davidraleigh.com


Happy Birthday To Me! Yes, yes, my birthday is next week! And - if you know me well, or even just a little - you know I'm not shy about celebrating it as much as I can! It's only fun though - if you have friends around to celebrate it with! This year I'm celebrating twice! Friday night, July 15th at Rockwood Music Hall here in NYC I'll be doing a mini acoustic set at 8:30 pm with a little after party to follow. Come one and all - we'll have fun! However, I want to do something special with those of you who are my true fans and lovers of my music, so on Sunday night, July 17th - I would like to invite you to a private, by invitation only concert I am performing for my dear friends and supporters. As you know the last few years I have embarked on a musical journey that has taken me around the globe, back and around again:-) My album, "Beginning Again" has already surpassed my expectations in sales and the video for the first single, "I Do!" directed by Alan Cumming and Ned Stresen - Rueter, has a had a long and successful run in the Top 10 on MTV/Logo as well as placement on the charts of MTV, SpikeTV and VH1 online. I give the credit for this musical metamorphosis to my producer and friend, Nathan Leigh Jones. Besides being a producer and a well known Australian voice over artist , NLJ is a singer, amazing songwriter, pop piano player, and recording artist celebrating his new album "Sooner Or Later", which debuted to rave reviews in April, and is now on the road promoting the soon to be released music video from his first #1 single "Beautiful You". We have just finalized the arrangements to join together this fall for four (so far, more may be added) joint concerts in the Asian Pacific region, including Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia. Nathan will be in NYC this week and I want to take the opportunity to invite you out for a special evening to meet him and to get a preview of the show we are calling; David Raleigh / Nathan Leigh Jones: One Together I would be honored if you would come and be with us for this private musical soiree. Please RSVP by July 13th by responding to this email. I must tell you, the venue is intimate and seats are limited so act quickly. I want you at my party! Thank you again for being a close friend, fan and supporter of my music. I so appreciate you and hope to see you on the 17th (please see below). Don't forget! It's my birthday! (I told you I was shameless about it!) so if you don't come for the music! Come for the cake! LOL! Looking forward! David
The David Raleigh "Beginning Again" Chocolate Chip Cookie Contest is ON!! So as many of you know. I love to bake Chocolate Chip Cookies! In fact, if you've ever been to my apartment - you know there's usually a fresh batch on a plate almost right as you enter the door! They are yummy and delicious if I do say so myself (and "I Do!" LOL!) and the ingredients and the way I bake them are a special secret! Some of you that have had one or two before have mentioned them in your emails, regaling to me how good my cookies are:-) a few of you have even begged for the recipe!! (HA! Never!) This got me to thinking (I know, no funny comments on how rare that is!) and I realized , -"I bet they all want some!" So I decided to throw a little contest! - Go to back to my home page here at www.davidraleigh.com - Sign up on my mailing list. - Click on the "contact" tab at the top. - Write -"I want my CCC's!!" in the subject space - Write - Your email address in the email space then - Tell me your favorite song on my new album "Beginning Again" and why you like it. - Include your postal address. 10 winners will be chosen! They will receive a dozen of my World Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies and their names and comments will be published in the next email! The top 5 will also receive a DR tee shirt! The "David Raleigh 'Beginning Again' Cookie Contest" begins NOW and will end next Friday, August 20th at midnight.
...and in my heart. Thank you to all of you that answered the question "What is your favorite song on my new album "Beginning Again" and why?" I was overwhelmed and humbled by all the responses that I received! And even though some of the most descriptive ones were from long time fans, and in some cases friends and family - newer listeners and fans surprised me with their heartfelt and sweet answers. It was difficult to pick just 10. I had to include 7 honorable mentions! All the winners will receive cookies! The top 10 will also receive a David Raleigh Tee Shirt, and the top 5 will receive a copy of "Beginning Again" You all read and eat! - I'd better get baking! AND THE WINNERS ARE: #1 I have two favourite songs! The first is "Get up and Dance" because when I hear it, I dance around the loungeroom like a crazy person. Sometimes Jaimie-Leigh, our dog joins in. My other favoutire song is "Safe" because it about heros and I love heros. I figured this out because I heard you say that you drove off a cliff and ran into fire I said to my mum that Buzz Lightyear would have done that too, hence my conclusion that it's about heros. Love from - Tobey William Jones, The First Family, Balhannah, South Australia #2 Here's my favorite songs from the album and it's a close tie, but if I had to choose ONE, I would say "The Only One". "Beginning Again" is a really close second. Although the whole album is already an instant classic. "The Only One" speaks to me since I resonate with the lyrics in my personal life right now. I had my BF play it in his car as we were driving and he kept saying, "who is this? who is this? I love this song!" "Beginning Again" should be the mantra of everyone who is looking for inspiration though. And that's what I'm all about. I can't wait to hear this live again!!! - Rick Harper, Brooklyn, New York #3 Your email came asking for a favorite song and I was just thinking about connecting with you about the same subject. Ashton plays "The Only One" on an endless loop in his car. We went up state a few days ago and he played it at least 20 times in a row. It has now been fully imprinted on my brain BUT it is not my favorite. From the moment I first heard it during your performance at Joe's Pub I loved the last song "Begining Again". You really touch a core truth of life. Very inspirational. I've often listened to it since then and it feels like you are singing to me. Actually, I've thought of you quietly singing it to me before I go to sleep. Kind of like a lullaby. That