I got Gracie in October 2003. It was never my intention to have a dog, as I had always been a cat kind of gal, but she needed a home. You see, she belonged to an ex of mine, who just so happened to commit suicide the month before. The Sheltie rescue folks said that Gracie was too much of a liability, because she was a fear biter. I think they just put her in the wrong foster home and didn't get a chance to know her as a dog but that's another story.

Anyhow, she came to me, and immediately she battled through all manner of stomach distress. It was never my intention to have a child but there I was, seemingly taking care of one. "Lordy lord, what the hell have I gotten myself into?" I kept asking myself. But I loved Gracie from the first day I laid eyes on her. When she needed a home, I gave her one. Hell, I *bought* her one! Having been an apartment dweller for years, I ended up buying a condo near a park! I always said I would have that condo until Gracie died. I put it up for sale a month ago, only because my life circumstances have changed and I needed to do so. But I somehow knew she would not make it to see the new house.

Gracie's been winding down for several weeks now. She became very fussy about her food and sometimes didn't want to eat. Sometimes she would go into stomach distress. Her eyesight deteriorated dramatically. I suspected kidney failure, someone else said liver failure. She became very ill over the weekend, so ill in fact that I had to get her hydrated on Sunday, and shots to keep the stomach stuff at bay. It worked for a little while, keeping her comfortable for half a day or so, but she went right back to more stomach distress and she dehydrated again. It was time, I knew it was time, I just had the feeling that she was not going to recover from this.

The vet who treated my dog on Sunday told my partner that Gracie was a seriously ill little dog, so I felt very much at peace with my decision. At 4:15 on Monday afternoon, we sent Gracie to chase rabbits and squirrels. Lynn and I were with her the whole way, and held her and petted her as she drifted off. I cried, but kept reminding myself of a promise I made to myself and to Gracie. I always said that I would not let her suffer. She had been abused in the early part of her life, clearly, by someone who had her before my ex did. And while I loved my ex, I'm not sure that Gracie had the best life with her either. My goal was to give her a home, and lots of love, and lots of treats! She got it all, my friends, oh yes she did! And I'm glad that I was the one who was able to give it to her.

Rest peacefully, my beautiful little girl, rest peacefully.

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Hello Everyone!

Yes, I know I've been out of touch for a little while now, so I thought it was high time to get you caught up on what's going on in my world. There's nothing too earth shattering happening right now, but I do have some tiny tidbits of info to share!

Emack & Bolio's Open Mike Night Grand Re-opening on April 2nd!
The best news I've gotten so far in this very young new year is that my Open Mike Night at Emack & Bolio's in Roslindale is re-opening on April 2nd! I am planning for this night to be, well, GRAND! I will have lots of small thank you gifts (CDs, gift certificates, etc.) to give away throughout the night, in appreciation for everyone weathering the winter shutdown and to welcome you all back!

Here is the April schedule of featured performers, and I hope to see you out at the show! Signups for the open mike start at 6:30 and the open mike starts at 7. The featured performer goes on around 7:45.

April 2nd - Dave Coffin
April 9th - Sam Bayer
April 16th - Jenny Goodspeed
April 23rd - Chris Wilhelm
April 30th - Lisa Martin

Emack & Bolio's
2 Belgrade Avenue (across from the commuter rail station)
Roslindale, MA 02131
617-323-3323

Hey Carlyn, How Are Your Neck and Arm Feeling?
Well, I'm so glad that you asked! In a nutshell, my neck is much better, and my arm is getting better. I have a buddy who says "slow and steady wins the race" and I have to keep that in mind on a daily basis. I'm doing my best to smile and be a good sport about the whole thing.

There is a rumor that I am the featured performer at Java Jo's in Jamaica Plain on Friday March 28th - it's quite true! I'm working very hard to be able to play a 30 minute slot and I'm confident that if you come to that show, you will be very pleased. Here are the details:

Friday March 28th @ 8 pm
Java Jo's Coffee and Tea
3710 Washington Street (across from the Forest Hills T Station, free parking behind Java Jo's)
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
617-971-9300

Where Can I Buy "Lust Love Lost"?
If you are not yet fortunate enough to own a copy of my CD, check out the links above. You can buy it as a digital download directly from my website, or from CD Baby, iTunes, PayPlay, or any of the other digital distributors I have listed on my website. Want a physical CD, one you can actually hold in your hands and look at the credits and artwork? Then you want to check it out on CD Baby. Also, since you know where I'll be each Wednesday night starting April 2nd, you can buy it from me directly at the Open Mike Night. I will be more than happy to sign a copy for you!

