Why I chose Kickstarter

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Category: News

Well, unfortunately the project, Further Up the Stairs, didn't fund.  It really means a lot to me that you pledged and believed in this idea to get involved and even though the project didn't succeed I feel blessed by your support.  Kickstarter is an all or nothing way of fundraising, so no funds will be collected or credit cards charged.
As to where Further Up The Stairs goes now, I'm really not sure.  I will continue to look for ways to move the cd forward and I may even try Kickstarter again in the future, but for now it goes to the back burner.
You can keep up with me, this and other projects at https://johnmichaelthornton.com, my newsletter and Facebook. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,
John Michael Thornton

I first read about Kickstarter a little over a year ago on Neil Gaimen's blog.  I didn't really get it then, but he posted a great little introduction, " If you don't know about Kickstarter, it is a wonderful thing that helps people get projects off the ground. If you want to support one of their projects then you pledge money. If the project reaches its funding goals then the money changes hands. If not, it doesn't."

It's that last bit that's kinda scary.  You do all this work and you don't know if it will be rewarded or not, it's an all or nothing venture.

It provides a deadline - March 8th!

I don't know about you, but I am hard pressed to get creative projects off the ground without a deadline.  Heck, it's hard for me to get around to cleaning the kitchen without threat of visitors, and as much as I like writing and recording it is too easy to put off til tomorrow and tomorrow again.  You have this short period of time, they recommend less than 30 days, to get the word out.  Talk endlessly about your project and give all your friends meaningful looks.

There are Fabulous Prizes.

I hate begging for money and Kickstarter is not about begging – it is about providing real, tangible rewards for contributions.  Creative rewards that you might never even think about outside of this framework.  You find yourself sitting in front of the "rewards" form trying to think of creative and interesting stuff you can give away that is different for what you have for sale.  Some people offer crazy stuff like the vegan artist offing to eat a pound of bacon for one reward.  Bizarre, but it gets your attention.  One thing that I am offering (for just $17) is an autographed photo from the cd photoshoot.  It seemed a bit egomaniacal, but last year at ULE this woman asked for a autographed copy of one of my fliers, so what do I know?

While people can just make a donation, for as little as $1, to get the project off the ground, most every donation gets you something worth as much or more than what you donate.  It’s a great deal and gets us creative types to be creative.

It's Venture capital for artists.

What I liked most though is that it is venture capital for artists.  Crowd sourcing small donations to create something bigger than what you were managing to do on your own and getting lots of other people involved in the project.

The world needs more art and beauty and meditation and music and this is a way to make it happen.

That is why I chose Kickstarter and I hope you choose to get involved in my Project – Further Up The Stairs and make it happen.  Without your help and involvement I don't know when or if this cd will ever get made.  Together we can bring it into the world with a really good start.

Further Up The Stairs KickStarter!

Details

Category: News

Well, unfortunately the project, Further Up the Stairs, didn't fund.  It really means a lot to me that you pledged and believed in this idea to get involved and even though the project didn't succeed I feel blessed by your support.  Kickstarter is an all or nothing way of fundraising, so no funds will be collected or credit cards charged.
As to where Further Up The Stairs goes now, I'm really not sure.  I will continue to look for ways to move the cd forward and I may even try Kickstarter again in the future, but for now it goes to the back burner.
You can keep up with me, this and other projects at https://johnmichaelthornton.com, my newsletter and Facebook. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,
John Michael Thornton

I am incredibly excited to share my new Kickstarter Project with you - Further Up The Stairs!  Kickstarter is a great new way to fund creative projects and receive Fabulous Prizes - it's like your own PBS pledge drive.

The way Kickstarter works is once a project has been created anyone can donate to the project and at each donation level (10, 17, 23...) are reward prizes created by me for you.  It is only after the project is fully funded that donations are collected and rewards are sent, so I need your help! 

About the Project

I started working on this the moment my first cd was finished.

Ideas chased each other around my head and I kept thinking, how can I make this next project be More?  More ideas, more journeys, more exploration for you and me.

In this 4 track CD, Further Up the Stairs, I will be talking about why we meditate, how we can expand our understanding of our place in the Universe and leading two mediations – Broken Pieces and Further Up the Stairs.  This new CD will have new music from local musicians, original photography and incorporate everything I have learned in this past year about spirituality and our connection to the Divine.

This time I want to go deeper into your soul, gathering up the broken pieces, clearing away the damage and loss of your past and helping you to live in the ever unfolding now.  Healing those parts of your past broken by pain, loss and strife and helping you to be healed and whole.

I also want to take you out, into the wider Universe, going further up the stairs to meet with Spirit Guides, commune with your Higher Self and sit with your connection to the Divine.

You are so much greater than you ever imagined ~ More intuitive, connected and powerful than you know.  Your path may be rocky, smooth, straight or windy, but it is yours and yours alone, not mine or anybody else's.  I am here to help you along your path, and we can start walking it together.

