Where are the dreams that we once had?
This is the time to bring them back.
What were the promises caught on the tips of our tongues?
Do we forget or forgive?
There's a whole other life waiting to be lived when...
One day we're brave enough
To talk with Conviction of the Heart.
And down your streets I've walked alone,
As if my feet were not my own
Such is the path I chose, doors I have opened and closed
I'm tired of living this life,
Fooling myself, believing we're right, when...
I've never given love
With any Conviction of the Heart
One with the earth, with the sky
One with everything in life
I believe we'll survive
If we only try...
How long must we all wait to change
This world bound in chains that we live in
To know what it is to forgive,
And be forgiven?
It's been too many years of taking now.
Isn't it time to stop somehow?
Air that's too angry to breathe, water our children can't drink
You've heard it hundreds of times
You say your aware, believe, and you care, but...
Do you care enough
Where's your conviction of the Heart?
One with the earth,with the sky,one with everything in life.
I believe it will start with conviction of the heart.
With the earth,with the sky,one with everything in life.
I believe it will start with conviction of the heart.
One earth,one sky,only one world,only one chance for one life.
When will we live?
One child,one dream,only one life.
You've but one chance for one life.
When will we live?
Only one earth,and only one sky,and only one world.
We've only got one chance to live in one life.
I believe, it's only gonna start when we begin with some conviction of the heart.
----------------------------------------
wow ---- I think I may record it.
- Mood:
loved
Imagine a retreat where artists of all ages can come to connect, collaborate and learn from other men within their community.
Imagine a retreat where workshops would be taught on songwriting, music business, home-recording and much more.
Imagine a retreat where one could go to receive lessons for voice and instrument.
Imagine a retreat where artists come to get away from the pressures of life to explore their artistic nature and musical depth.
Imagine a place where one could go to produce and record their own original music at very low cost or for in-kind donation or trade.
Imagine a retreat that was completely self sustaining and fully green, and where visitors take part in creating the surroundings of the retreat.
Imagine a retreat that supported a community garden and no kill farm.
Imagine a retreat where one could explore there own spirituality in a safe and loving environment.
Imagine a place that celebrated the music and spirituality of all who visited.
....stay tuned for more
- Location:Nashville, TN
- Mood:
enthralled
Well, the show was cancelled due to heavy rain and tornado warnings, but all and all it ended up being a real gift, because we just took the show back to the hotel room and welcomed a new member to the Bearapalooza family, Steve Reeder and special guest and honorary Bear, Namoli Brennet. We shared songs for hours and hours...The rest of the weekend was just incredible, because the Pride organizers treated us like gold and gave us full vip access, vip seats and chance to meet the Indigo Girls!
Milwaukee ROCKED and next year we will rock the main stage with a Bearapalooza Super Band!
Check out the pics
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bearapalooz
Check out the video - thanks to Steve Reeder for capturing the night
- Location:NASHVEGAS, TN
of the nation's most distinctive celebrations of lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (LGBT) culture and community. Thousands will enjoy the
nation's biggest Pride entertainment lineup, catch up with old friends
and make new ones, and renew their sense of Pride.
Check out the schedule for this year!
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CHANGE![[obama_gay.jpg]](http://bp3.blogger.com/_yP2sDWn5S0M/R_edqc9FTJI/AAAAAAAAAeY/2vCknWimwIM/s1600/obama_gay.jpg)
Yes the Salon's Name is "Super Hair" - taken by my hubby
- Location:Nashville, TN
The stairs through the basement are sinking
Somebody told me I'm crazy
Thinking past the limits of thinking
The crevice in the ceiling is rusting
Who knows when it will cave in?
The image of a broken heart bursting
In the window that mirrors my skin
I am walking through this city
Trying to avoid the sidewalk cracks
Every step that I'm taking
I fear I'm under attack
They're on to me
And I am scared to no end
Once I had the control
Rules were there to bend
But now they're on to me
And I don't know how to get out
The thought never crossed my mind
I've run out of time
The fire from the stove is blazing
Spreading throughout my home
I didn't know what I was risking
Living here all alone
I could go out to the country
And hide there among the mountains
But sooner or later I'd grow thirsty
And wish I could drink from the fountains
I am walking through this city
Trying to avoid the sidewalk cracks
Every step that I'm taking
I fear I'm under attack
They're on to me
And I am scared to no end
Once I had the control
Rules were there to bend
But now they're on to me
And I don't know how to get out
The thought never crossed my mind
I've run out of time
by Ari Hest
- Location:Nashville, TN
You, you're such a big star to me
You're everything I wanna be
But you're stuck in a hole and I want you to get out
I don't know what there is to see
But I know it's time for you to leave
We're all just pushing along
Trying to figure it out, out, out.
