These are the words I remember Odetta telling me as I walked out of her dressing room 2 years ago after opening for her at the Hilltown Folk Music Festival in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts.

She was graceful, an obvious pro at wooing the crowd, and precise with her voice.

I enjoyed her.  I realized she was also still one of our times best kept secrets.  For everyone thay knew of her, there are still many more who do not even know who she was.  Not having  quite the Peter Paul And Mary or the Sweet Honey In The Rock notoriety, she was nonetheless on the front lines pushing for change and EVOLUTION in the 60s.

Something I didn’t even know

One of my favorite movies in the whole wide world…wait for it….is “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman”.  Is you the one Jimmy, Miss Jane would ask.  Ernest Gaines’ novel has always held a special place in my heart.

I recently watched the movie again made into a special 25 year anniversary edition.  And guess who was in it?  No other than Odetta.  In the film she plays Big Shirley…I believe…forgive me if I’m wrong.  In the film she is the protector of MIss Jane as a youth after Reconstruction begins.  And protect she did, taking out several Night Riders before falling herself.

I did not recognize her at all!You see, I met Odetta in the very deep winter of her life.  Recovering from a hip replacement/surgery when I met her, Odetta reminded me very much of the elders in my life now, hanging on with every breath.

Odetta, however, never seemed to be searching for a breath at all.  She was vibrant, colorful, and fiery.  She instructed the audience to take all the pictures they wanted before she started her performance in Massachusetts.  She held a long pose…almost as if mocking us.  And then she told us to back off..the master was about to work.

I loved that about her.  She, like so many other women artists, inspire me to keep going and remember that this is truly a life long journey that will grow with me as I grow. Music is never finite and so the music of Odetta, her legacy, and her life will live on.

It’s an election year and certainly music has been at the forefront of both campaigns. In another post, I’ll share my thoughts on more of the music I’ve seen transform the way both candidates have been viewed. But for right now, I just want to share my highlight moments from the DNC. I’m sorry, in comparison, the Republican National Convention just didn’t get it. Perhaps they forgot that the music wasn’t just for them but for the folks watching the convention on TV too….ya think.

Democratic National Convention

You see, music unites us. And the Democrats got it. Not only did they have R&B, but they also had Rock n Roll, and the Blues.

Some of my favorite artist were there – Stevie Wonder, my favorite soul sister Sheryl Crow & Michael McDonald (two of the soulful white folks I know), Take 6, John Legend, Melissa Etheridge, and of course the House Band.

They probably worked the hardest those 4 days and they definitely sounded great. Hats off to them for getting the gig. They played cover tunes that rocked the house and kept the party going.

And to the folks who thought Stevie Wonder went soft….give the man a break. His music as been so successful and timeless, he’s had to play it for over 40 YEARS!!!! He deserves to play new music just on GP (general principle) alone.

To me the convention are just that….big parties. My hope and prayer is that in my lifetime, we can party with more of a purpose and remember that we don’t have to live in a world with poverty or where folks have to choose between their medicines and bread.

The DNC did a much better job than the RNC at addressing some of those issues in my opinion, but let me know what you think. I was happy to hear about New Orleans artist and performer Margie Perez speaking at the convention and wrote about Margie speech here.

I suspect the best party is yet to come if Obama makes history again. Looking forward to finding out. What do you think?

Click to Play

Gas prices suck, don’t they? Sure I complain like we all do. But now, I’m driving much less. I’m also digging deeper into what has caused this great increase in oil prices. What I’ve found has been nothing short of frightening.

A year or so ago I watched a film called “Crude Awakening” on Netflix. The concepts the film discussed “Peak Oil” were foreign to me. Why hadn’t I learned this in high school!!! I’ll be doing another review on the film soon. The music is pretty dramatic too

For now, check out Crude Awakening on Netflix if you want to learn more about the energy situation. Better yet, just go to the library. I’m sure they have it too as well as some books for references

Here’s the trailer of the film:

Most of you know me as an artist, songwriter, and composer. What you may not know or have a sense of is the incredible amount of work it takes to actually market my music as an independent artist. It takes work daily. Monica who??? Some say….well I’ve grown accustomed to having thick skin.

Luckily, there are so many channels on-line to help with marketing. One of the channels I love is Youtube. If folks watch your video there’s a chance you may gain a new supporter and fan.

I was pleased to see a fellow New Orleanian using “social media” in this way. Theresa Andersson new cd release is scheduled for September (when’s mine…I hear you asking…soon…soon).

So she cleverly released a video of one of her songs and wow did it create a powerful buzz. Although I don’t think recording music with pedals is earth shattering, and I’m actually a little concerned that so many people thought it was better than a live band, this is where we are.

So check out Theresa’s video and Na Na Na on!!! And use social media, no matter what business you’re in. It works

I just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a Happy Father’s Day weekend.

As I think about my “Daddy” I’m thinking about the difference between mothers and fathers.

My dad was never afraid of letting me go and test my limits. He was never afraid of me getting hurt, or bumping my head. As me and my siblings got older, he would always remind us that “he didn’t fall off a watermelon truck yesterday” and if we wanted to we could “act a fool, kill yourself.”

