Jenny Releases Video for "Lonely Lost Me"

Ok, so lots of cool things happening. I just released my first official music video for "Lonely Lost Me," the first tack off of my EP, The House Sessions. Rolling Stone Country actually posted it on their site which is kind of crazy. Everyone has been leaving the nicest comments and i could not be happier. 

How did the idea for this video even come about? Well I'll tell you! 

When we had the EP finished, I played it a couple of times around the house and in my car. Wyatt soon after that started saying, "Mama music, Mama music!" I would start the EP and after Lonely Lost Me would end he would ask for more. He didn't want to hear the whole thing, just that one song over and over and over again. I got really sick of myself really quick. But I thought it was catchy enough and worthy of a video. So after i saved enough cash to even pull off making a video I started to think of different concepts, but i was only seeing one thing...Wyatt. So why not make this a story about a love between a mother and son instead of a man and woman? Since Wyatt loved the song so much it seemed perfect. It's funny because when i wrote this song, Wyatt wasn't even close to being here. It was just a love song that turned out pretty cool, but now Wyatt gives it more meaning.  

He was such a good sport while we were shooting this. A few shots didn't work out because 2 year olds only have so much shooting time! But I love how this turned out. And y'all will probably shake your heads at me but...I never got professional photos done of Wyatt when he was born. Don't worry I have a million on my phone that look pretty good. But this video ended up turning into a two birds/one stone situation. Now I have a music video to promote my new EP and I captured me and my boy together at such a sweet time in our lives.

This video was produced by Joel Smith from Comprehensive Media Inc. He and his team were amazing and I'm so grateful for the hard work they put in to making this happen. 

You can see this video right here!

Now I'm already plotting for the next video! Mwwaahhhaaahhhaaaa

Cheers

Jenny

I had this dream the other night...

I was playing a show at my favorite club in Nashville.  I was singing my ass off and the band was sounding great and everyone in the crowd had smiles on their faces. My new songs got great reactions and now I’m closing the show with a beautiful heartfelt version of “Over the Rainbow.” I hit the big money note with awesome power and emotion and this surge of goose bumps covers me from head to toe.  I’m floating. And with this confidence I ease into the last line of the song with the worst possible note choice…and then I freeze…I can’t hear it…I panic…the song stops…I’m frozen…I can’t hear the note I need to sing…I fumble through an attempt to laugh at myself…blurt out randomness to finish the song…the audience claps…I say goodnight and I leave the stage trying not to show how embarrassed I am.

Just kidding this actually happened at my last show.

I stormed to the back of the club and karate kicked open the back door and let myself fall apart with huge angry tears hitting hard on the pavement.  I paced back and forth trying to calm down cause I knew I needed to visit with folks and thank them for coming to see me. But what I really wanted to do was throw a tantrum like my 2 year old does every day.  My mother–in–law appears around the corner with tears in her eyes.  And all I could say was, “This is my nightmare!” and she responded, “but you took a big risk and that takes courage, courage I wish I had.”

I cried the whole way home. I asked a friend to take down the performance from her Facebook page.  I was so mad at myself.  I should have practiced more! I was completely deflated. I was grateful I had some work coming up but I ended up just having more vocal mishaps. I always get invited to be in the band for Dad and Amy’s Christmas shows they do every year at The Ryman. I never expect to sing a solo, and I rarely ask for one, but I always want one. Dad offered me the chance to sing Oh Holy Night and my excitement helped me deal with the horror I had lived the night before. Well my first attempt was not too impressive, and my second wasn’t any better. I was trying so hard and I missed the big note each time. Voice crack and all. More crying. The third attempt however I felt was a very strong performance. I felt like I truly did the song justice and I was so proud. I thought things would start to get better but then I came down with a cold and completely lost my voice.  I couldn’t make a sound.  Has anyone had to care for a 2 year old with no voice by the way? Let me tell you that it’s impossible.  Anyways I ended up having to miss out on the last three Christmas shows and it was unbearable. I felt so defeated and useless. I felt so left out of this magical time of year with my road family. And i never got another chance to sing the crap out of Oh Holy Night.

So through all of this my poor husband has been putting up with my sulking and my sickness and he basically saved Christmas. He found all the last minute gifts we needed and he helped make it such a great day. Wyatt loved all his new toys and I couldn’t have written a better Christmas morning for us. Josh and I have had some nice heart to hearts while he’s been home over the holidays. His hope for me is to be happy and ENJOY this life as much as possible. And we want that for all our loved ones! How miserable is it to watch someone you love so much just constantly tear themselves into shreds. Well I’m just now realizing I do this way too much. He watches me beat myself up all the time because I usually see myself as a failure. I fail at singing, writing, parenting, and wife-ing. I have this desire to be amazing at everything I attempt. It’s just not realistic. So instead of trying extra hard to be better at all these roles his suggestion was to simply give myself a break. Take the pressure off. Don’t be perfect.

