We Must Be Doing Something Right!

Monday May 11, 2009

Hey everybody,

Just checking in. Hope all the mom's and grandma's had a great Mother's Day. I had a great one myself. The girls brought me breakfast in bed, which was so sweet (and delicious). They put it on a tray with a flower, my favorite dishes, etc. I think Delaney was in charge of the cooking and Emma was in charge of the aesthetics! Then I stayed in bed and read for a while (too luxurious for words!). Then we all went to lunch, went shopping for a bit, saw a movie (17 Again, which was really good), and then went to dinner! Wow! I was totally spoiled rotten for a day.

Had a great time in Chicago on the 6th. Did the morning show with Ray and Lisa and then put on a show at Joe's Bar that night. It was packed and we had such a great time! Thanks to everyone who came out and saw the show!

We have ducks that come to stay in our pool every year. They are usually here for a few weeks. Today when I came out to get my morning coffee, there was the mama duck and 9 little ducklings swimming in the pool! They are so cute. She will stay in there with them until they are big enough to get out and then they actually walk off and we don't see them again. I don't know where they go. It's pretty fascinating! Anyway, we are enjoying watching them swim around in our pool.

I wanted to tell you guys about my partnership with Blackbird Vineyards. As you know, we own a studio here in town named Blackbird Studio. On a trip to Napa last year, we decided to meet with the owner of Blackbird Vineyards and in our conversation we talked about wanting to do a signature series wine in the future. Well, that day has come! You can go on the front page of my website to create an account and order the wine. It ships (weather permitting) the first part of June. I've tasted this wine (of course!) and it's delicious. Very rich with notes of chocolate and jammy fruit. It's a blend of 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot, and 6% Cabernet Franc. It's only for a limited time so I urge you to get your order in if it's something you are interested in. Of course, some of you may be interested to just own it as a collectible (The label is specially created just for this wine and has my signature on it) and some of you may want to drink it! Either way, check it out if you get a chance.

John and I celebrate our 21st Anniversary on Friday, May 15th. Hard to believe it's been that long! We're still having fun, so we must be doing something right!

Guess that's it for now. Until next time......
Martina

Incredible Dream Come True Life!

Saturday May 2, 2009

Hey everybody,

It rained, rained, rained here in Nashville today. I think it's going to rain 'til Tuesday!

Went out to the bus company today and picked out all the interiors for our new bus... Fun! I'm going with a navy blue and cream colored interior. Really pretty, rich materials... velvet, granite countertops. I've never done a navy and cream interior before... I think it's going to be really soothing and pretty. It's fun and challenging to design a new bus. The challenge is to try and do what you can to make it not so cramped and also to make sure you have enough storage. But it's cool to start from scratch and get everything exactly like you want. I'm always amazed at how little room there is to actually work with! It will probably be done by October or so... ready for our tour in November. Maybe we'll take some video along the way to give you guys a step-by-step of the bus from start to finish!

The new single, I Just Call You Mine, is at radio now. We aren't officially going for adds until the middle of May, but have already got a few early adds and I've been hearing that some stations are already playing it! Exciting! I love this song and hope you do too. We got treatments in for the video today and will make a decision on that shortly. Our plan is to shoot the video the first couple of weeks of May (yikes....it's already May!). I would love to have it finished by Fan Fair!

Excited about our Fan Club Party... Tracy is working hard to plan it all. Will be here before we know it.

Got a call today to fill in for Loretta Lynn at the Opry tomorrow night. She is under-the-weather. Pray that she feels better soon. I will definitely be doing a Loretta song for all her fans there. Not that it will make up for her not being there, but I just want to do that for all her fans and for her. You all know how much I love her!

Okay... when I started this I thought, "I don't really have much to write about," but there was more than I thought! Thanks again for all you do so that I can keep leading this incredible dream-come-true life!!!

Love,
Martina

From Singing With George Strait To Washing Socks

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Hey everybody,

This blog is a little late in coming, but better late than never. Wanted to tell you about some stuff we did while we were in LA.

I love going to LA and so it was fun to be there the whole week. We did so much stuff I can't even remember it all, but some of the highlights were getting the news that the album debuted at #1, celebrating at Mastros, Ellen, Chelsea Lately, The Late Show, the ACM's, and taping the George Strait tribute. I'm forgetting stuff, but let's just say we were very busy. In case you are wondering how it feels to do all those shows and interviews and stuff..... it's a blast! Sometimes I still can't believe I get to do stuff like that! I mean, I was standing on stage with George Strait and all the other artists that were on the show, and I was like, "I can't believe I'm up here singing with George Strait!" Since I've started doing these blogs I've realized just how much cool stuff I get to do!

In case you are curious, on the George Strait Artist of the Decade special, they honored all the previous Artists Of The Decade and so I got to honor Garth by singing The Dance. It was really cool. I think you guys are really gonna love the show. It airs May 27th.

My 11-year-old Emma walked the red carpet with me and went to the ACM Awards. It was her first award show. She got to answer questions on the red carpet (technically the orange carpet) and she did such a great job. She was a real natural... relaxed and funny. I think that girl has showbusiness in her future.

By the way, if you want you can check me out on Twitter (yes, I finally gave in). We also have some funny videos that we posted to lead up to the album release. If you like them, post them on you facebook or myspace page and spread the word. Tell your friends about the new album SHINE.... Okay, enough of my shameless self-promotion.

We were just featured in US Weekly this week so pick it up if you get a chance. Heading BACK out to LA today to participate in their Hollywood Fashion event. Should be lots of press there so maybe you'll see me around. I think they are covering it in their next week's issue as well just in case you want to be "in the loop."

Getting ready to do some laundry and pack.... from singing with George Strait to washing socks! I guess I have a very "well-rounded" life!

Love,
Martina

I'm having champagne tonight!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Hey everybody,

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shine deuted at #1 on the country albums chart!!!!!! I am so happy and excited! Got the news this morning in LA where I am doing press and appearances to promote the album. I had forgotten today was the day we find out and I jumped up and down and screamed (picture it). I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who bought the album. And also thanks to everyone who worked behind the scenes to promote it "telling everyone". I'm so proud of this record and so excited about the future. John and I are going out to dinner with the whole band and crew, my glam team, and my manager and celebrating tonight! Wish you could be with us!

LA has been fun. We did Craig Ferguson a little while ago (love that show) and got to meet him. It airs April 17th. We do Ellen tomorrow. That's always a fun show.

