Sunday, May 27, 2012
Family memories and togetherness...
I love this blog and on this blog, we were asked to about family pictures and where we like to take them and what not. SO, I decided to post some pictures of some of our family pictues and extended family pictures over recent years...I hope you like them!! :)
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
"Why" I sing- continued....
Well, after that day, I knew I was going to be singing the rest of my life. It was like I had an epiphany and all the planets aligned. So it was soon after, that I began taking voice from some of the best in the business, so I could be the best I could be. Nothing at that time in my life, gave me more joy. In Las Vegas, I took voice from the amazing Debra Bonner, and out of town the famous Seth Riggs. (Which I only had a couple of lessons but he sure made me feel like I had something going for me and encouraged me to pursue what I was doing.)
It wasn't until after high school though, that I began singing anywhere other than pageant competitions. First, I tried to start a band, which lasted for a few months and fizzled out, then I got a job at the Country Star Cafe, down on the Las Vegas Strip. I didn't start singing there at first but I did get to meet a lot of big country stars and was asked to model all the apparel on opening night, so I got to hang around stars like Vince Gill, Reba McIntyre and Toby Keith. After about 2 months, from opening night, I was finally given the chance I had been waiting for when they asked if any of the employee's sang and would like to sing for free and at night? And of course I said "YES!!!"
This experience only solidified what I wanted to do with the talents I had been given and my life. Everytime I sang, the costumers loved it and so did my boss. I was "livin the dream". It was during this time too though, that I met my best friend, forever companion and husband, Jason Nash and then everything really changed...
It wasn't until after high school though, that I began singing anywhere other than pageant competitions. First, I tried to start a band, which lasted for a few months and fizzled out, then I got a job at the Country Star Cafe, down on the Las Vegas Strip. I didn't start singing there at first but I did get to meet a lot of big country stars and was asked to model all the apparel on opening night, so I got to hang around stars like Vince Gill, Reba McIntyre and Toby Keith. After about 2 months, from opening night, I was finally given the chance I had been waiting for when they asked if any of the employee's sang and would like to sing for free and at night? And of course I said "YES!!!"
This experience only solidified what I wanted to do with the talents I had been given and my life. Everytime I sang, the costumers loved it and so did my boss. I was "livin the dream". It was during this time too though, that I met my best friend, forever companion and husband, Jason Nash and then everything really changed...
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Song Worthy Saturday
Patriotism
I just have to say that I am so impressed with the amount patriotism in the south. No wonder country music is chalk full of song's that honor our country and those who give and have given service so we can enjoy our freedom.
Case in point: The communities in and around the Nashville area, honor an injured or fallen soldier's return by lining the roads holding flags or placing flags in the ground, tying yellow ribbons and waiting as the procession passes. This act of gratitude is humbling and has made a very deep and strong impression on me. I have never seen such a genuine display of honor for our fellow men who have given their lives to protect our freedoms.
These photos are from Army Spc. Jason K. Edens of Franklin, TN, return home from battle today, where he gave the ultimate price for our freedom. Now I was not there and I did not know him but I am so grateful to him and I am proud of our community for the outpouring of love and gratitude. It is something I will never forget.
I just have to say that I am so impressed with the amount patriotism in the south. No wonder country music is chalk full of song's that honor our country and those who give and have given service so we can enjoy our freedom.
Case in point: The communities in and around the Nashville area, honor an injured or fallen soldier's return by lining the roads holding flags or placing flags in the ground, tying yellow ribbons and waiting as the procession passes. This act of gratitude is humbling and has made a very deep and strong impression on me. I have never seen such a genuine display of honor for our fellow men who have given their lives to protect our freedoms.
These photos are from Army Spc. Jason K. Edens of Franklin, TN, return home from battle today, where he gave the ultimate price for our freedom. Now I was not there and I did not know him but I am so grateful to him and I am proud of our community for the outpouring of love and gratitude. It is something I will never forget.
You can read the full story by clicking here.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Pay it forward Friday
Sometimes, I have found that life is just plain hard and painful and we are left with the question, why? Well, I am in no means a philosopher or smart or an expert or wise but through my own experiences, I have found that for me, it was so I would know and always remember the difference. If life wasn't hard how would I know what joy or relief felt like? So today in "Pay it forward Friday" I encourage you to ease someones burden and help them to feel and experience, joy and relief. Even if its just a compliment that draws a smile. Do it for your fellow men and feel the joy for yourself. Oh and I just LOVE this book, so if you don't have it, I recommend it and if you do, I recommend you read it to yourself and/or to your kiddos again, someday soon. :)
Lots of and much love~Melody :)
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
"WHY" do I sing?
