Congratulations to Our First Giveaway Winner!

We had our first giveaway today - we have made it a family affair, so my son Benjamin is now the official Grand Master of Ceremonies... this was very fun - and VERY grass roots!! Congratulations to our winner!!! Thanks to everyone who signed up! Your names will continue to be entered every month through 2008, so no need to sign up again. If you would like to see who won, you can witness the drawing here :) http://www.stardustlullaby.com/stardust_drawing%201.wmv

The Ultimate Blog Party!!

Hi All!!

Inviting all women bloggers to the Ultimate Blog Party!! (sorry boys, this one is just for the gals).

Between March 7 - 14, there will be a par-tay goin' on!! Click on the pink "Ultimate Blog Party" button for details - last year there were over 1,000 women bloggers hopping around visiting each others blogs and sites - it's a great way to expose your site and make new friends. I'll be out here in cyberspace with my dancin' shoes on and sugar cream pie recipe in hand - probably have some fun party favors for the kids to download too!! Check out the giveaway list - it is huge!!! Ultimate Blog Party 2008 Prize Page Oh yes, and during the giveaway, one lucky gal will win a "Stardust" CD!

So get those party hats on and join in the fun!

Cher :)

I've Got Dreams...and Buddy Miles...to Remember

I saw Buddy Miles perform at the University that I would attend less than a decade later. He was the embodiment of blues, soul, R&B, funk, and he could sing and drum like nobody 's business. One of my crazier friends, T.G., had been "turned on" to Buddy Miles by some of her pals from Boystown. T.G., knowing the budding musician that only she recognized that I was in those early years, said "We are going to see Buddy Miles."

I had no idea who Buddy Miles was. I didn't know his music. He wasn't played on the radio stations I listened to. But there he was - this larger than life drummer, who hailed from Omaha - sweating up a storm - singing from his core... let me tell you, he was the rhythm in Rhythm and Blues - and he changed the way I heard music for the rest of my life.

Buddy's songs, and Buddy's versions of Buddy's songs, -"Down By the River", "Them Changes", "I Still Love You", "Dreams (I've Got Dreams To Remember)" became the soundtrack of my 14. I could tell you every note he sang, and could also tell you every skip and flaw in the album, that resulted from constant replays with a cheapo stereo needle. His songs were covered by many artists including Neil Young, Carlos Santana, Ramsey Lewis, King Curtis, Big John Hamilton in a duet with Doris Allen, Lionel Hampton, Paul Humphrey, Allman Brothers and others, but to me Buddy was the king of his creations. Buddy recorded with Jimi Hendrix and then went out on his own, leaving musical marks on the world, unbeknownst to the massses, but highly respected by those who knew better.

Years later, a commercial aired featuring "The California Raisins" - I knew that voice had to belong to the one and only Buddy Miles. Yes!! A whole new generation would come to know and love Buddy Miles, even if they never got to see him, they "felt" him - and they "got" him.

Many years back, I attempted to find "Buddy Miles"on the internet - tried to track him down to see if - and if, where - he would be performing, and to see if any of those old vinyl LP's that I had wore out as a kid had been reissued on CD - to my delight, I found a CD, ordered it and introduced my husband and young aspiring drummer son to the greatness of Buddy Miles. When I finally found him, I told him he really should get a website :)

Just this week, while penning a new song for an upcoming performance of mine, I kicked off the tune with a groove similar to the intro to "Dreams" - I played it for my husband and said "This one is completely inspired by Buddy Miles."

Today, Gene called to tell me Buddy Miles died yesterday. My younger years flashed in front of me as if I were 14 all over again. Tonight at dinner we prayed for his family, and thanked God for letting this beautiful spirit that was Buddy Miles roam the earth and touch our lives and hearts for the 60 short years that he was here.

Rest in peace, Buddy. I'll remember.

Stardust gets another great review!!

Boy, I am just on cloud nine. I woke up yesterday morning to an e-mail from a wonderful Dad out in the blogosphere letting us know he had written a review on our CD - I know that everyone has their own tastes and feelings about music, so when my "baby" is about to be reviewed I get a little anxious.

Sort of the same feelings I had when sending my child off to his first day of preschool...we have raised him with lots of love and now he's out there to stand on his own two little feet and make his way in the world.

