Gordon and I probably have 20+ unfinished songs from over the years… really good ones, too. And today we added 3 more to the pile. But that’s part of the fun, I guess! By the end of this week… we’re probably gonna have at least another 10 unfinished ones.

Here’s to finishing all the BEST ones… *wink

I’ll keep ya posted on how that goes…

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~nat

This happened today…

I spent the day writing music… talking about music… and booking dates for future writes… and then making my favorite meal for 2 of my favorite people.

If you would like to replicate my day… click on the recipe below… add in your favorite people along with your favorite tunes… and voila!
Tortilla Soup Recipe

Enjoy

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

It’s much more than a job. It’s something you have to do. It’s like being possessed. Some people get possessed by the Lord and have to go out and preach sermons the rest of their lives. We were possessed by rock-and-roll music and, to feel fulfilled, had to go out and play gigs the rest of our lives. It’s something you’re always going to do. You can quit but it’s really like the sailor and the sea – if he never goes back, he’s just going to think about it the rest of his life, be suspended in a state of longing. I don’t think it will ever stop.
-Tom Petty

We all have a calling on this earth. Something that we must do. That thing that consumes us. I have been lucky enough to know mine for a very long time. And I pray that each of you who read this blog and keep up with my little dream… that you find yours. Whatever it may be.

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Yesterday was so fun. And the last 6 weeks on the road has been an intense whirlwind. But I think it’s all finally catching up to me a bit. I didn’t feel tired this last week after we got home… but I can’t say the same about today. I’m ready for a healthy break. And some Cinnamon love.

Ask and ye shall receive, right?

My good friend Gordon is coming into town this week and we are going to have our own week-long writer’s retreat We’ve written a lot music together over the years. But it has actually been a couple years since we’ve written, so I am PUMPED… This is gonna be fun.

I hope everyone had a WONDERFUL Mother’s Day!

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

TONIGHT WAS AWESOME!!!!!

We had the best time at the Mayport Music Festival. The crowd was AMAZING. It’s been nearly a year since we played on base here in Mayport, and it was so fun to see all of our old friends!

Like the XO!
THE MAN Commander Patrick M. Pickard

Fuel and Switchfoot both LIT IT UP tonight. It was amazing to watch. (And made me feel way cool to be a part of it)

Our dressing room was right across the hall from Switchfoot’s so we got to hang with them a bunch. Those guys are the absolute sweetest. I mean, these guys are the real deal. They’ve had HUGE hits and are some of the most down to earth people in the world. They were a blast to spend time with.

Just 2 years ago I had never been out of the country and now… people come up to our merch table and say crazy things like “I saw you in Italy.” or “I saw you in Africa.” or “I saw you in Cuba.” And it kind of blows my mind.

The entire show today felt like an 80′s music video… look at that hair! The wind was INTENSE.

Be sure and check out all the pics on the photos page! We met SO many awesome peeps tonight!

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

We’re back out on the road!

Only for a couple of days this time. We are heeding down to where the weather is warm and the palm trees are abundant.

We had an “Action Movie Day” in the van – or more accurately I should say “90′s Action Movie Day” you know… back before computers did all the work…
“Face Off”
“Demolition Man”
“The Rock”

Well… and then Garth Brooks Live… you can probably guess who picked that one

Our trailer smells of love and home cooking – Aunt Carol loaded us down with cookies on our last show. And we have SO been enjoying them. And I LOVE that the smell of chocolate and peanut butter hits me in the face every time I open the trailer door

So excited about this show tomorrow!!!

Goodnight from Days Inn in Lake Park, Ga!

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

If I were a superhero… My hair would have something to do with my superpower. Maybe it would just change color and get even bigger when my powers worked… or maybe it could protect me like a shield… or it could be some kind of awesome weapon.

When I was a kid Mamma would put it in a ponytail and braid it and on the play ground I would whip it around like a helicopter. The good ole days

We went to see the “Avengers” tonight and it was AWESOME. ABSOLUTELY AWESOME. It was one of the best of the superhero movies I’ve ever seen. Funny. Freakin AWESOME action. And actually well written.

Between Mamma yelling at the screen every time someone uses improper grammar (especially the misuse of pronouns after a preposition) and being married to James and his analytical nature… I feel like it is much harder for me to fully enjoy movies these days… And I love movies… It’s fun to dive into a world where things that aren’t real are possible. But a lot of times we walk out and say “That was good… but they really weren’t consistent with “x”… And my least favorite is what I call “being taken out of it” – when something happens to remind you you’re watching a movie… and you’re no longer “in” the story.

But I guess the upside is that when you walk out satisfied it is EVEN better!

And it looks like there’s a lot of great ones coming out soon!

Until then… I’m gonna work on deciding which is my favorite Avenger. You just can’t go wrong!

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

I am so excited about our show this weekend. We get to play with Fuel and Switchfoot!!! 2 most excellent bands (I’ve been ON with my Wayne’s World references lately… y’all noticed?)

Just want to make sure all of our Jacksonville, Florida friends know the details about the show this weekend! X102.9 is giving away free tix which is the only way to get in if you don’t have a valid military ID.

Check out the X102.9 website for more details and/or call (904) 270-5228.

We love Naval Station Mayport. We spent time on base last year playing a show (and hanging out with the Fire Dept!) before we went out to Guantanamo Bay. We had a BALL. Can’t wait to get back there this weekend!

Make sure to check out the Mayport Facebook page HERE!

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Tonight I was invited to a party in Nashville…

This is what it looked like when I walked in…

You know… no big deal… just Wynonna… and my friend, Rob McNelley playing guitar for her…

Ridiculous, right?

Luke Bryan came on next… and THEN the MAVERICKS took the stage. HOLY Guacamole!
The Mavericks were unbelievable. Their music is so fun and every guy in the band made you believe what they were givin ya. You just can’t help but smile when you hear them. It was amazing. I remember hearing about them a lot when I was little. And one of my friends was even in one of their videos… but I never saw them live. I am so glad I finally did tonight, though!! I will forever be a fan. They just brought the house down.

I met so many new people tonight… people I’ve looked up to for years… even ran into a high school friend, Hunter

But most importantly I got to hang with Tom Peterson – the bass player of Cheap Trick. (I already feel more awesome for getting to make that statement) James and I got to see Cheap Trick a few years ago at the Ryman thanks to our friend Paul. It was at that show where I became obsessed with Tom’s finish on his 12 string bass. I’ve been wanting to get a fiddle with that finish ever since. One day… It will be mine. Oh… It will be mine.

He told me that his bass is encrusted with Swarovski Crystals which is why it was so unbelievable under the lights!! I might have to write a hit song before I can have a Swarovski fiddle… but ya gotta aim high, right?

Just remember… It will be mine… #WaynesWorld

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie