It takes a village to raise a concert...

We're always looking for ways to make our concerts for causes unique. Although we will always have

 the theme of music, food and contribution we love creating something different. Our intention for our July 22nd event was a community event....and THAT is exactly what we got. The below list features local business, musicians from near and far and amazing volunteers that created our event and made it magical. Vallie, Cat and I are always shocked when we see it all come together so nicely. We are completely honored that you support our vision of concerts for causes. Thank you Whole Foods Market Encinitas for hosting our hearts

Whole Foods Market Encinitas

Detour Salon


SuperFood Drive

JDO Production Layout & Design

Natalie Warr Photography

Maisonnette

Olive PR

Pura Vida Bracelets

SD Rock 'n'Roll

Jlab

True Chiropractic Wellness

Healing Heart Center

Kerri Dopart

Beyond Insight

Visions in Faux

JB Human Design

Café Merlot

The Gardner's Cottage

Bergamont

Lemon Grass

Bloom Natural Health

SoulScape

Fish 101

Tomiko Sushi

Aerial7

Jesse Lamonica and The Dime Novels

Michael Tiernan

The Blue Moonies

Allegra Barley

Grampadrew

Dead Feather Moon

 Jersey Mike's

FroYo Yogurt

Chemistry Surfboards 

Turtle Island

Jeff Caudill

Dos Palmas Bakery & Grill

Chiropractic Healthy & Happiness

Sincera Natural Skincare
Fabrika Monet
Perfect Bite Bakers
Surfrider Foundation
West Coast Coffee Roasters
Lollipop Face and Body Art
Champagne Skin Lounge
Think Thin
Zevia
Bliss 101
Art n Soul on 101
Casa Nova Lovin' Equipment Rental


And let's not forget the beautiful sounds of our musicians...
Luc & The Lovingtons
Parker Ainsworth
The Yes Team


Hey and what about those beautiful volunteers!!!
Thank you, without YOU it would have been a mess.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU from the bottoms of our hearts to the tip top of our souls.

In love, creation and abundance,

Melissa, Cat & Vallie

Fans of you

PS more photos to come...

Magic ~ by Betsy Denhart

Hi friends...yeah, we're excited to bring on our first guest blogger...our dear friend Betsy. Take it away Betsy....

Magic

I am a big believer in everyday magic.  It’s partly because I don’t want to try to understand how things work, but mostly because it’s so reassuring to just have faith.
Plus it’s a fun way to look at the world. 

I mean, no one can argue that iPods aren’t magic.  But take simpler things, too.  I don’t care how a washing machine works, and I don’t want to think about it.  You put in dirty clothes.  You take out clean clothes. Magic!  And airplanes?!  You get on the plane in San Diego and they close the door.  You read a book, sleep a little, try to figure out what’s in the sandwich they give you (or sell you).  Then they open the door and there’sNew York!  Total magic!

That’s why I was unsure about volunteering with Feeding the Soul.  Their events are really, truly magical.  Just the way I like things.  Buy a ticket, show up, have a wonderful experience, go home feeling better about the world and the people in it.  If I volunteered, and learned what goes on behind the scenes, would that ruin the illusion?  That’s a lot give up….

In the end, I had no choice.  I ate so many peanut butter cookies at the volunteer recruitment meeting that I had to help out, or suffer the ill effects of karmic deficit spending.

So once again I followed my little sister’s lead, and signed up to help out with merchandise sales at the concert benefiting The Junior Seau Foundation. 

I arrived early enough to experience the last bits of set-up.  I saw the pastries in their metal pans, before they donned their frilly white paper shells or got cut into elegant shapes.  I saw the more experienced volunteers pulling everything together, checking last minute details.  I saw the musicians as mortals.  And I saw myself as part of it.

And guess what?  It didn’t ruin anything!  It just expanded the whole event for me, talking to so many people who were also experiencing the soul-feeding that goes on at these things.  Everyone was so enthusiastic that even brief conversations felt like real connections.  Networking for the soul!

The illusion was dispelled, yes, because it turns out there is no illusion.  Just magic.

Come join us Sunday, July 22nd @ Whole Foods Market in Encinitas for a FREEEEE Concert!

Junior Seau Foundation

Our community lost a dear friend and leader on May 2.
Junior Seau was an amazing man and a wonderful contributor to our souls.

Cat, Vallie and I spent many days loving him with coffee, margaritas and laughter.

I would often question Junior about his foundation...Junior Seau Foundation...because I loved all the unique events they created to benefit children in the SD area. My favorite was the Shop with a Jock event where, in 2011, 250 under privileged children received $100 gift card from the foundation to shop for gifts for their loved ones. The foundation's intention was to inspire giving rather than receiving for the holidays. I remember sitting at the bar at Jitters while he was telling me about this event. His face lit up as he talked about the kids getting paired up with a professional athlete and then buying items for mom & dad. I might have even seen a little tear. Yep. I did.

We had other talks of things he wanted to do with the foundation and those conversations are held close to my heart knowing that at any time I can honor my friend by doing one of his brilliant ideas of contribution.

Feeding the Soul is honored to host a night to benefit the Junior Seau Foundation in memory of our BIG HEARTED friend "June".

Please join us with wonderful music by The Lovebirds and Tom Bradley at Jitters on Friday, June 8.
If you're not able to join us you can always donate directly to the Junior Seau Foundation.

Let's celebrate!!!

In love, laugher, music annnnnnd margaritas,
Melissa
Feeding the Soul Team Member

Angel Faces & Our Birthday Show!

About a year ago I heard of this wonderful foundation that provides healing retreats and ongoing support for adolescent girls with burn/trauma injuries. I was instantly inspired. It's funny how once something is brought to your attention it suddenly shows up everywhere you look. I began hearing about Angel Faces everywhere! Then when I researching them even more I discovered their home base was just a few blocks from me in Encinitas! Ahhhh...the pieces fit so nicely.

Founded in 2003, Angel Faces was created to transform the lives of adolescent girls with severe, permanent facial burns and disfigurements. The Founder/CEO, Lesia Cartelli, endured a serious burn injury over 50% of her face and body at age 9 from a natural gas explosion at her Grandparents. She has personally experienced the challenges these ladies face.

Angel Faces Retreats are held once a year in Southern California for girls ages 11-19....and they come from all over the US and occasionally from Mexico, Canada and Europe. Seven days of tools to help with self-cofidence, self-image, bullying and all the while embracing their true beauty! They are now accepting applications for their June 2012 retreat!

I love the whole concept of giving these beautiful girls space to be themselves annnd learning skills to highlight the true beauty inside and out.

Once we presented this foundation to the rest of the committee (after tears of joy) it seemed only natural to have them be our birthday beneficiary! We will be raising scholarships March 24th at our Birthday Event for their next retreat.
Thank you Angel Faces for touching our hearts with compassion and kindness....and soooooo much inspiration!

2011 Retreat

Please visit Angel Faces site to see how you can help!

And yes, I said BIRTHDAY EVENT!!!
That's right friends! Feeding the Soul is turning 2 and we're ready to celebrate with YOU!
This will be our 40th event in 2 years. Yep. We're just that crazy. And we just can't wait to do more...

Please join us for music, laughter, treats annnnnd cake as we celebrate being 2!

In love & contribution,
Melissa, Cat and Vallie

KFTS Radio Show Video of Celebration

The best part about having a creative community is meeting new artists that create amazing things.
Shaun of Boyte Creative was introduced to us by our dear friend Paul Cannon. Loving his work, we invited him to document our December 17th KFTS Radio Show. He captured the fun and magic of the night and everything Feeding the Soul stands for.
Enjoy this amazing video by Boyte Creative...

Feeding the Soul presents KFTS Radio Show December 17, 2011

Boyte Creative Blog

Thank you Shaun!!!
Mel, Vallie & Cat

KFTS Radio Show + Gratitude = Us

We're still on a natural high from our FTSF Variety show last Saturday, December 17th.
When we started the process of creating the event we had no idea what it would look like.
We knew it was time to celebrate. The KFTS Variety Show was our 39th event and it was time to bring together musicians, food, foundations and friends that have been supporting us for the first time or the thirty-ninth time....yes indeed, it was time to celebrate.

And it looked a little something like this...

Words cannot explain the feelings Cat, Vallie & I have the day after an event. Happiness, bitter sweet sorrow, excitement, inspiration, love...well, I guess those are just a few...but mostly gratitude. We're grateful that we can coordinate an event that brings all of us together in laughter, music, food and celebration.
We couldn't do any of this without YOU friends - old and new - so from the bottom of our hearts to the top of our souls....THANK YOU for showing up and supporting musicians, restaurants, venues, artists, locals, worthy foundations and Feeding the Soul.

Happy Holidays from our soul to yours,
Cat, Vallie and Mel

View some photos by Natalie Warr Photography here.

