ESSAY: The Road Not Taken

Ludovica Burtone - Italian Born Violinist And Composer. Plays An Eclectic Mix Of Jazz, Classical, Brazilian And Contemporary. New Album Explores Stories Of Immigrant Women!

Ludovica Burtone is a violinist and composer. Her music spans an eclectic range of styles and genres including classical, jazz, Brazilian, and contemporary. She has performed worldwide as a soloist, chamber musician, and collaborator in numerous ensembles. And at venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Radio City, Boston Symphony Hall, and Boston Opera House among others. Her latest project, “Migration Tales”, explores the stories of immigrant women in New York City through original compositions. Recent highlights include performing at the Notorious B.I.G. Tribute at Lincoln Center. My featured song is “The Gift”, my recent single that transformed my jazz ballad into a big band Samba. Spotify link [https://open.spotify.com/album/5G5xqU1JOuwXD1le1IofP9?si=S04U0GpQSuCGuCBaG5bHFg]. —------------------------------------ The Follow Your Dream Podcast: Top 1% of all podcasts with Listeners in 200 countries! Click here [http://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/start-here] for Start Here Click here [https://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/] for All Episodes  Click here [https://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/guests] for Guest List  Click here [https://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/testimonials] for Guest Testimonials Click here [http://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/pillars] for Pillars Click here [http://www.projectgrandslam.com/] for Robert’s Project Grand Slam Click here [https://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/subscribe] to Subscribe  Click https://mailchi.mp/followyourdreampodcasthere [https://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/preview-emails] to receive our Email Updates Click here [https://www.ratethispodcast.com/followyourdream] to Rate and Review the podcast —---------------------------------------- CONNECT WITH LUDOVICA: www.ludovicaburtone.com [http://www.ludovicaburtone.com/] —------------------------------------ ROBERT’S NEWEST RELEASE: “THE BUZZ” - Ft. Darius de Haas (vocals) and Dave Eggar (Celo). Short, Sweet and Totally Different CLICK HERE [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw4C2DPAiXA&list=RDuw4C2DPAiXA&start_radio=1] FOR OFFICIAL VIDEO CLICK HERE [https://projectgrandslam.hearnow.com/the-buzz] FOR ALL LINKS —-------------------------------------- Audio production: Jimmy Ravenscroft Kymera Films [https://www.kymera-films.com/] Connect with the Follow Your Dream Podcast: Website [http://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/] - www.followyourdreampodcast.com Follow Robert’s band, Project Grand Slam, and his music: Website [http://www.projectgrandslam.com/] - www.projectgrandslam.com

Ricky Riccardi - Celebrating Louis Armstrong With The Director Of Research Collections For The Louis Armstrong House Museum And Armstrong Expert!

Today is a very special day on the podcast. It’s Satchmo day! Or as you may know him - Louis Armstrong day! For anyone who doesn’t know him, Louis Armstrong was simply one of the greatest American artists ever. And my guest to celebrate this occasion is Ricky Riccardi. He is the Director of Research Collections for the Louis Armstrong House Museum. Ricky has written three critically-acclaimed biographies of Louis Armstrong and is a two-time Grammy winner in the "Best Album Notes" category. He’s produced numerous Louis Armstrong reissues, served as a Consulting Producer on the documentary "Louis Armstrong's Black and Blues", and he’s given Louis Armstrong lectures at venues around the world. He is also a pianist. My featured song is “Mi Cachimber All Stars”, my recent single. Spotify link [https://open.spotify.com/track/0JIqa8jJl0ks4KVugpF7Oz]. —------------------------------------ The Follow Your Dream Podcast: Top 1% of all podcasts with Listeners in 200 countries! Click here [http://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/start-here] for Start Here Click here [https://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/] for All Episodes  Click here [https://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/guests] for Guest List  Click here [https://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/testimonials] for Guest Testimonials Click here [http://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/pillars] for Pillars Click here [http://www.projectgrandslam.com/] for Robert’s Project Grand Slam Click here [https://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/subscribe] to Subscribe  Click https://mailchi.mp/followyourdreampodcasthere [https://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/preview-emails] to receive our Email Updates Click here [https://www.ratethispodcast.com/followyourdream] to Rate and Review the podcast —---------------------------------------- CONNECT WITH RICKY: www.louisarmstronghouse.org [http://www.louisarmstronghouse.org/] —------------------------------------ ROBERT’S NEWEST RELEASE: “THE BUZZ” - Ft. Darius de Haas (vocals) and Dave Eggar (Celo). Short, Sweet and Totally Different CLICK HERE [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw4C2DPAiXA&list=RDuw4C2DPAiXA&start_radio=1] FOR OFFICIAL VIDEO CLICK HERE [https://projectgrandslam.hearnow.com/the-buzz] FOR ALL LINKS —-------------------------------------- Audio production: Jimmy Ravenscroft Kymera Films [https://www.kymera-films.com/] Connect with the Follow Your Dream Podcast: Website [http://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/] - www.followyourdreampodcast.com Follow Robert’s band, Project Grand Slam, and his music: Website [http://www.projectgrandslam.com/] - www.projectgrandslam.com

