My life as a female musician

Celtic Christmas Concert

2011-05-30T16:37:00.000-07:00

I am currently in the planning phase of our 2011 Celtic Christmas concert featuring former Irish Rover; Bobby O'Donovan and my producer/arranger/keyboardist; Bob Noble.
I am very excited about the small tour we will have in North Carolina!

Back to work after the baby!

2010-05-03T20:03:00.000-07:00

Thinking my baby would arrive on or before his due date, I scheduled a gig for May 2nd. This would have given me a month to get used to a routine and recover from any type of delivery. However, Baby Antonio Benjamin came 10 days late and I had significant recovery to deal with from his delivery. I didn't feel ready to expose my baby to the outdoor crowds of a street festival, but he had to be with me to nurse, and I didn't feel ready to stand for long hours at a time in the heat to perform. But, with the help of my husband and his parents we were able to manage. Baby Antonio was wonderful and never even got fussy (even when I changed his diapers ...which is when he always fusses) I was so proud of how he behaved!
So now baby Antonio has been to his first gig of mommy's.

During Maternity Leave I created a baby record book

2010-03-23T15:37:00.001-07:00

{My Baby Record Book} by Jennifer Licko

Sacramento, California

2010-01-31T14:15:00.000-08:00

It has been a long time since my last blog. Our move to Sacramento, California from Porto Alegre, Brazil has been emotional, exhausting and exciting. With our baby on the way and the stress of the move, I have postponed my performances until after the baby arrives. However, I have focused on getting ready for the return to performing!

Along with the Irish and Scottish shows I provide for elementary schools, I am now ready to add a Brazilian performance which will also involve the students with interactive learning about Brazilian songs, instruments, dances, culture and language. More information is available on my website: direct link here.

In addition to the elementary school programs, I also created a program of concerts and workshops for universities, continuing learning centers, and educational professionals who are interested in using Celtic folk music in their own classrooms as a learning aid. More information on this also available on my website:direct link here.

I hope to hitting some of the pubs in the Sacramento region in the summer to enjoy a good Irish music pub night! Any baby sitters available?! ha!

Slainte,
Jennifer Licko

2009-08-28T19:27:00.000-07:00

As I write, I also cry. I'm sitting at my desk looking at the city full of light in the night sky. I remember this view being so unfamiliar to me, and now it's so comforting ...it has become my home.

Leaving Brazil is a lot harder than leaving any other country in which I've lived. I can't exactly pinpoint why. Maybe it's because I had such a challenge here with learning a new language so that I could communicate, or maybe it's because here is where I began a life with my husband, or maybe it's because the Brazilians & Expat friends I have met here have been so caring that I've never felt alone or sad. For whatever reason, I'm sad to be leaving this part of the world where I learned so much, struggled so much, and felt so much love.

There were many times of frustration. Trying to make a joke on stage in Portuguese (listen when people tell you not to joke in another language!), trying to even get a gig when you are just learning the language (no gift of the gab there...not even kissing the blarney stone will help), reading the audience when they are all busy kissing (yes, PDA is very accepted here!)

On top of that, just adjusting to differences in your daily life. Driving here is like being in a real life video game...seriously it's a sport. And the red light, it is basically just advice. Driving at night on my on as a girl is not a smart move because it's too dangerous (it doesn't feel so good when you don't have all that independence anymore).

Of course, the good has far outweighed those frustrations. I learned to accept help (no man is an island). This partly came from marrying a Latino because he has that desire to take care of me...and of course I'm stubborn and a very independent American girl...so this took a while. Finally, I accepted that it would be okay to have help. (And now I love it!)

I've also met some amazing people and made lifelong friendships. This is something I could write about forever because I truly value the friends I have here and they will forever remain in my heart. Without these friends, I don't think I would have ever survived even two months here, let alone almost three years.

I also faced the challenge of learning a language for the sake of communicating rather than for the sake of preserving the beauty and meaning through song. This is a big difference. Learning Scottish Gaelic was never a necessity, but just a passion. I never had to worry about really communicating any complex thoughts or ideas with Gaelic. However, living here, I've had to make sure I was understood on certain things, and make sure I understood what was being told to me. This is especially important for things like the the doctor's office, directions, and business negotiations. I still can't speak as well I would like, but I did my best and I'm proud of what I've been able to accomplish.

