BROOKE FOX - Update

Happy Fall!! This might just be my favorite season. I love the crispness, the leaves, pulling out the sweaters....and anything cider doughnut related.

Its already been an exciting September! There are photos and video of Kurt and I helping to ring the NYSE Opening Bell with September Concert - check them out on my main page, What an amazing honor!

A couple more events are on the fall horizon for me. This week I'll be playing piano accompaniment for a dance piece by Deborah Jackson. If you are (like me) kind of a nerd about the cause and effect of the current financial crisis, this show will grab you. There's two performances this weekend. Here are the details:

The Sleeping Giant
An evening of Dance in Two Acts about Power - Money - Policy Performed by four dancers.
Two performances only
Friday, September 24 & Saturday, September 25 at 8:00 PM
The Ailey Citigroup Theater
The Joan Weill Center for Dance
405 West 55th Street at 9th Avenue
New York, New York 10019
General Admission: $20.00 / Students & Seniors: $10.00
How do I get tickets? Tickets are available through
By phone: (212) 868-4444 or www.SmartTix.com

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MORE NEWS...yours truly singing in the film REDLIGHT now airing on SHOWTIME

My husband Kurt and our friend Soren Sorensen wrote the score to the documentary REDLIGHT. The film is narrated by Lucy Liu and focuses on child trafficking in Cambodia. We're all proud to be a part of the film and help raise awareness to this heartbreaking international issue. You'll hear my voice singing about an hour into the film. Showtime is featuring REDLIGHT for the next month and it is also available through Showtime OnDemand. Here is a link to upcoming airdates.

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UPCOMING.....Shows in Amsterdam and Chicago in October! More details are on my upcoming shows page.

Until then, see you on FB and Twitter @BrookeFoxMusic

Well, the big news is that MOTH (see below) has been invited back to Europe for more performances in 2010. The first will be in Uppsala, Sweden in for the TUPP Festival, April 7-10th. I will post more details as I have them. Laurie Anderson will also be performing her solo opera at the festival. Looking fwd to that!

Two more performances are in the work, one in Paris and the other in Sardinia. FINGERS CROSSED - everything will come together to make those happen.

IN OTHER DEVELOPMENTS....I am currently composing music with playwright Andrea Lepcio and Lyricist Cheryl L. Davis for a new theater project called "THE BALLAD OF ROM & JULZ". It's an update of everyone's favorite star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet in a "boi meets girl gender-bending love/death story". Things are looking up for a summer unveiling of the piece.

Lets ROLL, New York! I'm raising money for NOAH and Albinism Awareness at the 5th Annual Bowl-a-Thon National Fundraiser!

WHEN: Sat. Feb 20th, 12:30-3, bowling starts at 1PM.
WHERE: Brooklyn Bowl
81 Wythe Avenue and North 11 Street, Williamsburg. L train to Bedford Avenue - 1st stop in Brooklyn. Free parking on the street.

Families welcome! 50/50 Raffle and Fabulous Prizes!!!
$30 gets you 2 hours of bowling (includes shoes) and a spread of yummy sandwiches and snacks from "Blue Ribbon". Additionally, a full menu of food and drink are available. (including six point beers - yum).
RSVP by Feb 10th to info@BrookeFox.com with info on how many are bowling and how many kids in your group.

HERE'S WHAT NOAH MEANS TO ME:
I never met anyone else with albinism until I was 16. It was NOAH that finally gave me an opportunity to connect with others like me and share stories. I've been working with NOAH for 8 years now, serving as a national board member for the past 3 years. I've attended and performed at National Conferences, sung campfire songs at the NOAH Summer Camp, reassured nervous new parents at Q&A panels and spoken to the national news media about albinism's place in popular culture. AND NOW, I'm excited to help NOAH fund it's future. Please join me for bowling or consider donating what you can to help NOAH achieve its goals for 2010 and beyond!

Italy was a fantastic experience. Kurt and I met a ton of talented artists from around the world and took in the Italian scenery and food! (oh the food!)

We traveled to a tiny Northern Italian village called Dro (NE of Lago di Garda) where I worked with visual artist Francesca Grilli. She was invited to create a piece for the Drodesera festival, now in its 30th year.

The piece called "Moth" was inspired by the festival theme "The Light of the North". It incorporates voice and live flame. By singing into a speaker built into a Rueben's Tube I was controlling a series of flames with my voice.

Here is a sample video from the piece. Detail of the flame can be seen toward the end. Click the link and let it load....it tales a bit so please have patience

In upcoming news...songs from Williamsburg! and PUNK will be performed at the DEAD CELEBRITY BALL presented by the Latchkey Kids. Come one, come all!

In just a few days, I am embarking on a grande artistic adventure. I will be heading to Northern Italy to collaborate with artist Francesca Grilli on her new piece called "MOTH".

The 20-minute performance will be presented as part of the annual Drodesera Festival which is held in a re-purposed electric power plant called Centro Fies.

I am extremely excited about the invitation to perform. Kurt will be joining me for the 12 Day trip. The piece is a realization of sound and light and promises to be unlike any collaboration I have ever experienced!

Pictures and video will be posted upon my return - maybe sooner if the Italian internet gods are with me.

Last weekend, Kurt and I had bit parts in the indie film "Sad Sack Sally" starring Jennifer Bowen and directed by Spencer Schilly. In this scene, the lead character Sally goes to her friend's wacky church.

I played the piano while Kurt directed the choir. The congregation sings a song Kurt wrote and I contributed lyrics to.... "Jesus, Jesus, Mountains and Everglades, Made by the love you gave".

And yes, that is deep purple eye shadow on my eyes. Extreme Cult makeover! I went to the dunkin donuts dressed like that, which went virtually unnoticed on a Saturday in the east village.

The movie should be done by the end of the summer - and Kurt is writing the score!

It's a glorious time of year here in New York City. We had our first backyard movie fest last weekend. Our feature presentation: Neil Diamond's "The Jazz Singer". Thank you, Craigslist, for connecting us with a HUGE projection screen once belonging to a Scandinavian visual artist...

OK...it it was 1946, my show plug might start like this....Friends, I will be singing a tune for two shows at the fabulous Metropolitan Room in swinging New York City this weekend. Kathy Brier, of One Life to Live, is hosting the evening and ever so graciously invited me to perform. It's all to fund the future of the EOS theater company. Come order some drinks and enjoy the evening on May 16th and 17th.

Just in time for those bedford avenue summer memories, we're announcing plans to release the original cast recording of "Williamsburg! The Musical". There will be a release party here in New York and the disc will be available online at CDBaby and Itunes shortly after. More news as things develop....until then, enjoy these WILLIAMSBURG PHOTOS!!!! Courtesy of George Rand.

And now for something completely different from BF...
Kurt and I have lived in the infamous Williamsburg section of Brooklyn for over five years now. Since the mid-nineties, the traditionally ethnically diverse 'burg has been steadily emerging as the hipper-than-thou epicenter of the Brooklyn art and music scene. In 2007, there are bars on every block, condo hi-rises loom and many working artists have fled for cheaper ground. But, the hype remains.

Somewhere around last summer, we began to joke around with our good friend and collaborator Will Brumley about the absurdity of living here and how it would make a hilarious musical parody. Suddenly, we found ourselves singing "One stop..one stop to excitement!" and "Peter Luger Lullaby". Several more song ideas surfaced and we enlisted the comic genius of actress Nicola Barber to help flesh out the script to submit to a certain theater festival "just to see what would happen".

And now..drum roll...Williamsburg! The Musical will be premiering this August as part of the 2007 New York International Fringe Festival!
The show will enjoy a handful of performances from August 10-26 at the Jane Street Theatre in New York's West Village (original home of Hedwig and Jonathan Larson's Tick, Tick, Boom!). Tickets go on sale July 27th at www.fringenyc.org.

About The Show:
Williamsburg! The Musical is a hilarious pop/rock parody of Brooklyn's over-hyped hipster 'hood. A suicidal Trust-Funder encounters a disenchanted Hasidic Jew in the shadow of the Williamsburg Bridge. On their pot-holed road to love, they battle a greedy real estate agent whose diabolical plan to overtake the neighborhood spawns an army of zombie-like hipsters. Will the unlikely heroes of Williamsburg band together to save the sub-borough? Or will gentrification reign? With songs like "One Stop (To Excitement)," "Peter Luger Lullaby," and "Million Dollar Crackhouse," this timely Roast of the 'Burg juxtaposes Missed Connections and "Hipstory Lessons" to comically exploit the cultural mish-mash of "the coolest neighborhood in America."

Can't make it to the show? Help offset our production costs!
We have a large budget. It's kind of blowing our minds right now. Donate a little somethin' to our fund and you will be helping us pay actors, buy hipster costumes and rent rehearsal space. Doesn't matter how small - your cash will help.
Give directly to the production with a credit card via the donate button on our website: http://www.williamsburgthemusical.com/donate.html, It's an easy-to-u se paypal account (very grassroots, no?) Checks can also be made out to TheaterLoop and sent c/o Brooke Fox, PO Box 4203, NY, NY 10163.
Advertising and producing opportunities are also available!

The Official Star Studded Williamsburg! The Musical Fundraiser:
Monday, July 9th at 6PM

Laila Lounge

113 North 7th Street btwn Berry and Wythe.

We're throwing a splashy fundraiser in the 'burg featuring a scene teaser from WTM, live music, comedy, drink specials, finger foods and burg-a-licious raffles.

$10 Donation at the door. All are welcome!

www.lailalounge.com

We're all excited, overwhelmed, and busy trying to put all the details in order but we're confident the show is going to be damn funny.

www.williamsburgthemusical.com

TELL EVERYONE!

Image if that were your view? I took that photo from the 9th floor of a new building going up on the southwestern corner of Union Square. This sneak peak is a small perk of my day job. Fun!

BF ON THE WEB: A selection of BFB tracks appear on episode one of "That's Music", a podcast hosted by fellow musician Cameron Strife.
Available for download at http://www.cameronstrife.com

But 2007 has gotten off to a raging start. This week, I taped an interview on Albinism for the Dr. Keith Ablow show, which is a nationally syndicated daytime talk show on FOX. No word on the airdate yet, but as soon as I know - you'll know.

The BFB will be playing a set for Bletterfest 2007, a huge send-off show for our friend and bass player Jeremy, who will be heading on a six-month, round-the-world solo sightseeing expedition. The free show is at NOCA on 2/22/07. Check the upcoming shows page for more info.

Kurt and I were in Virgin the other day and on a whim, we checked the soundtracks and there in the E section was EVIL BONG! They had two copies! We almost bought them both. We were total nerds about it. Totally exciting to see a song we created in the basement end up for sale at a huge record shop. My guess is that the CD is in Virgin stores nationwide thanks to lakeshore records. Yey commerce!

EEK! I caught a mouse - at work! It was raining super hard and in Manhattan, that means the underworld gets crowded. I was returning from getting my boss his daily sandwich when I thought I noticed a leaf on the stairs by the kitchen. Then it began to move - it was a mouse. Our maintenance guy was out on an errand and my co-workers were all on their desks making high-pitched noises. It was up to me. I grabbed a plastic pitcher with lid and began to pursue him. The poor little guy must have been not feeling 100% because he had several chances to escape...but kept darting out into the middle of the room. Finally he got himself into a corner and I scooped him up and put the lid on tight. I was so impressed with myself: a legally blind girl catching a small, darting object. My coworkers bought me lunch. One more point towards my "New Yorker" status.

Yey! BFox had a respectable showing at the 2006 Just Plain Folks Music Awards last night. "Cinematic" took second place for Best Rock Song, the song "Breathe The Same Air" took third place in the Best Female Singer-Songwriter Song category and "Breathe The Same Air" (the album) took third place for Best Female Singer-Songwriter Album of the year, Not too shabby considering there were over 25K albums submitted by musicians from all over the world. I was in good company with Janis Ian (second place) and Lori McKenna. I even beat out Tiffany's record called......."The color of Silence".

Just Plain Folks' founder Brian Austin Whitney produces a dynamic show where Celtic dancers are followed by political folk songs which are then followed by industrial rock operas. I was honored to be nominated and applaud JPF's mantra: "we're all in this together".

Had I been fortunate enough to make the walk to the podium, I would have certainly thanked Harbor Boulevard for giving such a thorough tour of the Southern California metropolis. Yes, old friend Brandon and I got dreadfully lost getting to the awards show. We even ended up driving by Disneyland and ending up in downtown Fullerton. We just laughed and laughed. Someone at the Theatre gave us directions that said the easiest way to get there was to take three freeway connections - something like take the 5 to the 55 to the 405 - and then exit onto Harbor. Huh? We were already on Harbor??? Ah - it was an adventure but we made it in time - and then we needed a drink!

Totally random, dude! Kurt and I were asked to write an original song for the latest Tommy Chong flick "EVIL BONG". The film is now available on DVD from full moon features and the soundtrack is being released on Lakeshore records (little miss sunshine, nacho libre). The song, "DISASSEMBLE YOU", is the first single from our new project "MY GOOD EYE". We plan to record an EP this winter.

I appeared tonight as a guest performer on the TV show "The New Yorkers" hosted by Jim Chladek. I sang "And I Will" and Jim interviewed me about true crime, old houses and other oddities. It beamed out over the airwaves in NY, FL and the internet.

ITALIA! I am in love! Kurt and I just returned from a 10 day journey to Italy to be a part of my lovely cousin's wedding in Tuscany (toscano!).

It was my first time in Europe and it sounds cheesy (fromaggio!) but I felt INSPIRED! We mostly spent our days curving through small country towns and wandering through 700-year-old walled cities...oh, and EATING. I never got tired of pizza and pasta.

Other adventures included the leaning tower (and cork - see photo) of Pisa. Also a trip on the train to Florence to see the statue of David which my young nephews thought was hilarious: "we're in line to see the naked guy". And the wedding was lovely! Kurt and I bought a new mandolin to play for the ceremony music. There was a full moon that night as we dined and danced and celebrated the newlyweds. The band played "dancing on the ceiling"!!!!!

At the end of the week, we only had 18 hours to spend in ROMA before heading back to New York. There just happened to be a festival called the "White Night" where shops and restaurants stay open all night - fantastico! We were having gelato on the piazza de popoli when we realized there was about to be a trapeze show suspended off the ancient roman tower in front of us. We stayed to watch and ended up walking home 20 blocks to our hotel at midnight through packed streets of rambunctious Romans. There was an amazing energy that night.

A part of history: I had the honor of performing at New York City Hall as part of a landmark event for disability rights. Rehabilitation International hosted advocates from around the world as they gathered to draft the first-ever convention (as in "the Geneva") on disability rights to the United Nations. I performed "Change Me" and "Breathe The Same Air" for a room of international dignitaries. The woman you see to the left of me in the photo, is signing my lyrics to the audience: fantastic. I was deeply proud to represent albinism and artists with disabilities to the very people who fight for our future.

RI is very pleased to advise that the draft UN Convention on the rights of People with Disabilities was adopted during a memorable and historic session of the UN Ad-hoc Committee at 7:50 PM on Friday 25 August 2006.

On 26 August 2006, RI convened and facilitated a Seminar on implementation of the UN Convention - at the New York City Hall. The seminar was attended by more than 300 delegates from the UN sessions, RI members and colleagues.

I help plan NY area alumni events for Berklee College of Music, my alma mater. This week, we put together a panel called "The Creative Brief: writing for television and advertising". I've been learning a bit about the writing process through my husband who has been interning at a music house in Manhattan called Man Made Music. So, I had a list of questions for our speakers. They brought in examples of existing creative briefs with client notes and asked us to pick what piece of music we thought won the bid. If you're a Berklee alum and are interested in coming to future workshops, email me.

"The You In Me" was featured on www.radiocrystalblue.com, a Brooklyn-based internet radio station.

Many of you have heard me rave about Erin Weed, whose nationally recognized self-defense program GIRLS FIGHT BACK has taken some bold steps forward this year. She just launched her first book "The College Girls Guide To Protecting Herself" which is going into it's second pressing and will soon be available in Barnes and Nobles stores nationwide.

This weekend, she opened a formal studio in Hoboken, NJ where she can hold classes and workshops. She invited me to come help dedicate the space and perform at it's grand opening party. An honor! More info and class times at www.girlsfightback.org.

The white-hot debate (forgive me) over the portrayal of Albinism in The Da Vinci Code will certainly reach its peak this week. Fellow Albino, Actor and friend DENNIS HURLEY took it to a "whole nubba lebel" by writing and starring in a short film called "The Albino Code" which painfully and soooo hilariously plays out the reality of hiring an albino as a sharp-shooting assassin. Watch the film here: www.AlbinoCode.com

Last night was the long-awaited September Concert Benefit at the art gallery of Robert Rauschenberg. It was a total NYC social affair with political and artistic "stars" in the crowd.

The room was fantastic, one side of an old cathedral that apparently got "halved" in some sort of Real Estate dispute that could only happen in Manhattan.

Jeremy thought I was going to get violent with the antsy gallery staff who came over four times (no exaggeration) to tell us to "back away from the paintings". What - do they think I am clumsy or blind or something? Don't answer that.

The best part of performing with the SC Jammers for events like this is always the closing drum circle. Everyone just grabs an instrument or gets on the flo' and dances their booty off! I love love love that Police Commissioner Ray Kelly always joins in (his wife is on the SC board of directors and they are huge supporters). If anyone deserves to blow off some job related stress by hammering on a djembe drum, it's him!

An Exciting bit of songwriting news to report: Kathy Brier of ABC's "One Life To Live" and Broadway fame ("Hairspray" and "Bat Boy") has recorded two of my songs for her debut CD, "Heartbreaker" which begins presale today.

The album includes "O City" and "Bend" along with a never-before-released Diane Warren song that Kathy performed today on "One Life....".

It's been inspiring for me to step back and listen as Kathy breathes her own life into these songs. She's got a strong, fiery vocal style that rips through whatever she sings. Back in February, she performed "O City" on SoapTalk, a daily show on Cable's SoapNet, and the studio audience gave her a standing ovation! I am thrilled to be a small part of her continued success.

