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....

 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...  

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.  

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!

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.   

I took a minute to really breathe in.  There were a couple of sleep-eyed people out walking their dogs.  It seemed like the only 2 people out doing that had pugs, which I found to be a bit coincidental and funny.  The streets were quiet – only a few cars passed by.  I got my coffee, had some witty banter about the weather with the barista and then headed back home. 

As I was walking back, one of the trees in the distance caught my eye.  The leaves were falling to the ground…  They looked like golden specks from where I was, but I could see them clearly.  Wow.  It’s already fall…time is flying.

Some of you probably read the title and thought – “this must be a blog about Megan falling in love with someone…FINALLY!”  Um, no.  But – I am falling back in love with life, with God, with my job, with every breath…  It’s true, I don’t have anyone to wake up to, roll and say the famous 3 words that everyone so longs to hear.  BUT, I am able to whisper them to God and to be thankful for where my life is at this moment. 

At 6:45am on a Saturday.  I woke up this morning feeling alive but already letting my mind spin on the spin cycle of all that I have to do today.  I’m always going to have a never-ending list of things to do, but I’m so glad that I took a few minutes to fall…

I’ve just landed in the U.S. back from Europe where I have been for 2 weeks and have seen many things through a different culture’s eyes.  I’ve traveled by subway, car, planes, trains, buses… (I think the only form of transportation that I missed was a boat.)  It’s been truly amazing.  The people, the food, the music… 

I had started to feel a hardening of my heart sometime before I left for this trip, and I can say have been rejuvenated, I have reconnected with my love of creating music, and have been touched by the kindness of the human race as well as have a deeper appreciation for home, friends and family.

I had a moment on one of the trains while in Italy.  I was overcome with emotion listening to a beautiful instrumentation track on a playlist that someone made for me before I left – what a gift.  The combination of the music with the scenery of the Italian countryside and knowing how far from home I was, feeling the blessing of the experience and in that moment – completely alone – jumping in head first – really shook me to the core.  THAT moment was amazing.  THAT is what life is about.  Living.  Opening our eyes and trusting that we are given what we need to make it. 

I’ll be walking away from this trip with a bunch of new friends, some really cool tunes and memories that I will cherish forever.  This place is rich in history, 2^nd hand smoke and wonderful people. I like that all of the taxis in Berlin are super nice Mercedes and that wherever I went – it sounded like beautiful jibberish. I like the energy and true passion at the soccer game – aka futbol where everyone was united in a drunken, smelly support of the home team. I love in Italy how everything tasted and looked so rich.  I like that cows crossing the road on top of the mountain is considered traffic. I love that people genuinely helped me wherever I went.  I was drenched in another culture, and it was great.

Thank you to everyone who I crossed paths with along my journey. Thank you to everyone who helped me and made me feel at home so far away. I can’t wait to see you all again!  Europe touched my heart and my soul and this trip was an eye-opening, life-changing one.  

Let’s see, I took 2 flights and probably about 10 trains while in Italy in the matter of 3 days.  I definitely spent as much traveling as I did with my friends Ashley and Jason, but it was so beyond worth it.  Italy was more than I imagined and I only got to see a very little bit.  I spent most of the time in a train looking out the window reflecting, talking to Italians and then eventually with Ashley and Jason in the foothills outside of Tuscany.  I had some “moments” for sure and truly have never experienced such beautiful country. 

The flight there shed some light on how my Italian adventure would go…  They come through the aisle to sell snacks and coffee and then they come through the aisle selling stuff…like Ipod chargers and perfume.  Wow.  Also on this flight I sat behind a couple who had a set of twins and another child.  The entire flight they ran up and down the aisle the entire flight and no one seemed to care at all.  I actually found it REALLY refreshing.  In the US people would have been absolutely freaking out – WHY are these children so out of hand?!!!  Sit them DOWN!!!  Instead, no one seemed to mind – they would smile every once in awhile and just not respond.  How freeing to just not mind.  The Italians are about being laid back in pretty much everything.  Some would argue they don’t discipline.  Maybe…but I found it enlightening. 

The people are wonderful – they smile, gawk, say what they want, and help out whenever they can. God bless the mother and daughter that helped me on the regional train to get the airport (I would have missed my flight back to Germany), the mom and daughter Swiss duo that helped me find the train in Berlin to Milan, the 2 beautiful girls flying from Berlin to Milan, Fabrizio for keeping me company while on my first Italian train, and also Giovanni who helped me learn how to flush the toilet on the train – you had to step on it by the way…  It was in the middle of the floor…  

 The food was THE. BEST. FOOD. I’VE. EVER. HAD.  Maybe minus the steak at Peter Luger’s in NYC – that’s still pushing it…  I have a new appreciation for completely organic food, and I have to say – I will have to come back to Italy just for the tomatoes and olives and bread and meat… oh jeez…  

More than all, thank you to my amazing friends Ashley and Jason who treated me to the time of my life for 2 ½ days.  Your hospitality, support and friendship mean more than you will EVER know.  It was amazing to see you – it was like we picked up from the last moment I saw you - we never missed a beat.  I am so beyond proud of all that you guys have done.  I was speechless when I looked around and took in all that you guys have created.  You're LIVING in paradise.  YOU created that dream.  Proud doesn't even start to describe how I feel.  You both are truly amazing. 

