We all love this world.

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LL Cote, New Hampshire

Shawn’s dad’s birthday was this weekend, and at his request, the four of us took a drive up to Errol, where I visited the LL Cote store for the first time – a one stop shop for hunting and fishing apparel, camping gear, tools, groceries, guns, gummy bears, Beanie Babies, sunglasses, soap made with beer, and wind chimes made with shell casings. There is a stuffed albino moose there, as well as one of each of the other animals you’d expect to find in northern New Hampshire – black bear, bobcat, beaver (just to stay in the letter B). There is a bumper sticker on one of the cash registers that reads, ‘Vote out every Democrat.’ I read a children’s book called ‘Daddy’s Hunting Story’, in which a father explains to his young daughter how to behave around wild animals, saying, ‘We have to be quiet in the woods… we want to surprise them!’

Our route there and back brought us through 13 Mile Woods, a gorgeous bit of landscape along Route 16 that seemed to sparkle in all directions in the early spring sunshine. We spotted a lot of Canada geese, as well as mallards, mergansers, and wood ducks. On the drive back to Gorham, passing by so many remote camps and homes, I thought about the slogan I read on one of those shell casing wind chimes – ‘We Don’t Call 911.’

I have to admit, visiting LL Cote did feel to me like visiting another planet. Here I am, a tree-hugging, animal-loving, melt-down-all-the-guns, let’s-all-get-along, hippie-dippie peacenik vegan, taking a stroll through the world of folks who are, well, not a whole lot like me…

… but is that really true, though?

We all love this world up here in northern New England. How could you not? It’s beautiful. It’s peaceful. It’s awe-inspiring. And we love it in different ways.

And we all want to feel safe.

Is one of us ‘right’, and the other wrong? I think I have found what works for me, and others think they have found what works for them. I don’t eat animals because I’m not willing to kill them myself. Those who are willing, well, they certainly have my respect.

And yes, of course I will judge – and they will judge, too. That’s what these human minds do. Judge others and ourselves.

And I will continue to keep that same mind open – maybe not open enough to buy a gun or a bar of beer-infused soap… but open enough to literally get my foot in the door to another world, to take a long look around, and to consider the needs of those whose lives, at the end of the day, are not unlike my own.

Saturday Morning Musings – The allure of hummingbirds

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bird watching, Conway, Heather Pierson, Hebron, hummingbirds, Maine, New Hampshire, Saturday Morning Musings

Welcome to the first edition of Saturday Morning Musings! I’m really psyched to put my blogging hat back on. I’ve missed writing – aside from my email newsletters and short bursts on Facebook and Twitter, I haven’t shared this side of me in quite a while.  Here’s to another adventure into creative expression.  I hope you enjoy it (and while you are here, please consider subscribing – and thanks!)!

The Allure of Hummingbirds

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been fascinated by hummingbirds.  Although I don’t recall exactly how old I was when I first encountered one, I will never forget that first impression.

My parents and I had been living in the house I grew up in – in Hebron, ME – for at least a few years.  I remember being short enough to be able to walk without hunching so as not to disturb the spiderwebs that used to form reliably (no matter how many times my dad swept them away!) across the top of the porch.  My mom loved hummingbirds and, in an effort to attract those beautiful little creatures, she used to buy baskets of fuchsias to hang along the edge of that same porch.

One summer day, I followed my mom out to “help” (really, to watch) her water her flowers.  It was a perfect day – warm, cloudless, breezy – and after she was finished, she headed back in and then called me to join her, but I wanted to linger and enjoy the exhilarating weather – and those flowers!  As brightly colored as they are, fuchsias always seemed a little sad to me, with their heavy, drooping heads always pointing down to the ground, as if to hide from the sun.  I remember standing there watching those flower heads bobbing back and forth in the breeze – and then, a lull slowly fell over the yard as the wind lost its strength and tapered off.  Everything got still.

And then, I heard it.

A terrible buzzzzzzzzzzz!

I immediately thought, “A BEE!!” and shrieked! (I didn’t like bees much back then.)

I turned towards the door as the buzzzzzz got considerably louder, and then I heard my mom’s voice through the open kitchen window.

“Don’t worry, hen,” she said in her Scottish brogue. “It’s just a wee hummingbird.”

I turned around, looked up at the nearest plant basket and, sure enough, there he was – an impossibly delicate blur, hovering perfectly between several of the flowers, paying no mind to my presence, going about his business.  I stood staring at his slender beak, at the dazzling sparkle of his eye, at the clutch of reddish feathers on his breast, and at those wings, trying to focus on them – unthinkable! – and then in a flash, he was gone.

