A Little Party or 2
Story Of My Life: A Little Party or 2
Page 12
As the month of December begins, a month of thanks ends. Although sometimes people only show thanks for what they have on Thanksgiving (one of the best holidays EVER because I mean...Who doesn't want to stuff their face?), I think we should show thanks to the people around us and the moments we have as many times as possible...Not just on a day that asks us to. There are so many little things we are shown every day (running water, enough food to eat, a roof over our head), that are hardly noticed because we only focus on bigger picture things.
*WHICH ARE ALSO VERY IMPORTANT!*
The whole month of November, however, I tried to find something inside every day that I could be thankful for. Whether it was my mom waking me up with the smell of breakfast cooking or enough gas in the car - there is always some reason to smile. I did have some favorite moments this month that I am extremely grateful for...and I MUST share them with you!
For those of you who do not live in Nashville, you might be a little confused as to why my blog post this week is called "No Sleep November". For those of you who do live in Nashville... You are probably currently throwing your hands in the air and saying "PREACH GIRL!" Although November is the time for pumpkin pie and buying cute new sweaters...There is one week a year that tests your immune system here in Nashville known as "CMA WEEK". CMA week is probably one of the busiest times for any person working in the music business. It is also one of the most exciting! The reason it gets so busy is because there is something new EVERY day of the whole week. Whether it's an event, a show, an after party, writing, or just trying to finish out everything before the holidays come - It just gets a little less than insane. Everyone from out of town like label people, writers, artists, etc., come back to Nashville for this week to celebrate their successes and hang out in the city that made them who they are. It's absolutely incredible! I swear the downtown lights shine a litter brighter, the night gets a little longer, and the coffee gets even stronger! On a side note, I swear the town gets filled to the rim with people...Real quick. I don't think I have driven anywhere in the past two weeks without at least one traffic jam a day. I have come back and forth for CMA Week before, but I have never experienced it first hand as a Nashville resident. Let me tell you... It is a whole different level!
Usually Nashville is pretty low key. You occasionally run into an artist or writer at a writers round or at Kroger, but that's normal for Nashville. During CMA week, you can't go to "Noshville" (a yummy deli smack dab in the middle of music city) , without running into Kellie Pickler or Keith Urban. NO joke! It is really cool, but for a girl like me who doesn't ever want to get ready unless she absolutely has to; this puts me in quite a pickle because what if I want to take a picture with someone or introduce myself without bed-head? With that all being said; the traffic, having to brush my hair every morning, and waiting a little longer in restaurants makes CMA week what it is. It is exciting, fun, and full of surprises.
Page 12
As the month of December begins, a month of thanks ends. Although sometimes people only show thanks for what they have on Thanksgiving (one of the best holidays EVER because I mean...Who doesn't want to stuff their face?), I think we should show thanks to the people around us and the moments we have as many times as possible...Not just on a day that asks us to. There are so many little things we are shown every day (running water, enough food to eat, a roof over our head), that are hardly noticed because we only focus on bigger picture things.
*WHICH ARE ALSO VERY IMPORTANT!*
The whole month of November, however, I tried to find something inside every day that I could be thankful for. Whether it was my mom waking me up with the smell of breakfast cooking or enough gas in the car - there is always some reason to smile. I did have some favorite moments this month that I am extremely grateful for...and I MUST share them with you!
For those of you who do not live in Nashville, you might be a little confused as to why my blog post this week is called "No Sleep November". For those of you who do live in Nashville... You are probably currently throwing your hands in the air and saying "PREACH GIRL!" Although November is the time for pumpkin pie and buying cute new sweaters...There is one week a year that tests your immune system here in Nashville known as "CMA WEEK". CMA week is probably one of the busiest times for any person working in the music business. It is also one of the most exciting! The reason it gets so busy is because there is something new EVERY day of the whole week. Whether it's an event, a show, an after party, writing, or just trying to finish out everything before the holidays come - It just gets a little less than insane. Everyone from out of town like label people, writers, artists, etc., come back to Nashville for this week to celebrate their successes and hang out in the city that made them who they are. It's absolutely incredible! I swear the downtown lights shine a litter brighter, the night gets a little longer, and the coffee gets even stronger! On a side note, I swear the town gets filled to the rim with people...Real quick. I don't think I have driven anywhere in the past two weeks without at least one traffic jam a day. I have come back and forth for CMA Week before, but I have never experienced it first hand as a Nashville resident. Let me tell you... It is a whole different level!
Usually Nashville is pretty low key. You occasionally run into an artist or writer at a writers round or at Kroger, but that's normal for Nashville. During CMA week, you can't go to "Noshville" (a yummy deli smack dab in the middle of music city) , without running into Kellie Pickler or Keith Urban. NO joke! It is really cool, but for a girl like me who doesn't ever want to get ready unless she absolutely has to; this puts me in quite a pickle because what if I want to take a picture with someone or introduce myself without bed-head? With that all being said; the traffic, having to brush my hair every morning, and waiting a little longer in restaurants makes CMA week what it is. It is exciting, fun, and full of surprises.
