Friday, June 24th, I will open a show for my friend, Andrew Velez at the Coffee Tree Books & Brew in Huntsville, Alabama. The show will run from 7 - 9. A couple of months ago, Andrew asked me to sing a duet with him for his sister's wedding. That was our first time to sing together. Our styles are totally different but when we sing together we ROCK! If I do say so myself :) A few weeks ago we sang together at the Commodore in Nashville and again this past Sunday for a tornado relief concert in Decatur, Alabama. Andrew, a native of Huntsville lives in Nashville where he performs regularly with his band. I know you'll like what you hear, so drop by if you are in the area Friday night. I would love to meet you!
Saturday, June 25th, I will join several other songwriters for a tornado benefit concert in Athens, Alabama. The concert starts at Noon and will run until 8:00 or later! This is an event to raise money to rebuild homes destroyed by the April 27th tornadoes. This is a pay-to-play concert with each songwriter paying $25.00 per song! This will be a fun-filled day with food vendors, T-shirts, give-aways, and many genres of music. So come on out to the Railroad Bazaar Parking Lot Stage for a great show. There is a $5.00 admission with children 12 and under FREE.
If you cannot make this show please visit our website at www.songwriters4survivors.org and make a secure donation through PayPal. There was vast destruction and the need is great. This concert is the first of several for the cause!
On April 27, 2011, tornadoes ripped through large areas of Alabama leaving large paths of destruction and people without homes in Northern Alabama and the Tennessee Valley. Neighbors have joined hands to raise money to benefit those left homeless or with extensive damage to their homes. Many were uninsured. Would you come and join us to help raise money for this worthy cause?
The Family Jam 2011 promises to be a fun-filled week-end. It is being held in conjunction with the Bassmaster Elite Series which is wrapping up its 2011 season on Wheeler Lake with its Dixie Duel competition June 16th-19th. The Family Jam Music Fest offers two days of ongoing live entertainment, children’s activities and games, and topped off with a spectacular fireworks show.
There is no charge for this event, but donations will be accepted throughout the week-end. I will be joined by my friends, Matt Morrow and Andrew Velez on Sunday, June 19 from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. This will be a lot of fun, you will be entertained and have the opportunity to support a worthy cause. See you there!
MaryJustice
P.S.I had a wonderful, exciting four days in Nashville last week. Very eventful! Photos and stories to follow. Right now I'am preparing for several benefit shows coming up in the next few weeks. Please, stay in touch. I love all my blogger buddies. If you have not had a chance please visit my website at www.maryjusticelucas.com. You are welcome to leave comments here and at my website.
Wednesday, June 8th, meet me at the "World Famous" Nashville Palace for another great showcase produced by Nashville Spotlight. Lots of talent! Fast-paced show with continuous music. I'm on stage during the 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm set. Hope to see you there.
Thursday, June 9th, join me at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel for a showcase produced by Sweet Southern Entertainment. I'm on stage during the early afternoon and again later in the evening.
Between my SSE sets at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel I'll be back at the Nashville Palace for a Susan Gabrielle Event!
Friday, June 10th will be an exciting photo shoot with Nancy Brock in the beautiful gardens of the Opryland Hotel and then another showcase that evening!
Saturday, June 11th - back home to Huntsville in time to meet you at The Coffee Tree Books & Brew!
Just a quick "Hello!" to all my blogger buddies to tell you about some of my upcoming "gigs" and updates on the past couple of days! Since I home school and keep busy with music, I'm still busy with school work. So, the past few weeks and several weeks ahead have been and will be BUSY! But a good and exciting kind of busy. I hope you can drop in on some of my performances if you happen to be in Nashville,TN, Guntersville, AL, Hartselle, AL and of course here at home in Huntsville, AL.
Hard Rock Cafe Nashville, TN Saturday, May 28 - 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
This is a TCGMA event presented by Sweet Southern Entertainment. The show starts at Noon and I will be on stage around 4:00. This will be a talent-packed show at a famous venue with great food and gift shop. Hope to see you there!
Lakeside Concert
Civitan Park Amphitheater, Guntersville, AL
Tuesday, May 31 - 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
I'm doing a "songwriter round" with Matt Morrow and Liz Riehl by the lake. The spot is beautiful. There will be pop corn, hot dogs and soft drinks! The music will be awesome! This event is sponsored by the Mountain Valley Arts Council. Hope to see you there!
Emily D. Orr Benefit Concert
Hartselle Fine Arts Center, Hartselle, AL
Friday, June 3 - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Admission is $20.00 for this annual benefit and silent auction. The proceeds provide scholarships to the Hartselle High School Senior Choral Students in memory of Emily D. Orr. I'll be joining Jeff Whitlow, Allen Watkins, Robin Stewart, Chapman James, Ted Whittington, Jeff Lemmond with State Representative Ed Henry. This will be a GREAT show! ***AND, great for me and my family!!! Our cousin, Dr. Bob Cockrell from Greensboro, NC, is coming to the show on his way to Birmingham for a get-together with his siblings! Haven't seen him in a few years. He gave me my first guitar that got me started playing for myself! Woo-Hoo!
More events coming up in June that I'll tell you about in a few days, but I wanted to tell you about last Sunday at The Coffee Tree Books & Brew. Kitty and Tom have been generous to many over the past several years. "The Tree" suffered loss during the April 27th tornadoes and five day black-out. We decided it was time to give a little back!! The Coffee Tree was packed with singers, songwriters, patrons, fans ... Ken Dupree, Wednesday Songwriters Host, and Wayne Hemmerly, Saturday Night Open Mic Host were joined by our now Official Auctioneer, Patsy Trigg! There was continuous music with auction breaks which were as entertaining as the music! And of course being the sweet generous people they are, the Coffee Tree staff gave up their one day off to serve food. Thanks to all who came out to support this event. Proceeds from the door and the auction almost hit $2,000.00. I hope we do this again .... Soon!
Last night was an awesome show at Rhodes Ferry Park, Decatur, AL with Cristina Lynn and friends. I was honored to be invited to perform for this event along with the Steve Owen and his Double Shot band, Russ and his Dolbro! Cristina Lynn invited mandolin player John Boyer. John, an electrician from Indianapolis who was sent down to help with getting his company back on line after the tornadoes. Thanks, John! Jeff Whitlow made a surprise visit and joined us on stage! What a beautiful setting by the Tennessee River! What a nice crowd! The weather was perfect.
There are lots of exciting things coming up in June that I'll tell you about in a few days. Gotta run!
Just a quick note to say hello to all my blogger buddies and tell you about some of my upcoming "gigs".
The Coffee Tree Books & Brew - Bailey Cove Road
If you are in Huntsville this afternoon drop by for a tornado benefit concert and auction. May 22 - 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Adm: $5.00
The Coffee Tree Books & Brew has been generous to many over the past several years. Now it's time for us to give back a little, as they suffered loss during the April 27th tornadoes and five day black-out.
Rhodes Ferry Park, Decatur, AL -
Monday, May 23 6:00 PM - 8:00
With Cristina Lynn and Friends ... this will be a fun evening of music on the Tennessee River so bring lawn chairs and a picnic! Settle back and enjoy!
Lakeside Concert
Civitan Park Amphitheater, Guntersville, AL
Tuesday, May 31 - 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
I'm doing a "songwriter round" with Matt Morrow and Liz Riehl by the lake. The spot is beautiful. There will be pop corn, hot dogs and soft drinks! The music will be awesome! This event is sponsored by the Mountain Valley Arts Council. Hope to see you there!
Emily D. Orr Benefit Concert
Hartselle Fine Arts Center, Hartselle, AL
Friday, June 3 - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Admission is $20.00 for this annual benefit and silent auction. The proceeds provide scholarships to the Hartselle High School Senior Choral Students in memory of Emily D. Orr. I'll be joining Jeff Whitlow, Allen Watkins, Robin Stewart, Chapman James, Ted Whittington, Jeff Lemmond with State Representative Ed Henry. This will be a GREAT show!
It was an honor to be invited by host Billy Ward to open the second Songwriter’s Showcase at Valley Hill Country Club last Friday (April 1, 2011). I thoroughly enjoyed performing there. The set-up was comfortable and warm ... a relaxing and intimate environment for performers and the audience.
Thank you, Ms. Paula Dickson, for the great introduction. You and the country club staff and members made me feel very special.
I like the way Billy sat on the stage while I sang... just added that down-home friendly touch. Great job, Billy (He told me to call him Billy!) ... terrific night with some great entertainment!
After finishing, my set I joined my family at our table and sat back to enjoy the rest of the show featuring of course, Billy Ward. His other guests were Chapman James, Cristina Lynn and Robin Stewart. Did I say it was a terrific night with some awesome entertainment?
Thanks to all the local songwriters for coming out to support the show. We are family!
The Valley Hill Country Club is a wonderful venue. The sound system was awesome. I look forward to other shows there.
We had a great time ... here's a sample of our March 4th showcase at the Coffee Tree Books & Brew. It was awesome to play to a standing room only crowd. Thanks to everyone who came out to support us. I hope you enjoyed the show as much as Matt and I did. This was our first full showcase together "in the round" and will not be the last!
"Talking To Strangers" is on Matt's upcoming album "Burlap and Gold" due to be released in April!
There's lots more. I'll include some of our chatter in later videos. Gotta run... I hear my English book calling!
