Christmas time is here...

So, once again the holidays are upon us? Is it just me or does it seem like Christmas approaches faster and faster every year? In any event, I wish you and yours the loveliest and most blessed of holiday seasons.

Here is my Christmas wish list for 2011:

~world peace - or, if we're not quite ready for peace around the world yet, I'd settle for people being nice to each other while they're out shopping for Christmas - maybe even let someone else have that prime parking spot... (that's a good start)

~ I'd like for everyone on the planet to feel loved - no matter where they are, what they've done or what they've been through

~ I'd like for our brave service men and women to be able to spend the holidays - at home - safe and sound surrounded by their friends, family and anyone else who celebrates their service and sacrifice

~ I'd like for my family to know how much I love and appreciate them

~ I'd like for my friends to know how much I love and appreciate them

~ I'd like for my fans to know how much I love and appreciate them

~ I'd like for every child on earth to have a safe place to call home and more than enough food to eat

~ I'd like to see an end to people arguing, fighting and killing each other in the name of religious righteousness - over whose God is better...all roads lead to Heaven and we can create that Heaven right here on earth...

~ I'd like to live to see the day when we have just one flag - representing the entire world - when are we going to realize that we cannot judge, criticize, condemn or kill anyone else, without first doing the same thing to ourselves?

I suppose this isn't my entire list but, sort of like being nice to each other in the parking lot while going to shop at Target, it's a good start...

My biggest wish this holiday season however, is that Christmas finds you at peace and feeling so very, very loved...because you are...

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!

Love always,
~Jen

the journey

I realize that the actual 'juice' in the journey has absolutely NOTHING to do with the final destination - what you think you're going to 'get' or how you think you're going to feel once you 'get' there. It's about the journey itself. It's about being brave enough to GIVE as much as you can - every step of the way.

Birthday!

So, now that it is after midnight here on the east coast, it is technically my birthday! :-) I'm only 13 minutes in and, already, this is my best birthday yet. I don't know how to explain it other than, by saying that I am simply grateful for my life in general.

Right now, I'm finishing up my latest album. This particular album has taken me 4 years and a LOT of blood, sweat and tears to finish - I couldn't be more proud of it. It's a double CD and I can't wait to release it.

In other areas of my life, I have an amazing family - I'm grateful beyond words for that. I also have an incredible fiance. :-) Not surprisingly, I'm grateful or that as well.

But, in general, I'm most grateful for Life itself. I'm grateful to be so connected to the Divine and I'm grateful that I'm being given the chance to grow and give more than I have already.

Much love - and more soon,
~Jen xoxo

mastering

Just another quick update to let you all know that our mastering sessions are going really well!! Everything sounds simply incredible!!! It make me even MORE excited to share this album with all of you!! :-)

If all goes well, we'll finish with the mastering this upcoming Friday. Then, next week, I'll work on the album artwork, liner notes, etc and then have it sent off to be duplicated. My intention is to be able to release the album sometime around Thanksgiving, but I'll keep you posted on the exact date once I have it.

Hope you're doing well in your corner of the world. More soon!!

Lots of love,
~Jen

Day 1 =complete success!!

Just a quick update to let you all know that Day 1 of my mastering project was a complete success!! I'm SO excited about how this album is shaping up - I CAN'T WAIT to share it with all of you!!! If you'd like to see a couple of the videos from today, please check out my facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/jenstackpole or take a look at my YouTube page. Thanks so much (as always) for all your love and support!! I'll update soon with more news from the studio!!

Love always,
~Jen

new album update

Just a quick update to let you all know that I'm headed into the studio all this week to master my new album!! I'm SO excited!! This album has been 4 years in the making and I'm so happy that it's almost ready to share with all of you!

I'm hoping to be able to release it sometime around Thanksgiving, but I'll definitely keep you posted on all the details!

Much love,
~Jen

Performance TONIGHT! :-)

I'm performing a set of my original music at the Deltona Arts Center Coffee House Singer/Songwriter Showcase TONIGHT!! Hope you can make it!! Details are posted below! :-)

THE WORD IS SPREADING!

Deltona Coffee House is swiftly becoming the Central Florida avant garde cozy venue to experience original music; true artists sharing their craft with the house audience and viewers worldwide over the internet.

Central Florida Songwriters are in the spotlight this Saturday. Comedian/Magician, Tim Piccirillo will emcee.

The songwriters... Jen Stackpole, Javion, Linda Sylvester, Daya & Chris and Jeff Mason.

THIS SATURDAY

August 6, 2011, Time: 7pm

Admission Donation: $2.

Deltona Coffee House
682 Deltona Blvd., Deltona, FL 32725 / info: 407-923-1878

Deltona Coffee House is an outreach of Deltona Arts & Historical Center, a 501c3 non-profit.

just because

So, I am nearing the 'end' of my current album-making journey and I find myself both excited and a little sad. This process has been about 3 1/2 years in the making and I wonder what's next for me. I'm grateful to be where I am - completely in love, engaged to the man of my dreams, making music that perfectly reflects who I am, where I've been and who I'm becoming. I'm grateful that this album is almost finished. And, more than anything, I'm grateful to just be...