The Rewards

PLEDGE $1 OR MORE

Thanks, You're Awesome!

PLEDGE $10 OR MORE

A digital download of the CD and a Thank You on my website, https://johnmichaelthornton.com – Anyone who donates $10 or more is welcome to a digital download and will be thanked on the website!

PLEDGE $17 OR MORE

An autographed photo from the album photo shoot, a digital download of the CD and Thanks!

PLEDGE $23 OR MORE

An autographed copy of the CD, an autographed photo and Thanks!

PLEDGE $50 OR MORE

An exclusive "Super Psychic" t-shirt, autographed CD and Thanks!

PLEDGE $75 OR MORE

A thank you in the CD liner notes, an autographed copy of the CD, an autographed photo and Thanks!

PLEDGE $90 OR MORE

T-Shirt hand painted with the chakra symbol of your choice, liner note thanks, an autographed copy of the CD and Thanks! You can choose both the chakra and the shirt color/size, but I will tell you that 6th chakra on black is a bit of a miss.

PLEDGE $125 OR MORE

A personalized, meditation recording, (I'll give you a quick mini reading on any topic you want to work on and then create a meditation recording just for you) liner note thanks, an autographed copy of the CD, and Thanks!

PLEDGE $176 OR MORE

An original chakra painting (the chakra of your choice), liner note thanks, autographed CD and Thanks!

PLEDGE $200 OR MORE

Dinner with me featuring a home cooked meal with veggies from my garden and Darling, for you I'll even bake, plus an autographed copy of the CD and Thanks! You can come from anywhere in the world, but dinner is here in Youngstown, OH. - it's much nicer than the news makes it out to be.

PLEDGE $500 OR MORE

A psychic party and meditation for you and 4 friends within 150 miles of Youngstown, OH. The meditation will be recorded - you and your guests will all get copies of the CD and the onsite meditation.

PLEDGE $1,200 OR MORE

A psychic party and meditation for you and 4 friends, anywhere in the continental USA – anywhere in the world if you pay airfare and lodging. The meditation will be recorded - you and your guests will all get copies of the CD and the onsite meditation.

PLEDGE $2,000 OR MORE

Explore your psychic potential with a weekend retreat. We will do yoga, meditate and explore your spiritual path.

Discounts Now Available

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Category: News

Discounts now available for Military and StarAchieving Artists!

Use the coupon codes Military for 20% off of all readings for military personnel and veterans!  Over the past few years I have had the privilege of reading for a few members of the armed forces, both active and retired.  It has been a lesson for me to see both the benefits and dangers to these brave men and women and as long as the USA is involved in conflict I will be offering a 20% discount on readings for all military personnel and veterans.

Use the coupon code StarAchieving Artist for 20% off readings, cds and dvds for all artists striving for the stars!  I spent years calling myself, and thinking about myself, as a starving artist.  What a terrible way to think about yourself and what a rotten thing to affirm - I am an Artist, but I'm not starving!  For all you artists you still waiting for the rest of the world to recognise you as the great talent you already know you are, I support you and I know you can make it, take 20% off.  Thanks to SARK for the idea.

Welcome to Summer!

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Category: News

The energies of Mother Earth have felt riled and almost violent these past few weeks. For the first time in ages my sleep is troubled and I find my energy drained. The only times I have felt at peace are while teaching, meditating and during yoga. I suppose I should just do more of that!

If you are filling similarly unsettled I encourage you to take some time with the trees, they feel the disturbances in the Earth even more keenly that we do, but have the perspective to flow with the changes.

My garden is mostly in, the weather has not been cooperating, but no point in fighting it. I'm trying fava beans this year and they are the only things growing like gangbusters. I also have some remarkably beautiful lettuce by the name of Flashy Trout's Back Lettuce and Drunken Woman Frizzy Haired Lettuce. I buy all my lettuces for their names.

Scant announcements this issue, but Camille opens this weekend at the Victorian Players in Youngstown and marks my return to the stage after twelve years. It is a wonderful production with an entirely new translation by Thomas Copeland.

For the first time I will be teaching two versions of the same class simultaneously. Energy Anatomy – Power and Practice has gotten off to a lovely start with an extraordinary group that already feels cozy and encouraging. In July I will be teaching a weekend version of the same class and calling it Energy Anatomy Part 1, at the Silver Branch in Ashtabula, OH. It will be fascinating to see the differences with similar material taught in different formats. It promises to be electric!

Brew yourself some garden fresh mint tea, pour it over ice and enjoy the summer. Catch a lightning bug, feel the grass between your toes and feel the Earth spin under your feet.

UPDATE: Energy Anatomy Part 1 at The Silver Branch has been rescheduled for September 17th and 18th!