Hey, I'm In Newsprint! Cool!

Hey, everybody,  go out and get your copy of the latest edition of the Valley Planet! But if you live too far away to get the newspaper, just click the link and browse the paper ... tells you what's happening in Huntsville with a great music venue listing.

I was honored to be interviewed by Reporter Robby Eichmann who is a wonderful performing songwriter, and also works at the Space & Rocket Center. He does tours, works the museum and builds the models. A young man of many talents. I was nervous to be interviewed but Robby put me at ease right away. His editor asked him to interview me and when Robby found out I started singing at the Coffee Tree Books & Brew,  he suggested we meet there for the interview ... which also made me more comfortable, you know. sort of like being at home. 

We had spent some time getting acquainted and Robby told me that he had played at the Coffee Tree also, but now has a regular Monday night  "gig" at Bandito Southside. The interview happened to be on a Monday and he said "Why don't you come on down at 7:00 and I'll call you up to sing." WOW! Can you believe that? Soooo, I decided it was time to NOT be bashful. Mom, Grandmother and I "showed up" at Bandio's at 7:00 and I met a bunch of nice people. Robby's show is awesome. He's like a one-man band with his board of loopers, harmonizers and no telling what else he has put into that little black box with lots of pedals! True to his word, he invited me up to sing. I love it. The crowd was great. I've been back a couple of times and Robby has so generously given me an open invitation to join him. I have been blessed to meet such nice people. The music business is competitive but there are some wonderful people involved also. Thanks, Robby.

Note that the cover of this edition of the Valley Planet has race horses charging to the finish line. This is in honor of the Kentucky Derby coming up. And, as it so happens..... the City of Madison, Alabama, is having their Derby Days Festival on May 5th. There will be a bunch of performing songwriters at the Gazebo on the Village Green. I have been invited to join them! :) More about that in a day or two!

'Til later,

MaryJustice

Random Happenings!

So, it's been almost another month since my last update! Thought I would let you know ... I'm not just sitting around :) Of course you know school is my top priority!

Made a couple of recent trips to Nashville to work on some projects. I'm very excited about both of them. Can't talk too much about them right now, but hope they release soon. Tracks are all finished and need to get the videos finished. These things take so long!!! I was so excited that my friend Matt Morrow joined me on one of the projects. It's a surprise!  It will be awesome!  I can't wait to share it with you! So, can you tell I'm excited about it?

May 5th  - Come join me in Madison, Alabama for Madison Derby Days. There will be large television screens to watch the Derby, hot air balloons. Nashville Songwriters will perform at the Gazebo on the Village Green on Historic Main Street. Music starts at 11:00AM. I'm on at 4:00PM. I'll be looking for you.

May 11th - Songwriter's Round at the Coffee Tree Books & Brew in Huntsville.  Songwriter, Will Westmoreland of Scottsboro, Alabama has invited me to join him  and some of his songwriter friends from Nashville for this show. It starts at 7:00. Come early to get a good table. Miss Kitty's food, desserts and beverages are awesome!

May 12th - As most of you know I'm a member of Songwriters for Survivors which was started after the devastating tornadoes of April 2011 to help support and rebuild. This is an on-going project for us. Join us in Florence, Alabama at FloBama Downtown for a fundraiser to help the Hackleburg School Students replace computer equipment. The show starts at 11:00 AM and will run until 8:00PM. I will be singing around 6:00.  This event is coordinated by Susan Belk. She has recruited Pro songwriters from Nashville and other places to donate their talent and time for this fundraiser. More information and surprises on this later... it is exciting!

I have to run for now...hear History calling my name! 'Til next time. Love you guys!

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!