So today I thought I’d share my weird December with you as it comes to a close. I’m on the road with Amy doing a private gig in South Dakota. My voice is till struggling to make full recovery but I’m with my road family and I feel at home. I had all this free time to relax and sit at my computer. And this time I don’t have any guilt for being away. And as we approach this season of making resolutions and big goals I think I’m going to do the opposite.  No resolutions for me except for one: I’m going to take it easy on myself. I’m not going to beat myself up when something doesn’t go to plan. When my 2 year old is being a butthead I won’t tell myself I’m a bad parent. Being a butthead is just his job (and he’s really good at it). I’m not going flip out when I sing a bad note because as it turns out people actually enjoy seeing the mistakes. Not because they want you to screw up, but because they enjoy seeing someone else be an actual human being. Besides, perfect is boring anyways.

I'll see you next year.

Cheers. :)

That Nashville Sound Hears "Your Shadow"

That Nashville Sound is really digging on The House Sessions!  Especially the song "Your Shadow" which attempts to answer the question I get asked the most..."What's it like to be Vince's kid?" I'm so pleased this song has hit home with so many folks. I almost never played it for anyone because it felt too vulnerable. But now to see responses like this one I have more confidence to keep writing and telling my story. A million thanks you's can't express how i feel about this, but it's all i know to say. So thank you (times a million).

Check out the review here.

Road Mama

Today I am in Costa Mesa, California with Amy and the band. She is performing 2 symphony shows this weekend. I’ll be honest; I was really looking forward to this “break.” Yes I’m technically working but it feels more like a vacation to me. I love the road. I always have since I was kid riding on the bus with Dad in the summertime. There’s a routine we slip into out here. You have your own little rituals and you have time to YOURSELF. I can move at my own pace, go on an adventure, or I can bury myself in the sheets and stay half asleep.

Before I became a Mom, the time out here could easily feel like too much time. I would get bored and antsy. But now I soak in these minutes I have to myself and I just whisper thank you to the sky. I literally fell into my hotel bed last night in slow motion. It was glorious. But as my head softly hit the pillow I recognized a familiar friend cuddled up next to me. Hello guilt. I felt guilty for not immediately missing my sweet little boy. I always try to set him up with people I know he loves playing with so maybe he won’t immediately miss me either. So then guilt asks me, “If you pursue this music career, how bad will your family suffer?”

One of my favorite people in the whole world is someone I have the pleasure of singing with on these Amy gigs. She has been traveling for years to make a living. Kim is an incredible vocalist and has a resume that would seriously impress you. She has worked with everyone. She has a daughter who is turning 6 next week. Her daughter is the reason I even got the Amy gig in the first place. When Kim took her “maternity leave” and I was asked to fill in. I thought I would take her spot for maybe a few months at the most. But when Kim was ready to get back to work the tour had made the decision to keep me along for the ride anyway (and I’m so incredibly grateful for that by the way). I was eager to be close to Kim so I could learn as much as I could from her. But she rarely came down to the lobby for breakfast and she usually kept to herself during the days. It kind of bummed me out. I’m such a social butterfly and I really wanted to have some fun girl time with her because she is so funny and full of energy. But I respected her road rituals. That mama bear was doing some serious hibernating. In the afternoons she would FaceTime her baby while we were sharing a makeup mirror. I saw her get emotional so many times. She HAD to be away so that she could provide for her family. Sometimes it would really weigh on her and I never knew what to say, or how to make her feel better. But her little girl is thriving and she and her man are happy. She is the ultimate road mom and she gives me hope that it is possible.

The truth is the music business is extremely hard on families. My own parents are a common example of that fact. And here I am taking the steps to launch my own artist career and possibly see history repeat itself. But the vision I have of myself singing for a living looks so amazing and it gets me all excited and giddy. I love road life. Maybe I feel the most like myself on the road. That would explain why I can't wait to get back out here sometimes. It's not easy to do that guilt free. I just need to remind myself that we all deserve a little break, a breath of fresh air, and a different view out of a different window. The task of raising human beings is too much for one person to do alone. My time on the road provides for my family and my state of mind. I want to set a good example for my son. Just because something is hard does't mean it isn't worth doing.

This road mama is going to keep on trucking... 

The House Sessions Review

My first review is here! I am so happy it's a good one hahahaha. I spoke with Krissie from Country Music Matters right before The House Sessions was released. I'll be honest...I was a nervous wreck. Singing is easy but giving interviews is a whole new ball game, and I strike out often. But after reading her review, maybe I won't be so terrified the next time I have have to talk about myself. Check out what Country Music Matters has to say about The House Sessions!

Bring on the New

Welcome to my new website! Ain't it pretty!? I'm so excited to unveil a fresh new online look.  Check out the LISTEN page where you can preview all the tracks on The House Sessions. Digital downloads are available on iTunes and CDBaby or you can order a physical CD here. 

So poke around and check out what I've put together for you. If there is something you'd like to see let me know! There are links to my social media sites so that you can stay updated with all my ongoing shenanigans.

Thanks for all your support!

Jenny