Stories Behind Songs by Shantell Ogden

Video Collaboration: "I MIss Dating That Truck"

2012-02-15T19:31:00.001-06:00

Recently I connected with a talented photographer in California named Thomas Black. He specializes in photography of what he calls the "abandoned art"of rural America. He has traveled all over the U.S. to capture unique images of old trucks, barns and other rustic images.

Tom and I decided to combine our arts into making a video for my song "I Miss Dating That Truck" (co-written with Scott Jarman) showcasing his exceptional photography. I love how the images support the story behind this tune, and it was a pleasure to work with Tom on the project.

Here's the video- how do you think it turned out?

A Benefit for the "Heart and Soul"

2012-02-10T09:17:00.000-06:00

It's a pleasure to be asked to perform at charity events in Nashville, and I'm excited to be participating in the 8th Annual Heart and Soul benefit this year! The event will be held on Saturday, February 18 and I'll be playing from 7:00- 9:00 p.m. with Bill DiLuigi and Andrew Kugler.

Heart disease is the number one killer in America, and it's personally hit members of my family in the last year. I hope you'll join me in buying tickets and supporting this important cause! Be sure to check out the Facebook event page for more information, too.

Master Session: Mike Chapman's on Bass!

2012-02-08T09:07:00.001-06:00

A-list session bassist Mike Chapman (above) shared some great wisdom about being a session player in Nashville in the form of a 'pizza' at The Fillin' Station in Kingston Springs, TN at Eric Normand's first Berklee Alumni Jam Session on February 7, 2012.

Mike said that he believes there are a few key slices that make someone a great session player...

Talent/Skill- You've got to have the musical talent and skill to be a session player. In Nashville, this includes knowing the 'Nashville Number System,' a numerical system used as a road map in the studio to tell players what the chords are regardless of the key. He said this is part of being what he called studio ready.

Attitude- Be personable, positive and upbeat at sessions. Don't be 'that guy' that brings a negative vibe; ultimately you're in a service industry as a music professional.

Work Ethic- Show up the session at least 30 minutes early, be responsible and be ready to start on time. Some publishers and songwriters will need to record up to five songs in a three hour session, so you have to be ready to play.

Flexibility- Sometimes you have to read the minds of people that may not be able to give you concrete feedback in musical terms. It's good to be familiar with current hits in other genres in case someone says, "Can you play it like that Keith Urban tune or like the riff in that Lady Gaga song?"

Tasty- Make sure what you play is creative but tasteful. You might be able to but your own little twist on a George Jones song, but it still needs to sound like George Jones. Be creative within the boundaries you have to work with.

Mike grew up playing clubs in northern Alabama, when he and his friend Milton Sledge (drummer) hatched a plan to get out of playing in clubs to doing studio work. They worked locally doing demos for songwriters for free or $15 a song to get started, and over time, the songwriters they worked for ended up with publishing deals in Nashville. Those same songwriters hired Mike and Milton to come to town to play on their demos, helping them to begin to build relationships leading to more session work.

"We played on songwriters' demos, then got to know their publishers and song pluggers. These folks would hire us for more sessions. And, as I tried to do my best with the slices I've shared tonight, work kept leading to more work," said Mike.

It was during one of these sessions that he met Garth Brooks, then an unknown demo singer making $40 a song. They forged a friendship through playing sessions together, and when Garth was signed, his producer asked him if he had specific musicians in mind for his record. Garth asked for Mike to play bass on all of his albums (Milton was also recruited to play on the records by Garth's producer Allen Reynolds).

A genuinely nice and down-to-earth guy, Mike Chapman is a versatile musician who doesn't believe that 'it's better if it's old or it's better if it's new'; as he put it 'it's all good.' And with Mike behind the bass, I can tell you that is indeed all good!

Now Playing: The LDS Film Festival

2012-01-30T21:00:00.001-06:00

Last week I attended the 11th Annual LDS Film Festival in Orem, Utah. The festival was founded by Austrian filmmaker Christian Vuissa (pictured with me above) to help independent filmmakers network and showcase their work. According to Christian, it was really surprising to see the growth in the festival in the first few years. But now, as the festival has grown to attendance of an average of 6,000 attendees and seven feature films annually, it's time to "plan the vision for the future."

A vibrant filmmaker, Christian is also preparing to produce his next project- the story behind how the hymn Silent Night was written. The film will be called "Silent Night" and will air later this year on local networks. (I really enjoyed his film called "The Letter Writer" shown at this year's festival as well, though it's not quite available for purchase yet).

While many of the films reflected Mormon history and culture, filmmakers Amy and Shawn Kenney are aiming to share Christian values with a broader market through film. "Stand Strong" is their first film- shot in an astounding 12 days- about a family learning spiritual priorities through financial hardships.
The film has already been recognized among leading Christian films; it was just accepted into the 2012 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. I even had a chance to catch up with actor Chris Steele (pictured with me below) who gives a compelling and honest performance as the film's leading man, Matt Webster.

It was a great opportunity for me to learn more about the role of music in film, directing and producing independent films and network with filmmakers. In short, I give the experience TWO THUMBS UP!

Lookout Country Radio, Here We Come!!!

2012-01-20T22:45:00.000-06:00

On January 26, "Great American Song" (DiLuigi, Ogden, Stewart) will be impacting at Country Radio! What this basically means in fancy music industry speak is that radio stations will begin adding the song to rotation and reporting spins each week.

Will you please help? Contact your closest country station on this list and request "Great American Song."

"It's about US, so raise your hands up!"

Acklen Park to Release "Great American Song" to Country Radio!

2011-12-17T21:32:00.000-06:00

Christmas came early this year! Acklen Park just announced that a song I co-wrote with Marcum Stewart (of Acklen Park) and Bill DiLuigi is going to be released as a single to Country Radio early in 2012.

Check out the promotional video here:

Cappo's Christmas Party: A Benefit for Nashville Humane Society

2011-12-12T11:35:00.003-06:00

L to R: Cappo, me and Dave Carew, music journalist

Garry Fedele (aka Cappo) has been hosting an annual benefit for the Nashville Humane Association for more than 20 years, and I had the pleasure of performing at this year's event (featuring Andrew Kugler on percussion) held at Douglas Corner on Dec. 3, 2011.

The room was packed and thanks to the generosity of Cappo, the patrons and performers an impressive list of goods were donated to the Humane Association- from pet food and treats to toys and collars.

As the proud owner of a rescue dog myself (see Jessi Lu here), it was a pleasure to perform and support this important cause. Christmas is about giving- and that includes remembering our furry friends!

Top 10 Christmas Gifts for Musicians and Music Lovers

2011-12-04T21:19:00.002-06:00

1- Everett Guitar- Expensive yes, but totally worth it. When you play an Everett, you're ‘in’ the sound it creates! If my endorsement isn’t enough, ask Brad Paisley.
2- The Nashville Musician’s Survival Guide- An essential guide to navigating Nashville as a musician written by pro musician Eric Normand (available in print and digital).
3- Mix Stix- wooden mixing spoons that just happen to double as drumsticks! Keep on rockin’ even in the kitchen.
4- Pick Punch- with this nifty gadget, you can turn old plastic cards into guitar picks!
5- Piano Coasters- This is what I call ‘artsy’ and I like them.
6- Support local Indie Artists- support the local artists and songwriters you love by purchasing and giving their music to the musician on your list. Chances are they’ll love it too!
7- Monkey Manual for Songwriters- a fun read with some good insight into the basics of songwriting; written by songwriters for songwriters!
8- Guitar Pick Jewelry- I always feel a little more rocker with my earrings and bracelet on…and there are a lot of sites out there that sell them.
9- Jazz Lover Pet Clothing- Okay, so you’d have to have a musician and a pet lover for this gift, but some of these doggy t-shirts are pretty priceless! (Can you imagine fido sporting a shirt that says ‘I love free jazz’?)
10- Donate to a Music Charity- we all know music can help and heal- and there are countless organizations out there that need help! Just Google…

Welcome to Nashville: Get ready to get up early and stay late...

2011-11-27T18:27:00.001-06:00

Everybody who comes to Nashville has one thing in common...we all have a dream of making it somewhere. But, as hall-of-fame songwriter Roger Murrah explained to me, "The dream only gets you so far, then the work begins." He was right...

After six years here, there are a few things that I've learned from Nashville. And because I'm a writer and my job is to be honest about what I see, I wanted to share a little about my experience with you...

