Woke up this morning and looked outside, there was a fishing boat on the lake. Reminded me about life...

I remember fishing at a young age with my dad. Sometimes we would sit there for hours without any sort of bite or indication that there were even fish in the lake. I would get impatient, start to do other things, even take the fishing pole out of the water because it was no use. 

My dad, however, would wait patiently for a bite even though you would feel a little snag or pull, sometimes he wouldn't reel it in. Not because he was waiting for a bigger fish, it just wasn't time yet. Of course sometimes he would reel in and the bait would be gone or he would change the lure, but he kept putting the line out there time and time again. He consistenly focused on remaining patient for the right moment.

In the moments of waiting, we were building our patience but always being attentive and prepared for when the moment arrived when the big fish snagged the bait, we would know exactly what to do to bring it home.

Life is just like fishing. Who knows what is in store for us beneath the waters? We do know that when it is time to reel it in, we do it with all of our might and strength. For we do not know when the next opportunity will be presented to us, or even if an oppotunity  will be presented to us at all.

Fishing.

I'm against the war.

The war inside myself.

Bring the kids home - yet, children in our own city have nothing to eat.

We pass the man living on the street, with nothing to say, head down pretending I can't see, I say to myself.

"Sorry man, I got my own demons to defeat."

There's a battle to be fought, and it's within me.

Brothers and sisters please listen to me close, I know there's pain and suffering just over the coast;

Thank the troops who fight for us to be free; but, that's no excuse and shame on you; wait! Shame on me!

What do I do to fight to be free? Freedom.

Is NOT the right to complain; over 5 dollar cups of coffee. And with my latte I moan and I groan...

UGH!!! I ASKED FOR DOUBLE CUP EXTRA FOAM!

You know that man you passed on the street? He grab your extra cup, asking for pennies to eat?

But if you stop and listen, real, real close, he's not really asking for your money or even warm clothes. Look into his eyes and you can see the pain, the yearning and burning for someone to say; your life is just as important as my 9-5, someone loves you, someone willing to die.

And you take off the facade, the gucci the coach; he is your brother; lost and longing for hope.

See the only prison is the one in our chest. Locked up by our bones and the sin in our flesh.

So how do we overcome and clean our souls?! Open your eyes and seek to confess.

I am not perfect, but I'll do my part.

Spread the love that was given to us first.

For once we change the actions will emerge. The pennies will be given as a result of this surge.

I'm against the war.

The war inside myself you see.

The war has been won. Rejoice. Love has set you free.

What an amazing week it was in Atlanta! I got the chance to meet some awesome people, listen to some great music and was even a part of the tornado.

Thankfully no one was hurt in the tornado down in Atlanta, but what an eye opener to our own lives. You realize that life is truly short and that every minute is important. It made me think about not only my life but how we need to live passionately in the things that we do everyday.

I'm now gearing up on booking some shows at colleges this fall and can't wait to share my stories, music and experiences with everyone through the new acoustic cd due out late spring.

I'll be posting some videos of the trip and you can check out the pictures on facebook!

Alright, that's it for now. Talk to you guys soon!!

Carlo

Once in a while you get to listen to music that really truly speaks to you; not only as a music listener, but as an independent artist.

The moment i heard the music from the motion picture, "Once." It struck me in my place, lyrically, musically. It's inspiring to see independent musicians making an impact.

Here is the acceptance speech that was an inspiration to all of us indie musicians....

Marketa Irglova:
"Hi everyone. I just want to thank you so much. This is such a big deal, not only for us, but for all other independent musicians and artists that spend most of their time struggling, and this, the fact that we're standing here tonight, the fact that we're able to hold this, it's just to prove no matter how far out your dreams are, it's possible. And, you know, fair play to those who dare to dream and don't give up. And this song was written from a perspective of hope, and hope at the end of the day connects us all, no matter how different we are. And so thank you so much those who helped us along way. Thank you."

http://www.myspace.com/oncethemovie

Make beautiful music today...the world needs to hear your voice.

