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Harvest Jam at Pierce Auditorium
David Wilcox, Allen Levi and Nikki Frizzell
(an excerpt by L Jaye, reviewing the concert)

I'd heard a rumour about this house concert in years past. Turns out, the aforementioned Ralph is the person who coordinates it. Saw David at Variety Playhouse 18 months or so ago, right after he and family set off in the airstream. They've been galavanting across the country about that long now, pulling the airstream and toting a carbon fiber guitar. David mentioned that they aren't living on the street, they're living in driveways - a good 30 feet from the street. I can relate to that.

Going to shows and seeing the musicians several times really gives one an idea of the collective body of work they carry within. With visual art it's different - you do the work, frame it, hang it somewhere or sell it and "taa daa!" you're finished with it. Much of it isn't something that has to be repeated like laundry. Well except if you're working on an assembly line of mailboxes and onestroke painting them. Techniques are repeated, but a different thing is created each time. With music, it's different. Technique can help you put a song together, but it's love that keeps them playing. There are hundreds of ways to change it up in performance. So no wonder every now and then a lyric is forgotten to an older tune that's inserted into a set list with newer material. Of course the fans want to hear the song just like it sounds on the CD.

A song on a CD and a song performed live can be two different organisms. Seeing it performed differently a couple of times in perspective with other music on the set list gives a deeper appreciation for the level of art that songwriting is. That said, this house concert was a night for improv music with old friends (as opposed to friends who are old) who've known each other a long time. It's obvious that Allen and David really enjoy playing together, stumping each other, laughing at each other's reactions and having a good guitar pickin time.

David has a knack for taking a basic idea and turning it into a story that digs deep into the realities of relationships and life, and that's before the second verse. The depth of tone in his black carbon guitar was beautiful - even more so than I'd remembered from the Variety Playhouse show. He's a relaxed musician, confident in his ability to channel the gift of music into a plausible scenario with an often comical conclusion. He plays beautifully, but it's actually the guitar that chooses the song.

David's wife Nance got onstage for some harmony on a few tunes. Together they create a distinctive, subtle and delicate sound. It's a little like listening to sunlight on a spider's web. The lines are so delicately beautiful prior to the light illuminating them with rainbow shimmer, that when it does hit, you are amazed at the wonder of it all over again.

Allen had the audience in a vulnerable place with simultaneous tears and laughter. The song about the turtle crossing I-85 is a hoot - just when you think it can't get worse for this poor fella in the middle of the road, it keeps going downhill with each successive verse. But oddly enough, the song is hilariously tragic, even for a nature loving, turtle saving hippie chick as myself.

Allen has recorded a CD of folks from his hometown of Hamilton, Georgia. An interesting blend of interviews with neighbors, and the songs he wrote about them. You can bet it's already in the playlist for the new radio show set to debut....soon!

Opening Harvest Jam was Nikki Frezell. Nikki has beautiful auburn hair, soft brown eyes, a quick smile and a beautiful spirit. She opened the show and played the huge grand piano with delicate style and finesse. Sans one shoe. Believe me, if it makes the music better, take off both shoes! This mother of a 4 year old has recently set out to pursue her dream of singing. If Harvest Jam is any indication, she's well on her way to a fabulous career in music.

Nikki's song "Pretty" touched my heart. The melody sounds like a child skipping through a meadow in the sunlight, picking wildflowers for her mother. Nikki's beautiful vocal wove story into song about a a woman in her latter years. She is looking in the mirror of her life, seeing the landscape of experiences etched upon her body. Looking over her shoulder in the mirror, she sees her mother standing behind her, saying that "she will always be pretty, witty and wise."

There is nothing like a mother's love. From the beginning, mothers are tested in their ability to endure hardship and suffering to bring new life into the world. For most, there is an armful of joy at the end of the tunnel of pain; a time to hold the baby and marvel at the wonder of the miracle.

This song goes right to the playlist of the Mothers show to be released in the Spring. It belongs with Jennifer Daniel's "Tatoo" and a few other songs heard recently. In fact, the show is kind of writing itself. Will let you know when it's time to give birth!

