For Valentine’s day I got James a bunch of tix to a Nashville Predators game so we could go with a group of friends. We have only been to one game before – and we had a BLAST. But we were the band that played between the periods… so there was a lot going on and our attention wasn’t COMPLETELY on the game. But it was just enough of a taste to know that we would LOVE to come back when we didn’t have other things that needed our focus!

So tonight was that chance. And we will DEFINITELY be going back. Thank goodness he knows more about hockey than I do… he was definitely helping me out along the way. But our section was a rowdy bunch – and GOOD LORD – Hockey Fans are BIG TIME trash talkers! Goodness! All the chants rip into the other teams – OUCH!

Best seats in the house

Section 303!!

Awww

The Preds won which made it even more fun. PLUS our section won free lottery tix! (Thanks Gnash!) James won “another ticket” so there’s still a chance for a REAL winner. WOOT! It was a great way to relax and hang after a long day of working on music.

We started our next acoustic video… but we’re trying something a little different. If it works it’ll be awesome… but there’s a significant possibility we’re in over our heads (at least with the time constraints we face) But either way… I can’t wait to get the next one done. We have too many ideas and can’t get them filmed quickly enough!

We shall see how far we get in the morrow….

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Looking around my living room, I realize that I hope my living room looks like this forever and always. There are musical instruments strewn everywhere… with writing notes and lyrics spread all around and remnants of snacks from people having gathered together in my home.

I’ve had two different writing appointments and spent most of the day completing songs that were waiting to be finished. I have no idea if anyone other than James, Cinnamon, and my co-writers will ever hear them. But that is not the point. There’s no way to achieve greatness without many unsuccessful attempts.

“I have failed over and over again in life… that is why I succeed.” -Michael Jordan

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

I. Don’t. Know. How. They. Do. This.

Can you imagine how many hours it would take to figure out what it looks like they are saying when you already KNOW what they are actually saying???

It’s just good fun.

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

In elementary school and middle school I rode the bus. Every time I would get on the bus in the morning, this one girl who was 1 year older than me would say “Hiiiii, Barbie” in this really condescending, making-fun-of-me kind of voice. All of her friends would laugh, and I would move on to the back of the bus where my friend, Deranda, sat.

There’s no way for things like that not to bother you as a kid. I would tell Deranda, “Well, Barbie is supposed to be beautiful, right? So it’s a compliment!” Desperately trying to convince myself that I wasn’t embarrassed or that it didn’t bother me.

I knew it was silly, even at the time. I knew it shouldn’t bother me. I knew it was immature of her to make fun of me for no reason, but I would just try to smile… One day I think I even mustered up the courage to say “Well… Barbie is beautiful… so THANK YOU.” Which only made her and her friends laugh even harder.

Flash forward 15 years later… This morning I woke up to a text from Deranda that said, “Darcy (her sweet little daughter) named this pretty Barbie Natalie after she watched one of your videos with us! Congrats!”

I felt so proud… Turns out that now being Barbie IS a compliment. Thank you to three-year-old Darcy for that little piece of sweet redemption I felt today.

Take that middle school bus-bullies… ; )

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

So tonight we told Ryan we were having rehearsal at 8:30… meanwhile we told some close friends to be here at 8 to surprise him for his birthday. His actual birthday was Jan 27… but we were opening for Colt Ford that night with a packed schedule right afterwards and we were unable to celebrate properly on the road. So tonight was perfect… there was no way he would expect us to have a party nearly 3 weeks after the fact, right?

NOPE! We pulled it off!!!! WOOO HOOO. He was so surprised.

Whew. And now… my living room is still filled with wonderful people. Exactly as it should be. But call me burnt toast because I am DONE. Cinnamon and I bid you goodnight.

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

So today I wrote some music… and then I went to sing and play on a demo for a song I wrote a couple of weeks ago. It’s a song I am extremely proud of – I wrote it with Jerry Flowers and Bobby Hamrick. It was the first time the 3 of us have ever written together…

Now… 1st time writes are usually a little tricky. Sometimes it takes a while to get to know people before you really open up enough to bare your soul for writing a song together. But other times it just spills out. It’s a lot like blind dating…

This was one of those times where Jerry started playing the coolest riff on guitar. I matched it with fiddle and the lyrics and melodies just started flowing out of us all. We almost had too many “hooks” and had to cut some It was a blast. And I love the song.

Funny thing is… I don’t think it would ever go on one of my own albums. It’s hard to explain… but it’s still such a satisfying feeling to have written a song that I’m proud of and think “I hope someone else sings this and puts it into the world.” It’s like I think it could have a better home than with me.

But never say never…. *wink wink*

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Joel posted this today on his FB page… with the caption “I will never again complain about playing “something difficult” while also trying to sing. This. Is. Amazing.”

Zach then commented: Man… You go around thinking, “hey, I’m pretty good at this music stuff!” and then this guy shows up.

Amen to that!

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

All I want for Valentine’s Day is your VOTE!!!!

http://www.campusactivitiesmagazine.com/awards.php

OK… maybe that’s a lie. I mean… I got everything I could ever want for Valentine’s Day. I spent the entire day with my amazing wonderful husband who makes every day feel like Valentine’s Day. But today just had flowers, chocolate, breakfast in bead with heart shaped toast and more than that… TIME spent with each other.

But it would still be really cool if you vote for me. It would be huge for the whole band. And use your .mil or .edu emails to make sure they count!

THANK YOU and Happy Valentine’s Day!

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

I’ve had the same best friend for 20 years. Sarah Valley (now Sarah Rose) and I met performing together in the Kids Club Show out at the Opryland Theme Park and tonight we threw her a double surprise party for her birthday. (it was double because there was a surprise dinner at a restaurant which she thought was all… and then we got her to my place where even more friends and loved ones gathered).

Tonight I am thankful for my beautiful friend who has always been there for me… my only friend that I have a secret handshake with… my friend who is so selfless and giving to others… my friend who shines light upon every soul she encounters… my friend who spreads joy and love without even thinking about it.

I am thankful that after 20 years of performing together… sometimes auditioning for the same parts (with only one of us getting it)… sometimes liking the same boy… living over an hour apart from each other even at the age of 10… going to colleges over 1,000 miles apart… living very different lives… We are STILL BEST FRIENDS.

I love you Sarah!