I Love Danielia Cotton

Incredible Talent, Unbelievable Voice, Genuinely Nice Person

What's Not To Love?

It was the last day of July, 2005 when I first heard the name Danielia Cotton. It was also a day that I will never forget. I had just come home from a rather rough day at work and was going through my e-mail. There was a message from Ram's Head On-Stage, one of my favorite concert venues (because it's an intimate atmosphere where you can eat lite-fare at tables while enjoying a performance) about upcoming shows. Since I was feeling kind of "down in the dumps", I opened it as soon as I saw it, hoping to find that one of my favorites would be coming back to perform. In retrospect, it's probably a very good thing that none of my favorites were listed. If they had been, I might never have discovered Danielia.

Normally, I would have just deleted the e-mail after checking for my favorites. But, on this day, something told me to look a little closer at the groups that were coming. I always listen to that Inner Voice. So, I started going through the list again. When I came upon the listing for Danielia Cotton, I noticed that there was a link to her website. Ok, I admit that what initially attracted me to the listing was that they had a small picture of her in the email and I thought she was cute. But, I also noticed the link to her website. When I clicked that link, I had no idea that it would lead me to such a wonderful discovery.

She had a very nice website which included a few song clips. When I listened to the first clip, I was absolutely astounded by the power and beauty of her voice. It was unlike anything I had ever heard before and I literally felt a tingle go down my spine. So, I clicked on the link to the second song clip and was completely blown away. The second clip had that same incredible voice, but the song was a totally different style. I was hooked. I had to see this woman in person! I was ready to jump back to the e-mail from the Ram's Head and place my order for tickets. But, I couldn't leave that website until I had listened to all of the song clips. Danielia's voice seemed to touch my very soul.

Needless to say, when I ran out of song clips, I couldn't order my concert tickets fast enough. I was also very pleasantly surprised to find that I was able to get tickets at a table right in front of the stage. Apparently, I was one of the first to receive the e-mail and the good seats were still available. I rushed off an email to my sister, Helen (who is also my best friend), and told her I had purchased tickets to the concert and asked her if she would go with me. I was in heaven and couldn't wait for the show. Unfortunately, the show was scheduled for late September. So, I had a long time to wait. But, boy, was it worth it!

When concert night finally came, I was really "pumped" and had big expectations - usually a deadly combination that leads to disappointment. But, not on this night. Danielia not only met my unrealistically high expectations, she exceeded them! I was literally "mesmerized" by her performance. I also wished that she wasn't already happily married and that I could cut my age in half. Just kidding! The truth of the matter is that, not only does Danielia have a voice that is unmatched, but she is also an incredible performer who connects with her audience in a way that lifts the spirit of all those present. She brings joy to your heart and helps you remember what life is really all about. My sister, Helen, also told me during the show that she was so "mesmerized" (yes, she spoke the very word that I had been thinking) that she didn't even want to take her eyes away from the stage to eat her meal.

I got so much joy from watching the reactions of others in the audience that it would have been worth the price of admission just to witness that. But, I got a lot more than that. I got to see a show that I will never forget. Every song went right to my heart and spoke to my soul. Danielia was masterful in switching tempo and style so that the audience flowed along with her as though we were all parts of one Being (which, actually we are - just read up on your Quantum Physics) who each had our own little individual parts to play in this beautiful harmonic symphony.

I have been to a lot of concerts in my life. Music has always played a big role in our family. But, I had never witnessed such a magical show as I did on September 24th, 2005. It was a night to remember in so many ways. After the show was over, I rushed out to purchase her two CDs and stood in line to get her to sign them and meet this wonderful lady. She was as gracious and charming as you can imagine as she took her time with each fan who approached her. She made a difference in every one of their lives. That, my friends, is what a "Difference Maker" is all about and that is why I am so pleased to be able to present her to you as the first recipient of the "Difference Maker Award".

Since that glorious night, I have had the pleasure of seeing Danielia Cotton perform many times and have had the opportunity to speak with her on numerous occasions and have even become "friends". She is such a joy to be around. She doesn't just go through life with blinders on the way so many do. She jumps in with both feet and shows you her true self. She doesn't hold back. She realizes that life is meant to be lived and tasted and shared. That is a lesson that many can learn from. It's a message I've been trying to get across to people my entire life, through my seminars, workshops and writings. It's no mystery to me why Danielia entered my life when she did - why that first e-mail from the Ram's Head came when it did.

It's called "synchronicity" and it is God's way of giving us what we need. At that time, I was feeling very frustrated that I had been working so hard, but didn't seem to be "reaching" as many people as I wanted to. Danielia was a "gift" to remind me why I was working so hard to help others. She is an inspiration to me at times when I feel exhausted. That is the wonder of music. Whenever I feel like giving up, I just pop one of her CDs into my CD player and my spirit is lifted. It is a gift that Danielia has and a gift that you should give to yourself. Visit her website, go to her concerts, buy her CDs. Experience one of life's true joys. Be around a true "Difference Maker" and become inspired.

I could easily spend another hour or so speaking about Danielia's amazing vocal range, her incredible songwriting ability and the dynamic energy and soul she puts into every one of her songs, but I don't think I could do them justice. You need to experience this talent yourself.

Danielia's website: http://www.danielia.com

Danielia, we love you!

P.S. - I find it especially heartwarming to know that the night I first saw Danielia perform (09/24/05) was her birthday! Don't try to tell me that there isn't a higher power at work in this world. It was her birthday, but the real present was received by all of us who shared that night with her.

Contributed by Louis Conjar.

Photographs copyright 2005 by Kathleen Hill, Alice Barkwell and Danielia Cotton. All rights reserved.