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"Mick Unplugged" is a transformative podcast that challenges listeners to move beyond the conventional 'Why' and embrace the empowering realm of 'Because.' Hosted by Mick Hunt, the voice of Modern Leadership, this podcast is designed for leaders, doers, and anyone aspiring to create meaningful impact in both their personal and professional lives.
Each episode delves into the principles of Modern Leadership, focusing on discovering your 'Because'—your core driving force—and how it can turn dreams into reality and aspirations into actionable steps. With practical advice, real-life stories, and forward-thinking insights, you’ll learn to make your 'Because' a daily focus, fueling your journey toward success and fulfillment.
Whether you’re looking to deepen your motivation, set meaningful goals, or apply modern leadership theories to overcome challenges, "Mick Unplugged" provides the tools, strategies, and insights to guide your path. Subscribe now and start transforming your life with purpose and modern leadership principles.
Are you ready to change your habits, sculpt your destiny, and light up your path to greatness? Welcome to the epicenter of transformation. This is Mick Unplugged. We'll help you identify your because so you can create a routine that's not just productive, but powerful. You'll embrace the art of evolution, adapt strategies to stay ahead of the game, and take a a step toward the extraordinary.
Intro:So let's unleash your potential. Now here's Mick.
Mick Hunt:Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another episode of Make Unplugged. And on today's episode, I am thrilled to welcome a multi talented artist whose soulful voice and heartfelt performances have captivated audience around the world. From jazz classics to her original songs, she has truly made a name for herself in the music industry, and I need you to please join me in welcoming the incredible, the illustrious, the dynamic, miss Diane DeMaio. Diane, how are you doing today, dear?
DeAnn DiMeo:I am well. Thank you for that incredible introduction, and thank you for having me.
Mick Hunt:It is all about you, and I'm the 1 that's honored to be here with you. And, you know, I've been a fan for a while. I think from everything that you have in the digital space, in the social space, I have probably listened to a 1, 000 times each without exaggeration. And I just want you to know how much I love your voice. Like, I love soulful, passionate, high energy voices, and you, to me, are the epitome of that.
Mick Hunt:So thank you for being you.
DeAnn DiMeo:Wow. Thank you. Thank you for listening to The Voice.
Mick Hunt:Absolutely. So let's talk about music. Like, when did you first begin your love of music, and and what really got you into what you're doing today?
DeAnn DiMeo:Well, I'm 1 of those where I knew at 7 years old that I wanted to do this. And some people say that story, some people don't, but I was on the monkey bars aging myself. We had monkey bars in the backyard and, coming in to school. And I just said, yeah. I'm gonna be a star probably by 7.
DeAnn DiMeo:If not, maybe 8. But then I got into choir, 3rd grade. Stayed in there all the way through middle school, high school. High school joined the swing choir. Did the different music from the, you know, the choral music and went into more pop music.
DeAnn DiMeo:And there was a song that needed a solo, and they asked me to sing it. And I was scared to death. Like, I was like, I can't do that. And I did it. And then I heard myself come through the speakers in the auditorium, and I was like, woah.
DeAnn DiMeo:I'm hooked. This is incredible that I'm singing, and it's, you know, amplifying throughout the whole auditorium.
Mick Hunt:And I know early on, your father was an influence for you. Right? So how did that influence shape your journey?
DeAnn DiMeo:My father from day 1, yeah, he's he was a jazz singer, and he worked around Buffalo area, New York area when he could because he was a deputy sheriff. And he always was singing, always. Getting ready to go to work. He'd be scattin', singing different tunes. And I fell in love with what he was singing, but I had to go through kinda like my pop, my rock stage.
DeAnn DiMeo:Country. I did a lot of country. And then finally, I reached the jazz stage, and he was so excited. And he calls me Dolly. He said, Dolly, you finally made it.
DeAnn DiMeo:Like, thanks, dad. But he passed away a year and a half ago, so I'm so glad he got to hear my last album.
Mick Hunt:That's awesome. And you brought up, you know, transitioning from singing pop and country to jazz and blues. What was that transition like? And and at the end of the day, you know, do you connect a different way with Jackson Blues and pop and country?
