Updated Again! Birthday Challenge Update

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Updated: February 16, 2021

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Sarah Cade singing at mic
When your biggest fans are your puppies, you sing for them in the living room.

Someone asked me the other day how my birthday challenge was going and I realized that I hadn’t updated it in awhile. I’ve written a lot of songs. I was worried that challenging myself to write 55 songs this year would be difficult, but since September, I’ve written 29 41 songs, including 3 kids songs. It’s funny when the silly kids songs pop up out of nowhere. It’s not too surprising though, (in the words of Jimmy Buffet) “I’m growing older, but not up!” My silly streak remains in tact! I’ve got until the end of August to finish. As far as the other things on the list, it’s slow going with the Pandemic, especially the travel goals. Oh how I miss traveling!

  • Write 55 Songs (they don’t all have to have music or be “keepers”)
    1. Redhead Blue – recording now
    2. Untame My Heart (Karen Novy – co-writer) – recording now
    3. When It’s Time (Karen Novy – co-writer)
    4. Misogyny, Hypocrisy
    5. The Last time
    6. I Don’t Mind
    7. Cowboy On Spring Street
    8. I Hear Tears
    9. Sure Enough’s Not Good Enough
    10. His Love
    11. No Choice
    12. Help Me Stay Gone
    13. Impossible Choices
    14. The Song of Forgiveness
    15. Sweet Dreams My Baby – recording now
    16. Crying, Crying, Crying
    17. No More
    18. Inmate 60624
    19. Love is What Remains (Karen Novy – co-writer, Sue Paine Luther – co-writer)
    20. I Need Your Heart (David O Cooper – co-writer) Getting a demo cut at a studio in Nashville with Adam Fears
    21. Seeds of Love (Karen Novy – co-writer)
    22. Yes, Please! (Children’s Song)
    23. Candle In the Window
    24. Normal Ain’t Normal
    25. Odd Duck (Children’s Song)
    26. Stories About Strangers
    27. Unfriend
    28. I Listen Now
    29. When I’m Finished Loving You
    30. Rock-A-Bye Roisin
    31. What I’m Looking For
    32. You Say That Now
    33. Ready, Set, …! (Sarah Peterson – co-writer)
    34. When You Love Someone This Way
    35. Wonder-Full
    36. Life Keeps Getting Better
    37. He’s My Baby
    38. When You Look At Me That Way
    39. Now’s The Time (David O Cooper – co-writer)
    40. Watch Love Grow (Co-Write with Karen Novy)
    41. Love Is What Remains (Co-Write with Karen Novy and Sue Paine Luther)
  • Release 5 Singles – Currently working on recording 4 songs with my producer Eddy Hobizal at Treehouse Studio in Austin, TX.
    • Busy Blues – Release in March
    • Jumpin’ Jesus – Release coming in March
    • Untame My Heart – Almost done recording!! This one is HUGE!
    • Sweet Dreams – Almost done recording!! This one is different from anything else I’ve done!
  • Visit 5 New State Parks
    1. Fort Cobb State Park in Fort Cobb, OK
    2. Lake Livingston State Park in Livingston, TX
  • Visit 5 National Parks
    1. Hot Springs National Park
  • Visit 5 States
    1. Oklahoma
    2. Arkansas
  • Read 5 Books (real hold in your hands books)
    1. Daisy Jones and the Six (***) Interesting format. I had to look it up to be sure it was fiction!
    2. The Heart’s Invisible Furies (reading now)
  • Read/Listen to 15 Audio Books
    1. Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson (*****)
    2. Luster by Raven Leilani (***)
    3. You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero (****) I want to go drink a beer with this woman.
    4. Ink and Sigil by Kevin Hearne (****)
    5. You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero (****)
    6. One Minute Out by Mark Greeney
    7. The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett (****)
    8. Blood Song by Anthony Ryan (****)
    9. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman (*****) He’s written several of my favorite books. They stick with you.
    10. Bear Town (currently listening to)
  • Write 55 Letters (16 so far)
  • Learn 5 of my songs on Guitar
    1. Redhead Blue
    2. Let’s Just Sing
  • Learn 5 Songs on the Piano
  • Play 5 gigs
  • Sell 5 Paintings
  • Take Art Welding Classes – I’ve got information from ACC about classes!!
  • Volunteer (at least) 5 times
  • Try 55 New Things
    1. Velvet Taco Restaurant
    2. Virtual Yosemite Songwriting Retreat (****) loved it!
    3. Virtual Open Mic at Yosemite Songwriting (got through it!)
    4. Virtual Tin Pan South Songwriting Seminar (meh)
    5. Ola Maie Take-Out (meh)
    6. Emapanada Trailer at S 1st and Oltorf (meh)
    7. Coffee Dog in Bastrop (meh)
    8. Mrs Johnson’s Bakery Bastrop (meh)
    9. Camping on the coast in our camper Sargent Beach RV We stayed for 5 days and really enjoyed the laid back, quiet strip of coastline
    10. Tried Carne Lenta in Smithville, TX (pretty good, not my favorite tacos ever, but lots of meat and homemade tortillas!)
    11. Glass Blowing: I took a one-on-one, socially distanced, open-air studio, glass blowing session at Lost Pines Art Center. I can see how this art could get expensive and addicting very quickly. I would be happy just blowing spheres. There’s something magical about glass! Here’s the sun catcher I made (with help).
    12. Biderman’s Deli
    13. Sister’s Songwriting Retreat (virtual retreat based in Sisters, OR)
  • Art studio silo in Bastrop Texas
  • Firing Glass in Furnace
  • Blown Glass Sun Catcher

