Sunday, November 12, 2017

The Truth About the CMA Awards and Realizing it's like The Wizard of Oz; Just a Grumpy Ole Man Behind a Curtain...

I don't like being the one on a soapbox. I don't like to call attention to something and make a stink about it. I will not be cruel, but I will be truthful. As a residential Nashville songwriter, attending the CMA's was the most heart-wrenching, uninspiring experience I have EVER had.

As most of you know, award shows like this always need "fillers" and they have a lot of extra tickets to hand out in order to fill in the empty spaces of a show where the cameras will pick up any bare space. My friends happened to volunteer for a pre-recorded audience filming that morning for Kelly and Ben (Kelly Pickler) as they commentated in between Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley. At the end of the filming, they did a drawing for ticket give aways. Both of my friends happened to get a plus one ticket and invited me to go with them.

Of course I'm freaking out because I find out I'm going at literally 4pm and I have to be at the Bridgestone Arena for 6pm. I tried racing home from work but end up getting stuck in traffic. My friend calls me on the way home to give me the 411 on what exactly the deal was with these tickets. Apparently, they were told we got front row and on stage tickets but we will be in the back for a few songs at the beginning, then they will usher us up to the front row, and then we will be ON the stage. Sounded good to me!

So by the time I get home, I have like 20 minutes to change and grab myself an Uber. I put on my fanciest dress, jewelry and shoes (which most of you know how HORRIBLE I am about my feet. I'm such a baby and I HATE heels). I grab a clutch throw my phone in it and I'm out the door. (Thank God I shaved my legs that morning)

I finally meet up with my friends and we are waiting outside of the side entrance where all the tour busses are. Immediately, a man starts walking up and down the line shouting "Once you get in, if we see your phones out, we will take them and kick you out. If you try to take pictures or video, we will have you arrested.” Needless to say, he said this so harshly it was super uncalled for and I was immediately turned off. We finally get inside where they usher us downstairs where we wait for about 15 minutes. They open the doors and we literally have to run to make it into the stadium in time where the count down has begun. "We go live in 10 - 9- 8 - 7 -..." We stand in the back, which was actually very cool. Cam and Brett Young both walked behind me, in addition to A TON of people I didn't know. The TelePrompTers were everywhere. Even if I didn't know the song I could sing along. There was one right next to me. I felt like I was doing Karaoke! We were there all the way through Rascal Flatts, Dierks Bently, and Eddie Montgomery took the stage to sing My Town. There was a break after that. People asked me what happens on the breaks. Honestly, the lights come up a bit, people leave to go get drinks. Me and my friend went out to grab a drink which, while in line in front of Karlie Kloss, discussed the ridiculous prices of the drinks (Two Tequila's on the rocks came to $40 dollars! OUCH)

We went back into the venue to where we were standing but they turned us around to face an additional stage so now we are front row. I noticed everyone had their phones out taking pictures so I asked 2 of the security guys behind me if it was allowed and they nodded fervently at me and said “yeah not a problem!”. Suddenly, a gentleman appeared on stage. It was Garth Brooks. I almost pee'd a little. Not because I get star struck or anything like that but because it was all so normal. I literally turned around and was starring at Garth Brooks. After his number, with his songwriter I might add...we were ushered into a room where we were told "if y'all have to go to the bathroom now is the time". We sat in a room for about 45 minutes. I did get to meet and chat music with singer/songwriter James Taylor from the Bachelorette 2016 show. He was cool, but his hair...way cooler.

