What inspired your musical and writing talents and when did they begin?
I was 13 and I had a crush on a guitarist who would play at our church social gathering for us youth. He was so good and I just fell in love with him and his playing. At that time I was learning to play guitar so it inspired me to keep practicing. I then started with writing my own song. It was called “I love you”. Go figure. I still remember the words and the chorus to this day. By the way the song that the dreamy guitar player played was a Ten Years After song called “I’d Love to change the world”
How does writing a motivational book differ from writing song lyrics?
Depends on who you are. For me it’s one and the same. I write with a conscious intention to say things that might need to be said. As my hope is that it will inspire or motivate who’s listening to be the best they can be. To make a needed change or a small impact in someone’s life. We all need support at some point on our journey either through reading or listening to a moving song.
What is your musical style and who are your influencers?
Oh! Musical style!? Well, I feel my style changes with the song/story and my choices evolve over time. Most people grow and shift, so does music, clothing and attitude. I would say, at this point in time I would be considered a roots artist and music and that means anything that is American. I would say I have flavors of blues, soul, country sounds like using a resonator guitar, as an example. It’s more about the instrumentation to create a unique vibe which creates a style. When performing, I see each person take away from it what they will. You can ask two people listening and they both have their own experience. It’s crazy! You have to listen and make up your own mind and you tell me?
Why did you feel you had to write Courage?
It’s the one thing that we all need more of when we’re facing life situations that can be confronting or challenging. It’s like a chant or a mantra to one’s self. I also have a song called “Courage” and I sing, “Gotta have Courage now”. I wrote the book to be coupled with my song. I felt I really wanted to share with people on how I got some courage bit by bit in my daily situations. I wanted to let people know that they could do it too and with a little inspiration and an easy step by step guide, it might help. One more way of giving back in service.
What do you hope to achieve with your book Courage?
Great question. I never really thought too much about it, really. I feel that the book was an expression of care and sharing. I thought, what would it be like, if I had any value to share in my life experience and how can that help someone? So, I started writing an outline of what it takes to have clarity, courage, confidence, commitment and community. I thought, If I can help inspire one person to have their dreams be in action or give them one tool to use, that would a win. Grounding into a path with tools can help lesson the frustration and confusion.
For example in my book and ‘Own The Goddess Within” course. The one question I ask is to write down on a piece of paper, on one side write, What I Want? The other side, What I Don’t Want. Sounds simple, but it’s not. Try it.
Most of us can say what we don’t want but can’t get clear on what we DO want. This was one benefit of Courage, Find Your Fire and Ignite Action in Your Life for me and hopefully others too.
How have your life experiences and travel, changed your views about the environment and life in general?
Well, when I travel I see how much alike we are and connected even when we live in different cultures and languages. I feel we all want the same thing and that is, to love and be loved honestly. There’s only two states of being. Love or Fear. I feel most destruction on our planet is caused from ignorance, self loathing, hate of what someone doesn’t understand, which is all an out growth of fear. You can see it in our homes, belongings, attitude, of course in our environment and most of all how we treat each other. It all stems from fear and NOT love.
Love takes a huge amount of inner growth, reflection and transformation of oneself. This directly relates to our environment. I would say go within, work on yourself to create freedom and understanding. Heal past traumas and let go, do not dwell in them. Focus on your gift, passions, purpose, and create a on going evolution inside yourself this is the foundation of love. Then get out, like I did and make a difference in your way. Mine was planting trees and homeless, raising awareness and inspiring people to serve in their way. That is what will build love and freedom in life and this helps with thinking twice before harming the environment, because we are the environment – everything is connected and dependent on each other’s survival.
With so many creative endeavours to your name, how do you balance your time and projects?
So many! Not enough time! Simply. I keep a calendar and schedule everything even my free time. This keeps everything clear especially for us creatives, who need some structure and want to avoid it. Problem there is if you resist it persists and nothings gets done. This makes life run smooth, fun and I get to do the things I want to without huge mistakes, missed meetings etc. I rely on my devices, technology works for me and I am not a slave to it.
Creative endeavors. Right now, I have an original recording schedule preparing for Grammys next year, playing music with an amazing jazz/soul band, which we’ll be booking and am preparing for a tour next year. I also have a theatrical project called Spiritualist Cabaret and one in the works. That is what’s current and so many project in the past to mention. You can see what project I’ve done on the web!
How did you initially become aware of One Tree Planted?
Actually, through my mastering engineer and co-writing partner Gene Williams (Mindspawnmastering.com) I feel every artist who is aware knows that we are the storytellers and the mood makers – this is how we give back by raising awareness, to care about something other than ourselves is powerful way of being and deeply enlivening.
What can you tell us about One Tree Planted?
They plant trees all around the world. Trees are the lungs of the planet and we must replenish them. It’s just one way to help out. Also, I will plant a tree for any of your readers who purchase something from my merch site or buy my music. Thus far, I’ve planted 250 trees in Canada, UK, California, Washington. Very excited to be in partnership with One Tree Planted.
GO HERE: TO PARTNER WITH ME TO PLANT A TREE https://glendabenevides.com/store
Where can readers and music lovers find you?
I am all over the web if you search Glenda Benevides
INTERACT WITH ME:
W: https://glendabenevides.com
IG: https://glendabenevidesmusic
FB: https://www.facebook.com/glendabenevides
LINKED: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glendabenevides/
WATCH:
YOUTUBE:https://youtube.com/@GlendaBenevides
PURCHASE & PLANT
COURAGE BOOK: https://bit.ly/GBGCourage
MUSIC: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/glenda-benevides/39369204
Bio
Glenda Benevides was born in Oakland Ca and has been singing professionally since 16. Deeply influenced by classic vocalist Sarah Vaughan to Rachelle Ferrell to Staple Singers, her soul expression and intention is of the heart. Glenda has toured from Japan to the EU to the UK on through Canada leaving the no stone unturned to light a fire on the dance floor.
Glenda’s career has included singing and performing for the South African Film Festival in Cannes France, The Brava theater for a women’s fundraiser gala in San Francisco, the Popkomm Music conference in Berlin, a Beverly Wilshire, Los Angeles solo performance for best selling author Harv Ecker (Millionaire Mind seminars) and a guest appearance at the Crown Plaza in Santiago, Chile to a Presidential fundraiser for Dennis Kucinich at the Kuumbwas Jazz Center in Santa Cruz, CA and in 2017 a rally for Alabama Dem Senator Doug Jones.
Glenda has also produced many of her live performances, a web series, music videos and has been the creative director and producer for many private events such as an exclusive fundraising gala for The Shakespeare Society of America, Foundation for Climate Restoration and donates a percentage from her music sales to One Tree Planted.
Glenda started her own record company Good Witch Records in 2004, along with Mirror Speaks the Truth productions for music in film and tv. She wrote and developed a tv script called Never Give Up and started Global Badass Goddess online Magazine and podcast in 2018, which features woman from around the world sharing stories of inspiration and empowerment. She now has the Glenda Benevides Music podcast to share stories from extraordinary artist in their trials and triumphs.
Glenda is the author of Courage, Find Your Fire and Ignite Action in Your Life along with Own The Goddess Within e-book and workshop and has worked and sung with Toto, Jeffrey Osborne, Pink Martini and Broadway artist of “Aida” fame, Damian Perkins, Steve Smith of Dirty Vegas, just to name a few.
Awards include: AOF Action on Film International LA Film Festival X 2014 award winner for Best Score, Original composition Change – Orphans in the Storm.
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