Gotta go and start getting ready for dinner. I'm having champagne tonight!

Love,
Martina

Hanging out playing with play-dough with your 3-year-old. Life is good!

Friday, March 27, 2009

Hey everybody!

Well..... it's out!!!!! I am so, so excited and happy with all the stuff I've been reading about how much you all like the album. I am SO proud of this album and I'm just happy that you like it. I know some of you are disappointed that there are no lyrics. The booklet was presented to me with lyrics, but it made it so that when you opened the booklet there were just lyrics and, aesthetically, I just didn't think it looked that great. Plus they were SO TINY we would have had to sell a magnifying glass with the cd! :). So I made the decision to put in another picture, thinking maybe you guys would rather have an extra picture. I felt like the lyrics are very easy to understand, and I also know that they will be posted in several places on the internet if you need to look something up. So.... hopefully that works for you.

We had a whirlwind 2 days in NYC! Hopefully you got a chance to catch some of the performances. We had a great time! We head out to LA on Monday to do a bunch of appearances there. I'm not even sure what all we are doing! But it will be posted on my main page of my website, more than likely, over the weekend. I know we are doing Ellen, Chelsea Lately, and Craig Ferguson. I will also be at the ACM Awards on Sunday and performing on a tribute to George Strait (it airs May 27th). I'm looking forward to the next week in sunny LA and Vegas!

Looking forward to a great weekend at home too. My Emma turns 11 on Sunday and she is very excited about that. I'm going out later today to finish up getting her presents. I love birthdays!

You may also have noticed that I am actually "twittering" or "tweeting" or whatever it's called. It's really fun and I check in pretty regularly, especially when we have lots going on like next week. This internet stuff is pretty new to me and we are still figuring it all out, but it's fun and challenging to see all the ways we can use the internet to stay in touch with you!

Okay... gotta go. Ava is playing with play-dough and needs my help. Hanging out playing with play-dough with your 3-year-old. Life is good!

Martina

The Countdown To Shine!

Wednesday, March 21, 2009

Hey everybody,

Just got home from Spring Break in Atlantis.... it was awesome! We had lots of sun and the kids loved all the pools and water slides. There is so much to do there!

Busy, busy week coming up. We are going to be in NY doing lots of fun stuff to promote the new album Shine (which comes out Tuesday... don't forget!!!). If you go on my website (www.martinamcbride.com) and click on "Martina Shines Everywhere" you can see all the stuff we have coming up so you won't miss anything. In NY we are doing the Today Show (twice!), Regis and Kelly, Rachel Ray, A&E Private Sessions... just to name a few things. Exciting times!

I also wanted to let you know that we will be posting a video each day until the album is released (including Tuesday) on youtube, myspace, and my website. They are just fun little clips we did to countdown to the release of the album. Kinda zany! Let me know what you think of them and forward them to your friends if you think they are cool.

Hope you are all having a great weekend!

Thanks for sharing my enthusiasm about the new record. Tell everyone!

Love,
Martina

Thank You Peter Frampton!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Hey everybody,

Lots to tell you. First of all, last week was Country Radio Seminar (CRS) here in Nasvhille. This is an event that is just what it sounds like....a seminar for country radio. Every year RCA hosts a party on the General Jackson Riverboat for radio programmers and I have performed at this show many times. This year was so much fun. I sang Ride and another song from the new album, I Just Call You Mine and it was really fun to be singing new music for radio. THEN, I got to sing with.....PETER FRAMPTON! P-E-T-E-R F-R-A-M-P-T-O-N!!!!!! Okay, first of all, I loved Frampton Comes Alive when I was a kid..... it was my older sisters favorite album as she had a huge crush on Peter Frampton. Huge. So fast forward I don't know how many years and I am ONSTAGE SINGING WITH PETER FRAMPTON. (Do you get a sense of how excited I am about that?). He was so nice and sings and plays as good as ever. We did "Baby I Love Your Way".... oh yeah. It was awesome. Thank you Peter Frampton! How many times did I say Peter Frampton in that paragraph?! I guess, if we ever get to know each other better, I COULD just call him "Frampton"....."Peter"...."Pete"......(yeah, probably not).

"Shine" comes out in two weeks! I can't wait! You can preorder it several places, including my webstore (we have autographed copies), and itunes. You get a bonus cut if you order on itunes. It's a song called 'I Can't Stop Loving You" and no, it's not the classic song I cut on Timeless. It is a remake, however...of an old Leo Sayer song. And Keith Urban cut it on his last album as well. I've always loved it so we decided to cut it as well. It's really pretty and I think you'll like it.

We are also working on some cool video clips to countdown the album. I think we'll do either a 7 day or a 5 day countdown....stay tuned to my website for updates.

Gotta run.

Love,
Martina

I've started to kind of get into this blogging thing...

Monday, March 2, 2009

Hey everybody,

Okay. So I'm on the bus and here's what I'm thinking about. As you know, I've started to kind of get into this blogging thing. So much so, in fact, that just now I was taking off this face mask thing.. you know, the kind that prevents wrinkles and whatnot... and I was thinking, "I should go on and blog about this face mask thing. And how my butt is kinda sore from my workout this morning. And how....". Then I thought, "What the hell?!". What is happening to me?

I should back up a little bit. Part of what brought this on was I had a great conversation today with a girl who is helping me with some of this internet stuff. Because, basically I am still learning about it. And I was like, "I'm not opposed to doing it. I just need some direction because basically it's a little bit like a foreign language to me." (Okay, my VERY country, cowboy kind of bus driver, Larry, is listening to Leona Lewis as I type this....freaking me out just a little. I mean, she's cool...but I just had no idea.... ). And she was telling me all about this stuff... and we started talking about Twitter. And she was explaining it to me and then she showed me some of the updates or posts or whatever you call them (see, foreign language) on her phone. And at first I was like, "I can do that... that would be fun.". Then I said, "I probably need to get me one of those really cool phones, huh?". She said, "Uh. Yeah.". Which was kinda like, "Yeah. Duh!". And then I said, "But here's the deal. I wanna do this stuff cause I think it's kinda fun. But if people are checking on their MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, ILike, email, IM's, and texting..... what does that leave time for? I mean it can become an obsession, right? And I'm just not sure I wanna contribute to that. I want to encourage people to read books, talk on the phone, hang out with their friends (in person!), read to their kids, throw a dinner party... get out there and LIVE! If I start doing all this internet stuff aren't I just contributing to something that I don't really agree with in the first place? I mean, then you start THINKING that way.... "I think I'll write about this in my blog." And is it really even right that now everyone knows that my bus driver Larry listens to Leona Lewis? I mean, now is he gonna have people coming up to him and saying, "so, country boy, I hear you've been listening to Leona Lewis? (and I swear to God there was some rap music on before that)..... So, needless to say people, I'm conflicted.

But I might get over it.

Later,
Martina

Happy Monday!

Monday, March 2, 2009

The White House and Stevie Wonder (part 2)!

Friday, February 27, 2009

Hey everybody,

Just got home from Washington. What a night!!! Just getting ready to go to the White House was so exciting. Let me back up and tell you all about the day....

First of all, we went over for a show run-though. We all had to be at the bus at promptly 1:45. It was nice to see everybody... most of whom I was meeting for the first time. On the bus with me was Paul Simon, Diana Krall, Will.i.am, Mary, Mary. We got to the White House and walked in and went to the Green Room, which is in between the East Room where the show was going to be held, and the Blue Room. It's an historical part of the White House with lots of antiques and such and so they are VERY particular about everything... no sitting on the furniture, no food or beverages, etc. We did our run-through with the band and I was really happy with my rehearsal. I really felt like I connected with the song. We went back to the hotel and started getting ready. Earl and Mary Beth had flown in to do my hair and make-up. We had fun getting ready and then it was time to go.

When we got there John and I spent some time talking to Will.I.Am and also Wayne Brady and the girls from Mary Mary (who are SO sweet!). I also met Paul Simon, India Arie, Diana Krall, and Esperanza Spalding. Everyone was so nice. I think we were all just so happy and honored to be there. Before I knew it, it was time for me to sing. I was pretty nervous. I don't think I did as good of a job as I did at rehearsal, but I guess it was ok. I looked down and saw the President and the First Lady, Vice President Biden and his wife, and then to my right was Stevie Wonder! Then it was over and I was back in the room with everyone. Everyone pretty much had the same story.... how emotional or surreal it was and how nervous they were. Then they asked us to come back in the room and watch Stevie perform. So we saw the President give Stevie his award and then Stevie sang 3 or 4 songs and it was amazing. He was charming and funny sang SO great! I thought, "here I am, at the White House, listening to Stevie Wonder sing 'Isn't She Lovely' from just across the room". Crazy, huh? After he performed we got to meet the President and First Lady... they are both very tall! President Obama said that he had gone in yesterday and listened to my rehearsal (my tour manager had told me he was standing right in front of me at rehearsal, but I was focused on singing AND there were lights in my eyes). I told him that someone had told me that and that I didn't see him there! I didn't want him to think I just ignored him! Then we took a picture and he said he wanted to get in the middle. They were warm and gracious.

Then we went into a reception. We were kind of ready to leave at that point because we had dinner reservations and I knew Ava would be getting hungry at the hotel. So we went downstairs but the bus wasn't ready and we decided to go back upstairs and I am SO glad we did because THERE was STEVIE. Someone introduced us and he was so nice! He said, "I want to write a song for you.". Can you believe that????!!!! I said, "that would be amazing", or something like that. Then we took our picture and then I introduced him to John and we took another picture. I was so thrilled. What a night!

We left and went back to the hotel and changed.... was I glad to get out of those heels! And then we walked to this awesome restaurant called The Old Ebbitt Grille. We had eaten there the night before and knew we wanted to go back. I had the Irish Stew, which was great and served over mashed potatoes (yum). We looked and Wayne Brady and his lovely wife were sitting right behind us. We talked for a little bit about how amazing the night was. As we left, Stevie was coming in the restaurant. Mark (my tour manager) asked if I wanted to say hi, but I said I had bugged him enough! So we went back to the hotel, got all our stuff and got on the bus to head home.

Whew! What a night. Hope I didn't bore you with all the details!

Now we're back in Nasvhille and getting ready for our show tomorrow night at the Cannery where we will film a Soundcheck for Wal-Mart and debut a bunch of new songs from the new album, Shine. I can't wait. It's going to be lots of fun playing the new music for all the fans that will be there.

Guess that's it for now!
Martina

The White House and Stevie Wonder!

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Catching Up

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Hey everybody,

Been a while since I've written. Just thought I'd check in and catch up.

We went to Palm Springs this weekend and played a show at the brand new showroom at Agua/Caliente. It's a beautiful room...sounds great...and we had a great time. It was so much fun to be singing after being off the road for awhile. We played 3 new songs from the new album (in addition to Ride) and it was so much fun to be playing new music. Thanks to everyone who came out to see us.

Back home now and just hanging out at home today. Ava is painting....she is doing handprints and her hands are COMPLETELY covered in green and blue paint! She's having a blast.

We went to Slumdog Millionaire the other night. We actually went out to eat Indian food and then saw the movie...kind of a theme night. I didn't realize the movie was going to be quite that intense! But we really liked it...great movie.

Well, this is short, but I have a paint crisis I need to take care of! I think it's going to involve putting a certain 3 year old in the bathtub!

Take care,
Martina

Singing at the playoff game and finishing the record!

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Hey everybody,

Getting ready to get on the bus and head to Pittsburgh. Excited about singing our anthem before the playoff game tomorrow! It's supposed to be REALLY, REALLY cold and possibly even snowing at gametime! I'm trying to find a cute hat! Turned the album in to RCA on Thursday! I'm so excited. We have an album cover and a name. It's going to be called "Shine". I love the name. It's such a strong, powerful word. There are two songs on the record where "shine" is used..."Ride" and another song called "I Just Call You Mine." It's also kind of a reference to the song "Sunny Side Up." AND it feels like what I am going to do with this record....shine! So, now we just have to wait until March 24th! In the meantime we will have a video to watch....the video for "Ride" comes out on CMT and GAC a week from Monday. They will start talking about when they are going to debut it next week I'm sure. I'm doing a photo shoot on Wednesday, as well as a bunch of interviews. Pretty soon I will be everywhere and you will be sick of me! :) John had a great birthday. We went, with the kids, to dinner and then he and I went to see Grand Torino. Great flick. Guess that's it for now...need to finish packing the bus for tomorrow.

Martina

PS If you haven't yet, go check out my soundcheck on www.walmart.com/soundcheck.

