CMA Fest

You can't live in Nashville and not know about CMA fest. But at the same time, you can't live in Nashville and want to go downtown filled with tourists.

But I do love country music enough to brave it, and let me tell you, it was SO worth it. 100%.

Side note: Kelsea had her own
Snapchat filter for the show,

I started off with seeing Kels at the Cannery Ballroom, and that was a blast. Being that the Cannery Ballroom is a 21+ venue, I had to be "X"ed and those sharpie Xs did not come off for 3 days...I got some weird looks at church for those. 

Seeing her live her dream, and be surrounded with a room full of her supporters was amazing. Not to mention, she had Hunter Hayes and Hillary Scott come out as guests, which was insane. My middle school me DIED inside when Hunt came out. I straight d i e d. I tell people that I don't like him anymore, but when he came out, my heart blew up into 1000 pieces. I would post my videos I took, but my singing is so bad that I'm actually saving you if I don't share them. You can see it here though!

Before Kelsea came out, newbie Levi Hummon and veteran Jon Pardi took the stage.

Levi was so cute. He wasn't always there vocally, but where he lacked vocals, he made up for in adorableness. I'm interested in what he'll bring in the next few years!

Jon Pardi on the other hand brought straight party. He got the crowd alive with his hits like Up All Night and Head Over Boots, but also with new songs from his latest album, California Sunrise. I saw him once before at the 2015 N.R.A. Convention and was not impressed in the least, but Jon rocked this baby venue. His guitarist looked like a poorly kept version of Billy Ray Cyrus and was so entertaining. While not strong in large venues, Jon is great in small ones, and most importantly, he stays true to country's roots. No pop remixes but steel guitars and fiddles. I loved it.

I also loved meeting Sadie Robertson on our way to Ascend Amphitheater. Like nbd. I just almost idolize you. It's casual.

At Ascend, we saw Chris Young and Old Dominion. Chris Young "kicked off CMA Fest" and conducted the ceremonial duties before singing. As always, Chris was phenomenal. Absolutely phenomenal. He could sing the phone book for his entire set and I'd be so content.

Old Dominion though....(I'm getting excited even just thinking about Old Dominion) Old Dominion was the real show stopper. I've been a fan of OD since my middle school days, and I have been digging Meat & Candy ever since it came out. I just had never had a chance to see them live, and they met and exceeded all expectations. They sounded good, they looked good, they were just so good. They also got their award for Meat & Candy going platinum, which was really cool to see their reactions to their records. I just love Old Dominion. Love. Love. Love.

Also during CMA Fest, I got a chance to be an extra for the CMT Awards.

It was an absolute BLAST. I saw all the big names in country up front and personal. Keith Urban, Chris Stapleton, Luke Bryan, Maren Morris, Cam, Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood, the list goes on. It was absolutely incredible. I really hope I get to do it again next year. Not only for the "be on TV" thing but more for the "free concert!" thing.

 I've put some of the pictures I took below for you to see just how close I was. (Update: I published some others on my VSCO from the homepage.) It was an absolutely awesome experience.

 Sometimes, it's worth braving the tourists...at least I think so.

xoxo,

Lauren

Girls Just Wanna Have Friends

Concert tickets are good, but free concert tickets are even better, especially when you forget you entered to win them.

When I opened my email last Wednesday and saw I won tickets to see Kelsea Ballerini, Ingrid Michaelson, and Cyndi Lauper, I was only naturally ecstatic. Kelsea and Cyndi, my fav and a legend, were bound to make for a great night, and they definitely did.

Skyville is actually a really awesome venue. It’s an old warehouse converted with some pretty lights and cool fixtures. It probably seats 200 when its tables, chairs, and bleachers in the rear are absolutely packed. Super intimate. I loved it.

Skyville as a venue is different, and so is Skyville as a company. Skyville is an online based company that provides online streams of their concerts. Skyville brings together artists of all different ages and genres: Kris Kristofferson, Brenda Lee, Greg Allman, Tracy Lawrence, Lady Antebellum, Gladys Knight, Martina McBride, the list goes on.

This specific show I attended was Cyndi Lauper, Ingrid Michaelson, and Kelsea Ballerini. Kelsea, Ingrid, and Cyndi aren’t quite a normal pairing though. For Thursday, they were brought together for a Skyville production called “Girls Just Wanna Have Friends.” It was a celebration for all the ages.

The night began with crazy haired Cyndi singing “Time After Time” and dancing her way through several new songs off her country album “Detour”.  Then young Kelsea joined her and then it was Ingrid’s turn to sing with the legend. Each sang her respective hits, and came together for a finale of “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”, complete with balloons and all.

 

The night began with crazy haired Cyndi singing “Time After Time” and dancing her way through several new songs off her country album “Detour”.  Then young Kelsea joined her and then it was Ingrid’s turn to sing with the legend. Each sang her respective hits, and came together for a finale of “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”, complete with balloons and all.

Above photo by Rick Diamond/ Getty Images for Skyville

If "Detour" is anything like Cyndi's perfomance at Skyville, "Detour" is going to potentially be the best album of 2016. Cyndi KILLED her cover of "Walking After Midnight", and I can not wait for "Detour" to drop in May.

Album cover for "Detour" by Cyndi Lauper.
 "Detour" is expected to drop May 2, 2016.

All, Cyndi, Kelsea, and Ingrid, had their own stage presence that blended for the perfect vibe. Cyndi’s years of experience gave her the obvious upper hand. Every word she said got applause and every joke she told got a laugh. Kelsea’s sweet and humble approach made her “Skyville’s Sweetheart”, leaving Ingrid as the awkward and loveable fan favorite.

I couldn’t have asked for a better lineup. The blend of the three styles and personalities made for a perfect night to celebrate the unity of women in the music business.

You could tell these girls had a whole lot of fun, but they also showed music business is more fun, and ultimately better when you are friends with your peers.

Let's have some fun, girls. Life's not all competition,

Lauren

Kels made time for me after the show, and I can't begin
to tell you how happy my heart was after a long over due hug from
this one.

2015...

2015 had it's ups and downs, for sure, but all in all, It was a pretty good year.. In no particular order, here's my 2015..

I turned 16 and got my driver's license! (And yes, freedom is so, so sweet)

I took a trip to Pennsylvania and shopped at a 2 story Target!!

aka Heaven

I went to one of the most haunted places in America, Eastern State Penitentiary.

I decided that peaches are my favorite fruit, and green beans are my favorite vegetable.

I saw NeedToBreathe at the Ryman! They easily have some of the best voices I've ever heard.

I read Angels Walking by Karen Kingsbury and cried to a fiction book for the first time. Well done, Mrs. Kingsbury

I got my first Chaco tan (insert heart eye emoji).

I watched the entire Gilmore Girls and Gossip Girl series...

I saw Alan Jackson, who is i n c r e d i b l e. 

I bought my first pair of Jacks and Hunters!

I started taking up calligraphy, It's harder than it seems.

I went to Chicago, again, and got to tell some kiddos how much their Creator loves them.

I started taking Zumba classes and definitely now call myself a Zumba lover.

 I went hiking for the first time! I didn't hate it, but I don't think I'll go out hiking on my own..

I bought my first Lilly dress...LOVE.

and while I was discovering just how much I love Lilly, I went to their headquarters in King of Prussia.

I relearned that roller coasters are not really my thing. Too fast and too many chances of getting hurt.

I consistently held the B spot on my golf team, behind a senior.

I only got sunburned 6 times!!

I lead my first Bible study with some middle school girls.

I lost my hearing at Jason Aldean's Nashville stop.

I went to Vancouver and drank waaaay too much Tim Hortons.

I got the chance to work with Nashville's Lunch Box, a nonprofit ministry that feeds underpriviledged families in the metro-Nashville area.

I learned to play chess.

I got to hug this girl's neck after her OPRY DEBUT and album release.

I got to hear Taya Kyle (nd Marcus Luttrell) speak.

A lot happened in 2015. Lots of concerts, lots of conversations, and lots of coffee. 2015 had its ups and down, but most importantly, I really learned that it's okay to be me, and I wouldn't trade that for anything. 

It's okay that I like purple more than blue and 1 cream in my coffee. It's okay that I'd rather strength train than run. It's okay that I prefer mysteries to love stories.

It's okay to be me, and 2015 taught me that. 

May 2016 be YOUR year to discover who you are and to embrace all that comes with. Make a difference in 2016. Life is only what you make it after all.

love,

lauren

"'Maybe I don't want a happy new year,' she said. 'Maybe I want an intense new year with a lot of growth experiences,'" 

-StoryPeople

Kelsea Ballerini with CMT Next Women of Country

Friends and family always make comments to the parents of a baby about how they've grown since the last time they saw each other, and that is exactly how I felt on Tuesday night.

Tuesday night, Kelsea Ballerini, headlined her first show! Never the less, it was in Nashville, too!

After following Kelsea's career and getting to know her more and more over the past two years, I have seen the many ways that Kelsea has grown as both an artist and a person, and seeing her go from Soundcloud demos to artist parties to headlining her own show was so incredibly cool.

Right now, Kelsea is out with Jana Kramer on CMT's Next Women of Country Tour, an all women tour promoting the up and coming female talent in country music. 

At the Nashville show, Jana was not able to preform, but she did make an appearance when CMT's SVP of Muisc Strategy came out and announced the 2016 tour, which is including (L-R) Brook Eden, Cam, Clare Dunn, and Ruthie Collins. 