It's hard to sum up my time here and all the experiences I've had living in Porto Alegre. I know I will miss this beautiful place with amazing sunsets and beautiful days in the moinhos park.

I know I will miss all the people who have become an integral part of my life. I also know that I'm a better person because I lived here and I'll treasure all the special moments in my heart forever.

Tchau sounds too relaxed, Goodbye sounds too final...I'll miss you Porto Alegre.

Last gigs in Brazil

2009-08-28T18:15:00.001-07:00

Last weekend I performed for the last time in Brazil. We are moving to California next month which is certainly a bittersweet move. We are very excited about getting to know California, but very sad to leave Porto Alegre and our wonderful friends here.

Here are some photos of my last performances at Casa de Cultura and Cherry Blues pub. I'll miss both venues and I'm certainly grateful for the opportunity they gave me here in Porto Alegre! I'm also appreciative for all the friends and new fans who came out to support my performances. I have been extremely blessed with a wonderful assistant who turned into a great friend - Suzana and Solange constantly helped me and always had a big smile full of energy! I'll miss everyone and my life in Rio Grande do Sul very much!

Abraços!

I'm a 'Cover Girl'!

2009-07-01T15:32:00.000-07:00

I recently received the honor of not only be featured our East Carolina University Alumni magazine, but also making the cover! I am so thrilled about this that I wanted to share it with everyone! ....oh and 'Go Pirates!'

Click Here to see the article

Servire magazine, the magazine of the East Carolina Alumni Association, is now available online! Be sure to check out our summer issue with feature articles on how ECU alumnus Reid Fogleman and many others took part in ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, why music education is important to Jennifer Licko '98, how East Carolina prepared Robert Benzon '71 to work in the aviation safety industry, and the years of service given to North Carolina by Senator Robert '47 and Katie '46 Morgan. Learn more about ECU's School of Dentistry, friendships built on an ECU connection, kissing on campus in the 1950's, and news and notes from colleges and schools.

Casamento de Suzana & Frances

2009-07-01T14:51:00.001-07:00

Suzana & Frances

My good friend Suzana got married on June 13th. She was a beautiful bride and she is a beautiful person. I was very honored to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. She and Frances (her new husband) had a magical ceremony and a lively party to celebrate. As per requested, I sang a couple of songs at the reception...another honor.

This was our first Brazilian wedding and we had a wonderful time. Many of the traditions were closer to American wedding traditions than Uruguayan traditions. I thought this was very interesting considering we are so close to Uruguay.

Suzana and Frances are a wonderful couple and I'm proud to have them as my friends!

Newest Brazil Travel Photos

2009-06-29T08:28:00.001-07:00

Buzios, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro
soccer match!

Rio de Janeiro
The phenomenal!

Salvador, Bahia

"smile you are in Bahia!'

Living in Porto Alegre

2009-04-17T11:25:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from the past year living in Brazil!

CARNAVAL in Porto Alegre

Hiking in Floripa

Hiking in Floripa!

Performing for the St. Andrews Society in Sao Paulo

At the Festa da Uva (GRAPE FESTIVAL)

The Girl from Ipanema in Rio de Janeiro

Trying to learn some Brazilian rhythms in Rio de Janeiro

The Christ in Rio de Janeiro

Outside our home in Porto Alegre the man stops to sharpen our knives.

Performing at a John Deere event in Argentina

My band and me hanging with the Paralamas do Sucesso

My band and me before a show

Playing at Mulligan's Irish pub in Porto Alegre

Some of the sites of Rio Grande do sul

Performing at Armazam Liquid Club

Performing at John Bull Pub

Sunsets from our evenings on the terrace

on stage with Gaucho dancers...scared I'm going to be hit in the head!

After the show

Performing at casa de cultura

Rafting in Rio Grande do Sul

My neighbors from when I lived in Tullaghan, Ireland

2009-03-18T16:48:00.000-07:00

These guys were always in the road when running late for a gig!

I'm sure these two horses miss me because I was always giving them sugar cubes!

This was the neighborhood dog, Captain. Everyone thought I was crazy because I would let him come inside my home on cold and rainy nights.

2009-03-16T12:37:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my favorite images from the North West of Ireland...mostly Bundoran, Tullaghan, Mullaghmore and Sligo.

