Thoughts From Nashville

tin roofI’ve been anxiously awaiting my trip to Nashville for what seems like forever. Since my first visit there two years ago my life has changed dramatically. No longer a recent college graduate, I’m not unsure of my future and my answer to the once dreaded question, ‘What do you do?’ Finally, I can say I’m a music journalist and not hesitate while thinking, ‘Well, I work here during the day but I write here and intern here.’

Sitting at Tin Roof for lunch (and sweet tea!) in Nashville by myself after David Nail’s fan club performance, I’m reminded that he was the first country artist I interviewed just two years ago. A lot has happened since then.

Overhead, Third Eye Blind is blasting from the speakers. Next, I hear Boys Like Girls and Taylor Swift’s “Two Is Better Than One” before the DJ segues into Train’s latest single. It’s here that it hits me. I have interviewed every single artist just played on the radio. Hard to believe exactly two years ago I was here for fun, covering the CMA Music Festival writing for free and now I’m getting paid to do what I love.

Sure, there have been some dark days where nothing seems to make any sense. But if the past few years have taught me anything it’s that if you stick with what you really love and follow your heart anything can happen. Carrie Underwood seems to think the same way. During Billboard’s Country Music Summit she talked of her experience acting in the film Soul Surfer and whether or not acting would remain in her future. What she said struck a chord.

“I just take my opportunities as they come. I feel like if you try to force anything, then it’s not going to be good. I see what’s going to happen and I say my prayers at night. ‘Just lead me in the right direction! And give me good things that I should be doing and give me opportunities to branch out and have fun with things and just do good things in the universe.’”

Carrie Underwood says her prayers every night. I really should pray more often and make it a habit to go to church too. This has been something I’ve been struggling to grasp all year since moving to Brooklyn. Farrah goes to shul every Saturday. Maybe I should start doing the same on Sundays.

IMG_4071

Back in New York this sentiment was shared by another country artist. While at Justin Moore’s album release show at B.B. King’s Tuesday, Moore stressed the importance of liking what you do after he expressed how writing the title track of his album had helped make him a better Christian.

“I’m a prime example that you’re not supposed to hate your job. You should wake up every morning and love what you do,” he told a room of fans.

I couldn’t agree more.

Annie Reuter, is a freelance writer and music blogger who covers concerts and music festivals around the country. In constant pursuit of the next show to attend and band to interview, Annie keeps up her own music blog, You Sing, I Write, where she uncovers what it's really like to spend the day with a rock star.