Week 5: Blue Bird Cafe!!!!!

Hello world,
The week started off a little rocky saying goodbye to SL..but... we are still friends and left things on a good note and still talk when we both aren't crazy busy!! So all is well..:-)
I had a pretty busy week. I went to watch a few writers rounds (where songwriters get up and sing 2-3 original songs a piece) in hopes to meet new co-writers, friends, etc..ITS ALL ABOUT THE NETWORKING!!! But, hey!!...I am starting to get pretty good at it. I remember when I first moved to LA... it was SO hard for me to have the courage to go places by myself and force myself to talk to people that I didn't know..Now..I just do it. (This add is sponsored by NIKE..haha just kiddin). Anywhoo. I did meet some AWESOME people at the writers round. Afterwards a few of us went to the studio where I met Colbie Caillets drummer Billy...He played "show and tell" with all of his percussion equipment. He uses the most bizarre things..several kitchen supplies (broccoli steamer, nuts, little brooms, big chains, garbage cans..etc. You name it..if it makes noise..he probably uses it. :-) He was super cool, and I have been lucky enough to hang with him a few times since then..He actually just moved to Nashville from LA as well..so we have a bit in common. (YAY for more new friends)

Another one of the writers/singers that I met, Jason Adamo, and I decided to write a little bit that night. We got a great start on a duet..however..after a few too many drinks (Ooopsies) we decided to call it a night..We will start back on that as soon as we both are back in Nashville..(I am leaving town for a month...Ill explain later..)
Jason invited me to sing a duet with him at the one and only...Blue Bird Cafe..(This place is so cool, and has so much history..but you might be more familiar with it now because of the ABC show Nashville) SO EXCITED!!!!! I went over his song in my "free time"...(I worked 4 doubles meaning I worked from about 1030AM to 2AM 4 days in a row.EXHAUSTING!!) ..so I didn't really have any free time..but would listen to it while I was getting ready in the morning. We went over it together a few times Sunday afternoon before the show Sunday night..It went really well surprisingly, but I am kind of a perfectionist...(Type A to be exact) and know it could have been better had I been able to practice more and lock those lyrics in my brain.however, it still went great, and everyone in the crowd really seemed to enjoy it. Not to mention... it was A BLAST!!! I had a pretty overwhelming feeling when I got up on that stage..knowing the history behind it, and the many talented faces of country music that have sang there. It was a cool feeling, but also a bit intimidating. I have a few very short clips from the show below. Hopefully this is just the first of many Blue Bird Cafe performances...:-)

Below I will also post the link to Jasons music. He is SUPER talented. I am so thankful that he has been so friendly and welcoming. He has introduced me to some great people, and I really hope he and I can continue to write and do music together. Look him up!!  

http://www.jasonadamomusic.com/

https://www.facebook.com/JasonAdamoBand


Thanks again to those that are following me on this journey!! All of your support and kind words really means a lot to me!! I feel great energy here in Nashville, and couldn't be happier with how things are moving along..
#onestepcloser
Jennell

Week 4: All Good Things Must Come to an End

 Hello world!!
Can't believe I have almost been here a month already. Its amazing how quickly the time goes...
I didn't do much with music this week because I had a visitor. My boyfriend from Los Angeles SL (Using his initials) came to see me!! I showed him all around this awesome town. Played tour guide even tho I still feel like a tourist myself. We checked out the country music hall of fame...pretty cool place..lots of history (check it out if you have never been)..tried some Nashville BBQ at Pucketts (SO YUMMY) went to watch a friend from LA do his comedy thang!! (Micheal Yo), watched some amazing musicians, and of course we did what I do best..got festive and celebrated green beer day!!! (P.S. ANY excuse to dress in a costume and be festive is my favorite thing!!) AND I SAW A LEPRECHAUN!! We had soooo much fun. The weather was great on Saturday and this town was a sea of green!! We also got to do some GREAT people watching...not that that is hard to find in Nashville!! I will post a video and pics below :-)

Unfortunately, SL and I decided to go our separate ways..which was heartbreaking for both of us!! We had so much fun together.. He is such a great guy, and a great friend!! He recently took a job in Dallas which is an amazing opportunity for him..and Im..well I'm in Nashville..We know long distance could work, but with neither one of us having plans to move to the same town..it doesn't really seem manageable.. He will definitely make some woman very happy. Bummed it won't be me..I am thankful for the time we had together..and I am thankful that we ended things in a way that we are still friends and still care for each other. I have nothing but love for SL and wish him the best on his new adventure!!

