J-A's Blog

"John Lennon & Me"

2010-01-22T14:18:00.000-08:00

Hello guys! How are all of you? For the past several months, I have been in rehearsals for the Mariner Theatre's new production, "John Lennon & Me". We opened Wednesday night and we are running till this Saturday @2pm. Tonight we have another performance, last night was okay, we could've done better. I guess due the horrible weather conditions is the reason why we didn't have that many people there. TONIGHT, I have a very good feeling about tonight. All my family and friends are gonna be there! And, by history the 2nd to last show is always the best!

I'll tell you, I have loved every moment of this production, all the rehearsals, and hours of practice. We have also had a lot of things wrong with this play. We had to postpone the play back in December due to a hole in our roof, that was back when we had a storm (the one before this one). I guess it all paid off, because now we feel so ready and so much more prepared to go on and we are confident that we are great and will be great every performance! We have been great so far!

I feel so blessed to have been able to work with such talented people and be surrounded by so much talent, love and energy. This cast and crew have been one of the best cast and crews I've ever worked with. I hope we can all keep in touch! Our director, Mrs. Marisela De La Parra is one of the best directors I've ever worked with. She is so easy to work with. She isn't the type of directors that demand demand demand! She doesn't "control" the cast in a whatever-I-say-goes attitude. She's amazing! She helps and guides us into the right direction.

If you haven't seen the play yet, please go see it tonight @ 7pm at Mar Vista High School in our drama building or see it tomorrow @ 2pm. Tickets are $5.

Lastly, I would like to thank God for blessing me with this production. I had done a professional play called "Oliver! The Musical in which I play the Artful Dodger. This was about 2 years ago and I had done it with a theatre company called World Dance N' Arts. We performed at the Escondido Center for the Arts. The rehearsal process of that production was a nightmare. It was frustrating, stressful and NOT fun! I'm not complaining or griping, thats just the facts, mainly because my aunt was co-director and she put a lot of personal problems into a professional setting. I always believe you CAN NOT do that in any type of project or business. Anyway, the play was a success and fun but not the rehearsals. I wanted to quit acting because I thought I didn't have the patience for it. Thank God, I got this part in "John Lennon & Me" because I realized that I do have patience for acting and its something I would like to do in the future. So thank you to the cast and crew of "John Lennon & Me" for breaking be out of my shell and for teaching me so much!!!! I love you al! And thank God for this production! I love you!

Go see the play!

Always follow your dreams!

Love,

J-A

2010-01-21T11:25:00.000-08:00

Hey Guys! Here is the cover to my new single "Julia's Song"

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn78/jasmusicworld/95872d361aeb9efaf4888dc779a924122af.jpg

Please give the single a listen at my music MySpace:

www.myspace.com/jamusic2009

Follow me on Twitter @jamusicworld

Always follow your dreams!

Love,

J-A

"JULIA'S SONG" RELEASED AS THE THIRD SINGLE OFF DEBUT ALBUM AVAILABLE NOW ON MYSPACE!

2010-01-15T07:57:00.002-08:00

Hello friends! Good Lord, it's been a looooooonnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggg time since I've written a blog. I was just looking at my stats and it says I have posted a blog since September 23, 2009! WOW! Well, If you have been following my video blogs on YouTube then you should be all caught up with me. On January 13, 2010 I released the third single off my debut CD. The single is called "Julia's Song". I wrote this song for a friend of mine who moved to Washington back in November of '09. The song did get a public performance that same month at an Art Show I performed at. I decided to release it as a single, and now it is posted on my Music MySpace! www.myspace.com/jamusic2009 .

I haven't released a video blog yet talking about the new single, but I plan to post one soon. As I have stated before, I can only post video blogs when I have access to a webcam, and since I do not own a webcam in my home, I can not always post one. I plan on getting a lot of publicity for this single. I plan on promoting it and really getting it out there. The last two singles, "Love is This" and "All I Can Think About is You" did so well and got a lot of promotion. I have a feeling "Julia's S0ng" will be the same.

