My Happy Place + 1/23 Show Rescheduled (Patreon)
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Hi sweet lizards!
Little update for you... Scott Mulvahill had to reschedule the 1/23 show. It will now be happening in February. Specifics TBA! My apologies for any inconvenience.
January is typically a slow touring month, where I take the time to reflect on the year past and decide what I want to do creatively with the year ahead. As you know, I'm focusing on learning new songs to share with you for the Cover Songs video series that is now available for the "loyal lizard" level & up. The process of learning new songs always helps inspire new original songs. Though I'm not in writing mode just yet, that's typically what follows. :)
I also plan to fully release the acoustic EP of Funeral For My Past this year... though I've not decided when exactly.
I'm currently writing you from my happy place: Smith Lake, AL.
I come here often so thought I'd share with you WHY this place is so special to me.
Seven years ago, I was invited to play a private concert at this beautiful lake house. After hearing When You've Got Trouble on SiriusXM Coffeehouse, the homeowners, Ashley & Deborah, BUILT A STAGE off the deck of their lake house and invited me to come play.
Pictured: The stage, year one.
When my manager at the time got an email from Ashley, in addition to inviting me to play a show, she invited me to stay in their trailer after the show (since there's not a hotel anywhere near here). I'll never forget... my manager was scared for my life (LOL) and was highly skeptical of me playing this show at all. I read the email myself and was like... um YES, I am playing this show and YES, I am staying in their trailer. I'm SO GLAD I trusted my gut because that decision changed my life in ways I could have never imagined.
Pictured: The view from the "scary" trailer - hahahaha!
I remember getting here... after a car ride through the middle of nowhere... with my jaw on the floor, and my mind blown. How is this place real?!
Far greater than the beauty of this place is the beauty of the two lifelong friendships I made. What started as a music connection turned into a family-like bond. Ashley & Deborah are my home away from home, and I could not love them more. No amount of words or posts on Patreon could begin to sum up what they mean to me.
I don't think they knew they'd be keeping me when they invited me to stay in 2014. :)
Nor did they imagine I'd be making them breakfast in bed...
Yes, those are heart shaped eggs.
This place has inspired songs...
Pictured: Writing "Feel It All Over" in my PJs on the porch
Inspired adventures...
It's where P first told me he loved me...
Ahh... the memories. If I could relive all the moments on this porch swing!!
Over the years, I've returned to the Smith Lake stage with Barnaby Bright, Maggie Rose, Delta Rae, Brian Dunne, and the Secret Sisters. But more often I return here to see my friends, who ground me when things feel shaky, and who help me find my way when I am lost.
Pictured: The stage, year 5.
This week, Patryk and I will begin filming more of the Cover Songs video series while we are here. With this kind of view, it's helping us remember that there is always stillness to be found. Lately, we've needed to work a lot harder to be present. It's easy to get caught up in the news... our adrenaline pumping, anger building... but then we get here, and we remember we are alive. And we're so glad to be alive.
XO - LL