DeAnn DiMeo:I connect with all genres of music as long as it's good music, great musicians. So, yeah, I can really relate to r and b, soul, country, rap. I mean, if it's a good song, it's a good song. And good players and a special meaning that's coming with the song is even better. And even if it's just a great groove and it makes you wanna dance and it may it lifts your mood.
Mick Hunt:Yeah. And that's what your music does for me. So It's My Time. Talk to me a little bit about It's My Time and and what inspired them.
DeAnn DiMeo:When I think back to it, my producer actually came up with that title for my album, and I was feeling apprehensive about it because, as you may know, I lost my son in between all that. And I just kinda felt like it's my time was not something to say after that. But it actually is my time to try to be happy again. It's my time to smile. It's my time to love again.
DeAnn DiMeo:It's my time to create my legacy and share that with others. Because at the end of the day and what I went through my son was 23 from a motorcycle accident. And you don't take anything with you when you leave, but what you leave behind is how you make people feel. And he left behind tremendous love for others, and that's what I wanna do. And if I could do it through my music, which God has gifted me with, then I'm gonna do it.
DeAnn DiMeo:That's my purpose.
Mick Hunt:Amazing. I'll tell you 1 of the things and, you know, music moves me as a I feel like music moves a lot of people. But your rendition, you are my sunshine. And and I know a little bit of why that song is on the album, but I promise you. And for all the listeners, and I'll make sure that there's a special link to this version of this song.
Mick Hunt:Oh my goodness. And as a grown man, a real grown man, I can promise you, I I don't know if I've been moved that much by a song. And I love music, Dan, that song and your voice on that song.
DeAnn DiMeo:And I said, I feel like I should sing You Are My Sunshine because that was a song I sang to William every night before he went to sleep. Until 1 day he told me, mom, I'm okay. Do you have to sing to me tonight? I was, like, broken heart. I'm like, what?
DeAnn DiMeo:Because he was getting older. I said, I think we should record it. So I went into his studio, and he said, just sing it acapella. That's how it started. And then he was like, okay.
DeAnn DiMeo:Raise the key. You know, go half step higher and sing it again. And when I got done, like, it was just me singing. I had no music around me. He put all the music arrangement around it.
DeAnn DiMeo:He did an incredible job arranging. He's a wonderful producer, bass player, friend. We got done and I just broke down, you know, because I I sang that about that was probably 4 or 5 months after the accident. And I said, I didn't realize how hard that was gonna be. He said, neither did I.
DeAnn DiMeo:And so then I didn't hear the song again until he was finished. And I was like, woah. That's so good. So he did all that.
Mick Hunt:That's awesome. And I'm gonna sail this album for a minute because it quickly became 1 of my favorites, and And it's 1 that I keep in rotation that I'm gonna listen to over and over again. Like, as a matter of fact, we just had family over this weekend and guess who and what we were listening to. It was you. Again, I love music.
Mick Hunt:I have an ear for music I like to believe. And there's a couple of songs that you do that I always warn people that they should never sing if they're gonna try to do it professionally, and you freaking crush them. Oh. Personally, killing me softly. Oh.
Mick Hunt:Everyone can't do that song again. Everyone can't do that song but you can't. And then My Funny Valentine. Just 1 of those classics that just you can't help but put a smile on your face when you hear that song. You do a little bit more than that.
Mick Hunt:Like, you you put the smile on my face, but then I can feel it in my soul. So those 2 songs, again, I always tell people, you probably shouldn't do them unless you can really do them. So I want you to know you can do them.
DeAnn DiMeo:Thank you so much, sis. And now I'm thinking, do you wanna be my manager? You know, I just thank you so much. That's awesome. I'm glad I could do that.
DeAnn DiMeo:So, again, the purpose of music is to bring a tear to your eye, make you feel joyful. You remember me, not because I used to drive a really cool Mazda Miata. 6 feet. Just may I add that. It was great.
DeAnn DiMeo:You remembering my voice and what it made you feel, that's what it's all about.
