Please Chase My Music Dream With Me!
Donation protected
Hello :-) My name is Erin Ford and I am a singer/songwriter from Toronto. I'm here to ask for some help recording, releasing and promoting my music and realizing my musical dreams! Normally I am very self-sufficient and historically I have supplemented my income & music life through the noble profession of nursing but that is no longer an option. 2 severe illnesses resulting in a chronic condition, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), has left me unable to nurse nor easily work in just any environment. Exposure to chemical scents & vapors such as cleaning chemicals, alcohol hand rubs, scented soaps & perfumes etc, makes me sick causing neurological problems in varying degrees depending on the chemical. Existing in this scented & chemically filled world is a challenge for me but I am determined to live & succeed the best that I can!
It began in the late 90's with gastrointestinal issues every 4 months then I would feel fine so I didn't think much of it at the time. Towards the end of 2006 things got worse with terrible intermittent flu-like illnesses, skin rashes, painful sinus infections, terrible back pain and then the gastrointestinal problems started again and steadily worsened. Being a nurse armed with too much knowledge, I was convinced I had cancer! I had many of the same symptoms that my ovarian cancer patients described having! At my other hospital I mirrored what my crohns & colitis patients were experiencing. I don't know how I got through those days of looking after others while I myself was so sick! An extreme number of washroom visits a day, big weight loss, many food intolerances & sensitivities, signs of malnutrition etc and not one doctor or specialist could find what was wrong with me. I had many tests & they all came up negative, a complete mystery. People became shocked at my appearance and asked what was wrong with me or did I have anorexia! You do what you have to do to keep life going I guess. Through it all I was still trying to establish a music career. It's been a long-time dream of mine to be a full-time musician releasing and performing my own music!
In 2007, while symptoms were still manageable, I began recording the songs I had written and polished since the early 90's. My goal of releasing an original album was finally going to be achieved. Thankfully I was able to engineer most of the recording and editing in my professional home studio lovingly built by my life partner. Between 2007 & 2010 I recorded other players when I felt well enough & sometimes when I did not feel well. I was on a mission to get the record done!
By June 2010 I was down 30 pounds and I was close to complete malnutrition yet doctors still had no answers! Then the Universe stepped in to help me! Although close to hospitalization, I got a gut feeling to attend a friends' BBQ. It was there I met a woman who was a medical intuitive, holistic nutritionist and energy medicine practitioner. Within 10 minutes of my arrival she informed me, after hearing some of my story from my friend, looking into my eyes & reading my energy, that I was full of parasites! I was skeptical and told her I tested negative for that. She said that false negatives were common since the labs only test for 5 types of parasites yet there are hundreds! She had worked in a lab. This was never taught to us in nursing. By this point it was either try her treatment suggestion or head to the hospital. My intuition told me to try her treatment.
From June 2010 to January 2012, with the guidance of this new angel, I treated and cleared the parasite infection using natural antiparasite kits. Within two weeks of starting the first kit I felt immeasurably better and couldn't believe the difference! As the infection and toxins left my body that in turn caused terrible illness & malaise; I had to feel worse to get better. It took 4 boxes and several healing crises to put me back on the road to wellness still unsure of where I picked up this parasite. I continued to record my album when I felt better. I was starting to make musical progress again when on April 5th 2012 I became overwhelmed by the smell of cleaning chemicals while working at the hospital and began experiencing severe neurological symptoms. No one else on the ward smelled it or was having issues, just me! That turned out to be my last nursing shift ever after almost 25 years of employment. I woke up a nurse/musician and came home a very sick person! Everything changed. It was very sudden but looking back there were subtle signs that something was wrong.
For the next 3 months I could not leave my house without wearing a mask, couldn't drive my car due to exhaust, could only tolerate one room in my home due to residues of chemical cleaners previously used, no eating anything from plastic, no reading iPhone or computer without a mask (EMF fields), could not go in my studio due to off-gassing foam on the walls etc etc. I woke up one night unable to speak properly or control limbs the way I wanted. It subsided after about 10 minutes thankfully! My life just stopped & music was again on hold while I dealt with a second severe illness and again doctors had no idea what it was. Shuffled from one specialist to the next, nobody had an answer. One doctor suggested it was all in my head & just wanted to pump me with drugs. I thought I would be the girl in the plastic bubble unable to live in the outside world.