Flow Writing

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Posted: January 7, 2021

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Spider Image

I pulled this card from my Guide Deck one day. I gave myself to writing whatever came through me, without agenda and without self editing. What happened was both surprising and magical. Here’s what flowed out onto the page.

Write! Create! Express! The universe is clear. These are the things you are here to do. Add color, add love, add life, add fun, add courage, and nectar and beautiful things to this world. Bring your beauty to the collective. Let the world be better because of what you are and what you unleash upon this place. Be colorful. Be childlike. Be authentic. Be undeniably and apologetically you. You are unique, an integral part of the whole of the collective… of God. You are of the universe, of nature and mother earth, the stars and the light. You are worthy of shining like the stars. You are here to shine like the full moon, like the full sun — radiant and warm. Stay true to finding your path. Stay resolute in bringing joy! Sling joy, and let yours loose. Let it fly to find the souls that need it, just to feel it through you, through your art; through your songs; through your magic that is only yours, but is also ours. Your magic, your special kind of magic and light, is not yours to hoard and keep to yourself. It is a part of all of us. Share it. Be it. Fill the world around you with your goodness, your unique rhythm, light, your art, your song, your voice. This is why you are here right now. You make this all better. Even if you do not feel you know exactly why you are here yet, keep walking in the faith that you are an important light here. Take off the shade and shine bright. Be kind. Be love. Be light.

It felt like I was the recipient of a Divine gift. I felt almost transported, trance-like, peaceful. It felt like my brain went to sleep, but my fingers did not. It’s difficult to describe, but when I read, and then re-read what I had written, I was, and remain, grateful and surprised. It doesn’t even sound like my voice, yet I received the message. I think it’s beautiful. Magical. Devine.

Bright Colored 55 Image

55B455 Birthday Challenge

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Updated: December 31, 2020

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My weird, and mostly accidental, winding path toward music started with a birthday challenge almost 5 years ago. That simple, self-imposed challenge that included taking voice lessons, has changed my world forever, brought beautiful people into my life, and sparked a deep passion for songwriting. Time disappears when I write and sing and the act of creating something where once there was nothing, always fills me with wonder and an overpowering feeling of gratitude. It’s as if I’ve just had a miracle come through me. Those moments connect me to everything, to all that is. I love that place. Music was the best birthday gift I have ever given to myself.

Sarah Cade with Guitar

So, as I approach 55, I decided to treat myself to another birthday challenge! By the end of August 2021, I hope to look back and see a year full of wonderfully scary, beautiful, inspiring, hard, joy-flinging, eye-opening, door-opening, heart-expanding, lesson-learning, life-enhancing experiences!

I’m coming for you 55!!

Here’s the ever-changing and updating list:

