Latest Designs: Debby Ryan & Brenna Whitaker Superstition Song Cover Artwork Entries
Debby Ryan, one of my favorite actresses (from Disney’s “Jessie,” “16 Wishes,” the inspiring film “What If” which I posted about previously, and other shows and movies) is having a contest to design the artwork for her new song cover. I love Debby’s eccentricity (her Tweets will make you smile and think), creative focus and how she’s a storyteller who enjoys expressing herself in a variety of ways, from acting to music and fashion, to impact others.
Update:
Guess who won Debby Ryan’s Cover Artwork Contest? Go check out her Facebook page to see the above winning design! *Happy dance,* am I dreaming?
Debby’s cover is with another inspiring singer Brenna Whitaker who has an ongoing Jazz Night show at the W Hollywood Hotel (I’m just getting acquainted with her work which has been lauded by so many. She says on her site, “Throughout my life, I’ve often felt like I was born in the wrong time, but now, I feel like I was born in this era for a reason.”).
Debby & Brenna’s video cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” is premiering on Debby’s Youtube Channel on December 1st . The picture they took on set was a great spark of inspiration for a spooky, vintage-y look – I had to stop myself at 16 designs or I’d be going all night… Watch the cool one-take cover video of Superstition below:
Debby on Her Superstition Cover & Meeting Brenna Whitaker
Hello beauties.
So I’ve done it again. I’ve gone singing with my friends, got a video camera, and made a little tape for you people. I just think one of the best things ever is making music with people you look up to. Brenna Whitaker headlines [and absolutely slays] Jazz Night every week at the world famous W Hotel in Hollywood. She’s an unreal vocalist, a hilariously captivating performer, and has quickly become one of my favourite people. Singing with her was a dream come true & I can’t wait to share her with the rest of the world. I’m all set to put our jam on my channel on DECEMBER 1st, but first it’s time to put the “You” in YouTube. Here’s a photo of us shooting the spooky video; I want to see what you do with it. The contest is open from Monday, Nov. 26th through Thursday, Nov. 29th & I’ll choose the winner Friday.
Check out some of my fave song covers by Debby below: a duet with Nick Santino singing Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” (I love the pure soothing acoustic sweetness) and a cover of “Guilty As Charged” by Gym Class Heroes feat. Estelle with a group of her friends, (a cool acoustic jam with a touch of street:).
More Superstition Song Cover Artwork Entries
HeartBlooms: Your Dreams Take Time to Grow – Embrace the Process
If you’re hoping and waiting for a change to take place in your life, I want to encourage you to keep holding on in faith and never give up on your vision for something greater…
It can be frustrating and discouraging when you have a dream but seem to be nowhere near reaching it. I’ve learned through experience that stepping into your destiny is not an overnight occurrence; it’s a journey of preparation and a life class that’s vital & just as rewarding as the “success.”
Anything that is great and truly worth experiencing takes time, patience and dedication to develop. You might find yourself in painful trials and isolation at times, but know that like a caterpillar enters darkness to be transformed into its true identity, it takes stretching, strengthening and shaping to become what’s already in you – the person you’re truly meant to be.
In the dark places your character is refined to sustain your destiny, your identity is secured in something greater and resilience is formed in your heart. Don’t turn back and give up if it seems dim & unbearable now, you’re closer than you think to the break-through and we’re waiting to see the beauty, brilliance and story that only you can share.
It takes time to see the reality of your dreams & to grow into your true purpose…Embrace the process.
Inspiration from my Youth Website DreamerENT.com: Disney’s Dreamers Academy, Jillian Jensen’s Story and More
I’m always inspired by young people who follow their dreams and serve others right where they are. Here are some of my favorite recent stories from my youth motivation website DreamerENT.com:
Jillian Jensen Shares Her Story of Facing Bullying & Inspires Us Singing Who You Are on X Factor
One of the most touching moments on this season of X Factor was when 19-year-old Jillian Jensen gave her moving version of the song “Who You Are” and shared her emotional story of facing bullying in high school…
Opportunity: Pursue Your Dreams & Apply for Disney’s Dreamers Academy
Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine are looking for Dreamers for next year’s Disney Dreamers Academy where you can get the tools to help make their dreams come true…
Olympic Inspiration: Gabrielle Douglas Tells Her Story
“…Everything is possible and just to go out there and fight. If you have this dream, just go out there and don’t be scared. Always be courageous and strong, and don’t fear. Anything is possible if you put your mind to it.”
– Gabrielle Douglas in an interview with Essence Magazine
16-year-old Gabrielle Douglas shares her story of perseverance that led her to the Olympics…
Book Pick for Teens: Finding the Perfect Wave by Cheri Miklich
Finding the Perfect Wave is a great book that dives into the world of Alli Whitton, a 17-year-old avid surfer who seems to have it all together. When tragedy and change crashes into her world she has to learn to readjust, and to boldly face the rough trials in her path…
Find Your Purpose & Build Your Business: Dare Dreamer Show Interview with Author & Financial Expert Glinda Bridgforth
On this episode of the Dare Dreamer Show I get to speak to Glinda Bridgforth, a renowned financial expert, author and speaker who talks about finding your passion, starting a business, building your brand and overcoming obstacles when following your dreams. Be inspired as she shares insight for you to go beyond daydreaming to daring to take action:
More About Glinda Bridgforth
Click here to watch Glinda help families overcome their debt on Oprah’s Debt Diet
Glinda Bridgforth is a leading financial expert who explores the emotional and cultural factors that block financial success. She brings over 30 years of experience to her consulting practice, Bridgforth Financial & Associates, LLC, and specializes in a holistic approach to money management. Bridgforth is the author of: Girl, Get Your Money Straight! and with Gail Perry-Mason, she coauthored Girl, Make Your Money Grow!. Her most recent release is entitled, Girl, Get Your Credit Straight!. All of her books are Essence bestsellers.