I couldn’t believe what I’d just seen.

I still can’t, actually. My heart seems to stop for a moment whenever I see one.

These days, I live in Conway, NH, literally at the end of a dirt road in the woods.  It’s the first time I have truly felt at peace in a very long time (more on this in future posts!).

After a visit to a nearby nursery last week, I came home with a beautiful basket of striped, purple petunias. (The fuchsias that my heart was set on wouldn’t fare well in the tremendous amount of sun that this yard gets.)  I hung them at the corner of the garden, just off the patio outside the French doors that bring all that sunlight into the kitchen every morning.

… and waited.

Every evening I bring those flowers in, every morning I set them out again, and will until sometime in June when it’s safe to have them out all night.

And every time I’m in the kitchen, I take a moment to stand at the kitchen screen door and look for hummingbirds.

Nothing.

…until Thursday afternoon.

Just for a moment, I saw what I thought was a wisp of a breeze moving the flowers just so, but no, here she was, visiting my flowers!

In my excitement – that same heart-stopping momentary loss of awareness of everything else except for that beautiful little friend – I rushed to the screen door to get a closer look, and then I watched her zip away.

Sadly, I’ve not seen her since.

But she has seen those petunias.

She’ll be back!

(I better go have a look.)

Earth Day Celebration and more good spring tidings!

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Bretton Woods, Carrie Ferguson, Diana's Baths, Earth Day, Elihu, First Universalist Church, Heather Pierson, Heather Pierson Quartet, Leah Wolfsong, Maine, Massachusetts, McGrath's Tavern, Mocha Maya's, Mount Washington Hotel, music, New Hampshire, North Conway, Norway, Shelburne Falls, White Mountain Hotel, WUPH Radio

Mother Nature has been playing a trick on us here in the Northeast.   After an almost balmy start to April, we are still contending with the occasional coating of snow and ice on the front lawn that is trying its hardest to turn green!  Shawn and I have already been on a couple of hikes despite the setbacks in the weather and I’m looking forward to getting the kayaks out soon, too!

Tomorrow (Sunday, April 14th) – tune in online to www.wuphradio.com at 2 p.m. EST to listen to yours truly with host Elihu as we chat about music, life, and who knows what else!

This year is the 5th annual Earth Day Celebration that I take part in each year at the First Universalist Church of Norway, ME.  The date is Sunday, April 21.  The celebration starts with a local foods supper at 5:00 p.m. and then the concert will follow at 6:30 p.m.  There will be performances by yours truly, Leah Wolfsong, The Norway UU Choir, and more!  Admission is $10.  Call 207-743-2828 for more info.

I’m excited to be traveling down to Mocha Maya’s in Shelburne Falls, MA later this month for a split bill with singer/songwriter Carrie Ferguson!  I met Carrie at NERFA last fall and she’s a very sweet soul and a clever weaver of story into song.  She’s working on a new album and I’m psyched to hear her new material!  FMI: www.carriefergusonmusic.com

My spring cleaning sale is still on!  Thanks to those of you who have already taken advantage of the $5 sale.  Remember – this sale ends May 1st so order up!  http://www.heatherpierson.com/Heather_Pierson/SpringSale.html

I leave you with my latest YouTube offering – a video of Diana’s Baths here in New Hampshire.  The falls are especially lovely this time of year and I felt moved to share that beauty with others.  Enjoy!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXcwwlcNS9I

As always, thank you one and all for your love, friendship and support.

Love,
Heather
xoxo

Sunday, April 14 – Live on WUPH Radio – 2 p.m.
Thursday, April 18 – Heather Pierson Quartet at McGrath’s Tavern, North Conway, NH  – 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, April 19 & 20 – White Mountain Hotel, North Conway, NH – 6-10 p.m.
Sunday, April 21 – Earth Day Celebration – UU Church of Norway, ME – 5 p.m.
Friday, April 26 – Mocha Maya’s – Shelburne Falls, MA – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 28 & Tuesday, April 30 – Mount Washington Hotel, Bretton Woods, NH – 6-10 p.m.

Spring cleaning sale!