Dearest Anthony,
i must apologize. I had no idea who you were when you struck up a conversation with me at the corner of 46th and Broadway while you and your lovely girlfriend were waiting to see the drowsy chaperone last night. I was alone, you were alone at first...I totally gave you the NYC shoulder thinking you were a nosy tourist or worse - a serial killer. Well, you never know who's who in times square I guess!
Hopefully you got some small amusement in me not knowing who you were. I am legally blind after all, which may explain things. My husband knew right away of course when he arrived on the scene...but by the time we believed ourselves, you two had vanished into the theatre.
Anyway, hope you liked the show. I wish you all the best for your tour and album.
If you would indeed like to "look out for my band" even though I made it completely challenging to find me by not even giving you my last name, this site is the best place to do so. I will be forever kicking myself for not giving you the Brooke Fox lighter in my purse.
Finally, thanks for the wake up call: Brooke, be nice to strangers! Maybe they aren't strangers at all.
-B

2ND STAGE WINNER: RADIO CRYSTAL BLUE. Thanks to everyone who listened and voted for my music in the Radio Crystal Blue Airplay Vote 2006. You helped make me a 2nd Stage winner which earns spotlighted airplay and web presence on www.RdioCrystalBlue.com.

Happy new year! I'm back on solid ground after a few intense weeks of life at the turn of the year. Kurt and I made the rounds again this holiday season traveling both to Chicago and Northern California for a few days apiece. We relaxed and got festive with Family and friends even though the rainy weather just seemed to follow us around.

It rained in Chicago and then it really poured on Northern California over our New Years Holiday. We managed to keep the family house dry but our neighbors called in a panic, "trapped on vacation" unable to get home via closed Hwy 50. We discovered that an inch or two of water had rushed through their garage on its way from the back hill to the storm drain. We salvaged paintings and photos from a cardboard box and set everything up as high as we could. Later we went out to survey the damage in town and spotted entire streets full with water, lapping up onto manicured lawns. We also saw a few cars submerged up to their steering wheels and people in boats as the canal and rivers crested. Even the huge 6-lane highway 80 was partially closed for a day.

It was really something - but nothing beats the flood of 86. That's a story for another time. Meanwhile, here is the link to the local paper which has a great photo gallery: http://www.thereporter.com/.

Transit strike 2005! What a thing to wake up to at 7 in the morning and find there are no trains! I had just started this day job on the upper east side and somehow had to get way up there from my Brooklyn apartment - which is probably about four miles in total. There was no way I was walking.

I ended up staying home on the first day since I was the only employee coming from Brooklyn. The second morning I called a car service who, remarkably, came to pick me up at my house and take me and two others (plus the driver made four) into Manhattan and on to work. I was only fifteen minutes late - not bad. I was pretty much dressed to go mountain climbing though, since I wasn't sure if I would have to walk. Kind of hilarious to tread my hiking boots on Persian carpets. Getting home, I decided to do some holiday shopping to kill time. I then tried to get in a cab at 8:30 to no avail. Traffic was still awful over the bridges, the driver told me, so I went to see a movie. At 11:15, I hailed a cab and we flew home on the FDR.

Day three - now this is a classic NY story - my luck ran out with the car service coming to me - they told me to go to their dispatch and team up with other riders there. On my way, I passed the base of the Williamsburg Bridge and decided to try and catch a ride with whomever needed a fourth person to meet the quota for Manhattan. A school bus suddenly rolls by and the woman driver yells "anybody need a ride across the bridge?". I ask "how much?' she says "free! get in!". She picked up three more people on the way and we were in Manhattan in no time. She asked where we're headed and then explained she is driving the bus up to the Bronx for work and doesn't have to be there for another hour. "I could drop you off - it's on my way!". Myself and everyone else on the bus could not believe our good fortune. She would drop off folks on the corner and pick up more walkers as she drove uptown. She finally dropped me off 5 blocks from work! Some serious Karma is coming to her.

That night, I decided to get a hair cut to kill time. So I walked downtown until I found a place. But they only took cash so I paid them and then I walked downtown to find an ATM for cab fare. Then, I figured I was only a few blocks from my PO Box, so I walked there. By then, I had walked 50 blocks and was ready to go home. It was 9PM and no cabs would take me. I got in and out of five cabs - no one wanted to go to Brooklyn. I had a frantic moment - then decided to get some dinner. I grabbed a quick but relaxing bite, and finally after a few more cabs, found a driver that would take me home. Glad that mess is over.

Two songs from BTSA were featured on a fantastic podcast called "The Medium" based out of NYC. "Cinematic" kicked off Podcast #9, part two of the singer/songwriter series, which aired in late December. Listen here: http://www.themediumpodcast.com/Podcast9.mp3
More info about The Medium: http://www.themediumpodcast.com

Well, I received the CDBaby sampler disc the other night and it is a rush to see "Cinematic" sharing the playlist with folks like Jennifer Kimball and Catie Curtis. I am hoping it will reach a few new ears out there. To get one, buy any CD this month at www.CDBaby.com and get the sampler for free with your order.

Since the holiday shopping season is official upon us, "Breathe The Same Air" and "NightLight" will be available for $12 instead of $14 at CDBaby from now until the end of the year.

Also, take advantage of their volume discount (20% on orders of two copies or more) and give new music to your friends this season.

More songs from the new record will be featured Sunday (11/27) on www.radiocrystalblue.com, a Brooklyn-based internet radio station. Tune in from 7PM-1AM to catch the broadcast.

I am back from a mini-tour of OHIO and WISCONSIN with stories galore! I spent 15 hours "riding the dog" (aka the Greyhound Bus) to Dayton, OH and met some fantastic characters along the way. First, I came across a feisty old gentleman during my 5AM layover in Pittsburg who proceeded to rant about the state of the world today. Our conversation went something like this:

(early morning, ticket line, fluorescent-lit greyhound bus station, TV blaring in the background)

MR. FEISTY: Yes, New York. Just another place in America that's going down the tubes. You know how they always say 'It's going to get worse before it gets better', well I say: what if it just gets worse?

MR. FEISTY: Exactly. (insert long-winded doomsday theory referencing recent weather and political events)

Anyway, it was some trip. Other Greyhound highlights include meeting a woman on her way to a monastery, teaching a college dude how to play a power chord, and having that same dude show me his scarred knee from working in the Texas Oil Fields.

Emily Strand and her husband Matt graciously welcomed me in Dayton with wonderful hospitality, even offering me up their cottage cheese for a late night, post gig snack. I was proud to be a part of the talented lineup of ladies who made up "Girls/Solo/Live" although, we thought about changing the title to "Wife/Solo/Live" since 3 out of four of us got married within the last year or so.

Next it was on to Chicago, which was living up to its windy city moniker with 50mph sustained winds. Kurt's Mom and I drove up to Oshkosh, WI. When we asked the folks at the local McDonalds where to get a real meal in town, we were directed to Friar Tucks, where we had the most delicious cheesy cauliflower soup ever, served by friendly waitresses dressed in robin hood costumes. Family Fun in Wisconsin! The show at the New Moon Cafe was nice and mellow - thanks to Victoria Vox for setting that up. We barely escaped a snow storm driving home to Chicago that night and I flew home the next day. All in all, it was a fun outing, an adventure.

IT'S A BROOKE FOX CHRISTMAS: I've decided to put together a little homemade CD Sampler of me singing Christmas Songs to give away to anyone pre-ordering tickets to the December 2nd show at the Knitting Factory in NYC. Go here to place your order and I'll have the CD's ready for you at the show or get them in the mail to you in time to trim the tree.

"Cinematic" is the chosen track to appear on the CDBaby Sampler CD, which I expect to receive in the mail any day now. More info as soon as I get it!

I just stood on the corner of Bedford and North 8th Street and watched as my friend Paul ran the 2005 New York Marathon! He flew in from San Diego for the run and stayed with us for the last few days to prepare. I tagged along learning everything I wanted to know and more about what to do to your body while training for an event like this. First, I got all hyped up at the marathon expo where I was tasting all the free energy drinks and workout bars I could try. And last night, I went with him to the (carb load) "Marathon Eve Dinner" at the Tavern on the green. What a scene. Techno music, balloons and giant past boxes projected on the walls (it was sponsored by Barilla). As we were leaving, I declared "I have so much energy right now I feel like I could walk home to Brooklyn!" Paul said "let's not". It was an interesting look into the whole running lifestyle. Very inspiring folks! "A goal is a dream with a deadline" - words from the broadcast announcer as the runners took their mark this morning. Congrats Paul!

"And I Will" from the new record will be featured tonight (11/6) on www.radiocrystalblue.com, a Brooklyn-based internet radio station. Tune in from 7PM-1AM to catch the broadcast. Achieved shows will then be available a few hours after the show at http://cblue.lunarpages.com.

***NEW*** "Breathe The Same Air" is now available for download on itunes and rhapsody!

"This is not the time for knife and fork" - wise words from a Greyhound bus driver as he pulled into a tollway eating emporium on my way to Albany last weekend. In other words, "get it to go" people! And they did.

Albany was the site of this years National Federation of the Blind of New York State Convention where I performed both nights. The state president was throwing out trivia questions to the audience, so when I got up and played "You're So Vain" I foolishly declared I would give a CD to whomever could guess who that song was written about. Well - at an NFB convention, you don't raise you hands with the answer, you shout your name. As you can imagine, chaos erupted. Everyone seemed to know the answer was Warren Beatty. I had to call for backup.