No videos have been filmed for any of the singles. I can't really say when one will be planned or in the works. Right now, I am working on getting this album done. I am working on figuring out the songs I want on the album. I have written probably over 40 songs for this album. I need to narrow it down to at least 10-12 songs. My New Year's resolution is to really work on this and get it done, promoted and out there by the end of this year. I have been working on this album: planning, writing, etc for about a little over a year now. Since 2008.

Please check out the NEW single "Julia's Song" on my music MySpace

www.myspace.com/jamusic2009

I'd love to hear from your comments about the song! Let's make this new single a success!

Thank you for all your love and support! I love you all. I will talk to you all very soon!

"It's All About the Music!"

Always follow your dreams,

J-A

2010-01-15T07:57:00.001-08:00

MEDIA INFO

2009-09-23T15:05:00.000-07:00

Hey! This past week was soooo busy I am so glad that I can relax. Last night I performed at The Beach Grille again. I performed two Brooks & Dunn songs. "Believe" and "I May Never Get Over You". This week, nothing has been going on other than last night. I'm kind of taking this week off to recharge. Also, we have a two week fall break coming up too so that'd be good.

Here is some Media Info that I would like to check out:

www.myspace.com/jamusic2009

www.twitter.com/jamusicworld

www.nieveslabel.blogspot.com

and you can email me at: jamusic09@live.com

Always follow your dreams!

With love from,

J-A

The New single and some Media Info

2009-09-16T08:41:00.000-07:00

Hello friends! How are you? I am have been SUPER busy! For the past couple of weeks I have been in the process of promoting the new single off my debut album, "All I Can Think About is You". The single will be released Thursday, September 17, 2009. I have had great success with this song so far and I am sure there is more to come. Thanks to the Coffee Shoppe crew for allowing me to promote the new single during and after the show. I will be passing out flyers at the end of the show and will be performing the single that night with a few words before I start. It's been a busy week but I love this business. It's how I learn. There's so much to learn and so much to do. I performed at the Beach Club Grille again last night. I did three songs they are a follows:

- Hey Jude

- Halleluiah

and an original piece.

I wanted to perform the first single off the album, "Love is This" but due to technical difficulties that didn't happen. I guess I'm going to have to bring my own boom box next week! Ha ha. Anyway, last night was a blast. Coffee Shoppe rehearsals have been long and tiring but they have also been tons of fun! It's going to be a great production.

Just some media info for you to follow:

www.myspace.com/jamusic2009

www.twitter.com/jamusicworld

Add me, Follow me!

I update constantly!

Well I guess that's it for now.

Always follow your dreams!

with love from,

J-A

More info about the new single

2009-09-09T13:18:00.000-07:00

Hello fans!

How are all of you? I am doing pretty good. I am really excited about Coffee Shoppe. We have our second rehearsal tomorrow at Mar Vista High School. I am so excited to be performing the new single there. Speaking of the new single. The new single, "All I Can Think About is You" will be released on my music MySpace on September 17, 2009. Its the same day as Coffee Shoppe! I performed the single last Tuesday at the Beach Grille in Imperial Beach, California. It was a great night and I had so much fun. I find that I am most comfortable when I am on stage performing, its where I find my safe place and I have time to be in the zone and give a great performance.

Coffee Shoppe is going to be a great night as well! So far, I am getting great requests to play the song and hear it. The song isn't even released yet and already it's a success. It means so much to me. The process of this album is going pretty good. I have been in the studio lately recording more material for this album. It's a blast! Also, I will be performing at the Beach Grille again, next Tuesday. I will be giving you more details about it soon and also with Coffee Shoppe.

Well I guess that's about it for now. Talk to you soon!

Always follow your dreams!

