"I'm In A Hurry To Get Things Done"

I have a song on my mind and fish sticks in my belly! YUM. I am a big eater-outer. Even if its super cheap, I love dinner out and lunch dates. Living on a budget and learning how to do it has forced me to eat salad daily, fish sticks often, and ramen noodles as little as possible. I've got to find a way to make some dinero. Mucho dinero. I've thought of a few things.. but not all of them are legal. =) Dang you, starving artist. Jk. I am doing fine, just watching my step.

So going on in the world this week: (Locally/Nationally)

1. Reba McEntire releases her 1st CD in six years! Keep On Loving You hits stores today and I am so super excited about my childhood idol's new music. Its been too long. What a wonderful world. =) She did a GAC special Sunday night and said this album is more girl power, she's looking at new TV scripts, and she wants to work with Kelly Clarkson again. We would like that too, Reba.
2. Mr. Brett Farve, are you serious? After all this time, after saying no for once, and after retiring how many times already, you come back AGAIN? I will be honest, I am going to watch you play either way. Whether I am mad at you or not, I will stare at your hind end as you throw the passes, BUT you can only do this so many times. Quit it already.
3. "Music City Madness" is happening now. I haven't really heard of this until moving here but the Grand Prize is spending a day with Reba so I might have to check that out. (Also, recording time and few little perks, no biggie). I'm also trying to play around here at some writer's nights as soon as I can. Getting fit into the schedule may take some time considering most everyone knows most everyone here already. I'm going to have to inch my way in somehow but it can be done! Also, there is a website that I can't wait to be up and running where you, the people can visit and become a fan of new, unsigned artists, including myself! I will have to fill you in on details later but it is genius!
4. My heart goes out to the family of Jeffrey Jones (Greenwood, MS) who died Saturday evening, to the family of Steven Aldridge (Greenwood, MS) who died Saturday evening, and to my own family and step dad whose mother, 'Dot' Flowers (Rolling Fork, MS) passed away Saturday evening as well. I have recently felt the sting of death in a family and it is heart wrenching. When a life is cut too short, it is a hurt that the ones closest to them feel and it lasts for a long time. We can only remember the happy times and know that God needed them up there with Him, that they had done all they could do here on this uncertain earth. I pray for each of these and my family in these hard times.

So, I'm really excited to keep you all up to date with the exciting things that have been going on. I will let you all know more soon, when I can.

MAE

"You Outta Know"

Other amazing artists who are currently getting in the way of me doing anything productive and running up my iTunes bill:

• Eric Church- Lotta Boot Left To Fill, Where She Told Me To Go
• Safety Suit- What If, Stay, Anywhere But Here
• Love & Theft- Runaway, World Wide Open, Dancing In Circles
• Jason Aldean- Big Green Tractor, Wide Open, The Truth
• Lady Antebellum- Need You Now, Slow Down Sister, Home is Where the Heart Is

"You Shook Me All Night Long"

difference in a New Blog and a New Post? Can't I just write one new paragraph every week on totally irrelevant things and it be good to go? I don't understand. And for the sake of not understanding, we will keep publishing New Posts. =)

Today is a B-E-A uuuutiful day in Nashville. These are days when I think to myself, "Self, you are so damn lucky." I'm laying out by the pool as we speak, as I'm typing this, as the kid in front of me does belly flops and splashes everything I own. Isn't life grand? I decide right now, while listening to the trusty iPod, (Taylor Swift- You Belong With Me) that I'm temporarily tired of songs about high school boyfriends, cheerleaders, drawing hearts on notepads and fairytales that never happen. New Subject Please!!

Dear Taylor Swift,

Although you are an adorable little thing, I would appreciate it if your lyrics would accompany your age in 'growing up'. Everyone knows you aren't afraid to write about old flames or God forbid, put someone's name in the song, but come on, we could all do it. Do you know how many words rhyme with Drew and Joe? (A lot.) If you are going to continue to be a world phenom and have people drool over your average live performances then you need to find a new road to venture down. You were smart enough to convince them to let you perform 3 times at the CMT awards. Now, amaze us once more with new material.

P.S. I believe your writing skills highly surpass your vocal ability but I respect you. And that's very, very nice of me.

I have recently found things that (Finger Eleven-Paralyzer) are probably considered Not Normal. Here's a few:

a.) Forgetting to eat lunch today.

b.) Wearing a dress over bluejeans. (Don't do that.)

c.) The guy at the pool who wears a House Arrest anklet.

(Casting Crowns- Praise You In This Storm) Oh! This song reminds me. I went to Brentwood Baptist last Sunday for church! Let me give you a little advice: If you decide to go to this place, take a friend and use the buddy system. It is the biggest flippin' thing I've ever seen. So I'm standing around with like 200 people waiting for what I thought was the service. Turns out, we were all in the Cafe. Excuse me, a restaurant!! It was amazing. They had that, a library, a bookstore.. who knows what they had to offer on the other wing. I like the feel of small and big churches. I'm good at meeting people and socializing so this didn't bother me so much. The reason I can't make up my (Matchbox 20- Push) mind is because of.. you guessed it, the music. Ok, I grew up traditional of course. But I've had experiences that I want to have again in a church. Pinelake in Jackson, MS is a good example. They have a slight mix of music, but mostly contemporary, young music. It moves me so much that I almost want to cry every time I go. But I'm feeling something, I'm not just going through the motions. Maybe BB just had a (Corinne Bailey Rae- Put Your Records On) traditional lineup for that Sunday, maybe I should try again, maybe I should try another. We'll see..

