Sunday, we got back from the Natalie tour dates at about 8:30am. I got a little sleep that afternoon then had to go to soundcheck for the Songwriter's showcase, which has always been my favorite part of the GMA week. All the biggest songs of the year are performed by their songwriter (s) and each writer tells the story of how the song came about.
Tony Wood and I performed "Empty Me" both telling about how the song came to be.
Monday it was up bright and early. Rough Draft was in town (by the way, if you haven't gotten their album yet, you need to - it really is incredible) all this week and I helped them meet with labels. Anyway, we had a meeting bright and early Monday morning and then I hung out until I had some interviews later in the day.
I had decided a while back that I really want to enjoy GMA week. So many artists you talk to dread this week and think the whole thing is pointless or cheesy. I love it and want to continue to love it. It's a great time to see people you only see once a year a lot of times. So I cut my interviews this year down to just an afternoon. If there's stuff we miss, there's stuff we miss. So we did like 6 hours of interviews on Monday and that was it!
Monday night, we went to the ASCAP dinner. How much fun was that?!! So many big-name artists and writers were there...it was so cool. Sarah and I sat at the table with Sanctus Real and got to hang out with Jeremy Camp, Mac Powell (Sarah and I got a picture with Mac and his wife Amy...so cool!), Matthew West and so many more. Larnelle Harris was there! He sang a tribute to Dave Clark, a writer who just got his 25th number 1! And I thought it was awesome having 1 #1.
Anyway, overall this week it's been really interesting to see the marked difference between last year and this. Last year I felt like the little kid jumping up and down going "Look at me! Look at me!" This year, it's fun to have had some success as an artist that other people seem to have recognized, as well as the Rascal Flatts cut! I mean, so many people who I never would've guessed would've known about the song came up to congratulate - it has been really crazy. I guess I didn't even know what a big deal this has been. I guess it still hasn't really sunk in yet.
Anyway, Tuesday I met with 6 labels with Rough Draft. Some really great meetings, some not so great meetings...but overall a lot of initial interest in the band. The EP turned out so great and I'm so proud of the guys and what they've accomplished. I can't imagine they won't get signed with as hard working as they are and as talented as they are.
My parent came in Tuesday night so we went and got some Red Lobster (my parents favorite restaurant - they don't have it Germany). It was great to spend some time with them!
Wednesday I slept in a little later - I didn't have anything until 2:45pm, when I had to go for the rehearsal/sound check for the Doves. That lasted way too long then it was off to a radio interview with Rough Draft over at Total Axxess. Now that was fun. Wally is seriously one of my favorite people in the business and easily one of my favorite DJs. He is just real and funny and knows what he's talking about.
From there, I went to a Doves party and my place with friends and family and Rough Draft even made an appearance (albeit unplanned). That was fun.
Yesterday was up bright and early to pack for this weekend plus I had to be at the Opry House at 11:00am. And couldn't leave until after the doves...sheesh. All day. But I had so much fun.
Remedy Drive are awesome. We hung out a few times during the long day. I shared a dressing room with the Afters and Tenth Ave North. That was fun. The Tenth Ave North guys are great guys...congrats to them for winning New Artist.
Anyway, that's kinda my week.