With love from,

J-A

THE SECOND SINGLE AND COFFEE SHOPPE

2009-08-27T13:36:00.001-07:00

Hey everybody! Guess what??? After two weeks of recording take after take of the second single off the debut CD I am finally done recording it! You can not believe all the interruptions I've had during the sessions. Now, you know I've been recording at MVH studios and my supervisor Ms. Laura Lopez, well she's been supervising the sessions. It's been very hot and she's also been working really hard too. We both have. It's just been very hectic and frustrating but I still love the process. Now, I am not griping or complaining.... You all know I love my music and what I do. This song is very important to me, I wrote this song for a very special someone. I can release the name of the single yet but I will soon. The new single will be released on Sept. 17th, 2009. The 17th is also the day I will be debuting the single in a public performance. Last week, I auditioned for a show called Coffee Shoppe at Mar Vista High School. My audition song was the single. Long story short, the judges loved it and so did the special someone (who came into the audition room to watch). Anyway, I got in and I will be performing the single LIVE at Coffee Shoppe on Sept. 17, 2009 @ 7pm @ Mar Vista High School in Imperial Beach in our school's drama building. So come and join the fun, there will be lots more performers as well.

Well, I guess that's it for now. I will talk to you all very soon!

Always follow your dreams!

With love from,

J-A

Some recording, Kick ass songs and the retirement of one of country music's most popular duos

2009-08-15T07:48:00.000-07:00

Well hello everyone! How are all of you? I hope you all are very well. I have some great news! I have finally got some recording done. Now that my senior year has started, I am starting to do some recording at MVH studios. Ms. Laura Lopez has continued to allow me to use her equipment and space for the recording of this album. So I've been bringing in my guitar and laying down some acoustic demos and other tracks for the album. Its going great so far. This is a long process but its also a hell of a lotta fun! Still no video blog. Again, its due to lack of a webcam. I promise, when I get in touch with a webcam, that new video blog will flying your way in no time! For now, I'm strumming my guitar and writing some more songs for the album. I wrote some that I am really excited about recording! They are what I like to call "kick ass" songs. Its going to be great! Also, the music business had another blow. After 20 years of doing music together, country music duo Brooks & Dunn are retiring.... They will release their #1s album and then do one final farewell tour in 2010.... When I heard the news, I was stunned. It was totally unexpected! I do want to congratulate Brooks & Dunn for all the years of wonderful music they gave us and for sharing their talent with the world. You guys sure did inspire me! Congratulations and best of luck to you in the future. Well, I guess thats all for now. I will talk to you all very soon! Always follow your dreams! With love from, J-A

It's Been a Long Time

2009-07-29T15:07:00.000-07:00

Well hello everyone! It has been a really long time since I've written a blog and I apologize for that. As I have always done with these blogs, I am going to catch you up on some stuff I have been doing with my music. I have a drum machine and I have been spending sometime with that, I still haven't figured out all the gidgets to it yet. But I will! Unfourtnately there has been no recording done so far. Well, maybe a little but not as much as I expected to do. It is lack of a studio and equimpment that it holding me back. I have spoken to my uncle though and we are going to be setting up dates real soon. So keep on reading my blogs to find out more about that.

I hopefully will be posting a brand new video blog soon. I was going to post one up on my thoughts about the loss of Michael Jackson but due to lack of a webcam that never happened. I did however, as you know, posted a written blog about my feelings and thoughts on the loss of the true american icon. I plan on doing more recording very soon! I will of course keep you updated. Look forward to regularly written blogs every week! I love you all from the bottom of my heart! Thank you for all your wonderful love and support and I will talk to you very soon!

Always follow your dreams!

With love from,

J-A

The Loss of an American Icon

2009-06-28T14:51:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, I am deeply sorry it has taken me so long to write a new blog. It's been a hard week. As you all know we lost a true american icon on Thursday, June 25, 2009. Michael Jackson. I am writing this blog because I would like to pay my respect to the King of Pop. Michael Jackson has been a musical influence of mine for many years. I was first introduced to his music when I watched him perform the song "Will You Be There" as a special bonus footage on the Free Willy VHS. Since then, I was introduced to songs like "Thriller", "Beat It", "Black Or White", "Billie Jean" and countless others. This is a tremendous loss in the music business and an even bigger loss to the world. Fans and future generations will always remember Michael Jackson. His music will live on forever. LONG LIVE THE KING!

1958-2009

SAVE THE MUSIC!

