Saying GoodBye to 2015...or is it good riddance...

2015 started with such promise. My business was getting a "fresh start", new working relationships, new partnerships and I actually needed to wear shades as the future did in fact look very bright...THEN...all hell broke loose. I don't think I am exaggerating when I suggest that everything I had dreamed of for this fiscal year - died! I do not want to rehash the details, but lets just say that every single projection, every single goal, every single financial "dream" - was obliterated!! I think that sums up my 2015... Now I could sit here and think of the craziness that was 2015. I could sit here and blame and finger point and pretend I am a victim and that life is so unfair and life is harsh yada yada yada...I could be sad, and sit here and be depressed because of the situation I find myself in...OR...I could find the many blessings in the rubble. I choose to find those blessings...here are just a few: 1. We finally took a family vacation. Wendy has been saving for a couple years without telling anyone. She surprised us last Christmas with a trip to Cuba for us and the 3 kids! AWESOME time!!! 2. I had the chance to tour with all 3 of my vocal heroes. Growing up, Steve Archer, Russ Taff and Michael English were the 3 singers that I pattern'd my vocal style after. I knew all their music, I knew their special "vocal lyks". I toured with all 3 and got to sing some of their iconic tunes with them. I sang, "Through His Eyes of Love" & "Jesus is the Answer" with Steve Archer..."I'm Forgiven" & "Trumpet of Jesus" with Russ Taff...then just last week, "Mary Did You Know" "I Bowed of My Knees" & "I Believe in a Hill" with Michael English!!! So...that was VERY cool. 3. Our company helped Jessica Ridley tour in the UK for 18 dates with Ward Thomas (#1 Country act in the UK) and I was able to spend 8 days in the UK and see many incredible things! I even saw Stonehenge! 4. I was able to release my very first DVD, THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS WITH KEVIN PAULS & FRIENDS, featuring - The Martins, Steve Archer, NewWorldSon, Jacob Moon, Alynthia, Kevin Ramessar and a great band and choir!! It played all over the UK this year, into the US Market and parts of Australia and South Africa. This is a huge deal for me...so happy about this! 5. My daughter Lauren - is engaged!!! Getting married next year...She is also finishing up school and is a youth pastor at a local church in Waterloo. 6. My daughter Amber is at Bible College and just got back from a 6 week missions trip to Jamaica. She is also an amazing photographer. 7. My son Jordan is done high school and is taking his Real Estate course and will be joining my brother in Hamilton to keep the tradition going and work for PAULS Real Estate! 8. My lovely wife, Wendy, and I celebrated our 27th Anniversary this year. AND we still really like each other! SO...??? I can focus on the negative of 2015 --- OR, I can choose to see the blessings. I have learned many things this year. I know who my friends are. I know that there are many people that like to see others fail. I also know that there are many people that see the good - and there are many people that have the ability to show grace and mercy! Here is what I hope for in 2016. A) I will be back touring a lot more B) I will be back working with artists a lot more C) I will have my wife working by my side! D) I have a renewed focus for the few things in this world I am good at. STICK TO THEM! E) I will write new music this year, with some great songwriters I am so happy to be turning the calendar over to 2016. Not so much to get rid of 2015...but to look forward to another year to be better - professionally - and personally! God be the centre of all I do. May people see YOU before they see me. Happy New Year!!! See you on the road in 2016. Kevin

New Page!

2014 brings the turning of a page...new life and new beginnings...yet so many things remain the same!

Do you ever feel like that?  Maybe it's just me...

I am always excited about the new year...September brings the same feelings of newness for me.  These times make you think of turning the page...clean slate etc... The only problem is this, the page seems to be new or at least blank, but the pressure of the last page has made it's way onto the "new page".  The pen seems to inevitably wind up going down the same lines as the last page...The pressure from the last page seems to not allow us to carve new paths.

I find that this year, I am trying to turn about three or four pages deep to find a page that the pressure has not already made it's mark.  Not easy...i am finding that I need to go deeper!!

I really need this year to be different.  I really need to go deep and find that page that is not already mapped out by last years pressure.  I am finding the right people to partner with, trying to stick to the things I am good at.  Trying to find a new way to do things, if I want a new result!!

This year will see a bunch of FIRSTS!  New CD, new emphasis on songwriting, new focus on mentoring and working with artists, new tours, new partnerships, Europe and Africa this year!!

The challenge will be to make sure that I have gone deep enough...that this NEW page is just that...a new page!

Here's to new beginnings...AGAIN!

Kevin

2010 - The Year of POSSIBILITIES!!!!

I love this time of year! The endless optimism, the big dreams, the goals and objectives, the clean slate...you know - all the stuff that goes with the turning of the calendar.

Well this year is a year in which I think my music, my marriage and my life for that matter will see incredible "positiveness" Is that even a word??

A) Wendy and I are on 100 Huntley Street for the first 40 days of 2010, doing the LOVE DARE! We are doing dares for the first 40 days...called the love dare. This is from the book/movie Fireproof. (by the way, Kirk Cameron looks just like my brother Frankie)

B) I am one of the judges in a TV Show, similar to American Idol, called Gospel Dynamic Duets...it airs on CTS January 16th!
(more to come on that!!)

C) My music has finally got some momentum after Christmas...Lot's of good press, The Christmas CD sold well...and there are a lot of things in the works for 2010!

NOW - this is not the first year I have felt good about the year to come...but - my belief in this is stronger than ever.

I will be blogging more than normal because of the LOVE DARE so - don't get sick of me...come by often and hang out...this will be a fun year!!

talk soon,

Kevin