Hello Everyone!
I hope everyone is doing well and hanging in. I keep thinking each month will level out somehow but it's still feeling like a ride with climbs, dips, pivots, and unexpected turns. I am saddened, like so many, about the gun violence and hate that continues to spread like a virus as vicious as COVID in this country, but I am also filled with hope as more and more people continue to get vaccinated and the potential to reach some level of normalcy seems visible again. March tends to be my darkest month as it holds the anniversary of Mom's passing; this year was 20 years. But this year was different. On the anniversary, I removed myself from social media and electronics for the day and played out in nature with Eliza, filling and hanging bird feeders and watching old home movies of Mom that I hadn't seen in years. It was so neat to hear Eliza say, "is that Grandma Dawn's voice?" I want Eliza to see Mom and March as positives and this was a great way to do it. The day after the anniversary of Mom's passing, is often a hard day too as it is the day I found out she was gone. But this year, I got the call that I could get vaccinated. I can't help but think that was Mom's way of saying, "Mary, you can no longer be down on this day. This is now a day of hope. This is the first day life started feeling better. Celebrate!" I can still hear the laugh she would be giving and see the dorky dance she would be doing now.
MUSIC HAPPENINGS
Much to my joy there are so many music things to share with you!
"MATRIARCH"
If you follow me on social media, you have probably been seeing some of the hints to the new artwork for "Matriarch." I will be releasing the single on May 7th, just in time for Mother's Day and the full album will come out shortly thereafter. Eliza has made the BEST art director. She painted the entire backdrop of the photoshoot and is responsible for the cover of the single! Thank you so much to Posemanikin for helping the design come to life!
Eliza had the best time painting this giant leftover piece of cardboard and now we have a gorgeous piece of art to hang on our wall forever!
I will be sending out pre-save details and livestream release show information in next month's newsletter so stayed tuned for those details and follow on the socials if you haven't already.
FAME and FICTION
I am so thrilled that thanks to nicer weather and access to vaccinations, Fame and Fiction has been able to start practicing again. We have missed bassist, Owen, as they have been super busy with work but we can't wait to have the full unit back together. I am just looking forward to playing my first show with this crew!
In our rehearsals on my back patio we have caught some video of "Mountain," "Liar," and "Enough" that you can watch on Youtube. I am sure there will be a lot more content coming soon!
No Sass Creations: Bolos and More
It has been bolo tie making central over here and I LOVE it. I am not at liberty to share the details of a new bolo commission just yet but I am super excited about the project and as soon as I can tell you the details, I will. Just know that I am elbows deep in bolo clips, cabochons, and and E6000 adhesive. I have been thinking of making some crafting tutorial videos. Would anyone be interested in how I make bolos? Be honest.
I had the huge honor of getting a really fun interview this month in Shoutout Atlanta as well. This is a big deal for this Gainesville, GA gal! They asked questions about both my music and my songwriting so it was great to discuss both in such an open forum. If you want to read the article just click HERE.
I want to take this section to promote a fellow artist, songwriter, bandmate, and bolo tie lover. LAUREN HORBAL is one of the coolest people I know and she has been so supportive of my music and my bolos. She is the mastermind behind Fame and Fiction and has also played drums for me on my solo stuff!
Look at that awesome No Sass bolo she is wearing! I feel so lucky to have her in my life. She will probably be embarrassed that I share this but I don't care. I met her years ago at The Row. She was waiting tables and I was playing in the round. Our mutual friend, Tommy, introduced us and I found out she was a drummer. I asked for her card which she handed over and I couldn't wait to get in touch and jam with her. Only...she gave me SOMEONE ELSE'S card! I thought, wait...is she trying to dodge me or was this an accident? I was not going to let this slip by so I went back and confronted her. She swore it was an accident and gave me the correct info right on the spot. Now years and many shows together later, we can have a good laugh about it. If you are in the Nashville area and are looking for a drummer, a drum teacher, or just someone cool to be around, she's a good one.
Random Stories, Thoughts, Ideas
As many of you may remember, we lost both of our darling cats within 12 months this past year. That was a hard blow. They had been with me since 2004. Eliza, however, probably struggled the most. She LOVES cats, so after asking daily for some cats of her own, Dave and I caved and thanks to F.L.U.F.F. rescue we now have two new dreamboats. Please meet Percy and Katie.
Percy is more a of loner and Katie is happiest if she is as close to you as humanly possible but both of them purr like motors when you pet them and play constantly with Eliza. It really couldn't be a better fit for this family. Even Dexter approves.
Wrap It Up, Mary
That's all from me for now. Please stay in touch! For immediate updates on the new music and such go to my website, facebook, instagram, etc. As always, I appreciate your support so much more than you know. Reach out to me anytime!