Bridgforth has been featured in USA Today, Essence, Ebony, Money, Black Enterprise, and Jet magazines, and has been featured on television and radio shows nationwide including Oprah, The Today Show, Larry King Live, CNN, ABC News Now and Fox Business News.
She was honored as an “Influential African American” on the highly rated radio program, The Steve Harvey Morning Show. Bridgforth was one of the featured coaches on Oprah’s widely popular, six-part series “America’s Debt Diet.” She conducts workshops and lectures around the country. In 2007 she completed a four-city national tour as a keynote speaker with Bishop TD Jakes’ BEST Conferences.
Find more inspiration in other Dreamfleur Interviews:
Discovering Your Creative Calling: Soul Dreamer Interview with Visual Artist Tony Snipes
“What is it that you love doing that you wouldn’t even have to have anybody pay you for?” – Tony Snipes
Tony Snipes, a visual artist gives advice to other artists on discovering their creative purpose… Read More »
Dreamfleur Interview With Jenna Lucado Bishop – Dreaming On In Life & Faith
”If you are going through a dry time, stop, take a deep breath, and smile. God is using ALL things, even “darker” days, for His good. He is molding and shaping your heart. You are a constant work in progress.” – Jenna Lucado Bishop.
Recently on Dream in Soul I interviewed Jenna Lucado Bishop who took the time to answer some of my questions on dreams and purpose. I was so blessed by her encouragement and what she shared… Read More »
Renaissance of a Woman Interview with Sibylla Nash, Author and Entrepreneur
Sibylla Nash gives advice to aspiring authors and shares how she balances many hats and passions…
Arise & Shine Dare Dreamer: Unearth Your Buried Dreams – Diary of an Inspirational Singer & Songwriter
Who says you have to be perfect to pursue your passion? One of my mottos is to follow the dreams in your heart no matter how impossible or lofty they may seem or how afraid you may be or unqualified you may feel. A few months back I began Project Stretch & Grow: Diary of a Renaissance Dreamer-in-Progress and began following some of the creative passions in my heart, from theater to dance. As I mentioned I wanted to share the journey of discovery here to encourage others to follow their creative passions.
It wouldn’t be right for me to encourage others to unearth their buried dreams then for me to keep mine hidden…so here’s a sneak peek at one of mine that I’ve been developing and bringing to light the past couple of months – music. Ever since I was a little girl I dreamed of singing & inspiring others through songwriting.
Music to me is a powerful language that can uplift, impact and inspire. I had always been afraid to follow my passion for music in shyness & fear that I wasn’t good enough but now am okay with sharing the process and my weaknesses; no one who starts out in anything is perfect – just begin somewhere and do it passionately imperfectly as you learn and grow.
Over the past couple of months I finally got the courage to pursue this passion more seriously and finding resources and help from others. I fearfully went through a lengthy audition process with an inspirational music company and after much self-doubting but boldness a dream I had always imagined but didn’t think was really possible came to life when I was signed as an artist on their roster. That was a spark of encouragement to me to believe that this vision can become more that I think I can do on my own if I give it over to God…
Follow me on my journey of unearthing and growing my buried dream of sharing inspiration through music. I’m starting out with a passion and a seed of a vision, improving and learning as I go along from vocal lessons to recording sessions and want to share the process, imperfections and all, to encourage you to also delve boldly into your own passions even while you’re afraid and still developing. Above is a sneak peak of “Arise and Shine (Dare Dreamer)”, an in-progress rough preview of a song I’m writing dedicated to young people I hope to inspire…
I wrote this song to dedicate to girls I meet at conferences I speak at, people I come across in life who have lost hope and to also share my story of coming awake. Over the past year or so I’ve been on a journey of learning more about songwriting and am taking some vocal lessons to develop (and boy is there a lot to learn). I recorded this at home and will be continuing lessons & later working with some amazing people on a “studio version,” but you get to have the in-progress sneak peek of the first verse and chorus!:)
What is a dream you’ve buried, and what’s one step you can take today to begin unburying it? I’d love to hear, share it in the comments!
(P.S. In the video I’m wearing the “Arise & Shine” T-shirt from my inspirational clothing line Envibrance Dream Apparel, click here to get a shirt that inspires:).
Arise & Shine (Dare Dreamer) Lyrics
Verse 1
A girl lost in the dark of night
Minus dad, misunderstood
I see the same equation multiplied throughout her hood;
She thinks she’s worthless, without a purpose
So she gives her heart away
Divides her treasures for empty pleasures
Tries to hide and numb her pain
Fear adds to her emptiness
She was made for something greater than this…
Chorus
Arise and shine
O Sleeper open up your eyes
You’re full of life
So don’t turn off your light
Lost hopes and tears of all the years
Have left you low and dry
But you’re not alone, have faith, hold on
And look up to the sky
Arise and Shine
Dear Dreamer, can’t you see
You’re full of purpose and possibility
So arise and shine o sleeper
Don’t give up now, dare, dreamer
Arise and shine look up and come alive…
For More Inspiration on Unearthing Your Dreams Check Out:
To Boldly Go Where You’ve Always Imagined…
There are those dreams you are responsible for bringing to fruition in a sense; things you want to create, experience and learn how to do. “I want to (insert activity here)… someday.” Why not now, why not today?
HeartBlooms: Give Your Dreams Some Love – Dreams in Due Season: A Poem & Message to Encourage
Those dreams in your heart are there for a reason, though you get weary don’t give up on your purpose…
