I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,
plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
When I was a little girl, I used to love to sit around the piano with my mom and my aunts and listen to them sing. One at the piano, and the others standing around, all singing in perfect harmony. No need for discussion about who was singing which part, alto, soprano, etc. It was just second nature to them…and it was AMAZING! It not only sounded great, but there was a joy and peace in that room that could not be explained. And, I always wanted that.
I sang, but I was never confident. Doubt flooded my whole being. “You will never be as good as them. No one will ever want to hear you. You will never feel that kind of joy…peace.” As I continued to attempt to sing, teachers, “friends” and sometimes loved ones reaffirmed my doubt. But for some reason, the desire never left me and I kept trying to feel that feeling again.
I remember one summer during college spending the whole month of August practicing in my bedroom everyday. I would pretend I was on stage in front of huge crowds. I would work out my stage show, study concerts of people I admired and the whole shebang! After that summer, opportunities came and went, sometimes I would reach for them and sometimes I would let fear stop me from even showing up.
My father passed away, years later my mother passed away and the rocks, the ones who loved me unconditionally, the ones who believed in me were gone. I put on a brave face and pretended that I was good…that I was strong…that I knew God had me. One day…one day…my dreams would come true…One day…I would sing and feel that joy, that peace. Year after year passed and my outward facade slowly began to crumble. Fear slowly began to push to the forefront. I continued to stitch the outside together and put a big smile on my face.
Last year, January, I began having panic attacks...my stitching wasn’t holding up. My facade was crumbling. Mid-March, the band was going to SXSW, yes. I am gonna be Ok, my dreams are happening. Thank you God! The day we returned from SXSW, my niece called. I could hear her sister crying in the background. Auntie Dee, something is wrong with daddy, he just hit a wall. He won’t stop the car. My mind didn’t know how to take this in, “Oh no, my brother is having a stroke! God, what are you doing?” We were just getting back on track. Dreams were coming true. I was starting to truly trust and believe in my gifts…I mean YOUR SOVEREIGNTY, of course.
Within months, my brother began a miraculous healing that could have ONLY been because of God. And, I was going on tour…what??? I couldn’t go on tour. I was helping to take care of my nieces. I had this weird thing on my face they were calling acne, but deep down, I was pretty sure it wasn’t acne. God said, “yes all of that you can leave with me. You are going on tour with your Welcome Home family to reach out to others.”
In Oregon, in the Airbnb with my 3 incredible bandmates - my amazingly talented, caring, loving…(annoying at times (haha)) family, I felt glimpses of that peace from long ago. And then we hit the stage for the first show, and it was like magic, that peace, that joy that that little girl felt, was back. The more we shared the gifts God had given us, the more peaceful I felt. I wasn’t afraid to call and check on my brother, because somehow I knew he was gonna be OK. I KNEW that God truly had him and was healing him. I also learned that while God was taking care of HIS business, he was using me to speak (sing) life into others.
When we arrived home, I couldn’t believe how amazing that time was despite everything that was going on. It was also amazing that God didn’t need my help to get it done…(Just joking). God has been trying to teach me that one for years. “Dee, I’m God. I created you. I don’t need your help…but thank you.”
#welcomehometheband #Godspurpose
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WELCOME HOME / Blog
God's Plan...Part 2
I have not completely learned that lesson. I have good days and bad days, good months and bad months, good minutes and bad minutes. But with each lesson, I grow and get stronger in my faith. I grow closer to God. I am not the same girl I was back in college when my father passed away…God needed me to trust him more because HE KNEW what was coming.
After things got settled with the stroke, my face began to literally rip apart…on both sides. I was called names, laughed at, followed through stores. It got to where I didn’t wanna go outside because people would see me. Panic attacks reared their heads again, but this time I fought them through God’s power. Apparently my liver isn’t processing something correctly…(too long of a story), but God is handling that, too, and I can see his healing touch everyday.
I have learned that singing helps to bring me back into alignment with God. Reaching and sharing with others, and attempting to walk in my purpose brings back that little girl’s feeling of joy and peace.
Deirdre Smith
#thejourneyonlycontinueswithyourhelp #purpose #welcomehometheband #blessed #Godslove https://www.gofundme.com/f/welcome-home-the-bandon-amp-on?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet
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God's Plan... Part 1
I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
When I was a little girl, I used to love to sit around the piano with my mom and my aunts and listen to them sing. One at the piano, and the others standing around, all singing in perfect harmony. No need for discussion about who was singing which part, alto, soprano, etc. It was just second nature to them…and it was AMAZING! It not only sounded great, but there was a joy and peace in that room that could not be explained. And, I always wanted that.
I sang, but I was never confident. Doubt flooded my whole being. “You will never be as good as them. No one will ever want to hear you. You will never feel that kind of joy…peace.” As I continued to attempt to sing, teachers, “friends” and sometimes loved ones reaffirmed my doubt. But for some reason, the desire never left me and I kept trying to feel that feeling again.
I remember one summer during college spending the whole month of August practicing in my bedroom everyday. I would pretend I was on stage in front of huge crowds. I would work out my stage show, study concerts of people I admired and the whole shebang! After that summer, opportunities came and went, sometimes I would reach for them and sometimes I would let fear stop me from even showing up.
My father passed away, years later my mother passed away and the rocks, the ones who loved me unconditionally, the ones who believed in me were gone. I put on a brave face and pretended that I was good…that I was strong…that I knew God had me. One day…one day…my dreams would come true…One day…I would sing and feel that joy, that peace. Year after year passed and my outward facade slowly began to crumble. Fear slowly began to push to the forefront. I continued to stitch the outside together and put a big smile on my face.
Last year, January, I began having panic attacks...my stitching wasn’t holding up. My facade was crumbling. Mid-March, the band was going to SXSW, yes. I am gonna be Ok, my dreams are happening. Thank you God! The day we returned from SXSW, my niece called. I could hear her sister crying in the background. Auntie Dee, something is wrong with daddy, he just hit a wall. He won’t stop the car. My mind didn’t know how to take this in, “Oh no, my brother is having a stroke! God, what are you doing?” We were just getting back on track. Dreams were coming true. I was starting to truly trust and believe in my gifts…I mean YOUR SOVEREIGNTY, of course.
Within months, my brother began a miraculous healing that could have ONLY been because of God. And, I was going on tour…what??? I couldn’t go on tour. I was helping to take care of my nieces. I had this weird thing on my face they were calling acne, but deep down, I was pretty sure it wasn’t acne. God said, “yes all of that you can leave with me. You are going on tour with your Welcome Home family to reach out to others.”
In Oregon, in the Airbnb with my 3 incredible bandmates - my amazingly talented, caring, loving…(annoying at times (haha)) family, I felt glimpses of that peace from long ago. And then we hit the stage for the first show, and it was like magic, that peace, that joy that that little girl felt, was back. The more we shared the gifts God had given us, the more peaceful I felt. I wasn’t afraid to call and check on my brother, because somehow I knew he was gonna be OK. I KNEW that God truly had him and was healing him. I also learned that while God was taking care of HIS business, he was using me to speak (sing) life into others.
When we arrived home, I couldn’t believe how amazing that time was despite everything that was going on. It was also amazing that God didn’t need my help to get it done…(Just joking). God has been trying to teach me that one for years. “Dee, I’m God. I created you. I don’t need your help…but thank you.” #welcomehometheband #Godspurpose
Reply
SXSW here we come...
WELCOME HOME's journey is continuing in a big way and we are beyond excited. We are kicking off our WELCOME HOME tour by playing at SXSW in Austin, TX on March 14! And then, in May we are headed to Nashville. We are ready musically, individually and as a band. It has been a 6 year pilgrimage understanding how to produce good quality music and work effectively in a band. Understanding how not to be intimidated by another's gift but appreciate, celebrate and grasp that when we all shine our individual lights ... God's light shines bigger!
WELCOME HOME is asking all of our fans, family and friends to join our journey! YOU can help us continue to shine our lights by contributing to our Kickstarter link below!
Thank you for your support!!!
Link: http://kck.st/2SgDgL7
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Your Voice
Have you ever felt like you didn’t have a voice? Like every time you spoke you weren’t really being heard? Me too. But, don’t worry, this isn’t another self help blog, although, maybe it will help you. Who knows?
When I was a child I felt almost invisible. I remember having these recurring dreams where I was on the other side of a large room trying to scream for help but literally had no voice and no one could hear me. My head was always swimming with ideas and I had no outlet for them, either no one who cared to listen or no one who could understand. I started writing songs when I was about 5 years old. At first I thought it was just a dream I had to make music and be a star. Then I realized that music was my way of finding a voice… my voice. It was and still is my way of making sense of the world around me and it doesn’t hurt that it’s also something I get to share with others. I think the more vulnerable you are willing to be in your music the more people are able to relate and there is nothing I value in my music more than reaching even two people in an audience and helping them to feel like they are less alone in this world.
So, if you feel or have ever felt like you are invisible or without a voice, you aren’t. All you have to do is work up the courage to find it.
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DREAM. EVOLVE. GROW. DREAM BIGGER...repeat!
Someone mentioned the word "calling" this past week and I started thinking. Am I living out my purpose, my calling? Am I using the gifts that have been given to me in a way that leads to the fulfillment of the dreams that were placed in my heart when I was a very little girl. Why those dreams? Dreams, at the time, I didn't truly understand...some I still don't understand. Yet as I continued to evolve, grow and dream bigger, I met many amazing people, talented people that I attempted to hold on to...not realizing that they were just a part of my journey. But, in order to live out my purpose, I have to open myself up to the journey. Learn from, interact with and grow through the journey. I must cultivate and develop my gifts to the best of my ability not being satisfied with mediocre. Be thankful for the fulfillment of dreams...continue to dream bigger, BUT ultimately, I must remember that each blessing was given to me so that I could BE a blessing....a tool in another's journey to the fulfillment of their calling.
-Friday ramblings of Welcome Home's Deirdre Smith-
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WELCOME HOME - Transformation
Well, our journey began in 2013. Super excited but not really sure where the journey would take us or even what we wanted out of the adventure. Lots of instruments, multiple background singers...and I use "background" very loosely. These girls were and are incredible in their own right.
We've added drums, lost drums, added percussion, lost percussion...written rock songs, folk songs, soul songs, jazz songs, Christian songs, standards...you name it. It has taken us all of that to figure out our genre...which is NO genre. We typically are billed as indie, but Welcome Home writes what we feel...and as you all know, feelings can be all over the map!
We love each other and fight with each other...we pray for, laugh with, struggle with and support each other. We have truly become family. (We even get up in each others business when need be.)
Now, in 2018, we can finally say THIS group is WELCOME HOME. This group of 3 has a plan, a vision...this group of 3 is FEARLESS...that doesn't mean that every endeavor is gonna strike gold, but it does mean that we will never be afraid to try...because we know that what we already have is more than all the gold in the world!
All I can say is WELCOME HOME world! Stop by, come on in and relax with our music...ALL ARE WELCOME!
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WELCOME HOME'S Sophomore CD Release Party!
Wow! Time flies when you're having fun! I know that's a big cliche but in this case, it has never been more true. It has been 3 years since the release of our 1st album. Years filled with amazing performances at amazing venues, incredible promoters & fans and wild, wild, WILD stories that would take way too long to do them justice.
Extremely talented musicians have moved in and out of our Home over the last few years and we are forever grateful...and better for having known them & played with them. We have had many struggles but far more successes. And now, after months in the studio, multiple producers, and emotional roller coaster rides, we are finally ready to release new music and begin touring.
So, if you are in Los Angeles, join us at TRIP in Santa Monica to kick it all off on Saturday, September 19, 2015 at 8PM. You will not be sorry!
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TRULY THANKFUL!