And now, Stardust is out there in the world - and thankfully, the seven months of care and love that went into the recording is allowing Stardust to stand on it's own as well. And thanks to wonderful reviewers, like Phil Corless from "A Family Runs Through It" Stardust will begin to to make it's way.

Thanks, Phil Corless, up in Idaho! We sure appreciate you! And if anyone would like to read the review, and his wonderful blog, visit http://www.pkmeco.com/familyblog/ Feb.24, 2008

OTBN (Open That Bottle Night)

I love a good cabernet - any good red, for that matter. But, being a Mom, and an entrepreneur, I rarely have - or take - the opportunity to savor an uninterrupted glass with adult friends. That's why when I received an invitation to attend an "OBTN" - Open That Bottle Night - party this past Saturday night, I was thrilled!

Beginning in the late 90s by Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher of the Wall Street Journal, Open That Bottle Night has become quite a popular event and every year, more and more bottles are uncorked across America on the last Saturday of February.

"We invented OTBN for a simple reason: All of us, no matter how big or small our wine collections, have that single bottle of wine we simply can never bear to open. Maybe it's from Grandpa's cellar or a trip to Italy or a wedding. We're always going to open it on a special occasion, but no occasion is ever special enough. So it sits. And sits. Then, at some point, we decide we should have opened it years ago and now it's bad anyway, so there's no reason to open it, which gives us an excuse to hang on to it for a few more decades. So OTBN -- which is now always the last Saturday in February -- offers a great opportunity to prepare a special meal, open the bottle and savor the memories."

With more than 30 adults in attendance, we each brought a bottle of wine that we've been "saving for a special occasion" - we were given a blank notecard, and instructed to write a little something about the reason that wine was special. We placed the cards by their bottle, and we all took turns reading the cards, laughing, sampling wine, making new friends and having a lovely night.

If you enjoy a nice glass of wine, think about hosting your own OTBN next February. I'm already looking forward to it!

The Total Eclipse of the Moon

Last night was beautiful. It was freeezing here - been way too cold a winter - but that didn't stop us from enjoying "The Total Eclipse of the Moon" as my 7 year old son calls it... Had it been just a wee bit warmer, we would have sat outside and watched from the porch, with a fire pit and a hot chocolate - but no such luck last night. My nostrils stuck together with every inhale. Forget it. So, hubby son and I spread a nice cozy blanket across my son's floor, popped in "Stardust," listened to "How Pretty the Moon," pulled the shades wide open, lit a couple of long tapered candles and shared a pot of chocolate fondue. It was wonderful.
Today, he said he wrote about it in his journal at school. He said it was his favorite day and wished we could watch "The Total Eclipse of The Moon" every night.
I'm game.

Kansas City Here I Come

I just got back from a great little weekend getaway with my hubby and two other adults - I stress two other adults, because this was the first time I have taken a weekend getaway with no children. It was weird at first, because my brain has been re-wired since the birth of my son - 7 and a half years ago - to be constantly thinking about his whereabouts, his well-being, his breakfasts, lunches and dinners, etc. When he got a little carsick the day before the trip I even felt a little sense relief that I wouldn't have to go on the trip after all and leave my son in someone elses care. And that's when it hit me - I NEED to go on a trip. With just my husband and two adults. And no kids. For MY sake. For my husband's sake. Just to get in touch with me - the adult, the woman, the musician, the friend.

I left my son with one of my oldest and dearest girlfriends and her wonderful husband who have kids my sons age, and who I trust with my life. Day one - drove 3 hours, checked into the beautiful hotel, napped, watched some tv - worried about my son - called to make sure he was ok, and soon realized he was having the time of his life with his buddies. My brain let go and I enjoyed the rest of the trip. The rest of Day 1, and Day 2, we went to restaurants, saw a movie, drank wine, listened to a fabulous Kansas City jazz band, relaxed, smooched my husband, and started to feel refreshed. Day 3, we drove home through an ice storm, but made the best of it, glad that my son was safe and warm without a care in the world, and probably missing me, but only very litttle.

I got to my friends house to pick up my son - he wasn't ready to go, just having so much fun.

We're going to do this again soon.

Stardust Lullaby's First "Official" Review!!!

Oh my gosh!! I am SOOOOO excited!!!!! We just received our first official review from Chip Withrow - a wonderful guy from Muse's Muse - a well respected music website that gets over 1.25 million viewers a month!! If you'd like to read it, here is the link:

http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-klosner-stardust.html

I tell you what, I think Chip spoiled us for all remaining reviews - this review was SO good I am just speechless - and that is rare! Just ask my hubby... :)

Nighty night! I WILL have sweet dreams tonight... Thanks Chip, wherever you are!!!

