Katie Mariah's Blog

Skinny Dad

Hi guys,

Since my dad's accident he's lost almost twenty pounds... think it's about the amount of weight he's been "meaning" to lose for about ten years. I give all the boys in my family hair cuts and I was able to give dad his first since his wreck. No more grizzly man... but what was underneath looked like a shell of my dad.

 Crazy. I'm headed out to New Mexico tomorrow with a bunch of friends to ski. Leaving beautiful weather here in Oklahoma... hope it's nice there, but with snow! (Yeah, that might be asking a bit much.)

We are putting the final editing touches to the cd tomorrow and the next day. I'll be taking calls and stopping all the way to the slopes to catch Internet connections to review changes. Coming down to the wire guys! Also, we've been reviewing the design of the insides of the CD, insert and front and back covers. It's looking way better than I ever hoped. So excited.

We are heading out before day break in the morning. Hoping to do a gig while I'm there. I'll keep you posted.

Goodnight,

KM

Progress report

First day back to work, back to traveling back to life after the Holidays. Of course, New Year's Eve is right around the corner... so it's just a brief respite from the festivities. Remember though, it's actually just the 5th day of Christmas... it's still going on, I'm still celebrating here people. : ) I've become more and more aware of the twelve days of Christmas the last couple of years. Probably because the hubs and I were married on Epiphany... the twelfth and final day of the season. Love that word-- epiphany... it should be used more often. I think I shall devote a sentence to it tomorrow. Maybe these blogs should incorporate "words of the blog" one word per blog that is just not used enough. Sorry, probably won't follow through on that. A good thought though. Bit random... apologies.

I am in Dallas today in meeting and rehearsals. Nate Coon, my drummer (whom I love to call Natertot) and I are going to work on some specifics in the set tomorrow. We've got some great stuff coming up here in the next few weeks so the band and I are going into what I am dubbing "pre tour production rehearsal mode."

We are also putting together a radio tour along with booking other dates. Talking to anyone and everyone possible is the name of the game. What we are really going to need over the next few months is as much exposure as possible. Working without a label can be challenging, but it we are moving forward really aggressively using the resources we've got. If anyone knows people in radio... I'd love to talk to them or you! You know where to find me.

The T-shirts came in today and I am so excited. We tried to create something you would like to wear even if it didn't have Katie Mariah on it. I think we definitely accomplished that. They are super soft material and from Alternative Apparel. The girl's shirts are the v-necks with longer sleeves. Exactly what I was hoping for. 

They will be available soon. You are going to love them! Can't believe I have t-shirts! 

A very exciting day indeed. Thanks for tuning in! We are going over the second edit of the cd tomorrow with my producer and editor. It's almost time for the cd release! We should have a new song posted in a few days. Actually, I think I'm going to let you all in on the secret first when it first goes up. 

KM

A Christmas Proposition

Well, I have been reprimanded. I got a call this morning from my older brother, John. 

He was very upset. It seemed he had read my blog after Christmas and something very important was missing.

It so happens that on Christmas morning this year an event occurred which had been anticipated in my family for months. It was 9:30 Christmas morning and we had yet to open presents... something never done before in the Lamerton family. We all got up at about seven o'clock to open our stockings but one brother was missing and so we waited. When he finally showed up... 7 of us gathered at the door to greet them, cameras ready. 

Now, let's back up a bit. Weeks ago John had told us of his plan. Two years ago he met the love of his life. Her name is Jerri and she is perfect for my big brother and an incredibly cool person. My sister and I have been pestering John for oh, I'd say a year and eight months about when he was going to propose. In the hospital room near my dad after his motorcycle accident John said he was planning on asking Jerri to marry him Christmas morning!

So, it's about 9:15 on Dec. 25th. The texts have started between John and all of us and we are peaking out the window. He's done it and they are on their way over. Finally!!

They are so excited and we are incredibly happy for them. I'll have to find a picture of them to post on here. Just one more reason to be thankful this Christmas.

So, John.  My apologies. I wasn't sure you would want me to tell all my amazing readers just yet... thought you might want to spread the word yourself first. It's around the world now!

KM

Mosaic

Hi guys!

 The day after Christmas is always strange. Such a build up cools down to this day of lazy family-filled time... cherished time really. If you've been reading this blog for long you know that my mind works the most creatively when doing two things at once-- engaging the body in one exorcise (usually cleaning, driving or making something for me) and the mind in something totally different. I think a lot of women work this way too. This is when I write the most music outside of writing sessions. I've got some great pealing wallpaper songs this year (the contents of which have nothing to do with the project at hand of course) as my husband and I have just bought our first home previously owned by a woman with a wallpaper fetish... I'm talking wallpaper on the floor people. The last few weeks with wrapping up this first album and it being Christmas time and all, I haven't been doing much writing. Today, I finished a book by Amy Grant. I wanted to be her when I was a little girl, she and Julie Andrews... (yes, and then I went and frolicked in fields everyday and picked wild flowers) a huge cornball, I know. Anyway, finished up Amy Grants book today, Mosaic. She tells great stories about her life, the road, her family and how it all pieced together. It's motivating and helpful to know women have come before; they've done it and are still doing it. My world isn't all music, never has been. I think that is why I never get tired of it... it's not all of me, just a part I keep cultivating. Yes, I am very passionate about it, but I love and am passionate about other things just like everyone else and it comes out in the songs I sing and write. I'm not the best at anything... I've been learning that for my entire life but, I still forget sometimes that it's okay not to be the best but just give your best and have fun and people will get it. I know you do. Amy's book helped me remember that today, and that I need to get on the ball and keep writing.