HELLO OHIO! After a near 24 hour traveling experience (which I seem to have once or twice a year - keeps me on my toes) I ended up on stage at the CANAL STREET TAVERN in Dayton, Ohio. It was that cold kind of rainy outside but the folks inside were there because they love acoustic music. I felt grateful to be on that stage that has hosted so many legends! Thanks to Jayne Sachs, Emily Strand and Mick Montgomery for making that night possible.

Watch a 2-minute video montage of my performance of "Change Me" at last summer's YLF: Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities. For info on the program itself, click here.

Songs from "Breathe The Same Air" will be featured on WRPS: WebRadioPugetSound this coming Thursday, October 20th. Listen to "New Music Thursday" online at http://www.webradiopugetsound.com from 6AM-3PM PST on 10/20. The broadcast will also be available for four more weeks on their archives.

It is so bizarre to see your old residence director or "RD" get fired on "Martha Stewart: the Apprentice" but that's what went down tonight. The latest casualty on the show, DAWN, used to live down the hall from me in the Berklee 150 Mass Ave Dorm and I remember her well. She was the only one with a kitchen and thus we would always try to borrow can openers and sugar from her. And now she's a reality TV star - how grand....or something. That makes two reality TV stars linked to Kurt and I: his cousin was on Survivor a few seasons back.

Kurt and I watched the Death Cab For Cutie road doc "Sleep well, Drive Carefully" last night. It's certainly one of the most intellectual tour DVD's I've seen, not just droning footage of live shows, more of a news-magazine approach, without the Mike Wallace voice-overs. :-)

Kurt just wrote a bunch of music for a fantastic independent film and it is screening this weekend at the Red Bank Film Festival! Three of my songs made it in the score as well! Here are the details:

Opposite Attraction tells a love story about two college graduate students from diametrically opposed political spectrums. She-a BLUE state metro girl. He-a RED state country boy. Their differences cannot keep them apart as they engage in a summer long debate competition on the shore and inevitably fall in love. Directed by Thomas Wieschenberg & William Coles.

My 9/11 was filled with music again this year as part of the 4th annual September Concert. Kurt, Jeremy (my bassist) and I played a relaxing set of music for whomever was walking by up at Strauss Park at 106th and Broadway. Jer captured the show on his Minidisk recorder and its so fun to hear city busses and birds chirping between each song.

The evening show at the Baggot Inn was full of good music including a fellow Brooklyn band with a sort of jazzy, cerebral pop sound called Superiority Complex.

Here's a review of my dear friend Brandon Schott's album "Release" which features a BF mention for some harmony vocalizing on "Feels Like Home"

BREATHE THE SAME AIR IS THE #53 TOP SELLER FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST ON CDBABY.COM!

Thanks to some dedicated long-time fans and some curious new listeners, BTSA sold 45 copies and made it up to #53 on the top seller chart at CDBaby last month! That means a song from the CD is now eligible to be on the CDBaby sampler. More news to come as to what song will be featured. Thanks to everyone who got the word out! Your signed posters will be going out to you shortly!

Last month I traveled to PA to be a part of the first ever NOAH Family Summer Camp for kids with albinism. What a blast! There were 10 campers, all boys, along with parents and counselors from all over the east coast. I brought my guitar with me and everyone sang camp songs around the fire. There I am second from the right in the group photo. I made so many great friends that week! I went paddleboating, mini-train racing, hiking and swimming! GET CAROL! (you had to be there) Photo by Rick Guidotti.

Last month, Kurt and I, along with the rest of the September Concert Jammers, paid tribute to our fearless leader Haruko Smith, named "New Yorker of the week" for the week of September 2nd. Haruko is a hero for musicians and people everywhere, bringing her dream of the September Concert to life. NY1 interviewed us and taped our rehearsal at the SC offices in Midtown for the piece. The segment aired several times over labor day weekend here in the city and can be viewed online at:

Monday's NY show went well! Thanks to all of you who came down to Rockwood. Its an intimate, one room venue with tables and chairs and a 100 year old, gorgeous grand piano! Andrew, my drummer, noticed an especially nice moment when "You were playing 'O City' and the sun was setting on the drumset. I wish I had a picture of that" Awe drummers, love 'em! :-)

And, "did she or didn't she?" I did! I chopped my hair off, folks! Its in a sort of funky layered bob cut. A little too late for summer, I guess, but I love it! Thanks to Ginger at Bumble and Bumble on 56th Street for "framing my face" as Will excitedly put it. Pics coming soon.

And my makeover came just in time! Tonight, myself and the rest of the September Concert Jammers will be filmed for a segment on New York 1 TV honoring the organizer of the September Concert, Haruko Smith as "New Yorker of the Week". The segment will air on Labor Day weekend.

So, I just got a hold of the newest Imogene Heap record - the one that is not available in the states yet. Oh my! It is guh-ood! *Gasp* If you like Joy Askew, you will love Imogene heap.

10 SONGS FOR $10 ON CDBABY! Breathe The Same Air is on sale until August 30th! Help a song get on the CDBaby sampler by purchasing a copy or two this month. Visit www.CDBaby.com/BrookeFox2

GIRLS FIGHT BACK founder Erin Weed (see below) just posted a 2 minute video about her story with GFB so far and it features clips of "Eclipse" "Don't Fall Back" and "Cinematic". Watch it: http://www.girlsfightback.com/html/broadcast2.html

My friend and inspiration Erin Weed of Girls Fight Back has just totally blown me away by profiling me on her Weeds Words Page. She travels the country teaching self-defense tactics to women. I love the title of her latest seminar topic for this Fall. It's called "How to be a bad victim". If you or someone you love is heading off to college or just want to learn to defend yourself, these safety tips from Erin are not to be missed.

I was reviewing some of my past entries on this page and thought: Wow - I am all business. So, in an effort to make this spot more of a personal account of my "life as an albino at large", I am going to spew out whatever interesting tidbits come to mind. I have not regularly been keeping a diary since I met Kurt (I guess he sort of became my tell-all) so this will be good for all of us. :-)

First off, can I just take a moment and explain how sad I am that Peter Jennings died this week. He was a spectacular journalist and class act all around. I used to joke with Kurt about how I'd run away with Peter Jennings if he asked me to. I know that may sound strange but Peter Jennings exuded a confidence that always drew me in. Well, I cried through all the coverage on his life on Monday. His wife was a lucky woman.

This is the month when CDBaby asks its artists to get serious and sell, sell, sell! They award their top sellers in August with a coveted slot on a compilation disc that goes out to the next 5000 customers. So, this month, I will be doing a song and dance to help push "Breathe The Same Air" over the top. Can I interest you in a nice set of four BTSA coasters? :-) For a limited time only at www.cdbaby.com/brookefox2

OK - this is my favorite thing to eat lately: Take your average tub of cottage cheese (preferably large curd or "California style") and dump in a couple tablespoons of your favorite jam or jelly. Mix until blended...and Yum! (Kurt won't touch the stuff, which happily enables me to eat it right out of the tub!)

I finally posted that article on the Just Plain Folks Awards show which was featured in the March 2005 Issue of Singer Magazine. Check out my glossy pic on the PDF version. Very fabulous!

Also I just loaded www.myspace.com/brookefox and I've decided: myspace is like a living high school yearbook....Or is it like living in a high school yearbook? Wait! I can't tell, but I'm newly obsessed. K.I.T. and be my friend!

ITS LOOKING LIKE THE GRASS IN MY YARD IS BARELY CLINGING TO LIFE. APPARENTLY, IT WAS BLISTERING HOT HERE IN NYC WHILE I WAS FROLICKING ON THE WEST COAST THIS WEEK. I WENT OUT TO SACRAMENTO TO SPEAK AND PLAY FOR THE DELEGATES OF CALIFORNIA'S YOUTH LEADERSHIP FORUM FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. I WASN'T SURE HOW THE CROWD WOULD REACT TO "CHANGE ME". I THINK THE HONESTY OF THE LYRICS SORT OF STUNNED EVERYONE IN THE ROOM, INCLUDING ME, AND I WAS TOUCHED AND COMPLETELY HUMBLED BY THE EMOTIONAL RESPONSES FOR THE SONG.

A LOT OF PLACES HAVE PASSED 30,000 MILES UNDER MY FEET IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS. I FIND IT FUNNY THAT I'M QUITE A HERMIT WHEN I AM HOME. I WON'T LEAVE MY HOUSE FOR A COUPLE DAYS STRAIGHT (EXCEPT TO RENT SIX FEET UNDER: SEASON THREE), THEN I'LL EMERGE AT 6AM AND GET ON A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT. I'D SAY I DON'T GET OUT MUCH BUT THAT'S NOT TRUE.