Mick Hunt:Yes. And I can promise you there were about 15, 16 people that were in and out of my house all weekend, and they all heard you. And they were like, who is that? And I was like, oh, 1 of my new friends. Let's sit down and let's go through the whole thing.
Mick Hunt:And, like, you were a hit at my home this weekend.
DeAnn DiMeo:That just warms my heart. Thank you so much. Thank them.
Mick Hunt:I totally will. I totally will. So let's talk about some of your originals in songwriting. And in particular, how do you approach songwriting and the inspiration that you have for those songs?
DeAnn DiMeo:I was just telling my friend here a song I wrote called torn, which is not on the albums yet. It's we're talking about doing some more a new album starting in the fall, and that's 1 song that's gonna go on. And everything is always written from an experience that I've gone through or, listening to others talk and what they say and their stories. Torn came from I was Torren because I didn't know we're not married anymore, but we're great friends. My ex husband, he was like, you know, it's time.
DeAnn DiMeo:We gotta start talking about children. And I was like, yeah. But I I gotta do this and I gotta do that in my career. And I knew that 1 of them was gonna have to be given up a little because I just knew myself. And I'm not saying you can't do both, but I knew myself.
DeAnn DiMeo:So I knew I was torn between, you know, which bridge I was gonna burn, which those are the lines in, the song. I mean, I came back to music after my kids got older. And I did sing music, though, throughout their younger days. I just did I just sang in church. I sang for weddings, funerals.
DeAnn DiMeo:Then I started teaching pre k to grade 8 music education, and I threw 2 huge concerts a year with the kids. And it was where my kids went to school. So
Mick Hunt:That's good stuff. So let's transition to something else because whether you're a music fan or not, there becomes a time in your career as an adult that you have to balance career with family. And for Diane, how did you balance your music career with the other aspects of your life, especially family?
DeAnn DiMeo:Yeah. So I didn't do the nightlife as much, and I would get hired to sing for funeral masses and Catholic churches mostly where I did it. And that was very inspiring because I was helping others through their healing. Did a lot of weddings, wedding ceremonies, did teaching. That's how I could balance being a mom.
DeAnn DiMeo:I was a stay at home mom in that. But then when the kids got older, probably early teenage, I started getting back into the night club, and that's where I got into the blues first and then we got into the jazz. Coming from before my children, it was rock, pop, dance, country.
Mick Hunt:You know, I love that today, you do a lot of I mean, you've always done a lot of live performances, but III love that you do that because these are the words of Mick and Mick only. And I've said this before, can't really listen to today's music. Right. Like, I I don't have a fear for that because it feels like everyone's trying to create like a viral moment and it's not really about the words, the feeling, or the emotion of music. Right?
Mick Hunt:It's just when what can I create that I can go make a $1, 000, 000 on and the song is trash and it's all about the production anyway? How do you feel about live performances? I'm not gonna I'm not gonna have you talk about today's music. Those were my words. But how do you feel about live music in my
DeAnn DiMeo:Oh, that's my favorite. Because when you're in a studio, you know, you have to feel all that energy and you have to try to create all that energy. It's definitely difficult. It's not the easiest thing to do. Not everyone who sings live can go into the studio.
DeAnn DiMeo:But the live performance, the energy of the people, because we are all energy. We're all connected to each other through our energy. And if they're buying a ticket to come see your show, they wanna see you. And their energy is there. They're supporting you.
DeAnn DiMeo:And that all comes back to you. And then, like, there's so much that comes out that you don't even try to do. You don't even remember how you sang it. And you might not sing you probably won't sing it that way again the next time. So, yes, I love live live energy.
Mick Hunt:Same. Same. There's nothing like live music. And I, you know, I love live music city, so you're gonna see me in Nashville. You're gonna see me in New Orleans.
Mick Hunt:Right? I know you're in the Buffalo area. I'm a Patriot fan, Dan, so it's hard for me to go to Buffalo because I feel a certain way about it. But I've made a commitment that I'm gonna come up there this fall. And so 1 of my items for this year off of my 2024 bucket list is to see you live, so I'm gonna come see you.
DeAnn DiMeo:Oh, awesome. Yeah. Yeah. I sing I do sing every Wednesday too at a club in Buffalo. It's called Sportsman's Tavern, and they bring in national international acts and local acts.