Bryan Adams!!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Hey everybody!I know I just wrote last week, but cool stuff just keeps happening to me and I have to tell you! Guess what I got to do last night??? SING WITH BRYAN ADAMS!!!!!! I can't believe it! He did a show at the Ryman and when he was getting ready to do "It's Only Love" he said, "Well, Tina can't be here tonight, but I happened to see Martina McBride in the audience and was wondering if she would like to get up and sing it with me.". I couldn't believe it! Next thing I know, I'm onstage rocking out with one of my all-time favorite artists.... I'm thinking, "Holy crap! I'm onstage singing with Bryan Adams!" Here is the deal.... we share the same manager (Bruce Allen) and I've met Bryan over the years and a couple of times and talked to him on the phone here and there... I've always hoped we could do something together.... so this was amazing for me. I remember going to see him when I was a Junior or Senior in high school in Wichita, KS.... his music was the soundtrack for a good bit of my life. Anyway, I don't want to act like a total geek... I'm just saying, it was very, very cool! I'm still hoping we can record something together someday. Wow! The Jonas Brothers and Bryan Adams.... all in less than two weeks. What next???? I also wanted to say how honored I was to get to sing our National Anthem at the Titans/Ravens game on Saturday. I was so excited! I'm disappointed that we aren't heading to the playoffs, but our Titans had a great season and we'll get 'em next year! Okay... gotta run and finish up the video. I turn the cd in this Thursday! YAAYY! I'm so excited for '09.

Martina

Catching up!

Friday, January 09, 2009

Hey everybody,

Just wanted to take a minute to catch up. For starters, I shot a video for Ride. We are in the editing process right now and it should be out in the next 2 weeks or so. I am excited for you to see it. It was a fun shoot and I think it's going to be an amazing video. It's very fast-paced and exciting.

I also sang with...wait for it...The Jonas Brothers! It was so much fun and they were great to work with. We did a rehearsal and then the show at the Ryman the next day. They wanted to do Independence Day and I also asked if I could sing a song with them, so I came back out and sang When You Look Me In The Eyes with them. I could not believe how loud young girls can scream until I heard it when The Jonas Brothers came out onstage! Of course, I was the coolest mom in the world for about an hour and then it was back to reality!

We are putting the finishing touches on the record. We have all the songs mixed and are starting our mastering. I turn it in to the label on the 15th of this month. I can't wait until March 24th!!! We still haven't come up with a title...that is so hard! But obviously will have to come up with one in the next few days and I'll let you know what it is.

We saw The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button when we were on our vacation...it was so good. Really sad though....me and Delaney were a mess by the time it was over. There are a lot of movies I want to see....Doubt (Meryl Streep is my favorite actress!), Revolutionary Road, The Reader...all pretty heavy movies. And I saw a preview for the one about the mall cop with Kevin James...that looks hilarious!!

Okay...this isn't the most exciting blog ever, but at least you are updated on a couple of things.

I'll write more soon.
Martina

A Wonderful Christmas

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Hey everyone,

Hope you all had a great Christmas. I wanted to write before now, but things were just so busy and all the quiet moments were spent with family. We had a wonderful Christmas! My mom and dad came to town and spent Christmas with us. They arrived on Monday, Delaney's 14th birthday. (She had a great birthday.... lunch at one of her favorite restaurants with her family and then a sleepover with 9 of her friends). I spent the week visiting with my parents and wrapping presents! Seemed like that was a never-ending job! We also hosted a holiday open house for some friends... it was really fun and low-key and festive. I love entertaining, especially during the holidays. The house is all decorated, the tree is pretty, everything smells so good and everyone is in such good spirits. At one point during the festivities I was overcome with the realization of how many special people we have in our lives.

Christmas morning was so much fun! The girls were all excited to see what Santa had brought. Emma's favorite gift was an old manual typewriter. (She typed all afternoon on it... I told her maybe she'll write her first novel on it). Delaney's favorite were her Frye cowboy boots. And Ava's favorite was her baby doll. They got a few modern gifts (Wii Mario Kart, an ipod docking station), but it seemed like their favorites were "old-school". My favorite was a beautiful diamond cross necklace from Tiffany's from my hubby. Also comfy jammies and a vintage serving bowl from my mom and dad. And my dad made me a bird-feeder. We really enjoyed watching the birds enjoy their treats.

John did something really sweet this year. Completely unbeknownst to me, he went and got each of us a Juicy Couture purse (they started out with mine being the biggest and got smaller with each of the girls) and inside each one was a Tiffany's box that had a little diamond initial necklace for each of us. (I got a "J", which I love...makes me feel like I'm in high school!). Anyway, he never said anything to me about it so it was a complete surprise. When I think of him in the Juicy store choosing bags for each of us, it makes me smile. How sweet!!!

My brother and his family came over in the afternoon and we had a big Christmas dinner. Roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, corn, rolls, 3 salads... YUM! Then we opened more presents and then Christmas was over. It was a happy, relaxed, wonderful Christmas and we are so blessed.

Last year after Christmas we took a trip to Vermont. We had so much fun and made so many special memories, we decided to do it again this year. We are now in Woodstock, VT and are spending a couple of days here and then are heading to Stowe. I think we are going to a farm so the girls can milk a cow (every girl should know how to milk a cow!). We are going to shop tomorrow and maybe go snowmobiling. It is so beautiful here... I LOVE New England!

Everyone is asleep but me.... it's quiet in the hotel room... cozy. No Christmas mess to clean up, no dishes to do, no wrapping presents, no picking up little pieces of games, etc. off the floor. No work to do. Just a happy, healthy, peaceful sleeping family. I am grateful for the birth of Jesus, for the love of friends and family, for the wonder of a new year. I am happy.

Love,
Martina

Weekend Update from Graceland

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Hey everybody!

It's a beautiful day here in Nashville. John took the girls on an errand and the house is nice and quiet. I just made myself a sandwich decided to sit down and catch you up on my weekend.

Thursday night we left on the bus and I got up Friday morning bright and early at 5:30 am to get ready to visit KSSN in Little Rock. Had a great visit there with Bob Robbins (who is in the DJ Hall Of Fame, by the way). Took some really sweet calls from some of my Little Rock fans. Then we had breakfast at Cracker Barrel with Chad from the station. (I love that place!). Then it was back on the bus to head to Memphis.

Ava and I took a nice nap together on the way. Arrived in Memphis and visited KIX106. They had listeners in the studio! I love that! Took pictures, talked with Kay, signed some autographs... it was fun. Then we had lunch at this great restaurant, Elfo's, in Germantown. They weren't open but someone had arranged for them to open especially for us and the owner (and head chef) cooked us an amazing Italian meal. We learned that his family is from Lucca in Tuscany and we felt we had something in common because we visited Lucca several times on our trip earlier this year. The restaurant is beautiful and the food was so great.

After that it was off to GRACELAND!!!!! It was my first visit and I was so excited to get the tour. But, first things first, we had to do a little hair and makeup magic as I was going to be on camera later. So my friends Earl and MaryBeth glammed me up and then I went to do an interview on the Elvis Network on Sirius and XM. I talked with George Klein, who had some great Elvis stories to tell. It was a fun interview. Then it was back on the shuttle. I met with some sweet, sweet kids from St. Jude. We talked about the Jonas Brothers, Spongebob, and, of course, Elvis! Then I went back to the dressing room and changed clothes for the tree lighting. At this point it was getting very, very cold outside. We all braved the cold, including a great crowd who had been standing outside a long time! Several people, including Marlo Thomas, spoke and then I said a few words and then it was time to flip the switch turning on the Christmas lights. Some of the kids from St. Jude helped me and it was so exciting! The lights are all blue and there is a life-size nativity scene as well. It seems they have kept everything just the way Elvis did it when he lived there. Back on the shuttle (ah, warmth!) to do some interviews and then, finally to get the tour of Graceland!

We started of at the front door and our lovely guide took us through the house as well as the racquet ball room, where all of Elvis' awards are, and the room that has all his movie memorabilia. It was all just amazing! Such a cool place! My favorite part to see was the actual living spaces in the house.... the kitchen, the dining room, living room, and of course the Jungle Room. It was so cool to be there and just imagine what it was like when Elvis and his family were there. We saw Elvis' plane too. It's huge! His bed is in the back and a place where his personal hairdresser cut his hair, sometimes every day! We also learned that he loved to read. Being on the plane you could just imagine them flying and reading or eating or playing cards and then Elvis retiring to the back bedroom. I don't know... it was just kind of surreal.

Then, after a quick trip through the gift shop, where I got some really cool Elvis sunglasses, we got on the bus and headed back to Nashville.

What a day! I'll never forget it! If you are ever in the neighborhood, I would say GO VISIT GRACELAND!!!!

Well, we are off to see Twilight! I can't wait. Delaney has already seen it with friends and said it is awesome!

Later,
Martina

CMA Week!

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Hey everybody!

Wow! I'm just now recovering from what was a VERY busy week! I'll try and fill you in on as much as I can.

Sunday I got my star in the Music City Walk Of Fame. I was very happy to see a bunch of fans and fan club members there! Cool signs! It was SO cold.... probably THE coldest day we've had so far. I got to have a chat with Randy Travis and Little Richard. Everyone was asking me what he said and I don't even remember. I was just looking at him and thinking "Oh my gosh! It's Little Richard!". It was a real honor to get the star and I was so happy Brooks and Dunn agreed to present it to me. Those guys are too funny!

Sunday evening I had my fitting for the CMA's. Chose my outfits for red carpet and the performance. I felt really good about everything. The red carpet dress was simple, but really pretty, and the performance outfit was really comfortable and kind of "rock and roll"... more like what I wear onstage in concert.

Monday morning started early with radio interviews from 8 to 10 at the Hilton downtown. A bunch of radio stations set up and we go from one to the other and talk 4 or 5 minutes at each one. So some of you may have heard me on your local radio station on Monday! I went back at did the same thing from 2-4. Then I had a dinner with some people from RCA. It was a great day!

Tuesday I had my rehearsal for the CMA's. It's always exciting to run through the song and see what the set looks like and everything. My band was there and it was great to see them. I loved the set! I thought it was really cool and modern looking. We ran through the song 3 or 4 times. Then I went to the studio and did a little work and a couple more radio interviews.

Then it was The Big Day! Wednesday I went to the arena for my rehearsal around noon. I just stayed there after rehearsal. I got to visit with Reba and Narvel a little bit. We brought the bus, so after my rehearsal John and I went to the bus and hung out. It was nice to have a little peace and quiet before all the festivities began. I went back in and started hair and makeup around 3. We had a fun dressing room. Lee Ann Womack was there. Sugarland popped in. Shania was there (wasn't it great to see her?!). It's always so much fun to just visit and hang out, see what everyone is wearing.

I did the red carpet... it seems like a blur now! Then we were in our seats and ready for the show. Before I knew it I was back in the dressing room changing for my performance. I wasn't as nervous as I thought I would be. I felt pretty calm... just excited. I was happy with the performance. When I heard it back on the tv later I thought the sound wasn't all that great, but I thought I sang well. I don't know what happens with the sound... seems like after 42 years they could get it right!

After the show we went to the RCA party and then a party at Ronnie and Janine's.. but all in all we called it a night pretty early.

Thursday I was pretty tired! I made no plans for the day. I just stayed at the house, took a nap. It was nice to have nothing on my schedule.

So that's my CMA week recap!

I'm rested and recharged and ready for Monday. It's our "official" add date at radio. Even though we have 31 stations already playing it early, which is amazing. Thanks for all your help in requesting it! Keep it up!

Better go for now. Ava is yelling at the tv. I think the Spongebob DVD is stuck!

Love,
Martina

The New Single Is Out NOW! Alan Jackson Tribute and MORE!

Friday, October 31, 2008

Hey everybody!

I had the most fun night last night! We taped the Alan Jackson Giants special for CMT (it airs December 6th). It was a blast!

Oh, first I have to say that I got up at 6:00 so that I could go to the studio and be on the air with a bunch of radio stations. I talked to 18 stations yesterday on the phone and they played the new single. Early reaction has been so great from radio that we actually moved the release date up. Everyone should have it by now, so hopefully you will start hearing it on your favorite radio station.

I also got some very exciting news from the CMA's... but I don't think the "official" announcement has been made yet, so I'll just leave you to guess at what that phone call was about!

Now on to the evening...

