My Song and Video "All Around The World" aired on Christmas Day!

HAPPY AND BLESSED 2012! 

It was a busy year, with new music, an upcoming film, special performances, and a big thrill and an honor to have my song and video "All Around the World" air on Christmas Day, during Project Peace on Earth's "Prayer for Peace" Concert in Bethlehem.

The Project Peace On Earth Simulcast from Bethlehem  aired on Christmas Day,  in conjunction with MELI TV, Multi Cultural Television, The United Nations and Unrwa. It included performances and commentay from George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, Grammy winning Native American singers Joanne and Leah Shenandoah, Grammy winning Texas Hall of Fame songwriter, Gary Nicholson, world renown Jordanian percussionist Oud player, Hani Naser, Latvian Singer Alishe Ketnere,   a special video from the group AO, my song and video "All Around the World" and incredible film on Spirituality from Zeitgeist filmaker Peter Joseph.

"Sounds Like Winter" from the Magical Buffet includes "A Winter Blessing" as a favorite along with Gwen Stefani, Tori Amos, Pianist Michele De Wilton, Danny Wright, Diana Krall, Michael Buble', Ella, Louie and of course Dean Martin!

'Sounds Like Winter' Link  http://themagicalbuffet.com/blog1/2011/12/01/sounds-like-winter/

SEAY: Performing the songs of Alan and Marilyn Bergman

 Seay with Alan and Marilyn Bergman at The Nashville Jazz Workshop, September 14,2011. Below, Seay  with long time friend and  Director of the Nashville Jazz Workshop, Lori  Mechem on piano performing at the Fundraiser event. What a thrill to have the legendary Bergmans in attendance to hear their own songs performed. Such an amazing couple and it was a historic night. for the Nashville Music Community!

Seay Sings A Song Of Peace With "All Around The World" In The Global Peace Telecast Events

READ THE STORY -Seay Sings A Song Of Peace With "All Around The World" In The Global Peace Telecast Events

Spectacular Night Performing the songs of Alan and Marilyn Bergman

 

September 14, 2011 at the Nashville Jazz Workshop 

with Alan And Marilyn Bergman

 The songs of Alan and Marilyn Bergman have been enriching the great American songbook for over five decades. As lyricists for film, stage and television, they have created many unforgettable images with their lyrical mastery. Theirs is one of the most successful songwriting collaborations in an era of great popular music.They have earned numerous awards, including 16 Academy Award nominations, multiple Emmys, Grammys, and three Oscars for "The Windmills of Your Mind", "The Way We Were", and the score for "Yentl. 

I performed September 14, 2011 (the day after my birthday)  in a fundraiser event for the Nashville Jazz Workshop:The Songs of Alan and Marilyn Bergman. It was one of the greatest moments of my life not only meeting  them, but to perform for them also. The Bergmans attended the concert at The Nashville Jazz Workshop and were deeply touched. The performers in this event  were vocalists Sandra Dudley, Dorian Woodruff, Lisa Taylor, Lynn Lewis, Margaret Smith. The band: Roger Spencer, Lori Mechem, Denis Solee and Marcus Finnie. Thanks to everyone, the musicians, the audience  and especially the Bergmans for giving us this volume of the Great American Songbook. It was a historic night!

Pictured in the photo - Margaret Smith, Lynn Lewis, Dorian Woodruff, Lisa Taylor, Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman, Lori Mechem, Seay, Sandra Dudley, Roger Spencer. Photo by Bo May and used with kind permission by The Nashville Jazz Workshop!

