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A Ray Of Sunshine....Pamela Sunshine

Let me introduce you to a women with a smile as big as the sun and a character to match! Pamela Sunshine. Pamela is a multi-talented gem who shares her colorful energy with children and inspires them to be positive and free spirited. 

 

Hello Pamela. What musical fun are you up to today?

 Hi. I am currently recording a 5 song EP of my grown up songs.  This is very exciting and the songs are turning out great. Some are songs I wrote quite a while ago and it is great to see them coming out into the light. I am also starting new kids CD in March, which is very exciting.

Let’s talk about childhood. Where are you from?

Born in Vancouver BC to parents who emigrated from England. I grew up in the small town of Haney, now Maple Ridge and moved to England at 17 with my family. It was a very exciting place to be as so much incredible music was being made there.

What was your childhood like? Was there a lot of music?

My mom always sang and my parents loved music. I grew up listening to a widely eclectic mix of genres.  Every Sunday my Dad put on classical music after dinner and it was quite amazing. Also Ella Fitzgerald and Lois Armstrong, the Harmonicats, everything really.

Are there other musical people in your family?

All my kids are musical, and my daughter Beth is a singer/songwriter and we often perform together. We used to do so regularly as Two Tall Women and even toured the UK together.  Now we support one another and pursue our own projects as well.

What types of creative things did you do as a child?

I took piano lessons from the age of 6 and loved singing. I was in school choirs etc and also in the school musical. 

What inspired/inspires you to create your music for children?

I became a teacher, I always wanted to be a teacher, and loved sharing songs with kids in my class. When I had my own kids I started doing childrens CDs and shows.  My philosophy with kid’s music is that children should be empowered to be music makers and not spectators. I encourage participation and audience involvement in my shows.  

Your music is empowering and engaging. And nature appears to be a big inspiration. Is that the case? What about it inspires you?

Quite a few of my songs for children involve nature. I used to play outside a lot and as a teen and got great solace from being outside, sitting by the river or ocean. I guess it is natural to write about this subject. Let’s Go Climb the Rockies and See The Snow among others, are songs that just came to me, they are like all songs, a gift.

 

You live by the water, I know that must be awe-inspiring. How much time do you spend at the water? Are you inspired to write or sing when you’re there?

I used to be inspired by this, the first song I ever wrote involved the sea at Scarborough in Yorks, England, where I went to college. Also many early songs referenced the Alouette River where I used to play as a child.  Now I am more inspired by hope and joy.

Do you write all of your own songs and music?

I love writing my own songs and music. My first children’s CD when I performed as Pamarama, a singing clown, had a mix of originals and traditional favorites.  I also did a childrens CD of singing games and chants, which were traditional. As Pamela Sunshine, my CDs are full of my original songs.

Pamela, do you or have you performed live? If so, where?

I have been performing live for years.  I started out entertaining children as Pamarama and then Pam Southwell and now my children’s music is presented under the stage name Pamela Sunshine.  I do concerts, festivals, community events etc. Last year I played the Kids Stage at World Fest in Los Angeles and that was lots of fun.

Of all of your songs, which is your favorite?

Probably Growing Up Green.

 

 

What one thing would you like to do that you haven’t yet as far as your career is concerned?

I would like to release a Storytelling CD. It has been a dream of mine for a while and I have the name, The Stories of Three.  Recently I connected with someone who does soundscapes and sound effects, so we plan to work together on the stories.

Do you have any other Creative Outlets and what are they?

I am currently uploading songs and chants for children to my youtube channel, http://www.youtube.com/pamelasunehinetv and promoting it. I am excited to be archiving all the songs etc that I have gathered over the years I have worked with children.

I also blog. I have several blogs, one supporting and promoting women in music, http://violetfemmesmusic.blogspot.com  and another that shares my ideas and work within education, http://www.pamscreativeclassroom.com .  I sing for adults as well as children and have just set up a site for my grown up music, http://www.pamcarrmusic.com

I also paint when I get the time. lol

What Inspiration would you share with others following their dreams?

Right now I just feel so joyful to be supporting my artist and I encourage others to commit to their creativity. Once you do you are led to do what is right for you. Listen to the creator within and follow your heart.  I had so much help from books like the Artists Way by Julia Cameron. 

