One Year of Songs

*If you have trouble streaming the video, try watching it on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C_lSaktzms&feature=channel_video_title 

365/365 - "One Year" - Here we go. My last post of "One Year of Songs"…and I am at a loss for words.

When I first got in the car (we're headed to Dove Creek, CO for a little post-tour r&r) I pushed play on my iTunes "365 Songs" playlist. I thought that shuffling thru my songs from this past year would inspire me to find my last message to you guys. However, I find myself distracted by the array of memories flooding my mind as I pass thru each song.

For example, I'm listening to 243/365 - "A Forest" right now. I wrote this one while I was in Virginia preparing for tour. This came at a time when I had basically stopped writing completely and was giving up on myself and the project. You see, my grandfather had just passed away and I was feeling incredibly worn out. So, my Dad, being the awesome person that he is, wrote lyrics for me about something that he knew I would connect with: a forest. He knew it would be something that would bring me peace, despite the fact that I was feeling the opposite. The memories that flood my mind: my backyard, my Poppy, my Dad, sad times, finding peace thru writing…

Next we have 60/365 - "He's Not For You" HA! Well, I was in a bit of a sticky situation during this time and was giving myself advice thru music. It's the only time I'll actually listen to my own advice. Looking back on this song just makes me laugh because I have grown so much since then. Long subway walks, Brooklyn, my apartment in NYC, the politics of relationships...

Let's see, what's next? 359/365 - "One Day". I just recently wrote this one. It reminds me of the closing of this project and the opening of my heart. I've gone thru some crazy battles with love over this year but, like music, it has remained a constant in my life. Thru writing I have seen so many different sides of love and thanks to "One Year of Songs" I finally know what I want and, even more importantly, DESERVE. Peanut butter, Ashland, California, and finally understanding how to write an honest love song…

I have documented every single day of the past year. I could list more songs for you guys and relay to you, in detail, the memories attached to each and every song, each and every day, each and every moment. Before October 1st, 2010 I was feeling, for lack of a better word, small. Most of my days were not memorable. I was constantly begging creativity to knock on my door and then pushing it away when I was "busy". I was so tired of feeling "less than" and standing in my own way. I wanted something MORE. When I first started this project, my goal, should I actually make it to day 365, was to be able to comfortably call myself a "singer/songwriter". It wasn't about finding fans, getting "famous", or gaining publicity. It was about becoming comfortable with myself, familiar with creativity, and obtaining better songs made by my own hands. I wanted to live, eat, sleep, breathe, and create music. I wanted something that I could look back on and say: "That was a huge thing I just did and I am proud of myself."

Well…this was a huge thing I just did and I am proud of myself.

So, what about YOU? What are YOU going to do? What is YOUR "One Year of Songs"? You are all so inspiring. You helped me complete this monumental goal of mine. There is no way I could not have completed this project without each one you. I had a fleet of people behind me, encouraging me every day, telling me I could do it. Through it all, you were there. I hope that one day I can return the favor to you all. Set a goal, reach for the stars, and just keep walking. I am now a firm believer in community and I promise you, I will be there to help you along. I owe it to you.

And now, wIthout further ado, I present to you all the final song of "One Year of Songs":

"One Year"

The Fall was crisp with adventure

The leaves came alive with color

And so did my dreams

At the start of October

Promises of failure

But determined to succeed

I searched for music inside of me

I searched for music inside…of me

As Winter snow fell down

Heartache bared its teeth

But with each not I sang

Music healed me

Like the friend that never left my side

It pulled me into Spring

And I searched for music inside of me

I searched for music inside…of me

Summer came and I hit the road

WIth a plan on my mind

To listen to the music

Without rhythm, without rhyme

Each burst of creativity

Set my soul free

And I found that music lived inside of me

All along music lived inside of me

And I found that music lived inside…of me

Music lived inside of me

So whats your dream?

Whats your goal?

What you gonna learn on your Summer road?

Believe when I say, what a difference one year makes

Just reach out your hand cause life is for the taking

And records are set so that someone will break them

You are powerful and you inspired me

To find the music inside of me (3x)

You helped me find the music inside of me (2x)

The Fall is crisp with adventure

The leaves are alive with color

And so are my dreams

At the start of THIS October.

P.S. I'll be posting video footage of me seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time soon. So, keep your eye out. And don't worry, this won't be the last you hear of me. I have a feeling this next year is going to be a good one...;)

364/365 - "The Tower" - After a fun night of celebrating the end of my project with Michelle in Las Vegas, I came home and wrote the final love song of "One Year of Songs". This is a big deal. If you have been following along this whole way then you know just as well as I that I am a writer of love songs. Some people are political writers or focus solely on world issues. Some songwriters write purely to keep the party hopping while others write to de-stress your life. I, however, love love and I love writing about love.

So, I decided that as my last love song I would write a love song from me to love. 

I am so thankful for this project. It has opened my eyes to so many things. Because of this beautiful journey I have met some amazing people along the way that, had "One Year of Songs" not found me (yes, IT found ME), I would never have met. One of the things I have learned is that it is indeed possible to have both love and career. This is big. At the start of this project I wasn't so sure and in the middle I REALLY wasn't sure...but now...well, I guess we'll see. 

"The Tower" is about not being able to build walls high enough to keep you away from what you ACTUALLY want. "The Tower" is my love song and a thank you to love. My tower isn't so high anymore these days and that's a pretty awesome feeling...

361/365 - "Cousin" - My cousins, Jeff and Cameron, have been super incredibly supportive this entire project. I was so impressed and honored when they both donated, on the same day, requesting a song written by me for them. I wanted to say thank you and let them know that their support, despite the distance from NYC & VA (and then all over the country while I've been touring), has really touched my heart and since I had the very same message to give to both of these gentlemen I decided to write one song for two people.

One thing I have learned over this year is how powerful a family can be when they all come together and just, well, love. I cannot tell you how much you all mean to me. Every. Single. One. Of. You.

Jeez. I'm not even done with this project and I'm already emotional. I just, man…I'm so honored to be apart of the Foard/Becraft/Wallin/Etc. clan.

YOU have inspired ME. Love you guys. So much.

359/365 - "One Day" -

We'll go to thailand

We'll sail the ocean

Climb those mountains we stared at in the morning sun

You'll plant that garden

And I'll write you those songs

We'll do all the things we wish for now

You'll give me those kisses you promised me tonight

And we'll wake up every morning by eachothers side

I'll meet your parents

And you'll meet mine

We'll do all the things we wish for now

CHORUS:

One day I'll be back

One day I'll stay

One day I won't have to go away

One day we won't have to say goodbye

That one day will come

One day soon

We'll make yogurt from scratch

I'll drink coffee

And you, green tea

Then on the same coast

We will watch our first sunset

We'll do all the things we wish for now

One day soon I'll pack my bags

Say some sad goodbyes to my past

And buy a one way ticket to you

We'll start a new list of things to do

358/365 - "Three Best Friends" - My "nephew" puppies, Chewie and Moxie, and my "kid" cat, Sallie, all donated to my tour fundraiser campaign. Their perk for donating was a song written for them and posted on my project website. I was just so amazed by their willingness to donate (and the fact that they all had credit cards), I knew I had to make it a good one. The end of this song was inspired by Zach Galifinakis' song in "The Hangover". When these three munchkins run around together in the house, my family often sings that song to them…just amazed by their pack like camaraderie.

I mean, they're just so stinkin' cute. How could I not write a song about them?

Thanks to Moxie, Chewie, and Sallie for their endless support and encouragement throughout this project. I just don't think I'd be able to make it without them…and their owners.