near Kalamazoo, Michigan.
In November, I performed at 20 Front Street again for their 2nd Anniversary show with Mary McGuire, Abigail Stouffer, Nick Piunti, and Jeremy Kittel, among others, a super time.
I’m also honored to be included on the WHFR FM Radio’s Vinyl Detroit Compilation Release with my song “Ocean” and then a new album/EP vinyl being released shortly which is a surprise, coming soon. (Other news is coming shortly, including a Detroit Energy Asylum limited edition special vinyl coming out soon)
This December and once into January 2019, I’m back on the air with two Ferndale Radio DJ Shifts coming up Sunday, Dec. 16th from 1 to 3 pm and Saturday Dec. 22 from 5 to 7 pm – tune in if you’re in the Ferndale, Michigan area to 100.7 FM, broadcasting live from the festive and vintage Rustbelt Market. With a mix of songs from punk to reggae, to classical, jazz, soul, funk and some surprises, including local music, I’m excited.
More music news, shows and recording shortly, and a belated Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and Happiest New Year. Please take care of your health, and each other.
Love,
Carolyn xoxo
