VISIT MY NEW WEBSITE!

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 10:59:19 -0400

I launched a new website in September and would like to invite you to visit www.libbyallensongs.com
I decided to leave this original website up, just in case someone ventures onto it. I used this original site for about a year and 1/2. I won’t be monitoring or updating this site, however, so to hear the newest songs I’ve written and read my latest blogs, please visit the new site!
I hope the words and music of my songs will be a blessing to you.
Libby ;)

NEW WEBSITE

Sun, 9 Sep 2012 00:13:30 -0400

Just wanted to give you an update on my new site.
My website developer is working on the finishing touches right now - we are about 2 days away from launch!
It will be very user friendly and sheet music, background music, lyric sheets, and lead sheets will be able to be ordered electronically. “Change” isn’t my friend, but was necessary because my old site was created in a program that will soon become extinct, so to speak. Kind of like buying an Iphone and the next year, they come out with a newer better one. (is that good English?) I still remember the old days when I worked at a law office and typed documents on an IBM Correcting selectric typewriter and used a hand-held eraser - I’m dating myself here.... I’ll never forget the fear of having to learn how to use a computer! Guess we have to stay on top of it and change with the times in today’s world......
Check back soon!

NEW VIDEO!

Sun, 26 Aug 2012 22:37:22 -0400

Just uploaded my newest video. :)
“I Surrender To You” is a Christian contemporary song of worship and praise. This song was one of my earlier creations (from 2010). The YouTube venue seems to be a wonderful way to share my music so I plan to make videos for all of my songs!
I’ve spent the last week and 1/2 perfecting lyric sheets, lead sheets, and sheet music, and remixing background music, compiling various album options, etc., to implement into my soon to be improved website which will have more digital download capability. Might take a week or two at this point for my website designer to upload everything for me. Check back soon!
Thanks for visiting today - hope you like my new video!
Here’s the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDln_6oHVw0

Blessings
Libby ;)

IMPROVED WEBSITE COMING!

Sat, 18 Aug 2012 12:13:26 -0400

If you are saying ohhhh no, first of all, no worries! My song site will ALWAYS allow you to play and enjoy all of my songs in their entirety for no charge. This is a music ministry and I feel God wants me to share the messages in the songs that he has gifted me to write. All of my videos will also be able to be viewed on the new site. :)

I’m really not one for change but sometimes it’s needed.... What precipitated my spending the money to have a new website developed (check back soon!) is repeated listeners contacting me needing immediate background music and sheet music for my various funeral songs. Digital download is currently not available for background music and sheet music, and postage for overnight mail is costly, so with the new format and ordering system, I can better serve people by allowing them to receive my music immediately. The other reason for the change is that my current website (formatted in I-Web) will soon not be supported any longer - I understand they are phasing the product out. The new website will allow you to electronically order directly from my site, MP3 downloads for ANY/ALL of my songs (some will be available individually and some will be available in affordable formatted albums), and be able to electronically purchase background music, chord charts, lyric sheets, and sheet music/lead sheets for many of my songs. Currently, orders for CD’s and DVD’s are placed by mail order only. The new site will also allow you to place your order for a CD or DVD by credit card (if you prefer) and then have your order shipped to you. Of course, you can still place your order by mail - as a matter of fact, I so enjoy checking my mailbox every day to see what new person I have the pleasure of meeting and hearing from. I actually prefer ordering things myself by mail! The new site will be very user friendly with drop down menues that will allow you to find exactly what you are looking for. It may take another week or two to get things up and running. I’m still in the process of remixing some of the background tracks. I forgot to mention, the new site will allow you to hear a little snippet of the songs before you purchase. Change can be good.....
Blessings,
Libby ;)

Regarding digital downloads....

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 09:07:15 -0400

This is the first time this has come up, but I had a customer email me this week indicating that he had not received the digital download that he had purchased through my site (digital service called CD Baby). No worries, to my knowledge everyone seems to be getting their downloads just fine! I wrote CD baby about it , and wanted to share these helpful instructions that I received:

Hey Libby,

Anytime that anyone purchases a MP3 download from CD Baby, the download is
always available in their account. They can download it again free of charge!
Here are the instructions so that you can forward the info to them!

-log into your account at cdbaby.com
-click on the digital download tab on the left hand side of the page
-locate the purchased song and click on the green download tab to the right

You will be prompted to open or to save the file. We recommend saving the file
to a visable location like the desktop.