ESSAY: The Road Not Taken

In Robert Frost’s famous poem, called “The Road Not Taken”, a traveler comes to a fork in the road and must choose between two paths. The poem is really about life’s crossroads—those moments when we must choose between the expected path and one that is uncertain, unconventional, and uniquely our own. My life has been about pursuing that second path. Like most people, I spent much of my adult life raising a family, building a career, and meeting the responsibilities that come with adulthood. My youthful dream of becoming a rock star musician remained just that—a dream. But as I approached age 60, when most of my contemporaries were approaching retirement, a light went off in my head. I realized that if I did not pursue that dream now, I would never do it. And I didn’t want to look back later in life and regret that I had not even given my dream a chance. So figuratively, I jumped into the deep end of the pool. I gave up my other pursuits and committed myself fully to music. And you know what? It turned out to be the best decision I ever made. As of today I’ve released 15 albums (including a Billboard #1), numerous singles, written an Amazon #1 bestselling book, and created Follow Your Dream, a global arts platform featuring more than 750 conversations and more with world-class artists from around the globe. In this Essay I delve into the pros and cons of finding your path when you reach that crossroads. Like my other essays, this essay has been published on the Medium app. And it’s available on the Essays page of Follow Your Dream. I hope you will take a look. And stay tuned for future essays periodically. CLICK HERE [https://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/essays/the-road-not-taken] —----------------------------------------------------------- The Follow Your Dream Podcast: Top 1% of all podcasts with Listeners in 200 countries! Click here [http://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/start-here] for Start Here Click here [https://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/] for All Episodes  Click here [https://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/guests] for Guest List  Click here [https://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/testimonials] for Guest Testimonials Click here [http://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/pillars] for Pillars Click here [http://www.projectgrandslam.com/] for Robert’s Project Grand Slam Click here [https://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/subscribe] to Subscribe  Click https://mailchi.mp/followyourdreampodcasthere [https://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/preview-emails] to receive our Email Updates Click here [https://www.ratethispodcast.com/followyourdream] to Rate and Review the podcast —---------------------------------------- ROBERT’S NEWEST RELEASE: “THE BUZZ” - Ft. Darius de Haas (vocals) and Dave Eggar (Celo). Short, Sweet and Totally Different CLICK HERE [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw4C2DPAiXA&list=RDuw4C2DPAiXA&start_radio=1] FOR OFFICIAL VIDEO CLICK HERE [https://projectgrandslam.hearnow.com/the-buzz] FOR ALL LINKS —-------------------------------------- Audio production: Jimmy Ravenscroft Kymera Films [https://www.kymera-films.com/] Connect with the Follow Your Dream Podcast: Website [http://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/] - www.followyourdreampodcast.com Follow Robert’s band, Project Grand Slam, and his music: Website [http://www.projectgrandslam.com/] - www.projectgrandslam.com

Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Theater Historian, Author, Producer And Creative And Programming Director At 54 Below, The Iconic NYC Club!