Lust Love Lost Still on the OutVoice Chart!
"Lust Love Lost" is sitting strong at #5 on the OutVoice Top 40 CD chart, where you vote for your top artists! During 2007, your votes helped me place the CD at #7 for the year. I know I say this all the time, but THANK YOU so much for your votes and your continued support! To vote for it again, and for some of your other favorite CDs - just click here!

JP Unplugged Acoustic Music Series
I'm lucky to be working with a group of very talented musicians (and a poet), and excited to be part of this music series holding one concert per month at the Loring-Greenough House in Jamaica Plain. Here is our upcoming schedule, all shows start at 8 pm and all seats are $10. Reserve your seats now at http://www.jpunplugged.org/Events.html.

March 8 - Marc Douglas Berardo with Patti DeRosa
April 12 - Anne Heaton with Laura Bullock
May 10 - Kate Klim with Jess Yoakum
June 14 - 2nd Annual Lawn Concert - Free!

Quick Links
- Carlyn Hutchins Website
- Carlyn on MySpace
- Carlyn's EPK
- Lust Love Lost @ CD Baby
- Lust Love Lost @ iTunes

Thanks for reading this to the end! It turned out to be a much longer newsletter than I planned! And as always, I'll close this with great appreciation for your love and support. I hope to see you or hear from you soon!

Carlyn

I hope you enjoyed a fantastic holiday season and ushered in 2008 with a bang! I know the holidays are generally a hectic time, and they certainly were for me, but I can't think of a better time of year to be with loved ones. Happy 2008 to you!

Lust Love Lost in OutVoice 2007 Top 10!
I just found out that "Lust Love Lost" placed 7 in the OutVoice Top 40 CD Chart! The CD placed at #4 in November but slipped to #8 in December. That's OK, the CD couldn't keep going up on the chart forever, and I'm grateful for all of your votes! I know I say this all the time, but THANK YOU so much for you continued support! Please vote for it again, and for some of your other favorite CDs - just click here!

New Live Recording!
Technology is so cool! I was given a DVD of an Indiegrrl showcase I played in at the 1794 Meetinghouse in New Salem MA, and extracted the audio from Street Light, accompanied by the talented Patty Keough on what we called "vocal shakers"! It's quite funny and makes me giggle every time I hear it, because I was laughing almost the entire time I was playing it live (and barely held the song together), and now I'm sharing it with you! Listen to it on the media player on my website, or on MySpace! Oh yeah, and be a MySpace friend if you're not already - send me a request! One day, I'll post the video, it's even funnier to watch!

Hey Carlyn, Where Are You Playing?
Hmmm, this is the part where I hesitate to say anything, because in all honesty, I'm not playing anywhere right now. Not because I don't want to, and not because I haven't had gig offers. It's because I'm having a wee little neck problem that makes it hard for me to play without pain. But don't worry, my physical therapist assures me that I will be playing as soon as I can. How's that for a non-committal answer on timeline?!?!? Laugh with me please, laugh with me! You'll know when and where I'm playing again as soon as I do!

JP Unplugged Acoustic Music Series
I'm lucky to be working with a group of very talented musicians (and a poet), and excited to be part of this music series holding one concert per month at the Loring-Greenough House in Jamaica Plain. Here is our upcoming schedule, all shows start at 8 pm and all seats are $10. Reserve your seats now at http://www.jpunplugged.org/Events.html.


Emack & Bolio's Open Mike Night
Sadly, the open mike is still closed down for now. The last show we had in November was outstanding and very well attended. When it gets back up and running again, I'll let you know! Hopefully that will be in March or April, so stay tuned!

Quick Links
- Carlyn Hutchins Website
- Carlyn on MySpace
- Carlyn's EPK
- Lust Love Lost @ CD Baby
- Lust Love Lost @ iTunes

If you're still reading this, then thanks for slogging through the newsletter! And as always, I'll close this with great appreciation for your love and support. I hope to see you or hear from you soon!

Carlyn

Happy holidays to all of you! I don't have any more shows scheduled until late February, and I'll be taking this time to write some new material and schedule some new shows.

The most recent news is that Lust Love Lost has reached #5 on the OutVoice Music Chart! If you have not done so recently, please take some time to vote for me and your other favorite artists again!

