I'm Tired...

I knew the last part of April would be wild, and it has been. I spent last weekend out at Gaylord Opryland hotel for Mark Lowry's Spring Fling (read the blog here). On Monday I checked out of the hotel, went home and dropped off my bags, then headed for a Christian music showcase downtown (report in my Nashville Blend blog). Tuesday was the GMA Southern Gospel showcase, this year it being the Harmony Honors awards. That's chronicled elsewhere on the web (Google it), so I will skip that report. Realizing my limits, I did not attend the Dove Awards. I had the best seat in the house at home and in front of my computer, where I watched Mark Lowry and Paul Johnson win the Best Inspirational Album award for "I Love To Tell The Story". I was so thrilled for them both. (By the way, if you haven't heard this marvelous conversation with Paul Johnson that I did for my podcast, this would be a good time to do so...he gives a lot of interesting detail on the making of this album.)

I stayed home the rest of the week but saw one or two things happening in town that I would have liked to attend. A person can go insane here in Nashville with all of the possibilities to take in great music and events.

It all starts again next week, and next weekend I'll be at the Middle Tennessee Women's Retreat. I had not originally planned to attend, but mountains were moved so I could be there. I have to believe that God has a message for me at this one.

In the midst of all this, I have a couple of other pieces to write, too. Better get to work.

My next "project"

So I've been in Nashville one year. It's been well documented how much I love it here. Thus, I have made a decision to "seal the deal" and attempt to do something that years ago I said I'd never do again. Yes--I'm buying a home. But this time, it's going to be a townhome or one-level condo. Some of the tales I can tell on my last homeownership experience with a single family home have turned me away from that forever. I know it's a different, and maybe pricier, ball of wax in the condo world, but renting sort of prepares you for that. (I must say, though, of late, renting has been a very different experience here than when I lived in Minnesota.) So I decided that if I am going to live the way I want to, get up in the morning when I choose to, etc. it's time to buy. Plus, I gotta get out of this traffic pattern.

Now that I've been preapproved, my realtor and I are ready to start looking. I'm excited but at the same time asking myself if I'm ready for all the stress that comes with it all. I guess we'll find out.

One Year In Nashville

Obviously, this year's Easter weekend, though falling earlier in the calendar, won't be quite as memorable as last year's. Last Easter season I was on the journey arriving here in Nashville. It still feels like it all happened a few months ago. It has truly been a wonderful year.

Has it all been easy? No. There have been challenges in the working and living situations. Now that I have been here a year, it is time to try to make certain solidifying decisions in the face of an uncertain economy. But of course, the greatest joy has been to find acceptance of my call as an encourager among the emerging and accomplished in the Nashville music community. On that end, I give my greatest thanks to those who have been way-showers, door openers, dream-makers and supporters of the encourager who has also needed encouragement herself. I have also been lucky enough to find an extended family of sorts among my church group.

I'm still here...and I'm still thrilled to be here. I love this town.

New Podcast Interview

If you haven't already done so, I hope you'll check out my latest "Wendy V's Ponder Cast" podcast where I interview composer/producer/arranger/conductor Paul Johnson. He's been in the business a long time and known for his work in Christian music and choral arrangements (Paul Johnson Singers), as well as having worked with some of the greats throughout the entertainment industry. It's certainly one of the best podcasts I've done so far. Paul is humble and articulate and addresses the joys and frustrations of being an artist which befall many of us, whether you're struggling or accomplished as much as he has. We're all floating in the same boat at times.

Admittedly, I was an FM rock and roll gal and out of the Christian music loop back in the 70's when Paul and his singers made many of the recordings which he shared with me after our interview. It was fascinating to hear some of the music which was the beginning of what we know today as contemporary Christian. Certainly the genre has evolved tremendously over the years. But, the message you'll hear in the music is timeless. You'll also hear some great voices. What's it like to be able to do that? Paul answers that question quite interestingly.

Website update #2

The website updates I mentioned are taking place this week. www.wendyv.com is running as normal, but if you go to embraceencouragement.com and find it down, you can find it at www.embraceencouragement.net where it is also being housed temporarily.

Update: all is now working with my website as it should. Thanks, Rob, at WebAlong for hanging in there with me until everything was right. You rock!

Dove Award Nomination for Mark Lowry and Paul Johnson!

Congratulations to Mark Lowry and Paul Johnson for receiving a Dove Award nomination on an amazing album, which I've sung the praises of in this article I wrote last year.

Read the official press release here.

Website Update

The update on my website is that I can't update anything right now. It is frustrating and totally unacceptable. So, some changes will need to be made. For those of you who read features like my monthly "Encouraging Words" newsletter, I hope to get the next issue posted in time for March but we'll have to see (of course, the best way to not miss anything there is to be an e-mail subscriber!).

Anyway, my apologies for not being up to date--it's certainly not my style but is out of my control right now. For now, please check here or at "Wendy V's Nashville Blend", or my MySpace page for current happenings and announcements.

Update to the update: OK, I have been able to update the home page...for now. But I do expect to have the website in transition sometime next week. So, keep those above links handy just in case.

Opry Classics

Well, I am having a blast. A few weeks ago I happened upon a Time-Life TV commercial that Marty Stuart was hosting (that alone would make me take notice). He was introducing a series of 8 DVDs made up of clips from old Grand Ole Opry based and other TV shows of the 60s and 70s, featuring just about any classic artist you can imagine. Being the serious collector of old TV musical clips and shows that I am, I flew online immediately and ordered the set, trusting that my tax refund would cover the cost.

Indeed, this set is a collector's dream. I've been wondering for years where those clips of Patsy Cline, where she's singing "Crazy" and other songs and wearing the pretty flowered dress I saw at the Opry Museum, came from. The answer is The Pet Milk Grand Ole Opry program and there's lots of clips from that show and others. Another thing I love about this collection is that whereever possible, they have the broadcast dates of the shows...I like knowing that sort of trivia. And oh yeah, Marty introduces each DVD. Plus, there are some bonus artist interviews with Little Jimmy Dickens, JimEd Brown, the late Porter Wagoner and others reminiscing about their Opry memories.

Now, if only they'd release some of the full episodes of these old programs (yeah, I know, I want it all)...

Happy Quirkyalone Day!

On a day when society tries to tell you it's the norm that you should be partnered, I just wanted to wish those of you who are uncoupled a Happy Quirkyalone Day. I have celebrated this alternative day for years. While I don't agree with everything found on the website, I think the basic idea makes sense.

I do believe we need to love ourselves as God loves us. It's only then when we can fully love others. So today, be yours.

Cold? Well, yeah...

When I moved here to Nashville some people told me "well, it does get cold here", but I kinda brushed it off because I figured they were talking about temperatures in the 30s, perhaps. They were right. We've had temperatures in the teens for lows with wind chills close to rivaling the Twin Cities. I thought I left all that behind. Thus I am grateful I did not leave behind my black parka for those days. I was almost missing the "big black bear", my 3/4 length down coat which was given away before the move.

But I do comfort myself with a couple of things: one, it is usually 20 degrees colder in the Twin Cities than it is here, and two, I know that warmer weather and spring will come here when it's supposed to.

By the way, it's supposed to be back in the 60s this week.

Happy New Year...

Well, the holidays are over and soon we will be back to normal routines and of course, normal traffic levels around here. Admittedly, it did feel like Minnesota around here the last couple of days, with low temps in the teens. The folks here sure didn't take well to that. I assured them they haven't really felt true cold, pointing out that the low overnight temperature would be the high for the day in St. Paul. I will say this: I don't think too many of these buildings here are set up for this kind of cold snap. Tried as my furnace did, my apartment hasn't been quite up to the task. Even my car, which granted no longer has the luxury of a garage, hesitated a bit ("C'mon car! You're supposed to start right up! You're a native Minnesotan!").

Good news for my podcast: it got over 9,000 plays last year and when the monthly stats were reset on my host site, Cyberears, it initially came in at #5 in its top 10rankings. (Then it dropped off, then went as high as #3, then back to #5, since stats change by the moment. But it's all good.)

My resolution for this year, if I have any, is to just put one foot in front of the other each day and walk through life as best I can. I will also be working on my newfound hobby, studying alternative medicine and getting my own self in shape (keep eating an alkaline diet, continue my daily walking, more raw and green foods...things everyone should be doing).

Happy New Year, everybody!

Catching up online

I've been spending some time on this holiday season getting caught up with some online things. I did a year end wrap up podcast, indulged my passion for vintage clips on YouTube (everything from rock TV clips to soap operas) and some archived audio sites and message boards. Doing the latter, I caught wind of some items from the Twin Cities way that I want to acknowledge.

-Big congrats to my dear friends Tim and Paul, the Frantzich Brothers, for appearing on A Prairie Home Companion in November. I am so proud of these guys. I go way back in their history when they were making the gals swoon as part of the rock band Ride Ruby Ride at the old Music City Cafe in St. Paul. Their spiritual and musical growth has been remarkable to witness. This was exciting as when TD Mischke and Michael Loonan appeared on APHC a couple of years ago at the show's MN State Fair broadcast.

- Speaking of TD Mischke, I also learned of the passing of a frequent caller to his radio show. "Undertaker Fred" was a delightful personality, always with a song on his lips and his faith on his sleeve and in his heart. He will be missed. (By the way TD, a shout out to you, keep being as creative as you are. And please make a new CD one of these days.)

Season's Greetings...

Having done my Christmas celebrating with friends and work family, I'm getting ready to enjoy a couple of days off from driving and the rush hour mess here in Nashville. My Christmas gift happened in April this year, when I moved into town. I'm just happy to be living here and grateful the adjustment to a new home went smoothly on so many fronts.

I'm thinking about the first Christmas I had in Minnesota 18 years ago. Things were especially challenging and I decided it wasn't a good time to fly back East for the holidays. The weather was kind of gray and depressing (well, it actually is here now, too, but it's about 40 degrees milder, so what the hey). A lift would have been good. I was volunteering for a Minnesota Public Radio production at the time, and out of the blue, the host of the show called me to say hi. It was totally unexpected, and I didn't even know he had my phone number. It was such a sweet gesture, and exactly what I needed. Dan, whereever you are, your kindness has never been forgotten after all these years.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays, everyone. May you celebrate in a way that suits you and not what someone else tells you how you are supposed to.

Another Senior Trip

I'm getting ready for yet another Mark Lowry Senior Trip...this one being the Christmas Celebration at Gaylord Opryland. Once again, I will be doing a report on the three day events and I've set up a blog.

Watch this space for the updates.

Icing On The Cake

Well, of all the wonderful things that have happened since my move to Nashville, tonight was the icing on the cake. But, I'm not gonna tell you about it on this blog. You need to click here.

Thanksgiving Ponderings

I had a good Thanksgiving weekend. I did just what I said I was going to do...eat and then take a nap on my couch. I didn’t travel to CT because travel's just too difficult to arrange right now and I won’t for Christmas either, but I did talk to my sister. I did have one invite, but I just decided I was sick of driving a car and didn’t want to have to do that for a couple of days. So I found a small turkey breast which was free range and had all organic veggies and potatoes and gravy, stuffed myself and as predicted was out like a light on my couch for 2 hours or so.

I usually use the holidays for downtime. In Minnesota, when someone would ask me if I had any plans for the holidays and I would say "no", some people there would say "oh", not "why don’t you come to our place?". So I guess I’ve gotten used to making plans on my own when the holidays come. But, I had a wonderful Thanksgiving meal the previous Friday with my work family, a great potluck with a wonderful group of songwriters the weekend before and I just had lunch with my church CARE group. So, that’s people enough. It doesn't make it less because all this didn't happen on Thanksgiving day itself. After all, I've thumbed my nose at the Hallmark way of life for years.

But now the weekend’s almost over and it’s time to go back to work again tomorrow. I procrastinated until the last minute to get my month end writings done. I think I have one piece done and I need an ending for another. To think I had four days to do all this. I did do another podcast, though, a short one about Internet radio (which I hadn’t talked about previously).

The weather, well, it’s been kind of depressing the last few days. It’s been gray, rainy and was as cold as low/mid 40s for a high. I actually did break out the lighter parka once. But if this is as cold as it gets here, I’ll take it.

Once again...I love this town. I’m thankful to be here.

Baptism

Yesterday I was baptized as an adult, with many wonderful new friends from my church looking on and one dear musician friend who offered me the gift of her voice. I'll let you read her account of it here: http://allisonlynn.blogspot.com/

I was baptized as a child. I was approached about baptism as an adult when I joined my church here. I thought it would be a great idea to do it to symbolize where I really am now in my faith. I had the honor of being baptized by Pastor Stan Mitchell, who I've written about in other pieces on this website--so it was meaningful to me to have him be a part of this.