The show opened up with Carly Pearce and Hailey Steele, who both have loads of talent. Carly Pearce can belt like nobody's business and her rendition of Dolly Parton's "9 to 5" was cute as can be. Check her out for yourself and see what you think. Here is her on Tuesday singing "Just Another Girl."

But finally, my girl took the stage.

With teal guitar in hand, she began to rock. She did crowd pleasers from her EP like "Dibs" and "Yeah Boy" to kick off the night but also sang from her new album, "The First Time," as well as two that aren't on the album, "High School" and "Graffiti." 

One of the other girls in the audience videoed them, so if you're curious, you can check out "High School" here and "Graffiti" here. 

High School always has been a personal favorite of mine, so seeing it live was more wonderful than words.

Turns out Kelsea had more than just the surprise of "High School" and "Graffiti" planned...Maddie and Tae came out and sang "There's Your Trouble" by the legendary Dixie Chicks. Purely acoustic and raw, Kelsea, Maddie, and Tae all proved their talent. 

In honor of her first album coming out this Monday, Kelsea had to do some from there like "XO," "Stilettos," and "Peter Pan." 

I can not tell you how excited I am for this album to come out. It is so Kelsea and so true to who she is. I can't wait to watch the world fall in love with her like I have.

"The First Time" is available starting May 18th on iTunes, and you're really missing out if you don't get it. It does have upbeat songs for jamming like "XO" and "Peter Pan," but it also has very vulnerable and relatable songs like "Secondhand Smoke" and "The First Time." 

To end the show, she sang "Love Me Like You Mean It" (which is currently #9 on the country charts!!) and the entire venue sang along. I had tears in my eyes as she stood on stage with tears in her eyes and listened to everyone sing it back.

Coolest moments ever.

Kelsea most definitely lived up to all expectations I had on stage, but she far surpassed all expectations off stage.

As soon as she came off, I was greeted with "Lauren, I'm so glad you're here! I love you a lot for coming!!" and a hug before I could even open my mouth. 

Kelsea is on her way to do great things, mark my words, friends. She's going big places and I'm so thankful to be along for the ride.

Be sure to follow her on Twitter, Insta, like her on Facebook, and download "The First Time!"

Valentines Day Opry

If I can't be with a boyfriend on Valentines' Day, to me, being at the Opry is the second best thing. 

You're supposed to be where you love on Valentines' Day and that's exactly where I was. Emma and I braced the cold and the Valentines' Day traffic and made our way over to Opry Mills  (which was crazy!! do not recommend!!) for dinner and the show. 

We stopped at Santa Fe Cattle Co. and it was phenomenal. I got the fajita quesadilla and it was delish. 10/10. I would most definitely go back. Not only is their steak amazing, they have honey butter and rolls, which are always a selling point to me.

After almost 45 minutes in traffic for the short drive, we made it to the Opry House. 

The reason we went specifically was because Kelsea was making her Opry debut, which is HUGE! 

She was asked back during an award show by her friends of Lady Antebellum (The video is here and is absolutely adorable!) As soon as we found out, Emma and I had to go. There was no way we were going to miss this.

So we took our seats and the legendary Opry curtain rose and the music began. Before we knew it, Kelsea was taking the stage!

She sang an acoustic version of her current single, "Love Me Like You Mean It" from her first E.P, with her cowriters, Josh Kerr and Forest Glen Whitehead at her side.

 After singing that song, Kelsea took a little bit of a break and talked about how big of a dream it is of hers to play the Opry as she got situated with her guitar for her next song. 

And in this transition and introduction to the next song, Kelsea announced details about her debut album! It's called the First Time and hits stores on May 19, 2015!! The album is named after her song, "The First Time" which according to her is "about learning the lesson that sometimes the past should stay in the past."
I believe her exact words regarding the song and the album were "“I never thought I'd be so thankful for that experience and that I'd be playing it at the Grand Ole Opry! My album The First Time is named after this song and it's coming out on May 19! I've been dying to tell people this!"
"The First Time" is exact proof that even bad situations can be good in the long run.

Big, big stuff is coming from Miss Kelsea and I'm so excited to see where her journey takes her!

Also at the Opry was Chuck Wicks, who really impressed me. I've listened to him on America's Morning Show with Terri Clark and Blair Garner for a while, but had never seen him live.

Chuck Wicks is now being tracked on my BandsInTown account and I'm really hoping he comes to Nashville soon for some kind of show. I would highly recommend seeing him live.

Charles "Chip" Esten, more commonly known as Deacon from Nashville was there as well. He is just as talented in person as he is on TV.

An up and commer, who I was unfamiliar with was also there. Mo Pitney. Never heard of him before? Yeah, me neither. He sang a cute song called "Clean Up on Aisle 5" and won the hearts of many girls in the audience. He knew his range so well  and is a top notch song writer. I can see a big future for him in country music, so keep an eye out for him!

Always a pleasure, Opry.

xo,

lauren