Thanks
Brett
CD Baby

NEW SONG/VIDEO - “LOVE LIVES ON”

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 00:26:12 -0400

I just uploaded my new song entitled “Love Lives On” - I hope my song will bring comfort to those who are suffering from the loss of a loved one. You can view the video on my website under the MORE VIDEOS page or by clicking on this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnofgkUiGV8

It’s interesting how we always remember the birthdays of close friends and relatives who have passed away. My best friend’s birthday was August 11th. We were both born in 1961 and pretty much grew up together beginning in our teenage years. My friend has been weighing heavily on my mind this past week and I have written a song in her memory that I’d like to share with you. Demanding work schedules and busy lives kept us apart in later years, but the bond was ALWAYS there when we did talk on the phone or get together occasionally. As a tribute, I dedicate this song, “Love Lives On” to the memory of my best briend, Mitzi Colvin, who fought a courageous battle with cancer.

SHEET MUSIC NOW AVAILABLE FOR HEAVEN’S NOW MY HOME!

Wed, 8 Aug 2012 15:23:48 -0400

FINALLY! By repeated requests, I now have sheet music and lead sheets available in 3 different keys for my song, Heaven’s Now My Home! (Keys are: Bb, C, and E and Bb for Bass/Baritone).
That’s an accomplishment! Sheet music isn’t easy to create - it’s over my head so I hired a professional to help me. Thank you Ashley! Lead sheets have the melody line and guitar chord chart (3 pages) Sheet music is comprised of 7 pages.
I’ll soon have sheet music for selected songs available for digital download - working on an upgraded website that will allow this capability. Hired that out too..... I’m simply not a techy person and play music by ear, not sight.
I think I’ll just stick to just making pretty music. :)

A New “Old” Piano!

Wed, 1 Aug 2012 20:05:22 -0400

I recently acquired this old Marshall and Wendell antique baby grand piano! Moving it to the house was very interesting - Jim’s Piano (local shop) did a fabulous job! It was pouring down rain when they pulled up to the home it was coming out of, but the rain subsided and we got it moved! I found out, it’s not cheap to MOVE a piano. In case you ever decide to take it on - my advice is to pay the money and be sure to hire a professional! It takes a special dolly and the expertise to maneuver legs coming off, etc. I was intrigued by watching the process.
As you can see, Callie has made herself at home. :)
What can I say, you can’t ever have too many piianos lying around the house! My husband’s going to shoot me when he gets back in town. I do own another antique piano pictured in the background on my home page, but this new old one is pretty neat. It’s well over 100 years old and apparently used to be a player piano. I wish I knew the history of the homes or establishments that this piano lived in all of these years. The person who gave it to me said it was given to her so there simply isn’t any history. The movers told me the body was in pretty good shape. It does need refinishing and although it plays okay, it needs some work. I had no idea that restoring a baby grand was so costly - believe it or not, it runs from $3,500 to $17K just to restore one of these! That being said, I’m probably going to let my new musical instrument simply be a conversation piece. I usually write my music on a little portable electric keyboard anyway, and I hope to start writing more with guitar.  I’ve been working on a new song this week. :)
The title of this one just keeps presenting itself to me. It’s reallly strange.... I already have the song partially written and in going through a new box of Christian greeting cards today, I discovered that one of the cards had the title of my song on the last line of the sentiment! Pretty neat! I’m taking that as a sign this song needs to come to fruition. I say that because I have many many songs and pieces of songs that remain in journals and notebooks. It may take a little while to complete this one - i have to be in a creative mindset and it’s been a busy week at work with my real estate job. After all, I’ve got to support my music habit!
I’ll post my new song on this blog page when I’m finished so be on the lookout!

NEW FEMALE VOCAL VERSION OF “DON”T CRY FOR ME”

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 19:06:28 -0400

I worked for about 15 hours creating the vocal mix and YouTube video for this special song. JUST CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO THE LEFT AND THE VIDEO WILL POP UP. You can see the video on a larger screen by going to the MORE VIDEOS page at the top and viewing there.
“Don’t Cry for Me” will always be a favorite of mine since it is the original song that started me down the path of this music ministry. Without that song, I may never have written all of the other songs! I truly believe that God used the trial that I went through with the death of my brother Mark, and the death of best friend Mitzi, (both died of cancer), to enable me to write “Don’t Cry for Me” which now serves to be a blessing to others.
Suzie Elkins did an amazing job on the vocal and the video came together nicely. :) I’m happy with it and you’ll know I’m a perfectionist! The video is comprised of several of my cloud shots, my Callaway garden vacation photos, and my special cross photo that I took in Italy a few years ago. Special thanks to Jim Peters, Kristi Boniella, and Jim Singleton for use of several of the other photos that appear in this video. I hope you enjoy the new video.
If my song has special meaning for you, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to email me privately at libbyallensongs@gmail.com Your email comments will not be posted on my website unless you authorize me to do so. It warms my heart to know my songs are making a difference.
Blessings,
Libby ;)

Cat song - deeper.....