can move me right though the usual bs at least for a little while. Jeezus, Mike snap out of it! - Mike DePirro, New York City #4 It is very difficult to pick just one song that I love on your new album (I am showing my age) CD!! I really enjoyed three in particular "One Together"...should be sung on the 9/11 anniversary. "Stand Up" is also a great message and I loved "Get Up and Dance" I enjoy dancing to that. It is different from your usual songs. However, I must pick "Ready, Willing & Able" as the best one for me because it reminds me of my favorite David Raleigh song "In My Wildest Dreams" from another time. You are one of the best entertainers I have ever enjoyed working with and watching. Good Luck to you and to me in winning your delicious cookies! Love you, xx - Leah Sutton, Miami Beach, Florida #5 "Life Begins Today" is my favorite song off the new album. I like it because it's upbeat and inspiring. It's the song I can put on on a Monday morning on my way in to work to help me forget it's the beginning of a new work week and help me past the post weekend blahs. - Ryan Cox, Dallas Texas #6 David!!!! I love all your songs because it's you! I can hear your smile through your songs and it makes me smile too. I love "One Together" - Lea Sergiacomi, New York City #7 All of the songs I love;inspirational words, and that voice of yours makes them all a listening joy. But if I HAVE to pick, then I'll choose "GET UP AND DANCE". It makes me want to get up and dance! - Carmen Turner, Las Vegas, Nevada #8 My favorite song on your new album is "Get Up and Dance" because of its powerful message of being an individual. We should all dance in our own way for a better day! peace out! - Deb Bahl-Moore, Minneapolis, Minnesota #9 "Gratitude" is probably my all time fave of the album... so beautifully written... makes me cry everytime... - Rob Miketa, New York City #10 "Life Begins Today" because we need to live in the here and now! - Reverend Pat Bumgardner, New York City Honorable Mentions "Beginning Again" Dearheart...........Thank you for 'writing'. The "why" is because of its spirit and the beat.......although choosing one selection was difficult. - Murray and Carole Lynn Steiner, New York CIty "I Do" because you sang it at our wedding. Love you man! - Mike Bahl, Minneapolis Minnesota I Do!" Played it at my sisters wedding. Tears in my eyes. - Andreas Theime, Johannesburg, South Africa Favorite song - "I DO" (It is so delightful and intuitive.) - Jackie Rosner, Century City, California Darling David.....your new album is wonderful!!!!!! Especially "LIFE BEGINS TODAY"...what a lilting, fun, sing-along tune!!! - Ann Clements, Atlanta, Georgia My favorite song is "Gratitude." I know you wrote that for Rick, but it really is an all encompassing love song :) - Karen Bahl, Minneapolis, Minnesota "I DO!" I love this song! It's sweet and fun and has a catchy melody-- Joel and I both said, "I Do!" in Vegas on 02 January 2010, and we'd love to play this song at our church wedding on 02 Januarty 2011 in the Philippines if that's ok with you. - Emerita Alcid, Philippines
Happy New Year! I trust this finds all of you well, feeling prosperous and enjoying the beginning of an amazing 2011! I'm hoping that I can top the incredible year that 2010 was for me! A new album, two top ten charting music videos, a bunch of well attended concerts around the world, two sold out ones right here in NYC! The launch and success of a new annual event to support a charity near to my heart, and most importantly about 500 new fans who are as excited as I am about my music. I couldn't be a happier man! So first and foremost I must thank all of you for being a part of all the good that was last year, and - Here's to this one! May we all continue to travel down our own unique paths and strive to accomplish our goals. May we never give up - because amazing things can happen to those who persevere, work hard, create their own truth and believe that life can every day, begin again. My life has been quite the roller coaster since I began my musical journey. I've had some great successes, some very depressing failures and all the in-betweens. But I'm thankful for a wonderful mother, a loving and supportive partner, who's fantastic family has become mine, an incredible friend and producer, great pals and colleagues and an abundance of you - fans and supporters from around the world, who keep in touch, share your stories and lives with me, inspire me - and make me realize that life is beautiful. My goal for this year is to do my best to improve the quality of my life, my relationships and my work. I want to learn the lesson that you can't please everyone, it's impossible. You can't live for others and you must not allow the negativity of others to prevent you from moving forward towards your goals. Above all else I want to remember how invaluable it is that we take the time each day to say "I love you" to those who matter most, even if they don't want to hear it, to take time to "stop and smell the roses", enjoy a great cup of coffee, and dig your toes in the sand. (Or boots in the snow if you're living anywhere near me at the moment!) I want to remember to say "Thank you" more, and let it be known that I am grateful for all I have, and have been given. Not only because it all could be taken away tomorrow, but because I truly am thankful and grateful. I must admit it's easy for me to feel grateful and thankful at the moment! I'm heading back to my beloved new found favorite city of Sydney in a few weeks to perform a few shows as part of the Sydney Mardi Gras Music Festival and I'm very excited! It's going to be warm and sunny, and I'm going to relax and have "no worries" as only the true "Sydney - siders" do!:-) So if you're on that side of my world - please get your moshtix - on sale now! I'll see you at the show! And if you're on this side of my world - think about taking a break from this ridiculous cold and jetting down to join us! Qantas is still having that "Oprah Special!":-) http://www.moshtix.com.au/event.aspx?id=43418&ref=moshtix I look forward to hopefully seeing, hanging out and singing for all of you this year! Thank you for your continued support of me and my music. David P.S. My producer Nathan Leigh Jones is wrapping up and putting the final touches on his new solo album coming out very soon! Sign up on his mailing list and stay tuned to his site www.nljmusic.com for release and upcoming concert dates. Get ready to be "NLJ'amazed!"