#14 - A Duet with Jason Waters

Have you ever listened to this amazing singer-songwriter, Jason Waters? Well, if you haven't, now you will. Jason and I did a duet, recently, to Tyler Hilton's song feat. Kina Grannis "I BELIEVE IN YOU". Let me tell you something about Jason. He is so amazing and so talented that I felt quite intimidated sitting next to him while singing this duet. However, I felt quite homely at his home studio. We recorded a live version of this song and you can take a listen to the track here:

"I Believe In You" (Duet Cover) Mary Desiree and Jason Waters

The live video recording to our duet cover is in the making, and I will be posting it here as soon as it's finished. 

Jason Waters can definitely make you feel the music when he sings and plays for you. Some of Jason's influences are John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, Coldplay, U2, Nick Drake and Ray LaMontagne. In my opinion, his voice is really unique and very captivating. Jason is also an active member in the music scene and you can even hear some of his music through college radios. This is something I am also planning on doing with my music. 

Jason just posted up in his FACEBOOK page (http://www.facebook.com/jwatersmusic), that due to the ghastly event that happened at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut, he was inspired to write a song with his brother to give some sense of hope to people. The title of his song is called, "LOVE". Please take a listen to it and you can even download it here:

"LOVE" by Jason Waters

I told you his music was amazing. Now, here are a couple photos (some pretty funny) that was taken during our recording. Hope you guys check him out and share his pages to all of your friends and families. I promise you won't be disappointed! And don't forget to check up here for the video of this duet. Thank you all and I hope you had a wonderful day today. Until next time!

Much love,

MD

#13 - Apologies/Windows of Opportunity Inc. and Toy Drive for Hurricane Sandy Victims

First of all, I want to apologize for not posting any new blogs lately. I have just been really busy and tired from all the work I've been doing with my music. There is a lot to talk about. But, I will start off with what happened yesterday. 

Saturday, December 15, 2012, I volunteered to play music and provide entertainment for a TOY DRIVE for all the families who were affected by HURRICANE SANDY. Like you all may know by now, I am a part of this amazing incorporation called, WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY, INC. (WOO). My manager and other board directors of WOO and some models from SHORTSTACK MODELING AGENCY drove to Far Rockaway, NY, at around 6:30 in the morning. I must say that WOO and all its members are wonderful people and they all care about those who need help, especially during this holiday season. The Shortstack models volunteered out by unloading food and drinks from trucks and bringing it in the tents and handing out foods to the people who needed them. My manager and I, along with TRACY MIGNONE, provided the music and equipment needed for it. Tracy did a wonderful job with this toy drive by organizing everything and just overall, being a wonderful person to even think of doing this. I am so proud to be a part of this wonderful program. There are so much more to WINDOWS OF OPPORRTUNITY, INC that people will be seeing soon! Please check WOO out at http://www.wooinc.org, SHORTSTACK MODELING AGENCY at http://www.wooshortstack.org, ROCK UR HEART OUT at http://www.rockurheartout.com and THE INNER YOU at http://www.theinneryou.org. Here are a couple pictures taken from that day:

SHORTSTACK MODELS 2012

FOUNDER of WOO and my Manager - Hal Eisenberg

Me prepping up for performing Christmas songs and my originals for the families of the Hurricane Sandy victims.

Me and a couple of amazing kids sang Jessie J's "Price Tag". It was an absolutely amazing moment.

Windows Of Opportunity Inc. volunteering for a toy drive at Far Rockaway, NY.

This was such a wonderful experience for me and I cannot wait to do more of these events. Thanks to WOO for making me a part of this program and for allowing me to feel the joy they share with everyone else. More to come everyone!

Much love,

MD

#12 - Happiness Comes to Those Who Work Hard and Deserve It

Hello everyone. Can I just start this post off with an emotion I'm feeling very deeply right now? I want to tell you all how happy I have been for the past couple of weeks and how inspired I am by a group of people who I just have started getting close with. And that group of people are involved with this amazing program called, WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY. My manager, Hal Eisenberg, is the founder of WOO, and I must say, this guy has changed my life so far, in so little time, without him realizing it. He says that I am like a miracle brought into his life, but I really think that he's the miracle in mine. Without his help and his constant drive and passion for change and believing in one's self, I don't think I would be getting this far with my music career. I have met (and will continue to meet) some of the most amazingly talented and passionate people I'd ever get the chance to meet. There's so many things that I hope for and that I'm so grateful for that I cannot even express in words how much this all means to me.

I feel like I've been changing for the good each time I'm a part of Windows of Opportunity and all its programs. And I encourage you all to take a look at what WOO stands for, and hopefully, you can help out with the things they need the most. This program WILL change lives and give the youth their voice back, without feeling any negative emotion by it. And being someone who has dealt with self-esteem issues and bullying of all sorts, I can say that the programs involved with WOO definitely helps me out. WOO is a safe haven for all that needs a place to just feel free from all the chains in their lives and to get that breath of fresh air that can save a life and turn it around. And WOO CAN save a life. I really hope you all can join in on the journey that I'm also taking with WOO. It's never too late to help out a cause and to change a life for the better. And I think that's the best feeling in the world that you could EVER have; doing something from the goodness of your heart and believing in making an impact on someone's life.

And on that note, I will end with a video that I worked on with my manager, Alyssa Martone and Gabriella Neglia. This is the video that will hopefully inspire the right people. I hope you enjoy and I hope you check out WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY. YOU can help change a life if you just believe.

Much love,

- MD

#11 - Forest, Swamps and Moss. Oh My!!! (Photoshoot w/ the amazing Kasheem Daniels)

Hello, everyone! I hope you had an amazing day today (and to those who just started their day, I hope you have a wonderful day). There's a lot to talk about on this post. As some of you have read from my previous blog, today was my first photoshoot with an amazing photographer, KASHEEM DANIELS. I was so excited to do this shoot and extremely nervous. I wasn't sure how I'd be in front of the camera. So, I woke up early today to get ready for the shoot and pack some changes of clothes in my duffel bag. I basically just kept my hair straight with my bangs. My first outfit was a long sleeve dark gray v-neck and this maroon high waisted shorts I got from FOREVER 21 (which is my favorite store to shop in). I wore some black knee-highs and with my black boots. I wore my dark brown leather jacket with my dark gray scarf, as usual. It wasn't really that cold, but it was a bit damp and foggy outside. It made me think of SILENT HILL and zombies (which I absolutely LOVE). The mood felt like a little mysterious/elegant/eerie. And I absolutely love that style. Especially the mysterious part.

So, my manager, HAL EISENBERG, picked me up from my house and we set off to meet up with my photographer. We drove all the way to Far Rockaway and were trying to wake ourselves up by playing some GAVIN DEGRAW music as well as the famous musical, RENT. My manager and I both love RENT and we enjoy blasting the music in the car and singing along to the most amazing songs we've ever heard. So, we meet up with Kasheem and got our fix of STARBUCKS (as you all may realize that we LOVE). I got my usual JAVA MOCHA CHIP FRAPPUCINO, which was delicious! I don't know why I picked a cold drink at this season, but I just do. What's your favorite drink from STARBUCKS? 

Here is a picture Kasheem captured of me talking about my favorite drink:

And then, Kasheem catches me smiling here:

This here, is my usual from STARBUCKS :)

Okay, onward to our journey. We left STARBUCKS and ventured off to a forest/swamp area at MALBA. Here's a couple of the sceneries I took pictures of from my phone:

I managed to capture Kasheem and Hal walking through the swampy forest :)

This photoshoot was one of the most exciting events in my life. I got to sing in the forest guys! And I also got to get my shoes dirty haha.

This was one of the props used for our Industrial shoot. It was really cool playing my guitar in the middle of the street (a little dangerous, but there were barely any cars passing through where we were). We also took photos around the water there, and I must tell you how slippery the rocks were! And, the water was FREEZING! I cannot wait for you guys to see the pictures!!! I'm super duper excited beyond belief! It's going to be awesome!

And here is Kasheem editing a few pics to show to you guys (which are all here). I cannot tell you guys how grateful I am for these two guys to be a part of my life (Kasheem and Hal). They are so wonderful to work with! Kasheem has a great eye for this work. He can capture the beauty in yourself that you never saw before. And that's how you can tell that he's amazing at his work and very passionate about it. He takes his time to ensure that his work is perfect. And I'm sure that I won't be disappointed at all. 

And as for my manager, Hal, he has exceeded my expectations of someone managing my music career. Without him, I don't think my music career would be moving forward. With his help, and his amazing program (WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY, INC.), I can ALMOST believe I can make it all the way. But, then that's just me. I need to truly believe that I can finally reach my dreams. And this is where my song, "BELIEVE", comes to view. I NEED TO JUST BELIEVE. And I shall.

And here's just some pictures that I took of our food. I love Chicken Caesar Salads and I'm a PEPSI gal. Yeah. Haha. I hope you guys liked some of the preview photos I put up here and I hope you check out KASHEEM DANIELS at - http://www.kasheemdaniels.me/

And don't forget to keep checking out my website - http://www.marydesireemusic.com
and http://www.wooinc.org

There will be SO many more things coming up and I don't want you all to miss out on this journey to reaching my dreams <3 Until next time, keep reaching for your dreams, never give up and just believe.

Much love,

MD