August 26, 2013

Somethings New


Happy Monday Everyone!

Summer is always a busy time.

August, apparently, is always busier than July.

And this has been a particularly busy week on Blueberry Hill - a week of Somethings New.

We got a new granddaughter :)

Can you imagine ever being that small, or remember when your kids were?  And what is it about babies that just melts us all into puddles of mush?  I don't think it's possible to be around babies without feeling like you're overflowing with happiness :)


We have a newly wisdom-toothless child - the second full set of wisdom teeth out in one month at our house (and no, we do not have dental insurance - ouch!)  Not so much sunshine and happiness on this front (and no pictures of the chipmunk cheeks!), but at least it's over and done with.

And finally, I have something else new to share with you.  (And forgive me in advance... I realize I'm edging into questionable territory here, but I can't help myself :)  If you can't share with your friends, who can you share with?)  The other new thing is a new album called Don't Look Back.

My husband, Eric, in addition to his many other wonderful qualities (which I will refrain from enumerating lest you accuse me of sounding like a lovesick teenager :)) is a singer/songwriter who writes all his own music and lyrics and has recorded several albums.

As writers, some of us published, some of us pre-published, some of us published once upon a time but going through a long stretch of nothing new, we can all understand the challenges of trying to become known and/or recognized in a competitive industry.  Especially with the advent of the digital age and the infinite bookshelf (and whatever you'd call its equivalent in music - the infinite playlist? :)) the knowns stay known, and the unknowns get harder and harder to find regardless of how much they may have to offer.  So much talent.  So many wonderful books and so much great music.  It can be hard to get noticed.

As writers, we write so that people will have a chance to read our words, so I think we're in a better-than-average position to understand musicians who operate on the same wavelength - they write/sing/play so that people will hear their songs.

All of this to say, if you've got a few spare minutes and would like to visit Eric's website, listen to a song or two, and maybe, if you like anything you hear, download a song or two (they're only .99) it would really make his day to know that some new people were hearing and enjoying his work.  (And it would make my day to see him happy and excited because some new people were liking his music :))  He has not asked me to do this (or even hinted at it) but I thought to myself, maybe some of you in this generous community might be interested, so why not share?  He has just updated his website, added the new tracks, and put up his new music video, so it's the perfect time :)

Probably my favorite track from his new album is called The Question Why.  In addition to being upbeat with the kind of tune that gets stuck in your head, it features our daughters on back up vocals and our son on bass guitar (and not just because they're part of the family - they are all very musical - and I am not at all biased :))

Anyway, he works very hard all the time on many things, doing so much for all of us as a family, that I wanted to do this for him - let you all know in case you might be interested.  He's not super active - he doesn't have time - but you can follow him on Twitter if you care to boost his follower list :)  And it would be the best kind of day for him if a bunch of new people purchased some of his songs.

So that's it.  Thank you for indulging me in this slightly unusual, off-the-track post :)  Please feel free to spread the word to anyone you know who might be interested!

Have a marvelous Monday everyone!  I'm off to drool over that sweet baby :)

48 comments:

  1. This_Kid_Reviews_Books_ErikAugust 26, 2013 at 7:32 AM

    Congratulations again :) I like Mr. Hill's songs! (He is who sang for your CSWS Ad/Jingle contest entry?) Very cool! :D

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  2. Congratulations (again) in your new grandbaby!!

    Will definitely go check out Eric's website and songs but will have to wait until I go to town for wifi to buy/download song.