Sat, 21 Jul 2012 17:59:57 -0400

Someone asked, so I thought I would clarify, my new song “Must Love Cats” is NOT my story. This song was inspired by a girl friend of mine who has in the past shared some interesting on-line dating experiences with me. This specific story is fictional. “Sam” came out of my imagination and that name rhymed with the word “man”. ;) I guess my character could have been Dan or Stan - just liked the way Sam sounded! Hey, I found a way to storybook all of my cat photos!

The making of a song....

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 11:03:14 -0400

Thought I’d share a little with you about the making of a song, in this case, “Must Love Cats”. I started the lyrics a few months ago and decided to dig my notes out of a folder of “future songs”. Lyrics to my songs usually start on little pieces of paper and/or in journals, like the yellow colored sheets of paper shown in the picture here. I then type up the lyrics. Next I create the melody to the song. The melody to the cat song was written in about 2 hours on Saturday morning. Once I record the melody line, I come back in and add the chords to accompany the melody line on the typed version to help me be able to fully orchestrate the song. In this case, I woke up at 4:00 Sunday morning hearing flute and cello in the mix, and had to add it right then - even though I “dont’ do mornings”. - Check out that song sometime!
I have to tell you, my awesome recording program does have sound effects, however, there was only one pre-recorded cat meow clip that I have to say, was pitiful at best. I went to the internet looking for free cat sounds and couldn’t come up with anything. I then set out on a quest to capture a recording of a cat meow myself. I started with Callie, my pride and joy. I have to tell you, it’s hard to get a cat to talk on command! I prompted with “kitty kitty” and some food and got a weak little sound from my sweetie. If you listen to the video, her little voice can be heard in the mix at the very end, when she is running to the food bowl. It’s more like a little growl. You will hear the little sound when she turns her head before she runs down the hall. Having no success with a real “meow”, I moved on to cat #2, Christmas. Christmas showed up on our doorstep on Christmas day about 7 years ago. She’s primarily an outside kitty and although a very small cat, has a big appetite so I enticed her to meow with food. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the “meow” sound I was looking for. Christmas’ voice can be heard in the video at the very beginning during the purring sound. It’s a little growling sound. Now the purring sound, I did acquire from sound effects on my program.
In a quest to still get a good “meow”, I called my parents who live next door and asked if the new cat they have is a talker and explained I needed a meow for my new song. I actually talked my dad into walking out with the portable phone into the garage and holding the phone up to the cat trying to get her to meow while I had my I-phone ready on the other end of the phone line to capture any sound that came over the line. Dad wasn’t successful. (I can’t believe I was that lazy, but it was 9:00 p.m. and I was trying to avoid walking over in the dark in my pj’s) I decided to walk over anyway and see what I could come up with. When I arrived, their cat, Socks, was not cooperative - no meow. :(
I visited with my parents for a little while and on the way home, I pulled out my Iphone recorder and started petting Socks out in the garage. Finally, I got my MEOW!!! She meowed 3 times. I recorded them all! Came home with my feline recordings and held my Iphone up to the microphone and then threw it into the mix of my song. My parents cat ‘s voice is the only official “meow” and can be heard at the end of the video. It’s actually not Callie meowing, that’s Socks voice that you hear when Callie starts running down the hall after I call kitty kitty. Amazing what you can do with technology! Hours spent on trying to acquire a few cat meows..... I loved every minute of it though and am thrilled with how it all turned out. My only problem was trying to figure out which photos of Callie to use. I have hundreds and just couldn’t fit them all into the video! If you think I’ve got a thing for taking cloud photos, my cat takes priority with the camera. She’s always doing something cute and her expressions are just priceless. She follows us around the house like a dog, plays fetch with a Q-Tip, and lets me know when she’s hungry. She waits until the alarm clock goes off in the morning and then comes to snuggle under my armpit and be held - it’s super special when she stretches her little paw up and wraps it around my neck. Yesterday, I tried to get up and she grabbed me with both paws to pull me back down. I rescued Callie from the animal shelter a few years ago. She’s truly been a blessing to me. Thank you God!

NEW CANVAS EVERY DAY!

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 10:13:40 -0400

As you know, I love taking cloud photos. ;)
I saw this one formulating yesterday while I was driving. I finally got to my destination and snapped this heavenly picture. This one will definitely make it’s way into one of my videos! Thank you God.

