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HAPPY HOLIDAYS 2008

2008-12-04T19:07:00.002-05:00

Happy Holidays Everyone!

So hard to believe that this year is coming to an end.. but I have to say that I am glad. It's been a very challenging year for me. Some good came out of it, but I will be glad to see 2009.. I think!!

I've been VERY busy lately with the Georgia Music Industry Association. I am currently the Vice-President, and we have had a pretty decent year. I've lived many places.. from the Florida coast to the California coast, and I can honestly say that Georgia is home to some of the most talented artists and songwriters I have ever heard or met. I'm happy to be a part of the Georgia family of entertainers and songwriters now.

Been working on a few new songs, but the process has been painfully slow. There really isn't enough time each day to accomplish a lot. But that's the key. Do something each day with your music or you just can fall into a very lazy pattern after awhile.

Have been enjoying the ELVIS station on my XM/Serius radio... Elvis was the MAN. There will never be another singer like him. Tom Jones was a good singer too, and he still is pretty decent for his age. Guess I'm showing my age. HA. Actually, I was just a "young" fan of both of these guys. They are MUCH older (or Elvis WAS) than I am.. ;) HONEST!!!! I just respect their talent so much. The other day I heard "Promised Land" by Elvis, and man, I used to do that song in a stage show back in the 70s?? I had to laugh out loud when I heard it, cause I was thinking.. how i the HECK did a young teenage girl choose that song to do w/a band?? HA. Kinda funny. That song rocks though. I don't think we even got close to that tempo.

I've started decorating for Christmas. I'm not really in the mood this year, even though I was looking forward to it a few months ago.. cause I'm in a brand new house and wanted to see how it looked all doodied-up... but energy has left me these past few months... now I'm struggling just pulling the Christmas boxes out of the closet. :( Having a big PARTY this month.. so I better get in the mood. ~~~ ~~

Been playing music trivia since around June with some folks where I live, and it's pretty fun. I am pretty good at it, if I say so myself!! HA!! Sometimes you know things though, and then you just go brain-dead.. that's very frustrating.

NASHVILLE.. Went twice this year... went in October and had a pretty good trip. Met w/2 publishers.. and have an open door policy with them now, which is something you want. Now I just have to come up with THAT song.. crap... do you know that you are more likely to be hit by lightening than to have a HIT SONG?? That's scary, ha? I keep plugging away though.

Well, let me end this now by saying.... hope ALL OF YOU who might read this have a wonderful holiday season and a MARVELOUS NEW YEAR... and I will try and remember to keep this updated... HEY.. if any of you who might know me ever reads this darn thing, drop me a line and let me know, will ya? That would be nice to know... ;)

PEACE... ~~~Shelia

WHAT'S HAPPENING?

2008-08-30T19:07:00.002-05:00

I just realized it's been awhile since I wrote anything.. if I told you how unbelievably busy I've been since the last blog, would you believe me? Well, I've been BUSY. So here goes... a quick rundown of what's been going on and what's coming up! Thanks for reading and caring (hope you care if you are reading this!)

Okay, so I went to N'ville in May. Nice trip but didn't accomplish as much as I had hoped.
The Georgia Music Industry Association is working my music patootie off. HA!! Literally. Since June, we have been doing workshops/song critiques at Rhodes Hall in Atlanta on the last Sunday of each month, and they are going really well. Membership has grown the past few months, and the feedback we have gotten recently makes all this hard work easier to bear. BTW, Rhodes Hall is one of the last real Mansions left in the Atlanta area. It looks like a castle. Was the home of Mr. Rhodes (of Rhodes Furniture). Thank-you Rhodes Hall for allowing us to hold our monthly get togethers there. Rhodes Hall gives tours, and if you are ever in the area, please take time out and go visit this home. It's really pretty and interesting. Anyway... so last Sunday I gave my first "real" lengthy presentation ever to our membership.. my topic was "Pitching Your Material and Business Tid-Bits." It went over well, although I didn't get to cover even half of it due to time. I enjoyed doing it and hope to be doing more in the future.

Also, our organization was chosen by Susan Tucker of Songwriters' Connection in N'ville for one of us in GMIA to have the oppotunity of getting a very nice professional demo done by producer, Kim Copeland (in N'ville). I saw their posting about their offering, and all I had to do was write up a bio about our organization, and we were chosen! Songs are being sent in to them now, and probably within a couple of weeks one of us will be the recipient of a wonderful demo in the very near future.