Thank you to our sponsors!!!
Harney's Sushi, Oceanside
Neuroscience Institute Performing Arts Program
Redfearn & Associates
Olive PR Solutions
SuperFood Drive
Jimbo's...Naturally!
Jitters Coffee Pub, Oceanside
West Coast Coffee
Bitchin' Sauce
California Avocado Grill, Escondido
Nika Water
Anita's, Oceanside
Flying Pig, Oceanside
Twisted Oak Winery, Murphy's California

Thank you to our amazing photo and video volunteers who make us look good...
Natalie Warr Photography
Boyte Creative

And a HUUUUUUGE thank you to our iPods...and the sound tracks to our hearts...
Bushwalla
Broadway West - where kids explore the love of the arts
Voices of Prayze
Bob Taylor, Andy Powers & Todd Cooper
Jack Tempchin
The Makepeace Brothers
Jessie Payo
Raining Jane
Our hilllllarious host Justin Willman

THANK YOU!!!!

March events...wooowza!

Wow friends! I am completely amazed at how much fun we had at our March events! THANK YOU for helping create these two very special nights of community and contribution...now THAT is creative generosity at its finest.

Our Raining Jane show at Linksoul Lab created 4.5 scholarships for the Rock n Roll Camp for Girls, LA. That means 4 girls will be able to enjoy a week of empowerment through music education....annnnd get to spend time with 4 of the most ammmazing women I have ever met.
Thank you Becky, Chaska, Mai and Mona for allowing us to contribute to such a great organization and for bringing sooo much love and fun to Oceanside! We love Raining Jane!

Thank you to our dear friend...and global do-gooder Jason Mraz (and Toca too) for bringing your beautiful energy and songs...what a wonderful surprise!!! We love you so.

Another wonderful surprise...LIVE ART by our dear friend Jon Marro. Jon is an inspiring friend with so much creativity....thank you Jon for sharing it with us and for always being love. Jon's art was auctioned off and help raise an additional $1,000 for the scholarships. Amazing.

And to all our Raining Jane attendees...so much gratitude to YOU and your love and support!!!

Now let's talk Nutrition Awareness CELEBRATION with the Makepeace Brothers and Matty & Avasa!!!
Our dear friends at SuperFood Drive inspired us to have our own food drive and bring music, healthy foods and art together. As the day came together (before the doors opened) I knew this event was going to be high energy and fun. It's rare you get a glimpse behind the scenes where Vallie & I go shopping with a $200 gift donated by Jimbos, SuperFood-ers and Colin AND Vallie prepare food for 100+ attendees, I work on the raffle coordination, Ruthi runs around picking up donations for the raffle, sound check fills the empty venue with harmony, our volunteer friends Natalie, Nicolle, Philly & Allie come early to help me in my state of frenzy and Cat runs off to pick up last minute equipment in the hills of bandland....pheww...so much coordinating...so many wonderful volunteers...all come together to create an unforgettable night with YOU!

How about the Love Couple...Matty & Avasa Love...beautiful!!! What an honor to help spread their music to our Oceanside community.

Again we were blessed to have more Live Art! Thank you to our SUPERFRIEND Jason! His masterpiece helped raise an additional $800 for SuperFood Drive which helps with 3,200 meals to those in need. YES!

The Makepeace Brother's energy is amazing. They give us songs that make us think, dance, give thanks and support our heroes. I have been a fan for years and support their messages through their music. There is something about their sound that gives me the comfy feeling of home...the music I listen to as a child with my family full of musicians. I am so honored to have created this night with them. I love you guys!

Way to dance friends!!!

To sum up our month of contribution during our 12-months of giving...YOU helped gift $1,860.00 to the Rock n Roll Camp for Girls, LA annnnd $1,760.00 (7,200 meals) to SuperFood Drive as well as 304lbs (250 meals) of healthy food to North County's Food Bank...not bad for 2 nights of music and fun huh?
Let's do this again sometime shall we?

So to all the friends, family, sponsors, volunteers, dancers, singers, artists, restaurants, organizations and do-gooders....THANK YOU for being a part of our very special March.