I got to the Ryman at 2:30 and went to the dressing room and saw my hair and makeup people (we've worked together for 14 years, at least!), Earl and Mary Beth. Hung out with them for a bit and then it was time to do my rehearsal. Rehearsal went great...I was starting to feel comfortable with the song. Alan's band played for everyone and they are so great. It was good to see them all again. Then I went back up to the dressing room and started getting ready. I shared a dressing room with Lee Ann Womack and she was just as nice as she could be. I haven't really spent that much time around her and she's just great. Funny too. Delaney came with me and she was all excited about seeing Taylor Swift, so the minute we got there that was her mission. Well, she came bouncing in the room all excited about how she and Taylor (her new BFF!) had talked for 30 minutes about BOYS! I think Taylor gave her some good advice (which is the same advice I gave her, by the way, but for some reason she wasn't nearly as excited when it came from me! Ha). We all had the best time in the dressing room just getting ready and talking. Then John went home to get Emma and Ava. By this time Delaney had called Emma and told her about Taylor Swift, so of course Emma HAD to come! Just before we were ready to go do some interviews, Emma and Ava showed up and it was great to have them there. Taylor came in the dressing room and chatted for a bit. She's very sweet and good with the girls.

Mark (my tour manager) and I and some folks from RCA walked across the alley to do press. We also took some photos with Alan (he's so tall!). John came over to the press room with Ava. She was taking it all in and said to me, "I'm going to tell Emma Taylor Swift is here!" What can I say? They are all big fans.

After the pictures we walked back to the Ryman and it was time to go to our seats. John and I were sitting next to Dierks Bentley...very nice guy. He was talking about how he hasn't been getting any sleep since his baby was born! The show opened with Hank Jr. talking about Alan and the show. As they were doing the opening of the show, they had cameras everywhere and I had just put in a piece of gum, which I was chewing like crazy! After they shot the opening, a guy came over the sound system and said, "Anyone who is chewing gum, please remove it now (he said it in a nice way) and I thought , "Oh my God! He's talking about ME!" (which he was). So I swallowed my gum immediately! :)

We then got to see Dierks, Lee Ann, Miranda, and Brad perform. It was time to go backstage for my performance. I sang "When Somebody Loves You", which Alan had picked for me to sing. I thought it went well, even though I wish I could have done it one more time! I always feel that way when I do tv. I then got to talk about "Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning" and introduce George Strait (what kind of world am I living in!!! ). Anyway, when I got back to my seat, they had moved me and John to be sitting RIGHT BEHIND Alan and Denise! It was really great to see him react to the performances and tributes. He then went onstage and talked about what the night and country music meant to him. He's so funny.

Then it was over and time to go. John was in a suit and looking very handsome and I was in my dress and sparkly high heels. Our baby-sitter had come earlier and picked up the girls (school night), so it was just me and my handsome hubby! We decided to go get some dinner. So we went to Mortons Steakhouse. We hadn't been there in quite a while and it was amazing! The atmosphere is so old-school and cool. We ordered and just really enjoyed being together and celebrating the life we have been blessed with. I told John, "How did I get so lucky? For God to bless me with the gift of being able to sing. I mean, there are all kinds of gifts He could have given me, but He chose to give me this very special gift." I am just SO grateful and I really felt it in that moment.

So that's a recap of our night. Thanks again for all YOU do to make this possible for me!

Gotta run..
Love,
Martina

Great Fans, Stump The Band & Count Yorga!

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Hey everybody,

On the bus on the way home. Just finished our show in Red Wing, MN. I know I said last week that West Palm Beach was our last show and it was, officially, the last show of our TOUR. But we did a show tonight at Treasure Island Casino in Red Wing and it our last show of the year. What an amazing crowd! You never know what to expect at a casino. Sometimes there are a lot of comp. tickets and you never know if there are very many real fans there. But tonight was awesome! The crowd was LOUD and so much fun.

During the day I met with some fan club members. They came to our soundcheck and we got to take some requests which was fun. They called a couple we didn't know! I'd like to do a fan club party next year and take whatever requests they want....it would be fun if they requested obscure album cuts and stuff. But we would have to have some time to brush up on everything and learn the stuff we never learned! Maybe we would just learn a bunch of stuff and do a "should have been singles, but weren't" show! Anyway, we took pictures and they gave me some cool presents. I have such great fans.

Now we are having a glass of wine and watching Count Yorga Vampire. It's a movie from 1970 that John ordered off Amazon because he said it scared the crap out of him when he was a kid! It is pretty creepy. It's amazing to see how much movie-making has changed since then.

Anxious to get back home and do some more work on the album. I'm so excited with how it's coming out. The girls are out of school Monday and Tuesday for some kind of fall break. I don't think we'll get a chance to go anywhere, but it will be great to have them home.

Gotta go... Count Yorga is getting exciting!

Take care,
Martina

The end of the Waking Up Laughing Tour!

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Hey everybody,

Back home in Nashville after finishing up our Waking Up Laughing tour in West Palm Beach last night. What a fun weekend! Tampa was a blast on Friday night! Such a GREAT crowd. After the show we all went to Splitsville for our End Of Tour party. It's a really cool place that has bowling, billiards, and great music. We had a few toasts. The Warren Brothers, Jack Ingram, and Jason Michael Carroll were there with their bands and crews and my band and crew were there too of course. We had a blast! Everyone was in such a great mood. I have to say my bowling could use a bit of improvement!

Last night's crowd was amazing too. It was SO hot and I was wondering whether everyone would be too hot to really expend any energy, but I needn't have worried! The ovation after Anyway was really touching and the response to Broken Wing was awesome! One thing I noticed and loved about the crowd in West Palm Beach... there were so many guys in the audience and they were just as into it as the girls. During This One's For The Girls I saw so many guys up singing and cheering and smiling and it was so cool to see.

We chose our first single to radio which will be a song called "Ride". I think there is a live version of it up on YouTube if you want to check it out. I love the song. It's uptempo, has tons of energy, and I love the lyric which is basically about the fact that life is unpredictable with it's ups and downs, but you have to just hang on and choose to be positive and enjoy the ride no matter how crazy it gets! I can't wait for it to get out on the radio. We are going to shoot a video as well. I'll keep you posted!

Now we're back home, working ..ing up the rest of the album. It's coming out so great! We also have Halloween coming up and a bunch of school activities to keep us busy. I love this time of year!
Gotta run...take care and thanks again to everyone who came out to see this tour in the past year. It's been quite a "ride" and we have loved every minute of it. I appreciate all you do for us and your support has let me live my dream to the fullest!!!