Today I was out in the HOT September sun from 11 a.m. until 5:30 p.m... It was close to 90 degrees today.. pretty but too hot .. especially if you are dressed in jeans and dressed to "perform." GMIA had 4 hours of stage time at a well-known big festival in Coweta County, GA, called the Powers Ferry Crossroads Festival. We actually were able to do our originals!! I was onstage with 6 other of our GMIA songwriters, and we had a great day... just too hot!!!! ha.
I will be going back there tomorrow and on Monday also, as we have a GMIA table set up also.. but I'm tired tonight.. that's all in it. No one said this music business was easy. Just like with any other job, if you want to get anywhere, you have to play the game, and you have to play it HARD!!

So what's coming up for me? More important GMIA events, a recording session in Marietta, GA, on Sept. 14th, and hopefully a trip to N'ville in October. I also have relatives from Vegas coming in October AND a family reunion .. so October's looking mighty busy. OH!! I also will be a judge for a talent show coming up the end of September in Carrollton, GA. Busy, busy!!! I've got some songs waiting on me to be written, and there just doesn't seem to be enough time lately.

I'll just end now with saying that, this has been one of the most, if not the MOST busiest and hectic and wild half-years I have ever had in my life. I can't believe it's almost September. I am a summer girl, even though I complain of the heat if I have to go out fully dressed to do things, like today. ;) HA!! I just personally hate to see winter come each year, and each year it gets harder for me to deal with. I guess I have that season affect disorder.. maybe so. I need a sunlamp or something.. maybe a cruise to somewhere in January might help me each year. But this is it for now.. OH WAIT!!! I also start bowling next Friday .. well, I'm signing up as a SUB.. but I have a feeling I will be used quite a bit. I'll be on my old Friday night league. Should be fun.. I've had a 2-year break.. The only problem now is, NOW I probably can't bowl worth.. well, patootie!!! ;)

Ciao..

GOOD DAY, SUNSHINE

2008-06-19T07:20:00.002-05:00

I realized today that I hadn't updated my blog page in quite awhile! So here goes...

The sun's coming up nicely here, west of Hotlanta...that's what it's been lately. .. but I don't mind. I LOVE summertime..even though summer is not officially here yet.

Let's see, where to start.. I went to Nashville in May. Had a great time. Even did a little dancing at the Bourbon Street Bar there this time. There was this chick in the band that night, and MAN!! She could blow. I think she's the best female singer in a band that I have seen in a long time. I'll have to get the name of their band and tack in on here so you guys can check them out. I had some friends in town and also took a girlfriend with me, so it turned out okay.. the FUN factor that is..but trying to get an appointment with someone in Nashville is hard!! I had one appointment set up for a possible "songplugger" to listen to six songs.. well, she asked that I send them before I got there so she could listen and be ready to sit and talk with me when I got there.. so I get there.. and she hasn't listened!@! I have to admit, I was a little upset. No, a lot. So she tells me that she has them and will get back to me.. still nothing. A month later. WHY do people have to be this way? Is it because I am a NOBODY in their eyes? Bite ME. :(
I did meet quite a few new folks and was given the okay to contact a new person next time I was coming to town... a publisher. Went to the French Quarter and supported some local Georgia boys (songwriters) who were performing there that night. So there it was May.. and it was COLD in Nashville. My girlfriend and I took sandals and short sleeves, and DANG!!! HELLO?

Georgia Music Industry Assoc. (GMIA) will be starting a monthly workshop/critique session on the fourth Sunday of each month. This coming Sunday will be our first one, and I am looking forward to it. Workshops will be conducted by local music biz folks/songwriters/and hopefully we'll be bringing some Nashville folks in at times. For those interested in attending, see our website: www.gmia.org

Life's been extremely busy lately.. actually this whole year. I have a busy July coming up.. with possibly 3 out-of-town guests, but I hope they show... I'm looking forward to it.

Gotta go for now..

