Dreams Chased Become Dreams Caught!

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I don’t know how else to say this, but my journey is living proof that when you dedicate your heart and soul to something, dreams really can (and do) come true.

I was inspired to write this post after today’s daily prompt was simply the word, Dream.

April 15th, 2013 – Purchased my domain name, countryheartbeat.com

April 2014 – Boutique was launched in February two months prior, official launch for this blog was June 2014, two months after. Nothing specific that I can remember happened on the 15th though…

April 15th, 2015 –  Recently hired as the very first Street Team member at WPOR 101.9 (read how here). I worked my very first radio event where I was able to be the official photographer on this significant date! (See the throwback post from my facebook page below.)

As you can see… yes, I stuck with it this time! 😉

April 15th, 2016 – Officially asked to be a part of the 7-Hills Nashville team! One of the first labels of it’s kind, 7-Hills is dedicated to putting the artist and their music first. So often in this industry, artists are told what to record and how to record it, and their label is in control of everything they do and even what they are allowed to say! Not with 7-Hills! I’m so excited to start this new adventure and to grow with this company!

Apparently there is some deep significance surrounding the date of April 15th on a yearly basis (and no, it’s not “tax day” that I’m talking about!). April 15th seems to be a pivotal point in this country music dream of mine. I cannot wait to see what April 15th, 2017 will bring! I should be living happily in Nashville at that point! 🙂

Keep chasing your dreams, guys. It’s worth it, I promise! Dig deep to discover what you’re passionate about and visualize your goals and where they will take you! I promise you’ll find happiness when you figure out what you were placed on this Earth to do! The Universe and myself are rooting for you! ❤

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New Music Monday – Runaway June “Lipstick”

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Impacting TODAY 5/23/16!

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These girls stole my heart in Vegas at the BBR Music Group brunch (during ACM week), when they were introduced and performed 3 of their songs. Watch the video below of “Lipstick” and let me know what you think about these ladies! I’m trying so hard to get them here this summer! This song is catchy and sure to fly up the country music charts, and with female artists on the rise, these ladies are going in the right direction. Country is taking a slight turn from “bro-country” and starting to focus on the ladies!

If you’re gonna love somebody / Yeah you better love somebody/ Who ruins your lipstick, not your mascara / So if you’re gonna love somebody / Yeah you better love somebody / That keeps those pretty blue eyes as dry as the Sahara / If you’re gonna love somebody / Yeah you better love somebody / Who ruins your lipstick, not your mascara ❤

If you want to check out more about Runaway June and their music, check out their website and follow them on twitter!

Official 51st ACM Awards Show Recap & Winners

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On Sunday, April 3, 2016, superstars Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley took the stage at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena to co-host the 51st ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS®. The show, produced by dick clark productions, marked Luke Bryan’s fourth consecutive turn hosting the Awards and Bentley’s first time hosting a LIVE televised event.

The star-studded ceremony, which broadcast LIVE on the CBS Television Network, was full of once-in-a-lifetime musical collaborations, performances and more as some of country’s greatest talents were recognized for their achievements.

The industry named Jason Aldean as Entertainer of the Year, the evening’s biggest honor. While Aldean had been previously nominated four times in this category, this year marked his first time taking home the trophy.

Dolly Parton was presented the Tex Ritter Award to recognize the success of Coat of Many Colors. The Tex Ritter Award is presented to recognize a motion picture that featured country music and received major exposure. Parton and pop superstar Katy Perry joined forces for an unprecedented duet performance live on the telecast.

Chris Stapleton won Male Vocalist of the Year for the first time. He came into the night already a winner of the New Male Vocalist of the Year award and was the leading winner of the night with a total of six wins, including Album of the Year as both Artist and Producer, and Song of the Year as both Artist and Producer. With his six wins he tied the record for most ACM Awards won in a single year. Only Garth Brooks and Faith Hill have reached this pinnacle before.

Miranda Lambert won Female Vocalist of the Year for the seventh consecutive year, setting a new record for the most consecutive wins in that category. Lambert also won Vocal Event of the Year for Smokin’ And Drinkin’ with Little Big Town, which presented prior to the show on the red carpet.

Little Big Town won the Vocal Group of the Year award for the second year in a row, and third time overall. They also won Vocal Event of the Year for Smokin’ And Drinkin’ with Miranda Lambert.