Love,
Martina

For That Marine & All Of Our Service Men & Women - I Salute You!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Hey everybody,

I'm on the bus on my way home from Virginia.  We had two shows this weekend... Pittsburgh and Virginia.  Both were really fun!  It's so cool to look out and see so many smiling faces and happy people.  I love it. Tonight there was a Marine and his wife there.  He was in full uniform and he asked me to sign his hat so I did.  They stood for the entire concert and then had to leave a little before it ended.  When they left, he stood in front of the stage and saluted me.  I thought I was going to start crying!  It was really touching. I felt like I should have saluted HIM.  Only thing is I don't know exactly how to do it and I probably would have done it wrong! :) When I think of all they do for our country, it really moves me.

We've had a busy week.  I played songs for the record company at the first of the week and we are in the process of picking a single.  I think we'll have a decision Monday.  I can't wait!  I played songs for the band last night also and they loved what they heard.  I am really excited about this album.  I think you guys are going to love it! (I hope!).

I also got to shoot a video for Blue Christmas.  With modern technology we are actually able to put me in the '68 Comeback Special that Elvis did.  It's really cool.  I got to dress like the 60's.... the big hair, makeup, the whole deal. I think it's going to turn out great.  I think it's coming out at the end of October or first of November, but I don't have an exact release date yet. I'll keep you posted.

I guess that's it for now.  Take care.
Martina

I Love Fall - Just Checking In

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Hey everybody,

We are on the bus on the way home from Philadelphia. Did a show tonight.... fun show. We played Hartford, CT last night and had a good time there too. The weather was perfect in both places. Just a bit of a nip in the air... made me realize how much I love Fall. Great weather, football, cozy clothes, hot chocolate, soup! It's my favorite time of year.

Today I was sitting outside and reading and it was so beautiful. Sunny, but a little cool. I had a cup of good coffee. Made me want to take a vacation. Just hang out and read and discover some new place. I love to travel. Even just little short trips are fun and you make so many memories. Some of my favorite trips have been: Europe (of course), Vermont, Cape Cod, Napa. We have so much work to do on the record, but we may be able to get away for a couple of days.

I'm reading a book called "All Over But The Shoutin'" by Rick Bragg. A friend of mine told me about it. It's a memoir. His writing is so wonderful.... every paragraph a gift. So beautifully written and poetic. I love it when I find that kind of writing.

We are getting closer to choosing a single. We play stuff for the record company on Tuesday and hopefully we'll pick a single then. I'm ready to get back on the radio!

I don't really have much news. Just wanted to touch base. I'll write again when I have more to say!!!

Thanks again for all you do,
Martina

Titans game and busy weekend!

Monday, September 08, 2008

Hey everybody,

What an exciting day! I sang the National Anthem at the Titans/Jacksonville game. It was the first game of the season and I'm happy to say our Titans won! (Sorry Jaguar fans). We went this morning and did the run-through at 9:30 and then went back around 11. John and the kids were with me and it was very exciting to stand on the sidelines and get to see the Titans warm up and all the stuff that goes .. a game. I was a little nervous, but not too bad. We then went up to the press box and got to watch the game from there. We had a few friends with us and we also went up and visited Tim and Faith and their girls in their suite. It was a really fun day, but it wore me out! I don't know if it was the excitement, the heat, or maybe I'm coming down with a little something, but I had a headache this afternoon and came home and slept for 2 hours!

We've had a busy week and weekend. We cut 4 new songs for the album on Thursday and Friday. It was really fun and the songs came out great. I think we're done cutting, unless something undeniable comes in. Friday night John and I went to a dinner party and the girls went with friends to the high school football game. Then Delaney had 7 girls over for an old-fashioned sleepover. They had a blast! Emma stayed all night with a friend. On Saturday Delaney went with some of the girls to celebrate her friend's birthday with lunch and swimming and Emma went to another friend's house to play! Wow! It was quite the weekend for social activities! Hopefully next week will be a little calmer :).

I guess that's about all the news for this time....gotta go the grocery store.

Take care,
Martina

Playing the Opry with Connie Smith!

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Hey everybody!

I had such a thrill tonight that I just had to write about it. I got to sing with Connie Smith! I asked a few days ago if she would be willing to come on and sing "Once A Day" with me when I did the Opry and she said yes. So we had a rehearsal today and it was amazing. Just standing there beside her hearing that VOICE! And then tonight came and I was so nervous. I just didn't want to screw it up, ya know? I think I sang a little pitchy the first time we did it, which was for the tv broadcast. She sang PERFECTLY, of course. I just love the tone of her voice and the way she does those slides and dips. It's so awesome! She looked really pretty, as always, and it was just so cool to be singing that song with her, especially on the Opry stage. We did it again for the second show, which was radio only, and I think I did a better job. But I had to introduce her and when I was kinda freaked out about that and when I said, "Connie Smith" this little voice inside my head said, "Smith. Smith. That's right, right?" You know how sometimes when you hear yourself say something and it sounds all wrong! I was like, "I am gonna die right here on the Opry stage if I accidentally called her by the wrong name".... because that would have been ridiculous. I've known her name all my life! I don't know why I still feel like a total geek and so awkward when it comes to meeting and talking to people that I look up to. I FINALLY had a good, relaxed conversation with Reba the other day at a photo shoot we did for Redbook. Every other time I have talked to her I feel like I have been so awkward and starstruck. Oh well.... Just wanted to write and share my excitement.

Til next time,
Martina

PS download Connie's version of "Once A Day" from iTunes. I think you'll like it!

Home and in the studio

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Hey everyone,

I am home, sitting at my kitchen table, having some coffee. I just got back from taking the girls to school. I let John and Ava sleep in today so the house is quiet. Nice. We have been trying to get back to some kind of normal hours after being on tour. We have all been getting up, taking the girls to school, having some breakfast and then going to work at the studio. It's a nice routine and one that I hope to continue.

Feels so good to be back in the studio working on the new album. We made major progress yesterday. Sung a bunch of vocals. It's really coming along. Feels like we are making real progress and actually getting a few songs finished! I'm writing today with the Warren Brothers. I love those guys! I wrote with Liz Rose and Nathan Chapman the other day and that was fun too. I am really enjoying getting more and more experience writing. It's fun when it comes together. Of course I am not silly enough to think everything I write will end up on the record! Songwriters who do this full time sometimes write hundreds of songs a year and may only get one or two cuts. That's the hardest part for me... making sure the writers get over the expectation that just because we write together we are going to automatically write something that fits my album specifically or is great enough to make it on the album. But I'm having fun dipping my toes in the water!