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Andy's Old Port Pub, Glen, Heather Pierson, Maine, McGrath's Tavern, music, New Hampshire, North Conway, Portland, Red Parka Pub, The Dean Machine, White Mountain Hotel, Wolverine Grille, WUPH, WUPH Radio

First, I’d like to thank everyone for your overwhelmingly positive feedback and comments about my video press kit!  (Didn’t see it yet?  You can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2kxn0WHRug)  This is version 1.0 and there will be a version 2.0 once the new CD is finished.   If anyone you know is interested in hosting me in a house concert setting, be sure to share this video with them – and thanks!  (Or perhaps you are interested yourself!  If so, please get in touch!)

Tis the season for planning gardens, cleaning garages and storage rooms, watching snow melt, and trying not to track mud through the house.  Spring Cleaning!   To celebrate, I’m having a five dollar sale on back catalog CDs!   (Yes, CDs for five bucks!  What a deal!)  This offer is good only on my website and will end May 1st.  Here’s the direct link to the sale:

http://www.heatherpierson.com/Heather_Pierson/SpringSale.html

I’m close to home for a while these days, so I hope to see you Maine and NH folks out and about this coming month — thanks to all of you for your continued love and support!

Much love,
Heather
xo

Sunday, March 31 – White Mountain Hotel in North Conway, NH – Easter Brunch – 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 4 – Andy’s Old Port Pub in Portland, ME (solo) – 6:30 p.m.
Friday, April 5 – Red Parka Pub in Glen, NH (with The Dean Machine) – 9 p.m.
Saturday, April 6 – White Mountain Hotel (solo) – 6 p.m.
Thursday, April 11 – McGrath’s Tavern in North Conway (with The Dean Machine) – 9 p.m.
Friday, April 12 – White Mountain Hotel (solo) – 6 p.m.
Saturday, April 13 – Wolverine Grille in North Conway (with The Dean Machine) – 8 p.m.
Sunday, April 14 – live on air performance on www.WUPHradio.com – 2 p.m.

A special one year anniversary and a new video!

Tags

Glen, Heather Pierson, Heather Pierson Quartet, music, New Hampshire, Red Parka Pub

Hello and Happy Spring!

CD #7 is slowly but surely coming together!  Thanks everyone for your kind and encouraging words about my newest creations in the studio.  (If you haven’t already and would still like that free sample that I offered in my last post, just reply to this message and type “YES PLEASE!” in the subject line!)

The Heather Pierson Quartet is celebrating one year of making music together at a very special show at The Red Parka Pub in Glen, NH on Friday, March 22nd!  9 p.m. start.  We’re hoping to see the dance floor full of fellow funk-o-philes!  It’s hard to believe it’s already been one whole year since sax man Joe Aliperti sat in with the HP Trio and we all looked at each other and said, “This needs to happen more often…”

My video press kit is finally completed!  I hope you’ll take a few minutes to watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2kxn0WHRug

I’ve tried to represent just about everything that I do musically in one little video.  It’s meant to be informative as well as entertaining and I will be using it as a tool to book house concerts and other intimate venues.  Let me know what you think!  I hope you’ll consider sharing it with family and friends, too – every little bit helps.   And thanks! 🙂

That’s all for now.  Please be sure to check the Schedule page of heatherpierson.com for updates on performances.   Hope you are well and happy and do keep in touch!

Much love,
Heather
xo

Headed to sunny Florida – plus more February news!

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Andy's Old Port Pub, Cranmore, Florida, Fort Myers, Good Times, Heather Pierson, Listening Room Festival, Maine, music, New Hampshire, North Conway, Portland, White Mountain Hotel

Hope this finds you well and happy, in good health and circumstance, with a joyful heart!  A big thank you to everyone who came to the show at Pitman’s Freight Room on Valentine’s Night.  I think every day should be Valentine’s Day.  Why wait until February 14 to tell someone you love them?   Do it right now.  (Yes, right now!)

Speaking of love, I sure am digging my busy schedule!  Here’s a look at the rest of February:

Tuesday, February 19th:  Shawn and I will be playing the apres ski at Cranmore Mountain in North Conway, NH from 3 to 6 p.m.   It’s school vacation week, so it’s bound to be busy!

Thursday, February 21st:  We’ll be at Andy’s Old Port Pub in Portland, ME starting at 6:30 p.m.  It’s been a while since we’ve been to this cozy little seaside spot and we’re looking forward to it!

Friday, February 22nd:  After a day in the studio working on tracks for my upcoming CD, I’ll be playing a solo evening at Good Times Restaurant in North Conway, 6 to 9 p.m.

Saturday, February 23rd:  Another solo night, this time at White Mountain Hotel in North Conway, 6 to 10 p.m.