Thomas Rhett won Single Record of the Year for Die A Happy Man. This was Rhett’s first-ever ACM award win.

Kelsea Ballerini was previously awarded New Female Vocalist of the Year, and performed an energetic medley of her new single Peter Pan and her breakout number-one hit Love Me Like You Mean It with Nick Jonas.

Eric Church won Video of the Year for Mr. Misunderstood. Florida Georgia Line won Vocal Duo of the Year for the third year in a row.  Both Church and Florida Georgia Line were presented with the awards prior to the telecast.

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Cole Swindell Prepares For Album Release Day

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Cole Swindell performed for some VERY lucky Southwest Airlines passengers today before gearing up for his sophomore album release party! “You Should Be Here” is being called the song defining his career, and Cole himself said that this is the song he “came to Nashville to write”. “You Should Be Here” was the first single of his new album and it’s already held at No. 1 on the charts for multiple weeks, sold nearly half a million tracks, and surpassed 25 million streams.

Cole announced via Twitter today that he would be participating in Southwest Airline’s #LiveAt35 series.

If you follow Cole on snapchat, you got a preview of his “mile-high” performance earlier today! (I’ve always wondered what people who are non-country fans think of these Southwest Performances. Cole isn’t the first artist to do one!)

You Should Be Here is available everywhere tonight at midnight (May 6th, 2016), but those who pre-ordered (like myself of course!) have already gotten a download of 5 of the 12 amazing songs! See the track listing below! I’m obviously loving “Flatliner” with Dierks Bentley, “Stars”, and I’ve always loved “Middle of a Memory” from hearing it live at his shows. Actually, “Middle of a Memory” will be the second single released off this album! Can’t wait to convince my radio station to add it! 😉

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ACM Week – Day 4 – Party For A Cause

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Saturday 4/2/16

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Day 2 of the ACM Party For A Cause Festival was INSANE. Live country music from today’s top acts from noon to midnight! That’s twelve full hours of fun for myself and thousands of other country fans! It was a lot hotter in the desert today, and this Mainer was loving every minute of the heat!

Gates opened at noon and the Cabela’s Archery Tournament was finishing up inside the gates. Team Luke Bryan (consisting of Dustin Lynch, Eric Paslay and Kristy Titus) was competing against Team Justin Moore (consisting of Chase Rice, Chris Janson, Granger Smith and Wade Middleton)in a tic-tac-toe archery tournament. (Literally shooting arrows at the space where they wanted to place their “X” or “O”.)  People were everywhere, trying to get the artists attention, waving their cameras and posters for them to sign. A few lucky groups got some selfies with Luke!

The only one that I was lucky enough to snag a photo with was Granger Smith (thank you for that Granger! Much appreciated!). I can’t wait to see where his career leads him after his first number one song, Backroad Song.

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Yee Yee Nation!

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WPOR Announces Old Port Festival Lineup!

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The 43rd annual Old Port Festival will be held on June 12th, 2016 from 11am to 5pm! There will be four stages with live music scattered throughout downtown Portland, Maine. I of course, will be there at the WPOR stage! See the lineup below!

WPOR Stage (Middle & Temple Streets)

12pm — American Ride (local cover band)
1pm — Matt Gary
2pm — Drew Baldridge
3pm — Dylan Scott
4pm — Brooke Eden

First of all, I’ve been dying to share this news with you since I spoke with Brooke Eden in Vegas at the BBR Music Group brunch on Sunday April 3rd before the ACM Awards. But because I knew my station had not officially announced the lineup yet, I kept it to myself. I went up to Brooke at the brunch and told her that I was that girl who made her come out of her bus in the freezing cold to come into WPOR so that I could meet her and take a photo with her, and that I needed a re-take since I was in my “work clothes” lol. She informed me that she would be coming back to Portland the same weekend as CMA Fest and I was ecstatic! She also told me she would be performing later that night at the ACM Official After Party, All Star Jam, which was officially my first time seeing her live!

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Brooke Eden and I at the BBR Music Group brunch in Las Vegas!

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World Premiere of Chris Janson’s “Holdin’ Her” Video

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CHRIS JANSON’S “HOLDIN’ HER” VIDEO PREMIERES TODAY ON CMT

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Chris Janson continues to enjoy the success of his debut album Buy Me A Boat. The title track became the singer songwriters’ first #1 single, has been certified Platinum, it won the iHeartRadio Award for “Country Song of the Year,” earned him a nomination for Breakthrough Male Artist of the Year for the American Country Countdown Awards which airs this Sunday on Fox (5/1/16), and much more. But for Janson, his greatest success is his wife and kids.