A women came down and made an announcement. Now please understand that I was a plus 1. I had NO idea that I had a "job" to do. As far as I'm concerned I was handed free tickets to attend the CMA's. Her speech to us went a little like this: "Ok people, we are a bit disappointed with y'all. This is live Television. There are a lot of people not happy right now. You are not supposed to all be crammed together. Your job is to fill in the spots. You have GOT to pay attention. No one is super happy with any of you at the moment." I immediately felt like I was back in elementary school being reprimanded for not staying in a straight line walking to my classes. I said something to the effect of "ummm you've got to be kidding me right now", rolled my eyes and immediately wanted to say something. So now, I'm double annoyed with the guy outside and now this women. The same gentleman that was trolling the line outside then appeared and stood next to her to make an announcement. It went something like this: "Ok people, we are sorry to announce we only have room for about 75 of you up front right now. We can only let 75 people through so what we're going to do is try to get tickets for the rest of you to take a seat. The first 75 people to stand under that AT&T sign will go down. WALK! WALK!" Of course everyone is scrambling to get to the sign. Then he speaks up again STARTING his speech with a rude laugh saying "Just kidding, all of you in the back, I'm going to take the people in the back" Like he was seriously playing games with 250 people who have been waiting around for about an hour now. All of a sudden the same women shouts out: "People, this is live TV. If you are over 40 this isn't a show for you and you should do yourself a favor and just go home now. You should all know better. Anyone over 40 we won't be letting you down. The exit is that way!!!" Now at this point, I am LIVID. I mean...theres really nothing else to say except...YOU GUYS GAVE ALL THESE TICKETS OUT TO A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE. IF YOU DIDN'T WANT 40 YEAR OLDS THERE YOU SHOULD HAVE JUST GIVEN THE TICKETS TO EVERYONE UNDER 40.

So after 1/2 the people started to ask about these magical "tickets" they were going to try and get (mind you there's only like 10 minutes left of the show at this point), they basically didn't say anything more after that and said "guys the exit is that way, please leave we have no more room for anymore people.” Just than a young girl walks up to him. Tall blonde with a dress that stuck to her legs. He immediately lets her go through. The women speaks up again and says "come on people you know how this is, it's television. If you aren't young and pretty we aren't going to be putting you through. It is what it is people. This is how tv is."

There are no words for what I was feeling at that moment. These two employee's work for the Country Music Association. I was instantly disgusted with the attitudes of these two people. To treat these people so poorly, without a care in the world of the attitude and choice of words that were coming out of their mouths. And just when I thought it was done, the gentleman started checking out girls, hand selecting them based on their looks. He even said to one of them "You, tall skinny blonde...go ahead and head down". He also let a women through and refused to let her husband go down with her!

I was left that night to think about all these musicians that are so public about "loving your body" and loving who you are. Pink talking to her daughter about her looks, Carrie Underwood speaking about her weight over the years...do these singers know that the association they partake in is part of the exact people that they are speaking out against?

Honestly, as a songwriter pursuing a career in Nashville who wants to write songs for all of these artists, it seriously made me think about things. All of these people who were so desperate to get out onto that floor of the CMA's, were literally willing to take all of the garbage those two employee's were saying to them. All for what?

 I am also fully aware that writing this blog may in fact hurt my career. But I wouldn't be doing what I think is right if I just sat back and didn't say anything. People deserve to hear about what it's like behind the curtain. It's ugly, I was offended, and I will never purchase a ticket to the CMA awards in the future. I guess it’s just more fuel for songwriting. Next time i attend this show, I will be there as a writer, and heaven help us all if they give me a microphone...

This guy started to look at me up and down as he was letting people down, I looked at my friend immediately and said "yeah I want no part in this, let's go". And so, yes, at 9pm I, Krystal Polychronis, walked out of the CMA's and went to go eat Mexican food with my friends where we sat and watched a gentleman play guitar who was exquisitely talented.

I don’t know what else to say except I’m heartbroken that this stuff STILL happens. It does, it’s real, I’ve experienced it and it’s just so fake. But hey, at least next time you watch the CMA’s, when you look at the crowd...you’ll know why everyone is blonde, tall, skinny...and under 40.

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

What does Lee Brice, Florida Georgia Line, and Jason Aldean all have in common?


It's Tuesday night. I had my first day back at work after being home for a beautiful wedding, and The Voices of Hope's fall gala. Please read about them in my previous blog!!!