2009-06-10T12:34:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! Sorry I haven't written a blog in almost two weeks! There's a lot I need to catch you up on. First of all, thank you for giving "Love is This" over 174 plays! I am forever grateful! I am of course writing more music for the album and collaborating with many talented friends and people whom I love immensely. I would like to address you a very important annoucement:

The Southbay and Sweetwater Union high school districts are cutting the arts departments in various elementary schools, middle schools and high schools. When I first found out about this I was flabergasted, I said "This is unacceptable, something needs to be done". So, I decided to record a charity single in August with several of my talented friends to donate money to the 'Save the Music Foundation'. It's a non-profit organization dedicated to restoring instrumental music education in American public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child's complete education. Since 1997, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation has provided $43 million worth of new musical instruments to more than 1,600 public schools in more than 100 cities around the country, impacting the lives of more than 1.2 million public school students.

Our charity single, will be recorded in August and it will be sold and performed in many community places. We will start rehearsals for the single in a couple weeks and will work on it until the recording session. More info will be posted at a later time. By doing the single, it will increase the music in many schools, it'll bring it back. It will also show the district that the arts is just as important as academics. As an active member in the arts department, I find this project to be very successful and a charitable cause and postitive thing for many kids in our community!
So, if you sing please lend your beautiful vocals to this charity single we need as many people as we can get!

You can contact me @:

EMAIL: nievesj_a@yahoo.com

Thank you and...

Always follow your dreams!

with love from,

J-A

The Photoshoot and the album title

2009-05-30T13:37:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! How are you? I have had a great week so far. A lot of work and recording has been done. It's a very frustrating and irritating process but what can I say? I love it! We had the photoshoot last Friday and I saw the pictures already and they are AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have even picked out an album cover already! I changed the album titled from "Love is This" to "Love Is". I decided to call it "Love Is" because it'll leave it open for the audience to have their interpretation of love. My Dad actually gave me that idea. I gotta give me credit.

Well, as I have mentioned, more recording as been done and a lot of people have been getting involved into this project. As I have always said, I love collaborating with other people, no matter what form of it is. I think collaboration is a very important skill that we all need to learn because we use it everyday! So, I am absolutely collaborating with this album and its been 2 years of planning and just finding the right for it. It's no where near done, but I know and I'm happy that is finally happening! I am so excited! As I have mentioned in my very first blog, 2009 is my year to shine! And so far, I'm right!

Always follow your dreams,

with love from,

J-A

I am not lucky, I am BLESSED

2009-05-22T18:24:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! Its been a while, I know! But hey, I've been busy! (as always) Hahahahahahahaha! Today was a good day. I had my first photo shoot for the album at Imperial Beach. We went down to the beach and my school, took great pictures. I had my guitar with me in almost every photo. I haven't seen all the pictures yet, but I will on Tuesday. Once my photographer and I sort everything I will post ALL photos on MySpace! I had the photo shoot this morning at 9:30 - 10:40 and then after that I went home, changed my clothes and listened to music. My photographer is a great one. She can talk to someone, have her camera in her hand and just snap a photo at anything while talking to the person, and then look back it later and the photo will be clear and perfect. She is the only photographer I know who can do that! It's beautiful!

Also, I have been getting great comments and reviews from so many people about the single. I am so pleased to know that people are actually listening to my music! I just checked on the my Music MySpace and the single has gotten 84 plays! Holy moly! Thats AWESOME! I am STOKED! You know, people tell me how lucky I am. And in reply, I say "Thank you, but I am not lucky, I AM BLESSED!" And I am. I could not do this without My Heavenly Father, Mom, Dad, Sister, Grandma and all my family, friends and musical inspirations. It's great to know that I have people in my life who give me their unconditional love and support. It's a beautiful thing!

I want to thank my photographer for taking the photos at the shoot. I know there are many more projects and photo shoots to come for us in the future, thank you and I love you.

As for all of you, thank you for your continuing love and support and I will talk to all very soon! Happy Memorial Day!

Always follow your dreams,

With love from,
J-A

"Love Is This" Gets over 70 plays!