~~shelia

Just Chit-Chat

2008-04-28T07:00:00.003-05:00

Okay, so I just did this past weekend my annual community yard sale. First of all, it was threatening rain, but we managed to get through the thing w/o a drop, although it had started thundering when we were loading back up the stuff that DID NOT SELL. :( I sold a few things, but not as much as I had hoped for... but you know these things... you always see something that someone else has and you go get it, therefore, spending most of what you make!! HA. Let's see...
I found me some barstools for my new kitchen island .. a heck of a deal... a new ladder for $5... two pedastools to put plants on in my new house and.... a "tree" (fake) to put in my new dining room for only TWO BUCKS.. TWO BUCKS!!! I had been looking at these, and I am glad I waited.. cause even the cheap ones were over $30. DEALS.. gotta love them. So.. the day was okay.. met some new folks.. "neighbors," if you will... talked up the Georgia Music Industry Association to a few of them .. met a few musicians.. had a few record guys come by and sit and go through my record boxes.. it's always interesting to get into a conversation w/these record "LP and 45" guys.. and yeah, most of them are guys. In fact, out of all the years we have done record shows and flea markets.. I may have been the only woman actually selling them.. hmmmm... no, wait.. I may have seen a few at the Birmingham, AL, record show we did many years back.... but overall, it must be a GUY thing. Used to sell 'em on e-bay too. My husband found a 45 of the theme song for the Munsters tv show and bought it for a QUARTER... we put it on e-bay, started it at like $2 maybe and sold it to a couple out in Colorado who wanted it for their jukebox.. at a whopping ...
$237.00 !!!!! Gotta love it. It was fun back then. Don't do this any more, just don't have time...
as I am now trying to be a professional SONGWRITER. (giggle)... maybe I shouldn't sell all my record collection.. HA.

Anyway... Nashville is coming up.. I've got a few appts. made.. taking a few new songs with me.
Turns out, three of my Georgia Music Association guys are going up the same time and performing an in-the-round at the French Quarter... so I will be hopefully there supporting them. GMIA has a big Labor-Day event coming up.. we will be part of the Coweta Festival this year.. they are giving us 4-hours of stage time. Looking forward to this but at the same time don't want it to get here too fast, as that would mean summer was over.. . Sheesh!Can't even stand the thought of that right now.

Okay, other than this.. let's see.. I recently had a business meeting at Rhodes Hall in Atlanta, GA.
For those of you who are familiar with Rhodes Furniture.. this was the home of Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes.. they still have some of THEIR furniture, etc. in there. It's a beautiful place. Looks like a castle. We may be having some GMIA events there. Will know soon. I hear there's a ghost in there though, so I will make sure I am not left alone any. YIKES!! But if you are in the area, take the time to visit Rhodes Hall.

Okay, that's it for now.. now go write a wonderful song all you songwriters.. and if you are not a songwriter... go bowling or something today and have fun. :)

~~shelia

IS IT SPRING YET?

2008-03-19T09:07:00.002-05:00

This is WAY overdue... I've had so much going on, I don't even know where to start!

First of all, I moved to a new house! I have boxes and more boxes everywhere. I'm also getting my other house ready for the market. Good luck, right? :( So sad to say, I have not been able to accomplish much with my music the past few months.

Regarding the Georgia Music Industry Association, I am happy to announce that we have appointed a new President to fulfill the current term (until December).. Ms. Vicki Wisecup. I've known Vicki for a couple of years now, and I think she will accomplish great things for this organization. I am looking forward to working with her. www.gmia.org

I am planning a trip to Nashville soon and have some people lined up to listen to some songs. I haven't been since last summer, so I am looking forward to it.

Other than the moving, the only thing that has been keeping me busy is the WEATHER lately. I've had to make quite a few trips down to the new basement. In fact, it looks like I might have to head that way today also. This weather is horrible lately, and Spring is just now getting here. There were some lives lost in Georgia over this past weekend..from the tornadoes. Please, everyone, don't ignore the weather warnings.

I'll write more later.. just wanted to get something up for now...

~~Shelia

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2008-01-02T22:09:00.000-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!

I'm here, and I made it through another year. A lot of things happened in 2007.. in FACT, things were happening all the way up to December 31st!!! Let me just put it this way, I'm welcoming 2008. :)

Did any of you set New Year Resolutions? I used to.. I wrote my resolutions down. I thought about them for days before the first day of the new year. I guess I still think about what I need to accomplish, do differently, or just downright forget for the new year approaching.. days before day ONE gets here. I just don't write them down on paper anymore. And no, I don't type them out either. Since I try to keep most of my blog here geared towards MUSIC, I will stick with those thoughts.