    So what's it like to have so much talent in the family? :)

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  3. Thanks, Erik! :) And yes, he's who sang on the CSWS jingle. He will be glad you like his songs! :)

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  4. Thank you so much, Teresa! She is such a cutie :) As for talent in the family, it's a little intimidating! I feel like the black sheep :)

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  5. Congratulations again on your new grand daughter! And congratulations to your husband on his new album! My, you do have a talented family, including you in writing!! (unless u sing or play an instrument that we don't know about)

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  6. Thanks so much, Tina! I sing in the car and the shower (not in public!) and I do play piano (but also not publicly - that's why I didn't go to Julliard - I hate performing in public!) but I am not in the same league as my husband and children. My step-daughter has a beautiful singing voice, my step-son plays bass guitar, our younger daughters are both good singer/songwriters, and our younger son plays 11 instruments at varying levels of proficiency but is self-taught on all but the guitar and bass. It's pretty fun to hang out in the living room on a night when they all get to jamming :)

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  7. Congratulations on your newest beautiful grand daughter, Susanna! And ouch for two sets of wisdom teeth extractions. Thank you for sharing Eric's website. David and I were just talking about needing to find some new music and I am enjoying listening to Eric's songs this morning! You Make Me Crazy is my current favorite. It must be wonderful to have so many musicians in the family!

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  8. Thank you, Heather, for the congrats and for the wisdom tooth sympathy :) I'm so glad you like Eric's songs! Did you see the video of You Make Me Crazy? All the outdoor parts were shot in our front yard :) And you can see our dog Jemma in one part :)

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  9. No, I didn't see the video. I've just been listening to the playlist. I'll have to go have a peek now. :)

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  10. Congrats on your new granddaughter!!! Enjoy melting into a puddle of mush as she takes up space in your heart. :D


    I checked out a few of Eric's songs and his video. Very cool vibe. I'll swing by again later (with some wine?) for another listen. I checked out his calendar too . . . gigs in Scotland! How fantastic!

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  11. Babies are such life-changing little rascals. Just ask Nadeera from Power Rangers Time Force. Tossing virtual confetti for you and your loved ones on this beautiful addition to the family.


    I checked out his site and The Question Why was playing. It has such a wonderful, folksy and relaxing feel, even being upbeat. Thank you for sharing about his music...and I personally wouldn't be offended if you mentioned it again :-)

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  12. Thanks for the congrats, Nancy :) and for taking time to listen to Eric's music! Yes, he goes to Scotland for 2 weeks each summer to do fundraising gigs for Muirhead Outreach Project which is an organization to help children in need.


























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  13. Thank you so much, Angela - you're so sweet! :) We are soaking up every minute we can get with our new baby, and Eric will be so happy to know you enjoyed listening to his songs :)

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  14. Ah. A new baby. What a blessing! Your husband makes nice music and your girls have very pretty voices. I've passed his link on to my daughter, also a singer/songwriter. I like the song you like best. Very nice.

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  15. Congratulations on the new granddaughter! So beautiful and sweet!
    Didn't realize your husband, Eric, was a talented musician. Enjoyed listening to the song and checking out his site. So much talent in the Hill family!

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  16. Sweet puddles of mush! Congratulations. And I'm really digging The Question of Why. I'm going to get my son to listen when he gets home from school too. He's been into some folksy music lately. I bet he will think it's awesome too. Big YAY for you and yours, Susanna. :)

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  17. First of all, CONGRATULATIONS!!! What a precious new life...thank you so much for sharing her with us.:) :)

    Secondly, CONGRATULATIONS to your talented husband (and family)! Listening to the Eric Hill Band music took me back to a wonderful place...so reminiscent of Bob Dylan and Paul Simon...thank you for sharing this with us. I 'liked' his page on FB and am following him on Twitter and downloaded the 'Question Why' song. :) I can't wait for my husband to wake up...this is the kind of music he loves as well. And my daughter's boyfriend also plays/played in a band and sang and played for us when they visited earlier this month...I will share this with them.


    The packing is progressing.:)

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  18. Congrats on the new addition to the family.

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  19. Congrats TO the grandchild - she picked what SOUNDS like a wonderful family! Haha! And to me, because I just downloaded her grandfather's album - 3 mins left til I can listen to the whole thing - over and over!

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  20. Very exciting times in your house, Susanna! Congratulations on the grand baby!

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  21. Welcome to your lovely new granddaughter! Guess that means you're a grandmother again rather than being a grandfather this time! ;)

    Looking forward to listening to your husband's music! What a talented family.

