Interviews 3

Today Is Your Treat

Today is Your Treat.
I am very privileged and honored to have Tupelo Kenyon to participate in this interview.

I met Tupelo recently and I am very impressed with his music creation and singing. The two albums which I like very much are: "Celestial Sounds Of Harmony and Light Volume 1 " and "Celestial Sounds Of Harmony and Light Volume 2 "

I just fell in love with these two albums. They are so soothing and relaxing, it just melts all your negative energy and stress away. He has many other nice albums, done with his wife and singing partner Janey Wing Kenyon. Their musical duo is called "Laughing Bird."

There are two reasons why I wanted to interview Tupelo. First, his wonderful music. But most of all, his way of seeing things, his beliefs, integrity and inspiring words he has been sharing at his blog.

I like his mission statement, so that is why I choose to interview him as one of my "Great People".

Thank you for accepting my interview Tupelo, I respect your humility and I am your fan.

Sincerely
Gamy Rachel

Interview with Tupelo & Janey Kenyon
by Gamy Rachel of Mind Think Success.com
Copyright © Gamy Rachel All Rights Reserved
This interview may not be copied.

18th December 2007


Interview with Tupelo & Janey Kenyon,
~ Music, Song Writer and Singer

1. Question:

Hello Tupelo, welcome to this interview. Could you tell us a little bit more about yourself and your singing partner and wife, Janey?

Ans:

Hello Gamy. First, thank you for the nice comments about our music. It's always nice to hear when someone "gets it."

We have performed and recorded together since 1978, traveling from Alaska to Guatemala, and from California to Carolina to Europe, performing at fairs, festivals, universities, resorts, cruise ships and community concerts.

Our show is a lively mix of original contemporary folk music with overtones of country, bluegrass, and light acoustic rock. At our performances, you will hear original songs that will hopefully “wow” you, songs of the heart, and songs that make you laugh. The overall effect is an informal, light-hearted and intimate show to make you feel good.

I play acoustic guitar and harmonica. Janey plays mountain dulcimer, bass guitar and various percussion instruments. We both enjoy singing, and our songs feature tight harmony arrangements. Our show is spirited with surprises such as off-the-wall comedy, a nine-inch dancing clog doll, and even a little yodeling.

We have recorded eleven albums through the years and a concert DVD featuring our original songs.

Our passion is to keep the music as original and refreshing as possible, but the real magic is the warm, genuine, and unpretentious energy that results from interacting with a live audience. We both clearly love what we do, and I guess it shows! We have a lot of fun.

2. Question:

What gives you the inspiration to write such beautiful music and songs?

Ans:

Thanks again for the nice compliment. I am inspired by life and the on-going process of learning to be the best I can be. I have always been very interested in trying to live up to my potential, whatever that is.

The lyrics of my songs are often inspired by something worthwhile I have learned, or something I am in the process of learning, or something I would like to learn. If I feel that these things might be of value to someone else, before long, my mind is turning the ideas round and round with meter and rhyme, and before long, a verse takes shape.

From there, I try to pay attention to where the song leads me, and follow-through until the song is complete. The songs often seem to have a mind of their own, and I am often surprised where they end up based on where they began. I try not to analyze it too much because it is a wonderful and mysterious process that really feels good. To create something like a song out of pure imagination is magic to me, and I am always grateful for the opportunity to help midwife a new song into the world.

3. Question:

I have visited your blog, and read some of your articles there. I noticed that you believe in the Law of Attraction and the power of our Sub-conscious mind too. I think both our blogs have the similar flow and beliefs. Could you tell us more about your beliefs on these two topics above?

Ans:

Sure. Although I have been avidly soaking up personal development ideas since the late 60's, it wasn't until the early 90's that I first heard it so clearly described. The short and sweet definition of the Law of Attraction is . . . "That like unto itself is drawn."

The image that comes to mind is a magnet pulling iron filings toward itself. You can't see how it's happening – the actual mechanics of it is invisible – but you can see the obvious results. Like magnetism or electricity, it's not necessary to understand the details of how it works. It's enough to observe that it does work, and then busy ourselves with how best to put it to work in our lives.

Whatever we think about grows. The more time and energy we invest in thinking about any given subject, the bigger it gets and the more influence it exerts in our experience. A thought attracts other thoughts like it, and creates its own momentum, like a snowball rolling downhill. The bigger it gets, the faster it grows.

The seed thought that is attracting others like it could be a memory of the past, a mental image of a possible future, or whatever is happening now. Regardless, the Law of Attraction responds to it in this present moment. Always.

Here's an interesting wrinkle in how this works. The Law of Attraction always works by inclusion and never by exclusion. It responds directly to the thought itself, regardless of whether you are mentally saying "yes" to it or "no" to it. If you picture in your imagination something you do not want, the universe gets the picture only, and not the idea of "do not want."

