MOVA 09 at Panoply Arts Festival

Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't updated in a long time.

I am excited to let you guys know that I performed at Panoply in the MOVA Songwriter Competition. My song, "Day By Day," won first place in the Pop/Rock category!!!!! I was really nervous while I was waiting to go on stage, but once I got up there I felt great. Lot's of my friends weren't able to make it, but I had their support through the whole thing (ily guys).

Me and Chloe

Susan, Holly, Donny (Co-writers)

1st in Country

Karen Newsum won 1st in Inspirational

Gracie Newsum won 2nd in Inspirational.

It was great, she sang w/her mother in the 1st place winning song!!

Charlie won 3rd in country!!!

The Judges and me!!!

Jim Parker, Janet McLaughlin, me, Pat Upton

So awesome that all of these winners are members of our North Alabama Songwriters Chapter of NSAI!

Spring Is Here!

I love bugs, caterpillars, butterflies and lady bugs...no spiders, though. I took these pictures last fall. Hope you enjoy them. School will be out soon and I'll post more often. I can't wait!

Spring Break

I know I am a little late but I have had an awesome break. The breaks we get really help me because sometimes everyone needs to get away from everything and just breathe and relax.
At school I am going 100 miles a minute. 4 mins, between classes, 18 mins to eat lunch, getting all my assignments. By the time I get home I just want to relax. I know some people live more hectic lifestyles. I give them credit because they still keep going =). School Monday!!!!!!

Another Fantastic Jim Parker's Songwriter's Showcase at the VBC

The Showcase was opened by Jesse Smith and Dave Sheppard singing songs co-written by Jesse, Dave Swinford and Pat Gilbreath, fellow NSAI members. Great songs!

Pat, Jesse, Dave

It was great to hear their music. Jesse Smith has a very unique voice and style!

Dave Swinford

Of course Jim Parker was in rare form, as always. His famed "Chicken Truck" was a great hit enjoying a revival having previously been recorded by John Anderson, has just been released on Aaron Tippin's new CD.

Don't you just love his hat?!!

(click for a close-up :> )

Joining Jim in the line up of songwriters were Brian White, Pete Sallis and Karyn Williams. Brian used to be a youth and music minister. In that genre he earned 11 number one songs and two Dove Awards. These days, he is successful in the country market with songs recorded by Trace Adkins, Charley Pride, Neal McCoy and Rodney Atkins. Pete plays guitar, drums and bass guitar and has written songs recorded by George Canyon, Bucky Covington and Rodney Atkins. He is also a Cubs fan, being from Chicago! Pete also fancies himself a comedian. :-) Karyn, one of 14 children, some adopted from around the world, is a songwriter, artist and an author as well as former Miss University of Florida 2000. Her songs reflect a heart for God and a passion for people. The group put on a show that was both outstanding in musical talent as well as full of laughs.

Left to Right: Pete, MJ (me), Brian, Karyn, Jim

'til next time!

Click for closeup.

More Birthday!

It usually takes a week or two to celebrate my birthday! Just adds to the fun and excitement. There was more celebration after my earlier post.

I got some money from my grandfather, Carl, and his wife Jane along with a pair of Yellow Box Flip-Flops, money from Grandma Diane and Pop-Pop and more money from my uncle Rick and my cousins Trina and Tiffany and Nick.

From my uncle Marty and aunt Christy, I got a hot pink iPod Shuffle! How cool is that? :-)

My mom even surprised me with gift #3....a bottle of perfume I had been wanting.

I think my birthday is officially over.

But Easter is just around the corner, I love the Easter Bunny !

Birthday!

My Grandmother, my Uncle , and my Mom took me to the Surin of Thailand to celebrate my B-Day! It was really good. My Grandmother gave a movie that I had been wanting sooo bad. I had watched the movie so many times when I was little that I knew it by heart when I took it home and watched it. It was really great to see my Uncle, I haven't gotten to see him as much because of his work hours. My Mom gave me a purity ring that I had wanted. She said it would be a perfect gift for my Birthday. I love it!! She also gave me some perfume that I really love.

Thank You!!! I love you guys sooooo much!

I had my birthday party last weekend!!! I invited my closest friends and my awesome cousin. They spent the night Friday night (Girls Night Out). We ate one of our favorite things, black bean soup with sour cream, shredded cheese, salsa, and tortilla chips. For dessert we had cheese cake. Then Saturday morning we all went to see tha JONAS BROTHERS concert in 3D. That was sooooo much fun. We had a blast singing along to their songs. As far as the gifts, my friend Chloe gave me a veeeery cuuuuute sun dress. It is white with blue stripes. Then my other friend Candace gave me a sweet little bracelet that says "LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE" because I wrote a song with that title. My Awesome cousin Tiffany gave me this really cute set with a matching scarf and leg warmers. They are pink, white, grey and very warm! I had a great time and I couldn't ask for a more Amazing family or Awesome friends!!!

Until next time,

MaryJustice

Jim Parker's Songwriter's Showcase

I had a blast at Jim Parker' Songwriter's Showcase. I really enjoyed listening to the songwriters. It was so exciting to hear the published songwriters' music, and know that I had heard their songs on the radio. The showcase was held at the VBC. It was pretty much packed. The sweetest thing was that Jim Parker was about to perform and he gave me recoginition for my songwriting. That was so sweet. Then he announced my favorite song of his and sang it. It's called "Walmart Wedding Ring." The name of the songwriters that performed are Will Stults, who opened the show, Walt Ardrige, Lisa Carver, Brad Crisler and of course Jim Parker. It was really cool to meet them. I mean, they are published songwriters. Their songs have been recorded by Tim McGraw, Heartland, Rascal Flats, Brooks and Dunn and more. How cool is that!?!? They have amazing voices themselves. As far as going to another showcase, I can't wait!!! I highly recomend it for everyone !!! Here are some pictures!!!!
I made a music box so you can hear some of their songs!

I hope you enjoy it,
MaryJustice

Jim Parker!

Please visit Jim at

http://www.jimparkermusic.com/

Walt Aldridge and me!

Title: I Loved Her First

Artist: Heartland

Lisa Carver and me!

Title: Everyday America

Artist: Sugarland

Will Stults !

Please go to Will's myspace

at www.myspace.com/willstults

Brad Crisler!

Title: Sweet Southern Comfort

Artist: Buddy Jewell