Chasing My Dream!

I can't believe it has been over a month since my last post. Lots of accomplishments and so much more to do. How can anyone EVER say they are bored. Sooooo, let's see if I can bring you up-to-date since my last post.

I've written a couple of new songs ... been very busy with school. Boxes of new books were delivered a couple of weeks ago. BIG books.  Spent some time preparing for auditions for North Amercia Country Music Associations, Int'l (NACMAI). Had an awesome session with vocal coach Rebecca Trinidad in Nashville. She listened to several songs and helped me select audition songs. Had another AWESOME session with Eric Nelson working on the recording arrangement for one of my songs. Made a trip to Pigeon Forge for a Monday morning NACMAI audition for Entertainer of the Year. This was the only live audition. The rest of the entries were on CD. I had eight minutes on stage in front of the judges at County Tonight Theater. There were auditions scheduled for six days straight! Auditions for Vocalist and Entertainer awards, according to age division and category: (male/female) traditional country, new country, gospel, new gospel, blue grass, duos, trios, bands, etc. ...  I know those judges were tired at the end.

I sang my "new country" rendition of Bob Dylan's "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome" (when you go). I have so much fun singing this song! And,  one of my new songs, "So Much More" ... hope to be able to post my audition video on this soon. 

Went back the next Sunday for the NACMAI Music Awards Show.

Well,  NACMAI 2012  was AMAZING! Soooooo much talent....mind blowing :)

A BIG thanks to Alisa Asbury, Director of TCGMA and GCGMA, for all that you do and congratulations on YOUR AWARDS!!

I was so blessed to receive: 

-Rising Star CD of the year

-Songwriter of the year♥

And

The 2012 NACMAI Music AWARD for ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR!

I still can’t believe it....I'm speechless....

I give God the glory. Those are HIS awards. I wouldn’t have anything without HIM♥

Thank you all so much for your love and support♥ Especially my beautiful Mom and beautiful Grandmother (Sue Gilbert Baumann) and congratulations to to everyone in NACMAI-- every single person deserved an award-- everyone was INCREDIBLE.

'til next time ... hope it won't be so long.

MaryJustice

Happy Valentine's Day

Wishing everyone a Happy Valentine's Day. Make someone happy! Send cards, a cupcake, flowers. Say, "I love you" to your friend, brother, sister, mother, father! You don't have to be a "sweetheart" to be someone's Valentine!

There are all kinds of love. Do not forget Agape love!

Thank you!

A big "Thank You" to all the awesome members of Songwriters for Survivors who performed last Saturday for our special benefit for the Michael Sexton family.

Another big "Thank You" to the wonderful People & Fans who joined us at Pablo's on Market in Athens, Alabama for the immediate needs benefit for the Michael Sexton family.

A BIG Thank You to John Tinger who put this together, found the venue and hosted the event.

Thank you to Pablo's on Market for generously letting us meet at your beautiful coffee/book/art store. Awesome place, everybody. If you are in Athens, Alabama, please don't forget to drop in and enjoy all they have to offer, books, artwork, coffee, food, desserts! Located in the historic downtown Athens. Open 10am - 5pm six days a week.

We had a great time. No sound system but everyone could hear very well. Laid-back and informal open mic with everyone gathered around in chairs, neat little booths ... making requests ... it was a lot of fun. Several songwriters came by just to support and we cajoled them into singing for us. We had a steady flow of people who came in to make donations. We raised $1331 which is an awesome amount for a quick get-together with very little advertising. Our Treasurer, Tom Pepper (awesome songwriter himself) has cut a check on its way directly to Amy Sexton for her family's immediate use.

Hey! Someone is missing from this photo!

Again, thanks to all the wonderful singers who donated their time, talent and money for this benefit:

Taylor McLain
Alaina Wiley
 Ken Cooper
Jim Parker
John Tinger
Mike Johnson
Robert Barnes
Randy Hudson
MaryJustice Lucas
Andrew Velez
Robin Stewart
Roger Hoselton
Randall Wilks
David Stocks
Tom McClung
Del McGee

About Us

Songwriters for Survivors is a collaboration of songwriters and musicians in the Tennessee Valley. Our goal is to organize benefit concerts to raise funds that will help meet the needs of the citizens of North Alabama who have been devastated by various disasters.

We were founded after the tornado outbreak of April 25-28, 2011 when the towns of Harvest and Phil Campbell, and surrounding areas, were devastated.

Do not forget, click the link above and continue to generously donate through our website PayPal link. More events are on the calendar so check our website often!

Come Join Me!