General thoughts are running through my mind.

1. I'm exhausted.

2. I feel like I've been back home more than I've actually been in Nashville.

3. It's now bordering "weird" to me that "home" is now somewhere else.

4. I don't feel settled in at all since I've been back and forth 2 times in the past month.

5. I really miss the kids I'm coaching.

6. Music. Music. Music...I'm coming for you and it starts....WEDNESDAY!


Y'all...I'm SO excited for Wednesday! In order to explain WHY I'm so excited, I probably need to back it up a little bit. Let's rewind to Friday September 22nd. It's 9:01am and I'm sitting in a parking lot/driveway of this little nondescript house. I've got butterflies in my stomach not because I'm nervous but because I have NO idea what to expect. You see, I am currently sitting in my car awaiting the owner of this studio to come and meet me!

He arrives, he has a presence about him. He's firm, yet friendly. He apologizes for being a few minutes late "after all it is early for us musicians". I thought that was funny. I say "Yeah but isn't it always the guitar players that are running late?" Haha we both laughed as we introduced ourselves and got right in to make some coffee in the studio kitchen. Yes, the studio, when you walk in, is more than a studio. There are living room style rooms to relax in, an entry way with the secretaries desk. Then you've got the kitchen area, and two recording rooms. He makes me some coffee and brings me back into the larger studio. We sit down. The first thing he says to me "Ok Krystal. Tell me your story."

Now I can tell you what I said to him, I can go into details, I can be boring, I can say things you wouldn't believe. I could tell he's been doing this a long time. Nothing surprised him. In fact, he had some amazing insight for me that made me more confident in my ability as a songwriter. So instead of go into details about what I said, I'd like to share with you how he made me feel.

He wanted to know my story? You mean he wanted to know about me and my music? Why I make music? Why I decided to move to Nashville, what my goals and dreams were and what I was trying to accomplish at HIS studio. He actually wanted to know. He was genuine. He was attentive. He acted like he actually cared.

I sat with him for 3 hours. By the end of our chat, he said he was impressed with my attitude towards my goals and he was impressed with the fact that I was coming in asking for help instead of acting like I knew everything. haha I suppose he's had a few of those people....He said that I should call myself a "lyricist" because Nashville is very lacking when it comes to lyrics. "People will flock to you as soon as they realize you can write lyrics like this". I was taken aback AND VERY thankful for his kind words. It gave me...encouragement I so needed at this point in my life.

By the end of our meeting he wanted to produce my first song. He gave me some suggestions to make  the song better, picked one he thought I should start with and guess what...TOMORROW I RECORD MY FIRST NASHVILLE DEMO! The plan right now is to record a 6 song EP to which he would help me pitch.

2 weeks after meeting him, I received an email from his assistant telling me that she was excited to meet me because apparently he was impressed and told everyone at his studio about me!

I'm so excited. I'm gonna try and Facebook Live the session but...we shall see ;) Oh and the answer to the title of this blog post? My new producer!

Keep the Faith,  Love the Music

Krystal~

Monday, October 16, 2017

The Voices of Home, The Voices of Hero's, The Voices of Hope!

Guys...let me tell you about the most amazing group of people you will ever meet...

The year is 2012. I pay $16 dollars for a ticket to see my friends play a benefit concert. I'm not gonna lie. I had NO clue what my money was going to. I heard "Cancer research" and didn't have a problem supporting that OR my friends. I show up to this little place and there is close to no one there. But I walk in and sit in the back, waiting for my friends to take the stage and play their hearts out. The concert was awesome. The speaker of the night was the founder of the organization Greg Chastain.

He spoke a bit about what the organization was about. I was intrigued. I went home that night and looked up the Termeer Center at Mass General Hospital which is where my measly $16 dollars went that night. Upon reading about the center, it brought me back to their sponsors. I happened upon The Voices of Hope website and continued to read about the organization and how exactly they raise money for cancer research. After reading literally every ounce of verbiage on their site...a song started stewing in my heart. I wrote lyrics for the organization in exactly 9 minutes. Don't ask...I literally remember it took 9 minutes.

