Tomorrow night....the 90th Show!!!

I'm excited to be a part of the final show of Kelleigh Bannen's "90 in 90" Tour on April 1st!  Kelleigh has been working so hard and will cross the finish line at the Exit In---show starts at 8pm!  

She has been traveling the country raising awareness about the importance of the first 90 days of the recovery process.  The tour is a tribute to her brother Grant, who passed away from an overdose last March.  

All of the proceeds from Kelleigh's Tour go to addiction recovery.

Come out if you can!! 

www.90in90.com

Growing up....

Why is pain so much a part of growing?  I know we all have "growing pains"....but this is different.  I mean growing as in healing from hurt, taking it on the chin and getting back up to face adversity, being let down...again, and having tough-but-needed conversations.  I can't possibly name all of the situations---nor do I want to---but do you ever feel like sometimes things happen at the most unique times in life?  When I think back to the times I've been in the valley---I can now look back and realize how crucial those times were to molding me into the woman I am today....shaping my opinions....building my character.....and on and on.  

As I'm reading what I just wrote---I want you to be sure and know that I don't mean all of this in a negative way.  It's kinda like taking your vitamins....or like nasty tasting medicine as a child....you know it's good for you.  Some people embrace change and others enjoy being settled, but either way, sometimes we are forced into adjusting....and sometimes that is uncomfortable.  

I am thankful that God is continuing to teach me life lessons.....and speak in challenging times of uncertainty.  When I say that I believe God is the Most Creative One....I am usually talking about music or art.....but I also believe that he is just as (or more) artistic in the way that he shapes our lives through the process of pain and healing.  How beautiful was the the last conversation you had with someone who really understood you?  How restoring is a breathtaking sunrise?.....or an orange canvas sky at dusk?  There is color in the broken....and beauty through the pain.  I am sure of it.

Austin....what a BLAST!!!

After walking the streets of Austin....and playing a great showcase for the Red Gorilla Fest....we are exhausted!!  We had a GREAT time in Austin....we actually just pulled back into West Monroe, LA.  I have many stories.....and will punctuate them in a day or so after I can get enough rest to think straight.  Fun stuff.....catch you up soon!  It's back to Nashville tomorrow....

Made it to Louisiana....

Hey!  So, I made it to my first stop with success.......West Monroe, Louisiana.  My friend, guitar player and co-writing buddy Jarrett Carter is gonna hit the road with me in the morning.  Tomorrow night we're gonna go see my friend Kelleigh Bannen's showcase.......and we'll make our rounds to as many Red Gorilla and SXSW parties and shows as possible!  Our showcase is on Thursday......so, we're excited!!!  Can't wait to experience Austin......will let you know how it goes!

The week I had.....

Well, now that I've had a little bit of time to breathe, I can talk about last week.  What a horrible week.  Now, I must begin by saying that I am thankful to be alive and healthy (as far as I know).....so it could be worse.  And when I start to complain, I think about the starving people I have encountered overseas.

First of all, I got laid off from my job at Starbucks.  I know.....it's only a part-time job, but when a musician only has a few chains of income flowing in and one of those is removed, things can get really interesting.  Honestly, it was time that I lay down the green apron, but the timing and current economic crisis we are experiencing makes it a little frightening.  

Long story....I had to shell out some pretty crazy amounts of cash on the same day that I was laid off to fix my computer....and because of a failed "cleaning" experiment with my teeth retainers, a shocking bill came for me to have those replaced.  :)

THEN on Saturday----my boyfriend of 1.5 years decided to end our relationship.  Apparently, I am not "the one".  Nice.  I mean, at least it's good that he didn't string this out.....but WOW.  I could go on for days about this, but enough said.

God is completely rearranging my circumstances....so I am a little excited to see what's next.  

Tonight my friend Amanda and I cleaned out my messy closet....something I'd been putting off for months!!  I am considering it symbolic:  To a fresh and new beginning.....

Here's to Monday.....a start to a great week in Austin, TX.  

StoryCorps

I wanted to pass this link along....NPR has a segment called "StoryCorps" and they feature short 2 minute stories from people all over the world.  They are GREAT!!  Lots of ups and downs....but real people telling about real times in their lives.  Their theme is "Listening is an act of love"....and sometimes I am so bad at that!  I want to get better!  

Here's the link:

www.storycorps.net

Thanks to everyone who came out...

Hey!  I just wanted to say a BIG THANKS (high five!  kiss kiss!) to everyone who came out to our CD Release show at The Rutledge on Wednesday night.....it was a great night!  

Also, if you were able to catch Kelleigh Bannen and Mike Anderson.....you'll understand when I say they are AWESOME!  

Our next full band show in Nashville is April 1st at the Exit/In.....with Kelleigh Bannen and Bo Bice (American Idol what?)....hope to see you there!!

I'll post pics soon!