2009-05-14T07:48:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! It's me again. How are you? I hope all of you are doing really well. I have spoken to my photographer and we have scheduled a date for next weekend to shoot some pictures for the album and website. "Love is This" is doing really well. It's gotten over 70 plays on MySpace! I am soooo STOKED! This is great. You know, I really love what I do. Music has been a HUGE part of my life ever since I was two years old. I've been singing since three years old, writing songs since 5 years old and recording songs for the past 4 years. It's fun. This year, as you all know, is my year to shine. The debut album is going great, I love this process. I have never experienced the process of a full length album. In the past, I have recorded singles, demos, scratch recordings. BUT this time.... its different. This full length album is hard work, and a lot of time and effort is brought into it and I'll admit its gets frustrating sometimes, but I LOVE IT! It's great.

I couldn't have done all this without God. He's blessed me with so many talents, the talent to sing, write and perform music, He's blessed me with the knowledge of music. He's also blessed me with all my family and friends and everyone else who is in my life. I am very grateful for everyone who is in my life, because they have helped me and played a HUGE part on my journey of becoming a STAR! So, thank you all for your love and support and guidance. I Love you all from the bottom of my heart! Talk to you all very soon.

Always follow your dreams!

with love from,

J-A

"LOVE IS THIS" - SINGLE ALBUM COVER

2009-05-11T09:05:00.001-07:00

Hello everybody! How are all of you? I'm writing two days early this week because I have something I want to share with you. On Saturday, I was really busy creating the album cover for the first single, "Love Is This". It's amazing! Now, this isn't the cover for the debut album, that cover still needs to be done. I am going to be scheduling some photo shoots this week for the album. I am very excited about that! Also, some recording will be done this week as well. I hope all of you had a great weekend and a very Happy Mother's Day! :) I would also, again, like to thank all of you for all your love and support. The single has gotten 56 plays the last time I checked. It's doing amazingly well and I am so very grateful. Thank you all very much and I will talk to you soon and keep you posted later this week!

Always follow your dreams!

with love from,

J-A

Love Is This - Official Single album cover

Writing songs with others, Performances, faith and the business end of things

2009-05-05T09:11:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! How are you? This past week has been hard work! The new single is doing really well, it's been posted on MySpace for a little over a week now and it's got 45 plays! That's REALLY good. I have also been recording more too. I just recorded a few takes of one song called "Until Tomorrow Lasts a Lifetime". I need to add more stuff to it though, it's not quite ready yet for an album. I guess the volume was too low. It happens. Anyway, it's all going really well. I have also been starting to write with other people. I wrote a song with a really good friend of mine, Jesus Martinez, we're like brothers and we have the same interests in writing music and we have a good connection. I think that's what's most important, you must have a good connection with your fellow writer before anything. I just put music to one of the songs that are going to be on the album with another good friend of mine too.

I have some performances coming up, two to be exact. I am performing with my high school choir on May 28, 2009 in the Mariner Theater building at Mar Vista High School in Imperial Beach. I also have a solo performance sometime this summer at a Children's Day service at One -Heart One-Mind Church in Mira Mesa. I have performed there several times. I'm glad to be going back. Things are going really well with me. I feel I'm on the right track. Of course, I pray to God every day asking him to guide me in the right direction with my life, music and relationship with others. I ask him to bless, heal and protect me and my loved ones in everything that we do together or individually. I know he'll never let me down, and he hasn't. It's because of him that I get to do all these things: Write, sing, have a musical talent and gift. I know that my talents and gifts will help me to become the star I've always known I'd become.

On the business end of things, I am going to be setting up photo shoots this coming week for my new album, website and music MySpace. I apologize for those of you who have viewed my music profile and have literally seen NOTHING but the first single on there. No default picture, no layout, NADA but a single! I'm sorry. That will change, this week. I know it! Again, thank YOU for all your love and support and I will check back with all of you very soon! Keep spreading the word around about my music, I know I will! I'm doing pretty good so far with getting myself out there and noticed!

Always follow your dreams!

With love from,

J-A

LOVE IS THIS - SINGLE RECORDED AND RELEASED!

