Happy Day-Dreaming Tuesday to all you bright lights!
Today's post is inspired by my friend, singer-songwriter Dan Reed. He is not only a brilliant musician but also a believer in the pursuit of your bliss. He is a man living his dreams and taking action on a daily basis towards their fulfillment. He also teaches us all a lesson in understanding how important it is to listen to our inner voice and share the gifts we came here to give to the world.
In Dan's case, it is the gift of music that is able to heal and uplift. I have often told him that his music helped save my life, along with the music of Kate Bush. Back in my mid to late teens, I was in the midst of a huge struggle. I was suicidal and in the depths of depression. It was music, especially Kate's and Dan's, as part of Dan Reed Network, that bridged the gap between my perceived reality and source energy. Of course, I didn't know that then, but looking back, I can see that their songs and way of being in this world somehow gave me hope in believing there was something more to my life than what I was going through.
It was through his music at the time that I was first introduced to the thought: We are all ONE. Imagine that! Through all my years of attending religious services, the message that we were all equal and deserving of love and respect and that we were indeed truly ONE, had never really been said. There was always this feeling of "us" and "them." The message of connection and taking care of each other and our planet was fully introduced to me via music; Dan Reed's to be exact. Through gems like "Salt of Joy," "Let It Go," and "Long Way To Go," I was given more hope than via any sermon. There was no condemnation or guilt, only acceptance, love and joy. All through music.
Gene-Manuel & Dan Reed - NYC 1991
I got to meet Dan for the first time back in 1991 when he was promoting The Heat in NYC. Somehow the Universe saw to it that my friends and I got in touch with his management and they in turn asked us to promote the band's HMV in-store appearance and their show at The Marquis. As payment, we got to spend the entire day following the band around, got press and photo passes and invited to the VIP area after the Sold-Out show. It was then that we found out how generous and kind Dan Reed was. He was everything you'd hope someone you look up to in show business would be. A few years after this release, the Network disbanded and Dan dropped out of the music scene for years. In fact, he seemed to literally disappear.
I always hoped he'd make a return but much like Kate Bush, it seemed as if he had stopped making music altogether. It was through the magic of MySpace and iTunes, that I found out Dan Reed was slowly making his way back. I immediately downloaded his EP, Sharp Turn, and although the music was somewhat different from Dan Reed Network's soulful-funk-rock-pop, it was still Dan Reed and after years of draught, it felt great to be listening to him again.
Dan Reed and the piece I created for him "Harmonious Evolution"
In what seemed to be a blur, the Universe once again saw to it that Dan and I make a connection. One email led to another, then to a phone call, then to a meeting in New York City. He has become a good friend and a strong supporter of my work and art. I've also been able to witness his resilience and strength and determination to bring his music to the world. Never giving up or taking his eyes away from the path ahead of him. The path that would lead him to this day, to the world-wide release of his first full-length solo record, Coming Up for Air.
Coming Up for Air - Available here: iTunes
Dan will be visiting the Daydream Chronicles very soon for an interview and I hope to discuss the journey to this new record. For now, I can only say that all of the years away and all of the blood, sweat, tears and indomitable determination were well worth it. Coming Up for Air is the oasis in the middle of the barren musical desert we've been experiencing for years now. From the first notes of the title track to the last words uttered by Charlie Chaplin in "The Dictator", each song is a unique musical journey.
Dan Reed has never been one to shy away from showing his emotions in his songs and he doesn't pull back this time around. His messages of love, truth, peace and honesty ring loud and clear. With Coming Up for Air, Dan Reed comes full circle and in the process, reclaims his position as one of music's most compelling and gifted singer-songwriters. With its release, he also proves beyond a shadow of a doubt, how powerful the combination of inspired action, believing in your dreams and never giving truly is.
Gene-Manuel & Dan Reed - NYC 2009
Peace, love and light and KEEP DREAMING!
Gene-Manuel
For additional information on Dan Reed:
