MY ROCKSTAR
JOURNEY
Here is your backstage pass to join my rockstar journey - where we can strive to realize our dreams through music together! Watch along as I challenge societal expectations and my own reservations so as to inspire your own dreams!. Share your guidance with me as I explore new realms in stage fashion, musical performance, positive mindsets, self-care/fitness, travel, and much more. Here you will get a front-row/behind-the-scenes perspective while also meeting the people that inspire Music By Saxy along the way! Together, we can break the mold, push boundaries, and forge our own path - one leap of faith at a time! And most of all, I want to join YOUR rockstar journey! Use #TOOSAXY to share the moments when you overcome limitations, conquer your fears, or achieve your aspirations!
SAXY GOES VIRAL ON SOUTHWEST
I've never played higher than this! (Approximately 30,000 feet in the air to be exact). Thank you to the Southwest crew for asking me to play and to Johnny with the pink hair for capturing it on video. I couldn't decide exactly how I wanted to share this story with you all, so choose your own Saxy storytellin' adventure below!
AUTHENTIC VERSION
DRAMATIC VERSION
ABSURD VERSION
SAXY NACHOS
Nothing can be cooler than having a menu item named after you - except when it is the bar that is also named after your band! That is why I was so blown away when Brent and Joe decided to make a Barley band-themed menu at Project Barley Taps & Grill in Redondo Beach. The whole band started coming up with names for entrees and appetizers based on our songs, albums, and stage personas. Like the "Nate Dog and the "Country Songs Burger." When it came to what mine would be, I and the rest of the band knew immediately which item should carry the Saxy name.
Dating back to the infamous On The Rocks Sunday Fundays with Barley Legal in the late 2000s, I religiously ordered the chips and salsa because it was pretty much all I could afford back then. How can you not love chips and salsa or even better Nachos!
So if you are down at the Waterfront, make sure to pick up some Saxy Chips & Salsa or Saxy Nachos and let me know what you think! I myself remember ordering them with such pride and they were so good! A tribute to the SAXY Brand and the Barley legacy.
the menu!
AN UNEXPECTED SUMMER
Little did I know that this summer I would find myself leading a jazz band with my own daughter playing trumpet at the college where I work...or see myself serving as moderator for a panel of music industry executives...or as the MC for three weeks of performance feature amazing young musicians and producers. Yet all this and more happened during the 2024 Summer at LACM program at Los Angeles College of Music.
Not a single skill or experience of mine was left unharnessed in the course of running this program. Everything from handling live sound to reformatting flash drives to ExFAT on-the-fly - and doing so all while running out the door so many nights to make it to my own shows and rehearsals. Even more shocking was the transformation I saw in my daughter Edie, who threw caution to the wind and embraced her #toosaxy moment to sing a jazz standard live, write an original song in a matter of days, and perform said song for full house and a live stream.
Having a role at a music college where I can fully utilize my range of acquired skills to support the future music careers of emerging talents is a blessing beyond words. And even when I thought this program had me near collapse from exhaustion, my amazing Director Mel and I found the fortitude to persevere. And to top it all off, I walked away with a newfound sense of self-reliance as well as my BMI from all the walking throughout the campus. I cannot be more grateful to all those that supported the program on staff, including those who placed their trust in me to guide this program and it's amazing students.
BOSU BALL WORKOUT
I never knew what the strange, half-yoga ball in the hotel gym was until Nate B. explained it to me at a Hilton before our show in Avon Park, FL (2021). Now four years on, my balance training is key to pre-show #rockstarjourney workout, which you can even see on the official @bosufitness Instagram!
Though Nate got me started with a few moves that day, I took his advice to search YouTube for some guided workouts once I got back home.
After a short scroll, the immediate stand out was Katie Kasten Wasilisin (@yogi.ish), whose energetic, approachable, and encouraging vibe was perfect for a newcomer. Katie's short 20-minute videos fit my pre-commute workout needs perfectly while also supporting both my stage moves mobility and saxophone/vocal cardio goals.
Like Nate did for me, I felt my Bosu benefits were best shared with my friends who might also want to make gains with a low barrier to entry. The response from followers has been tremendous, and I was blown away to see @bosu_fitness re-post my video and nearly 41,000 views back in Feburary 2024 right before our show in Hilton Head. Definitely validating to have so much support - and to have an alt-trampoline in the house for Benny! You can check out his solo-go on the Bosu on #rockstarjourney Part 37
BENNY COLLABS!