So once again, a great night of live music here in the neighborhood. Or very close to it. Hope you can get to one of the upcoming shows at a local venue soon. You'll be glad you did.

“Love Colored Glasses” has been honored with 3rd place in the Contemporary Christian Music International songwriting contest. Go to www.ccmni.mmgi.org to learn more about this outstanding resource for Christian songwriters.

“Shine” is the featured independent CD for the first half of April in Christianity Today magazine. Reviewed by Christa Bannister, the article can be found at online www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2006/shine.html
What an honor to receive the attention of this multi-faceted and widely popular international communication. My deep gratitude to Christa, whose article caused a surge in website hits and sales and numerous emails and inquiries, many from other aspiring songwriters. To view an authorized reprint of the review, please continue to the journaling page. Save the link in your favorites – Christianity Today is an outstanding publication!

"So Much Good" takes honors in the Positive Pop Song Contest in November, 2005. Lifetime supply of pop rocks candy - What is a lifetime supply anyway?

Mission Assist has received permission to use "Made for a Mission" as it's theme song. Mission Assist is a non-denominational faith based organization dedicated to assisting and supporting grass-roots missions and ministries that meet the physical and spiritual needs of hurting people at home and around the globe. For more information go to www.missionassist.org.

The CD release concert was a great success! Thanks to everyone who came out to show support! I was blessed by your attendance, your participation, and your many many phone calls and emails afterwards. I'm glad you enjoyed the event, especially you crazy kids, and you all made it a very special evening for me! I am keeping memories of that night alive with a photo album of you. My prayer is that you'll remember those special moments too, and that you'll continue to search for your light, and hold it up as high as you can. There are so many people living in the gray right now, especially now. For them, let's SHINE!

I am so pleased to announce that a national campaign is underway to promote "Love Colored Glasses" to radio. I've been working with well known radio promoter Wendell Gafford. He has partnered with Christian Artist Resources director, Mark Pay, and together we're going to get this song into radio! I'm amazed and excited about what God has planned, and I appreciate your continued prayer. Starting on September 6th, please call your local Christian radio stations and request "Love Colored Glasses." We'll be working on KTIS, and it's pretty tough for an independant artist like myself to break in there. But it has been done, right? Sara Groves, Joel Hanson, Go Fish.... Want to give KTIS a call? Here's the number: (651) 631-5050. I'll keep you posted on how the campaign in going. I wrote a little story about my first visit to a radio station. It was an amazing experience. Read about it on the Journaling page!

Nikki releases her first CD, "SHINE". Recorded in Nashville and in St. Paul, Nikki partnered with the talented Nate Sabin to produce her debut release. With some of the very best musicians in the recording industry backing her, Nikki has put together a well-rounded record of eleven original songs. The music is inspiring, and particularly so because it doesn't try to fit into the CCM mold.

• Nikki’s original song “Mindful” wins 2nd place in the NACAS sponsored Seminar in the Cities songwriting contest
• “I Feel Like Flying” is featured at all Northwest Airlines weekly Flight Attendant graduation ceremonies during 2000 and 2001.
• “Mindful” and “I Feel Like Flying” receive placement in the 2002 release of Plenty of Music, a compilation CD sponsored by the Minnesota Association of Christian Songwriters.
• “Your Birthday” is selected for addition to The Heartbeat of Christmas 2002 compilation CD. The artists toured the state raising funds for Sharing and Caring Hands Christian Charity. Nikki participated in numerous statewide performances, including the Mall of America and the Basilica.
• “Your Birthday” places in the 2003 International Songwriting Competition. www.songwritingcompetition.com
• Nikki wins Cooch Music 2003 songwriting contest honorable mentions with two songs, a first in the history of the Cooch contest. www.coochmusic.com
• “I Am” receives placement in the Music75-One pop/rock compilation CD, winning over thousands of other entries in this international online indy music contest. www.music75.com
• Nikki wins 1st place in the 2003 Unisong International Song Contest with “Mindful.” Thousands of songs were submitted from around the world. www.unisong.com