I know that many of you have moved to the dark side because we’re friends over on Facebook. And life over there is just so much easier and breezier. One quick little Twitter, and I’ve said all I need to say.

When I was a blogger, I would stay up until all hours of the night slaving over words that I hope made me sound semi-intelligent! I would look for pictures that went with my posts until the wee hours of the morning. When I’d find “the ultimate” picture, I’d smile, and post it up there with the words that I slaved over. Satisfied with my post, I’d put it out there and wait to see if anyone would comment on what I had to say.

Between posts, I’d visit my blog buddies. I got involved with so many people’s lives. What they were thinking and doing. Catching up week after week on the joys, the highs and the lows of strangers. But even though I never met most of these people, for a while, for a few years, I really cared what they were going through.

And the time flew by. Week after week. Month after month. Post after post. Until I realized that maybe I didn’t want to experience the “virtual” world. I just wanted to experience the substantial, REAL world around me.

I’ve started writing MUSIC again. I’m observing the wonderful buzz around me, including the people I love, and the people I don’t know, but I’m seriously amused by!

I’m not going to quit blogging. Sometimes I actually have something I want to say, and a little line in Twitter that ends up on my Facebook page just won’t hack it! BUT… I’ll blog when I want, not when I feel obligated to. If anyone reads what I have to say, that’s totally groovy. But I don’t want to feel the pressure any more to write here. I’m SO grateful for the wonderful people that I met online in the blogospere and I hope everyone is having a great life. For now, I’m just way too busy ENJOYING life to go down my list and visit one by one.

For those of you who have never been here before, feel free to work your way backwards on my blog and check out my words and the pretty pictures that went with them. Check out my Facebook artist page HERE and please… Rock on.

On SUNDAY, May 17, we’re off to play the FINE ARTS FIESTA at the Bandshell in the Public Square in Wilkes Barre, PA. @ 3.30 PM. This is a fun, free, outdoor, artsy fest. This is also a free show! (What a deal)

Joining me on stage this weekend will be Austin Donohue – guitar & vox, Kevin Moon – bass & vox, and Andy Mac – drums & vox.

On a personal note, I just got back from an incredible vacation on the Big Island of Hawaii. I picked up a beautiful new ukulele in Hilo and I’m TOTALLY in love with my new instrument! I’ve been staying up until 2 AM every night since I got home playing the damn thing. I’m hooked! Look for its debut at a show sometime in the coming months. I promise the uke won’t be replacing my violin any time soon, but it sure is fun!

Hope to see you this weekend, or at a show sometime this summer. Check my website HERE for future dates.

I’ve been playing LOTS of shows with my band. They’ve been going great, and we’ve been having a ball playing to people who seem to like what we’re doing. I feel so lucky to have such a wonderful bunch of musicians to play with. These guys are HOT!

The press has been pretty swell, too. Click HERE to read a great article that came out about us last week in Binghamton, NY. And click HERE to see a blog post from Chris Kocher about the show that night. And HERE’S a little review, complete with a video, from Gordon Nash about the show this Saturday night at the Living Room in NYC.

In other news, a couple of weeks ago, I did the unthinkable and left my wheeled backpack with most of my expensive electric violin gear on the backseat of a yellow cab here in NYC. It was one o’clock in the morning and I was coming home from a gig and I was REALLY tired (obviously). Unfortunately, I had paid in cash and didn’t have a receipt with the cab number on it.

Through a major stroke of luck, and the NYC Taxi Commission’s use of GPS, they were able to find the driver and return my bag back to me late the following night. I believe that there are still good, honest people in the world, and I want to send out a REALLY big huzzah to Kasem, my cab driver for turning my bag back in that night. And to Mrs. Jones at the NYPD for talking me down at 9 AM by telling me that I had to BELIEVE with all of my heart that I would get my bag back.

In one day, through a pretty stressful incident, I was introduced to several exceptional human beings. I REALLY love this city and its people like Kasem and Mrs. Jones, and Sean, the guy at the taxi dispatchers that took my calls every hour on the hour trying to track down my stuff. They help make NYC the great town that this is.