100% grateful for Benny wanting to jump in (literally) on the #rockstartjourney and the MuscBySaxy social! Like his dad, he is a natural ham for the camera with no reservations or qualms about turning an innocent workout into hysterics!
For #rockstarjourney Part 24, Benny personally chose the playlist for our "Family Fitness" session, which features the vocal stylings and unique songwriting of TJ Mack (@brianjordanalvarez).
As my impromptu fitness trainer, Benny keeps the pace hot - always one up-ing me or pulling out the pool noodle and Nerf guns to lay the smackdown when I fall behind. So far, his patent form of "crossfight" has netted over 20k views. He also has a pretty hysterical idea of "Leg Day" as well.
Ben is also game to cameo in any of the Saxy Merch unboxing, Shoe Show Cleaning, or a Saxy Fits reveal videos, never hesitating to show off his own recent toy acquisition in the process. To me, he's giving "future-influencer" vibes! Here he is - transformers and all - for the Saxy sticker reveal.
BEHIND THE LOGO
After more than a year of gathered inspiration and creative collaboration, Team Saxy has given visual form to what being "Saxy" is all about! The new SAXY logo represents a lifestyle of performing fearlessly while encouraging the same in others! Neon pink symbolizes the bright stage lights of an epic stage show while the open lettering harkens to the neon signage of a trendy club or music venue. Like a "bat signal," The SAXY logo is a call to action that always leads the way to "fun!"
The rightward italicized font captures my in-your-face approach to my audience - leaned forward, eyes open, and ready to engage! The gradient underline represents the spirit of performance-in-motion - like a Saxy walk racing through the aisleway. Not only is the stylized saxophone "Y" my favorite type of sax (tenor), but also embodies the often aloof, cartoon-like nature of my performing personality. I dig the organic, fantasy quality of the dragon-like sax that seems coiled and ready to pounce!
I cannot express how grateful I am to Team Saxy CMO, colleague, and true friend Kirsten Israel for her masterful creation of the SAXY logo and the joy I feel seeing it come to life to share with you all!
MY FIRST DANCE LESSON
Working towards a better tomorrow, one stage move at a time... I have wanted to meet up with @helloitsbrielle since we met last fall to learn how to improve, refine, and develop my on-stage moves and antics. She is an absolute superstar, not to mention a pro-level competitive salsa dancer that just opened her own dance studio @siempresoldance. I'm lucky to have such a patient and supportive teacher in this totally new part of my rockstar journey. #toosaxy
SAXY GOES VIRAL ON SOUTHWEST
Sometimes what seems like a bad thing at first can literally turn into one of the greatest moments of your life. We all know how frustrating it can be when you forget to check-in for your Southwest flight and end up in the "Deep C's" - especially when you have a larger overhead item like a saxophone case. As I ended up being literally the last person to board the flight, I could tell immediately that there would be no place to put my horn. But along came the amazing Shalon of the flight staff who found the very last place they could put my sax without having to check it and risk damage. Later that flight, I pulled out my travel keyboard to practice for the upcoming Private Eyes tour when Shalon asked me what I was up to. I told her that I was working on my sax parts via keyboard, to which she said "why not practice on the real thing?" Before I knew it she had pulled my saxophone from the bin and was announcing my name over the loudspeaker. After the applause of approval from the passengers and a short interview in the galley, I was on my way down the aisle taking requests as I went. I hit all the classics like Careless Whisper, Maneater, and then topped it off with Tequila since I could guarantee everyone would shout at the end! I'll never forget walking through rows of people with their phones out - all pointed at me. I thanked Shalon profusely for the truly surreal experience. After posting a short video of the Saxy Walk at 30,000 ft, I was contacted by Southwest social media for permission to repost it on their accounts. And now 297k views later, so many that saw the video tell me how much they loved seeing Southwest Saxy!
