Amethyst takes simple music,writes abstract lyrics and adds ridiculously crazy keyboard embellishments, She often writes ballads with a story entwined. Any listener could exude a positive message to uplift one's spirit and apply it to their own life when listening to her music. Amethyst's feeling is that when one person takes the time to share what God has given them, others benefit from it somehow. Amethyst said, "I learn from others every day of my life. I hope that someday I can be that same kind of help for someone."

Just another soldier

Why this name?

When you look at me, I am probably the last person whom you would ever believe carried an M16 and went to the Middle East 2 times....When I left the Army, one of the soldiers said, "You came in Just Another Soldier and you left Afghanistan a hardened Amethyst". Amethyst means to heal, it's formed from Sand, heat and iron deposits, so that is how I got my name. Now I can teach people how to heal from tough experiences through my music.

YouTube Video: Amethyst & LeiLani "Obsessed"






***Do you play live?***
Yes - probably the most thrilling was performing in front of 3,000 soldiers at Camp New York in Iraq - that was AMAZING - now - I prefer intimate groups of 100-300.

***How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?***
I love how I can express my feelings through song and get the message to fans in Russia and Cheque Republic - even fans from China have written to me

***Would you sign a record contract with a major label?***
Of course. Looking for a contract with someone who believes in my music and the messages. Interested in sponsors who won't ask me to output any more stake money - they must believe in the worth and value of my messages enough to help me tour and promote my songs

***Band History:***
"My squad leader believed in my music so much that he put my keyboard into his footlocker when we went to Afghanistan - a lot of my music was inspired by situations which occurred there. The second time I went over was as a band member of the USA Army Express Touring Band Though I never knew Jessica Lynch, we actually had similar jobs in support facilities....Just about the time that poor Private Jessica Lynch and her unit made that infamous wrong turn in the desert, we entered the southern part of Iraq from the Kuwait border and with our driver and GPS, wound our way through sand storms on the Western side of Iraq. Our goal was to perform for every US camp all the way to Tikrit, get through Bagdad and then just relax at one of the bombed out Palaces in either Baghdad or Tikrit.

I'm a "former" and I do mean former...Junior Olympic diver, so you can imagine what it was like to be in 135 degree heat and imagine a pool with golden fixtures at the end of your journey to dive into. (Now I am a diving coach at the local high school - is that Karma?)







After I got to meet Robin Williams, I knew that this was what I wanted to do. While in Afganistan, my squad leader encouraged me to play for others to lift morale and help them forget about home. So after that tour, my Captain helped me get an audition with the USA Express Touring Band. Going back to the Middle East and performing for our US troops was an amazing experience and something I will never forget. They are people who really appreciate a good show. Sometimes the sand was so black you couldn't see the front of the vehicle or your friends as they left the safety of the truck. Sometimes we went off the road but at each camp the cheers kept us charged up and going forward.






It's easy to perform for thousands of screaming guys and gals. One of the hard parts was finally getting to this one outpost called Camp Udairi. It was in the middle of nowhere and when we arrived, only a handful of people came out with their lawn chairs. They looked so sad but they had been out there over a year and we had a problem....

In the distance, was a huge storm - we could see it coming and we couldn't outrun it. We had to decide, "Do we disappoint these guys and move on...or do we show them the respect they deserve and play for them, even though we might mess up all the equipment". It was no contest. When we got to Sweet Home Alabama, you would have thought that every guy was from Alabama, they SCREAMED it!" I never saw such happy smiles...and in the background...as the sand started to clear in the sky....over their heads....was that American flag.
****Performing in Iraq....*******



So, now you know how I got my name Amethyst, and my mission to help people heal and get over rough times...... "You came in Just Another Soldier and you left Afghanistan a hardened Amethyst". Amethyst means to heal, it's formed from Sand, heat and iron deposits, so that is how I got my name. Now I can teach people how to heal from tough experiences through my music. I hope you enjoy it...........Amethyst

......NOSTALGIA

Your influences?
Jim Brickman, Sara MacLachlan

Favorite spot?
Hollywood - it's like Disneyland for Adults

Equipment used:
I use a Yamaha Motif 8

Anything else...?
UPCOMING CONCERTS:
November 20th at clubderby.com