NEW SONG/VIDEO! “MUST LOVE CATS”

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 21:44:22 -0400

Just finished a brand new song and video entitled “Must Love Cats” for the pet lover and/or all of the single ladies out there starring my cat, “Callie”. This is a humorous Christian song about the perils of “looking for love” in the wrong place. Be sure to listen to the important message at the end! Blessings,
Libby
Here’s the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qervowpovLg

Always a silver lining...

Sat, 14 Jul 2012 09:20:05 -0400

I started this photo thing with clouds a while back - I drive my husband crazy clicking photos out the window and through the windshield all of the time and/or making him back up or pull off the side of the road so I can snap a shot. Did I mention I drive him crazy? Well, believe it or not, my Husband has now gotten into spirit of my plight and now takes cloud photos and occasional nature photos for me on his I-Phone in his comings and goings. This is one of the ones he recently shared with me.

All things that look up!

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 20:05:39 -0400

I just about caused a wreck stopping off of the median in
the middle of a 4 lane highway today to take cloud photos for my videos - yes, I’m obcessed with clouds, waterfalls,
and rainbows - all things that look up toward Heaven!
 

Heaven’s Now My Home mp3 now available

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 19:56:05 -0400

The new vocal version of my song, “Heaven’s Now My Home”, performed by Suzie Elkins, is now available for MP3 download. To order, just click on the ORDER MUSIC tab at the top of the page for options and/or the link
provided below.
Blessings,
Libby
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/libbylallen16

First Church Invitation to MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE UNTO THE LORD!

Thu, 5 Jul 2012 19:42:02 -0400

I’m always stopping by the roadside taking photos of God’s beauty for my videos. Couldn’t pass up this sunflower!
I spent some time today tweaking background music to use this Sunday night.....
I’ve been invited to sing live at the Woodville United Methodist Church’s 2nd Sunday Sing so although I’m not accustomed to performing in front of people, I do hope to be able to make a joyful noise unto the Lord! The program lasts an hour so I plan to sing about 16 songs and share the stories of why I was lead to write the different songs. It really is all about the messages in my songs anyway..... not about my vocal performance. I keep trying to remind myself of that since I’m a little shy about the idea of singing out! I committed to perform, however, because I decided that if I can touch the life of one person in that room through my music, then I will have fulfilled the purpose God has for my gift of songwriting. I’ve had a calling to share my songs with others and was elated to find the YouTube venue, which has been wonderful because I have been able to share my “messages” with people from all over the world! I have to say, I never thought I’d actually be singing in front of a church congregation but for it to present itself, I do feel its something God wants me to do.
Please say a prayer for me. :)
I’ve been wanting to sing out at retirement homes and have been purchasing sound equipment along the way to prepare to do that.
Wish me luck Sunday!
Blessings,
Libby ;)

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

Wed, 4 Jul 2012 13:11:01 -0400

Celebration our Nation’s Independence today!

On the music front, I just uploaded Vocal Version #3 of “Heaven’s Now My Home” to CD Baby for digital download. Suzie Elkins vocal performance is just beautiful! It will take a few days for the digital distribution center to publish the song but I’ll add the link to my ORDER MUSIC page once it is available. I hope my song will give comfort and be a blessing to all who have suffered a loss.

SHEET MUSIC NOW AVAILABLE FOR “YOU ARE MY EVERYTHING”

Sun, 1 Jul 2012 23:03:05 -0400

As promised and by request, I now have available “lead sheets” for my wedding song, “You Are My Everything”. The lead sheet is 4 pages long. The cost is $10.00 plus shipping/handling. The lead sheets are available in the key of “F” and the key of “G” (please specify preference when ordering) I also added the chord charts (for guitar) to the lead sheet. To order, just click on the ORDER MUSIC tab at the top of the page for information.

Heaven’s Now My Home - new video/vocal version

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 21:59:06 -0400

Finally finished the new video for my song, Heaven’s Now My Home. I uploaded what I thought was the final version to YouTube last night (about 2:00 a.m.!), and realized this morning there was a typo (spelling?) in the credits. Argh! Had to pull it down from YouTube, revise the video, and re-upload. The perfectionist in me just couldn’t stand spelling the word “thanks”, thansks. That would have driven me crazy! All fixed now. ;)
This version features an amazing vocalist, Suzie Elkins. Her soothing voice reminds me of Anne Murray. :)
I hope you will be blessed by the words and music.
Here’s the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdUY_iVmhVI

Callie joined us for morning coffee....

Sun, 24 Jun 2012 19:20:51 -0400

My pride and joy, Callie, joined Jim and I for coffee this morning. Yes, we let our cat up on the table..... She loves to plop on the newspaper, under the newspaper, and just be part of the family. She follows us around like a puppy and even plays fetch with a Q-tip! We have a wonder cat!

News on the music front:
For any barbershoppers out there, my friend Paul Jorg, has created a wonderful barbershop arrangement for “Green Side of the Grass” that should be available soon!

I spent about 5 hours yesterday in a private lesson with composition specialist, Ashley Stewart, learning how to create sheet music/lead sheets on my new software and received a crash course on music theory. Gosh, I’ve got alot to learn! Thank you Ashlely!
I do have a lead sheet available now for my wedding song, “You Are My Everything”. I’ll be adding that option to my ORDER MUSIC page this week!
Blessings,
Libby ;)

I’m still on the green side...

Sat, 23 Jun 2012 09:40:37 -0400

Yes, I’m on the green side, but with a black thumb, literally. I took my new guitar in to the shop to get the battery on the amplifier changed and buy a music stand, and in the interim met a friend for lunch - didn’t want to leave the guitar in the hot car (I’m in Florida!), so I decided to take it in the restaurant with me. I’m not used to handling the guitar case and I slammed my thumb between the guitar case and my car door handle. My thumb swole up twice the size, actuallly looked deformed, and turned blue. I sat in the after hours emergency place for 2 hours and had it x-rayed, the good news is, it was not broken, just jammed/sprung/or whatever it is, so yes, I have a black thumb... :(
I was invited to perform at a local church the first part of July and have come to appreciate my guitar playing hand a little more after this incident. I instrumate (is that a word?) 99% of my music on keyboard, but have recentlly been practicing guitar so I can play out at retirement homes in the near future.
I had the pleasure of having Suzie Elkins (reminds me of Ann Murray) record several of my songs and I’ll be creating videos for those very soon. The videos are very time consuming - a 3-4 minute video can take 20 hours, so I’m hoping to make time soon.
I’m very excited - I have a music composer coming over today to give me lessons on creating sheet music.
Because so many have requested it, first up is the wedding song, “You Are My Everything”.
I purchased the software to create the sheet music, just need some instruction and when it comes to technology, I need all of the help I can get! I received a very touching email today - click over to the COMMENTARY link and read it - I was given permission to share it with you - you’ll be blessed.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings,
Libby

I DON’T DO MORNINGS!

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 01:27:25 -0400

Well maybe candle burning mornings! No, I won’t be up before 10:00 tomorrow morning - gotta get my 8 hours!
If you aren’t familiar with my “I Don’t Do Mornings Song”, take a listen - it’s on my site under the MORE VIDEOS page. It’s a hoot! I wrote that song about myself!
Yes, it’s 1:30 a.m. and I’m still up burning CD’s/filling orders and have been for the last 3 hours after a 12 hour day doing real estate, my day job. Guess I’m just a night owl, as I do this quite frequently.
God certainly has been pouring out blessings. It seems my mailbox has envelopes with new orders just about every day. I get a kick out of seeing where the envelopes come from - mostly the United States and Canada but I’ve had envelopes from Singapore, Australia, and England, to name a few! It’s just amazing to me. What a journey! It warms my heart to know that my “messages” are being heard all over the world! What you don’t realize, is that I’m so meticulous about this process, I have a special cloth I wipe my fingerprints off the cd with and after I burn each CD, I have to check each track (listen to a snippet of it) to ensure that the songs properly transferred to the cd. I still prefer to make the cd’s and dvd’s myself so I can check them. I know it would be less expensive to order multiple CD’s from a company but I enjoy personalizing the package. If you plan to order, you’ll see what I mean when your package arrives! The 18 song cd, Grooving Messages, before tonight, took me 20 minutes to burn just one cd. Thank God for technology! I’ve been researching duplication machines because I’ve been concerned about wearing my computer out burning cd’s/dvd’s just about every day. My dad actually surprised me and offered to pay for the machine - I was so excited! It took a long time in life (all 50 of my years) to finally learn to let people do things for me, but I accepted the gift from my dad and I’m now the proud owner of a professional duplication machine. I’m so excited! I finally figured out how to use the thing and actually created my first CD’s on it tonight. Yes, I checked them all and they sound great! So if you sent in an order this week, I’m making a post office run tomorrow so be on the lookout!
Blessings,
Libby :)

CAN’T WAIT TO SHARE...

Fri, 8 Jun 2012 09:44:54 -0400

I had the priviledge this week of having Suzie Elkins sing and record 3 of my songs, “Don’t Cry for Me”, “Heaven’s Now My Home” and “You Are My Everything”. Suzie’s been blessed with a beautiful voice and she loves to sing for the Lord! I’ll be mixing the songs this weekend and will be creating YouTube videos to be able to share them with you.
It may take a few days and I’ll be doing one a time but be on the lookout.... you’re in for a real treat. Susie’s voice reminds me of Ann Murray. It has a rich quality to it. I got chills hearing her sing as we recorded her vocal. I’m excited to share this new female vocal version with you. Not knocking the current female vocalist on those songs (which is me!), but Susie sings MUCH better than I do!
Have a great weekend! I’ll be in the “Praise Zone” - my music room, making beautiful music for you. Blessings,
Libby ;)

NEW GUITAR!

Fri, 1 Jun 2012 22:10:21 -0400

I’m really excited about my new guitar! I got it in my head that I had to have a Gibson Dove guitar because the “dove” is a religious bird. Well, these guitars aren’t easy to come by but I found an individual selling one locally, bought it last week, and just got it back after having some adjustments made - I added amplification, new strings, and had the action lowered to make it easier for my beginner girl fingers to play. I read that Elvis Presley used to play on a Dove - that’s neat! My Dove isn’t a classic, it’s a 2004 model but I’m thrilled to own it, you know, because of the bird! :)
I play and orchestrate all of the songs I write on keyboard but I want to become more proficient at guitar so I can actually play out. After all, no one really wants to haul a keyboard around! My goal is to play my songs at local retirement homes and/or nursing homes but I’ve got some practice to do and some finger strength to build on this guitar before that happens! Still struggling with F and B chords on the guitar, I hear that’s normal! Thank you Bobby Kennedy for putting your magic touch on my new guitar - it’s just perfect!

I FINALLY GOT MY BLOG PAGE FIXED!

Wed, 30 May 2012 18:45:15 -0400

Well all I can say is thank you to Sara, the tech with Apple who patiently walked me through a few site needed changes over the telephone . The background on my blog previously had a white cloud photo that did not allow you to read the white font in my blog entries. I still had Apple Care on my I-Mac (warranty) so I used it! Apple rocks! If you ever buy a Mac, be sure to get “Apple Care”. It’s worth every dime! They have helped me through other computer difficulties along the way. I apologize that you haven’t been able to read my blog before now - all fixed!

NEW VIDEO!

Mon, 28 May 2012 19:14:49 -0400

I just uploaded a new video for my song “Press On”  The vocalist on this one is Kiera Hanselman. She did a beautiful job on the song! I hope you like the video.  Here’s the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2K4-W82ui0  Green Side of the Grass is still growing at over 1.7 million strong! I thank God for giving me that song and for bringing a special friend in my life who always used that saying when I would ask how he was doing, “At least I’m on the green side of the grass”. My friend is no longer with us, but I dedicate my song to him, Lee R. Callahan, Jr. It’s funny how God puts people in our lives for a reason. That song has brought so much joy to people all over the world and I thank all of you for your cards, letters, emails, downloads, and cd orders.
I spent the afternoon remixing background tracks for a friend of mine who will be performing a female version of several of my songs. She sings like Ann Murray so you’ll are in for a treat! It may be a few weeks before we get together to record so check back!
Have a blessed week and today, Memorial Day, may you reflect upon the fallen soldiers who gave their lives in Honor of our Country.

GREEN GRASS IS GROWING!

Wed, 16 May 2012 22:32:40 -0400

Who would have ever dreamed that my aging song/video would reach so many people all over the world! Showing 1,323,955 views this evening, my song “Green Side of the Grass” is growing fast! I’m thrilled! Thank you so much for sharing the YouTube links of my songs with your friends and family - your sharing my music with others is actually one of the best compliments I could receive. Thank you also for your emails, letters, and CD orders. I’ve met so many wonderful people! I’ve received CD orders from Singapore, Canada, Australia, and Ireland to name a few and have shipped orders from California all the way to the East coast. Thank you!!
If you are new to my website, WELCOME! I hope you will find a special message in one of my songs today. God gives me the MESSAGES in these songs for a reason and I’m so glad to be able to share my music with you today! The MORE VIDEOS page will allow you to watch a custom-made video that accompanies the song you will be listening to. Video editing takes me anywhere from 5-20 hours to produce a video for a 3-4 minute song; I love every minute of it though! I hope you will visit again soon. I’m always adding new videos and songs.....
Blessings,
Libby :)

NEW VIDEO!

