Your album is terrific!  Indeed, it IS AMAZING what 4 strings will do !  Especially in your hands! Your energy and talent just blasts out of the speakers. Yes, you INDEED “got rhythm.”  The album very definitely celebrates the simple things-  like Smiling- like grabbing a little sunshine- like JUST WAKING UP !!!  How important is the message in THAT tune?  I listened to the whole thing with a smile on my face. Your performances as musician, singer and songwriter were captured expertly in this “live-sounding” CD.  You should be very proud of this album and I wish you the best –  it’s great !

“Cali is a witty, charming songwriter with a great sense of humor. Her keen sense of the obvious is truly a gift, seriously. All the simple things right under our noses that we may overlook in a particular situation, Cali sees them and hand it back to us in a delightful and enchanting musical display. There are no “fluff” words here. She calls them as she sees them and make no mistake, although the content makes us laugh, Cali Rose is an exceptional artist with a serious love for music.”

“We fully appreciate your lovely renditions, plus you really transfer your unique touch to the instrument as it sings along with your vocals!”

“Got your CD and played it going to work today. It is wonderful!!!!!! Does put a big smile on my face.”

“I really liked your CD. My 2 favorites were by you; Set Your Tushie Down and Maui Nights.”

Note:  This album was nominated for Best Adult Contemporary Album in the 2009 Hawaii Music Awards. It didn’t win and some folks were a little upset about that, like Ric Douglas, who wrote me the message below…

8 things That Can’t Be Robbed From Cali Are:

1. Classiness
2. Grace
3. Musicianship
4. Poise
5. Talent
6. Positive Attitude
7. Beauty
8. Craig (Cali’s husband)

…in no particular order

“Sunny new release from Southern California-based Cali Rose. This time around fully 12 of the 13 tracks are by Ms. Rose with the only non-original (a nifty uke instrumental of Ode To Joy) by Mr. Beethoven. Lots of upbeat songs here like the opener “This Morning Something Wonderful Happened To Me (I Woke Up)” as well as fun songs about “Big Feet”, “My First Car” and even “It’s Easy To Play The Ukulele.” Smilex3 is a great sounding disk featuring Calis fine uke chops and her warm vocals joined by other studio pros on bass, drums, vibes, steel guitar and clarinet. Cali’s Ukulele Ohana group also sings with her on a couple of the tracks! A perfect summer disk!” 

I just wanted to let you know that your two albums I bought are helping me reach my new fitness goal. I am in the process of getting my health and physique back to when I started to be a flight attendant almost 30 years ago. I listen to those lovely quirky fun songs and your beautiful voice and uke playing and my workout is so much more fun! I already lost 15 lbs…

“This is one of the best CD’s I have ever heard.  I love it!!! Great voice…great production…great arrangements…great originals…great choice on the cover tunes.. great musicianship…great graphics, CD cover and photos.  Great things in store for this CD and Cali Rose!!!”

“I’ve been loving listening to it in my car as I jaunt down the street, singing along with it. It is just a superb CD!  The production is splendid with everything clear, precise and balanced.  Especially, the slower songs reveal the nuances of your voice (e.g., Maui Nights, Beautiful Dreamer, Sweetheart, True Love).  Your uke playing is just wonderful!  Really neat arrangements, and skillful precise playing.  Every note, high and low, is in tune and perfectly rendered.  You do some amazing ukelizations.  Your singing is also wonderful. You are really versatile and with great presentation and arrangements.  Nice back up singing too.  What a pro you are.  Cali, dear, this is just a marvelously enthralling and professional recording showing off your best stuff, and I’m enjoying it immensely.”

If you are looking for an album that will chase away the blues and bring rainbows and sunshine into your life, this is the album for you!

Sharon is a freelance entertainment journalist, book reviewer and columnist published in the Las Vegas Review Journal and Ventura County Star, among others. 

“It’s delightful and very much a reflection of who you are.”

“I listened to your CD on the way to work this morning and also as I was out doing errands at lunch.  It’s great – I was smiling the whole time I was listening.  It’s got great compositions, great singing, great musicianship and it’s very well produced.  Unfortunately, it’s had a huge psychological impact on me.  My letter of resignation has been submitted and I will be in Maui until further notice.”

LYRICAL PHILOSOPHY (The “Cali Rose Gets Goofy” CD)

1. Thirteen songs about personal love, real emotions, and true life experiences.
2. Clever, down-to-earth uniquely original lyrics combined with perfect common sense feelings and sentiments.
3. Exceptionally worded and sung with pleasing rhythms and tempo – quality music performed by great musicians and a gifted singer.
4. But it’s the authentic, clear and entertaining voice that pulls everything together to bring empathy and understanding to so many common experiences that so many can relate to.
5. A truly great uplifting and fun experience for the listener.
6. Light hearted but packed with true and meaningful everyday thoughts and expressions.
7. The whole CD is very well arranged and composed with especially enjoyable and authentic lyrics which exhibit extraordinary insights into ordinary life.
8. Such a talented singer, song writer and philosophical humorist that brings a smile to the face and warms the heart.

“Just played your CD twice and loved it each time. Is the story of your VW bug true to life? The songs you write always amaze me. So creative.”
(Says Cali: Yes, everything in the song really happened. To my first car AND me.)

“My favorite song on your new CD is the waltz that describes your first car. I play it over and over being reminded of the VW bug that was my first college car.”

“Congratulations to you on your joyous, funny, uplifting CD! I especially like ‘I woke up’ and Happy Birthday. And related so well to the saga of the VW (my ’67 red bug remains my favorite car of all
time, it ran like it thought it was a Porsche.) Great singing and playing and arrangements, what a wonderful gift you have bestowed on your fans. I wish you many sales, that the fun may spread to the furthest reaches of your mandala and beyond.”

“A most sincere thank you for the SMILES, your CD makes me happy, great production, you sound fantastic and the songs are a kick – “true classic Cali Rose !!!” with her uka uka uka uka LELE.”

“Here is a Monday morning story. I have my copy of Smile, Smile, Smile and put it in my C.D. player as I pull out of the driveway. Wow, such a good time is going on around my ears! I get on to the 405 Freeway and see the forest of brake lights ahead of me. Normally this would anger and exhaust me. With Cali’s tunes coming out of my speakers, I can’t help but feel good, smile and the drive seemed to just seemed to fly by. I think that this C.D. should be standard equipment for anyone who has to make a horrible daily commute. Thank you Cali.”

“I LOVE your CD! It is the best. My new favorite!!The whole package; the songs, the accompaniment, your  lovely voice. Truly, it is such a breath of fresh air!  Can’t wait to get to one of your shows live and in person!!”

“By the way, your tunes are very danceable – we’ve tried and they work well!”

“I am feeling so good – listening to your CD. it is really wonderful. you have such a gift in knowing how to say/sing uplifting words/messages. the ode to joy is the perfect ending too. Thank you!!”

“‘It’s a P.M.S. Kind of Day,’ ‘The Doggie-Doo Blues,’ ‘Pooey, Pooey, Pooey, It’s Christmas,’ and other humorous songs about life in the 90’s fill this sparkling collection, entertaining written and sung and beautifully produced.”

Lookin’ for some smiles in your day? Cali Rose’s new album Smile, Smile, Smile lives up to its name. All original tunes backed by mad uke skills… this is the kind of music that’ll turn your day around, guaranteed. If you have an appetite for tunes with a sense of humor, Cali is yer “go to” gal.