On a sad note, the Emack & Bolio's Open Mike Night in Roslindale is taking a break during December, January, and probably February. The owner has assured me he wants to get it running again in the spring, so stayed tuned on when that is going to be!

The next JP Unplugged Acoustic Music Series show is on December 8th and will feature Dave Crossland with Terry Kitchen opening the show! Advanced reservations are recommended through reservations@jpunplugged.org, or pay online for seats from the link on the Events page. This is a completely acoustic event - no amplification at all, and the room seats about 40 people. Tickets are $10 and I sure hope you can make it because it's going to be a very fun night!

If you're in the gift giving spirit this season, please consider adding Lust Love Lost to your holiday gift list for that music lover you know! Right now, buy 2 or more copies at CD Baby and get 10% off your purchase! With the holidays fast approaching, how can you pass up this offer? If you don't want a physical copy of the CD, CD Baby is also now offering Lust Love Lost as an iTunes compatible digital download - check it out, and thanks for supporting local music!

Thanks again for your continued support and have a very safe, healthy, and happy holiday season!

XOXOXOXO -

Carlyn


JP Unplugged Acoustic Music Series Next Show:

Saturday December 8th - Dave Crossland with Terry Kitchen opening All seats are $10 and may be reserved via email: reservations@jpunplugged.org.


Upcoming Shows - 2008:

February 9th - Berklee All Star Show with Denise Barbarita opening

March 8th - Marc Douglas Berardo with Patti DeRosa opening

April 12th - Anne Heaton with Laura Bullock opening

May 10th - Kate Klim with Jess Yoakum opening

June 14th - 2nd Annual Free Lawn Festival!

I don't have too much to report this month, but I did want to thank those of you who stopped in to support the Indiegrrl Showcases in Provincetown between October 5th and the 13th! Unfortunately, my dog was very ill that week and I was unable to MC most of the showcases. She's feeling much better, and because of that, I am too!

To recap some old news, Lust Love Lost is still hovering at #6 on the OutVoice Music Chart! If you have not done so, please take some time to vote for me and your other favorite artists again, and let's see if we can get my CD even higher on the chart.

The next JP Unplugged Acoustic Music Series show is on November 3rd and will feature Guy Mendilow with yours truly opening the show! Advanced reservations are recommended through reservations@jpunplugged.org. This is a completely acoustic event - no amplification at all, and the room seats about 40 people. Tickets are $10 and I sure hope you can make it because it's going to be a very fun night!

For a limited time, buy 2 or more copies of Lust Love Lost at CD Baby and get 10% off your purchase! The holidays are fast approaching, and who doesn't love new music? Pssst... they did this vewy vewy qwietwy, but CD Baby is also now offering iTunes compatible digital downloads - check it out!

Thanks again for your continued support - you are the best!

XOXOXOXO -

Carlyn

November Shows:

Saturday November 3rd, 8 pm
JP Unplugged Acoustic Music Series
12 South Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
$10 Admission
Limited free parking available at the house but please do not park on the lawn!

Opening for Guy Mendilow - his music spins stories to which audiences can relate despite differences in culture or language. His richly textured and intimately engaging concerts and recordings have garnered universal acclaim. Among his honors are the Director's Choice Award in the Mid Atlantic Song Contest (2006), the Global Rhythm Magazine World Music Song Contest (2005), and being voted the Best World Music Act by the Boston Phoenix (2005).

Saturday November 17th, 8 pm
The Highlands Inn
Bethlehem, NH
Free admission for guests staying at the Inn


Emack & Bolio's Open Mike Night:

Sign-ups begin at 6:30 pm and the open mike starts at 7 pm. The featured performers play for 30 minutes starting around 7:45 pm. The board fills up fast so get there early to sign up!

I'd like to thank everyone who has been coming out and supporting this night, both the performers and the listeners, because without you, there would be no way we could continue the open mike. THANKS SO MUCH!

Emack and Bolio's
2 Belgrade Avenue (across from the commuter rail station)
Roslindale, MA 02131
617-323-3323
For booking, email openmike@carlynhutchins.com
Visit EB Open Mike on MySpace and be our friend!

Featured Performers:
October 31st - Closed for Halloween, no open mike
November 7th - Craig Sonnenfeld CD Release Party for "Heart of a Man"!
November 14th - Kate Phipps
November 21st - Closing early for Thanksgiving, no open mike
November 28th - Steve Biegner