The Stay Amazing Show

This is Part two of our conversation with Kari Kirkland. Part one, where she talks about her new album can be heard on Episode 80.

After the release of her remarkable first album 'Wild Is The Wind' in 2021, Kari discovered that a musician friend of hers was in need of a kidney transplant. She discussed it with her husband and decided to get tested to see if she would be a good match. After a series of tests, it was determined that she would be a perfect match for her friend Robert. So in October of 2021, after recording her new album "If (hen You Go)", Kari traveled to Seattle to donate her left kidney. Thankfully, the procedure went well and both Kari and Robert are doing amazing.

Kari is now involved with the Living Donor Adventures organization spreading awareness to the issue of organ donations. They will climb Mt. Kilimanjaro on March 9th to give visibility to the importance of living donation.

In this episode Kari talks about how donating has changed her perspective on life and music, the importance of organ donation and what lies ahead.

Learn more about Kari at KariKirkland.com

Stay Amazing!

Kari Kirkland is back with a new album 'If (When You Go)". It is her follow up to "Wild Is The Wind" released in 2021. Kari again collaborates with the genius of musical arranger and producer Shelly Berg who helps Kari's musical vision come to life.

The giant leap that this new album takes production and song selection wise over the first album is incredible. Again Kari and Shelly choose the best musicians for this project. Muscians who have collectively played on over 2,000 recordings.

Kari gives these songs new meaning considering Kari's life over the last two years. Besides working on her music, Kari decided to donate a kidney to a fellow musician friend saving his life. This shows the passion for life and music that Kari has. And it shows in her music.

We recorded this session at Kari's home in Palm Desert California in her back yard sanctuary. It was also a day before she played live at the Catalina Jazz Club in Los Angeles. A show I was fortunate enough to witness. It was Amazing!

In this conversation Kari:

• Discusses each song on the album and why it was chosen
• What it was like recording at the legendary Capital Studios with this group of talented musicians
• How the music industry is short sighted
• Why touring is difficult
• How deeply she is involved in the creative and promotion process of her career
• How the thought of her donating a kidney played into this album

**This episode is part one of our conversation. Part two (Episode 81) will go live tomorrow (02.10.23). Kari will discuss her life before and after donating her kidney and what lies ahead for her personally and musically. Don't miss it!

KariKirkland.com 

Suicide is a subject people find difficult to discuss. Jennifer Scott tried twice to take her life due to years of trauma. She survived and has now turned her story into an important film - "Eyes Upon Waking".

The film takes you from her second suicide attempt to her stay at a facility and how that experience changed her life. It's a film that shows the reality of mental health through the eyes of the main character, Taren Foley. The film sends a powerful message to those who know someone who has taken their life, those with depression, anxiety. It brings awareness to those who know nothing or very little about the seriousness of mental health and recovery.

"Eyes Upon Waking" has been nominated for several awards at over 40 different film festival, winning in over 20 categories. Jennifer has become a role model for other filmmakers and says the mission of this film is to save lives.

Some of what Jennifer discusses in this episode:

• What it was like in the facility and what she learned during her stay
• What drove her to attempt suicide, twice
• How she went from "I'm not dying fast enough" to " "I love being alive".
• Creating the film that took over 10 years to produce
• How impactful the film has been to audiences at premieres
• Choosing the music for the film
• Her loyal crew
• How she feels about all the recognition and awards

Visit the films website for more on this extraordinary film: https://www.eyesuponwaking.com/

If you feel you have a problem with mental wellness or have thoughts of suicide, please seek help. We have created a page with resources here: https://thestayamazingmovement.com/wellness/

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Vanessa Rusk, known as The Girl On A Bike, is passionate about living life to the fullest. A self described adrenaline junkie, Vanessa has always been active, into sports and fitness. She works hard and she plays hard.

But it was in Match of 2014, that her life changed. She was riding her bike when it collided with a car that ran a red light. At the hospital, she was misdiagnosed with just bruises. When in reality she had injuries to her shoulder and hip that required seven surgeries to reconstruct the damage. Throughout her therapy and recovery, she had the mental attitude and mindfulness to accept her situation in order to move forward with her life.

It was during this time that Vanessa decided that riding motorcycles was something she would like to pursue. She took it one step at a time setting goals and has battled back physically and mentally to continue to live a fulfilling and active lifestyle. Vanessa now races her bike in some of the most demanding and grueling off road courses in the world. In this episode she shares her harrowing experience racing in the Tunisia Desert Challenge.

Vanessa shares her inspirational story of courage and never giving up through her Because I Can series in schools and as a keynote speaker, She has the respect of her racing peers and a large social media following. Vanessa's outlook on life is to make the most of each day and to help others do the same. Learn more about Vanessa on her site:

https://thegirlonabike.com/

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Kimi Donahue is multi talented and knows no limits. Besides being a very successful businesswoman, she also is an abstract artist, singer in various bands and does it all with a "All In" attitude. Being busy with all her various interests and careers gives her happiness and purpose in her life.

