"In The Jungle, The Mighty Jungle"

13 DAYS LEFT BEFORE WE LEAVE FOR AFRICA!!

I cannot believe that it's less than two weeks before my team and I leave for Uganda, Africa. I can't wait to hold the orphan babies, take a boat ride down the Nile and see some exotic animals (except for the exceptionally large spiders, of course). It seems like only yesterday I made the decision to go and it's here already!! I'm getting excited but there is so much to be done before we head out. The team consists of our leader Tina, her two sons, four others, and myself. We had planned a benefit concert/silent auction for this past Tuesday to help raise money for the trip but under circumstances out of our hands, it got cancelled. It's so hard to put in so much work for a great cause and have it taken away in a second like it was. We all have to keep in mind that God must have a plan. We will keep pushing forward towards our goal and remember the reason we are doing this :) So we have rescheduled just the silent auction (man, we have some good stuff) for next Tuesday, June 28th at Jonathan's Grille here in Franklin. We are also getting together vbs songs and crafts, devotionals from each team member, crafts to teach the orphans while we're there, and packing of food, vitamins, crocs, etc. The team is also supposed to be preparing their hearts before we go by reading Psalms each day.

I've decided that for the next 12 days, I will share with you a favorite psalm that I read in this process. I have also come across so many songs (duh) that relate to what I'm doing and what the team is trying to accomplish as a whole. So I will post these two things each day, follow along if you'd like :) It will be a fun journey. We'll start now..


PSALM FOR THE DAY:

Psalm 121

A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD watches over you
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD will keep you from all harm
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.


(I love this so much because it's reminding us: God is with you at all times! He never sleeps, He never looks away, He watches over you day and night. Verses 1 and 2 are my favorite. I ask myself where my help comes from, it comes from the Maker of Heaven and Earth. He can do anything, He is everything, so why do we worry? He knows our story, He knows our life. Those two verses are also in one of my favorite Christian songs, "Praise You In This Storm" by Casting Crowns. This song is/was so important to me bc when my uncle was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease years ago, this song pulled us out of many a doubt. It didn't matter why it was happening, we had to praise God through the bad times as well and have faith that he had an overall reason and plan for that. Now, I can use it as a testimony, as a place where I've seen God work, )

SONG OF THE DAY:

Casting Crowns- "Praise You In This Storm"

I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm




So, I guess while I'm preparing my heart, I can help prepare yours for something else. Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Mae xoxo

"Keep On Lovin' You"

You're busy, you've got things to do, a million things on your mind, and too many people to please in one day. Usually, all the priorities you need to get done can't get done in one day so it rolls over into tomorrow, and the next day, so that we are so busy and so preoccupied that time flies and life flashes right before our eyes.

I moved to Nashville exactly one year ago. I moved with a little money (and I do mean a little) in my pocket and a big dream in my heart. I moved not knowing one soul and without a GPS system (big mistake). I moved with family by my side but eventually life called them back home and before I knew it, I was on my own, and this was my home. The year behind me has been one of the best I've ever had. The new things that I've learned, experienced, seen, witnessed, played, written, sang, almost wet my pants because I was so nervous.. they were completely and totally awesome. There are things that were so amazing, I cried. There are things that were so unbelievable, I thanked God. And there are things that were so funny, I'm still laughing :) I want to share with you a few of these from the 'Year of Fear' we'll call it, because let's face it, I came. I feared. I conquered. I'm stayin'.

So Amazing, I Cried:
So this story will have to be the one previously told about my family coming to surprise me. If you haven't read it, here's the brief. I got my first gig playing at a bar in Nashville and no one could come. I didn't tell anyone I felt sorry for myself but my family was on the way that day and I had no idea. They showed up an hour before showtime and I was so gosh darn excited. I had fans! :)



So Funny, I'm Still Laughing
Sooo, I have a friend, her name is Mallory. And I also have a habit of snapping random photos of ole Mal when she's not paying attention. Everytime she came to visit, I sent her home with a souvenir from Tennessee.. herself. Having a grand time. :) Enjoy. PS. I got her permission, and she rocks. :) Love you Mal!!




So Unbelievable, I Thanked God
No one had any idea what was hitting us until it happened. A reported 6 months of rain in 2 days destroyed so many parts of Nashville and Middle TN and the whole city stepped up to help. Only being here 9 months at the time, it was my first time seeing such a huge natural disaster and I wasn't alone. People living here all their life had never seen anything like it either. We were all one. I thanked God because I live on a hill. Everyone was not so lucky but everyone else dropped what they were doing, took off work, set aside their to do lists, and put Nashville at the top. I was so proud of us.



Here are some extra photos of the year in review:

Paul McCartney's guitar on the Gibson bus


A Nashville fall


Awesome bosses and people I've worked with
Matthew Stevens manager, drummer

Kiel Tyler producer, drummer

Bruce Wallace songwriter

Collin Raye recording artist


Nights out in town
Jake Owen

Frankie Ballard

Claire & Matthew

The man who gave me $100 because he like my sequin jacket

Callie, Mallory, Erin, Rachel, Mary Britton

Bobby Spivey and friends

Karen Waldrup

Craig Joe

Ashley, Heather, Erin, Logan

Friends after watching 'The Rockettes'


Family visiting
Matthew & Lanie

Edi-Ann taking a break while shopping

Matthew, Me, Mary, and Andrew @ CMA Fest

Matthew's mom and sister, Lisa and Carli

Mary & I @ Gaylord Hotel

Gran & I walking around downtown Franklin

Dad, Rachel, & Edi-Ann @ Science Center

They fam @ the Gaylord Hotel during Christmas

My Love



Music, shows, and fans








So, now I have friends around here, I have more than a little money cause I got a job, and I stole my brother's TomTom. I'm settled in, getting things done and looking forward to another year and many more here in TN. I have NEW MUSIC on the way for you, a CD, NEW PHOTOS AND WEBSITE UPDATES. Expect to see and hear new things around the 1st of August. And for those of you in Mississippi get ready because we will be down for a CD Release Party/Throwdown when it's done!! I'll keep you updated on venues and dates. Until then, thank you for being so supportive and loving fans, friends, and family. Love to you all!!!! xoxoxoxoxo

(NEW MUSIC/CD = YYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
get freakin' excited cause you're buyin' one. =)

"The Climb"

I know I've been gone for a while, but that only means 2 things:
a. I have more information to share with you
b. I have a long list of 'songs I'm loving'

So, it's all working out for you. :)
When I blogged about having high hopes for the month of March, I had no idea it would flow into the latter part of April and keep me this busy. Let me clarify that busy=good. How does time go by so fast? It never did this when I was in college. Only when I really NEED it to slow down, does it speed up. I wish life sometimes had emergency brakes.

After traveling back to Mississippi in March for some gigs and an Easter trip home to see family, I've been playing shows around Nashville and getting settled back in here in the big city of dreams. Dreams are what they are. Actually, let's call it wishful thinking. 1. Because we are all hopeful that stardom will arrive in a shiny white Hummer limo 2. Until you are handed your backside on a silver platter. 3. So, you go from singing at bars to drinking at bars. 4. Then, drinking probably refuels your appetite for success. 5. Repeat process. (Let's rephrase that to wishful Drinking). Every person on every corner can play some type of instrument. Every one in every local hangout or karaoke bar can sing or.. think they can. Every college student plays, not every bar owner pays, and everyone is looking for the next big star. ... I want to be the next big star.
Of course you do, that's what we all came to town for, dumbass. Get in line. I'm a hard headed Southern girl with a microphone and a big mouth. I'm not going down without a fight. Thank you and God Bless.

I've been patient, I've been kind, and it has finally paid off. I went to the studio yesterday to pick songs for the new cd. Yes, my cd. Yes, my songs. And no, I am not kidding. The day has finally come! There will be an absolute throwdown when it is finished and I expect to see every single one of you there. :) I will keep you updated on progress.

I wanted to share this tiny story with you before I go:

Before we found a studio, I felt like I was in a rut. My career is in drive but I felt like maybe I was stuck in the Itta Bena "bowl" and my tires were spinning like crazy to get out. The day I went in the studio was a terrible day for me. Not the actual studio part but earlier instances had made me question if I should even go. I decided I should read my devotional for the day so I picked up the book and flipped to April 22, 2010 and read. I sat there still. Then I read it again. Then I looked up to see if anyone was watching me, and I read it for a third time. In that moment I knew God is with me, God is guiding me, and God has plans for me. It was like He was pushing me out the door saying Gooooooo, what are you waiting for?? Now, the studio, the recording, the songs are in place. So.. here I go..

"It's Your Time To Shine! Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9 (Your Best Life, Joel Osteen)

NEVER DOUBT THE PLANS GOD HAS FOR YOU!!! :)
Hope everyone has a great week, check the website for updates, and here's a list of songs I'm loving:
www.meaganraemusic.com

Mallary Hope- Blossom In The Dust
Mallary Hope- Love LIves On
Emily West/Keith Urban- Blue Sky
Kelly Clarkson- Cry
Tenth Ave. North- Healing Begins
Fee-Everything Falls
Eli Young Band- Guinevere
Jessica Harp- A Woman Needs
Martina McBride- Wrong Baby Wrong
Jake Owen- Tell Me
Jason Aldean- Crazy Town
Keith Urban- I'm In
Little Big Town- Little White Church
Whitney Duncan- Right Road Now
Brantley Gilbert- My Kind of Crazy
Luke Bryan- Rain Is A Good Thing
Jerrod Niemman- Lover, Lover

"Nobody But Me"

January feels like the unwelcome roommate that you must have in order to pay rent, instead, January sticks around trying to make all twelve months count. If I could pull a few friend's birthdays and the one where I get to eat black eyed peas, I'd say to hell with it altogether. So, I kicked January out and invited February in as long as it promised to be quick and deliver no snow. Snow still happened. Never trust February. So, today marks the 1st of March and I have high expectations for this month, mainly, of course, because today is my birthday. :)

I've always expected so much out of birthdays. If birthdays were in the Olympics, March 1st would be Lindsey Vonn. Christmas would be the whole USA hockey team (more people, more presents) and January would be the guy who face planted on the downhill ski event. For those of you who did not watch the Olympics and are pissed that I used that as an anology, here is another example. If birthdays were on The Bachelor, March 1st would be Tenley and January would be Vienna, the crossed eyed contestant. (Just get rid of it altogether). If you don't watch the Olympics OR The Bachelor then quit reading this immediately and go back under the rock you've lived under all this time. Me, 'Tenley' and the 'Olympics' not only celebrate on the glorified day, but usually the entire week. Birthday Week (n.)- A week in which a person is born on one day of that week, but uses the "It's My Birthday" card as entitlement to recognize it every single day. For a week. Everyone likes having birthday week.

Birthday week started last Monday when I realized my birth date was in week. Recognizing the holiday is the first step. Birthday dinners, outings at the local bars, and occasional desserts followed as the week progressed. Monday is a crappy day for a holiday but things turned out quite amazing, and I had the whole day to myself.

I've never had a birthday alone. I don't know how to do that. It's like Algebra all over again. Just give me tutors or someone to cheat off of and it's an A+. Give me streamers and 5 friends and it's a party. (You can't have a party without streamers taped to the wall. Or the ceiling fan.) Facebook gave me wishes from friends, but only my checkbook could buy me a Birthday Happy. Birthday Happy- (n.) A certain oversized clutch with sparkles. In this case, blue and green sequins on that bad boy from Forever 21. What an adventure this will be: The Mall Dun Dun Duuuuun.. (in the scariest voice possible.)

Ello, preety lady, can I ask question to you?
"Nope, uh uh, Don't want any."
Don't want ninny? Can I ask you question?
I don't know what you're selling but I don't want it. I don't care how fast it works or how great it smells, I'm not buying your magic cream for FORTY FIVE DOLLARS! (This is a thought not a statement).
You look so yooty-full this day, must be you birthday!
How. Did he know that?

Well, I got past Psychic Sanjuan, now let's venture into Dillard's. Or let's not because the checkout lady is officially stalking me. Every turn I make there she is popping up behind the clothes rack. HELLO! I can't even concentrate on what I think is.. CAN I HELP YOOUU??.. cute because she's staring me down in hopes of a sale. YOU LOOK LIKE A NEON KIND OF GIRL! How do I look neon? LOOK AT THIS BATHING SUIT HERE! Neon, not for me.

Sequined Clutch- Check

A couple laps around that place will wear a girl out. Especially when you're looking for a store that's not there." The guitar store is down the street you stupid, illiterate idiot!!" At least that's what his face said. "A-ha! Genius! You only have 2342387 stores in this stupid mall, why would you put a music store smack dab in the middle of Music City??" At least that's what my face said. On the way out, I grabbed my favorite Frappe Latte even though it's cold as a toilet seat outside. Because, it's my birthday, that's why. The guitar shop ended up being a grocery store, so I TomTom'd the next one. My TomTom is named Richard. And Richard is the dumbest kid in GPS school. (Like me in Algebra). Richard took me 24 miles out of the way to the capital of Nowhere, Smackdabinthemiddleof. There's only one reason I'm telling you this story. Richard may have gotten me lost but I found it. It. Alan. Jackson's. House. Ahhhhhhhhh. I knew he lived in Franklin but unless you have Richard as a guide you would never find it. Turns, curves, railroad tracks, gravel, tunnels for one-car-at-a-time, then there it stood. A shining white shrine. I picked up my jaw, somehow found my way to I-65 and thought about how lucky I was to even run into something like that. I don't even know what I would do if I actually saw him. Maybe follow him home, pull out my "It's My Birthday" card and demand a song on the spot. Ok, I take that back. I caught myself second glancing for blonde locks in the driver's seat of every pimped out Ford pickup I saw on the way back. That guitar shop does not exist, but when I finally got home, flowers had been left on my doorstep and I knew I was a very lucky, blessed birthday girl.

Since the real day was spent alone, I'm spending the rest of the month with people I love. This includes Reba McEntire, George Strait, and Leann Womack on Thursday and everyone in the tri-county area of Greenwood the week following.This year, I'm on the 3 Week Birthday Plan. :) I am so so so lucky to have the best friends, fans, and family in the entire world. Thank you to anyone who sent love my way today. Happy Birthday to me!!

"Open Arms"

Pancakes make me happy. There is one problem though. I get so excited and stack them up high only to conquer a fourth of the food on the plate. They fill me up so fast, I want it to last longer! I have no real topic today, but instead, I'm going to use this time to update you, or the ones who care, on some little things going on in my life.

A. Every night I wake up to this horrible noise on my porch. The first time it happened, I thought it was someone breaking in. I grabbed my mase and almost peed in my pants until I looked out the window to find 4 cats chillin' on my patio furniture. The strangest part is that one of them was aggressively eating my charcoal from the grill. um, normal? So, now that they've found the motherload of ashes they come back every. night. How can I keep them away??
B. At the beginning of this year Mary Britton and I decided to participate in the Country Music Marathon here in Nashville. Well, I take that back, we decided to attempt to walk/run/jog the half marathon, which is 13.1 miles. I don't run thirteen miles often so this, my friends, is a challenge. So I've been "training" for two weeks now and it's actually going better than I expected. I've only gotten up to six miles but I'm
definitely making progress. The run is on April 24th so 12 wk training starts today! Pray for me. :)
C. I keep having dreams that T. Swift and I are really good friends. Last night we went riding around and talked about not liking
cats. She posts pictures of her cat on Twitter so I know for a fact that she has one, so I'm not sure why she said she didn't
like them. Why the crap am I dreaming about cats? Or Taylor Swift?
D. I was scheduled to do a benefit show for Nashville Heart & Soul where all the dinero goes to the American Heart Association. It was on Saturday night but the weather got so bad that I was snowed in! (They rescheduled.) The snow was beautiful. There's still a lot outside but the roads are clear now. Matthew and I didn't have a sled but improvised with tubberware for sledding. Being snowed in isn't half bad. We made lunch, tacos for dinner, a tent for the living room, videos for everyone back home and brownies. It was good weekend.
E. WHO DAT? Saints for the Superbowl!
F. I recently put some videos on YouTube. I've never wanted to do this until now. I decided that all the songs don't make it on the demo can still be videoed and put up for everyone to hear anyway. So if you have a chance, check them out, and let me know what you think.

That's all I can remember right now, I'm going to practice guitar. :)
"Love the life you live. Live the life you love."

PS. New songs for the iPod?
o Jason Aldean- The Truth (not new, but in love)
o Lady Antebellum- American Honey
o Miranda Lambert- The House That Built Me
o Justin Beiber- Baby
o Rascal Flatts- Unstoppable
o Daughtry- Life After You
o The Script- Breakeven
o Jason Derulo- Whatcha Say

"You Just Might Make Me Believe"

With God, all things are possible, reachable, attainable, dreamable. Now, BRING IT ON.

