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do i have a story to tell you...

THE KITCHEN DEMOS - DIGITAL RELEASE
"Trust Your Fam"
by Lizzie West

If you’ve been following my journey back to work over the last couple years, you know that last July 4th weekend, I released my first single in forever, a sequel to a Christmas Song of mine that was first released on Warner Bros. Records in 2002.

23 years later, the sequel I released last Summer was called "Family Fourth"

You may also know about the fan who became my fam and helped me figure out how to release that track.

My fam first found me hiding out in a Fox hole and then helped me get back to work remembering who I am, on stage and more (see last year’s blog entry below). Together, he and I began to build a plan for me to return to commercial recording and touring as Lizzie West. Our first big step was to package and release some, very raw, new recordings that I had done, by myself, during the early morning hours of the day, in my Catskills Kitchen pantry. My fam and I collaborated to put out those songs as a CD only release called The Kitchen Demos.

The Kitchen Demos are now having a NEW release moment! I started sharing the whole album with you, digitally, impromptu, starting this past Mother’s day.

The digital collection is now available for the first time as a downloadable album on band camp. This is a dream for me. Especially since our team at Because of You Management Group continues to grow so wonderfully. We’re pushing momentum on what’s possible and it’s paying off.

To me, a fam is a seriously invested fan.

For example…

A basic fan goes to shows and buys merch and music, which is amazing, don’t get me wrong, I love all fans. I’m convinced each of us plays a perfect role in the intricately unfolding story of our interconnected lives.

But… a fam is a certain caliber of friendship that does live beyond compare.

Scott Shelley began taking a leadership position in my life starting late 2024. He is now co-directing the formation of Because of You Management Group with me. We meet weekly. Sometimes things get pressing, and we have to talk more, or text day to day, or moment to moment even. He’s there for me when I have a question, or if I’m panicking about a sudden curve ball that I’ve been thrown. He’s steady, empowering and I trust him.

A fam is like that - someone who’s deeply committed to my work and music - to empowering me to stay safe and be successful in whatever way they can.

BoyMG is a growing coalition of such people - a purpose driven, for profit, LLC. An artist, and fam, owned, and run, management company designed to empower my comeback, while also using my life story to educate the youth on what to do, and what not to do in The Entertainment Business. We, at Because of You Management Group, use my life mythos to create effective vocational training systems and opportunities for gifted students in the arts.

After 20+ years of community organizing in this way - with so many students, old and new friends, coaches, and mentors - who have gathered around my work underground, across the country, and quietly throughout the globe - I’m forming a more and more, above ground, re-introduction campaign, an offering of commercial enterprise, through an official agreement, with you, my fam.

Our work is to form an unshakable alliance, a friendship that will, not only allow, but guarantee, certain, autonomous and authentic artists to thrive well in the 21st century and beyond. We are building a symbiotic web of solutions that will give the next generations a chance “to fly.” There is a certain manifesto of complex and miraculous relationships at play here… including the formation of Because of You Management Group in Missouri and Because of You Management Group in NY as well. Both emerging communities are based on a beautiful spectrum of relationships that I began ages ago. The moral of this story becomes increasingly obvious to me… Trust Your Fam.

For the first time after becoming 100% devoted to being a homesteading mom and community organizer for the last 20+ years, I am totally focused on serving you, my fam, through commercial recording and touring full time again.

If you want to be part of our work in building Because of You Management Group, please email us at dharmabell@gmail.com. There are many roles to play. Many hats to wear. Join the team. Invest time and/or money. Donate. Mentor. And MORE. Create your own role, learn to grow this new, innovative, company with us - No matter what… Stay In Touch. We Love You.

Because of You Management - Volunteering Friends - in no particular order for now…. If I forget to list you on a credit. here, or for Fam Media Captures, please write me and let me know! I will make it up to you by featuring you and your work here and in my next blog.

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DEEPEST GRATITUDE FOR ALL SINCERE BOYMG VOLUNTEERS - WHETHER YOU ARE POPPING BY FOR A MEETING, OR JOINING OUR TEAM FOR SHORT SPURTS, OR BECOMING INTEGRAL TO OUR LONG GAME CREW…

THANK YOU!!

THINGS COULD BE SO DIFFERENT.

Thank you - Rev. Conway, Rose O’Neill, Esther Bell, Matt Bua, Dina Botts, Mike Lanuto, Kira Brunner, Joey Prize, Michelle Williams, Dan Arshack, Manga Garvey, Jennifer Wang, Marley Mader, Erik Swift, Meeghan Darling, Micah Doig, Linda Doig, Pastor Rick, Gaven Barker. Jacob Kistinger, Angela Lanuto, Mackenzie Wilson, Perry Serpa, Tom Fucito, Gary Kistinger, Adam Saunders, Kevin Walsh, Richard King, Beth Pike, Kiley Grimes, Yahav, Beth Pike, Lisa Bartlett, David Bartlett, Pete Szkolka, The Road House Crew, Scott Shelley, Andrew vanBerkel, Frances Hill, Sue Matsuki, Paul Dunk... Also, to my Key Mentors who are unnamed for now & empowering my return, you know who you are. I thank you to the core. Especially for the last three years