  1. Write 55 Songs (they don’t all have to have music or be “keepers”)
    1. Redhead Blue – recording now
    2. Untame My Heart (Karen Novy – cowriter) – recording now
    3. When It’s Time (Karen Novy – cowriter)
    4. Misogyny, Hypocrisy
    5. The Last time
    6. I Don’t Mind
    7. Cowboy On Spring Street
    8. I Hear Tears
    9. Sure Enough
    10. His Love
    11. No Choice
    12. Help Me Stay Gone
    13. Impossible Choices
    14. The Song of Forgiveness
    15. Sweet Dreams My Baby – recording now
    16. Crying, Crying, Crying
    17. No More
  2. Release 5 Singles – Currently working on recording 4 songs with my producer Eddy Hobizal at Treehouse Studios in Austin.
  1. Visit 5 New State Parks
    1. Fort Cobb State Park in Fort Cobb, OK
  2. Visit 5 National Parks
    1. Hot Springs National Park
  3. Visit 5 States
    1. Oklahoma
    2. Arkansas
  4. Read 5 Books (real hold in your hands books)
    1. Daisy Jones and the Six (***) Interesting format. I had to look it up to be sure it was fiction!
  5. Read/Listen to 15 Audio Books
    1. Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson (*****)
    2. Luster by Raven Leilani (***)
    3. You Are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero (****) I want to go drink a beer with this woman.
    4. Ink and Sigil by Kevin Hearne (****)
    5. You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero (****)
    6. One Minute Out by Mark Greeney
    7. The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett (****)
    8. Blood Song by Anthony Ryan (****)
    9. Anxious People by Fredrik Backman (*****) He’s written several of my favorite books. They stick with you.
  6. Write 55 Letters (15 so far)
  7. Learn 5 of my songs on Guitar
    1. Redhead Blue
    2. Let’s Just Sing
  8. Learn 5 Songs on the Piano
  9. Play 5 gigs
  10. Sell 5 Paintings
  11. Take Art Welding Classes
  12. Volunteer (at least) 5 times
  13. Try 55 New Things
    1. Velvet Taco Restaurant
    2. Virtual Yosemite Songwriting Retreat (****) loved it!
    3. Virtual Open Mic at Yosemite Songwriting (got through it!)
    4. Virtual Tin Pan South Songwriting Seminar (meh)
    5. Ola Maie Take-Out (meh)
    6. Emapanada Trailer at S 1st and Oltorf (meh)
    7. Coffee Dog in Bastrop (meh)
    8. Mrs Johnson’s Bakery Bastrop (meh)
    9. Camping on the coast in our camper Sargent Beach RV We stayed for 5 days and really enjoyed the laid back, quiet strip of coastline
    10. Glass Blowing: I took a one-on-one, socially distanced, open-air studio, glass blowing session at Lost Pines Art Center. I can see how this art could get expensive and addicting very quickly. I would be happy just blowing spheres. There’s something magical about glass! Here’s the sun catcher I made (with help).

I will update this blog as I go. I hope to add links to the new songs, even if they’re just rough drafts. This part makes me nervous!

Are there any challenges I should add?

Music is the Magic

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Updated: February 27, 2019

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Lena Belle

I recently found an article about music and Alzheimer’s. If you’re like me, you don’t need science to prove its power, and yet that very science and study of the effects of music on the brain is weirdly comforting. The headline reads, “Study: Memories of Music Cannot Be Lost to Alzheimer’s and Dementia” and it cites a study published in
The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease . There are videos all over the internet showing how, for dementia patients, just listening to music can seem to bring them back to life and give them joy.

It’s magic to me. It was also magic to my grandmother who had Alzheimer’s. She was a piano player from her early childhood and was something of a prodigy. She even played the piano for the silent films when she was young. She played and taught her entire life and she NEVER forgot how to play. She mightn’t have been able to tell you her name, but she could flat out play until the end. Here’s a clip from my song about my favorite grandmother, “Lena Belle” and the magic of music.

Lena Belle, by Sarah Cade

Music really is magic.

Gypsy With Me — The Single

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Updated: February 22, 2019

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Airstream Gypsy With Me

It’s utterly bizarre to be typing this, but it’s also utterly thrilling to be typing this; “Gypsy With Me” is now officially a single! It’s out in the universe! (iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon Music and all the usual streaming places). I hope that it inspires many magical and interesting adventures!

Gypsy With Me by Sarah Cade

“Gypsy” was the first song that I wrote… ever, just a short year and a half ago. We had just bought our sweet Airstream, Buttercup, and I was really feeling the wanderlust set in with gusto. Maybe it was the whole hitting the half-century mark thing? Maybe it was my 50 before 50 birthday challenge that started this magical singer/songwriter journey in the first place? I needed a journey of some kind. That much is clear.

Music Is Magic

What I didn’t expect when I signed up for my first voice lesson (as part of my 50 before 50), was to some day hear myself say, “I’m a singer/songwriter from Austin.” That wasn’t part of the deal, but I’m so grateful that I’ve discovered a passion and a healthy obsession for writing songs, especially now. I’m not overly thrilled about the performing part, but maybe that comes with experience and time. Maybe. What I absolutely love the most, is the connection that happens when I tell stories of the songs and sing them to people. It fills me up. When someone tells me that a line, a story, an emotion from my music made them cry, or made them feel inspired, or happy, or sad or… anything… well, there’s no greater gift really. It’s a moment in time where we connected. Connection is my biggest and dearest motivation. It’s a complex and moving thing and music is the magic for me. It really is. It’s a universal language that speaks directly to our souls. It’s raw, and basic and powerful.

Now What?

I plan to release the entire album with 12 songs soon. Hoping for March, but (eeeeeek) that’s rapidly approaching. I’ve still got the day job, and the cute husband, 3 senior dogs, 2 amazing kids and sweet Buttercup. What was I thinking? GRIN! I’ve never been great at thinking things through and so I’m happily traipsing along having adventures as the universe sees fit. That’s all. Is that part of the wisdom of being 50ish? Maybe.