How can we find out more about you and hear more of your music?

You can buy my kids music at CD Baby and download it from iTunes.

I have a productions company called Magic Puddle Productions and we are excited to say that the Growing Up Green CD is in libraries across Canada and is now in US libraries. This month Growing Up Green won a Kids Music Award for CD of the month and also got a rave review in New York’s School Library Journal, the world’s largest reviewer of Children’s multi media for libraries.

Thank you Pamela! Keep on Shining!
Pamela Sunshine is active on the Scene and you can find out lots more at these other sites.  

http://www.pamelasunshine.com

http://www.facebook.com/pamelasunshine

http://pamelasunshine.blogspot.com

http://www.youtube.com/pamelasunshinetv

ON THE AIR!

Hi everyone! :-) The first online episode is up! :-) Drop a line if you can ok? Much Love!

A Style of His Own. Randy Chiurazzi

San Diego-Based guitarist Randy Chiurazzi has created a style of music that’s his own. With his guitar he creates a unique sound of western and eastern flavor for children and adults. He also focuses on creating interactive learning songs for kids which they love and he does fun live performances and weekly BlogTV. His music is fun and touching and definitely adds sunshine!

Randy, what was your childhood like and did it have any influence on the style of music you play now?

My childhood was very typical in many ways. Not a lot of musical influence in my home, but great parents who encouraged me to travel, and keep an open mind.The part that influences how I play now was my young adulthood. I spent two years studying Guitar Craft with Robert Fripp in Europe. 

Your songs are very unique, do you write all of your own songs?

Yes. I have always wanted to write my own songs.

These songs have a lot of personal feeling to them. Are they emotional for you? What inspires you to write?

I love to get behind the song and make it everything it can be when it is performed so I focus on getting into it emotionally.I am inspired by things that strike me as phenomenal. Sometimes, they are things a lot of people think are amazing, and sometimes not. I like it when a phrase or concept enters my mind that makes something mundane seem amazing to me. I also like when a concept enters my mind that makes something amazing seem mundane and commonplace to me. 

Most of your music is based around your guitar. Do you play other instruments?

I play all of the instruments on my Children's CD, "Let's Go to Africa", but it was difficult. So, yes, but with a lot of effort.

I went on a mental vacation when I heard “Brush Strokes”. Where does that song come from? What made you name it ‘Brush Strokes’?

On that day, I liked the tone quality of the strings when my fingernail brushed across them; then, the main riff of the song started to take shape. I took the time to develop the idea into a song because I wanted something instrumental to play on stage. I am inspired to write instrumental music. I have written a score for a play, http://setinvenice.com/music.htm so I was glad that Brush Strokes came along.

Did you write all of the music for ‘Set in Venice’? How do you get there in your head? I don’t think I could ever sit down and connect the music with the scenery as you did.

I wrote all of it. I spent some time studying music composition at Duquesne University and Carnegie Mellon University music schools in Pittsburgh. I developed a love for composing and have been listening to a lot of modern symphonic music ever since. I developed an approach to instrumental music that I explain at my website http://randychiurazzi.com. When the Setinvenice writer, Greg Hohman said, 'I want you to really explore the ideas you have on your experimental music page', I was inspired to spend the many hours it has taken to realize the score.

What is ‘Let’s Go to Africa’ about?

That is how I combine my love of teaching and music. A friend of mine said, ‘you should write children's music'so I did! In fact, "Let's Go to Africa" is the first episode of a children's music video show. I made a low budget version of the show so potential producers can see the concept. The videos are on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/thegoshowonline. My dream would be to host a travel show where I write and perform music with and for kids. I have performed the show at schools and parties with puppet man Scott Masters. At the website you will find the lyrics and ideas for making instruments.

Where do you perform live?
I perform at an Open Mic on Tuesday nights at a fantastic Portuguese restaurant called Portugalia in San Diego at 4839 Newport Avenue, San Diego, CA 92107

It is hosted by excellent San Diego songwriter and promoter, Jefferson Jay-jeffersonjay.com. I play longer sets in the showcases that Jefferson puts together. 

What Inspiration would you offer our Creative Souls out there?

I would say to get the most enjoyment out of your art. Learn how to relax about your technical level at any given time. Learn how to play at that level with the highest quality. Anyone who sounds great is doing just that, no matter how technically brilliant they are.