Mon, 14 May 2012 01:47:21 -0400

I just uploaded a new video to my song,
“I Leave It Up To You”
Many of the photos were taken by me on vacation in North Carolina last October. Kiera Hanselman is the vocalist on this one - she did a beautiful job!
Click on the MORE VIDEOS tab at the top of the page or click on the YouTube link below to watch the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTslV5xDPjcI

“Green Side of the Grass” gone wild!

Fri, 11 May 2012 01:15:29 -0400

I’m so excited that my song/video, Green Side of the Grass, just toppled over 1 million views on YouTube around 3:00 p.m. yesteday. I’m so blessed that God gave me this song to share! Thanks to Sarah Schauer for use of her beautiful photograph. :)
Happy Friday!
(sorry the white letters are hard to read - I can’t figure out how to change the color of the font!)

MY 4-LEGGED DAUGHTER LIKES MY SONG!

Fri, 4 May 2012 10:47:19 -0400

Meet Callie! My pride and joy! She usually follows me around the house like a dog , but yesterday she came into the “Praise Zone” (I have an actual sign on the door....) when I was creating the “Come to Me” video. She usually wallows (is that a word?) on the floor or kneads (spelling?) a soft jacket I place on the floor for her while I work on my music, but yesterday she actually jumped up on my lap by the keyboard to be a part of the scene. Just had to share this!
I don’t have children and can only imagine the love and joy a parent must have for their child. Callie’s unexpected expressions of love truly do make my heart smile!
Blessings,
Libby ;)

ANOTHER NEW VIDEO!

Fri, 4 May 2012 10:20:10 -0400

Just created a new video for a song I wrote a few years go entitled “Come to Me” Before I started creating videos for my songs, I wasn’t aware and really didn’t really appreciate the amount of time that went into video editing! This 3 minute video took about 5 hours to create! -- No worries, I loved every minute of it! I really enjoy bringing my songs to life and YouTube offers a venue that allows me to not only bring them to life, but to share them with you! Can you imagine the amount of time it takes to create a movie or a television show? I wrote this song back in 2009, when I first started my music ministry . “Come to Me” offers an invitational message - you will feel as though God is speaking directly to you. Bobby Kennedy is performing the vocal on this song - he did a wondeful job!
I hope you will be blessed by the words and music.
You can watch the video here on my website by clicking on the MORE VIDEOS link at the top of the page and/or view it through the YouTube link below:
Here’s the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIPw6M7CNXs
Be Blessed!
Libby :)

NEW VIDEO!

Wed, 2 May 2012 22:27:33 -0400

Just uploaded a new video for my song “RAIN ON ME”. You can watch the video on my website or use the YouTube link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-NvVcpRmzI

I hope it will be a blessing to you.
Libby :)

NEW DIGITAL ALBUM

Wed, 2 May 2012 22:15:48 -0400

Just uploaded my first digital album!
Here’s the link:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/libbylallen15
I’m so excited about the YouTube activity on my “Green Side of the Grass” song and welcome all of the new listeners to my site! A week ago, the video had around 300,000 views. As of this evening, it’s up to about 530,000! Now that’s a God thing!

ALBUM COMING!

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:50:15 -0400

I’ve spent the last week creating my first digital full album, “Soothing Messages for the Soul - Volume I” Hope to have it finished in a few days!
I’ll add the link on the ORDER CD page.
I’m certainly no pro at what they call “mastering” music but I can certainly hear a difference in the quality of some of my earlier songs up against some of the newer ones. I guess it’s simply normal progression to improve over time with practice but if I knew then what I know now! It’s been a real learning process, orchestrating and composing the music, but I’ve stumbled along tirelessly with this labor of love. Yes, I absolutely love making music! Was up until 3:00 a.m. yesterday. It’s hard to stop in the middle of a project!
Once I wrap the album up, I’ll pick back up on a few new songs I’ve started but for now, I’m on a mission to make my music available at an affordable price in a format that seems to be the new in thing - digital downloads.
Blessings,
Libby

