UT Chattanooga, Einstein, Dance Knife Fighting, and Preggers

Guess who's got two thumbs and internet service tonight!?!?! THIS GIRL. (imagine the over-the-top pointing of my thumbs in towards myself).

We have never played at colleges in Tennessee... and this month we play 3! Tonight was the 2nd of the three at UT Chattanooga. (The first time I typed Chattabooga... I kinda like the way that looks and sounds and even had to say it outloud because it makes me giggle)

We left Atlanta this afternoon at noon. The parking woes continued - James had to start moving the van from it's parking spot at 10am. But we had told everyone to be ready to check out at 12. And considering everyone stayed up late, plus it was our first time in a LONG time to have that many hours of sleep... James just decided to hang out with the van until noon. Hopefully he got some good talk time in with his Dad. I know that was his main motivation for getting up...

Once we all loaded up the van (and ourselves with smoothies) we set out towards Chattanooga. As we were trucking along, 2 hours ahead of schedule... feeling pretty good about ourselves and our "short 2 1/2 hour drive... BAM. Dead stop on the interstate. Took us an hour and a half JUST to get to an exit... that's how little we moved in that time. But finally we got off on an exit and started taking back roads... but turns out we were the only ones with that bright idea. We got to the gig at 6, (show stated at 7) when we were planning on being there at 3. But everything worked out just fine! We loaded in and soundchecked quickly.

David opened the show and played one of my favorite songs of his "Nobody Loves Me Like You Do". And then a guy named Nathan Angelo did a set. WOW. What a voice! Think Gavin Degraw... one of my favorites anyway. Nathan's voice is just incredible. And his songs were so fun and just made you wanna get up and groove!

Plus Jenn and Ella drove up for the show!!! It was so fun to have them here. And I know Miguel loves having them here. Jenn is SOOOO pregnant! She's so cute with her big belly. She's so tiny, but has such a big belly right now! It's awesome.

Two guys did the entire "Beat It" dance during the show AND the knife fight part, too!!! No one has ever acted out that part!

The girl who says "Rip It Up" was written for her. :) She and a girlfriend even had the whole chorus choreographed by the end of the song!








And here's some pics from yesterday - I LOVE Einstein - the magic bunny! He totally picked Miguel's card out of the deck! It was amazing!



And Panther. With a Panther.


Showin that mic some 3-part love.
'

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Or A Big Ole City

Thanks for the prayers Farm Boy! Lord knows we appreciate em!

We drove through the night last night to get to Ga State University. We got here at 9:30 (our load in was at 10)... James was quite the champion driver!!! He drove the whole way here.

But even though we arrived 30 minutes early... we made it to the venue 30 minutes late. The students had a hard time explaining where we should go. It's not an easy thing to do, ESPECIALLY in a big city like Atlanta. Plus... the equation of one way streets + a 14 foot long trailer = CHAOS. But we eventually got to where we needed to be (Whew), and got all set up. We had a GREAT couple of guys running sound for us - Coi and Ben. They were so helpful in getting us up and running speedily! We didn't have enough time for David to open. And THANK GOODNESS Jessie drove down from Nashville to help me with my merchandise! I'm not sure I would have even had time to set it up had she not been here!!!

The way the event was set up - food, games, streets performers, and dj's... they wanted us to play a 30 minute set with a 30 minute break and then another 30 minute set. It is so funny how trying to program a 30 minute set is more difficult for me than programming a 90 minute set! :) I guess that's not really a "problem" per say. Plus I like a good challenge. The show worked out great. AND I got quite the sun tan in the process. :)

Parking in a big city is always a challenge. ESPECIALLY when you have an oversized vehicle and trailer. Our hotel doesn't have any way to accommodate us, so the school had to get creative on where to have us park! But they were so helpful. James and I were double parked... moving... then double parking again... as we were waiting on instructions where to go. After about 3 1/2 hours, though, it all got figured out. And YAY!!! The lobby had free food, beer, and wine in the lobby when we got back. Could there have been a better surprise than that? Don't think so. Just what we all needed!!!