I have been very fortunate to study with some of the best teachers in the world. That is the best training I have received from them.

Be sure to check Randy out and http://randychiurazzi.com and live on Blog TV at  http://www.blogtv.com/people/randychiurazzi   

Thank you so much Randy. We wish you a fun and musical Journey. 

FROM WHENCE SHE CAME

5 Generations of Beauty

You may have noticed the consistent flow of Genealogy commercials on Television lately. And why not? We all want to know who & where we came from. However, it can be disappointing and defeating when we reach out to the myriad of services offering to find your past.  I recently was blessed with information, ancestral pictures and re-connections with family long ago lost. I can't begin to tell you the pleasure I take in looking at the wonderful pictures and into those beautiful faces and feeling the energy and history connected to them.

Self described Southern Cali Genealogist, Geralyn L Morris, shares her experience and valuable knowledge with us as she Journeys through the history of her own family. The information she discovered without spending a dime is not only encouraging but definitely inspirational. 

1. Geralyn what got you interested in doing Genealogy?

In 2000 I was in school and one of my professors gave me an assignment to interview a relative either one generation above me or one generation below me.  I chose to interview my grandmother.  Her responses fascinated me so much that I wanted to know more.  Even though she had raised me, I felt like that was beginning of me really getting to know her.  My grandmother was 9 years old when her mother died and she didn’t know a lot about her family.  I found so much information on the internet and every time I shared the information with my grandmother, it brought us closer to one another.

2. What kind of surprises have you found while doing your searches?

There were many, many surprises.  I found out that my grandmother had 2 older siblings that died in infancy.  I found out that one of her brothers was actually a junior.  Her brother Alfred was actually born Jesse A. Handy, Jr. but over time his name became Alfred Lawrence Handy.  I don’t think he even knew what his birth name was. I found this information via Census Records.

 3. How long does the average search take?

LOL.  I don’t think there is such a thing as “the average” search.  There are times when I search for less 15 minutes and find information and then there have literally been times when I’ve searched for 8 to 10 hours straight and didn’t find any useful information.  It just depends on what records you are searching and what information is available.

 

   4. What is the feeling like when you make a connection?

Oh wow, talk about a rush!  It is the greatest feeling of accomplishment.  In the past, every time I found new information I would immediately call my grandmother and we would both get so excited.

 5. What if any changes has doing Genealogy made in your own life?

It has truly given me a sense of belonging and a desire to leave a positive impact on future generations.  Everything I write I think of how it will be interpreted 50 plus years from now.  I try to be very careful to leave accurate information.  I think sometimes I annoy family members because they may want to list a nick name as their name or add someone to the family tree as a child or sibling that is not a blood relative.  I would still add that person if they are related by marriage but I would use their correct family connection.  If the person is not related by blood or marriage, unfortunately, I would not add them to our family tree because that would not be accurate and may be confusing in the future.

6. What advice would you give to people who want to start a search or use a service to locate ancestors?

First I would say, don’t pay anyone to search for you.  When you do the work yourself you get a great sense of accomplishment.  Plus, when you interview family members you will forge a lifelong bond that you may not have had otherwise.  I would also say, be patient.  Genealogy research takes time and does not always produce immediate results but don’t give up.  Last I would say don’t disregard any piece of information no matter how insignificant it may seem.  Being a genealogist is like being a detective.  An old store receipt might eventually help you discover where an ancestor lived.  An elderly relative retelling that story of how she came to California in the 1940’s on a train to go to your great uncle’s funeral might help you find out when and where that uncle died which could lead you to his death certificate which could lead you to his parents, number of siblings, etc.

Thank you so much Geralyn for your time and this wonderful bit of inspiration. Life is good!

Steph J

**Tip - Keep a Journal of your Journey back through time. You may even surprise yourself and keep a history for future generations is a wonderful gift!

Here are some Links that may provide you with a starting point and/or information to get you pointed in the right direction:

http://www.genealogy.org/  -(offers a free 14 day trial)
http://www.familysearch.org/eng/default.asp Says it offers Free History and other records
http://www.usgenweb.org/ Free History

These are only a few of the services out there. Remember to carefully review these and all sites before submitting information. So only go so far before payment is required to continue.