Well, I need to go for now.

'Til next time,
Martina

Update on the way home from the West Coast!

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Hey everyone,

We are in the air somewhere over Oklahoma. We are on a VERY NICE private plane and we are all enjoying it very much! I could get used to this.... if I wasn't such a nervous flier!

We finished up the West Coast part of our run last night in Orange County. We had a blast at the show. Had some friends and family out to spend the day with us. My friends Angela and Stacy came out, my neice Dacia and her boyfriend Tyler, and John's brother Chuck and his wife Jenny and their kids and some cousins as well. After the show we got El Cholo to go...one of our favorite restaurants...and had it on the bus. It was so much fun just hanging out and having some great food.

Now we are on the plane and Ava is coloring in her coloring book beside me. She has these really cool colored pencils called Smencils... they smell! My favorite is cinnamon. The Root Beer one smells good too. Delaney is reading a magazine and talking about Taylor Swift (all good things you can be sure..she loves her!). Emma is watching a movie on the computer and John is reading another mystery book. Becky is taking some video and photos and Charlynn and Scott are just kicking back.

We have had a blast on the road on this run. When I think about all the cool things we got to do it's pretty amazing. Seeing Little Big Town in Missoula, James Lee Burke coming to the show in Missoula and bringing us an autogrphed copy of his new book, "Swan Peak," Seeing my mom and dad in Denver and having Kansas home-grown tomatoes (YUM!), making BLT's for everyone on the bus, San Francisco, Napa, Bakersfield (playing at Buck Owen's Birthday Bash at the Crystal Palace), fun show in Albuquerque (the fans were so loud!!), braving the heat in Phoenix (it was 100 degrees when we went onstage...I can't believe the fans sat through all that and were still so energetic and loud!). Still, the lure of home is palpable. We are all very ready to get back home and get into some kind of routine and our version of "normal". The girls start school on Monday and I'm sure that will do the trick!

Well, I'm going to close for now. Thanks again to everyone who came out and saw us on tour in the last few weeks. We have a couple of weeks off (we do play the Grand Ole Opry on the 23rd) and then we head to Birmingham, St. Louis, and Chicago for 3 more shows. Hope to see you there!

Martina

PS I am on the fourth book of the Twilight series...I have read them all while on this trip! The fourth and final one is called Breaking Dawn and I can't wait to see how it all turns out. I'm excited to see the movie, Twilight. I think it comes out the end of November. Anyway, if you love to read and you like romance with a little bit of vampire excitement thrown in for good measure, you should check out this series. Twilight is the first one.

Update from Kelseyville, CA

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Hey everybody,

We are in Kelseyville, CA. I'm sitting on the bus, just having my morning coffee and watching Ava eat oatmeal. Just wanted to say our last 2 shows have been amazing! The audiences have been so excited and LOUD! Thanks to any of you who came out to the shows in Concord and Sacramento. I wish you could know what it feels like to stand on that stage and feel what you all give to me. It's an unbelievable feeling and I am a very lucky girl!

Looking forward to our show in Bakersfield at the Crystal Palace. Most of you know I am a huge Buck Owens fan and it will be great to be there for his Birthday Bash. I think I'm going to put together a different setlist.... give everyone who is there a unique show from what we have been doing on the road. We'll still do most of the hits, but maybe we will do some Timeless stuff as well as some of our older songs that we don't usually play in concert anymore. Should be a special night.

Guess that's it for now. I'll try and check back in soon.

Take care,
Martina

I Can't Wait To Get Back Onstage

Friday, August 08, 2008

Hey everybody!

We are in Concord, CA today...we have a show here tonight. We had 4 days off and spent them in San Francisco. It is chilly there! I didn't realize that, so one of the first things we did was get sweatshirts or jackets! We had a great time. Had a delicious meal at Brandy Ho's, one of our favorite places to eat in San Fran. I got the General's Chicken, extra hot! It was spicy, just the way I like it! Also a fun lunch at Fog City Diner....cool place. We didn't do much sightseeing this time.

We went to Napa yesterday and visited BR Cohn winery..had a great tasting there. Spent some time with the owner, Bruce Cohn. He used to manage The Doobie Brothers, Night Ranger, Ambrosia, among others. This vineyard is known for it's red wines, but have a great white there called Woody White that is named after one of the cars in Bruce's collection. It was one of my favorites. They also sell a bunch of cooking stuff... tapenades, olive oils, etc... so we stocked up! Then we went to Robert Mondavi winery and had a great tour and tasting. We even got to meet the winemaker, Genevieve Janssens, who tasted with us and talked about the wines. It was really special. Then we ate at one of my all-time favorite restaurants, Tra Vigne. Yummy! It was a great day and a great way to end our time off.

I'm ready to get back onstage!!! Time off out here is fun, but the reason we are all out here is because we love to do shows. I can't wait to get back onstage tonight and sing for everyone. There's no other feeling like it in the world!

Hope to see some of you out here on the road! If you have half as much fun as I do you will love it!

Til next time,
Martina

Update from Martina!

Sunday, August 03, 2008

Hey everybody!

We just finished 3 amazing shows....Missoula, MT, Salt Lake City, and Denver. So much fun! So many great fans there! I am still blown away that I get to walk out onstage every night and sing for a living! What a gift!

We have 5 days off now and it is too far to drive back home, so we are going to spend our time in San Francisco. Right now we are driving and we are someplace in Utah. I'm looking out the bus window at the Salt Flats....I'm not sure if that is what they are called, but that's what my bus driver, Larry, said! Anyway, it's white flat land as far as you can see an it's really beautiful. We will stop shortly and let the drivers rest.

In Missoula we had a visit from our friends, Little Big Town. They had a day off nearby and came to hang out with us. We loved seeing everyone and it felt like old times having them out there with us. They even got up onstage to help me sing Don't Stop Believin' on the encore. We hung out by the busses after the show and just talked and had margaritas until it was time to move on. What a great life!

I guess that's it for now. If you are reading this, I'm assuming you are a fan (or at least someone who's interested a little bit!), so thanks so much for all you do to let me continue to live this dream!

'Til next time,
Love,
Martina