Day Eleven. . .

Michelle Lewis is a phenomenal woman with a phenomenal family and dog!  LOL!!!!  Jonathan and I have been discussing how to describe the experience of working with Michelle and there are no words that come close to expressing the generosity, support and the validation this woman gives out.  There is so much to say, yet I don't know where to start.  Let me try to sum it all up:
Jonathan's foot is more than in the door.  He has a few assignments he is going to do and he is going to work closely with Michelle over the next few months.  Jonathan's goal is to have his first concert in April - Michelle's BIG assignment for him, where she can be there and say "I told you so!!!!!!!!"  She loved his music, she loved his lyrics and she loved working with him.  "He's' there, already.  'He' just needs to shake a few things up a bit but change not a word.  You're right where you should be.  Pop.  You're right up there with the rest just make it special.  I'll help you if you want me too but you've got it.  You've got this!"
Michelle and Jonathan worked together on 10 of his songs in a little over 5 hours. After all that, only ONE did Jonathan insist that she share the credit with him.  She didn't want to take the credit but he insisted.  She and he worked the most on that one song.  Otherwise she was just giving a little advice or example but over all she loves his work.  She challenged Jonathan to learn four of his songs acoustically and play them himself at his concert.  She didn't want to hear that he couldn't do it!  She told him he WILL do it.  We have arranged for him to do guitar four days a week!  She challenged him because he doesn't play an instrument and she knows it will be helpful when writing songs.  It's all going rather quickly yet she is keeping his feet on the ground and while letting him fly, she's also guiding.  It's so hard to explain- you had to be there.
Jonathan is joining ASCAP as a Professional Songwriter and when we come back down in a month or so, she will set up a meeting with the head of membership so she can show Jonathan the ins and outs, the who and where's.  Michelle is basically taking him under her wing.
Well that's it.  More later and it becomes clearer in our brains.  Michelle, her husband Dan, and her son, Jackson are incredible people and there is a reason they are the success both in their personal life and professional life.  Their super cute dog, Beatrix is just as wonderful!  See pics below!

Jonathan and Michelle Lewis

Beatrix the "watch dog"

Michelle and Jonathan working on a song

still working!  LOL

Day Ten - Oh what a day!!!!

Met Michelle Lewis for coffee before adjourning to her studio for the day.  It was great to have that time to meet her and have Jonathan get comfortable with her.  She's an incredibly talented but more than that, funny and kind!
We went to her studio where she listened to Jonathan's IF YOU'RE ON THE SAME LEVEL  and watched the video.  She LOVED them.
She was so interested in Jonathan's songs and she worked together with him on what he already had written.  She didn't have to do much which impressed Michelle greatly.  She said that Jonathan is an amazing songwriter and artist and that she will see him in LA next year doing a concert and she will say to him. . . "I told you so!"  Trust me, she has worked with some BIG TIME people - more than she let on in her bio!  We can't tell you everything from today yet but know that it is huge.
Michelle told Jonathan to bring as many songs tomorrow as he wants and she will help him if any of them should need it.  She was totally impressed by Jonathan's work.  It was awesome!
I took lots of work to do to stay out of their hair and I ended up just watching them work together.  Time flew!  FLEW!!!!
Tomorrow we are starting our session early (11) and I get to play not only with their dog Beatrix but her son, Jackson who is 3 and adorable!  Met her husband Dan who is a huge talent in his own right.  GREAT family!!!!  I took pics and video's but am not ready to share just yet.  More tomorrow.
That's it for tonight!  We are emotionally and physically tired!  On to Anaheim after the session tomorrow night.
Keep Happy Dancing!  Keep a Happy heart!  Warm surrounding hugs to you all!!!!!  XOXOXO

Day Nine

Well today was a work day but we did get to play a tiny bit!  Lot's to go over and recap the last two days with Gordon.  Talk about the Premiere and all that entails.  We began to plan out the next video and when the album is going to be release (name is a surprise.) Also, we talked about timing to come back here to LA and record.
We slipped away for a short while and made our way to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.  There are a lot of stars!!!!  3.5 miles worth!  We saw the first half and then decided to make our way down towards the Kodak theater and have lunch at Hard Rock Cafe.  Such a cool place!!!!  It's huge!
As Jonathan and I sat there waiting for our food, he received a phone call from Gordon going on and on about the songs they wrote and many other things.  He also received emails from Michelle Lewis - whom he works with tomorrow and Friday (she wants to grab coffee before the session so we are meeting her at a coffee shop in Studio City,) Eric Galen as well as one from Gordon Pogoda.  Jonathan was busy!!!!!  He did manage to eat a little bit of his hamburger (a cheeseburger without cheese) so that was good!
After the lunch, we made our way back outside and continued looking at the stars.  We walked our way down to the Chinese Theater and bowed to the King of Pop's star!  Michael Jackson.  It was funny because people just walked over every star like it was nothing - except Michaels.  They would stop, look and step around or over.  It was kind of cool, the respect.
Anyway, Jonathan finally found Britney Spears' Star and we had to take a picture.  I'll post it in a minute.
It was amazing to walk and stand in the same places that many stars of today and yesterday, walked and stood.  There's magic along that walk.  At least for us there was.
So I am going to post a few pictures from today's adventure.  Remember to Happy Dance, Have a Happy Heart and BIG Hugs to you all!!!!