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:49:21 -0400

March 29, 2012
Well, I’ll be the first to admit, as you can see......I’m not a big blogger. To catch you up, I’ve been working on several new songs, and have created male vocal versions for several of my songs, one being “Heaven’s Now My Home” sung by Bobby Kennedy, which is the 2nd most requested CD, right behind “Don’t Cry for Me”. A friend of mine used the analogy that those two songs were “hauntingly similar”. Not sure about the word “hauntingly” , but I have to agree they both are similar, but on the other hand different! It’s funny, but ideas for songs have just been flooding my mind these days. I can be watching a t.v. show and hear a snipped of a conversation, sometimes 2 or 3 words words, and have to stop the DVR to write down song ideas. I drive my husband nuts! He controls the remote and when I hollar out “back that up a minute” he knows exactly what I’m doing. Same thing with radio - I’ve actually learned to use the record button on my IPhone to audibly speak into the recorder to capture ideas for future songs.
My latest song is an upbeat toe tapping original called “Do You Know That You Know”. This song is an example of a divine download. This message just kept presenting itself repeatedly over a period of about a month so I knew a song was brewing. This song has 4 part harmonies mixed in and in case you’re wondering, I’m singing with myself. Tracks are layed on top of each other to create harmony parts. I can hear a male quartet doing this one! I actually heard this saying “Do You Know That You Know” at least 5 times in a one-month span so it was evident God that wanted me to author this newest creation! I love the way God uses me like that - it’s certainly been a life changing experience. I keep getting email requests and phone calls for digital downloads that aren’t up and available yet, so I’ve decided to start creating albums for digital download. I’m working on VOLUME ONE right now which will contain 10 songs for download including “Heaven’s Now My Home”. Hope to have it ready in a week or two. See, I do listen! It’s a bit of a process to prepare an album - I’m actually going back into the tracks for those 10 and remastering them to produce the best mixes I can make as a novice. I’m certainly no engineer but I can see growth from the songs that I wrote in 2009 and 2010. I think back to the late 80’s when I dabbled at writing country music, which I gave up in the early 90’s. Had I not given up the craft for 20 years, I can’t imagine where I’d be with my music today.
By the way, thank you for visiting my site today and please let others know about my music. God gives it to me to share!
Thought you might want to hear the new one - here’s the YouTube Link to “Do You Know That You Know”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwpJx2vZvyE
Blessings,
Libby

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 11:48:52 -0500

December 24, 2011
Merry Christmas!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEyNh9CUPvs
Be Blessed,
Libby :)

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 11:48:17 -0500

December 11, 2011
I’ve been working on bits and pieces of several songs, but mostly video production. I decided to record my own Christmas song, “What Christmas Means to Me”. I wrote this song a few days before Christmas last year - it was originally recorded with children singing. I gave the girls copies of the CD to give to their mother for Christmas. What a surprise it was! That version can be heard on my music player and the video can be watched on my MORE VIDEOS page. Alternatively, you can find the song on YouTube under libbyallensongs.
I created a new video to my version of the song and added musical turnarounds to give time for the listener to contemplate...truth is, I needed time to breathe when singing it! - not sure how Shannon and Kaitlyn (the young ladies who sang it originally) pulled that off on their version. Here’s the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEyNh9CUPvs I hope you will be blessed by the words and music.
Libby :)

Thu, 3 Nov 2011 11:47:55 -0400

November 3, 2011
Since my last entry, I took a trip to North Carolina to see God’s brilliance again.... I suspect it’ll be an annual trip for me - the mountains are just beautiful in October and I find such peace and serenity there. Took tons on photos for future song videos. :)
My newest Christian song is called “Heaven’s Now My Home”. Just finished it October 31, 2011. I wrote part of the song on vacation in North Carolina. My hope is that this song will bring comfort to those who have lost a loved one. The video (which has several of my vacation photos in it) reallly adds to the song. I hope you will be blessed by the words and music. Here’s the link if you didn’t get a chance to view it on my MORE VIDEOS page.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEQ4TlxH_Ag
Be Blessed,
Libby :)

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:47:25 -0400

October 13, 2011
Thank you for taking the time to comment on my songs, whether on YouTube, or via email. It means the world to me to hear from you and know that my music is making a difference.
Well this Sunday will mark the anniversary of my living on this earth 1/2 of a century and I want you to know, I worked hard to get here!
I’ve just reformatted the ORDER CD page of my site to allow people to simply order the CD’s at set prices. When I first started this music ministry I gave away 100‘s of CD’s but I’ve come to realize that I must recoup the cost of actually producing the CD’s. My music can still be heard free on this site and to date, 20 videos featuring my songs can be viewed on YouTube by searching under “libbyallensongs”.
Libby :)

Sat, 1 Oct 2011 11:46:25 -0400

October 1, 2011
So it’s October 1st, and finally, a feeling of fall in the air! It only reminds me of my milestone birthday coming up this month - yes I’m turning 50. So for anyone that didn’t know that, if you haven’t watched my GREEN SIDE OF THE GRASS video you need to!
Just finished my newest song, “Give Life” - A God Inspired Message about pregnancy.
I’ll be loading the song up on the player soon but for now, visit the MORE VIDEOS page of this site and you can view the brand new YouTube video I just created for the song - It’s beautiful.
Also, read ABOUT THE SONGS for more information as to why I wrote the song.
Libby :)