Trying Something New: Animoto

It's Music Monday at our place, so I've been trying out a new app called Animoto and built this little video for the Oldest Town in Texas Roadshow.  Click the link to see what I've been up to.  and keep your eyes and ears open for that new music I promised. Grace to you from the Red Dirt :)

Top 10 Reasons to Catch The Oldest Town in Texas Road Show

So this blog is titled "grace GUITARS & red dirt" & it occurs to me that while I spend a LOT of time living the GUITAR part, I haven't posted much about it.
If you know us or have followed us on Facebook or on this blog, you know that we spend many weekends and evenings as working musicians. My husband is really the GUITARS part. He is an accomplished player, teaching guitar throughout the week and playing with the best bands around this part of Texas. We both write and sing and have the honor of entertaining at some pretty special occasions.
One of the coolest things we get to do together is The Oldest Town in Texas Road Show.
There are many REASONS you're gonna want to see this show if you are anywhere near us.  

Why do you want to see this show?

10. Because you'll hear music that you've loved most of your life

Country. Gospel. Old Rock.  Cline. Strait. Orbison. Clapton. SRV.  You name it, we may have done it or we may do it at the next show.  There is so much variety on our little stage!

9. Because our current home is a must-see

Our show has recently taken up residence at the historical Old Tobacco Warehouse in Nacogdoches.  This beautiful, old building has been restored to house not only Spring and Prince, a lovely boutique on the ground floor, but also an intimate event venue upstairs which is breathtaking!

8. Because you don't need a babysitter.

It’s true.  Our dream when we started this show was to provide quality entertainment in a venue where you can bring your granny, your infant, your precocious 7-year-old, or anybody in your family.  Nothing at this show will embarrass your family because we make an effort to keep our content clean and our environment family-safe.

7. Because this guy's gonna make you smile

Sometimes we call him Mr. Kim.  Sometimes we call him Camo.  But whatever his name is at the moment, one thing never changes:  He is fully invested in making sure all our performers, guests, and audience members feel welcome and have a great experience.  

6. Because you could listen to this guitar picking all night. (I should know.)

In my opinion, he’s the best guitar player ever.  If you are thinking I am biased, you are probably right.  Only one way to find out… come see—I mean hear-- for yourself.

5. Because you'll meet your Mama’s favorite soap opera doctor, and he's a really nice guy

No kidding!  I used to watch Mr. Brad Maule saving patients on General Hospital.  I’ve also caught him on a few Three’s Company and Charlie’s Angels re-runs.  Now he’s in East Texas and a big part of our show!  But the coolest thing about Brad Maule is that he is so nice!  He is always friendly, easy to work with, and fun to talk to.  You have got to meet him!

4. Because our guests are fantastic at what they do

Our guest performers are awesome!  You may have an emotional experience.  I have laughed until I cried at our comedy sketches.  I have cried and gotten chills from the sheer beauty of a song.  You will be amazed at the array of talent we have found around East Texas.
3. Because you will get to see them before they become stars

I told you before we have some amazing talent on our stage, and some of them are just getting started.  There are future STARS rising from our stage.  Just think how nice it will be to say, “I saw them back when they were in the Oldest Town in Texas.”
2. Because you may get proposed to

Well maybe not… but it has happened.  No kidding!

1. Because they're not just good at music; they're great people!

I am SO blessed to work with this group of people.  They are truly wonderful, loving, positive people.  They’ll bless you with their talents and their contagious joy!

How to Get Motivated: Part 2: Get something new

Part 2: Get something new

This week, I'm talking about motivation, especially in fitness. You see, I took some time off... And then some more time off... And then some more... It's been awhile since I was consistently working out. Not good.  I needed to get up & get movin'!

So I got something new.

Now don't worry. You don't have to break the bank. In fact, I got my something new for free.
You may need something different, but here are some ideas...

1. Get a new workout
Today's technology makes choosing a workout so easy. There are tons of apps that will help get you motivated. There are about a million Pinterest challenges to choose from. Or you can go old-school with a DVD. My recent fix: I found 2 free apps for my phone. A running app that I can set to whatever challenge level  I want (beginner, intermediate, or advanced) and a 7-minute workout app which challenges my full body. Yes, I said 7 minutes!  It's hard to talk yourself out of that.  But you have to choose what works for you. Whatever gets you going.

2. Buy New shoes.
Since I was a kid, getting a new pair of comfy athletic shoes makes me feel a bit like running. Nothing's changed. New shoes and/or new workout clothes could be the inspiration you are looking for. Get dressed, feel good & rock on.

3. Make a New playlist.
Buying a couple of new hits on iTunes (May I recommend a tune from RockingP Genuine album? J)or just re-vamping your workout list could get you out the door easier. I know downloading something new onto my song list just makes me want to hit the RED DIRT trail.