Peace,
Carlo

Sunday, Feb 24th. 8:36am

I'm up early, i can't sleep. I decide to pick up Susan's book, "Closer than your Skin." We received her book from a speaking engagement she was doing last night where she told amazing stories about her life and her book. She talked about moments in her life where God was showing her the way to where she is today. I told my wife last night that I really want to think about where God has revealed Himself to me and I couldn't think of anything profound. Frustrated I went to bed.

I just read two pages of her book and reminded me of an event that happened to me back in college...

I was a sophomore at Ball State University, wide eyed kid with aspirations of making lots of money and working my way to the top of the corporate world. I grew up in a Catholic home but never really knew the Lord, I became saved my last semester senior year in college, but this event stood out in my mind the most.

At this stage of my life in college, I started to pick up the guitar again and write music with my friend LaVar. I would play guitar or the piano and write songs about my life, girls and love. There was a piano downstairs in my dorm building and one day I decided to kill some time and mess around on the piano.

As I was playing this song I was working on, a man approached the piano who seems to be the building janitor whom I've never met before. Also, at this point, I held a front desk position at my building so I knew the staff and it seemed odd that we've never met. Thinking nothing of it, I moved on to playing my song as he smiled and listened.

I eventually stopped playing and said hello. (to be honest I was quite annoyed by him just standing there smiling). "Hello," he said. "My name is John." The curtious exchange happened with introductions and he kept talking.This is how the conversation went.

John - That music sounds amazing, did you write that yourself?
Carlo - Yeah, thanks.
John - It sounds very angelic.
Carlo - ummm, thanks.
John - Are you studying music?
Carlo - No, I just write and play with another guy who performs piano.
John - Well, you're very talented. What do you plan on doing with your music? I think it's great.
Carlo - Not much, hopefully get signed and make lots of money off the songs and be successful. (pretty profound answer huh)?
John - (he nodded his head and smiled). Well have you ever thought of writing music for the Lord?
Carlo - (I stared at him with a blank face. The Lord I thought to myself? What in the world does that mean? This guy was really starting to creep me out)!
John - Yes, the Lord. Carlo, you will only find true success when you write for the Lord. Can I pray with you?
Carlo - (pray with me? what does he mean pray with me? No one has ever asked me to do this, I am so confused at this point).

John took my hands and started to pray. That God would use my gift and talent of music for Him. He prayed how the music that was being written would be for His glory. I was barely paying attention, I kept my eyes open the whole time and anticipated the moment this would all end. John finally stopped praying. After this short encounter with John, I never saw him again...he walked down the hallway and was gone. In my eyes at the time, I was relieved that it was over.

Two years later, I gave my life to our Lord and Savior after going to a conference with some friends who decided to pack my clothes for me and force me to attend. On way to the conference, my friend Dennis insisted he play me some music that he knew i would love; Christian music. I didn't give it a chance...if it was Christian music I wasn't interested.

I became saved in a hotel ballroom; a time of prayer was happening and everyone bowed their heads to pray. I didn't bow my head to pray and saw that I was surrounded with college kids praying to the Lord as if He was their best friend. A desire came over my heart to know Him as they knew Him; as a friend who cares so deep about the inner most desires and feeling in your soul. I wanted that Jesus in my life. I finally bowed my head and my life changed forever. On the way home, I told Dennis to put that Christian CD back in the player and turn it up as loud as he can.

I continued to pursue a career in advertising in college and eventually moved to Chicago, God started to reveal how important music was to my life. Six years later, I never in my wildest dreams and imagination think that I would be here today writing this story on paper and pursuing the career as a singer / songwriter; writing songs for my Lord.

Please pick up Susan Hill's book, "Closer Than Your Skin."

Hey everyone!!

The time is coming where I'll be heading to Atlanta to the APCA conference!! So excited to get down there to meet some great folks, share the music, meet artists and THE WARM WEATHER!!!!