Much love and gratitude,

~ Melissa and Team FTSF ~

A special thanks to Linksoul Lab, Olive PR Solutions, Nika Water, Natalie Warr Photography, Kindred Journey, The Naked Cafe, Creme of the Crop, Gina & Michael's Blown Glass, Jitters Coffee Pub, Stone Brewery, Spoken Glass, Chuao Chocolates, Jimbo's...Naturally, Sushi by Colin, Jennifer Cupcake and Redfearn & Associates. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Feeding your SuperKids

Okay, so as you may remember...on December 18th we had our CD Release party where we raised over $8,000 for the Lewy Body Dementia Association. We chose LBDA to celebrate Vallie's mother, Mrs. Norma, and her beautiful life. We were also inspired by our new friend Ruthi Solari of SuperFood Drive and wondered how we could contribute to her organization that believes in "Giving the Gift of Health by providing nutrient dense non-perishable food items to populations in need." So we agreed that our CD sales from our CD release party would be donated to SuperFood Drive....115 CDs and $2,300 later we handed a check to Ruthi and asked her to let us know what great things were to become of that money.
This is us. This is SuperRuthi.

Little did we know that our donation would help develop a program to raise awareness in schools about hunger, healthy eating and good nutrition, which if you are listening to the news lately they estimate that childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. Yikes. Being that Vallie & I both come from the child development field this seemed like a perfect fit for us. Oh, and we love us some healthy eats too.

A message from Ruthi...
"SuperFood Drive is grateful and excited to use the $2,300 from FTSF CD sales to assist with the launch of our pilot program for SuperKids for SuperFoods (SKSF), which is a service-learning program to raise awareness about three concepts: hunger in the local community, healthy eating and good nutrition, and how to fight hunger with healthy food!

In addition to an educational presentation, students are empowered with a tool kit to host their very own SuperFood Drives. Students learn how to ask for healthy non-perishable food items (such as black beans instead of refried with lard, whole grains and fruit canned in its own juice instead of high fructose corn syrup) as well as how to ask peers, parents and local organizations for food donations. By hosting their  own SuperFood Drive, students learn how to Give the Gift of Health to themselves and to populations in need in their local community. SKSF empowers future leaders with a transformative experiences that includes providing a (healthy) service to the community. Lastly, each SuperKids for SuperFoods program culminates with a nutrition night for parents and community members complete with samples and cooking demos on how to use the healthy SuperFood non-perishables. This funding contributes to the creation of a concrete SKSF pilot model in the Chula Vista and City Heights community which will help obtain further funding for more sustainable, ongoing programming."

It's been such a pleasure to work with Ruthi and her team that we decided to partner up with them for Nutrition Awareness Month and create an event where you will be educated, entertained, feed and inspired!!! Our event is also a SuperFood Drive where you can bring a item off the SuperFood Shopping list and be entered for our SuperRaffle.

Thank you, SuperFood Drive, for bringing awareness and transformation to food drives and our children.

~ Melissa

For more information on SuperFood Drive and the SuperKids Program please find them at:

http://www.superfooddrive.com/

Come celebrate with us...

Happy Soul-iversary!!!

Happy Anniversary to Feeding the Soul!!!

It was one year ago that our founder, Vallie Gilley, created the first Feeding the Soul Event! It started as our community coming together for a fun night of dinner and music to donate money to Brother Bennos Soup Kitchen...and I, Melissa Grove, was there! I had an event the weekend before and I was still on that high so having another event just seemed like the natural way to increase the high...and it did! The next few days after the events Vallie and I did nothing but smile and talk about our friends, family and supporters that jumped in and created the best night ever! I clearly remember her looking at me with a big smile and happy eyes..."Wanna keep going?" she said.
"Um.YEAH!!!!" I said. And that was a year, 20+ events, $40,000+, a compilation CD and mmmmany songs ago. I have enjoyed each breakdown, breakthrough, lesson, manifestation, hug and macaroon with all my heart.
And with that I say...HAPPY ANNIVERSARAAAY!!!

Wanna keep going? UMMMM.YYYYEAHHHHH!
Love you all,
Melissa Maria Grove
Promoter of the Soul

February - A month of giving to our furry friends

Helen Woodward Animal Center...Creating a Humane World for Animals and People.

YES PLEASE!!!

Vallie and I took a tour of the Helen Woodward Animal Center on January 20th. It was a special day for me being that it would have been my mother's 89th birthday and knowing how much she loved animals (cats in particular) it just seemed like the perfect thing to do on her day.

We met with 2 amazing women of the center...Renee and Nedra. I was super nervous because I tend to tear up around cute animal faces. However, what they do at the Helen Woodward Animal Center is much more than I had anticipated. I did some research on them...but actually BEING there and seeing all the different programs...wow!!! I was speechless...and yes I cried...but more so tears of happiness for all the positive things they do for our furry friends.

