As each day passes, and I get a little better (health wise) I am consistently reminded how precious life is. How precious having a "balance" is and just appreciating the simple things that life has to offer.

I have great family, friends and fans...and am gracious for their love, understanding and thoughtfullness. Life has a funny way of reminding you to "slow down" and smell the roses. As cliche' as that my sound, well...nothing rings more true than this simple point.

As I try to balance work, music and all of you out there...I cherish the time we spend together and look forward to many more years of it.

Some updates:

1. Solo - Still working on my solo show (as much as time permits). Spending
quality time perfecting the balance of covers and originals...all the while,
rehearsing the basics...scales, chords, theory, etc...

2. Raymond Hayden and the Dark Drive Home - we are still writing new
music and actually branching out (seattle and beyond...thanks to our
awesome manager, Dawnzella Gearhart. Although my main priority is
getting healthy, we are still looking towards the future and recording
BREATHE'. It is funny, because as my band mates are anxious to record
this album, the delay has allowed me to write new songs and collaborate
on new songs for the album. Some new ideas, such as "Paper Heart,"
"Choose to Believe" and "Beautiful" are among some of the new potential
ideas. nice to have some "out of the box" type ideas rolling around. In
the end, well...we'll have a much more versatile and exciting album to
present to all of you.

3. Maurice the Fish (The Band) - The album is completely recorded and is
being mixed by our fearless leader, the astounding guitarist and song-
writer, Rob Rigoni (aka Whoppo'). It is absolutely amazing sonically and
you will all be very pleased as well as entertained by the sheer
magnitude of the song selection involved theirin...Thanks to those of
you who "pre-purcased" copies (K'dong specifically)...your copies and T's
will be on their way very soon...thank you for your patience.

4. Maurice the Fish Records- Well, first of all, the lable's website address
has changed to www.mauricethefishrecords.net (vs .com)...very long
story, but nonetheless, done. All of the artists are busy doing shows...
promoting their albums...working on new ones and, as always, helping
each other out. After all, that is what MTFR is all about...helping each
other through the sorted chaos we like to call the "music business." We
are all fluorising in each other's accomplishments and utilizing them as
building blocks to a better label and a better understanding of who and
what we are as "artists." Phew, that was a mouthfull...

So, in closing tonight...I'd just like to say have a great week...follow your
dreams and continue to seek "balance," so that your health and spirit are never doused. The flames that burn in your heart are not perpetual...they
need consistent stoking...encouraging and building. Oh, and a HUGE dash of God given talent brandished with hard work and practice...If you ever feel like giving up, reach out to your network and seek guidance from those who you respect and feel mentor you on your path...we all need a little push every once in a while.

As always,

Much Love,

Raymond