Kickstarter

I’m Jolie Goodnight and I’ve been told I’ve got big dreams.

I intend to dig deep down into my soul to make the most breathtaking, spectacular, beautiful, dazzling, alluring, divine, exquisite, heart-felt, debut album that I can possibly create.

You can look forward to sultry jazz and deep down blues -- but I've got to have you to do it all.

Last fall I went into the studio to make my debut album and during the process realized I wasn’t honoring my dreams. I was attempting with the resources I had to make the album I had always wished for, but instead ended up with some really wonderful demos.

But great demos do not equal the jazz record my fans and I have envisioned.

“What do you want to be when you grow up” was always a question that scared me as a kid. The answer was right in front of me and it was terrifying to know that I wanted to be a performer. I spent many years answering that question with careers that were anything but “a fabulous jazz singer with a fantastic show!” I was afraid.

After years of soul searching, followed by a couple of years of performing non-stop, I'm no longer afraid, in fact I'm excited! I'm thrilled! I've accepted the fact that this is exactly who I was meant to be. I'm a performer, and I'm ecstatic about it! And NOW it's time to make the album my fans ask about after every performance.

An album for me isn’t just a collection of songs I love. It’s the opportunity to pay homage to the songs that shaped me as a person, to the songs that I feel so deeply they touch even my bones. It’s the chance to work closely with my brother, the ever-so-talented producer, Gabe Rhodes. With the genius of Gabe this won’t simply be another record of jazz and blues standards, it will be music that takes you somewhere. Gabe has the ability to make any song a creative astonishing journey. An album gives me the moments I long for so that I may really shine. In those moments I'll learn from other musicians and in the process learn about myself.

Going even beyond the studio, my debut album is a launching pad, a way to take my career to new heights, a way to take another step in the right direction. I am so excited to have the opportunity to make this happen!

The great news is that YOU can be a part of it all.

Recording a fantastic record takes a lot of really talented people, people who make a living at what they do. This process needs musicians, a producer, an engineer, etc.

Making a fabulous record means it has to be mixed, mastered, pressed, designed, and promoted (done also by people who make a living at what they do.)

Because I am not financially blessed with the money to pay all of these marvelously talented people, I’m inviting your help.

Knowing that my fans, knowing that the people who believe in me will help make this record happen adds an essential element to this album.

Joy.

So let’s together, make an album filled with creativity, wanderlust, extraordinary moments, profound pleasure, and best of all, joy.

Because you will be bringing me joy, I’ll return the favor with wonderful gifts to say “thank you” along the way!

It will take $10, 000. If I don’t raise at least that much, I don’t receive anything! So, let’s not disappoint ourselves. In fact, let’s see if we can raise more than $10, 000 (just to prove that magical things can happen in life.)

We only have until October 31st to make this dream a reality, so spread the word. Tell your family, tell your friends! Blog it, tweet it, facebook it, share it, pin it, email it!

I cannot express my gratitude enough, so THANK YOU for your love, your support, and for helping me!

All my Love,
Jolie

PS  To those of you who knew my father, Joe Gracey, you know how extraordinary he was. His life was so full and rich was because he had the courage not only to dream, but also to see what he wanted to come to fruition. Producing my record was something we had hoped to do together, and you'll be happy to know that there will be a little bit of Joe Gracey on the record. Before he passed, we set out all the mics in the studio together to choose which mic worked best for my voice. It turns out, the mic that worked best for me was the mic that he used to use back in the day. Anyone will tell you that he lived more lives than most could ever hope to live. I want to be just like him and I am so happy to know that our special moment together will live on in my music. 

(Photo Credit for main project image: Greg Inda. Thanks for taking such a great photo Greg!)