The last 2 nights opening for Colt Ford have been some of the best people watching experiences of my life. His crowd comes out to have a good time… and “have a good time” they do!

Tonight was absolutely electric on stage. My favorite thing in the world is a packed house. And as much as I dream about the day when I don’t have to “win over” new peeps… there’s something about the challenge of playing to a packed house that has never heard of you before. Maybe it’s my competitive nature or ambitious spirit… but it is extremely gratifying to win people over when you can tell they don’t know what to think of you when you take the stage.

Tonight was so special, though. A soldier got up on stage with Colt (he had talked to him before the show) because he’s about to go back to Afghanistan in 5 days. And he proposed to his girlfriend tonight on stage. It was so beautiful. She of course said YES!

And then I met a Marine, Cory, that told me he saw us play at Quantico 2 years ago. (I remember that show well) And then he introduced me to 2 other Marines, Adrian & Kevin, he had with him. It’s funny because I didn’t even notice at first… but Cory pointed down to their legs, and they BOTH had 2 titanium legs. My jaw was to the floor because I immediately knew it was because of their service. Cory started telling me what happened… About 4 months ago, they were all in Afghanistan and a huge explosion went off which took off both of their legs. Cory ended up pulling both Adrian and Kevin out right after the explosion. These guys were amazing. And WE. HAD. A BLAST. One of the guys leaned in and told me “I may not have legs, but I can still dance” And believe me, his dancing ability was in no way shape or form compromised! We danced the night away!!

It’s just incredible the sacrifices that are made daily for us all. These guys are so young, and they’ve already given so much. I had on my “Dang Proud” t-shirt tonight… and I couldn’t have said it better.

These guys told me they were at the Battle Of Marjah – which is an HBO Special that I can’t WAIT to watch. I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of this special yet. But I will be watching it ASAP.

And then… the quote of the night had to be the girl that came up to me, traced the silhouette of my hair, put her hands on my face and shouted, “YOU ARE DOLLY PARTON, WITHOUT THE BOOOBS!!!” (I cleaned that up a little bit) She went on to say, “Good for you, using what God gave ya!”

Thanks?

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Welcome y’all!!! You may have noticed some changes on the website… including… why wasn’t there a blog the last 2 days on the main page?

Well… we are moving some things around a little bit. Don’t worry – I’m still blogging everyday for you hardcore road warriors that want to stay on the road (and off the road) with us each and every day!! The only difference is… they will always be on the “daily journal” page to the right ——>

Sometimes you will wake up to them being on the front page of the site… but in order to keep important News and Updates current on the front page for not only the Team Stovall Family, but the newbies as well… the Daily Blogs and Journal Entries will have their own space on the site!

And for all you “RSS Feeders” you can just subscribe to the Journal Page if you wish

We just got into Lynchburg, VA after a through the night drive from Indianapolis. It was a haul! But we made it here just in time to freshen up before sound check. One more night with Colt Ford and Florida Georgia Line and then off to continue on our own tour. Last night was a blast. hilarious. COUNTRY. smoky. energetic. and well… pretty crazy. I’m thinking it may get even crazier tonight

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Good Lord. We just opened for Colt Ford in Indianapolis and his crowd is CRAZY!!!! We had so much fun. The club was packed with rowdy and PROUD red necks through and through.
I wish I was a talented enough writer to express all the things we saw tonight. But there’s simply no way. The people that follow Colt come to have a good time, and have a good time they do.
This crowd accepted us with open arms and made us feel like a part of the family. And the absolute best part is what a great guy Colt and his band are. They are some of the nicest most friendly people on earth. And these are the guys that are selling out anywhere from 1500 – 11,0000 people a night. They don’t have to be nice. I open for people all the time where I don’t even get to meet them (not that it’s indicative of anything) but I say that so you can see the difference… Colt seemed like an old friend. We hung out and watched GA FL Line (who was the first band to play) from the side of the stage… As well as a few times backstage. He’s just a good dude. And he is so good at what he does. His crowd is NUTS for him – they know every word and the energy in the room is palpable.

We’re driving through the night to Lynchburg, VA to do it all over again I can’t wait to see the crowd there!!

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
Nat

Check out their site HERE.

MARION – High-energy fiddle playing and a powerful voice will be in the spotlight when Natalie Stovall performs at the Marion Palace Theatre.

Tickets are now on sale for her 8 p.m. Feb. 4 show. She has opened for Gretchen Wilson, Little Big Town, Gloriana, Justin Moore, Josh Gracin, Trent Tomlinson, Safetysuit and The Doobie Brothers.

She plays more than 200 shows a year, states a press release, and is considered one of the hottest booked independent country acts in the U.S.

“People ask me a lot why I spend so much time touring,” she states. “I know it’s not the path that most country artists take, but I know it’s the right thing for me. The only way I really know I’m heading in the right direction with my music is to get out there and see how people react to it … see if I can really grab them. I didn’t start writing and playing because I wanted to be on CMT … I mean, don’t get me wrong, I want to be on CMT. But that’s not why I’m here. I write and perform because I love it. It’s always been part of me. I do it ’cause I have no other choice.”

Since her first professional gig singing and playing the fiddle at the age of 10, the Nashville native has performed everywhere from Oprah to the Grand Ole Opry.

In 2011, Stovall released her second record, “Standing My Ground.” The EP features five brand new songs she wrote, along with her version of the Charlie Daniel’s classic, “Devil Went Down To Georgia.”

Audience members can expect a fun night with a mix of country and rock when Natalie takes the stage. Her energy is as infectious as the music, states the release.

The moment she picks up one of her black and white fiddles, the spell is complete. A dancing siren with her chin tucked, and her bow fiercely flailing. She spins and sways through a dizzying, hour-long crescendo until the final band hit.

_______

Thanks for the great article! See you on the 4th!

The students at Indiana University East have started a new movement on twitter. It is called #NatalieFacts and it has spread…

60% of Natalie Stovall’s body weight is her hair. The other 40% of her weight is pure musical talent. #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall never puts sugar in her coffees or teas. Shes already too sweet. #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall CAN believe its not butter. #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall hates ping pong. #nataliefacts

There was no such thing as the big bang, it was the sound of @NatalieStovall echoing through time #nataliefacts

The Lion King is actually a methaphor for @NatalieStovall ‘s rise to music glory. Her hair was the inspiration for the lions. #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall once saved a man from dying with only her voice and a fiddle. #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall messes with Texas #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall’s hair is the state flag of Wyoming. #nataliefacts

A prophecy about the angelic music of @NatalieStovall ended the Crusades. #nataliefacts

This is Jason… and he is the man that started it all. He introduced me on stage and told everyone that I won a silver medal in the Olympics for curling… And thus began the #NatalieFacts

@BeardedBarista I heard that underneath @NatalieStovall ‘s hair is another fiddle. #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall once played fiddle for a deaf man, he miraculously recovered hearing while watching her. #nataliefacts #modernJesus?

@NatalieStovall’s Violin can unscramble eggs

Ghandi once beat a man up who disrespected @NatalieStovall #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall makes the Dos Equis “Most Interesting Man in the World’s’ knees quiver. #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall was almost trampled by a horse once. She beat it down then made a bow out of its tail. #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall ‘s milkshake brings all the boys to the yard. #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall once gave a couple the best wedding reception EVER! #nataliefacts and that’s a FACT!

@NatalieStovall once pitched a perfect game. She doesn’t play baseball. #nataliefacts

Johnny Cash’s “Cocaine Blues” is a tribute to a normal day in @NatalieStovall’s teenage years #nataliefacts

Tornadoes are actually @NatalieStovall’s hair when she plays the Violin. #nataliefacts

Dolly Parton begs @NatalieStovall for hair styling tips. #nataliefacts

Tim Tebow prayed to @NatalieStovall. She said No. #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall see’s and knows everything! #bigbrother #nataliefacts

I saw @NatalieStovall wearing army pants and flip flops, so I bought army pants and flip flops. #nataliefacts #meangirls

#PeaceLoveFiddle
@nataliestovall

Want to know how awesome our show was tonight at Indiana University East? Let me show you a snippet of what’s happening on twitter right now from the students… (I can’t stop laughing)

@NatalieStovall invented pita chips. #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall is the closest living relative to the “Velociraptor” #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall can play a fiddle so hot she once burnt the Devil. She did win a platinum fiddle though. #nataliefacts

The people of Guam were so amazed by @NatalieStovall’s hair, they named her their Queen.

@NatalieStovall ‘s hair is a legal resident of Japan. Voting rights and all. #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall can speak Spanish in German #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall ‘s preferred method of transportation is by grizzly bear. #ridesitlikeahorse #tennesselife #nataliefacts

The only sound Helen Keller can hear is @NatalieStovall’s violin

The only thing the honey badger gives a s*!t about is @NatalieStovall

@NatalieStovall ‘s only weakness is take home boxes. It’s like fiddler kryptonite. #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall ‘s music is so powerful, it traversed time and brought down the Berlin Wall. #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall doesn’t sleep, she rosins her bow #andwaits

@NatalieStovall once put skittles in alphabetical order #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall ‘s hair contains a smaller, just as talented musician. #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall doesn’t believe in Canada #conspiracytheory

@NatalieStovall is The Batman. #whysoserious #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall doesn’t roll in the deep. She takes her time and walks. #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall is only the second person to set fire to the rain #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall not only beat the Devil, she kicked Johnny’s ass as well. #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall it’s responsible for the Cookie Monster’s Addiction

@NatalieStovall once got so amped at a show, she punched the front row

@NatalieStovall is the smallest person in Indiana.

@NatalieStovall sang for the President once. He now consults her about important decisions. #nataliefacts

The sight of @NatalieStovall, turned @jclapp0 straight. #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall once put out a fire. Using only Gasoline. #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall is what Willis was talking about. #nataliefacts

If @NatalieStovall’s Violin were an angry bird, there would be only one level. #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall doesnt have cases for her fiddles. She stores them in her hair. #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall can turn two wrongs into a right #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall is the only known person to stand up to chuck Norris and live #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall ‘s music is what brought Osama out from hiding… #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall harnessed the the Sun. She wears it on her head as a trophy. #nataliefacts

Motorcycles wear helmets when @NatalieStovall rides them. #nataliefacts

@NatalieStovall her hair is so strong it is used to cut diamonds. #nataliefacts

They had the best green room for us ever. Complete with “extra special” bananas for Joel’s banana habit, Valentine’s candy, Gerbera Daisies (my FAVORITE!). IUE Flip flops, sweatshirts, t-shirts, and even a scarf… you name it! What a great night.

We <3 You IUE! And SAAT for bringing us to campus!

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

I’m in a hotel room. And it feels weird and completely normal all at the same time. We really are back on the road, huh? The show tonight felt much more “settled” and like we knew what we were doing… more so than last night. But there’s no greater rush than the adrenaline that comes from playing a show like last night’s!

Tonight we played at the University of Indianapolis and you better believe we locked up all those instruments. The last time we parked our vehicle in Indy – all of our computers got stolen! Ha. Not that it means a darn thing… but you know… it still makes ya feel better to be overly cautious.

I just want to say thank you 1 more time to everyone that came out to our Nashville show last night.

2012 is the best.

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Well…
This happened tonight:

As I proudly got my jeans on before the show, I was reveling in the fact that I hadn’t gained as much weight as I thought I had over the break. Playing shows every day ends up being a lot more cardio… well… than NOT playing shows…
So I get to sound check, step up on a speaker, and RIIIIIIIP. My favorite pair of jeans split wide open… in the crotch…

Ahh well.

What would I do if I didn’t have something crazy to deal with before a big show like tonight?

The show was great. We didn’t play perfectly. I didn’t sing perfectly. But those are not the things that matter at the end of the day. The set felt better than it ever has before. The new songs went great. I can’t wait to get to know them better for you all.

I could never express what it means to have so many wonderful people come out and support you as you live your dream. Nothing could be better.

Thank you all.

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

James and I are watching tornado warnings as they spin through the surrounding neighborhoods on the news right now in Nashville. They are creeping up on our area and will be here any moment. It’s such a weird feeling. And I’m just saying prayers that everyone is safe. We’re about to have to move into the bathroom in the middle of our condo…

I’m so thankful that we live in an age where we can “track” where storms are and make sure that we are as safe as possible. Can you imagine life before “weather” when it just sounded like God was angry with man when thunder and lightning would strike?

Times like this make me look around and take inventory of all the things I am thankful for. Especially as we are making preparations to get back out on the road. I am thankful for one more evening at home with our puppy. And our own bed. And I am thankful ahead of time for what a wonderful night tomorrow’s kick off party will be.

I pray that these warnings never turn into an actual tornado touch down. And that everyone is safe. And I pray that we can all remember to count our blessings as often as possible. If I said “thank you” a million times tomorrow, it would still not be close to the gratitude I feel for all I have in this life.

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

We rehearsed for 10 hours today. TEN HOURS!! And it went by in a flash.

The set is feeling stronger than it ever has before. And it is a wonderful “Cadillac Problem” to have to take songs out that we love because new ones are either stronger or more important. AH. I’m excited.

Before I take the slumber party that’s been taking place on my couch into an actual bed… I must leave you with the most adorable video. If you don’t smile when you watch this… well… you’re gonna smile.

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie