This is very special new release.  Listen to it here or click the Soundcloud link and download it free under the "More" button. Enjoy.

It’s finally March.  Woohoo!  

March seems to bring with it the hope of seasons changing, the promise of spring flowers and sunshine… and St. Patrick’s Day!   Yes, I do realize that St. Patty’s is not a holiday that most people get super excited about. But, I’m not most people.  In fact, my Dad has nick-named me the “Patron Saint of Minor Holidays”… a title I accept with great pride!   Of course, I love celebrating Christmas, Easter and all the Majors, but I also get pretty dang pumped about “GroundHog Day” each February. 

But St. Patrick’s Day is extra special. A truly festive occasion! It was our time spent in Chicago that sealed the deal.  You haven’t really lived a March 17th until you’ve enjoyed Irish brunch and beverages, piled onto an old school bus with college kids (we were quite a bit their senior) and traveled from the North side of Chicago past the river - dyed green - to experience the famous Southside St. Patrick’s Day parade.  (Did I mention there was a keg of beer at the back of the bus…just in case the passengers got thirsty during the mere 18 minutes we were en route?)  The jubilant parade was chock full of live Irish music, Irish dancing girls, local politicians/police officers/ firemen…and even a pack of “trick dogs”…which featured a huge, fluffy, white standard poodle with painted green fur!  It was heaven. 

Anyway…I’ve passed along my love of all things celebratory on to our daughter Evanjalyn.  We decorate for everything…and Jay (God bless him)…well …he tolerates us. So when a recent March approached my little minor-holiday-loving buddy and I started bringing out the green when a simple little melody popped into my mind.  This time of year I like to call Evanjalyn my “lucky charm” and these lyrics seemed to describe my affection for sharing the St. Patty’s “season” with her.

“You’re my four leaf clover - My lucky charm ~ The rainbow after the biggest storm

“You’re my secret weapon - my shining star 

“The cocktail waiting at the end of the bar…”

I think that last one is my favorite lyric in this little diddy. Oftentimes when I’m out singing live, while I enjoy it…I’m also looking forward to getting back home to the ones I love. That’s where the real party is.  Getting back to them is like the reward… “like the cocktail waiting at the end of the bar.”  :) March and St. Patty’s Day remind me how fortunate I am to have people I want to get home to.    

“So, you don’t have to tell me… how lucky I am”

So as March 17 approaches this year why don’t you celebrate with me?!  Life can be hard, so we have to grab as much joy as we can in the little places! SO…buy a green t-shirt, go find some live Irish music to listen to… learn how to cook corned beef & cabbage and dye your dog green!  Or at the very least share a toast with someone you love.  We’re lucky to have each other.

AJ

PS.  I hope you like this happy little tune.  I’m the one lucky one… that you’re taking time to listen. :)

Hey, there! Hope your 2022 is off to a decent start… or that at least you haven’t been thinking too much.

I know I have.    I knew just which tune to bring to you this month - It’s called “I Had Too Much To Think”.  

Sometimes January can feel like a fresh, clean slate.  And other times - when inspiration is hard to come by -  it can feel like you have a hangover from the previous year.  Then the thoughts start swimming in, and the waters in your soul can get too deep. Just me? :)

The idea for this song dates way back to my high school days, if you can believe that. My boyfriend, (one Jay Webster) was a bit of a brooding type.  Despite his blonde hair, swimmer’s physique and outgoing personality…he wanted to be mysterious and “deep”.  He courted me by writing anonymous poems and placing them on my car windshield while I was in class. It worked - oh man did it work… :) They were actually pretty good, especially for being written at 17.  

There was one that stuck with me for decades…it began “I had too much to think last night…” An obvious metaphor for “having too much to drink” it was about the idea that thoughts can sometimes overwhelm.  As a young ‘thinker’ Jay often found his mind swirling with the concepts of fun topics like life & death, eternity, God, social revolution, philosophy etc.  As did I.   When other high school juniors were thinking about new jeans, football games, their latest PacMan score, and what was for lunch…we were busy contemplating the meaning of life and how to save the world.  (Turns out…I was “deep” too. Thus…our mutual infatuation with one another was born. But that’s another story for another day.) Many years later, I still recalled that line of poetry and always wanted to put music with it. With Jay’s permission, I finally did.

