Music has always been a release--a way of expressing my emotions. It allows me to keep going through the darkest valleys, over mountains that block my way, and keeps my head above the waves.  It is a way to overcome fear, pain and sorrow. It heals my brokenness. Music has lifted me up, it has changed the person inside who was once lost into someone who has purpose.  This is because I truly believe with all my heart that music is a gift from Heaven, and I don't ever take it for granted.

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Music Background & More

I performed for many years in “Mirage,” the successful Chicago based tribute to Heart & Fleetwood Mac--playing the musical role of both Stevie Nicks & Nancy Wilson, sharing the stage with several world-known rock bands--the first being Cheap Trick followed by years of opening for other great acts and sharing the stage with artists Paul Rogers, Howard Leese, Grand Funk, 3-Dog Night, Joan Jett, Sammy Hagar, Sebastian Bach, Geoff Tate, Jim Peterik, Kevin Chalfant, and Ron Platt from Kansas.  I relocated out to Las Vegas & formed 3 national tribute shows: Fleetwood Nicks, Heart Alive, & the Women of Rock. Both Fleetwood Nicks & Heart Alive were nominated multiple years for Best Tribute Show in the country, with Heart Alive taking the win in 2011. My tribute shows have performed at notable venues around the country and in Las Vegas, including being chosen 1 of only 12 bands in the entire country to perform NYE at Fremont Street Experience "TributePalooza“. I've had the opportunity to work with some of the best musicians in Las Vegas, and feel blessed that we could present something to be very proud of.

 

Although the tribute band lifestyle has been very rewarding for me with many amazing experiences, my true passion is writing original music.   I have been an original musician and songwriter for the past two decades. I have had the opportunity to work with some amazing musicians and so far released 2 original albums “Surrounding Sara” (rock), and “Love Survive” a Christian Contemporary Rock album —both can be found in digital stores and at:

lovesurvive.bandcamp.com and surroundingsara.bandcamp.com.

 

My love for music is a spectrum of many different genres and I will generally write rock or country songs; however, my first love is my Christian Rock project Love Survive.  I was part of the worship music at Red Rock Christian Fellowship for a few years back in Las Vegas, and I fell in love with the powerful messages in Christian music. Artists such as Flyleaf, For King and Country, Skillet, Chris Tomlin, We  the Kingdom, Lauren Daigle, Jesus Culture are just some who inspired me.  The way this music lifts you up like no other music can--- made me want to be a part of this "mission", and I really believe I found my purpose--what God's plan was for me.

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 I actually remember the very day when I knew my true musical purpose. I was walking my dogs, Bella and Skye (my inspiration for Bella Skye Productions), and thinking of how blessed I was to be able to be a musician and do all these amazing things---yes it was later in life than I had hoped for, but I was still so grateful to be given this gift. It was then it dawned on me that yes, God had opened these doors for me and given me these amazing opportunities and experiences---yet what have I given back?  The big stages that I stepped on to embody Stevie Nicks and other artists. were all very exciting and pleased my audience, but none of these experiences allowed me to feel as though I was giving back to the very one who gave me my gift.  So I decided on my walk that day that I was going to write "A" worship song.  Just one. And I did write that one song in a couple days---and I was somewhat pleased with it--but I didn't feel like this was my "new thing" at the time. In fact, I felt as if I had accomplished what I said I would do and now I could go back to writing rock and country songs that had always been the norm.  But what happened next was something I never dreamed would transpire. Every day thereafter, I literally was flooded with music, lyrics, messages and I felt the need to drop everything else on my agenda and just focus on what was spinning in my head.  Within the next few months I wrote an entire album of music and began working on demos for "Save a Soul", my first Christian Contemporary/Rock album.

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In 2019, my daughter announced she was having a baby and I relocated back to the Chicago suburbs.  I began performing the vocal lead of Stevie Nicks in both Fleetwood Mac tribute shows Fleetwood Nicks and Gold Dust Dreams, as well as forming “Nicks Chicks", an acoustic tribute to Stevie Nicks, and also forming the rock duo Vinyl Vixens. More recently I have been performing solo acoustic shows under Surrounding Sara covering artists through the 60's through today, as well as Surrounding Sara originals.

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Just when I was putting these new projects together, Covid hit the world and the music industry took a painful punch. Even though we squeezed in a few shows before the madness began, it was still depressing to see an entire summer go by without the fabulous music fests all over the Chicagoland area. But what was most depressing about  2020, was when I had to say goodbye to my beloved best friend, my dog of 11 years--Skye.  Without a doubt, the worst day in my life, and yet God again spoke to me so clearly that Skye would be ok and she would be with her bestie Bella. He also reminded me not to "waste my pain" letting sorrow consume me, but to "use it for good".  On our last day together, I wrote a song called "For Your Good."  This song is now being recorded in the studio and will be done before end of 2022--dedicated to my beloved Skye.  "Sorrow's End"  was inspired and dedicated to Bella who passed away unexpectedly a few years back.  Please see my dedication page for more on my precious fur babies.

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Aside from being a professional musician, I am blessed with family--my kids (who aren't kids anymore) my son Trevor, daughter Miranda, son-in-law Justin and baby grandson Jackson who all mean the world to me! (See more on my dedication page) 

 

My free time consists of spending time with family, friends, writing and recording, creating music videos, digital art design, and spending time with my pets. Other passions include traveling and performing in other parts of the country and experiencing the surroundings, visiting wineries & wine tasting, attending art/music festivals, equestrian events, swimming, horseback riding, thrifting, and just kicking back watching a good movie or series.