Well, it's been a while

I find it difficult to update a blog when I keep everyone so up to date on things with my twitter and facebook page. Alas, I will try and update you in long form versus the short form we all deal with so much everyday.

First, I hope you are all doing well. I noticed it's been a year since I last wrote a blog. Um, that's probably not a good track record is it?! This past year was filled with a lot of wonderful things. My playing has increased so much and my schedule continues to fill up. The second cd has had a great year and it continues to do well. God has opened some amazing doors for me to play and share the music and gift he's trusted me with. I absolutely love playing music from it in concerts. The first cd is great, but I connected even more with the music on the second one. When you work in the studio, it captures what's going on at that exact moment. It's like time stands still and you forever get to remember where you were or what was going on when you recorded that album. This can be good or bad, but for me, this second cd was filled with so much joy and creativity. Every time I'm on stage playing, I find the influences of my newer music bleeding over into the older music. OOPS! :-)

So the definition of an artist from the dicitonary is: "a person who works in one of the performing arts, as an actor, musician, singer; a public performer. Also, a person whose work exhibits exceptional skill". I have learned so much this past year about what it means to me about being a true "artist". I've been doing this for a pretty long while, but it was this past year that I realized what being an artist meant to me. Artistry is more than just exceptional skill to me. It's someone who follows their heart, their faith, and shares it with people with the prayer that what you're doing on that stage will inspire, uplift, or even change someone's life. These are pretty big shoes to fill, but they're shoes I pray I can just maybe come close to putting a foot in when I'm on and off the stage.

Anyway, thanks for letting me share my thoughts with you all. They're sometimes random, but they're things I like to share with my friends/ fans. Thank you for all of your continued prayers and support. My prayer is that no matter what your "stage" is, we all are able to inspire, uplift and possibly change the lives of the people that we come in contact with. May God bless every single one of you richly. Remember, you are loved! Joseph

New Album Release!

Well it's the night before the new cd releases and I'm actually at home tonight resting. I debated getting out and doing something, but I decided to stay at home with the dog and watch tv. I'm not ever home much, so it's actually nice to be here at the moment!

So, the big day is upon me, April 24, 2011. It's the release of the new album "Abide With Me". Most new music releases on Tuesdays, but I opted for Easter Sunday. I'm playing at a great church in downtown Houston (River Oaks Baptist Church) and I wanted to share this new project with everyone there on Easter. I've spent the past year working on this project and am thrilled with the way it turned out. I would spent hours in the studio working and really cherished every moment because, I think, it was the first time I started to let go and feel with my heart as I recorded and not worry about where my hands were going to go. They know what to do!! If you haven't been in a studio before, it can be an interesting experience. In my case, I was sitting at this AMAZING 9' Kawai Grand in a sound proof booth, headphones on, and a plasma screen behind me so the engineer could see me and I could see him. With all that going on, it can be hard to "lose" yourself in the music. You're worried about making sure you don't screw up because there is no "studio magic" to fix a piano mistake. It's either right or WRONG! HA! Regardless, I found my way and really poured my soul into every note that I played. It's not my first album, but it's one that I feel even more connected to. I can only hope that you can hear just some of that in the music when you listen to the new cd. There has been a great deal of emotional, spiritual, and musical growth since the first album.

Anyway, as I make a plug for the cd: www.josephfuller.com, iTunes, Amazon : Make sure you get your copy!!

I pray you all have a wonderful Easter and remember the real reason why we celebrate this season of renewal, forgiveness, and grace.

Peace to you all,
Joseph

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! I've spent the entire fall not updating anyone on anything in my blog. Thank God for Facebook or nobody would know what was going on. My apologies!

This fall was extremely intense, thus the lack of time for blogging! Album update: I am two tracks from finishing the new album. I'm still keeping the title a secret until the mastering is completed and photography is done. Just in case I have a change of heart. I'm so excited!!!

Moving onto Christmas! I've been so busy playing at a lot of venues this season and am so thankful for the opportunities. Someone asked me today if it was hard to keep the joy in the season because of what I do. I actually thought about my response for a second and realized that it actually can be difficult to keep the joy of this beautiful season when you're in front of thousands of people playing. The reality is, I want what I play to touch every single person who hears it, especially here at the holidays and I struggle to not get lost in the "details" of making the season beautiful. The reality is, "I" don't make this season beautiful, "HE" does.

As I play on Christmas Eve, my prayer is that I will get lost in the music and that "HE" will be the only thing that is heard.

Have a beautiful and blessed Christmas! You all have made my year so wonderful! Thank you!

Merry Christmas!
Joseph

Blessed

So...

This summer has been wonderful! With the recording of the new album and the opportunities I've had to play at churches, it's truly been a blessed summer.