At the center, located in the hills of Rancho Sante Fe, children and adults with special needs can take part in the therapeutic horseback-riding program...people from animal centers all around the world come to their conferences, and the center hosts camps for children to learn compassion and kindness through animals. (Apparently now-a-days children are desensitized to these feelings...wow!) These are just a few of the programs there...my personal favorite AniMeals.

The AniMeals program provides free pet food for dogs and cats of the elderly and disabled. This was started by a clever lady a while back who saw that the elderly who participate in the Meals on Wheels program would rather feed their hungry pets the food before feeding themselves. THAT is how much we love our pets! It's so great that the center has paired up with Meals on Wheels to give both the elderly and their pets a full belly. Sometimes pets are all the elderly have and they bring them so much joy, companionship and a responsibility. I know this because my 91 year old father has a kitty named Thomas...and they are the best of friends. :)

Soooo after our wonderful tour of cats, dogs, horses (large and mini), tortoises, and goats we were inspired to have a portion of our February events go to the Helen Woodward Animal Center. We're also donating 50% of our CDs sales for February to them as well. Annnnd...if you come to a show, please bring a can (or 10) of Whiskas, Friskies and Pedigree food for both dogs and cats for their AniMeals program. We will have a bin all month long at Jitters...so stop in and get a treat...while leaving a treat for the AniMeals.

When I asked where the money will go Renee replied "To the adoptions." The center takes in any animal that is without a home and sometimes that includes nursing them back to their perfection. Monies are always needed in the adoption program.

There are beautiful cats, kittens, pups and dogs there that would love a home so please spread the word of this amazing center and join us in February as we contribute to the Helen Woodward Animal Center and our furry faced friends.

2/5 - Parker Ainsworth & Jessie Payo at Jitters
2/12 - Carlos Olmeda & Jessica Bell at Jitters
2/26 - Alysse Fischer & Kellen Malloy at Jitters

Thank you to Nedra & Renee for the work they do!
Thank you to Parker, Jessie, Carlos, Jessica, Alysee & Kellen for sharing their talent to help contribute to our animal friends
Thank YOU for being a part of our journey in creative generosity!
In love & contribution,
Melissa

Uplifting the dignity of those we serve

As I climb into bed tonight I am reminded how grateful I am for my partner Clayton. He is my best friend, lover, boyfriend, coworker and coconspirator in life.  As he sleeps next to our very small faced 18 pound cat Bella, breathing rhythmically all warm and dreamy I smile and am aware again how truly blessed we are. In knowing this we live a life of service to our families our community and customers. It’s been 14 transformational years and it only gets better as we get older. I feel like we have an advantage because of the model my parents have been to us.

Tomorrow is my parents 50 wedding anniversary. I am amazed at life and how we need to choose all of it, the good the bad and everything in between. My mother and father have had an incredible run at it, successful in all aspects. They have the family, home, careers, travel, love, passion, growth, loss, laughter, anger, challenges, peace and happiness. I believe this is called marriage you know for better or worse, richer or poorer in sickness and in health. I think it goes something like that.

Their roles changed when my mother was diagnosed two years ago with Lewy Bodies Dementia, their lives altering forever. But falling off the horse they both rallied and got back in the saddle together and carried on.  She let him take care of her knowing what the conclusion would be surrendering to have help, support and assistance at all times. My dad yielding to the idea that for once in his life he can’t make something better of fix it. With no regrets and resentment they live day to day. My mother’s disease progresses and she has lost all use of her body and speech they still continue to uplift each other by really cherishing the time they get to share everyday. My mother if asked would never of course want to be in this situation, there is no dignity one might say in being feed, changed, bathed and cared for. But that’s not true not even a little. To be of services is the most gratifying form of love. And being witness to this has made my life miraculous.

This month the Feeding The Soul Foundation is sponsoring Brother Benno’s Soup Kitchen. They are a true example of service and their motto is uplifting the dignity of those they serve. An all volunteer based organization raising awareness and feeding the hungry each and every day. Brother Benno’s is the reminder that there is no shame in needing help ever. It takes you and I to make community so a portion of January tickets for all FTSF concerts, CD’s and merchandise sales will benefit and provide for those in need.  Thank you for being of service………

Soup, Soap, Hugs, Hope = Unconditional Love

In service, love and gratitude,

Vallie

A Thank you to our sponsors...from Vallie

Hi Friends,

I woke up this morning with a smile on my face, love in my heart and gratitude for my life. I started thinking about sponsorship and life and community and well…

Sponsorship means many things, simply it’s a form of backing, funding, aid, finance protection and support and as I reflect on the holidays and our CD release event I realize how sponsorship shows up for Feeding The Soul Foundation. Our mission is creative generosity and a lot of people ask us what this means well here is an example. 

