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Friday, December 17, 2010

Merry Christmas!

Hey Everyone!


Hope all is well! Grandmother and I spent the day baking cookies! It was a lot of fun!!! And tasty, LOL! I just want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and let's all remember why we are celebrating. It's JESUS' Birthday!! What a wonderful celebration! And, for all you little ones, I have to say I am pretty excited about Santa too!! I have a very small wish list this year. I have come to realize there is really nothing I need. I have beautiful friends and family and that’s what is important.






Medley of my favorite pop covers I put together.
Sort of tells a story. I hope you enjoy listening!




Donny Hathaway's version of "This Christmas"
from my recent Nashville Spotlight Showcase.
Merry Christmas!

Best wishes to you all!
With love and hugs,



Monday, December 06, 2010

Live In Nashville!!

I had an awesome time in Nashville last Saturday.

The sun came out just as we were getting into Nashville.

It was a cold but beautiful day.

Saw some old friends and made some new ones!

Poster by John Matthews of Nashville
Photographer/Graphic Designer/Web Designer








Me and Nashville Spotlight Producer Mike Jennings.

Mike does an awesome job with the showcases,

television productions, radio and more ...

Thanks for all you do for us kids!

Here is a medley of my favorite covers I put together. Hope you enjoy it!




Thanks to Jonell Polansky of DaCapo Music for dropping by the Palace.


Hey, drop by and visit my blog anytime!


'Til later,

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Nashville, Tennessee!

Hey, everybody!

Come join me

MJCasecrp

in Nashville, Tennessee
for a

spotlight

Mini-Showcase Production By Producer Mike Jennings

Saturday, December 4, 2010
12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Palace 2611 McGavock Pike, Nashville, TN
(615) 889-1540

Mike puts together a fast-paced show with a great bunch of talented kids.

I’m on stage at 2:45 and again 5:45 to entertain you with some new original songs and a couple of new pop covers.

Come on by and say, “Hello!”

MaryJustice

Friday, October 22, 2010

Come Out & Join Me

Friday, November 5, 2010
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.


