Update, Update, Update!

I can't believe it's been over a month since I updated this blog. I've been busy with a lot of stuff, things, happenings! All good for which I am very thankful. The Lord keeps blessing me in so many ways. As mentioned previously, we had a wonderful time in San Francisco. A trip I'll always remember. The showcase with Matt Morrow in Florence was great. First time I've done a show "unplugged" ... something happened and the sound system did not make it, but Matt and I did okay. The Rivertown Coffee Company has a small room that opens into the larger room and the acoustics were great.

The photo shoot in Nashville was so much fun. The crew from The Arts Institute of Tennessee-Nashville  and the location were awesome! My thanks to Bryce Wallace, Director and Tyler Bicknell, Photographer.

Then, a couple of weeks later I had a session with Producer John Inglese to work arrangements for some of my songs. Great learning experience! And, another work session on a cover song for a video... can't wait to shoot the video! Then, a few days later. went to the studio to record three of my songs. Please click my ReverbNation link in the side bar to visit ... songs will be up soon. I'm very excited and anxious to share with you. I need the traffic and lots of fans, followers on Twitter and Facebook! I appreciate your help and support.

One wonders how such awesome things happen ... I ran into my friends, The Boyle Brothers, again by chance at the Commodore and had a good time catching up with what's happening with them.

They were gracious enough to go into the parking lot and give my friends, Karen, GraceE, and me a mini-concert before we played for open mic! Thanks guys! I love running into you unexpectedly in Nashville.

Over Labor Day week-end, we made a trip to Nashville to the Palace to meet my long-time MySpace friends, Sam and Luke.

They were performing at Mike Jenning's Nashville Spotlight Show on Sunday. It was so great meeting them after three years of messaging via MySpace and ReverbNation! We never seemed to be in Nashville at the same time! Sam and Luke are from Canada and recently moved to Nashville.

I wasn't booked for Mike's show this year, but Mike told me to warm up my guitar and get ready to sing three or four songs. I was honored to be included in the show. Thank you, Mike Jennings! We visited with other friends who were playing that day and then headed out to the Commodore Grill for open mic with Debi Champion. Ms. Champion booked me for a songwriter's round in October ... Looking forward to that and will update on that later.

Don't worry. Yes, I am doing my school work! Again, thank you for stopping by my blog and for your support and good wishes.

Rivertown Coffee Company - Florence, Alabama

Coming up this Saturday, August 6th, I'm opening the show for a Matt Morrow concert to kick off his new "Burlap and Gold" album release. I'll sing several of my originals and some new cover songs. Later, I'll join Matt to sing a couple of his songs we recorded together for "Burlap and Gold". The show will start at 8:00 PM so come join us at the Rivertown Coffee Company, 117 Seminary Street, Florence, Alabama. Singing with Matt is always a lot of fun.

We just got back from a wonderful week in San Francisco. I'll tell you about that later and post some photos. Right now, I'm trying to catch my breath and get back into a normal routine ... hey, what's normal?!!

I would love for all by blogger buddies to visit me at ReverbNation and listen to the first of my recorded cover songs.

 Recording this song was an awesome experience for me. Totally different from recording on my Zoom in my living room! A couple of other cover songs will go up and then we start recording my original music. I can't wait! Sooooo, click the link, listen, leave a comment, become a fan. This is new  and I guess you can tell that I am EXCITED! Thank you, Lord! You bless me so abundantly!

And, I don't think I tell you enough "Thank you for visiting my blog. I appreciate your interest and support."

Update!! Huntsville! Madison! Guntersville! Nashville!

Hey, Blogger Buddies! I've had a busy few weeks and loving every minute of it. The July 2nd show at The Flying Monkey with Nathan Johnson was a lot of fun. I did several opening songs and later joined Nathan and his band for a duet of John Mayer's "Half of My Heart" one of my favorite songs!

The Flying Monkey

"On My Way"

 

The sky was gray all day on July 7th and the weather report kept saying 40% chance of thunderstorms, 50%, 70% as the day went by.  We headed out to Madison and rain started hitting the windshield just as we got to the Madison City limits! But, it cleared up ... there was a pleasant breeze and all was wonderful. Thank you Lord! I had a great time in the Songwriters Round at the Madison Gazebo with Chapman James and John Tinger. What an honor to be selected to sing with these two at the Gazebo.  Thank you, Madison  Arts Council!

Madison Gazebo
"Ten Seconds" 

 

Coming up this week! 