The holistic angel I met once again stepped in & knew how to help me. I was toxically overloaded from previous parasite toxins, years of exposure to chemicals in hospitals & years of chemical exposure from everyday life. I started a slow & complete detoxification. Eliminated all chemicals in my environment, exercised once stronger, started an all-organic diet, elimination of all chemical products going on or in my body, sauna therapy, reverse osmosis water, herbs & supplements to flush my liver, meditation & inner emotional work. By fall 2012 I relocated my studio to the dining room table and slowly started working again on the album. I learned of an environmental illness clinic in Toronto. From referral to appointment it took 11 months. In that time I followed the guidance of my holistic angel and I was feeling much better as long as I was not exposed to chemical scents. I finally was assessed by the new environmental illness specialist November 2013. The doctor said I indeed had MCS, I was guided correctly how to treat it, people with this problem generally have poor detox genetics and hyper olfactory sense receptors & I was to keep doing what I had been doing. He also said that likely it would be a life-long condition.
MCS is not recognized by Workman's Compensation, places of employment, government disability programs nor most of western medicine really hence it is difficult to get financial assistance. The one hospital I worked at the longest terminated me stating I did not have enough medical evidence to be off work so long! I am over the acute illness but limiting exposure to chemicals remains the most effective treatment. I must be careful of where I go and what I smell so holding a job and performing is tricky.
I did persevere, found a great engineer to help me record my final vocals & help me mix my album at his studio Chess Sound. He just happened to live chemical free as well! Through previous Go Fund Me donations the album was professionally mastered, had CDs printed and digital distribution set up. After 8 long years my album Natural Progression was released in Fall of 2015! The CD release party was held October 3rd at The Duke Live in Toronto on my 50th birthday! The venue, the musicians and crowd catered to my condition! The night was scent free which was awesome! I performed with a 10-piece band with full horn section. A dream come true & a night to remember!
My experiences with illness left me with a new spiritual perspective that has enriched my life and affected my new songwriting. I am now guided by the legacies of John Lennon & Bob Marley to produce songs that inspire people to think and live lives of tolerance, peace, love & oneness; songs that raise the vibration and collective consciousness of the world. My first record Natural Progression also has songs with great messages like never giving up on your dreams, spreading love & compassion and to keep going through adversity. I am all about music with a message with good grooves!
In November 2015 I started recording a new single at Chess Sound called We R One. A new original song about unity, peace & preserving the Earth. I cannot wait to share this with the world and continue my new writing & record when I have the finances. I do need help to get these songs out to the masses as well as promote my first album, make videos & do what is necessary to be an independent musician. I hope one day to not need help & be making my living solely from music!
Working for supplemental income is not yet an easy viable option for me due to my condition so I need financial help. Thank you in advance for any support you are willing & able to give to help me chase my music dream and help bring my inspirational music to the world! I believe all things happen for a reason and I am actually grateful to the Universe for my struggles. My illnesses helped me learn great life lessons, awakened me spiritually and left me no choice but to simply follow my destiny, music.
"When you want something, all the Universe conspires in helping you to achieve it" - Paulo Coelho from his book The Alchemist
If you choose to donate the reward levels are as follows:
$5 receive 1 mp3 song via email.
$10 receive 2 mp3 songs via email.
$15 receive 3 mp3 songs via email.
$20 receive 4 mp3 songs via email.
$30 receive 5 mp3 songs via email.
$50 receive 1 Natural Progression CD.
$75 receive 1 NP CD & 1 signed 11x17 CD Release Party poster.
$100 receive 1 signed NP CD.
$150 receive 1 signed NP CD & 1 signed 11x17 poster.
$175 receive 1 signed NP CD & 2 signed 11x17 posters.
$200 receive 1 signed NP CD, 1 Erin Ford & The Good Life T-shirt (M, L, XL) & 1 signed 11x17 poster.
$250 receive 1 NP CD, 1 signed NP CD, 1 EF & TGL T-shirt & 1 signed 11x17 poster.
$350 receive 2 signed NP CD's & 2 EF & TGL T-shirts.
$500 receive 3 signed NP CD's, 2 EF & TGL T-shirts & 1 signed 11x17 poster.
$750 receive a private in-home 45 minute solo concert (GTA only), 2 signed NP CD's, 1 EF & TGL T-shirt & 1 signed poster.