Mi2N.com - Seay Joins The 2011 Global Peace Events With Her Song "All Around The World"

Mi2N.com - Seay Joins The 2011 Global Peace Events With Her Song "All Around The World"

Working on the film "Alone Yet Not Alone"

Recently I've been working on an amazing film called "Alone Yet Not Alone". The Film is inspired by the book written by Tracey Leininger, which tells  the true story of The Leininger Family, German immigrants who come to America in search of a new life and new world in the 1750's during the French Indian war. With a similar time line and theme to Last of The Mohicans, the story chronicals the courage and faith of the Leininger sisters who are captured by Indians and reunited 10 years later. I've had the priviliedge of working with Country Artist Clay Walker and Songwriter M. Jason Greene on an incredible piece "We Lift Up Our Voices" for the Film.  Included in this amazing opening piece are the Lord's prayer spoken in some of the world's languages  by myself and by Dutch/American actress and linguist Mouchette Van Helsdingen. The piece was orchestrated by the brilliant Swiss American instrumentalist and arranger Patrick "Pat" Thomi.  It's been a great thrill to work with all of them and Clay Walker and Jason Greene.  I hope to have more to share soon! Blessings, Seay

Returning to my roots with Nelson County Life Magazine in Virginia

I had the chance to return to my roots in Virginia to do an interview with Tommy Stafford, Editor of Nelson County Life Magazine. I've spent alot of time in the Blue Ridge Mountains, some of the oldest and most beautiful mountains on the earth. It's a very special place and it has been a source of inspiration and a gathering place for my family for most of my life. Some of the songs "Whispering Pines, "Winterlight" and "Snowfall" from the album "A Winter Blessing" were inspired from my time there.

Thanks to Nelson County life, Publisher Tommy Stafford and photographer  Hayley Osborne for a great afternoon in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Wintergreen, Virginia!

http://www.nelsoncountylife.com/2011/02/27/seay-music-inspired-by-the-blue-ridge/

I Will Love You Still - The Single and Millzero Photography

I have had listeners contact me about my love song "I Will Love You Still" and decided to release it as a digital single on Itunes. "I Will Love You Still" is a beautiful and poignant song of love and longing. As an artist, I'm always searching for unique imagery to convey  to depth of my music. A few weeks ago I found the most amazing portrait by Maldives Photographer Nishan Millzero and fell in love with it! It so represents the sentiment of my song, a timeless love between two people. Millzero so kindly allowed me the use of this special wedding photograph that captures such an amazing and poignant feeling about the power of true love. I hope you enjoy this song and the beautiful image that accompanies it. I wish for each of us an eternal moment like this. ❤xoS

Check out Nishan Millzero's photography and website at www.millzero.com

"Millzero uses his artistic imagination in a contemporary sense to bring out the grandeur in Architecture, the beauty in Weddings, the glamor in Fashion and the emotion in Journalism."

"Close Your Eyes and Fly" Nice thoughts about Orion's Gate from Speer Music

"Close Your Eyes and Fly"  Speer Music -   Orion's Gate

"There are treasures we keep waiting to be rediscovered years later. When kids have grown and all we have is this faint thread that connects us to the past.  Relationship has sometimes no power over the obstinate hands of time. But music takes us back.  Music for contemplation is a luxury away from the abrasive swish and swash of everyday life. We are working people and we take competitive heads. But at the end of the day, all we need is a warm massage, a nice soothing aroma and taste of Earl Gray and yes relaxing music after kicking off our shoes.

I have tried to pattern music based on my needs. I see these pieces as my flying carpet to faraway lands. The ticket is your imagination. Nothing beats a soundtrack for weary times. I take this nice cool sound of Seay. May you find your own flying carpet.