Cher :)

Valentines Day Special Broadcast For Entrepreneurs

Hi all! This just in, hot off the press!! We're being featured on our first Podcast! Read all about it! :) Hope you'll check it out.

Omaha Nebraska, (February, 2008) - Listeners to the Christian Work-At-Home Moment Radio Show are in for a real treat this week as entrepreneurs from around the country call in for a special Valentines Day Broadcast. Business owners or those looking for the right business to start from home, should tune in and hear from others that are currently in business and find out what makes these entrepreneurs' business thrive. With over 35 entrepreneurs calling in, the opportunity to hear from different businesses has never been better. In addition, most are offering freebies, discounts and specials including free e-books, gift certificates, free coaching and more.

Best yet, the featured special guests include award-winning singer/songwriter Cher Klosner and Christian chick-lit author Julie Carobini. Klosner recently appeared on 'The Big Idea' with Donny Deutsch and is featured in January's Omaha Family Magazine. Klosner's new CD Stardust is a soothing lullaby collection with music for all ages. Carobini is the award-winning author of the newly released book Truffles By The Sea. Carobini burst onto the Christian chick-lit scene last year with the novel, Chocolate Beach. Carobini’s novels appeal to women of all ages and give a real-life look at life through the eyes of the often imperfect, hilarious characters.

The Christian Work at Home Moment Radio show is produced by Jill Hart, founder of CWAHM.com, a website devoted to Christian work-at-home moms. The weekly show was created for all parents who have the desire to work from home. Hart states, "Helping other parents find a way to work from home and be with their families is our main mission. Many parents don't have the time to search through the thousands of pages on CWAHM.com, so the radio show gives them an easy way to listen in and learn about working from home."

Each week, the show also features the Success From Home Segment from author Diana Ennen of Virtual Word Publishing, http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com. Ennen has been working at home since 1985 and recently was featured in Family Circle Magazine. Ennen states, "This special broadcast is our way of helping listeners get acquainted with different businesses and have the opportunity to listen directly to the business owner themselves. Then they can stop by our site to get additional information."

Share this Valentines Day with other entrepreneurs who have found success. Tune in to at http://www.cwahm.com/loudblog.

Can Lullabies Soothe the Savage Beast?

"Music hath charms to soothe the savage beast - to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak" - written by William Congreve, an English playwright in 1697.

This theory has always intrigued me. I know how music affects me, but I am a musician. I had the opportunity to test it out though, when I worked at a theme park as a "roving musician." The now defunct themepark, Opryland, had a mini "petting zoo" with goats, rabbits, lemurs, marmasets and several monkeys. One, in particular, was named "Goblin."

Goblin was the loudest, wildest monkey in the park. Goblin would scream and chatter, and had a reputation for throwing things at the guests (sadly, I witnessed on several occasions, little human monsters throwing things at Goblin to instigate this behavior.) Nonetheless, Goblin was a handful. So one day, I thought I'd see if there was any truth behind Mr. Congreve's writings, and purposely stood by Goblin's cage as I sang "Twinkle Twinkle" to the little ones passing by with their parents in tow. Sure enough, Goblin immediately sat still then began slowly bobbing back and forth. Not knowing whether or not this was a fluke, I decided to make it a point to swing by the petting zoo (pardon the pun) on a regular basis and get a song in nearby (for) Goblin. It worked every time, and by the end of the season, Goblin would see (or hear) me coming, and assume the I'm-ready-to-bob position.

The next season, Goblin was gone - too "unmanageable" is what I was told. I gottta admit, I miss my little friend, and hope that wherever Goblin has ended up, someone knows of William Congreve.

CNBC's "The Big Idea" w/Donny Deutsch Rocks!!!

I tell ya, I LOVE the Donny Deutsch show - "The Big Idea" on CNBC - that guy gets me sooo fired up. The only trouble is, if I catch the midnight show, (which is often, cuz I'm a night owl) my brain is so alive and my entrepreneurial wheels are a-spinnin' so fast, that I can't get to sleep :) If you EVER have an idea, and want to do something with it, watch CNBC's "The Big Idea" with Donny Deutsch.

