9-22-08
A week that wont be forgotten...
What a week it has been! Its been a week that my mother nor I will forget.
We finally ended up getting the Cds about 5pm Wednesday. I think the whole expo center heard me scream! Wednesday morning I also did a showcase at the Executive Inn East, Thursday was my audition for Mansion Records, and Friday was the Talent Competition. We ended up leaving the competition early to go to the Songs of a Lifetime showcase that I had promised Debra and Lauren I would try to make to see them. They did a great job as did the other artist that I managed to see before heading back to the hotel to get ready to go back to the booth.
Saturday was the Singing News Awards and afterwards I headed back to my booth for a while then went and made my rounds to say goodbye to everyone.
Sunday morning we got up and headed over to tear down the booth and we got back just in time before the hurricane winds came through. It was horrible. It tore off the shingles off the hotel roof and a huge tree went down beside the hotel and took down power lines and phone lines. Electric went out at 1pm and we were all night without any. The generators in the hotel only lasted so long before they were gone too and it was pitch dark in the hallways and the staircases. We got a call from my dad saying he was heading down to the basement with Kali because the tornado alarms were going off. He later called back and said everything was fine but our neighbors roof had been torn off.
We found one place that was opened and was delivering for food. After waiting an hour we got a call that their driver was unable to get to the hotel and the police told him to turn back and get off the roads. We went back up to the room and my mom fixed what we could that didn't require a microwave which by this time I wasnt hungry just tired. Needless to say with no electric we went to bed early. Well...tried to that is. We were right above the hotel patio and of course no electric there was no air so we had to have our windows open. A bunch of drunks were down on the patio yelling and screaming all night.
Where the tree came down they had not cleared it out and its a busy road so people would race down the road see the tree and stop real fast which caused their breaks to squeal. Every time a car squealed the drunks below us would scream, whistle, hoop and holler. I finally fell asleep about 1am.
6:30am we were awaken by a loud bang coming from outside. I jumped up and my mom went to the window to see what was going on. 3 more bangs happened and people outside started running into the hotel and the sky was filled with smoke. My mom started freaking out and saying she was going downstairs to find out what was going on. I'm scared and told her she couldn't leave me with all of this going on, but its pitch dark in the hallways and stairwells. The room started to fill with smoke and we started to not be able to breath so we grabbed the flashlight that the hotel loaned us and headed downstairs. We were on the top floor. Needless to say I've watched too many horror movies because a guy was coming up the stairs and I started screaming when I saw him.
We get downstairs to find out that a bus had ran into the tree and it had exploded. The smoke was from the fire of the bus. They did NOT have the road blocked to warn anyone about the tree. We said last night that someone was going to run into it and sure enough they did. The bus was burnt to a crisp and we have no idea if the driver got out safe or not.
We were then told that 71 North was closed which is what we needed to get home and the line was blocking the back exit so we were unable to get out. We were also told that Ohio was a disaster and we were afraid of not being able to get home. So we figured were staying an extra night due to everything going on. Finally about noon my mom decided that we were just going to get home. 71 had opened up and they were saying the wire was a dead one plus there was still no electric at the hotel and wouldn't be for the rest of the day. So we started to pack things up and just try to picture us carrying almost 2 weeks worth of stuff down 3 flights of stairs. It took about 10 trips up and down them stairs to get everything loaded. What a sight that was!
We get home to find Lancaster on into New Lex a mess and we had just got through cleaning up after a tornado about 6 weeks ago.
I can honestly say this was a bad week, but could have been worse. God had his hand upon us that's for sure.
We have received some emails about why there is no tour schedule up. We are in the process of getting bookings and it will be up when its complete. Pictures will also be up shortly so keep checking back.
Until next time!
Heather
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9-9-08
We have encountered a lot of bumps along the road with this album. To the point where I've almost felt like just calling the whole thing off and say forget it. Nothing seemed to go the way it was planned or the way I wanted it to go. I just said it is what it is because I have no control over it.
I am down here at NQC is Louisville, KY this week. Its my first year having a booth and its a bit different than out walking around. Seems like nothing has went right with this either. First I get told that the album is not even going to be finished in time for NQC. I was crushed and frustrated. I had to make up fake paper CDs to put in my rack so it wouldn't look empty until the CDs come. There's a chance we might not even have them at all this week and I'm praying that's not the case. Other artists I've talked to have encountered the same problem with their duplicator.
I will write more about NQC after this week and let you know everything that has happened. If your in the area stop by and see your favorite artists. I am at booth #886 so stop by and say hi!
Talk to y'all soon!
Heather
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6-14-08
Summer has come and so has the summer rain and storms.
We went down to Tennessee last month and did vocals on the album. I’m very excited for it to all come together! I have some great people working on it and they’re doing an awesome job. I will be debuting it at the National Quartet Convention in September.
We’re going to be heading down to Wilkesboro, NC for the Singing in the Foothills next weekend. A lot of great artists are lined up for that so check it out. I’m doing the Saturday morning competition and can’t wait for that!
I’ll be attending the Steve Hurst School of Music again this year. I had a great time last year and the teachers are awesome. Check it out at stevehurstschoolofmusic.com for more information if you would like to join us.
That’s all for this time!
Heather
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9-19-07
Goodbye summer, Hello fall…
Wow! What an amazing summer this has been. I can’t believe fall is just around the corner! My mother and I took a wonderful 7-day cruise to Alaska in June. It was the John Hagee Alaskan Cruise and it was an amazing trip. There was lots of music, fun, and food. I can’t remember the last time I ate so much as I did on that cruise. Haha.
In July I had the opportunity to attend the Steve Hurst School of Music. That was a long week! They don’t mess around let me tell you. There is chapel every morning then you’re in classes for at least 12 hours a day and a concert every night. It was a tremendous experience and can not wait to go back next year. I met and worked with some wonderful people there.
We just got back last week from NQC (National Quartet Convention). It was a week long and I competed in the solo division competition on Friday. I always enjoy competing! I will also be competing at the Christians Alternative to Halloween Competition
on October 27th in Winston Salem, NC. Come on out if your in the area!
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