If you could patent a failsafe formula for a marked upswing in creativity and artistic productivity, it could certainly look a lot like this:

• Record a debut album (2004's "Rotate"), learn from its victories and not-so-victories.
• Rub shoulders with up-and-comers (Amy Speace, Kathrin Shorr) and seasoned success stories (Mark Stuart/Stacey Earle, Vance Gilbert, Christine Kane).
• Move from Utah to Texas to Wyoming to Seattle. Wanderlust, anyone?
• Live and soak in Austin, songwriting capital of the free world (just ask any Texan).
• Be a featured guest at your alma mater's Mountain West Songfest & Symposium.
• Cut your hair (you'd be surprised by the anti-Samson effect). Maybe even dye it.
• Honorable mention at 2005 and 2006 Folks Festival Songwriter Showcase
• Play all over the Four Corners, and then some- Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Wyoming, Texas, including in-the-studio performances on KOAY (SLC), WPR (Laramie, WY), KHEN (Salida, CO), KDNK (Carbondale, CO).