$1,000 receive a private in-home 1 hour solo concert (GTA only), 2 signed NP CD's, 1 EF & TGL T-shirt & 1 signed poster.
$1,500 receive a private in-home 90 minute solo concert (GTA only), 2 signed NP CD's, 2 EF & TGL T-shirts & 1 signed poster.
$2,000 receive a private in-home 2 hour solo concert with 20 min break (GTA only), 3 signed NP CD's, 2 EF&TGL T-shirts & 2 signed posters.
With much love, peace & gratitude, Erin xoxo
About Me: Writing, releasing & performing my own music is a long-time dream! While at university I decided music was what I truly wanted to do. I left science/medicine behind and obtained my Nursing Diploma. Something to pay the rent, subsidize music until I could make a full-time living from it and be of service to others. A win, win, win! Well 25 plus years later after many gigs & performances, nursing shifts, life's ups & downs, cover demos, writing, rewriting, networking, recording, illness etc., I have released my debut all-original album, Natural Progression! I'm especially proud of persevering through illnesses to finish it and achieve my goal!
About Natural Progression: A diverse collection of 12 original songs full of love, passion, honesty & positivity. Technically a 10-track album with 2 bonus songs written for each of my parents who have been hugely supportive of me and my music. Top A-list Toronto freelance musicians lent their souls & talents to this record. I feel so fortunate to have met such wonderful people and top-notch players. It was also a gift mixing and recording final lead vocals with Chris Hess at Chess Sound.
The album has a great 70's vibe with real horns and elements of R&B, light rock, reggae, jazz, pop & some say a little country. I call it, inspirational pop/rock with a vintage vibe. Songs to entertain but also mean something which is how I approach music.
Future Plans: I've started writing my second album and am very excited about it as well! I know my purpose is to make a difference through music. I intend to follow in the footsteps of artists like Bob Marley, John Lennon & Bob Dylan. Getting people dancing & singing is also high on my priority list! Positive, good & happy vibrations, just what the world needs right now!
Join the team & the adventure. Please help me get my music's energy out there. It's what I was born to do :)
You can visit www.reverbnation.com/erinfordthegoodlife to listen to all the songs from Natural Progression for free.
Please visit me online :)
www.erinford.ca (new site almost complete)
www.facebook.com/ErinFordandTheGoodLife
www.facebook.com/ErinLFord
www.twitter.com/erinthegoodlife
www.instagram.com/eringoodlifeford
www.youtube.com/erinfordcanada
Peace & Love! Thank You!
Erin Ford aka ELF :-)
It began in the late 90's with gastrointestinal issues every 4 months then I would feel fine so I didn't think much of it at the time. Towards the end of 2006 things got worse with terrible intermittent flu-like illnesses, skin rashes, painful sinus infections, terrible back pain and then the gastrointestinal problems started again and steadily worsened. Being a nurse armed with too much knowledge, I was convinced I had cancer! I had many of the same symptoms that my ovarian cancer patients described having! At my other hospital I mirrored what my crohns & colitis patients were experiencing. I don't know how I got through those days of looking after others while I myself was so sick! An extreme number of washroom visits a day, big weight loss, many food intolerances & sensitivities, signs of malnutrition etc and not one doctor or specialist could find what was wrong with me. I had many tests & they all came up negative, a complete mystery. People became shocked at my appearance and asked what was wrong with me or did I have anorexia! You do what you have to do to keep life going I guess. Through it all I was still trying to establish a music career. It's been a long-time dream of mine to be a full-time musician releasing and performing my own music!
In 2007, while symptoms were still manageable, I began recording the songs I had written and polished since the early 90's. My goal of releasing an original album was finally going to be achieved. Thankfully I was able to engineer most of the recording and editing in my professional home studio lovingly built by my life partner. Between 2007 & 2010 I recorded other players when I felt well enough & sometimes when I did not feel well. I was on a mission to get the record done!
By June 2010 I was down 30 pounds and I was close to complete malnutrition yet doctors still had no answers! Then the Universe stepped in to help me! Although close to hospitalization, I got a gut feeling to attend a friends' BBQ. It was there I met a woman who was a medical intuitive, holistic nutritionist and energy medicine practitioner. Within 10 minutes of my arrival she informed me, after hearing some of my story from my friend, looking into my eyes & reading my energy, that I was full of parasites! I was skeptical and told her I tested negative for that. She said that false negatives were common since the labs only test for 5 types of parasites yet there are hundreds! She had worked in a lab. This was never taught to us in nursing. By this point it was either try her treatment suggestion or head to the hospital. My intuition told me to try her treatment.