All your anticipation pulls you down
When you can have it all, you can have it all.
So come on, come on, get it on
Don't know what you're waiting for
Your time is coming don't be late, hey hey
So come on
See the light on your face
Let it shine
Just let it shine
Let it shine.
Stop being so hard on yourself
It's not good for your health
I know that you can change
So clear your head and come round
You only have to open your eyes
You might just get a big surprise
And it may feel good and you might want to smile, smile, smile.
Don't you let your demons pull you down
'Cause you can have it all, you can have it all.
So come on, come on, get it on
Don't know what you're waiting for
Your time is coming don't be late, hey hey
So come on
See the light on your face
Let it shine
Just let it shine
Let it shine.
Hey let me know you
You're all that matters to me
Hey let me show you
You're all that matters to me.
Hey let me love you
You're all that matters to me
Hey so come on yeah
Shine all your light over me.
- Location:NASHVEGAS, TN
Hello Everyone,
It has taken a little while to get this list together so forgive the length, but we could have not done this without everyones help! Thank you for helping to make this dream a reality!
from Freddy Freeman, Michael West and the Bearapalooza Staff.
----------------------------------------
First to all of the artists...
Charles K. Brown - artist
Charlie thanks so much for putting up the credit to rent the van, financing the T-Shirts, and filming, but more than that, you pushed yourself because you believed in this, and we made some great memories.
J. Allen Brown - artist
Thanks for bringing some great sounds to the
Daniel Cartier - artist
You blew us away in
Grady Challis - artist and worked as a venue scout and promotion
Grady, thanks so much for bringing your warmth and humor to the stage. You blew away the audience and left them wanting more, hell you got a call for an encore. Your help with the venue and promotion in
Max Christopher - artist, planning Philly, sound, accommodations in NY
Max – You have been with Bearapalooza from the beginning, with good reason. You also really impressed us by taking charge of the Philly event. We were most proud of you for taking a chance and coming to
Swin Dunbar - artist, travel, accommodations, planning, sound, recording, fundraising, promotion
Swin, what can we say, your pure enthusiasm and faith in the project really kept us going! All the months and months of hard work and planning and tireless fundraising you did, we couldn’t have done it without your help! And we all were so blessed that you shared your passion and your unstoppable talent onstage. You are Bearapalooza to the core and we love you for it! You ready to make more music?
Freddy Freeman – from Michael
What can I say, it’s been an incredible year so far, we did what they said could never be done and we didn’t kill each other doing it. Others may think different but you are a wonderful person to work with, together we make a great team. I love you like a brother and I am so happy to have helped you realize the dream you have had for many years of taking Bearapalooza on a true tour. I love you and feel blessed to have Bearapalooza in my life. Now let’s take this thing into the future, you ready to make our new plans come alive?
Jay Freeman –artist / graphics and design
Jay, you brought so much to the tour. You have been Freddy’s right hand for years, keeping him on track and bringing your humor and passion to every moment. Thank You for driving, setting up, playing some kick-ass djembe and of course for making us look so good.
Future Villain Band - Glen, Patrick and Stewart - artists, promotion, donations
You guys have the purest love of performance we have ever seen. Your dedication to the stage is so admirable and we appreciated all of your efforts so much. We wish the crowd had been bigger at the end of the night, because you guys traveled so far, spent so much and so deserved it! We can never thank you guys enough and we cannot wait to share the stage with you again!
Steven Gelman - artist
Thanks for sharing your songs and that big voice and beaming smile! We were so impressed with your talent, and we welcome you to the family! And big thanks to your hubby for his help at the DC show!
Kevin Hannan & John Gilbert Leavitt – artist/accommodations
It was so great for Bearapalooza to connect with you guys again. Thank you for sharing your time, your home and your hearts. And Jon thanks for being a sponsor. Also huge thanks for showing us around
Don Harvey - artist, bass player, promotion, planning, accommodations (and Fred Pardo) – Don & Fred, your home was an oasis during our travels, we were so blessed to have such a welcoming place with such warmth and caring to rest and revitalize with good food, warm beds and great company. Don your music is so joyous and playful and your new CD sounds and LOOKS great !! And you are “sellin it” on stage!!! Fred thanks for working the door for us in DC!
Kendall Kelly - artist
Jesse Kerrison - artist, merchandise, roadie, street team captain and promotion
Jesse your sense of wonder and gratitude kept us going when the going got tough.