2009-04-29T09:34:00.000-07:00

Goooooooood Mornin' everybody! How are all of you? Like always I am VERY awesome! I'm feeling suburb! A LOT of things have happened this week. I spoke to a very good friend of mine who's a photographer. I asked her if she would take pictures for my album. She agreed and we'll be setting up a session soon. Speaking of sessions, on Monday, I recorded the first single off the new CD! It's called, "Love is This". I wrote the lyrics to the song in my kitchen way back in September of 2008. The next day, I asked my choir director, Mr. Donald Truesdail to help write the music to the song. He agreed. We practiced a few times, and he recorded the music for me. The guitar you'll hear in the song, is really Mr. Truesdail playing. We lost Mr. Truesdail in a car accident on January 13, 2009. I released the single on my music MySpace, which I recently created... If you haven't already, you can ADD me:

www.myspace.com/jamusic2009

The first 10 people who send me a comment on MySpace about the song will get a comment back on their profile PERSONALLY from me! I am very proud of the new single and you can download it and add it to your profile. While I was recording it, it was very emotional, I guess you can say. Hearing Mr. Truesdail play the guitar brought back a lot of memories... He was such a wonderful and talented man! He was GENIUS when it came to composing and sharing his music and talent with others. He always considered us his "kids". There is a special message at the end of the single paying tribute to Mr. Truesdail, one of my musical heroes.

The single will be up on the website soon! We're looking at a launch date in late June/early July.

Again, thank you all for your love and support!

Always follow your dreams!

with love from,

J-A

Creation Is A POSITIVE Drug

2009-04-23T08:44:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone! How is everybody? I am doing fantastic! Things have been going really great this week. I created a Music Myspace for all of you to check out and add me!

www.myspace.com/jamusic2009

Also, I recorded a scratch demo of the first single from my album. It's a song that was written by me and my late choir director and great friend, Mr. Donald Truesdail. The guitar you hear in the song is Mr. Truesdail playing. The demo is posted on the music myspace. I am going to re-record the vocals though and make it more clearer because there is some feedback that shouldn't be there in the demo, as you all will know when you hear it. So, that's my plan. You know, I love creating things. Robin Williams once said, "Creation is the greatest drug". THAT IS VERY TRUE! It is, because I'm high on that drug 24/7! (HA! J/K) It's really beautiful when you create something, whether its a human, a song, a painting, a script, a book. Anything! It's wonderful. You get real big thrills out of it! It's a postitive drug. Creation is a gift, it's a talent, a built in talent in all of us. It's just our choice to use it or not. I've made the decision long ago to use the talent, gift and knowledge of music and writing as a carreer, love and passion. God blessed me with those gifts and talent and I intend to use them the best way I know how.

Music is in my soul, in my heart, mind and body. I love it! It's my passion. Writing is also a passion of mine. People can say that there are several different types of genres of writing, and that may be true.... BUT, writing is universal, like music. Its still creation no matter what label you put on it. Screenwriters write scripts, so do I. I often find myself getting thrills when I write story lines. It's amazing. (Thats the power of the drug I guess). I get these ideas and I just write or type them up on paper. I write my songs, hand written because I think it is very important to see your work in your own hand writing, if it's typed, it makes the mood seem a little artifical (to me). I do however, type my scripts. I am not about to write a 45 page script with 700-something lines. My point is, creation is the greatest GIFT of all..... along with love right behind it!

I love doing what I do, and I'm just getting started! Expect my brand new single to be released sometime next week. I will post the real single on my music profile. The demo is just a test. I will talk to you all very soon!

Always follow your dreams!

with love from,

J-A

My Heart is Open to FAITH, MUSIC, LOVE and LIFE

2009-04-17T07:49:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody, TGIF! How have all of you been? I have been a very happy person! I had a Cardiology (heart) appointment yesterday, my doctor said he was very pleased with the results of the tests and that he would like to see me again in 6 months! After that, he'll only have to see me once year! I am sooooo happy about that! Also, my pacemaker is doing great as well.