From June 2010 to January 2012, with the guidance of this new angel, I treated and cleared the parasite infection using natural antiparasite kits. Within two weeks of starting the first kit I felt immeasurably better and couldn't believe the difference! As the infection and toxins left my body that in turn caused terrible illness & malaise; I had to feel worse to get better. It took 4 boxes and several healing crises to put me back on the road to wellness still unsure of where I picked up this parasite. I continued to record my album when I felt better. I was starting to make musical progress again when on April 5th 2012 I became overwhelmed by the smell of cleaning chemicals while working at the hospital and began experiencing severe neurological symptoms. No one else on the ward smelled it or was having issues, just me! That turned out to be my last nursing shift ever after almost 25 years of employment. I woke up a nurse/musician and came home a very sick person! Everything changed. It was very sudden but looking back there were subtle signs that something was wrong.
For the next 3 months I could not leave my house without wearing a mask, couldn't drive my car due to exhaust, could only tolerate one room in my home due to residues of chemical cleaners previously used, no eating anything from plastic, no reading iPhone or computer without a mask (EMF fields), could not go in my studio due to off-gassing foam on the walls etc etc. I woke up one night unable to speak properly or control limbs the way I wanted. It subsided after about 10 minutes thankfully! My life just stopped & music was again on hold while I dealt with a second severe illness and again doctors had no idea what it was. Shuffled from one specialist to the next, nobody had an answer. One doctor suggested it was all in my head & just wanted to pump me with drugs. I thought I would be the girl in the plastic bubble unable to live in the outside world.
The holistic angel I met once again stepped in & knew how to help me. I was toxically overloaded from previous parasite toxins, years of exposure to chemicals in hospitals & years of chemical exposure from everyday life. I started a slow & complete detoxification. Eliminated all chemicals in my environment, exercised once stronger, started an all-organic diet, elimination of all chemical products going on or in my body, sauna therapy, reverse osmosis water, herbs & supplements to flush my liver, meditation & inner emotional work. By fall 2012 I relocated my studio to the dining room table and slowly started working again on the album. I learned of an environmental illness clinic in Toronto. From referral to appointment it took 11 months. In that time I followed the guidance of my holistic angel and I was feeling much better as long as I was not exposed to chemical scents. I finally was assessed by the new environmental illness specialist November 2013. The doctor said I indeed had MCS, I was guided correctly how to treat it, people with this problem generally have poor detox genetics and hyper olfactory sense receptors & I was to keep doing what I had been doing. He also said that likely it would be a life-long condition.
MCS is not recognized by Workman's Compensation, places of employment, government disability programs nor most of western medicine really hence it is difficult to get financial assistance. The one hospital I worked at the longest terminated me stating I did not have enough medical evidence to be off work so long! I am over the acute illness but limiting exposure to chemicals remains the most effective treatment. I must be careful of where I go and what I smell so holding a job and performing is tricky.
I did persevere, found a great engineer to help me record my final vocals & help me mix my album at his studio Chess Sound. He just happened to live chemical free as well! Through previous Go Fund Me donations the album was professionally mastered, had CDs printed and digital distribution set up. After 8 long years my album Natural Progression was released in Fall of 2015! The CD release party was held October 3rd at The Duke Live in Toronto on my 50th birthday! The venue, the musicians and crowd catered to my condition! The night was scent free which was awesome! I performed with a 10-piece band with full horn section. A dream come true & a night to remember!
My experiences with illness left me with a new spiritual perspective that has enriched my life and affected my new songwriting. I am now guided by the legacies of John Lennon & Bob Marley to produce songs that inspire people to think and live lives of tolerance, peace, love & oneness; songs that raise the vibration and collective consciousness of the world. My first record Natural Progression also has songs with great messages like never giving up on your dreams, spreading love & compassion and to keep going through adversity. I am all about music with a message with good grooves!
In November 2015 I started recording a new single at Chess Sound called We R One. A new original song about unity, peace & preserving the Earth. I cannot wait to share this with the world and continue my new writing & record when I have the finances. I do need help to get these songs out to the masses as well as promote my first album, make videos & do what is necessary to be an independent musician. I hope one day to not need help & be making my living solely from music!
