Hillbilly Christmas

I have been all in the holiday spirit today!!! James and I had breakfast with friends this morning, I went Christmas shopping all afternoon, I went to see my best friend, Miss Sarah Valley Rose perform at the Christmas show she is doing with Hillbilly Casino at the Opryland Hotel, and then I wrapped presents all night! WHEW!

The show was so cute at Opryland! Sarah and I performed int he Opryland Kid's Club show together ( you know, just a couple of years ago), and have been performing together ever since!!! It was so fun to see her do a show again. She is one big ball of energy!!! And she's an incredibly talented Christian Music Artist.

Tonight she told me that they are about to tear down the last standing building from the Opryland days. The administration building with the rehearsal halls and offices (along with the guard shack we always entered through) has continued to be an active part of Gaylord Entertainment... even though the theme park closed years ago. But alas, they are about to tear it down. I know it's just buildings... but it is hard to hear that. We spent SO much of our time there. We auditioned there, rehearsed for over 10 different shows there, I got ready for my senior prom there! I got ready for my Grand Ole Opry Performance there, my first fan letter EVER was sent there, and I even rehearsed there with my current band just a little over a year ago.

I still get teary eyed when I think about the Opryland Theme park being closed. It was home for years. I just can't believe I can't ever take my kids to ride the Wabash Cannonball or the Rocking Roller Coaster or the Grizzly River Rampage. I know I will always have the memories. And that is the most important part. But I sure do miss Opryland - just like so many do. It's where I did so much of my growing up. And it feels like they are tearing down a part of my home. (Big sigh)

But I sure am thankful for everything that Opryland gave me while I was there. It was a life changer. And who knew I would figure out at 10 what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. :)

Here's to wonderful memories.

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Winter/Spring 09 Tour Passes

Tonight MORE than made up for any crazy "technical difficulties" and headlocks with people screaming in my ear that went on last night!!! The place was packed out. Lots of friends and family came to the show, as well as LOTS of newbies :) I love playing at the Jack. It's like going out of town without actually going out of town. :) The majority of people are usually from the business conferences that take place at the Opryland Hotel. So it is actually pretty rare that people are in the Jack who actually live in Nashville.

I can't tell you how many times we have showed up in some random city and people are at the show because they saw us at the Jack!!! It is so cool. And tonight, there was a couple from Maine that plans on being at our show at Bates college in Lewiston on Thursday! It is so funny to think that I met someone in Nashville on Saturday who may be at our show in Maine on Thursday!

So I have to show something off a little bit :) I am really proud of it! (James has been working hard on a lot of fun projects.) And we now all have official Winter/Spring Tour Passes. : ) I know you can just look at the schedule on one of the many websites (NatalieStovall.com, myspace, facebook, reverbnation.... all the goodies) But this one is just so fun and colorful! Check it out and to see us if we are playing at a town near you!

If you click on the actual poster - it will come up much bigger in another window.... you know... so you can read it.



Hope to see you out on the road!

~peace, love, and finally got the fiddle working again. :)~