1. This town is full of talent- on any given night in venues all over town you'll hear artists and writers who are amazingly gifted, and songs that really are hits that no one has ever heard (yet). Sometimes it's inspiring and sometimes it's depressing.
2. Expect a long haul- while there are real-life fairy tales about magical doors that open for some (i.e. a record deal in three months) most artists and writers work for years to be recognized for their craft. Friends of mine like Bill DiLuigi and Donna DeSopo come to mind.
3. There's a system in place- hit songwriter Tony Martin put it this way, "There's the group you rise with and the group you're invited to." This reality is played out in many ways and we could grab a coffee sometime to talk about it.
4. Rejection is part of the deal- again, this is something we could talk about over coffee.
5. You never know who you'll meet and what that might lead to- I met the legendary songwriter Thom Schuyler at the dog park. My dog Jessi Lu became friends with his dog Emmy Lou and Thom and I became friends through that. We even co-wrote one of my favorite songs off my new album "I Wasn't Done, Lovin' You Yet." My first cut (and country radio single) came because I met the drummer of Acklen Park at my day job in the hallway.
6. You have to know you have a gift- I've described music as a calling- something that God called me to do. It's a commitment I've made and God has confirmed my path again and again. I am blessed to have this perspective and assurance in the journey. Rhett Akins said it this way, "It's just a light you have."

There's a lot more I could share here, but for the moment I'll end with what has become my motto for this journey: "Get up early, stay late and chase your dreams."

What do you think about Nashville?

My First Music Video!

2011-11-22T21:45:00.001-06:00

Thanks to Doug at RockStep Creative for editing this vintage footage from my childhood into a music video for "I Love Different Now." Hope you like it!

Rhett Akins and Eric Normand: The Nashville Experience

2011-11-07T23:24:00.004-06:00

Nashville has made me a better songwriter.

Great songs and songwriters are everywhere and this town is good for me creatively. More than that, though, I came here to work at it and to learn from the best.

Learning from the best is just what I did tonight thanks to an event hosted by Berklee Alumni featuring hit songwriter/artist Rhett Akins and professional musician/author Eric Normand (fellow Berklee alum).

Eric started out the evening discussing his recent, self-published book "The Nashville Musician's Survival Guide." In the book, he details the in’s and out’s of making a living as a musician in Nashville through three primary areas: live shows, studios and touring.

Eric said candidly that "it's the book I wish I would have had when I moved to Nashville." His advice to young musicians was to "take every gig" because gigs lead to other gigs and relationships. He also noted that being in Nashville was like being on a never-ending job interview because you just never know who you're going to meet. He certainly knows his stuff, and among other gigs, he has worked as a guitarist and tour manager for Rhett Akins since 2004.

Rhett spent about an hour discussing his journey as an artist and songwriter. He reminds me of the guys I grew up with on the farm, complete with a baseball cap and flip flops. He's comfortable in his own skin, matter of fact about it all and honest. I could write pages about all he shared, but here are a few highlights:
• He'll write "500 songs to get the five hits that get recorded"
• He takes the approach of writing "good and commercial"
• He used the analogy that he is “trying to sell chicken” but he has also added “baked chicken” to the menu, meaning that he tries to stretch himself to write songs with commercial appeal that also have heart.
• He said that you might write a song on your back porch and love it, or you might be write a song on your back porch that will end up on everybody else's back porch.
• He said that songwriting was something he was meant to do, and he had a “rock ‘n roll heart and a country mind.”

Rhett talked about how it all began on a truck tailgate playing songs for folks back in his home state Georgia, the series of connections that led to Nashville and how he landed his first publishing deal and record deal.

He also talked about The Peach Pickers, a writing trio he is part of with Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip. Rhett coined the phrase because all three are from Georgia and they ‘pick’ guitars for a living. The Peach Pickers are growing their own fan following, ya’ll can like them here!

Rhett finished up by saying that while you can learn the craft of songwriting, “you are either born with a light” as a songwriter or you're not.

Much appreciation to Rhett and Eric for giving of their experience and time, and for Berklee Alumni and NSAI for hosting us!

(Photos above: Rhett Akins and Me, Photo below: Eric Normand and Me)

A Songwriter, Lawyer, Flea Market Dealer and TV Host!