Allison's simple acoustic rendition of "Jesus Loves Me" set the scene for us all beautifully. Many other musical images came to my mind regarding baptism: the scene from "O Brother Where Art Thou?" with the song "Down In the River To Pray", Trent Tomlinson's video for "One Wing In the Fire" and the Randy Travis/Kenny Chesney song "Baptism", which I first heard in the "Touched By An Angel" episode Randy starred in.

The water was warm, and so was the feeling that afternoon.

Blast From The Past

As I was doing some radio airplay tracking for a client on a folk dj mailing list group, I came across a post from John Platt who hosts "City Folk Sunday Breakfast" on WFUV. He noted that he had Steve Katz and Danny Kalb, formerly of the Blues Project, in for an interview in support of their new acoustic blues collaboration with Stefan Grossman, "Played A Little Fiddle". As a 12 and 13 year old growing up in the 60s and in discovery of FM rock, the Blues Project and Blood, Sweat and Tears were two groups that meant a lot to me. So naturally when I heard about this interview, it was like throwing a huge bone to this puppy.

Now, as I've noted elsewhere on my website, I was a big Al Kooper fan. His vocal style didn't exactly get rave critical reviews (but that didn't matter to me and to this day it still doesn't), but to me he was real and passionate. One other prominent vocalist in the Blues Project and BS & T was Steve Katz, much different in style, with a warm voice like velvet, one that always caused me to lean into the speakers whenever songs like "Steve's Song" or "Sometimes In Winter" were played. Al, bless his heart, is still out there doing his thing with another new album due from him soon, but Steve has been off my radar for years. So, it was great to hear this interview and especially to hear him sing again, both in clips from the CD and as an extra treat in the interview, a live acoustic performance of "Sometimes In Winter". His voice retains that warm beauty and reminded me what it was like to hear him back when I was 13. I sure would have loved it if he’d done "Steve's Song" as well, but hey, you take these bones when you can get them.

I do ponder this: judging by some of the e-mail I received on my pieces about 60's FM radio and the over 1,000 plays my podcast on this topic registered just this year alone, it's obvious that 40 years later, the music of this time is still endearing, passionate and meaningful to so many of us boomers. It reflected an important time in history, one of intense cultural and social change. I just wonder if the music that the 13 year olds are growing up with today will have the same lasting effect.

Thus, I now have to buy this Grossman/Kalb/Katz CD and the Blues Project Anthology. Because now, I've got "Flute Thing" playing in my head, too.

TN vs MN, Continued

We're now into fall down here in Nashville. I've not seen all that much color yet but I'm hoping by this weekend it'll be more scenic and I can get out and take some pictures.

At this time of year when I was in Minnesota, I would swear I would not give in to putting on my heavier coat until the first of November, the "unofficial" first day of winter there as far as I was concerned. This year here in Nashville, I didn't start wearing my light jacket until perhaps last weekend. We've been pretty much in the 60's with some 70s. I'm liking this.

Like Monday night, for instance. I went to WSM's Listener Appreciation Concert featuring Country Music Hall of Fame inductees Vince Gill, Mel Tillis and Ralph Emery. I hung out at the back entrance before the doors opened. It was a beautiful, mild evening, just about to get fully dark and I sat along the side with my favorite building hovering over me. Except since it's not the BellSouth building anymore, they took off the lettering, so it's not quite the same for me. It looks kinda naked now. But I did get a good shot of it on my cell phone camera to use as a screen saver.

Oh yeah, the concert was great. Whatta deal for $6.50 (or $12, with Ticketmaster fees added in). I love this town.

Music That Soothes...

In my most recent Encouraging Words newsletter, I did a piece about how songs can inspire and express things for us better than words can. Having been through certain chewed up and spit out experiences, in those times I've turned to music to help me sort things out and gain a fresh perspective.

Gospel music is a no-brainer source, naturally. But actually, I find that two other musical types have strong healing properties for me: Bluegrass and early Beatles. Don't ask me why or how...I can't quite put my finger on it. I just know that listening to both has a calming and soothing effect on me.

As for artists, one in particular seems to have a way of speaking down into my soul in rough patches: Rob Thomas. No matter what I'm dealing with, if I'm listening to Rob's songs, it just seems like he "gets it". Again, I'm not sure why, either...something about his voice or his lyrics, in an abstract way, that says he's been there and just nails it.

Go here for the list of my 5 most inspirational and encouraging songs.