We discuss where Kimi finds the energy to do all the things he is involved with. We also discuss having the right environment and people around you, the importance of having coaches for all aspects of your life, how art and especially music are her passions, inner strength, perspective, building your network, her Tourette's syndrome story, discipline and much more.

Kimi is energetic, positive and inspiring.

Visit Kimi's art website here: https://www.artsykimiko.com/

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With a distinguished career in classical music and Opera as a singer and vocal coach, Ruth Hartt has witnessed the struggles those organizations face to retain and grow their audiences. Ruth is also the the Chief of Staff for the Christensen Institute, a non profit, non partisan think tank. Ruth has used this knowledge to help classical music businesses grow through the Jobs To Be Done methodology.

"People don't buy because of who they are. People buy because of who they want to become."

In classical music especially, much of the marketing data doesn't address what causes people to purchase tickets to an event. The data can be confusing. Jobs to Be Done focuses on their motivation, the experience, clients want to have. 

It's a fascinating universal theory that any organization, non profit, small business can utilize. Ruth calls it "Space To Breathe" marketing. Find out more about Ruth on her blog: https://www.cultureforhire.com/ . A huge resource for all arts administrators, artists and all businesses.

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Sarah Hicks is a multi faceted, influential and versatile conductor who is always exploring new ways to bring a unique concert experience to both the musicians and the audience. She not only has lead orchestras all over the world but has also crossed classical music with different music genres to create a third art form.

Sarah also enjoys conducting the 'Live to Film' concert events. These are challenging major production events where an orchestra plays live to a film. Some past events include performing live to films such as Harry Potter, Return Of The Jedi, Toy Story, Coco and more. Sarah was also chosen to conduct the orchestra for Sting's "Symphonicities" tour and has worked with a variety of other non classical musicians.

She also gives back to the music community by helping young musicians expand their musical knowledge and for all lovers of music through 'Edutainment'. Above all Sarah is committed to bringing joy and inspiration by connecting humanity though her music.

Sarah Hicks is truly one of the most "Amazing Women In Music"!

Learn more about Sarah on her site: https://www.sarahhicksconductor.com/ and her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SarahHicksConductor/videos

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In this mini-episode, Ricardo gives his thoughts on the importance of sharing your life story with the world. There is much to be learned by everyone once you realize that your life experiences and knowledge can impact someone you've never met or dreamed of knowing.

The Stay Amazing Show is about giving great storytellers the platform to share those stories and for the listener to be inspired by them. Words are powerful and storytelling has a purpose. We need more human connection now more than ever. And the value in one's story can create change and  grow self confidence. We all have the ability and the responsibility to inspire others with our words.

Your voice, your story are your weapons of choice. Use them wisely and never ever let them be taken away.

So...What's your story??

Dare To and Stay Amazing!

Musicians for The World is a non-profit organization that provides music lessons to music students in vulnerable communities around the world. The organization was founded by classical musicians Jesus Saenz and Kelly McGarry in May 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic!

Through their connections with other musicians, many of whom were out of work during that time, they were able to begin virtual classes in Africa, South and Central America, Asia and the Caribbean. Now they have partnered with teachers throughout those areas for live interactive classes. They provide weekly classes on performing, composition and a bi-weekly masterclass series.

The results have been nothing short of Amazing, with over 300 students and teachers taking part in the program. And the program is expanding due to it's success. Musicians For The World just started a GoFundMe program to send 24 music teachers to Peru for live classes. They will also perform in communities where there is no access to music learning resources. To contribute to this cause visit their GoFundMe page: https://bit.ly/3tZvHPl

Music is the universal language and with the vision of Musicians For The World, they are creating the next generation of musicians. Learn more about their mission on their site: https://www.musiciansfortheworld.org/

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Keyboardist and composer Joey Navarro has been a musical force not only in Arizona but in Los Angeles as well. He stated getting into music art age six when he received his first toy organ. Joey grew up with music all around him and soon was learning how to play organ by listening to his families records.

One of his early influences was the group El Chicano. He was drawn to the way organist Bobby Espinoza played. He continued his studies and soon started playing in various bands around the Phoenix area. By his early 20's, he secured a record deal and released his first album, "On The Rocks". Later, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue better opportunities and immediately stared working with some of the best musical talent around. Including El Chicano! The band that first started his interest in music back home in Tolleson.

Joey continues to front his own group, Navarro, still performs live and in recording sessions, composes, arranges and teaches at Los Angeles College of Music. In 2021 he released a film about his life, "iRide - A Musical Journey". And on March 10th of this year, Joey received a Legislative Proclamation from the State of Arizona for his contribution to music!

In this episode, Joey shares stories of the people in his life who recognized his talent and have helped him throughout his career. He also shares his knowledge  for younger musicians to learn from. Learn more about Joey on his website: https://joeynavarromusic.com/

Stay Amazing!