I Will Follow....

Tomlin's new song I Will Follow is - well - the bomb dot com. Read below. Then listen. Then fall in love.

Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow...

All your ways are good
All your ways are sure
I will trust in you alone
Higher than my side
High above my life
I will trust in you alone

Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow you

Who you love, I'll love
How you serve, I'll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you
I will follow you

Light unto the world
Light unto my life
I will live for you alone
You're the one I seek
Knowing I will find
All I need in you alone, in you alone

In you there's life everlasting
In you there's freedom for my soul
In you there's joy, unending joy
and I will follow

Take Me Down to the Little White Church.

Little Big Town just released their new album The Reason Why this week. My opinion in two words: LOVE IT. The harmony that comes from this group is so soulful. A friend of mine turned me onto this group about a year ago. I fell in love with several of their songs from previous records – Boondocks and A Little More You are among my faves. I feel like this new album though has the potential to really showcase their talent and put them over the top.

The hit single Little White Church just makes me want to DANCE. It’s one of those songs that when it comes on the radio – well let’s just say it’s rather fun to sing along with. Or rather belt IT out. I hope no one has seen me when I’m driving to that song.


Lean Into It brought me to tears the first time I listened to it. And I have been walking around with The Reason Why stuck in my head for the past two days! You can listen to the album for free right now at http://littlebigtown.com/media/albums/reason-why

Enjoy!

Food for Thought

When I was in Port Aransas this last weekend, a friend of mine went with me on Sunday morning to scrounge up some breakfast. We ended up at Bundy's, a charming little coffee house. On our way out a small table with a flower painted on the top of it caught my eye. I wandered over to it and this quote was also painted on the table:

"The love of God toward you, is like the Amazon river flowing down to a single flower........F.B. Meyer"

I now wish I had taken a picture of the table so you could see it. But I loved the quote. Hope it makes you pause and think like it did for me!

The Boys of Fall

Two things I love. One = Football. Two = Kenny Chesney. Now you put those two things together and you’ve got Kenny Chesney singing a song about football. I definitely got a little nostalgic for the days when my lil' bro played quarterback the first time I watched KC’s music video for The Boys of Fall. Back then Friday nights were all about the sounds and sights of high school football. I loved going to watch him play. I think this video and song really captures the essence of that something special that happens on the field. Even if you’re not a big KC fan – you should watch the video. Watch out. You might just become a fan yourself.

http://www.cmt.com/videos/kenny-chesney/547722/the-boys-of-fall.jhtml

Girlz just wanna have fu-un!

This past weekend a group of about 15 of my closest friends from high school and beyond packed up our bags and headed to Port Aransas for a quick beach trip. We managed to fit everyone into a four bedroom house located right on the beach. Yea you know you really like each other when you fit that many people who are not related into a house! It was a blast. Friday night we stayed up ‘til after 1 playing Mafia. Saturday was spent with my “toes in the water, bum in the sand, not a worry in the world, glass of wine in my hand.” Yep life was good that day! Above is a picture of all the girlz doing one of the things we do best together – drinking vino! I heart my friends. So thankful for them. And so thankful for Beach Trip 2010. This trip will definitely become an annual tradition. For shizzle!

Lover, lover, lover, you don't treat me no good no more....

This past Friday night, I gathered up a posse of some of my fave gal pals and we headed to see Jerrod Niemann at the Parish in downtown ATX. His new album just came out yesterday (which we scored early at the show), so he was doing a free show for publicity. The show was awesome! Not only can this guy sing and write great songs - he is hilarious! It makes the performance so much more fun when the singers show their personality from the stage. From all my concert going days the singers who showed the most personality from stage include Keith Urban, Lady A, Sugarland and Luke Bryan. The least personality shown from the stage include Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood. Not that their concerts weren't great - because they were. They just chose to mostly entertain via their music. Which that's cool. But it really adds another element when the entertainer lets their guard down and you get to hear where the song came from or why they chose to record it. So long story short if you ever get the chance to see newcomer Jerrod Niemann live - DO IT. :) You won't be disappointed.

SMILE!

I think everyone should be able to smile about this. :)

Friends Make the World Go Round

This past Saturday was my 10 year high school reunion. Say what? Yea you heard me. 10 years! Goodnight time is flying by. What I love most about the past 10 years is that the crowd I went with to the reunion was just like any other typical Saturday night. Our group of girls was one tight knit group in high school. And we have stayed tight over the past 10 years. I have been so blessed by this group of gals. Each one is so special and dear to me. Beautiful on the outside - and most importantly on the inside. I love that we keep up on a weekly if not daily basis. Through time we have all definitely grown up and changed. For the better. We've been there for the good times and the bad times. But thankfully most of it has been all good. Three weddings and a baby later. With lots more weddings and babies to come. And memories. Oh the memories. Friends definitely do make the world go round. For me anyways.

"He's a good time cowboy casanova....."