That's all for now. Hope this finds you well.

Much love always,
~Jen

Saturday's show!! :-)

For those of you who came to the show this past Saturday, THANK YOU!! You made it a huge success!! Aissa, Tim and I had a blast and we can't thank you enough for coming out and supporting us!!

For those of you who couldn't make it in person, you can view the entire show online at: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/14232609

Also, I'd like to extend a personal thank you to our incredible opening act, Aissa Torres - girl, you are beautiful, a huge talent and a huge inspiration. Thank you SO much for honoring us with your presence and infectious music! You ROCKED the house and were the perfect opening to the show!! Love you! :-)

And Tim - it was a complete honor to share the stage with you!! Your talent and stage presence are second to NONE! And there's nothing you can't do!! Thank you so very much for such a fun and fantastic night!! I love you!

I'm such a blessed girl to get to do something I love so much - AND I get to share it with all of YOU! Thank you all for all your love and support!!

Love always,
~Jen

PS - Stay tuned - the new album is going to be out SOON!!! :-)

Upcoming Show!!

Hope this email finds you all doing well!! Wanted to let you know that

I've got a fantastic show coming up this Saturday, April 23rd, 2011!!

Here are all the details:

COMEDY, MAGIC & MUSIC @ Deltona Coffee House

THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 23RD

TIME: 7PM


PLACE: Deltona Arts Center

682 Deltona Blvd.

Deltona, FL 32725

Singer/Songwriter Jen Stackpole & Comedy Magician Tim Piccirillo


"Jen Stackpole has produced 2 albums of original music and is

currently working on her third, which will be a double CD. Her original

material ranges from pop to rock and folk to country. You'll simply

love her incredible vocal range as she moves you with a blend of

songs that will lift you up as well as make you experience a wide

range of emotion."


"Tim Piccirillo is a magician and comedian who will not only "wow"

you with state-of-the-art magic but entertain you with hilarious

comedy and audience participation. A magician and comedian for

ALL ages, Tim is sure to tickle your funny bone and amaze you all at

the same time!"

Admission: $2 Info: 407-923-1878

Deltona Coffee House is located in Deltona Arts & Historical Center,

682 Deltona Blvd. Deltona, Fl 32725, Off I-4 exit 108. Extra Parking

in lot across the street.

Exquisite Coffees & Gourmet Desserts by White Cup Coffee House.

--
Deltona Arts & Historical Center, Inc.

682 Deltona Blvd, Deltona FL 32725

DeltonaArts.com


And for those of you who can't make it in person, we're going to be

broadcasting the show live on the internet!! Check out:

http://jenstackpolemusic.com/l/p1kzpk/5724305;http://www.ustream.tv/channel/deltonacoffeehouse

Thanks so much for all your love and support!!!

Love always,
~Jen

Jen Music!!

just because

I'm grateful. I'm grateful because life rocks. I'm grateful because love rocks. And I'm grateful because I am simply blessed beyond measure. That's it for today. I hope you're having a terrific day. :-)

With love always,
~Jen

amazed...

This is just a quick note to say how grateful I am for the incredible people I'm getting to work with on this album. Today, I had the privilege of working with the amazing Rob Peck, formerly of the band Sister Hazel. Rob's an incredible musician and an all-around great guy. I'm so glad he agreed to be a part of this album and I'm truly blessed to have his signature style and 'heart' on this project. Thanks Rob - you're amazing!!

I'd also like to thank Jimi Pappas for coming out to play today! :-) Jimi is a great friend and a fantastic musician/artist/songwriter. I met Jimi in 2004 and have been blessed enough to call him a friend ever since. He's the one who actually introduced me to my outstanding producer, Frank Starchak. :-) When you listen to many of the songs on this album, you'll hear Jimi's great playing and vocals. Jimi - you make me smile ALL the time - thanks for being you!!

Adrian Sutton - Adrian is another amazing friend as well as a producer/sound engineer at my recording studio, Urban Soundz. I had a blast singing with you today, Adrian!!! 'Ba-dee-ya!' You ROCK!!! THANK YOU!!!

Riley Connell - is yet another incredible friend and a fantastic sound engineer! He's a new addition to the Urban Soundz family and I'm so happy to have him!! Riley - you're such a welcome addition to the 'family' and I can't thank you enough for your input and presence. You've completely 'Roadhoused' my sessions and I LOVE it!! :-)

Frank Starchak - has been my producer since 2005. I've recorded 3 albums with him and we're still going strong. This album we're working on now is our most ambitious project so far and we're having a blast with it! Frank - you know how I feel about you, 'Dad'! I wouldn't be who I am (both personally and as an artist) without YOU!! Love ya!!

These are just a handful of the incredible people I'm blessed enough to be surrounded by when I go to 'work' at the studio. I say it every time I post and it's true EVERY time - I simply can't wait to share this album with all of you!!!

Love always,
~Jen

Every time..

