Hello Everyone! It's been a while since I checked in-I kind of check out over the holidays and finally feel like I have something to report to you all. Thank you for signing my email list. I promise not to send you too much. I want to start off by saying thank you for helping my music chart here on Number One Music. Last Decembers Dance is at #14 and Dogfight On The Moon is #20, with something like 40,000 listens. Thank you! I went on a solo investigative mission to LA this weekend to do research on the Grammy’s, to meet my new producer Ricky Kej live and in person. I needed to see for myself from an objective distance what the whole thing was about, and who I was committing to make a record with over the next year. I was overwhelmed and on the fly, with no real plan other than a strong gut instinct and to find my way to some much needed clarity. To find out if it was worth the process of entering the popularity contest with my next record. Greeted by a new friend from South Africa-a Flute player named Wouter Kellerman. Lovely, kind and generous with his time and connections. He invited me to join he and a few friends at an intimate dinner party at the family home of guitarist Ciro Hurtado, where we joined artists from four continents. Composer/Pianist Catherine Marie Charlton, Peruvian band Union Cinema, Producer Rupam Sarmah, and Producer Ricky Kej both from India. It was an exceptional evening of conversation, and food, where by the end of the night each person shared a piece of their music. We all sat with quiet respect to each artist around the table. No selling, just sharing. To be an artist at this table was a pivotal moment for me when Ricky played our newly produced version of my song Somewhere the Sky is Blue. The best way for me to gauge my success has been the mirror of other artists. I was with my people. This was worth the trip alone. The Grammy hoopla was what I expected. A sort of preaching- to -the -choir- style payed to participate parties, meals, and concerts designed to help networking-though most of the real communication and business happens in cars, hotel hallways, and small meals shared in the quiet homes of generous hosts. It was hype, hype and more hype. My new friends from all over the world were in a constant state of running from one loud party to the next on their Grammy marathon, running at a sprinters pace, trying to eat well enough, get a few minutes of sleep here and there, and find their way through the maze of the LA facade and taking pictures to prove to you all it happened. By the time the actual concert happens everyone is pretty wiped out and ready to go home, the spectacle another endurance test. My dear friend percussionist Alberto Lopez won a Grammy last year with his band Quetzal. I inquired over dinner what the perks were in the year following his win. He explained he received more respect, better paying gigs, opportunities to teach at prestigious schools, and when someone is on the fence about hiring him to record a project-the Grammy title seals the deal more times than not. Ok. That’s real. The following day I arranged to spend some time with Ricky Kej to discuss our project. Ricky is a busy Mother Fucker. BUSY! The kind of person who has two cell phones going at one time and 9 plates spinning. He is funny, smart, VERY tall, and always in a beautifully tailored suit. He is an exquisite producer, a good conversationalist, honest about his experience, free with his thoughts and laughs a lot. We drove around LA for hours discussing the differences of our countries, outmoded systems, the second class nature of how women are treated, his deep love of Metallica and fast food. By the end of our time together I felt the clarity I came for. I dropped him off in studio city, got a latte, put Rage Against the Machine on 10, and drove the 8 hours up the 101 to my beloved husband in my city by bay…. To see Photos go to http://amiepenwellblog.wordpress.com/2014/01/29/my-solo-grammy-investigative-mission/ Happy New Year to you all. Please pass along the tunes to those you think could use them. Thanks again for your time and listening! As always feel free to write me. I don't believe in artists being any less accessible than your local plumber. amie Other places to find my music on the web. Website: http://www.amiepenwell.com WATCH: Youtube http://www.youtube.com/amiepenwell LIKE: Facebook http://www.facebook.com/amiepenwell FOLLOW: Twitter http://www.twitter.com/amiepenwell