Jessie and I even hit up the all night diner on the next block after Lost, which was an excellent choice. And then I have spent the last few hours finishing up some good ole tax work. Yes. I realize what day it is. Yes. My accountant LOVES how much I procrastinate. :)

And Yes. I can barely keep my eyes open. Goodnight!

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

America's Next Great Star

I'm sitting in the back of the van... watching John Mayer on DVD heading SOUTH!

We're driving through Atlanta at the moment. Even though we've had the week off... this is the third time we've made this drive in a week! On our way back from Ft. Benning.... I popped down here and back yesterday.... and then we're passing through on our way to Jacksonville. Sometimes I sit back and look at my life from outside myself and just smile. I always wanted this. It's been way harder than it is now. Parts of it may get easier some day. But whatever form it takes... I just want to keep these wheels a rolling and never stop this train. :)

On Saturday night after I accepted my awards at APCA, I was asked to be a judge on America's Next Great Star. Think American Idol/America's Got Talent... but one that comes to you! Campuses can hire the show, "The Live Entertainment Experience" and audience members get to participate. After the judges select 3 top acts, the audience gets to text for their favorite. They do the WHOLE show - from auditions, to interviews and testimonials that they air as the person is walking on stage to perform... multiple camera angles shown on the projectors during the show... It's really a cool thing.

The student that won APCA's won $250, their tape will be sent to "industry professionals" in Nashville, New York, and L.A. The winners of the campus-wide tour have a chance to win $15,000.

It was so fun being a judge. And it was HARD! There were some VERY talented students and participants. I loved being a part of the show, and I was so glad they asked me to judge.

It was fun because they actually got to play with a live band. It's a band that was showcasing at APCA and they do "live band karaoke". The students had to pick from a list of songs (just like Idol) but they actually got to play with a live band! So cool.

I highly recommend the show. Campus advisors were asking me questions later... and they really do a great job of capturing the entire experience. I'm a fan!

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Atlanta-Bound

So I'm wrapping up another few days at home to head back out on the road. Tomorrow, however... is very different!

I am driving to Atlanta, picking up James at the Atlanta airport, and then we are headed to the APCA National Conference. But not to perform!!! :)

I was invited to the awards banquet that is taking place tomorrow night because well... the awesome nominations we received this year!!! We are nominated for Best Band and Best Performer. I still can't believe it. And I can't believe that we are actually able to attend. I have been nominated in other categories in previous years, but I have never been able to attend the awards banquet because of our schedule on the road. We just happened to have this week blocked off for me to write!!! I am pretty excited about going to see everyone that I have worked with over the last year that attends APCA. It becomes such a big family; the agents, the students, the artists... And these conferences are actually some of the only times I get to spend time with my own agent, Ari. That's always a good time. :) Oh, Ari.

And Ari was actually nominated for Best Agency!!! So really, we are all just stoked about the recognition. The students and people involved in campus activities are the ones that vote on these awards.

I also found out that I am nominated in the other college association I work closely with... NACA. I am nominated for Best Female Performer and Best Music in that one. CRAZINESS!!!

Wish me luck!!!

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Pigs And Peaches - Do I Have To Eat Them Together?

We had such a good time in Kennesaw last night! I LOVE playing at BBQ festivals because we get fed so well! You better believe this southern girl can eat up some pulled pork. :)

They set the "Guinness Book Of World Records: Largest Kickball Game" yesterday. How cool is that!?!?

So the Mayor of Kennesaw introduced me last night... ummm... that was REALLY cool.
(he's next to me in the black shirt)


Two of my Berklee girls came to the show, and I STILL can't believe it!!! These are two INCREDIBLY talented women. Nicole (on the left) is producing for all kinds of artists in Atlanta including Lisa's (on right)new album. I can't WAIT to get my hands on a copy of one. We used to do shows together at Berklee and they are both incredible singers. It was so cool to have them in the audience! I had to be on my A-game in front of singers like this!


I met my first "FrItalian Americanuk" (French Italian American Kanuk) That's what his girlfriend calls him... since he is an Italian from Canada (Montreal) living in America. :) Love it.


Definitely the first time I've been asked to sign "under the crocodile"


Shoe signage!


