GAC Flood Relief Telethon Already $1.5 Million

My nephew Cameron:

"Ummm... When it rains, are the clouds going to the bathroom?"

We celebrated a belated Mother's day with most of family today at my parents house in Columbia. It's like recharging your battery to spend time with family. I mean, don't get me wrong - I'm completely drained! But it feels so great to have spent a much-needed family day in Columbia. I've missed the last few Mother's Day's the last couple of years, and this year I got to actually spend Mother's Day with my mother-in-law one weekend and my own Mamma the next. AWESOME.

Tonight was the GAC Telethon to raise money for Nashville flood relief. I didn't get to watch due to our Mother's Day festivities (which just ended). BUT I've already read an incredible article that makes me so proud!!! The count is already at $1.5 Million and they'll have the final tallies by tomorrow morning.

The article comes from Forbes Online:
Stars Help Raise Over $1.5 Million For Tenn Flood Relief

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Berklee Spring Break Trip Show!

Every year Stephen Webber and Pat Pattison, 2 professors from Berklee, put together a Nashville trip for Berklee students. They come down to Nashville during their spring break, and they get to go to all kinds of workshops. It is an incredible opportunity for the students. I remember going to hear Wynonna talk to us for about 2 hours on one of the events I went to. It was so cool. And Ricky Skaggs always invites the students out to sit in on a session. And tomorrow morning they are getting to see Delbert McClinton (one of my Daddy's favorites!!!), Gary Nicholson, and a bunch of players in the studio.

And every year they put together a show with alumni in town. I happened to be in Nashville this one night on our way to Atlanta from Stowe, so I got to be a part of the show!!! It was REALLY fun. The students are so great. Miguel and I just did an acoustic set of 3 songs with a couple of other songwriters. I am AMAZED when I look around at the amount of talent in the room at one of these events.

Half the kids in Kingbilly are from Berklee and they are ALL OVER GAC right now, Megan James just got a Jo Dee Messina cut which is her first single on her new album, most of the kids have Publishing Deals, are cutting a record, or they are touring. It makes me so proud to say I went to Berklee. As cheesy as that sounds. I don't care. I loved every second of going to school there.

Jenn got to come to the show!!! I miss her so much. But of course she couldn't really see Miguel from where she was sitting. Oh well, she got to "hear" him play live tonight :) Step in the right direction..... It's better than her WHOLE FAMIY being at the show while she just has to sit at home in Nashville and listen over the cell phone :(


Berklee girls!!! Not a very common occurance... there's not many of us!!!!


John saw it in the Scene!!! I didn't even know it was a public event or I would have invited people to come!!! (Sorry FFBF!)


Jenn took a little pic of us doing our thing.... she made quite an effort to wiggle her way to the front, so I am posting this picture!!!


Yeah.... we had to show off our Shamrocks! Thanks Jenn!!! Is that a halo above Amy's head?!? Whoa.


And I met Jeff Cook tonight from Alabama! (The fiddle/guitar player) I had just walked in and there weren't a lot of people there yet. I was talking to a friend and this man taps me on the shoulder and asks "Is that a fiddle?" (On my shoulder) I said, "Yes it is" :) And then he introduced himself. Isn't that awesome? Jeff Cook came up to ME and introduced himself. I love Nashville.

Peace. Love. and Gotta have a fiddle in the band!