Everyone HAS to visit this place – I’m telling you – it will blow your mind…  It's like you're home on a farm house in italy with 2 of the best people on earth.  La Tavola Marche - http://www.latavolamarche.com/html/  Trust me on this one.

If I learned anything from this journey to Italy – more than ever – it’s to LIVE IN THE MOMENT.  It’s so easy for us to say,  yet putting it into action is another story.  Work will be there the next day.  Go have a dinner or a drink with your friend.  Tell your husband or wife you love them and show them. Stop and chat with someone. Take a drive.  Make a memory.  Laugh, eat, breathe, love, soak it in, be thankful.  Savor everything.  

I went running today – 8 miles – on the cobblestone streets of Berlin.  I looked around trying to soak it all in.  The smells are different here – stronger, like the coffee.  The people are friendly and laugh at me when I make a mistake like trying to figure out how to convert dollars to euros or when I spilled the tiny milk saucer that goes with the Americano that I ordered.  The dogs mostly run off leash up ahead of their owners and people play bocce in the park.  Everyone rides bikes and scarves are totally in.  Ahhh, Berlin… 

I have never really felt homesick before, but there is something about being an ocean away from the ones that you love that makes the soul feel a little ill at ease.  It’s giving me an appreciation for where I do live and for my friends and family.  I’ll less take advantage of the fact that I can go to the coffee shop and know almost everyone, call my best friend and pop over to her house for a chat or call my neighbor to borrow some milk.  It sounds so simple, but that’s what life is all about.

The food is amazing.  It’s all about meat, cheese and bread – a lot of cheese…and bread…and meat.  Mostly cheese and bread though.  J  I’m still not sure what a hostel is, but they are easy to find if you want one.  The buildings are so old with cute balconies… I imagine some heartbroken guy throwing a rock to the middle balcony trying to get the attention of his lost lover. 

 I can’t sleep here.  It’s the 2^nd night I’ve been here and it’s almost 2am and I’m STILL awake…  I thought you were supposed to be lagging with jet lag?!  Maybe it’s the coffee… I told you it was strong. 

I’m here to write songs.  So far 2 days and 2 songs in.  11 more days left with a 3 day break to Italy.  This is truly an experience that I won’t forget.  People are coming from all over the world to write together.  We all speak different languages but we in the apartment share one native tounge – music.  The words flow freely and the melodies twist around the room coming out of thin air so easily as if writing themselves. We made up a new dance move that I see going international and had a dance party for 3 people in the penthouse to one of the songs that we wrote on repeat.  This is a good start, and I can only imagine what tomorrow will bring. Ahhh…Berlin.  

We talked awhile.  She’s totally in love you can see it on her face – in her eyes.  His imprint still on her lips...  I’m happy for her.  It’s always so interesting to think of each of these people’s lives… where they’re going, where they came from, what do they do for a living?  Do they know what it feels like to have a broken heart?  To feel the strongest joy in the world so much that you’re shaking with excitement?  Have they seen someone being born or seen someone die?  It’s amazing to think of the tapestery of lives out there – the web…and how we become intertwined maybe for just a second or maybe a lifetime. Deep stuff, huh? I obviously have some serious time to think on these flights.  Haha!!

I’m flying to Europe today.  I am truly excited and have no idea what to expect.  I have been a bit out of touch lately to friends and to the music “scene,” but been working hard and focusing as usual…trying to find and make sure that I’m truly doing my best and doing what God wants me to do.  (And that includes writing Euro-pop!)  My feelings towards a lot of things had recently been like a leaky facet…mostly screwed on tight with just a few drops spouting out every now and again.  Me closing off, holding tight, to not getting hurt or let down. It’s really no way to live.  I want to live wide open – soaking in every single second of breath and life.  I want to break and I want to be full.  That’s what it’s all about.

This trip is a timely one.  I know I’ll come back with a new appreciation for the world, for culture, for people, for Nashville, for music, for relationships, for my blessings, for God.

The world below looks like a miniature playhouse.  The streets are tiny, lakes look like puddles, cars like toys, the buildings look like legos…  I feel like a giant, a bird. My heart is full.  Full of thanks, contentment in the moment, excitement and anticipation of what’s to come.  I FEEL all of that. And as I look down, I know and I feel it - I literally am on top of the world.