Girl on Film

A few weeks ago I shared the "Tale of the Photo Session" all about the cover shoot for my soon to be released EP Breathing. While I had lots of details at the time, I didn't have any actual shots. happily, I now have in my hot little hands (or computer as the case may be) a few behind the scenes shots of the day in question which I am tickled to share with you.

It takes a village of highly trained specialists with a whole lot of product to get one redhead ready for her close-up.

Edwin Peterson, who masterminded the hair and make-up look for the session applies another layer of product assisted by Tommie.

Make-up artiste, Jay Milian, gives me an ultra smoky smoky eye. By the way, when the black eyeliner is coming straight at your eyeball it's best not to laugh, no matter how amusing the joke!

Did I mention how much Edwin REALLY loves product?

Having sufficiently shellacked me Jay and Edwin cross their fingers, give me a kiss for luck, and send me out into the tempest.

Having Conquered the elements my intrepid photographer Issac Bailey and I end our session slightly damper and crazier than before but with some really cool options for a cover. What will we choose? You'll have to stay tuned...

Did You Hear What I Heard?

At the crack of dawn on the day after Christmas Spouse and I caught one of the last flights out of Newark before the blizzard shut it down, and headed off to his niece’s wedding in Portland, OR. We escaped the snow and ice but not precipitation. It rained and rained and rained the entire time we were there. There was serious discussion of ark building amongst the East Coast contingent. In spite of the moisture it was a terrific week with seven of the ten siblings in spouse’s family together for the first time in many years. Yes, Spouse comes from a family of ten. It’s sort of like marrying into a small country.

At the reception as we were all bopping about to Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean, my sister –in-law, Heather heard her children (the utterly adorable Elijah and Charlotte) loudly singing

Billie Jean is not my lover she’s just a girl who claims that I am the one…but the cheerleaders took my son.

Thanks guys for providing me with one of our favorite mondegreens EVER! Shine on you crazy blind men.

Our Gift To You

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Stephen Sondheim
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog March to Keep Fear Alive

As we've mentioned before one of our latest obsessions is  Stephen Sondheim's new book Finishing the Hat: Collected Lyrics (1954-1981) with Attendant Comments, Principles, Heresies, Grudges, Whines and Anecdotes. If we could we'd wrap up a copy for each and everyone of you as a present. Since we lack the funds and the staff of magical elves necessary for shipping such a gift, we decided to give you a glimpse of the man himself from a recent episode of The Colbert Report. With it we are sending you our warmest December wishes and hopes for a bright and tuneful New Year.

Hugs, kisses and all that other stuff!
Your Redheads

We'd Rather You Didn't...World Leader Edition

Much has been made of entertainers who dabble in politics, but what happens when the tables are turned? Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin took to the stage recently at a children's benefit in Saint Petersburg.  Good luck in your day job Mr. Prime Minister, you're going to want to hold onto it!

All Hail the Queen of Soul

Aretha Franklin has long been one of our very favorite performers, and we are deeply saddened to hear of her recent health troubles. We're sending many thoughts, prayers and wishes her way for a rapid recovery, and sincerely hope that she'll be back on stage soon doing what she does best!

I’ve Got a Name Etc.

It’s been a while since I posted an update on my EP project, so I thought I’d take a little breather from the Holiday madness to fill you in.

After several months of referring to the project as The Wendy Lane Bailey EP Project or simply The Recording we’ve got an honest to goodness title. Soon you will be able to rush right out and buy your very own copy of Wendy Lane Bailey’s Breathing. The title comes from a song written by Amanda McBroom, and my producer/arranger/music director Michele Brourman. As far as I know, I’m the first person outside of Amanda herself to have recorded it, and I’m very excited to send it out into the world.

The post-production phase is moving along nicely. We’re almost ready to send the tracks off to mastering, the dull legalities are being handled and artwork is being created. In the coming weeks I’ll be announcing the official release date.

I had a wonderful photo session with Isaac Bailey. I got to show this native Californian why we Southern Girls are called Steel Magnolias by posing outdoors in 38 degree weather. Oh, and did I mention it was sleeting and there was a corset involved? We had the best location EVER, but I’m not going to tell you what it was. I’ll wait till the cover is revealed and we’ll see if you can guess. My undying gratitude and admiration go out to Mario Raymondi, Edwin Peterson, and Jay Milian who worked wonders with hairspray and waterproof mascara. It takes a highly specialized team of beauty experts to keep a girl looking her best even in a monsoon.

The closer I get to finishing the more excited I get. I’m tremendously proud of my work and the work of everyone who contributed to Breathing, and I’m eagerly anticipating the day it makes its grand debut!

Of Domestic Perfection & Such

We've been decking our halls and frantically preparing for our appointed holiday rounds of gigs and socail events (sometimes both at the same time!).  All of this brings to our mind the woman who does it all with such aplomb, not a blonde hair mussed, or a button askew. The Queen Mother of Domestic Perfection, Martha Stewart. Of course, we wish to point out that the reason she's never ruffled is that she has a staff of highly trained elves whose job it is to make such perfection. We try to keep this in mind while we are juggling our various yuletide obligations and feeling slightly less than breezy. When that thought fails to comfort us there is always our friend Amanda McBroom, whose song to the Domestic One always perks us right up!