My user name, Shimmer Puppy , is a wink and a nudge tribute towards Sixties song influences.

I home record. The rush comes from after months of hard work, a project comes together nicely. The plus is receiving positive feedback from colleagues and my audience.

The internet definately changed the music industry by rattling a few cages. The positive is that independents are getting heard by the masses and the consumer has more choices.

I would prefer working with Indie labels.

Music has always been a part of my life.

I began singing at the age six in church choir, then progressed to High School chorus and onto The Bel Canto Singers.

Professionally, I have my degree in Fine Arts. So, I thought listening to music and singing to the radio would be just an enjoyable hobby.

One day, a friend and I were playing "You gotta hear this!" I played him "Guitar Psychedelics" by The Ventures.

He said, "I really like this" and then I quipped, "Needs lyrics."

"Write some."

"Yeah right."

As you see, I reconsidered, and grew to love the process of writing lyrics and music.

As English poet, Christopher Logue succinctly wrote:

Come to the edge.
We might fall.
Come to the edge.
It's too high!
COME TO THE EDGE!

So they came
and he pushed
and they flew.

I enjoy 60's Pop, Garage, and Psychedelia . The more obscure, the better. I appreciate the originality and the experimentation from this generation of musicians and songwriters.

Retro Lounge and Exotica , which is rich with love songs and a Latin beat, always inspires.

I also enjoy female Rockabilly artists. These sassy firecrackers mean business with their rippin' vocals and kickin' gee-tars.

Going back to my Classical roots is always a comfort too.

For fun and smiles, listening to Weird & Strange music.

My favorite city is New York City which is akin to a Mondrian painting with a boogie beat, that gives birth to creative visions. My fav spot is when I plop 'n' flop on the couch to write, while staring out my livingroom window.

M-Audio MIDI keyboard, Roland-Fantom S, Shure mics, M-Audio StudioPro speakers, GarageBand, Logic Express (once I learn it), Mac G-5 with A Big Honkin' monitor, voice, patience, and wits.

The process of building songs from the bottom beat to the melody is what I can do, but the magic comes from the hand of God.