Run-On Sentences & Swimming Cars

Yahoo.com recently posted The Smurfs Movie Teaser Trailer.  The movie releases next Summer.  I don’t know if you watched the cartoon or not, but I sure did.  That was my big brother’s and my cartoon.  The Gummi Bears were mine and my little brother’s bonding time before school.  Either way, I will most certainly be going to see The Smurfs in 3D.  Talk about epic!

Did anyone forget where they put their car? My friend woke up to a car in their pool.  Didn’t know if any of you had misplaced one.

I got some great news the other day.  I was at a cookout with a few friends.  Which, by the way, my friend Tim is all about cooking out.  He loves it.  Tim’s also an amazing cook, which some of it is attributed to his “secret grilling sauce” his grandfather prepares for him.  We were all sitting out back, waiting for our pizza.  Right, pizza.  This night, Tim didn’t want to cook out, so we ordered Papa John’s.  I get a call from my manager Jody, asking for my mailing address to mail me a plaque of some sort.  Come to find out, Indiecharts.com  ranked me as the #1 Independent Ambient/Pop artist in the nation.  On top of that, “Broken But Breathing” was the longest running #1 single on their site, spending over 29 weeks at the top spot.  Talk about exciting.  I was thrilled.  I still am thrilled…and thankful.  I can work as hard as I’d like, but it’s seriously you guys supporting me that makes things like this happen.  So, a huge ‘Thank You’ is in order.  You’re loved very much.  I hope I continue to create music that inspires and encourages you.

My August will probably be the busiest month for me this year.  I’ll elaborate with an extremely awesome run-on sentence! –  ”First, I have my single “A Minute More” releasing August 17th on iTunes and Amazon and until that day arrives, there will be a lot of things to do with press and business stuff, then we have a Listening Party on the 20th, where we will be streaming the event live , alongside my team at Red Rover (details to come soon) and then the 20th and 21st we will be shooting a music video for the song “A Minute More” which we’re looking at 2, 17+ hour days, which is exhausting and then we have a short break before I have a meeting on August 24th.”  Sheesh.  I’m going to read that back as fast as I can now.

I will be performing at an Orphan Walk Fundraiser  for All Blessings International, an adoption agency, July 23rd at 8:00pm at Apollo High School in Owensboro, KY.  If you’d love to come and walk for a bit, donate a few dollars for a wonderful cause and hear some music, do come out.  Here’s the link for the directions. http://ow.ly/2d3R9

A lot of stew is a brewin’. – Insert your favorite metaphorical stew here to get excited. –  I’ll be revealing some neat stuff here in the coming weeks. I’ll leave you with a quote that hit me the other day.  Know you’re loved and appreciated.

“Happiness resides not in posessions and not in gold; the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul.” -Democritus

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Allergies Kick My Face

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” – Romans 12:10

I hope you all have been well.  A lot has been happening the past month or so.  I moved from my home in Kentucky to North Carolina and I’m just trying to make it feel like ”home.” I’ve been writing a lot as well.  It’s good to take yourself out of your comfort zone.  It allows for more honesty and creativity. On top of that, I now have a baby grand piano in my room. I also began P90X three weeks ago.  It is out of control.  The Plyometrics kick my butt.  You can make fun of me, but you try it.  The other day, my friend Brian and I were working out really hard, doing Plyo.  There was a guy in the room with us, working on his step workout routine.  He was jamming to some Madonna and screaming, “let’s go girls, work harder” to no one.  It took every ounce of me not to lose it. 

I had an audition last Friday in Nashville in which I had to climb a rope… or so I thought.  I had been preparing in my head the fact that I was going to be running through all these different motions and then get to a moment where I climbed a rope.  When I walked in to the room where twelve people are sitting with decorative bowls of all these different fruits in front of them, I was a little overwhelmed. Decorative fruit bowls say only one thing…”important people.” Once I shook everyone’s hand, I realized I wouldn’t be climbing a rope, but acting like I was.  A fake rope, if you will.  It had to be the most difficult thing I had done acting wise.  I’m not a mime.  I can give you emotions , but selling that I’m scaling a rope and struggling is a different story.  The producers and director were so kind and welcoming though.  We’ll see what happens. It’s just always good for me to experience things like that; to be taken out of my comfort zone and try new things. 

I have been under the weather the past few weeks.  During this time of year, allergies kick my face.  All I want to do is breathe out of my nose, is that too much to ask? On a positive note, at least I am breathing, right? I have a busy schedule this week.  I need to get better.  I’ll be in touch.  I appreciate and love you all.

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Lexington, KY Beaux Arts Ball & Birthday Love

“The Lord directs the steps of the godly.  He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” – Psalms 37:23-24

Beaux Arts Ball = Success & Crazy & Exciting & Unique & Encouraging & Dirty Shoes

I have traveled all over the world, played countless shows and have seen amazing things.  But let me say this, Lexington, KY and the few individuals who came together to throw this party/fundraiser known as the Beaux Arts Ball really was impressive.  I didn’t know a fundraiser could be so fun! Again, a special thanks to everyone involved in making a difference in Lexington’s artistic community.

I had the privilege to emcee and perform alongside my dear friends DJ Brocktologist and DJ John the Baptist who make up the drum and bass/electro group Dinosaurs and Disasters.  Their show was energetic and entertaining, as always. Emceeing with me, was friends Marcus McFly and Jersey.  Although photos won’t begin to do justice, I’ll attempt to at least give a little taste.

It was definitely the largest crowd I’ve played to, beating out the previous crowd by a good 1,100 people.  I look forward to next year already.

Before the Ball, 28 of my friends and myself went and had dinner at a place called Pazzo’s in Lexington, KY that my little brother John coordinated.  It was a special night to see so many people I don’t always get to and eat free pizza.

If you’d like to give me a birthday present, it’s pretty simple and inexpensive, and you actually end up with the gift.  Check out and purchase “Just Me, Just You” on iTunes HERE OR you can order a Limited CD HERE .  Knowing you have the CD would be a joyous thing.  If you still need some coaxing, again, check out the new music video for “Just Me, Just You” below.

I’m learning patience, persistence and how blessed I truly am on a daily basis.  I’m also learning that it’s all about timing, which is where the patience thing really comes in to play.  I’m growing up.  I live a wonderful life. Thanks so much for making it so special.  You’re worth it! Remember that!

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Righteousness

“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10

A great few shows this past weekend.  Loren and I ate a bunch of Tim Tams and had some great conversation as well as some not-so-great food choices.  It never fails that you end up eating terribly on the road.  We even made a pact before we left and I said, “Loren, we are going to eat healthy; Subway, etc. etc.”  Didn’t happen really…at all!

See below from a 4:00 am Denny’s run, post show.

Loren is showing on his phone “4:00am” for proof.  You can’t see it, but you can see Brock’s, Loren’s and my tired face. Bring on the bed!

My friends Bethany and Brock hosted us at their home and even cooked us up a stellar breakfast the morning of  the show Saturday.  So there was breakfast at 11am and 4am the following day!
Before all the pancakes and turkey sausage, though, was one of my all-time favorite shows I’ve had in a while at DeVassa.  The crowd, the company, the vibe – just a perfect concoction of yumminess. DeVassa has to be one of my favorite places to stop.  I got a great response to all the new songs, as well as sore ears from people screaming the words back with me.  You people really show the love.  Thanks!

My new magic shoes.

This is Loren, my great buddy.  It’s a blessing to have such a classy, kind gentleman out with me that I can laugh with and goof off with and that is as talented as he is.

I leave for Atlanta in the next day . It’ll be nice to play these new venues in the new cities and sleep in a clean, yet not-so-clean hotel bed.  10 High, here I come.  Here’s some information on the show if you live in the area.