 They are the inspiration for the song and music video for his new single, “Holdin’ Her.” “It’s my number-one favorite song,” said Janson. “It’s the story of the things that I love most: my wife and my kids and my journey in life. If anyone wants a real look inside my life, here it is!”

“I’m so excited and happy about this video,” said Janson.  It is a very personal and real look into our life with my wife, kids and bonus kids. This song is our love story and I wanted real moments in the video.”

SEE THE VIDEO HERE!

In addition to his ACCA nomination, Janson will perform on the show. 2016 has been just as incredible as 2015, when he landed on multiple year-end lists, including Billboard‘s Top New Country Artist list, Rolling Stone Country’s Best list for his full-length debut and The New York Times Best Songs of 2015 for “Buy Me a Boat.” He was chosen as a 2016 Next Big Thing by MusicRow and, adding to the industry recognition, received standing ovations for his electric performance at the prestigious New Faces Concert during Country Radio Seminar. Acclaimed for his spirited harmonica playing and riveting live show, Janson has played the Grand Ole Opry more than 130 times and earned spots on tour with Blake Shelton, Toby Keith and Luke Bryan.

You have to see this sweet and heartfelt video! I had the opportunity to see Janson perform this song live at the ACM All Star Jam (after the ACM Awards) and I was blown away hearing it for the first time. It’s such a polar opposite of his #1 single, Buy Me a Boat, and shows a completely different side of his personality. Janson told the crowd when introducing the song, that he hates the term “step-children” and he instead calls his wife’s previous children, “bonus kids”. Such an admirable trait!

Faux-Chella: My Perfect Country Music Festival

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With Coachella just around the corner, TickPick and I have teamed up to present with Country Heartbeat readers my ideal country music festival! I have so many favorites that they had to divide the festival between two days! If you’ve been following this blog for a while now, it’s pretty obvious who my favorite country artists are. Whenever someone asks who my favorite artist is, I ask them if I can give them a top-5 or top-10 list instead, because it’s entirely way too hard to narrow down. I then proceed to list the above 10 artists, and a few others… depending on whose show I may have seen recently and re-fell in love with.

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ACM Week – Day 3 – Women Of Country

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Friday 4/1/16

Total girl confession first off; I totally loved my outfit for Friday and wanted to have a mini photo shoot by the pool where we were staying with Jencita’s family. So we did.

First on our agenda for Friday was a meet and greet with Thomas Rhett at the BMLG Music Has Value pop-up store at the MGM Grand at 1:30pm. One hundred people received wristbands to meet Thomas by purchasing some Music Has Value merchandise from the shop and then there was an “if he has time” line. Since I didn’t have a physical copy of his recent album Tangled Up (I know, shame on me!), I purchased that for him to sign. One thing I learned that day? I probably shouldn’t wear white/ivory. My shirt had a lipstick stain on it within 5 minutes of arriving at MGM. So typical of me!

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Party For a Cause festival gates opened at 3pm on Friday, so Jencita and I drove down to the other end of the strip, to the new MGM Grand Festival Grounds, across from the SLS Hotel. Part of my goal during this years ACM week was to keep my radio station and all of it’s listeners, WPOR 101.9, informed with an inside look!

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ACM Week Recap – Day 2 – Guitar Pull

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Thursday 3/31/16

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As soon as I learned two of my ultimate favorites, Kip Moore and Kelsea Ballerini, would be at the 95.5 The Bull’s 8th Annual Guitar Pull, I made it a goal to attend! As most of you all know, this was a “budget trip”, so funds were limited. Per usual, I reached out to 95.5 for a chance to win some tickets, but heard nothing back. As fate would have it, my friend Chris had a pair of tickets and became ill, and he graciously donated them to me! So appreciative beyond words for this opportunity to see these artists acoustically in a laid back setting.

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Thursday night’s outfit

Up first on stage was Hunter Hayes and Kelsea Ballerini! Kelsea started off by telling the crowd that her and Hunter are “real-life friends” and that he was actually with her when she found out that Dibs had reached number 1! (It appears that Cody Alan (her “favorite human”) was there too!

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