http://spheremusic.wordpress.com/2010/08

The path of creativity and the artist to enrich the world

Recently I have been contemplating the path of the artist - those individuals by whatever medium: Music, Dance, The Visual Arts, Movies, Theatre, Architecture,  Cooking,  Writing, that by their very being and self expression can enrich our lives and lead us to places of self discovery. Art and culture shape us, move us, inspire us, transport us to some place outside of ourselves, pull at our heartstrings and enrich our lives.  Just look at Michaelangelo, Monet, VanGogh, The Beatles and Filmmakers like Spielberg, George Lucas and James Cameron with Avatar. The beauty of creativity and self-expression, creating something out of an idea or thought, creating art. Our culture and society does very little to support and respect the artist. What would the world be like without those individuals that have a unique and inventive point of view or style that transcends. I saw an interview with Michael Jackson recently quoting Michelangelo and it sums up the importance and gift of the Artist and Art: “I know the creator will go, but his work survives. That is why to escape death I attempt to bind my soul to my work." The artist’s work leaves a legacy and enriches the lives of others long after they’re gone. The famous painter Vincent Van Gogh never lived to sell a single painting, 150 years later after his passing,"Sunflowers" sold for 35 million dollars on the Christies auction block in London. I was there studying art at Sotheby's, watching that afternoon ... A few years ago I was invited to do an art show at The Nashville Jazz Workshop here in Nashville, a local Jazz School that features wonderful visual artists. For several weeks, I spent time exploring The power of sound and music through some of music's great pioneers. In that time I grew to understand the power of truth and self expression to inspire and uplift  the world, cause us to think and connect us to something greater. A very wise mentor/friend grammy nominated songwriter and educator Harriet Schock once told me "It's the truth that touches people",  and truth comes from a deep authentic place inside ourselves. If we're brave enough, we explore it and let it out.Some of us express our truth with such ease, sharing our light with the world. For others it takes great courage. One can only imagine being a black artist in the 30's and 40's : Louie Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole.  For most of us, we walk around with blinders on, hiding our light.  Ironically, I've come to know, the light of creation has no judgement, no fear. Creation, a power within ourselves, and connected to God or something greater  just is, eternal and ever flowing.  It is us that stops the light from flowing.. So here's to the artists, inventors, creators, pioneers, and those of us exploring the path of creativity and self expression, wherever you are, those unique inventive and pioneering souls who despite the odds, share their light with the world! As an artist and soul on my own journey of self discovery, and creativity, I thank you.

Talking with Michael Debbage of Mainly Piano.com: Music, creativity & the power of the artist!

I  had the chance to speak to acclaimed music reviewer Michael Debbage of Mainly  Piano, a wonderful site created by Kathy Parsons that reviews new age and contemporary instrumental music! Michael   asked me some thoughtful and amazing questions about my music, the inspiration, living in the UK and my thoughts about creativity, peace on earth, and spirituality. Big Thanks to Michael and Mainly Piano for this wonderful honor and interview!

 Seay and Michael Debbage Interview on Mainly Piano

Visit Mainly Piano.com

Lovely thoughts from New Age Music World and John P Olsen

I was suprised to learn that New Age Music World and John P. Olsen  used the song and video for "All Around the World"  as their holiday message! New Age Music World showcases the icons in New Age Music,  with reviews and interviews of all the latest music. I am incredibly grateful that the message of this song is becoming accepted in so many amazing places and  reaching new people.  With gratitude and thanks to New Age Music World and John P Olsen.

http://www.newagemusicworld.com/all-around-the-world-by-seay/

'All Around The World" The Best Holiday Song of 2010 on Music City's Nashville Music Pro Site

I was shocked and humbled to learn that my 2 of my original songs were named in The top 20 Holiday Songs of 2010 on Music City Nashville Music Pro's website. "All Around The World" was named The Best Holiday Song of 2010  and  "A Christmas Heart" at #7 co-written with Jules Delgado!  The top 20 Holiday Songs of 2010 featured a  list of many of the most well known vocalists, writers and insturumentalists in Nashville's songwriting mecca: Kathy Chiavola, Erik Darken, Tom Hemby, Steve Wariner, Ron Wallace, Denny Jiosa, Bret Teegarten and so many more!  The Nashville Music Pro Website is an amazing community of musicians which hosts almost 4500  members in the Nashville area. My heartfelt thanks and gratitude To Bret Teegarden and NMP for acknowlegding my craft and the message in these heartfelt songs.

I am so excited!

Let there be hope let there be peace, let there be joy, all around the world..  

Visit the NMP Website and listen to the incredible music from some of Nashville's incredible songwriters, vocalists and musicians!

http://www.nashvillemusicpros.com/

Season's Greetings, Feliz Navidad and Merry Christmas to you!

I've spent many Christmases in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Adobe houses line the streets, lit with luminarias, and nestled in the mountains of the Southwest. It is truly one of the most magical places, especially when the snow is falling. This photo is from the Santuario de Chimayo, in Chimayo, New Mexico, one of my most favorite places on earth!