2011-10-27T21:25:00.000-05:00

Last Saturday at the Flea Market, I turned the corner and saw Jesse Goldberg (with me above) at one of the booths. He looked familiar and I was sure he was a songwriter I had met somewhere in Nashville (after a few years, we all start to recognize each other). After a few minutes, I realized I had watched several of the TV programs he hosts on local cable station Channel 19 and the ION Network (Mind Your Own Music Business, State of the City and The Jesse Goldberg Show). He has hosted more than 600 shows in the last 15 years! (Check network listings for local showtimes).

Jesse started writing songs when he was 15 and he specializes in music comedy. Besides being a frequent musical contributer to the Dr. Demento show, Jesse has an entire CD full of songs written in 'first dog' called "It's a Ruff Life." His work has also landed him a TV Ace Award for a Honeymooner's Lost Episode theme song and music video for Showtime. A jack-of-all-trades, Jesse is also licensed lawyer in four states!

Jesse was kind enough to answer a few questions for us…

What would you say is the 'state of the music industry' today?

I don't know if it's me and the fact that I'm just getting older, but there is very little I like in the music I hear on the radio. As far as country is concerned, It all sounds like stuff I've heard before with some slight word changes. Plus, it's hard for me to relate to the subject of High School problems when high school was such a long time ago for me. Although I respect the artistry of someone like Taylor Swift, the lyrical content of her songs and others like her don't speak to me at all. Maybe when she grows up a little I'll be able to relate to what she is saying.

What is the key to writing humorous songs?

The key to writing humorous songs is to remember to be funny. I guess it takes the sense of timing of a comedian combined with the skill of a songwriter. Because of that sense of timing, there are certain things that normal songwriters do that comedy songwriters should not do. For example, try not to repeat choruses in exactly the same way you did it before. Once you've heard a joke, it's usually not as funny the second time around and especially not the third time around.

A comedy song has to keep on being funny from beginning to end. It has to keep going and growing. Also, comedy is based on surprise, so don't telegraph what comes next. As always, as in regular songs, try to look at your work through someone else's eyes as if you didn't write it. Then say to yourself, is this funny? Be honest about it.

I've heard you've written for Broadway plays---could you please tell us more?

My professional writing career began as a game show writer for "Win Lose and Draw" and "Rodeo Drive."

The musical I'm involved in now was written by Sue Fabisch and is called, "Motherhood The Musical." It is being produced by the same people who did "Menopause The Musical." My involvement is that I am a co-writer on six of the songs in the musical. All of those six are comedy songs and all were written with Bill Flowerree and Sue Fabisch. The show is about an expectant mother and her three friends who try to wise her up as to what to expect as a mother in the future. Sue Fabisch wrote the book and the rest of the songs by herself or with other co-writers. So far the musical has played in Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, two cities in Texas near Dallas/Ft Worth, Atlanta and Philadelphia. It also had a run in Scotland and is currently on a two year tour of Australia.

Along with my co-writer Gene Levine, I've written a musical all about dogs called, "It's A Ruff Life." There are 14 songs all sung in first dog, as if they dog was singing. There are no humans in the play, only dogs.

Any other wisdom you'd like to share?

The only true love in this world is the love between a man and his dog (or a woman and her dog).

If I had to give advice to any young artist or songwriter I say quit now before you ruin your life. Do something else. No one in this business is happy. If you are not successful, you want to be successful. If you are semi-sucessful, then you want more success. If you are very successful, then you wind up doing drugs and need to go to rehab.

Hear one of Jesse's political parodies,"I'm a Warrior for the Middle Class" just in time for election season here. To learn more about him and his music visit his website.

Getting to Berklee College of Music...

2011-10-16T23:04:00.002-05:00

So, I don't mind admitting that I'm the type of person who saves 'stuff'. Call it sentimental, call it paranoia, call it a leftover gene from my Grandma Jenson who grew up in the Great Depression...but it's true.

Recently, I was cleaning out some files on my computer and I came across something that I thought I'd share with you. It was part of my Berklee admissions essay and it goes a little something like this:

"When I was a child, I would go horseback riding with my father and grandfather in the rugged, sagebrush covered mountains of Utah. We would ride in silence until my grandfather would break into song, usually singing his favorite old western tune, “Strawberry Roan.” Slightly obligated and secretly delighted, my father and I would join always join him. The three of us would sing past the top of the birch trees.

I remember even then loving music. Loving the pictures it painted in my mind. Loving the way you could learn something from the lyrics, something that might stick with you for years. And, especially loving the way it connected my family across generations.

It was years later when I discovered I had been given a gift to be a songwriter."

