Update!!

Hey, everybody! It's me! MaryJustice...

I guess you can tell that I haven't updated this blog on a regular basis lately. I'm busy with my home school program. Loving it! I've knocked out the English course for the whole year and am into World History. I have time to work on writing songs, learning guitar and keyboard and so many things now that I didn't have time for in public school. I have read more books in the past couple of months than I had time for in a whole year of public school. My course curriculum is college preparatory. Have I mentioned that I am enrolled in two home school programs? I know it sounds crazy but that's the way it has to work. Did I already say, "I'm loving it?"

iPOP! 2010, Los Angeles in January. For the past few months we've made trips to iPOP! Boot Camp in preparation for the week-long convention. It will be a full five days of seminars, auditions, etc. with a schedule from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm and possibly later. Please wish me good luck! I'm competing in acting, singing and TV commercial categories. Guess you can tell I'm excited. I've met some great people and looking forward to meeting more at iPOP!

Hey, come on by the Coffee Tree on December 4th. Uncle Bethel has invited me to perform with them and Ken Cooper for another great showcase. Uncle Bethel has put together another awesome lineup of songs with our original music, country covers, oldies but goodies and Christmas music. Go over to Homegrown Songwriters for details of the show.

Talk to you later!

Thank You For The Great Turnout Last Night!

Thank you to everyone who came out to the show last night. We played to a full house.

Thanks, Pop-Pop for being the videographer.

A special "thank you" to the great performers who joined me! You guys are awesome.

A special, special "thank you" to my mom, Marcia, who joined me on "Butterfly Fly Away" and "Beautiful" along with the Brewers and The Wild Onion Gang...I can't describe the beauty of the harmony.

Thank you to everyone for tossing money into the "tip bucket".... woo-hoo!

I'm on my way to iPOP! Boot Camp for the day and then a stop off to see my beautiful cousin, Tiffany, in a Beauty Pageant later tonight!

MaryJustice & Friends Showcase

~Friday ~ Nov 13 ~
7:00pm – 9:00pm

MaryJustice and Coop have put together a great two-hour show with ***NEW ORIGINAL SONGS*** along with old and new favorites such as “Poncho and Lefty,” and “White Horse.”

View Full Album

Also, joining MaryJustice are The Brewers and The Wild Onion Gang, bringing Southern Gospel and more … Ross and Kim Brewer, Ashley and Brooke Spurgeon and Tony Dalton (The Wild Onion Gang), are all lead singers with featured songs. *** Music by CD… Kim on keyboard … Tony on drums*** Members of different bands, these talented singers and musicians have joined together to entertain you with this iPOP! fundraiser for MaryJustice. Thank you Ken, The Brewers, The Wild Onion Gang and the Coffee Tree Books & Brew for helping to make this happen!

This event is a fundraiser to help cover the cost for MaryJustice going to Los Angeles, CA, in January, to compete at iPOP! All tips thrown into the tip bucket at the door, go toward payment for the cost of the trip.

Please tell everyone you know. If you can't come, maybe someone else will be able to. It will be lots of fun!

The Coffee Tree Books & Brew is a locally owned and operated business with a wonderful menu, including fabulous coffees, lattes, mochas, espressos, etc. On behalf of MaryJustice, Ken Cooper, Ross and Kim Brewer, and The Wild Onion Gang, we look forward to seeing you there!

Coffee Tree Books & Brew
7900 Bailey Cove Road
Huntsville, Alabama 35802
256-880-6464

Sparky's Coffee House

1445 US Highway 431 Guntersville, Alabama
Saturday, October 3
6:00 - 8:00 PM

Presenting Live and In Concert

MaryJustice
Bringing Sweet Pop Music

Kenneth Cooper
Adding a Touch of Country

MaryJustice and Ken, performing songwriters, deliver a show as smooth and sweet as a cup of coffee with cream and sugar! Pop and country originals, blended with a few old and new favorites, are certain to entertain.

Sparky's Coffee House
Highway 431
Guntersville, Alabama
256-486-3410

California, Here I come!

(click)

Catching Up!

It's been a while since I've done a real update on my blog. I hope everyone is well and had a great summer. I have not forgotten about my blogger friends... just been busy:

Homeschooling High School

Taking Guitar Lessons & Practicing

Practicing Vocal Exercises and Singing Everyday

Recording Music

Writing New Songs

Auditioned for iPOP!