Two years went by and I was invited by the director/manager of The North Shore Music Theater (1 of only 3 round theaters left in the country!) to attend the Voices of Hope gala. Obviously I was ecstatic to once again be involved in such an incredible cause that I immediately agreed and bought tickets to attend in 2014. I was blown away by some of the talent and that they did an entire show with people who donated hours upon hours of their time to take the stage and raise money for cancer research. So an ALL volunteer organization had not only the guts to get in front of people and perform at a prestigious theater, but they did it all for free.

Now...as a musician, I have met people who will NEVER play for free. And I get it. It's their livelihood, how they buy food and survive. HOWEVER...in my opinion, it doesn't hurt to volunteer your time and talents a few times a year for a good cause. Anyone who wants to argue with me...honestly...you're just throwing excuses at me and I don't want to even look at you. DO SOMETHING for others instead of being such a selfish person you can't give a few freakin days of your year back to something bigger than you. Cause guess what? People won't remember that you played at a golf course for a wedding. They're gonna remember you by the things you did selflessly. ***END RANT***

To those of you who DO volunteer your time to do something so incredible and to give back...this blog is for you. Voices of Hope was given the song I wrote, we recently recorded it, and performed it live. I am happy to say since the time my co-writer and I introduced the Anthem to the group in 2015, it has been sung 3 years in a row at the VOH Gala and we now have a recorded version of the song on iTunes as well!

I recently returned home to participate in my 3rd annual gala, and let me tell you some things.

1. The week prior to the show...you get no sleep.
2. You research the best ways to keep your voice in top shape and home remedies such as mint and cucumber water...are left sitting around searching for their beta fish ;)
3. You often forget to eat food.
4. Everyone back-stage is naked.
5. Everyone back-stage doesn't care they are naked.
6. Sometimes when you have dancers on stage in front of you, you forget you actually have to SING.
7. You are stretched a lot more than you ever thought possible.
8. You may get locked in a bathroom stall or two.

I would like to introduce to you a few people that make up VOH and then talk about a few people that made an impact on me personally during this particular show.

Greg Chastain- The Founder of VOH and the quiet yet strong leader. Always lightening the mood and helping others recognize the work that we are doing, he is the epitome of a fearless leader. He is always giving us feedback and helping motivate us by continuing to share all the wonderful things people are saying about how we've helped them through tough times.

Dana Seigal- The Creative Director of VOH. Has a vision, says what she wants...and ultimately makes it happen. Dana is a force to be reckoned with! Dana has a way of making EVERYONE feel important, significant to the cause, wanted, needed and welcomed. She never turns away an idea without really thinking about it it can work. I have enjoyed learning so much from her. From blocking in a round theater, to directing the cast on how they should be acting or feeling during a certain song, she's CONSTANTLY thinking about the why's and how's. I'm pretty sure her mind doesn't ever stop working.

Beth Kennedy & Di Longtin- Choreographer extraordinaries! I was so amazed at some of the dancing this year. The number I was in especially. I have never been a fan of "lyrical" dance, but for some reason number 6 I listed above is totally a dig at myself. It was so hard for me to concentrate with the amazing choreography happening on stage in front of me haha! They both bring a "cool" vibe to all of the numbers. There is always something that sneaks up on ya! ;) Thank you for all you do ladies!

Chris Desjardins - I have to tell you that one of the highlights this year was being able to have Chris still be part of our anthem (which he taught and arranged for VOH by the way). He had to go off and have himself a baby... 👶 🍼...but we stole him and his wife Zoe (amazing voice) back for the show! Something you may not know about Chris is that he is actually one of the easiest people to work with ever. The anthem he taught this year was more difficult than last because we taught it to be recorded in studio, not just sung live. So we went to work finding 5 or sometimes 6 part harmonies in places to make sure it sounded it's best. It was a lot of hard work, but he spent the time (sometimes maybe too much time) making sure it was just right. When we took it to the studio, he was there hours continuing to teach parts WHILE in the studio recording. It was a massive under-taking which is why I'm very happy to have had him be able to conduct the piece in the gala. I am so proud of his work on this and I couldn't have asked for a better fit of a person to be on this project. We love you Chris!