Congrats to “Johnny Gags”, winner of the “Flight of Fancy” video contest!  He takes home the $500 gift card to his choice between Amazon, Apple, Best Buy.  Nice job, Johnny!

Next week, I’ll be back on the road – this time, to Fort Myers, Florida – for the Listening Room Festival!  Shawn and I will be down there for several days of house concerts, showcases, radio and TV appearances (and of course to soak up some warmth and sun)!  If you’re in South Florida we would really love to see you!  More details and info at www.listeningroomfestival.com.

Frequent updates, photos and musings on Facebook (HeatherPiersonMusic) or Twitter (@HeatherPierson)!

Thanks as always for your support – and lots of love to each and every one of you!

Love,
Heather
xoxo

Just a few days left in the “Flight of Fancy” video contest! – plus more February news

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FanDistro, Flight of Fancy, Heather Pierson, Heather Pierson Trio, Kathy Parsons, Laconia, Mainly Piano, MainlyPiano.com, music, New Hampshire, North Conway, Pitman's Freight Room, Red Parka Pub, The Dean Machine, The Local Eatery, The Open Road, video contest, White Mountain Hotel

The view out of the window next to my desk is quite different than it was just a few days ago.  Winter Storm Nemo left a huge blanket of snow throughout the Northeast and I’m reminded that not everyone was as lucky as we were here (our power thankfully didn’t even flicker).   Here’s to all those who are still dealing with the aftermath and hope they are all warm and safe.

This Thursday is Valentine’s Day and it’s also the last day to enter the “Flight of Fancy” video contest at FanDistro!   A $500 gift card to winner’s choice of Amazon, Apple or Best Buy awaits the creator of the video with the most votes!  Follow this link to create your video and vote for others: http://fandistro.com/contests/heatherpierson/  Time is ticking on this one!

While the final votes are coming in, I’ll be performing a very special Valentine’s Night trio show at Pitman’s Freight Room in Laconia, NH!  The show begins at 8 p.m. and tickets are $10 at the door.  If you bring your sweetheart to dinner at The Local Eatery of Laconia, your show tickets are FREE!   Call 603-527-8007 for info and reservations.

Friday, February 15th: I’ll be rockin’ out with The Dean Machine at The Red Parka Pub in Glen, NH starting at 9 p.m.!

Saturday, February 16th: It’s another solo night at White Mountain Hotel in North Conway, NH, 6 to 10 p.m.

Kathy Parsons of MainlyPiano.com has just posted a very nice review of “The Open Road”!  You can read that here:  http://www.mainlypiano.com/2013_Reviews/Pierson-The_Open_Road.html

More news, updates and musings are always available on my Facebook page (HeatherPiersonMusic) or my Twitter feed (@HeatherPierson).  Thanks to each and every one of you for your continued love, support and enthusiasm!

Love,
Heather
xo

Home at last and gearing up for February!

Tags

Broward Folk Club, Burlington, FanDistro, Flight of Fancy, Fort Lauderdale, Heather Pierson, Laconia, music, New Hampshire, Pitman's Freight Room, Radio Bean, Radio Bean Coffehouse, The Local Eatery, Vermont, video contest, White Mountain Hotel

Wow, January!  Where do I start?  After some wonderful house concerts at the beginning of the month, Shawn and I enjoyed travelling across the US.  From the homes of our gracious house concert hosts; from the lonely, majestic drive across Utah and Nevada to the over-the-top glitz of Las Vegas; from the stark beauty of the Arizona desert to the musical oasis of New Orleans; from the sweet homes of childhood friends to the open arms of long lost relatives in Texas; and a second place win at the Broward Folk Club’s songwriting contest in Fort Lauderdale – I have drawn so much beauty and love from nearly every corner of the country, and I am so lucky and grateful!  Be sure to visit my YouTube channel (vesselrecordings) for a few videos from our travels!  We are now home, settling into a cozy new home in Conway, NH and gearing up for what’s next!

Friday and Saturday, February 1 & 2: I’ll be back at the piano at White Mountain Hotel in North Conway, NH.  6 to 10 p.m. both nights.

Wednesday, February 6:  I’ll be bringing an hour set’s worth of what I do to Radio Bean Coffeehouse in Burlington, VT at 7 p.m.

If you’re in New Hampshire and haven’t made Valentine’s Day plans yet, consider heading to Laconia!  I’ll be performing a very special trio show at Pitman’s Freight Room at 8 p.m.  $10 BYO – or eat dinner at The Local Eatery in Laconia and get free tickets to the show!  What a deal!

