I'm in a Food Trance

You should hear the moans and groans of pure delight as our taste buds were reawakened to the taste of Torchy's Tacos here in Austin, Texas. Not to mention they were playing my happy song Hall and Oates "You Make My Dreams Come True" when we walked through the door.

Did we go a little out of the way again to be able to eat here? Maybe :)
Thank you David Newbould for introducing us to this ecstasy.

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~nat

We've Been Waiting For This Moment for Almost a Year

I Just Went From Mom to Grandma

Panther and Miguel were standing and admiring the Werther's and talking about how great they are and how it's a treat you always got from your grandmas. I pointed at the Riesens and silently but very excitedly nodded. Miguel said "what's that?!" I immediately grabbed both the Werther's and Reisens & bought them at the register. I can't believe Miguel has never had them! As soon as I got in the car Joel said I had just gone from their mom (cooking at the band house all week) to grandma. :)

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Natalie Stovall World Tour 2011 Officially On The Road!

We ran through the new songs, packed up, ate left-overs, cleaned like crazy, and left the hills of West Tennessee today. We're currently in Hope, Arkansas at a Days Inn, and Man does it feel like home. I have never stayed in Hope before - only driven through... but there's something romantic about pulling into a cheap hotel the 1st day back on the road after rehearsing like crazy. :) It just feels right.

Our DVD player didn't work when we got in the car - so our lists and plans of what order to begin our viewing pleasures have to be put off a bit. We're kicking it old school - nothing but talking, listening to music, and reading. (Well... and iphone games)

I am completely lost in my Dolly Parton book right now. I love her so much. It would be hard not to enjoy her book even if you aren't a fan. She's an incredibly poetic and vivid writer. It's just so entertaining!

I've been silent all day... my first muttering will be tomorrow at 1 during another phoner... I love being on the road.

Somewhere in Hope,
Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

So Many Pedals. Such a Little Girl

So I've been incredibly intimidated by my new ginormous pedal board and pod addition. But I'm all good now. I mean, seriously? Who could be intimidated by this many Gerbera daisies?

Even though I'm incredibly proud of my feminine touch... The real credit goes to Miguel. He arranged, drilled holes for, and wired this entire thing for me!!!!

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

When You Know It's Right... You Just Know...

I am sitting in the midst of an incredibly deep, philosophical late night conversation about music. (Mostly listening and nodding ferociously... trying not to talk) It's fitting, considering we have closed ourselves off from the rest of the world, in the backwoods of West Tennessee... doing NOTHING but eating, breathing, learning, creating, and rehearsing music.

I am blown away with this band and the music that is coming out of us. I have done so much musical soul searching in the last few weeks. Now... let me say that I have been doing "musical soul searching" my entire life. But there's a new level of consciousness lately. We all go through ups and downs. Things that I once may have viewed as confusion or failing I now understand was all part of growing. And honestly? I know that for a while I was just trying to keep my head above water with learning how to handle a constantly changing band AND 200+ shows (meaning 300 days) out on the road a year.

But now - that's all old hat. Touring is engrained in us. Granted - we keep upping the ante... so there's always new things to learn and get used to. But step by step, we are running a marathon... not the sprint. I have SUCH a different approach from anyone else I know in the country music world. Most at my level (in country music) don't tour as the stepping stone to "make it". The road more traveled is to work on a publishing deal and write write write. And even though that works for most and seems more obvious... it isn't obvious to me. I ACHE to be on stage. Nothing feeds my soul more than when the stars aline and a song I have written connects in that perfect, splendid moment with the band, the audience and myself on stage.

Even though it isn't the most obvious route to most... somehow... we make it work. And YOU keep coming to shows. And reading. And we are working our TAILS off to make YOU proud. To keep bringing you better, more fun, more touching, more inspiring music.

2011? It's ON.

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

New Songs Do the Heart Good.

Fantastic day of rehearsing. Let me just say - it is an incredible feeling to be surprised by how GOOD a song sounds with the band when you weren't really expecting it! There's a few I've been sitting on for a while - for one reason or another... Other songs triumphed over them. But man! What was I thinking?? However - I will say, they would have never sounded like they do now without this specific recipe of band members. I suppose that would always be the case - any song will only sound a specific way depending on who's in the room when it's being hashed out and who's playing it. But... I feel as though I waited for the right moment - both personally AND with the band - to bring these songs to life.

I'm a happy girl.