I personally can’t write a check for $5000.00 or even $500.00 dollars to a good cause. I’m sure some of you could but for me abundance shows up differently. I or we still write the checks to organizations but out of a communal contribution. We have a concert with a cause, a party for a purpose or a night of acknowledgement and everyone gains. You get to be part of a great show or event and with your dollars we contribute to the musicians to support the arts and the lucky recipient with our dollars. We all win!  

Together we feed the hungry, empower young musicians, race for the cure, free slaves, create safe homes, fight disease, support others, help Haiti, acknowledge love, supply kids for school and feed souls.

Another example was December 18^th CD release, Feeding the Soul couldn’t pay for a venue or 23 musicians, production, sound, lights, pay for permits and insurance, buy food, alcohol, supplies, buy a tent 30 x 60 make that two tents because of rain or serve hot coffee and chai, take photos and promote this event and produce a CD by myself or even with the three ladies behind Feeding the Soul Foundation. But as a community and a community of enrolled drivers we can. The end result is an amazing, magical, life changing for some of us evening, full of joy, hope, love, music food, spirits and laughter.

SO THANK YOU……

The Performing Arts At The Neuroscience Center

Redfearn & Associates

Olive PR

All the Musicians

Authentic Flavors

Twisted Oak Winery

Pedro’s Tacos

The Fish Joint

Chuao

Dragon Organics

David Rio

West Coast Coffee Roasters

Jitters Coffee Pub

Nika Water

The Rogers Group

Oceanside Ale Works

ENGEL & VÖLKERS

Breakway Spirits

The Cravory

Optimal Nutrition Inc

(HA) organic Clothing

Ashley’s Party Rental

Sambazon

Whole Foods

Photography By Natalie Warr

Keep a Breast

All Volunteers 

All Ticket purchasers past, present and future

We are so blessed to be in a community with you and together we can be the change we want to see in the world. As a mater of fact we already are. Happy 2011

In gratitude and love~

Vallie

A BIG Recipe for Creating and Donating‏

Whoa.
Our biggest recipe yet! The Feeding the Soul Foundation CD Release Party! Seconds please!!!!

For the last 5 months myself, Vallie Gilley & Cat Bramhall have been meeting, eating and creating for a day that has quickly become my favorite of all times....December 18th, 2010. I had an image what that day would look like....my favorite people on stage, my favorite people in the audience and my favorite music being played loud and clear. Apparently all you have to do is think it and BOOM...be ready for it. Often when I plan a big event I create my own recipe of details. Then on the day of the event the recipe gets wet and you get to create it even BETTER then the recipe you started with. I love that!

11 musicians
Over 30 songs played
400 guests
8 creative craftsmen
5 tables of amazing food
Over 20 volunteers
5 amazing sound and light Gods
1 venue with 2 helpful Goddesses
Thousands of dollars raised for 2 worthy beneficiaries
and
my cute daddy

Kept warm and toasty...perfect...THAT is exactly what I ordered.
I used to say I couldn't cook. I guess my recipe and creation just looks different is all. :)

When I think of that special night I get goosebumps. The images that flash into my head are those of musicians rehearsing in the back, hugging, my best friends greeting our guests, arts being shared and the most beautiful music I have ever heard being played for a inspired crowd. My musician friends are the most talented in the world. And it makes me so proud and honored to share them with new and old fans. My life has been forever brightened by these beautiful souls and I will continue to create events to make sure the world is listening to them and their greatness. I love them so.

Speaking of loving souls...Vallie Gilley, I thank you from the bottom of my heart, to the top of my mel-lon...YOU, my friend, are a gift from the heavens and I am honored to be your co-chef in this kitchen of contribution.

Cat, your gift of balancing the crazy in me is beyond appreciated. I thank you for every coin you count and process you create. THANK YOU FRIEND!

As for me...I am completely proud and happy with the work this team is putting out there. I say "team" because at times it may seem like it's just 3 of us, however, it is a WHOLE community that creates this goodness, I am just so honored I am part of it.

Experience the magic....Feeding the Soul Vol. 1 - Family Dinner: Benefit CD & Cookbooklet

In love, music and creation,
Melissa

These are my friends. I love them.
"I wanna THANK YOU!"

A Christmas Miracle.

For a girl whose first sentence was “do self,” the work I do now is humbling.  Nights like last night can’t be done “self.” Indeed it takes hundreds of do-gooders, volunteers, sponsors, friends – cutting us a deal, pitching in, bending the rules, coming to our rescue.  Over and over again, until I finally understand that I’m not in charge.  That if we give as much as we can stand we’ll all come out ahead.

At Feeding the Soul, we call that creative generosity, and it’s an idea I am wholly committed to. 

·      I believe that people deserve an opportunity to vote for Good with their entertainment dollar, and will choose to do so gladly.

·      I believe that talented artists deserve to make a living making live music, and to be paid fairly. (Even if we can’t pay them what they’re actually WORTH). 

·      I believe that the problems of the world, and the organizations that do the hard work of grappling with them, deserve as much support as possible, from every available source.  They should be celebrated, rewarded.

·      I believe the best way to battle the degeneration of journalism into political advertising and entertainment trivia is by creating genuine good news to take its place.

For me, community is an act of faith.  Last night was a miracle. 

There should be a better word for “thank you.”  It doesn’t seem like enough.

Wishing the happiest of holidays to the multitudes that made last night happen, who will contribute to the same in the future, and who feed our souls.

~ Cat

Day Old Johnson - High Friend

Recipe for Day Old Johnson

Ingredients:

• ·      2 Day-Old Pastries
• ·      One steaming cup of Yerba Mate with a splash of almond milk
• ·      1 Cup of Poetry
• ·      ½ Cup of Music Notes
• ·      1¾ Cups of LOVE
• ·      2 Cups of Creativity
• ·      ¼ Cup of Humor
• ·      1 ½ Cups of Talent
• ·      Pinch of Emotion
• ·      Dash of Imagination
• ·      Endless Amounts of Amazing

Steps:

1.     First eat the yummy day old pastries and drink Mate to fill the belly, heart and soul.
2.     Pre heat oven to 325 degrees.
3.     Mix all other ingredients up to imagination in a big bowl till batter is smooth and velvety
4.     Take batter and scoop big heaping scoops on an ungreased cookie sheet.
5.     Bake till golden brown about 10 minutes.
6.     Let chill for 15 minutes then drizzle with amazing.
7.     Now enjoy.
 

Yields Endless Amounts of Coolness

What to say about Day Old……There is so much were should I start!

Day Old Johnson is the greatest songwriter in the universe. He has collaborated and performed with so many wonderful artists like PT Bruiser, The Natters, Harry Commando and Bushwalla. We are so very blessed to have worked with Day Old Johnson on this Feeding The Soul project.  With his musical talent and studio knowledge we were able to accomplish so much.  He is a true community partner and is always a yes for even the most unreasonable request. We have so much gratitude for him and are excited to have learned so much.

If you get a chance to see him in concert definitely check him out. His music will delight your ear fancy, fill your heart with love and make you dance all night long.

Thank you friend for everything!

Love~

Vallie

Jessie Payo – Mother

Jessie Payo’s heart is so huge it’s hard to believe there’s room for the rest of her in there – especially that big, gorgeous voice and warm smile. She is a generous, loving part of our musical community – and a bright light in any room she enters. You may recognize Jessie from the film Rising Stars, her first major role in a feature film. And you’re sure to be hearing her on the soundtrack with Leon Thomas III, star of Nickelodeon’s Victorious, and performing the theme song for the new show “Hubworld” on the Hub Network. We know Jessie as “jump-shot girl,” for her skill at leaping exactly on time for the camera.


Jessie is part singer, part songwriter, part actress, part dancer, and entirely fabulous. Every time I see her I’m left believing she could accomplish absolutely anything and make it look effortless. She has converted her success with Jupiter Rising into an exciting solo career. Do yourself the favor of hearing her bluesy crooning, full-out rock, and everything in between. Jessie is currently recording her first solo EP, set for release in February; this marks her first experiencing co-producing and writing her own work.


“Mother”, Jessie’s song for our CD, is a moving response to the triumph of Vallie and her mom over a debilitating disease. It’s also a tribute of love and respect to all mothers. We are thrilled by her generous offering.
~ Cat

http://www.jessiepayo.com/

Event Carpooling with Feeding the Soul Foundation‏

Wow! How great is it that our community reaches and always wants to contribute!

Thanks Katie B for creating this carpooling experience!!

We love you!