"One thought at a time on my mind…seems like a good idea. Drink them slow, one by one - conquer and divide

Sip by sip, drip by drip - they flood away the good.  My cup’s too deep - and I can’t breathe.

So can you pull me up from underneath”

As creative types and idealists our minds can be a well-spring of ideas or a place where too many thoughts can flood in, threatening to drown out the good.  There are definitely times to be thoughtful about the world around us, but when it seems the world is mad…those contemplations can be suffocating.  When I have too much to think for an extended period of time, I can have a hard time coming up for air. Then I know that I have to stop myself - forget about it for awhile -  and go get drinks and laughs with some friends. Being reminded of the good in the world, and remembering that I am loved is what can pull me back to the surface.  

"I had too much to think last night.  And the only thing to make it right is you - it’s what you do

My head is aching, heart is breaking, Nothing I can take will pull me through - except for you.  So, help me drink in only what is true…”

It’s the beauty in life and the joy of having quality people around us that helps us focus on what is true and good. Some days we have to force our thoughts to swim upward to the light.

"Let me drink on what is right - not just what I feel"

Being “deep” in high school seemed romantic for sure. And God knows we need the poets and their heartfelt pontifications to make us consider the world around us - and to keep our hearts soft.

But as we head into 2022, I’m trying not to be too contemplative about it.  I’m not gonna have a bunch of resolutions I can’t keep, or super lofty goals… I’m just trying not to have too much to think.  

Hope you like the tune. AJ

The holidays are officially upon us…(and there’s nothing we can do about it!)

I’ve written many Christmas songs over the years, but “See the Light/The Longest Year” really resonates with me. This song actually has two titles, thus the slash. :)  I couldn’t decide which to go with. One is about a really tough year and the other is about choosing to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  So, I kept both. (Problem solved!)

Let’s face it.  Life is hard.  It is also beautiful, and therein lies the mystery.

“Oh how I’ve been waiting for some good news. Something that could lighten up my step. But hard times come and darkness stays…And I wonder if I’ll always feel this way. “

The idea for this song came as a difficult year was drawing to a close. We had been faced with medical issues, extra financial stress (surprise!!) and had worked our guts out all year on our creative dreams…only to find that the opportunities we’d hoped for had fallen through. Again.

At the time, we were talking about making a Christmas album of my original songs. (Something I’d wanted to do since I was a little girl, honestly.)  As I started to collect songs I might want to include, I felt like a total fake.  Here I was getting ready to record a Christmas album and I had zero holiday joy and a big-ass helping of Christmas cynicism on the side. (You know the kind…) But as the season progressed and I went to community events and festive activities - I began to feel my heart soften a bit. And this lyric came.

“But at the end of the tunnel of a long, long year...I can finally see the light”

No matter what had been happening in my own life and heart, I couldn’t shake the deep belief that somehow it would all be OK.  I accepted that thought…the idea of finally seeing the light… and I protected that thought like you would a little puppy you’d hold close to your heart.  (Weird, I know. :)  But as I fostered the sweet little idea, and as I heard kids sing Christmas songs at school programs and as I saw beautiful twinkle lights everywhere…and as I tried to take my eyes off myself and help others…I felt love break through. 

"Bells ring, Oh and Kids sing...and It’ll be alright, It’ll be alright
Lights shine, and you’re on my mind
So, it’ll be alright, It’ll be alright.”

This year I’m really, really (for reals) gonna try to look for light wherever I can. To take in the brilliance of the season. What if together we aspire to not only see the light, but to speak of its glow. To hold it safely, close to our hearts…and also…to shine that little glimmer of light onto others.  And in doing that, we will be alright.

“I’m just hoping we will see the brilliance of the season
Take this darkness, light it up ~ send something to believe in
And after all this time has passed, I feel like I can feel your love at last...

Cuz at the end of the tunnel of a long, long year...I can finally see the light”

Thanks for listening.  Merry Christmas, friends. 

