Music Diary December '14

Before I jump into the post...HAPPY NEW YEAR!

And now some thoughts from this month's musical endeavors...

Dec. 1 - I hosted my very first online hymn sing. I made lyrics sheets and a lot of you joined me all from the comfort of our own homes. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did.

Dec. 3 - The Band of Men and I had a loooooooong rehearsal for our holiday gigs. It's always fun playing these songs but not the easiest task since we only play them one month out of the year. Here's a look into our practice...watch HERE!
Dec. 6 - I played a House Concert for a family that had recently moved to my area. They wanted to meet their neighbors as well as get to know the artists in their area. How cool is that?! I had a ton of fun and met some nice folks. Have you ever been to a house concert before? They are just the best.

Dec. 8 - Another practice with my Band of 'Merry' Men, yes that's what they liked to be called during the month of December :) Also - across the street from our practice space is...THIS! you are welcome.
Dec. 9 - I had the privilege of playing The Gateway Village Tree Lighting for the 10th year in a row. 2nd year with my entire band. We always have fun and thankfully this year it wasn't as cold as past years.

photo by Caydea Coobs
Dec. 12 - Flav and Jonathan and I went to Salisbury to play at Cartucci's Grapevine. We had a lovely time playing a mix of Holiday songs and my originals. Oh and the boys shared a bottle of wine...which made me giggle.

photo by Rachael Mangione
Dec. 13 - My friend Jessica Borgnis asked me to join her at the Christmas Village Toy Store. We played Christmas Carols for the people as they waited in line and then we even brought some of them up and they sang. It was such a sweet morning - I hope to do it again next year!

Dec. 14 - My buddy Justin Fedor asked me to put together a group of singers to back him up at the Traveling Wilbrys Tribute. I got my friends Etta Lea, Jason Scavone, and Miranda Reger (she's also a photographer). Together and we learned the backup parts to '

Wah Wah' and '

My Sweet Lord' (all by George Harrison btw...more on that later).

Dec. 15 - I went to my friend's songwriter night and brought Etta Lea with me. I hate that I have to miss this monthly gathering. I love getting to hear what some of my friends are working on and also getting to share what I'm working on and get opinions on the parts that are bothering me.

Dec. 16 - The entire group (for the George Harrison songs) practiced the songs and had a bunch of laughs too.

Dec. 19 - So, here's how The Traveling Wilburys Tribute went... each member of The Wilburys was represented by a Charlotte band and then at the end members from each local band got together to do the songs of the actual Traveling Wilburys. It was such a great night of music AND we raised a bunch of money for The Levine Children's Hospital. You can listen to a clip of us HERE We are the voices in the background singing 'Wah Wah'. I also did a duet version of 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' with Justin.

photo by Michael Lowrey

photo by Michael Lowrey

photo by Michael Lowrey
Dec. 20 - I brought The Band of 'Merry' Men up to Davidson for the first time. I loved having them up in my area. The crowd was a lovely bunch of friends, family, and neighbors. Here is a clip of us playing thanks to my friend Meredith... click HERE!

photo by Meredith McDaniel

photo by Meredith McDaniel
Dec. 30 - I received Charlie King's new album in the mail which is so exciting! Can't wait for you guys to hear it...you are gonna LOVE it. Then later Mattie & I practiced for our NYE gig.

Dec. 31 - The Mud Puddles joined a bunch of other fabulous performers for John Tosco's New Years Eve Variety Show. This year he did a family show that started at 4:30. There were kazoo's, dancing, juggling, lots of great music, and even more laughing kiddos.

photo by John Dungan

photo by Caydea Coobs

photo by Caydea Coobs

photo by Caydea Coobs