Woody Guthrie Folk Festival

On July 7th my family and I got into our big, green van that we rented and started on our 20 hour trip to Okemah, Oklahoma. On the way we stopped in Indiana, where we got some incredible frozen custard, and Saint Louis, Missouri. Saint Louis was incredible! My mom and sister went up in the arch (while my dad and I stayed safe on the ground), we had some awesome food and the atmosphere was perfect. I was sad we could only spend one day exploring the city and hope to get back there someday.

After three days of driving we finally reached Oklahoma. My family and I stayed in a quaint bed and breakfast in Holdenville called the Pallmer Inn, which is about 30 minutes from Okemah. We really enjoyed our stay at the Inn. The owners were very nice, rooms were beautiful and comfortable and we were allowed full use of the kitchen. The second place winner of the Woody Guthrie Festival, Judy Painter and a bunch of her friends, stayed in the same bed and breakfast as my family. They were so supportive and kind and I truly enjoyed getting to know them! Judy performed on July tenth with her friend Rose Kimball at the Crystal Theatre and did a very nice job. Her song "The Ghost of Billy Grey" is a haunting story song about a boy who works in a mine and "The Journey" is a touching, personal song.

I played a bunch of times at the open mic at Lou's Rocky Road Tavern while I was at the festival. I really enjoyed playing for everyone at the open mics. People were very encouraging and receptive. They seemed to really like my music. I also got to hear many other talented artists including Chad Elliot the first place winner of the Woody Guthrie Songwriting contest. His song "Same Old Way" is touching and beautiful and his guitar work and voice suited each other perfectly.

I played at the Crystal Theatre on July 11th at 11:45 am right after an interesting presentation about Woody Guthrie's Music that showcased some modern covers and adaptations of his songs. I was pretty nervous to perform, there were a lot of people in the audience and I started getting uncontrollable butterflies as I stepped up the back stairs onto the stage. But as soon as I got onto the stage and started playing I felt at ease. The audience was wonderful, and I felt comfortable. I played the third place winning song "Serigene" first. It was received really well, everyone seemed to enjoy it. Then I played "Pretty Faces" which is a totally different kind of song, much more personal and emotional for me to sing. I really connected on "Pretty Faces", I was deeply inside the song and felt so much energy from the people around me and the walls and everything. It was an amazing moment for me, better than I could have imagined.

All in all I think it was a very successful trip! I had so much fun, met so many talented and wonderful people and loved being able to be a part of the festival. It was an honor to have the opportunity to celebrate Woody Guthrie's life and music and the whole experience really meant a lot to me.

Here are some pictures from the festival!

<---on stage at the Crystal Theatre! :)

<---(Left to Right) Chad Elliot, Me, Judy Painter

-Open Mic at Lou's Rocky Road Tavern

Woody Guthrie Songwriting Contest

I am the third place winner of the 2009 Woody Guthrie Songwriting Contest!

It still hasn't really sunk in yet. I am so honored to have the opportunity to play a set at the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival.

The Woodyfest was founded in 1998 to commemorate the life and music of Woody Guthrie. It is held in his hometown, Okemah, Oklehoma, on the weekend closest to July 14th (Woody Guthrie's Birthday). I am so excited to perform at this event because the festival pays tribute to the memory of Woody Guthrie who is one of my personal heroes. I admire him not only for the impact that he made on folk music, but also for his political and social stances. Woody Guthrie spread the word of the common man and promoted peace, equality and freedom for all regardless of race or gender. I am proud to be able to be a part of this celebration.

I received the third place prize for my song "Serigene". I the lyrics and a video have been posted in an earlier blog and you can listen to the song at my myspace and youtube channel.

I will be performing at Woodyfest on Saturday, July 11th at 11:45 AM on the Crystal Theatre stage.

For more info on the festival visit www.woodyguthrie.com.

You Belong to Me

Here's a video of me singing "You Belong to Me". This song was originally sung by Patti Page and has been covered by Patsy Cline, Bob Dylan, and more recently Jason Wade of Lifehouse. His version was used in the movie Shrek. 

I think it is a really haunting song and hope you like my interpretation.

You can check out more of my videos on youtube :)

Summer Break~

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, I just got home from college so I have been busy unpacking and trying to get everything organized. Needless to say it is taking a while for things to calm down around here, but I am so happy to be home!!