As far as the musical part of my life goes.... It's doing good. I wrote another song last night, I don't know if it'll make it on the album but I hope so, its kind of a straight up song, it has some things that may be a little risque to put on an album, but its VERY true. I guess we're just gonna have to wait and find out what happens with it. Other than that, things are looking good, I spoke to an uncle of mine who has been writing, recording and performing his own music practically all his life! We may be getting together to write a song soon. That'll be fun, I've always wanted to write with my uncle. I've collaborated with him several times, but we've never written lyrics and music together. It's always been separate.

I have my confirmation tonight at the Most Precious Blood church. I am very excited and very nervous all at the same time. I'll be standing in front of the bishop! (How nerve-racking!) I'll be fine though.... We all will. My faith is VERY important to me, along with with my music, its what keeps me grounded. I am very honored and happy to receive another sacrament.

Well, I'll be doing a lot of things this year, so keep watch for me and like always, I'll keep you posted on every detail. Have a great weekend and a great week and I will talk to all of you real soon!

Always follow your dreams!

with love from,

J-A

Happy Easter and an Update of Spring break, the magic of writing music and upcoming website plans

2009-04-12T13:37:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! Happy Easter and how are you? I have been very great. This past week has been filled with relaxation, family time, activities and of course writing music! I actually found myself in a spot, there were times when I couldn't think of anything to write, but I still had the urge to do it. It was kind of like I was forcing a song out of me and I can't stand that feeling because then the song turns out bad. Overall, the writing process for the album is going great, there are a few songs written that I am absolutely putting on the album, I just need to find a studio and get my voice ready for a session.

As you all know, I sing all the time and I have been doing a lot of singing this week. It's been fun though. It gives me a chance to use the gift and talent that God has blessed me with in the purest and best way I can. I haven't had a chance to work on the website this week, due to lack of internet connection, but I will work on it more this coming week. The launch date, I am hoping will be sometime this summer. I still need to schedule photo shoots, and post some mp3s of previous recordings, film a video blog, create a music page, lyrics, discography, news page and lots more! So keep watch for that this summer! I will of course keep you posted. So till then, have a very happy Easter Sunday, go hunt some eggs and

Always follow your dreams!

With lots of love from,

J-A

SPRING BREAK IS HERE!

2009-04-03T12:26:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I am so excited that Spring break is here, finally! I'll have a week to catch up on some relaxation, family time and of course, writing more music! The website is coming along nicely, no launch date yet. Now, in the last blog I posted, I had said that a video blog was in the works. There will be a blog on my new website, but it will be videos, not blogs that I hand write like these. My blog on my website will be 100% video blogs. It'll give me and you a chance to communicate visually and artistically! So, I am super excited about that!

Have a safe and fun-filled Spring break and I will talk to you all very soon!
Until then....

Always follow your dreams!

with love from,

J-A

NEW WEBSITE AND VIDEO BLOG IN THE WORKS!

2009-03-30T08:20:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I hope all of you had a wonderful weekend, I sure did! I have big news! After years of trying to build an official website, it's finally going to happen! I have found a sponsor site to do it! My new website is in the works and is still on the drawing board, but its getting done. I am so excited because now you all can listen to my music! I will be posting previous recordings that I have done in the studio. There is also going to be a contact page, photo page and maybe even a blog page! (Like i need one, right??? Hahahahaha!) Well, there is no set date as far as when this site will be launched but I will definitely let you know when that happens! My site will be personally designed by myself, so you don't need to worry or wonder if someone else is writing my personal messages for me, because it'll all be done by me!

Also in the planning stage, is a Video blog! It'll give me and you a chance to communicate visually. And who knows, If it really starts kicking off good, I may even answer some questions. Again, all these plans are in the works. The video blog may take some time to get done, so don't expect one coming anytime soon. As far as the new website... Now that launch date is gonna have to be a secret for now until I get everything in order. Until then....

Always follow your dreams!

with love from,

J-A

Check out Music Appreciation's new Blog page!