4. Remember each day is a New day.
Each day has its own troubles... Rain falls on your trail, family crises ring out on your phone, time melts off your schedule. You may regret what didn't happen yesterday, but you don't have to regret today.

I pray God gives you the GRACE you need to work up a sweat & to feel proud of your hard work. Try something new today. It may be just what you need to start a fire

A Gift that Shines

We are not promised tomorrow, but if we are awake today, breathing in, breathing out, we have a purpose.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t always focus like I should on that purpose.  Some days I am just a swirl of distraction, flitting around like some overexcited bee in a garden full of spring flowers.  I am busy, but don’t stay at any one flower for too long.  Thus at the end of the day, I think, what did I do today?  Some days I am just a grump, a stagnant pool of complaints and bitterness.  Yuck!  Nothing is getting done, and I know it. 

But on the really good days, I SHINE.  I look at the day ahead as God intended, an opportunity to teach, encourage, & bless the people He very purposely puts into my path. 

Today is a day like that.  On days like this, I fully embrace the opportunity to learn & grow in Him, and become more of the woman He created me to be.  I am up, I have my purpose in mind, and I am going to be a blessing today.  This morning my opportunity will be leading music at cowboy church with my sweet hubbie.  I am always amazed at God & what he teaches me through this task of leading praise and worship. 

Already this morning, in preparing for the church service, I have been reminded of how we are each fearfully and wonderfully made… And how each day is skillfully crafted by our loving God… a GIFT to each of us. 

Also, I have been reminded of how I love to make things, especially as a gift to someone I love.  I take time to make it special.  I love that gift as I make it because I love its recipient.  When I give that gift to whomever it’s intended, I want them to love it, too, to use it well, to understand the love I put into it. 

Since I am created in His image, I think God maybe feels the same way about us.  Most likely, He wants us to use the gifts that He has given us with the love and care He has put into them.  He has given us a wonderful mind, a strong body, a mighty spirit, & a portion of time.  How happy it must make Him when we use the gifts He’s given with the love and honor He intended.

So today, don’t forget that you have been given a GIFT by Someone who loves you.  I pray that we will all have the GRACE to receive it and use it in a way that honors Him.

3 Reasons This Blog HAD to Happen (or What's up with that page title?)

1.  GRACE-

  Before you know anything else about me, you need to know one thing.  I am a believer.  I have been given the gift of God’s grace through salvation.  I am not going to beat anyone over the head with my Bible, but it is important that you know where I stand.  I am by no means perfect, but I know what I’ve experienced, and I think I should share it.  There is definitely room for more positive talk out in the world.  God has blessed me beyond measure with a healthy, happy life, a wonderful family, and the opportunity to watch some pretty crazy dreams come true.  So it’s my sincere hope that someone will find a little hope, a little encouragement, a little GRACE in my chatter.  From time to time, I’ll share a scripture, a song, a quote I find inspirational.   
Click here to listen to my version of “Amazing Grace”, a song that still gives me chills every time I hear it.

Inspiration dwells in quiet places.

2.  GUITARS-

If you clicked the link above, you heard my super-talented husband on GUITAR and me doing what I love most in the world to do- sing!  And if you aren’t sold on grace yet, throw this in your blender and see if it comes out a smoothie.  I am a shy, afraid-of-everything, super-nerd who is not comfortable in crowds.  My husband is an athletic, outgoing, outdoorsman who believes you can do ANYTHING you want to do—I don’t mean he’s one of those people who says he believes it—I mean he’ll flat-out get up and just do it while other people (like me) are still scratching their heads thinking about how it might not work.  He got his hands on a guitar when he was a teenager, had few lessons, and hasn’t stopped perfecting his skill since.  GUITARS are a HUGE part of our life and our living. 

When I first fell in love with him, he was playing and singing a song he co-wrote.  After a date, he wanted to play a song for me.  As his unique voice and skillful playing filled the kitchen, it filled up my heart.  I knew at that moment: He’s the ONE. 

Now years later, together, we write songs, record, perform, lead music—it’s what we do.   
To find our album Rocking P Genuine 
on i-Tunes, click  here. For CDBaby, click here.

Our first album

3.      RED DIRT-

I think our life is unique because even though we really enjoy performing often and in a lot of venues, home and family is VERY important to us.  We look forward to the moment we bump back down our RED DIRT drive.  We love being together at home, surrounded by our loved ones, eating a good healthy meal.   

There's Red Dirt at the End of Our Rainbow

We worked really hard for our piece of RED DIRT and we enjoy country living so much.  This land provides us with so much… from inspiration, to sweaty work, to food for the table, and a spacious place to enjoy life.  We love it out here.  It’s our gym and our playground; our refuge and our meeting place.  Out here we’ve learned that having something takes hard work, and that sometimes, it’s best to use what you’ve got instead of getting more.