More Love

My first thought was to start off the blog tonight by saying:

"No one should be this loved"

but I have already defeated that statement in my own mind before I could even type the thoughts quickly enough with the keypad.

Instead... I believe:

EVERYONE should be this loved.

The last week, I have had a hard time as I have realized some of the sacrifices I have made in order to make my dreams happen. Mostly, the people in my life that have not been given the attention that they deserve and that I wish I could give... I love what I do. I chose it and I wouldn't take it back for anything. ANYTHING.

But tonight made me feel as though I am doing something right. I know I have many flaws. I know I have many weaknesses. But I felt more love in that room at 3rd and Lindsley tonight than I have felt in a long time. I can't even begin to describe the feeling I had on stage tonight. It was powerful. It was overwhelming. It was incredible.

The room was packed. We played our hearts out. And I don't think I could have felt much better about the show. I know there a few mistakes or little flubs made... but overall none of that mattered.

I didn't necessarily see a strong reaction from the "suits" in the room. Not that you really ever see a strong reaction from them... they see great shows and terrible shows and everything in between every single day.

But for the first time in my life - it didn't matter. I know how far we've come. I know how much we've accomplished all on our own... without a big ole label or financial backer calling the shots. Is it the long way around? YES. Do I feel more proud BECAUSE of that? YES.

So I am happy. I am continuing to grow. My music and my artistry and my voice and my playing continue to get better. I have PLENTY of areas that need MUCH work. But in a creative world that will ALWAYS be the case. YOU, who read this blog and come to the shows have watched me grow and have grown with me. And we will continue to do so in even bigger and better ways than we can even imagine.

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Thank You "Today's Best Country Music Videos"!!!

Google alerts ROCK my world. They allow me to spy in on others that blog about shows and see what people are posting. I saw one blog yesterday from a girl that had come to the Berry College show that was so sweet. Her best friend had come into town, they walked around campus taking "senior portraits" (as in posing sillily among and around campus like they always make you do for Senior pics), and then they came to my show. And it made me feel so great to see what she had to say about the show.

Tonight... I get into bed... open up my computer and VOILA!! Today's Best Country Music Videos posted the most awesome blog about me!!!

You can go HERE to check out the full blog: http//:todayscountrymusicvideos.blogspot.com

or you can read the short-cut version here: :)

It's great to watch videos from stars like Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Reba McEntire, but it's also very cool to watch a video like the one below from up-and-coming country superstar Natalie Stovall. Being out on the road day after day is tough on superstars, but it's even tougher on newcomers like Natalie and her band. But, as this video shows, as long as you have a positive attitude, you can make the best of any situation. Take a ride along with Natalie and her band down to Augusta, Georgia as they play at Augusta State University and then open up for Gretchen Wilson. Isn't Natalie's attitude contagious? Enjoy!

P.S. Enjoy a live performance of her song Standing My Ground in the second video.





Tomorrow, I play my first show in Nashville in over a year and a half!!! I am so excited!!! I am playing with two other fabulous artists and friends. Miss Ruth Collins and Mr. David Newbould. Show starts at 6. Hope to see you there!


Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

103WKDF, Froggy 100.9, and UMASS Dartmouth!

I woke to a flood of delightful texts and phone calls from Nashville this morning!!! It was some very exciting news that at first... in my groggy state... I didn't quite believe it.

Wylie Rose on 103.3WKDF in the morning gave me a shout out on the radio station!!! I've heard a few different stories - everyone had their own version (kind of like the game telephone... but only real-life telephone) but the basic gist is that she said something along the lines of "If Natalie Stovall can't get a record deal... then I don't know who can." Ummm. WHOA. REALLY!?!?! That is pretty much one of the sweetest and most awesome comments on the radio I have ever heard.

Wylie and I met last November when I did a benefit for the Raining Season at 3rd and Lindlsey. There were tons of HUGE songwriters and great performers there. Wylie was the host of the evening. She had such incredibly kind things to say to me after the show. And to hear that she gave me a shout out ON AIR on one of Nashville's best country stations... well that my friends, ROCKS.

SO thank you to Wylie and David in the mornings on 103.3, and thank you to everyone who called to let me know they were talking about me!!!

I did my own interview over the phone with Froggy 100.9 in Barre Vermont today! Jim Severance had me on his "Drive at 5" show this afternoon. He was giving away 2 tickets to our show tomorrow night, and then they'll be giving away more tickets in the morning!! Hehe. So fun. I even got to pick which caller would win - but it was pretaped, so I didn't actually get to hear the winner. Oh well. Maybe I'll get to meet them tomorrow night!

