After Michael Averill’s birthday challenge, I continued my musical journey by enrolling in his One Song Challenge classes. These five-week sessions pushed me to write and share a new song each week, stretching my creativity and confidence. From there, I moved on to Write Songs You Love and Perform Songs You Love—longer courses that helped me grow both as a songwriter and a performer.
Through these experiences, Michael became my cherished mentor—and, early on, I began calling him my magical musical mentor Michael or M4 for short.
The Decision to Record—And the 14-Month Delay
In late 2023, while chatting with Michael, we decided it was finally time for me to sing "Come On Home" myself, and he would produce it. It felt outside my comfort zone—again—but also long overdue. By then, I had released 18 songs, but not one of them featured my own voice.
We made a plan:
✔️ Perform the song live.
✔️ Start production on the song immediately afterward.
Well… that’s not quite what happened.
Yes, we performed the song live—which was my first-ever in-person performance of an original song. And you know what? It was SO flipping fun. We left energized and ready to dive into production.
Then, radio silence.
Michael's Relentless Encouragement (and My Relentless Procrastination)
Michael, being the patient human that he is, checked in constantly. Here’s a real-life look at how that went:
📅 1/12/24 – Michael: Hey Dana! I got a track for you to record vocals to. Do you want the whole session, or just the track?
📅 1/17/24 – Michael: Also, how’s the singing going?
📅 1/25/24 – Michael: If you can, jump into trying vocals earlier so you might have something to send by Monday or Tuesday if possible.
📅 4/9/24 – Michael: So when you gonna try recording?
📅 5/11/24 – Michael: Okay, deal time. I will give you two weeks to get a demo recorded and sent to me. If it doesn’t get done, I feel like it never will—and I’d rather have you making progress in a songwriting class or something else that gets you moving. How do you feel about this?
📅 5/11/24 – Michael: Is recording your own songs with your voice actually something you want to do?
My answer was "yes," so I finally sent a vocal recording in May 2024, but… there was mysterious buzzing in the background, making it less than ideal.
Having recording quirks is not at all unusual. That type of thing happens. But you'd think I'd re-record promptly. Nope.
The Venice Recording Session—Another Attempt, Another Hurdle
In July 2024, I was set to attend a two-day song production class, so I decided to finally finish recording "Come On Home."
I had an amazing experience working with a brand-new friend, Sarah Christine, who walked me through the recording process line by line. She was so generous with her time, setting aside her own song to help me with mine.
I left feeling so accomplished… until I got home and listened back to the recording. Turns out, recording in the open front room of a studio with a microwave beeping, a toilet flushing, and the front door opening and closing isn’t ideal. Who knew?
I reached out to Michael, hoping there was something salvageable.
📅 9/20/24 – Me: Wondering if you ever had time to think about "Come On Home" and the recordings from Venice. If they weren’t usable, let me know. I can redo them. But just realized we never discussed!
📅 Michael: I put them in the session, and I have thoughts for sure! Let’s book a one-on-one so we can get into it!
📅 Me: Perfect.
Of course, months passed again.
📅 12/19/24 – Me: I am so excited! I already pulled up "Come On Home" and practiced a bit. Might record this weekend!
📅 Michael: Amazing! Go for it!
📅 1/4/25 – Michael: Hey hey! How’s the "Come On Home" singing coming along?
📅 Me: Well, I’ve been so busy tea cupping that "Come On Home" took a back seat! I can get something done before we meet, but do you think we should push it a week to give more time for the challenge? 🎶
📅 Michael: Nope! Haha.
The Final Push—And the Magic of Zoom Production
Finally, in January of 2025, 14 months after our first live performance, I recorded and sent Michael my vocals. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Over four Zoom sessions, Michael and I worked through the production of the song—adding cello, piano, percussive elements, and harmonies. It was one of my favorite learning experiences of my musical journey.
Michael pushed me when I needed it, supported me when I doubted myself, and never let me off the hook. And for that, I will be forever grateful.
So, after five years of Music Mondays, 18 previous releases, and countless nudges from my magical musical mentor Michael…
🎶 "Come On Home" is finally ready to be heard. I cannot wait to share it.
💛 Have you ever procrastinated on something you knew deep down you needed to do? What finally made you take action?
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