"BROOKE, I CAN'T BELIEVE I JUST WATCHED YOU SLAM A RED BULL AND PASS OUT RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME"..."BARRY"..."SHARKEY FOX"....."YOU'RE TAKING A PUBLIC BUS DOWNTOWN?" "YES SIR"....."MISS, YOUR TRIPOD HAS JUST BEEN DELIVERED"..."RIDING THE RAILS"...."MMMMMM, SOURDOUGH TOAST"..."GARY"..."I USED TO BE A JUNE TAYLOR DANCER, I CAN HELP YOU, DEAR! YOU'RE SINGING TOO HIGH!"..."MMMMMM ONE-YEAR-OLD WEDDING CAKE"..."LARRY"...."DADDY, WATCH 'SMILE'?"..."EVERYONE STEER CLEAR, GUIDE DOG ACCIDENT AHEAD"

"BREATHE THE SAME AIR" DEBUTED ON CDBABY TODAY AND I AM SO EXCITED. I'M LIKE A ONE-GIRL-PROMO TEAM OVER HERE AT MY BUSY LITTLE DESK IN THE BASEMENT BY THE ELECTRICAL PANEL. I'M IN THE "TRACTOR BEAM COUNTDOWN PULL" OF THE BIG NY CD RELEASE SHOW, WHICH IS ON MONDAY. THE BOYS ARE COMING OVER TO REHEARSE TONIGHT. I THINK WE'LL HAVE A DRINK ON THE PATIO AND WATCH THE NEW GRASS GROW WHEN WE'RE DONE PERFECTING THE TUNES. :-)

I JUST CAME INSIDE FROM WATERING MY BRAND NEW "LAWN-IN-PROGRESS". AS LONG AS THE NEIGHBORHOOD BIRDS DON'T STEAL TOO MUCH SEED BEHIND MY BACK, IN A FEW DAYS, WE'LL HAVE A GLORIOUSLY GREEN CARPET OF GRASS TO TREAD UPON HERE IN NORTH BROOKLYN. I'LL BE HOME LONG ENOUGH TO MOW IT ONCE BEFORE I HEAD OUT TO PLAY SOME SHOWS TO DEBUT THE NEW ALBUM. WOW-THE NEW ALBUM! (IT'S STILL SINKING IN). THE BIG BOXES OF CD'S WILL BE COMING TO MY FRONT DOOR THIS WEEK AND I AM ANXIOUSLY TRACKING THEIR MOVEMENT AS THEY MAKE THEIR WAY HERE. IT'S ALL VERY EXCITING! SOME EARLY REVIEWS BY FRIENDS AND FAMILY ALL POINT TOWARDS DIFFERENT "FAVORITE SONGS" ON THE RECORD. I THINK THAT'S A GOOD SIGN. I'VE POSTED PREVIEWS OF THE TRACKS ON THE MUSIC PAGE HERE SO FOLKS AT LARGE CAN CAST THEIR VOTE. IN THE MEANTIME, HOPE YOU LIKE THE "SITE LIFT". MORE NEWS SOON....

WELL, HELLO! MUCH TO TELL! I JUST RETURNED FROM NASHVILLE WHERE I SPENT A FEW WEEKS EDITING AND MIXING MY SECOND ALBUM, CURRENTLY TITLED "BREATHE THE SAME AIR". IT WAS AN EXCITING TIME, AND WE'RE STILL PUTTING THE FINISHING TOUCHES ON THE MIXES BEFORE IT GETS SHIPPED OFF TO BE MASTERED.

KURT AND I TRACKED MOST OF THE INSTRUMENTS IN OUR BASEMENT STUDIO BEFORE BRINGING THE SONGS DOWN SOUTH TO JIM LIGHTMAN (INDIA ARIE, LEANN WOMACK) WHO HAD ALSO ENGINEERED "NIGHTLIGHT". GUEST APPEARANCES IN THE STUDIO INCLUDED DAVE SPAK (JIM'S BIG EGO, INDIA ARIE) ON DRUMS, DENNY HEMINGSON (TIM McGRAW) ON ELECTRIC GUITAR AND AN AMAZING STRING QUARTET PERFORMANCE FOR THE PIANO VERSION OF "O CITY" BY CHRIS CARMICHAEL (DAVID MEAD, JOSH ROUSE, JILL SOBULE).

THE PROJECT HAS TAKEN ALMOST TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE AND NOW THAT IT IS SO CLOSE TO BEING DONE, I CAN FINALLY START TO LOOK TO ITS FUTURE. THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS WILL BE SPENT PLAYING THE DISC FOR PEOPLE WHOM I HOPE CAN HELP ME TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL. IT'S ALL VERY EXCITING! A BIG THANKS TO EVERYONE INVOLVED. MORE DETAILS AS SOON AS I HAVE THEM.....

BROOKE AND KURT DISCOVER ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE IN YOUR OFFICIAL WAFFLE HOUSE CHEF HATS.

MEANWHILE ON HIGHWAY 65...I SUPPOSE EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO PRAY - EVEN WHEN THEY'RE ON THE ROAD!

IT'S OFFICIAL, I'M A MARRIED LADY NOW! IT'S BEEN ALMOST TWO MONTHS AND THE LOVELINESS IS STILL LOVELY.

IT WAS A MAGICAL CEREMONY AND RECEPTION HELD OUT IN CALIFORNIA. PEOPLE CAME FROM ALL OVER THE PLACE TO BE THERE AND WE PLANNED ALL KINDS OF FUN EVENTS FOR THEM LIKE A NAPA WINE TOUR AND CARIBBEAN THEMED REHEARSAL DINNER COMPLETE WITH LIVE STEEL DRUMS. ALL KURT AND I CAN SAY IS THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR MAKING IT SO MEMORABLE FOR US. I THINK WE'LL BE HEARING STORIES FOR QUITE SOME TIME ABOUT WHAT WENT ON THAT WEEK.

AND NOW, KURT AND I ARE BOTH WORKING TO GET BACK IN MOTION WITH NEW MUSIC AND NEW SHOWS. I AM LOOKING AT HEADING DOWN TO NASH TO FINISH OFF THIS NEW RECORD THE RIGHT WAY SO I CAN FINALLY GET THE SONGS OUT THERE.

ALSO, I HAVE BEEN COLLABORATING ON LYRICS FOR AN ORIGINAL ROCK/POP MUSICAL (GASP!) WITH KURT AND OUR CLOSE FRIEND WILL BRUMLEY. IT'S A MODERN HIGH SCHOOL COMEDY/DRAMA THAT EXPLORES SMALL TOWN POLITICS, JOURNALISTIC INTEGRITY, INDIVIDUALITY AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION. IT'S ALL VERY EXCITING FOR ME, A TOTALLY DIFFERENT WAY OF WRITING. IT FEELS GOOD TO STRETCH THOSE MUSCLES. AFTER ALL, SOME OF THE FIRST SONGS I WROTE AT AGE 10 WERE PART OF A MUSICAL I CALLED "GREASY MONSTERS" (EEK!). AND I AM SURE I WAS SIMPLY WATCHING AND LEARNING FROM MY GRANDMOTHER, WHO SPENT A HUGE CHUNK OF HER MUSICAL CAREER WRITING MUSIC AND LYRICS FOR MELODRAMAS. I GUESS BROADWAY IS IN MY BLOOD. :-)

IN NEW SONG NEWS, I JUST RECEIVED AN HONOR AWARD FROM THE GREAT AMERICAN SONG CONTEST FOR MY NEW TRACK "BREATHE THE SAME AIR" YEY! THAT FANCY SONGWRITING DEGREE IS PAYING OFF.

I JUST RETURNED FROM SHOWS IN CT, MA, PA AND A WEEKEND IN NASHVILLE WHERE I WALKED DOWN THE AISLE AS A BLUSHING BRIDESMAID IN MY LONGTIME FRIEND'S WEDDING. ALONG THE WAY, I SAW SOME OLD PALS AND VISITED THE STUDIO "NIGHTLIGHT" WAS BORN IN. AH, THE MEMORIES!

ON MY WORLD TRAVELS, I LISTENED ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY TO NELLIE MCKAY. HER NEW ALBUM "GET AWAY FROM ME" IS MY NEW CRACK. TOTALLY DIFFERENT!

SEEMS LIKE EVERYTHING IS HAPPENING THIS YEAR! MY SIS JUST HAD A BABY GIRL, I'M GETTING MARRIED IN 5 MONTHS AND MY NEW RECORD WILL BE OUT SOON! IT'S STILL EVOLVING AS WE SPEAK. THE PLAN IS TO CALL IT "BREATHE THE SAME AIR" AFTER THE NEW SONG I WROTE ABOUT BEING IN MY FIANC�'S CHILDHOOD ROOM. OTHER SONGS INCLUDE "AND I WILL", "UNTOUCHED", "CHANGE ME" AND "BEND". CAN'T WAIT TO GET IT OUT THERE!