2009-03-24T09:15:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! I was just notified that the after school program at Mar Vista High School's new after school activity now has a blog page! I have agreed to advertise it! So please check it out, I am associated with the activity. Here is the URL for the blog:

musicapp2009.blogspot.com

You can also send them a detailed message if you are interested in joining at:

musicapp2009@gmail.com

So go check it out!

Always follow your dreams!

with love from,

J-A

Our first session, collaboration skills and Music Appreciation

2009-03-20T15:17:00.000-07:00

Hey there! As you know I have been busy with the Dolly Parton tribute event. We just had our first mentoring sessions on Thursday. It went really well. We have our second session on Monday. I am so excited that these sessions are finally starting I went through a good two months or so to get everything situated and organized.... AND I'M STILL NOT DONE! (haha!) But you know, its all a part of the process. I am having fun with every second of it! I just set up an agenda for the next session, I think an agenda is always good to plan out, that way things run quicker and a lot smoother too! The group still needs to work the group song which "9 to 5". They'll get it though.
I really do commend them for devoting their time to these sessions, Its amazing how love they have for music! I am so pleased with everyone's talent and commitment. Every project is a collaboration and I truly believe that collaboration is a wonderful learning skill, it's a skill we all use in our daily lives. Wether we're collaborating with our teachers, friends, workmates, roommates, family, associates, staff. It's a great skill that I think we all need to learn and master. These sessions will do just that! It's like a Music Appreciation session! It's wonderful.

Again, I am so happy that things are running smoothly so far! I still need some performers and musicians to come join! The sessions are Mondays and Wednesdays at Mar Vista High School in Room 710 from 2:40pm - 4:00pm. See you there!

Always follow your dreams!

with love from,
J-A

Update on Dolly Parton Tribute

2009-03-16T15:17:00.000-07:00

Hello again! The past two weeks have been busy, and it's only getting busier! But I'm having fun. Well, with all the changing dates, we have finally set a date for our first mentoring session of the Dolly tribute to begin. It will start Thurday, March 19, 2009 at Mar Vista High School in Room 710 from 2:40 PM - 4:00 PM. We had planned it to be Wednesday but our supervisor has a meeting Wednesday. So, it will be on Thursday. I am really excited about the sessions. I am anxious on how they're going to turn out! I still need to print out a book of the chords of the songs we'll be using for the show and a lyrics book for the performers. I have been really focused on all this stuff and of course with school work too, but I know it's worth it! The outcome of this tribute is going to be great! As far as a donation letter being typed and distributed, I still need to do that as well.

Well, I guess that's it for now. I will talk to you all soon!

Always follow your dreams!

with love from,

J-A

MENTORING SESSIONS

2009-03-10T15:20:00.000-07:00

Hi! How is everyone? Well, this week, so far is going great! I just found out today that our first mentoring sessions for the Dolly tribute will be next Monday, March 16, 2009. I am sooooo excited! I can't wait to work with all the performers and musicians.

TO PERFORMERS: You must be at EVERY sessions unless told otherwise by me or the supervisor. If you, for some reason are unable to make it to a session you must notify me before the session starts. Other than that, I can't wait to work with you! Also, performers must choose (if you haven't already) and learn the Dolly song they choose BEFORE the first session, I am going to hear every performer on their song. So please be prepared.

Okay, I guess that's it, to the general public, If you are interested in becoming a performer or musician for this tribute please contact me at:

nievesj_a@yahoo.com
www.myspace.com/nievesrecords

Or simply comment this blog.

Always follow your dreams!

with love from,

J-A

I HAVE A BLOG

2009-03-03T15:41:00.000-08:00

Well hello! I am so excited to be having a blog page now! This is awesome! This blog page will update you on my current projects. Right now, I am organizing a Dolly Parton tribute event. I am still in need of performers, so if you are interested, please let me know! I am a very busy person and I keep an open mind to new ideas and new dreams. What can I say? I'm a dreamer! Well, I'm still writing songs and music as I always have been and I'm having fun with it. No set date for a debut album yet. I'm working on it though. 2009 is my year to shine, I know I'll get a lot of work done and a lot dreams will come true. Count on a new blog every week. Till then....

Always follow your dreams!

With love from,

J-A