See the Light/Longest Year Lyrics

Oh how I’ve been waiting for some good news

Something that could lighten up my step

But hard times come and darkness stays

And I wonder if I’ll always feel this way

But at the end of the tunnel of a long, long year…I can finally see the light

Bells ring, Oh and Kids sing…and It’ll be alright, It’ll be alright

Lights shine, and you’re on my mind

So, it’ll be alright, It’ll be alright

And at the end of the tunnel of a long, long year…I can finally see the light

Oh, how I’ve been hoping for some peace here

Not just for myself, but for all kinds

But anger reigns, and judgement stains

And I wonder if we’ll ever learn your name

But at the end of the tunnel of a long, long year…I can finally see the light

Bells ring, Oh and Kids sing…and It’ll be alright, It’ll be alright

Lights shine, and you’re on my mind

So, it’ll be alright, It’ll be alright

And at the end of the tunnel of a long, long year…I can finally see the light

I’m just hoping we will see the brilliance of the season

Take this darkness, light it up ~ send something to believe in

And after all this time has passed, I feel like I can feel your love at last…

Cuz at the end of the tunnel of a long, long year…I can finally see the light

Bells ring, Oh and Kids sing and It’ll be alright, It’ll be alright

Lights shine, and you’re on my mind So, it’ll be alright, It’ll be alright

Bells ring, Oh and Kids sing and It’ll be alright, It’ll be alright

Lights shine, and you’re on my mind So, it’ll be alright, It’ll be alright

Cuz’ at the end of the tunnel of the longest year…I can finally see the light.

It’s funny Jay asked me to talk about this particular song… as I’ve been feeling rather “defeat-able” lately.  (Is that the opposite of invincible? :)   I don’t know about you, but for me… my own biggest enemy when it comes to ‘fighting the creative fight’ comes from within. 

Sometimes discouragement comes from a well-meaning person or from the feeling that you (and your secret creative super powers) are being totally ignored and completely unnoticed.  But as the lyrics of Invincible allude to…the real danger comes when I start to listen to the voices that rise up in my own head.

“They say it’s all in my mind - I hear it all the time

And the voices say that I’m - Not good enough for your love

I’ll never rise above the noise - my song won’t make it”

It’s weird to think of staying faithful to something as a battle,  but it most certainly is.  It’s so easy to give up, take a break, or just check-out and go on auto-pilot in our dreams and relationships.  When the pull to give in comes (which is often) I have to literally remind myself of who I am (out-loud) and rest in the fact that I was created to be this way.  It’s unconditional love (romantic, familial, friendship love or the Divine) that makes us invincible.  When we remember we are truly loved we can do anything.

The day this melody dropped into my head I carried it around with me until I could work on it.  The whole chorus came like a download…

“I am so much more than this - If you could feel my kiss 

You’d see the gold - deep inside of me

I am so much more than you know - and one day it will show

And then you’ll see - that I’m Invincible”

And all the while I was writing and producing the track it made me feel unstoppable.  I’d be in the pick-up line at my daughter’s school or at ALDI (God bless it!) and I’d chuckle to myself and think “Yeah, I’m getting groceries right now - but I’m secretly a bad-ass power ballad writer - woohoo!!”.  The song was like carrying around a little secret in my heart. Hey, everyone…I’m gonna humbly  work today, get groceries, and likely take crap from my kid…but ALSO…  

“I am so much more than this.”

Yesterday Jay said he wanted me to write about “Invincible” and needed it the next morning.  I filed that away and went on with the day. We’ve had a lot going on in our lives, and as I tried to sleep last night I was restless and gripped by fearful dreams.  I was already feeling discouraged, but laying awake all night worrying about it all… about did me in.  All I had left, was to pray and ask for some shred of comfort.

“Quietly I pray - the whispers start to fade - I’ll rise up and I won’t be afraid”

And so I did.  And though I honestly haven’t listened to this song in months the lyrics filled my heart - and over and over again I heard…

“You Make Me Invincible…  Yeah, You Make Me Invincible”

I began to believe it.  And that became my prayer - and I spoke it over and over.   The fear broke, peace came and I slept.