This one asked me to marry him. ADORABLE!!! I told him that my drummer had beat him to it, but if anything went south there, I'd be sure to give him a call ;)


Ciara ran my merch table and it helped me out SOOOOOO much. Thank you for everything girl!


And FINALLY I got to meet Tina (far right) from Acts Nashville, who booked me on this gig and MANY others! She's booked gigs for me for so long now, but we've never met!



And just a few more of the awesome people I met! There were so many!











Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Ashland Band Shell

After an odd, but good night's sleep, the guys and I went exploring in Ashland Ohio. They have one of the more impressive gas station/ food marts I've ever seen! Starbucks, Popeyes, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and eh emm... a "Sweet Counter" : )

We discovered even more mattresses in the parking lot in the daylight. :) This place is hilarious.

The Ashland Band Shell we played today was REALLY cool. It's their 60-year anniversary and there were pics in the hallways of the Glen Miller Orchestra playing there. So many people from the community came out tonight. It was a gorgeous night for a concert in Ashland and the rain held off until after we finished packing up!

Millie and I made friends immediately! She hung out with me before and after the show. Sweet puppy. There were so many awesome dogs at the show, and I wanted to run off stage and hug them all during the show. But I didn't...


She saw us at APCA in Atlanta and then came to see us here in Ohio!


These two were walking by right after we finished sound check. Apparently, we didn't scare them off!!! They were still here 3 1/2 hours later after the show!


More awesome people!

Mamma Won!

About a week ago, Mamma told me that she had entered a contest online. Recently, I bragged on here to everyone what a great writer she is : ) And yet again, she has proven herself by WINNING the essay contest. The writers were supposed to "tell about their Best Summer Experience" And I even learned a few details about this story which I had never heard! She wrote about when Daddy was leaving for Vietnam and she was preggers with my older brother. Her due date was the same time he was leaving. But there's a LOT more to the story. Enjoy!


In thinking back over all my many summers' experiences, one has to stand out above all others. It was the birth of my first baby and all the obstacles that had to be overcome in order to share that precious moment with my husband. First of all, I was a relative newlywed, having been married for twelve months and two days. I was young and in love and knew nothing about having babies. My husband, Larry, was in the Army and scheduled to leave for Vietnam around the time of my due date which was August 12, 1968. But first, he had to attend Jungle School in Panama for two weeks. At this point, we thought he would be allowed to come home for a couple of days after he completed his school, but he didn't have the date for his port of call in San Francisco, so we didn't know for sure.

Larry, being a Lieutenant in the Infantry, was lucky to have been selected to go to Jungle School. Panama was on the same longitude as Vietnam, so it gave him a little time to get acclimated to the hot, humid climate before he had to confront a true combat situation. It also provided invaluable training in survival, escape, and evasion in a jungle setting. In preparing to go to this school, he was given two pieces of advice by a graduate of the course. This buddy had told him to take two items, with him -- poultry seasoning and iodine.

The poultry seasoning was to be used during the thirty-six hour escape and evasion phase where the soldiers were given a huge area to get from Point A to Point B using only a compass and a map and with "opposing forces" trying to capture them. Chickens were to be let loose in this area, and since the soldiers had no food, if they could catch a chicken and eat it, then they would earn extra points. Larry's buddy had told him that the evaluators conducting the operation would taste his chicken and he would get more points if he used poultry seasoning. You had to have a certain number of points to graduate. As it turned out, Larry never saw a chicken and the poultry seasoning remained unused.

The iodine, however: was a different story. It's purpose was to use on cuts which could easily get infected in the hot, moist environment. A few days before the end of the course, the iodine came in handy. One of the soldiers had a bad cut and asked if anyone had anything to put on it. Larry passed his bottle of iodine down along the line to the soldier who used it and passed it back to him. Larry put the iodine back into his back pocket not knowing that the lid was not screwed on tightly. As the day progressed with rain pouring down, he eventually realized that he was feeling an intense burning sensation on his backside!!! This happened right before the thirty-six hour escape and evasion exercise that he had to complete to graduate from the course. The medic that checked him said that he had a second degree chemical burn and would have to go to the hospital immediately. But Larry was not about to let a little thing like a second degree burn on his backside keep him from earning the patch for his uniform that would signify he was a full-fledged Jungle Expert. So he made a compromise with the medic and promised to check into the hospital as soon as the course was over. The medic wrapped him up in bandages which promptly came off as soon as he crossed the first waist-deep stream, but he did finish the course and then, kept his promise. He checked into the hospital and was told that he would be there for a week.