WOW! TWO OF THE "TOP 500 SONGS" ENTERED IN THE 2003 BILLBOARD SONG CONTEST WERE WRITTEN BY YOURS TRULY!! I GOT TWO PAIRS OF BLUBLOCKER SUNGLASSES TO SHOW FOR IT! HEHEHE! I LOOK LIKE MIAMI FREAKIN' VICE WHEN I WEAR THOSE THINGS, MAN! SERIOUSLY THOUGH, WHEN I WAS 12, WRITING SONGS ON MY CASIO, I ENTERED THEM IN THE BILLBOARD SONG CONTEST. I REMEMBER, I WAS SO EXCITED ABOUT SENDING THOSE TAPES OFF! SO THIS IS LIKE A LITTLE KID-DREAM COME TRUE. :-)

SINCE I LAST WROTE, I HAVE HAD AN AMAZING SUMMER FILLED WITH TRAVELING, WRITING AND FEVERISHLY RECORDING THE NEW RECORD HERE IN MY BASEMENT STUDIO. IF ALL GOES WELL, IT SHOULD BE OUT THIS FALL. VERY EXCITING FOR ME! IT'S A DIFFERENT KIND OF ALBUM THAN NIGHTLIGHT. NOT ONLY ARE WE RECODING IT AT HOME, BUT ALL THE INSTRUMENTS SO FAR WERE PLAYED BY EITHER MYSELF OR KURT GELLERSTED (MY PARTNER IN CRIME). CONSEQUENTLY, I AM GETTING TO BE QUITE THE BASSIST. :-)

SUMMER IS ALMOST UPON US AND I AM IN TRAVELING MODE ALREADY! I'M HEADED OFF TO THE MIDWEST FOR SOME SHOWS NEXT MONTH THAT SEEMED TO PICK ME. BY SEVERAL STROKES OF LUCK AND GOOD TIMING, I LANDED MYSELF A SPOT ON A HUGE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION BIKE RIDE FUNDRAISER IN MADISON, WI ON THE 27TH AND AN ACOUSTIC LUNCH GIG AT ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY ON THE 25TH. THANKS TO NICOLE AND ANDY FOR SETTING THE WHOLE THING UP! I AM WORKING TO FIRM UP SOME SHOWS IN THE CHICAGO AND TWIN CITIES AREAS SO THE JOURNEY IS COMPLETE. KNOW ANY RANDOM PLACES TO PLAY OR POSSIBLE HOUSE CONCERT LOCALES? LET ME KNOW @ INFO@BROOKEFOX.COM.

I DO KNOW ONE THING. I PLAN TO BE HOME FOR THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY FOR MY NEW NEIGHBOR, THE WILLIAMSBURG BRIDGE. IT SHOULD BE A FUN DAY OF FROLIC IN BROOKLYN ON THE 22ND. LOVE IT. SEE WWW.BROOKLYNARTSCOUNCIL.ORG FOR MORE INFO.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A WHILE, IT ACTUALLY FEELS LIKE WINTER IN NYC. THERE IS A TON OF SNOW ON THE GROUND! THAT MAKES ME WANT TO GO INTO HIBERNATION... IN A GOOD WAY. NO SHOWS IN THE IMMEDIATE HORIZON AS I AM FOCUSING ON WRITING A NEW ALBUM (FINALLY). I HAVE FOUND THERE'S NO BETTER TIME FOR ME THAN WINTER TO SNUGGLE BY A CANDLE WITH MY GUITAR AND JOURNAL.

AH, FALL! LOVE IT. I AM PACKING TO GO TO CHICAGO FOR SOME SHOWS AND THEN ON TO NASHVILLE FOR A SLOT IN THE NEW FACES NITE AT THE SLOW BAR. ITS IRONIC. AN OL' NASHVILLE GIRL AT THE NEW FACES NITE. HE HE.

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO CAME TO THE SHOW AT THE CUTTING ROOM LAST SUNDAY. IT WAS A GLORIOUS ROOM TO PLAY TO. HOPE TO BE THERE AGAIN SOON...

I'M REPORTING TO YOU FROM NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, AND I HAVE JUST RETURNED FROM A FEW DAYS AND TWO SHOWS IN LA. WHAT FUN WE HAD! MUCH LOVE TO EVERYONE WHO CAME OUT TO SEE ME PLAY, SOME OF WHOM I HAD NOT SEEN IN YEARS!

ON FRIDAY NIGHT, I SHARED THE STAGE WITH MY DEAR FRIEND BRANDON SCHOTT AT HALLENBECK'S GENERAL STORE, A CUTE, TURN-OF-THE-CENTURY-ESQUE COFFEE SHOP. I BORROWED HIS BAND FOR A FEW SONGS (I GAVE THEM BACK) AND THE ENERGY WAS "THERE". I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO MY RETURN TO THE AREA, HOPEFULLY BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

VACAVILLIANS, I WILL SEE YOU AT MY UPCOMING HOMETOWN SHOW ON AUGUST 9TH. SCROLL UP FOR DETAILS.

WEW! WHAT A CRAZY LIFE WE ALL LEAD. JUST A QUICK NOTE TO THANK EVERYONE WHO CAME OUT TO SEE ME PLAY IN ALL MY VARIOUS FORMS LAST WEEK. I HAD A BLAST! THE NEXT CONQUEST? WILLIAMSBURG. I AM MOVING THERE THIS WEEKEND. LOTS OF SPACE FOR THE OL' HOME OFFICE/STUDIO. A WHOLE ROOM IN FACT!! YEY!

MORE TO COME NEXT WEEK ASSUMING I CAN FIND MY COMPUTER IN THE SEA OF BOXES....

SPRING IS HERE! IF THIS NEXT WEEK TURNS OUT TO BE HALF AS EXCITING AS IT LOOKS ON PAPER THEN WATCH OUT!! I AM PLAYING SOME UNCONVENTIONAL SPACES AND GIGS IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. LOVE IT.

FRIDAY IS MY SECOND APPEARANCE AT MARK AARON JAMES' HOUSE CONCERT SERIES. THE EVENING TAKES PLACE IN HIS LIVING ROOM IN JERSEY CITY. A FUN TIME. SOMEWHERE BETWEEN A SHOW AND A PARTY.

MONDAY THE 15TH WILL BE A UNIQUE SHOW. I'LL BE PLAYING A 25 MINUTE SET OF SONGS ON THE PIANO. NO ACOUSTIC GUITAR ALLOWED AT "PIANO LADIES" NIGHT SPONSORED BY TALENT IN MOTION MAGAZINE. OTHER FEATURED PERFORMERS INCLUDE MY GOOD FRIEND LIZ LYSINGER AND DINA FINAI. JOIN US FOR A SWANKY ITALIAN DINNER AT TINO'S ON 56TH BTWN 5/6.

THEN THERE IS THE CLASSIC VINTAGE CAFE. I BOOKED A SET THERE ON FRIDAY THE 19TH AT 9PM FOR ANOTHER CASUAL FRIDAY NIGHT SHOW. HOPE TO SEE YA.

THE BIG EVENT OF THE WEEK: MY LOVELY AND TALENTED BOYFRIEND KURT GELLERSTED IS PREMIERING HIS PIECE "REQUIEM" ON THURSDAY THE 18TH. NYU UNIVERSITY SINGERS, NYU FACULTY SOLOISTS AND A 23-PERSON CHAMBER ORCHESTRA WILL BE ON HAND TO PERFORM THE 8-MOVEMENT PIECE IN A HU-U-U-U-GE CHURCH. ITS GOING TO BE BREATHTAKING!! MORE INFO AT WWW.KURTGELLERSTED.COM

AHHH, SO MUCH TO TELL YOU. IN A FEW DAYS I WILL BE ON MY WAY TO AUSTIN, TX FOR SXSW. RIGHT NOW, I AM PUTTING THE FINAL TOUCHES ON MY EP AND PRESS MATERIAL. SO EXCITING!

THE PICTURES TURNED OUT GREAT AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE SITE. KERI-ANN LAURITO OF KPHOTOGRAPHY DID A FINE JOB! SHE AND I SPENT HOURS IN THE COLD THAT SATURDAY "GETTING THE SHOTS". I CAN'T WAIT TO FLASH THEM AROUND.

"BROOKE FOX IS ON FIRE" NO REALLY. WHAT STARTED AS A JOKE-PHRASE BETWEEN FRIENDS (PAYING HOMAGE TO MY "THIS YOUNG WOMAN IS A POET ON FIRE" REVIEW QUOTE) SNOWBALLED INTO A FITTING MOTTO FOR ME. SO, I TOOK IT TO HEART AND HAD FLAMING RED LIGHTERS MADE UP BEARING THE SLOGAN AND MY URL. I PLAN TO LEAVE ONE IN EVERY BAR IN NYC 'CAUSE EVERYONE NEEDS LIGHTERS! IF YOU HAVE RANDOMLY FOUND A BROOKE FOX LIGHTER AND YOU HAVE A COOL STORY ABOUT HOW YOU ENDED UP WITH IT OR WHEN IT WAS YOUR LONE COMPANION AND BEST FRIEND ON A CROSS COUNTRY TREK, EMAIL ME.

YO! MORE MP3's INCLUDING UNRELEASED TRACKS ARE NOW ONLINE AT WWW.MP3.COM/BROOKEFOX

BARFLY BABY. OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, I HAVE BEEN BUSY COLLABORATING WITH SOME FELLOW NYC ARTISTS ON A NEW MUSICAL (WOA). THE SHOW IS BASED ON THE LIFE OF CHRISTINA OLSON, MADE FAMOUS BY THE ANDREW WYETH PAINTING "CHRISTINA'S WORLD". BARFLY IS NOW ONLINE, LISTING INFO ON ITS WRITERS, PROJECTS AND SUBMISSION POLICIES. FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.BARFLYSTUDIO.COM. I'LL KEEP YOU POSTED...

WOA! Lots of stuff happening for me these days. I am heading down to SXSW next month to hang out in Austin, TX and soak in the whole music conference and showcase thing. (see www.SXSW.com for details about this enormous festival). In preparation, I am (finally) having some new photos taken and putting together an EP - a sort of sampler disc. The track listing will include some NightLight tracks, some new acoustic recordings and a live song or two. I'll be recording the upcoming Bitter End show next week - 2/27 @ 8PM - so if you feel like shouting it out, come on over. See SHOW LISTINGS for all the info. More to come very soon....

Guess it finally decided to act like winter after all! Its chilly! Thanks to all of you who came out to see me play (and eat) in NJ at the PAJAMA BRUNCH. I had soooo much fun. I've been asked back this month on the 24th. Come on out to NJ and have some yummy E. B. & B. (that's Eggs Benedict and Bacon - yeah baby). See the next diary entry for more info.

ALSO- the photo gallery pages are new and improved for your viewing pleasure. There are some new picture sets for you to check out including pics from my CABIN TRIP and ROCKTOBERFEST. Click HERE for the main gallery page.

Here's something new! I am heading out to NJ for this fun engagement Jan 27th, a CHAMPAGNE PAJAMA BRUNCH. It will be AMAZING food and four hours of covers and original songs from me and my faithful guitar.

To all of you NJ-ers out there, I hope to see you! Ladies, this seems like a fun, special occasion thing to gather your best girl-friends up for. Gentlemen, this seems like a great place to meet some ladies! Hehehe. There will be Victoria's Secret Goodies involved!!! Ooo Laa Laa!

I know MOST of you out there do not live in the NJ area, however, if you are looking for a adventure and a break from the city (or an excuse to wear your PJ's and Fuzzy Bunnies on the train), the gig is only about 45 minutes from Penn Station (see directions in the show listing below). Owner/Chef Joe Montes promises me "The best Damn Eggs Benedict you will ever have!" I believe it.

I am preparing my cover song list for the event, so if anyone has any requests, email me at info@BrookeFox.com. And to answer the question: YES, I WILL be playing "Easy Like Sunday Morning". How could I not?

HI ALL! JUST A QUICK NOTE TODAY. I AM HEADED UP TO LAKE TAHOE, CA THIS MORNING TO DO SOME WRITING UP AT MY FAMILY'S CABIN. I CAN'T WAIT! LOTS OF SNOW AND HOT CHOCOLATE. I AM RETURNING TO NYC IN A WEEK WITH A FEW NEW SONGS IF ALL GOES WELL. HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL AT THE BAGGOT INN ON FRIDAY THE 7TH TO WITNESS THE WORLD PREMIERES. SEE THE SHOW LISTINGS FOR MORE INFO. I'LL HAVE A FULL REPORT ON MY TAHOE TRIP COMING UP ON THIS PAGE WITH PICS AND EVERYTHING SO STAY TUNED AND STAY WARM.

As you can see from the picture, I spent some time in Maine a couple weekends ago. Some friends of mine and I headed North for some much needed fresh air and fall foliage. The trees were absolutely beautiful! We stayed on the beach at Old Orchard and drove all over the coast, checking out the little fishing towns along the way. Mmmmm...Lobster!

Today I ventured out to Kenilworth, NJ to play a set at the Kenilworth Oktoberfest. I had tons of fun! The music for the day at our booth was coordinated by fellow Berklee refugee Samantha Kane. It became this sort of Berklee reunion thing! Sharing the bill with me were Andy and Denise, Kristin CIfelli, Dan Barrett, and Ssmantha herself. For many of these people, it had been years since I had seen their faces! We had a grand ol' time catching up and swapping CD's. It had been too long!

HI ALL! It has been an emotional week for me to say the least. Many of you have worried about me and the New York community and I wanted to let you all know I'm just fine. A little shook up, but fine. All is calm here now. The air here is STILL a bit wretched from the smoke but that's ok. I wanted to share my experiences with a those of you out there who would listen. I feel this odd need to communicate it. In perspective, I have a pretty painless account of the day seeing as how I was not near ground zero nor did I lose someone dear, but I will never forget that day as long as I live. If nothing else, I think this horrible act can bring us together by sharing our own stories and making sense of it all, together. Its too big of an emotion to hold in. Bear with me and please feel free to respond to info@BrookeFox.com and tell me what went through your mind and where you were on September 11th.

Here goes:
I went on my way to work Tuesday morning as usual. I ride the A train into the city which stops at Chambers Street/World Trade Center. I was actually, for some reason, looking at my watch that morning so I am pretty sure that my train rolled through the stop at about 8:30, only about 15 minutes before the first attack. People who were standing next to me got of my train at the stop as usual and presumably went to work. Spooky. I got to work in midtown at 9:05, went upstairs and was greeted by the receptionist who had just seen the second plane hit with his own two eyes. He looked like he'd seen a ghost.

I headed downstairs in disbelief and stopped to look at the South window on the 42nd floor of our office where a small group of people was congregating. The office is on 57th Street, a couple of miles from downtown. We could see the top third of the towers and huge plumes of smoke rising. I remember thinking the whole thing was ironic, I had come into work prepared to work overtime that day. It was the last day before our big conference that week and I was helping to plan the thing. 100 associates were scheduled to fly in from around the country that night. My boss broke me from my trance at the window and brought me back to her desk where she explained maybe I should go downstairs and drink my coffee in the lobby until things settled down. Myself and a few others sat in the courtyard outside but I wanted to be near a TV. Finally the president of the company came down and explained that we could stay or go depending on how comfortable we felt being at work at that time.

I went back upstairs where we all huddled around the TV in my bosses office. I took turns going from the South window to the TV. People were waiting to hear from their friends and families as to their whereabouts.

I called my parents and woke them to tell them I was ok and to turn on the TV. It was as I hung up with them and was coming down the hall towards the window when the first tower collapsed. Some of the people in my office were just crying hysterically at that point. It felt like a movie. I turned away and thought: only the top part right? right? It can't be the whole thing. As I walked back to my desk I remembered, my roommate Joe. He works only 6 blocks from the WTC. I managed to get through to him (miraculously) and he reported he was fine but that his building shook with the impact of the collapse and now the air outside was black with soot. His company was urging people to stay inside until the smoke cleared. He wasn't sure what to do. Then the second tower collapsed. I called a few more times to check in with him but I lost contact with him after 12. I knew he was fine and had finally decided to get the heck out of there.

The company ordered lunch for us and after we all had a meeting at 1pm. People were discussing rooms for the night and how people were planning on getting home. It seemed that getting to my home in Brooklyn was becoming an increasingly difficult matter but at 1:30 I decided to try and get home no matter how. My tentative plan was to get as far south as I could and then walk across the Brooklyn or Manhattan bridge on foot. Then someone told me that my train was running again so I got out and walked until I found my train or at least one that was running south. On the streets, tons of other midtown refugees were doing the same. What cars that there were could hardly move though the crowds. At 42nd and 6th, I found a southbound train (ironically an E train whose former final destination was "World Trade Center". It was still posted on the train's marquis. Somehow it was running on the F train lines). I decided to ride that as far as I could. I ended up having to take three packed trains south until I found my train that was running to Brooklyn. On the train I saw people with masks hanging around their necks. I met some guys who worked at the WTC but who were fortunately late for work and saw it all happen from a few blocks away. The snippets of stories I heard were amazing. It took me two hours to get home. When my train surfaced in Brooklyn, everyone looked out the windows back at Manhattan. It was pretty intense.

In my neighborhood, there was a homeless man screaming "Did you see they tried to kill us today at the World Trade Center?" Radios were on everywhere. The smoke billowed across the sky and I walked home in a daze. I had had a knot in my stomach for hours. When I arrived at my place, I found my roommate safe there. He finally had to venture out in the soot with only a napkin over his face and crossed the Brooklyn Bridge on foot like so many others. He walked most of the way home believing the trains were not running.

Luckily, I did not lose anyone I knew in this tragedy. Only friends of friends but no one I can clearly call up in my memory. Thank god. Its been an emotional week even still. I cannot imagine that grief on top of what I have already felt. The experiences I have had over the last few days have been all about the little things. The after effects were so wide spread they truly affected everything. The smell of the air in the subway stops I pass through on my way uptown, the Manhattan express busses parked in my neighborhood with no where to go. The slight layer of "World Trade Center Dust" on everything Wednesday morning. Medical and National Guard personnel getting on and off of my trains. The posters on the buildings in Herald Square of the missing.

Telecommunications took a big blow. We have no television transmission except for one channel and my cell and home phone have been intermittent. That big antenna on top of the tower is no more. There are countless other elements that keep reminding New Yorkers that their life will forever be different somehow.

I went back to work on Thursday and Friday. It was impossible for people to really focus. The overwhelming feeling was one of "Why does this matter again?" It was a rough transition. It is ongoing. Personally, I really tried to use this weekend as a regrouping for my soul. After all, this may be far from over.

As for the building itself, it goes without saying that it was a great loss for NYC. I had only a few experiences there. I actually went up to the 102 floor on one of the towers once right after I moved here last year. it was amazing. I could see for miles. There was a bar up there, we went to see a band play. I've also been shopping at the mall there a few times and wandered around on the concourse level. I can't believe its all not there anymore.