Back to music next week!!
Gotta keep on keepin on :-)
Jennell
#onestepcloser

Week 2: I have a job already???

MONDAY MONDAY!!! (singing the song) ALL ALONE!! Still haven’t wrapped my brain around the fact that I actually live here in Nashville and I’m not just a tourist....I guess it will set in eventually...Anyways today I woke up and decided to go find a job. Since my focus is on music and my Cali OT (Occupational Therapy) licensee hasn’t transferred to Tennessee yet, I decided to look for a cocktail waitress/server job..Didn’t think I would be doing that at the ripe old age of 30..but i guess you gotta do what you gotta do right?? ..So...I looked up all the local bars and restaurants in the area. I haven’t worked in the service industry in 6 years and LA was a tough town to get a job in so I expected it to take AWHILE!! Like weeks...buuuuuut.. NOPE!! I got lucky..The first spot I went to, Bar Louie (across the street from my apartment) briefly looked at my application and hired me on the spot. They asked me to come in for an orientation that night..I looked at them like they were crazy.. I was like “you realize that I have very little experience” and they didn’t even care...Not sure if it was good timing, luck, or what..but I had myself a job..I just didn’t expect to start so quickly!! Everything happens for a reason I suppose. 

After orientation I met up with a few local songwriters at Whiskey Jam (a songwriter showcase) and we are supposed to get together to write next week!! Can’t wait!! 

Tuesday I went to Silver Creek Records for a meeting.  (They invited my to come in at the CRS festival). I chatted with them about my plans, my goals, my music etc. Everyone here is so damn friendly. In LA, no record label is going to ask you to stop by for coffee..Here, they do...AND I LOVE IT!!! I feel like everyone is family, a neighbor, or a friend. They have welcomed me here with open arms. Back on topic...He listened to my songs to see if any  of them would work for his younger artist...Unfortunately mine are about what I do best...Partying..so they are a little too adult for her..haha..BUT HE LOVED THEM...Especially “One Night Stand!!” We talked about publishing deals/contracts and told me that "One Night Stand" could easily get picked up by other artists to sing so I need to start pushing it!! YAY!! What good news!! 

Tuesday night I started my first work/training shit..What the hell am I doing being a server???? I felt like an idiot.. I hate being the new girl on the job. I just want to know what I am doing and be past all the learning!!! HEEEEELP!!! 

Wed and Thur nights I worked again.. Did I mention I have to take menu tests...EVERY NIGHT..and  FINAL...well I do..I thought after grad school I was done with tests..I am sure these sound easy but who has time to memorize the ingredients in every dish, sauce, cocktail etc?? I sure don't..nor do I have the brain capacity to retain all that unnecessary information..But....at least I met some fun coworkers!!! YAY for more new friends!! 

The weekend came and went..Nothing tooooo exciting happened. Just more neighborhood exploration.. It poured rain over the weekend and their was a chance of snow for monday so they canceled school and basically closed EVERYTHING down...Emphasis on the EVERYTHING because its true. It was cold and wet outside but REALLY?? If we shut down Wyoming every time it was wet and cold (or a chance of snow)..we wouldn't get much accomplished. I found it pretty entertaining until I wanted to get some food..(I had no groceries) but nothing was open, not even subway. So...I decided to be a little productive and started a really cool new song. Its about my favorite shot/drink...any guesses??? HAHA. 

Anyways..some fun stuff happens week 3. I will tell you about my meetings with Curb Records..Have a great rest of your week!! :-) 

Cheers,

Jennell