Jen's Blog

More Mraz

Tue, 15 May 2012 09:19:00 GMT

Right now, I'm up a little late, watching an incredible video of Jason Mraz performing with the outstanding Mona Tavakoli (from Raining Jane). This video is just a small part of a live performance they recorded in London not long ago. I am, in a word, completely and utterly, mesmerized. I'm loving EVERY minute of it!!

I'm a studio girl. :-) Meaning, musically speaking, my favorite place to be in this world is in the recording studio (specifically with Frank Starchak as my producer). I love to write. I love to create. And, more than anything, I love to bring in the 'bare bones' of a song and I love to let that song tell me everything that it wants to be.

I used to perform in front of live audiences - A LOT - and I still love doing that from time to time. But where I truly 'shine' is in the studio. It makes my heart sing to breathe a little bit of life into a brand new song. I love the feeling of not quite knowing where the song wants to go. I love stepping back and just letting it be whatever it wants to be whenever it 'grows up' - if it even chooses to grow up at all. Some songs just want to be left alone - maybe just a little guitar and vocal. And that's okay too. Not every song needs to be some fully produced 'masterpiece.' Sometimes the masterpiece is in just allowing something that wants to be heard - to be heard. I love writing about things that people are afraid to talk about. Things that sometimes make people feel uncomfortable. I love being completely vulnerable with my music. I love taking an idea and then running with it, hanging on until its completion, then completely letting go.

And now, in both my life outside the studio and in my music, I'm learning to let go even more. I'm grateful for the learning and for all the blessings in my life. And the music - I'm so grateful for all the music in my life.

Thanks for listening. And thanks for helping me find - myself.

And thank you Jason and Mona - for Everything...

Much much love always,
~Jen

Another day, another dream

Thu, 03 May 2012 08:58:00 GMT

Sitting at home after a lovely day spent at Deltona Records. Today's session was with Adrian Tristan Sutton and, of course, the incredible Frank Starchak. Adrian and I sang another beautiful song together for Steve Lawson. Steve's songs are both inspirational and uplifting. Today I left the studio feeling completely transformed. I love working with Frank, Steve and Adrian. The chemistry we all have together is exciting - and, as always, I am completely 'at home' in the studio.

The session today was another huge success and I'm so grateful to have the honor of working with such talented, giving and loving people. Singing is my 'job' although it certainly never feels like work, especially on days like today! :-)

So, tonight I'll go to bed filled with all the many things I am most grateful for in this world - and at the top of my list this evening is the gift of being able to do what I love (singing and recording) and being able to share it with such incredible people. I truly am blessed...I hope this blog finds you feeling just as blessed in your corner of the world.

With love always,
~Jen

Acupuncture

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 01:05:00 GMT

Have been feeling just a bit un-balanced and un-centered lately. Lots of changes going on in the Universe at this point - with the changes in the lives of those I love the most being the most challenging to deal with these days. One thing that is a HUGE help to me is my weekly acupuncture session with Stephanie Irzyk at New Direction in Altamonte Springs. (http://newdirectionnaturalmedicine.com/) Stephanie is amazing and every acupuncture session I have with her leaves me feeling more and more relaxed, balanced and centered.

Meditation is another thing that is a huge help to me. I've been an 'off and on' meditator for over two years, but over the past few weeks, I've gotten back into it seriously (meaning - on a daily basis) and it's already made a major difference in my life.

And finally, walking - every day - is helping me to remember to stay connected and grounded. There's just something about being out in nature, watching the eagles soar high above the trees, feeling the sun warm on my skin, breathing in all the fresh air - it all helps to remind me what's 'real' and really important in this life.

Sending you lots of peace, love and harmony on this glorious day of all that is...

Love always,
~Jen

Jen's Blog: Music brings me HOME...

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 08:51:00 GMT

Jen's Blog: Music brings me HOME...: Dear Jason Mraz - I'm not sure that you'll ever read this, but I'm finding it a 'must' to write to you anyway. I just bought your new albu...

Music brings me HOME...

