I’ve been to London Ontario once before to visit some radio stations, so actually getting to explore the city as part of CCMA week was a great experience! We arrived Thursday afternoon just in time to attend the opening reception at London Music Hall and throughout the week I had the chance to visit and take in some great local culture, I’ll be posting more about that soon, so make sure to check back! In the mean time, here’s my outfit for the opening reception, a black lace dress with fringe detail and my favorite over the knee boots. It was the perfect mix of style and glamour for the opening reception. Black is always a go to color for me, what’s something you often reach for when putting together a great outfit?
Music Video Shoot in Toronto
We recently shot a video for Off The Market at a soundstage in Toronto. I’ve done videos before but this one was particularly fun, because typically I’m shooting videos at a show I’m already doing, which means there are so many other factors to consider, but in a strictly video setting, it’s easier to focus on that one goal; getting a great looking video. I’ve shot videos where I’ve had my hair done and my makeup done, but for this video I wanted to do my own hair and makeup. Having been “made up” so many times, I can accomplish most makeup/hair looks on my own, so it’s fun when I get the chance to utilize those skills! The video was filmed at MSTVOW in Toronto, and I’m really looking forward to sharing the footage with you! In the meantime, here are some photos from the day.
Performing In Muskoka
At the end of May I got to play in my hometown which is always a treat. This was my first time playing at Deerhurst Resort and it was a great time. Deerhurst is a great resort that emphasizes the natural beauty of northern Canada. The audience was great, and the other artists in the lineup made the whole night a great experience. I played some new songs, and it’s always great to see what songs resonate with the audience, it varies from show to show. Some songs always go over well, but then others hit harder with specific crowds.
Branson Landing
On June 17, I was asked to perform at the 10 year anniversary of the Branson Landing in Branson Missouri which was such an honor! My entire band and I drove over to Branson on the morning of the 17th, and 7 hours in a band with other musicians is always a good time, typically with many jokes, laughter, and stories being shared. We sound checked, found out the stage was right by the river (super cool!) and then had just enough time to change for the show! About 3 songs in the sound cut out due to technical difficulties and a circuit being overloaded, but I went out into the audience to play, just me and my guitar, which was such a fun experience! It was like playing an intimate acoustic sent in the middle of my full band southern rock set! After they got the sound working again we finished out our set, and then got to explore Branson Landing. The weather was great, my band was awesome (as usual), and the audience was so much fun to play for! Here are some photos by Roberto Cerini from the show and some behind the scenes photos by my photographer!
Wanderers and Warriors
When I’m touring and promoting my music I get to meet the coolest people and whether they are fellow artists or fans, I love the opportunity to connect with like minded people. I recently discovered the brand Wanderers and Warriors on Instagram and as soon as I found out they had a love of traveling too, I wanted to know more. The brand, which is based out of Peterborough England, is run by two entrepreneurs who were inspired and fueled by a love of travel, something I also happen to love! So when I had the chance to partner with them to share their clothing collection it seemed like a very natural fit. This shirt has quickly become one of my favorites, and not just because it’s so comfortable, but because I love the message. We should all consider the world our playground and explore it as much as we possibly can. Check out all of their clothing at www.wanderersandwarriors.com
How to Overcome Nerves or Stagefright
I’ve been performing for a long time, and I can still remember my first public singing performance; a cover of Avril Lavigne’s “Sk8er Boi”. I remember it made me want to practice, because nerves are something I’ve dealt with since I started performing. Some of the best performers have suffered from an experience on stage and contracted stage fright – the Barbra Streisand Central Park incident where she forgot her lyrics kept her from performing out for over a decade! I’ve tried a lot of different remedies, from breathing techniques and vitamins to different teas and supplements. So I’m going to share with you the things that have helped me overcome my own experience with nerves before hitting the stage.
Hartselle – Alabama
Vitamins/Supplements
Valerian – I tried Valerian root, a natural supplement that is supposed to help your nerves before an audition in high school, and it was okay, but what I found out later was that you need to try it out before hand to find out what kind of dosage you need to start feeling calm. This works for me, but I don’t feel like it completely squelches the nervous energy.
Ashwagandha – This is a tablet I got from Whole Body and it decreases your anxiety level while still giving you energy. I found that this worked well for me, I didn’t feel as though I wasn’t nervous, I just felt I could better control the anxious energy.
Nashville Street Tacos
Start Small
Play smaller shows. Start with a room where your almost just background noise or entertainment. Build your confidence there, and then work your way up to bigger rooms where your art is the main focus.
Puckett’s – Nashville
Prepare
The first show I ever played guitar and sang at was at Eddie’s Attic in Atlanta and it was traumatizing. I wore the wrong skirt which was a slippery material, I sat on a stool where my feet couldn’t touch the ground or the foot rest bar, I had only been playing guitar two weeks, and the one song I played was a mess. I LEARNED FROM THIS. I learned to think about the details that may seem insignificant but during a crucial moment can save you a lot of stress and panic. Think about how your wardrobe will affect your playing ability. Think about what you’re eating the day of the show, think about standing vs. sitting, because it all matters!
The Mint – LA
Practice
This is the method that always works for me. I practice until it’s in my bones. I practice until I can recover from a mistake. Practice until you are sick of it and then practice some more.
All of this put together helps me almost completely dissolve nerves or anxiety of any kind. What are your methods?