Note from me: I wrote this post in early April but never published it. It seems that now is the time to let it all hang out before I start the “New York Chronicles.”


April 2, 2013
I go through this a lot. This self examination, this self incrimination.

It was a normal morning. I stayed up till dawn watching a Sci-Fi series via Netflix on TV so I slept late. I was feeling hopeful. I booked two gigs this morning and I’m up for an award for Industry Excellence in Entertainment. Not a bad way to greet my waking hours. Then I read an interesting bit of information. George R.R. Martin, the author of “Game of Thrones” used to live in my very apartment. He wrote his first novel here probably in the very room in which I sit now writing this blog. Immediately I imagined all sorts of artist’s inspiring energy that must still linger here. AH! That’s the inspiration I seek! I read further. He attended Northwestern University as well! Kismet! But like a any good self defeating artist I began to see where the similarities ended. George Martin was a go-getter. I am not. He graduated with high honors, got a Masters degree and taught, published his works, hustled and moved all before the age of thirty. My overall feeling of loserness returned with a vengeance. Then I moved onto a radio segment featuring the wildly talented 27 year old Jazz bassist Esperanza Spalding. Remember her? She shocked the world by beating out Justin Bieber to win a “Best New Artist” Grammy last year. I don’t even remember what I was doing at age 27. I wasn’t winning any Grammys I can tell you that.

“Oh my! Methinks I might be too old to be trying to make it in show-business now.” What the HELL am I thinking? I will never get this thing off the ground! That’s when the real self doubt kicked in. Continue reading ›

Tags: ambition, game of thrones, george r.r. martin, Lynne Jordan, lynne jordan & the shivers, lynne jordan and the shivers, new york city, performing in NYC, self motivation, singing, weight, writing
Filed under: In the Life of a Diva

What a long strange trip it’s been. I discovered Punk as a freshman at Northwestern University in 1979 via some groovy kids in my dorm. I came across a few punk disciples then (granted it was a couple years after the beginning of the movement) and later sang at the infamous CBGB’s with the band Urge Overkill. I could scream it with the best of ‘em. Continue reading ›

Tags: afropunk, Black in an all white scene, CBGB, CBGB The Movie, Lynne Jordan, lynne jordan & the shivers, lynne jordan and the shivers, Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute exhibition “Punk: Chaos to Couture”, performing, punk, punk music, Punk Nostalgia, urge overkill, Vanity Fair
Filed under: In the Life of a Diva

I sit in my home tonight, safe and comfortable. I just spent an hour or so looking at news reports in the aftermath of today’s tragedy in Boston. I find solace when I see people helping others – from the trained emergency respondents to the able bodied folks who aided others, to the prayers and good wishes that I see expressed all over the world wide web. That’s the key because that wonderful human spirit is inside of most of us. I do not lose hope. I do not condemn this country or the world with predictions that the world is horrible. Horrible individuals are horrible. There will always be evil doers amongst us but I truly believe in the good in Humankind. Hopelessness begets evil. Love will keep us together. Watch the love unfold.

Tags: Boston Marathon Bombing, hope for mankind, love, Lynne Jordan, lynne jordan & the shivers, lynne jordan and the shivers
Filed under: In the Life of a Diva

I had a dream about Roger Ebert the other day. It wasn’t a bad dream – he didn’t die in the dream but it did involve my witnessing his health struggles. The dream disturbed me so much that I had to share it with my friend Barb. And then today he announced in his blog that he is “slowing down” and taking “a leave of presence.” (Leave it to Roger. He can always turn a phrase so cleverly.)

The cancer has returned.

This news devastated me.

I am so emotional right now. I feel silly for it. Continue reading ›

Tags: Lynne Jordan, lynne jordan & the shivers, lynne jordan and the shivers, movies, Roger Ebert, Roger Ebert's cancer, roger ebert's health, roger ebert.com, rogerebert.com
Filed under: In the Life of a Diva

My eating, the Mirror, the scale, video of me performing (Egads!)
There is no denying it. I have become a fat bitch again. Don’t despair folks. We obese people can say these things about ourselves. And no matter how many of my dear ones smack my hand or pound the table as they offer their support by saying: “Don’t say those things about yourself!” The truth is that I have to face the truth. No matter how well I sing and no matter how much the people love me in spite of the rolls of flesh I try to mask, drape over, hide and cover up – the fat exists. We exist together and I am not liking it one iota.