When I listened to the song this morning so I could write about it…I cried.  (I’m a crier…my daughter thinks its super embarrassing :).   But in hearing its melody I was reminded very clearly of who I am and why “my little songs” are worth making.

Don’t give in.  Your creativity (whatever it looks like) your dreams (no matter how silly they may seem at times) and the quest to live with purpose are so important.  The battle to stay true to the way you were made… is always worth the fight.

“I am so much more than this”.

And so are you.

"Invincible” - by Ann-Janette

Go ahead take your shot - But I will not let you walk all over me

Fire them one, two, three - Flying straight for me

But my shield is ready

Quietly I wait, plotting my escape - Nothing you can say could takemy faith

I am so much more than this - If you could feel my kiss 

You’d see the gold - deep inside of me

I am so much more than you know - and one day it will show

           

And then you’ll see - that I’m Invincible

They say it’s all in my mind - I hear it all the time

And the voices say that I’m - Not good enough for your love

                                       

I’ll never rise above the noise - my song won’t make it

Quietly I pray - the whispers start to fade - I’ll rise up and I won’t be afraid

I am so much more than this - If you could feel my kiss 

You’d see the gold - deep inside of me

I am so much more than you know - and one day it will show

           

And then you’ll see - that I’m Invincible

One - two - three - fire away

I won’t hear you - I’ll push it away, gonna push it away

I’ll push it away

Words from outside in, thoughts from inside - won’t get in the way

They won’t get in the way - won’t get in my way

Cause You Make me Invincible, Invincible

You Make me Invincible, Invincible

Quietly I pray - voices start to fade - I’ll rise up and I won’t be afraid...

I am so much more than this - If you could feel my kiss 

You’d see the gold - deep inside of me

I am so much more than you know - and one day it will show

           

And then you’ll see - that I’m Invincible

You make me invincible, invincible 

You make me invincible, invincible  -  invincible….

You make me invincible, invincible 

You make me invincible, invincible  -  invincible….

So, I hope this little tune makes you chuckle.  Or cry - either way.  The idea for “Hopes Down” popped into my head as a result of a tiny bit of good news that came my way recently.  I work with a songwriting service out of Nashville which “submits” or “pitches” my original songs to films and TV shows, as well as established musical artists for possible use in their projects.  I send them demos of finished songs, and then wait to hear back on whether they think the song is good enough to pitch.  (So fun, right?  Rejection is constantly lurking.  Woohoo!) If an artist or producer likes the tune you’ll hear back eventually, that they’re willing to give it a “re-listen” - or even better put it “on hold” to play for the next level of decision maker.

After a butt-load of rejections…(quite common to the business, but still not pleasant) I got an email back to say that two of my songs were “under consideration”.   I’m so used to just deleting the rejection emails quickly that I had to stop and read it again.  Huh.  What?  For a tiny moment - a flicker really - I let my imagination float away. For a split second a flash danced through my mind…that maybe one of those songs would finally get picked-up and I’d be on my way!  I quickly shook my head, took my tiny pet hope and stuffed it down in my pocket and heard this lyric and melody pop loudly into my head.  “Hopes Down - Get your hopes down”.  It was like a little warning and it made me laugh.  That phrase stuck with me and as I sat down later at the piano this little dance came about in my mind and I wrote “Hopes Down”.

Some good news came my way today. 

And I invited her to stay. 

We dance around the room awhile. 

Then she waltzed out and left my heart there in a pile…

Oh, but I know better

Hopes Down, Get Your Hopes Down.

Don’t let your imagination run and play.

Hopes Down, Get your Hopes Down,

cause if hope goes to floatin’ it might just float away

The verses speak of the games we play with hope…where we are even afraid to entertain the idea that something good might happen lest it quickly disappear.  When life has beaten us down, after awhile it’s like we’re afraid to “jinx” the idea… like if we take a minute to be hopeful…hope will hear us and waltz out of the room.  If your expectations are zero - you can’t be disappointed right?  :)  So the tune goes on…  (Sorry for the cussing, Mom)

Hope can be a bitch ya’ll, it’s a snitch ya’ll

Whispers secrets she can’t keep

Hope can be a bitch, he’ll scratch your itch ya’ll

But in the end you’ll bleed.

