An Artist by Any Other Name…is still Authentic

True to my belief that we are always evolving, I am no exception. After 14 years I am retiring my stage name of Adrianna Larkin. The name that once offered a protective anonymity while performing music in clubs and raising a young son as a single parent, is no longer needed.

It was not a decision that was made lightly. I gave it a lot of thought. Although I would not be the first artist to take on (or take back) a different name, reverting to my real name of Nancy Herold had to be considered carefully. Nancy is after all a fairly common name—and frankly one that I would not have chosen for myself.

Then there was the daunting task of having to rename all past projects written and recorded under the stage name of Adrianna Larkin. But the real truth be told, although I had chosen to go by a different name for practical reasons, I had enjoyed choosing a unique enough name that let me stand out in a crowd.

That is what we artists like to do.

The story of how I chose the name was pretty straightforward. The last name of Larkin was the one I arrived at first. I shared with those who knew of my secret identity that it was symbolic of the songbird, and I hoped it would carry the association of that for my audiences.

For me however, it had a double meaning. I had arrived at being a singer-songwriter in a truly accidental way: I was only trying to teach myself to play guitar. Although I had a wonderful time doing this, songwriting came so easily that I couldn’t take it seriously. It seemed like ridiculous play. In other words, the whole thing was a “lark”.

The first name of Adrianna was chosen in remembrance of my father. Adrian in Hebrew means “the dark one”. While most often used to describe coloring, it also offered  a double meaning for me that symbolized one who remained in the shadows and had a secret life. I learned to enjoy being somebody else on stage, yet inserting my own character as I crafted my performance.

That is what we artists like to do.

But the career took a rather interesting turn. In writing a book on reinvention, I became eager to share the story of my return to music and finally accepted my ability to help other people with it. As I expanded my “motivational performance” to group and one-on-one coaching sessions, the baggage of a professional pseudonym created a somewhat awkward (not to mention less than authentic) platform from which to teach other people about coming to terms with who they are.

A discussion with my friend Sheryl Lynn would give me all the direction that I needed. As I explained the name dilemma, she cast her vote for Nancy Herold . “I like her…Nancy Herold ROCKS!. She has guts and heart..AND humor”, adding: “Do you know what ‘Nancy’ really means?”
“It means ‘grace’” I replied.

Sheryl Lynn continued, “And the arrival at a state of grace is what spiritual studies teach us to be the ultimate goal…”

I offered my defense that I never liked the name Nancy. Moreover in the early days of my nursing career, “Nancy Nurse” had a bad connotation: It meant incompetence.

“And how did you arrive at ‘Adrianna Larkin’?” she asked.

Once again, I retold the story shared countless times with others on how the choice was made—as well as the double meaning that both names had for me.

“So let me get this straight...” she began, “As a 'motivational musician' who mentors others on how to regain their ‘sacred fire’, you exchanged a name that represents the highest spiritual outcome, for one that has you hiding in the shadows and treating your career like a joke…”.
She then followed with the knock-out punch to bring it all home, adding: “And how’s that workin’ for you?”

I had no defense—or desire to acquire one—after that. My path became quite clear. A good look at the original reasons for taking a stage name revealed conditions that no longer existed:  I have remarried. My son is grown. In taking this bold new move, I believe my own growth becomes more evident as well.

In time there will be a new website titled “Sacred Fire Living”, because it’s not all about me, it’s about what I can potentially offer as the highest service through the vehicles of music, speaking, performance and writing.
In time, all books and CD’s (even those that bear a name intended for a secret life) will be offered under one name only: that of Nancy—because Nancy is who I’ve always been and…

That is what we authentic folk like to do….

The story is true, her experience a journey. The lesson’s unfold in real time with heart and humor.  As Adrianna Larkin, Nancy Herold stumbles in believing doubt, and doubting belief--finally reaching a number of destinations where those ill-fit puzzle pieces find a truer match. It’s a trip to the past as well as through the present as you learn how she embraced her dream against all odds, and returned the career of her choosing as a professional musician and internationally known radio host.

As Adrianna Larkin, Nancy Herold beautifully demonstrates that nothing is an accident. All can be overcome by recognizing and welcoming true purpose, and unlimited potential exists in each of us if we heed the voice of our soul and ignite our Sacred Fire. She invites you to join her on the journey—but more importantly she invites you to book passage on your own.