Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Pianist Mary Martin Stockdale and author Jill Murphy Long are inviting the community to a unique CD and book signing aimed at teaching women how to relax.

"A Feast For The Senses" showcases the two local women's latest works, Stockdale's album "Trout Creek Lullaby" and Long's book "Permission to Nap." Both the book and the album can be used as tools for relaxation, so the writer and musician teamed up to present their works together.

The women collaborate to talk about the need to relax in today's busy world. They also perform together. Long will share ways to get into the mindset to relax and shares tips outlined in her book, while Stockdale will talk about and performs music from her album.

"My direction is that by slowing down and relaxing, you can find that creative side of yourself," Stockdale said.

Long also will give the group a test to point out misconceptions about sleep. There also will be refreshments, as well as numerous vendors selling products promoting relaxation.

The duo took "A Feast For The Senses" on tour this spring to promote their book and CD. They stopped in Greeley, Longmont and Boulder and were well received for all the performances, Stockdale said. They decided to come back to Steamboat Springs to host the show to their hometown and then are hoping to travel to mountain towns in the I-70 corridor to present "A Feast For The Senses."

Aside from the tour, both women are seeing success from their works. In terms of radio play, Stockdale's album debuted at the top of the New Age Voice charts in January. At one point, 108 radio stations around the world were playing selections from the CD, making Stockdale a known name in the New Age music community.

Long's innovative "Permission to Sleep" is filled with witty quotes, beautiful pictures and different ways promote relaxation and napping. There was a second printing of the book in April after the first 7,500 sold out. She also is moving up the ranks of books sold on Amazon.com. The book also has received good reviews and is popping up in a variety of places.

Long has spoken about her book in numerous articles, including one in the Christian Science Monitor that also was picked up by the Chicago Sun Times, as well as an article for the Los Angles Times.

"A Feast for the Senses" starts at noon Wednesday at the Depot. Long and Stockdale will start the performance at 12:45 p.m.