Jonathan Plouffe - Jonathan was our Music Director for this gala. Something I can tell you about him...is that I am sad I didn't get to know him better. I can tell you that he is VERY good at what he does. I won't pretend to know how he works, but I can tell you some things I observed about him during the process of this show.

1. He knows there is a job to be done, and he wants to get the best out of everyone. If that means that he needs to keep us on task by putting us in our place and telling us to pay attention, he will.
2. He will not compromise the quality of a song.
3. He will not accept anything less than what we are able to give of ourselves.
4. He will let you know when he's disappointed in a performance BUT equally fair he will also let you know when he's ecstatic about one.
5. He keeps things moving and hates wasted time.
6. He says what he means and means what he says.
7. He's one of the most talented people I've met.

Jonathan...if you're reading this...it has been a pleasure!

Probably one of the highlights this year for me was being a part of a Q&A session with the kids of Andover High School Show Choir. You see, every year we try to get them a part of the gala. And each year they blow the socks off all of us! So Chris and Beth are the two teachers of this group which is why they are able to come and support our gala and take part in it! This year, I made my way over to answer some questions before the show with my friend and fellow musician Darren Bessette. I am telling you these kids are so incredible. They asked me questions like "What sets apart good lyrics from great lyrics?" and "When do you decide to write a song? Does it come quick?" and "How do you write first? Lyrics or Melody?" These kids are on top of it! It's so nice to speak with kids who are motivated to continue to work towards something that is so difficult. They were the highlight of the night always cheering on each number and clapping along and really got into it. It's nice to know us old folk still got it ;)

I would like to give a HUGE shout out to Karen Nascembeni who is the Manager of The North Shore Music Theater and Heather Romani Facilities Manager of the Theater who put up with all 200 of us and our 3am late night cast parties! They work so hard and donate their time as well and I just want you to know how amazing you ladies are. Thank you so much!!!

Well, I want to end this blog with a list of all the links you can use to find out more about The Termeer Center, Mass General Cancer Center, Voices of Hope and The North Shore Music Theater. If you would like to know more about how to donate, feel free to contact me...I don't bite! OR you can click on the Voices of Hope Link below. Thank you all!

Keep the Faith, Love the Music,
Krystal~

www.thevoicesofhopeboston.org
www.massgeneral.org/cancer/services/treatmentprograms.aspx?id=1544
www.massgeneral.org/cancer/
www.nsmt.org







Coming Home: The good, the bad, and the ugly...

Hey y'all. Yes, I have earned that right. The right to finally say y'all and NO ONE can make fun of me anymore. I think one month is plenty of time to become accustomed to the Nashville way of life...don't you?

This is definitely not one of my favorite posts ever, but exactly 2.5 weeks after I got to Nashville, I got word that a friend of mine died. I don't want to go into details out of respect for his family, but this hit me hard. So young, so many children, and so full of life. I headed home for 5 days and as much as it was nice to be able to spend time mourning the loss of my friend, it was more about being near the people that knew him so that we could all find comfort in just conversing about him.

THIS is a reason I am striving to work towards my dreams with everything I have in me. It may NEVER happen for me...I'm ok with that. My priorities may change over time...I'm ok with that. God may call me in another direction...I HAVE to be ok with that. But right now in this moment, I am trying to shoot for something that has been on my heart since I was 13 years old. We NEVER know how much time we have.

I actually want to end my blog post here. I think less is more on this one. Think about it. Pray about it. God Bless!

Keep the Faith, Love the Music
Krystal XOXO






Circus comes to town. No...literally...