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 08:45:00 GMT

Dear Jason Mraz -

I'm not sure that you'll ever read this, but I'm finding it a 'must' to write to you anyway. I just bought your new album, 'Love is a Four Letter Word' and, as usual, I'm finding myself at every song and every turn. I've loved you and your music for what seems like for ever and I'm very grateful for some new music from you. :-)

I'm overjoyed to report that my incredible fiance, Tim, is taking me to see you perform live in Tampa in August, just a few short months from now - and I'm excited! He knows what a huge fan of yours I am and he and I are both excited that I'll be sharing your terrific music with him. He's about to get an education and I'm about to share something I have a HUGE passion for.

I feel you on a deep level and, as always, your music and your message both move me. As a songwriter myself, I'm grateful for your message and your inspiration. As a matter of fact, you and your new music have inspired me so much, it's time to go and do a bit of writing of my own.

Thank you for reminding me of our 'ONE-ness' and our 'Same-ness.' You rock - and you're the best! Much love to you!! !

Love always,
~Jen

Just because

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 07:27:00 GMT

Happy Easter!

In my mind, this is a time of rebirth - and I'm grateful for it. A lot of things in my life are shifting and changing right now - and I couldn't be more grateful for the transition.

As far as my music goes, I'm enjoying an incredibly warm reception and a lot of support regarding my new album, Remnants of the Fall. I'm so happy that people are enjoying the music and continue to be moved by it. I'm also enjoying quite a bit of radio play on Jango internet radio, which I'm also grateful for.

In other news, I spent another wonderful day at the studio, singing for Barbara Vu. I continue to be moved by her songs and I'm so blessed to be working for/with her. I've got another day scheduled with her next week and I'm already looking forward to it.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday weekend!!

Lots of love,
~Jen

Jen Stackpole Radio!

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 06:36:00 GMT

Just a quick note to say that you can now hear my music on Jango internet radio! The link is: http://www.jango.com/music/Jen+Stackpole?l=0

Please check it out when you have a chance! Thanks so much!!

Love always,
~Jen

Home

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 03:32:00 GMT

So, I've been in the studio quite a bit lately. No, not working on my own material again just yet. Lately, I've had the extreme joy and privilege of singing for other people. I've been working closely with Steve Lawson, Dave Cooper and Barbara Vu.

I've worked with Steve Lawson on several of his songs in the past and it is always joyful and uplifting to sing for him. I'm looking forward to singing on another one of his incredible songs sometime in April.

Yesterday was the first day I've had the privilege of working on a Dave Cooper song. It was a terrific country tune and I had a lot of fun singing on it!

And today, I had the immense honor of working with Barbara Vu again. She is an incredible woman and she writes the most beautiful music! Her songs are always from the heart and it is truly an honor for me every time I get to sing for her. I've got another session with her next week and I'm already looking forward to it!

I guess you could say that I feel the most 'at home' when I'm in the recording studio. Whether I am working on my own music or singing for someone else, I am happy as a lark - just to be in the studio. I especially love working with my producer, Frank Starchak. I've been working with him since 2005 and I am so blessed to still be with him now. He's always made me feel comfortable - not to mention safe. Anytime I get to work with him, I am a happy gal!

Long story short, there are only two places in this world where I feel the most comfortable, at peace, connected to God, happy, etc, etc (the list goes on...): my fiance's arms (that's #1) and the recording studio. In both places, I feel as if I am truly - HOME.

New CD, Remnants of the Fall, NOW available!

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 22:17:00 GMT

Hi there!

This is just a quick note to let you know that my brand new CD, Remnants of the Fall, is NOW finally available!! :-) I'm SO excited to share this album with you!! It's taken me 4 1/2 years to finish it and it's been worth the wait, I promise you! I've put everything I've got into this CD and I'm so anxious for you to hear it!

So, here's the deal - the price of the CD (it's actually a double album!) is $30 (USD). This includes shipping and handling, as well as a copy of my last CD of original music, Leap of Faith. At this point, I am able to accept payments through PayPal as well as check or money order. Within the next few months, this CD will be also be available through CD Baby, iTunes, Rhapsody, Yahoo Music, Amazon, etc. But, for now, it's only available by emailing your order directly to me at: jenstackpolemusic@yahoo.com.

Thanks so much for all your love and support! Can't wait to share the CD with you!!

Love always,
~Jen

Michael Jackson: IMMORTAL

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 03:47:00 GMT

Last night my incredible fiance took me to the Amway Center to see Michael Jackson: the Immortal World Tour (by Cirque du Soleil). I've been one of Michael's biggest fans my entire life and I can't even put into words what I experienced when I saw Cirque's moving tribute to Michael and his legacy.