No matter how many plus sized women I see bouncing around proudly displaying their flesh, it does not make me want to keep this body any longer. I don’t hate myself. I just hate being obese. And besides, despite their proclamations of “I love my curves!,” all of those famous fat bitches have dropped the weight. (see Jeninifer Hudson, Queen Latifah, MOnique) Continue reading ›

Tags: blogging, diet & exercise, fat, knee pain, Lynne Jordan, lynne jordan & the shivers, lynne jordan and the shivers, performing, singing, weight, weight control, weight issues, weight loss, women's body image
Filed under: In the Life of a Diva

Tonight I perform an encore performance of my Nina Simone Show and of course I am all nervous and panicked about: wardrobe, tickets sales and everything else! It’s funny because I really do consider this show as one of the best things I’ve done in concert to date. So why all the nerves and insecurity? Continue reading ›

Tags: chicago, city winery chicago, live performance, Lynne Jordan, lynne jordan & the shivers, lynne jordan and the shivers, musical tribute Nina Simone, Nina Simone, performing, Rick Kogan, singing, WBEZ, women's body image
Filed under: In the Life of a Diva

Big day for me! If you know me, then you know how much I hate making a fuss. But today is a fussy day: video shoot, photo shoot, filmed interviews of me talking about me. It’s all me, me, me… Yikes! But I reckon that’s what it will take to get this showboat up and sailing. I guess I must do what I gotta do.

But I have have found it’s easy to stomach when I’m in the hands of experts who do beautiful work and looking at the end result is less traumatic when the work is so exceptional.

There is so much to report! The Nina Simone show was a SOLD OUT hit. The Janis Joplin show was also SOLD OUT. And now some very creative people (photographers and the very cool multi Fig Media company) have jumped on board to document yours truly.

I will try to check in more often because things are kinda happening…

Tags: chicago blues women, city winery chicago, Fig Media, Linkedin, Lynne Jordan, lynne jordan & the shivers, lynne jordan and the shivers, musical tribute Janis Joplin, musical tribute Nina Simone, performing, singing
Filed under: In the Life of a Diva

My Nina Simone Tribute is tonight. It’s finally here. All of the weeks of preparation all come to fruition in roughly five hours. The Shivers and I have rehearsed, conversed, arranged and thought about this night. Personally, I have considered this show as a turning point for me as a performer. It’s been ages since I learned an entirely new repertoire for one concert like this. It’s been a journey for me. Learning about this artist and listening to her recordings repeatedly has incorporated her voice in my head. And I feel so connected to her. I feel a spiritual connection as an artist, an African American female and definitely a singer who has dared to be different. Continue reading ›

Tags: blues, cabaret, city winery chicago, Linkedin, Lynne Jordan, lynne jordan & the shivers, lynne jordan and the shivers, musical tribute Nina Simone, Nina Simone, performing, personal growth
Filed under: In the Life of a Diva

I’m reeling from a terrific rehearsal with The Shivers for our upcoming Nina Simone Tribute and I am so very excited. I don’t mean to be all “New Age” about it but It was an almost spiritual experience. Singing those songs after all the preparation, reading and researching I’ve done has put me in a place I haven’t been in … well… I can’t remember being this excited. To sing, to just sing … y’all gotta come experience this with me … the journey continues … and I have a feeling that Wednesday, January 16th at City Winery Chicago will be just the beginning…

Tags: blues, city winery chicago, Linkedin, Lynne Jordan, lynne jordan & the shivers, lynne jordan and the shivers, musical tribute Nina Simone, Nina Simone, performing
Filed under: In the Life of a Diva

I have two great gigs coming up in January! I will be singing the music of two of my favorite female singers. You guessed it: Nina Simone and Janis Joplin. The Nina Simone tribute is part of a wine pairing event on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at The City Winery 1200 E. Randolph Street and and the Janis Joplin tribute is with Chicago Vocalist Alma Mendoza at Davenport’s Piano Bar & Cabaret on Friday, January 25, 2013. Both of these women artists hold a special place in my heart because of their lives, bravery, vocal styles and the levels of their emotionality while singing and performing. Continue reading ›

Tags: blues, chicago blues women, chicago music, city winery chicago, davenport's piano bar & cabaret Chicago, Janis Joplin, Linkedin, Lynne Jordan, lynne jordan & the shivers, lynne jordan and the shivers, musical tribute Janis Joplin, musical tribute Nina Simone, Nina Simone, performance, singing, singing the blues, women in blues
Filed under: In the Life of a Diva