Largo Cargo

Once again I’m in the clouds - literally.  You know if I’m flying - I’m blogging!  So, who knows where and when the next will be...  So, me and my co-writing, hit-singing, guitar-playing ,good friend Rick Ferrell and I are flying back from a great trip to Key Largo for the annual Key Largo Songwriter’s Festival.  We’re coming back with some sunburns, new friends and full hearts!  

 It’s always so nice to get out and play tunes and get feedback on new and old tunes.  We always have such a great response and feel so appreciated at the Key Largo Songwriter's Festival - it’s truly one of the best times of my year!  We had SO much fun this year!!! We fished, kayaked, boated...  and ATE.  Boy, did we EAT - whew!! 

 One of the best days we had was fishing with Captain Chris from Scales 2 Tales charter in Key Largo - check him out if you’re down that way - you’ll have a day of fishing to remember and not to mention some really great dinners from the fresh fish you catch. (http://www.scales2tales.com)  On this trip - we realized that I’m a fish whisperer.  Actually, I didn’t really whisper to them - I talked dirty to them, but they sure listened.  Pretty much every cast - I either had my bait bit off or reeled one in.  So, you’ll probably want me to go fishing with you...just sayin’.  

 Well, I’m coming back with even more appreciation for this time in my life and thankfulness for the opportunity to travel, write and sing my songs and have new experiences.  Rick and I were standing on the beach (which is also my friend’s backyard) and I said, “Rick, just look our lives right now!”  He said, “Screw my guidance counselor who said I should choose another career path!!  We made the RIGHT career move.”  :)  It’s so true....

 

I have to pee...

 I always seem to find myself writing blogs on airplanes.  It’s a good place to reflect on travels when you don’t want to watch a movie or you can’t nap because it’s too cold and you left your sweatshirt in the bag that was checked on which is probably for the best because it’s pretty dirty anyways.  :)  So, once again I find myself 30,000 feet above the earth typing away and kind of needing to pee but willing to hold it a bit more since I am sitting in the window seat.  I should probably stop guzzling my diet Sierra mist though, but it’s so refreshing!  PS - the guy behind me is definitely snoring.  Awesome.

 Well, I just had 10 amazing days in LA and it was unbelievable.  I might have fallen in love with California.  I’ve done NYC, Nashville...is Cali next?  Who knows...  It was truly amazing.  This was my first time in LA because I don’t really count the time that I went to Disneyland with my best friend and her family in high school, although that rocked, I didn’t spend any time in LA.  I have to say - I have never met nicer people.  Everyone was SO nice and despite how plastic I’ve heard LA is, it wasn’t at all.  Everyone that I came across (except for one parking attendant) was so genuinely nice and very giving.  

 I had the opportunity to write with some AMAZING people and made some new friends that I think will be in my life for a long time.  Every time I travel I learn more about myself and more about my craft and take something from the people that I am blessed to work with.  On Saturday I had a couple of hours before sessions so I hopped in my bright orange Kia Soel rental and drove myself to Malibu.  It was GORGEOUS!!  I had the windows down and had burned a CD of some of the songs that I was working on while there and once again - I was overwhelmed with gratitude and thankfulness.  I kept saying - “look at my life right now” throughout the week.  

 Sidebar - Whew.  I really have to pee.  I keep waiting for one of the people in my row to get up to go, but so far to no avail...  I can do this!  Mind over matter. :)

 Back to the blog...  I am flying back to Nashville for enough time to teach a class, have some physical therapy on my foot, do laundry, pay bills and repack then I head to Key Largo for one of my favorite things all year - the Key Largo Songwriter’s festival which is full of great music, good friends and awesome music!  I can’t wait.  I really do have to step back and look at my life and be grateful for every day, every moment, every experience, every new person I cross paths with and every breath of this awesome life.  Thank you to all of you for your support!  Make sure to check out the new tunes that I’ve been posting and “like” my artist page on facebook if you can - here is the link - http://www.facebook.com/meganconnermusic - there’s new country and pop/dance stuff coming soon! 

Okay, I can’t take it anymore - I’ve got to bust out of this window seat and get to  the bathroom.  At least I made it through my blog.  :)  Have a wonderful week ahead my friends!  Blessings!  Here are a few pictures from the trip...  

The Good Stuff...

Oh no, I'm not talking about illegal substances or anything of that nature... I am talking about just plain ol' good stuff that is happening in my world!!  I just feel beyond blessed to write this blog and share some much needed good news with you all.  There's going to be pictures, posters and a lot of info about to happen here, so hold on to your pants people!

First of all, I just got back from a great trip to Virginia where I went to play with some good friends - Native Run - if you haven't checked them out - do yourself a favor, and go do that because they are awesome.  Not to mention they are all amazing people with great hearts and I'm blessed to know each of them.  I got to be a part of their Friday night show at Jammin' Java and had a blast!  They have such great energy and sang and played in my set as well.  I literally couldn't have done it without them. :)  It was also SO great to get back on stage and try out some new tunes.  I needed to take a break, refocus my life and my writing for awhile...okay, for a year, but I'm back and can't wait to share some of the new tunes with you!  

Also while I was in Virginia, I took a long ride out to see my grandpa that I hadn't seen in 6 years.  He's 85 and still rockin' it.  He works out every day for at least 30 minutes - OH YEAH - you heard me!!!  It was so good to see him and his wife (my step-grandma).  I have missed being a part of their lives because we don't live anywhere in the vicinity of each other.  My family is very spread out and pretty much always has been, so it was amazing to spend some time with them.  Along the drive, I opened my window and sunroof and just thanked God for my life and for all of these experiences.  I saw some beautiful countryside, listened to some music that I had been wanting to hear and just reflected on everything - which I tend to do more of these days.  That morning I had found out some good news................ again, hold on to your underpants - that's coming, but first I'll share a few pics from my trip.

Are you about to hear some more good news comin' your way?!  Ummm..yes!! :)  (Here's where you hold on to your underwear, folks.)  So, some of you who follow me on Facebook have probably already heard this, but it was such a blessing to see Chris Young perform the song that I co-wrote with Jon Nite and Ross Copperman on the ACM's last Sunday night!  The song is called Save Water, Drink Beer!! It's an honor to see one of your tunes in this light - a true honor. If you missed it, you can check it out here:

http://tasteofcountry.com/chris-young-save-water-drink-beer-2012-acm-awards/

Lastly, as I mentioned above, it's been quite awhile since I played out, and I'm ready to get back out there and share some new tunes and stories with you guys.  So, I'm going to try a few new ones Wednesday, April 11th at 6pm at the Listening Room.  If you can't make the show, you can also listen to it on http://www.renegaderadionashville.com  

And that's it for now!  All good stuff!!!  A year ago I was applying for jobs in Miami and back in NYC, and now I'm sitting here on my couch with my dog Zoe asleep beside me typing all of these glorious things to you!  Someone recently told me...  "Don't give up before the miracle..."  I've never believed it more.  Sometimes "the miracle" may not always be what we expected or come in the package that we thought, but it's there,  and your dreams are definitely not worth giving up on.  

Show and Tell!!!

Okay, so not much show and tell, more of just SHOW...but I pride myself in coming up with some kind of interesting title.  Honestly, I think I could have beat this one.  :)  

Well, it's been a year.  Yes, a year since I've really played out, and it's TIME, people.  It's time.  It had seriously been a year since I set foot on a stage in Nashville and last week I returned singing a new song with co-writers and friends Rick Ferrell and Jennifer Zuffinetti, and it felt GOOD!

So, here we go!  New tunes, new stories, new fun!!!  I'm kicking it off with a show with some awesome new friends who are super talented - Native Run - near the DC area.  Show starts at 8PM at Jammin' Java located at 227 Maple Avenue East  Vienna, VA 22180.  Go get your tickets here:  http://goo.gl/8dmE8

Stay updated for more to come.  Hope to see you all soon!

The Worst Blogger Ever...

Hi there!  Okay, so I’ve been a bit M.I.A…  Um, well, I’ve actually been a lot M.I.A. lately. (More on that later – maybe another blog, but I promise not to wait months before doing another one.). So, I wanted to check in and let you all know what’s been going on.  First of all, I just returned from Cayamo – a 7 day music cruise stopping in Puerto Rico, St. Maarten and St. Barts… aka – paradise. I have come back with a sinus infection but also with a big dose of inspiration. 

I kept saying – I do music 24/7, I doubt I’ll go see many shows…  Well, I couldn’t have been more wrong!  I saw as many as I could!  People from The Civil Wars to John Hiatt, Lyle Lovett, David Ryan Harris, Enter the Haggis, The Belle Brigade to a new fav band Native Run…just to name a few. 

It almost seems surreal looking back on the week…  I ended up hanging out with Lyle Lovett one evening and drinking fruit smoothies with him while chatting, karaoke with Edwin McCain, Sarah Buxton, Keb Mo’ and Sara Watkins from Nickel Creek while John Prine is watching it all go down.  (Not name dropping – just trying to paint you the picture!)  It was amazing to be surrounded by such talent and see amazing and real people who have had success, talk to them, eat with them, share a week of life and watch them share their gifts. 

The other part of this trip that was truly amazing was being on the other side of the stage.  I am usually the one performing up there and having people come up after the show to say what they thought of it.  This time, I stood in the shadows and watched as my friends and colleagues were lavished with compliments and love after their sets or being stopped in the hallways of the ship.  To watch people (the audience) watch the music, sit and sway in their chairs, cry, tap their toes to the beat and then express how much they loved it to the artists – was unbelievable.  Seeing it from this side gave me a new appreciation for music and just how much it affects the listener right down to the heart.    

I sometimes have to take a step back and really look at my life.  I worry a lot about finances and where I’ll be in 5 years…heck, I worry about tomorrow! Instead, if I simply take a look at all that I have now – I’m breath-taken.  To have the opportunity to purse a dream, put my soul to music and share it with people is beyond amazing. I sometimes forget this.  And whether or not a few people hear what I put out there or thousands – it doesn’t matter - if I move people, my job is done. This business is not easy, but I am trying to soak in all of the opportunities that I have come my way.  And as I return to real life from a 7 day experience that I will never forget – I want to commit to try to be more aware of all that I do have. The blessings that we each have sometimes are disguised and are sometimes right in front of us if we simply take a moment to see and feel them.