My biggest goal is to try to get my songs out there more. .. to be heard.. As far as I know, I have one song on "hold" with a major label new artist right now. At least that was the news last month.. it may have changed now. In this business, one day you're on top, and the next no one could know your name. I also need to work on some new material and finish some up I've been working on for months. My life has been so busy since October, I have not been able to accomplish much with the writing.

My third goal is a biggie. I was elected Vice-President of the Georgia Music Industry Assoc. on December 1st. Three weeks later, our President stepped down, and now I have an organization to run until the President position is filled. It was an unexpected turn of events, and not one I saw coming. So I have a challenge ahead of me for sure! I am working with some great board of directors sand other officers though, and we do have a plan.. it will be a challenging year for us but hopefully a good year.

I wish you all the best in 2008. May each of you be pushed further along on your musical journeys.

Till next time...

~~shelia

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2007-11-21T20:33:00.000-05:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING...

I have a lot to be thankful for.

~~shelia

WHERE HAVE I BEEN?

2007-10-29T09:45:00.000-05:00

Howdy!

Last week I got an email from a cousin asking me if I was okay because I had not written anything new on my blog in awhile, and she was wondering if I was okay. So I felt it was time to sit down and talk a little. :)

I'm okay.. just been really, really busy. I've been out of town a lot this month (October). Went out to Vegas for 13 days. Had a MARVELOUS time. One of my oldest, dearest friends and his wife drove up to see me from California, and it was great being with them for 2 days. This friend of mine and I have always had a lot in common. We both had a PASSION for something. Me.. music and him... comedy. I do consider him to be one of L.A.'s finest comedians. He used to perform a little, and then he just gave it up, quit. I did the same thing with music at one time. I didn't take my guitar out of its case for almost a year one time. In talking with him on this trip, he sounds like he might have the desire to start up his comedy act again. I hope he does what makes him happy. If it doesn't make him happy anymore, then fine, but if it does, GO FOR IT. I feel like in the entertainment business, you only get so many shots. :(

Anyway... VEGAS.. I used to live there. Actually, I have lived there twice. I found myself missing that area when I was out there.. even went to look at some houses and met with a real estate agent. HA. There are some nice, beautiful outlying areas around Vegas that would be ideal and not too crowded or overwhelming to move to. Who knows.. The second time I lived out there, I performed there. Vegas used to be nonstop entertainment, as far as music. 24/7 you could walk into a casino, and there would be at least 2 stages with bands playing. Some were terrible, and then some were really good.... as with anywhere. This trip... I saw ONE band play at night only ... and downtown there was a sax player playing to tracks... This was it!! I know there were some more going on cause I read it in the Vegas magazine... but the point is.. it used to not matter what time of day or where, there was some musician with a gig... I think it's changed a lot. I went to a country impersonator-type music show. The headliners were two guys that did Brookes and Dunn, and let me tell you, Ronnie Dunn has a twin who looks, sings, and acts just like him... if this guy had walked by me on the street, I would have thought it was him. I was VERY impressed with this guy's vocals because Dunn is one of the most awesome country singers there ever has been. I won a little money playing Keno the last full night there. I hit 8 out of 9 numbers.. If I lived there, I would be the Keno Queen. :) I know how to play this game, how it works, the numbers that come in... I am not what I would call a "real gambler," but I do enjoy Keno, and I can win if the casino is going to let me. :) HA.

I also drove up this past weekend to Cherokee, N.C., with my parents. The fall colors were surprisingly good despite the lack of cool temps or rain. It was beautiful. So.. I've been out and about.. but I've also been working on some new songs, and Bill and I got a new song back that we are very happy with and hope to see something become of it. I'm trying to add some new songs to my soundclick page if you want to take a listen.... http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pageartist.cfm?bandID=222276

The Georgia Music Industry Association (GMIA) is getting ready for election of new board or directors and officers. We have so many ideas and plans for next year. Please check out our website: www.gmia.org

I guess that's it for right now! I'm alive and well, and I'll be writing more later! Oh, and BOOOO. Don't let any monsters get ya this week!!!

~~shelia

STUFF

2007-08-23T14:13:00.000-05:00

August is on its way out the door with a bang, I guess. Yesterday we hit another record, 104 degrees.. I loved it.. Today is beautiful and hot too, but I can't be outside any. Bummer. Maybe I should just spend the rest of my days out West in the desert somewhere. I lived out there once, and I loved it. One of my best friends out there said that one day my skin was going to look like a billfold.. As I sit here today, I'm afraid to look down at my skin. :( How can something so beautiful, so glorious as bright, wonderful sunshine that warms your body accompanied with bright blue skies be so bad for you? Unfortunately, it has proven to be so for so many people, and that makes me sad.

Another thing that makes me SAD is computers. I am having problems, MAJOR ones, so that's why I wanted to post something else.. don't know when I might get the next chance to post something. Wish me luck!! Also... over the next month or so, I may be adding some pictures.. several were taken while on my recent trip to Nashville, and there will be more taken in the next few months to come. I have posted a new one below. I guess the sun fries hair too 'cause my hair certainly looks fried in this picture. HA.

BTW, I was told that "Howard" reads my blogs. Thank-you Howard... I know who you are, and you know who you are. I hope you are well. I miss California and those "good ole days." Wow, now you can be famous 'cause I mentioned you in my blog! HA. Just kidding!! Know of anyone I can pitch some songs too????

Got some big stuff coming up soon regarding events and events associated with the Georgia Music Industry Association. Will post as they are available.

Take care....Shelia

PEOPLE

2007-08-14T09:53:00.000-05:00

I failed to mention in the last post that I was very glad to meet Brian Austin Whitney, founder of Just Plain Folks. He is a pro at what he does, and it is amazing how much he does and what energy he has. He's getting ready to do a European tour soon, and I wish him much success with it. It was also nice to have met his wife, Linda, also. Glad she got to come down to Nashville.

This week I've been listening to these CDs...mostly people you haven't heard of..it's people I met on the N'ville trip... but I'm enjoying their work... they include.. Cheyenne Medders, Lisa Martin, and Bill Robinson.

I also attended a showcase at the Wildhorse Saloon (put on by an organization). What they mostly do is go around to different venues and showcase their members. Here are some names that I think are worth watching for: Hali Hicks, Chris Dee, Courtney Arnold, Somer Willard, and one that just totally blew me away.. 10-year-0ld Krysta Nick. Krysta is going to be a big star one day... her voice is beyond her years and she has so much control over it and stage presence.. Krysta... you've got plenty of time girlie.. enjoy being young...you're ALREADY on your way.. I hope to run into YOU again in the future.. just know that Shelia Quattlebaum is a FAN of yours.

Good luck to everyone..there's a lot of competition out there.. you've got to have that little something about you to stand out from the rest. I believe the ones I mentioned from the showcase have what it takes to compete!

~~Shelia

HOT AUGUST NIGHTS AND OTHER THINGS

2007-08-09T21:35:00.000-05:00

Well, the Atlanta area has broken several temperature records this week. Last night at 11 pm it was 91 degrees! Brought back memories of when I lived in Vegas. :) For some reason, over 100 at night feels better in Vegas than it does here.

I just returned from my latest trip to Nashville. I attended the annual Pineyfest Workshop by Bobbie Gallup. This was my 3rd year in a row, and it was a good one. Met some key-industry folks, listened to some PRO writers do their thing, and met some new fellow-songwriters. Also last week, I played the Atlanta JPF show at the Redlight Cafe...this was cool... and then I played the Nashville JPF show this past Saturday night. I was also able to do a couple open-mics at Lyrix (great sound system) while up there last week. One of the highlights in N'ville was attending the Bluebird show with past winners from the JPF Awards Show. I sat right at the stage right in front of Chris Young (last N'ville Star Winner)...he did the first round, and then on the second round, I was sitting right in front of Janis Ian. What a show. Melody Guy blew me away with a little rock-number she did, something about "I Wanna Be Your Queen." PRO writer, Rory Feek, blew me away with one of his songs, "Sweet Emmylou" performed by his wife, Joey Feek..(I hope I got her name spelled correctly).. This is one of those songs most people will never hear in radio land, but it may be the best song I hear all year. I got to see Mark Collie do 3 of his songs. He was really good. It had been awhile since I had seen him.