Unwanted things and events are present in our lives because of our attention to them. Most of us are constantly creating unknowingly, since we are just now beginning to understand that our lives are created by what we think about all day. Even if we are mentally "shouting" at the top of our voice, "No, no, not that – I never want that in my experience," the universe gets a clear picture plus the extra energy of your strong emotion and dutifully brings to you the very thing you hoped to avoid.

Your attention to it plus your strong feelings about it is your point of attraction. It is all about attraction and has nothing to do with repulsion. You get whatever you think about most and feel strongly about – whether you want it or not.

4. Question:

Does your music have any effect on our sub-conscious mind like those brainwave technologies have on our sub-conscious mind? Especially the two "Celestial Sounds" albums?

Ans:

Obviously, all music is not created equally. Composers and performers have different motivations to do what they do. Songwriters have all sorts of different intentions that move them to create songs.

These diverse motivations and intentions leave a subtle residual stamp on the music. When you listen to the music, especially when you hear it several times, those subtle factors from the music's creator seep into your experience and affect you, too.

You may be aware of how you are being affected, and therefore, deliberately choose the music you listen to. Most people are not consciously aware of the more subtle effects of music. They don't choose their music with attention to detail, and as a result, the music takes them wherever it will, with the listener rarely connecting the dots between the music they hear and how they feel.

Music has the potential to go deep – very deep. Music can touch us in ways that nothing else can. Songs can reach places deep within us where we are seldom touched. They are able to do this because of the way music stirs our emotions. When a song activates our emotions, the experience goes beyond the mind, beyond our thoughts, and communicates directly with our feelings.

This is sacred ground. This is a place deep inside where very few things can touch us. Music has access. Music can reach that point and communicates with our emotions directly. It seems like a good idea to have a watchman at the door to determine whether or not a particular song or type of music is appropriate for entry into our inner sanctum. (In the case of some of today's outrageous, angry music, it may be better to post a bouncer at the door!)

Notice how you feel after hearing a particular song or CD. If you catch yourself feeling worse, that's good – you've just learned something. You now know what it feels like for your internal guidance system to say to you, "Avoid this music, it doesn't fit your vibration - choose again and move on."

Look for songs with inspiring music, with lyrics that celebrate life and encourage personal growth. Look for music that excites you in a positive way . . . music that makes you feel alive . . . happy . . . hopeful . . . and joyful.

Thanks for asking about the music on the CDs titled, "Celestial Sounds of Harmony and Light" Ramy. That music was conceived, composed and performed to induce peace and deep relaxation.

The music on the Celestial Sounds CDs is all instrumental, using the soothing voices of mellow instruments including flutes, harps, strings, woodwinds, pianos, etc. The music ebbs and flows, so it really doesn't maintain a "beat" as such, but it all "pulses" at around 60 beats per minute, (for an hour). I chose this pace deliberately, because after listening for a few minutes, the listener's heartbeat and respiration begins to match the pace of the music, and encourages a deep relaxing experience. 60 beats per minute allows the body to ease into alpha state, which along with theta, is where the yogis and mystics "go" when they have their eyes closed with that subtle enigmatic smile on their face.

On the "Celestial" CDs, there are absolutely no annoying jolts to knock you out of your reverie! Here's a quote that paints a good picture of what it feels like to immerse yourself in this kind of music:

"Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons, and you will find that it is to the soul what the water bath is to the body." - Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841-1935)

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5. Question:
How about sharing with us some of your exciting encounters when the Law Of Attraction has worked on your behalf, or helped you overcome some humps along the way, since you have been traveling to many countries, and met many different cultures and people?

Ans:

Well, how I became inspired to create the "Celestial Sounds" CDs seems appropriate. Besides, it's a fun story.

When we were traveling around Mexico a few years ago, we met a fascinating shaman named Spirit Walker Standing. On the night we met her, under the stars, after a spontaneous campfire concert on her birthday, she eased up to me and practically whispered, "It's time for you to make some peaceful instrumental CDs." She handed me the small strip of paper I had watched her fondle during the concert, and she said, "Here's the title." I unfolded the well-worn, small strip of paper and read only six words, "Celestial Sounds of Harmony and Light."

That did it. It came about in such a cool way, I knew I had to try to create the music that would do justice to such an intriguing title.

Shortly thereafter, Janey and I built our own recording studio and the first CD recorded at Riversong Studio was "Celestial Sounds of Harmony and Light - Volume 1." The next instrumental CD was "Wooden Voices," a collection of acoustic guitar pieces accompanied by other wooden instruments, including 12-string guitar, dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, mandolin, violin, and percussion. Next, came "Celestial Sounds of Harmony and Light - Volume 2."

Anyone who chooses to can listen to any of this music. It is linked at the beginning of each article on my blog, The optional background music while reading my articles is all from the Celestial Sounds CDs and/or Wooden Voices.

6. Question:

Any sound advice you like to share with us, regarding using music as a therapeutic means?

Ans:

There's a phrase that comes to mind: Garbage In . . . Garbage Out. It originally used by early computer programmers. To them, it meant if you did sloppy programming, you'd get sloppy results. Or, if you feed your computer garbage, the best results you can hope for is garbage. It's a good metaphor for personal development in general and music for personal development, in particular.

To manifest the good stuff in our lives – to attract what we really want, it's imperative to feed our minds a steady diet of the good stuff that provides balanced nutrition. This idea of "garbage in . . . garbage out" applies to all areas of our lives: physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Even though the Law of Attraction is universal, people are not. We are a diverse, ever-changing lot, at all levels of experience and awareness. It's as it should be and it's all OK. There's something for everyone, regardless of where we are on the emotional scale.

"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away." - Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

If someone is currently in an emotional state of insecurity or guilt, a heartbreak song about jealousy or revenge might sound pretty good and help lift them in a positive direction. There are apparently lots of people in those dire emotional situations due to the popularity of so much "ouch" music. (But that doesn't mean you or I have to write that song . . . or sing that song . . . or listen to that song!)

Websites like your, Gamy and websites like mine are not designed for those people attracted to wallowing in pitiful music. It's written for people interested in personal development who are ready to sit in the driver's seat and do whatever they can to take more control of their life, and create it deliberately according to their ever-evolving preferences. Music is one of the tools that can help do that.

Eventually, after allowing music to beat you up and send you on an emotional roller coaster ride, we learn to choose our music deliberately rather than allowing ourselves to be an effect of whatever drivel is being dished out for mass consumption.

Ans:

Intuition feels good. That should be enough of a clue it's something that can be trusted.

But, our culture has done a thorough job of instilling doubt about the wisdom of following our instincts. Instead, we are taught to think things through and be logical. These mental tools are important, but they were never intended to be used instead of intuition. They work better when used in conjunction with intuition.

"The only real valuable thing is intuition." - Albert Einstein (1875-1955)

There was a phrase popular in the '60's that encapsulated the wisdom of following your instincts and paying attention to your intuition: "If it feels good, do it." At first blush, this may sound hedonistic, but if you dig a little deeper, perhaps it reveals wisdom from the soul.

When we feel good, we are on the right track. Our thoughts and emotions are in alignment with our deepest aspirations and the desires we are currently embracing. Our body, mind and spirit are all on the same team, all pulling together in the same direction. It's a good place to be, and it leads to a life of satisfaction, contribution and joy.

The way we feel is a clear indication of how well our outer life is in sync with our inner life.

If we are open to it, we get nudges and insights to move us in the direction of our greatest joys, our most valuable contributions, and our most satisfying life. Those quiet whispers and gentle taps on the shoulder are examples of inner guidance in action – intuition.

By tempering the subtle nudges of intuition with common sense and rational thought, I have happily pursued my dreams ever since I was a teen-ager. Of course, it's always a work in progress, but I can honestly say this approach to living the life of my dreams is a good life. A very good life!

In fact, Janey and I agree that we have never seen a life or a lifestyle that we would like better than ours. That doesn't mean our particular way is better than that of anyone else. It just means we have been successful in discovering and building upon the very best life FOR US. It's only natural that the life of your dreams would be different than ours. (One of my articles explores this in detail, "Your Passion as Your Compass.")

This idea of the life of our dreams is a moving target, forever morphing into the next potential. As our intuition and imagination keeps offering new adventures, our life grows and develops, building upon the benefits of all the times we paid attention to our inner guidance in the past.

We got here by honoring our intuition, following our instincts, and being forever receptive to that still, small voice within. And, we're grateful for it all.

And, we are grateful to you, Gamy, for the opportunity to "talk" to your readers via this interview. Your blog is a treasure chest full of healthy, useful tips and techniques to help people live their best life. We are saying a lot of the same things in different ways. This has always been a very helpful technique for me. When I hear similar ideas expressed be different people in different ways, it helps me to "get it." That's the bottom line. First, we expose ourselves to ideas that can help us grow. Next, we learn how to implement them in order to enhance the quality of life.

This interview process has been a very helpful experience for me. I sincerely hope it is as helpful to others as it was to me. Thanks Gamy, I am your fan too.

Gamy:
I agree with you, Tupelo, this is a great way to communicate with our readers, sharing our passion and knowledge to the best of our abilities to help enhance lives.

Thank you for rendering your precious time to participate in this conversation and interview in the midst of your tight sechedule. And of course I am thankful for your kind words to me :) and so flattered that you are my fan too :D

To hear samples of Tupelo and Janey Kenyon's music and songs visit their website: http://www.SomeMusicMatters.com

Tupelo Kenyon’s blog: http://www.tupelokenyon.com

My Best To You &

Gamy Rachel