Nina Simone

Just woke me up a bit today...



Blessings~

Music Front Update

***July 11th update*** The show went better than I expected on some levels and less than better on others, but I had a good time, and Jason was well pleased. We will play again on the 17th of August, so we have a month to get a bit more polished. Thanks for your support and encouragement!***

My sister is in Mexico, and I have the computer all to myself. So, I have to post this update regarding a show. Jason Millerd and I have been playing together for I guess it's getting to be almost 2 years off and on. We are finally going to do an extended set at the coffeehouse his parents own Beatnix. It is a pretty safe and receptive place for poetry and music beginners. The audiences are always very kind, so I am excited about this opportunity.

We have had a few four hour rehearsals. My fingers and voice are spent. I don't think I could do this for a living, but it is fun to go through this particular fire, nonetheless. I think back on some of my posts about writing and this music thing, and I see tons of growth and persistence. I dare say I am proud of the efforts that have been made. I literally have had no real income, job security, nor do I have training in the craft of song writing, but it is His Grace and His Mercy that is sustaining me. I give thanks and praises to the Most High God for all He has allowed me to experience and all His many gifts and blessings.

God is good!

Music Update Thank You Jason and TJ

This is Blues Jam, recorded by maryee last night at the coffeehouse... Thank you sister. I came up with this chord progression in 2003 just messing around. This song has no lyrics yet, but I am certain all things work together for the good of those that love the Lord and are called according to His good purposes.


Be blessed~

Got Drums, Got Ge'tar, Need mics and recording stuff

You know the interface thingamabobbies that allow you to get sound from one place to the computer with a quality one can live with.

Getting the job done one dollar at a time, ya'll... With God all things are possible... without faith it is impossible to please God...

Here we go into 2007...

Blessings~

On the Sparrow

Open Mic Jamz at Beatnix Coffeehouse 11-11-06.

Jay Turser On the Way JT55C

Praise God.

I was able to purchase my new level of electric guitar. I decided to upgrade from my Silvertone to a Fender Stratocaster. After being out bidded on a few strats, I began to think about the JT.

While working at Richard Thomas' Band Instrument Repair Shop in Waco, I had the pleasure of playing his JT55C. Well, I loved playing it, and as it turns out, e-bay had two that were available. I stopped bidding on Strats and turned to Jay Turser's. One JT55C was up for auction the other was at a fixed price of 280.00 (free shipping). I went for the JT on auction which was listed as new and never played. I won it in the last second for 202.25 (plus 20.00 shipping).

I look forward to this new instrument, and I am adding the drums to the family very very soon. Those will be the entry level Pearl Forum Series. I played these at Carver Academy and just thought they would be perfectly ideal for me to begin my drumming training.



Be blessed, Ya'll!

jena~

Two new Songs have come about

I have been in a "swing" music mood lately. Two new songs/lyrics have been penned, and I look forward to the full composition and arrangments to come together. I am very close to purchasing the drum set I have been longing for. I have close to a grand saved, and I am still able to pay my bills. God Bless!

Blessings~

Open Mic at The JAVA HUT in Hewitt, TX

Every Friday night is open mic at the JAVA HUT in Hewitt, Tx. (Just head toward the Richland Mall on Hwy 84/Waco Drive and keep going until you hit Hewitt Drive... Take a left onto Hewitt Drive and go about a mile and 1/2... The Java Hut is in a shopping center on the right hand side.)

The owners, Karen and Rich are awesome. They are a husband and wife team full of hope and fun and good news. The Java Hut is open seven days a week and offers a great menu of coffees, smoothies, and munchies. I enjoy my stay there when I am able to make the hike... They even have a knitting group and featured live music night.

Well, tonight I played for about an hour. The crowd thinned out as the time wore on, but I did get a two dollar tip and it wasn't even feature artist night. The man said he liked my music and left the tip on a chair my jacket was hanging on. Too, cool... and How cool is that???.....

I am finding that I have a soothing style of selections and that I need to stick with that style. It is unique and relaxing. God knows we need more relaxation music.

I am growing more and more in the music and the music is growing more and more in me. I thank God and praise Him for the grace to grow through this wonderful and most time lonely experience. To the faithful who hung in there with me tonight by choice, force or accident, thank you for your company, and I enjoyed yours, too.

Blessings~

god bless the child

jena evans at beatnix coffeehouse, waco, tx. Trying to get comfortable playing and singing at the same time... Pressing my way... thank you Lord God. blessings~

Jen wants to share this video with you!

Photobucket - Shared Video!

Jena Evans playing Little Girl, with Jason Millerd on drums

and Miles Morgan on the bass. 7-22-06 at Beatnix Coffeehouse

Waco, Tx

Share your images and videos at Photobucket.com

Pics of Jenaevans

My sister Maryee hooked this up for me on her photobucket account. Thanks Maryee!!