Won an invitation to the iPOP! Convention in Los Angeles in January... so I'm working on that and seeking sponsors to help fund my trip. I'm excited! This will be five days of competition and auditions for TV and Movie Industry Scouts. I do not believe in LUCK but I do believe in PRAYER ... I could use some help with this also! There was a Preparation meeting in Birmingham today and I met some nice kids ... got a list of songs and acting monologues for auditioning in LA. California here I come!

The latest Nashville Spotlight Showcase at The Nashville Palace was last week and I had a awesome time performing with a BUNCH of great, talented kids. Thanks for your hard work on the showcase, Mike. It was great seeing my friends and making new ones.

Coming up Friday, September 18, I go to Nashville to NSAI for a critique of three songs I have written. Please PRAY for a good outcome on this! These critiques can be rough on the ego! THEN....we drive back to Huntsville in time to join Uncle Bethel, and Ken Cooper for a Showcase at the Coffee Tree Books & Brew. I know this will be a great show. I've done a showcase with Ken but this will be the first time to team with Uncle Bethel.

Visit: http://homegrownsongwritersalabama.blogspot.com/

I wrote "Tonight" earlier this year. (It's in the side bar.) I hope you enjoy it. There are links to our Myspace pages and if you have time check out all the good original music.

'til later

Nashville Spotlight Showcase - September 6th

The show will run from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. with 48 kids performing. Come join us for a great time!

(click to enlarge)

Nashville Spotlight Kids Club

Hi, everybody! Here are a couple of slideshows and a video from the Nashville Spotlight Kids Club. The showcase was June 10 and Mike Jennings calls it the longest running show of the County Music Festival. It ran 14 1/2 hours with continuous entertainment by a bunch of great kids. I hope to blog more often soon....been busy.

The Story Behind The Lyrics

"Live, Laugh, Love"

I always liked this phrase and one day after seeing it on a sign somewhere, the words just kept going through my head and the lyrics and melody started forming. It's just about life will bring you down, but you can get right back up! I was so excited to win first place in "pop" with this song last year at the 2008 MOVA Songwriters Competition at the Will Rogers Festival in Guntersville. The festival was fun and I met new friends at the competition.

"Not That Far"

My first thought about this song was, it's going to end happily. I was so tired of writing heart broken songs. Although, there is a little bit of sadness, I wanted a happy ending. This song is about being lonely, waiting for someone who has been away for a while...maybe in the military...being afraid they will forget you or almost losing hope that you will see them again. So for the Troops, "Thank you!"

"Tonight"

I wrote this song about a year ago and although I did not have a boyfriend, this boy broke my heart! No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get him off my mind. After being so sweet to me later he did not even look my way. I took a deep breath and walked up to him in the hallway. I asked him what was going on and he said, "Nothing," then walked away. My next class was choir and I should have been excited. My best friend could tell something was wrong. I was tearing up while telling her what had happened. I told her my heart felt like it had dropped a 1,000 feet. She gave me a hug and let me cry and said "I know you're upset, but it sounds like a song."

"Leave It That Way"

This was written after my grandmother and I were talking about relationships that fall through. Some one who is very close to me was with some one for along time. They had so many plans, but something went wrong and I guess you could say they fell out of love. So then, anytime she would hear his name she'd get so mad. I know that when your heart is broken, it takes a long time to heal. Maybe you'll always feel an empty space. All I know is that you will get past the pain someday. Think about the special times you had with that person rather than the bad.

"Day By Day"

I was having a terrible day at school. I hit my head on the locker above me; tripped up the stairs and just felt like giving up. So, in the middle of a game of dodgeball in P.E. on day, this song "just came to me!" "Day By Day" won first place in "pop" at the 2009 MOVA Songwriters Competition at Panoply. That was a great day and I met more new friends and had fun with friends at Panoply.

"Things Have Changed"

This song is about my heart being broken. The guy seemed really sweet at first and then all of a sudden he was completely different. This was written about a year ago so obviously I didn’t have a boyfriend, yet I still ended up with a broken heart. What are the odds?!

