Lately I’ve been finding myself comparing my twitter/instagram/facebook page to others in this world of country fan sites/blogs. I’m noticing how many followers they have in comparison with me, and I know this is partially due to the fact that they are on top of the latest news stories that fans want to hear. I swore in the beginning that I would not be one of those sites/blogs, whose purpose is to relay the latest gossip in the country music industry or keep fans with the most up to date information. Nothing against them, because clearly they have hundreds of thousands more followers than I do… but I want my blog, my brand, Country Heartbeat to be a bit more personal. To tell a story. MY story. I want to introduce you to this life that I lead, that yeah, happens to be immersed in country music. It’s the thing I’m most passionate about, and much to my boyfriend’s dismay, comes first above everything. I want to inspire people to chase their dreams, to step out of their comfort zone, to grab hold of something that they love and take a leap of faith, to do things they never thought they could do.

I had a talk with a close friend recently that helped me realize that out of our group of friends, or even out of the people in this local area… heck, even in all of Maine… don’t love the industry in the same way that I do. One of my best friends since early childhood, God love her, once commented on my new profile picture with Lee Brice on his tour bus and asked, “Is that your new man?”. Oh, sweet Jesus. These people around here just don’t get it.

That’s why I’ve got to get to Nashville, and soon. That’s why I love every minute of “The Week Vegas Goes Country” aka ACM week, where I can surround myself with those friends who are as passionate about country music as I am. I’ve got friends from California, South Dakota, Minnesota, Florida, Ohio… all these people come together in Vegas and are as crazy about it as I am.

I want to walk into Losers on a Monday night and smile at Chris Cavanaugh, say hi to Manny Medina, and stare at Michael Carter’s butt… and have people beside me who actually know who those people are. (Yes, that actually all happened one Monday night in Nashville.) When I excitedly tell a friend when we are out on a Saturday night that Charlie Worsham viewed my snapchat or Canaan Smith favorited one of my tweets… I don’t want people to look at me as if I’m speaking German. I want a ride-or-die beside me who’s going to fangirl with me in the bathroom for point 5 seconds and then resume our normal night. I want to go to free shows on 3rd and Lindsley, walk down Demonbreun Steet and play tourist, visit Tin Roof on a random Wednesday night, and get a blowout before a big night at The Dry House Nashville. Are these things too much to ask?!

I want this blog to connect me with more of those people, as well as my “idols” in this country music world… people like Carly Lynn and JoJamie… those who are fearless in the pursuit of their dreams and have made things happen for themselves! I want to find my “tribe” in 2016 and I want to get to Nashville and be surrounded by like-minded entrepreneurs and inspiring motivators who are beside me encouraging me and supporting my endeavors. I truly believe that we rise by lifting others, and I in turn want to do the same thing for these and other people, help connect them to people who can turn their own dreams into realities.

Thanks to recently discovering The Glitter Guide on instagram, this quote hit home the other night and it something that I am going to try to keep in the forefront of my mind in 2016.

“Try not to pay too much attention to what other people in your same field are doing. Keep focused on your own vibe and realize that your instincts and eye are what make your business unique. Looking over your shoulder is never going to be productive.” -Michelle LeBlanc

My business is that of promoting myself both through my blog and in person at shows and music industry related events. I love having people to inspire me, but I need to be cautious about comparing myself to them. I will get to where I’m meant to be when I’m meant to get there. Twenty-Sixteen will be my year, the year where I meet the right people and this blog falls into the right hands to offer me opportunities that will be better than I can even imagine right now. I’ve spent all of 2015 chasing these crazy dreams of mine, and this is the year where I will find my #girlgang and join forces with the right tribe of people who will both support and encourage my endeavors. This year, I will continue to be fearless in the pursuit of what sets my soul on fire! ❤