With an unhappy voice. :( It's hard to restrain myself when it sounds so good! But 8-10 hours of intense singing isn't exactly healthy for the voice...

So time to rest.

I have my first phoner (interview) tomorrow afternoon. Clear sign that the road is back in full swing!

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~nat

Sent from my iPhone

Cinnamon and I Found a Warm Spot

So what if it's on the floor in the kitchen. It sure is toasty :)

Snow at Port Stovall!!!

With our beautiful snowfall today, the band retreat is complete :) It was the perfect scene in which to learn new music... which we did a LOT of today!

I can't wait to wake up and see all the snow out the back door onto the water. It continued to snow after it got dark... So there's an unseen white blanket to wake up to. :)

Peace. Love. Stovall.
~natalie

World Tour 2011 Officially Underway!

Texas to Vermont to Florida to Japan... We've got a LOT on the books this year. Revisiting favorites... Exploring new territories overseas :) I'm excited.

But first? The band retreat at Port Stovall. Nothing but days and nights of rehearsing, hanging, eating and preparing for the year!

We did this last year, and we had so much fun, so we had to do make it an annual thing! It's just a perfect way to start off the year.

I felt like a mother of 4 today as I had to plan meals and shop for 4 grown boys for an entire week :) 3 grocery stores later... A short drive to Parsons, Bellies full of meatball subs and the band retreat 2011 is ON!

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

It's Time To Go Back Out On The Road??

You'd think by this point... we'd have the ole "tourin" thing down pat. Don't have to think about it - it's just second nature, right?

WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well... at least at this particular point every year. We really try to take advantage of this "time off" to use what we've learned from the past year and improve on it as best we can. Just like with any job - we constantly see all the ways that things could be better, more efficient, etc... But we don't always have the time, money, or know how to make it all happen.

But every year as we gear up to head back out - we do our very best to make every improvement possible!

James has been ordering, organizing and preparing for this year since November. And much of the plans, designs, and ideas were begun as early as last year. He and best-friend/ go-to handy-man Ben (yes... the same guy as our sound engineer) spent the last two days wiring up all the new parts to our sound system and monitors AND reorganizing (shelving, boxing, throwing out nonessential items) the inside of the trailer. What in the world would we do without him? *sigh

I still never quite got to completely unpacking my suitcase. How crazy is it that it's easier for me to use a suitcase than a closet when I am home? Or maybe it's just laziness...

But the most important part of today was that it was Jenn's BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!

Peace. Love. Fiddle. And Plaid Birthday Parties.
~natalie

The New "Writing Couch"!!

Ahhh! So excited. Piece by piece the condo is coming together. We have designated one room as the creative/guest room :). It is where I sit on my awesomely adorable couch when I feel inspired... Which is a futon so that it can be a bed when family comes to town! I can't begin to tell you how long I have wanted to have the ability of a "guest room" in my life! I've got a lot of paying it forward to do when it comes to letting musicians and friends crash when they need a place. My parents let my entire band move into the house not one, but TWO summers in a row in college. Me + 5 boys. Whew! If only we had the cameras rolling back then- we'd already have a hit reality show (without even meaning to) on our hands.

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Living Life With a Child That Is HIV+

Oh how I want EVERYONE I know to read the following blog:

http://joiningthejourney.blogspot.com/2011/01/living-life-with-child-that-is-hiv.html

It isn't very long, so it won't take much of your time. It is an incredible, amazing, beautiful story that will warm your heart.

Can you imagine having to make a decision of whether or not to adopt a little girl with special needs that you and your family have fallen in love with... needs your help more than any little girl you've ever met.... but then gets tested positive for HIV when you already have 6 children at home to think about?

Yeah. Unbelievable.

BUT there's so much happiness and good news in their lives right now!!! And their story - which is JUST beginning is an incredible journey of faith. Please go read it! You'll be happy you did!!! :)


Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Our New Stage Backdrops

Are HUGE!!!


We have the one above - one in the middle with just stars on the top and bottom and then the one on stage left will say Stovall to frame it out.

We're moving up in the world. Classy. :)

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Today I cried...

A few things brought joyful tears to my eyes today, and I will eventually share them all. But first let me focus on this one story that my cousin shared with me.

My cousin, Carmen, received a phone call from a friend today.

Carmen's - friend's - brother had just gotten engaged. He's in the army and stationed in Alaska, while his girlfriend lives in South Carolina.