Jena and Jason debut with one rehersal on kit

Waco My Hometown
Jason Millerd(drums)
Jenaevans (Acoustic Guitar)




STAND with Jason Millerd and Jenaevans
Nick Stewart on Bongos



This is getting fun...

Peace and blessings~

Jena Evans blues run at Beatnix Coffeehouse

Your comments are welcomed

Poems and Music

My sister Maryee and I are having a good time with poetry nights at Beatnix. Yes, nights... Tuesday nights this Summer are set aside for the teens of Waco and the greater Waco area. From 7:00-9:00 pm teens can come and read poetry. It will run until August 8th.

I am getting more and more comfortable singing and playing on Saturdays. Praises go to God because every time I have to swallow hard and get my self up on that tiny stage.

I have written two new songs and seven new poems since the middle of May. Just this week I have knocked out four poems... two from an exercise Maryee distributed during teen night this Tuesday. What a blessings it has been to be able to express in written words again. It had been a long time coming let me tell you. 36 ain't been a bad year at'tall.

Be blessed to be a blessings to someone else...

Tanisha Sings Billie

My niece sang God Bless The Child this Saturday at Beatnix. I played the guitar to accompany her and Jason is on the Congas. I used an arrangement I had suited for her to sing this classic. We had a great time. She very much loves to sing.

God bless!

Recording Live at Beatnix

Last week Alpha Balance played at Beatnix coffee house.Photos of Nick Stewart, Daniel (Congas) and Kessler (Bass).


I recorded them with my laptop. Me recording... (mac computer). I burned Nick twenty-two songs ( a couple of repeats). I got to sing Yesterday with Nick that night. Checkout the soundclick if you get a chance.


For Chass- Fasting means "to go without"... (often associated with food). An internet fast is basically staying off the internet highway/e-mail for a lot of days consecutively. Access Denied! Luv ya!

All ya'll be blessed... Walk in the light... Accept the fact that you "made that choice" how ever short-sighted... and know that on occasion, it may not be your fault, but if you won't or don't get passed it, that is your fault. Choice.

God's grace abound!!!

Beatnix's Open Mic Jams

Last night I attended the open mic jams at Beatnix. It was cool. About 8 singer/songwriters came out in freezing temps including Wayne from the open mic poetry night. I played "Little Girl" and was blessed by the experience. Nick hosted and played. Ashley and Jason were on staff behind the bar, but Jason made his way to perform before the night was done. Ashley's boyfriend and his band partner played as well as Dan and Joanne. It was great, encouraging, and a delight to have this outlet and be in that mix growing and learning and playing.

Blessings!

Poetry and Music

Maryee and I have been reading again. We finally found a spot to do poetry and music... Here's a profile shot I think Richard took. He is our twelve year old poet friend and peer. I like the progress my locks are making.

Since the SL DFW friends this weekend gathering is postponed, I post this update and send greetings through the blog world!

God's best blessings!

Music Refresher

From January 11th until now I have been substitute teaching at G.W. Carver Middle School. The subject: Choir! I will be subbing through February 10th. It has been a blessing for me to have this opportunity because it has allowed me to be steeped in music theory to a degree, lyrical arrangement, and sight reading notes and chords. I have not had to do this type of work since High School band, and back then I played trumpet and only had to keep up with one row of notes at a time and only three valves.

I have breaks throughout the day because this class is an elective. Often during these breaks the band director allows me to practice the drum kits. This thrills me to no end, and I can say I am getting better with practice. Next week is my last week in Choir. It will be missed, the drum breaks will be missed, the children will be missed and the elective teachers will be missed. Thanks so very much Mr. Swann.

Be blessed!

Open Mic Poetry

Photo- Tim W. And Jenaevans Thanksgiving Jam
Beatnix, a coffee house in Waco off 19th and Lakeshore Drive hosts a poetry reading open mic every Thursday at 7pm. I read this past Thursday along with Maryee, Charlie out of NYC, Jason a Ph.D. in Theology candidate, Richard a 12 year old, and Charlie's nephew named Dillon I think read. Felicia and Linda came out. I also brought my electric guitar out. I played to warm up and close out the poetry reading. It was cool to get up there, but it revealed I needed to practice more with purpose and intent to play live.

Penney's son (Penney is one of the owners) plays drums. We met Thursday, too. We are going to begin getting together so he can learn guitar and help me out with some drumming. We shall see. He is a high school senior. God is so good. I also have promised to get some lead sheets to Richard the twelve year old who also plays piano and who also is Penney's other son.

Beatnix has an open jam night, too. I plan on bringing out the guitar and vocals to sing at least two songs one night in the very near future.

Be Blessed!