MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Traditionally the holiday season is a joyous one. It’s a time where friends and families come together, laugh, fellowship exchange gifts and even reflect on the year. However for many, this year won’t be as joyous.

Each year, many fall into the commercialism side of Christmas. Many become stressed and overwhelmed by what they can and can’t give. Many go into the New Year hurt because they didn’t received anything on this one day. When I look at my friend Will Pierre who just had his wife’s celebration of life on yesterday, I am certain the best gift for him right now would be to have her on this earth one more day. In St. Louis Missouri, my hometown, an incredible preacher by the name of Rev. Cleophus Robinson, Jr. left this earth on yesterday, yes two days before Christmas.  We can’t forget the Brown family in Ferguson Missouri, Eric Garner's family, Tamir Rice’s family and countless others that will sit around the dinner table on Christmas day in pain and grief.

By no means am I trying to make anyone feel sad or damper your joy, it’s a gentle reminder to not get caught up in the commercial side of this one-day and lose focus on the real reason why we celebrate this season. Yes, I enjoy receiving gifts like anyone but my ideas of gifts are not material anymore. The fact that I have a healthy family, both parents and siblings are alive and well, friends that show their love to me with unselfish support all year round and the fact I have a God given gift that has allowed me to have an incredible music career. These are all gifts to me, and not having some of these things today would effect my life beyond one day.

In conclusion, as you go throughout this season, I encourage you to enjoy this season according to the place God has blessed you to be in. Just remember Christmas is just one day, and there is life after it. Remember those who are less fortunate, dealing with depression and loss. Remember, there is no Christmas without Christ and God’s greatest gift was his Son, who in return gave His life. Give a gift that is life changing, not depreciating. Merry Christmas, and an awesome 2015.

CONGRATS!!!

As I was checking my Facebook page on last night, I received a tag of a photo along with news that an artist I've worked with on a recent project was nominated and was awarded the CD of the Year  2013 Rhythm of Gospel Awards in Jacksonville, FL. This artist name is Trish Christie-Standley!

I was not only excited because she won but I was honored to have shared on this project as well! Music is what I do full time so yes, it's a means of support. However there is nothing more gratifying to be apart of a dream and watch that dream grow into something bigger than what we could imagine! Money can't pay for that! 

I'm sooooooo proud of Trish and her accomplishments. If anyone knows as an independent artist it's not easy but it's possible if you are dedicated. So please go out and support her music, the project is great! Special shout out to my boy Producer/Songwriter Claudius Craig for having me on this project! 

http://www.jansjoy.net/

NEW ARTIST

I had the extreme pleasure and opportunity to perform with this guy this past weekend! Never met him until a couple weeks ago. Not only is he a good singer, he is a great brother. Passionate about his music and has the love and support of many! I appreciate his professionalism from the beginning to end. It doesn't help that we have the same hair style too! LOL

I wish him the very best with his career.

Please check out his new project entitled "The Essence of Love"

http://www.CDbaby.com/cd/terrywashington

DO YOU NEED A RECHARGE?

When I was in high school, (just a few years ago! LOL) one of my favorite times was gym time. I remember going through weeks of various outside activities, particularly running on the track. Our teachers goal was to have us complete a mile in the fastest time possible. Well me being the type of person that always loves a challenge, it was music to my ears!! 

After weeks of strenuous training and preparation, the time had come for us to be graded on our one mile run. After a good stretch, we lined up and I remember clearly saying to myself "Brien, you can do this", "You got this".! With great confidence, I was ready and assumed my position. When the teacher blew the whistle, I sprinted off like a jack rabbit! Man the first lap was done with breeze, the second lap seemed achievable but as I got half way through the second lap I begin to feel my self becoming winded. I forgot one important thing and that was to pace myself from the beginning. :-(

Watching myself go from first place to third place was somewhat disheartening. So I kept saying to myself "If I can just get my second wind, I'll be ok"! Well sure enough I begin to pace myself at a comfortable yet consistent pace. As we approached the final lap, I remember this feeling of renewed strength overcoming me. Breathing was no longer labored, legs begin to feel lighter and I was able to shift into a pace that not only allowed me to catch up and surpassed the person in first it also allowed me to finish my mile in five minutes! 

This brings me to my point. Spiritually, we are promised a spiritual second wind for those who learn to wait on God in patient, hopeful and dependent expectation. God doesn't often relieve us of our particular race or struggle however he will infuse us with his strength to finish the course. When you feel like giving up, go to the source of all strength and wait for his second wind!