I'm over halfway through the new project and am loving what is taking place in the studio. There have truly been some "moments" in the studio and I'm so glad that they have been captured. (There have also been some other moments that weren't so good, so I'm glad those are not available to the public. HAHAHA!!) All in all, I pray that the music will speak to you and provide you all with the warm of God's love and give you the joy and peace that it brings to me while I'm playing. I keep reminding myself to be patient because I'm anxious for you all to hear it. One step at a time! It typically takes several months for a new album and I'm only a couple into the process. All in God's perfect timing!

On a personal note, I got to spend a lot of time seeing family and friends this summer. LOVED IT! I did rest in between and have to admit, I got a little addicted to some television shows on USA and TNT. I couldn't help it. My DVR and I were having a good time keeping up. HAHA!

This past Labor Day weekend I got to spend with my parents and brother. We went camping. Yes, I said camping. I'll have you know that I had air conditioning and hot running water in a nice RV, so I suppose it's glorified camping. ;-) Nevertheless, it was a great time. My mother and I sat at the table and played card games for several hours. It was calm, peaceful and just what I think we both needed. She did beat me, which made her happy. We cooked on the grill and just spent time with one another. Perfect!

As we move into a new Fall season, my goal is to try and take the time to enjoy the things around me. The change in season is such a perfect time to see the beauty of God's creation. From the storms to the change in temperature, God's creation is perfect and beautiful!

As always, your love and support are priceless! Thank you for allowing me to share my story and music with you all!

Peace to you all,
Joseph

New Project

Hello All!! I believe I say this everytime, but I usually run about 2 month behind on updating everyone on things. Again, I'm sorry!! BUSY!!! Here's what's been going on! So, I'm back in the studio working on new music for the new album. (No, there is not a release date yet...soon) I wanted to take this next project to a completely different place and level than the last album. I've changed studios and am ecstatic with the studio I'm at now. As I'm sure more of your have read on my FB post, I'm getting to work on a 9' Kawai Grand. It sounds phenom! The funny thing is, for those of you who know me well, I really never have liked Kawai pianos. Funny, huh! I was so hesitant to go and check it out, but once I sat down and played, I was hooked! The sound is so rich and full. It records so well that when I'm listening to the playback it just overwhelms me at times. So, I'm hoping that it does the same for you all as well!

I'm so excited about the new music that's going to be on this new album. Here's a little hint....it's going to be a bit more "up beat" at times, more dramatic and then will have, hopefully, some really reflective moments. Ok, that's all you get...HA! So, there's the music update.

Life is good, family and friends are well and I'm enjoying the summer so much!! I hope and pray that you all are having a wonderful summer and are taking time to see family and friends. Thank you for your love, constant support and your prayers. Each of your comments and your prayers are what continue to inspire me to hopefully make great music for everyone to enjoy and be inspired by.

Most of all, I pray the music that I play and perform are pleasing in HIS sight.

Peace and love to you all, Joseph

Reflection

I have always remind people that I'm not the best at blogging, but I'm trying to at least keep everyone in the "loop" at least once a month. Here goes...

April has been a really busy month. I've had a lot to play for and have felt like I'm moving 90 mph at times, but all is well!

I have to share with you all about a trip this past weekend I had the pleasure of taking. I flew to Charleston, SC for one of my best friend's wedding. (no not the movie....ha) It was an amazing weekend with a friend that is so very special to me. I remembered, as I was there, that God has placed some of the most amazing and remarkable people in my life. Some represent my past, some my present and some a future that I'm not even aware of. All in all though, I'm so blessed to have these people be not just friends, but family. They love you for who you are, cry with you when you need to cry and then are brutally honest when they need to be.

So, here's my prayer... May God continue bless us with the friends and relationships in our lives that are exactly what we need.

Thank you for your continued love and support. I couldn't do it without you all!

Peace,
Joseph

P.S. Congratulations to my most dear friend, Natasha. I'm so blessed to have had God place you in my life. Thank you for loving me for me....

Guest Artist Appearance

So I had the opportunity to play at Westbury Baptist Church in Houston this past Sunday. It's not often that I'm fortunate to run across people like the ones at Westbury. We always hear "oh, those people were so kind" or "that church just welcomed me", but I truly can say that this congregation and staff opened their arms and truly embraced having me there as a guest artist. It was such a joy to be apart of that service that I just lost myself in the music and played. For those of you who are artist or creative type people, you know how it feels to really lose yourself in your "work ", so I can say it's been a long time since I've gotten to do that. There was such an atmosphere of love and acceptance at this church that it allowed me to be free and play from my soul.

After the service was over, people came up to me to talk and tell me how my music ministered to them, but I have to say that it was them who ministered to me. Thank you Westbury Baptist Church for treating with such love and respect. I can't wait to come back soon!