But as I worked through the tune’s cynicism-laden bridge, I asked the question…where’s the good news?  (Not all songs have good news, but most do.)  That’s when I heard what I call the “Ba Ba’s” section, which goes up into a major key and is produced to sound a bit like bubbles floating upward… because well…hope floats right?  It lifts us up. :)  As hard as it is for all of us to hold out hope sometimes, it’s essential to our survival.  Like my Dad always says “We have to have hope. Hope is the belief that things might get better.” 

So the song finishes as the character decides…she can’t quit hope…so she takes another hit of her drug of choice.

I swear I’m gonna quit ya’ll…

I take a hit ya’ll…

cause Hope I can’t quit you.

The tiny glimmers of hope we feel are often from the voice inside that says to keep on going - that in the end things will be OK. It will be worth it.  As life goes on, I want to try my best to be “cautiously optimistic”, and to hold on to whatever sliver of hope I can find.  And the truth is we all have to do that, because the alternative is a bummer. Speaking of hope - I hope this little metaphor of a song reminds you not to quit. What’re you’re doing matters.

Thanks for listening! 

LYRICS: HOPES DOWN

Some good news came my way today

And I invited her to stay

We danced around the room awhile

She waltzed out and left my heart there in a pile

But I know better…

   

Hopes Down - get your hopes down

Don’t your imagination run and play

Hopes Down - get your hopes down

 

Cuz’ if hope goes to floatin’ it might just - float away…

Mr. Dream knocked on my door

He held me close - we took a spin across the floor

Then I peeked into his eyes

He kissed my cheek before he left and turned out the lights

Oh… I know better

Hopes Down - get your hopes down

Don’t your imagination run and play

Hopes Down - get your hopes down

 

Cuz’ if hope goes to floatin’ it might just - float away…

 

Hope can be a bitch ya’ll, it’s a snitch ya’ll

Whispers secrets she can’t keep

Hope can be a bitch, he’ll scratch your itch ya’ll

But in the end you’ll bleed…

Hopes Down - get your hopes down

Don’t your imagination run and play

Hopes Down - get your hopes down

 

Cuz’ if hope goes to floatin’ it might just - float away…

Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba … I know better

Ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba … I know better

I swear I’m gonna quit, ya’ll…

I take a hit ya’ll… 

‘Cause hope I can’t quit you

When the song "Evergreen” came to me - I was feeling old.   As we age it’s easy to feel like we’re past our prime - that our most creative years are behind us.  As a female musician, especially,  you can start to feel that people think you should just give it up and leave music to young beauties who can dance. (I’m pretty sure a leotard isn’t my best look…)  

In a rare moment of vulnerability, I expressed this to a sweet friend of mine who is a professional writer.  She told me when she worked in journalism there were certain stories that were deemed “Evergreen” - meaning there was no timeline on them…they would always work and be fresh.  She looked at me and said “Some people, like you are just “Evergreen”.   

In that regard the word evergreen is defined as “retaining freshness or interest : perennial - universally and continually relevant”. This sentiment touched me deeply and reminded me no matter our age, we can always be relevant.  It made me feel my best might still be out there and that I still have things to say.  Later that night the chorus for “I Am Evergreen" landed in my head.

“I am evergreen.  Are you gonna tell me that you won’t hear what I sing?  Because I don’t look like you… well I used to.  And these times your living in - I’ve already been through them, my friend - And came out evergreen”

As the song developed it became and anthem of sorts - for those of us who need to be reminded that our voice will always be important. In fact, what we’ve lived through and experienced gives us wisdom and makes us more interesting and relevant to those with open ears. As long as we fight to remain who we were made to be…we are evergreen. I hope you see yourself somewhere in this song.

(Now, if I can just get Reba McIntire or Joan Jett to buy it and record it we’ll be all set.)

EVERGREEN LYRICS:

They say the eyes, are the window to the soul

So look in mine, there’s some things you oughta know about me

I’ve been around, a time or two in this crazy place

Enough to say I was more than just a pretty face 

Yeah, I’m more than just a pretty face

I am Evergreen.