Well, I have to say, I am in some strange way glad that I was here to see it all happen. It has been burned in my mind forever. I'm proud to be a New Yorker, even though I am a relatively new arrival. I feel that people here are strong but are not afraid to show compassion. We are all in this together. And now we are at war together. (God, I have been watching too much news coverage. I'm starting to sound like the anchor people)

The happy ending to all this? My sister and her husband just made me an aunt for the second time yesterday! Parker Jay Goodsen weighing 8 lbs 1oz was born at 2:30 yesterday afternoon in California! I wanted to be there so badly, but instead I got to hear him over the phone and speak with my 3 year-old nephew Riley who was so excited about "my brother Parker". so cute.

So, that has been my week. As I said, please write me if you feel the need and share your thoughts on this mess. It really helped me to just get it out there. Long live NYC!!!

I RETURNED FROM MY THREE WEEK JAUNT ON THE WEST COAST LAST WEEK. AS USUAL, IT WAS THE PERFECT BLEND OF HANGIN' OUT AND FAMILY TIME. I HAD A GREAT TIME PLAYING AT THE CREEKWALK IN VACAVILLE, MY HOME TOWN. BRANDON SCHOTT AND DAVID COLLINS JOINED ME FOR THE SET ON GUITAR AND PERCUSSION AS WELL AS CHIMING IN ON SOME THREE PART HARMONY ON "TIME AFTER TIME". GOOD CLEAN FUN. THANKS TO ALL WHO CAME OUT FOR THE SHOW THAT DAY!

AFTER THE FESTIVITIES THERE, I HEADED DOWN SOUTH TO LA WITH BRANDON AND SAW SOME OLD FRIENDS THERE. I EVEN PUT MY FEET IN THE PACIFIC. :-)

FROM LA, IT WAS BACK TO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA FOR A FEW DAYS THEN UP TO SEATTLE FOR MY FAMILY REUNION. ALWAYS A ROARING TIME. THEN BACK ON THE REDEYE TO NY.

IS THAT I LINED UP TWO SHOWS FOR SEPTEMBER HERE IN THE CITY. I HOPE SOME OF YOU CAN MAKE IT OUT. I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT PLAYING AT THE LIVING ROOM AGAIN. ITS QUITE THE HAVEN FOR SINGER/SONGWRITERS AND A PERFECT PLACE TO JUST SIT BACK AND LISTEN. MY SECOND SHOW IS AT THE TRIAD LOUNGE (FORMERLY THE DARK STAR). THEY'VE GOT A BIG BLACK GRAND PIANO THERE AND I PLAN TO USE IT!!! COME OUT AND HAVE A DRINK WITH ME.

HI ALL! IT'S BEEN A GREAT SUMMER SO FAR! I RETURNED TO NYC A FEW WEEKS AGO FROM HELPING MY GOOD FRIEND MOVE CROSS COUNTRY TO LA. WE HAULED THE BIG OL' PENSKE TRUCK AND MADE STOPS IN NASHVILLE, MEMPHIS, OKLAHOMA CITY, NEW MEXICO AND ARIZONA. THE TRAVELING VIBE WAS GREAT THANKS TO PLENTY OF BILL WITHERS AND NEIL FINN'S NEW ALBUM. WE SAW THE GRAND CANYON AND A FEW TOURISTY SIGHTS. ODDITIES ALONG THE WAY INCLUDED THE LARGEST CROSS IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE, EXIT "0", AND THE "HOT COOKIE SOCIAL HOUR" AT THE HOWARD JOHNSON IN ALBUQUERQUE.. GOOD CLEAN FUN. PICTURES FROM THE PILGRIMAGE WILL BE ARRIVING ON THE SITE SHORTLY.

THIS WEEK, I MADE MY BROOKLYN CABLE ACCESS TELEVISION DEBUT! LAST TUESDAY, I APPEARED ON "WELCOME ABOARD", A WEEKLY LIVE HALF-HOUR SHOW HOSTED BY MICHAEL PETTERSON. I PLAYED TWO SONGS (TIMEFOOL AND ECLIPSE) AND CHATTED WITH MICHAEL ABOUT MY HAPPENINGS AROUND NYC. IT WAS TONS OF WACKY FUN AND DEFINITELY LIVE TV. I HAD A BLAST!

LAST NIGHT, I SAT IN FOR ONE SONG WITH LIZ LYSINGER, A FELLOW BERKLEE REFUGEE AND SINGER/SONGWRITER. I SANG THE INFAMOUS "CAPPUCCINO SONG" WHICH I CALL INFAMOUS BECAUSE WHEN SHE FIRST ASKED ME TO SING IT WITH HER WAS THREE YEARS AGO AT A BERKLEE SHOW, WE MADE QUITE A STIR. ALL I'M SAYING IS THE LYRICS INCLUDE AT LEAST THREE OUT OF THE SEVEN WORDS YOU CAN'T SAY ON TV. NORMALLY THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM AT BERKLEE BUT IT WAS PARENTS WEEKEND. EVERYONE WAS FLOORED. LAST NIGHT WAS A BIT MORE SUBDUED BUT LIZZIE REALLY MADE QUITE AN IMPRESSION ON THE AUDIENCE FOR HER FIRST FULL SOLO SHOW. CHECK OUT HER MUSIC AT WWW.LIZLYSINGER.COM

NO BIG PLANS YET. SO FAR IT LOOKS LIKE I'LL BE SPENDING NEW YEARS EVE IN MY QUIET LITTLE TOWN, FAR, FAR AWAY FROM THE TIMES SQUARE INSANITY.

I'M COMING TO YOU FROM MY HOMETOWN OF VACAVILLE, CA, WHERE CHRISTMAS IS CLOSING IN ON US FAST. I MANAGED TO MAKE IT OUT OF NEW YORK BEFORE THE WINTER STORMS DESCENDED AND WOW, ITS REALLY AMAZING HOW 55 DEGREES CAN FEEL LIKE SUMMER!

A few weeks ago at the Baggott Inn's Open Mic, I was approached by a fellow Singer/Songwriter, Ben Sebastian. He had fallen in love with my performance of "Don't Fall Back" that night and told me he was interested in booking a show for he and I in his hometown of Woodstock, NY.

I accepted of course and on Dec 9th, Ben and I appeared at Joshua's Upstairs. It was a cozy night of acoustic tunes. Ben and I traded off mini-sets with a few surprise guests thrown in to mix it up. The audience caught a rare version of me that evening due to throat issues that set me back but created some of the coolest vocal glitches to ever come out of my mouth. I know I'll never be able to do half of that Janis Joplin screaming again. I was tempted to bust out with "Piece Of My Heart" just because I could and it was Woodstock after all...

I made a lot of great friends that night! Thanks goes out to John, Kerrigan, Jason and Toby for the ride up North and to Ben for driving us back to Brooklyn at 2AM! I look forward to coming back for "round two" at Joshua's soon. Check out Bens' band ARMS at www.ReachArms.com.

I'm back from my whirlwind weekend in Seattle, WA for the inaugural ROCKRGRL MUSIC CONFERENCE. ROCKRGRL is a magazine devoted to women who rock and you can find it at www.rockrgrl.com. I attended panels and workshops and listened in on some great music. Amy Ray from the Indigo Girls gave a politically charged, well-read keynote speech addressing all facets of the media.

There was an attentive crowd at the downtown STARBUCKS on Saturday for my showcase including my parents in from California and my Aunt, Uncle and Cousin who live in the Seattle area. There were many outstanding people sharing my bill, but Laine Henderson, also from New York, got my "hmmmm... who's that?" vote for the evening. She's at www.LaineHenderson.com.

One crazy weekend last month, Oct 19-22, I made my way uptown to volunteer for the annual CMJ Music and Film Festival. If you haven't heard of CMJ, they publish industry magazines catering to indie and college markets. This festival is one of the biggest in the music community and when I heard about this years event, I looked them up on the web and decided that volunteering sounded like a heck of a deal. I worked for CMJ on Thursday and Friday then used my free badge to get into panels, shows, and exhibits for the rest of the weekend. It ruled. I got to see some great shows, check out some NYC clubs, and listen to people go back and forth about the internet and its future effect on music. I ran into my old friend and fellow Singer/Songwriter Adrianne. She's so amazing! Check out her music at www.adrimusic.com. For more info on CMJ.... www.CMJ.com

OK, so it may seem a little out-of-the-blue for a lot of you out there in cyber-madness-land but I am now a real, live New Yorker. That's right. NYC baby! I packed up my stuff into a Uhaul and waved goodbye to NashVegas in late September. Its an idea that has been kicking around in my head since last Feb/March and when the right opportunity came up for me to move into a cheap, safe place in Brooklyn, I took it. So there. So far I have been settling in and job hunting. I plan to check out and play in as many places as I can here. Its a very exciting time for me so I promise to keep you all updated via this very page. You can find my new address and phone number on the contact page here. Please feel free to call, write, whatever. As always, you can email me at info@brookefox.com.

Request Your Fave Brooke songs on Nashville’s 102.9 the Buzz, "Local Buzz Show". It’s every Sunday Night @10-12pm and it showcases the bevy of Nashville talent doin’ their thang, hosted by Aljon. Call 615-737-1029 to request Brooke on 102.9!!!!