We saw things through your eyes and remembered why we did this. The bear community as it used to be is alive in you, and we hope that never changes. You did bust your ass for us, and we owe you our gratitude, but you were so much more than just the roadie. You were the sane one, thanks for keeping us grounded. We were so happy to share this wonderful experience with you and watch you grow as the incredible singer/songwriter you are, before our eyes. You are our family now!
Ernie Lijoi – artist
Ernie, Thanks for joining us again and bringing your fantastic voice, great songs and sexy presence to the shows, welcome back to the fold. You have been missed over the years!
Toshio Mana – artist, bass and keys
Tosh what can we say? You are one of a kind and a true original; a multi instrumentalist always irreverent in the best way. You have just always been there for Bearapalooza. Thanks for everything over the years Tosh. Oh, and you rocked that Mohawk like never before!
Roger Mapes – artist
You are the Bearapalooza angel. Your light is brilliant. You taught us to honor where we have been while embracing change. You have been through many incarnations and we love all of them! Thank you for your music and being a wise and loving member of the family.
Gordon Michaels - artist, accommodations, planning, and promotion
You came in like a hurricane and blew everyone away with your artistry and your attitude. You have grace, sass and a heart of gold. Thanks so much for the downtown tour, the pasta, and the comfy beds too. And big thanks to your wonderful accompanist; he is such a great guy!
Dave Moretti – artist/host & MC/accommodations/video
Dave your humor and joy brought something really special and unique to our DC/Baltimore dates. Your calm nature and wonderful smile grounded us in all of the backstage frenzy, so we thank you! Many thanks for opening your home to our artists and treating them to some great meals.
Ron Morris – artist
It has been such a pleasure working with you and sharing your wonderful songs. There is a unique, sweet, sincerity to your work that always hits audiences in the heart, and when you shake your groove thing while belting out a song on stage, we remember why we do these shows! Thank You!
Nekked - Sinn and JC - artists, sound, set help, promotion
Thank you for all of your help and for your beautiful sense of peace in the midst of occasional craziness. Your talent is so unbelievable and when you match that with the individuals that you are, it’s a force that cannot be contained. Thank you guys, we loved getting Nekked!
Troy Rusnack – artist and provided sound engineering
Martin Swinger - artist, mandolin
Martin, you are a true professional and an amazing storyteller. You are the god-father of this musical community; we all owe you many thanks for pioneering this brotherhood of music. Thank you so much for joining us and bringing your artistry to our tour and for playing mandolin.
Michael West – from Freddy
It’s been 4 years. We have had our ups and downs and struggled with our differences, but through it all there was always something that kept bringing us back together. In the end, you were the one who stood by me and helped bring this project of mine to the next level. I have seen you put in all the hard work, passion, and tears that I have, and sometimes more. Thank you for helping to make this dream of a tour a reality. You have talents where I do not and I am so happy we were able to synthesize our differences to create something bigger than both of us and to deepen our relationship more than ever before. You have taught me so much about myself, community, family and growth. This may have been my initial vision, but you were the driving force behind this tour and I want everyone to know that even with everyone else’s help, it could not have been done without the unique talents and hard work of “Mama-Bear”. I love you!
Josh Zuckerman – artist
Thanks for your talent and wonderful music. You and your band were very tight and rock solid with your tunes. We hope to get to know you better in the future. Thanks for joining the magic of Bearapalooza!
BIG WONDERFUL WARM THANKS TO THE EVENTS AND VENUES
Dan Kemery & Bill Hawk - Liberty Bears
Jason Kraley and Stephen Keever – for the wonderful sound set up and music in Philly
Damien @ Staff (love those door guys) of The Alley Bar -
Derek Danton @ Staff of The Eagle
Megan, Natasha and the staff of The Creative Alliance - Baltimore
Jed Star of Out Music NYC
Steven Smith and Duane Chilton of Remingtons - DC
Brigner Milne & staff of The View – Raleigh
BIG THANKS TO OUR AMAZING SPONSORS
Manhunt & Staff
Jon Gilbert Leavitt – JGL Songs
Ronnie Bacelo – WoofTease
Bill and Steve of Timberfell Lodge
Mike Hathaway of LMH Designs
Joe Maulucci at Bear Radio
USA Limited
BIG THANKS TO OUR INCREDIBLE MEDIA AFFILLIATES
Jeff Anderson - Cubs Out Loud
John @ DADT Podcast
Nard @ Bear Podcast
The great guys at Towleroad.com
Fausto Fernos of Feast of Fools
MTBA and all its Members
Brett of Bad Cub Club
Greg Hudson - WoobieBear Music
The Complete Bear
Bear Citi
BearGuide.net
Planet Bears
Bear Ulitmate
Bear Watch
Out Music
AND MANY THANKS TO ALL THE FRIENDS WHO HELPED OUT
IN SO MANY DIFFERENT and WONDERFUL WAYS
Steve Newman – photography and a wonderful Bearapalooza photo booklet that meant the world to us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Brigner Milne – videographer, set-up and Birthday needs. We love BRIGNER!
Citizen Rahne Alexander – videographer
Aaron Nelson – road equipment
Jonathan Butler - Q-notes in
Todd Franson – Metro Weekly in DC – thanks for covering the events
James Bradford – set-up and artist water needs (wink)
Joel Vincent – photography
Moose – photography
Josh Lloyd - for his support and help in the early planning of the tour
Bryant Meltzer – Sound advice, equipment and for the music and friendship!
D.J. Williams - Spiritual Advisor and so much more. (I love you my dear husband, thanks for putting up with months of planning and two weeks apart. You are the best! – Michae)l
Marty Pelto – Road advice
Eric Nance – Video footage and all of your support over the years.
To all the wonderful artists who performed at Out Music open mic we hosted in NY.
Tamechi – Thanks for 'Shaking yo' Poak Chops'.
The Staff at
All of our Live Journal Peeps
The really cute bears who helped load equipment in Philly
LOVING THANKS TO OUR PRIVATE DONORS
Andy Northrup
Jay Spears
Daniel Graham
Dennis Van Hove
Mitch Deighan
Jim Engelbech
Steve Danowski
Ben Langlan
Marvin Melendez
Reggie Greene
Richard Robinson
Mr. Bear Hug
Steve Newman
Abe Feldman
Aaron F. Lucier
Nick Bullock
Peggy Welch
Sharron Cataldo
Marie Freeman and Family
- Location:Nashville, TN
- Mood:
thankful
He has some incredible moves at the end of the video toooo!
- Location:NASHVEGAS, TN
- Music:Marc Broussard "Must Be The Water"
I’d like to write a song
A sweet and simple thing
And if I do it right
It’d be the only one I’d sing
‘Cause it would bring me everything I’d need
A song that I could sing you back to me
Sing you back, bring you back
A miracle of page and pen
You’d hear it and be here again
And always and forever there would be
A song that I could sing you back to me
There must be a million words
And all I have to do
Is lay my heart upon
Those rare and magic few
Why can’t it be as easy as it seems
A song that I could sing you back to me
Sing you back, bring you back
A miracle of page and pen
You’d hear it and be here again
And always and forever there would be
A song that I could sing you back to me
Sing you back, bring you back
A miracle of page and pen
You'd hear it and be hear again
and always and forever there would be
A song that I could sing you back
Bring you back
A song that I could sing you back to me
by Tony Arata
- Location:Nashville, TN
- Music:Trisha Yearwood - Sing you back to me
Congratulation's Daniel Graham of Binghamton, NY
Thank you for your donation to our tour fund!
- Location:Nashville, TN
of the nation's most distinctive celebrations of lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (LGBT) culture and community. Thousands will enjoy the
nation's biggest Pride entertainment lineup, catch up with old friends
and make new ones, and renew their sense of Pride.
Check out the schedule for this year!
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- Location:Nashville, TN
- Mood:
creative - Music:Watching Animal Planet
I know it sounds odd, but I am sitting here in tears at 4:30am. I just woke up to this band Switchfoot, playing on a late night replay of Leno. The song really struck me to the core, it really sums up how I have been feeling about my experiences on the Road Trip, with my own personal music, with the relationships with those I love and the plans we are making to keep the magic of Bearapalooza alive. I know it all sounds a bit corny, and I don't really care so much for Switchfoot, but what an incredible song to come along when I am at such a personal crossroad. I guess I woke up for a reason...to affirm what I had already found inside, through the power of music.
Here is the song and lyrics...
They're always
Inside of me
But I can't go back
Back to how it was
I believe now
I've come too far
No I can't go back
Back to how it was
Created for a place
I've never known
Chorus:
This is home
Now I'm finally
Where I belong
Where I belong
Yeah, this is home
I've been searching
For a place of my own
Now I've found it
Maybe this is home
Yeah, this is home
Belief over misery
I've seen the enemy
And I won't go back
Back to how it was
And I got my heart
Set on
What happens next
I got my eyes wide
It's not over yet
We are miracles
And we're not alone
(Chorus)
And now after all
My searching
After all my questions
I'm gonna call it home
I got a brand new mindset
I can finally see
The sunset
I'm gonna call it home
(Chorus)
Now I know
Yeah, this is home
I've come too far
Now I won't go back
This is home
- Location:NASHVEGAS, TN
- Music:Switchfoot
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