Now, by this time he had received his orders and port of call date which would allow him a couple of days at home before he had to be in San Francisco, but he would not get to come home at all if he stayed in the hospital for a week. With a baby due any minute, he was on a mission to spend as much time at home as was possible. So he waited until all was quiet, retrieved his clothes from the locker and slipped out the window in the middle of the night! Once he was back with his Company, he was able to catch his scheduled flight back to the States. He had a connecting flight in Atlanta with not much time in between. Back in the 60's, they didn't have trains to take you from one terminal to the other, so he really had to hustle to catch his connecting flight. Well, while he was speed walking, the ace bandage that was wound around his leg and backside, began to come loose, and the faster he walked, the more it unraveled until it was hanging out the leg of his uniform, dragging behind him all through the airport for everyone to see! But he didn't have time to stop!

Meanwhile, I was at home, excitedly awaiting his arrival and praying that our baby would come before he had to leave for San Francisco.

Unfortunately, Larry's safe arrival at home did NOT coincide with little Joe Stovall's appearance. My due date came and went. So we started exploring the possibilities of getting a few days extension to Larry's departure date. The first thing we tried was having my ob-gyn write a letter explaining that it was in the best interest of my health for Larry to be with me when the baby was born. That letter resulted in an extension of one extra day. That was great, but it wasn't enough time. I'm not sure who we contacted next, but I remember precisely that it bought us another two days. Still not enough time. However, Larry had been assured by the Pentagon that two extensions was all he could get!

Now, when Larry had joined the Army, he had been told that if he ever had a problem that he couldn't solve, the best thing to do was to visit the post chaplain. So he gathered me up, looking like a watermelon about to explode and we went to Fort Campbell, about an hour's drive from where we lived and presented our case to the head chaplain. He was a seasoned Colonel who had served in World War II . Larry told him that he wasn't trying to get out of going to Vietnam, that he just needed a few more days so that he could be here when his baby was born. This Colonel told Larry that he thought the request was reasonable, and he picked up the phone, made a call to Headquarters, Department of the Army and got Larry's date of departure extended for two more weeks.

We were thrilled, and Joe Stovall arrived on August 22. We had run the gamut of emotions and were very thankful that we were able to spend this summer experience together. Larry even had five whole extra days to get acquainted with his son before he had to leave. Saying good-bye to my husband with a new-born baby in my arms, not knowing if I would ever see him again, was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.

I made a countdown calendar out of colored paper and white stickon numbers that showed how many weeks were left on Larry's tour. Every Sunday night, I would flip a page in the calendar and we would have one week less to wait. I would prop Joe up next to the calendar and take his picture. That way Larry could see how much he had grown on a weekly basis.

Forty years later, we have a total of four children and seven grandchildren. Larry has been home for the birth of every single one of them. I guess unless you have lived through it, no one can understand how it feels to be separated in war times. But having triumphed over so many obstacles and having had a compassionate chaplain make it possible for us to share the birth of our first child, definitely made that summer experience the best I've ever
had.

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

APCA Nationals!!!

I'm in a bit of a haze right now. We all got very little sleep last night.... And it's been a looooooong day. But it is one of those exhausting days that makes you feel so good - the exhaustion is how you KNOW it's been a great day.

We drove to Atlanta this morning (left at 6am.... and this is a group that usually goes to bed around 5am....) well... I say "we". JAMES drove. Sometimes I don't know how he does it. But he always does on the most important days - especially when I need to sleep to rest my voice.

We played at APCA Nationals tonight. We were the closing act for the opening showcase. And WHAT A CROWD!!!! The showcase was in the Grand Ballroom of the Sheraton in downtown Atlanta, and the place was packed.

