Happy weekend, and Happy December!
Somehow, another year is coming to a close. Doesn't it feel like it was just weeks ago that we were complaining about 2016 and looking forward to 2017? And now, here we are. This year has given me so much to be thankful for. So many developments happened for me in 2017 that have made my life so much more fulfilling. Of course, you all know very well about one of those developments. 2017 was the year I started officially working for my friends in Home Free!
I've been a friend and a fan of these guys for years now, and having them add me to their team has brought my life so much joy. I love using my mind creatively, and I love that they think I'm funny, and I love feeling accomplished and appreciated. One of the best parts of working for a band whose "cast and crew" is built up of a bunch of your favorite people, is getting to travel with them for WORK. It legitimately feels like taking vacations with your friends and getting paid for it. It's awesome.
Most recently, I joined them in Nashville to film the days leading up to the CMA's. When I found out they were getting to walk the carpet, I was ecstatic, and so proud for them, but also selfishly bummed I wouldn't be there to witness such a huge moment in their careers.
When I got the news that they needed me out there to film, I pretty much agreed before even hearing the extent of what my duties would be. This team is one of my favorite circles to be a part of and I have some serious FOMO when I'm not there. Plus Nashville has always been high on my to-do list, so boom. Two birds.
(As always, click on the photos to enlarge.)
The next day was the video shoot, and the location you guys!!!! If you know me well, you know how I just die over an industrial setting. It's my absolute favorite vibe for shoots, and to be honest, if I had enough money to live in a converted firehouse and walk everyday to my own personal studio located in a converted warehouse, I mean, that's the dream.
The video shoot went great, as always, and I got some shots I'm pretty proud of if I do say so myself! Photographing these guys just gets easier and easier. I'm so thankful they've allowed me around, because every day that passes with them, I feel like a better photographer.
Pretty much as soon as our planes landed, it was go-time. From the moment we arrived in Nashville up until the moment they got into the limo for the awards, it was non-stop, running all over town, wonderful chaos.
As if the excitement for the Red Carpet wasn't enough for one week, we also filmed a music video and recorded a new track. And guess who had to film it all? Ya girl. I was literally "Ubering everywhere" between the guys' fittings, gown fittings for the girls, recording sessions, the video shoot, and all the moral support sessions where I joined Olena at the mall while she shopped for the guys.
When I think about it, I really didn't actually even get to see that much of Nashville, running around like that. But being with these people, doing work that feels like this much fun, it never felt like I was missing out on anything.
I can't wait for you guys to be able to hear the song they recorded that day! It's a Christmas jingle so you won't be waiting long, and it's so so beautiful.
For my all-day efforts, they let me get in the booth and pretend like I was layin' down some fire for my Instagram story. Which, side note: has always been a secret dream of mine. I love singing so much, but I don't have enough training to be confident or consistent, so only my shower head, my Honda, and my closest friends and family get the pleasure of hearing me wail. But secretly I'd love to get into a booth or up onto an open-mic stage and just sing my little tuchus off.
November 8, 2017.
CMA day.
One of the more hectic and non-stop days of my entire life. I literally only took this one photo of the guys because I was too busy capturing every moment on film for the Home Fries. (You guys can go check out this entire experience, by the way, by supporting the guys on Patreon!) (Sorry not sorry for my shameless plug)
Witnessing such a big moment in my friends' careers was an amazing experience. I kept imagining how I would feel if I was prepping for
my first Academy Awards (my ultimate dream), and I kept finding myself getting emotional. It's not every day you send your friends off to a Red Carpet event, and this was just the kickoff to a major growth for them. I was honored to be a part of it.
The next day was our last, but it was the first day we got to do nothing but explore. No work, just play. Olena and I put on our tourist hats and had breakfast at Biscuit Love, which is a no-brainer, absolutely must visit when in Nashville. We shopped around Hillsboro Village, made friends with some local dogs, and headed over to Barista Parlor for the best coffee in Tennessee. All the while, shooting each other, like we do.
That night Olena, Austin, Chance, Jasmina and I all went out on the town. I was the fifth wheel, but it didn't feel that way. I was also the only one who was making their Nashville debut, so Chance took it upon himself to organize an exclusive Nashville bar hop. Which, ugh. How sweet is that?! I'm telling you, these guys are every bit as amazing at friendship as they are at making sounds with their mouths and they're never getting rid of me.
It was such a breath of fresh air to have the whole day and night together with all of the stress and workload of the past few days behind us. We ate hot chicken, which was a blissful first experience for me, and we stopped at a bunch of great Nashville spots for drinks.
I met new people who were all so awesome, Jasmina tried teaching me how to do a New Zealand accent, we threw back tequila shots and toasted to an amazing week, and it was everything I needed. I'm really loving this life, so I really hope it doesn't stop.
Wish I could be joining the guys on A Country Christmas Tour, but right now it's really important for me to stay in LA until Christmas and focus on what I came out here to do, which, if you've forgotten because of my severe idleness, is acting.
It's still what I love, it's still my dream, and I'm not giving up just because I've found a fulfilling side hustle. And guess what?! Two days after got back from Nashville, I was sitting in a rehearsal for a short film that I booked! That's right Mom and Dad, three years in La La Land and I finally booked something! And filmed it! I did it! You can proceed with pride now! I can't wait to talk more about that project.
For now, on to the next!