I was going through my camera today and I came across some pictures from.....Carrie Underwood! I can't believe I managed to neglect blogging about that concert. Especially since Carrie was sweet enough to throw a concert on my birthday in ATX. So sweet of her to think of me. :) All I can say is that chick has some serious pipes. She sang a bit of 'How Great Thou Art' - gave me major goosebumps! So talented. Love her.

Music To My Ears

This has been a huge week of music for me. Not necessarily live shows. But album wise. Two albums were released this week that I have been eagerly anticipating. And wowzers - they did not disappoint.

First Brett Younker released The New Has Come. This album release is near and dear to my heart because my extremely talented musician cousin Paul Whittinghill plays the drums on this album. Not to mention the album is one of the best collections of worship songs I have heard in a very long time. The boys even got a shout out from Chris Tomlin on Twitter on CD release day. You know the album is out of this world when a veteran like Chris is showing the love. So you should check it out!

The second album that I was so excited for was Lee Brice's debut album Love Like Crazy. I blogged about his hit single Love Like Crazy not too long ago. And his album is out of this world! He is such a talented song writer, musician and vocalist. It's not very often you find someone with all of those talents in the mainstream music industry these days. Lee has written hits for the likes of Tim McGraw and Garth Brooks. This guy is going to be huge. Mark my words. I can feel it. I can't WAIT to see him live. Beautiful Every Time is probably my fave. But then again, I don't think I can honestly chose a fave out of his album. Yes it's that good people.

Just trust me. Download these two albums. Have I ever lead you wrong? ;)

Tumbling Dice

Check out this video. Keith Urban performed the Rolling Stones Cover "Tumbling Dice" on Jimmy Fallon the other night. Keith even had the Little Big Town gals backing him up! I heart them too. Keith is so incredibly talented - as a singer/songwriter and musician. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhFWH9OUt-o

"Gonna get a little bit sideways...."

Dierks Bentley came to The Parish in ATX last Saturday. It was my first time to The Parish. I personally love the venue. Love the feel. Love the size (small). And of course I love me some Dierks so it was a win win situation. I am a huge fan of several of his songs. "Sideways" is a big crowd pleaser. "Feel That Fire" is the first Dierks song I fell in love with. And "What Was I Thinkin" is a def Dierks classic. All in all, it was a fantastic show. I would for sure go see him live again!

Music Video: Love Like Crazy

Well not too long after I posted about my love for Lee Brice's song "Love Like Crazy" - the music video premiers! It's so good. Enjoy!

http://www.cmt.com/videos/lee-brice/507263/love-like-crazy.jhtml?id=1637479

Just A Horse

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a horse,"or, "that's a lot of money for just a horse."

They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a horse." Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a horse."

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a horse" but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a horse" and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a horse" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a horse," then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."

"Just a horse" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a horse" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of "just a horse" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a horse" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. "Just a horse" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a horse" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a woman."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a horse" just smile, because they "just" don't understand.

~author unknown

Love Like Crazy

So it's a little known secret that I love country music. Okay so it's not a secret at all. If you don't know that I love country music...well then you don't know me very well at all. I get really excited when I find new artists that I like. Lee Brice is one of them. The first time I heard his song "Love Like Crazy" on the radio, it was one of those moments where I stopped thinking about whatever was on my mind and turned up the music really loud to hear the song. I have listened to the song a couple of times every day for the past week now. Listen to it. You will Love it. Like crazy.

They called them crazy when they started out
Said seventeen's too young to know what loves about
They've been together fifty-eight years now
That’s crazy

He brought home sixty-seven bucks a week
He bought a little 2 bedroom house on Maple Street
Where she blessed him with six more mouths to feed
Yea that’s crazy

Just ask him how he did it; he'll say pull up a seat
It'll only take a minute, to tell you everything

Be a best friend, tell the truth, and overuse I Love You
Go to work, do your best, don't outsmart your common sense
Never let your prayin' knees get lazy
And love like crazy

They called him crazy when he quit his job
Said them home computers, boy they'll never take off
He sold his one man shop to Microsoft
They paid like crazy

Just ask him how he made it
He'll tell you faith and sweat
And the heart of a faithful woman,
Who never let him forget

Be a best friend, tell the truth, and overuse I Love You
Go to work, do your best, don't outsmart your common sense
Never let your prayin knees get lazy
And love like crazy

Always treat your woman like a lady
Never get to old to call her baby
Never let your prayin knees get lazy
And love like crazy

They called him crazy when they started out
They've been together fifty-eight years now

Aint that crazy?

Roman’s Debut Weekend

This past weekend was Roman’s first weekend in Austin. We had lots of fun together. My Dad was photographer extraordinaire as always! Here are some fun shots from my horse filled weekend.

Welcome to Austin Roman!

Miss Roman made her trip to Austin a couple of days earlier than originally planned. Needless to say I couldn't be happier! She seemed content after a walk around the farm along with some grazing time and treats. Love her very pretty girlie face. I'm so excited she is here!