DeAnn DiMeo:They are amazing, 7 days a week. And I sing there Yeah. We we bring in a lot of people.
Mick Hunt:Well, I will be there, and I just need the city of Buffalo to embrace me. And, again, I'm a I'm a Patriot fan. Don't don't hurt me, Buffalo, but I I will be there to support for sure. Yeah. 1 of the things that I find amazing about you and 1 of the things that I think you inspire others is what I call is a part of the mick factor that was given to me by my mentor, Les Brown.
Mick Hunt:And and the k in the mick factor is keep going. So the price of variance that you have, I think, is truly inspiring. So for the listeners that are out there today, those that are watching, what are some things that you can tell people about the power of keep going or the power of perseverance?
DeAnn DiMeo:First of all, my daughter, who's living in a beautiful soul, she's 24 now. And even before anyone, actually, God, that's what keeps me going. My faith definitely keeps me going. And then my son's spirit. No excuses, mom.
DeAnn DiMeo:Just do it. Is his model. And he used to say that to me all the time. William, I can't go because I he was a professional bodybuilder and he tried to get me into the gym, which I finally am. And he was like, oh, mom.
DeAnn DiMeo:I I said, William, I can't do this because, you know, I I'm older. My body's sore. You know. And I he just kept saying, no excuses, mom. Just do it.
DeAnn DiMeo:So that kept me going. Friends, I mean, a few family members and lots of friends that kept coming around kept coming around checking on me. And then music. You know, music and purpose. You know, why are you here?
DeAnn DiMeo:William was 23 when he left. He did a lot of great things before he left. What am I doing? What's my purpose? What am I leaving for others?
DeAnn DiMeo:And that's my goal, to keep going, to keep fulfilling that purpose.
Mick Hunt:That's amazing. What advice would you have for the listeners that maybe need that inspiration or that kick?
DeAnn DiMeo:I know that we're not all believers, but definitely praying is my grace. And when you pray, you need to listen. And I used to be like, okay, God. I need this. And and then I'm like, where is it?
DeAnn DiMeo:Still not here. It's been a day. You know? It's 2 days now, and a lot of times, we need to listen. When we pray for something, we listen through a song that came through on the radio.
DeAnn DiMeo:We listen to someone who just spoke to you the next day. We listen to something we saw on TV, or someone's reading a book, and we ask them what the title is, and that might be the answer. You gotta pay attention.
Mick Hunt:I agree. And I also tell people, don't try to find the answer you're looking for because then most of the time, you miss the right answer.
DeAnn DiMeo:So Yes. I knew that. Because you're not listening. Absolutely. Absolutely agree with you.
DeAnn DiMeo:I was, doing massage with 1 of my girl that does my massage, and we were talking about how you can change your thoughts. Because when negative thoughts enter your head, you can't control when the negative thought enters, but you can control what you're gonna do with it. So, yep, so it comes in and then you say the thought could be, oh my god. I have to weed the garden. There's so many weeds out there.
DeAnn DiMeo:You could change your thought. Wow. I have such a beautiful garden, and it's gonna look beautiful when the weeds are gone. And just completely change your thought. So right after we had that conversation, I walk out to the reception area and I go to pay the guy for my massage.
DeAnn DiMeo:And he's reading this book. And I said, what are you reading? He says, oh, Wayne Dyer. How you can change your thoughts and change your life. I'm like, okay, god.
DeAnn DiMeo:I'm listening.
Mick Hunt:Totally agree. So all the amazing things that you've had going on in your life, what's next? What what's new with DN now? Like, what do you want listeners to know? What should we be looking out for?
DeAnn DiMeo:So, I have a couple shows coming up. Pazit is actually next week. It's a very beautiful room in Buffalo, the Pazit Art House. It's a listening room, and it's pretty much out same thing as being in New York City. That's July 18th.
DeAnn DiMeo:And then August 24th, I'm doing the the Northwest Jazz Festival in Lewiston, New York. And then right after the meeting, we're right back in the studio, and I'm just gonna start producing the next album. Maybe even start with a single because I have a lot of originals that I wanna get recorded. My bass player that I'm working with right now, we're talking about trying to coordinate the tour for 2025.