So, that was written in 2003, and I entered school that fall, finishing in 2005. I like looking back and being reminded that I have loved music for a long, long time.

Check out some more photos with Berklee friends here.

Dating a Truck and A Goodbye Getaway!

2011-09-29T21:16:00.000-05:00

Here's an inside look at a vocal tracking session at Nashville Sound Lab for the new album, Stories Behind Songs.

In this session I worked on "I Miss Dating Truck" (Jarman/Ogden) and "Goodbye Getaway."

Dave Smith: Master Guitarist and More...

2011-09-23T21:15:00.001-05:00

An album comes together like a bunch of puzzle pieces. For my new album Stories Behind Songs, Dave Smith at Nashville Song Lab was a huge part to making all the pieces fit. He co-produced, recorded, mixed and played lead guitar on the album.

To say Dave is talented is an understatement! He's gifted and he has the musical DNA to know when to play and what to play to take every song to the next level. In a setting that can be pretty stressful for a songwriter, he's very patient, encouraging and easy to work with.

Listen to one of Dave's many talents here:

Dave Bobrow's Percussion Arsenal!

2011-09-18T18:07:00.000-05:00

When I was planning for my new album, Stories Behind Songs, I just kept thinking that I needed some common threads to make the blend of country and folk tunes 'hang' as a collective work.

Percussionist Dave Bobrow has been a friend and fellow 'round mate' this past year and I asked him if he would be willing to bring some flavor to the tracks. I'm thrilled that he did just that---and added some totally terrific textures to the tunes! Get a behind-the-scenes tour of Dave's percussion arsenal and hear his backbeats in this clip:

Monty Parkey: Heard the call of Whisperin' Bill...

2011-09-12T19:07:00.000-05:00

Recently Monty Parkey stopped by to play on a couple of tunes for my new album "Stories Behind Songs." Monty has played keys for country music legends Whisperin' Bill Anderson and Alan Jackson, and he currently plays with Darryl Worley. Hear Monty talk about the artists that inspire him and how he got to Nashville---and listen to his distinctive piano sound here:

Tigar Bell: It started with Merle Haggard...

2011-09-03T22:34:00.001-05:00

When I was eight years old I had braces and was showing a cow in 4-H at the county fair.

When Tigar Bell was eight years old he was playing fiddle for Merle Haggard!

It's pretty amazing to me that two people who had such different beginnings would meet in the studio many years later...

I'm so excited that Tigar Bell played fiddle for three songs on my new album, Stories Behind Songs. He's got the best tone I've ever heard and is a humble guy too. In addition to Merle, he has worked with some amazing artists such as Ricky Van Shelton, Travis Tritt, Collin Raye and Pam Tillis.

Meet Tigar and hear him play here:

Radio Interview with KSVC!

2011-08-29T21:54:00.000-05:00

I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed by Kathy Farnsworth (above) at my hometown radio station, KSVC. It was like 'old home week' at the station because my former neighbor, Dianne Brienholt, works at KSVC as well!

I talked about being a songwriter on the Nashville scene, and what it's like to co-write and record in town.

In case you missed it, here are a few clips from the interview.

Kevin Post and the Sound of Country Music!

2011-08-25T23:24:00.000-05:00

I was in the studio one day with Dave Smith and we were talking about what other instruments the songs on my new album needed. I’ve always loved the sound of the pedal steel guitar, and we agreed that steel would really add to a couple of the songs.

Dave called his friend, Kevin Post, who currently plays in Blake Shelton’s band (he played for years for Terri Clark as well). He was coming off the road for a day, and we were lucky to have him squeeze us into his schedule.

Kevin is a truly gifted musician and has quite a personality to boot!

He played on “What Matters the Most,” a very traditional country song that I wrote with my friend Bill DiLuigi, and really put the “sound of country” in it. For “Stay,” a singer/songwriter ballad I wrote, and Kevin added what he called “hippie” steel. Loved that!

I couldn’t resist talking with this proud Texan about his musical roots, and catching some clips during the recording session…enjoy!

In the beginning...

2011-08-17T22:10:00.000-05:00

After three years, it was time to get back into the studio to record!

I started this project with a great partner in crime...Dave Smith. He is a killer musician (plays guitar for Lee Greenwood), producer and engineer. Beyond that, he is funny and down-to-earth- qualities that really help make the studio less stressful for me.