The Tin Box Sessions

Wednesday, July 20th,  I'll join Lance for his new internet series, The Tin Box Sessions. Yet another new venue and experience for me. I am so blessed to have these new opportunities to share the songs I write and to meet new people who love the same. Visit Tin Box Sessions to see interviews and listen to songwriters in Huntsville, Alabama.

Sparky's Coffee House

Guntersville, Alabama

14445 US Highway 431
Guntersville, AL 35976-2529

(256) 486-3410

Friday, July 22, I'll join my friend Matt Morrow at Sparky's Coffee House in Guntersville, Alabama. It's been a while since I did a show there and I'm excited to go back. Matt and I have done several showcases together in the past year. He is so much fun to work with and so talented. The show starts at 7:00 and we look forward to seeing you there.

I had two awesome recording sessions in Nashville last week. 

More about this later!

Madison Gazebo - Thursday, July 7!

You are ALL cordially invited to join me and my two songwriter friends, Chapman James and John Tinger at the Madison Gazebo on Historic Main Street in Madison, Alabama.  I promise you will enjoy this show.

Chapman James writes folk-type music with many messages ... some funny, some reflective. A multi-talented entertainer, he has years of experience in musical theater, classical ballet and acoustic concerts. 

John Tinger is an Acoustic Guitarist Extraordinaire! He has many degrees attached to his name and is a much sought after guitar teacher.

AND, you know me! I'm the 16 year old student writing songs straight from the heart and still learning. I'm so honored to be sharing the stage with these two and to be counted as a friend!

The show starts at 6:30 PM. There is a small covered bleacher area but you are welcome to bring lawn chairs, blankets, a picnic.

Live In Concert at The Flying Monkey MaryJustice with Nathan Johnson

If you are in the area on July 2nd, come join us at the Flying Monkey! I'm opening the show for Nathan Johnson. I'm excited about this concert and honored that Nathan asked me to join him.The show starts at 7:30pm. Admission is $10.00.

See you there!

June 24th and June 25th - Come Join Me!

Friday, June 24th, I will open a show for my friend, Andrew Velez at the Coffee Tree Books & Brew in Huntsville, Alabama. The show will run from 7 - 9. A couple of months ago, Andrew asked me to sing a duet with him for his sister's wedding.  That was our first time to sing together. Our styles are totally different but when we sing together we ROCK! If I do say so myself :) A few weeks ago we sang together at the Commodore in Nashville and again this past Sunday for a tornado relief concert in Decatur, Alabama. Andrew, a native of Huntsville lives in Nashville where he performs regularly with his band. I know you'll like what you hear, so drop by if you are in the area Friday night. I would love to meet you!

Saturday, June 25th, I will join several other songwriters for a tornado benefit concert in Athens, Alabama. The concert starts at Noon and will run until 8:00 or later! This is an event to raise money to rebuild homes destroyed by the April 27th tornadoes. This is a pay-to-play concert with each songwriter paying $25.00 per song! This will be a fun-filled day with food vendors, T-shirts, give-aways, and many genres of music. So come on out to the Railroad Bazaar Parking Lot Stage for a great show. There is a $5.00 admission with children 12 and under FREE.

If you cannot make this show please visit our website at www.songwriters4survivors.org and make a secure donation through PayPal. There was vast destruction and the need is great. This concert is the first of several for the cause!

Family Jam 2011 - Tornado Relief Benefit

Two-Day Fam Jam 2011!
June 18th and 19th

On April 27, 2011, tornadoes ripped through large areas of Alabama leaving large paths of destruction and people without homes in Northern Alabama and the Tennessee Valley. Neighbors have joined hands to raise money to benefit those left homeless or with extensive damage to their homes. Many were uninsured. Would you come and join us to help raise money for this worthy cause?

The Family Jam 2011 promises to be a fun-filled week-end. It is being held in conjunction with the Bassmaster Elite Series which is wrapping up its 2011 season on Wheeler Lake with its Dixie Duel competition June 16^th-19^th. The Family Jam Music Fest offers two days of ongoing live entertainment, children’s activities and games, and topped off with a spectacular fireworks show. 

There is no charge for this event, but donations will be accepted throughout the week-end. I will be joined by my friends, Matt Morrow and Andrew Velez on Sunday, June 19 from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. This will be a lot of fun, you will be entertained and have the opportunity to support a worthy cause. See you there!

MaryJustice 

P.S.  I had a wonderful, exciting four days in Nashville last week. Very eventful! Photos and stories to follow. Right now I'am preparing for several benefit shows coming up in the next few weeks. Please, stay in touch. I love all my blogger buddies. If you have not had a chance please visit my website at www.maryjusticelucas.com. You are welcome to leave comments here and at my website.