He proposed and she said yes. :)

After the dust settled, he confessed to her that he was scared that she would say no because she wouldn't want to leave her life and move all the way to Alaska to be with him.

She responded by telling him there was a song he needed to hear... MY song...

It's amazing because my cousin's friend had never heard of me... much less "Even Alaska". She just thought it was a touching story and wanted to hear the song for herself. When she googled the title and saw my name, she realized that she knew my cousin and called to tell her the story.

I got Carmen's message while I was in the middle of a writing session here in Nashville... Words can not describe how I felt reading that message...

Goosebumps. HUGE goosebumps. And tears (which I waited until after the session to let spill over).

It's hard to believe it's possible that a song I wrote helped to play a part in this couple's story... And such a beautiful part.

It's crazy, you write songs and send them out there... And you never really know what's going to happen to them. It's just amazing to hear that something you've done has played any role in a complete stranger's life...

It's a bit overwhelming, but in the best and most humbling way.

I've had a rough few days writing and with my own musical journey. Which are all natural parts of this crazy life I lead... and the necessary evils of creativity.

Timing couldn't have been more perfect.

You get what you give. And I need to give so much more.



Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

My Life and Other Unfinished Business

Started reading Dolly Parton's "My Life and Other Unfinished Business"

I. Love. Her.

What a fantastic role model. She's so witty and clever it kills me. I'm still pretty early in... but I laugh out loud so much. Simply her perspective when telling stories about her humble childhood are enough to make me love her. And then you add in that voice, charm, wit, writing, acting, humility, sense of humor, kindness to her fans... (etc.) well.... I bet God just smiles down when He's looking at her and thinks "Yup. Homerun."

I highly recommend it. And I warn you... there's lots of Dolly quotes coming soon. :)

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Law of Attraction

How does time fly by so quickly?!? Wasn't it just yesterday that we "got off the road" and were getting ready to take a break?

I'm never delusional enough to think a break is actually a "break". It just break from the road and time to get down to business in other areas (mostly writing and reorganizing for the next leg of touring). I mean... there's a whole lot more couch sitting, which is a tad more comfy than van bench sittin... but it's all about the same. :)

But Good Lord! I am already doing laundry and starting to think ahead for when we leave next week to head back out. I'm not nearly as accomplished as I had hoped to be by this point. But I am feeling more inspired and more centered in where I want to be.

Being able to visualize more clearly is a huge step. I have seen it for so long in such a general sense. But puzzle pieces are starting to fall into place. And that's a good feeling.

Here's to 2011!!!!

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Entertainer of the Year Nomination!!!!!!!!!!

Holy cow. Yup. it's true.

I have been nominated for ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR with Campus Activities Magazine.
Apparently it has been over a decade since a female was even NOMINATED... much less won... in 1993 Bertice Berry won. WOW!!

So now... I need anyone who is eligible - that would be any agent, artist, military buyers, or advisors/students actively participating in the campus market to go vote! I am so excited to be nominated. And obviously, winning would be tremendous for the guys and me. We would SO much appreciate the votes if you have had us at your school and liked what you heard!

Once you have been approved and are registered... here's where you go to vote!
http://www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com/m/poll/

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!

YAY!!!!!!!!

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Tonight's Show Canceled.

The Billy Block Show for tonight has been Canceled :( Just trying to make sure I let everyone know!!! I'm bummed, but hopefully we'll be able to reschedule sometime soon. Now it's time to go play in the snow. WOO HOO!

And don't worry... I just found out some REALLY great news. Stay tuned :)

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Post 1001!

Wow.

If you had told me 2 years ago when I made the New Year's Resolution to blog EVERY DAY for the year of 2009... that by Jan 2011 I would already be over 1,000 posts... I am not sure my brain could have handled the pressure.

But how amazing is it that I have this incredible diary of each day of my crazy adventures?!?! I already use this site ALL THE TIME to remind myself of previous shows. Cheating? Nah! Just reminders! But if you notice to the right of the screen - there is a "search" column. And you can search ANYTHING and see if I have written about it. Places... venues... people... Every time someone asks me for my tortilla soup recipe? I go straight to my blog, type in "tortilla soup" to the right... copy, paste, email and DONE! It's already all written out for me :)

More than anything I want to include you all on this journey. I may not have "hit it big" yet. But that's part of the fun :) I may not always have a great show... but I'll try to find the positive (cause really... who can complain when their job is to travel the world and play their music for awesome people?) Sure. Sometimes the not-so-awesome people show up, but who wants to spend time and energy on them??! They don't deserve it! It's those of you that read this, come to shows, listen to my music, and spread Peace. Love. Fiddle!!