Mick Hunt:For your tour, you have to come to a city near me so I can make sure I see you at the
DeAnn DiMeo:time. Well, I work with New World in jazz, Neil Sapper with my radio AirPlay, and there's been several stations throughout the country that have played my music. So I'm gonna focus on some of those and get in that area. So that's been really lovely. And Tom Estee has been just a godsend.
DeAnn DiMeo:He's connected me with you and others. So I'm gonna continue working with him and continue bodybuilding. Alright.
Mick Hunt:Diane, the bodybuilder. I like it.
DeAnn DiMeo:Well, my trainer just competed for mister Universe. Close to 1st, got 2nd place, so he's still doing his thing, Aaron Newman, and he trained my son. So I stay focused and all that and take care of my daughter.
Mick Hunt:I love it. So where can people follow you and find you? And I'll make sure that these links are posted in the show notes. And I know you're gonna tell us where, but here's my promise to everyone that's listening, watching. 1 of your best follows on social will be Deanna.
Mick Hunt:I promise you that I
DeAnn DiMeo:can talk to. Thank you. Deanmusic.com. So deeannmusic.com. That's my website that pretty much includes everything.
DeAnn DiMeo:I'm not sure if a YouTube video link is on there, which I have to check that. Diane DeMeo is my YouTube link. And DeMeo is DIM as in Mike, e o. That's my YouTube where I just posted some recent videos. I did a Sarah Vaughan tribute for the 100th Centennial this year at Seneca 1 Tower through Jazz Buffalo, and Tony Zambido coordinates all that.
DeAnn DiMeo:And we did a wonderful show there and a sold out show. Some of my videos are on my YouTube channel. They're on my, website too. And then all the social media links are all on my website, dnmusicdot com.
Mick Hunt:So everybody do me a huge favor. Make sure you're following dn, tagging dn. And, dn, we can't wait for the new project to release and see all the amazing things that are gonna happen on the 2025 tour. Can't wait to see the results of your bodybuilding. You better win.
Mick Hunt:Right? I'm I'm putting it out
DeAnn DiMeo:there. No. It's not there. I did compete. It was June 5th was my son, 2021.
DeAnn DiMeo:So it went into yeah. It was October 2022. I competed through Kenmore Barbell in the Powerlifting Association, and I got 3rd place in my age bracket. Yeah. I think I was deadlifting about 2 15, 2 20.
Mick Hunt:You're serious.
DeAnn DiMeo:Okay. I'm serious.
Mick Hunt:Do you understand?
DeAnn DiMeo:This other week walk in, though, and III saw what she was lifting. I'm like, okay. I'm not making first place. I knew it as soon as I saw what she was lifting, but it was very awesome experience. I did it in honor of William and my trainer, Haley.
DeAnn DiMeo:She just at the time, I had Haley, and, and she just was driven. But now I'm doing it to just stay in health, be good shape. Because as we age to our like, we need to keep our bones, our muscles strong. I don't know when and if I'm doing a competition again, but if I do, I'm gonna let you know.
Mick Hunt:You're doing a competition. I'm a push you. You're doing 1. Diane, thank you so much for blessing us with your time today. I know you're a busy person, and it means a lot to me personally.
Mick Hunt:And I know it means a lot to the guests and audience of Nick and Plugs. So thank you for blessing us with your time today.
DeAnn DiMeo:I have to thank you because I have like I said, when we were talking earlier, I watched some of your videos, and I watched some of your interviews. You are such an inspiration to others, and you are doing what your purpose is. You're inspiring others.
Mick Hunt:Well, Dan, again, I appreciate you for taking some time. And for the listeners, remember, you're because is your superpower. Go understand.
Intro:Thanks for listening to Mick Unplugged. We hope this episode helps you take the next step toward the extraordinary and launches a revolution in your life. Don't forget to rate and review the podcast, and be sure to check us out on YouTube at Mick Unplugged. Remember, stay empowered, stay inspired, and stay unplugged.