So I wanted to keep everyone "in the loop" about my day to day here. And I have been living in Nashville for month now but I want to rewind to the beginning of my life here in Nashville.

As you know I'm not just in town for music, although that IS my motivation for being here. I have landed an incredible job as the Director of a gymnastics facility and work closely with the owners of the gym.

So when I heard that there were some guys coming in to train in the morning from the company Cavalia (Cirque Du Solei) show "Odysseo", I knew I had to come in early to check them out! Odysseo is playing under the largest big top tent in the world which happens to be in Nashville. In exchange for tickets (all the staff went before I arrived), they were given the gym to train some of the newer guys. They were all over the trampoline and tumble trak learning the choreography. Definitely something awesome to watch. The guy who was there training the other two, him and his wife actually perform together. Can you imagine that? How romantic bahaha They were all from Brazil. Super friendly and very...in shape :) He and I actually have mutual coaching friends in Rhode Island. Such a small world!!! I FINALLY got to see the show. It was unlike anything I've ever seen. 60 trained horses choreographed with beautiful acrobats, people running and bouncing with these springy things strapped onto their feet, and they'd bounce over the horse course but then the horses would go, and the jumps would get higher and higher. There was a carousel that the acrobats would be hanging off the poles and oh my goodness I can't even explain it. You HAD to be there. They are heading off to LA soon, and hopefully NYC after that (if they can find the room to put this tent!). We have a nice dinner planned and a send off for the boys this week to say goodbye.

So back to my very first day of work, my boss hit my brand new car in the parking lot. Not cool. But she was so scared to tell me. She goes "we need to talk" and grabbed my elbow and lead me outside. Talk about butterflies! I thought I was fired or something. NOW what did I do? But they were so nice about it, saying how they're gonna fix it right up as if it were brand new. I thought to myself...life could be worse.

Katie and Janelle were here to help me get settled into my new house. Rafi, my roommate, was super cool all weekend helping us, brought us coffee, took us out to two really awesome restaurants. One was a speak easy. Hidden, you wouldn't really know it was there. But the line to get in was NOT fun. Very long wait. Probably about an hour. The cool thing about it? There is a rule. NO MAN can approach a women unless she approaches them first. Very...different.

We then went out to sushi, and then karaoke. This wasn't your "normal" karaoke where people hurt your ears and everyone laughs at them and tells them how AWESOME it was. This was a "if you get up there and hurt people's ears, they will hate you and kick you off stage". Like I've said before...EVERYONE can sing. And not just a little, they are all super talented. So this was intimidating. It was my first time singing Karaoke in Nashville. Of course Janelle wanted me to sing Alanis Morsette so...I did. People dug it. I should hope so because I will NEVER get in front of anyone in Nashville and make a fool out of myself when it comes to music. As they say around here..."SOMEONE IMPORTANT IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IS ALWAYS LISTENING". It's WAAAAAAAY intimidating.

Ok well this blog isn't really as funny as my others. Although I will say one thing. I started the Whole30 again, and I'm miserable. 😩

Keep the Faith, Love the Music
KP XOXOX




Saturday, September 2, 2017

So I followed this guy to Nashville...

A new adventure has begun in my life and there is something really important on my heart that I wanted to share with y'all.

I always wanted to be a songwriter. Looking back  it's probably the ONLY consistent dream I've had for myself. But the timing to make the move to Nashville was never right for me. I always felt like I couldn't leave the kids I coached, or my family or friends, etc. In this time, my best friend had a beautiful daughter, my other best friend and sister has significant others. Everyone seemed to be taken care of.

The past year and a 1/2, my life started to basically just uproot itself. I didn't understand why some pretty terrible things were happening to me. My own life felt out of control. I left a job coaching kids I really bonded with after being their coach for 6 years. I was in a situation that conflicted with my morals and I needed to do the right thing and walk away. Then I was hired under false pretenses and fired soon after merely because of jealousy and a juvenile attempt to steal an athlete away from me.

