Katie Mariah's Blog

New Grads!

We threw a party tonight for our friends Kaci and Eric. They took their bar exam today and had been studying all summer. Yeah for no more tests! Congrats guys!
This is Lola... she's a lovable ball of fluff. My friends Jessica and Jordan might be breeding her soon. Can you imagine the little puppy balls of fluffy goodness!?

I've been sending off songs to different magazines and folk groups as of late. The Kerrville, TX Folk festival is one I'm really looking forward to next year. There's just a whole world of music I'm still exploring. What I'm really excited about is something I learned about when looking into the Kerrville festival. The Folk Alliance International is an organization worth looking into for any songwriter, no matter the genre (not sure if I even fit into the "folk" category, most times I think I do...) Lots of resources come with being a member. The South West Regional Folk Alliance conference (SWRFA)is having a conference in Austin in September and I plan on being there. There are lots of showcases and open-mic nights. I can't wait to show off some of my new songs as well as some from the album! I'll let you know more soon!

Hope you are having a great week!

KM

Wedding Partay... Hey... Ho

This gives a whole new meaning to "wedding party." You guys have to watch this! HILARIOUS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0

It's official, year after year advertisers keep shortening our summers... lay off the back to school stuff people! The kids need their kid time. It is very precious! That's for you, cousins!

Just a little random tidbit: I've been working on a few new covers to throw into the mix for my live shows. I have pretty much determined that Van Morrison is a songwriting genius. Amen.

KM

Music Halls!

Hi guys!

Hope you had a great weekend. Ours was jam packed!

Had a great show at Oddfellow's Music Hall in Chickasha, Oklahoma. It's a great listening room! You don't find many of them in Oklahoma. We had a fantastic crowd! They even sang along with me on "Peace Inside." Greatness!

Thank you Shane and Luke Harris! They played before me and were awesome.  Ty Greenhalgh has started something cool there in Chickasha and I hope you all can go check Oddfellow's out sometime!

Will was my "merch man." : )

 

Thanks for checking in guys! I've added a few more dates to the calendar tonight. Hope to see you at a show soon.

KM

Oddfellows

It's 9:30 and I'm exhausted... how is that? I'm used to being the night owl. It's still light outside, one of the things I love about summer. Had car trouble today, blah-- no fun at all.

Dad's surgery went longer than expected yesterday, but he's doing fine now. We were told it he would be in surgery less than an hour and it turned into five hours. Not really sure how that happened, but I'm not the doctor now am I? : )  Thanks to all of you for praying, calling and being great friends and family. We are lucky folks that's for sure. He'll go straight into physical therapy to get stuff healing correctly this time.

I've got a show coming up in Chickasha, Ok this Saturday I'm really excited about. It's at Oddfellows downtown, a cool listening room I saw Ali Harter in a few months ago. I hope some of you that are in the area can come out for it. It's a very relaxed atmosphere. I'm going to play a couple brand new tunes to see how they fair. I love this atmosphere because you get to explain why you wrote the tune and people are really there to listen. I hope to see some of you!

I'm off to bed. Much to do tomorrow. Hope you guys are having a great week.

KM

Versatile Guitar/Dog Case

Hi guys!
Just got back from another songwriter's round in Norman at Cafe Plaid. I played my brand new one for them... just put the final touches on it today. It was really fun singing it for a crowd when no one else has heard it yet but me. I usually at least show it to Will before anyone else. I didn't get to see him today though, so the great folks of SWAN (songwriter's association of Norman)  were first to hear it. They seemed to really like it.

I left my guitar case open this morning. This is what has been happening lately when I make that mistake...

I have a canvass case and it makes for a soft doggy bed. Will and I have been keeping his brother Wyatt's dog for the last few weeks. Murphy, or the Murphanator loves his new bed! We think he's got a gland problem... at first we thought we could slim him down by cutting out the cheese burger only diet the little brother had been feeding him apparently. But, he hasn't changed much with a month's worth of strict kibble diet and walking. He's a curious thing this Murphanator pup. Gus is much happier with a friend around though.

My dad has another surgery tomorrow and I'll be at the hospital with Madre all day. Keep him in your prayers if you would be so kind!

Much love,
KM

Summer Buzz...