I even have a dedication to him (and Oprah) on "Stardust," for pushing the idea of following our dreams and our passions. I'm there, baby!!! :)

Cher

The week in a shiney, award winning nutshell...

Holy cow it has been quite a week! I have not had a minute to even blog here it has been so nutty... but all good.

Sunday: The local paper did a short blurb on us, about having been on Donny Deutsch. Got to go swimming with my hubby and son, and sit in a hot tub for 20 minutes. Aaaaahhh!!!

Monday: We found out that a parent magazine and a huge music site is going to review our CD, and that a children's radio station is also going play our music and also do a review!! Warehouse Productions (the studio where we record) was featured on the local Action 3 News. Boo refused to say hi to some girls, because "they are girls."

Tuesday: My beautiful friend Leslie Haywood, founder of Grill Charms (www.grillcharms.com) was on Minute to Millions on Donny Deutsch - the whole board toasted our wine glasses together as we watching from our cyberspace livingroom :) Tried to convince Boo that I Am a girl..."No, you're my Mom" and that he needs to say hi to girls, so they don't think he is mean. Later, got some snuggle time with my wonderful hubby!! :)

Wednesday: Gene and I did a fundraiser at a School - sang in the morning for their all-school church service, then raised money for the music Department!! YAY!!! Anything we can do to help out music departments we will do. It breaks my heart to think that so many kids are going to school without having the benefit of music. During the fundraiser, we were notified that Stardust has won a national iParenting Media Award!! "2008 Best Products - Audio" WOW!!!!!! Then, a mom informed us that Omaha Family Magazine's February issue is out, and the feature article on us is fantastic!! Yay!!! (I still haven't seen it yet, but yay!!!)

Thursday: Beautiful Julie Lenzer Kirk, author of "The ParentPreneur Edge: What Parenting Teaches About Building a Successful Business" www.JulieLenzerKirk.com asked to put the iParenting Media info into her "January Woo-hoos" :)
Lovely Lisa Otta from www.creativewritingstudios.com wrote up a Press Release for us,
and wonderful Diana (Dee) Ennen, author of "Virtual Assistant - The Series, Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA" www.virtualwordpublishing.com set up an i pod radio interview for us with a huge Moms site. Gene is off to help with Creighton Prep's freshman etreat - he has been doing this for 20 years, and this is one of the high lights of the year for him. Prep high School is an amazing school - so are the kids.

Friday: Volunteered out at a school party, making Lent cannisters with 30 first graders - it was "crazy hair day" so it was extra fun. Boo had a red white and green gelled, sprayed mowhawk!! Janene Jaroscak Trending Solutions, LLC www.trendingsolutions.com helped me organize my files and comes to my aid when I was feeling a little overwhelmed. Fell in complete love with my Mompreneur friends. Juggled some bills around, because the Writer's strike is killing us!! My lovely friend JoAnne from California called and we got to catch up, and be human together! Sister Margy called and gave me a boost in the arm as well. Found out the local paper is going to do a review/ story on us shortly!

Friday night: Got to watch Santa Claus 3 and snuggle with my boy :) Now it's tiome for beddy-by. It's been one nutty week.

Thank God for Mompreneurs

I've found a wonderful group of entrepreneur Moms, called the "Mompreneurs Online" - it is a group of lovely, intelligent, creative, supportive,business oriented working Moms with great ideas. I would be absolutely lost without them. When I lived in California, I had a group of creative Moms that I would spend every day with - writers, musicians, artists, photographers, organizers, etc. and we lived "normal" lives. We would pop our kids in the jogging strollers, walk to the parks, talk about business, brainstorm, talk about our wonderful hubbies, create ideas, share what songs we have writtten or whatstories were just published, and just plain have fun celebrating each other. I felt like I had sisters in California. Sometimes I feel like a fish out of water where I am, because life as a musician is aVERY foreign concept to most people in the Midwest. When I find Moms who are right-brained and or/business oriented, I CLING to them, because that is not the norm here. There are absolutely wonderful, wonderful people here - but being looked at as the "odd Mom who is a musician who has a CD" is kind of lonely. Thank God I have found my kindred spirits in this wonderful group of women. We help each other, share what we've learned with each other, offer encouragement when we're feeling defeated, and celebrate each others successes. When one of us feels sad, we all feel that sadness, and offer support. When one of us shines, we all shine!! I truly love this group of women. TGFM!!!

Cher