Living life on a tour bus, out of a suitcase, with people who are passionate about the same things… a blessing, privilege, and an honor. You’re involuntarily propelled into a foreign lifestyle, characterized by 4 min. showers after a 3 hr. concert, 2 hr. of sleep on a tour bus, and unexpected $40 hotel breakfasts due to lack of planning. You learn that emotions are indicators, not decision-makers, since everyday’s an oscillation of happiness and loneliness, boredom and adrenaline rushes, ecstasy and exhaustion. I tell you the truth, I’ve never paid this much attention to self-care — without proper nutrition, hydration, stretching, and hygiene, my stage performance plummets. And, psychologically, having a live show and new crowd nightly eliminates my striving for perfection, because I don’t have multiple camera angles and months of editing to structure the piece as I please — What I offer on-stage moment by moment, including the good, the bad, and the ugly, is all I can share. This vulnerability is usually something humans run from, but I find that allowing myself the freedom to be flawed, honest, and sincere actually liberates those watching to do and feel the same. I’m thankful for my humble position (as the newbie) on this tour. I’m forever the student, excitedly expectant of the lessons and experiences just ahead. If you’re interested in keeping up with my (and my friends’) journey on tour, please follow me on Twitter.com/AlysonOnTour  – That’s @AlysonOnTour  :) Enjoy your Sunday, and speak soon! xoxo — Alyson

I’m looking forward to sending you exclusive news and updates instantly — Check it out!! Twitter.com/AlysonOnTour    

Thanks,

Alyson

Join me, and let’s MAKE HISTORY!!

xo

-Alyson

Location: Henry Kauffman Campgrounds in Wheatley Heights, Long Island (New York)

Date & Time: Sunday, June 6th, 2010 from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Register and get directions online at WWW.SUNRISEDAYCAMP.ORG/WALKATHON

And lastly, by raising money and securing sponsors, you can receive special awards like iPod videos and/or 2 round-trip airline tickets!! So start a competition between your friends to see who can raise the most money and get the “coolest” prize!

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone there! We’re walking, rain or shine!

–Alyson

I just landed in Tempe, Arizona, where I’ll be participating in a softball game and local event geared towards encouraging and empowering youth to get active! These days, everything about health and fitness is extremely blown out of proportion. Almost everywhere you go, you’re pressured to eat better and exercise more. Yet, restaurants contend for customers by doubling meal sizes for half the original price. I don’t know about you, but I’m FED UP with obsessing over this (pun intended). I’m also tired of reading diet programs’ catch phrases such as “Let your new life begin. Get thin!” — That’s a lie! First we should change our lifestyle, attitude, and self-concept, THEN our bodies would naturally “thin” out and/or find their perfect size, because we’d be taking proper care of ourselves!! We must understand the value of our bodies. We must have a clear sense of self-worth, otherwise, why should we bother eating carrots instead of brownies for a snack? Let’s be real.

The concept of BALANCE and FREEDOM has been lost within our culture. You’re either suffering from the yo-yo diet syndrome, or compulsively overeating. And for the people in the middle, they feel like maybe they should be worried or stressed out more since all this hoopla seems to consume everyone else.

Today I have to give a short 2-3 minute speech emphasizing the importance of exercise. Now, I could speak for hours on this topic. You all know I’m passionate. But I’ve also struggled in this area (quite drastically), so I’m speaking out of sheer loving-concern for their, and your, well-being.

We musn’t obsess over health and fitness. Rather, we should celebrate the privilege and opportunity to take great care of ourselves, so we can be strong, have tons of energy, and be effective in our daily activities!

I don’t say this because I think I know it all. I know enough to know I don’t know it all, thank you very much. It’s because I’ve personally experienced the bondage of unhealthy relationships with food, fitness, and my body, and if I can help you from heading down that path, I’ll go to any length to make it happen.

Love you all, hope you’re well, and hope this blog helps ya start putting food & fitness in it’s place. Remember, food is neither friend, nor foe. It’s simply fuel. And fitness ain’t rocket science! If you get movin’ throughout the day, you won’t ever need to set foot in a gym. So go ahead, finish your last facebook message, and head outside!

xoxo – Alyson

The vision:

I aim for my artistry to rest on authenticity, integrity, passion, and soul. Each song should tell a story, push the envelope creatively, and have a unique funk and flavor. I hope that my music is transformative; that it reaches the depths of the human heart and calls those who are hurting, lost, or confused into a place of truth, understanding, and peace. I want to inspire and uplift my generation to create lasting, positive change.

To maintain artistic freedom, I decided to write and record my first tracks independently with a single producer (Matthew Hager — I call him “Matthew the Great”).  It’s easy to be wrapped up in being a successful, top 40 artist, but I’d rather be significant than successful. And that goes for every area of life.

Thanks for listening to me share my heart and THANK YOU for buying my song. “Flying Forward” has been a great encouragement for me, and I know it’ll be the same for you. Thanks for the support!

–Alyson

Here are the details:

April 19th, 4 p.m. Pacific Standard Time

Become a fan on facebook.com/alysonstoner and then call 1(419)329-4780  during the Live Broadcast! It’s THAT easy! Also, if you can’t make it this time, no worries! You can always give me a call whenever it’s convenient for you. My SayNow line is open 24/7! After calling, you’ll receive personal messages from me on your cell phone, so you’ll be updated with the latest news.

Can’t wait for you to hear the exclusive sneak peek of “Flying Forward”!!

–Alyson

This song is very special to me, not only because it’s my first single, but because it’s helped me through a lot personally. Eventually I’ll let you know what the story behind it is, but take a listen for yourself first!

Flying Forward, April 20th! Tell a friend!

-Alyson