Working for supplemental income is not yet an easy viable option for me due to my condition so I need financial help. Thank you in advance for any support you are willing & able to give to help me chase my music dream and help bring my inspirational music to the world! I believe all things happen for a reason and I am actually grateful to the Universe for my struggles. My illnesses helped me learn great life lessons, awakened me spiritually and left me no choice but to simply follow my destiny, music.
"When you want something, all the Universe conspires in helping you to achieve it" - Paulo Coelho from his book The Alchemist
If you choose to donate the reward levels are as follows:
$5 receive 1 mp3 song via email.
$10 receive 2 mp3 songs via email.
$15 receive 3 mp3 songs via email.
$20 receive 4 mp3 songs via email.
$30 receive 5 mp3 songs via email.
$50 receive 1 Natural Progression CD.
$75 receive 1 NP CD & 1 signed 11x17 CD Release Party poster.
$100 receive 1 signed NP CD.
$150 receive 1 signed NP CD & 1 signed 11x17 poster.
$175 receive 1 signed NP CD & 2 signed 11x17 posters.
$200 receive 1 signed NP CD, 1 Erin Ford & The Good Life T-shirt (M, L, XL) & 1 signed 11x17 poster.
$250 receive 1 NP CD, 1 signed NP CD, 1 EF & TGL T-shirt & 1 signed 11x17 poster.
$350 receive 2 signed NP CD's & 2 EF & TGL T-shirts.
$500 receive 3 signed NP CD's, 2 EF & TGL T-shirts & 1 signed 11x17 poster.
$750 receive a private in-home 45 minute solo concert (GTA only), 2 signed NP CD's, 1 EF & TGL T-shirt & 1 signed poster.
$1,000 receive a private in-home 1 hour solo concert (GTA only), 2 signed NP CD's, 1 EF & TGL T-shirt & 1 signed poster.
$1,500 receive a private in-home 90 minute solo concert (GTA only), 2 signed NP CD's, 2 EF & TGL T-shirts & 1 signed poster.
$2,000 receive a private in-home 2 hour solo concert with 20 min break (GTA only), 3 signed NP CD's, 2 EF&TGL T-shirts & 2 signed posters.
With much love, peace & gratitude, Erin xoxo
About Me: Writing, releasing & performing my own music is a long-time dream! While at university I decided music was what I truly wanted to do. I left science/medicine behind and obtained my Nursing Diploma. Something to pay the rent, subsidize music until I could make a full-time living from it and be of service to others. A win, win, win! Well 25 plus years later after many gigs & performances, nursing shifts, life's ups & downs, cover demos, writing, rewriting, networking, recording, illness etc., I have released my debut all-original album, Natural Progression! I'm especially proud of persevering through illnesses to finish it and achieve my goal!
About Natural Progression: A diverse collection of 12 original songs full of love, passion, honesty & positivity. Technically a 10-track album with 2 bonus songs written for each of my parents who have been hugely supportive of me and my music. Top A-list Toronto freelance musicians lent their souls & talents to this record. I feel so fortunate to have met such wonderful people and top-notch players. It was also a gift mixing and recording final lead vocals with Chris Hess at Chess Sound.
The album has a great 70's vibe with real horns and elements of R&B, light rock, reggae, jazz, pop & some say a little country. I call it, inspirational pop/rock with a vintage vibe. Songs to entertain but also mean something which is how I approach music.
Future Plans: I've started writing my second album and am very excited about it as well! I know my purpose is to make a difference through music. I intend to follow in the footsteps of artists like Bob Marley, John Lennon & Bob Dylan. Getting people dancing & singing is also high on my priority list! Positive, good & happy vibrations, just what the world needs right now!
Join the team & the adventure. Please help me get my music's energy out there. It's what I was born to do :)
You can visit www.reverbnation.com/erinfordthegoodlife to listen to all the songs from Natural Progression for free.
Please visit me online :)
www.erinford.ca (new site almost complete)
www.facebook.com/ErinFordandTheGoodLife
www.facebook.com/ErinLFord
www.twitter.com/erinthegoodlife
www.instagram.com/eringoodlifeford
www.youtube.com/erinfordcanada
Peace & Love! Thank You!
Erin Ford aka ELF :-)
Organizer
Erin Ford
Organizer
Mississauga, ON