Solo Performance

Featuring My Original Pop Songs

Plus Favorite Pop Hit Covers

~~~~

Coffee Tree Books & Brew
7900 Bailey Cove Road
Huntsville, Alabama
256-880-6121





Thursday, October 14, 2010

The Boy With No Fear

A short story by MaryJustice Lucas
March 7, 2010 (Copyright 2010)

I once knew a boy who loved adventure and excitement. We met at the beach during the summer just after my 17th birthday. He was always living on the edge. Nothing seemed to shake his nerves the slightest bit. He loved those rides at fairs. You know the ones with all the flips and loops. He wanted to do anything that got his adrenaline pumping. He would hike, hunt, and run. He was so energetic and carefree. He was a hard worker, too. Give him a job that had a lot of physical labor and he would go above and beyond your expectations. He liked fast cars and long roads so he could just drive for miles and miles. He had a brave spirit and a kind heart, but he seemed guarded, trusting only himself. Then I came along. That’s when things changed.

His name was Alex. He was 17, tall, dark, and handsome. His body was toned and his skin was golden brown from spending many days in the sun. He had a smile that put the sun to shame. It was so bright and so warm. When he smiled, no matter how you felt, you had to smile back. He had soft, jet black hair that hung wispily over his piercing, greenish blue eyes. I say greenish blue because they changed every time I saw him, kind of like the ocean. Maybe that is why I was so fascinated by his eyes, because the ocean was something I could just stare at all day. He loved the ocean, too. He once tried to convince me to go way out on a boat. He said the waters were even more captivating farther out.

Picture or Video 422

Unlike him, I was afraid of everything. I preferred my feet on the ground and to stay as far away from danger as possible. He especially liked the ocean during a storm. The way the waves crash against the rocks, the way the clouds swirl over the water, the way the color of the water goes from a calm, breathtaking aqua blue to a deep sapphire and emerald mess within minutes. Not even a storm as beautiful as that could compare to the storm of colors in his eyes.

We spent hours each day on the beach walking and talking about things, even though I did do most of the talking. I told him my dreams of being a professional toe shoe dancer and that I wanted to dance in red toe shoes. He said he could tell I was a dancer by the way I carried myself. He said I was graceful and that he believed in me. He told me to never give up on my dreams. He was never one to say a lot, but when he did it blew me away. He could make the simplest words mean so much. He told me about his dreams of living on a boat and traveling the world. He dreamed of spending his days discovering things beneath the water, watching every sunset he could, and falling asleep under the moon and stars.


He made it sound so easy and beautiful, but I knew it would never be. Or maybe that was it. Maybe it would be with him. Maybe it would be everything he said it would be. I envied his open mind about things and his positive thoughts. I had always felt like the world was out to get me and I had put up walls so I could not get hurt. Somehow we both knew we could trust each other. We both were so different, yet so alike. We were like puzzle pieces that were shaped completely different that fit perfectly when put together. He was a good boy. I was a good girl. That is how it was.

I remember the day we were sitting on soft towels in the sand watching the tide roll in and out. The sun was going down, painting the sky in pink and gold. I was drawing in the sand with pieces of drift wood and watching the sand crabs scurry around. He was just sitting there staring at the ocean. I was listening to him hum softly. He was good at singing but he would never admit it. He always hummed the same song. It had a hauntingly beautiful melody. I still hear his voice in my head singing it over and over again.

While I was distracted trying to figure out what he was singing, I had not realized he had stopped humming until I heard him say my name. I looked up and was surprised. He was holding a small box neatly wrapped in pale brown paper. The paper looked worn, like he had been carrying it around with him for quite some time. It was almost like he could never make up his mind to give it to me. He had a sweet sadness in his eyes, but it didn’t give me a good feeling. I asked, “Is everything alright?” He gently smiled, not answering my question and said, “I want you to have this but you have to promise me something,” as he gently placed it in my hand. I said, “Okay…,” probably sounding a little confused. He said, “Promise me you won’t open it until the time is right.” I am sure I made the most puzzled face anyone could imagine. I said, “What? How will I know when the…” He interjected softly, “Please … just promise me you will wait.” The soft, pleading tone in his voice brought tears to my eyes. It caught me off guard for some reason. This whole situation made me want to cry. I had this gnawing feeling deep inside me, telling me there was more to this than he was letting on. Suddenly, I felt sick. I had a terrible feeling that I was going to lose him. I looked away so he could not see my eyes and I blinked away the tears. I looked up at him and said, “I promise,” almost in a whisper. It seemed like forever before he replied. I almost thought I had not said it aloud. He said, “Thank you.”

For a long while we sat there in silence. I was gripping the box like my life depended on it while he was lying on his back with his eyes closed. Somehow, I really wanted to know what was going on but then again, I did not want to know a single thing. How is that possible? He slowly opened his eyes, sat up and said, “These past seven weeks have been amazing. Meeting you was the best thing that could have ever happened to me.” For a second, I thought I was dreaming. I pinched myself to make sure I really wasn’t. Yeah, it hurt. I was awake. I felt like an idiot for not saying anything. He continued, “I feel like I’ve known you all my life, even though I haven’t. That’s the only way I can describe it. You are a beautiful person inside and out. Never let anyone tell you differently. I never want to lose you. You mean the world to me and I love you more than I ever thought I could love anything.” I was speechless. Again, I felt like an idiot for not saying anything. I finally managed to catch my breath. I said, “You’re beautiful. I don’t want to lose you either. I love you so much. No words could even come close to telling you how much I love you.” I felt silly. That did not go as smoothly as I had planned. The gentle smile he wore let me know he knew what I meant. He would not have had me say it any other way. He gently kissed me. The kiss was sweet and sincere, and he held me in his arms. Right then and there I knew I wanted this to last forever.

The next morning I woke up to pouring rain, thunder that made the room shake, and lightening so bright it hurt my eyes. I grabbed my raincoat and stepped out the front door of the beach house. I looked out across the water. The waves were angrily crashing and rolling onto shore. Suddenly, I caught a glimpse of something against the rocks. It was small fishing boat. It was the boat Alex worked on. It was the boat that he said he was going out on this morning. I felt myself trying to fight the thought of Alex being hurt, or worse. I started running to the shore. The rain was hard, stinging my skin. I felt like I could not run fast enough. My heart was pounding so hard I thought it would beat out of my chest. I reached the shore. I saw EMT’s and a crowd all huddled around something. I was not going to let myself believe it was him until I saw for myself. I was begging,” God, please don’t let it be him. Please don’t let it be him. Please, please, please.” If it was Alex, I was not going to be angry at God, but He was the only one I could even think of talking to. I would be devastated. I would feel like I was losing part of me. I pushed through the crowd. Time felt like it had stopped. There he was. The boy who was mysterious … the boy with no fear, kind, brave, beautiful … the boy who loved me … the boy I loved, my boy, my Alex. He was cut up. His clothes shredded. He was broken. I fell to my knees and scooped him into my arms. Gently smiling, he opened his eyes. Tears poured down both of our faces. Paramedics tried to drag me away, but I wouldn’t let them. In a choppy, weak voice he told them to let me stay. They backed away, knowing he was not going to live because he was bleeding internally. Barely audible, he said, “I love you, forever and always.” I said, “I love you, too.” Struggling through the tears I said, “Forever and always.” We gently smiled at each other through the tears. I did not take my eyes off of him as I knew this would be the last time I would see his smile. This would be the last time I would see his beautiful eyes and the last time I would hold him. His eyes gently closed and I felt him let go. He was gone.

MJBeach 036 I barely got back on my feet. I stumbled through the crowd. Faces of strangers were staring at me. They all had sympathetic eyes. I slowly got back to the house. I went into my room and collapsed on my bed. Crying so hard, I felt like I would die. I could not seem to get enough air. Sometimes I would not even make a sound. I rolled around and screamed and yelled and soaked my pillow in tears. This went on for hours. Suddenly, I felt something hard beneath my pillow. I reached under it to sling whatever it was across the room when I saw it was the little brown box. The little brown box Alex had given me. I slowly sat up and my tears fell on the already worn paper making it even thinner. I slowly lifted the paper away, as if it was wrapped in flower petals and I was not allowed to tear a single one. I removed the paper and opened a pale blue box. Inside was a black music box made to look like a piano. As I opened the music box it started playing a beautiful song, one I knew but couldn’t remember why it was familiar. Then it hit me! It was the song he hummed all the time. It was beautiful. I realized there was a heart shaped locket lying on the red velvet interior of the music box. It was silver. “I will love you, forever and always” was engraved on it. I felt weak. I opened the locket and inside was a picture of us on the beach. He had taken it with his camera when we first met. I could see his beautiful eyes and warm smile once again. You could tell in the picture that we were happy. We were happy together. I closed my eyes and thanked God. I needed this more than anything right now.

mj beach wd2

I opened my eyes, realizing that I will see him again one day on the golden shores of heaven. I clasped the locket around my neck. I have never taken it off. Alex would have wanted me to move on and I have, but I will never forget my boy with no fear.

Work of fiction for a school project. Photographs by MaryJustice
Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Copyright 2010

MaryJustice

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

LIVE! At The Coffee Tree Books & Brew!

Friday – September 17th – 6:45PM – 9:00PM

Come, join me

MaryJusticesm

and “A Band Named Sue”

Slide1

Rock ‘N’ Roll

Country

Americana

Pop

Jazz

Originals

Oldies

Goodies



Come on out for a night of great music... great food ... great coffee ... frozen treats!

I’ll see you there!

Monday, September 06, 2010

LABOR DAY WEEKEND NASHVILLE!

It was awesome! I am truly blessed! The week-end was wonderful. The weather was wonderful! I had decided at the last minute to enter a singing competition on Saturday morning before going to the Music City USA Labor Day Weekend Showcase.

The competition, sponsored by Susan Gabrielle, was at John A's Restaurant. Susan was amazing as she registered new arrivals, gave critiques and juggled the schedule to get people in and out in time for their Nashville Spotlight performances all during the day.

This is a video of my competition. "All I See" is one of my newer songs.




Since songwriting is "my thing" I haven't had a lot of time to learn "covers" and usually just sing my songs or those written by my songwriting friends. In this competition it was singing only. Original songs were permitted but didn't get you any extra points. I liked the way the judges gave you a mini critique right on the spot. That was different. I finished and hurried on to the Palace to listen to friends before my set started. The day whizzed by and I didn't give the competition much thought. Susan had said she would call cell phones if you won. We didn't get a call and thought, "Oh well, it was good experience!" We had given her three cell phone numbers! We got back to the hotel and Grandmother booted up the laptop and went to Susan's website.

I won 2nd place!!!!! I was in the shower and my friend, Candace, came "bustin'" through the door screaming "you won 2nd place, you won 2nd place!" I thought I was hearing things!

Second place is okay with me! Five hours of recording studio time with Jonell Polansky at DaCapo Music! Awesome! Valuable! WOW! Also, a promotional package from Capacity Productions Myspace division. Another awesome, valuable prize!

My God is an Awesome God!

More about the week-end later...

MaryJustice

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Nashville Spotlight – Labor Day!

Hey, all my blogger buddies! If you are in the Nashville area over Labor Day week-end, stop by the World Famous Nashville Palace at 2611 McGavock Pike, for a great two day show. The show will run from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM on both days.

My set will be from about 2:15 – 5:30 on Saturday, the 4th and from 2:15 – 5:30 on Sunday, the 5th.

This is always a great show with talented kids of all ages. Our producer Mike Jennings and his staff do an outstanding job!

MJ_SEPTBANNER !cid_0DE9681E-3F2E-4768-BE8B-BADDF89FF903@Belkin

I’ll see you in Music City USA!

Mjsig2

Monday, July 26, 2010

The Last Few Weeks!

Hi, everybody! It’s been almost a month since I last posted. Things have been busy…. but a good kind of busy.

I visited my grandfather, “C” in Morris, Alabama, for a few days

Hot Dog StandCafé La Dog…(neat stand shot from back window of my grandfather’s truck!)

AmandaAbby…. and had a great time with my young cousins, Amanda and Abby … then hopped on down to Gardendale to visit my cousin Tiffany. While on the way back to Huntsville, we were invited (Aren't cell phones great?) by the Robinsons to stop off at Addison, Alabama, for an evening of Karaoke. What fun!

Last fall while preparing for iPOP!, we met Ethan (iAct!) and his mom Cathy Robinson and Aly, a young actress, singer/songwriter from Birmingham. Mom and I had a great time with them in Los Angeles at iPOP! and have stayed in touch. Email, cell phones and Face Book keep long-distance friendships together. Isn’t that awesome!

Last week, Cathy invited Aly and me for a visit to their farm.

Aly

I love the country….I love horses!


38259_1345449682988_1433661048_30719877_602468_sBrodyMax

Nugget Miley

It was a fun time and I met some new friends.


Still writing and singing songs!

