Melissa Jane Heads to the Grammy's

Melissa Jane, MJ to her fans and friends, is a recording artist in Boston who I have had the privilege to interview. She is a gorgeous, well-spoken, highly talented, and charming young lady who has been given an invitation to The 55th Annual Grammy Awards on February 10th, 2013 at the Staples Center in LA.

Melissa is scheduled to join A-list celebrities at the Roots’ Pre-Grammy Jam, the Official Grammy’s After Party and the Senate Music Group, LLC’s Pre-Grammy Tribute to the 2013 Grammy Nominee’s.

Melissa and I chatted recently and I asked her about how she will be adorned for this huge night. Melissa responded:

“My dress is being custom designed by Polina Pantyushina of Weymouth, MA, hair by my hair sponsor Salon Marc Harris (my stylist Oriana is flying out to LA for the event) and makeup by LA makeup artist Joanne Kang.”

There is no doubt Melissa will look stunning as she walks the red carpet at the Grammy’s and attends myriad parties!

The young, burgeoning singer will be accompanying major LA production and songwriting company, The Senate Music Group LLC, whose credits include Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Justin Timberlake, among others.

Last year proved to be an exciting one for this up and coming artist. Melissa Jane was nominated for Best Independent Artist at the Boston Nightlife Awards and she has been traveling to NYC and LA making major career moves.

“I couldn’t imagine living without music.” said Melissa Jane, who has been wowing audiences with her vocal power and presence since the early age of four. She has gone from performing in her family’s living room to legendary venues such as Boston’s Fenway Park, Paradise Rock Club, Hard Rock Cafe and Gillette Stadium.

Melissa is currently working on her new EP with RIO (Akon, Swizz Beats, Jada, Dropkick Murphy's), Devine Evans and the Senate (Rihanna, Britney Spears, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj) and a few other talented producers and songwriters.

Meanwhile, her single “Remember” can be heard in clubs and on radio in Tokyo, Buenos Aires, London, and down America’s east coast. Production team Tokyo Angel of Tokyo, Japan remixed the track for Barzet Records—hear it now on beatport.com.

It’s not every day I get to live vicariously through a lucky person attending the Grammy Awards, but this year I get to do so and you can, too. Find Melissa Jane on social media and see what she is up to, how the Grammy ensemble looks, and listen to her music.



ABOUT MELISSA JANE:


http://www.MELISSAJANE.com

http://www.facebook.com/MelissaJaneSings

http://www.twitter.com/MelissJaneMusic

http://www.youtube.com/MelissaJaneSings

This Is Not Goodbye...

So, I have returned, sort of. What was supposed to be a two week break to celebrate the holidays with my family morphed into a hiatus with no clear cut end in sight.

It’s not that I don’t love writing because I truly do. It’s just that I found I had run out of things to write about that pleased me. And that’s scary. I never have experienced such a “writer’s block” in all of my years of writing, but there is always a first for everything.

I thought about quietly walking away from Chief 187™Chatter, but some of my loyal readers called me out on that. And I really don’t want to walk away. I love this site and I adore my body of work I have created. But creating out of habit or, even worse, pressure, was depressing me.

Life is a work in progress. Change is inevitable. The only constant is Change.

And my life is constantly changing as I have children in the house.

My ten year old and six year old sons are involved in many extra-curricular activities that keep us out of the house every single week night. My daughter, at three, has completely abandoned her nap and requires ever more time and attention from me.

These read like excuses, but I cannot help it. I am blessed with a daily life and schedule that keeps me fully engaged in the here and now and leaves me little motivation to put “pen to paper”.

I’m not quitting, but I am cutting back. I’m not even sure what that means. It could be 3-4 blogs per week or it could be just one. Each week will be different but I have to be okay with that.

I know writing is vitally important to my well-being. I will always write. But I must let inspiration wash over me. I have to allow myself time to live my life so I can feel compelled to write about it in a natural – not forced – way.

It is not without much thought that I write these words. I have prided myself so much on writing daily (save weekends) for two years and five months with NO TIME OFF.

But this isn’t a “job”, it is a blog. It is my blog. And for it to continue to have integrity I must give myself a break.

Simple Joys will surface as often as possible as it continues to bring a fresh perspective and positive glow to my life.

I may begin a “Thankful Thursday” post that shines a light on my gratitude.

Media and Music blogs will be revisited over time, but not on a weekly basis.

Tantalizing Thursday will be retooled and published only when I am pleased with a recipe that has worked for me and my family.

I realize, sadly, that I may lose my wonderful and loyal readership when I alter the formula I had used for these last several years, but I must plod forward.

My hope is we can continue to meet here at Chief 187™Chatter to exchange ideas, spread a positive message, and strengthen our bond.

Again, I am not quitting, I’m simply changing my writing schedule to better suit my family and my needs.

My aim is to put out even better work on a time-table that compliments my life.

Thank you for visiting the site, reading my words, and offering your support. I do so hope you continue to check in on the site regularly and watch on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Google + for when I publish new works.

Until we meet again… Peace.

Best Of-Day 10 January 11th

Welcome to Day 10 of the “Best Of” Chief 187™Chatter.

As winter settles in I choose to imagine a world with warm breezes, the sound and smell of the ocean, and a fabulous pool bar!

The Friday Music Blog is the oldest running column I pen. It began sometime in late 2007 and has been a mainstay since. It seems that people inherently love music and love to write about their favorites. I simply offer a topic for which others to fill in their music.

The following is an example from July 20, 2012 entitled “Friday Music Blog-Pool Bar Edition”. I hope you enjoy and I truly hope you feel compelled to add your selections to the original post!

The Friday Music Blog will resume this year as well so please make it a part of your week-end fun!

http://chief187.blogspot.com/2012/07/friday-music-blog-pool-bar-edition.html

Best Of-Day 9 January 10th

Welcome to Day 9 of the “Best Of” Chief 187™Chatter.

In my forty years on this good Earth I have created a core set of beliefs. They are ever-expanding as I experience more, meet new people, and grow my horizons.

Still, my beliefs are the foundation of what makes me who I am.

Join me for “I Believe…Do You?” from August 10, 2011.

http://chief187.blogspot.com/2011/08/i-believe-do-you.html

Best Of- Day 8 January 9th

Welcome to Day 8 of the “Best Of” Chief 187™Chatter.

Today is my husband and my 20th Wedding Anniversary!

We are over-joyed to mark this milestone and feel lucky and blessed to have made this achievement in a world where divorce rates are astronomically high. We still love each other passionately, greatly, and without reserve.

Please join me for “The Whole Story (The Abridged Version)” published on January 9, 2011.

Although written two years ago, little has changed. My husband has earned his Master’s Degree (huge kudos for him for earning all of his degrees as an adult), and I began a career in writing and broadcasting, but overall the piece is complete.

Happy 20th Anniversary to the man I love always and forever!

http://chief187.blogspot.com/2011/01/whole-story-abridged-version.html

Best Of-Day 7 January 8th

Welcome to Day 8 of the “Best Of” Chief 187™Chatter.

In the Summer of 2011 Simple Joys took off in Cyberland enjoying a huge audience. Twitter was the facilitator that brought Simple Joys to so many. I no longer target promote Simple Joys so its numbers no longer match those of the posts of that glorious summer.

Here is the highest rated Simple Joys on record. It’s not especially extraordinary, it just happened to reach the farthest.

Enjoy Simple Joys from July 26, 2011. Who doesn’t miss summer right about now?

http://chief187.blogspot.com/2011/07/simple-joys_26.html

Best Of- Day 6 January 7th

Welcome to another week of “Best Of” on Chief 187™Chatter.

A couple of years ago I was reminded to live life as stress-free as best as possible. In this crazy world that is not always easy or plausible, but it is nonetheless vitally important.

As 2013 is still fresh and promising, resolutions are still being drafted, and optimism fills the air, try to promise yourself to live your best life as stress-free as possible.

Please enjoy this piece I entitled “Cheers to Life” on March 23, 2011.

http://chief187.blogspot.com/2011/03/cheers-to-life.html

Best Of-Day 5 January 4th

Welcome to Day 5 of the “Best Of” Chief 187™Chatter.

This is by far my most favorite post – besides Simple Joys – on Chief 187™Chatter.

It was my 13th blog ever and remains a star on the site. If you have never read it, please treat yourself. If you have, treat yourself again!

Lucky No. 13 – “The Art of the Kiss”

http://chief187.blogspot.com/2010/09/art-of-kiss.html

Best Of-Day 4 January 3rd

Welcome to Day 4 of the “Best Of” Chief 187™Chatter.

Back in the day I used to watch a lot more television in odd hours of the day.

I hope you enjoy this post where I employed some humor.

“Informercials”

http://chief187.blogspot.com/2011/03/infomercials.html

Best Of-Day 3 January 2nd

Welcome to Day 3 of the “Best Of” Chief 187™Chatter.

For many it is back to work and school after some time off for the Christmas/New Year’s holidays. It is sometimes difficult to get back into the swing of things whereas for others it is a relief to return to normalcy.

As I look back on my posts on Chief 187™Chatter it seems I am continuously searching for peace while striving for ever more in my life.

Please enjoy this piece I entitled “The Secret of Life” from March 2, 2011.

http://chief187.blogspot.com/2011/03/secret-of-life.html

"Best Of"-Day 2 January 1st

Welcome to Day 2 of the “Best Of” Chief 187™Chatter.

Happy New Year 2013!

One of the best beginnings for me was starting Simple Joys. It started as a “one off” but instantly gained a huge following and became my signature post. I have even taken it to the NASCAR crowd and they embraced it fully as well!

Today I’d like to share my first Simple Joys post (February 1, 2011). I hope you enjoy!

May your 2013 be filled with a bevy of Simple Joys!

http://chief187.blogspot.com/2011/02/simple-joys.html