Songwriters for Survivors is having a benefit this Saturday at Pablo's on Market Street in Athens, Alabama. If you are in the area please join us from 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM. There will be constant music performed by singers, songwriters and maybe a stand-up comic or two. I hear there may be some artists available selling their artwork for the cause! 

This benefit is for the Sexton family who lost everything during the April 2011 tornadoes. Mrs. Sexton was pregnant at that time but later delivered a healthy baby. Michael Sexton, father of this family, has been diagnosed with terminal liver cancer and is not expected to be with his family much longer. They have an immediate need for our love and support.

So, drop in during the day, bring a cake for silent auction, enjoy the music and make a donation for this family. We would love to see you there!

Songwriters For Survivors has had several benefits at different locations in North Alabama because the destruction was wide-spread with  loss of life and property. This is an ongoing need to help rebuild and heal. There is another BIG event planned for May 12th with a songwriting contest and songwriter's rounds all day! More about this later!

About Us

Songwriters for Survivors is a collaboration of songwriters and musicians in the Tennessee Valley of Alabama. Our goal is to organize benefit concerts to raise funds that will help meet the needs of the citizens of North Alabama who have been devastated by various disasters. Songwriters For Survivors is a non-profit organization. All funds collected will go directly to this family. Donations may be made through PayPal at http://sw4s.org/.

Leaves, Wind, Heart, Birdy

I took these pictures about two years ago. I placed the leaves in a heart shape and then the wind started to shuffle and blow them around so i took a picture each time they moved:) A little ladybug stopped by! Quite the model I must say hahaha!

NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED ON THE SONG!
     

         

Second Week of the New Year

The New Year  started off in a strange way for me! When I was very young I was sick with colds or some kind of virus at Christmas. I remember when it was almost Christmastime, I would start asking Mom over and over, "Will I get sick?" I haven't been sick on Christmas for a long time, but immediately after this Christmas, a "common" cold hit me. "Common!" Nothing common about this! I had to cancel the showcase with Andrew Velez, but our friend Ken Cooper jumped right in and took my place. Thanks, Ken! I know you guys did a great show. You are the greatest!

So, another week goes by and I took all sorts of stuff for sore throat, congestion... you know the drill. My friend Dylan Davis had his debut show on the first Friday of the New Year, and had asked me to do a couple of songs. My throat was still giving me some problem but I didn't want to let him down on his first show. I got through "Poison and Wine" with Matt Morrow and later did "Skinny Love," a new cover I recently started singing. Got through that with good results and the audience seemed to like it. Saturday morning, laryngitis ... speechless. The voice is getting better and I feel much better. I'm hitting the books really hard right now and waiting for my throat to heal. I have lots of new songs to do and anxious to get back to the studio to finish some songs.

Please click their names and take a look at my friends on Reverbnation. They are great and such inspiration and support to me. I am so blessed to have such a circle of wonderful singer/songwriter friends.

Hey, Blogger Buddies, don't forget to join me at ReverbNation. I need a big fan base there and at YouTube. When you listen to my music or watch the video it helps more than you know! Thanks! Some exciting things are happening for me in 2012 and I really do appreciate your support.

Please listen to my cover songs and watch my award winning video of Coldplay's "Fix You". Every "hit" on my Reverbnation and YouTube helps so much.

on Twitter  @MaryJustice07

Everything you do helps so much and I do appreciate you guys and your support! And, don't worry, as busy as I am with so much happening, I'm still doing great in school! "I can do all things through Christ Jesus who gives me strength." Phil: 4:13

The Last Week of 2011!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas! I did! This is the last week in 2011. Although I'm looking forward to a lot of new, exciting things in 2012, this last week will be a busy one for me... but fun. I'm getting ready for another great show with Andrew Velez at the Coffee Tree Books & Brew  ~ Friday, the 30th at 7:00. Come and join us for the last show of what was a wonderful year for me! It will be lots of fun with new covers and some old favorites.

So come early, order your favorite beverage and one of Miss Kitty's great salads, wraps and don't forget her awesome desserts. This is a family friendly full-restaurant so let's fill it up for this show!

That's at 7900 Bailey Cove Road, Huntsville, AL 35802

Hey, Blogger Buddies, don't forget to join me at Reverbnation. I need a big fan base there and at YouTube. Some exciting things are happening for me in 2012 and I really do appreciate your support.

Please listen to my cover songs and watch my award winning video of Coldplay's "Fix You". Every "hit" on my Reverbnation and Youtube helps so much.

Thanks so much! I love all you guys!

MaryJustice