Then catch the Local Music Seen with Allen Estes 2011 Christmas Special at 11pm on Cape Ann TV Channel 12 (originally aired last year) featuring Dan King, Daisy Nell & Capt. Stan, Ann Marie, Bradley Royds, Inge Berge, Chelsea Berry, Dave Sag, Courtney Reid and Allen’s son Dylan Estes.  Here’s a video of many of the performers singing Santa Claus is Coming to Town. (see more air times here)

Of course, there’s lots of other excellent music in town (not necessarily Christmas — see full schedule here), including Dennis Monagle with Marina Evans, Joe Cardoza and Dave Brown at Minglewood Tavern starting at 9pm.

For the story of Courtney’s journey to the Grand Prize Audition in Times Square, check out these previous Good Morning Gloucester posts on what it took for her to accomplish this!

It’s an amazing experience to see a dear friend perform live on the Jumbo Tron in Times Square after being there for her first performance in our college dining hall 18 years ago.

It’s even more amazing to celebrate her win. Congratulations, Courtney!

I want my dear friend Courtney to win the Folgers Jingle Contest. If you’re in NYC, come watch her perform in Times Square tomorrow!

click the arrow to hear her jingle

ORRVILLE, OH, May 11, 2011 — Five musical acts are heading to New York City as finalists in the Folgers® Jingle Contest.  The talented top five will compete in a live audition in front of award-winning songwriter and former American Idol® judge, Kara DioGuardi for a chance to win the grand prize of $25,000, a mentoring session with Kara and a chance to appear in a Folgers Coffee commercial.
The top five finalists:

Charles M. from Springfield, MO

Courtney Reid. from Gloucester, MA

Dorrell E. from Mesa, AZ

Jered L. from Fort Collins, CO

John P. from North Port, FL

“I’m all about taking a song and making it your own.  It’s been great to hear the diversity of The Best Part of Wakin’ Up™ jingle submissions—from R&B to Country—musical genres of all types have been represented,” said DioGuardi.  “I’m excited to witness the creativity and musical talent first-hand at the judging event in New York City.”
Visit www.bestpartofwakinup.com to view the finalists’ video entries and complete Official Rules.
About the Contest
Thousands of creative musicians submitted video entries on www.bestpartofwakinup.com from January 19 through March 1, 2011.  Qualified entries underwent an initial round of judging based on creativity/originality, musical performance, and adherence to creative assignment and were then narrowed down to a group of ten semi-finalists.  
From March 31 through April 25, 2011, the top ten semi-finalist entries were posted to www.bestpartofwakinup.com for a public vote.  The top five finalists were determined based on points awarded from both the initial judging round and online vote totals.   
Finalists will travel to New York City in June 2011 to compete in the live grand prize audition and perform their version of The Best Part of Wakin’ Up jingle in front of Kara DioGuardi and a panel of judges. One finalist will be named the Grand Prize Winner and receive $25,000, the chance to appear in a future Folgers commercial and chance to receive a music mentoring session from Kara DioGuardi.

GLOUCESTER’S GOT TALENT BABY!!!!

http://www.bestpartofwakinup.com/folgers-jingle-contest-finalist-gallery/718703

Gloucester's own Courtney Reid

I wanted to let GMG readers know that one of our own, the extremely talented singer-songwriter, band member, recording artist, etc. etc. Courtney Reid of Gloucester is among the top 10 finalists in the Folger’s Coffee Jingle Contest. Check out her entry through the link below, and, since it is the best of the 10 finalists (no, I’m not biased, I promise), you can vote for it in good conscience. And even if you’re not crazy about Folgers coffee, her jingle just might make you rethink your position. Which is the whole point of a jingle. Just so you know, in order to vote the Folgers website requires you to fill out your name, etc. to make sure you’re a real person casting an actual vote as opposed to a virtual person who is part of a conspiracy to stuff the ballot box, but it will be worth the effort to have Courtney representing!

http://www.bestpartofwakinup.com/vote-for-your-favorite-semifinalist/718703?registered=true

Courtney Reid

In the beginning it’s picture perfect, great on paper, match made in heaven, dare say “soul mates.” Years stretch into decades, experience spans patience and the only souls that have worn are on the bottom of shoes. There are no perfect couples, only relationships; complex and evolving and as alive as each person within them.

A relationship can not define us anymore than any other aspect of what we believe is true about our lives. We can only be guided by something greater than ourselves.

We are born into relationships but adopt many more significant to our lives. What we come to realize is that these matches are made for express purposes and we must set our expectations accordingly. We can not expect one match to be a maid to our every need in life, after all that is why we have many kinds of relationships.

People are human, at different stages of consciousness. No two can possibly sync up all the time. The one relationship that must be in line is the one with our self and our higher power; all others will follow suit.

Courtney Reid is one of my favorite artist who “grew up watching paint get pushed around,” she’s represented by Airom Bleicher. The name of this piece is “7.” For me, it symbolizes a couple on two different levels of consciousness but very closely bound together. I’ve decided the woman on the right is in an inventive, contemplative, spiritual and enigmatic state; as the numbered title suggests. The man is looking to her for guidance. The third and palpable character in the image is their muted relationship.

Special thanks to @2morrowknight aka Sean Gardner for featuring me as a guest post on his blog, you rock my friend!

Courtney Reid

The known isn’t scary, even if it isn’t healthy.

This is merely a state of mind. Embracing the unknown like a welcome companion we meet along our journey will change our experience entirely. This companion will potentially intrigue, teach, or even double cross us; but the possibilities are endless.

Reid

With the courage to chart new courses and change direction without fear but the comfort of the unknown, we open ourselves to the world and endless destinations.

Courtney Reid will be featured in the Bleicher/Golightly gallery opening in Malibu this month. Bleicher/Golightly, Malibu Lumber Yard Shopping Center, 3939 Cross Creek Road, Suite D240, Malibu CA, 90265.