Tuesday January 19, 2010
10:00 pm
Dark Horse Tavern/10 High
Atlanta, GA
(404) 873-3607

After Atlanta, I head to High Point, NC to play along with my good friend Chris and his band Runaway City.  I would consider High Point a place where I really came in to my own as a musician.  I have many roots there and many friends.  It will be such a joy to see them all again.  If you live in the North Carolina area or knows someone who does, come on out and check out the show.

(Please note that the marquee says, “Wednesday” when it’s supposed to say “THURSDAY“, but the 21st is correct. The poster below will kill any confusion. JANUARY 21st!

Side note:

I know it’s not always easy to keep going when you feel people turn against you, throw stuff in your face… (literally) or question everything you’ve ever believed in.  I promise that if you stay the course, you will win.  The easy thing to do is to retaliate, give up, or believe things they say to be truth, but don’t. Follow the feelings of peace deep down in you.  You know that peace I’m talking about.  You’re important.  Hold on to it.  I’ll do the same.

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The “One-Up” Per Chance?!

“Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.” Proverbs 3:3

I love getting hilarious picture messages.  The following photo sent to me was taken from inside a building in Savannah, GA. It is a sign that basically states “you’re kid is nothing more than a problem; a zoo animal.  And if you let go of his/her hand, then you are committing a felony and will go to prison for 5 years.”

(At least that’s what I thought it meant when I saw it.) Mom says “to me, it says ‘no running.’” Whatever! I like mine better.

Over the weekend I ate only pizza.  Seriously.  For two days, breakfast consisted of left overs from the previous evening, while lunch and dinner were freshly ordered. (Side Note: After viewing my blog, my mother corrected me about the pizza statement.  She reminded me that she came over to our place to cook spaghetti on Sunday.  Which I left out because that was for my little, tiny, spoiled baby brother.  I was just there to eat the left overs.)

Shall I continue…

I got to hang out with my good friend Mikey, too. He and I have been pals since middle school. Mikey AKA Gilbs, was the guy I played against in grade school basketball that grew quicker than all the other guys, so to me, he was a giant with an elementary school beard and arm pit hair.  All that to say, I was scared of him.  But not anymore.  I’m taller than him now and I too have a beard.  He’s still way smarter and can beat me at Guitar Hero and Modern Warfare 2.

My little brother John, featured in the previous “Pushing the Pig” vlog, left yesterday to go back to the University of Kentucky. I was really sad, to be honest.  He and I weren’t the closest when I was in high school.  We didn’t really have much in common at the time, I don’t guess.  But now, he, Aaron and I are like peas and carrots.  I got to spend a lot of time with John over his Christmas break, which was a huge blessing to me.  I hope you get the opportunity to meet the guy.  He’s hilarious, can carry on a conversation about anything with anyone and could probably beat you at any board game or card game known to man. Family is super special, but it’s even cooler to have best friends for brothers.

We’re about to release the music video for my brand new single from my new EP Worldwide-wide-wide. Be on the lookout for that.  It is an exciting time for myself, management and Rytone. A lot of people are working extremely hard right now to make things happen, which is quite cool and strange all at once.  For years, it was me taking on 42 tasks at once.  I now have a team I can rely on and that works hard and honors me.

There’s a lot to be done in the next two days before rehearsals and the shows start.  So much, that I decided to talk about it.

I’ll be taking as much video and as many photos of my travels that I possibly can to share with you.  You’ll meet my friend Loren who just got married to his lovely bride and see all the rest stops and lemonade and beef jerky we consume. (Good combination) I’m committed to it.

Below are a few of the upcoming dates.  I hope you can make it out if you live in the area.

1.15.10
Does-Paducah, KY

1.16.10
DeVassa-Lexington, KY

1.19.10
10 High-Atlanta, GA

1.21.10
Club Triangle-High Point, NC

1.29.10
Bernie’s-Columbus, OH

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