The Brains Behind the Operation: Songwriters

I've always been a lyric person. Play me a song that's raw, real and full of emotion and you've got me hooked. Sure, the notes, instruments and incredible voices are a huge part of what makes a song a song, but the most interesting part to me has always been the words. I suppose it's because I like to feel things (you could say I'm an emotional person) especially when those feelings are familiar. Songs just seem to explain my life better than I know how to.

You may remember the time I attended my very first guitar pull (or if not, you can read about it here), which was my introduction to the world of songwriting. Since that day, I've spent a lot of time learning the 'whys' and the 'whats' and the 'hows' (and ultimately the 'whos') behind all of my favorite songs. Nothing is more fascinating than hearing the story behind why a song was written, and in my opinion, nobody can sing it better than the one who wrote it. 

Which brings me to the point of my feeling explosion... the Nashville Songwriters Series at Joe's Pub.

If you've listened to any country music at all, there's a good chance you've heard something written by Shane McAnally, Luke Laird or Bob DiPiero. In fact, take a pause right now and listen to just a few songs that never would have existed without them:

Great. Now you understand why I felt so lucky to get a glimpse into their world for an evening, let alone be in the same room. I got the chance to hear three of the best songwriters in country music tell the story behind why and how they wrote songs like Follow Your Arrow, Blue Clear Sky, Drink In My Hand, Pontoon and Body Like A Back Road. How freaking cool is that?!

I could sit here and tell you stories about the music and what the words mean all day long, but what I think is more important is to share the epiphany I had that night: I belong in Nashville.

Sitting in that audience, I felt like I was amongst my future neighbors and friends, and instead of waking up the next day sad and wishing it wasn't over, I woke up motivated. Motivated by Luke Laird's story of starting out as the merch guy for Brooks & Dunn. (He now writes songs for some of the biggest names in country music). Motivated by three individuals sharing their music with a crowd of people for no other reason than because it's what they love. Motivated.

The best part of it all though, was Shane McAnally telling me that not only had he read my blog, but that it was good. Yep... I'm still waiting to wake up from that dream. Witnessing others doing what they love is quite contagious. And hearing words of encouragement from someone you admire is sometimes all it takes to keep you pushing forward... to Nashville.

There are very few days that can top April 19 in my book. It was one of those moments when you realize the universe really is on your side. And I will never forget it. 

Say what you think

Love who you love

Because you just get so many trips round the sun

Yeah you only, only live once

#NYCountrified

In Case You Didn't Know: Brett Young

Talk about a man that has it all... Brett Young is any woman's dream. Not only is he devilishly good-looking, but boy is he talented. He released his self-titled album less than a month ago and I was in love from the first time I heard it. A few of my personal favorites include Like I Loved You, Back on the Wagon and Memory Won't Let Me. Sealing the deal though, was his recent stop on Luke Bryan's Kill The Lights Tour at Madison Square Garden where he performed an emotional, You Ain't Here To Kiss Me -- the man's real life experience ending a 6-year relationship (yes ladies, that means he is single). 

You should probably figure out how to see him live, but if that's not an option, Spotify will do. Throw on some Brett Young today. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. 

#NYCountrified

LB & The Bretts

What happens when you mix Brett Young, Brett Eldredge, Luke Bryan, a piano and the words to Let's Get It On? Every woman's dreams come true. 

Forget the fact that individually, each of those men are musical geniuses. In the middle of Luke Bryan's set, they actually performed a mash up of Ed Sheeran and Marvin Gaye right before our very eyes (and ears). Seriously, can somebody please play THAT again?

The opening performances by each of the Brett's would've been enough for me, but throw in a set by Luke Bryan in a sold out Madison Square Garden and I'm done for. If you've ever seen LB before, then you know exactly what I'm talking about. Basically, beer and bathroom breaks are impossible... because hit, after hit, after hit. 

Looks aside (well, kind of), highlights from the evening include: 

1. Every single song
2. Discovering a new crush, Brett Young
3. Luke tossing beers to the crowd from his Yeti
4. Brett Eldredge pouring out his heart during Wanna Be That Song (dude, you already are)
5. Luke Bryan on the piano & backup vocals for Brett Eldredge (pretty sure this is when I died)
6. Eldredge's mention of a new album (you really do always find a way to mess me up and drive me wild!)
7. Learning the emotional inspiration behind Young's You Ain't Here To Kiss Me. Gotta love a man who ain't afraid to share his feelings (but seriously, who's crazy enough to let him go?)
8. Wishing I was dancing around on stage during Something I'm Good At
9. And this moment: 

I literally cannot think of a more good-looking group of men... guess you could say that was my kinda night.