    Hope the toothless ones heal quickly.

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  22. It sounds like good news all around on Blueberry Hill -- except for the wisdom teeth, of course. Congrats on your adorable new grandbaby! And a big wa-hoo-wa for your husband and his latest album. Enjoy all the happiness.

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  23. Thank you for the congrats, Rosi, and thank you so much for taking the time to listen to Eric's music AND pass the link to your daughter. He and I both really appreciate it! :)



























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  24. Thanks for the congrats, Pat - she IS a cutie, isn't she (not that I am biased in any way :)) And thank you so much for taking the time to listen to Eric's music. I know he'll be thrilled :)



























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  25. Aw, thanks Coleen! For the congrats and for taking the time to go listen to Eric. We are both appreciative, and I hope your son enjoys it!

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  26. Thanks for the congrats, Vivian - it's wonderful to have new babies, isn't it? Her name is Caroline Cecilia - so pretty I think! And oh gosh thank you so much for taking the time to listen and download and share when you are so busy! Eric and I both really appreciate it, and I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Good luck with the packing. I've been watching your videos as they pop up on YouTube - your grandson is SO cute!

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  27. Haha! :) Thanks, Julie :) And oh WOW thanks so much for taking the time to visit Eric's site and listen and download the whole album! So incredibly nice of you!!!!!!!!! :)

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  28. Thank you so much, Katie! It is lovely! :)

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  29. Thanks for the good wishes, Beth! And there's probably a saying about this... "Twice a grandmother, never a grandfather" or something? :) I hope you enjoy the music! And thanks for your thoughts for the toothless wonders - one is pretty well healed at this point, the new one is mending. It's a rough week, the first week after! I've always counted myself lucky that I didn't have to have my wisdom teeth out, but I do hope they stay in good shape because I've heard getting them out as an adult is WAY WAY worse than when you're a teenager...!


























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  30. CAROLINE???? That is our daughter's name!!! Yes, it is so pretty.:) :) Jeremy is her son...he's the one you see in the YouTube videos.:) And he makes the packing so worth it!

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  31. That is so funny! My best friend all through elementary and high school is also Caroline (never to be confused with Carolyn! :)) It's one of my favorite names :) And I'll bet the packing is much easier knowing what's waiting for you at the other end! :)

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  32. That is so true!!! And perhaps, once I am settled, I will find a way to go to some East Coast conferences, where I may finally meet the lovely Susanna.:) :)

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  33. I make no claims to loveliness, but that would be SO FUN, wouldn't it?! :)

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  34. Congratulations on all your great news, Susanna and Eric! Your new granddaughter is precious! And I really look forward to hearing Eric's music!!

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  35. Thanks so much, Iza! We are going to see her today :) And I hope you'll like Eric's music. Since you live in the approximate neighborhood you might even get to come hear him play live some time! :)


























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  36. Have been in and out of town and catching up but HAD TO tell you your granddaughter is beautiful!

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  37. Oh, right, Ms. Tons of Award Winning Books Under Her Belt feels inadequate. ;D

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  38. Isn't it always surprising just how tiny a new baby is? Congratulations on the new grandbaby!

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  39. I am listening to Eric as I respond! Very nice! What a talented family!


    So glad you're getting to visit that precious new granddaughter!

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  40. Oh my, I started listening and now I'm going to be late for work. Will definitely be going back to buy some of his music this afternoon. Thanks so much for sharing this, Susanna. I love discovering new music =)

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  41. Thank you so much for listening, Ruth! I'm thrilled that you like it and Eric will be too! :)

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  42. What a cute granddaughter, big sweet congratulations, and to Eric.Wow, I love his music. So much good news. ENJOY!

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  43. Aw, thanks so much, Joanna! And it's lovely to see you - I've missed you!!! :)

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  44. It's great to be back in the blogosphere again and I shall kick off again on Monday!

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  45. I shall be limping along a bit for another week until I get everyone settled back at school, but then there's hope :)

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  46. Oh, thank you so much, Wendy! You are so sweet! :)



























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