I have a very talented, piano-playing friend from the UK whose music I adore. One of us found the other via ReverbNation, became fans of the music, and recommended it to anyone who wanted to take a listen. This site has allowed me to become a fan of so many unsigned artists that usually have more to offer than what is actually on the radio. We all come together on a website to try and find success in this business. James Clarke, aka Live Pianoman has somewhat found the first pillar of his success this very week. With a brand new album out on Amazon, solid piano playing fingers, and a chance to co-host the Indie Showcase Radio Show, I'm not sure.. but I bet he's had a good week. The reason I'm mentioning my friend is because he mentioned me. Tuesday on the live radio show, James co-hosted and brought music from a few of his favorite friends/artists. I was very honored to be one of them. The following link is to the downloadable podcast of the show. I will show you step by step how to listen in. A big shout out and thanks to Live Pianoman for introducing little Meagan Rae to another country and sharing my music with others. Hope all is well over there and continued success for you!

HOW TO LISTEN TO THE RADIO SHOW, CO-HOSTED BY LIVE PIANOMAN:
-Go to www.indieshowcase.net
-On the left column, click on 'Podcasts'
-Click on the podcast that says live piano man 01-10 and download
-Once downloaded, you can listen from your iTunes, Media Player, etc.
-"Just Another Sad Song" is featured on 1 hour and 17 minutes

LINKS TO JAMES CLARKE (LIVE PIANOMAN):
-www.myspace.com/livepianoman
-www.amazon.com

LINKS TO REVERBNATION:
-www.reverbnation.com/meaganrae
-www.reverbnation.com/livepianoman

"Break Down Here"

I woke up January 2nd at 8am for the Victoria's Secret Semi-Annual Sale. The biggest sale of all time (to women, of course). Underwear for $3? Don't mind if i do. I pulled a smart move and decided to heat up the car before we headed out. In midst of the 17 degree weather and my running to make it there faster, I missed the important fact that my entire parking lot was covered in ice. On a hill. And here I go. In a flash, I could see my legs flying up over my head, the sky blue, and the ground a few feet under me that I was guaranteed to hit in 3.. 2.. 1.. I landed on my backside. Next to hit was my elbow. I sat there and scanned the area to make sure no one saw my acrobatics. In a usually busy parking lot, not a soul in sight and not a soul saw me. I picked myself up, brushed off the icy dust, and tried again. And in the midst of all this commotion I hadn't seen it.. the beautiful snow falling around me.

In 2010, as with previous years, I have made 'resolutions' that seem more like 'bad decisions' after 2 months of not sticking with it. But this year's resolution is different. This year, quitting a bad habit, gaining money, and losing weight are not the priorities on my list. Sure, it would be nice to check these things off, but this year, I'm looking at the big picture. The whole year. I have prepared myself for a long road ahead that includes hard work, determination, and eliminating the option of ever giving up. My uncle Mitch never gave up.. so I'm following his lead. There will come a time when I might climb the ladder of this music industry and get knocked down on my backside, and land on more than my elbow but I will pick myself up, and try again. I will try, and try, and try, until I'm standing up and see the beautiful things falling around me. (And if you keep God in the picture, He will make sure that when you fall, no one sees you make an idiot out of yourself.) There is a grand possibility that I might get my heartbroken. There is a definite possibility that I will hear the word 'no'. But through all of this lies the beauty of something great, and the reasoning of why I am here.

Now, what I didn't tell you is that my butt is bruised, my tailbone is sore, and my elbow is cut up. After living here for only six months now, I can tell that I will have many more ailments. Some due to icy weather that I'm not used to, and some due to the musical politics of this city. "Everybody's your friend, you can never be sure", sings Sugarland. You can chase a dream but you can't get lost in it. You must keep your faith, your family, and your gut feelings close by. But throw the fear out the window. During this journey, whether it takes me 10 months or 10 years, I will come out of this with a few bumps and bruises, inside and out, but all for a reason.

Here I come 2010.

"No matter how dark the moment, hope and love are always possible."

Happy NEW year everyone! xo, Meagan Rae