And all you keep trying to do is slow it down, soak it in

Keep trying to make the good times last as long as you can

But you can't, man

It just goes too fast

#NYCountrified

Kelsea Ballerini: I'm Diggin' What She's Doin'

2 ACM Award Nominations

1 ACM Award

2 Teen Choice Award Nominations

2 CMA Award Nominations

1 AMA Nomination

And that's just 2016.

If you're still not impressed, Kelsea Ballerini has a head start on 2017 with two nominations for Favorite Country Female Artist (People's Choice Awards) and Best New Artist (GRAMMY Awards). She's creating a lot of first times for herself, for  women, for country music, and for women in country music (pun fully intended). #YouGoGirl

The first time I was introduced to Kelsea's music was back in March of 2015 when she opened for Billy Currington and that was when I knew I'd love her. To quote myself after that show, "Have you ever instantly connected to an artist after only hearing them perform just once?" Yes. Connected then. And still connected now.

I've been following her journey ever since, and I'm so happy to see how her career has taken off... Like when you fast forward to December 2 and Kelsea is headlining her own tour and selling out venues in New York City. 

The atmosphere inside Irving Plaza was incredible. We were belting out lyrics as if we had written them, because we've all been there. That is precisely why Kelsea connects so well with her audience (aka me); we know how it feels to love someone or to have a broken heart, and she helps us put those feelings into words (cue Stilettos and Peter Pan). And I'll speak from experience, nothing is more liberating than shouting "you don't get to get to me" and "you're never gonna be a man, Peter Pan" with a room full of others who just get it.

So there we were, deep in our feelings, swaying to the music, realizing that tomorrow we'd have no voice, when... sirens. Nope, not the song; actual warning lights were flashing like lightning. Right in the middle of a new song about high school, the fire alarm went off and KB and her band cleared the stage. Despite all that we had been taught in high school, the crowd didn't move. I guess we all just wanted to dance in the eye of danger?

10 minutes of confusion, someone shouting "There's a first time for everything, Kelsea!" and she was back on stage. From Love Me Like You Mean It to The First Time to Dibs - if it was anyone's first time with Kelsea, it certainly won't be their last. Not only is "Country's Next Queen" a great performer and songwriter, she's also among the most humble and appreciative, and for that reason alone, no one deserves the success more. Keep it up, girl.

For all of you other KB fans out there, she told us she's working on a new album and I am very much looking forward to that. 

I ain't staying down, tonight I'm going out

Yeah, even if I have to fake it

A little black dress to cover my mess

So you won't know my heart is breaking

#NYCountrified

**Full list of Awards & Nominations here.... because 2015 was also stacked.

Making Memories Of Us, With Them

It isn't news to anyone how much I love music -- we've been there a few times -- but one of the things I love most is its special relationship with the memory. Amongst many other things, music can be all transporting, captivating, uplifting, saddening, inspiring and motivating. It can make you feel things -- both new and old. It can change your mood. It can transport you to another place and time, for better or for worse. Music always leaves an impression, whether you realize it at that moment or not.

Keith Urban is an artist I grew up listening to -- Stupid Boy, Somebody Like You, Raining On Sunday, and You'll Think Of Me were my jams. Hearing those songs will forever remind me of the way I felt the first time I heard them; spouting his lyrics at the top of my lungs while driving with the windows down; and the bond Keith's music created within my family. So, you can probably imagine my excitement seeing him in concert for the first time.

I don't know if it's because it was the final stop on the Ripcord Tour, but my experience that night was unparalleled. I'd always heard Keith Urban put on a great show, but this was more than great. He had a stage presence like I'd never seen and at the start of each song I'd lean over to my friend and say, "OMG, I love this one!" ... "This one, too!" (How is it that even after a number of years pass by, a song comes on and somehow the words just roll so easy off your tongue? The memory, man.) To say he's a remarkable performer would be an understatement. He belongs on the stage. And there isn't even a shred of doubt in that statement. Who wouldn't wanna be him?

Maren Morris had me feeling like I was at Bonnaroo all over again (sigh). She also reminds me so much of Miranda Lambert, and apparently I'm not the only who thinks so because she sang We Were Us with Keith, and crushed it. 