These videos are from Songwriter's Open Mic at the Coffee Tree. I hope you enjoy them.




I have some appearances coming up soon. Stay tuned!


MaryJustice

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Last Several Days! Whew!

Hi to my blogger friends! I feel like I was caught up in a whirlwind over the past several days, but it was an awesome time.

Had a great time at the Coffee Tree with our band, "A Band Named Sue" for our premier performance! It was fun as you can see in this video. Visit ABNS's channel on YouTube.


"Amazing Grace" featuring Lisa Carr, Marcia Lucas (my mom) and me.

Then the Summer Concert Series in Guntersville was beautiful. Thanks everyone for coming out on such a hot night. I was so great looking out on the lake and singing for everyone. This was my first solo concert...however, my friend Doug Budzak took care of the sound and accompanied my on guitar on three songs. Thanks, Doug! By-the-way, Doug is leader of "A Band Named Sue" and he's great!



Then I played with some of the North Alabama Songwriters at the Madison Gazebo. It was fun and of course last year the train went by blowing it's horn while I was doing one of my songs....this year several ambulances or police cars when flying down the street with sirens screaming...right in the middle of one of my songs! Go figure... I knew, just my luck! LOL!



I dropped in at the Coffee Tree last Saturday night for open mic and met some talented kids my age. It's always fun to meet people my age who love music.



I went back for Songwriters Open Mic at the Coffee Tree tonight and met even more new songwriters my age. Lots of young folks writing now! The place was packed!

My Uncle Michael is a lot of fun....full of nonsense and makes me laugh, but WOW! He's a tough Algebra tutor! Thanks, Uncle Michael!

Hey, I need your prayers and good wishes this week-end. I'll be competing in the MOVA Songwriting Competition in Guntersville, Alabama. I've looked forward to this for several months. It got cancelled in April due to bad weather and was rescheduled for July 4th.

And, there's more coming up soon that I'll tell you about later.

"I'll See You Soon" ...MaryJustice

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Village Green Gazebo in Historic Downtown Madison

Thursday June 24th - 6:30 PM




Come on out to the Gazebo and join me. I'll be there with songwriter friends.

It'll be a great show! See you there!













MaryJustice

Sunday, June 20, 2010

MaryJustice - Lakeside Concert Series

Tuesday - June 22 - 6:30

Civitan Park
1500 Sunset Drive
Guntersville, Alabama 35976

Over looking the lake
Bleacher seating for up to 30

See you there!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Friday, May 28, 2010

How could He not be here?

Photo by: MaryJustice Lucas


So, I stepped outside my house this morning and took in the bright, brilliant, blue color of the sky. I gazed at the leaves on the trees starting to turn green, I listened to the sweet symphony of the birds singing, I felt the warm sun on my face. I recalled all of the wonderful things that have happened to me in the past and the present and even my struggles that, at the time I thought I would never get through, but did. I pictured my family and all my amazing friends, I thought about my singing, songwriting, and love for music, I thought about my kitty cats:) I thought about how blessed I am....and I know you are reading this in a good bit of sentences, but all of this rushed into my thoughts in a matter of seconds, basically from the time I stepped out of my back door and into our car, which is about 3 feet. Isn’t that amazing too? How our brains work? And, then I thought, I know it's hard to comprehend, and some people choose not to believe it, but I can't help but look around and look back on my life and think, "How could there not be God? Jesus? The Holy Spirit? All three different but the same:)"... isn’t that amazing , and beautiful? I mean God the creator, Jesus His son, the one who died for all of our sins, and in Jesus' name we pray to God, and the Holy Spirit which lives inside us, when you accept Jesus into your heart. Now, isn’t that BEAUTIFUL?! I can’t help but be excited about just typing it!!! He truly is amazing, all powerful, beginning and end, light of the world, unfailing love, Holy Father, my best friend, savior, forgiving, all knowing, beautiful....and He is here, forever and always, and that makes me smile.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Homegrown Talent Show Panoply 2010

Hey to all my blogger friends! Still busy with school, guitar lessons and writing songs. Our songwriting competition, MOVA at the Panoply of Arts Festival, was cancelled Saturday because the weather was so bad. I was disappointed, but it will be rescheduled.... soon I hope. I entered three of my new songs and am anxious to be critiqued by the judges.



These are pictures made at Bridge Street during and after auditions for Homegrown Talent competition where I was selected to compete at Panoply. The show was held on Sunday in beautiful weather! Imagine Saturday there were tornados all over the place. I know it was bad for a lot of people and am so thankful we did not have severe damage here.

The competition was fun and as usual I got to see some old friends and meet some new ones! I competed in the Young Adult Division (15 - 20 year olds). Yeah, I was the youngest! I am pleased to have placed 3rd place performing my own original music. Thanks to everyone who came out to support me. Thanks for your prayers.

I praise God and thank Him daily for blessing me with the talent to write songs and sing. I thank Him for those who support me! Please feel free to click the links in the side bars to visit MySpace and my YouTube Channel (still under construction). Browse around, watch the videos, listen to my songs! I am pleased and blessed to have this venue and opportunity to share my music with you.
Love you guys!

Monday, April 12, 2010

Live At The Flint River Coffee Company

Friday ~ April 16 ~ 6:00 – 8:00 PM

MaryJustice

Poster MJ



Performing Songwriter








Guests
Two Old Men & Some Songs

TwoOldMen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fun for All ~ At The Family-Friendly


flintriverlogo_transparent_3met


1443 Winchester Road
Huntsville, Alabama 35811

Located on Winchester Road, just West of Shields Road
or 1 mile East of Moores Mill Road in NE Madison County

256-859-0109

Homegrown Talent Auditions

Last Saturday, April 10th, I auditioned for the Homegrown Talent Competition that will be held during Huntsville's Panoply of Arts Festival on Sunday, April 25th. Out of about 30 contestants, 10 were selected from this audition. Three auditions were held on different days at the beautiful Bridge Street Town Center. Talent entries include singers, dancers, actors, bands and are categorized by age not talent. I compete in the 15 - 20 age group! Send your prayers and good wishes my way!





Panoply is a fun-filled week-end in Huntsville with all kinds of things to see; arts and crafts, entertainment and great food all over Big Springs Park! On Saturday the 24th I will compete in the MOVA Songwriters Competition. Send prayers and good wishes for me for that also.

Thursday, April 08, 2010

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Music Videos

Some of these videos have been posted. This is a neat way to view. Hope you enjoy them.





Wednesday, March 17, 2010

James Breedwells Nashville Palace Songwriter Series

Our March 11th Songwriters Showcase at The Nashville Palace was great. There was a big turn out ... got to meet some new songwriters which is always GREAT! Hey, Rob Wilbur from Michigan and Hunter Murphree from Texas.... Good luck with your songwriting, guys! James Breedwell, our host, checking my mic. Thanks, James!

Here are a couple of my new songs ... hope you enjoy them. School is keeping me pretty busy right now. So this is sort of short!










More later.... We are booked for the Palace, April 8th at 7:00 so drop in if you're in the area. Thank you Uncle Bethel for coordinating these events for us.

Look for me on Facebook! Check out MySpace!

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Come On Out To The World Famous NASHVILLE PALACE March 11th!

Hello to all my blogger friends, regulars and those just passing through! Check out this video taken during our February showcase at The Nashville Palace. I wrote "The Way It Was" a couple of months ago. I hope you enjoy it. Please leave some comments!
March 11th, I'll Be There.... come join me!
The Nashville Palace
2611 McGavock Street
Nashville, TN 37201

with more Homegrown Songwriters from North Alabama for the James Breedwell Open Mic Series. Our part of the show starts at 7:00 and will run until 8:30. Of course there are more acts to see before and after we finish. Patsy Trigg of "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" fame will be with us! She's funny and a great singer.
So, if you're in the area or want to take a nice drive into Nashville drop in for a great show and to say "Hello!"




Saturday, February 27, 2010

Homegrown Songwriters At The World Famous Nashville Palace

Hey, blogger friends! Songwriters from North Alabama were invited by James Breedwell to do a showcase at his Nashville Palace Open Mic Series. Mr. Breedwell has a show every night somewhere in Nashville! Our friend, Doug Budzak of Uncle Bethel and Rockit Juice Audio, coordinated the hour and half show. It was a lot of fun. We are scheduled to go back for another showcase in March. I’ll let everyone know when that’s scheduled and if you are in the area please drop by to see us.

I hope you enjoy these videos from our showcase.












I've finished writing a batch of new songs with my guitar ... they're ready for copyright and registration.

I my guitar!


Home School Update: It's still going great. I'm still loving it! Algebra is next .... READY!!! for some numbers!

algebra

***Got my braces off**** … on my 15th birthday! Woo-hoo!!!DSCN0234 I’m happy and I know my mom, Marcia, is very happy! This has been a 7 year experience!

‘til next time! Gotta run...big rehearsal tonight!

Mjsig2