REALLY BIG NEWS: I’ve just renewed my endorsement with BARCUS-BERRY VIOLINS! I’m at the top of their list of endorsees. Check it out HERE. This is my quote from their website about the Barcus-Barry violin:
 
 ”For years, while I was the violinist on NPR’s Mountain Stage Radio show, I got the chance to play just about every electric violin on the market, but none of them compared to the Barcus-Berry I got while still in music school. While touring with various acts, I’ve collected just about all the Barcus-Berry violin finishes that have been in production and audiences love the way they look on stage! Most importantly, they SOUND amazing! I’ve used the Barcus-Berry in all my electric recording sessions and on all of my albums. There’s no question about it.. The quality and performance of the Barcus-Berry violin can’t be beat.”

In honor of the occasion, the good folks over at Barcus-Berry are sending me a brand-new violin in AMETHYST. Expect to see me playing it at live shows real soon!

Oh, by the way, don’t forget to VOTE FOR ME for the Radio Crystal Blue Contest. See my last post. Thanks.

FINALLY… My birthday is this Friday, I’m going to London on April 9 to do some writing and gigging, and my long-awaited vacation to Hawaii with LG is in May. LOTS to look forward to. I’ll keep you posted!

If you would be so kind as to go HERE. When you get on the voting page, scroll down to bracket #15, click DENI BONET, and give me your vote. I would really be forever grateful, and I’d love you even more than I already do. Let’s rally that Blogging spirit, and I’ll vote for YOU next time you ask. Really I will!

Thanks very much. You rock!

I want to thank all of the kind folks who have been reading this blog, and encouraged me to keep it up. I’ve met some amazing people. On line and off. Thanks for four wonderful years!

My first blog post was 50 facts about MOI. So much of what I wrote is still true today, but in honor of four fabulous years of sharing my life with you, I would like to add a little bit to the old list I originally published. Here goes…

1. I was talked into writing this blog!
I’ve often lamented to my loved ones that maybe I should stop blogging as I’m just WAY too busy these days, but I’m always talked into keeping it up, even if I’m not terribly consistent.

2. I’ll do most anything on a dare!
I’m still pretty daring, but I won’t go skiing, skateboarding, or ride my bike in traffic!

3. I love to use exclamation marks!!!!
Some things never change!!!!

4. I live in Manhattan…that’s New York City for you suburbanites
New York, NY. So great they named it twice!

5. I used to live in Suburbia… but now I’ve finally found a place to live where I’m not a freak
4 years later, I’m STILL happy to call this place my home!

6. I’m fairly normal compared to most people I know here in the city
I know a lot more normal people now. I’ve distanced myself from the freakier folk! (Thank goodness.)

7. I am a musician
And proud of it!

8. I play a fabulous blue violin
And a black one, and a white one, and a brown one, too!

9. I’ve been playing music since I could walk
Hopefully, I’ll be playing when I CAN’T walk any more, too!

10. I just finished touring with Cyndi Lauper…(OK, maybe I’m a little bit of a name dropper, but hell, it wasn’t a bad way to pay the rent!)
It was a great run! I got to see the world and even be on her live DVD, titled “AT LAST”.

11. I’m in the studio as we speak working on my second CD
DONE! As a matter of fact, we finished a third one… LAST GIRL ON EARTH is available from my website, www.denibonet.com Come and get it!

12. My music has been called, “Sheryl Crow meets the B-52’s”
And “Debbie Harry fronting the Dave Matthews Band”

13. I may grow older, but I REFUSE to grow up!
YEAH!

14. I absolutely REFUSE to give up!
THAT’S RIGHT!

15. I’m newly married to lovely Brit
It was FIVE YEARS in August! (Damn, time flies!)

16. He has 2 little girls, so this makes me a STEPMOM…oooooh
And the girls are four years older, and still fabulous!

17. I love kids, but hate “breeders” and people that can only talk about their their offspring
Which is why I’ll never move to Park Slope!

18. MY “babies” are 2 little girl cats named FIFI & DJANGA
We still have Fifi and Djanga, and now we also have ROSIE-The-Wonder-Dog! She’s a Therapy dog and we’re a team at St. Vincent’s Hospital here in the city. This little baby brings TONS of happiness to people on a regular basis… including me.