FTSF

 

Hey friends,

 

I hope all of you are as excited about the Feeding the Soul CD release party as I am.  For those of you that know me, yes, I rode my bike here.  For those of you that don’t, I’m a friend of the FTSF and a bicycle-loving tour manager who has spent the last year working on pedal-powered, self-supported bicycle music tours.  Through that work, I’ve come to love finding ways to inspire and encourage people to simplify their lives by jumping on their bikes to run errands and cutting down car usage to relieve themselves of fuel consumption.

 

I’m so inspired by the work that Feeding the Soul has been doing to help local charities, and I’m so proud of these girls for coming so far in the past year that I wanted to contribute some of my energy to the night.  While it would be tons of fun to encourage a huge bike ride to the show, even I will admit that a 15 mile ride home after hours of booty shaking might be a little too ambitious.  So, instead I’m here to encourage everyone to carpool to the show.  Let’s have a sold out show with a half empty parking lot! 

 

To help out with the carpooling process, my friends at Zimride have setup a super simple event carpool page HERE.  This is the same carpool interface that Jack Johnson used on his recent To The Sea Tour and that tons of other great artists are starting to use to encourage their fans to carpool to shows.  All you have to do is enter your starting location, whether you prefer to be a driver or passenger, and what time you want to head to the show (definitely go at 5 so you don’t miss the holiday craft fair!).  Once you enter all of your desired ride info you can login with Facebook and you’re done!  Zimride will match you up with other folks in your area looking to carpool to the show.  Not only is this a great way to help our sweet Mother Earth, it’s also a great way to meet new equally super awesome friends in your neighborhood.  And it’ll give you a full car of people to delve into deep discussion about the heavenly goodness that are Vallie’s macaroons.

 

 Again, here is the link to the Feeding the Soul Foundation CD Release Party Zimride Event Page.  Share it with anyone and everyone!

 

Can’t wait to see all of your smiling faces at the show!

 

Oodles of love,

katie b

 

 

 

 

Raining Jane - From Me To You

Can I just say LOVE at first sight!

That’s what I think of when I said pick me pick me to write this blog for

Raining Jane…

I met these ladies at a community gathering a few years back and I was like...who are those incredible girls!? They are funny, beautiful and 100% wonderful, and that was before I even heard them perform. Later that night I experienced them as a band and I was in deep, becoming an instant super fan. This eclectic rock-folk band out of Los Angeles California rocked my world.  The combination of three part vocal harmony, guitar, percussion, cello, sitar and amazing makes Raining Jane.

Mia, Chaska, Mona and Becky were the first people I called when starting the Feeding the Soul project and right off the bat they were enrolled. I’m so appreciative for these ladies because not only are they talented and lovely they reflect the true meaning of contribution.  Whether it’s helping aid Haiti, being instruments for fire relief victims or empowering and inspiring young girls to find their voices at

Rock n’ Roll Camp for Girls La these ladies have heart and know the true sense of giving and community.

Find these beautiful women on tour with Sara Bareilles soon! 

So “FROM ME TO YOU”

Feeding the Soul is so blessed and grateful to share space with you Raining Jane.

Love~

Vallie

Dawn Mitschele - Thanks Giving

Vallie, Cat and I want to wish you a family-filled, friend-filled, love-filled, turkey(to-furkey)-filled Thanksgiving! There are so many wonderful things to be thankful for...YOU being one of them. We are so thankful that you see our dream and you actively participate in it. We love our life of service and because you support us YOU must love a life of service too. So thank you!

Another thing we are thankful for is Dawn Mitschele! On a personal level there is so much I could say about this beautiful soul...from mini-tours in mini-vans to a New Years in silence but the bottom line is...I can't picture my life without her. I can't picture where I would be without her energy and LoVE in my life. She is a complete lesson in LoVE...and without her voice as a sound track I would be in a world NOTHING like the one I am in. Geeesh. Can you tell I adore her?

On a professional level...YES PLEASE!!! Grab some Dawn Mitschele when you awake in the morning with tea, or have a meal from our cook-book-lette while listening to her gracefullness (it helps me in the kitchen) or even best, get ready for the clubs with the rapping of Diz Miz. :) She is the complete package.

We love you Dawn! Thank you for blessing us with your song "Thanks Giving"...it is an honor and a privilege to have you be a part of the FTSF team and our compilation CD!
Come join us at our CD Release Party to see Dawn live!

Friends, what a beautiful day to listen to Dawn Mitschele's Thanks Giving song!

In LoVE and thankfulness,
~Melissa

http://www.dawnmitschele.com/