Romanique

So I have some very exciting news. I am leasing a new horse! Romanique (Roman) is a Bay Thoroughbred jumper mare. She has been boarding for the past couple of years at my bff’s stable, Steep Hollow Farm, in College Station. I am so excited to have something to ride regularly again. I’ve also had this crazy desire to try out the jumpers so Miss Roman will be the perfect teacher for me. She is coming to Austin on Sunday so I am sure some pictures will follow soon! Thanks to Christian for making this possible!

Thank God for good directions....and Billy Currington

My favorite country music guy, Billy Currington, came to the Austin Rodeo last night. It was awesome. Minus some sound issues. But nevertheless he sounded great live as always. And he is oh so fun to look at…..I mean listen to….I mean look at and listen to….sigh. One slight change to his “People are Crazy” lyrics last night: “God is great. Beer is good. And women are crazy.” Oh Billy – sounds like a personal issue to me.

"It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need you now..."

Rodeo Austin hosted non other than the Grammy award winning trio Lady Antebellum last night. And I had rockin’ seats to the sold out show! It has been years since I have been to the rodeo. My return trip back was so much fun! I absolutely loved the barrel racing. The bronco riders have my utmost respect. Even though I think they are crazy for wanting to ride a bull! And Lady Antebellum of course brought the house down. This was my second time to see them live. They put on a great show and their ability to produce awesome harmony is hard to beat live. I love how it’s so obvious they have a blast on stage. Hillary Scott dances around the stage the whole time. Charles Kelly has some moves of his own. And Dave Haywood is an extremely talented musician. The whole stadium was belting out the lyrics to Need You Now and I Run To You. We had a blast! Now I have to wait a week to see my all time favorite country guy – BILLLY CURRINGTON. Oh you know there will be a post following THAT concert. Complete with pictures. Promise!

Mr. Magoo and the BIG 2-0

Mr. Magoo turned the big 2-0 a couple of weeks ago. It’s hard to imagine he came into my life 15 years ago. We really did "grow up" together. I have been so blessed to have him in my life. He has taught me so many valuable lessons including the real meaning of hard work, patience, and perseverance. He definitely made a name for himself in the Central Texas show ring. It makes me really proud to hear people reminisce about our years of success together in the show ring. Now that the show days are behind us, I am so thankful that I have been given the chance to give him the retired life that he so deserves! Here are a couple of pictures of us through the years. Talk about a walk down memory lane.

Last show together in 2008 at GSWEC- Katy, TX

GSWEC Katy, TX 2008

First A show back together in 2008 - Rose Palace San Antonio, TX

First show back together after 7 years of being apart at GSWEC - Katy, TX (2007)

Austin, TX Summer Circuit Show 1999

First A show together in Austin, TX 1997

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words…….

What girl doesn’t like to get her hair and make up done and then take some fun pictures? My thoughts exactly! So when the stars aligned just right I jumped at the chance to work with the amazingly talented Atlanta, GA photographer Christi Dillon. Christi is a good family friend of my cousins who live in Georgia. I had seen the family portraits she had done for my cousin Catherine and I fell head over heels for her work. I had planned a trip to Atlanta for a family wedding and Christi had the Sunday afternoon available after the wedding for the photo shoot which worked out perfectly. The dynamic duo (my cousins Cath and Liz) did a fabulous job as my personal hair and make up stylists. Then we loaded up in Christi’s van and headed out to a posh polo farm outside of Atlanta. We stopped at two other sites as well: a closed down ancient looking oil refinery and the old warehouse district of Canton, GA. All of the sites Christi chose for the shoot were so incredibly creative. I haven’t had that much fun in a very long time. Something about getting all dressed up for the camera just makes a girl feel good. The first time I saw the preview of the photo shoot I was speechless. I posted couple of my favorites below. Christi’s work speaks for itself. She is talented beyond words. You can view her website at http://agatheringofdays.com/

“No one really ever wins in heartbreak warfare.”

This past Monday I was sitting at my desk after lunch when I remembered John Mayer was playing at the Erwin Center in only a few short hours away. I thought, what the heck, I should search online to see if any tickets are still available. So I went online to the Texas Box Office and did a little search for best available tickets and the words FLOOR pop up on my screen. I sat stunned for about 20 seconds just staring at the screen. Then I begin furiously looking for my credit card all while trying not to scream my head off in my office. All I could think was I was going to get to see John Mayer from the floor….for box office price! Lord have mercy! My friend Nicole from the barn (a fellow John Mayer enthusiast) was my date to the show. To sum it up in one word the show was AMAZING! We had a blast. He opened with Heartbreak Warfare which is one of my faves. Why Georgia brought the house down. And a dude proposed to his girlfriend during Gravity. Sweet. I was really hoping he would play Edge of Desire but no such luck. That’s ok. I’ll always remember the show. Oh and did I mention that I also came down laryngitis the day before the show? Yeah that did not stop this chick from singing her heart out and dancing her bootie off!

Hiatus Is Over.

So I took a hiatus from blogging.

Now I'm back.

Back again.

And the crowd roars.

Thank you. Thank you.

All the applause is greatly appreciated. Wink.

I will hence forth try my best to dazzle you with my witty and insightful commentary.

Cheers!