Oh Nashville...
It’s November and I’ve been in Nashville 5 months. I can honestly say that I made the right decision moving here. Don’t get me wrong, I love Texas-I love my hometown. However, Nashville is where I need to be for the time being.
About 4 weeks ago, I gave myself a time limit. In 20 weeks, if I don’t start making connections musically, then I’ll go back to school and continue my studies in behavior sciences. The very next day, I began meeting people. They were placed in my life at the exact right moment. Songwriting is near to my heart. I enjoy writing tiny stories, especially if I can collaborate with others. I’ve been able to write more and more. It’s fun to figure out how another person writes and works thr ough writers block while in a writing room. Often times I feel as if I’m in a fantasy world. Not because I’m having instant fame or anything but because I’m living my dream. I’m attempting to create incredible music that is relateable yet radio worthy.
I get to be myself. If someone doesn’t like me or my style, I don’t have to work with them. Easy as that.
There are people who want to pigeon hole me-brand me...stick a genre on my forehead and say—“She’s only a fiddler.” I can turn around and say, “No, I’m not” and shut that door. That has happened for years and it’s going to continue but I know in my heart, I’m more than “just a fiddler”. I do realize that I’m not the worlds greatest guitarist or vocalist-but I keep getting stronger because I work at it.
Moving to Nashville wasn’t about fame. Playing, performing, writing-never has been about fame and money for me. (The money part is rather nice though! I can pay my bills with that!) When people come up to me and say they love my music, my performance...that’s what makes me happy. You might think-well, she could have continued making music all around Texas. True. I could have moved to Austin. San Antonio. Many places. But Nashville was calling my heart and had to see what could happen.
This doesn’t mean I don’t miss the people back home. I do. I love when I come back to do a show, lots of people come. The support is crazy amazing. When people who have watched me grow as a person and musician tell me how much I’ve grown, it means the world to me. It’s not that they didn’t think I was good while I was in Texas, but NashVegas is a different place with different means of inspiration.
A fresh start. A clean slate. Moving to a place where I only knew about 5 people.... it’s charming. Enlightening. Mind-blowing. Scary. But if your dreams don’t scare you, then maybe they aren’t big enough. :)
I get to share my original music in writers rounds. Something that my hometown is just now sort of breaking into. People love their cover tunes...but I think sometimes we all forget that those songs we love, were once brand new. So please, the next time you hear an artist sing or play an original tune, listen. It might become a favorite of yours.
Occasionally, I’ll get inside my own head. Doubts arise. You know what I found though? If you are open about those doubts and fears, you find out that other artists have the same thing happen to them once in a while. They’ll talk you through it. Most people are good. (Granted, some will take advantage of your insecurities and use them against you...so be careful).
Well, here’s to more happy musical months in Nashville!!
Fiddle on my friends!
Lacie