Hi guys!
Check this out...

Will sent me this today and I had to pass it on. Hilarious!

It's been a busy weekend. I helped lead worship at Acts2 United Methodist Church in Edmond, OK on Friday and this morning's services. It was a very new experience for me. I'm used to very traditional worship service... we sort of rocked out in this one. But, some of the songs are the old hymns that I love-- we just put a fresh spin on them. Lots of fun. I'll be joining Scott Cude and the band every once in a while over there. There's a great feeling when you meet the people there-- good stuff.

Will and I saw the Johnny Wankers... that's right-- great name for a band made up of three Johns, one on guitar, one John on drums and yes, another John played the bagpipes. Our buddy, John Stark is one of the Johns in the band. It was a great night. The place is called Sean Cumming's Irish Pub and we will be back!

 It felt like we were in Dublin-- everyone sang along to the songs, pounding on the tables and drinking Guinness! A total blast.  (The food was awesome too!)

I told you guys I'd get that new song up for you, but I recorded it yesterday and it's just not quite up to snuff to show the world yet. I'd like to work on the bridge. I'll be working on it this week for you, but in the mean time I've got a few that are finished I've been meaning to record for you and I'll get one of those up this week.

I'm taking a quick respite from the Twilight series... I finished the first two in 4 days and was giving myself serious sleep deprivation. I'm limiting myself so I don't become overly obsessed during a really busy week.

Well, I hope you all had a great weekend! Thank you so much for keeping up, checking in, and generally being the best readers, listeners, and friends a girl could ask for!

KM

Roadies

Hi guys,
some of my "besties" became my "roadies" on Monday for my show at Kaffe Bona. Aren't they cute?!

Well, I'm somewhat baffled with myself for becoming obsessed with what I snubbed as a high school fluff series. The "Twilight" series has me hooked, and I admit that I was being condescending and arrogant about the books before I read them.  But, you know when you don't want to start getting interested in a tv show or a new hobby because you can hardly keep track of what you are already keeping track of... that's sort of how I felt about them and I'm using it as an excuse for why I bashed them to my little sister, didn't start the books sooner, and for why I've been feeling so guilty for spending time on them now. See I'm obsessed... must shut up about it.

Happy Friday friends!

KM

New Office!

Hi guys,

Will's open house went really well yesterday. We had a steady group of great friends and clients in all day long. This is Will, Diana and myself before folks got there.

I'm hooked on the "Twilight" series dang it. I didn't want to start it fearing I wouldn't be able to put it down. I was right. I'm trying to limit myself to reading at night so I can get some things done... instead I just end up giving up sleep for it. I'm exhausted! But... it's totally worth it.: ) I finished the first book in a couple days, now I'm on to the next.

I've got a new song that's almost finished that I think I will video post this week. If I go ahead and say I'll post it on Friday, I will have to make it happen so... there, I'll be posting a new song on Friday. : )

Things are frying outside! My flower boxes are toast and I've been watering them everyday... I hope you are all keeping cool!

KM

Kaffe Bona

Hi guys,

Just drove in from Tulsa tonight. Played an acoustic set at Kaffe Bona on the riverwalk. My friend, Jessica drove over with me and was my "roadie" for the night! God bless her. This place is right on the water in Jenks and so nice... they had gelato too... mmm yes, gelato! We all had late dinner together and now I'm quite tired after a late ride home. At least I had Jessica in the car with me so I couldn't think about falling asleep! It's great to have friends to talk about how crazy life is. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't-- this has been a very crazy year. We got some pictures, but my camera was dead. I'll post some when they are sent to me or I'm tagged. : )

Will has his open house in the morning at his new office in downtown El Reno, OK. We've finally made it! Everything is finished in his office as of 4pm today and it looks great. I made enough cookie batter this morning for six dozen chocolate chip cookies and will bake them in the morning and then I'll head over to help host all afternoon!

Later gators,

KM

The Prayer

I finally get to share this tune with you guys. Here's myself and my older brother, John singing "The Prayer" for his new bride Jeri at his wedding. This is a kid that has never sung in public before folks. Insane...
I've uploaded the track at this site for you to hear!

John and Katie Duet by ktmariah

Here's the happy couple.