Are you gonna tell me that you won’t hear what I sing?

Because I don’t look like you - well, I used to

And these times you’re living in - I’ve already lived through them, my friend

 

And came out Evergreen.   Evergreen….Evergreen.

These deep lines, may tell you that I’m way past my prime.

But they’ve been earned, and they show that I have learned the way.

When I look back, I’m thankful for the times good and bad

And when I dream, I know there’s good times left to have.

So many good times yet to have.

I am Evergreen.

Are you gonna tell me that you won’t hear what I sing?

Because I don’t look like you - well, I used to

And these times you’re living in - I’ve already lived through them, my friend

And came out Evergreen.   Evergreen….Evergreen.

My lines and scars - stories they do tell.

Don’t be afraid to dig deeper in the well.

There’s more to me - more than meets the eye.

So listen up.  Let me shed a little light.  - Shed a little light.

   

I am Evergreen.

Are you gonna tell me that you won’t hear what I sing?

Because I don’t look like you - well, I used to

And these times you’re living in - I’ve already lived through them, my friend

And came out Evergreen.   Evergreen….Evergreen.

So, we produced this song in a mysterious, vibe-y way…but (spoiler alert) this song is not really a feel good tune.  (Yay!)  It’s sort of a strange ode to Motherhood, but also speaks to love in any form.  Anyone who’s ever been in love, remembers the depth of feeling when you become so enraptured with someone…that it’s scary.  That person becomes so much a part of you, the thought of ever losing them is simply unbearable.  (See I told you it was heavy. :) 

I was married 18 years, before I ever became a Mom.  Honesty moment: I truly never wanted to have a kid - until I really, really did one day.  In retrospect I think part of that was fear.  I’m a very sensitive person who loves quite deeply.  Without understanding it, I think I subconsciously was terrified of the depth of emotion I would feel for this new person.  Once our daughter Evanjalyn was born… I realized I was right.  The love, attachment and inter-woveness of the three of us was overwhelming at times.  

Reflecting on this years later,  the idea for “Afraid” dropped into my head.  I didn’t even want to write it, because I didn’t want to acknowledge the emotions - but I also realized this is a fear all humans share.  The deep-seeded fear that we might lose what we love the most.  So, I worked through the unspeakable thought we all push out of our minds.  I decided to lay it out there. 

The song’s bridge has an “answer” of sorts in it… as my “bridges” often do.

“And if we voice our fears, we’ll rob them of their power - That’s why I’m singing to you about my darkest hour.  For if we’re honest here, it’s something we all share.  So take my hand, my friend… we’re gonna lay it out there.  I’m gonna lay it out there”.

For me writing this song required me to “lay it out there”.  We need to be honest with each other, with our feelings.  And on a bad day…when this fear creeps into my heart…I work to be thankful for each day I’ve had with my treasures, my loved ones.  And try to not think past the joy of having them today.

I hope “Afraid of the Way” brings you a little bit of human camaraderie and peace. 

(Ok, carry on with your day - deep moment is over.  Next time I promise I’ll share a funny song! :)

AFRAID LYRICS:

I haven’t been OK, since first I spoke your name

And when I saw your eyes - I knew I’d never be the same

My heart re-born in yours a thousand different ways

And now we’re intertwined until the end of days…the end of days

I’m afraid of the way I love you

And I fear how I need you so

In my heart I knew that’s the way it would be

That’s why I waited so long, so long to see… and it was true…

Better to have loved and lost than never loved at all

I’m not convinced that’s true, when you have so far to fall

All I can do with this is pray my fear away

I’ll close my eyes and say, I’m grateful for today…grateful for today

But, I’m afraid of the way I love you

And I fear how I need you so

In my heart I knew that’s the way it would be

That’s why I waited so long, so long to see… and it was true

And if we voice our fears ~  we’ll rob them of their power

That why I’m singing to you about my darkest hour

For if we’re honest here - it’s something we all share

So take my hand my friend… we’re gonna lay it out there

I’m gonna lay it out there

But, I’m afraid of the way I love you

And I fear how I need you so

In my heart I knew that’s the way it would be

That’s why I waited so long, so long to see… and it was true