"Where they drink champagne and dance all night"

We are American Idol Geeks

Way cool!

The King of Pop

Oh Miss Spears. . . LOVE HER!

Great Food

Jonathan chatting with Gordon Pogoda

Jonathan Miller "If You're on the Same Level" Music Video Sneak Peek

Here is another sneak peek from my upcoming official music video for "If You're on the Same Level." Enjoy!!

Day Eight

Jonathan and Gordon wrote a total of two songs together and because they were writing the second song today, they worked for 7 hours straight without taking a break!  They wrote the second song, in just 3 hours!  It's beautiful!
The first song is called WHAT WERE YOU DRINKIN'?  Hilarious song!  So fun!  The second song is called WHAT IF YOU WERE ME?  It's a beautiful ballad.  Jonathan will be returning to LA to record both songs with Gordon and his partner, Peter.  Coordinating schedules is going to be a challenge since Peter is in the studio everyday!  He's a busy man.  Jon will need to be available to work with them in Studio City for at least 10 days for the two songs.  When they are done, Gordon wants to give the songs to his Television and Movie contacts and we can hit the record labels.  Gordon also gave Jonathan some great advice about meet and greets, who to contact, etc.
Needless to say this blog is going to be short since we are exhausted!  More to come about the 'Gordon' experience later.  Below is one of the sneaky video's I captured today!  Happy Dancing, Hearts and Hugs!

Jonathan and Gordon working out some kinks. .  . 

Day Seven. . . . . .

Jonathan had the incredible opportunity to work with Gordon Pogoda today.  Together they collaborated on a brand new song,  from conception, to birth, to growing up and tomorrow will be maturity!  Jonathan learned a lot about music theory and what's important and how to grab the audience.  I had the pleasure of sitting in on the session for an hour and a half at the beginning and then for 2.5 hours at the end.  It was amazing the creativity that was flowing all around the room!

Gordon wanted to continue to write tonight even though the contract was for up to six hours worth of time.  He and Jonathan clicked even though their styles of writing were completely different!  They were both open to each others ideas and thoughts and they both even learned from each other!  Gordon said that he had never written such an edgy song and got very excited about it!  He even asked me if I would be upset that Jonathan would be associated with such a song. . . It was cute because Jonathan said the only word that's 'bad' in it is 'a$$!'  Is that hilarious or what?!

Gordon is a VERY nice, sweet man.  So generous and encouraging.  Can't wait until tomorrow's session at 11.  Jon and Gordon have invited me to stay all day if I want.  We shall see. . . .

Now I'm going to post my sneaky picture of Joanthan and Gordon at work. . . and one of my face just before I snapped the forbidden (by Jonathan) picture!   Remember to Happy Dance with Happy Hearts!  Hugs!!!!!

Jonathan and Gordon at the beginning of the session

My face after stealing the picture. . . tee hee!

Day Six!!!!!

Well once again we made good time. . .haven't a clue why!  I mean I was just following traffic. . . okay one car that was traveling at the speed of light.  That looked like fun so I just did whatever he did. . . sort of like follow the leader!  Jonathan did really well this last leg of the 'getting here' trip!
The Grapevine was a piece of cake since traffic was light.  All the cops were on the other side of the road going in the opposite direction - WHEW!
We came down off the Grapevine and into LA where Jonathan suddenly went pale. . . yes, again!  He was so excited that he turned to me and said "Well Mom, welcome to the beginning!"  I went pale and he regained color!
Jonathan didn't think he could do this without his big brother, Stephen.  He so desperately wanted him to join us on this adventure but Stephen needed to stay home.  Maybe to break the apron strings?  LOL!  They have shared almost everything and this was a big one!  Jonathan misses him terribly, as do I, but he is with us in spirit!  I actually can't believe Stephen is trusting me to make sure Jonathan is dressed 'correctly' for these sessions!  I'll be picture texting him!
So, we are here in Sherman Oaks, California and our hotel is very nice!  Much better than the one we did have reserved!
Jonathan is on his bed, writing songs and preparing for his first writing session with Gordon Pogoda tomorrow at 11.  He will be there 4-6 hours and I will be there for 4-6 minutes.  Just enough to meet Gordon and snap a pic or two!  Duh! Crap!  Jonathan said to not take the picture tomorrow but be professional and wait until Tuesday!  LOL
He just sang to me one of the songs that he is going to present and work on with Gordon tomorrow.  All I can say is WOW!  I wanted to be selfish and tell him to save it for himself but this one needs to get out there and get out there NOW!  Let's all send Jonathan good vibes!
Well I'm going to post some pics now and say Good Night to you all!  Remember to Happy Dance!
Happy Hearts and Hugs!