And then on to tonight! We did a show at UMASS Dartmouth, I was really excited to be here - it's only an hour away from Boston!!! So I feel like I am at home. :) I was talking to one of the guys tonight and he had a really thick Boston accent. I asked where he was from (just checking) and of course Boston. Isn't it funny how a very strong Boston accent and a really strong Southern accent BOTH make me feel at home?

The University of Massachusetts in Dartmouth is Paul's alma mater!!! Paul (aka my manager) went to school here :) And since it is only an hour away from where he lives now, he came out to the show!!!! I always love it when Paul comes. And he's gotten to come to a lot more shows lately since we have been up in the northeast more.
Oh Paul. :)


There were SOOOO Many students there to help us today. Load in and load out seem like a breeze!!!
All the members of CAB who helped put on our show tonight!


And here's Chris who was our main contact and the Student Supervisor :)


They made some really cool posters for the show :)

They even made Life size Natalie Posters :)


You'd think I'd be able to do that pose down to a "T"... close.... at least I am wearing the same belt :)

Paul!!! Paul helped guide us to the venue and was so helpful the whole night. He even took us to the late-night dining place on campus so we could get some grub after the show. Thank you for everything! Told you I'd put this in my blog!!! I expect the same from you :)


Tapan. I loved this guy. The first thing he said was, "Say "hi" to your Granny for me. Tell her thank you for putting you on stage." And then later on he said "I just want to meet your Granny and talk to her." HOW COOL IS THAT? Granny will LOVE that story. I'm sure Mamma will print out this blog and take it to her... so "HI GRANNY." From Natalie and your new friend Tapan in Dartmouth Massachusetts.

I also love the guy in the background who is ALREADY wearing the Peace, Love, Fiddle shirt he JUST bought! :)

Jeff! Jeff did an interview with me for the school paper. Plus he was the photographer for tonight! He was pulling double duty.
:)


This guy knows EVERY word to Taylor Swift's songs. The ladies like that :) He's a smart guy.


He was VERY happy when we threw in a little Zepplin :)



And I am so bummed. I didn't get a picture with Austin. What was I thinking!?!?! Or not thinking... actually.... Austin was our soundman for the evening. And Chris informed me before the show that Austin's birthday was yesterday. :)- So we played Beatles Happy Birthday song and got him up on stage to dance it out. He was SUCH a good sport!!!

And also it is my Daddy's Birthday today!!!! He doesn't have myspace, facebook, or twitter, so instead of updating my status' today... I'll reach him through my blog. This is currently my favorite pic of me and Daddy. (Who everyone calls Colonel. Cause... well... he is. Yup. Retired Colonel from the Army. Don't mess with this guy. He's had to chew monkey meat!!! - and he's a jungle expert)

Happy Birthday Daddy!!

New Trailer!!!!

We got a new trailer today!!!! So.... as an homage to our first trailer...
I give you the "officially retired" Homesteader Runner Challenger:



Look at that boy... You can tell he's been through a wild ride! Yeah... we only had him for 21 months, but he withstood over 100,000 miles, 3 suburbans, 32 states (I actually just wrote them all out and counted!), 2 countries (that one time we "accidentally drove through Canada.... but that's a WHOLE other blog), ending up in a ditch after being bashed in by a semi, and most recently a blow out on the highway... Pretty amazing to think of all the things we went through with this trailer.

And now we have a beautiful new (well... used, but new to us!!!!) trailer that has..... drumroll please... TRAILER BREAKS!!!!! We REALLY needed to get them before we head up to Vermont next week in the crazy winter weather!

I don't think there are words to describe the feeling of being able to open and close the new trailer door. Seriously. You think I'm kidding. But for almost a year, the door has been so jacked up that we had to use a huge belt strap that went all the way around the trailer to reinforce the door.It took all 4 of us to secure the thing for James to actually tighten it around the trailer. We were so accustomed to just "assume the position" when the door needed closing. And the most frustrating part for me was that my hands were too small to deal with the belt strap on my own. So I ALWAYS needed help (if I didn't want it to take 20 minutes JUST to open the door) with getting the trailer open. I don't like that. I want to be able to get things done myself. And I don't like feeling like a "girl" when it comes to things that have to do with this business... I can load in just as much gear as the next guy. It may take me a few extra trips.... but it'll get done! That is, unless the door to get to the gear is closed with a heavy duty belt strap... not cool...