Wishing you a blessed holiday, wherever you are, with family and friends!

Love and God's many blessings,

Seay

Season's Greetings: We're all in this together

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

What is there to say about the events of this past year, with the world’s crisis in Haiti, the Gulf Oil Spill, the Economy...My home of Nashville, Tennessee, for the last 17 years was ravaged by a 1000 year flood. My own neighborhood, across from the flood plain, was under 10 feet of water with neighbors’ houses burning down one street over. In Nashville, 30 counties were declared federal disaster areas by FEMA with so many people losing everything. FEMA and the media, did little to support Tennessee. 6 months later, Tennessee still has not recovered. So many trying to rebuild their lives, so many trying to survive. So many of us are in times of crisis, at a crossroads, and are searching.. Where do we turn, what do we do..?

As an artist I’ve been asking myself, Is the world moving deeper into crisis or an opportunity for growth? Are we headed towards the darkness or an opportunity to step into something greater? The trials of life can make us stronger and fill us with grace. We can step into a greater awareness... I’ve learned this past year, none of us is alone, we are all in this together, and together we can make it through. God, a higher power and force, is here if we allow it to be so, working with us, working through us. I’m beginning to truly understand, we are all here for each other and to be the answer to someone’s  prayer. So at this time of year wherever you are, I wish for you a season of togetherness, with friends and family!


Joyeux Noel, Feliz Navidad, Buon Natale, and a very blessed and Merry Christmas! 

Seay

THE NASHVILLE FLOOD:
HELPING IT’S  SURVIVORS 6 MONTHS LATER
May 1-3 2010,  The state of Tennessee and my home of the last 17 years was devastated by 1000 year flood. People lost everthing and so many are still recovering.
WATCH THE VIDEO

GARTH BROOKS FLOOD RELIEF CONCERTS
GIVE TO FLOOD RELlEF

Country superstar Garth Brooks is returning for the first time in more than 10 years to benefit the victims of Nashville’s May flood. 9 concerts over 6 days,The benefit  will be  held December 17 at the Bridgestone Arena. Proceeds from the event will  go to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.
VISIT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

PROJECT PEACE ON EARTH: VISIONS OF PEACE
RECEIVE A FREE MUSIC GIFT FROM SEAY, AO, & GARY NICHOLSEN!
Music has the power to create movements and call people into action Visit Project Peace On Earth and learn about it’s upcoming Music Events. and when you donate, get our free musical gift and my song “All Around The World”.VISIT PROJECT PEACE ON EARTH
SUPPORT SEAY’S MUSIC! PURCHASE THE MUSIC FOR THE HOLIDAYS ANDTHROUGHOUT THE YEAR!
Uplifting and universal, you spirit will soar with Seay and her music for the soul Available on Itunes, CDBaby, Amazon.com, Digital & Retail Destinations everywhere! BUY SEAY’S MUSIC

A Time Of Gratitude

I love this time of year with the leaves changling and the wind blowing  through the trees... Fall brings a change of season and a sacred time  for people all over the world: A time of thanks, community, prayers,  hymns, togetherness and gift giving. What would this world be like  without gratitude or Thanksgiving? I am incredibly thankful for thegifts God has given me and the support from you: My friends, family  and listeners. It’s  a personal fulfillment this year with my song  All Around The World’ apart of World Peace Day and Mainly Piano’s  announcement of “A Winter Blessing” as one of the best 30 releases  of the decade in New Age Music. It continues to be a gift to share my  music with you and I hope you will share it!  This time of year gives a  reason for all of us to come  together: Communities, nations and the  world to give thanks to God for the precious gift of life and his blessings.
 

