Below is the text of an email sent to all who are signed up to my Mailing List. I’ve posted it here for your convenience.
Hey Everyone:
Well, it’s been quite a while since my last update. And, as in past updates, I usually follow with an apology for not updating as much as I should and a promise to do better. But alas, it never seems to happen the way I plan, so let’s just say that I will promise to be more receptive to when the spirit moves and inspiration strikes. A great deal has happened in the past year and a half that has permanently altered the course of my life in very positive ways. If you indulge me a few moments of your time and allow me to peal back some layers and communicate some thoughts, I’ll be greatly appreciative.
If you got last years , email update, you may realize that 2010 did not see the release of my second album. Truth be told, 2010 did not at all turn out the way I planned. I thought this year would be spent working to get my music career in order. What I didn’t realize is that it would be spent getting my internal house in order instead.
In early february, I began a relation ship with someone I had met about 9 months earlier in Nashville.. In result, I began to look deep and hard at my internal well-being and self-worth. One of the reasons I left Nashville was due to the fact that I was falling into a deep depression about myself, my music, and everything else around me. I had thought that moving back to Michigan would help change that. It did, to an extent, but I still wasn’t happy. February rolls around and I begin cultivating this relationship with someone very incredible. But still, I am not happy. This threw me into an even deeper tailspin. Long story short, I sought help and got it. Secondly, my girlfriend and I decided to enroll at the Louisiana Center for the Blind. This is a school that helps blind folks become more independent and confident. We’ve been there since August, and this has been an incredible life change for me. I thought I was pretty confident and independent before, but I enrolled knowing that I could do much better for myself. With the help of the staff, my friends, and especially my girlfriend, I have been well on my way to rediscovering the person I used to be back about 10 years ago. Thirdly, after years of running away, I’ve rekindled my faith in Christ. I had left the church and abandoned my faith altogether several years ago in disillusionment and anger. However, I’ve realized that my life was completely incomplete, and most of my depressive attitudes was on account of the emptiness that resulted from being apart from god. Does this mean that I am now abandoning my musical journey as it stands and begin preaching and touring with Sandi Patty? Absolutely not. My faith, like everything else in life, is a journey. This journey will definitely become a part of my journey as a songwriter, but I’m not throwing everything out in favor of writing gospel tunes. It’s not who I am. The only reason I say this is because many folks get the idea that the minute someone mentions faith in Christ, all reality flies out the window. All I know is that I will always try and be real with those who listen to my music. I will always write what I know and what I feel, which will include songs about my faith: or about my girl: or about my dog.
You’re probably reading this wondering “what’s with this sudden display of emotion, openness, and vulnerability?” The truth is that I firmly believe that the longstanding idea of artists hiding behind a PR persona is truly over. How can I expect folks to really engage and dive into my music if they don’t know me. How can I properly communicate with my fans if I don’t know you. By the way, I hate the term fans. Because you’ve taken the time to listen to my music, tell your friends, sign up to my mailing list, and communicate with me, that makes you my friend. I’ve been able to build this small community of folks who have really taken an interest in my music, but then further taking an interest in me as a person. The word “fan” just sounds so 1 way. So let’s all be friends shall we? I want my music, my content, my online presence to be avenues of open dialog. Email me. Hit me up on twitter. Tell me about you. I love it. I have met so many great people through this online platform that have enriched my life forever. Let’s keep it going. I want 2011 to really be a year that turns over new leaves and opens new doors.
I’m sure that what I’ve said here so far will get pushback from some folks. That’s ok. Let’s talk about it. Also, I’m certain that this long rambling email has come to your inbox very unexpectedly. All I can do is to profusely thank you for your time in reading this and allowing me to truly open up to you all.
It’s currently 1-41 A.M. on Christmas morning at time of writing. As I sit here reflecting on the year, I really wanted to take the time and truly open up and get it all out to you, my friends. I also wanted to take this opportunity to wish you all a very merry Christmas and happy New Year. As I rediscover and grow in my faith, as I watch my nephew grow, and as I continue to cultivate this relationship with a girl I love very much, I realize that what’s so important, especially during the season which celebrates Christ’s birth, is surrounding yourself with the ones you love, as they are the most precious gifts of all.
Before I go, allow me to offer you a little Christmas song I worked on with a writer friend of mine in Nashville.
In May/June of 09, I was approached by my friend Terry Andersen: drummer, songwriter, painter, inventor, visual artist, etc. He had a melody and lyrics for a song he was writing entitled “Call It Christmas.” He asked if I would help him co-write it by creating a basic arrangement. We put together something very simple with a piano and vocal track. Almost a year later, upon my temporary return to Nashville before leaving for Louisiana, we decided to expand the demo and add a full band arrangement for the purpose of approaching publishers or anyone else interested in Christmas music. So, I sat in his mother-in-law’s dining room and proceeded to bang out piano, bass, drums, and a vocal track. He then enlisted longtime friend and world class guitarist Phil Keaggy to add guitars, backing vocals, allow Terry to record some background vocals of his own, and run us a basic mix. We’re so appreciative of his willingness to help. What resulted is a great song, that is a real testament to what Christmas is really all about. Remember. This is a demo. There are 9 million things I would change here about my performances. However, the magic of the song really holds true. In the true spirit of this new era of artists giving the public their true essence by releasing demos, warts and all, allow me to offer you this demo, warts and all. Click Here to download. Windows users, right click and choose “Save Target As.” Mac users, Control Click and choose “Download Linked File.”
I hope this song blesses you on this Christmas day and I offer it as my Christmas gift to you. Feel free to play it on your podcasts, link to it on your blogs/facebooks/twitters, email it to your friends, etc. We’d love to get this song out there and allow it to bless others.
Well, that’s it for now. Thanks again for entrusting me with your time and allowing me to open myself up to you, my friends. I truly appreciate the time you’ve taken in reading all of this. I look forward to hearing from you all in the year to come. Again, have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. Make 2011 absolutely awesome. God bless.
Kevin Reeves
Well, it’s been about a week since the release of our debut single