Good News: 

Dad sat up and watched a full movie today out of bed (Kung Foo Panda)... quite the big deal...  sitting up for that long, not the cartoon. : ) He’s doing better every day.

Well, merry second day of the twelve days of Christmas. Thanks for reading as always and be careful on the roads wherever you are. 

KM

Go Tell it on the Mountain!

Merry Christmas friends!

I know most of you as well as myself feel a bit like Gus right now. But as I sit here and type in the dark staring at the lights on the Christmas tree (something I've enjoyed doing since I was a little girl) I can't help but feel like I don't deserve the life I have... and I am very grateful.I hope you all get some good sleep.  Be safe on the roads.

Much love,
KM

Wrapping things up

Twas the night before the night before Christmas... and little stinker was sneaking peaks in the wrapping room.

After a ten o'clock Walmart run and 2 hours of baking, I think I'm finally finished. Thank the Lord!

I'm singing the Christmas song I wrote this year at the Christmas eve service tomorrow night. There's nothing like being part of the best church service of the year.

Now that all the material things are taken care of... time to start remembering the reason for the season.

Be safe in your travels tomorrow!

KM 

Love the Journey

I love the Oklahoma countryside.  Most of the time kids shoot holes in the road signs out where I grew up-- they got a little more creative with this one. Love it!

KM

Christmas Lights

Hi guys!

We went to go see Christmas lights tonight at one of those crazy huge displays all set to music. It was very cool! My personal favorite was when Trans Siberian Orchestra was playing their big version of "Carol of the Bells" and the lights were going crazy. So fun! To think about the amount of hours it must have taken to get that all ready... insane.

  Don't ya just love phone pics. : )

This last week we (myself, my manager and producer) have gone through the first edit drafts of each song on the album. WE ARE ALMOST THERE PEOPLE! We've gone through every part of each song, made extensive notes, then sent it back to the editor/mixer/masterer Rob Wechsler (who happened to just be nominated for a Grammy for doing the same for none other than... Lil Wayne... crazy ) to make the changes.  A tedious, but very important and exciting process before it gets mastered. To think these tracks that sound so great aren't even finished! Man, I hope you like it!

Okay, more cool stuff--the next newsletter is coming out this week. If you haven't signed up yet: www.katiemariah.com  is the place to go and you will get it once a month.Good stuff going on in it this month including a little surprise for you to hear. 

Thanks for reading and keeping up with everything! You are the best.

KM             

Australia

Wow, it got cold again... seems like we caught a break from it for a twelve hours or so last time we spoke.

Last night was holiday party number seven. ( Hense, the fingers...: ) This one was titled "A tacky Christmas party." Everyone showed up with big, old, Christmas sweaters from the 80's and overly hair sprayed hair-- except Will and I. We apparently missed the memo.

Dad is back home from the hospital after his second surgery after the accident. He's thankful to be in his own house. They've got him set up with a special hospital bed in his bedroom so he's sitting pretty. His spirits are way up after the good news from the operation. His knee joint is in better shape than they expected, which will really help in the recovery. Thank you all for continually thinking and praying for him!

Tonight Will and I saw Australia! Very good. That country side is something I have on my list to see someday. The film was a bit long, but I think it was one of those movies that if it were to have ended before it did, I would have really felt jipped that I did not get to see how things turned out. That's one of my pet peeves-- when movies leave you hanging to figure it out for yourself how you think the story may have ended... or leave you to make up your own ending as if that is anyway gratifying.  You see, what I want to see in a movie is creative and good cinematography and the story. I need closure at the end of a film so that it fulfills the purpose of me going in the first place... to escape and be entertained. With out closure, I go home with a feeling of loss which contradicts the motive for going in the first place. This feeling is consumate with the approach I take in writing my songs I suppose.

Anyway, Australia was satisfying in humorous and epic sort of way... if those two categories can exist together? I definitely would recommend, although those of you who do not like theatrics or blatant comical drama, preferring darker more post modern films with symbolic undertones of blah blah blah blah blah... do not go see. : )

I hope you all have gotten to do something fun so far this weekend. Be safe in all your travels and kiss someone under the mistletoe this year for goodness sake.

KM

Christmas Cards

Hello!

Well, I guess I'm officially a grown up. I'm sending out one of those "grown up" Christmas cards. Actually, over the last three days I've address and written a message on nearly 300 of these little cards!  We sent them out to Will's clients as well as our friends and family. Think I might be getting Carpal Tunnel.

I started out with regular cards earlier this month, and then one sunny day a few weekends ago Will and I tried to get a family photo that would work to send as well. It took a few tries with Gus, but we finally got one.

Last night at Christmas party number 6 I thought, you know, I need to make sure all the amazing people that continually read my blog everyday receive this Christmas card as well!

So,

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Love,

KM, Will and Gus : )