Hear Dave's first pep talk:

It started with some Amish friendship bread...

2011-08-02T20:02:00.004-05:00

On Saturday, July 30, I sat on my back porch and teared up.

Acklen Park was performing "Lost" a song that I co-wrote with Bill DiLuigi and Scott Jarman for a close group of friends and family. It's a song that they are taking to radio as a single in August with the help of Grassroots Promotion.

It was an emotional moment for me because it's also my first single at country radio. I've been working towards this since I wrote my first song in 1997...and I couldn't be happier!

Bill, Scott and I wrote "Lost" in January 2010. I remember that session well because we ate about a whole loaf of Amish friendship bread that I'd baked. I'd written with Bill and Scottie separately, but this was our first session as a trio. After a couple of hours, we had most of it, and we finished it up about a week later. I think we knew it was special...

I met Dave that spring, co-founder and percussionist of Acklen Park, through my day job. He mentioned the band was looking for songs for their debut album...and well, the rest is history, as they say.

Marcum has a whisky-soaked, rich voice that melts through the lyrics...and Andrea's harmonies add the tenderness of a woman's touch. The musicianship of Dave, Rob, Casper and Kip add layer upon layer of musical goodness.

"We could stay here all night long, Lost..."

(Special thanks to Brad Hardisty for attending the celebration and for covering the story!)

My First Single is Going to Country Radio!!!

2011-07-19T14:01:00.005-05:00

Acklen Park is taking "Lost," a song I wrote with friends Bill DiLuigi and Scott Jarman, to Country Radio as a single beginning in August!

This will be the first time a song I co-wrote will be promoted to and played on Country Stations across the USA. I'm giddy! I'm trilled! I'm eating way too much chocolate!

Check out this awesome video with the song and lyrics, made by lead singer Marcum Stewart.

Can't wait to see what's next!!!

Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real

2011-07-12T13:45:00.000-05:00

Every once and awhile in Nashville I have a moment when I think, "how did a farm girl from rural Utah end up here?"

Last night was definitely one of those times.

I had the pleasure of meeting and hanging out with Lukas Nelson and his band mates from Promise of the Real. You might not know Lukas *yet* but he is the totally talented son of the legendary Willie Nelson. In addition to being soulful and savvy musicians, he and his band are also down-to-earth and friendly folks. There was a real family vibe all night, and it was awesome to spend the evening with their family.

For those of you who missed the show, here are a few of the killer songs from their face-melting set:

Four Letter Word
Meet Me in The Morning
The Sound of Your Memory
Sympathy for the Devil

Lukas Nelson and Me

Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real

Indie Ignite Music Conference

2011-07-09T21:26:00.003-05:00

Thanks to the vision of David Koch, the Christian Music Industry came together last week in Nashville for the first annual Indie Ignite Music Conference. I learned A LOT!

Some of my favorite 'nuggets of wisdom'from the speakers included:
"You have to be both the boxer and the trainer as an indie artist." -Staci Frenes, Indie Artist
"People buy you, not your cd." -Erik Bledsoe, Indie Artist
"Believe in yourself, you are the beginning." -John Schlitt, Indie Artist and former lead singer of Petra
"If you want to be a great songwriter, you better develop some tough skin." -Brian White, hit songwriter
"Character reveals itself over time; be patient for the right relationships." -Michael Blanton, President, Be Music & Entertainment
"This is AWESOME!!!"- Grammy-winning artist Rebecca Saint James

Rebecca St. James and Me- she is one stylish and humble Grammy-winning artist!

Songwriters in the Mist: Karyn Williams, Brian White, Shantell Ogden and Cary Barlowe. Brian and Cary have both had mega hits in the Country and Christian markets and Karyn is a writer and Christian artist.

The gigs I'll never forget...

2011-07-01T23:38:00.000-05:00

So does anyone remember the scene in the movie Road House where the band is performing behind chicken wire? I would say that would be a pretty memorable gig!

For me there are a few that come to mind...and the venues will remain nameless. :)

In North Carolina, I was playing a show and the power went out mid set. People brought out a couple of candles and a flashlight so I could keep playing unplugged.

Speaking of power, I was on tour in 2003 in New York when the "Blackout" happened. A friend and I walked nine miles from the city to where we were staying in Queens. The next day we spend ALL DAY in the car driving to do a show in New Jersey for three people.

