"...I'm Just Speakin' From My Heart...."

As Jake put it...tonight was very serendipitous... So let me explain. Last week my parents came to Oregon for a visit and to bring me my cats. They told me that when they were leaving they were stopping off in Utah. I thought that it would be a good thing for me to go...so I went with them. Wednesday night I asked my mom when we were leaving for Arizona, she said we were leaving Friday morning and staying in Laughlin for the night. Later that night I checked my email and saw that Jake Walden was performing in Vegas Friday night. I asked my mom if it would be a possibility to make it to the venue. She said yes, and re-booked us for Vegas!
I was so excited. I was going to see him in concert. The whole time I was thinking that he would be on stage and there was going to be a small audience, and that maybe there was a chance to get a CD, have it signed, shake his had, say a few words and maybe a picture or two. That was not how the evening turned out. It was so much more amazing than I could have ever asked for or expected.
My mom and I went to The Artisan Hotel, we got there early...(wasn't sure how to get there)...we got inside and I was amazed that there was a piano right there with very intimate seating and lighting and such a beautiful place. We sat there for a while and watched Joe, the sound guy, making sure that everything was in place and working. Two women came off the elevator and had a couple of small boxes and they were looking for another box that was supposed to be down there. I watched them set up a few things, and one of the ladies came over and asked a question, then she asked if we were here to see Jake? I told her yes, and that I was so excited because I wrote a blog about him and she was like your Bren? She told us that he had forwarded that onto his family and so they kind of knew who I was. This lady was Jake's aunt! I was so floored and amazed that they knew who I was. So we chatted for awhile about Jake and family and little things. They are amazing ladies! I want to say Hi to Lori and Heather! You two are so sweet and amazing! I am so glad that I got to meet the two of you and hope to see you in the future! I bought two of Jake's CD's and had a nice little chat about Jake and how his music and words have touched my life. He inspires me to let my creativity show. I have written poems and in a journal for years, but have kept them close to me and only shared them with close friends and family. He makes me feel like I can share it with more people.
Jake finally came out of the elevator and I was in awe that he was really there and that he would be sitting so close. He sat down and looked at me and gave me a smile like he may have recognized me. I wasn't to sure. He sang his songs so beautifully, with just the piano, his words and his voice. He started out with "Be Still", which is simply a beautiful song. His voice carries such emotion and inspiration. I love how he starts out with playing the introduction and then says the name of the song. I also love that he plays with no shoes on! So cute! He then sang "Desperado" for his parents. It was a beautiful dedication to his parents, who have been married 33 years! I don't know them, but they sure have raised an amazing young man, full of emotion and love. Then he sang "The Line", my favorite line from that song that is "...Sometimes I wonder if you'll know how very rare you are..." His words are so so beautiful and vulnerable. Then he sang "For Someone" there are no words to describe how this song makes me feel. The line in there.."..I'm just speakin' from my heart..." is exactly how his whole album is, and even when he does covers he put the emotion in every word and has such intensity. He did a cover of "Bleeding Love" and it is a very beautiful version. I love the words, but I love the emotion that Jake puts behind the words. You feel the meaning of the words and I don't know how anyone wouldn't feel something when Jake sings. The next song that he sings is special to me. It has a lot of meaning and fits so perfectly into my life in so many ways. He sang "We Are" and just before he started the song, he looked right at me and said "This is for you"...How amazing is that?? I couldn't believe it. He is so so kind and genuine. It's funny how he said it was for me how much hope it gives me, the words give you hope, and I believe that "We are not broken" Through everything in life we are not broken, many things tear us down and hurt us, but we come through it stronger and more capable of growing and becoming who we are to become. This song has so much meaning to me. He sang a song that I cannot remember the name of, but it was so beautiful, I think I was still somewhere thinking "Did he just say that this song was for me? How amazing is this? Did that really happen?" and how I wished so much that my best friend, Laura could be there to share this with me. "We Are" is her "faborite" song! I love you Lo! and I miss you so so so very much! This song also reminded me of my dear dear friend Shari and how much she has taken recently and she is not broken! She is amazing, I love you Shari!! Back to Jake. He then sang "Wide Awake" I love that song! My favorite line in that is "...you're the only calm I've know..." There have been times in my life where those exact words were applicable. He then introduced his aunts and cousins that were there and spoke such lovely words of his grandmother. He sang "The Storm" and it was beautiful. My mom cried as did I. As Jake said this song wasn't written for his grandmother, but that it changed, into something new. I think that true, heartfelt, raw music is an art form that has been lost in the world of mainstream music, the music that is just out there to make someone another buck. Jake has this true, heartfelt raw art that connects people and many people can take one of his songs and it will mean something to them. It can mean anything to anyone of us if we take the time to truly listen and give the art of music a real listen. Jake sang "Alive and Screaming" for Verena. At this point I just have to say that ALL his songs are my favorite you just can't pick just one. This song has such a beautiful history to it. I don't know that I could tell like Jake does, but go to his myspace page http://www.myspace.com/jakewalden...you can read how many of his songs have such a deep meaning to Jake. Jake asked for any special request from Verena, she really didn't say anything and someone else said a cover of a Beatles song, Jake didn't go for that. I really wanted to hear "Too Young"! He wasn't sure at first because he hadn't played it in a long time, but I gave him a double thumbs up and told him he would do great. I love love that song. It breaks my heart when I have lost touch with someone that I thought would be in my life all the time. I have been lucky enough to find some "old friends" and been able to reconnect with them, and friends are truly a blessing. I have some of the most wonderful friends and family in my life and I cherish every single one of them. I try so hard to let them know how much they mean to me, because life can throw some rough stuff your way, and you never know what will happen or who you could lose. Everyone then said "ENCORE! ENCORE" He did a cover of "Yellow" by Coldplay and I like Jake's version better, even though he didn't know all of it, it was pretty great!
He was done singing! I was sad, I think that I could listen to Jake sing the ABC's and still feel awe! We all got up to shake hands, chat a little, get our CD's signed and meet Jake. I became very nervous at this point. His aunts and my mom kept encouraging me to get up there, but I was waiting for the right moment. My mom was so wonderful to be there with me and I am so glad to have her in my life. This road trip has been so amazing and I have seen again how wonderful my parents are. I love you both so much and thank you for bringing me here!! Jake came over to me and he said HE was HONORED to meet ME?? He is so gracious and humble. I was HONORED to meet HIM! We shared some lovely words that will forever inspire my soul. Jake truly is an angel and we are all so blessed to have the privilege to share in his soul and his journey through life.
Thank you Jake for letting us into the depths of your soul and for being so very brave in putting yourself out there. Keep your family and friends close and let them keep you grounded. I believe that most of the people in the world are good, but there will be people that will try to break you down. Don't let them and just be who you are, and you will gain strength and character as you go on this journey. You have inspired me and I am so grateful that I have had the pleasure to be in your company in such a beautiful setting.