"Are We Just Friends" was written by Ken Cooper. It was an honor when he asked me to sing it! Ken and I have been singing it for several months at The Coffee Tree...Ken on guitar and me at the mic. It has always been a big hit there. Ken recently arranged for me to go to Rockit Juice Audio to sing by the AWESOME arrangement by Uncle Bethel! WOW it really rocks now. I sang "Are We Just Friends" by the new track recently at The Coffee Tree...it went over great, but Ken and I did it acoustically for old time's sake.

"I'll Cheat" is a fun song written by Lisa Carr of Uncle Bethel. Visit Uncle Bethel's myspace and listen to Lisa's version...she is an awesome singer. I was so excited when she asked me several months ago if I would sing it. We sort of tweaked the lyrics a little for me. It was a big hit when I sang it at Ken Cooper's Showcase at The Coffee Tree recently. This recording was done at Rockit Juice Audio! AWESOME! Thanks, Uncle Bethel!

Please visit Myspace Music to hear my songs. I would love for you to leave comments here! Thanks!

NASHVILLE!!! My home away from home...

A couple of weeks ago, I had an amazing time in Nashville!!!! I connected with Nashville Spotlight on MySpace. Mike Jennings, the producer of Nashville Spotlight invited me to the "World Famous" Nashville Palace to perform four of my songs on the Nashville Spotlight Show, the week of the Country Music Awards Fan Fest. There were 58 kids from 9 states performing a show that ran from 11:00 a.m Wednesday 'til 1:30 a.m Thursday. Awesome! Nashville Spotlight features young singers and performers. Mike has created a "family" at Nashville Spotlight for kids and their parents to learn about the business in a safe environment. He broadcasts four shows a week on a Nashville cable channel with videos of the productions airing on the internet. I sang four of my songs during the show and have been invited back to Nashville on July 11th to work as a Production Assistant. It will be fun to set up the scenes, help organize the show and learn "behind the scenes of producing a television show." I'll get to sing and record for future TV and Internet broadcasts. I look forward to working on a lot of productions! How cool is that?!

Mike Jennings and MaryJustice

... I met so many nice, sweet, talented young people.......

The Boyle Brothers song, "I Stand Corrected," is in a commercial on the CMT channel and they are now official members of CMA. They recently moved to Meridian, Mississippi from Washington State. Hey, guys it was great meeting you and your parents! You guys are so sweet!

Jared, Jesse, Jacob, Jeff, MaryJustice

The Brewer Boys from San Diego, California. Great music! . You guys are so sweet & your mom is a sweetheart!

MaryJustice, Justin, Nathan

Riley Mackenzie sings with the Cleveland Singing Angels and will be making a trip with the group to Paris soon. Good luck, Riley!

MaryJustice and Riley

Bre Shelby is from Kentucky and is a member of The Nashville Spotlight Kids Club. Bre is singing all over Nashville right now. Yea, Bre!

(Bre's friend) Bre and MaryJustice

Harlie, age 9, is from Alabama and sings all over the northwestern part of the state! Ashleigh Marie (13) lives just "up the road" from us in New Market, Alabama. Both are Kids Club members. We discovered that Ashleigh Marie's dad and my mom were in school together from 1st grade through 9th and remembered each other! How cool is that?

Harlie, Ashleigh Marie, MaryJustice

....including some celebrities!

Irlene Mandrell of "The Mandrell Sisters" and MaryJustice

MaryJustice and Mel McDaniel

"Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On"

MaryJustice and Aaron Tippin
"You've Got To Stand For Something"

Suzi Oraveck...Suzi is an up and coming Star in Nashville! Sweet, and so encouraging to me. It was great meeting you, Suzi. Hope to see you again soon....in Nashville!

I had an amazing time and can't wait to go back.

Click on my photo in the top right side bar and visit MySpace! Thanks!

'til later!

School Is OUT For This Blogger!

Hey, school is out! Me and my friends showing off our certificates with our Principal, Mrs. Pickens.

I'll catch up on blogging in a couple of days...meanwhile, I hope you enjoy this video from The Coffee Tree. "Are We Just Friends" was written by our friend, Ken Cooper. That's Ken, the rocket scientist, on the guitar. Hope you enjoy it!

