I think music is part of my DNA. As a kid, my two sisters and I sang all the way across the US - to and from Colorado, Wyoming, Georgia, Florida, Washington DC., Vermont, and Maine. This is how we covered miles of family vacations. One year my sister came home from camp and introduced me to some Peter, Paul, and Mary's songs. That's when my love for folk music began. Together, my sisters and I rode in the backseat of a 66' Ford singing in three part harmony “This Land is Your Land”, “Blown in the Wind”, “Puff the Magic Dragon”, and “If I had a Hammer” - to name a few. It was then I realized that music was magic and it could change things. As part of the civil rights movement, music changed attitudes. As part of the Viet Nam War era, music offered hope for peace. And as part of my personal history, music provided and outlet for comfort and expression, which changed me. I took up the guitar in my teens and learned every song I could. Later, I began to write songs and perform in coffee houses, bars and churches. With enormous encouragement, I finally recorded my debut CD at Smallwood Studio in Ohio. The CD has an intimate sound, as though you and I were sitting together in your living room. I played all the guitar and mandolin parts, and sang main and backup vocals on all songs except for the chorus of “Hard Times”, which featured backup vocals by Diantha Rau. Diantha also arranged the flute, drum and harmonica parts on the CD. Mark Babb and Phil Donahue did the banjo arrangements. The CD is produced by Kindred Spirits Music. Through the years, I've been fortunate to open for numerous musicians at festivals and at Canal Street Tavern in Dayton, Ohio. I was a regular performer in the Dayton Women's Music Collective and at the MoonFest gatherings near Athens, Ohio. While performing at Tolliver's in Dayton, Ohio, I met Dan Hart who recorded my song “Heart to Heart” on one of his early albums. I've performed at public radio fundraisers and at the Web Coffeehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Three of the songs on my CD were part of the Women's Voices Outloud concerts in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Recently, I often perform at the Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Dayton, Ohio. Recently, my music has been played by fans in England, France, Belgium and Africa. My debut CD, Connie B, includes 16 original songs. These songs are musical poetry that address everything from love and loss to life and humor. These include favorites such as “Circle of Friends” and “The Light”. “Circle of Friends” is a celebration of friends here and gone- "some are missing while others sit in." I've played it at bonfires, picnics and wakes. “The Light” is about what happens when there's a death in the family. It portrays in juxtaposition the one who has died and those who remain here among the living. Some of the other songs include “Song for Ishtar” which breaks from the folk sound and infuses an ethereal tone and “Bodhichitta” which sings the song of life, saying “Only love is real; fill your heart with song!" “Happy Birthday” is a special cut with my dog Gilda singing along. The bonus track, “I Am” is about diversity and inclusiveness of All That Is. It was written at the last minute and recorded in part at the Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Dayton, Ohio. I'm not doing this to become rich or famous, in fact, my only goal is that my music might provide some insight, hope, or comfort for anyone listening. Often, people sing along with my songs at performances and in their cars on the way home. I would love to hear other musicians perform my songs. This is what I do in my spare time and what gives my life meaning. Go to my web page at www.connieb.com. There you can find pictures and lyrics, and listen to a clip of each song. Also, you can order CDs and drop me an email. BTW- I'm donating a portion of the proceeds to my favorite 503 C-3 organization, Oak Tree Corner, a children's grief center in Dayton, Ohio. For the past eight years I have been involved with Oak Tree Corner as a volunteer facilitator, board member and president. Similar groups include the Dougy House in Portland, Oregon and Erin's House in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Namaste’ Connie B