In true Cirque du Soleil style - EVERYTHING - about the show was top notch and nothing less than perfect! I think Michael would have been proud. What I loved the most about the show is that the creators of it 'got' Michael. They understood what a loving and compassionate human being he was, as well as how much he loved and cared for both Mother Earth and the children on this planet. The creators also understood what Michael's fans meant to him and how music was his true connection to Spirit.

Every musical number carried with it an important message - in addition to being visually stimulating and, ultimately, absolutely entertaining. I was overwhelmed by emotion on more than one occasion and was on my feet dancing like crazy by the end.

I miss Michael so much - it's hard to put into words. But last night, for the first time since his passing, I felt as if he was alive and well once again. He lives on through his music, of course. He also lives on through his fans. And, finally he lives on through every performer and musician in Immortal.

Thank you, Michael - for impacting my life (and my songwriting and music) in such incredible ways. Thank you for being a light in the darkness and thank you for your unending love.

And thank you, Cirque du Soleil for your heartwarming, toe tapping, incredible tribute to Michael - both the man AND his music.

Love always,
~Jen

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 06:26:00 GMT

So, today is Valentine's Day. :-) Yes, I'm smiling about it - do you know why? Because love is all around - ALWAYS! To be honest with you, I used to hate Valentine's Day. Most years, it just reminded me of how alone I felt. But lately, something has changed for me in my life - and I'm so incredibly grateful for it. First of all, yes, I have the love of an incredible man in my life. We're engaged and will be getting married later this year. He has helped me to truly love and enjoy Valentine's Day once again.

In addition to that, I've started to recognize that love is everywhere - always and all the time. It flows through us constantly, even if and when we don't recognize it. I'm grateful for it. And I'm grateful I'm surrounded by people I love. I hope you are too.

Happy Valentine's Day!

With love - today and always,
~Jen

the birth of a new baby

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:50:00 GMT

So, after 4 1/2 years of joy, love, pain, sorrow, learning, laughter and patience, I'm FINALLY ready to release my latest album. It's a 2 CD set full of everything I have ever had to give. Throughout the creation of this album, I've laughed, cried, pulled my hair out and shouted for joy. There were days where I thought I would never finish it and there were times where I couldn't get enough of being in the studio working on it. It's been the biggest part of my life for the better part of the last 4 years and I'm so anxious to share it with all of you! It should be available late February or early March 2012 and I'll let you know as soon as it is! Thanks so much for all your love and support!

Happy Holidays!!

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:00:00 GMT

In just a few days, we'll be celebrating Christmas. It's hard to believe it's here already. It seems like Thanksgiving was just yesterday. And here I sit, still as grateful as can be - for the many incredible blessings in my life. I'm grateful for the important 'stuff,' which - as it turns out - really isn't 'stuff' at all. It's the people in my life I am most grateful for. It's my family, and my friends (who are truly like family) that I am grateful for.

If I could have just one wish filled this year, just one present delivered...it would be for the people I love and care about most in this world to be happy - to be at peace. That's it. That's all I want. And, when I stop and think about it, that's all I've ever really wanted.

Tomorrow, I'm flying up north with my fiance to visit family for a week. We're both excited - and we know it's going to be a good Christmas. :-)

I hope it is for you, too. I hope peace and love find you wherever you are. And I hope you take time to be grateful about the truly important 'stuff' in your life.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Much much love,
~Jen

Christmas time is here...

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:06:00 GMT

So, once again the holidays are upon us? Is it just me or does it seem like Christmas approaches faster and faster every year? In any event, I wish you and yours the loveliest and most blessed of holiday seasons.

Here is my Christmas wish list for 2011:

~world peace - or, if we're not quite ready for peace around the world yet, I'd settle for people being nice to each other while they're out shopping for Christmas - maybe even let someone else have that prime parking spot... (that's a good start)

~ I'd like for everyone on the planet to feel loved - no matter where they are, what they've done or what they've been through

~ I'd like for our brave service men and women to be able to spend the holidays - at home - safe and sound surrounded by their friends, family and anyone else who celebrates their service and sacrifice

~ I'd like for my family to know how much I love and appreciate them

~ I'd like for my friends to know how much I love and appreciate them

~ I'd like for my fans to know how much I love and appreciate them

~ I'd like for every child on earth to have a safe place to call home and more than enough food to eat

~ I'd like to see an end to people arguing, fighting and killing each other in the name of religious righteousness - over whose God is better...all roads lead to Heaven and we can create that Heaven right here on earth...