19. I maintain a TANK OF DEATH, and have managed to kill just about every fish I’ve ever bought
We’ve had 5 fancy goldfish which have survived for two months so far. Maybe this time around we can stop the curse of the 20 GALLON TANK OF DEATH!

20. My peeps are from the Motherland…of New Jersey
A nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there!

22. I’m absolutely PISSED OFF about Bush getting reelected
HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN. YES WE CAN… FINALLY!

23. My sister is a Republican.
But even my Sis voted for Barack! It was about time she woke up!

24. I find that very strange. She must have been conceived by the mailman.
I still think she was conceived by the mailman!

25. My Mom and dad are stereotypical Jewish parents who migrated to… where else…FLORIDA!
Sadly, Mom is gone, but Dad is still thriving in Florida. Oy!

26. They eat dinner at 4:30
And Dad still does!

27. Dad once told me that I drive like a horse’s ass. I wonder what a horse’s ass drives like?!?
Now I wonder about HIS driving! OY again!

28. My folks have a REALLY ugly dog named Peppy. Peppy hates my husband for some unknown reason. Maybe because he’s a Brit?
Peppy is still ugly, but she’s warmed up to LG finally!

29. I’ve been married 3 times.
AND HOLDING!

30. I don’t date. I marry.
Three’s the charm!

31. I used to be married to my manager. He’s still my manager.
We are still working together. In fact, he produced my last CD!

32. He’s also a Brit
Actually he’s from Wales.

33. I’ve been accused of being a serial Anglophile. I swear I’m not.
People STILL accuse me of this. I didn’t plan on marrying 2 out of 3 Brits. It just happened that way! Maybe they get my sense of humor better?

34. The buck stops here. Three’s the charm. I’m in love. Truly, madly, deeply!
AMEN SISTER!

35. I’ve been asked to guest onstage with R.E.M., Sarah McLachlan, Indigo Girls, and a bunch of other people
But I’m most happy on stage with my OWN band. Austin Donohue and Kevin Moon are THE BEST!

36. I’ve been playing out in with my band for a while, and will keep it up as long as people keep coming out to see me!
And based on our upcoming busy calendar, I hope that TONS of people will come out to see us play!

37. I love gadgets, computers, my iPod, my Palm Pilot
Move over Palm Pilot. My iPhone ROCKS MY WORLD!

38. In 2004, I got to travel all over the States, the Bahamas, Japan, Australia & England.
Since then, I’ve been to China, Egypt, Israel, Bermuda, Hawaii, Morocco and Thailand! And in less than three months, we’re back in Hawaii. I CAN’T WAIT!

39. I stay up most nights reading novels.
Wow, lately I’ve been staying up late watching episodes of Desperate Housewives on my iPhone. I’m SUCH a geek!

40. I love fiction and really don’t get into any book that doesn’t have a good story
Which is why I’m loving Desperate Housewives!

41. Fantasy…any kind, yours or mine ROCKS!
Maybe that’s why I’m a happy person. Maybe THAT’S the SECRET!

42. I would have Neil Finn’s baby.
Don’t know about that these days. Now I’d just settle for listening to his CD’s!

43. I would also have one with The EDGE
U2 is still a great band. And the EDGE STILL can play the HELL out of guitar!

44. My husband knew this about me when we met. That’s why I fell for him!
When he gave me the garden gnome with a knife in its back, I fell for him all over again!

45. I’ve always lied about my age. When I was in high school, I was the one that looked older, so that I’d have to be the one to buy the Beer. Now, I’m REALLY happy if I get carded. I recently leaned over the counter and actually KISSED the guy that asked to see my ID!
Some things NEVER change!

46. I HATE TO WORK OUT! (But I work out several times a week.)
I’ve learned to love it. I would work out every day if I could.

47. I take a class called “REBOUNDING” where you jump on a tiny trampoline for an hour, The class is taught by a lovely gay man who has the energy and attitude of Richard Simmons
Still bouncing, and spinning, and doing lots of Pilates.

48. I studied piano at Julliard when I was little
And I recently got to play Carnegie Hall!

49. I got a college degree in APPLIED VIOLIN. So…this means that I have an applied license to play!
And play I must!

50. I go both ways. I love my Mac, but I still use my PC. I guess this makes me Bi-computer literate?
Now it’s Mac all the way, baby – on two separate computers. I wouldn’t have it any other way. But I’m still proud as Hell to be a geek!

As I rounded a corner, in the quaint, tree-lined lanes of my West Village neighborhood, I heard the unmistakable sounds of Christmas carolers. I followed my ears for a half a block, and there, gathered under a streetlamp, was a large group of people singing in full harmony. They had obviously practiced a LOT! The only people that were listening to them were a few residents who had opened their windows, and me. I was standing on the curb outside an old brick carriage house across the street from the group.

After a few beautiful carols, I turned to leave. I was full of joy and goodwill toward man after witnessing this almost-private Dickensian Christmas card moment.

A block later, filled with bliss and thinking to myself how much I love this city, I stepped into the street to avoid a big pile of snow. At that very moment, a cab swerved into my path and came within inched of turning me into the Spirit of Christmas Past. I flipped him the bird and called him all kinds of uncharitable names.

We invited Rosie’s boyfriend, Bobby, his mom and her friend over to celebrate last night. This was LG’s idea. He felt like it was very important that our little girl have her special day. Unfortunately, our friends were leaving town today, which is Rosie’s actual birthday, but I pointed out that she’s a dog and really wouldn’t know the difference! Several bottles of wine later, the humans were certainly NOT looking as cute as the canines. But it sure was fun!

Rosie & Bobby

Here are some of my favorite memories of the past three years with Rosie-the-Wonder-Pup…

Obligatory Baby Picture

What Rosie Wants To Be When She Grows Up!

Happy Birthday Rosie!

]]> http://www.denibonet.com/blog/2008/12/19/rosie-turns-three/feed/ 0 http://www.denibonet.com/blog/2008/11/30/it%e2%80%99s-you-and-me-this-christmas/ http://www.denibonet.com/blog/2008/11/30/it%e2%80%99s-you-and-me-this-christmas/#comments Sun, 30 Nov 2008 18:12:22 +0000 Last Girl on Earth http://www.denibonet.com/blog/?p=575 It’s almost Christmas, and I REALLY need to reach out to all of my blog buddies today. I recently blogged about a new, fun, irrereverent Christmas song that I’ve recorded that was picked up by American Airlines to be played on their In-flight entertainment channel. This includes ALL domestic and international flights for the month of December!

Here’s a review of “IT’S YOU AND ME THIS CHRISTMAS” from my good friend and famous writer, Charlotte Druckman:

“Does this song make me look fat? This is actually a recession-friendly Christmas rock anthem, and it’s a love song too. Say “no” to “ho ho ho” and have a romantic Christmas without dysfunctional family antics or tacky tinsel. If you don’t love modern remakes of traditional carols, but you appreciate original jingles with a hint of attitude, you will love this. It’s basically a pop-rock song that happens to be about Christmas. The lyrics are quirky, random, smart and funny–like the singer/songwriter–and the track is an unexpected pleasure. Serendipitous, just like a Christmas where you find yourself removed from screaming kids, demanding in-laws and long lines at check-out.”

Well, here’s the dealio… first off, give the song a listen FOR FREE… right here… right now…

If you would be so kind, could you PLEASE go over to iTunes by clicking HERE and write a little review of your own? It won’t cost you a penny, and I would love you even more than I already do! You DON’T have to buy the song to leave a review.

BUT if you were feeling REALLY charitable, while you are there, you can download the song for ONLY 99 CENTS! (What a deal!) OR you can gift it to a friend and THEY can download it right HERE.

Don’t we all need a new carol this season? Aren’t you sick to death already of the same old tunes that you’ve heard since before you were born? Help me get this song out into the world. I don’t ask often, but I’m asking now.

Thanks and much love.
Deni

]]> http://www.denibonet.com/blog/2008/11/30/it%e2%80%99s-you-and-me-this-christmas/feed/ 0 http://www.denibonet.com/blog/2008/11/24/carnegie-hall-rundown/ http://www.denibonet.com/blog/2008/11/24/carnegie-hall-rundown/#comments Tue, 25 Nov 2008 03:22:13 +0000 Last Girl on Earth http://www.denibonet.com/blog/?p=572 I want to thank all of you for your inspiring good luck wishes on my big show at Carnegie Hall. It went GREAT! I can’t begin to tell you how amazingly cool it was to get to even STAND on that stage, let alone rock my socks off on it!

When I was a little girl studying piano and violin, I would always fantasize about playing Carnegie Hall some day. So it’s no surprise I got a huge kick out of playing the Hall on MY terms… not as a member of an orchestra, but as a soloist with a short leather skirt, go-go boots and a blue violin! Too bad I’ve lost track of my old college violin professor. I would have loved to see him in the audience. But as it was, I had an amazing turnout of friends and family who showed their support throughout the show with hoots and hollers. I truly felt the love. Thank you to all of you who were there! YOU rock my world!

I had several emotional moments during the day. One of them happened when we first got to Carnegie Hall earlier that afternoon. Crew members escorted me up to the stage with my gear and I followed them out onto the stage. It was an awesome sight to see the hall from that angle. Here’s a “stock” photo of what it looks like from the stage:

We were told right away that no photography was permitted in the hall. Being the rebel that I am, and risking getting my camera taken away, I persuaded the wonderful Peter Lewy – cellist extraordinaire and fellow band member – to go out into the audience and take a short video of me playing a little solo violin before sound check. Here’s the clip he took…

Another special moment was when I got into Dressing Room A, otherwise known as the Maestro Room. There is a grand piano in there and all around the walls are signed pictures of past conductors, including one of my faves, Leonard Bernstein. I sat down at the piano and played a little Mendelssohn and just absorbed the amazing vibe of being surrounded by pictures of genius.

Danny Nova was in prime form, and the audience totally enjoyed everything he was doing. We played for over two hours and I’ve got to tell you, I totally enjoyed every minute of it.

Here’s some clips from the show itself taken on my crappy little camera by LG. They are dark and kind of hard to see, and the sound’s not great, but it’s the best we could do with “clandestine footage”. Thanks again for your support. Enjoy!

]]> http://www.denibonet.com/blog/2008/11/24/carnegie-hall-rundown/feed/ 0 http://www.denibonet.com/blog/2008/11/06/how-do-you-get-to-carnegie-hall-2/ http://www.denibonet.com/blog/2008/11/06/how-do-you-get-to-carnegie-hall-2/#comments Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:09:30 +0000 Last Girl on Earth http://www.denibonet.com/blog/?p=565 The fulfillment of one of my lifelong dreams is only a little over a week away. I’m going to be playing the famous Carnegie Hall on November 15th with the fabulous rocker, Danny Nova. We’ll be playing the Isaac Stern Auditorium / Ronald O. Perelman Stage. (That’s the main hall on a Saturday night!) The room seats 2,804 people and “It has been said that the hall itself is an instrument,” said the late Isaac Stern. “It takes what you do and makes it larger than life.” I’ll be plugging in my blue electric violin and ROCKING OUT! Can I hear a WOO HOO!!!

Here’s a link to a great press clip about the Danny Nova show. Click HERE

I’ll be sharing the stage with an all-star band featuring drummer Liberty DeVitto (Billy Joel); keyboardist Andy Burton (Ian Hunter, Robert Plant); cellist Peter Lewy; percussionist Kevin McIntosh (Parliament Funkadelic); bassist Muddy Shews (Southside Johnny’s Asbury Jukes); pianist Scott Treibitz; percussionist Sheik (Africa); guitarist Peter Wood (Dramarama); and flautist Yukari.

Meanwhile, I wanted to share a fun little movie that I previously blogged in 2005. I guess I’ll have to make a new movie now that includes the backstage areas and the view from the stage up into the rafters where I was sitting when I shot my movie way back when! Hope you enjoy it.

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