Not gonna lie.... I felt pretty cool when I saw the line-up for the showcase. :)

The whole thing was incredible. The first guy was the most energetic man I have ever seen. He had a HUGE conga line going, then he had the entire audience singing "Summer Lovin" - it was the best way to start of the show. He got everyone pumped up for the rest of the entertainers!

Louis Ramey from Last Comic Standing was the first comedian in the showcase. He was HILARIOUS!!! I love this guy.


The next act was a singer songwriter who went out with just his guitar. His name was Austin and he had a ridiculous voice - impressively high for a guy. And then Alexandra McHale was on. We did a show with her in Philadelphia last year at St. Joseph's University, and she and I were both nominated for "Best Female Performer" in campus Activities magazine this year. She's a regular on VH1's "I love the 80's" and she is very funny.

Then this really inspiring and beautiful poet named Shanelle performed. And then it was our turn. In these showcases, you have exactly 15 minutes to get out there and show your stuff. :) And we BROUGHT IT tonight. I felt like it was the best showcase we've ever had. And this was a really important one. Not only were tons of schools here, but LOTS of military representatives were there as well. We knew it was an important night and we left everything we had out on the stage. I always like to be as far in front as possible - but tonight that meant I had to sacrifice having any kind of monitors. It wasn't that big of a deal. I could hear just enough from the main speakers out front to know what I was doing, so I just went with it. A big group got up and did the electric slide during "Beat It" in the medley :) It made me so happy.

After the show, they have what they call a "marketplace" where all the artists and buyers get 1 hour to meet and talk. And the people who are interested in booking on-site fill out "Strong Interest Forms". And then there are tons of other booths and activities going on in the marketplace... it's not just for the performers and their agents. Tonight I saw "make your own chapstick", inflatable laser tag, and yes.... a monkey. Well. I didn't get to see the monkey which made me sad. But Hootie and James did!!!





I made a whole bunch of new friends and got to hang with a ton of old friends!!! When I first got to the booth, there was another artist standing there. I recognized him, so I figured (since he was with my agency) that we had performed together before. And THEN I realized - NOPE. We haven't ever performed together. It was Dan Evans from the Biggest Loser!!! I LOVE that show. He and his mom were on it together. Dan just signed with my agent, so he came to the conference to check it out and see what it is all about. It was so cool to meet him and his brother!


Lori and Elizabeth from USAO in Chickasha, Ok came and sported their "Natalie Stovall" t-shirts!! It made me so happy when I saw them :) this is the shirt that Elizabeth brought to our show because she had forgotten to have me sign last year when we played at USAO. :) I love these girls.


This lady hired us to play at Ft. Benning in Georgia. That still goes down as one of my all-time favorite shows. We played for the soldiers who were about to finish up boot camp. My Daddy did his OCS training there, so he and Mamma got to come to the show. Man, that was an awesome event. You can check out a quick clip of the soldiers singing LOUDER THAN ME on the beginning of "Devil Went Down To Georgia" It was 100º that day. whew. Ft. Benning Video


Look at those HATS!!!! I want one.


And then we ran into some friends from Berklee. Their agent had actually asked if he could borrow Hootie's bass stand for a band that needed it in the showcase after us. But we had NO IDEA that we knew the guys in the band!!! How fun :) It's just been like a big ole Berklee Reunion this week.


So yeah. It was a GREAT night. We got more strong interest forms than we've EVER gotten in one night. There are some really amazing opportunities on the horizon, and if ANY of them pan out - well... then we're gonna have some wild adventures in the near future!

I have SOOOOO many great pics from tonight. I've already posted them all on my facebook page, and I will have them up on my myspace page in the next couple of days. I'm speaking on a panel about how to make college events a "win, win, win" for artists, agents, and schools, bright and early tomorrow.... no rest for the weary. But I am excited. It's fun to be successful enough at something that someone actually values your opinion.

The best thing about tomorrow though has to be that Greenville is only 2 hours away!!! Do you know how EASY of a drive that is?!? Good Lord I am excited.

Peace. Love. Fiddle. and Awesomeness On The Way.