~ I'd like to live to see the day when we have just one flag - representing the entire world - when are we going to realize that we cannot judge, criticize, condemn or kill anyone else, without first doing the same thing to ourselves?

I suppose this isn't my entire list but, sort of like being nice to each other in the parking lot while going to shop at Target, it's a good start...

My biggest wish this holiday season however, is that Christmas finds you at peace and feeling so very, very loved...because you are...

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!

Love always,
~Jen

the journey

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:19:00 GMT

I realize that the actual 'juice' in the journey has absolutely NOTHING to do with the final destination - what you think you're going to 'get' or how you think you're going to feel once you 'get' there. It's about the journey itself. It's about being brave enough to GIVE as much as you can - every step of the way.

Birthday!

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:23:00 GMT

So, now that it is after midnight here on the east coast, it is technically my birthday! :-) I'm only 13 minutes in and, already, this is my best birthday yet. I don't know how to explain it other than, by saying that I am simply grateful for my life in general.

Right now, I'm finishing up my latest album. This particular album has taken me 4 years and a LOT of blood, sweat and tears to finish - I couldn't be more proud of it. It's a double CD and I can't wait to release it.

In other areas of my life, I have an amazing family - I'm grateful beyond words for that. I also have an incredible fiance. :-) Not surprisingly, I'm grateful or that as well.

But, in general, I'm most grateful for Life itself. I'm grateful to be so connected to the Divine and I'm grateful that I'm being given the chance to grow and give more than I have already.

Much love - and more soon,
~Jen xoxo

mastering

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 07:42:00 GMT

Just another quick update to let you all know that our mastering sessions are going really well!! Everything sounds simply incredible!!! It make me even MORE excited to share this album with all of you!! :-)

If all goes well, we'll finish with the mastering this upcoming Friday. Then, next week, I'll work on the album artwork, liner notes, etc and then have it sent off to be duplicated. My intention is to be able to release the album sometime around Thanksgiving, but I'll keep you posted on the exact date once I have it.

Hope you're doing well in your corner of the world. More soon!!

Lots of love,
~Jen

Day 1 =complete success!!

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 07:56:00 GMT

Just a quick update to let you all know that Day 1 of my mastering project was a complete success!! I'm SO excited about how this album is shaping up - I CAN'T WAIT to share it with all of you!!! If you'd like to see a couple of the videos from today, please check out my facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/jenstackpole or take a look at my YouTube page. Thanks so much (as always) for all your love and support!! I'll update soon with more news from the studio!!

Love always,
~Jen

new album update

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:46:00 GMT

Just a quick update to let you all know that I'm headed into the studio all this week to master my new album!! I'm SO excited!! This album has been 4 years in the making and I'm so happy that it's almost ready to share with all of you!

I'm hoping to be able to release it sometime around Thanksgiving, but I'll definitely keep you posted on all the details!

Much love,
~Jen

Performance TONIGHT! :-)

Sat, 06 Aug 2011 20:25:00 GMT

I'm performing a set of my original music at the Deltona Arts Center Coffee House Singer/Songwriter Showcase TONIGHT!! Hope you can make it!! Details are posted below! :-)

THE WORD IS SPREADING!

Deltona Coffee House is swiftly becoming the Central Florida avant garde cozy venue to experience original music; true artists sharing their craft with the house audience and viewers worldwide over the internet.

Central Florida Songwriters are in the spotlight this Saturday. Comedian/Magician, Tim Piccirillo will emcee.

The songwriters... Jen Stackpole, Javion, Linda Sylvester, Daya & Chris and Jeff Mason.

THIS SATURDAY

August 6, 2011, Time: 7pm

Admission Donation: $2.

Deltona Coffee House
682 Deltona Blvd., Deltona, FL 32725 / info: 407-923-1878

Deltona Coffee House is an outreach of Deltona Arts & Historical Center, a 501c3 non-profit.