Life In Ireland...St. Patrick's Day Special

2009-03-16T08:30:00.000-07:00

Since this week everyone is celebrating Ireland, I'm getting a lot more hits and emails about my music and my time spent living in Ireland.

I'm trying to be better about blogging more...not being a writer, it doesn't interest me to blog. However, I love photos...so I will post some of my photos from my time in Ireland. I will try to post everyday this week with a different focus of Ireland.

Today I will show you where I lived in Ireland.

This is Tullaghan in Co. Leitrim located on the Donegal Bay

Here I am in 2003 relaxing by the stream just beside my home. Quite often men would be out here catching fish as you could always see the fish jumping in the stream. This is one of the local pubs where musicians would gather to play music every Monday night. Here is the famous Benbulben Mountain in Bundoran, Donegal. This is Classiebawn Castle on the Mullaghmore in Sligo. This estate was the residence of the Mountbatten family when they holidayed in Ireland. Lord Mountbatten died not far from here almost 30 years ago. My former music partner used to tell me the stories of how Lord Mountbatten was just like a local when in Ireland. He remembered the day he heard the sounds of the boat exploding when Mountbatten was murdered. This is actually the county I lived in...Leitrim. I lived in a little village called Tullaghan which is just 3 km of coastline located between Sligo and Donegal.

Below is a map to show you where I lived.

View Larger Map

One of the things I used to love to do while living there was visit this little cave on the beach when the tide was out. I would spend hours searching for sea glass. It was so relaxing. Now I have more sea glass than I'll ever know what to do with!

St. Patrick's Day celebration at Church Street Pub

2009-03-15T19:45:00.001-07:00

After performing at the Emerald Isle St. Patrick's festival, I made my way over to Swansboro's Church Street Irish Pub for the Paddy's celebration. The pub was packed with people full of energy and ready to have fun.

The best part about playing at Church Street Irish Pub is seeing old friends....

...and making new friends....

...and sharing the stage with other musicians!
It was a great night and I look forward to being back at Church street again to reunite with great people!

2009 March Emerald Isle, NC St. Patrick's Festival

2009-03-14T12:26:00.000-07:00

It really is great to be playing music again in Eastern NC. I've always believed that it's important to remember where you come from...and I feel blessed that Eastern NC remembers me even when I'm living in the opposing hemisphere.

They welcome me back every time I return and it makes me want to return more often! Their energy fuels me and enables me to give more of myself in my performances.

So to all my fans who were out their in the FREEZING weather today (march 14th, 2009) THANK YOU!

It is also great to playing with '13' (AKA: MIKE KENZIE) from the Super Grit Cowboy band'. He is such a character full of music and stories. He really gives the Irish music a 'bluegrass' flair ...which I really enjoy!

I will post a few videos of the Emerald Isle St. Patrick's Day performance up on youtube for everyone to sit in the warmth of their homes and watch!
Now I must go and get ready for an evening at Church Street Irish pub! More fun!

TV COM

2008-10-23T11:37:00.000-07:00

This news is late because it all happened so fast. Yesterday (oct 22nd) TV COM called and asked me to be on their show today (Oct 23rd).

Of course I started preparing…stressing about what to wear and what to sing…and should I have my hair straight or curly! (very important decisions! Ha!)

The show aired today at 3:00…I was back home just in time to watch it! I sang two songs (one in Irish Gaelic and one in English) and did a 30 second bit of mouth music in Gaelic with the bodhran (Irish drum). Everybody there was very nice and it was a really fun and positive experience. They advertised my show for tomorrow night at casa de cultura and they announced my website. So HOPEFULLY some people in Porto Alegre saw it!

I wanted to share the good news with you all!
Jennifer Shelton Licko

Going back to North Carolina

2008-09-12T09:34:00.001-07:00

Going back to North Carolina and playing at church street Irish pub in my hometown of Swansboro was GREAT!

The best part about the performance at church street was Antonio experiencing the fun of our town!

really was great to be back where every body knows your name and they all speak English with the same accents as I have!

And Kellie back from Iraq singing for us! Thanks girl...I think Swansboro has missed us being abroad! Of course, you were off serving our country and putting your life at risk...lots of admiration for you Kellie!

After our small hurricane friday evening (hannah) I played at RA Fountain.

I love that I always have my roots in North Carolina and when ever I return from Europe or South America ...or whereever I've been...I'm still feel acceptance and love! THANK YOU for the support!

August 7th Performance at Casa de Cultura in Porto Alegre.

2008-08-11T15:58:00.000-07:00

August 7th Performance at Casa de Cultura in Porto Alegre. The best part of moving to new places is that you find new fans and news friends that help created wonderful memories. After living in Brazil for quite awhile and realizing that my Portuguese was not going to be enough to get work, I found a someone with energy, excitement and a great attitude to help me move forward. Suzana organized this gig for me from the beginning to the end.

More people came out for the performance than I ever expected! I wasn't sure how many Brazilians would be interested in Celtic Music. Many of them told me after the concert that this was their first time hearing Celtic music.

I mostly spoke in English throughout the evening and was very impressed that many of the audience members not only understood a lot of what I said, but they also laughed at the right times! I tried to speak in Portuguese from time to time. I'm still trying to decide whether my concentration on trying to put together sentences in Portuguese takes away from the performance.

I'm looking forward to returning to Casa de Cultura again!

AND MANY MANY THANKS TO SUZANA AND FRANCES FOR ALL THEIR HELP!

Armazem Liquid Show!

2008-07-22T07:09:00.000-07:00

On July 19, 2008, I performed at a venue in Tres de maio, Brasil called Armazem Liquid. A bunch of local musicians formed a band to learn my music and play with me. I have to admit that I was a little skeptical, but turns out that everything exceeded my expectations.

We rehearsed every night for a week. The band was prepared and ready to work to improve on the music. Only one guy in the band spoke a little bit of English, so communication was not the best, but somehow we managed with his small English vocabulary and my small Portuguese vocabulary!

As far as the band is concerned, they really are young and fabulous musicians! A little guy called Jura played drums. He is so humble and kind, you would think that he would be scared to hit a drum. On the contrary, he ROCKS! I have never heard a drummer do some of the things that Jura was able to do with ease! The bass player, Samir, started off very quiet and simple, but by the end of the week, I truly believed I was on stage with Jaco Pastorius! Elisandro played keyboards and he never lost focus. I have never seen anyone concentrate so hard on making it perfect! The guitar player, Felipe, and probably the youngest member of the band is not only a great talent, he is a character. He kept me laughing and kept me on my toes the entire week. I was impressed with the way they all worked hard and worked with happiness.

Our set list included a lot of country music and some classic rock most of which the Brazilian audience was familiar with. Throughout the week, I did interviews and radio spots to promote the performance. The local radio stations had been playing my music throughout the past month to make sure the local audience was familiar with my voice.

On the night of the show, there were four local journalists there to cover the performance. Many of them were backstage taking photos with me and getting autographs! It was pretty cool!

I was very impressed with the band before the show as they all congratulated each other on all the work, and wish each other good luck before going on stage. With hugs and high fives from the band, I felt like I was a part of a team!

As I waited until my announcement, a couple of audience members spotted me and wanted photos with me very quickly! I could not believe their excitement over getting a photo with me! I could really tell that all the promotion had worked!

When I went on stage, the fans in the audience overwhelmed me. They were shouting my name and screaming for me! It was incredible! I was told that there were roughly 700 people there. I felt it when I started my first song…and the excitement was the biggest high I have ever had on stage!

The show of an hour and fifteen minutes went by way too fast! I was impressed by the way the audience sang and danced throughout the evening. They knew many of the words and sang a long to the choruses. There were a couple of magical moments on stage that could have never been planned!

After the encore, I picked up my guitar to exit the stage. I glanced over to the steps where I needed to be and saw security guards forming a human chain to hold back the fans. Wow! That was pretty incredible! I do not believe I could ever find the words to describe the feelings of that evening. To play to a foreign audience and feel such warmth and appreciation from them was truly one heck of an experience! All I know is that I am looking forward to playing again at Armazem Liquid in Tres de maio!

Performing at Armezam Liquid in Tres De Maio

2008-07-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

This week I an staying in a small town called Horizontina. This is actually the town in the Southwestern Region of Rio Grande do sul in Brazil. You wouldn't believe it by walking around, but the famous Victoria's Secret Brazilian supermodel 'Gisele' grew up in this small town.

Anyway, I am here rehearsing for my performance at Armazem Liquid on Saturday night.

Here is the link to the radio that is sponsoring my show. You can actually listen to them online...they play a mix of rock/pop from all over the world as well as lots of Brazilian music. It's kind of fun to listen! And you may hear me!
http://www.cidadecaoncaofm.com.br

On Tuesday evening I recorded a radio spot for the July 19th performance which you can hear on myspace. On Wednesday evening I was interviewed for a local paper called 'semanal'.

The show this Saturday is with a local band from Tres de maio and they really exceeded my expectations. We started rehearsals Sunday night and I can not believe the drummer! Absolutely incredible! The bass playing has all of a sudden become very comfortable during rehearsals and now he is really showing a lot of flavor and I'm really enjoying him on stage with me! All of them are very good and I feel very comfortable that these musicians will make me sound great! It's been funny trying to talk music in Portuguese....but we have managed just fine with my limited Portuguese.

We are suppose to taking a recording from the board during the performance. I hoping it turns out good and if so, I'll share it with ya!

Connecting online

2008-04-17T08:21:00.000-07:00

Recently I've starting spending more time visiting Celtic Music sites online. I used to never have time for this, but I decided I wanted to set aside time to explore what is out there in our world endless amounts of information. I had the good fortune to meet the man behind the CelticMP3s.com website. His name is Marc Gunn, a Celtic musician himself, and he really has a great site full of music and reviews AND encouraging other Celtic musicians to get their music heard. I feel very fortunate to have run across his site. After all, we are very much aware of how much junk is on the internet and finding the good stuff is like finding a needle in a haystack. Well, take it from me, Celticmp3s.com is the good stuff. Check it out!

NEW CELTIC INSPIRED EP: SHELTON A Thousand Curses Upon Love

2008-03-17T13:28:00.000-07:00

PRESS RELEASE! My 5th EP due for release in March 2008! The EP is sub titled A Thousand Curses Upon Love after the translation of the Gaelic track Mile Marbhphaisg air A' Ghaol.

The mastermind behind this CD is credited to her producer, Bob Noble, whom she has been working with since 1999.

I enjoyed recording songs by some of our best Celtic songwriters such as Dougie MacLean, Jimmy MacCarthy and John Spillane. I also was honored to record a song co-written by my producer, Bob Noble, which was previously released by Mary Hopkins.

I had a great time putting the album together and I hope that you all enjoy it!

CDs are available via my website (downloads and physical sales)! I also have some free downloads available on my website! http://www.jenniferlicko.com/wcds.html

Being Green

2008-03-17T08:31:00.000-07:00

Today is St. Patrick's Day and besides wearing Green, I wanted to do my part to be more environmentally Green. My newest CD was released one week ago and the digipack tray is made 100% from pre-used soda and water bottles. How cool is that?

St. Andrew's Society of São Paulo

2008-02-17T11:27:00.000-08:00

I was honored by being asked to sing at the Robbie Burns dinner in São Paulo on February 16. "The St.Andrew Society of São Paulo, founded in 1924, is a non-profit organization made up of Scots, people of Scottish descent, and others of all nationalities who are friends of Scotland" This event was one of the best Burn's dinners I have ever attended. The evening began with the Grand March while a tremendous Piper, Cristiano played Scotland the Brave. With Ceilidh dances, the immortal memory, music, The Address to the Haggis, plenty of food, plenty of whiskey, The toast to the lassies and the reply (which was brilliant); the event was full of celebration and tradition. Find out more information at http://www.standrews.com.br/

100 Incredible ECU women

2007-10-17T08:25:00.000-07:00

I was selected as one of 100 ECU women profiled in the 2007 Centennial publication: A Legacy of Leadership. I attended East Carolina University from 1994-1998 and received my BA in Music Education with honors. I am truly honored to be a part of this group and very sad that I could not attend the ceremony because I am living in Brazil!

Spanish and Portuguese

2007-05-17T08:24:00.000-07:00

With the recent relocation to South America, Jennifer Shelton's site is now available in Portuguese and Spanish thanks to the help of Brenda Rice and Fidelity translations.

New Move to Brazil

2007-04-21T12:14:00.000-07:00

Jennifer has made a second home in Porto Alegre, Brazil. This very European like city in the South of Brazil is rich with Brazilian culture, music and dance. More to come!