As all of these things were happening, I was really angry. I was always a very hard worker. I was a good boss and a good employee. I couldn't understand why everything I worked so hard for was slowly being stripped away from me. Then there was the moment I remember throwing my hands up and screaming to God. Why are these things happening to me??? And then an overwhelming sense of calm came over me. This was God stripping all the things that held me here, away. It was in that moment I knew it was my time to move to Nashville.

I found a house and a job within the first trip down. Everything came together so easily. I prayed about timing, and a temporary job and I was blessed with both. But timing can be a funny thing. I realize now looking back, the reason it never felt like the right time? That was God keeping me here to meet certain people He wanted to bring into my life. So that WHEN the time was right, I would be armed with all the tools I needed to proceed down my further path. 

Where the timing can sometimes feel so perfect, sometimes other things happen that can throw it off. You are forced to think about things again. And again. And REALLY dig deep and try to figure out what God is trying to say to you. Sometimes it's a test. 

The bottom line. God has a plan for me. I'm going to let Him lead me. It's time for me to follow. Today...I followed Him to Nashville.

Keep the Faith, Love the Music
Krystal 👣🙏🏼 🎶 

Friday, July 28, 2017

Maren Morris, Drake White and Crumbs...


 Ahhhhh BNA(Nashville Airport Code)...

7...the number of people all around me connected on their phones in the airport. Charging stations. Seems like a place I would need to hold up a red sheet and await for a bull to charge. That was just a large gentleman. He actually was gentle. A mexican looking gent sitting next to me asked if I would watch his ipad (charging) while he went to the bathroom. It wasn't a suitcase so I said "yeah sure" but secretly I was sweating bullets because to be honest...that could have been an iBOMB. When he came back he turned to the African American man to the right of him and said, "no offence sir...I am not racist or anything...she was just here first so I thought I'd ask her." We all had a laugh...was that funny though?

I helped a 75 year old turn her phone to airplane mode to show her it charged faster. Every time I looked over at her she had bumped into the charger so that is was falling OUT of the wall. I just kept smiling and pointing to it. She smiled back and rolled her eyes. That women is TOTALLY me in 40 years. To my left a guy brushed off the table I was at, looked at me and proceeded to sigh loudly enough for me to hear through his headphones. DUDE...that wasn't my meal, not my crumbs. I'm just in my own little corner of the world...staring at my phone like all ya'll.

Southwest retweeted my compliments of their staff. They asked me to let them know if I needed anything...I'm wondering what this includes. Cause right about now I could use a massage, a million dollars, and some deodorant for the guy sitting next to me. Mind you ALL of this was before the flight attendant accidentally threw tampon at me from her bag. That puppy flew. For those of you who are wondering...no I did not catch it.

I feel bad for anyone in a middle seat. But I'm in my aisle seat slouching to the left so when I get to Nashville for choreography I hope the gymnast is lefty...

Leslie from All Sons and Daughters is on my flight. How'd I catch that? I looked for the only thing to catch my eye in an airport. A guitar. I immediately texted my partner in crime Cece whom we had met her together last time we were in Nashville together. Cece asked if I decided to sit next to her (Southwest has general first come/first serve seating and no one was next to her). I said no but got to thinking...is that being on the verge of stalker-ish? I don't know. You guys tell me.

Anyway, by the time I actually GET the one drink I ordered on this plane I'm pretty sure I'll be landed already. What a nice surprise to my new employer. Oh hey! Ready for choreography. Don't mind the whiskey smell. If you can get over that...I promise, I'll do a great job.

Kidding...I ordered a ginger ale ;)

Also, Maren Morris is the smallest person I've ever seen. She got her double latte caramel bento mocha chucka lucka rootabagar crap drink right before my small black iced. She was talking about Little Big Town but I entered 1/2 way through the conversation so I have no idea what they (her and her apparent assistant) where talking about. Also I passed Drake White and his posse. How'd I know? Well have you SEEN the man...WOAH he's...handsome ;) Also, his posse were all wearing "Drake White" baseball caps sooooo yeah that gave it away. Also, Faith Hill has a twin...or I ran into her too. She is stunning...