And this year, when the blog moves to my new website... the BAND BLOG will be resurrected (by popular demand). So not only will you continue to see the road through my eyes, but you'll see it through the guys' eyes as well. WOO HOO!!

So thank you. Thank you for reading. For commenting. For inspiring. And I promise to do everything I can to KEEP you reading!

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Live Video Stream of Our Show Tuesday Night!

Lots of footballin', tortilla soup eatin, and loungin today! Still waiting on this big snow storm that's supposed to be coming in - apparently it's already snowing hard in Columbia. I think that is the first time EVER that Columbia has ever gotten snow before Nashville!

I did do one thing very productive today though. :) I had a radio interview on 103WKDF at Tootsie's for the Billy Block show. It was fun! Short and sweet. We talked a little bit - and played "Standing My Ground" on air. And thanks to the wonderful world of the internet - friends in Ohio, Florida (and of course many of you in Tennessee) got to tune in - via live stream from the website.

On Tuesday night the guys and I will be playing on the Billy Block show with a bunch of fantastic artists! I'm excited. It has been 5 years since I played the Billy Block show. How crazy is that? Miguel wasn't even in the band! So ummm... yeah.... I'd say it's time!
The show is at Limelight (across from the Titan's Stadium) in Nashville. Would love to see you there!! We'll be doing a 30 minute set with the full band. :)


The best news? There's a LIVE VIDEO stream of the show!!! So even if you are half way around the world, you can watch the show! The show starts at 7pm Central. I believe I am going on at 8 - but I would tune in earlier to be sure. Tonight they told me I wouldn't go on the radio until after 6:30, but I ended up being completely DONE by 6:30. You just never know with live shows! Let me know if you get to watch.
www.billyblock.com

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~Natalie

Good Times With Good Friends.

We just said goodnight to our friends. And we have such amazing friends. What great night we had tonight. I'm a little overwhelmed when I think about what fantastic people we have in our lives.
Excited about more play-off games
tomorrow. Aaaaaand tortilla soup to go with them!

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Sent from my iPhone

Good Energy and More Snow

It's SNOWING!!!! AGAIN!!! This is just craziness. I was so tired a few hours ago, but now I am REALLY happy I didn't go to bed then! I would have never seen the snow! It probably won't be here in the morning... so it's nice to see it falling right now.

The guys did FANTASTIC in the studio today. After the first song was done Panther said, "Well, that wasn't as traumatic as I expected." ;)

But by the end of the day... Joel just wanted to leave. He was getting so frustrated. (From my point of view he was doing amazing) But he just kept saying "OK. That's it. I'm ready to go." As much as I didn't agree with his assessment - I do understand. The way they felt about their singing is how I feel about fiddle every time I go in to record. And as their voices got tired (you know... 6 songs in...) they got more frustrated with how difficult it is to make your voice do what you WANT it to do.

I never feel like my fiddle will listen to my fingers or the pressure of my bow. I know what I want it all to do... but achieving that is a whole other thing! And man do we get nit-picky when it's being recorded!

But in my eyes? Couldn't have been better.

I'm getting excited.

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

What Is a Heart For

Wrote a song with one of my favorite people today - Ruthie Collins :) And I am VERY happy with how it turned out!

That girl... man... what a gift. Songs, lyrics, melodies, variations... it all just pours out of her like it's no big deal. And I LOVE her ideas. She really has great "vision" for her musical thoughts. And that is truly a gift. It's inspiring to work with people like that - and I think it's really important to work with people you admire. It helps push you to be better!

It sure feels good the way I have been filling my musical and creative void lately. It's never enough... but it's a great start for now!

And tomorrow.... drumroll please...
Panther and Joel are recording background vocals for the first time EVER!!! They have BOTH pulled me aside separately to tell me that they have never heard their voices recorded before. :) Panther is confused about how to enter a studio without an instrument. I'm so excited. They are such fantastic singers and it's gonna be awesome.

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Mojo is BACK!

Today was sooooooo much better!!!! Got ALL the vocals done done today. WOOhooo!!!