And when it comes to Brett Eldredge, I could go on and on, and on and on, all day long. Just thinking about his voice right now gives me chills. Would it be a stretch to call him a modern day, country Frank Sinatra? He also knows just how to make a woman feel special. Throwing flowers out into the crowd, Brett? You really do want us to be drunk on your love, don't ya?

Most valuable play of the night -- Keith's and Brett's duet of Somebody Like You. During the end guitar solo the entire arena was jumping up and down like they were on the stage. That was quite a liberating moment for me and I can still feel the thrill of it now.

Wow. What a night.

And now for my obligatory see what I did there moment... It certainly wasn't wasted time, but it was definitely time well spent.

If you're into reliving moments like I am (and jogging that unbelievable memory), here's a playlist that will take you back to that night -- or just help you pretend like you were there.

The rain is coming down tonight

I'm smiling looking at this photograph

I hear that song and I'm flying right back

To when we had it made

#NYCountrified

I Know Who's In My Heart Shaped Locket

Brothers Osborne.

I have never experienced anything quite like last night. Fresh from the CMAs, this was the Vocal Duo of the Year's first show after winning, and I don't think being welcomed to New York City by a sold out Irving Plaza is a terrible way to celebrate. From the smell of burning incense to the array of stringed instruments, this was nothing like what I expected. It was better.

There was Rum. There was an emotional Love The Lonely Out Of You. A kick ass performance of It Ain't My Fault, which was prefaced by TJ saying "I don't care if you know the words or not. You better get loud." (aaand we did). And then of course, 21 Summer and Stay a Little Longer (which is all that I wanted to do). Somewhere between the phenomenal perfomances of their own songs, the bluegrass piece, and the sick covers of Whiskey River, Atlantic City, and Pick Up Man, I found that it really is possible to love your favorite songs even more. Who'da thunk it?

Everything was so perfect, it's difficult to say what was my favorite part. Was it the many, many outrageous guitar solos by John? Was it during Stay a Little Longer when I TJ killed it on the cow bell? Or was it when a "USA" chant turned into a "CMA" chant? Maybe it was when TJ forgot the words to Heart Shaped Locket and had to start over (LOL). No, no, no. I know what it was. My favorite moment of all was when the entire venue sang along to Take Me Home, Country Road. I have never, ever heard a louder, more energetic crowd. This was undoubdtedly a venue full of passionate fans, of which I am now one.

It wouldn't be right to leave out the hip-shakin', heart-breakin' LANco, which were a perfect start to the evening. Thanks for letting me have my moment with Trouble Maker. I can't wait to hear what y'all put out next!

I'm pretty sure I didn't quit stompin' my boots the entire night, I definitely never stopped smiling (except for when I basically cried during Love The Lonely Out Of You), and I want to go back and relive it a thousand more times. Because there is something truly, truly special about this band. No wonder they won a CMA award. 

As I was leaving the show, I heard my exact thoughts echoed by person after person after person. "That was so f$!*ing good." And it was. Here's to wishing we all could've stayed a little longer...

Blame the bar for the band 

Blame the band for the song

Blame the song for the party that went all night long

But it ain’t my fault

#NYCountrified

Oh, What a Feeling

As I rode the subway this morning listening to my Song For Another Time playlist, I had an 'aha' moment. 

I love music. 

Simple. Nothing profound. But nevertheless, true.

The playlist is a compilation of all of the references in Old Dominion's Song For Another Time by Old Dominion and spans across a number of different genres (hello 80s and 90s). The commute and routine was just like any other day, except that it wasn't. I was somewhere between Marina Del Ray and Dancing on the Ceiling, and it hit me. Music. This stuff is great. And I can't believe I get to wake up every day in a world where it's all around me. 

Whether it's exploring new stuff or reliving the favorites (or keeping that new Jake Owen tune on repeat), the possibilities with music are endless. Like, that moment when a song you love (and otherwise totally forgot existed) comes on, it feels like it's new all over again. Or those days when you have a mini concert in your apartment (all too familiar to me).  But there is still so much I've yet to hear. People could stop creating new music today (but please don't) and I still would be able to discover something new every day... for the rest of my life. And I think that's pretty darn cool.

Maybe it's because I watched the CMA Awards last night. Or perhaps I just woke up on the right side of the bed this morning. Whatever it is.. it's a good day.

Oh, what a feeling.

Let's be brown eyed girl sweet Caroline
Free fallin' small town Saturday night
Before you lose that lovin' feeling
Let's go dancing on the ceiling

#NYCountrified