I have some exciting news for everyone! FINALLY got a band together with some great musicians!!

LaVar Charleston - keys, vocals (sounds like Boyz II Men...motownphilly back again).
Josh Katt - guitar, vocals
Scott Carlson - Drums
Me

We'll be posting video blogs, shows, events, everything on this new band page as well as new photos coming soon!!

The new album is set to be released this summer and we're working hard to get it down for you guys!! We'll be on the road in the fall supporting the music, there will be solo acoustic shows as well as full band shows!!

We'll keep you in touch!

Much love,
Carlo

So I'm finally back and have settled down back in the city...I love the feeling when you first come back to Chicago, its feels big and overwhelming and then you settle right back in. I love Chicago...but spending some time in Nashville over the last 4 or 5 days...there's something there that's special.

Maybe it's not the physical city that really attractive, it's the community of artists / musicians that makes it awesome. Everyone is doing what they need to do to be involved with music in some capacity...and I LOVE it!!

It's a very encouraging environment...I can't get over it...I think everyone musician leaves Nasvhille with a great feeling. I met some really great and talented people down there and hopefully make it to Nashville again real soon...who know, could it be in the cards that I move down there with my beautiful Fiancee someday??!! Who knows...only God knows...it's all in His Hands!

So the first couple of days back were really rough, I couldn't find parking for my rental car...ended up going to a real expensive garage (ewww)...and then, when I did find a spot the next day, I got a ticket (errr) I LOVE YOU TOO CHICAGO!! Where there are too many cars and not enough spots so that the city can make money...I guess the Olympics may be here so that's why ;) hahaha!!

Anyways, back to Nashville! I really want to get down there soon to work on music and meet some more great people.

To everyone I met down there...keep in touch and please let's collaborate on music!! The Lord knows it's so hard to get musicians here in Chicago to even talk about the places they've played...

AND...the most amazing part of the trip..I've even grown closer to liking country music...It's GREAT!

That's it for now..time to make some homeade fried chicken! (no, i didn't get that from Nasvhville, I got that from growing up in my true hometown...DETROIT, MI)! Love it!!

Peace y'all (that i got from N'ville).

Carlo

What an awesome few sessions in the studio! The hard work will soon pay off and I'm so excited for everyone to hear the new songs....I'll be releasing some new tracks in a couple of weeks before the road trip down to Nashville!

I'm also really excited to make it down to Indy and play for my good ole school alumni assoc event! Go BSU!! Hopefully get to see some familiar faces when I'm down there...then off to Nashville.

So we've been documenting the studio sessions and will have that up soon for everyone to view! The process has been awesome, demanding but well worth it.

Gloomy in Chi-town today...we've had amazing weather for the last few weeks...now comes the rain...it will be good, get a chance to cool down.

Check out the new website!! www.carlonavarro.com

Very excited about the new site as well...laters! Carlo

It's official! I'm heading back in the studio the second week of July to record tracks for the new album...totally excited about the new songs and where they are going to go. Can't wait to have everything ready to give everyone a listen.

In the meantime, i'll be doing the open mic rounds here in Chicago until the trip out to Nashville at the end of July...i'll have the schedule updated soon and come out to check out not only the music, but all the other awesome artists that Chicago has to offer here in the city if you are in town...

peace, Carlo

Hey y'all! Just want to say how excited I am to get back into the studio after such a long break. I'll be working with Steve Shirk again on these next recordings! I have some fresh new songs that I have been playing out here in Chicago so I'm ready to get them down and record. TONS of things going the last few weeks and off on the road again this weekend...going to try to hit up some open mics on the way down to Indianapolis this weekend...I'll be taking the video camera and will be giving updates on the road! I'll be posting the site as well as the usual suspects: myspace and youtube (dah dah dah daaaaah)!

That's it for now, the weather in Chi-town is finally awesome!! I think Chicago finally apologized to the sun this summer and she's coming around, hopefully to stay!

Peace y'all!
Carlo