You really don’t know me.  My name is Jen Lowe.  My dad is a retired prosecutor.  In my life, I have heard and seen some truly horrible things – some truly horrible stories have been told to me.  I have listened.  I have tried to be sympathetic.  I have, thankfully, never been able to be empathetic.  I had a storybook childhood.   Every day I rejoice and exclaim to the world “I am a lucky girl.”

Not every girl is lucky.  Not every kid is lucky.  Unfortunately, some kids deal with unspeakable traumas.  We can’t empathize.  We can barely sympathize.  But we can recognize.  And that is what I am doing tonight.

Sometimes in life, you have a conversation, and you realize in one breath, why you said yes.  You understand why you took time out of your so-called busy life to be a part of an adventure you did not research.  As a musician, I get asked to a lot of shows with very little details provided.  Most times I say yes just because it is the person who is doing the asking.  This time it was Michael Tolcher.  A text message came to my phone “Jen, can you lay down some beats with me in Scranton, PA on Feb. 17 &18?”  I checked the driving distance, and I responded “fo sho.”

Michael and I have been friends a long time.  I have amazing respect for his craft.   I follow Michael on Twitter.  I found out we were doing a benefit for a group called Marley’s Mission.  Tonight I had a conversation with Gene.  Gene told us the story behind the benefit, behind the mission.  Michael and I listened. We asked questions.  We sat in disbelief.  We sat in awe.  Here we were, artists, often being asked to play at a benefit, often asked to donate our time.  This time it is really different.  This time I feel like I want to do anything I can to help the kids of Marley’s Mission.  This time, this charity resonates deep in my heart.  I am honored to be a part.

Marley’s Mission is a non-profit organization that provides equine-based therapy free of charge to children, and their families, who have experienced trauma.

I encourage you to click on the links and check it out.  Marley’s Mission is changing the lives’ of many children who really need it.

I am a lucky girl to be here in Scranton, PA sharing in this wonderful event…more to come.

Rett Thompson, Paul Warner,  Christopher Alan Yates, and all my friends in Atlanta helped me pull this together.  Very excited to present this video to you!

This Thursday night, February 24th, I will be playing at Infinity Hall.  This might be my absolute favorite place to play.  Coupled with the fact that I get to share the night with Pat Mgee, Patrick Macaloon, and Paul Lombardo makes me want to jump up in the air and holla “Yee Haw!”  I have known both Pat McGee and Patrick Macaloon for almost the same amount of time.  I met both of them on very different occasions when I was playing and touring with my band Soul Food.  I have maintained friendships with both amazing guys, have been reconnecting with each of them on a regular basis as of late, and am super psyched to be rock’n with them this coming Thursday night.

Paul Lombardo and I met each other when I moved up here to CT a few years ago.  We have been collaborating over the last few months, and he has become a wonderful friend and music compadre.  Not only can he play and sing his butt off, but he can fish the seas like no other and come home and cook that fish up into a delicious meal.  When Paul says ” I caught you a delicious bass,” he is not only quoting Napoleon Dynamite, he really means it!

So as my life collapses into place around here, and as I come full circle with old and new friends, I have to rejoice.  I am thrilled I get to do it through music and even more excited to be performing my own music as well as the two Pats’ songs at Infinity Hall.  I am pretty sure we will be passing around some YEE HAWS!

During the 2011 NAMM show I got to know the guys at Vater Percussion.  Honestly, I have always been impressed with their product line, I just never had the opportunity to get to know them as a company or a community.  So Wed. night Chad and Billy were kind enough to take me to dinner.  I immediately felt at home with both of them.  As musicians and artists, we have so much more than just our craft going on in our lives.  And sometimes it is so sweet to talk about anything but music.  You know the feeling, it can be like bringing the office home with you.  Maybe that is why I had such a great time with Billy and Chris, we laughed  and talked about all kinds of great topics.  I could tell you what they are, but then I’d have to kill you  So what I am really saying is that I am happy to have accepted an invitation to be a part of the Vater family.  I am already enjoying the sticks, mallets, brushes and practice pads!  It’s really great stuff, and I know that as a part of their community, there will be much friendship and common ground.  I very much look forward to our relationship ahead.

Rock On!

I have had one of the best years of my life.  So much so that I don’t mind having the flu right now.  I know it will pass, and I will come out on the other side feeling better than ever.  I liken it to going through security at the airport.  Sometimes you have to take it all apart, so you can put it all back together even better than you had it before.  I’m listening to Patty Griffin right now.  She is such an inspiration to me.  If you don’t know her music, you should consider checking her out.  It’s a dose of amazing for your soul.  It’s raining here in CT.  I used to hate when it rained.  Now I don’t mind the rain either.  Me and Blanche are hanging in our newish place, and we are snug like bugs waiting for all the football games to begin.  I have one more show in 2010 at Infinity Hall.  This makes me so happy, and I am smiling from ear to ear as I write this.  Infinity Hall is my absolute favorite place to play.  I have been so lucky to play in so many brilliant venues, but Infinity Hall takes the cake.  I love that I get to finish up the year there.  Makes me think that everything just comes full circle in it’s due time.  My friend Tony says “it all just collapses into place.”  As I reflect on 2010, I feel like my life has done just that.  It’s hard to make big changes.  It’s scary to move to a new place.  It’s sad sometimes to be so far away from my family.  But all the people I love, and all the people who love me have been so generous with their hearts and souls.  For this I am so grateful.  Thank you for taking the time to listen to my music, to listen to my stories, to supporting my craft, and mostly for your friendship.  I am a lucky girl…

Just a little home video fun…

Saturday I get to play with Michael Cleary at Lucky Lou’s.  Just the two of us doing a song swap.  Sweet!  I am excited.  Michael is an amazing artist.  Then on Sunday I will open for Jonathan Edwards at the Guilford Racquet Club.  It’s a benefit show.  Bring on the inspiration!  See you out there. Click on the Tour button for more details.