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.

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 !