Authentic Version
SAXY GOES VIRAL ON SOUTHWEST
How could this have happened again? Me checking into a Southwest flight only 2 hours before takeoff? Such a rookie move from a seasoned traveler like Saxy. Yet here I know I am in the very last of the "C's" wondering how I'm going to fit this saxophone in the now packed overhead compartments. Checking it would be saxophone suicide, so I'll just have to do whatever I can to get it on board. Dang! Every compartment is full and there is nowhere to put my baby! "Follow me," says a member of the flight staff after seeing the distress on my face. And back we go to the flight closet of last resort. "I'm Shalon," she says, to which I respond, "Well, I am Saxy, but you can call me grateful! A couple of hours into the flight, I feel the need to start prepping for the upcoming Private Eyes tour - so out with my travel keyboard to practice. Once again, I have attracted the attention of Shalon who asks, "What is that?:" I say it's my keyboard I used to practice my saxophone parts on because I can't play the real thing on a plane." She responds with, "Well, why not?" Moments later, Shalon has my sax ready to go from the back closet and has the plane loudspeaker in hand. "Who wants to hear some saxophone," she says to a round of applause from the passengers (now turned audience). I couldn't believe it! My first thought was "Will I be put on a no-fly list if I do this?" Fortunately, my second thought was I have to get someone to take a video or no one will ever believe this! Shalon was so on it and had my phone in the hand of a passenger within moments. But that wasn't all - she was going to interview me right there in the galley over the loudspeaker! Timidly, I approached the phone, nervous to actually get too close or touch it. But as soon as the words "My name is Saxy" left my lips, I felt the complete calm of confidence fall over me. No longer was I in a plane full of passenger isles. I was on a stage with rows of audiences, all seemingly with phones in hand ready to capture the moment! My own "auto-pilot" kicked in and I immediately gave them the "Maneater" intro, followed quickly by the obligatory "Careless Whisper." A "Bakers Street" later I was on to a song I knew would get the plane lit. So with my most guttural of saxophone growls, I played The Champ's classic hit all the way through the isle - flinching when the whole plane shouted "Tequilla" at the end. I turned to see so many smiling faces and was flattered by the compliments I received as I returned to the galley for my sax case. Months later, I am greeted by so many who saw the moment shared on Southwest Airlines' social media (seen by almost 300K to date!). It just goes to show that a seemingly bad start to a day can turn into one of the most rewarding experiences. And hopefully, I was able to turn around the day for a few others on that flight as well!
Dramatic Version
SAXY GOES VIRAL ON SOUTHWEST
"Ladies & Gentleman, is there an entertainer on board?" came a voice through the plane's intercom. At first, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I'm sure we've all had visions of that day where fate calls upon us to come to the rescue, but when it does, you can never be fully ready for it. But even in the confusion, I had my hand in the air ready to serve for whatever may be happening. Having recognized me immediately from the boarding process, Shalon of the flight staff dashed to the back of the plane to grab the standard emergency saxophone as equipped on all Southwest flights. I slapped the reed on as fast as I could while Shalon reassured the passengers to remain calm. The immense pressure I should have reasonably felt at that moment quickly subsided, overtaken by a sense of responsibility to my fellow passengers. Soon now, each passenger would be freed from the monotony of this flight through the power of music. As soon as Shalom announced my name over the PA, I saw cell phone camera rolls being filled by the entire plane. Long had they yearned for their requests to be played and now, they were being so! A hot start with "Maneater" followed by the national anthem of saxophonists "Careless Whisper." Though we were traveling at 500+ miles an hour and over 30,000 ft in the air, I made sure that every aisle became a front-row seat and that many a memory was permeated. As I reached the back of the plane, I might turbulence took hold of the plane accompanied by the muffled cockpit voices of the pilots. Downed out by the vibrations, I just barely heard them say "Give Us Tequila!" Knowing full well that no responsible pilot would drink while flying, I gave them exactly what they needed instead. With all my remaining strength, I growled out the notes of the classic Champ's song so hard on my saxophone that I felt one of my tonsils start to come loose. Pressing on to the end, I reached the penultimate note of the song followed by a chorus of voices shouting enrapturedly "Tequila!" And with that, the plane righted itself and resumed stable flight. The passengers broke out into applause, many shaking my hand as I walked back. Upon landing, the thankful pilots patted me on the back and told of how inspired they were - so much so that they had decided to honor the occasion by creating their own tribute band to the music of The Grateful Dead and Stone Temple Pilots called The Grateful Pilots. With the day saved thanks to the quick thinking of Shalon and to the trick of fate that put me on that plane that day, I proudly watched the videos of the moment that Tequila saved us all. Even Southwest Airlines themselves shared the auspicious occasion with their social media following, and I am often approached by many of the 297K who saw the moment online. So from now on - I nor you should ever forget that any one of us may be called upon to serve in a time of need and to check in the inflight safety card to know where the emergency sax is located.
Absurb Version