Things Continue To Happen

Wow!Things continue to happen!! Thanks is owed, of course, to my agent - Deb - who truly goes after any and every lead! She just called and told me that we will take part in a welcome home tribute party for military service men and women who are returning from Iraq. I can't think of a better gig. Having the opportunity to share time with those who have served our country with pride is truly an honor. I can only hope to provide the best damn entertainment possible to help their transition back to a nation of freedom. There are many other performance dates approaching and we (my agent and I) are continuing to audition possible band members so that we can create a tight-knit group ready to set the country world on fire!! Stay tuned as I venture out in to the world of musicians, hoping and praying to find a group of like-minded individuals who are ready to mold into a great musical group!!!I am so ready!

To Be or Not To Be. . .

"To be or not to be," the well-known quote spoken in Shakespeare's Hamlet continues to intrigue me, as I continue forth on my journey of life. I'm supposed to be... what? Or I am not to be...what? I continue to be baffled but am enjoying the journey thus far. I figure one day I'll understand it all. In the meantime, I will pursue my goals, which include doing something for the greater good. I'm not interested in becoming well known and rich and then turning in to some primadona who wants something like "I will have only the best fruit served to me before hitting the stage" written in the contract. PLEASE!!! If I spent my musical journey traveling from military base to military base, thanking the men & women for their service to our country, I would have success. Or if I were asked to go to every children's hospital to entertain little guys and gals who are much less fortunate in health, I would have success. If I were asked to travel from town to town, showing appreciation to our law enforcement officials, fire personnel, health practitioners, and teachers, I would have success. Success is knowing in my heart that I have used my talent to positively affect others, to make a little impact on my world. Now that's success! And in such a quest, I must go...Write at you soon. - Lori

Summer Cold

Today, June 6, 2005, is beginning in an odd manner, as I -- a country music artist -- am battling a cold. How in the world can I get a cold at the onset of SUMMER???? Two days and some minutes I will be singing our National Anthem at the Gateway Grizzlies GMC Stadium and, yes, I feel so honored to do so; however, I am going to have to work on this cold thing. One thing is for sure, when it comes down to the wire and I have to sing, even when I feel my voice won't be able to hold out, I pray and God has ALWAYS come through for me!! I just had to verbalize my thoughts because, as I was driving in to work today (Boy, this j...o...b thing certainly gets in the way of a career in music!!), I thought about all the things I had going on in my life and just how busy I was going to be and stopped to realize just how blessed I am, one because I have great people in my life who believe in me and take time out (lots of time) to help me to achieve my goals, and two because I have so much to do, which is so much better than having nothing to do!! I will sign off for now since I really need to get busy and focus on this j...o...b that I need so badly to support this musical career in the works!

Memorial Day

Today - May 31, 2005 -- I'm back to work after being off for Memorial Day. It doesn't seem quite right, though. I have the day off remembering those who have lost their lives fighting for the very freedom that we observed yesterday, while so many of our military service men and women are fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan or serving many miles away from their homes and families. Not a day goes by that I don't think about our military and pray for their save return. I am so very proud of the jobs that they do and dedicate this blog to them for without them our nation would not be strong and we would not be free. My prayers go out to those who are serving our country with pride, whether serving in the Marine Corps, Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard or Air National Guard, I pay tribute to you and thank you for your service to our great country. God bless you and God bless the USA!

Talk Radio Junkie!

Hello all! Okay, it's official: I'm now what one could call a true talk radio junkie, as I have finally made it to the airwaves. The topic was-- pedophiles, what shall we do with them? -- and the answer I thought was somewhat simple: "An Eye for an Eye!" Now of course I was questioned, for if we the people were to execute such a punishment on pedophiles then we would be a bad as them?? But the fact of the matter is that we cannot afford to jeopardize our children, and by allowing such an animal freedom puts our children at great risk, too great of risk to chance, I say! Now I can attest to the fact that as an educator and a parent, I am and will continue to be a strong advocate for children, teenagers, young adults, etc. And as an apiring musician, I use music to promote awareness with the hopes that something good will come out of the tragedy that has occurred and continues to occur with children. But how I wish and pray that someday children would not longer be hurt by pathetic adults who are such cowards that they need to use a strong hand against those who can't protect themselves. I say "an eye for an eye" is the way to go, for it is when such a law is implemented that justice will truly prevail. I apologize for ranting; however, when I hear of stories of abuse in any form, I can't help but cleanse my mind by sharing what's on it with everyone!As far as the music goes, keep it playin'!

Today Has Been Crazy!