Work continues on CD #7, which I’m hoping to release this summer.   It will include my 2012 New England Songwriting Contest winner, “A Hard Man To Please”, a video of which you can find at www.heatherpierson.com.  While you’re there, be sure to check out the entries for my FanDistro “Flight of Fancy” video contest.  A $500 gift certificate to Apple, Amazon or Best Buy awaits the winner!  Maybe that lucky someone will be you!

Hope this finds you well and as happy as I am!  Thank you so much for your continued love and support!

Love,
Heather

The Christmas tour is over – time to look ahead to the New Year!

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Auburn, Charlie Brown Christmas, Circle Voice, Cranmore, First Universalist Church, Heather Pierson, Maine, McGrath's Tavern, Mount Washington Hotel, music, New Hampshire, North Conway, White Mountain Hotel

Wow, what an awesome tour we had!  The Charlie Brown Christmas Tour was so fulfilling, start to finish.  Five well received and well attended shows (standing room only in Cambridge!) and so many new friends and fans.  The smiling faces and tapping toes were contagious everywhere we went!  This music, this legacy of Vince Guaraldi’s, lives on and we were so honored to share this with audiences all over New England.  We’re already talking about expanding the tour for next year into even more places.  Wooo!

Here’s a YouTube playlist that contains some footage from this year’s tour (and last year’s as well):

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0QrCBGm76_VNEU1wV6ct_7Z2dvlh83Jq

No time to rest on my laurels!  There’s more happening in my musical world as the year comes to a close.  Here’s a look:

Thursday, December 20th: The Heather Pierson Quartet will be rockin’ McGrath’s Tavern in North Conway, NH starting at 9 p.m. til the wee hours.

Friday, December 21st:  I’ll be at “home base” at White Mountain Hotel in North Conway, 6 to 10 p.m.

Saturday, December 22nd:  I’m really excited to be part of the 16th Annual Solstice Celebration at the First Universalist Church of Auburn, ME!  I’ll be sharing the stage with Circle Voice Singers (I haven’t sung with them in years!), Leah Wolfsong and a host of other stellar talents!  $10 at the door; $8 students/seniors; under 12 free.  6 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. start.  All proceeds to benefit the Good Shepherd Food Bank.  Don’t miss this very special evening of music for a wonderful cause!

I’m also busy during Christmas week, which will include several appearances at the lovely Mount Washington Hotel, an apres ski at Cranmore, plus more!  Plans are also shaping up for a winter tour out west again!  So far, Shawn and I have confirmed dates in Chicago, Denver, Flagstaff, Phoenix, Fort Lauderdale, and more in the works!  Details available at www.heatherpierson.com.

As the holidays approach and I finally have a little time to reflect, I realize once again how fortunate I am to be able to make a living creating music with people that I love and to share that music and that love with all of you!  This is living!  From the bottom of my heart, I thank each and every one of you for helping me make this dream come true.

Much love,
Heather
xo

One down, four to go!

Tags

Cambridge, Charlie Brown Christmas, First Universalist Church, Fryeburg, Gorham, Heather Pierson, jazz, Laconia, Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center, Lily Pad, Maine, Massachusetts, Medallion Opera House, music, New Hampshire, Norway, Pitman's Freight Room

A huge thank you to everyone who came to the kick off of the Charlie Brown Christmas Tour at Medallion Opera House in Gorham, NH this past Sunday afternoon!  What a wonderful and appreciative audience!  Here’s a little sample:

So that’s one down, and four more to go!

Next, we bring the show to Laconia, NH this coming Thursday, December 13th to Pitman’s Freight Room for an 8 p.m. show.   $10 at the door, BYO.

Then, on Friday, December 14th, the quartet will take the stage at Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center in Fryeburg, ME starting at 7:30 p.m.  The folks at Lake Region Caterers are offering a special buffet dinner on site before the concert.  Yum!  Sounds like a perfect family night out to me!

We’re bringing this show to Cambridge, MA! Saturday, December 15th, we’ll be at The Lily Pad for a 7 p.m. show.

Finally, we wrap up the tour in Norway, ME on Sunday, December 16th with a 3 p.m. concert at the First Universalist Church at 479 Main St.

Tickets are still available for these shows at www.heatherpierson.com so get yours today!

Here’s wishing you a very happy and healthy holiday season!  And thanks, as always, for your continued love and support.

Love,
Heather
xo