Tag Archives: tennessee

CMA Fest

Posted on by under Music

Walking back to music row yesterday I started smiling. I looked back over my shoulder to Nashville as I was walking up the hill. All the tourists, sunburnt and exhausted, but excited to be here. I thought back to 2008, the first time my parents took me and my sister over here. 

For years I had been collecting CDs of my favorite artists. I’d order them online and had to wait several weeks for them to come in. They were my treasures. And then to finally get to set foot in THE city of country music was a dream come true. We weren’t even allowed in the bars yet, but we’d listen from outside to the bands playing.



And then here I am today, working for cmt, living just a few hours from this great city, walking back to where I’m staying on music row. I would’ve never believed it if you’d told me that back in 2008. I might not be a big star like I want to be but at least I’m dating one 😉 



This week I worked for the broken skull challenge for the cmt show. It was an obstacle course and of course I had to try it too! I made it up the rope woop woop! 





Guess my yoga has paid off! Next to us was the stage where artist had interviews and played songs. Little big town, Keith urban, Darius Rucker, the oak ridge boys, Chris young , kellie pickler and Jo Dee Messina were some of the line up. Jo Dee Messina is one of my all time facorites! Can’t wait to listen to her new album. She was extremely interactive with the crowd and very funny. Some dude asked her to play “I hope you dance,” by Lee Ann Womack. Not even her song! She was a good sport about it, got out her iPhone to find the lyrics and sang the song without missing a note. 

Very much enjoyed this Cma week! Now home to my own country star and little puppies 😘 

When the public restroom becomes a second home

Posted on by under Travel

yesterday we got up early after a little rest in our fancy Notre Dame Hotel. Got some bagels, eggs and of course coffee on our way out to the first show. Auburn, Indiana, a little bit bigger than the towns we had visited, but still tiny. 



and after that onto Garret, just 10 mins away. All the kids at both shows had a wonderful time, and I’m sure the parents were thankful that they were ready for their afternoon naps. 



After the shows we changed in the restrooms, just like we had been everyday. Quickly splashing some water and soap on our sweaty armpits hoping no one would walk in. 





Yep that’s Natalie just living like a homeless dirty hippie 😉 we then headed on to South Carolina, a 10 hour drive. Well.. That’s what it was supposed to be, turned out to be almost a 13 hour drive with all the traffic and detours we hit. We enjoyed seeing some more of Indiana and Ohio. I was so excited when we got to West Virginia



We were welcomed by large rivers and big green trees on even bigger mountains. As we drove in the sun was setting, which made our view even more beautiful. We did have one little hiccup.. We got pulled over! Don’t you hate that moment of anxiety whenever the cop walks back to his car. Are we getting a ticket or not!?? The cop slowly walked back over to the window and handed Natalie a warning along with her license and registration. Holding back our cheers and excitement until we were out of the cops sight we drove off onto the next state.



Instead of one person sleeping while the other drove we both stayed up singing out loud to avril lavigne, taylor swift and Michelle Branch. Followed by the audio book version of Safe Haven. The last couple hours we were ready to drop! Just so tired! But we safely made it to the hotel mom 😉 we got about 5 hours in before heading to our first show. We chugged a cup of coffee and put on another successfully show in west columbia, South Carolina. The sweet kids even made us some superhero masks! 



My nose looks like squid ward in this picture… 

We had a couple of hours to kill and of course I had to drag poor Natalie to the high school track. We pushed each other through the workout so we could enjoy some subway cookies! We deserved them. 



One more show for the week in Swansea, South Carolina. Another welcoming small town with the sweetest people. And now back on the road again. After yesterday driving through Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, today we’ll go through Gerogia and Tennesee and then Alabama for me. 



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