My first year of college was awesome! I met some amazing people, learned a lot and I am so proud of the work I accomplished.

Now that I am home, I am trying to get some gigs around here and I am continuing to write and practice during the day. I have been playing open mics which are always a lot of fun! You get to see some really interesting acts and also some really great performers! 

I have also been trying to get more videos on youtube. I uploaded "Velcro Feet" yesterday.

Here are the lyrics:

Velcro Feet  by Kelly Izzo

 

He was stuck down by his Velcro feet

that feel the limitations of the little orange traffic cones

Crouching all alone in the street

They keep him where he is

And they keep him guessing

 

He plays chopsticks on his back pocket

With hands that tap like aluminum cans

Tied to the back of a van                 

Ringing in his denim symphony

 

He says “I have never seen a tightrope walker balancing above me

And clouds speed like limousines chasing after the sun.

I can trip along a telephone wire and trace it back to where you are.”

I said “I need to decide if It’s worth trying this hard.”

 

I said “If I wanted to be with you I would tell you in a rhyme

Because I hide behind the strings of metaphors I line my mind with.”

I am looking at you through the spaces in between my fingertips,

It’s a cage I create for myself.

 

He said “all I want is someone to sit next to me.

I can see your apprehension like a wrinkle near your eyes.

My emotions are set in motion every time that you walk by me.”

I said “I need to decide if It’s worth trying this hard.”

I need to decide if it’s worth trying this hard.

Cause I can’t follow you forever

And I can’t be your watering can

And I won’t paint all your white roses red

I need something natural.

 

I said “I need to decide if it’s worth trying this hard.”

I need to decide if It’s worth trying this hard.

I need to decide if It’s worth trying this hard.

I need to decide if It’s worth trying this hard.

Check out my youtube channel to see the video! :)

 

 

New Songs on Myspace

I the songs that I recorded with my band onto myspace this afternoon! 

The songs are called "Serigene", "Most of All" and "Bullets in the Rain"

Here's the link: www.myspace.com/kellyizzo

Hope you like them!

Also, here are the lyrics to "Bullets in the Rain". The lyrics to the other songs have been published in previous posts.

We are mostly alike despite the fear in your eyes

Tears that are tossed to the side drop like broken mirrors cascading from the sky

I can hear you cry

 

When flowers bloom alongside the landmines that they plant

Watch your step; watch your step you might trip on the trap

When planes fly overhead boxing with your brain

Hear the battle drumming rhythm

Bullets in the rain

Bullets in the rain

 

Breathe slow

Grip onto your necklace chain

Breathe slowly

Breathe slowly

 

We, we are mostly alike despite the fear in your eyes

Tears that are tossed to the side drop like broken mirrors cascading from the sky

 

(hum)

 

 

Chasing the Sunset

I was looking through my notebook from the beginning of the year and found this song. I had completely forgotten about it. It's so funny, September seems so long ago, I can't believe I will be finished with my first year of college in 4 days!

Anyway, for the sake of reminiscing here are the lyrics of to one of the first songs that I wrote at college. It's called "Chasing the Sunset":

 

Nobody’s ever written a song about me

There’s mascara on my pillow and I can’t fall asleep

Cause lines drizzle round my head like raindrops in a tin can

And I can’t control my heart

But I would be content just chasing the sunset with you

 

And I don’t care if we catch it

I will hold onto the end of this kite string and be dragged along for a ride

A vacation from plans, plans that I made

Cause I can’t control your heart

But I would be content just chasing the sunset with you

 

Let’s break the horizon

Let’s break the horizon

Let’s break the horizon and never come back

 

I will trace your name on the ceiling with my hand

When I’m lying in bed and I feel the night expand and contract all around me

Like shadows in a looking glass

I will trace your name on the ceiling with my hand

Still I can’t control your heart

And I can’t control my heart

But I would be content just chasing the sunset with you

I would be content just chasing the sunset with you

Master Class Showcase

Yesterday night my master class put on a showcase at the co-op on campus. Everyone did a really great job and over a hundred people showed up which was awesome! 

I was pretty nervous because it was my first time playing live with my band but it all went very smoothly. Once I settled in It was easier for me to free up my voice because I had the support of other people backing me up. 

We had the concert filmed so hopefully I will have clips of the show up soon.

Also I put a new cover of the song "You Belong to Me" up on youtube!

:)