I wanted to write this journal especially focusing on my trip to LA to record my forthcoming album to help give a taste in a mini-story of my experience. I hope you enjoy it.

I recently recorded cd number 2 in L.A. with world class producer and mixing engineer Brian Malouf who has worked with such artists as Michael Jackson, Madonna, Pink, Celine Dion, Amy Grant, Queen, Canada's Carolyn Dawn Johnson and most recently Alberta's Kalan Porter amongst many others.

My manager and I went to LA last August to have the first meeting with Brian since he had received my demos. It was all I hoped it to be and more. We talked about production, songs, musicians and all of our thoughts for the album. Carla and I stayed at the Sportsman lodge in Studio City, which was blocks away from Brians house for the 3 night stay. In those 3 days we packed a lot in, including meeting with different writers. I took home many songs I had to choose from as 7 of the 10 songs chosen were mine and we needed 3 more. Fortunately the remaining 3 songs that I chose for the cd were songs from writers we were fortunate enough to meet while in Studio City, Hollywood and area.

September 9th I flew back to LA for the recording of the cd..my parts anyway. This was an amazing experience, one I'll never forget and one that leaves me realizing I was in a focus never before experienced and a taste of what I hope is to come. I stayed at Brian's guesthouse for this trip. It is the cutest place ever. I felt so at home. Brian, his wife and kids are just awesome and their home, grounds and surroundings were fantastic. 2 days after arriving was the first day of rehearsals where I met a lot of the main players on the album. Cary Park (Deanna Carter, Boy Howdy), Scotty Kormos, Adam Kury and Peter Argyropoulos (who also did song arrangement with me and some added cowriting). They are truly all such great guys and I had a blast and learned a lot. We had rehearsals for 3 days, about 7 hours/day.. I was really impressed with how it all was sounding. Brian of course was there for all of them. In fact Brian and I would drive there together and home as well. Thank goodness, I'd not have found my way at the start..LOL.. We had a good time, some laughs and a lot of hard work and new arrangements to go over.

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