Peace, Love, Hope  and Happy Thanksgiving, SEAY

Read Seay's Fall Newsletter

A wonderful review by Carla Golden of The Kansas City Spirituality Examiner

"All Around the World": A beautiful music video by Seay

Today I heard that Iran has built their first unmanned bomber and they tout it as the "ambassador of death" to their enemies. Also today, I saw and heard a beautiful music video by Seay with a song that has stayed in my mind like a wonderful mantra. "Let there be peace," I keep repeating to myself. "Let there be peace."I invite you to listen to this music video and let the words and images wash over you and through you. Together, let's focus on peace, love, and light around the worldand not new methods of death and destruction.
Let there be peace.

http://www.examiner.com/spirituality-in-kansas-city/all-around-the-world-a-beautiful-music-video-by-seay

Talking With Vivek Kumar in India- 2indya.com!

I had a wonderful opportunity to speak with Indian Journalist Vivek Kumar of 2indya.com. He asked me some amazing and insightful questions! What a thrill to know my thoughts, my artwork and music will be in in India! Thank you Vivek and 2indya.com!

Read Seay's  interview with Vivek Kumar on 2.Indya.com 

Visit The 2indya.com site

"Siren Song" and Erik Aeder's "Bodies Of Water"

A few weeks ago I had an opportunity to connect with an amazing  photographer named Erik Aeder.  Based in Paia, Hawaii, Erik is well known for his extreme water sports photography especially surfing, But it was his ongoing series "Bodies of Water" that blew my mind.  "Bodies of Water" conveyed the inspiration for one of my vocalese pieces "Siren Song" so perfectly, that I contacted Erik. I am incredibly grateful that Erik granted me the use of his beautiful  images as a visual accompaniment to "Siren Song". As both a siren and scubadiver on occasion, I hope to make a trip to Paia before to long  for a collaboration with Erik Aeder.

About Erik Aeder:

Erik Aeder has been capturing images of the ocean and it's lifestyle for most of his life. He is known worldwide for his extreme water sports photography as well as his fine art images, "Bodies of Water", a soulful expression of grace and form integrating the female body under water in unique locations around the globe. It is a creative passion that comes from Aeder's love of ocean sports and the desire to produce beautiful, surreal fine art photographs of women swimming in this liquid, underwater environment. These fine art photos are shot around the world in different bodies of water.

www.erikaeder.com 

View "Siren Song" Below

SEAY - Siren Song

Project Peace On Earth - An Invitation To The Musicians Of The World

What if music and sound are a true source of healing and transformation for our world?  I invite you to read the inspiring thoughts of Steve Robertson, Executive Producer of Project Peace On Earth. 

The Spiritual Origins of Sound and Music -
Project Peace On Earth

"People say that the soul, on hearing the song of creation, entered the body, but in reality the soul itself was the song." - 14th Century Sufi poet Hafiz

Research has shown that music has the power to change emotional states, shift our mental outlooks, change our physiology, and impact spiritual awareness.  Certain types of music, devotional in nature, can also have the power to transform individual and collective consciousness into the heightened states of love, forgiveness, compassion, and physical healing.  These heightened states of love, forgiveness, and compassion are also what empowers human awareness to identify societal, geopolitical, and environmental problems, and at the same time create and implement solutions. This paper explores the possibility of how a globally-telecast concert of spiritually inspired music can shift the collective consciousness so that each of us experiences our innate divinity, and witnesses and recognizes this same divinity in others, resulting in our ability to recognize the sacredness of our planet’s wildlife, its natural resources and our custodial responsibility and honor for the earth.  In this way, we may grow to honor the spiritual, cultural, and ethnic diversity that is the watershed of God’s creative expression.

Martha Graham on Art & Artists

I happened upon this on another artist's site and thought I would post it. As I am in the middle of my own artistic  endeavors, I think it is a great reminder to respect  and honor our own truth and self expression.