This trip I learned that it's totally okay the way I place my capo.. which is usually backwards than most people, but two N'ville writers had theirs the way I do it, so now I AIN'T gonna worry about it anymore. :) I also learned that fellow-songwriter/singer, Joanne Lurgio likes Animal Cookies too and makes a great roommate while in N'ville..... BTW, if you get a chance to check out her stuff, please do.. that's www.joannelurgio.com...

I left N'ville this time really understanding my competition and knowing what I've got to do.
In the meantime, I'm working on some new stuff and working hard with the Georgia Music Industry Association. There's a lot more to talk about...I'll get to it when I can.

I hope to have some new PICTURES posted soon.

Later!
~~~Shelia

Thursday Night Blues

2007-06-08T22:05:00.001-05:00

Last night I was asked to attend a benefit for a fellow-musician in Douglasville, Georgia. I was told ahead of time who had been invited and who "might drop by." I think everyone showed up except the few members from Lynyrd Skynyrd. There were some awesome musicians there. The Blues at its best. I had the honor of sharing the stage w/Tommy Crain, former member of the Charlie Daniels' Band for 15 years and cowriter of "The Devil Went Down To Georgia." Along with Crain, Kerry Creasy, Bob Rumer, and Joey Garland backed me up on the three songs I did. I felt weird up there with my acoustic guitar..but hey.. I gave it a shot... at least started the songs off for them. HA. Scroll down for a picture from last night.

~~~ All God's children got the blues sometime.~~~

CAN YOU SAY BUSY??

2007-05-25T16:40:00.000-05:00

Where in the WORLD to start? May has been a busy and exciting month but we are about to say goodbye to it. And May just happens to be one of my favorite months of the year, so I will be sad in a few days. HA.

First of all, a HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to the finalists and winners of our Georgia Music Industry Association Country Showcase.... Guy Dupree took first and second place.. and he was just dandy on stage with just him and his guitar. And equal congrats to David Ayers who took third place with one of his songs. Jason Fincher started off the show and rocked the house with his opening number. We had some good gals in the lineup too.... Ms. Vicki Lynne Wisecup, Ms. Danita Rae Conort, and Ms. Dana Rampy.. you go girls! I was proud and happy for all of you up there that night. Oh.. and Gloria Stanley....you are one unique vocalist. Thanks for opening our night for us!! We had a PACKED house at Brookshire's Taste of Nashville. I'd say well over 300 folks came out last Saturday night! We even had Mrs. Travis TRITT in the house.. yes, we did!
I was honored to play in the GMIA-ALL STAR BAND to back up artist, Patrick Moore, who is a fireball of energy onstage. I also had the privilege of meeting Bronson Herrmuth . He was one of our judges from Nashville. Also got an autographed book from him that day..(his book) entitled.. 100 Miles To a Record Deal. He seems to be a down-to-earth, very nice guy. And can he blow a harmonica!!! He got up on the jam session afterwards and joined in..It just wasn't long enough, Bronson!!! We gave out two special awards ... a VISIONARY AWARD went to Mr. Mike Brookshire... and we gave the COTTON CARRIER AWARD to Mr. Allen Coefield, owner of Atlantacountrymusic.com and co-owner of the Atlanta Opry. Aside from a few technical problems (we always dread these), I felt like it was a success. We can't continue to do things like this for our community and members unless we have awesome talent and members that want to participate! Thank-you ALL. We are meeting next week to discuss the rest of the year's events. Please stay up to date w/our website.. www.gmia.org and while you're on the computer, check out Bronson's websites also...

I'm also getting excited about another event coming up this summer, actually two of them.
I will be performing on JULY 30TH at the Redlight Cafe in Atlanta as part of the Just Plain Folks Road Tour. I am looking forward to this.... and then later that week I am on to Nashville to attend PINEYFEST's annual event.. and this is one of my favorite weeks in Nashville. Might be doing some demos while there and I hope to be playing at, what looks like now where the event will be held, the club, Lyrix. I played there last year .. great sound.. and thanks to Barbara Cloyd for running our in-the-round sound those couple of nights!

