The Stick Of The Week! is Jaymie Gerard. Jaymie is in the NOW as singer/songwriter of Big Round Moon: Sing-Along Lullabies, a collection of twenty one original, easy-to-remember, easy-to-sing lullabies to help babies and toddlers relax and go to sleep.
Jaymie Gerard
Jaymie Gerard is a singer/songwriter of adult and children's music, an educator, a prenatal exercise specialist, the creator of a 60-family playschool coop, a not-yet-published writer of children's chapter books, a wife, and a stay-at-home mom to her 18-month old son. She and her husband are expecting their second child in June.
Tell us about your NOW (Noodle On the Wall).
My most recent Noodle On the Wall is my album release, Big Round Moon: Sing-Along Lullabies, twenty one original, easy-to-remember, easy-to-sing lullabies to help babies and toddler relax and go to sleep. When my now 18-month old son was a baby, little songs would pop into my head as I nursed and rocked him to sleep. I would sing them to him until he zonked out, and then I'd hurry downstairs to get down a rough recording. By the time I had written my 15th lullaby I realized I was on to something!
My most recent Noodle On the Wall is my album release, Big Round Moon: Sing-Along Lullabies, twenty one original, easy-to-remember, easy-to-sing lullabies to help babies and toddler relax and go to sleep. When my now 18-month old son was a baby, little songs would pop into my head as I nursed and rocked him to sleep. I would sing them to him until he zonked out, and then I'd hurry downstairs to get down a rough recording. By the time I had written my 15th lullaby I realized I was on to something!
Is your NOW simmering, al dente or fully cooked and why?
I would say fully cooked but not yet fully served, because even though the songwriting and recording is done and the album is available for digital download, I have learned over the years that the work's not done until it's on people's plates (or in this case, in people's iPods).
What recipes can you give other Creative Moms Taking On The Creative?
Here are my cooking tips:
• Take it one 1/4 tsp at a time if you need to
• Don't be afraid to walk out of the kitchen sometimes if you have other priorities, just don't forget what you've got going on the stove
• Some of the best meals happen by accident, so get out of your comfort zone and throw in some spices you've never tried before
• If it's your soul work, you can find a way to make it happen... and it will be delicious! :-)
What motivated you to throw your noodle?
Two things motivated me to get this album recorded and released:
1) After listening to countless renditions of Rock-a-Bye Baby and getting sick of the baby falling out of the tree I went on the hunt for some new lullabies. I found a lot of beautiful music, but I felt that the songs were too long and verse-heavy (as opposed to the simple melodies and words that make the classics so great). I wanted to provide other parents and their children with lullabies that were just as memorable and simple, and that shaped the songs and recordings.
2) We have a baby on the way, and I remember how hard it is to get things done in the first few months of a baby's life. I really wanted this album completely done (sticking to the wall) before she arrived! And I accomplished it with 3 months to spare! Woo Hoo!
I would say fully cooked but not yet fully served, because even though the songwriting and recording is done and the album is available for digital download, I have learned over the years that the work's not done until it's on people's plates (or in this case, in people's iPods).
What recipes can you give other Creative Moms Taking On The Creative?
Here are my cooking tips:
• Take it one 1/4 tsp at a time if you need to
• Don't be afraid to walk out of the kitchen sometimes if you have other priorities, just don't forget what you've got going on the stove
• Some of the best meals happen by accident, so get out of your comfort zone and throw in some spices you've never tried before
• If it's your soul work, you can find a way to make it happen... and it will be delicious! :-)
What motivated you to throw your noodle?
Two things motivated me to get this album recorded and released:
1) After listening to countless renditions of Rock-a-Bye Baby and getting sick of the baby falling out of the tree I went on the hunt for some new lullabies. I found a lot of beautiful music, but I felt that the songs were too long and verse-heavy (as opposed to the simple melodies and words that make the classics so great). I wanted to provide other parents and their children with lullabies that were just as memorable and simple, and that shaped the songs and recordings.
2) We have a baby on the way, and I remember how hard it is to get things done in the first few months of a baby's life. I really wanted this album completely done (sticking to the wall) before she arrived! And I accomplished it with 3 months to spare! Woo Hoo!
What inspires you as a Mom and as a creative person?
As a songwriter, I've always relied on meeting new people and hearing their stories, reading interesting articles and books, and putting myself in new situations for inspiration. That's changed a lot sincehaving my son - my life is a lot more insular now. But watching a child grow is mind-blowing. It's inspiring in a totally different way. It's humbling. My songwriting has now begun to turn towards myprimary audience - babies and toddlers. But I also still perform my grown-up music for grown-up audiences, and for me, performing is inspiring in and of itself.
As a songwriter, I've always relied on meeting new people and hearing their stories, reading interesting articles and books, and putting myself in new situations for inspiration. That's changed a lot sincehaving my son - my life is a lot more insular now. But watching a child grow is mind-blowing. It's inspiring in a totally different way. It's humbling. My songwriting has now begun to turn towards myprimary audience - babies and toddlers. But I also still perform my grown-up music for grown-up audiences, and for me, performing is inspiring in and of itself.
How do you juggle Mamahood and your NOW?
Quite honestly, it's hard, but I feel like I have no choice. I'm a chronic
"do-er," so I fill my down time with getting things done. I do sometimes daydream about the days when I had all day to sit by myself and write music or book long studio sessions at the drop of a hat, but I've learned to create in smaller snippets now. In some ways it's creatively frustrating to be constantly interrupted and have time limitations, but that frustration is not enough to stop me from doing what I love.
What is your ultimate pasta dish?
Any pasta dish that will allow me to stay at home with my children and still pursue the creative endeavors that are in my heart!
Quite honestly, it's hard, but I feel like I have no choice. I'm a chronic
"do-er," so I fill my down time with getting things done. I do sometimes daydream about the days when I had all day to sit by myself and write music or book long studio sessions at the drop of a hat, but I've learned to create in smaller snippets now. In some ways it's creatively frustrating to be constantly interrupted and have time limitations, but that frustration is not enough to stop me from doing what I love.
What is your ultimate pasta dish?
Any pasta dish that will allow me to stay at home with my children and still pursue the creative endeavors that are in my heart!
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