Side Note: I'm burning.

Last night, Collin Raye came into town to do a show at the Wildhorse Saloon. As part of my job, I got to run him around town, take him to soundcheck and watch him do all the things I hope to do one day. (Rhianna- Rehab) It was amazing to watch a guy I grew up listening to, watching on tv, singing the songs I always loved. The show was incredible. He's in better shape than most 20 yr olds I know. Jumping all over stage, playing on his knees on the floor, dancing.. He's still got it! I had to breathe, and say..ok, you are here for a reason, this is freaking awesome, you are sitting on the stage, this is freaking awesome, look at all those people, this will be you one day, this is freaking awesome. "So, is your last name Rae?.. No (laughs) My middle name.. Oh! So you aren't kin to me! What is your last name?.. Mitchell.. Wow, that's a great stage name (Wink)."

I'm getting in the pool before I fry. BBBYYYEEE. (Jason Aldean-Relentless)

MRM

"How Do I Live Without You"

I have a confession: I have 2 boyfriends. One is Matthew and one is music. This is no joke, it's true! I put any time that I'm not with my real human boyfriend into my love affair with any and all genres of music. ...ok, I take that back. I do not listen to Swiss Death Metal. =) I'm going to take a minute, because I'm feeling adventurous, and talk about some music I've recently uncovered. 

1. Sugarland- Joey, Wishing

("Yeah, yeah.. Sugarland?? Again, Meagan Rae? Come on!!" ... ok, i know, but seriously, if you've been under a rock and haven't heard their new cd 'Love On The Inside', i feel for you. You are missing out on some serious tunes, my friend. Joey is the new single out and Wishing is just UH-mazing. Pure, raw, real feelings. So.. I know I like Jen Jen and Christian.. and one day we will be bff's and travel to Hawaii together.. but until then, i feel that it's my duty to get you, to love them. If you like me, you will like them =)

Ps. If you've never been to a concert, follow these simple steps:

1. Slap yourself.

2. Buy the "Live On The Inside" DVD. It will change your life. 

2. Kings Of Leon- Cold Desert, Notion

(Two great pieces of work from the 'old, but new' group we like to call KOL. Ironically, they have been around for quite a while, yet just hitting the charts with their hits 'Use Somebody' and 'Sex on Fire'. They've continued to perform their songs, their way, and that's why we love them.. and why they will stick around for a while.)

Ps. Again- Sugarland covers KOL's 'Sex On Fire'- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4ldVNVrBHE

3. Dierks Bentley- Wanna Make You Close Your Eyes

(Hello, Hotness. If you thought Mr. Bentley made you melt before, wait until you hear this one. It's off his brand new cd, 'Feel That Fire'. It's slow, sexy and all I wanted from this little piece of perfection.)

4. David Nail- Red Light

5. The Fray- Never Say Never

(Ahh, one of my favorites. You can't listen to a 'Fray' song and not want to press Repeat at least twice. Catchy, emotional and to the point, these boys know how to do it. Never Say Never will pull at your heart.  "Some things we don't talk about, rather do without, just hold the smile.." It may be a generalization of a relationship trying its best, but at the end it will leave you wanting it to last. Repetitions of "Don't let me go, don't let me go.." puts you in the place of a person whose heart is wishing. Maybe for a second chance.. maybe to play the song again..=) I bet you press Repeat.)

6. Rob Thomas- Snowblind

(With a brand new cd, 'Cradlesong', I had to do some thinking over which song I was going to put in this here blog. You see, Rob Thomas does it like no other. He has a way of singing the songs that everyone wishes they were singing. Snowblind is an upbeat eye-opener. Discussing the issues of a relationship that "can't see where we are".  But not just this one, the entire cd is legit. Thank you, Rob, for making a record that has more than 2 average songs. All 14 are worthy.)

7. Jeremy Camp- Fade

(One of my favorite Worship musicians is Jeremy Camp. Ones of you who think worship music is always traditional and hymnal-type, it's not. You will be so surprised how contemporary people like Jeremy, Third Day, Casting Crowns, and Chris Tomlin make it. It's absolutely amazing and uplifting. Everyone wants a little uplifting in their life, I don't care who you are. Fade talks about letting the old life of sin fade away.. letting God take over. Rock on, JC. I'm forever a fan.)

8. Theory of a Deadman- All or Nothing, Wait For Me

9. Keith Urban- Only You Can Love Me This Way, Thank You, If Ever I Could Love

(I tried to tell him I could make him much happier than that Nicole girl.. whoever she is.. but considering they have a kid, he decided to stay with her. ;) I've been a long time fan of this Aussie hottie and even though he will never have my name tattooed on his arm, I will still show him love. Only You Could is the new single. Thank You was written for his wife, Nicole Kidman, and it is so packed with powerful lyrics, it's unbelievable. This one talks about the personal things and leaves nothing out. If Ever I Could Love is my favorite of them all at the moment. Learn it, Love it. It will be out soon as a single. I can feel it.)

10. Zac Brown Band- Free

(I've played it at least 99 times, so it's worth your 99 cents. Do it, you won't regret it.)

I hope all of you have a great week. And I hope all of these hit the charts. =)

           Meagan Rae