The whole week before CMA Week, was an adventure in itself. Between trying to find 2 perfect dresses that were completely different but somewhat cohesive, getting everything to go with all those dresses (shoes, 2 clutches, earrings), to getting my nails done, my hair done; and trying to make sure it was all put together piece by piece was an adventure. I was practically preparing for two different prom nights in a row. Talk about a mom and daughter superhero duo task! It ended up being the best year yet...and it all started on the night of the BMI Awards... IT. WAS. MAGICAL.!
I definitely had to spend ALL day getting dolled up for my first BMI Award show and after-party. I tried my best to make sure everything was perfect. From every last strand of hair - to the shoes on my feet, it all had to feel as special as the night would be. My mom was adorable and spent the whole day making sure I felt beautiful. She is the sweetest! I don't know what I would do without her more than half the time. After spending about 3 hours sitting in the chair letting her play dress up with me, it was time to head out on the night. She dropped me off at the office to meet my pretty dates for the night, the ladies of Big Machine! You can see my favorite picture of us below.
When we first walked up to the award show, there was a large red carpet wrapped in front of the BMI building and paved with beautiful flowers and camera men. We made our way through, took a few picture, and then made our way inside. I was amazed with how many people could fit in one foyer surrounded by food and drinks and a LOT of loud talking over the background music. Of course being in a group of girls, the first thing we did was run to the ladies room and check our hair and make up. This IS essential. After reapplying our lipstick and re-tucking whatever needed to be tucked back (only girls will understand that comment), we made our way back to the room to socialize. I thought this part would be scary and hard because there were so many people in that room that I didn't know, but I guess now I do know them. I met so many wonderful people that I wouldn't have gotten to meet in such a casual way other than that night. We weren't sitting in an office together, shaking hands and talking about songs. Everything about the room was warm and inviting. I heard so many silly stories! Throughout the night I started connecting the dots to who knew who from where. It was so incredible! Everyone says that Nashville is a small town, but I didn't realize how small until I was in that room surrounded by people who have known each other since college and now work together....Um WOW!
After socializing and catching up with everyone, the Big Machine crew and I made our ways to our tables for dinner and the award show. As soon as we walked in, I was in immediate shock. I am pretty sure my jaw dropped to the floor. It was like walking into the feast in the Hunger Games. It was gold everything. There were flowers and sparkles streaming from wall to wall. Each table was completely decked out. I felt like I was in a day dream! When the awards finally started, an immediate wave of awe washed over me.
I was in a room surrounded by people I respected and looked up to. I was in a room surrounded by people who have the same dreams, the same passion, and the same endless love for songwriting and the music business. Some of those people have written songs that have made me cry, made me laugh, and made me dance. Some of those people wrote songs that take me back to a specific moment in my life, big and small. THAT is why I became a songwriter. I want my songs to be the song to someone else's memory.
One of the many people in this room was Vince Gill. *GASP*! I know. I was sitting in the same dang room as Vince Gill What is my life? He was being honored this week for all the amazing things he has done for not only country music, but music...period. He has shaped so many genres and been a part of every piece of music. He has been a studio musician, an artist, a producer, a mentor, and a songwriter... But throws himself into everything he does with whole heart and manages to still be a humble man that will talk to you as if he is your next door neighbor. A class act. He has always been someone I have looked up to on all levels, so watching people talk about him and share special moments with him throughout the night made it even more special than I ever thought it would be.
Before Keith Urban brought Vince Gill up to the stage for his speech, he said something that I thought was extremely special. He said "Vince is a guitar player's guitar player, a singer's singer, and a songwriter's songwriter..." That to me was the perfect way to describe in a short sentence just how gifted he is and how much passion he has for his art. Vince then went on to speak about what music was to him and how he ended up where we see him now. Hearing his story from him, all the ups and downs and everything in-between was so powerful it sent chills down my arms. He took his time with every word and you could feel his love for what he did whether he was cracking a joke about the music industry or talking about when we used to be a studio musician. His passion oozed out of him. It was obvious that would be involved in music regardless of the success he has worked hard for over the years. THAT is something very special to watch and admire. His speech brought me to tears several times and made me laugh eight. Even though we were in a room full of hundreds of songwriters, he made it feel like he was talking to each and every one of us individually in our living room over some cookies and milk. It was a honest, heartfelt speech and moment I won't forget. I am forever grateful that Vince Gill is in country music and I was able to see him speak that night. It changed a lot about how I think about what I do everyday. It reminded me how thankful I am to be apart of the songwriting community/family that IS Nashville.
*This is where I insert #blessed*
As the night came to a close, everyone began to exit the room to head to the after parties. Me being 17, I had a curfew. I continued my night in my apartment with a bowl of popcorn and my footy pajamas. The next day however was a whole other adventure...YES! ANOTHER!
The next day, I again spent all day getting ready for CMA night. CMA night meant the Big Machine Label Group after party which is my favorite night all year! You get to see everyone you work with on an everyday basis in the same room together and just hang out surrounded by amazing music and yummy food! It is SO much fun to see everyone outside of their daily routines in the office and being thrown into such an exciting environment. When I arrived though, it was nothing like last year! It was even BETTER!
