Michael Phelps...How Can He Retire?

I just don't think I can think of the summer olympics without Michael Phelps. I can't remember much before the 2004 Athens Olympics. Okay, I do actually remember the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics and the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

But even then, Michael Phelps WAS actually in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Australian Ian Thorpe was the man of the hour then, but now it's all about Michael Phelps!

So after 18 Olympic gold medals where does he go from there? Does he become a sportscaster? Does he coach? Does he become a motivational speaker?

I guess no one, maybe not even Phelps himself, knows what is next.

But, face it. Amazing athlete. Amazing Olympics so far!

And "The Moment" played on Y105 this morning! Hooray!

NEW review of "Scars on My Heart"

A new review of my 2011 sophomore album "Scars on My Heart" just published on www.merryandbright.blogspot.com!

Here's part of the review:

The album closes with, in my opinion, the two strongest performances.  On "This Time" Jillaine explores her range, strategically incorporating the lows into the higher-register themes, with superb results.  Craig Alder is stunning on guitar and bass.

"Doubts R&B" is an extended reworking of "Doubts" from earlier in the album.  It goes back to basics - vocals and piano - with simply perfect results, and gets my vote for the best performance on the album.  It is a shining moment in all aspects - vocal and instrumental performance (Craig Alder returns on piano), lyrics, and arrangement.  Love, love, love it.  It is a great way to bring the album to a close - the listener is left wanting more.

On a side note, things have been a bit hectic! My dad had a heart stent put in on Tuesday and we are all adjusting to eating heart healthy meals! I think we eat healthy but heart healthy requires a lot more understanding and a little more preparation time sometimes. We are all supporting his efforts to being heart healthy! I will share some great recipes we are discovering. 

Love Song? You Bet!

So I'm known for my angry, confrontational, "you-don't-love-me," "you-are-a-jerk" original songs. People who know me personally are often shocked I write so many of these songs because I am very happy, well-adjusted, and cheerful.

I have performed and recorded covers of many love songs, but I've never written one. Frankly, I have tried REALLY hard to write a love song, but never could get words to work out the way I liked. That changed a few months ago...NOT because I am dating someone I love!

I've never had to deliver a song on a topic before, but a last semester class required I do just that. Plus, I was assigned a co-writer, Justin Jensen. Musically, our styles complimented each other and we were able to knock out a beautiful love song, "The Moment," which just landed on iTunes today. It's a duet and features Justin on voice and piano.

My next point. I learned I could write on demand with the right co-writer.  This is liberating because I have overcome the "I-can-only-write-songs-about-what-I'm-feeling-right-now" writer's block.

So who knows? Now that I've made this break-through, it may even spill over into my cover art, which has never shown me smiling on the four albums and two singles I have released thus far. Maybe you'll see a demure grin on the next cover!  Maybe!

Review of "You Really Meant It!"

A new review of my 2009 debut album "You Really Meant It" just published on www.merryandbright.blogspot.com!

Here's part of the review:

Jillaine is an independent vocal artist possessing a powerful, steamy, sultry voice that leaps out at you from the first few bars of her debut album, the 2009 release "You Really Meant It".  She does not have a sound similar to the greats - Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Billie Holliday - nor the contemporary stars of jazz like Roberta Gambarini, Sophie Milman, or Jane Monheit.  Jillaine has a voice and style all her own, and it's good stuff, cats, good stuff.

Stay tuned for more updates! I have an exciting announcement tomorrow!