We sometimes thought of him as a hard man, yet I think like most parents, he does the best he could with what he had. I now realize the older I get and the more I see my dad, he just wanted to prepare us for the hard times that would come and realize – like the Marine he always will be – that our actions have reprecursions.

My dad taught me how to ride a bike. I still remember that. He held the back of the bike until he thought I could handle it. He let go without me knowing it and shouted “You’re doing it!”

My dad also taught me how to drive a car (along with my older sister, thanks Michelle!). My mom only felt safe enough to ride with us once we had achieved getting our full license. She always wanted to keep us from hurting ourselves and getting bumped and bruised. I appreciate that too. But, my daddy taught me that it was okay to fly and test my wings, as long as I had a plan if the sun got too hot.

So here’s to the fathers on Father’s Day and to all of you who’s fathers have gone on, I invite you to hold the memories you have of your father close.

I had the pleasure of meeting both Bedonna Wakeman and Veronica Leandrez last year during the planning stages of Ladyfest New Orleans 2007.   While I was performing my set at Ladfest in November, LEandrez did this wonderful sketch of me.  You’ll notice she captured everything, including my but which seems to spread when I sit at the piano….I haven’t figured that one out yet…

Anyway,  I got a post card  about a touring exhibit featuring their work. Kudos to them!!

The tour is stopping in 4 cities :

1. Friday, April 4th 6-9pm  Premiere’s In New Orleans, Ray’s Neutral Ground – 508 Frenchmen St.
2. Friday, May 2nd 6-9pm Chattanooga, TN,  The  River Gallery – 400 East Second St.
3. Satuerday, May 31st 6-9 pm, Signal Mountain, TN – The Gibbons home – 1036 Lower Brow Rd.
4. Friday, June 6th 6-9 pm, Washington, DC – Artful Framing & Art Gallery – 1349 Maryland Ave. NE

Let your friend know and continue to support New Orleans Artists.!!!

So you’ve heard the news. Eve Ensler and crew (Oprah Winfrey, Salma Hayek, Jane Fonda, Jennifer Hudson, and a whole hosts of folks) will be converging on New Orleans this weekend.  Activists, filmmakers, thinkers, educators, etc. will all be present.  Will they/we be able to focus on the Vagina Monologues with all the activities in the city…that’s another question.
Superlove – April 11-12, 2008 – At the Superdome

The Superdome will be transformed into SUPERLOVE.  During these two days V-Day will reclaim the dome, making it into a place of empowerment and action.

Special wellness programs are being planned for the women of the Gulf South free of charge throughout the two days.  The space will feature events and programming – open to all – with international and local speakers, spoken word and performances, art installations, and more.

If you want more information on what’s going on this weekend, check out Eve Ensler’s official site. To get tickets, they are available at Ticketmaster here.

I want to thank everyone who does this work everyday locally and nationally who so often do not get the recognition they deserve.  It’s very easy to get caught up by the lights, camera, and the action, not to mention the star studded casts.  You are valuable to ending violence against women and you and I know WHO YOU ARE.

19 min. Right click to Download Here

Hi everyone. I had a wonderful conversation with Renee Schedeker about the New Orleans International Human Rights Film Festival and all the events happening.

I love the festival because of it’s mission:

New Orleans artists and activists founded our festival, and we are
dedicated to nurturing community, supporting the work of local organizers and organizations involved in social justice struggles, and linking local issues to international issues. Our goal is to raise awareness and provide a forum for artistic expression of these themes.

I am excited to be a part of it and that it is here in the city we love, New Orleans. Check out my interview with Rebecca, whose own film, By Invitation Only, screened last year and takes a real look at the Mardi Gras Ball/Debutante stratification around race and class.

19 min. Right click to Download Here

Podcast –
Right-click to download podcast

There so much to do here in New Orleans this weekend..

What are you doing?

French Quarter Festival?

V to the 10th/V-Day?

The New Orleans International Human Rights Film Festival?

New Orleans: Spirit a Risen?

Whatever you do, have a great time. Look for me, I’ll be around.

I’ve posted some additional information about these events and on the podcast. Check it out.

Podcast –

Right-click to download podcast

Hey Friends,

It’s time for the 5th Annual New Orleans International Human Rights Film Festival. I’ve had the great pleasure of my music being featured in two films screened at the festival -- “NO! The Rape Documentary” in 2006 and this year “Black Womyn:Conversations With Lesbians of African Descent.”

The film is produced & directed by Tiona McClodden who will actually be in town this weekend for the screening. Featuring powerful voices such as Cheryl Clarke, Def Poet Stacyann Chin and filmmaker Aishah Shahidah Simmons; and well…I’m actually in it too…but you have to come to the screening to see me in action

I WILL BE AT THE SCREENING AND PART OF A PANEL DISCUSSION TOO WITH TIONA AND AISHAH.

The screening is taking place on:

When: Sunday, April 13th, 2008

Where: Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center
1618 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, 4pm

For the complete schedule, go to the NOLA International Human Rights Festival Site.

Don’t miss it!! See you there.

Podcast --

Right-click to download podcast

Since I work mostly from home these days, I’ve been sheltered somewhat from the fuel costs associated with commuting. It’s still not fun watching the pump when I remember just last year it took half as much to fill my tank.

How are you feeling about the energy crisis?  do you think it’s artificial and man-made?  Let me know.