Calling all Stinky Feet Heads!

The Times They Are a-Changin'...so let's make music!


Dear Friends:

Thank you so much for the overwhelming support you've given me for more than a decade. Please know that I am fully aware that I wouldn't be doing what I love without you.

As some of you may know, the landscape of the music industry has changed dramatically over the past five years. (Check out my interview at Zooglobble.com) As the giant labels have faltered or collapsed with the rapid decline of retail album sales, independent artists have emerged as the leaders of the changing tide. Where some see a shriveled industry on life support, I see opportunity and challenge. And I love challenges.

So, I'm asking you to join me as we embark on an adventure into new territory. I have a goal of raising enough money to pay for outstanding musicians, promotion, production, and a Grammy-nominated producer for my new record. Please help me make this dream a reality. You've already been a big part of my success, so please consider taking part in the production of this project. You'd buy the new CD anyway, right? So, consider this a pre-purchase plan.

In addition to putting my heart and soul into making the best family music I can, check out some of the things we're offering below in exchange for your support.

Thank you for trusting me to deliver the very best for your children.

Cheers,

Jim

Levels of Participation (click on any level you'd like - you'll be taken to Jim's site where you can make your much appreciated donation):

"The Satisfied Fan" ($20) - you'll receive the new CD, autographed by Jim

"The Bargain Hunter" ($50) - you'll receive the new CD, autographed by Jim, a t-shirt, and a bonus CD selected randomly from Mr. Stinky Feet's past albums (all for $50? Yep!)

"Now You're Just Showing Off" ($150) - all of the above, plus name recognition (yours or your child's) and a "thank you" in the liner notes of the new CD (your kids will think you're so much cooler now that your name appears in Mr. Stinky Feet's new CD!)

"Happy Birthday To You" ($500) - You'll receive all of the above, plus a personal phone call from Mr. Stinky Feet to your child on his or her next birthday (unless they prefer a text!)

"We'll Work Out The Details Later" ($5000) - all of the above, plus Jim will come to your house and perform a private concert for your kids and their friends (while supplies last - there are only so many days in a year!)

"Mr. Flexibility Feet" (name your price) - no donation too small or too large!

Sometimes you just need a show.

Yesterday our five-year-old daughter taped a handwritten note to our front window for all the world to see. It reads, "Winter end please. To God. Love Lyda."

That about sums up how everyone in our house feels right now. Just a bad case of the winter blahs. Enough snow! Enough cold! I mean, it's been pretty and all, but enough already!

And today was another one of those cooped-up-in-the-house days. Sweat pants and slippers. Soup for lunch. (Did I even brush my teeth this morning?) Hours of work on the computer, until by late afternoon my head throbbed. I was scheming for a hot shower and early bedtime when Jeni said, "Shouldn't you be getting ready for your show?"

"Show?! I have a show tonight? Holy crikey, I totally spaced it." Some days my head is not in the game, and this was one of them.

I inhaled some left-over pasta and put on my game face, even though the thought of actually shaving and dressing for the day at five o'clock didn't thrill me. As I drove to the show, I gave myself a pep talk and shouted my gratitude for a paying gig.

When I arrived at the school gym, the women from Hickman Mills Parents as Teachers were there to greet me with hugs. (Hugs always help boost my energy -- like spinach for Popeye.) But, they all seemed to be operating on deflated resignation that the cold and snow would keep the crowd away.

At ten minutes to show time, there were about 12 people milling around the gym. The prospects looked bleak. But then people started to trickle in. And more came. Then more, still. We delayed the intro five minutes as families in their parkas came streaming in. Then, another five minutes. There were well over a 100, maybe close to 150.

Finally, I strummed a few chords to grab their attention and off we went. We danced. We sang. We laughed. We rocked. Moms and dads and grandmas grooved. Sisters and brothers boogied. Diapered ones toddled around to their own beat. It was an all-out mid-winter antidote-to-cabin-fever bash!

It's as if everyone in that room blended their voices together in perfect unison to shout to the universe, "Hey, we've got all the warmth we need right here! We've got song! We've got dance! We've got friends!"

Sometimes you just need a show to kick out the blues.