I've had so many people ask me lately, how I've gotten to this point and why I would want to be here. So I thought I'd give a little bit of background, so there are not any misconceptions, assumptions and misinterpretations on my story. So every Wednesday, I am going to write a little about "Why", and "What" brought me to "Where" I am. So let's name them "WHY? WHAT? WHERE? WEDNESDAYS". Does tha sound good?? Great! ;)
First of all, I have ALWAYS loved good music. My Mom, ironically name me after a beauty queen she knew when she was in college because she loved that she was so poised, beautiful and graceful. I was the 'shy one' as a child though, socially backward and 'not' the singer or musician of the family by far, or at least I thought. Growing up my older brother, Lucas, sang and then my younger sister Kimberly had the voices and I was just there to watch and give them praise. As time went on though, I realized, I loved and wanted some kind of music for myself and although my Mom talked about having me take piano lessons someday, nothing was ever followed through with. It wasn't until I was in 5th and saw the Orchestra and band from the 6th grade center perform at our elementary school that I decided to take matters into my own hands. I remember asking my Mom if I could sign up and she quickly shot me down but I was so determined that I filled out the elective card anyway and forged her signature, (so bad I know) but as I look back I realize I don't know where I'd be today if I hadn't, finally, stood up for myself!!
I remember her face too, when I brought home my first violin from school. She was MAD and completely put out!! Please don't think ill of my Mom though, she didn't know any better, she was only thinking about the time and the money, and my Mom and Dad both worked. So she was just upset because I just added to her plate of 'things to do and worry about' and I went behind their backs. Anyway, my Dad on the other hand laughed and said, "good for you" and said he couldn't wait till I could play well. A couple weeks later he was so excited that he actually went downtown and purchased my first violin for me. I still have that old violin. :)
As time went on and I began playing in the Orchestra, I still yearned for something more. As fate would have it I came upon an ad about 'free' modeling and talent workshops for the Cinderella Youth Scholarship Program, which were free but they wanted to get you involved in their 'pageant' program while you were there. Anyway, after talking and pleading with my Mom, she finally conceded, paid the $75 entry fee and let me compete. I did pretty well my first time but I soon found out I had a LONG way to go before I was really able to win one.
Let me just say too, these programs are not the ones you all see on TV. They are more 'talent and personality' based and we did not have to wear swimsuits on stage or any other skimpy outfits. Which I was thankful for and made sense to me, considering my standards and being LDS.
After years and years of trying and struggling to find my niche in the "pageant world". I realized after the state competition one year, that my talent of playing classical violin was not doing it for me (or the judges for that matter), so I decided to change it up a bit and play a fiddle piece for the talent portion of the competition. Then after watching the tapes of state competiotion, I realized that wasn't enough and I need a little more than that to get their attention so I decided to sing a country song, as well as fiddle. Little did I know, this decision and brave ambition, would change my life forever....
Below are a few pictures of me as child and a teenager, that I thought you might enjoy....;)
First of all, I have ALWAYS loved good music. My Mom, ironically name me after a beauty queen she knew when she was in college because she loved that she was so poised, beautiful and graceful. I was the 'shy one' as a child though, socially backward and 'not' the singer or musician of the family by far, or at least I thought. Growing up my older brother, Lucas, sang and then my younger sister Kimberly had the voices and I was just there to watch and give them praise. As time went on though, I realized, I loved and wanted some kind of music for myself and although my Mom talked about having me take piano lessons someday, nothing was ever followed through with. It wasn't until I was in 5th and saw the Orchestra and band from the 6th grade center perform at our elementary school that I decided to take matters into my own hands. I remember asking my Mom if I could sign up and she quickly shot me down but I was so determined that I filled out the elective card anyway and forged her signature, (so bad I know) but as I look back I realize I don't know where I'd be today if I hadn't, finally, stood up for myself!!
I remember her face too, when I brought home my first violin from school. She was MAD and completely put out!! Please don't think ill of my Mom though, she didn't know any better, she was only thinking about the time and the money, and my Mom and Dad both worked. So she was just upset because I just added to her plate of 'things to do and worry about' and I went behind their backs. Anyway, my Dad on the other hand laughed and said, "good for you" and said he couldn't wait till I could play well. A couple weeks later he was so excited that he actually went downtown and purchased my first violin for me. I still have that old violin. :)
As time went on and I began playing in the Orchestra, I still yearned for something more. As fate would have it I came upon an ad about 'free' modeling and talent workshops for the Cinderella Youth Scholarship Program, which were free but they wanted to get you involved in their 'pageant' program while you were there. Anyway, after talking and pleading with my Mom, she finally conceded, paid the $75 entry fee and let me compete. I did pretty well my first time but I soon found out I had a LONG way to go before I was really able to win one.
Let me just say too, these programs are not the ones you all see on TV. They are more 'talent and personality' based and we did not have to wear swimsuits on stage or any other skimpy outfits. Which I was thankful for and made sense to me, considering my standards and being LDS.
After years and years of trying and struggling to find my niche in the "pageant world". I realized after the state competition one year, that my talent of playing classical violin was not doing it for me (or the judges for that matter), so I decided to change it up a bit and play a fiddle piece for the talent portion of the competition. Then after watching the tapes of state competiotion, I realized that wasn't enough and I need a little more than that to get their attention so I decided to sing a country song, as well as fiddle. Little did I know, this decision and brave ambition, would change my life forever....
Below are a few pictures of me as child and a teenager, that I thought you might enjoy....;)
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
New Show Fetish!!!
Monday, April 23, 2012
It's DONE!!! My first music video! :)
Hi all,
Love,
Melody
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