And since I already took the time to write them out.... and I am pretty amazed when I look at the list.... I am going to copy and paste now the states that have seen us on the highway henceforth:
Fl, Wi
Ga, Mi
Al, Pa
Ms, Md
La, De
Tx, NJ
Ok, Ct
Ar, Ri
Tn, Ny
Sc, Ma
Nc, Va
Ky, Mo
Ks, Co
Ne, Ia
Il, Wv
Oh, In
Ontario, Canada :)

That blows my mind! We've done lots o' travelin the last year and a half! Wow. We leave for Texas in the morning.... and when we get back from our Texas trip, we'll actually be adding a few new states to the list once we hit New England. This trailer is getting broken in pretty quickly! Texas to Vermont... think of ALL those states :)

And to completely derail from this topic:
I went to see Ruth Collins tonight at 3rd and Lindsley. She put on SUCH a good show. If you don't know her as a solo artist, you may know her from "Can You Duet" on CMT. She was part of Wild Honey. :) Ruth and I go way back... to college :) And then she and James were roommates until this last May. Cause, you know... he got married and stuff in June :) And she sang a song we wrote together called "Lottery" tonight. It was so fun to hear a song I wrote from the audience. Actually, I think that may be a first for me! Whoa! That is crazy!
She is one of those people that just has an innate ability with melody and lyrics. She is such a talented writer and artist and I am SURE you will hear big things from her.
Check her out!
www.myspace.com/ruthcollins


peace, love, fiddle y'all!

Raining Season Benefit

Two nights ago, I played the most incredible show at 3rd and Lindsley in Nashville. It was put together by two of the most pure-hearted, beautiful, and talented girls I have ever met - Ezra Jane. After visiting Sierra Leone, they both became extremely passionate about helping the people of that country in any way possible. They created a foundation called The Raining Season which helps put kids in schools. It only takes $130 to sponsor a child which includes tuition, books, clothes, and 1 meal per day for an ENTIRE YEAR. Only $130 can send a child to school for a WHOLE year. I think my cross country uniform was more than $130. You know? I mean, it is crazy to think that such a small amount of money could make such a HUGE difference in someone's life.
Needless to say, they were able to put together an astounding line-up for the event because everyone wanted to be a part of this. I was just honored to be in the room, much less perform for these people. I am such a fan of everyone that was playing!!!!

First of all, Point of Grace opened the show. Yup. Point of Grace - as in 26 consecutive #1 singles, Dove award-winning, Grammy-nominated POG!!!! They sang two of their new songs from their country release and then they sang one of my FAVORITE Christmas songs. "Tender Tennessee Christmas" by Amy Grant.

After POG was a songwriter round including:
Steve Williams: "Redneck Yacht Club"
Liz Rose who co-wrote every song on Taylor Swift's first album
Brian White: written for POG, 4 Him, Jaci Velasquez, and wrote "Watching You" for Rodey Atkins with the next guy:
Steve Dean who has had #1s for not only Rodney Atkins, but a few little unknowns like, you know, REBA and George Strait and
Alabama and many others.

Yeah. And then it was my turn. By myself. :) I was pretty stoked to be included in this show with such a freakin AWESOME line-up. Wow. Miguel played acoustic for me and we did 3 songs. "Even Alaska", "Whatever It Takes", and "Standing My Ground". We had driven overnight from St. Petersburg to play this show. I slept a few hours during the day, but my voice was shot from the weekend. But I had just enough juice to sing those 3 songs. :) We lowered "Alaska" a whole step so I could sing it. By the time I got off stage...my voice was so low I sounded like Nathan Stovall... ;) But none of that mattered. It was so cool.

Wylie Rose from 103.3 KDF's morning show was the host of the evening. She was so incredibly sweet with her kind words after my set! And Ezra Jane could not have picked a more passionate and giving person to host the evening and keep it rolling.

The next songwriter round included:
Barry Dean: "God's Will" for Martina... I cried. Like I always do to that song.
Jeremy Spillman: "Arlington" for Trace Adkins
Heather Morgan: who I LOVE has had cuts with Sara Evans, Terri Clark, and American Idol Kristy Lee Cook
Julie Roberts was also supposed to perform but she was sick :(

Ezra Jane then got up to perform. They wrote a song specifically for the evening that was so beautiful. They were starting to run over time so they only sang 2 songs. I wanted more!!! I was just happy to finally hear them live.

The last writer's round included
Victoria Banks: "Saint's and Angels" for Sara Evans and "Come On Over" & "Remember That" for Jessica Simpson (A-MAZ-ING)
Rachel Proctor: had her own hit with "Me and Emily" & wrote "Where Would You Be" for Martina and "Remember That" with VB
Josh Thompson: who has written with tons of huge Nashville songwriters and had some very heart-felt and emotional songs.

I could go on and on and on about each of these artists individually. Every performer was SO talented and it turned out to be such an incredible evening. Some of the coolest things auctioned off for Sponsorships were some gorgeous Tammy Wynette earrings, a signed script from REBA including her handwritten notes, and a signed golden fiddle from Charlie Daniels! It was so cool.

They ended up getting 41 sponsorships for the kids. SO AMAZING!!! Their goal is 50 before they leave on Christmas Day. If you have any interest in this organization please visit www.TheRainingSeason.org

Spread the peace, love, fiddle!