Anyway so that was my last trip before my offiicial move. Although one of the parents at the gymnastics facility I will be working at, offered up her frequent flyer miles for me to make another trip in August but I wonder if she'll notice if I just book a flight to Prague instead?

Anyway,  so much more to tell you. Planes, Trains and Broken SUV's....coming soon.

Krystal
Keep the Faith, Love the Music

PS: Drake White. Yes I'll marry you.

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Gettin Set Up Ya'll

Hey Ya'll

I'm writing this sitting at Newark Airport... Which has significantly cleaned up since the last time I was here years ago... I try to avoid it.

I'm sitting across from a gentleman with purple hair and a guitar case. And flight attendants are talking to some famous person across from me that I do not recognize. Probably because I can only see the back of her head. But their conversation is quite forced and awkward. I guess that's something I never really got. That star truck vibe. Never had it. Ok...maybe once when I met Shannon Miller but I promise that was it.

Anyway. So many things have happened in the past 6 months. Planning, preparing...ahhh who am I kidding. I've literally done none of that. I'm on my way to Nashville for 4 gymnastics interviews for head coach or director positions and that's about as far as I've gotten when it comes to "planning". I have set up two apartment showings. One is in a mansion with a pool and hot tub. YES PLEASE 😍 Although I haven't heard back about their exact address sooooo....that outta be interesting. I could see it now, knocking on doors " Hey there are you the people with the ballroom entry and pool and hot tub renting out a room? I swear I'm not a psycho". Yep. That would happen. The other guy I'm meeting at a coffee shop down the road from his house. Ummm dude...this isn't a date. You don't have to schmooze me first, let's just get to it. However...I totally get not letting a stranger into your home until you've approved their personality.

I have a long lost friend in Nashville! I met this guy through my church missions trip one of my best friends lead on and she told me "he is the male version of you". I thought how can that be true...I'm one of a kind! So I hadn't met him yet but about a year later he came down to the church with the missions leader of the Haiti trip and I met him. He really was like me. We have so much in common it's actually quite scary. So I get to see him while I'm visiting since he moved to Nashville!

Anyway, now I'm finally getting on my connected flight. So I bid you good bye. I am sure we'll talk soon ;)

Keep the Faith, Love the Music,
K~






Saturday, January 7, 2017

Headin On Down to the Place Where I've Been Led...


Led...as in heavy...stuck...absolute...yes this move is really happening...  
 Hey, hey to all 2 of you who decided to sneak a peak at whatever it is I have to say. Not sure why I hated blogs before...this is so cool. I can write anything I want and the entire internet will have record of it for the rest of my life...SOLID.

So I'm a songwriter, on a journey to the south. Yeah, yeah, yeah I know. Songwriter moving to Nashville. Very original. Well, all of you that decided to actually read this blog can hear all of the gruesome details of my move before all the other 2 people that read this. And then, all 4 of you can talk about how stupid I am to be almost 33 years old and leave everything I've ever known behind...go ahead...talk among yourselves.

So. Yes, I'm moving to Nashville. I made the decision in 2016 when slowly piece by piece of my "normal everyday life" was being stripped away from me. It was a rough year, but when I sat back and realized what God was doing in my life, I never realized that it could be so blatantly obvious. This path has never been more clear than anything I've ever seen in my life. And that is the reason for starting this blog.

I want to map out the journey. I want to remember what the purpose was behind my move. I want to look back at this first entry when I am frustrated, or I don't think my writing is going anywhere and remind myself why I started. I also want to remind people that sometimes when you are going through times that you don't understand, it's really God lining up the rest of your life. We may not understand whats happening in the moment, but God always has a plan. This is His plan. His path for me. And I can't wait to bring you all along for the ride.

Keep the Faith, Love the Music~
Krystal