David Newbould had a show at 3rd and Lindlsey and not only did I get to go see him (LOVE him!!!), but I got to watch half my band on stage with him (Panther & Miguel), AND I got to sing with him on one of my favorite David songs :)

And when I walked in, Gina - who is just the best - had a present for me. The first time we met, she told me that she was gonna make me a "Peace, Love Fiddle" belt buckle. Now... Gina is VERY accomplished - she has jewelry and custom pieces all throughout Nashville. And everything she does is one of a kind... And by no means did she need to do this for me. BUT OH. MY. GOODNESS. I am in love with my new buckle.


How amazing is that!?!?! And how amazing is SHE for doing that!!! ANNNNNNND my sister gave me a belt with two different buckles on Christmas - so for the first time ever, I have a belt that I can switch out buckles with! Woo Hoo!
Thank you Gina! You can find more of her stuff at Nashville Clothing Company and That's Cool. :)


And THEN (whew) I headed over to 12th and Porter to play fiddle for Miss Corey Wagar. She and my good friend, Gordon, and her other two Jersey boys were all in town for a couple of shows. They asked for some fiddle, and well... I can do that!


And I thought I was just there for the fiddle... but she called me and the girls out from stage and asked us to help her out on a few songs. SO fun! I love singing backgrounds and I got to twice tonight! Woot!


I like days with good mojo.

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~Natalie

Got No Mojo

Ugh.

Rough day in the studio. We got vocals on one song done... tried to do another and it just wasn't happening. It's amazing how not singing for a couple of weeks and being sick affects the voice. I thought I would be fine, but I just didn't have the mojo today. And that's never an easy thing. Singing hasn't always come completely natural, but I've always worked hard enough to overcome the lack of "natural" ability.

I felt like one of those poor Idol auditionee's when I listed back. I thought I was WAY more centered and steady in my head that I was in reality!

But alas, tomorrow is a new day! And hearing that gross vocal today will only make me a better and stronger singer as time goes on. Gonna get in bed early (for me) and rest the pipes to see what happens tomorrow.

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

We May Not Be On The Road...

But don't worry... There's plenty being done to make sure we're upgrading for the coming year of touring. This is a small delivery compared to what we've been getting. We're adding all kinds
Of things to the rig for this year!

Our First Fire!!!!

Nothing like Football Sunday, 20 degree weather and our first ever fire!!! So much fun!

Thanks to the Cancino's for our beautiful new hearth rug and Duraflame logs that made it all possible :)

I like new things in this New Year ;)

Amazing Photo

I love the photo blog on msnbc and they did "the year in pictures - sports" today. And I was blown away by this one! Of course, the number one photo so far is the one of the bull with his horn through the throat... but I can't look at the at pic... But this is just incredible! It was taken at the perfect moment!

Big, bad, takedown
Sumo wrestlers Tosayutaka, right, and Toyohibiki fall head first to the dirt during their bout in the grand summer tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo arena on May 9.



Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Cheers!

I'm tempted to blog 10 times tonight - just I can start off 2011 with over 1,000 blogs. How crazy is it that I am almost to 1000??!!?!?

I didn't quite blog EVERY day last year... but considering the reason was a World tour... and not having reliable/affordable internet aboard a ship in the Red Sea and in the Middle East and Africa.... well.... I can live with that! Other than that small stint in the summer, though - this blog just keeps going! In the very near future we're going to be moving locations :) Bigger office... if you will... at nataliestovall.com :) But even the move can't slow down the Stovall train!

So 2011 is starting out right. We spent the day with friends (and excellent food.) James and I had a lot of relaxing to do, as well. :) It's party season and we've made sure to do our part to contribute :)

Yesterday was SOOOO warm in Tennessee. We got early snow this year, but yesterday it was in the 60's! WHAT?!?! It kinda freaked me out. I kept taking off layers throughout the day. First the jacket... then the sweater. I was walking around outside with a short sleeve t-shirt on! But the best part was that I got to wear my new dress for New Year's which wouldn't have made sense if it had been cold!

And tonight it is already back to being in the 20's. I think that just means it's going to be an exciting, "keep you on your toes" kind of year. And I am ALL about that.

I love cheers-ing - and it is very important to me to clink everyone's glass, can, or bottle... so I will now virtually cheers everyone. Here's to an amazing 2011! May this year bring love, health, happiness, spontaneity, and all around GOOD THINGS to everyone!

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Happy New Year!!!

It's gonna be a good un. I can feel it.