As soon as I walked into the room I was on cloud nine! The tables surrounded the room were filled with all different kinds of... (wait for it)...BREAKFAST FOOD! MY FAVORITE! There was everything from chicken biscuits, to two different kinds of waffles, donuts, french toast, mini yogurt parfaits, and A FLIPPIN' OMELET BAR (no pun intended)! When I had officially tried one of everything, I made my way to the BEATS HEADPHONE BOOTH where I proceeded to take way too many pictures.
I was in a room surrounded by people I respected and looked up to. I was in a room surrounded by people who have the same dreams, the same passion, and the same endless love for songwriting and the music business. Some of those people have written songs that have made me cry, made me laugh, and made me dance. Some of those people wrote songs that take me back to a specific moment in my life, big and small. THAT is why I became a songwriter. I want my songs to be the song to someone else's memory.
One of the many people in this room was Vince Gill. *GASP*! I know. I was sitting in the same dang room as Vince Gill What is my life? He was being honored this week for all the amazing things he has done for not only country music, but music...period. He has shaped so many genres and been a part of every piece of music. He has been a studio musician, an artist, a producer, a mentor, and a songwriter... But throws himself into everything he does with whole heart and manages to still be a humble man that will talk to you as if he is your next door neighbor. A class act. He has always been someone I have looked up to on all levels, so watching people talk about him and share special moments with him throughout the night made it even more special than I ever thought it would be.
Before Keith Urban brought Vince Gill up to the stage for his speech, he said something that I thought was extremely special. He said "Vince is a guitar player's guitar player, a singer's singer, and a songwriter's songwriter..." That to me was the perfect way to describe in a short sentence just how gifted he is and how much passion he has for his art. Vince then went on to speak about what music was to him and how he ended up where we see him now. Hearing his story from him, all the ups and downs and everything in-between was so powerful it sent chills down my arms. He took his time with every word and you could feel his love for what he did whether he was cracking a joke about the music industry or talking about when we used to be a studio musician. His passion oozed out of him. It was obvious that would be involved in music regardless of the success he has worked hard for over the years. THAT is something very special to watch and admire. His speech brought me to tears several times and made me laugh eight. Even though we were in a room full of hundreds of songwriters, he made it feel like he was talking to each and every one of us individually in our living room over some cookies and milk. It was a honest, heartfelt speech and moment I won't forget. I am forever grateful that Vince Gill is in country music and I was able to see him speak that night. It changed a lot about how I think about what I do everyday. It reminded me how thankful I am to be apart of the songwriting community/family that IS Nashville.
*This is where I insert #blessed*
As the night came to a close, everyone began to exit the room to head to the after parties. Me being 17, I had a curfew. I continued my night in my apartment with a bowl of popcorn and my footy pajamas. The next day however was a whole other adventure...YES! ANOTHER!
The next day, I again spent all day getting ready for CMA night. CMA night meant the Big Machine Label Group after party which is my favorite night all year! You get to see everyone you work with on an everyday basis in the same room together and just hang out surrounded by amazing music and yummy food! It is SO much fun to see everyone outside of their daily routines in the office and being thrown into such an exciting environment. When I arrived though, it was nothing like last year! It was even BETTER!
As soon as I walked into the room I was on cloud nine! The tables surrounded the room were filled with all different kinds of... (wait for it)...BREAKFAST FOOD! MY FAVORITE! There was everything from chicken biscuits, to two different kinds of waffles, donuts, french toast, mini yogurt parfaits, and A FLIPPIN' OMELET BAR (no pun intended)! When I had officially tried one of everything, I made my way to the BEATS HEADPHONE BOOTH where I proceeded to take way too many pictures.
The night continued with an INCREDIBLE show by "The Cadillac Three" boys (they KILLED it) and Steven Tyler playing with my phone...YES! I almost passed out. Not one word left my mouth, I couldn't even register how that happened. It was amazing. I loved every second of it. I am so proud to be apart of the Big Machine family and work alongside such incredible people. What an honor, what a blast, and what a blessing. Here is my favorite picture from the night... It is the Big Machine artist picture!
If you are looking for me...I am right next to Martina McBride!!! EEK!
If you are looking for me...I am right next to Martina McBride!!! EEK!
WHAT IS MY LIFE! I don't know how I got so lucky to be in a life that I love so much. I swear each day is a new surprise. I wouldn't be here and be in the position I am in without my amazing friends and family that surround me. I am very thankful for them. I am thankful for the memories that I have made so far here in Nashville and the chance to do what I love every single day. I am also very thankful for all the new friends and family I have made since moving here. Thank you to everyone who has made November amazing. I don't know what I would do without you!
Here is a little collage of some other small adventures and fun times from the month of November!
Here is a little collage of some other small adventures and fun times from the month of November!
BRING IT ON DECEMBER! I am ready for ya!
Until next time...
Until next time...