Make it a great day! 

Peace

Brien
www.brienandrews.com

PERFECT TIMING

There have been many of days I wish I could control time. Wouldn't it  be nice to have some type of super power to speed up or slow down time? If you're like me, you've had periods in your life where you've been waiting for something great to happen. Or, maybe you've waited for something regretful to quickly end!

Either way you've found yourself waiting for that time to come where you no longer have to wait. Often times we wish that time would speed up even as it pertains to God answering our prayers. Yet, God wants us to just simply trust his timing. He knows just when to make things happen. Kinda reminds me of God waiting for the perfect time to send his Son to the earth.

Since God is perfect, his timing is also perfect. Trust his timing!

Peace

Brien
www.brienandrews.com

PERCEPTION

I recently had a conversation with a client that came in contact with a musician I hired to work on her project. She never met him in person but she remembered his name. A few days ago unknowingly my client and the musician just so happened to be at the same event where she was there singing and he was one of the musicians scheduled to play during the event. With great excitement she began to share with me that she saw him however after I asked one question "Did you get a chance to speak with him"? The story quickly begin to change, "but why" I said to myself.  With all the excitement in her voice I just knew they had great dialogue. As she began to answer me the excitement left her voice and she answered "Brien no, I just spoke and kept moving because he wasn't approachable". You can imagine the look on my face at this point and the thoughts I was having!! 

Now to hear this was no big surprise to me, you see the musician and I have known each other for over 20 years and as nice as he can be, often times many people have walked away with that same or similar perception. I decided to share this info with him, not certain how he was going to respond and of course it was not a good response. I said what I had to say and left it for him to process.

It must of bothered him over night into the next morning because he texted me to inquire about the artists name and asked could I do a conference call so that he can find out what he did that made her feel so uncomfortable to approach him. I took him up on his suggestion and called the client. Once the conversation was established, she began to describe to him the perception she had received from him, even down to his walk. She summed it up by saying "All I wanted to do was say thank you for a job well done on my CD but you was being a STAR"!

So, you can imagine my friend is speechless and feeling misunderstood. After the conference call ended peacefully and with clarity, he called me back with disbelief in his voice. I began to share with him he has to learn quickly in our business and in life in general perception is everything and it's important to make sure we aren't  sending mix signals to people that come in contact with us. I continued sharing that although often times what people SEE isn't always RIGHT however if thats all you leave them with it becomes their reality. 

Just like my client, there are many of us that have shared similar experiences. Whether you were in the musicians position or the position of my client, we all can learn something from this.

God promises that he is going to bless us but we have to keep in mind here on earth he uses people to bless us. At any giving moment you could be entertaining the investor that believes in what you do or your next big gig or opportunity yet if mishandled you could blow it just by the energy that you give off!

Hebrews 13:2 "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares". The meaning of this verse is that there are the Chosen of God (messengers) who we don't know, and who may not even know themselves as yet that they are Chosen. But we are to be friendly to all strangers, as some have entertained these messengers of God (the Elect) unawares. The same principle as Jesus put forth in Luke 30:36 when saying be neighborly. We are to be neighborly and show forth the Grace of God in Love to our fellow man. Both to the brethren and to the stranger.

It reminds me of why I attempt to shake hands, speak, hug and smile at everyone I come in contact with, even if I don't know them or don't feel like it! It's not done to get anything in return but my mother taught us at a young age, IT JUST PAYS TO BE NICE!!

PERCEPTION really is EVERYTHING!!

Peace

Brien
www.brienandrews.com

My First Blog!!

In recent months, I've had the opportunity to read several blog pages. Not really understanding the purpose at the time, I shunned away from the idea of starting my own blog page. Well as time has gone by I've developed an itch to try it so here I am today with my very first blog!!

I am a professional musician, producer and songwriter. I currently have a jazz CD out entitled "Change" which you can find on all online stores iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby and many others. Your support is greatly appreciated! (I have mouths to feed!) HAHAHA!!

I am currently working on my 2nd project and will be sharing this journey with you on my blog, you'll also find moments of inspiration, laughter, fitness, food, family, friends, news, sports and serious moments from time to time. I enjoy having fun and enjoying life. I'm a lover of people and it's my goal to share something with you that will encourage you and get you through your day! :-)

Thanks for connecting with me and I look forward to blogging with you in the near future! Don't forget to check out my website www.brienandrews.com

Welcome to BriensPlace!!!!

Peace
Brien