Jennifer Ashley Tepper is a theater historian, author and producer. She conceived of The Jonathan Larson Project. He’s the guy who wrote Rent. She’s been the longtime Creative and Programming Director at 54 Below, the iconic New York City cabaret club. She’s curated or produced over 8,000 shows. As an author her latest book is “Women Writing Musicals: The Legacy that the History Books Left Out”, about female musical theatre writers. She’s also the author of "The Untold Stories of Broadway", and the creator of the "If It Only Even Runs A Minute" concert series. She produced the musical “Be More Chill” and was the historian consultant on the film, “tick, tick… BOOM!” about Jonathan Larson.  My featured song is my reimagined cover of Double’s hit “The Captain Of Her Heart”, from the album Play by my band Project Grand Slam. Spotify link [https://open.spotify.com/track/33DDR8OjNrx9WfA1JgrXRj?si=HgSgHhZ1Qm2lJpW6GhoF1A]. —------------------------------------ The Follow Your Dream Podcast: Top 1% of all podcasts with Listeners in 200 countries! Click here [http://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/start-here] for Start Here Click here [https://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/] for All Episodes  Click here [https://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/guests] for Guest List  Click here [https://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/testimonials] for Guest Testimonials Click here [http://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/pillars] for Pillars Click here [http://www.projectgrandslam.com/] for Robert’s Project Grand Slam Click here [https://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/subscribe] to Subscribe  Click https://mailchi.mp/followyourdreampodcasthere [https://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/preview-emails] to receive our Email Updates Click here [https://www.ratethispodcast.com/followyourdream] to Rate and Review the podcast —---------------------------------------- CONNECT WITH JENNIFER: www.jenniferashleytepper.com [http://www.jenniferashleytepper.com/] —------------------------------------ ROBERT’S NEWEST RELEASE: “THE BUZZ” - Ft. Darius de Haas (vocals) and Dave Eggar (Celo). Short, Sweet and Totally Different CLICK HERE [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw4C2DPAiXA&list=RDuw4C2DPAiXA&start_radio=1] FOR OFFICIAL VIDEO CLICK HERE [https://projectgrandslam.hearnow.com/the-buzz] FOR ALL LINKS —-------------------------------------- Audio production: Jimmy Ravenscroft Kymera Films [https://www.kymera-films.com/] Connect with the Follow Your Dream Podcast: Website [http://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/] - www.followyourdreampodcast.com Follow Robert’s band, Project Grand Slam, and his music: Website [http://www.projectgrandslam.com/] - www.projectgrandslam.com

Gentiane MG - Montreal-Based Jazz Pianist And Composer Combining Jazz And Classical. Has Toured Throughout Canada And Europe. OPUS Awards And Juno Nominations!

Gentiane MG is a fabulous Montreal-based pianist and composer who combines jazz and classical. Her music explores human connection, emotional depth, and the quiet relationship between inner life and the natural world. She’s toured with her trio extensively across Canada and Europe and she’s earned major honours including OPUS Awards, Radio Canada recognition, and JUNO nominations. Her latest album is called “Can You Hear the Birds?” My featured song is my reimagined cover of Chick Corea’s “Sea Journey”, from the album Play by my band Project Grand Slam. Spotify link [https://open.spotify.com/track/4aPXKsKffW0hbKPr47BOHP?si=ooKaITn4S7Ku8dbpvxF0PA]. —------------------------------------ The Follow Your Dream Podcast: Top 1% of all podcasts with Listeners in 200 countries! Click here [http://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/start-here] for Start Here Click here [https://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/] for All Episodes  Click here [https://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/guests] for Guest List  Click here [https://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/testimonials] for Guest Testimonials Click here [http://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/pillars] for Pillars Click here [http://www.projectgrandslam.com/] for Robert’s Project Grand Slam Click here [https://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/subscribe] to Subscribe  Click https://mailchi.mp/followyourdreampodcasthere [https://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/preview-emails] to receive our Email Updates Click here [https://www.ratethispodcast.com/followyourdream] to Rate and Review the podcast —---------------------------------------- CONNECT WITH GENTIANE: www.gentianemg.com [http://www.gentianemg.com/] —------------------------------------ ROBERT’S NEWEST RELEASE: “THE BUZZ” - Ft. Darius de Haas (vocals) and Dave Eggar (Celo). Short, Sweet and Totally Different CLICK HERE [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw4C2DPAiXA&list=RDuw4C2DPAiXA&start_radio=1] FOR OFFICIAL VIDEO CLICK HERE [https://projectgrandslam.hearnow.com/the-buzz] FOR ALL LINKS —-------------------------------------- Audio production: Jimmy Ravenscroft Kymera Films [https://www.kymera-films.com/] Connect with the Follow Your Dream Podcast: Website [http://www.followyourdreampodcast.com/] - www.followyourdreampodcast.com Follow Robert’s band, Project Grand Slam, and his music: Website [http://www.projectgrandslam.com/] - www.projectgrandslam.com