Today has been crazy. Who ever said that holding down a full time job and trying to pursue a music career was easy is crazy. Of course, I don't recall anyone ever saying it would be easy, so I suppose I will simply be quiet and continue forth with what I'm currently doing. I look at it like this: If I end up insane after it's all said and done, I might have enough material to write a great country song, one that is truly realistic!! One thing is for sure, having this blogger to jot down my thoughts allows me to get everything off my chest! I will now get back to work, but I will tell you this... Having this J -- O -- B thing surely gets in the way of a music career. Perhaps someone out there will read this, feel sorry for me, and then come to my rescue by agreeing to fund my musical endeavors but not before getting me out of debt! I'll probably be searching for a while, but in the meantime, it's okay to dream, isn't it???

River City Rage - National Anthem

I had a grand weekend, getting the opportunity to sing our National Anthem at the River City Rage indoor football game held at the St. Charles Family Arena in St. Charles, Missouri. What a night!! The ownership establishment was nothing short of courteous and accomodating. Once I made my way to the field and was prompted to begin our Anthem as everyone was asked to stand, I felt a great sense of calm come over me. My version of the song began and I felt in complete control. I usually get nervous before sing The Star Spangled Banner simply because everyone knows the words, and if you mess up, everyone knows it!! But this time it was different! And I know why. On my way to the game, I prayed, asking for some reassurance that all would be okay, and my answer came through as it always does in music. A song that is special to my deceased brother, a Faith Hill song called "It Matters to Me," came over the radio. An older song, one that isn't played very often, it became my hope, for I knew after hearing it that my brother -- my former partner in music -- was speaking to me, finding a channel through which to communicate. It worked! And it'll work again, which is probably the biggest reason I am so inspired. Not only do I just believe, but I believe in so much that I'm willing to take risks, even those that come with high stakes. So here I go again...

Marketing My Music

Interestingly, I've learned a lot about the music business lately. I learned probably too much in the short time I've been heavily marketing myself (Well, I have to give credit to my agent, as she is the one who is truly marketing me!)and hope to become a little more versed in music industry verbage so I know what the hell I'm talking about when I'm talking about it! My appreciation will always begin at the local level, as I have so many people from the local St. Louis metropolitan area who have been more than willing to help me in my musical pursuits. Regardless of where I end up in this trivial world of entertainment, my roots are my identity, for my friends, family, and fans (the three Fs)are the root of my musical soul, and will always be the reason for doing what I'm doing. Life continues to be good! And the music continues to play...

Life is Great!

Life is great, and here I am again, another day - continuing to pursue this aspiration of mine, crazy some might say, of working my way to the world of country music. There's no doubt that the road is long and tough!! It seems I have to do many things that I never really fathomed. Luckily, I have such great help, as my agent...webmistress...booking agent...promoter..., and the list goes on and on helps me in this pursuit. My family/friends/fans also keep me going strong, for they too continue to motivate me, filling me with the crazy notion that this dream is possible if I truly believes in myself!! Well, I do!! The phone calls, the necessary persistance or nagging as some would say, and the events one must attend to get the publicity that is necessary to get your name out there can be exhausting, especially if one has three kids, a husband, a job! But the fact is I love it, and hope that others can share with me their stories of encouragement, how they strive to overcome the obstacles to continue going for their dreams. Inspiration at its best is what I'm looking for!!

I want to know about you

Take time out to share a little bit of yourself with me...your interests & hobbies, as well as what you do and why you do it!! If you have a passion for something as I have a passion for music, let me know...

I look forward to hearing from you...

Thanks To All!!

.

Thanks so much to those of you who came out in support of me for the Nashville North Kountry Idol contest!! I truly appreciate your support, as I know it was a nice day and you could've been working out in the yard, riding 4-wheelers, going to the park, drinkin' beer, etc. Instead, you came to support me! I truly, truly thank you from the bottom of my heart! As you saw and heard, there were several talented artists competing, all deserving of the title. Simply having the opportunity of getting to know the other contestants, T & T and the DYNAMITE COWBOYS (Wow, could they play!), as well as the owners of Nashville North, both of whom were very nice, always going of of their way to make us feel welcome! It was simply a great opportunity to share my talent with those a little bit north of my neck of the woods! Thanks so much!Lori

Nashville North's Kountry Idol Contest

Now that I've had my first experience with an "idol" contest, I feel a little more self-assured about all that goes on during the backstage interaction. My initial perception of this contest was that twelve people would come together to show their stuff on stage. Interestingly, the people came together, communicated, really became bonded in a very short time. We told stories of experiences, had several laughs, and when all was said and done and the ones who advanced were announced, the sadness came -- the realization that some would not return, some of whom were extremely talented, indeed. What a great experience! It truly reminds me of the time I ran for Miss Calhoun County and came in nearly last. It changed me forever -- for the better, however, because I became convinced that I was not a "last place" sort of gal. The learning experience, the meeting of people, the discoveries that came along with coming in last truly helped to mold me in to the person I am today. I hope others can share with me moments of discovery that helped to mold them and have created a sense of self-awareness that helped them along the way of life!! Please share away...