Happy holidays and Happy New Year to everyone! In spite of it being a week of holidays, my focus has remained sharp and I feel the momentum building as I move forward into the 2025 new year. One of the highlights of this week was the conversation I had with my bank manager. As I continue to explore investment opportunities, particularly in real estate, this meeting was a pivotal moment in planning for Cinco Verde’s future. I have to admit that I was nervous – not about the financing. I was nervous about taking such a big step in my life alone. Then I remember all of the people who have had to overcome various challenges alone. Why should I have it easier? I am not special in that regard.
I do believe that it is important for my own sense of self that when I say I will do something, I keep my word...even if only to my own self. It’s a matter of integrity. It’s a matter of feeling good when I look in the mirror. I had already spoken it aloud and now, it was time to walk the walk. This is certainly one of the biggest ventures I have ever undertaken financially and it felt a bit daunting. What if I fail? What if I can’t pull it off? I will not allow myself the luxury of entertaining such thoughts for any real matter of time. Doubt is just a dark illusion and although it can be threatening, I focus on where I want to go and what I want to do. No matter the resistance, I am eager to expand my investments and further solidify my legacy. I believe in myself even if no one else does.
Bonnie, the bank manager offered some great insight into the best financing options for the property in El Paso, Texas. This is an important step in diversifying my income streams outside of music and will tie into my broader vision of long-term financial stability. Alongside the real estate focus, I also took a significant step by selecting a realtor in El Paso to represent me. Remember, Hector from the jam session a couple weeks back? Turns out, he is also a realtor! Sweet! The process of selecting a viewing of several properties has begun and I’m eager to schedule another trip to El Paso to see these potential investments in person. I’m weighing the potential to turn one of these properties into a rental income opportunity, with Cinco Verde being the exclusive music publisher for the studio, should that idea materialize and being able to offer the artist living quarters while working on their projects.
In the realm of my music career, this week has been marked by several small but impactful steps. I had the chance to look back at my efforts regarding licensing and distribution. I’m still pursuing the possibility of licensing my music to be played in certain stores across Texas. The idea of my tracks becoming part of the everyday soundtrack in these stores excites me, and I feel it would be a great way to reach even more listeners. This ties into my larger mission to elevate the SoulePhix brand while simultaneously providing a steady stream of income through licensing.
Additionally, my dedication to promoting my music globally has continued with my consistent submissions to radio stations worldwide. It was admittedly a slower week, but I am continuing to focus on getting my music heard in places beyond my home state of Texas. I mentioned last week that I’ve now submitted my music to a total of 54 radio stations globally. The global reach that this represents is an exciting step in growing the SoulePhix brand. Every station I submit to is a new door opening for potential fans and exposure.
Lastly, the new year also means focusing on this year’s goals for projects. Of course, one of the most exciting is the vinyl LP featuring both jazz standards and my original works along with the digital CD album. I’ve been working behind the scenes with Jason Richard to remaster the songs in order to prepare for its eventual release next Christmas. Although it feels far-off, the planning and preparation are crucial. I want to ensure the release is flawless and that it resonates with my audience in a meaningful way. The vinyl LP will be more than just a collection of songs; it will serve as a physical representation of my journey and the musical world I’m building. Part of building that world includes the lyric book, which I am still working on with my former guitarist, Curtis Edwards. This week, we were able to make headway in some of our discussions about transcribing our mutual compositions into sheet music. Though we’ve encountered challenges in terms of transcription accuracy, it’s been a collaborative and rewarding process. Curtis is enthusiastic about the project, and while we’ve agreed on a two-year timeline for the book’s release, I’m confident that it will be worth the wait. The lyric book is not only an income stream but also a way to share my creative process with my fans, allowing them to dive deeper into the meanings behind the songs. Being closer to Curtis logistically will certainly help to speed up the process. I am really looking forward to that! I also wrote an original Christmas song that I plan to release next season as well.
I’m incredibly excited about what the future holds, especially with my real estate investments in El Paso, the vinyl LP release next Christmas, the digital CD and the expansion of Cinco Verde Publishing. Each new move feels like a part of a larger puzzle that’s coming together beautifully. The journey is long, but with every passing week, I am closer to realizing the grand vision I have always seen for SoulePhix and Cinco Verde Publishing.