Nice review and thoughts on 2007

It's difficult to describe Gina Sicilia or her record without employing a whole bunch of clichés and making both sound like stereotypes– it's disrespectful and would demean a heck of record and a terrific performer. Facts are facts, though: she's got the goods. Big, big voice with the big Blues and Big Band sound, unbelievably "real" and deep and knowing for someone only 22. Big, swingin' sound from just a "little big band," only the organ and a jazz guitar plugged in, ten other horn and rhythm guys simply blowin' like there's no tomorrow. Big, fat blues tunes, most penned by Ms Sicilia herself, full of those big hurts, big bad dudes, and big attitudes. Big presence, too, starting with the big green eyes: she's got Big Star written all over. With all that, though, she never sounds like the same old, same old, which is why this reviewer is so big on Gina Sicilia, and you're gonna be, too! (Victory Music)

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My, my, my. It's been quite a year.

Last Christmas my debut album hadn't even been printed up yet, and now...all of this.
I honestly NEVER expected it. I expected maybe a little radio play and some gigs. Never did I expect more, but I received more.

I have been SO SO SO lucky.

I know there is a fine line between being overly humble/modest and appearing ungrateful.

Ironically, what this past year's success has done has certainly humbled me. I'm not one to bring up in conversation with people good things that are happening. I don't want to seem like I'm bragging. Oftentimes I don't want other people (specifically other musicians) to know.
.
However, I also realize just how lucky I am, that things don't always happen so easily as they seem to have happened for me. I know they always wont. I will undoubtedly have down times. Everybody does and I'm expecting this. Who knows, maybe all of this is just a fluke. I'm preparing myself to NOT be disappointed if things start to not go my way.

I've barely scratched the surface of what I'm hoping will be a long career. I have only been doing gigs for 2 years. This is my life-long dream. When when I was 8 years old I used to brag to my family that I was going to go on world tour someday as a singer. I still want nothing more to having a career in singing. I'm not going to complain about any of this, that's for sure, and I would never give it back. This is what I want!

I don't want it to appear that I'm unappreciative of the good things or don't realize the magnitude of them or am not grateful enough.

Since I've never not had great things and opportunities like this in terms of trying to "make it", I don't know what it's like not to have them, and therefore do not know what immense gratefulness and appreciation would feel like for someone who finally reached certain goals or achieved certain things after a long time of falling short of that. Maybe it would be better for me and if I experienced failure after failure after failure.

I'm not trying to brag or toot my own horn here. I don't want this to be a self-indulgent, egotistical blog, but I do have to aknowledge just how lucky I have been over the last 10 or 11 months. I have to recognize that this is not all my own doing and I wouldn't have been able to do any of it without the helpful, supportive people I know and have met. I think by aknowledging this I am showing that I AM grateful. To mention nothing of it would signify that I'm indifferent, expected it, or am displeased. I have to be honest, and that's exactly what I'm doing.

So, thank you to EVERYONE who has supported me and helped me.

Let's see what the next 10 months brings!

To ignore the negativity and negative people, strive to improve, focus on the music, and be HONEST in everything I do are just a few of my resolutions.

I wish you all the best. Never let anyone discourage you from pursuing your dreams.

Hope your holidays were lovely and have a merry new year!!

<3
Gina

NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey everyone!!! Great news!!!
I am SO honored and SO thrilled to announce that this month I have signed with the prestigious Piedmont Talent booking agency for worldwide representation AND that I have been nominated for a Blues Music Award for "Best New Artist"!!!

You can go to http://blues.org/bluesmusicawards/nominees.php4 to vote for me!!!

Visit http://www.piedmonttalent.com to check out my new agency!!! :)

What a year it's been! I'm a lucky, lucky girl!

I never expected ANY of this to happen less than a year after releasing my debut CD!

How wonderful this has been!

I want to thank ALL of you who have supported me through all of this. I could not have accomplished what I have without your support.

I solemnly swear that I will be posting much more often...

For now, here is a silly photo of a pair of quite painful shoes that a fan in Virginia insisted on shooting of photo of!!



Happy holidays to you all and a very, very merry new year!

xoxo
Gina