catholicmusicBLOG!

We know, we know, where have we been, right? Easy answer: busy. In fact so busy that we're thinking of changing our name legally to "busy". And if you probably ask around our household or friends, the word they would use probably would be, "lazy". We beg to differ, but either or, we just haven't made time to add any new blog material ,....until,....
Salutations & greetings from under1music studios located somewhere in the almost always sunny South Bay area of California. Yep it's been awhile since our last blog but you know the old saying "better late, than never". Although the phrase "better never late" might tend to please a lot of people most of the time. Nevertheless we here and ready to open today's topic.
As some of you might know, last year in December we released our latest CD entitled "La Guadalupana Reina y Madre de las Americas" (Our Lady of Guadalupe Queen & Mother of the Americas). Sales, especially around the Christmas holidays were good & it's one of those CD's that is seasonal meaning every Oct., Nov., Dec., Jan. sometimes restocking is quite in demand. Not to mention (but we are) our bilingual Christmas CD entitled "Merry Christmas / Feliz Navidad" we produced 2 years ago also might need to be restocked for sales. We self promote our recordings via St. Joseph Bookstore located at St. Peter & St. Paul Church in Wilmington, CA. The internet via our websites www.caeli.com & www.judyrocha.com. And of course, word of mouth.
Another form of promotion to help in this case is performing "LIVE" at different venues and/or events (including ALL smaller, lesser gigs, even things like wedding ceremonies, prayer services, retreats, coffee shops, etc., whatever it takes). Just recently, we've been asked by Monsignor John Moretta of Resurrection Church in Los Angeles, CA to perform songs from our lasted recording prior to a huge Guadalupana Celebration & Mass held every year at the East Los Angeles College Stadium. Now, he's asked us in the past to perform, & we have, directing a choir, performing along side the great Mariachi Voz de America & all was super & dandy, however this time around we know is going to be a whole lot different. Not only has he offered us the chance to perform but gave us permission to promote our "La Guadalupana" CD. Both on radio stations & in a plethora of LA based church announcements prior to event. Also by rendering a booth at the actual event, selling not only our CD's but maybe T-shirts as well. Sure, aside from what we have going on at under1music studio, local gigs & just plain everyday life, now we need to set aside time for a little R&R, (Rest & Relaxation, we wish) Recruiting & Rehearsals. You see when caeli records in the studio, primarily it's just us 2, my wife Judy & me, Roger. On occasion we ask our musician friends to join in & lend their talents to the different tracks (guitar, bass, etc.), but the bulk of the production rests on "caeli's" shoulders. So this means, looking up old friends (as well as new ones) to see if they would be willing to sacrifice time, travel & effort to help plan, practice & perform at a one time, nonpaying, outdoor, huge venue (in front of 10,000 peeps or more) gig in honor of our Lady of Guadalupe. We're talking 5/6 piece rhythm section (guitars, bass, keyboards, drums, percussion) brass section plus backup singers. Yep, a lot of work & sacrifice but at the same time, worth it just to get our songs of hope, faith & love in the Name of Jesus & His mother, the blessed virgin Mary out where many others can hear & hopefully be inspired & touched. Oh did we mention, there are talks of the Spanish Network Univision possibly taping the event for a televised program the following weekend? Who said God doesn't work in mysterious ways? Please, pray for us as we tackle this latest venture that God has placed in our hands & through the intercession of our Lady of Guadalupe, all we seek shall come to be in the name of her Son. Until next time, be good & stay close to God.