When you get a chance, click the link in the sidebar and visit Myspace....

Live From The Bluebird Cafe!

Hey, everybody! Saturday, we went to Nashville to The Bluebird Cafe where our friend, Jim Parker, was booked to sing with Janet McLaughlin, Casey Kelly and Leslie Ellis, all published songwriters.
A few weeks ago at Jim's Showcase, Janet had mentioned that I should come up to Nashville and sing with them at The Bluebird Cafe...I wasn't sure she was really serious...but.....we thought it would be fun to go, anyway, and see what all goes on at the Bluebird, as we have not been before, and cheer on our friends, Jim and Janet.

Johnny Okwu, the producer of my CD tracks (soon to be my guitar teacher) was in Nashville buying recording equipment so he said he would drop in also!

Since the show was sold out (meaning tables) and the benches are first-come-first-served, we got to the Cafe an hour early to get in line. We were lucky to be near the front of the line and when the doors opened we were able to get seats in a "park bench"...yep...a park bench...Mom, Grandmother and I had to sit sort of sideways to fit, but we were close to the performers. Jim came in and started moving around the room speaking to people. He gives a big hug to all his friends...we sort of look forward to those hugs! There were a few other people from Huntsville there. The other songwriters arrived and Janet saw us, waved and came over to "our bench." She bent over and whispered to me...I almost stopped breathing.

The most awesome thing happened...(watch this video)...

I'm a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association, International (NSAI) and have entered a couple of songwriting competitions and was honored to win first place two years in a row. But this event was awesome! You have to audition to sing at The Bluebird Cafe. This was a dream come true! I do plan to go to an audition when they advertise the next one. Janet had asked me if I would like to sing acapella since they don't allow tapes or CDs there. I told her that our friend, Johnny, was there and would play if he could borrow a guitar. She said okay. Later Janet told the audience, that when I said I had a friend that could play, she thought it would be someone that sort of strummed along. Everone was impressed with Johnny's playing. I'm excited that he will be my guitar teacher.

Jim, MaryJustice, Janet, Leslie, Casey....their show was terrific!

Me with Janet and Johnny.

Jim, me, Johnny, The Bluebird Cafe!

I am so very, very blessed to have friends like Jim and the opportunity to meet people like Janet!

Thank you, Jesus! You are so "Beautiful"......

MaryJustice and Songwriter Friends

As usual the Jim Parker Songwriter Showcase at the VBC Playhouse was awesome. I've made a slide to introduce the songwriters. You'll meet a surprise "guest" who went on stage and stole the show! I hope you enjoy seeing the pictures in the slideshow and enjoy the music on the videos.

Our host, Jim Parker wrote "Chicken Truck" and "I've Got a Feelin" recorded by John Anderson. He's getting pretty famous.... I hope we don't lose him at the Coffee Tree Songwriters Open Mic. Jim encourages all us aspiring songwriters, whether young or old!

Jim Hurst is an awesome guitarist-vocalist and multi-instrumentalist playing bluegrass, country, rock and blues and has joined Claire Lynch and her band.

Claire is a bluegrass musician, singer and songwriter, and has been a creative influence in bluegrass music since her early days with Front Porch. She wrote"Hills of Alabam" recorded by Kathy Mattea and "Some Morning Soon" recorded by Patty Loveless.... and many, many others. Claire used to live "up the road from us" in Hazel Green. She stopped traveling, while raising her ballerina daughter. For a while Claire worked at the ballet shop where I got my ballet gear. She used to fit my ballet and toe shoes for me! How neat is that! Now, she is back on the road doing what she loves, making you cry, making you laugh, telling you about Jesus with her music.

Bill Diluigi opened the Showcase. Bill Dee, as he likes to be called, focuses on Christian Music and has had several songs recorded internationally. He spends a lot of time in Australia. I got his book of songwriting tips. He has been very helpful to me.

Janet McLaughlin wrote"Walk on Water," recorded by Loretta Lynn. Her "My All American Boy," the agility song, was featured during the 2008 USDAA Cynosport World Games.

"My All American Boy" by Janet McLaughlin

And, of course, "Chicken Truck" performed by Jim Parker, with a little audience participation. I know you'll enjoy this show!

School will be out soon! See you later :-)

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.