You know, every time I think I'm ALMOST finish with this album, I find that there's more to do! AND - I'm loving EVERY minute of it! Every time I listen to one of the songs that's going to be on the new album, I find some more mixing to do, or parts to add, or vocal tracks to sing...I've never felt quite so creative in the studio and I'm SO grateful for it!! Also, Frank Starchak (my incredible producer, 'dad', and all around great guy) and I are like a well-oiled machine. We're finishing each others sentences these days and we're always on the same wavelength when it comes to the music. One of us gets an idea (usually a crazy one - lol!) and we just go with it. Minutes later, it turns into something completely cool and we're both in love with it. I'm SO blessed to be working with such an amazingly talent and the music that's coming out of that studio is really incredible. I know I've said it a million times before, but I'll say it again - I can't wait to share this new album with all of you!



Stay tuned...more updates soon!!



Love always,

~Jen

Wednesday

I was at the studio yesterday and, yet again, I came to realize that I really do have the best gig in the universe. My job is to be loving, creative, feisty, gutsy, honest, vulnerable, happy, fun and humble - and, in the process, I get to be inspired, hang out with the coolest people on the planet and make music that truly moves people. I really do have the best gig ever - and I'm SO grateful for it.

The new album is really coming along. We're SO close to finishing - I can almost taste it! I've got at least a full day of singing ahead of me, then another day of odds and ends, and then we start the final mixing and mastering process. It's so exciting and I really can't wait to share this CD with all of YOU. My intention is that you'll enjoy the final product every bit as much as I've enjoyed creating it. This album has been over 3 years in the making and, needless to say, I'm anxious to get it 'out there' and share it with the world. :-)

Hope you're all having a wonderful week! Happy Wednesday!!

Much love always,
~Jen

Urban Soundz

Happy Thursday everyone!! Hope this finds you doing incredibly well in your corner of the world. :-)

Things are great here! Just wanted to take a minute and let you know about the new website I'm going to be launching soon: http://www.urbansoundzmusic.com (This is a website for the recording studio I own in Deltona, FL.)

I'll be launching the website soon so stay tuned!!

Lots of love,
~Jen

More on change

Change - there's that 'nasty' word again. I know, I know - you probably don't want to talk about it and you probably don't want to hear about it either but, here's the deal....Change is, in fact, a good thing....even when it seems like it isn't.

What I've found to be true is that God/the Universe (or whatever you prefer to call It) is ALWAYS (and, yes I do mean ALWAYS) working for our good. I don't mean some of the time, or when we do something right by following some crazy set of rules, or when God feels like working on our behalf - I mean God is continually working FOR us every blessed second of every blessed day - NO MATTER WHAT - and now matter HOW it may seem on the surface.

Sometimes we're in a situation or something 'happens to us' and we think, 'How can this possibly be serving me right now?' Or, 'How is it possible that this will EVER serve me in any way?' We're in so much pain that we can't even imagine how this situation might turn out for the best. But, tell me, have you ever (honestly) been in the middle of something that felt like the end of the world
but later you found out that the whole thing really was for the best? You just couldn't believe at the time that this situation could possible serve you but, somehow, it did.

So, my question is, why do we spend so much time resisting that which is really good for us? There may be many answers to this question, but the one that comes to my mind first is fear. Plain old fear. And we let it stop us all the time. We let fear influence just about every single thing we do - we worry about what people will think, how they will react, we worry about how things are going to turn out, and we constantly worry that things won't' work out. Well, the whole point here is, things do work out - for the BEST - EVERY SINGLE TIME - even when it doesn't feel like they're going to.

It's pointless to get frustrated with the things that serve us. It may make us feel better for a brief moment, but ultimately, when we get frustrated and/or angry, upset, etc. it only takes longer to get through the situation. God is going to work beautifully in our lives - whether we want Him to or not. He's working behind the scenes constantly to make sure that we learn the lessons we need to learn to become the people we were born to be. We can resist it and cause ourselves even more pain - or not. The great thing is - the choice is up to us... :-)

Have a great day!!

With love,
~Jen

Update

Sorry it's been so long since I've been written. I can't exactly put into words how much has changed throughout the course of this past year. However, I can tell you this much - no matter how much my life has changed since this time last year, it's all been for the better! :-)

Change is an interesting thing - it's necessary and it happens ALL the time - whether we want it to or not. Despite how much we resist it sometimes, change is ALWAYS for the better. Now I know a lot of you might be arguing with me right now but, believe me, life always has a way of working out for the best - even if it doesn't feel like it at the time.

So anyway, this is just a quick update to let you all know that yes, I'm still alive - more alive than ever as a matter of fact! And, yes, I'm back in the studio working my little butt off. The new album should be finished sometime in February, which means that I'll be releasing it sometime in March. Stay tuned for details! :-)

In the meantime, I've posted a bunch of songs on my website: http://www.jenstackpolemusic.com   Some new, some old and all for sale for only $0.69 each!! Please enjoy and I'll be in touch again soon!


I hope all is well with you in your amazing corner of the world and, as always, thank you for all your love and support!!

Love always,
~Jen