I have been awestruck by the SDMAs since I moved to San Diego in 2007. People that I’ve enjoyed listening to like Jason Mraz, Switchfoot and Blink 182 have all been a part of this celebration of San Diego music and I’ve admired them all from afar. It’s strange and surreal to suddenly find myself following in the footsteps of all of these San Diego musicians before me. I won’t go as far as to say that we are now peers, but I feel like I’m one step closer to my heroes.

I see this journey like a small-town kid’s move to a big city. I look at all of the things that I’ve done in the years leading up to the present with a childlike wonderment. Not much has been lost on me and everyday I wake up in disbelief that this is actually my life. It’s been a crazy, strange trip and I will do everything I can to keep going!

On August 1, people will be able to vote and I would love it if you took a few minutes to vote for your favorite/deserving San Diego music/musician (I’ll post a link soon). It would REALLY be icing on the cake if you decided that I was that musician! After everything you’ve given me, I would be content for the rest of my life.

Thank you again from the bottom of my heart. While awards are a wonderful way to validate my passions, nothing comes close to the love and support all my family, friends and fans give me every day.

See you soon!

****UPDATE****

Voting has begun for the San Diego Music Awards! If you have a little bit of time, please check out the wonderful music the nominees have made and vote! Hope to see you all soon!

Here’s an incomplete list of checklist of stuff I’d like to accomplish in the next few months (in no particular order):

• Nationwide tour
• Skydiving
• Bungee jumping (COMPLETE)
• Start recording full-band album
• Learn to speak Chinese (Mandarin)
• Become a better cook (COMPLETE/On-going)
• Take up new athletic activities like soccer, surfing, etc. (COMPLETE/On-going)
• Go on more outdoor trips per year (COMPLETE/Going backpacking again in July)
• Visit New York, Boston and Washington DC separately from a music tour
• Travel overseas somewhere
• Write one really great song
• Collaborate with more people that I respect (COMPLETE/On-going)

They may not seem like much, but they are big things for me. Hopefully, I can check off more of these as the year progresses. If you’d like to partake or help with any of these activities, the more the merrier!

Yes, it’s already 11 days into the year but I’m going to keep saying “Happy New Year” until I stop accidentally writing 2009 on everything.

I’ve already had a busy year with “Live from Lestat’s” CD release, a few BIG shows later on in the year and the big media push for the last few weeks (not to mention a very successful show in San Francisco at the Hotel Utah at the beginning of the year). Oh, did I mention that I’m finally assembling a backing band? We’ll probably start performing in late February. Keep those ears open!

As always, my whole perspective on my music career is shifting and I’m on the verge of what may be my most important self-discovery to date. I think I’ve finally found a way to reconcile my love of music, my desire to succeed as a performing singer/songwriter and my disdain for promotion and the music industry. It’s really no big secret or grand, inventive scheme. But it is a revelation to me.

I know what you’re thinking… at least I think I do. It could be, “tell us this new idea” or “who cares”. Either way, I think I’ll hold onto this thought for a bit longer. Besides, when was the last time people were thrilled to hear a marketing plan for someone else?

What I will share is that in order for this to work, I’ll need your support. You don’t have to send your friends mass text messages about shows or RT anything that I say. In fact, you don’t have to do anything! I just need to be sent good vibes! Come hang out once in a while at a show. Or drop me a line on any of the social media sites I’m on. If you feel inclined to share my music, that would make my day! Just help me feel like what I’m doing is appreciated and I’ll keep returning the favor.

On a different note, “Live from Lestat’s” is going to be here this Friday! I’m really excited to show you where I’ve gone in the last year and a half.

Hope to hear from you soon!
Kenny Eng (BETA)

What do you think?

Ps. I used to love the word “slogan” but now it just seems so awkward…