As we approach 2015, all I can say is I...and we are TRULY THANKFUL! This year has been filled with personal and professional ups and downs, but the ups FAR out weigh the downs. WELCOME HOME has played The Mint, Viper Room and House of Blues. Consequently, HOB is where we will be playing and ringing in the New Year! (Yes, that was a shameless plug. As I continue to promote the band, I am getting very good at those :-) ) Welcome Home has gotten a taste of touring in Wine Country and we are preparing for more! Who knows, we may even show up in our hometowns real soon. Welcome Home has created new music for an upcoming album that we will begin recording in early 2015. This music brings together all of our influences and backgrounds. It's amazing how all of it just works! This past Saturday, it all kind of came full circle. Last year about this time, we performed on the 3rd Street Promenade (and all involved KNOW what an experience that was). This past saturday, we were back on the Promenade, and the growth as musicians, a band and individuals was CRAZY! We have fondly been named by our management team as a "crack band". We have learned to adjust, twist, turn...fit into whatever situation is thrown at us and not miss a beat. The band has changed members, instruments and overall sound morphing from HOME into WELCOME HOME. When we started, we had a vision that some people laughed at and doubted but today, watching that vision come to fruition is TRULY magical! We have so many friends and fans to thank that have helped us along the way. FIRST OF ALL, OUR FAITHFUL FANS who've consistently showed up at our shows singing, dancing and screaming, our management company, Amusement Park Music, ALL of our families who've supported us in person and online. Mike, Angine, Robert, Slim Jim, Rel, Poetri, Jimmy, Smoke, Leila, Heather, Justine, Wes, Lavonne and anyone else who has shared their talents, buildings and etc. with us for video shoots, photoshoots, red carpet events, and social media marketing skills...THANK YOU! (If I missed ANYONE, please forgive me. We are grateful for ALL of you.) We are truly blessed! Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!
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A Wild Ride!
So, this last few weeks has been a WILD RIDE...but a GOOD RIDE! First off, we changed our name to WELCOME HOME. When HOME started and recorded our 1st album, it was essentially 2 people. Now, we have grown to 5 incredible musicians who all contribute. Without one of those pieces, we are a different group, so, NEW sound, NEW name! (You will really begin to notice this when you hear the new album...AMAZING...SO EXCITED! On the weekend of September 27th, WELCOME HOME traveled down to Brentwood, CA and we learned a VERY IMPORTANT fact to the band. We still like each other after 6 hours couped in a car together...YAY!!! We don't like the parents of the children who were in the hotel room next to us...the parents who let their children begin screaming and banging doors at 7:00AM the morning after our gig, BUT we still like each other. The gig was a blast and we were able to adjust and adapt to the challenges of touring...and still like each other!!! We came back to LA and performed at The Mint, a cultural treasure that has been around since 1937 -Stevie Wonder, Justin Timberlake, Ray Charles, Earth Wind and Fire, Ben Harper, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Macy Gray, The Wallflowers - and that's not even the half the list. What was so cool about this gig is the comment from a girl in the crowd - "I just moved to LA and this is my 1st night here. I was hesitant about leaving home and your music spoke to me. It has so much soul and I am so happy I came tonight. I sent videos home to my mom". We were performing to a crowd of screaming girls who came to see the group after us (Los 5 was incredible), but we more than captured their attention and that was one of MANY compliments. Woohoo! Confirmation and feeling good about not sleeping! Now, this coming Saturday, we will be at the NoHo PAC in North Hollywood and we would love for you to join us, give us some more compliments and send some more videos home to mom!!! Also performing will be Amusement Park Ent's 15 year old senstion, Jada, the amazingly talented Gabby Jackson, beautiful Folk artist, London Thor and closing out the night, we're gonna blow the roof off with The Addams. VISUAL ARTISTS Zachary Aronson, Sanjini Azad and Kati Milano will be displaying their work...and even selling some. Bottom Line, you will be CRAZY if you're not their!
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You Can't Do It Alone!
Great advice my parents, professors and really good friends have given me over the years:
• The goal of a GREAT performance should be to touch and affect your audience, not to receive personal applause & praise from them. • YOU aren't the S_ _ _ _ you thought you were. • As GOOD as you are, you are BETTER WITH and BECAUSE of others.
The most AMAZING actor can ONLY BE AMAZING on screen because of the writers, directors, cast members, producers, cameramen, sound men, casting directors, agents, managers, production assistants, fans and etc.! You can't be AMAZING at home in a room by yourself…talking to yourself.
Lead singers are only RECOGNIZED and as good as the music that surrounds them. Trust me (I've had first hand experience), NO one notices when you're in the house singing to yourself.
But, when Greg, Larry, Caitlin, Valerie, Francis and I get onstage, TOGETHER, it's frickin AWSOME!!!
Just a reminder to myself when I make life NOT about ME, LIFE is really good!!!
AND YES, MY BAND IS JUST THAT AWSOME!!!
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