In DC, I played a venue that was haunted. Seriously. At least I knew it was a packed house, counting the seen and UNSEEN (insert dah, dah, dah music here). My car also died on the way to that gig. Good times!

In Tennessee, I once played a seedy, smokey, rebel rousin' biker bar. One of the patrons kept yelling randomly during the set, "Hell Yeah, Country Music." If them walls could talk...

And finally, in Georgia I surprised my mom by standing up to play and sing an original song at a songwriter's night. She thought we were just going to listen; she had never heard me perform anything and didn't know I was writing at all. All the way home, she kept shaking her head saying "my daughter is a songwriter, my daughter is a songwriter."

What are some great gig stories of yours?

Billy Block 'Blown Away' by Acklen Park!

2011-06-23T14:58:00.003-05:00

This week I had the pleasure of hearing Acklen Park melt some faces during their set on Billy Block's weekly music show at the Rutledge in Nashville.

Billy, who is an expert at discovering killer music bubbling under the mainstream radar, introduced the band by saying "they came from out of nowhere" and he was "blown away" by the talent, the songs and the production on their debut album. That's some awesome praise for an awesome band!!!

I'm a huge fan of Acklen Park, and so blessed that they have recorded a couple of songs that I co-wrote, check out "Lost" and "For You (I'd Change)" below and pass on the word: Acklen Park is here, and they ain't leavin'!

Mansions and Photo shoots?

2011-06-21T23:28:00.000-05:00

Sometimes as a songwriter there is stuff that I get to do that is just plain cool. This expereince falls into that category...

I had the opportunity to work with a stellar photographer (and fellow musician), Martin Palmer, at an amazing location (thanks to Casey!) the West Meade Mansion. Martin braved tornado warnings getting to Nashville for the shoot, and he did an awesome job! We all need to keep hiring him! :)

Which one do you like the best? Here's a link to the album, and I'd love to hear your thoughts...

Summer at the Summit...

2011-06-20T23:13:00.001-05:00

On June 16, I had the pleasure of hanging (and playing) with some hip and happening Charlotte area songwriters at Summit Coffee in Davidson, NC. We played an outdoor showcase underneath a full moon, and it was, in short, a blast! Special thanks to host Rob McHale for the opportunity to perform, and Rob, Etta Lea and E-S Guthrie for tickling my ears with tasty tunes (my personal favorites were 'Another Girl' by Etta, 'Company Town' by Rob and the song that E-S finished in the shower- anyone out there care to name that tune?)

I've posted some photos on facebook in this album, but here we are, just before taking the stage, left to right: E-S Guthrie, Shantell Ogden, host Rob McHale and Etta Lea.

I made it into Billboard Magazine!

2011-06-17T20:37:00.000-05:00

Thanks to a little luck and my attendance at the Country Music Summit last week, my picture (and songwriter title) was included in the June 18 issue of Billboard Magazine. I hope this isn't my only appearance in Billboard- but it is my first. :) I *heart* my new Samsung Infuse 4G phone too!

Joining mid-conversation...

2011-06-10T21:01:00.001-05:00

So, I've started blogging as a way to keep up a little more with what I'm up to. Consider it a live journal with little snippets here and there of sessions, co-writes, events and other (hopefully) interesting stuff.

My career as a songwriter is already in-progress, so I'm not going to try to go back and fill everyone in on the nitty gritty of the years up to this point. I'll just start mid-stream with what's going on at the moment...

This week I went to the Country Music Summit in Nashville. It was a music industry conference and in two very informative days I listened to panel discussions featuring the top managers, labels, radio stations, publishers, songwriters and artists. It was AWESOME and I tweeted about it the whole time! To read some of the feed, use the tag #cms2011 and search here.

The highlight for me was (of course) the songwriter panel. I literally 'rushed the stage' afterwards to talk with hit artist/songwriter Rhett Akins. You may know some of his songs: Honey Bee, That Ain't My Truck, Put a Girl In It and Don't Get Me Started. He gave me some great insight and ideas on the writing and publishing process. I could go on for pages about this---but let me just say that I'll be getting him a Christmas card this year somehow. :)

And, I'd strongly recommend you consider checking out Rhett's music. For you hunters out there, he has an album of what he describes as 'romantic hunting and fishing songs.' Epic.

Here's a picture of me and Rhett at the event (and yes, I was sort of star struck people---it's like meeting a movie star to me).