MARTINA'S JOURNALCMA Week!Sunday, November 16, 2008Hey 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, The New Single Is Out NOW! Alan Jackson Tribute and MORE!Friday, October 31, 2008Hey 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. So that's a recap of our night. Thanks again for all YOU do to make this possible for me! Gotta run.. Great Fans, Stump The Band & Count Yorga!Sunday, October 19, 2008Hey 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, The end of the Waking Up Laughing Tour!Sunday, October 12, 2008Hey 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! Love, For That Marine & All Of Our Service Men & Women - I Salute You!Wednesday, October 1, 2008Hey 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. I Love Fall - Just Checking InSunday, September 21, 2008Hey 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, Titans game and busy weekend!Monday, September 08, 2008Hey 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, Playing the Opry with Connie Smith!Saturday, August 23, 2008Hey 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, PS download Connie's version of "Once A Day" from iTunes. I think you'll like it! Home and in the studioWednesday, August 20, 2008Hey 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, Update on the way home from the West Coast!Sunday, August 17, 2008Hey 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, CASunday, August 10, 2008Hey 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, I Can't Wait To Get Back OnstageFriday, August 08, 2008
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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!!!