Martha Graham on art & artists

“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.
You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.”


http://marthagraham.org/center/

The power of the artist to shape and change the world

Recently I have been contemplating the path of the artist - those individuals by whatever medium: Music, Dance, The Visual Arts, Movies, Theatre, Architecture, that by their very being and self expression can influence our lives. Art and culture shape us, move us, transport us to some place outside of ourselves, pull at our heartstrings and enrich our lives. Just look at Michaelangelo, Monet, VanGogh, The Beatles and Filmmakers like Spielberg, George Lucas and James Cameron with Avatar. The beauty of creativity and self-expression, creating something out of an idea or thought, creating art. Our culture does very little to support and respect the artist. What would the world be like without those individuals that have a unique and inventive point of view or style that transcends categories, I saw an interview with Michael Jackson recently quoting Michelangelo and it sums up the importance and gift of the Artist and Art: “I know the creator will go, but his work survives. That is why to escape death I attempt to bind my soul to my work." The artist’s work leaves a legacy and enriches the lives of others long after they’re gone. The famous painter Vincent Van Gogh never lived to sell a single painting, 150 years later after his passing,"Sunflowers" sold for 35 million dollars on the Christies auction block in London. I was there studying art at Sotheby's, watching that afternoon ... A few years ago I was invited to do an art show at The Nashville Jazz Workshop here in Nashville, a local Jazz School that features wonderful visual artists. I came up with the title "The Power of Sound: A look at Music's Pioneers". For several weeks, I spend time exploring The power of sound and music through some of music great pioneers - I spent a week watching the Ken Burns series on Jazz. In that time I grew to understand the power of truth and self expression to move and change the world. A very wise songwriter and mentor/friend of mine Harriet Schock once told me "It's the truth that touches people..", so when you think about Jazz Music, I sure she's right. Some of us express our truth with such ease, sharing our light with the world. For some of us, it takes great courage. One can only imagine being a black artist in the 30's and 40's - Louie Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole.. just to be themselves in spite of such prejudice. For most of us, we walk around with blinders on, afraid to show ourselves, afraid of what others might think, hiding our light....afraid of being judged...I'm one of those, still working on it everyday, attempting to peel back the layer of my self, and be ok with it all.. So here's to the artist, wherever you are, those unique inventive and pioneering souls who despite the odds, share their light with the world! As an artist and soul on my own journey of self discovery, and creativity, I thank you.

A humbling accolade - A Winter Blessing - Top 30 for the decade on Mainly Piano

Mainly Piano Top 30 for the decade

Billbord Press Release - Seay -A Winter Blessing

A Winter Blessing made Michael Debbages Top 30 for the Decade. I am so thrilled, shocked and humbled. An artist always hopes to have their work recognized and it  is a thrill for me to be mentioned alongside so many established and prolific artists like, 2002, David Lanz, Secret Garden and Michael W Smith. Thank you Michael and Mainly Piano for your tremendous support and May I make the next Decade.

A snowy day in Nashville

 

www.cdbaby.com/seay3

www.grammy.com 

The snow has arrived in Nashville! Usually never lasting longer than a few moments and melting, the snow is sticking and looks like it is going to stay. I was to be attending the grammy telecast in Los Angeles now to be held back by Mother Nature. I have to believe there is a better time plan and purpose for things so, I'll pull out my Winter Album, A Winter Blessing and listen to the music I wrote for just this time of year! How ironic! Happy Snow Day Nashville and Happy Grammy Weekend!

Whisperings Solo Piano Concert at The Sound Kitchen

It was an incredible evening hearing David Lanz Perform at the Sound Kitchen in Franklin, Tn this past fall. I got a surprise email from reviewer RJ Lannan inviting me out to the Whisperings Concert to hear a group of solo pianists. I was so glad I attended. Never before have I left a concert so moved by an artist's presence. David Lanz was like a huge ball of energy, from the quietest notes to the most dramatic, I sat there in awe at his seemingly effortless ability to become one with the piano. I cried when he played Christofari's dream, a piece I remembered from somewhere in the back of my mind: one of the first contemporary instrumental hit s.
The thing that has stayed with me from that concert was David's energy: A fully self realized creative force, walking in his own light, 30 solo albums recorded of his own material, knowing his purpose..just amazing and inspiring. I can never thank RJ Lannan enough for the invitation and for his kindness in his reviews of my material. It was such a wonderful event and a great synchronicity with Paul Speer (David Lanz' partner) who lives in Memphis. Maybe we'll get a collaboration going.