And holy cow, what a learning experience this amazing journey has been! I’ve got so many things to write about. I had to find a co-writer (and boy I hit the jackpot when I found Eddy Hobizal, thanks to my vocal coach Merrily) musicians, recording studios. Constantly saying, “Whoa, you can do that?” to my producer. Finding out weird things like different mics make a huge difference with different voices. What’s mixing? Mastering? Huh? Who knew you had to start a publishing company? Join ASCAP or similar organization? Create USIRC codes, figure out ISBN number thingys, find a distributor like TuneCore. How do I create artwork for singles, for the album and figure out if you want to have cds made? What about videos and YouTube? We’re adding in two cover songs on this album, and man, what fun getting mechanical licenses is. (ha!) Oh, and now we’ve got Copyrights recorded and everything. Photos? Don’t get me started… and the list goes on. Follow me on Facebook  or Instagram or right here on my blog to read the back stories if you’re curious. It’s a weird and adventure filled trip, this music thing.

It’s definitely been a joy ride right out of my comfort zone. They say that’s where the magic is. They’re not lying.

New Single and Video Released…. WhaaAAaaat?

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Updated: November 17, 2018

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Never in a million years would I have thought I’d be typing the words, “Check out my first single and music video.” Nope. It seems really bizarre, but it’s true. I decided to release “Liberty” just before the election in hopes of inspiring people to get out and vote. I wanted to remind us that our country is an amazingly unique and beautiful place. The elections have come and gone. I finally found a minute to update this website, though the video’s been out on my Facebook page for awhile. If you enjoy this, please share it and like it. It’s an easy way to help a girl out. And if you just wound up here randomly and have not a clue who I am, first, welcome and check out my story. 🙂 Thank you for checking it out.

If you’d like to buy this single, it’s out on iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Google Play and other streaming services. xo

The Story Behind the Upcoming Single “Liberty”

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Updated: October 26, 2018

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Who knew, when this journey began, that I’d be at a video shoot for one of my songs? I sure didn’t ever expect to be doing that, but it felt right to release this song with the hopes of compelling people to vote and to remind us all what an amazing and unique country we live in. These are tumultuous times. Our country feels divided and at times, divisive. I wrote this song about a year ago when I was feeling particularly angry at the state of our affairs. I was tired of being angry. I was tired of feeling divided from my fellow Americans. My first pass at “Liberty” was, well, for lack of a better word, bitter. Every time I read my own lyrics, I felt bile building up in my throat. I’m a happy and free spirited person and feeling bitter absolutely wrecks me from the inside out. I did NOT want this song to perpetuate anyone’s anger, especially my own. I didn’t want it to divide us. What I wanted more than anything was to write something unifying. It took me six months to explore my feelings and re-write the song to reflect why I’m so proud to be an American.
I started thinking about the first time I could remember feeling enormous pride about being an American. It goes way, way back to my 9 year old self, an aspiring gymnast and Junior Olympian, whose dream it was to represent the USA at the Olympics. The REAL Olympics. I was perched in front of the T.V. watching the opening ceremonies circa 1976 when Olga Korbut and Nadia Comaneci were set to compete. I couldn’t wait! I studied each country and marveled at the athletes as they marched in. I watched it all with big eyes, a pounding heart and huge dreams. I imagined what they must be feeling, seeing, and hearing as they walked in. I began to notice that each country’s athletes were fairly homogeneous looking. The British were mostly white, fairly fair skinned, bad teeth (joking!), the Chinese all looked similar, as did the Swedes and on down the line. As the U.S. entered with the Stars and Stripes, I felt this whoosh of pride that took my breath away. We were EVERYONE. We were the whole world! We were a motley crew of diversity. We were Americans! We were different. We truly were a melting pot. We were a country of immigrants and we were absolutely colorful and beautiful in a way that no other country was. We were the big glorious experiment of Democracy. I was so proud of my country. Those emotions still give me goosebumps.
I want to have goosebumps about this beautiful place. I want to feel proud and united again. Do you recognize this quote from the sonnet on the plaque at the base of the Statue of Liberty?

“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

~ Emma Lazarus

This is the essence of the United States of America. It’s who we are. Most of us immigrated here. Our ancestors showed up weary, broken and desperate for a new life. That is what they found here. THAT is what we stand for in this world stage. That’s one of the thousands of things that makes us unique, beautiful, and strong!

I hope this song will help unite us, and will remind us that “America’s still beautiful because of you and me”.

Any love, favorites, shares and plays you can give are so appreciated!

Find Liberty on Spotify 

Buy it on iTunes until we figure out how to sell it here! 🙂

Play it on Apple Music  please!

With love and gratitude and huge American pride.

Sarah Cade