In the meantime, I am busy trying to complete a handful of songs I've been working on. Please, cowriter, be patient with me. HA.....

ahhhh...the sound of a lawn mower.. that means SUMMER to me. I am LOVING these beautiful days around Atlanta we are having. Hope all of you who took the time to read this will have a wonderful, exciting summer. You know, sometimes WE, ourselves, have to be the ones who make things happen or make a day or evening exciting. Don't wait for something to happen.. make it happen... Don't wait for someone to say hello.. say HELLO to them first and then you can cuss them later if you want. ha. Anyway.... you know what I mean. ;)

Okay..this is it till next time... I hope to have lots to talk about this summer. I"ll be back soon!!!
If you ever read any of this stuff, and you KNOW me.. drop me an email and let me know that you are reading it, will ya? Otherwise, sometimes I just feel like I am writing a diary.

~~~SHELIA

APRIL--What's Going On

2007-04-22T16:25:00.000-05:00

Hard to believe this coming week is the fourth week of April already. Time really doesn't stand still, does it? Okay, HERE is what's going on in the MY Music World and beyond:

GEORGIA MUSIC INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION..... www.gmia.org
We are hard at work getting ready for the Best of Country Showcase coming up May 19th at Brookshire's Taste of Nashville in Douglasville, Georgia. I've heard that we have received quite a few entries for this songwriter's contest... can't wait to hear who made the finals and meet everyone and hear their songs that night! One of our judges confirmed will be from N'ville,
Bronson Herrmuth.. MUSIC PUBLISHER, PRODUCER, PERFORMER, AUTHOR, WORKSHOP INSTRUCTOR , MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST, SONGWRITER, MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT, and FAMILY-MAN. He's just written a book also and will do a book-signing at Jackson's Music in Douglasville, Georgia, on May 19th also. Looking forward to meeting him.

I'm learning that putting events together like this one is a lot of hard work!! HA That's why we combined yesterday's meeting with some grilled hamburgers, hotdogs, and ribs!!! Can you say FINALLY ... hello (almost) Summmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmertimmmmmmmmmmme. :)
For those of you who don't know me, Shelia is a Summer Gal. :) Just ask my old buddy, Gary, out in California.

WHAT ELSE? Well, I was trying not to say anything till it actually happened, and maybe I shouldn't jinx myself. BUT.. here goes. Oh well, if it happens, it happens, and if it doesn't, well...
I'll figure out how to feel about it at that point. HA. I have been asked to be a part of Mike Brookshire's stage show in his newly-remodeled venue (Brookshire's.. A Taste of Nashville). This is also where we are having our Songwriters' Showcase. Mike Brookshire is an AWESOME talent, and I am just very honored that he has asked me to do this. Looks like the plan is for me to be having my own 30-minute spots in the first and third hours for the night w/the band. And he wants me to do some of my originals too!!! That's the best part. This is what it's all about, folks..... getting out there, getting your songs heard, networking, and enjoying our musical journey. The venue is not completely finished yet and there's still rehearsal with the band to do...but I'm sitting on pins and needles and READY. :) Just say the word, Mr. Brookshire. I'm your girl!!!! This is amazing folks... It's been about 10 years since I've sung regularly and with a band involved. These days seems like all the 19-25-year-old females are getting asked to do these jobs, so I am just really KNOCKED out that I have this opportunity again to sing and entertain crowds.. Like I said, it hasn't happened yet, but everything has been discussed and just waiting for the venue to be ready and the band...then WATCH OUT DOUGLASVILLE, GA!!! ha. He wants me to keep it uptempo and his words were "Be as different as you can." No problemo... I've got some old..OLD .. Ike and Tina Turner stuff in the lineup... a couple by one of my favorite female artists, Patty Loveless...some ELVIS.. a Lucinda Williams' song... a Mary Chapin-Carpenter song... so a good variety. ......

IS THAT IT? No.... working on some new originals .. slow-go with everything going on right now, but it is a priority.. finally starting to get some "bites" if you will in N'ville on our original material. Cross your fingers and toes everyone!!!!

BYE? I guess, for now. ;)

Dedicted to Spring...and to my Father.

2007-03-25T09:51:00.000-05:00

We might just break a record today in the Atlanta area. A HEAT record that is. It's March 25th, and it's expected to be close to 88 degrees. Yeehaw. :) That sounds good to me. As long as it doesn't promote any bad weather to move this way. I know that it's about 20 degrees warmer today than it should be. But I'll be on my deck catching some rays while I can!!!

We celebrated my dad's 70th birthday yesterday. We had birthday cake, dinner, and attended a play/musical put on by our local community. I was very impressed. My dad even got to go onstage and be a part of it for about 10 minutes.. He was called up during the play by one of the ladies in it, a "waitress." It was a cute scene, my dad got a kick out of it, and it was a great birthday gift for him. I'd like to take a few minutes and say some things about my father. My dad grew up singing and playing guitar. Of course back then, he wanted to be "Elvis." And he was, to some extent. In his younger years, he could sing some Elvis songs pretty darn good. And my mom said he tried to move like him too. And why not? I imagine that's one way he got my mother to "date" him. HA. Then in his later years, he had women telling him he "favored" George Strait, and he did somewhat. He wore a cowboy hat then in the bands...and he sang "Fireman...They call me the Fireman, that's my name."
Fun stuff. But I would like to thank him for teaching me how to "entertain" through the years. He always believed in entertaining your audience. He also taught me, whether he knows this or not, how to sing harmony. I used to listen to him and I think was able to pick up on it that way. He could have been a tenor harmony singer in a bluegrass band also. He doesn't do hardly any music anymore. Every now and then he will go up to a local dance on Friday or Saturday nights, and the guys in the band will call him up to do a few...but he certainly should be proud of all those years that he was in the "entertainment" business.
He's played in a lot of different towns and places...and enjoyed it through the years. He has fancy "outfits" hanging in his closet still. That's my Dad. I can only hope that he is happy for me and what I am trying to accomplish these days and I hope he knows that him and his music will always be in my heart.

A Lot of News....

2007-03-04T11:42:00.001-05:00

Hello.. March 4, 2007

First Music News:

Bill Osofsky and I have just had a single song published with Justin Wilde (Christmas Songs) out in California. We are very happy about this and hope Justin can get the song out there to someone. Oh, by the way the name of the song is "Don't Let The Kids Get in the Eggnog." Hope you ALL hear it on radio one day soon.

GOOD LUCK to Tracy Lynn of Peachtree City, Georgia, in this coming week's North American Country Music Association's competitions.... She contacted me about 3 weeks ago and had heard mine and Bill's song, "I Know I Can Do It," and asked could she sing this in her competition at the Country Tonight Theatre in Pigeon Forge this week. Tracy has a great voice, and she is up for this organization's Female Vocalist Award for her age group and also their Entertainer of the Year Award. You can find out more about Tracy at her Soundclick site.......here is the link:

http://www.soundclick.com/tracylynn

I am in contact with the founders of the AtlantaCountryMusic.com site now.. met one of them, Dan, last week. I hope to be doing some things through them also. Their website is:

http://www.atlantacountrymusic.com

GMIA has a workshop on Understanding Publishing and Royalties coming up next Saturday, March 10th, in Marietta... we are also moving along with our Best of Country Showcase plans the end of May... please visit our site often to keep up with everything and for goodness sake, JOIN.. :)

http://www.gmia.org

And last but not least, met with Lyndsey Suggs yesterday....she is such a great singer. We're in the process again of getting this young lady back on track.. so keep an eye and ear out for her name!
She will be spotlight artist during the half-time show at the Best of Country Showcase in May ..venue to be announced probably this week.

ON A SADDER NOTE, I know many of you who might get a chance to read this, heard of all the awful things that happened last week regarding the tornados in the South. Enterprise, Alabama, my hometown was hit hard. It ripped apart the high school I graduated from.. and eight students lost their lives. Also in town, an elderly lady who lived down from one of my aunts lost her life from flying glass that hit her body.... my heart and prayers go out to all these families who lost a loved one. I am so thankful to say that my parents and relatives there (and I have many) are all okay. I had one aunt who had quite a bit of house damage, but she is okay. I remember growing up here and in those years it did seem like we lived in a very tornadic vicinity. And the other day on the news, I heard where Enterprise's estimated percentage of having a storm like this pass through is at 78%.. That's pretty high I would say!!! I remember lying in my bed as a child and hearing them wind through the woods behind our house. I have seen a few... At any rate, always take caution and don't take weather like this as a joke. These storms are devastating...again, I am thinking of you Enterprise.

A Lot of News....

2007-03-04T11:42:00.000-05:00