"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

"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